Back to Astroworld Weblog

US at War in Iraq

Geneva Clark

It seems the dirty deed; this loathsome war, commenced with a "pre-war" strike at 5:33 AM Baghdad time on March 20, 2003; 5:42 AM according to CNN. 5:15 AM coming from Comedy Central. I'm favoring the 5:33 AM time. The chart for that time features an exact square between Pluto in the 2001 Inauguration chart for George W. Bush, and the Pisces Ascendant for the first missle firing in Baghdad. If that isn't fitting for an over zealous display of might and power, I don't know what is.

This strike occurred before war was actually "declared" by Bush at 10:16 PM, Washington, DC. He's so vain-glorious he believes missles fired in the name of war don't count until HE drops the gauntlet and officially declares we are at war, a convenient dismissal of the Constitutional provision that CONGRESS shall declare war. Bush is characteristic of Dick Clark waiting for the gong to drop at midnight on (I)rockin' New Years Eve.

I'm starting out with the Declaration of War chart, set for 10:16 PM, March 19, 2003, Washington, DC because of some remarkable ties this chart has to Bush's Inauguration chart for January 2001, as seen in the bi-wheel chart below.

The square between pugulistic Mars and verbally combative Mercury in the Inauguration chart, involving the Presidential Tenth and the Seventh, signifying threats of war, shows better than likely odds that Bush would involve the country in an altercation at some point in his term. Inaugural Mars now moves to tightly hug the Ascendant in the Declaration of War chart. Interesting to note that Mars rules the Sixth, of military action, in the Declaration chart, and the twelfth of covert activity in the Inauguration chart. That alone confirms there is probably a lot about this war that is deliberately being kept hidden (Twelfth) from the American people; like true motive.

Ask yourself this--if the purpose of the war is to catch Saddam, then why did Bush give Saddam a 48 hour period to "go into exile"? Why give the bastard time to hide if you're trying to catch him? Mandatory ten counts are only given in boxing, and when playing "Hide-and-Seek". I do not believe this bullshit that's been on the news the past day or two that "we don't know if Saddam is dead or not. A missile hit his palace. He *might* be dead. (shrug) We don't know."

Bi-Wheel Declaration of War and 2001 Inauguration Chart

It's been pointed out that this war began with both Sun and Moon in a void of course condition. Meaning neither planet is making any applying aspects. This implies a "dead in the water" situation. In this case the likely outcome is one of benign impotence; nothing can be done to alter or help the situation as it winds more and more out of control. VOC Moon is a common occurrence, happening as the Moon leaves the last degrees of one sign before entering the next sign and making new aspects.

But the Sun being VOC is very significant with Leo on the Mid-heaven, the sector signifying our perception and status in the world's eyes. Leo here adds to Bush's confidence and swagger, enhancing his feeling of invincibility. The Sun represents the nation's leader, or commander-in-chief. Being VOC this may point to being Bush's last hurrah. Sun in the Fifth is also not a good indication of strong leadership. Bush's popularity numbers, inspite of optimistic network spin jobs, will continue to slip.

Once the fervor and excitement of the war in Iraq dies down and reality comes back with a thud, people are likely to be less than enthusiastic when they realize the cost; in body bags and money. Further, notice the Declaration Neptune, at 12 Aquarius, squaring the Inaugural Taurus Asc. Another indication that we, the people, (Asc) are being duped and tricked (Neptune), and that our expectations are unrealistic.

Interesting to note that Venus, from the Inaugural chart, is in square to stingy Saturn, sitting right in the Declaration Eighth, one of the financial indicators. The square shows this war is going to be very dear and costly. Too costly with Venus representing the availability of cold cash.

It also appears that Congress will reward their "golden boy" and give Bush nearly everything he demands, with Inaugural Venus in trine to the Asc in the Declaration chart, the sky could be the limit. But the impact of this is further emphasized by Venus, in the Declaration chart, also in square to Inaugural Saturn; "the devil to pay", indicating there will be a heavy price (Venus) to cough up for a long time (Saturn) to come.

