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February
20, 2007
ROBERT M. GATES
Modest Demeanor Belies Intellect and Power
Dr. Robert
M. Gates was sworn in as the 22nd Secretary of Defense of
the United States on December 18, 2006. On that day there
was an intense and forceful SUN-PLUTO CONJUNCTION at 26 degrees
of SAGITTARIUS, describing that moment as one of broad-reaching,
transformational power. Indeed, at his confirmation hearing
he acknowledged that his primary focus would be the war in
Iraq, the most pivotal issue in American politics.
Bob Gates was born on September 25, 1943 in Wichita, Kansas,
time unknown (view
chart). A Sun sign LIBRA, Gates shows classical Libran
qualities: a strategic sense, a desire to work with others,
and a preference for avoiding confrontation. His subdued manner
is well described by his SUN-NEPTUNE CONJUNCTION, giving him
a soft Piscean quality, so different from his acerbic predecessor
Donald Rumsfeld.
Gates’
ruling planet, VENUS, in the sign of VIRGO and Retrograde,
indicates personal reserve. MERCURY in VIRGO, however, is
very strongly placed, making him extremely analytical. Because
MERCURY is Retrograde, he usually performs best when he has
time to think things over before he speaks. And MERCURY’S
square to SATURN increases intellectual discipline.
With
an amazing curriculum vitae, he has certainly proved his intellectual
orientation and prowess. Having served six presidents, he
spent 27 years as an intelligence pro and his most recent
job was president of Texas A&M University, the nation’s
7th largest.
Apparently
mild on the surface, Bob Gates is not at all a pushover at
his emotional core. His internal locus of power stems from
his MOON, JUPITER and PLUTO all in the dominant sign of LEO.
The Wedge pattern of tightly focused planets in his chart
shows a natural bent for intense focus in one particular area
of life.
As one
might expect, Gates has many fateful and critical connections
to the US chart (view chart)
(See astrological notes below). These close connections show
simultaneous timing of events for the Secretary of Defense
and the US, as one might expect.
There
are many stressful indicators in the coming year as indicated
in his progressed chart. In his personal chart, there is a
tense T-SQUARE (see note below) showing confrontation, turbulence
and upset. This tension is greatly exacerbated by his approaching
SUN-URANUS OPPOSITION.
Astrological
indicators certainly do not indicate an easy path for the
year ahead. This can in part reflect something in his personal
life, but certainly as the US Secretary of Defense he will
be under the gun.
Astrological
Notes:
Close connections:
At 18 degrees LIBRA:
- Gates' Progressed VENUS (his Ruling Planet)
- Bush's Natal JUPITER (optimism & expansion)
- US Progressed MARS (war)
At 8 degrees GEMINI:
On
Robert Gates’ personal chart:
- On
his progressed chart, there is a T-SQUARE between MERCURY,
MARS and CHIRON. This T-SQUARE is also being triggered by
transiting URANUS in PISCES: a nerve-wracking combination.
This is notable late in February and March 2007.
- As
the US has a MARS Retrograde is currently being triggered.
- Symbolically
it’s interesting to note that MARS is Retrograde in
the progressed US chart, and now we have a Secretary of
Defense who also has a MARS which is by progression Retrograde.
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