Dear Friend and Subscriber:
I remain in London, and the view of America is rather interesting. The paper I'm writing for these days, The Daily Mirror, has been at the centre of the news owing to its publication of controversial photos of abuse of prisoners in Iraq; these were published on its pages the day after the U.S. media published similar photos the day before. And from here the prisoner torture scandal looks crushing; it blatantly betrays the White House as the soulless thing it is, a thing that eats souls. Amazingly, the U.S. media is still pumping out polls that say half of America approves of King George II. They ask 1,000 people their opinion and say the whole country of 240 million people has made up its mind about being totally ambiguous.
The other side of this is: let's assume the polls are true. How are so many people fooled? Is it that so many have as their only reassuring image of father an abusive, conniving murderer? I personally dread to think so.
To the extent people are shocked by this, I ask: Why is it so surprising that people are tortured during a war? What did they think a war was? It's not a Disney ride. It's a huge disgusting crime. The only difference between this huge disgusting crime and all the rest is that it's starting to look more obvious than usual, even to those not normally given to notice such things. Maybe, just maybe, someone will have the guts to come forward and speak up about the rape of Iraqi women as well. As Inga Muscio, author of the most excellent book Cunt: A Declaration of Independence*, points out, where there is murder, there is rape.
And maybe someone will tell us what is happening to the children under 14 who comprise half the population of the country, whose lives are being shattered by violence, bombs and gunfire, and devastated by the loss of their loved ones. Is this why you pay your taxes? I did not think so.
Waiting for an appointment today, I happened to pull out of my suit pocket a chart that resides in my permanent travelling collection, called The Day Mercury Stood Still (many of my charts have titles, and this one is stolen from Tem Tarriktar, editor of The Mountain Astrologer, who proposed that bit of language in an article at the time). This is the chart for the night George Washington Bush stole the presidential election, 8th November 2000. Do we recall? Once upon a time, and a long time it was, back when gnomes ran about the forest and the world was young... Mercury was stationing direct at 29 degrees and 56 arc minutes of Libra.
The retrograde of the prior three weeks, the last weeks of the campaign, worked through the first 10 or so degrees of Scorpio, and then Mercury transited back into the very, very, eensie, weensie, tippy, tripsy, trippy, bitsy end of Libra and stopped cold in its tracks and there, under the guise of the scales of truth and justice, the remaining vestige of Democracy was stolen. Fortunately, the booty is being kept at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and maybe we can get it back some day.
Consistent with all the charts of the Bush era, this is a Mercury chart -- perhaps the most dramatic of them. And I could not help but yelp, loudly, in the lobby of a fancy London office building, when I realised that the recent solar eclipse of April 19 was in an exact opposition to this Mercury station degree.
Achtung! Gee Freaking Whiz Almighty!
All the secrets of the Bush administration's ascent to power are (symbolically) contained in that Mercury, and behold, it rules the 12th house of the chart -- the house of vast overwhelming institutions, secrets and secret enemies. And, under the penetrating shock of that eclipse, look what is coming out, and out, and out, and out. There is no stopping the truth now. The only thing that is getting in the way of it being received is another factor called denial, which is the most toxic drug there is.
Mercury and the 12th house share a relationship in the Sept. 11 chart, too, and it's clear that I must do an essay soon linking the following four charts: the gavel in the hand of Chief Justice Rehnquist hitting the bench at the opening of the Clinton impeachment; the stolen election; Sept. 11; and the beginning of the Iraq war. These are the quartet. These incidents are the ONE incident of our era in history.
And now for the portion of our program approved for public consumption, the center panel feature of the astrology page in the Daily Mirror, and the Thursday horoscope, with apologies for its tardiness. Back tomorrow with a Friday newsletter, horoscope and birthday report, no clue what time. I would like to get it done early and call it a week. This article (below) is on the June 8 transit of Venus to the Sun. This is another factor of the intensity of the world we are seeing now, an event that has not occurred for 12 decades plus. I follow up with a second short piece on the same subject tomorrow, or rather, developing the subject of the momentous Venus transit to the Sun in Gemini.
