The recent agonizing assault on America has been followed by a groundswell of patriotism and defiance in the face of those who attempt to demoralize and cripple us. As the leader of our bold response, the President has seen his approval ratings soar, from a tepid 50% to a passionate 85%. Calls to war against evil are echoing everywhere in the streets. Aroused abruptly from his slumber, the mighty giant awakens to brandish his club.
As is always the case, the thoughts, feelings, and deeds of our world evolve over time, shaped by the past and marching toward the future. Astrology may be used as a road map to describe the shifting tones and quality of our evolving experience. Several astrological indicators coincide over the next six months to indicate a difficult and, at times, treacherous period for our country. I have alluded to some of these factors in past writings, but recent tragic events allow me to focus more clearly on the meaning of the coming planetary picture. From the vantage point of today, it would seem that the two biggest factors to consider in the coming months will be the unfolding of the War on Terrorism and the weakness of the national economy.
Although we are currently in the midst of an aggressive and focused response to a profound threat, the next several months will be very difficult, demanding sacrifice and struggle, often with very limited results. A significant shift away from these challenging times will not begin until early April 2002, coming into full flower by the following month. Other times of turmoil are indicated later in Bush’s tenure, but by May 2002, much of the strain and burden of our current hardships will likely be behind us.
To my mind the most significant planetary lineups of the current period are:
Inaugural progressed Ascendant (based on 1/20/01 at 12:02:25 PM, Washington, DC) reaching its exact opposition to Natal Mars (16Scorpio16). This suggests intense and bitter battles with open enemies. It peaks at the end of January 2002. This was triggered by a Mars Moon conjunction at 1 Capricorn, an exact semisquare to Inaugural Mars, on September 11.
United States Sagittarius rising chart converse progressed Sun semisquare natal Saturn (14Libra48). This suggests a time of difficulty, burden, restriction, challenge, grief, and determination in the face of obstacles. It peaks around mid-March 2002. This was triggered by Mercury on September 11, as well as being the degree of the Ascendant in the chart for the first attack.
President Bush’s progressed Mars square to his natal Sun (13Cancer49). This brings an element of increased aggression and assertiveness and, in a national leader, can suggest military engagement, especially when triggered by other planetary configurations. This will peak in mid-March 2002.
Several other astrological factors are also included in my calculations. Many of these are mentioned below in my attempt to further describe the coming months.
September 11 through October 2001. The first phase of the aftermath of the terrorist attacks is manifesting tremendous courage and optimism from the administration, as well as the great likelihood of military strikes. The most critical period for military activity seems to be between September 19 and November 2, 2001, with September 19 to October 6 especially significant. Astrologically, this corresponds to transiting Jupiter conjunct, transiting Pluto quincunx, and transiting Mars opposite the US and Bush’s shared Sun degree of 13 Cancer. The activation of Bush’s Sun is especially potent because it triggers the progressed Mars square to his natal Sun, indicating a far more aggressive and take charge attitude from him during these days.
General undercurrent from September 25 through December 20, 2001. There is a tremendous amount of influence from the planet Neptune during this entire period, primarily impacting Bush and his administration. This indicates somewhat unrealistic and grandiose plans that may initially seem sensible, but in time prove to be more like castles in the sand. Especially during times when Saturn is also active (see below), so much Neptune can indicate losses and disillusionment. This lack of realism is inherent in Bush’s Inaugural chart and has been previously discussed. The significant planetary indicators are: tertiary progressed Inaugural Midheaven conjunct Neptune, 9/25 through 10/25/01; Bush’s converse progressed Moon conjunct Neptune, 11/10 through 12/10/01; and transiting Neptune conjunct Bush’s Descendant, 11/7 through 12/20/01.
October 20 through December 6, 2001. Although Jupiter continues to be active on Bush’s Sun/progressed Mars during this period, indicating a continuation of military activity and optimism, several other factors intervene. The US converse progressed Sun from 29 Scorpio is currently semisquare the US Saturn at 14 Libra. This progression will continue to wax in strength until mid-March 2002. It was activated on September 11 by a transit of Mercury at 14 Libra, and it will be significantly activated again from October 20 through 25 by a Mercury station on the same degree. Moreover, Pluto will stimulate the same progression from 14 Sagittarius during all of November. This is a progression of sorrow, burden, frustration, and difficulty.
December 3, 2002, through January 3, 2002. This is likely to be a particularly trying time for President Bush. Many of the stimulating energies to his Sun are gone, while the depressing and grieving energy of Saturn will be strong. He may succumb to some depression and hopelessness, though this may not be evident to the public. This month begins a three-month period for Bush that will be fraught with frustration, obstacles, and waning popularity. The significant astrological indicators are: Bush’s progressed Moon conjunct natal Saturn, 12/3/01 to 1/3/02, and transiting Saturn square Bush’s Mars and semisquare his Midheaven, 12/17/01 to 3/17/02.
