World News
By Jenni Dean Harte
No Turkey for Christmas as the European Union Expands
Happy New Year…hope springs eternal. No comedy awards for this column, it’s hard to find happy news. Give it time…as the days get longer, life might lighten up a bit, too. In the meantime, here’s the latest.
No Turkey for Christmas as the European Union Expands: 10 additional countries, mainly ex-Soviet satellite countries—and 75 million people—are poised to become members of the EU (chart left) in 2004, bringing the total membership to 25…too many some suggest, to manage within the existing structure. The benefits of belonging to what would then be the largest economic market in the world are in great demand, particularly by those nations which would see a dramatic improvement in living conditions, not least the opportunities for their citizens to work legally in (for?) the richest member countries. Needless to say, complaints and objections by the older members against some of the prospective members are numerous and undoubtedly, the biggest hurdle for Turkey (who has campaigned for decades for entry and has been told to wait…again) is religious. All existing member countries are Christian, Turkey is a Muslim country with an Islamic but democratically elected government. This latest rejection will almost certainly push Turkey away from the West and towards its neighbours in faith. Not a smart move on the part of the EU selection committee in light of current (well…eternal really) friction between Muslims and the West and despite the UK government’s argument in support for a more ‘inclusive’ European community, Turkey is still on hold. The EU and Turkey have a few major conflicts in their astrological synastry and quite potent is Turkey’s Mercury Saturn conjunction at 25 Libra quincunx the EU’s Moon at 25 Taurus and Turkey’s Jupiter at 25 Scorpio conjunct the EU’s Mars Pluto conjunction opposing the EU Moon. It’s a troublesome arrangement for sharing ideology, let alone religion and Turkey’s Neptune in Leo is close to the EU Asc (and square that EU Moon again) opposite the EU’s Saturn in the 7th. These entities just aren’t comfortable with each other. Although the symbolism of expansion with transiting Jupiter on the EU Asc is clear, its largess doesn’t reach quite far enough—yet—for religious diversity. EU: 1 Nov 1993, 0.00 CET (-1), Brussels, Belgium, 50 N 50, 04 E 20, Asc 18 Leo. Turkey: 19 Oct 1923, 20.30 EET (-2), Ankara, 39 N 56, 32 E 52.
Love those Headlines (Not!) The Guardian,18 Dec 2002 front page--Future Britain: save more, work longer—and stay off the roads. Most folks weren’t surprised when this headline made the news but they weren’t reassured either, the sub-head was "13m facing poverty in retirement." Transiting Venus and Mars were opposing the UK’s natal Mars in the 8th from the 2nd, another rout for collapsing pension expectations and dragging out retirement dates indefinitely; transiting Chiron sat on the UK IC conjunct the natal Sun all in Capricorn ruled by no-nonsense Saturn (keep working) and transiting Pluto was exactly conjunct natal Mercury in the 3rd—stay off the roads! The dire transport system in the UK has been discussed endlessly with the transiting Saturn Pluto opposition across the UK’s 3rd/9th axis all year so it was a huge disappointment (but not unexpected—it’s the 3rd pass innit?) in mid-December when the government announced it was abandoning it’s £billions plan to sort out the railways (oh, and the money’s already been spent!). Uranus is transiting Rx back to oppose natal Saturn in Leo (did anyone mention the mutual reception between the UK’s Sun and Saturn?). It’s a grim picture—nightmares of the UK sliding backwards into the 3rd world…and so it goes (or doesn’t). UK: 1 Jan 1801, 0.00, Westminster, 51 N 30, 00 W 07, Acs 8 Libra.
The chart for the Sun’s Capricorn ingress last December came with familiar angles common to the UK 1801 chart…Libra rising and Cancer on the MC. This year there’s an unaspected Mercury in Capricorn sitting on the IC in London—news from the home-front is no laughing matter. The Moon at 27 Cancer is quincunx Uranus in the 5th that’s it. Heated investment in the property market during last year’s Jupiter run through Cancer was bound to slow and it has—property prices in the UK began to drop in run-up to the holidays (watch this space…property is BIG news in 2003). Pluto in Sag (3rd) trine Jupiter brought bad news—and getting worse—about transportation of every description in the UK and Mars and Venus conjunct in Scorpio in the 2nd square Jupiter in Leo warned of future poverty for millions of consumers spending, not saving, their cash. Altho Jupiter in Leo just loves to splash out, the reality is spending is not a hobby—the bills will have to be paid.
