Astroworld

By now reports of supposition and conjecture concerning Saddam Hussein's death, along with around 15 of the country's leaders and top brass, excluding the hilariously bungling and clueless Iraqi Information Minister, have taken for granted that the bomb aimed at the Al-Saa restaurant next to the building Saddam and his entourage entered on April 7th, have found their elusive target, and Baghdad's Big Daddy is now pushing up daisies. Or, maybe in his case, rubble and debris.

I'm not saying for sure until word comes down from On High and Paula Zahn shares those CIA reports, ;) but if anyone was in that building they're likely dead considering the bombs also destroyed the restaurant and three neighboring buildings, leaving a crater with a diameter of 18 meters. But was Saddam one of those casualties? That's the direction the news services are leading us, but so far no official confirmation, as in matching DNA, or positive identification, has been issued from The Pentagon, or any other agency, foreign or domestic.

A video tape, recently released, supposedly made on April 9, two days after the bombing attack of the building where Saddam was meeting with about 30 of the party faithful, shows a very alive and jovial Saddam Hussein greeting followers and well-wishers. If this tape is authentic that would mean, like Houdini, Saddam has escaped again. White House sources, or White Horse Souses, one of my favorite recent bloopers, dismiss the tape saying that it's irrelevant if Saddam is dead or alive because he's out and we're in.

But wait.....I'm confused. Wasn't his capture and/or destruction the GOAL here?? Wasn't that the whole POINT? For Junior to nab the Evil Dictator to avenge Daddy? Now it's like....shrug....It doesn't matter??!

Would an examination of pertinent astrological charts be in order? Hah! Try and stop me.

First I'd like to exercise the astrologer's perogative and do some back pedaling. Previously I had used the natal chart for Saddam giving him an 8:55 AM birth time. Taking into consideration recent events, I believe the 8:06 AM chart to be more accurate for reasons we'll explore throughout this narrative. The chart for Baghdad, July 31, 762 at 2:28 PM LMT, was taken from an ACT posting very thoughtfully provided by fellow Leo and astro buddy Bonnie Svardal. May squares and oppositions never plague her!

One reason why I think the amended chart for Saddam makes sense can be seen in a quick glance to the ASC. With the previous birth time of 8:55 AM, Saddam's ASC was 5 Cancer. With the time adjustment to 8:06 AM, his natal ASC now becomes 23 Gemini. Note the symbology of transiting Saturn, a planet closely associated with death, exactly conjunct Saddam's natal ASC on 4/7 the day of the bombing raid that destroyed the buildings where Saddam and his War Cabinet allegedy were meeting. Note also that Saturn rules his eighth house of death, with Capricorn on the cusp. That dynamic alone would certainly get MY attention.

Then there's transiting Mars, at 21 Capricorn, conjunct Saddam's natal Eighth cusp, squaring natal Venus, ruler of his Twelfth of limitations and sorrow. Also appropriate having a planet associated with war, aggression and destruction by bombing (Mars), making significant contacts in the death house. Quick moving Mars is also just a few degrees away from an exact conjunction with Saddam's Jupiter, setting off his Jupiter/Pluto opposition. Indicating the destruction (Mars) of his power (Pluto), fed by his arrogant (Jupiter) sense of invincibility and his belief that he was a divine messenger of God on Earth.

The indicators that this could be Saddam's last days in physical form can also be see with Venus, ruler of his natal Twelfth, having reached a close conjunction with the cusp of his Twelfth house, along with a similar contact to natal Mercury, ruler of Hussein's Fourth of end-of-life-conditions. Could the trine between progressed Venus and natal Jupiter, in Saddam's natal Eighth, indicate a quick and easy death? Or could that close proximity show an easy escape (Twelfth)?

Bi-Wheel Chart for Saddam Hussein with Death Transits

Looking further we can see progressed Mercury at 4 Cancer, is inconjunct his natal Mars, in the Sixth, the house of enemies. To say the past month has been stressful and tense for him would be a strong understatement, with the inconjunct emphasizing his desperation to hang on to the life he had known. Progressed Mercury is also inconjunct Saddam's natal Moon indicating the likelihood of a family (Moon) link.

Rumors put Saddam's two sons, reputed to be as depraved as he was, in that same building at that same fateful moment. That family members would die with him is affirmed by progressed Mercury, ruler of Saddam's Fourth of home and family, square his progressed Saturn in the progressed Eighth with Saturn ruling his natal Eighth, one of the ending houses of death.

Another concern, although somewhat more obscure, can be seen with Saddam's natal vertex, a point of fate and destiny, exactly opposite his progressed Mid-heaven, of public status, and conjunct natal Uranus, a planet associated with sudden, impulsive, even reckless events. Interesting also that Saddam's progressed vertex, in a transition point at 29 Sagittarius, is squaring his natal Saturn, at zero Aries. Of course we remember that Saturn rules Saddam's natal house of death and endings.

