Venus Williams Wins U.S. Open

As Venus Williams won her first U.S. Open championship on Saturday, September 9, three powerful transits were conspiring to ensure that victory was hers.

Jupiter's transit through Gemini promises gain and prominence for those like Williams (and her opponent Lindsay Davenport) born under the sign of the twins.

The transiting Sun at 17 Virgo exactly conjoined Williams' natal Mars during the final match on Saturday, September 9. With the Sun representing achievment, pride and ego, and Mars ruling aggression, fierce competition and physical power, this combination guarantees victory.

Finally, on Sunday, September 10, the day after her momentous win, Venus, planet of love, harmony, and prosperity, exactly conjoined Williams' Venus-ruled Libra Ascendant at 13 degrees. What other planet but her very own namesake could describe how truly blessed, happy and beautiful she felt. Today, the world is truly Venus Williams' oyster.

Coach Bob Knight is Fired

Indiana University's basketball coach, Bob Knight, has finally been fired for his inability to control his rage and abide by a "zero-tolerance" ruling—the disciplinary action imposed on him about four months ago for a much-publicized choking incident.

Knight was born an intense Scorpio, a sign known for its volcanic emotionality, but also for its amazing self-control, which helps to keep a firm lid on such tempestuous feelings, although not in Bob Knight's case. His Pluto forms a square to his Sun, suggesting self-sabotaging defenses that may be based on deep, but often unexamined, power drives.

After 29 years as Indiana U's honored Hall-of-Fame Hoosier's coach, the contentious Knight faced severe sanctions last May—including his removal—due to his history of unacceptable behavior (specifically his intimidation and abuse of both players and fellow employees). But on Septemer 7—the day of the altercation with a student that led to his firing—transiting Mars made a dynamic stress pattern to his Mercury (communication) and his Uranus (sudden, defiant action). Mars thus triggered his tense natal Mercury-Uranus opposition, known for generating unexpected verbal outbursts.

His anger is of the explosive, chair-throwing, reaching-for-the-jugular variety, way over the top even in today's climate of violence in sports. He's easily enraged, and can get very physical in expressing it. Ironically, he is also known as a disciplinarian, and was even was dubbed "The General."

Bossy Moon in Leo

Besides being a Scorpio, Knight has his Moon in dramatic but bossy Leo, indicating that he has a high opinion of himself and likes to be in command. He wants to give orders, but won't take 'em. Leo also craves attention, respect and adulation. This Scorpio-Leo mix is passionate, yet volatile (fire blended with water can be steamy). These two "fixed" signs can be unyielding and quite determined to have their way.

When anyone who has been in a career for 29 years is in trouble, an astrological red flag goes up: a Saturn return is in operation. This Saturn crisis point warns folks to play by the rules of the game or gracefully bow out—or else suffer penalties. It honors discipline and punishes out-of-control behavior. Usually, authorities will come down heavy on those who fail to meet expected performance standards. Obviously, acting like a bully on the job does not meet with Saturn's approval. This is a planet that faithfully gives us what we deserve.

In addition to all of this, Bob Knight was also having a personal Saturn return, which happens to all of us at around age fifty-nine. This double-Saturn influence underscores a period of testing his maturity level and his ability to face reality. Those who fail the test invite self-created limitations as the world turns unsympathetic. Saturn does allow us time for damage-control measures regarding our social standing. But in the end, the ax falls for those willful types who continue to ignore the writing on the wall. Unfortunately, coach Knight is not one to walk away without a fight.

The Venus Williams article was contributed by Ronnie Dreyer. Send her an email or visit her website.

Bil Tierney contributed the article on Bobby Knight.