We
are experiencing a critical stage in U.S.
history that will escalate in 2009 as predicted
in my 2008 forecast.
(Please
read "Decline: The Fall of America?"
and "Inflation Warning and the War in
Iraq." under articles
link for more information regarding the economy,
the war in the Middle East, the coming oil
peak, the consequences of the war on terrorism,
and the future of our nation for the next
two decades.)
Last
year I predicted that "the Mars opposition
Uranus of August 6 (2008) will trigger the
Saturn opposition Uranus of November 4. This
aspect is the primary one of the year. It
indicates a breakdown of authority, rebellions,
and the need for new solutions to old problems.
Unfortunately, there will be resistance to
change creating world turmoil. Expect the
period right after this opposition to be very
fierce because ambient Mars will square Uranus
on December 12 and square Saturn on December
15. There will be two additional Saturn opposition
Uranus aspects in 2009 with three Jupiter
and Neptune aspects, and a Saturn and Pluto
aspect. 2009 is a crucial year leading up
to calamitous 2010." The breakdown of
authority came about with the unregulated
financial meltdown and a "lameduck"
president unwilling or unable to rally the
nation. Afghanistan went rebellious and the
Israili-Palestinian conflict flaired. President
elect Obama promises "new solutions to
old problems."
An
overview of the year can be made by interpreting
the slowest cycles to the U.S. horoscope.
Transiting Neptune is in conjunction with
the U.S. Moon peaking Jan. 25. This cycle
pertains to the American people, food and
health care, housing, and the environment.
Grand efforts by the Obama administration
will be made as soon as he assumes office
to address home foreclosures, healthcare,
job creation, and to encourage the people
with strong leadership. Transiting aspects
to the U.S. Moon and Mars peaking in late
January indicate progressive action and a
partial turnaround in the economy. The focus
will be "home" and not overseas.
The
second two slow moving cycles are Uranus (21-year
cycle) aspecting Mars peaking Feb. 15 and
blending with Pluto (63-year cycle) in the
first of three oppositions with the U.S. Venus
peaking Feb. 18. May 21, and Dec. 17. Previous
Pluto/Venus hard angle aspects (0, 90, 180-degree)
occurred in 1972-73, 1915-17, and 1824-26.
The
last Pluto/Venus cycle correlated with a major
reversal in foreign policy by the Nixon administration
to open the doors with China and the Soviet
Union. A ceasefire is accomplished in Vietnam
in January 1973, but the rest of the year
is difficult. The Watergate affair and illegal
or unethical activities by the President and
his top aids leads to Vice President Agnew's
resignation and calls for impeaching Nixon.
The Arab oil embargo (an indirect result of
the Arab-Israeli War and oil company speculations)
creates an energy crisis resulting in fuel
shortages and high commodity prices. The stock
market suffers unusually heavy losses.
The
1915-17 Pluto/Venus cycle was a time when
the U.S. was trying to stay neutral with the
war in Europe. Eventually the U.S. is forced
into war by continued shipping losses due
to German submarine attacks. In the first
cycle, Henry Clay introduces his American
System, a collection of projects and programs
designed to develop the American economy.
A year earlier, road-building and canal-building
are at feverish levels in an attempt to pull
the country out of the 1819 depression. Most
of Spain's colonies and Portuguese Brazil
have won their independence. The U.S. recognizes
these new nations while declaring a policy
discouraging Europeans from reconquering any
of them. Lastly, in 1826, both Thomas Jefferson
and John Adams die on July 4, the 50th anniversity
of the Declaration of Independence, and thus
ends the revolutionary period.
We
can deduce from these prior cycles how the
current Pluto/Venus will play out. First,
we are at war and troop drawdowns will be
made. Negotiations, compromise, and agreements
with many nations, notably with Iran and Pakistan
will take place. New lines of communication,
agreements, and treaties will emerge in an
attempt to avoid further entanglements (that
we can ill afford) and more war. War will
come anyway.
A massive
public works program will be instituted like
the Clay plan in 1824 to revive the economy.
Balance and moderation - and new laws regulating
financial institutions - will prevail. Obama
will strive to find the "middle ground"
with nations. He will try to repair America's
image and restore good relations with competing
nations. Iraq will be free to govern itself
under a smaller U.S. troop presence. The U.S.
will discourage foreign intervention in newly
established states (like Iraq and Afghanistan)
and in shaky regimes like Pakistan. The election
of Barack Obama represents the last part of
this Venus theme in that his presidency is
truly the end of the "old polical regime"
and the beginning of an entirely new one.
The
most unusual cycle of the year is Uranus crossing
the Descendant of the U.S. horoscope. This
peaks Apr. 17, Sept. 18, and one last time
in early 2010. The last crossing was in 1925-26
during the Calvin Coolidge presidency. Coolidge's
platform called for lower taxes, higher tariffs,
economy, limitation of arms, and international
cooperation to keep peace. Obama will pledge
similar ideas. The period is rich and varied
in cultural achievements as the current period
will be in innovation, technological improvements,
and cultural developments. It was a lawless
and roaring 20s though with widespread disregard
of the Prohibition Law. The unpopular 18th
Amendment created a nightmare for law enforcement
trying to catch bootleggers. Organized crime
- gangsters - spread across the land. Obama
may get passed unpopular gun-control measures
that turn law abiding gun owners into criminals.
Civil disobiedence could easily result. There
is also likely to be more personal reliance,
a focus on individual freedom, and less of
a dependence on government micromanaging civilian
affairs.
The
first Uranus/Descendant crossing took place
in 1842. This was a tumultous time politically.
William Henry Harrison becomes the first Whig
President in 1841 but dies after only a month
in office. John Tyler becomes the first Vice
President to succeed to the Presidency. Another
first like the election of Barack Obama. Bank
bills are proposed to reform the industry
but President Tyler vetoes them until a more
favorable bill is proposed in 1842. We can
expect major banking reform to be passed in
2009-10. Tyler achieves significant foreign-policy
victories due to Secretary of State Daniel
Webster. Hillary Clinton will do the same
for Barack Obama.
Saturn
on the U.S. Ascendant in September is yet
another important cycle signally new regulations,
belt-tightening, and continued economic problems.
September may prove to be a high-water mark
as important developments will be taking shape
that bring back cheer and the promise of a
bright future.