War between Iraq and America: When?

Jupiter has just started a new 12 year cycle going into Leo. Here is the royal planet entering the royal sign, and its passage through Leo very much affects nations ruled by this sign, as well as rulers or kings. As other astrologers have noted, the last time this happened was at that momentous time in 1990-1. Dictators in Europe were being ousted, the Berlin Wall came down, Boris Yeltsin came to power, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, Nelson Mandela was released from prison, and so on.

One of the major events that occurred at that time was the Gulf War, which started on January 15, 1991. Transiting Jupiter was quite prominent in Iraq’s chart at the time, and now, twelve years later, Jupiter is returning to that same position. Obviously other factors were at work in Iraq’s chart then, as they are now, in a generally different configuration, but nonetheless potentially very potent.

To assess the situation now late 2002, in light of America speculating invasion, consider the charts that are available for Iraq, what was going on in the previous events,  and what is going on now.

All nations have ‘current’ horoscopes, but these have usually ‘evolved’ from other horoscopes at earlier times in their development, and one can usually find patterns unfolding in all of them to a certain extent. The horoscopes for Iraq and Saddam Hussein are:

Iraq Kingdom, August 23, 1921 – 6 am BGT, Baghdad.
Leo Sun, Virgo rising, Aries Moon.

Iraq Independence, October 3, 1932. 10.30 am GMT, Baghdad.

Libra Sun, Capricorn rising, Scorpio Moon.

Iraq Republic, July 14, 1958 – 4 am GMT. Baghdad.
Cancer Sun, Leo rising, Gemini Moon.

Saddam Hussein, April 28, 1937. 10.05 am or 11 am. Takrit, Iraq.
Taurus Sun, Sagittarius Moon, Cancer rising.

Iraq Kingdom 1921, Independence 1932, Republic 1958, Hussein.

1991 Gulf War Transits and Progressions

For the Gulf War of 1991, the following charts had the most significant transits and progressions. [1] Operation Desert Storm was for January 17, 1991 at 2.35 am Baghdad time, only one day after the solar eclipse of January 16, 2.49 am Baghdad time. Both charts are very powerful, Scorpio rising within a degree or two of each other. The only significant change is that the Moon has moved into Aquarius.

The solar eclipse for January 1991 was the opposition trigger for the July 22, 1990 solar eclipse, where Jupiter, Sun and Moon fell on Hussein’s Pluto. Mars from that chart was on Hussein’s Sun. See analysis later for Hussein.

July 1990, January 1991 Solar Eclipses and Hussein

Iraq Kingdom 1921

Iraq Kingdom 1921

a. Transiting Mars square to Leo Sun. Mirroring Mars in July 1990 eclipse squaring Hussein’s Leo ascendant and conjunct his Sun.
b. Progressed Moon in Scorpio square to its ruler, natal Mars, and Neptune (oil). Progressed Moon also conjunct Pluto of the July 1990 eclipse.
c. Transiting Jupiter conjunct progressed MC and natal Mars.
d. Progressed Sun in Scorpio opposite Hussein’s Sun and square his ascendant.

Mars, God of War, most prominent and difficultly aspected.

Iraq Kingdom 1921 and Desert Storm 1991

Iraq Independence 1932

Iraq Independence 1932

a. Progressed Moon in Capricorn conjunct Ascendant.
b. Progressed Sun conjunct Antares, the Heart of the Scorpion. Close to Hussein’s Moon in Sagittarius.
c. Progressed Mars conjunct Neptune and square progressed Sun.
d. Transiting Saturn and node conjunct Saturn – second Saturn return.
e. Transiting Chiron conjunct Pluto in the seventh house.
f. Transiting Mars conjunct Chiron.
g. Transiting Moon exacly opposite Mars.
h. Solar arc Mars square progressed MC.
i. Natal Mars conjunct Hussein’s ascendant.
j. Natal Moon conjunct Desert Storm ascendant 24 Scorpio.

Mars, Capricorn and Saturn prominent this time. Note that the Gulf War chart has six planets in Capricorn plus the moon’s node.

Iraq Independence 1932 and Desert Storm 1991

Iraq Republic 1958

Iraq Republic 1958

a. Transiting Jupiter conjunct Uranus, very close to the same degree of Mars in the Iraq Kingdom chart.
b. Transiting Saturn square to natal Mars in its own sign Aries.
c. Progressed Mars exactly square to a Leo Ascendant.
d. Transiting Mars (conjunct solar arc Mars) square to progressed Moon in Leo, which had just arrived at the exact degree of the Iraq Kingdom Sun.

And yet again, Mars, God of War, the most prominent factor. As Uranus sits on the Ascendant of the Iraq Republic chart, it is quite active in terms of its individuality and unpredictability. Young nations especially, express the lower octave vibration of the planets and signs.

