The astrological chart for September 11, 2001, at 8:42 AM in New York City, represents the birth moment of the War on Terrorism. With the first cataclysmic impact, this perilous battle came screaming into being. A great deal of information may be gleaned from this chart, both in terms of its symbolic description of the very nature of the war and in its potential to describe the unfolding timeframe of events.
The September 11 chart has been examined by numerous astrologers for clues as to why this event happened at this time. What I am suggesting here is that this chart can also be used to describe the War on Terrorism itself. For example, Mercury on the Ascendant suggests the very prominent role of the media in this war. We see this in the battle for the hearts and minds of the Arab world being waged so skillfully by Osama bin Laden. In response, the Bush administration is attempting to use Arab media outlets to bring a more favorable attitude about America. In the US we have had an absolute blanket of coverage and opinions about the various aspects of terrorism. There has also been an official admonishment for less than patriotic stories, causing some sources to stifle some aspects of the news.
Because Mercury is tied by aspect to no less than 5 planets - Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, Pluto and Uranus - the media presence is felt everywhere. The square to Jupiter suggests exaggerations and over-enthusiasm (remember anthrax 24/7?), whereas the sextile to Pluto, in the third house of communications, suggests manipulation of the masses and a selectively and purposely controlled outflow of information.
Probably the most significant aspect in the WTC chart is the Saturn/Pluto opposition, the most descriptive planetary configuration of the entire period from November 2000 through May 2002. Because this aspect lies across the horizon line of the US Sagittarius rising chart (7/4/1776), its impact cannot be overestimated. Briefly, it indicates the tremendous feelings of power struggle, manipulation, and transformation the United States has been undergoing since the infamous November 2000 election. Pluto symbolizes the death and chaos preceding rebirth. It manifests the forces of raw destruction. Saturn, on the other hand, symbolizes the status quo, which attempts to hold back the forces of chaos through control and structure.
The War on Terrorism in many ways manifests the battle between Saturn, the existing power structures in the world, and Pluto, the ruthless and fanatical power of total destruction bent on a new order. In the WTC chart the Ascendant is in exact aspect to the Saturn/ Pluto opposition, bringing the opposition’s tremendous force into manifestation in the environment (the Ascendant). More importantly, the Saturn/Pluto opposition makes a T-square aspect to the Sun in the WTC chart, thereby bringing the opposition’s implied power struggle into expression in the very purpose of the chart, the Sun. Significant transits and progressions to this t-square may well be indicative of periods of great fear, feelings of threat to survival, and intense power struggle with an enemy. When Pluto moves to the exact square of the WTC Sun during much of 2003, the War on Terrorism may well reach a more intensified and destructive level.
The violence inherent in the WTC chart may be seen by the waxing conjunction of Mars to the South Node of the Moon, the waxing opposition of Mars to Jupiter, and the waxing opposition of the Moon to Mars. The culmination of the first two of these aspects by tertiary and/or secondary progression is one way to determine when violence will be a part of this war. Other progressions involving Mars will also be of great significance in this regard.
Another configuration that shows elements of disruption in the WTC chart is the opposition between Venus and Uranus. Due to the Libra Ascendant, the chart ruler is Venus, placed in the 11th house of friends and shared goals. Here we find the focus on the Coalition and the many new “friends” the United States has suddenly (Uranus) found for itself. Unfortunately, Uranus often implies instability and short-term relationships. As this aspect reaches its peak energy both by tertiary and secondary progression, we may see shifting allegiances or great upsets coming to friendly nations due directly to this war. Uranus may also indicate that “friends” are extremely independent in their actions. Because Venus rules the Ascendant, these progressions will also signify surprises, upsets, swift changes, and reversals (Uranus) in the general progress of the war.
One final point I would like to make about the War chart is the meaning of the 12th house Sun. This implies that, despite whatever military activity is going on at various times (Mars), the real essence of the war is happening behind the scenes, covertly and in secret. The 12th house Sun implies secret enemies, hidden agendas, and things generally not being what they seem. Covert intelligence work, secret machinations, and hidden enemies are what this war is about.
The initial phase of military engagement is indicated by the tertiary progression of Mars to the South Node, essentially from mid-October through mid-November 2001, give or take a few days. The actual bombing began on October 7, 2001. From approximately November 10 through December 4, 2001, events will shift and change very quickly as the tertiary progressed Venus reaches exact opposition to natal Uranus. Here we see sudden shifts and changes for the allies, possible shifting alliances and, generally, a rapidly changing quality to the status of the war.
