Iraq2

Maliki Headed for a Fall?

NewsScope for January 16, 2007

President Bush's "new" strategy for Iraq sets the stage for some dramatic developments over the next two months, according to the horoscope for the invasion of Iraq on March 20, 2003 (5:35 am; Baghdad). This chart can be used to monitor American influence over Iraq and some of Iraq's most significant internal developments, having reliably marked major transitions over the last few years.

The Saturn-Pluto opposition aligned with the Midheaven describes the fundamental restructuring of Iraq, and indicates that Pluto transits lead to some of the most important changes. For example, Iraq's constitution was signed on October 15, 2005, as transiting Pluto formed its exact opposition to Saturn. Then, the Maliki government was formed during March 2006, as transiting Pluto turned retrograde while squaring Mercury.

The Sun in this chart is in the last degree of Pisces, and can be used as a symbol for Iraqi leadership. Saddam Hussein was captured on December 15, 2003 when transiting Mars was conjunct this chart's Sun, and he was hanged on December 30 under further activation of the Sun.* On April 22, 2006, Nouri Maliki was selected as Prime Minister, as transiting Jupiter was precisely trine the Ascendant.

Over the next two months, Pluto heads into a square with this chart's Sun. Pluto turns retrograde on March 31 while only 0º06' from the exact square, pointing to a critical phase in the Iraq war, and especially for Maliki's government. Adding to the disastrous celestial portents is the progressed Moon's conjunction with Pluto on February 28, and then the Midheaven on April 2. It appears that Maliki is headed for a political fall, or possibly an assassination, during this interval.

Civil War in Iraq

NewsScope for September 20, 2005

A horrific wave of suicide bombings left Baghdad dazed last week, and reeling from the worst violence since the fall of Saddam. The Shiite-dominated government had just completed a military sweep of Tal Afar, which was controlled by insurgents—mostly Sunni. Abu Musab Zarqawi claimed responsibility for the coordinated attacks, and declared "a full-scale war without mercy" against the Shiites.

The horoscope for the American invasion of Iraq (March 20, 2003; 5:35 am; Baghdad*) reveals the potential, even the likelihood, of civil war. Saturn in dualistic Gemini sits on the chart's foundation and opposes Pluto, the planet of extremism. Saturn here represents the domestic authority, but it's split by the tension from Pluto. Transiting Pluto just turned direct while in this same degree area.

Pluto's direct station brings a slow, but dramatic shift in the fledgling nation's status. The diplomatic wrangling and pending vote on the Constitution reflect some progress on the political front, but last week's hostilities came about precisely as the transiting Sun squared Pluto. Adding firepower, transiting Mars was also forming a hard aspect to Pluto, activating the underlying violent intentions.

Mars-Pluto aspects are well-known for their inclination toward violence. This Mars-Pluto aspect (150-degree quincunx) is exceptionally forceful since Mars is about to turn retrograde, and so remains in this degree area much longer than usual. We can expect at least a month more of these insane suicide attacks, especially since the progressed Moon is also squaring the Twelfth House Uranus over this same interval. This looks like the beginning of civil war.

NewsScope for August 16, 2005

The American Occupation of Iraq

As global oil prices neared $70/barrel, negotiations between the Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites over distribution of oil revenues became a key sticking point in formulating Iraq 's new constitution. Even as Iraqis made another step toward self-reliance, Americans' support for the Bush administration's Iraqi strategy fell to new lows. President Bush, vacationing in Texas, said now is not the time to withdraw.

The American invasion of Iraq began on March 20, 2003 (5:35 am; Baghdad), and a horoscope set for this moment can be used to track developments there. The major planetary dynamic is Pluto at the Midheaven opposite Saturn on the Fourth House cusp. Saturn-Pluto combinations correlate with fundamental restructuring, which in current geopolitical jargon, refers to nation-building.

Saturn and Pluto by transit will lead to major changes. For example, when transiting Saturn squared Mercury (ruling speeches) on May 1, 2003, Bush imprudently declared "victory." More recently, the important January 30, 2005 election featured transiting Saturn exactly square the Moon (representing the people). Over the last two months transiting Pluto has been opposing natal Saturn as the various factions grapple with building a solid constitutional foundation.

Unfortunately, Uranus in the Twelfth House of secret enemies forms a close square to the Lunar Node axis. Astrologer Steven Forrest has associated this aspect with explosive, shocking events, which in this case is easily translated into suicide bombers. This natal signature won't go away until American forces turn over the government to the Iraqis, which may not happen until transiting Pluto squares the Pisces Sun in 2008.

Civil War in Iraq

NewsScope, September 17, 2007

A key component of General Petraeus's plan is to use the success story in Anbar province as a template for bringing peace to the country. That's where the U.S. military forged an alliance with local Sunni tribes against Al-Qaeda. The plan received a jolt last week, when the Muslim sheikh who convinced his followers to align with the U.S. was assassinated.

The original invasion (March 20, 2003; 5:35 am; Baghdad) is the best way of tracking U.S. involvement in Iraq. This chart features Pluto conjunct the Midheaven with Saturn in opposition from the fourth house. The fourth house describes domestic conditions, and Saturn, as the voice of authority, represents the various sheikhs and elected officials who hold power in various domestic settings.

A major challenge in this horoscope is the problem of duality, seen in the Sun and Ascendant in Pisces, and Saturn afflicted in Gemini. This easily translates into sectarian strife, or more starkly, civil war. Transiting Mars was exactly conjunct the Invasion chart's Saturn when the alliance-forging sheikh was assassinated last week. Unfortunately, Mars turns retrograde in mid-November while still in the fourth house, promising an extended phase of growing domestic violence.

The current climate of crisis is evident with transiting Uranus right on the Ascendant. In December, transiting Pluto will square the Invasion chart's Sun, located in the last degree of Pisces. One might expect that the shaky government formed under Maliki might fall as this transit unfolds. Perhaps Maliki will survive this phase, but then Pluto returns to this degree area in late 2008 – right in time for the U.S. elections.