The Declaration Moon, in square to the Inaugural Mid-heaven, could be a darn good indication that a sizable segment of the populus (Moon) are lukewarm about supporting this reckless action. Although not shown here, the Sagittarius Rising chart for the US has the Moon, at 27 Aquarius, exactly opposing the Declaration Mid-heaven. Another indication that the people (Moon) are not convinced (opposition) the action taken by the head of the nation (Mid-heaven) was truly necessary, and that our security (Moon) wasn't in danger.

Besides the Sun, being in the Fifth, which is the death eighth after the Tenth, violent Mars exactly opposes the Part of Death, residing in the Declaration Eighth itself. Appropriate, considering the use of firepower by military forces (Mars). With the Sun in VOC status, this exacts a toll that will strongly impact a leader or head of state. Very dramatic when we see that the Declaration Part of Death is exactly at the Midpoint between the US Sun and Jupiter, with Mars opposing.

Also intriguing that the Part of Death, in the Inauguration chart, falls in the Twelfth of sorrow, and is in a tight square to Neptune, sitting in the Presidential Tenth. Maybe an indication that Bush will live out his destiny and fulfill the Zero Year promise of another US President dying while in office?

What could be more appropriate than Mars, ruling the Sixth of military power and force, inconjunct to Jupiter, in the foreign Ninth? Notice also that Jupiter, at 8 Leo, completes the leg between Neptune and the Part of Death in the Inaugural chart. With the addition of Jupiter, this configuration becomes a T-Square, falling right across the Declaration Third/Ninth squaring the Seventh. A declaration (Third) against a foreign entity (Ninth), of War (seventh). And don't forget Neptune is associated with OIL.

Jupiter in the Ninth may indicate an expansion beyond Iraq. Meaning we could be fighting on other fronts in the area. There's indications of opposition already coming from Turkey, to the North, whose objective is to protect their interests and to contain any rebellion by the Kurds. The inconjunct may be telling us this could go beyond what Bush and his advisers originally anticipated. Jupiter is usually associated with freedom, but in retrograde condition don't be surprised if this "liberation" of the Iraqi people isn't as enthusiastically received as expected.

Mars, in the economic Second, inconjunct expansive Jupiter is another indication this war is going to be financially crippling; with a need to adjust and restructure our budgets, both national and personal to cover the added expenses. Declaration Venus, indicator of financial assets, squares Inaugural Pluto, the Asc ruler. The people will be asked to pull in a lot of notches on the proverbial belt, but little discipline will be expected of the Uber Rich (Pluto)who will likely get their rewards. This also points to Bush's arrogant refusal to negotiate and the overwhelming display of awesome power (Pluto) to bully the enemy, domestic and foreign, into submission.

It's curious that the War Declaration chart is in a very apropos Mars Dasa, indicating the major period, and a fitting Saturn Bhutki, for the minor period. The Saturn Bhutki cycle ends on September 26, 2003 when Mercury becomes the next Bhutki planet. Could this be when the discussions (Mercury), on how to divide the sp(oils) of war, among corporations (Jupiter in the Ninth) will commence?

Bi-Wheel Chart for War Start and US Sagittarius Rising Chart

The launch of war chart, for 5:33 AM in Iraq, has similar themes and dynamics, separated by only eight hours, to the Declaration of War chart. When we add the comparison of the US Sagittarius rising chart, there are some very striking points. Pisces on the Asc reinforces the previous themes of sham and deception, with ruler Neptune in the isolated, behind-the-scenes-Twelfth bearing testimony to that.

It's no accident that Venus, ruler of the Third of journalists and The Media, is also found in the Twelfth. An indication that truth is the first casualty, becomes an unfortunate side effect of war. Further, the stress inducing inconjunct between Venus and the US Neptune reinforces the ongoing fradulent (Neptune) theme, with the difficult dilemma of humanitarian (Neptune) assistance being more costly (Venus) than anticipated.