Hence transiting Jupiter, which can be quite bombastic and arrogant in Leo, was the perfect trigger to Iraq’s ‘revolutionary’ Uranian forces that led to its invasion of Kuwait in 1991.

Iraq Republic 1958 and Desert Storm 1991

Saddam Hussein

Saddam Hussein

a. Progressed Sun square Saturn.
b. Transiting Pluto conjunct progressed Mars.
c. Progressed Moon in Scorpio (trine Pluto), opposite progressed MC and transiting Mars - a major line-up, T-squaring Iraq 1921 Sun.
d. Transiting Saturn and Sun conjunct Jupiter.
e. July 1990 solar eclipse Mars conjunct Sun.
f. July 1990 solar eclipse Jupiter, Sun, Moon conjunct Pluto.
g. January 1991 solar eclipse opposite Pluto.

As with all of Iraq’s charts, Mars is prominent in this one. Saddam Hussein’s horsocope has powerful synastry with his nation’s chart as is the case with many leaders and their nations. Saddam has a Sun/Uranus conjunction in Taurus, hallmark of several dictators, Hitler being the most infamous of them all. The conjunction in Taurus closely squares Iraq’s Uranus, and the Jupiter transit 1991.

Saddam Hussein and Desert Storm 1991

Transits and Progressions, late September, early October 2002

Iraq Kingdom 1921

a. Transiting Jupiter conjunct Mars (12 Leo 38), late September, exact October 4.
b. Transiting Mars conjunct Jupiter, exact October 4.
c. Progressed Jupiter and Moon both T-square Pluto. Progressed Moon is exactly square Pluto October 1.
d. Progressed Sun in Mars-ruled Scorpio, quincunx to Mars-ruled Moon in Aries. Progressed Sun is also at the same degree is Saddam’s progressed Mars in 1991.
e. Progressed Moon is in its balsamic, or ‘dark’ phase, 10 months before the progressed lunar return in Mars-ruled Aries.

Given the prominence of Jupiter in previous transits, it is no less so now: By transit it is conjunct Mars, Mars by transit is conjunct Jupiter, and progressed Jupiter square to Pluto.

Mars is also prominent by transit and rulership of progressed Sun and Moon. The T-square to Pluto is most prominent, and it all looks like being triggered around October 1-4. Mars, Pluto, Scorpio – all prominent.

Iraq Kingdom and October 1, 2002

Iraq Independence 1932

a. Transiting Mars conjunct progressed Jupiter.
b. Progressed Mars conjunct Jupiter.
c. Transiting Uranus opposite Venus (Sun’s ruler), square Moon Scorpio.
d. Transiting Neptune opposite Mars.
e. Progressed Venus conjunct progressed Sun in Scorpio in 1921 chart.
f. Progressed Chiron opposite Moon in Scorpio.
g. Progressed Sun forming grand trine with natal Venus and Uranus.
h. Progressed Sun conjunct Iraq Republic Saturn, opposite USA Mars. Progressed Sun opposite solar eclipse June 10, 2002.
h. Progressed Midheaven conjunct Ascendant.

The first five of the above (a-f) are Mars related transits and progressions. Bear in mind, that the author is not ‘choosing’ Mars to the exclusion of all others. The most prominent transits and progressions are simply being selected.

Iraq 1932 and October 1, 2002.

Iraq Republic 1958

a. Transiting Jupiter conjunct Uranus, progressed Uranus and Venus – exactly opposing progressed Moon in Aquarius. All share the axis of Mars in Leo in the Iraq Kingdom chart. (Exact Jupiter return for Desert Storm 11 days earlier. Oct 2 sees transiting Moon oppose progressed Moon and conjunct transiting Jupiter)
b. Progressed Midheaven conjunct Venus and Moon in Gemini,
conjunct solar eclipse and Saturn of June 10, 2002.
c. Transiting Mars (October 1) square Moon and the June 10, 2002 solar eclipse.
d. Transiting Uranus opposite Mercury.
e. Progressed Mars square Chiron in the seventh house.

Only two Mars related transits in the above chart, but potent. As regards the Gemini Moon of this chart, one is reminded:

“It is the Gemini influence which has produced — viewing the work of the nation from the personality or lower angle — the secret and oft devious diplomacy and subtlety which has in the past distinguished Great Britain's political activity. Gemini people are often distrusted, and the Gemini effect along this line makes of Great Britain no exception.” [2]

The Iraq Republic 1958 chart is all about finding identity for this young nation in an ‘old body’. With Leo rising and Uranus conjunct the ascendant, it seeks to carve out an unique identity for itself. Yet Leo’s ruler, the Sun finds itself in Cancer in the twelfth house, somewhat diminished in power. Couple that with a T-square from Mars in Aries and Jupiter in Libra, you have an entity who finds its identity through aggression with foreign nations (Mars in the ninth house) and territorial (Cancer) possession (Kuwait).