Flood of Refugees Saturn in Gemini the 9th house of the ingress chart trine Uranus also suggests continuing movement of large numbers of refugees—both political and economic—all around the world. Mars and Venus in Scorpio square Jupiter in Leo looks like an expensive business, taking care of newcomers won’t be cheap. Expect more headlines about this problem, particularly if unemployment becomes a bigger problem on a global scale…and it looks like it will. The reluctance democratic nations to pay for housing, health care and education of immigrants is understandable while the problem of taking care of existing citizens escalates…it’s bound to stir resentment. Several of the most popular destination countries have already announced new restrictions on money earmarked for refugees. Yes, we’ll definitely be hearing a lot more about that.
The New Moon on 2 January falls at 12 Capricorn, snuggled up on one side of the Sun with Chiron on the other in the 5th (London), speculators, whether in government or big business are now thoroughly unpopular with the public—who don’t trust corporate leaders (can you blame them?), they’ve lost confidence in pension funds (with good reason) and they’re worried…very worried about the future. Transiting Jupiter in Leo opposes the UK Venus in the 5th in Aquarius, we want it all (specially the ethnic stuff—no, not the refugees, the fashion) and we want it now…hmmm, sales or no sales we probably shouldn't spend the money. Never mind, if the retailers are smart, they’ll follow the pre-Christmas sales with some seriously reduced merchandise in the post-Christmas sales, they’ll clean up. (In fact, as Mars and Venus moved along together in the UK’s 2nd house, moving up on natal Neptune and square Jupiter, the high street finally went mad in the week before Christmas). At the January New Moon Mars is on the IC with Venus both square Uranus in the 6th—the NHS is in deep trouble. There’s temptation and aggro everywhere and in the background the threat of revolution and the ghost of Christmas yet to come…a poverty-stricken future—aren’t those red lights flashing yet? Careful, the Jupiter Pluto trine is still strong. May the force be with you!
The Full Moon on 18 January at 28 Cancer/Capricorn occurs just hours after Mars moves into Sagittarius, increasing tension and probably the trigger for war in Iraq, trouble in Venezuela, Algeria, Pakistan and India. A Mercury Chiron conjunction at the degree of the Jan 2nd new Moon sounds like headlines to me. By the way, that strange sound in the background isn’t dribbling basketballs, it’s corporate heads rolling.
February’s New Moon at 12 Aquarius on the 1st is conjunct Neptune and opposite Jupiter in Leo just squeezed into the 5th house. Consumers are still trying to keep the UK economy going…should hear about some huge lottery winners, then as well. Venus, still in Sag, has pulled well away from Mars and has just passed opposition to Saturn. And Mars in the 7th in Sag sounds argumentative, doesn’t it.? The Full Moon on 16 February at 28 Leo/Aquarius arrives with a Mars Pluto conjunction followed immediately by a Sun Uranus conjunction on the 17th while Saturn hardly moves—at 23 Gemini all month going Rx on 22 February. Yet more corporate heads will step down or be pushed…more headlines. Scary stuff really, with an exact Mars Pluto conjunction at 20 Sag, opposing Saturn and the Sun conjunct Uranus in the 4th, Moon in Leo high in the 10th…an ideal set-up for terrorist activity well, just about anywhere really.
