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NewsScope for May 28, 2001 by WolfStar The Finger of God Shakes Up Washington Politics Republican Senator James Jeffords defected from his party last week, shifting the precarious balance of power from 50-50 standoff to a Democratic majority of 51-49. President Bush's conservative agenda will be stalled since Senate committee heads switch to Democratic leadership. Jeffords asked for and will receive what he considers the most important committee chairmanship: the Environment and Public Works, which handles environmental policies.* The man setting off this political revolution is a rock solid Taurus (May 11, 1934; Rutland, VT; time unknown), with his Mercury, Mars, and Ceres also in Taurus adding stability and political longevity. Jeffords' decision to bolt from the GOP demonstrates the astrological principle that when a Taurus changes, earthquakes happen since everything that has grown around and relied on the earthy Taurus is suddenly uprooted. Although Jeffords is nominally an Independent now, he has not changed ideologically as much as the Republicans have moved to the far Right. The closest planetary aspect in his horoscope, Mars quincunx Jupiter, reveals the inherent tension between his desire for political conservatism (Mars in Taurus), and the opportunity to win by being in the majority party (Jupiter in Libra). Transiting Pluto came along to create a third leg to this Mars-Jupiter link. Together, these three planets create a dynamic Yod, a fateful combination also known as the Finger of God. Jeffords' Mars and Jupiter, and transiting Pluto are all exactly aligned with the U.S. Saturn in Libra, representing the political power structure. They also hit George Bush's Sun, so that everyone in Washington and around the world is impacted by Jeffords' momentous decision. The Neptune Files With Neptune's ongoing square to the U.S. Scorpio Ascendant, an unusual number of socio-political developments concerning drugs have become lead stories in the national media. Neptune, as the natural ruler of both legal and illegal drugs, will continue through the end of June to play a leading role in current events. Following Senator Jeffords' defection, Senator Edward Kennedy will take over the Health, Labor, and Pensions Committee. From that forum Kennedy will likely push for a patient's bill of rights bill, price controls on pharmaceuticals, and other measures that will make life more difficult for the drug companies. On May 14 the Supreme Court struck down a California law that allows marijuana to be used as a medical exception to the federal Controlled Substances Act. The high court's decision reverses a liberalization momentum in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington where voters have approved ballot measures allowing the use of medical marijuana. Neptune often gives hope, and last week at the annual oncology conference a record 26,000 cancer researchers briefed the world on the good news coming out of their laboratories. A new class of drugs known as angiogenesis inhibitors has demonstrated positive results in killing cancer cells. For the first time since President Nixon declared war on cancer 30 years ago (one Saturn cycle), pharmacology holds the possibility of finding a cure for cancer. Ben Affleck's Pearl Harbor Tribute The high expectations for the $135 million blockbuster Pearl Harbor were met last week with mixed reviews. Ben Affleck plays one of Pearl Harbor's three lead characters, a flyboy caught in a romantic triangle as war looms. Affleck's heroic Leo Sun (August 15, 1972; 2:53 am; Berkeley, CA) is powerfully enhanced by favorable aspects to Jupiter, Chiron, and Saturn, giving him natural icon status. As one reviewer noted, " Affleck confirms his A-List presence who can carry a big, boldly contoured movie, partly because you feel he enjoys being a star and is comfortable with stardom." The natal planet most relevant to making Pearl Harbor is Saturn, found in Affleck's 12th house. Saturn here carries the memory of wounds from the past (perhaps past lives), and now that transiting Saturn is returning, an awareness of the forgotten heritage. During the filming of Pearl Harbor, Affleck's progressed Mars began forming a square to his 12th house Saturn, a combination which naturally remembers the hardships of wartime combat, and especially surprise attack from secret enemies. Affleck's progressed Mars became exactly square to his natal Saturn last week, precisely as Pearl Harbor hit the big screens. The challenges instigated by this very difficult Mars-Saturn combination included ego conflicts with director Michael Bay, and the pressure to live up to being billed as "the next Harrison Ford." Saturn in the 12th can be self-sacrificing, and apart from giving up his normal $10 million salary, Affleck says "I certainly hope the veterans feel honored because this is meant to be a tribute to them." * see last week's NewsScope for more on the growing importance of the environmental movement. Reader feedback is welcome. Click here for feedback.
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