August 29, 2006
IRAN’S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS: Part 2
Escalating Tensions in the Middle East

(This article is a follow-up to Part 1 written on February 3, 2006.)

Iran is currently the focus of extreme tension in the international community. Iran is defying the U.N. deadline of August 31 to cease nuclear development before sanctions are due to be imposed. Iran’s President has said that Iran’s nuclear development will go forward and is irreversible.

Iran’s recent testing of a submarine to surface missile is an additional concern. This action could threaten the supply of oil tankers passing through the Gulf. (see note below)

Many significant astrological aspects are occurring as the summer draws to a close and several of the most critical are discussed below.

Perhaps most startling of the astrological configurations tied in to the chart of Iran (view chart) is the Transiting SATURN-NEPTUNE opposition culminating on August 31st, the very day of the U.N. deadline. Amazingly, this SATURN-NEPTUNE opposition occurs exactly in the degrees of Iran’s ASCENDANT and DESCENDANT.

SATURN and NEPTUNE represent very different types of energies which are difficult to integrate. SATURN demands discipline and structure and NEPTUNE represents dreams and/or illusions. SATURN-NEPTUNE is a confusing aspect because SATURN wants to rein in NEPTUNE’s dreams and NEPTUNE wants to dissolve or undermine SATURN’S demand for structure.

Transiting SATURN in LEO (at 17 degrees) is exactly on Iran’s ASCENDANT. This represents Iran’s special need to assert its leadership and independence, to project a strong image before the world. Simultaneously, SATURN on the ASCENDANT indicates that judgments by others will be especially strong.

NEPTUNE can represent great dreams and inspiration but in opposition to SATURN it is more likely to result in confusion and deception. The opposition between SATURN and NEPTUNE represents the need to resolve what can seem an irresolvable condition. This aspect describes the situation of Iran’s relationship to the international community.

Transiting NEPTUNE (at 17 degrees) in the group-oriented sign of AQUARIUS is on Iran’s DESCENDANT, describing Iran’s doubts and distrust of others. The DESCENDANT (and 7th house) represent both allies and open enemies. Therefore, in turn, its allies and open enemies seem unclear in their own messages and alliances.

Another strong theme is the warlike MARS-PLUTO relationship which is activated in a number of ways. MARS represents aggression and the military, PLUTO deep transformation. Below are some examples:

1. MARS is opposing PLUTO in Iran’s progressed chart,
2. Transiting MARS exactly squares Transiting PLUTO today (Aug. 29).
3. Transiting PLUTO goes Direct in September, impacting Iran’s chart and intensifying the situation.

PLUTO will be interacting with the Iranian chart for the next year and will only get more intense when PLUTO goes Direct in early September. The rather terrifying MARS-PLUTO connection demonstrates the high stakes of this ongoing conflict. And since the SATURN-NEPTUNE theme also continues well into 2007, the combination of these astrological signatures confirm that Iran will remain in high focus.

Astrological Notes:

Interestingly, the missile Iran tested is named Thaqeb, which in Farsi means SATURN.

The NODES in Iran’s chart are at 17 degrees, amplifying a fated quality to this period of time.

Progressed MARS in the U.S. chart (at 18 degrees LIBRA) is conjoined by Iran’s PLUTO. For more details, read previous article.

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