We have last week’s encouraging stars to thank for producing very little in the way of major global events. Of course, there was the incident over the South China Sea in which a Chinese jet fighter challenging a US Navy spy plane crashed into the water resulting in the loss of one of its pilots and the arrest of all twenty-four of the US crew.

What is so mind-boggling about this incident is why does the military continue to carry out missions such as these when at just the press of a satellite button, so to speak, you can see into every nook and cranny in any part of the world you choose. Is it just machismo? A sabre-rattling exercise? What?

At least, this incident is showing signs of being resolved diplomatically but there has been a cost. First, the US has been severely embarrassed and second, China now has an American plane kitted out with all the most advanced intelligence equipment to help develop its own less advanced technology.

And we might ask ourselves why do we continue to treat China as such a potential enemy when trade between the West and China is at an all-time high?

HILLARY CLINTON WILL NOT BE RUNNING FOR THE WHITE HOUSE, EVER?

(A discussion of Mrs Clinton’s chart can be found in March 18^th’s COSMIC UPDATE – see COSMIC ARCHIVES.)

On Friday, 6^th April Hillary Clinton told a reporter from the New York Post that she had ruled out running for the White House, not just in 2004 but in 2008 and beyond.

I am not sure I believe her. After all lies to a politician are par for the course. They are a necessary evil and once a few major porkies have been spouted I guess a lot of politicians get a taste for it. And, if we look at the Clintons’ history, truth is not a currency used by either of them. Much.

Still, her statement did inspire me to look ahead to 2004 and 2008 to see whether there was any sign in her chart of her becoming President.

2004

While there are some important developments in Hillary’s chart in 2004 I doubt they are indicative of a White House victory.

The most interesting transit is Jupiter’s conjunction to natal Neptune in Libra. A Jupiter-Neptune combination suggests either the fulfilment of a dream or delusions of grandeur! This transit gains in significance in Hillary’s case because Neptune is the ruler of the 10^th house of ambitions and role in life and Neptune is also the ruler of the Moon. So this transit could indeed indicate the fulfilment of her dream of the White House.

Next of interest are two progressions: the first by the sun to the Descendant (the cusp of the seventh house of relationships). And the second the conjunction of the progressed Ascendant to her natal Mars-Pluto conjunction.

The progression of the sun to the Descendant is one of the classic indicators of marriage and by extension ‘marriage’ to the country in the case of someone seeking presidential office. Now, if we assume Hillary will still be married to Bill, this progression could on the one hand indicate an important love affair and/or divorce from her husband. Or, on the other, a successful merger between Hillary and the United States. What we can certainly deduce from this astrological event is that relationships of one form or another are going to be a top priority between 2003 and 2005. And, of course, Hillary as a Senator will be seeking re-election as Senator of New York, which could equally well fit the astrological bill.

The progression of the Ascendant to Mars-Pluto is a real ‘toughee’. Natal Mars-Pluto conjunctions bring an element of violence and certainly treachery into the life of someone with such an aspect. The conjunction need not imply that the individual will experience a life-threatening situation or that he or she is capable of murder but it does indicate an association with such things – a lawyer, policeman and psychologist, for instance, deals with criminals, sociopaths and the like. And we know that Hillary was a lawyer and there have been rumours about her participation in some less than kosher dealings. (What did happen to Vince Foster, I wonder… And what was Whitewater all about…?)

This progression will bring out aspects of this theme in 2004 and while Hillary could be the target of some real violence it is more likely that she will be the victim of a verbal assassination plot.

Thus, on balance, I believe Hillary will not run for the Presidency in 2004. As it is, she’ll have a tough time keeping her job as Senator.

2008

Now, this looks a little more likely.

Transiting Jupiter will be in the seventh house of relationships in November 2007 (period of the election) and squaring her sun in the January of 2008 at the time of the Inauguration. And sun-Jupiter combo’s are exactly what you need if you’re aspiring to power – even if it does mean your ego is running rampant.

Transiting Pluto will be conjuncting the Descendant during the 2007-2009 period so this planet’s transformational theme could coincide with her taking on the role of President. (Tony Blair had Pluto conjuncting his Ascendant when he took power in 1997 and Princess Diana married Prince Charles with the same transit in place – to name but two instances.)

By progression, Mercury will also be conjunct the Descendant.

Admittedly these last two astrological developments could reiterate the theme of marriage-divorce apparent in 2004 but, given the timing – eight years will have passed since her tenure as First Lady ended and she took on a role of real political clout, not to mention a lot of skeletons will have come out of the cupboard and been dealt with – she could successfully run for the White House.

THE WEEK AHEAD

The configurations are harmony personified. The sun and Mars both sextile Uranus – an aspect of ease – while Mercury will trine Pluto, another angle of ease.

As we have seen in times past, beautiful alignments do not guarantee wonderful events across the globe but they do help ease difficulties and ensure that something good comes out of the worst of situations.

Let’s hope for once that Easter really will be a time of peace and love.