Transiting Jupiter in square to Saddam's natal Sun/Uranus conjunction, is another aspect that indicates an end to a rein of power through cruelty and barbarity. The impact of this for the Iraqi's and the inhabitants of Baghdad in particular is illustrated by Saddam's Fourth House ruler Mercury, by progression, in a close conjunction to the Eighth House cusp in the chart for Baghdad. The end, his death, brings a transition phase (Eighth) and a new beginning for the country. Whether that ultimately results in a good and productive outcome remains to be seen.

Seeking confirmation for a significant event, astrologically, is usually found in a variety of charts examined, once the pattern is noted and the door unlocked. In Saddam's solar return for his birthday in April 2003, Moon at 1 Aries is conjunct natal Saturn. This takes place in the Solar Return Tenth, indicating a loss (Saturn) of standing and status (Tenth). Like his natal chart, transiting Saturn is found in Saddam's First House, indicating he'll encounter frustration and defeat in his lifestyle and future aims.

If most aspects affirm the statement that Saddam was killed in that attack of 4/7, then why bother examining the solar return that takes place AFTER his probable death? Because the energy of a solar return isn't like your driver's license, it doesn't come into effect exactly on your birthday and then last for one year and end precisely on your next birthday.

The energy of SR's usually start to be felt about three months prior to your birthday and can, at the other end of the timeline, last fade out about three months after your birthday. There is sometimes an overlap between the old and new SR's for up to six months. So, even though the SR officially takes place after Saddam's life has likely ended, he was feeling the dynamics of the leading aspects at least two or three months prior.

A good illustration of this can be found by examining Saddam's April 2002 SR. His natal Moon/Mars conjunction tightly hugs the SR Mid-heaven, coming from the Ninth House, indicating that a foreign entity would challenge (Mars) Hussein's stranglehold on his people and homeland (Moon) by violent means (Mars). His fight to the death is shown by transiting Mars directly opposite in the ending Fourth House. In this SR, Saddam's natal Jupiter/Pluto opposition falls across the sixth/twelfth axis. What could describe a power hungry dictator (Pluto) of a large number of people (expansive Jupiter), in the houses of self-undoing and enemies, better than that?

What would a flip comparison using the time of the bombing strike that allegedly killed Saddam Hussein, with his natals, tell us about his destiny? The strike took place at 3 p.m. Baghdad time, according to Marine Capt. Stewart Upton, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command in Qatar.

The chart for 3 PM puts one degree Sagittarius on the cusp of the endings Fourth, describing the manner of death. The bombing may have started at that time, but just speculating that it probably took a few minutes longer for the weapons to find their mark, a chart for 3:10 PM is very revealing. The first eye-catcher is Aries on the cusp of the Eighth House, a good clue that death (Eighth) would come from something Aries-like, something related to war, violence and destruction.

Note the exact proximity of Saddam's Mars, ruler of the Eighth House, to the IC, a strong indication that his final moments came about through the use of a potent and forceful weapon (Mars), like being caught in a bombing raid.

The Tenth House, in most mundane charts, represents the leader of the nation. In this bombing chart, with the adjusted time, Gemini is on the Mid-heaven, with ruler Mercury on the cusp of the Ninth. Could this be telling us the leader (Mercury) has just left the Death House Eighth and entered the Ninth, the house of the longest journey the soul will ever take? Saddam's natal Mercury is already in the Ninth, but closer to the Mid-heaven, indicating that he would likely suffer a public death.

Although I am a staunch advocate of the "major aspects indicate major events" school I can't resist another examination of the position of the Vertex in the bombing chart. Transiting Mars, whose influence we've already seen, is closely conjunct Saddam's natal Jupiter. Maybe a sign that his freedom (Jupiter) would be gained by a violent and explosive (Mars) event? The Vertex has been described, by most astrologers who use it, as an important point of fate and destiny. The Vertex in this chart is exactly on the mid-point between savage Mars and Hussein's natal Jupiter.

Take a look at Saddam's Neptune as the rising planet in the bombing chart? This can be an indication that mystery and deception will always surround this event. Chances are, with confusing Neptune in such an influencial sector, we may never know for sure.

Bi-Wheel Chart for Time of Bombing Strike with Saddam Hussein's Natals




What can an examination of the US and Baghdad charts reveal? Bunches. For one thing, note Pisces on the cusp of the Fourth House, with ruler Neptune, for the US, conjunct the Baghdad Mid-heaven. A strong indication that the US would be responsible for dissolving the existing rulership structure in Baghdad. It also shows some of the confusion (Neptune) and lack of leadership direction that has bedeviled Iraq, particularly the heavily populated capitol city, since the regime change.