Who’s Your Daddy? Ken Livingstone, 57, controversial mayor of London has become a father for the first time. Livingstone’s girlfiend, Emma Beal, fell pregnant during a romantic trip in Australia and baby Thomas (chart right) was born 14 December 2002 at University College Hospital at 5.30 am giving the newcomer an intense Venus Mars conjunction at 9 Scorpio with 23 Scorpio rising. I’ve always worked with a midnight chart for Ken, on 17 June 1945 but Caroline Gerrard also lists 16 June at 22.00…double summer time was observed in June 1945 so either gives the same chart. The synastry between Ken and baby is fab, baby’s Sun sits right on Ken’s Asc and opposes Ken’s Sun, baby’s Venus Mars conjunction in Ken’s 10th (natch) exactly opposes Ken’s Venus Mars conjunction in Taurus! Baby’s got Mercury conjunt Chiron in Ken’s 1st and baby’s Saturn is right on daddy’s Sun. This kid is gonna be close to his dad (Sun on dad’s Asc), everyone will tell him how like his father he is (that Venus Mars conjunction may oppose his dad’s but it will feel very reminiscent to those who know Ken and their Sun’s are in opposition, too!) and he’ll hate it… the rows between father and son will be legendary. For his part, Ken may be shocked or delighted—more likely both—to discover that Thomas has a massive bullshit detector and will probably develop a reputation for speaking his very organised thoughts (Mercury in Capricorn). Thomas Beal Livingstone (I presume): Data as above. Ken Livingstone: 16 June 1945, 22.00 BWT (-2), London, 51 N 30, 00 W 10, Asc 23 Sag.
McDonald’s Closes Restaurants: On 17 December 2002, the original fast food restaurant which became the most successful chain in the world for 50 years—announced it’s first expected losses ever…sign of the times. Then, on 21 December, McDonald’s (chart left) announced it would shut down its Japanese outlets…all 150 or so of ‘em. At the ripe age of 47 (54 if you count the very first in California, but for purposes of this column we don’t), one of America’s most well-known exports is as vulnerable to fickle public taste as any other (remember Coca Cola’s bumpy ride recently?). After decades of demonstrations against them by everyone from animal rights activists to international anti-capitalist groups as well as increasing vegetarianism, it’s profits have been hit—hard and like everything else, even McDonalds has a life expectancy. It’s all in the chart and the first thing that jumps out is the grand cardinal square—which has been working well for the company…until now. This square involves Sun (11th assuming a 9am opening) opposite Neptune (5th), square Moon (8th) opposite Jupiter and Uranus. A fiery me-first, international business with universal appeal and rather glamorous at that …mock if you will but this organisation was always Disneyesque to the max. Anyway, progressions are revealing…progressed Moon in Scorpio squares natal Chiron in Aquarius (hmmm…didn’t Mars and Venus just do a tap-dance on that prog Moon?). Progressed Jupiter in Cancer has been opposing the natal Moon for a while and public tastes—and bulging stomachs—have changed. But McDonald’s natal Sun tightly (like 20’ tightly) trines natal Pluto and is now sitting smack on the progressed MC and they could rise like the phoenix if they get ‘it’ right now. So don’t count them out, this is a savvy operation that might have a few tricks up its corporate sleeve despite it’s first brush with financial gloom and approaching Chiron return in a couple of years. McDonald’s: 15 April 1955, 9.00 am (speculated), Des Plaines, Illinois, 42 N 02, 87 W 53, Asc 3 Cancer. (Data: McDonald’s history on the internet)
And What About Iraq? And Afghanistan and the Balkans and Russia and South America and Africa, Japan and the Middle East? There’s just not enough room to tell all these stories but they’ll still be big news—absolutely. Lots of news about oil this year…where to get it, what it costs and how much we’re using. Oh, and there’s trouble ahead for the Euro too. Tempting?…read more next issue.
Anticipating Uranus in Pisces As Uranus prepares to leave Aquarius and move into Pisces in March, get ready for some serious arguments about Big Brother and his intrusion into our private affairs. Since Uranus never makes a move without dramatic, unexpected events, the first 2 months of 2003 should see interesting—and very loud—objections from the masses about their quickly eroding personal freedoms. Whether or not these freedoms—or some of them—should be sacrificed for protection and security is not the issue and for most ordinary citizens in the democratic world, these issues will become big debates as Mars once moves into Sag in mid January…now hopelessly trying to catch up to Venus. Uranus in Pisces, eh? If you thought pink was a popular colour the last couple of years—just wait.
Home***World News by Jenni Dean Harte***Media Watch by Nick Campion***Comment - Phyllis Playter by Pauline Smith***Data Section by David Fisher***Musings of a Yorkshire Astrologer by David Fisher***Astrological Association 2002 Research Conference by Alice Ekrek***Faculty of Astrological Studies News by Sue Farebrother ***Submissions to Transit***AA Website