For the past several days I've been working with secondary progressions, one of the methods used to plot planetary cycles. Besides indicating cycles of change and development in individual lives, the degree symbols of the progressed planets give us an interesting picture of the soul in time. I've been looking at my own progressed planets as well as Psychic Chuck's, but what I want to talk about this evening is pertinent progressed Sun degree symbols for the horoscopes of the US and George Bush, our unfortunate country's present representative.
The degree symbols of the US progressed Sun(identity) indicate a troubled country for the next 14 months. For the past year, the image for the progressed US Sun, according to The Zodiac Image Handbook, the Fixed Signs by Dutch astrologers Helene and Willem Koppejan, is: A man, in evening dress, stands at a table laden with bottles, playing cards, dice and the like. He brings a chalice-like goblet to his lips." The writers interpret this as a degree of "an easy life or folly". Individuals that have this degree prominent might be considered spoiled, because they are born into privilege. George Bush and a majority of U.S. citizens, apparently, believe that we are privileged, that we deserve special treatment, that we can do what we want despite what the rest of the world thinks. The Koppejans go on to describe a precipitous fall into irresponsibility and self-destruction with this degree prominent. "They give extravagant parties (wants to give the rich a giant tax cut), take enormous risks (bomb Iraq and bait North Korea risking terrorist retaliation), playing the fool with somebody else's money (the American taxpayers), and gamble everything away(hot air buffoon, Bill Bennett)." And even though, "they are called to be examples to the weaker and more immoral brothers and sisters of their group, ...they talk so freely about immorality in such a charming way that others may almost be persuaded that this upside down lifestyle is the right one." Although America has always been considered the shining light on the hill, an example to the rest of the world with its democratic government, its present destructive immoral actions have made everything topsy turvy. Might seems right and Peace seems wrong. And anything that talks about peace and doesn't favor war is considered to be anti-American. The great democracy has kicked itself in the teeth.
The next degree symbol that goes into affect this year isn't much better: A man lies in a haystack under a shady, leafy tree. It is high summer. In a valley to the right, we see farmers harvesting corn. Deeply asleep, the man is dreaming of all sorts of delicacies for himself. We see them in a cloud above him--sausages, game, poultry, all sorts. In the meantime he does not notice another man behind his back trying to pick his pocket.
According to the Koppejan's, "The individual (the USA) thinks that fortune will come of its own accord and he expects its offerings to be very acceptable. Dreaming through the day, shunning work, he (the U.S.) despises social obligations and makes light of anything rightfully serious. Born rich in talents and earthly goods, he may lose everything through his own fatal flaw of character. He likes to be idle when others labor. If the person does not recollect and school himself before it is too late, others will pick the best places and get the job of which he is dreaming." The U.S., under George Bush has become a ne'er do well.
The dangerous condition of the country's soul is further made worse by a president with his progressed Sun at this degree: A masked man and woman are standing at either end of a table. The woman, at the right, is protecting a purse and some sacks of money on the table with her hand, while the man at the left is stretching his hand out in a pilfering gesture towards a chalice containing beautiful fruit.
The Koppejan's in their book, The Zodiac Image Handbook, the Mutable Signs, say that this is called the degree of pilfering. "People with this degree can be far from pleasant to deal with. They possess more than they show. They may sit on their money due to fear or they may increase it by stealing here and there or earn their wage in a dishonest way (bombing Iraq and taking over the oil fields, illegal insider trading with Harkin Oil stocks, illegally assuming the office of president). Often money or goods fall into their lap although they do little to deserve them (born rich, always taken care of, never succeeded on his own). In spite of being in a sign of service(Virgo) this degree indicates these people are not servants in the ethical sense. They work for their own interests." The writers go on to say that these people are "wolves in sheep's clothing and scoundrels... The spirit has to start working instead of snatching advantages."
Unfortunately, just like the United States, Bush's Sun progressing into the next degree this year isn't any better. Besides a stagnant pond choked with rushes a plump woman on the left is making lively and disorderly gestures before another stout woman reclining, who is deriding the agitation. This degree, which speaks of "choleric indolence", or angry sloth, describes Bush's angry defensiveness coupled with his lack of industry. These individuals are tempted by any pleasure or outing(video games, working out), which allows them to escape or forsake their practical duties. They are touchy about little things. On a low level, "there are excesses, unreasonableness, and abandonment to lewd suggestion". The progressed Sun will be in the same degree as natal Mars (aggression). In the second house of resources, this is an interesting symbol for the way Bush handles money, bankrupting the federal government with his dangerous tax cut.
Right wing Republicans, by the way, have been trying to destroy programs and services of the New Deal since Roosevelt put them in place. The rich hated Roosevelt and felt he was a traitor because Roosevelt, himself, was wealthy. And now Bush, a rich pilferer, is trying to bankrupt the government so the rich don't have to pay for our services with their tax money. The fearful Bush and his ilk are terrified of losing their money because their manhood is wrapped around the dollar bill. They just want the federal government to pay for defense so that they can wage war, steal more money and make sure the military is proficient enough to protect them from loss. It's an easy equation to understand: tax cuts for the rich=less money for services. Soon if this trend continues, the federal government will no longer provide services it will just provides defense. Hey, at least our third world country will be protected if the Chinese decide to invade. Maybe. You can read an excellent article by William Greider, Rolling Back the Twentieth Century, at the Nation online about this subject.
In 14 months there is a definite change for the better. The degree symbol for the progressed Sun in the U.S. chart is: A scepter and a globe are laid on a throne. A man crowned and dressed in an ermine robe, is striding towards the throne to take possession. The Koppejans call this a symbol of grandeur. "The country with this degree prominent will fulfill a royal role... It is a reward from heaven."
Bush's progressed Sun reaches a much better degree around the same time: A man on a white horse, galloping from the right, urges it to full speed. His right hand is held high with index finger pointing forward in a commanding gesture. This is called a degree of direction and the individual with this degree prominent is considered a "genius with great active intelligences and with passion for getting things done. Someone with an original, inventive mind, who is always generous and good, and who is one with his time, but free from bias. He is progressive in the social field, does not compromise and is realistic. There is no small mindedness in his make-up." Considering that this degree does not describe Bush in any way, there are several possibilities about his future that come to mind. Due to other very difficult astrological aspects that will come his way, this year and the next, he may not live long enough to make it to this degree. Or, he could, believe it or not, transform himself into something much better. The actualization of either possibility could help to release this country from its humiliating degradation. Psychic Chuck believes, however, that if he did somehow transform into a better man, he might be assassinated by the same people that put him into power.
