The feeling of late is that the Ship of State is dangerously adrift, with storm clouds swirling malevolently above, and the Captain peacefully asleep below deck. Warning signs abound that the economy is sputtering. Global warming looms as a crisis, exponentially dwarfing the feckless Osama and his gang of cutthroats. A war with Iraq seems imminent, with the likelihood of massive death and destruction, as well as the probable use of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons. And the Middle East is stuck in a compulsive cycle of violence, blame, and revenge. But the Captain sleeps on, dreaming of a world full of SUV’s and infinite oil, and a treadmill in every home.
Until early January 2003, but especially strong from early June through mid-August 2002, Dubya has been and will continue to be under particularly strong Neptune aspects (Neptune opposite natal Mercury and Neptune quincunx natal Mars). These suggest a weakness of will, vacillation, a lack of leadership, grandiose schemes that are lacking in grounded reality, and a tendency to obfuscation and deceit. In particular, the Neptune aspect to natal Mars would seem to seriously undermine Bush’s capacity to control or shape events. This transit is especially strong from July 6 to August 12, and during it, Bush is likely to seem somewhat irrelevant and ineffectual.
Unfortunately, as predicted elsewhere, there may well be events of great consequence during this period. The Middle East situation is likely to worsen until approximately July 11, 2002, though some sparks may continue to fly over the following weeks with Mars in Leo. The greatest indicator of violence, transiting Uranus opposite natal Mars in Israel’s chart, has been stirring up a hornet’s nest of trouble since late March and will continue to do so until it begins to wane after July 11, 2002.
There is, however, one brief period when Emperor Bush will have an opportunity to be bold and appealing. This is from July 2 through July 6. The Mars/Jupiter conjunction falls exactly square to Bush’s Midheaven, lending him an aura of strength and energy. Simultaneously, Venus will be on his natal Venus adding to his appeal. All three of these planets will be triggering Bush’s progressed Venus opposite his natal Midheaven, so look for this July 4th weekend as a dynamic and popular time for our Fearless Leader. I see no indications of any terrorism at that time.
A period of significant turbulence, however, may be coming to the administration, beginning slowly around mid-July, and intensifying through mid-August. Two powerful aspects will run concurrently during that period. The first is the tertiary progressed Inaugural Sun coming to a conjunction of Inaugural Uranus. This suggests powerful, upsetting, and sudden changes that impact the administration. Foreign policy upsets and domestic crises are possible, as well as unexpected internal shifts and transformations within the administration. This progression could also intensify Bush’s unilateralist tendencies, signified by the 10th house Uranus in the Inaugural chart. Although the big trigger time is between August 5 and 13, this progression will continue to some degree through mid-September, with the tertiary Sun crossing tertiary progressed Uranus.
The second planetary configuration of importance during the late July into early August period is the retrograde transit of Uranus to the US chart Moon. This transit is likely to stimulate the protest movement, as well as cause disruption and possible accidents in the transportation and communications industry. There will be a huge potential for violence and disturbance that could impact American citizens, especially during the time the transit is exact, which is concurrent with the volatile Mars/Sun conjunction, August 8 through August 10, 2002.
It is also possible that India and Pakistan may erupt again briefly during the first half of August. The lingering Mars/Sun conjunction from 13 to 19 Leo triggers points in the charts of the leadership of both countries, as well as both countries’ natal charts. Another standoff is sure to stir up the world’s anxieties, though I expect any difficulties there to be of short duration.
In addition to the time of turmoil and potential danger from August 5 through 13, there is one further period from August 19 through 24 that is likely to be extremely disruptive. This period includes both a Sun/Uranus opposition and a Mars/Uranus opposition. It also includes the tertiary progressed Moon in the War on Terror chart moving to conjunct natal Pluto. There may well be incidents during this period that initially seem like they may have been caused by terrorists. The explosion of the Airbus on 11/12/01 came during a similar Moon/Pluto aspect in the War on Terror chart and a Sun/Uranus square. The blood bath at Mazar e Sharif prison on 11/25/01 came during a Mars/Uranus square. I urge extreme caution during this time and suggest people do not fly, if possible.
Thus, it seems that Mr. Bush will have a difficult summer, begun in a dreamy state of denial, and ending with powerful events beyond his control which may impact him and the country profoundly. There are several minor Saturn aspects that will plague him as well, making the period all the more challenging for him.