Notice that now the VOC Sun, ruling the Sixth of military action,in the war chart, is opposing the Libra Mid-heaven in the Sag Rising US chart. This is very significant since it falls across the leader/homeland axis of the Tenth and Fourth. The opposition to the Mid-heaven, the point of world standing, from the Sun, could mark a further deterioration of Bush's perceived ability to be an effective leader and raises continued questions about what direction (Mid-heaven) he wants to take the country (Fourth).

That is if the Venus/Neptune aspect doesn't brain wash us all. God knows it's already turned The Media, except for a notable handful, into subservient shills that only pander to the administration's world vision. The War Asc inconjunct US Saturn, ruling the Second, and Eleventh, indicates that clean-up and monetary assistance (Second) may turn out to be more empty promises and fall short from our so-called supporters and friends (Eleventh). The inconjunct indicates that Bush may have overestimated the number of countries he can count on for assistance.

Mars opposing the mid-point of the US Sun/Jupiter also falls across the meridian. A real eye-opener when we remember the part of death is conjunct the same mid-point. This aspect may be telling us of the imminent death of Sadaam Hussein; this is the Mid-heaven for Baghdad, after all. Ruler Jupiter in the Fifth, the death-Eighth for the executive Tenth is conjunct the military Sixth and inconjunct, another death aspect, violent Mars.

The War chart features a Grand Air trine involving Venus in Aquarius, Moon in Libra, signifying Bush's Lunar Return, by the way, and Saturn in Gemini. The US Mars is conjunct Saturn in Gemini, showing how easy (trine) it was for Bush to push for his murderous objectives. No surprise that Grand Trines are present in the charts of diabolical criminals.

Since the start of war the US stock markets have been climbing, a curious event that leaves one shaking their head wondering did it take the death and destruction of a war to get Wall Street out of its doldrums. Grand trines involving Venus usually boost a lagging stock market, but...this too shall pass. And it also pays to remember that while one drives the other, the stock market is NOT the economy.

Risk and gambling for financial gain can also be seen in the trine between rash and reckless Uranus and the US Venus. Clearly the stock market climb, probably a case of prosperous investors putting their own money back into the system; now that their victory is approaching, and all that oil and wealth is right at their fingertips. God knows the rest of us average working class people don't have the security, emotionally or financially, to invest. Don't be fooled by the nature of that kind of chicanery with Uranus ruling the Twelfth of deceits and secrets, in the War chart.

There is also a dramatic T-Square between the Iraq War chart, and the US Sagittarius Rising chart. The most striking feature is Pluto at the Mid-heaven, indicating a ruthless abuse of power, opposing US Mars of brutality and destructive energy. Note that Mars, in both the Declaration chart and the Iraq War chart, is closely hugging the angles. Saturn's restraining influence has moved off of the US Mars, allowing the Red Planet to come forward in all of it's blood lust and cruelty.

The other leg of the T-Square is completed by US Neptune, showing hidden objectives and cunning deceit, in square to Saturn representing government. Pluto rules the foreign Ninth with cohort Mars, and Neptune is the chart ruler with Pisces on the Ascendant. One manifestation, healthwise, of the square between Mars and Neptune, would be respiratory problems from oil (Neptune) fires (Mars) experienced by military (Mars/Pluto) personnel, and exploited (Neptune) by the government (Saturn).

Chilling, also, to notice the Libra Moon, in the War chart, right on the cusp of the death Eighth, in square to US Pluto. Surely a sign of death (Eighth) and upheaval (Pluto). Could this aspect be telling us that Saddam is holed up, hiding in his bunker, ala Adolph Hitler's last days, waiting out the war, secure with his abundant stockpiles and provisions. Chances are he'll die (Eighth) in this opulent terra firma grave (Moon). US Mercury opposing US Pluto and squaring the War Moon, makes this a Cardinal T-Square. People are continuing to voice (Mercury) their strong opinions about the war; pro and con, particularly with Mercury ruling the nationalistic Fourth.

Bear in mind that protests and objections to this blatant destruction (Pluto) are still continuing with anti-war demonstrations continuing all over the nation and the world. Hard to believe, with the growing swell of protest against this brutal action, that 71% of the American public supports this war, according to polls. Sure they do.

