November 11th, 2001
Nancy Lubar Sommers, LCSW
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.