The transformation, death of the old ways, and the shaky struggle to establish a new government and infrastructure, along with bringing a new way of life through US military support and financial backing can be seen by the strong stellium of Cancer planets in Baghdad's Eighth. You couldn't ask for more appropriate symbology for a country in a state of flux, trying to hold on to the values of home and country (Cancer) along with the changes (Mercury in Cancer in the Eighth) this transition will invoke.

US Venus, Jupiter and Cancer Sun falling in the Baghdad Eighth shows the generosity and goodwill intended in this gesture. At least on the surface. I'm still cynical enough to question the seemingly altruistic motives of the Bush Administration. With US Sun conjunct Baghdad's Neptune, the facade of being helpful by introducing Democracy to a land that has only known decades of oppression and dictatorship seems a little too pat for my sensibilities.

The United States own Neptune close to Baghdad's Mid-heaven may more accurately indicate self-serving motives better than the bonding indicated by both countries Venuses in a tight conjunction, along with mutual Cancer stelliums. Now add to the picture, the US Mars, in Gemini, in Baghdad's Seventh, the house of war, in square to Neptune, which also rules oil, conjunct the Mid-heaven. Is there anyone left who doesn't believe, in their heart of hearts, that this was a war (Mars in the Seventh) for oil (Neptune)?

Remember the ruler of Baghdad's Fourth of natural resources is Neptune ruled Pisces, with that planet placed in the Eighth of transition. The close alliance between the US Sun and Baghdad Neptune indicates a lot of cozying up with the intention of using those riches for gain (Jupiter) and glory (Sun).

Bi-Wheel Chart for Baghdad and US Sagittarius Rising Chart

Note also the US opposition between Mercury and Pluto, landing across Baghdad's Second and Eighth Houses, in a tight interplay with Baghdad's Mercury in Cancer opposing the North Node in Capricorn. So just what does that intense configuration mean? Power struggles can be expected with Pluto involved.

With Saddam Hussein's natal Pluto tightly opposing the US Pluto, no wonder this man has been a major thorn in the side for the previous three US Presidents; power struggle is putting it mildly. Throw in Baghdad's North Node, also exactly opposing Saddam's Pluto. The destiny and fate (North Node) of a nation to be ruled by a power hungry megalomaniac (Pluto).

Also very striking to see that both the US and Baghdad charts feature Mercury in Cancer, in nearly the same degree, and both are retrograde. Mercury opposing Pluto, for the US, indicates a tendency to undermine and corrupt existing circumstances to control (Pluto) the collective mind. I'd say a good example of this is found in the insidious and deviously subliminal (Pluto) messages (Mercury) that issues from our TV sets each night. Not to mention the other avenues of communication (Mercury) that delude us into thinking we have a free press.

Baghdad's Libra Moon, noting public and mass opinion, can be found in square to both US and Baghdad Mercuries, in Cancer, both opposing US Pluto and Baghdad's North Node, in Capricorn. Now the opposition becomes a Cardinal T-Square. This configuration tell us that the people of Iraq are probably resentful and suspicious of US motives to micro-manage their country with a puppet government that would, in all probability, be in league with US ambitions to control the region.

Notice Cancer on the cusp of Baghdad's Eighth of resources? Ruler Moon, in square to US Pluto, indicates there may be strong hostility to the veiled intent, of coalition forces, to rape and squander the cache of riches in Iraq. The frustration and outrage extends to the recent loss of Iraq's priceless antiquities and artifacts housed in historic museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions, which were looted, destroyed, burned and vandalized by bands of enraged scavengers caught up in the collective power of mob mentality.

Taking a quick look at the progressions (chart not included here) for Baghdad set for April 8, 2003, the day generally recognized as the moment of liberation from Hussein's stranglehold on the Iraq nation, we can spot some interesting dynamics. Probably the most provocative is progressed North Node exactly conjunct natal Pluto. What could be more suggestive of a destructive rampage(Pluto) of the historic past (North Node) than these two in exact alignment?

The source of this catacylsm comes from the distorted priorities of the Bush administration. Protecting irreplaceable cultural treasures that go back to ancient Mesopotamia wasn't a high preference, despite assurances given by US military planners that Iraq's cultural and historic treasures would be safeguarded. Protecting oil interests, including an office building in downtown Baghdad which housed the Office of the Minister of Oil, apparently was given a much higher preference, since two tanks, and round the clock patrols, were immediately dispatched to secure and guard that precious commodity.

US Pluto is found in Baghdad's Second House, indicating US domination will be responsible for restructuring and reviving (Pluto) the Iraqi economy. It can also indicate looking the other way while the treasures and valuables of the occupied country are destroyed and annihilated; Pluto's force can be felt in aloof subtleties as well as blantant destruction. Again, note a conjunction between Pluto and the North Note. US Pluto is conjunct Baghdad's North Node, in the Second House of values and wealth.

