Tertiary progressions provide an effective means of progressing a birth chart that represents a short and defined period of time such as a four-year presidential term. Over the life of such a chart, there are generally not enough years to glean much information from secondary progressions, the one day equals one year technique. With tertiary progressions, however, we are able to use the ratio of one day equals one month with very fruitful results.
We have seen how the three transits of Mercury to natal Uranus in the Inaugural Chart caused a great stir during the early weeks of the Bush Residency. The first brought the reinstitution of the gag rule, the second brought the bombing of Iraq, and the third brought the angioplasty of Vice President Cheney with its accompanying denials of seriousness. In each case, the event was sudden and unexpected (Uranus) and was followed by tremendous public concern and criticism (Mercury/Uranus receives a square from Mars).
The tertiary progressed Mercury that reached its exact conjunction to Uranus during the last three weeks of March exemplified much the same pattern. It brought in its wake numerous policies (Mercury) from the Bush administration that were sudden, unexpected, and contrary to the general mood of the public (Uranus) and that were followed by public anger and enormous criticism (Mars). Among these were the abandonment of carbon dioxide regulations, the repeal of arsenic in drinking water regulations, the withdrawal of support from the Korean negotiations, the repeal of ergonomic regulations, and other such pro-industry and anti-humanitarian policies too numerous to list. The most egregious action taken under this progression and the one that produced the greatest outcry from all across the globe was the withdrawal of the United Sates from the Kyoto Protocol, an international process of many years duration working to halt the destructive process of global warming. This came on March 28 when tertiary progressed Mercury was almost exact in its conjunction to natal Uranus (19Aquarius) and was activated by transits from Mars (19 Sagittarius) and the Moon (19 Taurus).
Coming in June and July (exact on July 24th) there will be a tertiary progression of Mars reaching its exact square to Uranus in the Inaugural chart. We have already seen this Mars in action in the angry and critical response evoked both nationally and internationally by the policies of the Bush administration. This progression suggests that the anger will reach a fevered pitch and perhaps become violent during the summer months. The period from about June 20 to 26 looks especially difficult, dangerous, and tumultuous in that the tertiary progressed Moon will reach its conjunction to Uranus during that time, intensifying the Mars square. It is worth noting that natal Mars is in the seventh house of open enemies, and, therefore, the open hostilities represented by this progression might involve either foreign or domestic adversaries, or both. This progression also coincides with the powerful planetary opposition of Jupiter and Mars and the equally powerful retrograde station of Mars in July. These configurations indicate a rather brutal period for the administration and for the country.
Several further planetary aspects running concurrent to differing parts of the volatile and violent tertiary progressed Mars square to Inaugural Uranus suggest that this will be a very difficult time for the Bush administration. Running from late May through the first nine days of June, the transiting Pluto quincunx to Bush’s natal Sun activates his progressed Mars square to the Sun. This indicates the potential for very aggressive and perhaps rash action on the part of the Resident-in-Chief. Also in June and reaching greatest intensity around the 27th, is the very significant tertiary progressed Inaugural Sun (representing the ruler) conjunction with natal Neptune, the planet of illusion, loss, confusion, and scandal. Though Bush may begin the month with grandiose and dangerous schemes (Neptune combined with the activation of progressed Mars/Sun square), by month’s end he will be in a weakened and confused state (Neptune) in response to the tumult and anger around him (tertiary progressed Mars square Uranus). There is a potential for scandal, loss, and disgrace. National prestige will also be at risk. This chaos and perceived weakness will continue to some degree throughout July while Neptune retrogrades back across Bush’s Descendant.
The end of June and early July also brings with it the first phase of a difficult Saturn transit for Bush, when the planet of frustration and limitation squares his Mars and sesquiquadrates his Midheaven. This transit will be returning with greater force in December, 2001, through March, 2002, and indicates the first real brakes put on the Bush administration, causing him to tread more carefully. It will bring difficulties and major setbacks, especially at the turn of the year.
In summary, June and July bring to Dubya a time of great anger and protest potentially acted out in some form of belligerence by either domestic or foreign adversaries. The period from June 20th through 26th is especially treacherous. After a period of overly bold and possibly aggressive action by the administration, the events of June may lead to a time of retreat, loss, confusion and possible scandal in the midst of great criticism and outrage. It is conceivable that the tumultuous circumstances of the coming summer and Bush’s inadequate response to them may well remain imprinted on the national psyche for a long time and signal a turning point downward for his administration.
