Ever since the fall of Baghdad in mid-April, an increasingly loud and jarring note of triumphalism has been ringing through the corridors of America, reaching its crescendo in the past week with Mr. Bush’s victory extravaganza aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and Mr. Rumsfeld’s gloating trip to the Middle East. The official message is that we have removed a rogue nation with an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction from the world stage and weakened those who committed the atrocity of 9/11. Of course, no weapons of mass destruction have been found, and no proof whatsoever exists of any significant link between Saddam and Osama. But the somnolent American citizenry, hypnotized by the daily images and messages of propaganda from their Fearless Leader, has been conditioned to believe the party line despite convincing evidence to the contrary.
The other official message is that we have liberated Iraq and are about to install a democratic government. Of course, the 60% Shiite population has been warned that this ”democratic” government will not be permitted to be Islamic, another jarring chord in the triumphal cacophony for those with ears to hear.
The unofficial message, more for international than domestic consumption, proclaims that the United States will use its invincible military to promote its economic and geo-strategic goals, as well as to maintain America’s global dominance, despite any and all opposition from the rest of the world. Early writings and position papers have surfaced, authored by members of the current administration, that demonstrate that this plan had been simmering since the early 1990’s. By 1997, these ideas had found a home in the think tank Project for the New American Century (PNAC), whose main thrust was the use of preemptive military intervention to promote America’s economic, security, and strategic interests. PNAC’s first espoused goal was the removal of Saddam Hussein from power.
Following our glorious victory over Saddam’s sanctions-devastated fourth-rate military power, the administration initially indulged in some threatening rhetoric aimed at Syria and Iran. Thus far, however, nothing has indicated any imminent hostilities with either of these sovereign nations. North Korea remains something of a wild card, but the hope is that diplomacy (such as it is under Bush) will prevail, because the likely nuclear confrontation that could erupt would be too devastating.
Unfortunately, an examination of the planets suggests that we are in no way finished with the Bush/Rumsfeld era of military engagement. On the contrary, the military focus of this administration is likely to expand during its remaining 20 months in office. There are two periods of time in particular that suggest increasing hostilities. The first, from July through October 2003, may or may not bring about an organized military engagement, as much as an increase in aggressive and threatening rhetoric and/or hostile confrontations in Iraq, Afghanistan, or other Third World locations. The second period, from January through June 2004, is likely to bring about a significant military confrontation, with Bush encountering a great deal of domestic and world protest in response.
As of mid-May 2003, Bush’s progressed Sun moves to within one degree of a conjunction with his natal Mars (9Virgo18). We will see the resultant aggressive, military-focused, impatient, and determined energy in Bush dominate during the following 12 months, when it peaks in late May 2004. From mid-July through mid-August 2003, the transiting Mars station will fall directly opposite this progressed Sun/natal Mars configuration, thus inflaming Bush with an enormous amount of anger and aggression. It is surely not coincidental that Chiron will be opposing the US and Bush’s Sun at roughly the same time. This latter aspect is likely to bring cries of protest worldwide over an arrogant, bullying, and dictatorial American policy.
Continuing this rather overbearing and militant period into late August and September, several minor aspects suggest that the administration will continue to ride roughshod over any and all opposition, domestic and foreign. From mid-August to mid-September, the converse progressed Inaugural Moon will be conjunct natal Mars. In addition, the Inaugural tertiary progressed Mars will be square to the Inaugural tertiary progressed Sun (9/14 through 10/16/03). Furthermore, the Inaugural tertiary progressed Mercury will be square to natal Mars, and Inaugural tertiary progressed Jupiter will square tertiary progressed Sun. All in all, this strongly suggests an assertive, angry, dominating, expansionistic period that will incite a great deal of global anger in response.
October may well bring this phase to kind of dark climax. Bush’s aggression will be very strong early in the month when Jupiter conjuncts his potent and dangerous progressed Sun/natal Mars conjunction (10/6 through10/11). At about the same time, transiting Jupiter will square the US Uranus, suggesting that the second week in October could bring powerful and explosive events. But two other planetary configurations suggest the possible beginning phase of a real comeuppance for the reckless, overbearing, arrogant policies orchestrated by the current administration.