Blessings to ye... peace & passion,
Eric Francis Coppolino
*PS, Here is Inga's book: www.amazon.com
Today's column appears courtesy of Jonathan Cainer, http://cainer.com/
Venus Trump Card
Next month, the world will experience an extremely rare astronomical event as Venus passes between Earth and the Sun, making the equivalent of an exact eclipse. Called a 'transit', the last time this occurred was Dec. 6, 1882. No living human has witnessed this event and no astrologer has felt its effects. But history is written, and because this event is so near, future history happening.
The Venus transit is the astrological trump card of the year, and perhaps a defining event of our lifetime. Some say astrology works by the Sun projecting the energies of the planets. Now, imagine Venus, the planet of love, sex, beauty and abundance -- and the planet of women -- passing exactly in front of the Sun like a lens, and pouring across the Earth the concentrated rays of the Goddess.
The last time this happened, we saw the spontaneous creation of the "New Woman," who demanded careers and public roles. "Frequently unmarried, often living with other women, they were associated with educational and political reform, the medical and legal professions, journalism, the arts, and literature," writes the Reader's Companion to Women's History. In the States and New Zealand, this began the era when the Suffrage movements triumphed.
And it was during under the reign of Britain's longest ruling monarch, the beloved Queen Victoria; in our own times, Queen Elizabeth II is serving one of the longest reigns in British history. Though we may not see it today, this is an historic moment for women, and there are signs of progress.
In parts of the Arab world, women are raising their voices in a way never before seen under Islam. In the States, lesbians and gays are winning the right to wed -- a right from which men are benefiting as well. While the UK seems stuck moment as far as women's rights are concerned, we need to watch for developments.
This transit will get results that may reach far beyond what we commonly think of as social issues. In the world of the male right to make endless war, the Venus transit is deeply welcome news. I am seeing in the planets an omen for opening a long-overdue and rather urgently necessary sexual discussion. Venus is the planet of sex. This transit occurs in Gemini, the sign of ideas and communication. I'll take up that theme tomorrow.
Thought of the Day
(from Australian editions)
People ask me if I believe in astrology. And I am tempted to say no. What I say is, I no more believe in astrology than a carpenter believes in his tools; a carpenter uses his tools and hopefully keeps them sharp. But that's not exactly this flimsy thing called "belief." Astrology provides a language, a set of references, a cosmic backdrop and a common meeting place (i.e., a newspaper) where we can have a kind of discussion. What we say and do is another story. Personally, I prefer to work with astrology as a spiritual modality with the intention of fostering mutual healing: the greatest good for all concerned. I learned more about what to do with astrology from A Course In Miracles than from any other book or person, and after many years it remains the ground on which I stand.
Aries (March 20-April 19)
Stress is written all over your chart, and you're involved in some kind of a mental cliffhanger. Once Mars changes signs Friday, you'll feel a lot better, and you'll start to realise you do have some impact on the world around you. Events of the next few days will put you into contact with far more people than you usually encounter, and if you keep your sixth sense peeled you will stumble into some sensitive information that will be more influential than you can currently imagine. For now, take a few deep breaths and unwind for at least three minutes. You need it.
Taurus (April 19-May 20)
It seems as if a close partner is changing faster than you can keep up, certainly a lot faster than you. True -- quite a bit is happening, most of it is out of your control, and it looks like you're being left on the sidelines. But this is an illusion; your own process of change is a lot more mysterious and just as deep. You are slowly gaining perspective. The past may seem dim. In a little while you will learn to focus, and to see a galaxy of possibilities. You just need to look the right way.