In January and February of 2002, there are a great many indications in the Inaugural chart of problems and controversy for the Bush administration. Some of these seem to be related to strong conflicts with enemies. The only indicator in the WTC chart comes during February 11 – 14, when the tertiary progressed Moon squares Pluto, moving to a square of Saturn from February 18 to 19. Because other indications are so strong, I regard this as a potentially crucial and perhaps dangerous time. These dates occur during the Winter Olympics, and it is possible a disruption will occur there.
The period from mid-July to mid-October 2002 seems to contain tremendous disruption for the Bush administration (Inaugural tertiary progressed Sun conjunct natal/tertiary progressed Uranus). A potential crisis is indicated at the end of August by tertiary progressed WTC Moon conjunct Pluto and then opposite Saturn from August 21 through 28. These events may lead into some military confrontation from approximately September 9 through October 9, when the tertiary progressed WTC Sun squares Mars. This, however, is not really backed up by other astrological indicators, and may simply mean aggressive policies rather than military activity.
A crucial and perhaps devastating time in the unfolding War on Terrorism will come during the period from January through May of 2003. It is at this time that several indicators come together to signify a huge crisis. It is quite possible that this will be the time of another deadly terrorist strike that matches the magnitude of September 11. Beginning in late December 2002, Pluto moves into square of the WTC Sun, suggesting, especially through January, the intense feelings of powerlessness and anguish that followed the September 11 disaster. This same Pluto position will also reach both a conjunction with the Inaugural Moon, representing the people of the country, and an opposition with Bush’s natal Uranus/progressed Midheaven, signifying a considerable upheaval for him. Pluto remains in this position, due to its stationary and retrograde motion, through May.
In mid-January 2003, the tertiary progressed WTC Mars reaches its opposition to natal Jupiter until early March, signifying a stepping up of the confrontational energies of the war. In March, the US progressed Moon will be conjunct natal Mars. And in April, the WTC Venus will be square natal Pluto. All of these taken together suggest that the US will be on the warpath again after a potentially calamitous event.
War is indicated from June through mid-August, with the tertiary progressed WTC Mars opposite tertiary progressed Jupiter and squaring the WTC Ascendant, as well as the transiting Mars station that summer opposing Bush’s Mars/ progressed Sun. (This progression of Bush’s Sun to his natal Mars from 5/03 to 5/04 is a strong indicator of war during this period. The Mars station is a strong trigger.)
Mid-October through about November 18, 2003 brings another potential crisis. Pluto will be transiting square the WTC Sun for the final time, as well as igniting the highly sensitive exact progression of Bush’s Midheaven to natal Uranus and the Inaugural Moon. This period also includes the tertiary progressed WTC Moon opposing natal Pluto and conjoining natal Saturn.
What looks like perhaps the last big phase of the War on Terrorism may well take place from January through early June 2004. Once again we find significant indicators of military engagement in the WTC chart, in Bush’s chart, and in the US chart. In the WTC chart, secondary progressed Venus will be moving into exact opposition to natal Uranus from December 2003 through early June 2004. This will be strongly triggered by the transit of Pluto starting in January. As mentioned above, this will step up the war activity, causing changes, reversals, upsets, changing alliances, and an independent streak in allies. From approximately March 3 through June 3, 2004, the tertiary progressed Mars will be square the tertiary progressed Sun in the WTC chart. This very military aspect is further intensified in May, when the tertiary progressed Sun also reaches a trine to tertiary progressed Uranus. In the US chart, Pluto makes a station opposite the US Mars during these five months. And in Bush’s chart, his strongly militant progressed Sun conjunct Mars peaks in early June 2004, and is strongly bolstered in April and May 2004 by the Jupiter station conjunct natal Mars. Thus, there are several strong and clear indicators that there will be a huge and powerful military engagement from January through early June 2004.
The results of the War on Terrorism are not as clear. Bush’s popularity seems to drop significantly in the following months. It may be that we face a Pyrrhic victory of sorts, some measure of success but at a great cost. Perhaps Bush’s enthusiasm takes us further than we want to go. It is certain, however, that the months and years ahead bring a great deal of stress, conflict, and some very clear periods of military engagement at significant cost. Hopefully, we can prepare now to more successfully weather the future storms.
