NewsScope for May 25, 2004

Crisis of Authority in Iraq

Last week some of the fiercest battles in the Iraqi war unfolded in Karbala and Najaf, home to the three most revered martyrs of Shiite Islam. While American forces pressed their campaign against the radical cleric Muqtada Sadr and his followers, the clashes had a ripple effect across the Islamic world with massive protests and riots taking place in Pakistan, Lebanon, Bahrain, and Iran.

Iraq's horoscope (August 23, 1921; 6:00 am; Baghdad) remains under continuous pressure from all four of the outer planets. The most troubling combination shaping up over the coming months involves transiting Saturn and Pluto. The Saturn-Pluto combination is known for its correspondence to crises of authority, and gives warning that the clashes in Iraq could soon escape the borders.

Iraq's horoscope features a Moon-Venus square, an aspect generally considered mild in geopolitical charts. But Iraq's Moon, symbolizing the people and their security needs, is in militant Aries, and Venus is in territorial Cancer. Transiting Pluto has been forming hard aspects to Iraq's Moon-Venus over the last year, creating a powerful feeling of resentment against the Americans as an unwanted occupational force.

Transiting Saturn and Pluto form a quincunx (150-degree aspect) on July 31. This shape-shifting force happens to exactly align with Iraq 's Moon-Venus. In spite of the American plan to establish a new government by June 30, this outer planet set-up guarantees violent reactions well past the transfer deadline. The Americans' biggest problem under this influence is how to get out without leaving a civil war behind.

John McCain Considered for Veep Spot

Last week Democrat leaders were enthusiastically spinning scenarios that would put Republican Senator John McCain on the ticket with John Kerry. Reports described how McCain as Kerry's Vice President would create a unity government, and instantly transform the presidential race. McCain has repeatedly declined the offer, saying that he works with President Bush on many issues and wants him re-elected.

As a former Presidential candidate himself, John McCain (August 29, 1936; 8:56 am; Coco Solo AFB, Panama) ran into the same problem as Howard Dean of being too unpredictable and having a volatile temper. Both men have their Mars in hard aspect to Uranus, the planet that gives this maverick quality. Currently, McCain is under a major Uranus vibration, an astrological set-up that could push him into the Democrats' camp.

Transiting Uranus is now opposing McCain's Virgo Sun. This astro-event alone is enough to make one bolt from a long-standing tradition. Uranus here inclines the individual to make sudden and unexpected changes. Also, his progressed Mars is making a strong link* to his Seventh House Uranus. Last week we saw these celestial influences spark up when the Senator and House Speaker Dennis Hastert broke into open feuding.

Another huge factor in McCain's chart is that transiting Saturn is rapidly rising toward his Midheaven, his point of honor. Saturn here indicates that McCain is nearing the peak of his professional career. His ambition is keen, yet he remains a Senator from Arizona . If he were ever to break from his party, this is the season. With Venus retrograde now, which is his planetary ruler, he may be seriously re-considering running as Kerry's Veep.

Richard Branson's Reality Show

England 's favorite billionaire Richard Branson was in New York City last week to kick off an open casting call for his new reality TV show, scheduled to air on FOX next season. Hundreds of contestants lined up to try out for one of 16 spots, while the Virgin CEO, well-known for his adventurous spirit and numerous racing records, used a jetpack to swoop down into the crowd gathered in Times Square.

Richard Branson was born in the Moon-ruled sign of Cancer (July 18, 1950; 7:00 am; Blackheath, UK). His Moon, found on the cusp of the Second House of money, is in Virgo, the sign of the Virgin. All his businesses carry the Virgin label, which resonates astrologically with his personal prosperity. His first company, Virgin Music Group, was founded in 1973, and in 1992 he sold it for a cool $1 billion.

Branson's Sun is hidden away in the Twelfth House, but his Leo Ascendant, with Pluto near by, presents a striking public persona. He looks and acts like a king, and perhaps is the spitting image of Richard the Lion-Hearted. Branson's Pluto is well-supported by favorable aspects to Mars, Neptune and Chiron.

Branson's creative entrepreneurial style is enhanced by an exact trine between Jupiter and Uranus. These two planets harmoniously linked define the free spirit and independent thinker. At the moment, transiting Uranus is exactly conjunct his natal Jupiter. This connection allows him to redefine the billionaire reality TV show, and promises to bring more fame and celebrity to his spectacular resume.

*Progressed Mars making an exact tri-octile (or sesquiquadrate, a 135-degree aspect) to Uranus.

Personal readings are available from Michael WolfStar.