Oil and the US: Quarter Moon May 5, 2006 by Ellen Zucker Few national issues escape the impact of the huge thirst for oil and other resources by the US, and increasingly, some developing powers. The US venture into Iraq, tensions with Iran, global warming, the genocide in Darfur, even our ballooning budgetary deficit, are just a few examples of issues deriving from or complicated by the increasingly desperate drive for oil. Over the past six months, a succession of fixed squares containing Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune and other planets have reflected the intractability of the problem. Squares, or planets in right angle to one another, reflect energy that is in conflict. In fixed signs, they reflect conditions that are dificult to change, that tend to linger. People involved tend to become fixed, or stubborn in their views. No one wants to back down. Clearly, most of the major problems that hog the world's stage developed over a long time. This week, things come to a head. This is shown by the two interrelated configurations that come to a point of exactitude: a grand cross in fixed signs and a grand trine in water. The two configurations are tied together by Jupiter who is overhead in the quarter moon chart set for Washington D.C. Jupiter is in Scorpio. It opposes the Sun in Taurus. We are tempted to borrow to cover our inability to put a lid on our spending and our huge thirst for natural resources. Jupiter is generous, and happy to give us whatever we ask. But in Scorpio, his generosity carries a dear price. Our ballooning national debt is financed by foreign powers to an increasingly large extent. They can threaten to pull the plug if they disagree with our foreign policy. Or any reason at all. The ultimate result of giving foreign nations veto power over our economy remains to be seen. Because this oposition is virtually superimposed on Washington's Midheaven/IC axis, I believe it will be the driver of the week's events. The other arm of the grand cross is an opposition between the 7th house Moon in Leo and 1st house Neptune in Aquarius. Neptune rules oil. Its placement in the first house shows that is in the driver's seat. The Moon in the 7th reflects seemingly limitless desires of the American population. The populace has little choice but to pay at the pump. The Sun which represents the executive branch of government is in the very bottom of the chart, held in place by Jupiter in Scorpio. The president can do little to help. Dropping poll numbers reflect that the populace (Moon) perceives his weakness and is less than happy. Now let's look at the grand trine. It provides wiggle room and relieves pressure. Jupiter is on the apex of the triangle. Flanking Jupiter is Uranus in Pisces. Pisces, too, governs chemicals and oil. But Uranus is a wildcard and when Uranus is involved, anything can happen. It is 'out-of-the-box' thinking. Our quandary can look very different with a change in perspective. Both planets trine Mars in Cancer. During the period when the aspect becomes exact, Mars, the planet of anger and aggression will occupy the same place in the sky as the Sun in the US birthchart (July 4th). Expect to see some serious saber rattling. Under this configuration, emotions run high. But this water grand trine is also a combination where a spark of creative energy can have a large impact. All in all, with aspects coming to a point of exactitude, the tensions outlined here are about to come to a head. If wise heads prevail, this time may mark the beginning of a way out of a deeply difficult and complex situation. --Ellen Zucker 5/03/06 Home