NewsScope for March 25, 2008

China and the Journey of Harmony

A growing international outcry over China's crackdown in Tibet is casting a cloud over the Summer Olympics, scheduled to begin in August. The Dalai Lama has threatened to quit as head of Tibet's government in exile if his followers don't stop their acts of violent protest, while Chinese officials blame the spiritual leader, calling him a "wolf in a monk's robe."

China's horoscope (October 1, 1949; 3:15 pm; Beijing) is showing signs of strain: a series of rolling protests began as transiting Mars and Pluto opposed each other while they were aligned with China's Uranus. Uranus is found in China's Fifth House of students and youth, and just as the students led the Tiananmen Square uprising in May and June 1989, that same demographic is awakening now.

The Olympic Torch is scheduled to pass through Tibet's capital Lhasa in late May, but Students for a Free Tibet have called for a boycott of that leg of the so-called "Journey of Harmony." China's progressed chart includes a tightening conjunction between Mars and Saturn in Virgo, now within one degree (about two years) of being exact. This combination reflects China's attempt to control everything, especially through military and government orders.

Another major aspect shaping up is China's progressed Ascendant squaring natal Mars. The positive expression of this is the competitive arena of the Olympics, but escalating military confrontations are also possible, especially noting that transiting Pluto was squaring natal Mars during the Tiananmen massacre. Mercury symbolizes the runner carrying the torch, but on May 25, Mercury turns retrograde while squaring transiting Uranus, promising a disruption in the Tibetan leg.

Top Five Astro-Events for April

1. Ceres squares Saturn, effective from April 1-5, and is largely a negative economic indicator, especially since this aspect aligns with U.S. Venus. This phase might mark the culmination of the fourth wave of bad economic news, since this cycle began early last year with the subprime mortgage crisis. The fifth wave should arrive in about four months.

2. Pluto turns retrograde on the 2nd as it makes a trioctile to the U.S. Midheaven. Major natural and manmade catastrophes are often associated with Pluto's station, but now that Pluto is in Capricorn, corporate and government structures are more likely to come under celestial assault. Watch for severe pressure on banking and lending institutions.

3. Transiting Jupiter forms a quincunx to the U.S. Mars on April 13, adding to the current Chiron and Uranus aspects to the U.S. Mars. All this planetary activation of America's war planet brings a sense of military adventurism, as well as wide swings in corporate budgets and financial markets. Jupiter's influence brings bravado, and perhaps some brash statements from the candidates.

4. Transiting Uranus squaring the U.S. Mars is in effect all month, but becomes exact on April 28. This aspect resonates strongly with John McCain's chart, putting his militant vibes on the national radar. Watch for increased hostilities involving U.S. forces. Mars also represents great American cities*, one of which may experience a great disaster this month.

5. The Full Moon on April 20 features Mars at the Fourth House cusp of the U.S. chart (at 6:25 am in Washington D.C). One might expect some severe incidents of domestic violence under this influence, noting that this is the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. A concurrent Venus-Mars-Jupiter T-square points to personal relationship challenges unfolding over the next few days.

Kristi Yamaguchi Scores 27

Champion figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi became the celebrity to beat in last week's Dancing with the Stars premiere, as she scored a 27––the highest first-week score in the show's history. Fellow contestant Penn Jillette, whose sluggish, clumsy performance put him at the bottom of the rankings, accused Kristi of having an unfair advantage, saying that she's been dancing for 30 years on ice.

As previously previewed,** Kristi Yamaguchi (July 12, 1971; 9:02 am; Hayward, CA) has most of the astrological traits needed to win the coveted, glitzy glass ball trophy. Her Cancer Sun's closest aspect is the quincunx to Mars, giving her the vitality and competitive spirit required to do the high-energy dance moves. Also, her Chiron at 13º Aries is exactly conjunct the DWTS Moon, making her a fan favorite.

Kristi's chart shows neither the Sun nor the Moon in Taurus, which all the previous winners have had. The prominent Taurus factor is found, however, with her natal Midheaven and Pallas in Taurus. By secondary progression, Pallas is the most prominent planet in her chart, since it's exactly squaring her Ascendant. Taurus is what keeps her centered while dancing before 20 million viewers.

Most importantly, Kristi is undergoing a major Saturn transit. Transiting Saturn is squaring her Tenth House Saturn during the entire competition, indicating how much effort she's putting into each performance, and how this contest will likely bring her out of retirement. Next year, her progressed Sun will be conjunct her Leo Ascendant (and square beneficial Jupiter), an additional indicator that a new career is just beginning.

*In the U.S. horoscope, Mars is conjunct the Part of Fortune in the Eighth House of insurance payouts. For more on Mars's connection to U.S. cities, see www.neptunecafe.com/Mars.html

**See NewsScope for March 11, 2008

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