In October, Saturn will make a station almost exactly conjunct the US Sun. In the US chart, the Sun is very closely squared to Saturn, which sits in the 10th house. This configuration suggests the importance of our world leadership role (10th house Saturn), but with the caveat that we remain humble and willing to serve the greater good. The danger is that this position comes from the tendency towards a rigid outlook and a domineering and arrogant attitude. Periodically, usually during Saturn transits, painful lessons will occur in response to our haughty overreach. Our economy often contracts considerably during these times, and our Chief Executive, often the manifestation of the hubris, frequently pays a great price. Thus, late September 2003 will begin the nine-month period of Saturn hovering around the US Sun and indicating tremendous difficulties for the country and Bush. This transit will bring enormous frustrations and painful experiences that will not be readily solved or forgotten. Wars will not end in big victory parades, and the economy will not rebound. The only solution to Saturn is careful, cautious policies of compromise and diplomacy of which Bush seems incapable.
The second very significant configuration in October and early November 2003, which suggests a great crisis for Bush, is the culmination of his progressed MC conjunct his natal Uranus (19Gemini08). This will be augmented by a quincunx from his progressed Moon at 19 Scorpio (10/9 through 11/9) and further set off by transiting Pluto from 19 Sagittarius, beginning around October 25 and continuing through November. Given that these aspects occur simultaneously with the Saturn station, it seems likely they will bring a series of critical events that cause enormous changes, dislocations, and difficulties for Mr. Bush. This picture is compounded by the station of Uranus from late September through November 2003, exactly on the US progressed Sun. It is important to remember that the US Sun always represents the president. Having the progressed Sun transited by a stationary Uranus while the natal Sun is transited by a stationary Saturn can only mean upsetting, sudden and very problematic events for the Commander-in-Chief.
The second period suggestive of a significant military conflict comes during the five-month period from January through early June 2004. Mr. Bush, at this point, will be under two enormously powerful Mars progressions, both of them triggered significantly during this period. The first, mentioned above, is the progressed Sun conjunct natal Mars at 9 Virgo that will be set off by Bush’s converse progressed Moon conjunct natal Mars in January 2004 and by the Jupiter station conjunct natal Mars in April and May 2004. The second Mars progression of consequence for Bush is the converse progressed Mars conjunct his natal Ascendant, which comes within one- degree orb in September 2003, but is set off by the Pluto transit in sesquiquadrate aspect during February through mid-April 2004. Note that the extra stimulation of Mars through these progressions goes almost nonstop from January through May. Bush is likely to be extraordinarily aggressive, ruthless, impatient, very angry, and perhaps reckless under these aspects. Moreover, the Pluto station that runs from January through May 2004 will be exactly opposite the US Mars, essentially confirming the prediction of war during this period. Because Mars rules the 4th house in the US chart, we can further expect a great deal of domestic turmoil from this aspect, including the potential for violent protests and civil unrest.
The violent and difficult opening period of 2004 ends with the final crossing of Saturn to the US Sun and square its natal place in June. Any feelings of success that may have come during the expansive Jupiter activity of April and May (square US Uranus and conjunct Bush’s progressed Sun/natal Mars) will dissipate in June. Feelings of shame, loss, and humiliation will be more prevalent as we stand amid the ashes of the prior madness. From this point on, until the end of the year, Neptune predominates, bringing with it disillusionment, loss, and confusion. Neptune will be quincunx the US Sun and Bush’s Sun and square to the Inaugural Ascendant for much of that time. The administration will have lost its footing, and there will be no path of return. The converse Mars progression will remain on Bush’s Ascendant through September 2005, causing an irritability, demandingness, and impatience that will be increasingly difficult for others to tolerate. The end of 2004 will manifest for Bush through a Saturn station on his 12th house Saturn and square his Midheaven. He will be forced to face his deepest fears, including failure.