Gemini (May 20-June 21)
The air will clear once Mars leaves your sign tomorrow. Then, you will be left in the company of slow, powerful Venus moving into her rare retrograde phase in your sign, and the even more rare Venus eclipse of the Sun in June. I can barely put into words the overwhelming beauty of this transit and what awaits you, but it portends the emergence of an entirely new way of life. Imagine the one experience or development you always wanted the most, and for the foreseeable future, focus on it; envision it; faithfully become it.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
You may not be able to sort out the difference between fear and desire right now but it will become clear soon enough how little cause you have for anxiety. But at the moment you must tread very gently on the Earth and not let your thoughts or dreams run away with you. With the new stage of life, which promises to come on fast and furious, you will face new challenges and need to develop new living skills. You are blessed with the capacity to learn, what you are about to gain, more than anything, is the undaunted motivation to do so.
Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)
What appear to be obstacles over the next few days are really building blocks for the future. But I advise against thinking they're mere tests of character; that is not in question and you are not in question. And whether you maintain the strength of your faith in a particular relationship or situation is the actual material of life, not any kind of dressed rehearsal. No matter how intangible matters may at the moment seem, you are moving into an excellent position to negotiate, to plan or just to live your life well. Not that any of it was so bad to begin with.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)
Much that was entangled in nonsense, confusion and complexity is beginning to work out suddenly. In reviewing the past few weeks, how did you do, in the attitude department? Be honest. What percent despair, hope, courage, frustration and fear did you experience? What did you believe were the more likely outcomes? With the improving climate of your life, you will still need to cultivate the stronger, more positive and more constructive emotions. So much is in actual fact possible, and the most serious adversity always comes from within.
Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)
You could say that people don't change, or you could say that all people do is change. You've certainly been confronting quite a bit of shape-shifting from a certain individual in your life, but how much of what you witnessed was your own wishful thinking or projected fear? Perhaps none of it. It's quite an exercise allowing people to be who they are. For most, the challenge of relationship involves keeping control over others. But as a true lover of life you know that is the very kiss of death. Relationship requires courage, and courage is another word for heart.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)
Life certainly has been intriguing lately, even by your hard-to-match standards. I imagine there has been exceedingly little time to contemplate the nuances of existence as you've been moving at nearly the speed of light through the hall of mirrors. This weekend presents you with a rare opportunity to rest and reflect, and to appreciate all you've accomplished. Don't count your money; count your blessings. You may also notice that while most of the urgency has passed from your various situations, you're now left with many of the rewards, and from the look of things, they are sweet.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 22)
People meet you, and they change. And while to so many you may seem perfectly immune to relationship-induced transformation, you know the truth of the matter. It's a beautiful thing when people find an equilibrium of inspiring and instigating one another's emotional development and spiritual progress. For as tough of a cracker as you are, you much prefer the gentle type of deep inspiration rather than conventional shock therapy. And assuming I am right, you will appreciate the kinds of developments in the stars over the next few days. We both know it's more fun to rub skin than it is to bang heads.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)
At least now conflicts and contention can rise to the surface. It is always good to know who your enemies are because that is the process by which you find out who your friends are. A discussion clearly has to happen with one individual, and while I don't suggest you mince your words, I do suggest you set definite limits on your temper. It is possible to be both honest and diplomatic. The way to do that is to stay in constant contact with the feeling of vulnerability of the person you're speaking to -- no matter how you may feel about them.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
Have recent events dashed your hopes or clarified your objectives? I trust that they've done both. This is not a time to be building upward, but rather to be feeling the firm foundations and fertile Earth beneath you. You're also at a point where you need to take better care of your health, but the good news is that you will finally have the energy to do so. It may seem like the coming weeks will be far too busy to attend to your body, but your body is the vehicle in which you are making this rather exciting trip and feeling these unusual feelings.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
You've almost survived Mars through your sensitive 4th solar house, Gemini. The words 'restless journey' come to mind. Though you may have barely left the neighbourhood, emotionally you've had to come to terms with some serious dilemmas in these months. At the least, you know what they are. For your next trick, you'll be given opportunities to begin resolving them, if they were there in the first place. Much that you feared will turn out made of nothing more than dust. And as the next few days progress, you'll discover that your power to create has got fire in its blood.