With Pluto opposing both country's Mercuries, there will be a lot of discussions (Mercury)about the cost and obligation to subsidize and fund (second) this scheme. It shouldn't come as any surprise, when figuring motive and impetus; the more seamy side of Pluto, to realize that Pluto rules both country's Twelfth Houses of covert actitivies, with Baghdad's Pluto occupying that same sector. The propaganda machine, on both sides, may have to work overtime on this one.

While we're comparison shopping, what does our feckless leader's natal planets, against the backdrop of Baghdad's chart, reveal? His Saturn has joined the stellium of Cancer planets in Baghdad's natal Eighth House, accurately describing a cold and indifferent hand in rebuilding Iraq; an obvious drain (Saturn) on resources (Eighth). Saturn conjunct Baghdad's Mercury indicates that Bush's approach to liberation may be only slightly more affirming than Saddam's was. Granted, the approach is vastly different but the outcome will be the same. The Iraqi's may feel just as manipulated and stifled as they were before. The structure of the country will take a long time to rebuild and reconstruct, all Saturn realms.

Bush's Aries Mid-heaven in square to his natal Saturn, and to Baghdad's Cancer Mercury, and opposing its Libra Moon, indicates his brash impatience to attack, run and be gone. But not to stick around for the tough part; the clean up and sweeping away, not just of the debris and rubble, but the symbolic wreckage that requires years of tedious and careful rebuilding to establish a firm foundation.

Bush's Saturn is also conjunct Baghdad's South Node and opposing the Capricorn North Node, an indication that heavy responsibilities (Saturn) are demanded to reconstruct from the ashes of the past. With Bush's propensity to over reach and promise and then show his true colors by surreptitiously cutting the amount of funding pledged, don't be surprised if he pulls this favorite "Bait and Switch".

Bush's Libra Moon, although not in close contact with Baghdad's Libra Moon, is in square to Baghdad's Neptune. Providing him with the perfect foil to play on the emotional (Moon) duo of loyalty and unity while he wraps himself in jingoistic patriotism to render false (Neptune) hopes and assurances. Although Bush's natal Cancer Sun conjunct Baghdad's Neptune, indicates the toppling of an empire, his Moon in square to Baghdad's Cancer Neptune could see Bush unable to prevent or control secret (Neptune) societies and usurpers that would seek to undermine and displace the Anti-Saddam under the aegis of the Bush administration.

Bi-wheel Chart for Baghdad and George W. Bush


Bush's natal Pluto exactly conjunct Baghdad's Leo Sun also shows an overt challenge to power. Also revealing that this takes place in the Ninth House, of foreign activity. So a foreign power (Pluto) came to town and annihilated the religious and cultural structure (Ninth) of a country for his own ego and political gain. This is also affirmed by the close square between Bush's own combative Mars in square to Baghdad's Jupiter, showing the likelihood of disputes and hostility (Mars) over religious and philosophical (Jupiter) differences.

Complaints over a lack of respect and cultural reverence, with a tendency to run roughshod (Mars) over issues of national concern, could arise. Wide scale resistance and defiance to the administration's plans to play Master Builder with Iraq's resources, cultural and natural treasures, economy and infrastructure, is not likely to be greated with harmonious acceptance or open acceptance with the close square between Iraq's Gemini Mars and Iraq's Mars.

Iraq's Mars opposing Jupiter indicates their willingness to fight (Mars) to defend their culture and religion (Jupiter), and to expand on that if challenged. Although the street fighting was over in a few weeks, the resistance and resentment to being dominated in this way, feeling like more persecution, will take decades to simmer down.

That Mars square aspect is yet another reason why I tend to discount any reports of Coalition forces being received with flowers and dancing in the streets. NOT likely in Baghdad, at any rate. But then, with Mars exactly on Baghdad's Seventh cusp, she doesn't exactly put out the Red Carpet for most invaders.

So now the talk is already shifting to giving the same treatment to Syria. There has been a lot of dismissive reactions to that among the Sunday Morning pundits. But keep an jaded eye and ear on that as plans develop. Remember the initial reaction to the invasion of Iraq was greeted the same pessimism. Junior has gotten a taste of victory and he's enjoying basking in his own, and the media's, self-made glory. He's not going to stop now, not with a tenacious Cancer Sun in full bloom.

And meanwhile, back at the ranch, literally, the country's domestic concerns continue to go begging while Bush saddles up Old Paint, and like John Wayne goes gunning for those evil countries that comprise the dreaded Axle of Elvis. But then, hey.....who wants to put away their toys and clean up their room when playing toy soldiers and war is so much fun??