There is, furthermore, the possibility of a crisis from December 7 through December 10, 2001 The Mercury/Sun conjunction at 19 Sagittarius on 12/8-10 will activate Bush’s progressed Ascendant square his natal Uranus. This progression was triggered on September 11 by the transiting Sun and by Mars, in late March 2001, at the time of the downed spy plane incident in China. (This progression will peak around February 20, 2002.) When activated, it brings Bush into a sudden crisis mode due to unexpected events. Further trouble is suggested during that period by the transit of Mars at 29 Aquarius, triggering the converse Sun progression semisquare the US Saturn, mentioned above. This progression was also an element in the September 11 terrorist attack.
Another time of potential difficulties comes on December 20 through December 22, 2001. Here we find a strong activation of the Saturn transit square Bush’s Mars, by transiting Mercury and Mars. This signifies difficulties and opposition for the President. In addition, the transiting Sun will be at 1 Capricorn, triggering the very significant progressed Ascendant opposite natal Mars in the Inaugural chart. This progression, perhaps more than any, signifies the intensification of the experience of “open enemies”, already strong in the Inaugural chart due to the position and aspects of Inaugural Mars. Thus these few days may cause severe difficulties for Bush either with foreign powers or with a hostile Congress.
I would like to mention here that the possibility of Vice President Cheney’s health becoming a significant issue cannot be ruled out during December and January.
January 2002. This promises to be a very difficult month, not only for Bush, but for all of us. I think it is likely we will see increased clashes with adversaries during this time and/or the administration may be struggling with opposition at home. From the 19th through the 31st a great many planetary configurations coincide to cause significant problems.
What I consider the primary war configuration from July 2001 through January 2002, the Inaugural progressed Ascendant in exact opposition to Mars, will be greatly stimulated by the Inaugural progressed Moon semisquare natal Mars through all of January. Furthermore, on January 19 –20 Mars will be at 1 Aries, activating these two simultaneous progressions. Thus, the potential for violence and clashes with enemies is very strong during this entire month, especially 1/19-20.
On January 26 the tertiary progressed Inaugural Mars will begin a two-month opposition to Inaugural Saturn. Mars in the 7th house represents the “enemy”, while Saturn in the 1st, and ruler of the Midheaven, represents the administration. Here, they are opposed, with Saturn attempting to restrain Mars. Concurrent with the first week of this nasty Inaugural progression is the transit of Uranus square to Inaugural Saturn. This implies the administration will be hit by something unexpected, potentially a crisis, that may cause a significant shift in policy or may throw it back into a deeper level of struggle with the enemy. The Uranus transit is from January 15 through February 1, 2002. The overlap with the early stage of the tertiary Inaugural Mars progression is from January 26 to February 1. In addition, transiting Mars will be semisquare Inaugural Saturn on January 30-31. Thus, the final two weeks of January will bring unexpected crisis and confrontation for the administration with a potentially violent enemy, the especially difficult days being January 19-20 and January 26 to February 1, 2002.
February through mid-March 2002. This period may turn out to have the feeling of a protracted struggle without much result (tertiary progressed Mars opposed to Inaugural Saturn). Moreover, Bush will seem weak and confused (transiting Neptune quincunx Bush’s Mars) as well as frustrated and opposed on many fronts (Saturn continues to square Bush's Mars).
It is possible that there may be some strengthening in the economy during this time, as well as some general renewal of confidence. Transiting Jupiter will make a station on the US chart’s Jupiter for this entire period. This is a very positive indicator of abundance and optimism, especially since Jupiter is the ruler of the Sagittarius rising chart.
Mid-March through April 2002. Events move swiftly during this timeframe, possibly signifying a shift away from the struggles of the previous fall and winter. As Bush’s war mood begins to abate (passing of progressed Mars square his Sun) and the more stressful Saturn aspects subside, a strong Uranus conjunction to the US Moon/progressed Sun takes place. This will bring sudden, unexpected events that change everything in a moment. The exact transit will be on March 29, supported by a Venus/Moon opposition in benign aspect. Further Uranus action comes in April, and, for Bush, through June, with a minor hard aspect of Uranus to Bush’s and the US Sun. What changes this may bring I do not know, but events will be unfolding rapidly. After the transit of Saturn crossing the US Descendant for the final time between April 18 and 26, the country will move away from the last vestiges of the mood of burden and struggle that has been with it since the late summer of 2001. Interestingly, it is at about this time that Bush enters a period of improved popularity and success for about a year, although this will certainly be tempered by a myriad of other tumultuous events and challenges down the pike.