This part of my web-site gives you an in-look at the current astrological events. I have tried to make it as readable and useful to astrologers and non-astrologers alike but this may not always be achievable. If you do come across some terms that you do not understand, you should be able to find a definition in the SCIENCE BIT. And, of course, you can always e-mail me directly with your queries and comments.

Midday on a freezing, sleet-swept Capitol Hill and 43rd President of the United States of America takes his vow of allegiance. Not the warmest of welcomes for George W Bush, but then he didn't expect it.

In his inaugural speech Bush promised to 'build our defences beyond challenge, lest weakness invite challenge..' (Mercury-Pluto speaking here). He urged Americans to be citizens not subjects of his presidency and stated " When we see that wounded traveller on the road to Jericho, we will not pass on the other side." (Shades of Moon-Jupiter, no doubt). His speech was short but resolute; to the point but poetic - just, in fact, as his natal chart portrays him to be.

WHAT THE CHART REVEALS

However, I do not much care for the Inauguration chart. Saturn is rising (a cold, difficult, harsh and limiting influence if ever there was one) and the sun is applying to nebulous, duplicitous and corrosive Neptune. I think we can see pictured here the difficulty he faces pushing through his plans and policies, since the Senate is split equally between Republicans and Democrats - agreement will take forever and many policies will simply fall by the wayside. The moon is also conjunct Pluto (indicative of tremendous opposition by the people), not to mention aggressive Mars on the angle of partnership, which does not bode well for international relations, nor indeed with national relations.

T-SQUARE IN FIXED SIGNS

I am also concerned about the configuration (called a 'T'-square because two planets are at opposite ends of the zodiac while a third intersects them) involving Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Mercury. Since these planets are all in Fixed signs it suggests that Bush's Presidency will be unyielding and suppressive. Law and Order will be maintained, come what may. The police may well be given extra powers and sentences will be harsher. No wonder the People (ie Moon-Pluto) will be in uprising mode!

We can test the legitimacy of these assumptions by watching events at the times when planets in this 'T'-square are triggered by transiting planets. Therefore watch this period: 2nd - 15th May.

THE UP-SIDE

There are some mitigating factors, however: Jupiter is also in the first house, close to Saturn but in the sign of Gemini, not Taurus. Jupiter is an encouraging and expansive planet so it may well be that after hardship comes success and after an economic downturn comes recovery and a renaissance. The disruptive Moon-Pluto connection is relieved by Mercury and Uranus, which suggests that a way through will be found in any locked-in situations and that far from taking America back to its pre-Clinton era, Bush will enable America to take some epoch-making steps forward - technology, education, communications should all thrive under his administration. We should also some exciting developments in the space programme. (Who said ET was just a figment of Stephen Spielberg's imagination!)

So, chin up everyone. Let's use George W's vivid imagery of an Angel in a Whirlwind to remind us that good triumphs over evil and that at the heart of any upheaval is goodness and justice.

THE CHINESE NEW YEAR: THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE

Now, I can't pretend to know much about Chinese astrology so you won't find more than one paragraph here on the subject but I thought I should mention it at least.

As far as I can tell the Year of the Snake (ushered in by the new moon in Aquarius on the 24th February at precisely 1.08 pm) sounds a bit grim. And I'll quote:

Snake years have often engendered cataclysmic events. Revolutions, financial depression and general upheaval resulting from treachery or flagrant spending may occur...

Oh dear.

(Write and let me know if you have anything more encouraging to tell me about the Snake Year ahead!)