NewsScope for August 5, 2008

World Leaders Eclipsed
 
Last week Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in the Senate, was indicted on seven felony counts for failing to report more than $250,000 in gifts from the VECO oil company in exchange for political favors. Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Serbian leader Radovan Karadzic, and White House strategist Karl Rove were also in the hot seat, and scheduled for falls from grace.
 
Astrologically, the wave of politicians collapsing from their exalted status corresponded with the Solar Eclipse in Leo, which traditionally brings the fall of world leaders, especially due to an arrogance of power. Ted Stevens (November 18, 1923) was born with his Scorpio Sun conjunct Jupiter, a fortunate natal set-up that helped him earn a solid reputation for most of his political career. However, his Sun also squares Neptune, the natural ruler of oil and corruption.
 
Stevens has Ceres located at 9º Aquarius (probably angular in his chart), exactly aligned with the August 1 Solar Eclipse. Karl Rove (December 25, 1950) has Mars at 8º Aquarius, also in line with the eclipse. Bush (Mercury-Pluto 10º Leo) and Cheney (Sun 10º Aquarius) are also in jeopardy from this eclipse. Ehud Olmert (September 30, 1945) and Radovan Karadzic (June 19, 1945) both have Pluto in Leo where the Solar Eclipse landed.
 
While millions of people have Pluto in this degree area, very few have reached a position where their downfall makes headline news. Like Stevens, Olmert and Karadzic have challenging Sun-Neptune aspects, which early in their careers brought them political victories through their idealistic vision, but later brought them shame through their indiscreet, misguided actions. Barack Obama, are you listening?
 
Olympics Opening Ceremony: 8-8-08; 8:08:08 pm
 
China (October 1, 1949; 3:15 pm; Beijing) has one of the few national horoscopes that most everyone agrees is accurate. The Aquarius Moon near the Ascendant (the people) is in harmony with the Sun in Libra (the leadership). The kink in the system is Uranus, which forms hard aspects to the Sun and Moon, and periodically gives rise to radical changes of direction.
 
China became independent when the United States had just attained superpower status, and was China's most feared enemy. This can be seen in the severe Mars-Pluto conjunction in the Seventh House of open enemies. The slogan "Down with American Imperialism" was set aside soon after Nixon visited China in February 1972. As China opened its doors to the west, transiting Pluto was conjunct China's Sun.
 
China's Mars-Pluto reflects the prominence of the military, and the willingness to use absolute force when necessary. The massacre at Tiananmen Square in June 1989 took place as transiting Uranus opposed natal Uranus in the Fifth House of youth, and the progressed Sun was square Pluto. As China has transformed itself into an economic powerhouse, so too has its Mars changed from military readiness to Olympic fever.
 
When the Olympics open, China's progressed Ascendant is squaring Mars, emphasizing the meeting of athletes. Naturally, such a configuration may also symbolize military conflict. As the athletes from around the world compete, transiting Mars and Pluto are heading into a square, which will be exact on August 17. The astrologer can only hope that the intensity of this aspect is played out in the arena.
 
Kevin Costner in Swing Vote
 
In the tradition of political satires like Dave, Bulworth, and Wag the Dog, Kevin Costner's latest film Swing Vote relies on the absurd notion that the outcome of the entire presidential election hinge's on one man's vote. That man—"Bud"—is a beer-swilling loser, and though he missed his constitutionally-guaranteed right to vote, he gets to re-cast it, and thereby decide the next president.
 
Kevin Costner was born with his Capricorn Sun (January 18, 1955; 9:40 pm; Lynwood, CA) conjunct the U.S. Pluto, the nation's ruling planet. From this unique vantage point, Costner is able to personify (Sun) the heroes and anti-heroes (and occasionally the clowns) that define the American soul (Pluto). As a potent power point, many politicians (including John McCain) have their Sun or Moon conjunct the U.S. Pluto.
 
In his natal chart, the closest aspect Costner's Sun makes is the square to Neptune, an aspect which makes him feel at home in the fantasy world of film. Costner's Field of Dreams, Waterworld, and Message in a Bottle are characteristic of this idyllic Neptunian side. Neptune's chameleon qualities are shown in Swing Vote as the tendency for politicians to promise everything to everybody.
 
Costner's Mars is strongly placed in Aries, allowing him to play numerous athletic roles. His Mars is found in his Seventh House of partners, and next year will be squared by transiting Pluto. Simultaneously, transiting Uranus—commonly referred to as the divorce planet—will enter his 7th house. While he is now happily married (progressed Ascendant conjunct Juno), he's due for some changes in this department.
 
For more celebrity profiles and geopolitical commentary from an astrological perspective, visit www.neptunecafe.com.

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