Fearless Leader?

I was looking at the birthchart of President George W. Bush recently (as many Astrologers are these days, no doubt!) It occurred to me that it would be interesting to imagine a consultation with Mr. Bush as my client. Leaving aside the fact that he is the leader of the One Great Superpower in the world today, what would I see in his chart? It might go something like this:

"One of the first things I notice about your chart, George, is that all of the planets are grouped in one part of the chart (all within 120degrees, occupying just one-third of the entire circle). Such a tight bundling of planets indicates an intense focus of energy, and a one-sidedness, a somewhat narrow view, making it difficult for you to get a broad perspective. The planets in this hemisphere of the chart are focussed around the Ascendant, signifying that your behavioural faculties and needs are centred around the point of self-awareness. With this orientation, your life tends to be conditioned by ego justification and defense. The Leo Ascendant indicates self-projection is through pride, a drive to be important, valuable and loved. (Some Astrologers see the Leo Ascendant as having a 'King complex'.)

"The drive of the Sun in Cancer for personal security is directed through your Libra Moon to social interaction. With this combination you likely find that you seek social recognition, approval and flattery. Relationships and social causes can be extremely important testing grounds for your sense of security within.

"Say, did you know that your Cancer Sun occupies the same degree of the Zodiac as the Sun in the U.S. natal chart? That is because your July 6th (1946) birthday is so close to the 4th of July (1776) birth date of your nation of origin. (Canada's birthday is July 1st, so we're a Cancer nation, too.)

"The position of the Sun in your horoscope, and its relationship to some of the other planets, suggests some deep-rooted issues with your Father. It seems as if you feel you are standing in his shadow and needing to prove yourself to him in some way. Does that resonate with you at all?

"Because of the great drive for emotional security, Cancerians can be quite needy. The relationship with the Mother is always very important for a Cancer. Your Cancer Sun being in the 12th House (and squaring your Chiron and Moon in the 3rd House) indicates that you probably did not receive the emotional support and nurturing that you needed from either parent. It also suggests that you perceived some tension and conflict between your parents which undermined your sense of emotional security. Perhaps your Mother's attention was too focussed on taking care of your younger sibling? Meanwhile, it seems that Dad was emotionally unavailable or, perhaps, absent a great deal of the time (which may have been one of the sources of conflict with your Mother). The chart suggests deep wounds emotionally and to your sense of self esteem as a result of all this.
"There appears to be some emotional insecurity about your intelligence, perceptions and ability to express your ideas clearly. Could you be overcompensating by expressing yourself in a particularly dramatic and powerful manner? The Mercury conjunction with Pluto on the Leo Ascendant indicates this as a strong possibility. This combination of planetary energies can also signify a tendency to obsessive thinking.

"Now is a particularly challenging time for you in terms of perceiving and expressing things with clarity. Transiting Neptune is in your 7th House (partnerships/open enemies). You are likely to perceive others as dishonest or evasive and to try to overpower them with your own ideas and agenda. But, George, there is a great danger that your perceptions are distorted by fear and that you may not be fully honest yourself in revealing what you have in mind. It is the nature of Neptunian energy to oscure and obfuscate. Since it is transiting in opposition to the planets that symbolize your thinking (Mercury) and handling of power (Pluto), this is really not a good time to be making important decisions which could have devastating consequences. You will be able to access more reliable information and make better decisions in about a year's time.

"There are indications in your birthchart of a tendency to hastiness, premature action and a rather overzealous nature. This is exacerbated right now, particularly this month. The transit from Uranus (to your Sun-Moon midpoint) emphasizes the push for freedom, your urge to act independently, a lack of adaptability, inner rebellion and sudden conflicts. At the same time, transiting Saturn (aspecting your Mars-Neptune midpoint) indicates instability, feelings of inferiority and misdirected energy. This seems to be a very volitile combination, particularly with transiting Pluto (power) aspecting your natal Uranus (sudden unexpected change/upheaval). (The fact that Pluto rules plutonium and Uranus rules uranium gives some indication of the intensity of these planetary energies especially in combination!)

"The planet Saturn enters Cancer in early June and, by October of this year, you will have it transiting over your Sun. This indicates a time of great responsibility. Saturn symbolizes limitations and boundaries, issues of authority and control, and difficult lessons learned through experience. It represents the maturing process. It is a time to conserve and stabilize, to exercise caution and restraint. Since the Sun represents your core self, the life force, your vitality, the transit of Saturn over the Sun can often result in low energy, feelings of loneliness and even depression. I am a bit concerned, George, that if you make some hasty decisions right now, that you may find yourself in a very heavy situation come the fall of this year. Since Saturn will be hovering around your Sun from October of this year through next July, whatever decisions you are facing right now could have fairly long-term consequences, so don't rush into anything. Saturn also governs time (and is often pictured as Kronos, Father Time, The Grim Reaper).

"Speaking of time, we seem to have come to the end of this meeting. There is, of course, a great deal more in your chart than we have had time to look at in this brief session. Perhaps you can come back again in six months or a year, and we'll see how things are working out. Good luck and take care."

Unfortunately, I suspect that George W. is far more likely to consult with military advisers than with an Astrologer. Let's just hope that his need for love and social approval helps him to be more receptive to the message of peace from so many in his own country and all over the world.