Bi-wheel Chart for US Sagittarius Rising With Tertiary Progressions

There are, as always, a wealth of progressed charts to choose from. Tertiaries, of the US Sagittarius Rising chart, for March 19, 2003, the start of the war, are particularly revealing. Again we find a Moon/Pluto signature. Here the Tert Moon is conjunct US Pluto at 27 Capricorn. In the Sag rising chart, Moon rules the Eighth, showing a restructing (Eighth) of power (Pluto) in the homeland (Moon).

Tertiary Mars is trine US Mars, indicating our military (Mars) might continues to be awesome. Although the Moon/Pluto conjunction warns of losses from emotionally charged (Moon) enemies who are seeking to annihilate (Pluto) the coalition forces, casualities will be containable. Appropriate that Aries is on the cusp of the Sag Rising US Fourth. We've allowed ourselves to be seduced by the notion that raw, potent aggression is the first line of defense for the homeland (Fourth).

Aries is also found on the cusp of the Fifth, which is the house of presidential ruin, after the executive Tenth. In other words, this supposed "ease" of victory in this battle may be the death knell for this administration. US Mars in Libra, in the Tenth, the house representing the leader, premier or president, clearly suggests Bush shunned attempts at diplomacy. With the trine to chatty Tertiary Mars, angular in Gemini, the threats of war were easily fulfilled.

Of course we all remember the dark days after 9/11 when we took simplistic comfort in the jingoistic charm of flag waving, flag lapel pins, flag decals, flag diaper bags, flag key chains, flag bookmarks, flag bumper stickers, on and on, ad nauseam, with fervent breast beating to prove our undying loyalty to, hearth, home and country. Well, don't look now, but...it's baaaaack.

Tertiary Jupiter is conjunct the US Sagittarius Rising Moon, enhancing (Jupiter) more unbridled displays of flag waving, and patriotic fervor (Moon). This might explain the temporary "bounce" of the startling rise in support for this war. Unfortunately, this can only delay the inevitable accountability and day of reckoning this administration will have to face.

Look for some very cocky and belligerent words coming from Bush as transiting Mars makes a series of intense aspects, showing the man at his most rash behavior. Likely he'll be riding a wave of boast and bluster following his assured victory in Iraq. This cycle could get underway as early as April 12th when trans Mars squares Bush's natal Mid-heaven, and the US natal Mercury. Feeling like nothing can stop him, he'll outline (Mercury) the details of with his violent (Mars), murderous plan, unabated.

The momentum builds to April 15 when trans Mars conjoins the Inaugural Mid-Heaven. Bush will continue his military aggression and retaliation; declarations are swift (Mars), this could be the time he'll implement plans to start picking off other countries in the "Axis of Evil".

The tables may turn, if only slightly, when the Full Moon, on the 16th, squares the Mars/MC conjunction. At the same time, trans Mars will oppose Bush's natal Saturn, his confidence may not be as evident, a destructive event may occur that will take the wind out of his sails. He may lash out publicly, Mars is still in harsh contact with the Inaugural MC, as well as his own Aries Mid-Heaven. Public perception of him may turn, with more people viewing him as a dangerous menage with an unhinged personality. Not that his sparkling polls, supposedly showing a climbing favorable rating, would ever reveal his true public persona.

Injurious destruction and fury may bring a painful crisis to a festering head when trans Mars comes to the exact conjunction of the US Pluto, on the 17th. We know that Bush will be experiencing a period of danger during the spring and summer months. Mars/Pluto aspects frequently force a new beginning; a rebuilding (Mars) after a violent (Pluto) loss.

This becomes more ominous when we note Tertiary Sun, representing the head or leader of a nation, is exactly square trans Mars on the 17th. Look for more of Bush's headstrong obstinace to lead us into another round of force, brutality and savage bullying against weaker countries.

But hey, just keep waving those flags.

More next time. Talk to you then.

Geneva