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NewsScope
for April 23, 2001
"Extremism
in the Defense of Liberty Is No Vice"
–Barry Goldwater,
1964
Across the
global village geopolitical conflict escalated sharply last week as the
outer planets Jupiter and Pluto edged closer to their exact opposition.
Pluto, known for its tendency toward extremism, is being propelled by
a spirit of righteousness as symbolized by Jupiter.
Advised by
his stable of cold warriors on China policy, U.S. President Bush
indicated that espionage flights off the coast of China will continue,
even though all the information gathered there is redundant, already scanned
from satellites and distant 707s. China called the espionage flights "provocative,"
and will be even more unhappy when Taiwan gets a new shipment of armaments.
In the Middle
East tensions rose to near war level following Israel's bombardment of
a Syrian radar center, and the tank and bulldozer invasion of the Palestinian's
Gaza Strip. Israel's horoscope (May 14, 1948, at 4:37 pm in Tel Aviv)
is showing a readiness to use heavy military force.* Syria promised
to get revenge, and Yassir
Arafat's overtures were ignored by Ariel Sharon.**
In Moscow
President
Putin closed down the independent TV station NTV in an attempt
to ward off domestic criticism. NTV staff vowed to set up a rival channel.
In Quebec an army of riot police fought demonstrators who rallied against
trade globalization. Everywhere and anywhere, people believe strongly
in their nation, their cause or their religion as Jupiter and Pluto are
promoting the notion that "God is on our side."
Surprise
Fed Cut Lifts Markets
Citing a
severe slowdown in corporate capital spending, the Federal Reserve cut
short-term interest rates by half a point last Wednesday. Stock market
investors, already cautiously optimistic, began a buying spree that sent
the Nasdaq and NYSE spiking sharply upward. Analysts were divided over
whether the Fed can steer the economy out of recession, but at least in
the short-term, investors were euphoric.
The
horoscope for the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 (December 23, 1913, at 6:02
pm in Washington D.C.) is one of financial astrology's most useful tools
since it established the Federal Reserve Board as the overseer of short-term
monetary policy. Major transits to this horoscope can reveal changes in
policy, as well as show surprise moves like last week's rate cut.
 The
Sun in this chart, as in other political horoscopes, represents the leadership
of the organization, currently Alan
Greenspan. The Sun is challenged by an opposition to Pluto
and a square to the Midheaven, a combination that creates as much public
controversy as personal power. Venus, the natural ruler of money, had
come to a full stop right on the Midheaven (and squaring the Sun-Pluto
axis), and was turning direct just as the Fed issued its surprise cut.
The Fed cut
is the fourth so far this year, which began with a major change of policy
on January 3. Policy is a Mercury-governed astrology principle, and in
this chart Mercury is opposed to Saturn, showing the very deliberate and
cautious thinking behind all such changes. Transiting Pluto hit the Fed's
Mercury on January 3, triggering the need for fundamental policy changes
to fight recession.
Colby
Donaldson, Immunity Champion
With only
four survivors left to fight off hunger, torrents of rain and their own
self-doubts, last week's Survivor II–The Australian Outback
drama featured a tense confrontation between Colby and Keith over how much rice to cook. Colby won the immunity challenge
for the third time in a row, making him the one to beat going into the
final episodes.
Colby
Donaldson was born an independent, feisty Aries (April 1, 1974 in Dallas,
TX; time unknown) like the previous Survivor winner Richard
Hatch (April 8, 1961). Colby and Richard share some key astrological
placements that could indicate he's favored to win the million bucks.
Both have a very close Jupiter-Pluto aspect, something that would increase
one’s chances of winning big money and being the center of media attention.
Both have
the people skills associated with a Venus trine to Uranus. These aspects
are very tight, showing their importance in the overall chart. Colby's problem,
however, is that he stands an excellent chance of being voted out if he
loses an immunity challenge.
Of the other
contestants, only Keith (February 11, 1960) doesn't have a Jupiter-Pluto
aspect, so he's gone. This planetary link is critical since the winner will be announced on May 3, which is when transiting Jupiter and Pluto
are nearly exactly opposite each other. NewsScope odds-makers give either
Elisabeth (May 28, 1977) or Tina
(December 26, 1960) the best chance of being the final Survivor.
Notes
*Progressed
Mars square Uranus, transiting Uranus square the Sun.
**For
more on Ariel Sharon and Israel, see NewsScope
February 12.
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