Iraq’s challenge for this T-square is to really nurture (Cancer) her people through creating educational opportunities (ninth house) for all (Moon/Venus in Gemini in the eleventh house). Some of that could be based upon links with her ancient past (Cancer Sun in the twelfth house) in fields such as archeology.

Iraq 1958 and October 1, 2002

Saddam Hussein

a. Progressed Moon in Mars-ruled Aries conjunct Iraq Republic Mars – exact. T-square to natal Pluto/Jupiter opposition.
b. Progressed Mars and solar arc Neptune in Scorpio, both exact conjunction to progressed Sun, Iraq Kingdom 1921, and progressed Venus, Iraq Independence 1932.
c. Solar arc Moon and Mars square Uranus, conjunct Venus Gulf War chart 1991.
d. Progressed Venus conjunct Mercury, opposite Iraq Independence 1932 Moon in Scorpio – exact.
e. Transiting Saturn opposite progressed Sun for 1991, and square Saturn. Old scores to settle. Also square to solar arc Pluto/Jupiter opposition.
f. Progressed Saturn conjunct midheaven.
g. Solar arc Mercury conjunct Pluto.
h. Transiting Pluto conjunct north node, square Neptune.
i. Transiting Jupiter square Sun/Uranus.
j. Transiting Mars conjunct solar arc Ascendant.(October 1)
k. May 26, 2002 lunar eclipse on natal Mars and Moon.
l. May 26, 2002 lunar eclipse conjunct Mars and Moon. In Iraq’s 1958 chart, solar arc Jupiter and Mars straddle this degree in opposition. (October 1, 2002)
m. June 10,  2002 solar eclipse conjunct Moon. More on this later with the February 2003 analysis.
n. On the full moon of September 21, 2002, the Jupiter return for Desert Storm is exact. That full moon squares Hussein’s progressed Sun from Desert Storm in 1991.

It does seem that there is much tension to dissolve around October 1, yet this may resolve itself more so in 2003. The reasons are several, therefore here is a scenario for February 2003, based upon the ‘current’ chart of the Iraq Republic 1958. Of course it will have synastry with its other charts.

Saddam Hussein and October 1, 2002

Transits and Progressions for February 2003

Iraq Kingdom

a. Solar arc Moon in Cancer exactly conjunct Pluto.
b. Solar arc Uranus square Sun and Mercury in Leo, and T-squares full moon Sun and Moon.
c. Transiting Uranus opposite Sun.
d. Transiting Jupiter conjunct Mars.
d. Transiting Saturn square Jupiter and Saturn.
e. Solar arc Pluto exact semi-sextile to Sun.
f. Progressed Sun in Scorpio exact quincunx Iraq Republic Moon.

Iraq 1921 and February 2003 Full Moon

Independence 1932

a. Progressed Venus and solar arc Neptune exactly opposite Iraq Kingdom progressed Sun in Scorpio. Venus-Neptune here relates to money and oil
b. Progressed Sun (and transiting Pluto and Mars) conjunct Iraq Independence Saturn. Transiting Saturn opposite progressed Sun. Progressed Moon moves to an exact opposition with progressed Sun in April, 2003
c. Solar arc Saturn opposite Sun
d. Moon in Leo conjunct Venus, triggering square to Moon in Scorpio
e. Transiting Chiron-Venus and progressed MC conjunct Capricorn ascendant. This was the position of the Moon and Neptune (oil)  in the Gulf War chart
f. Solar arc Chiron conjunct Mars.

Iraq 1932 and February 17, 2003 Full Moon

Iraq Republic 1958

a.   Eclipses generally have a six month cycle before they get ‘triggered’. The solar eclipse of June 10 on the Iraq Moon (Gemini) from Sun, Moon and Saturn will have a major effect in late February 2003.
Transiting Pluto and Mars conjunct Saturn, exactly opposite natal Moon and Venus.
b. Late February transiting Saturn makes a station conjunct Moon/Venus, and opposing natal Saturn.
c. On February 16 there is an Aquarian full moon conjunct the star Regulus. On that day transiting Mars exactly conjoins the Moon, and the June 10 eclipse – this is a major trigger.
d. From February 22-24 transiting Jupiter will be back for its second last hit to natal Uranus, plus its position at the outbreak of the 1991 Gulf War. It is also retrograde as it was in 1991, and exactly conjunct transiting Mercury at the same time. Transiting Neptune is closely opposing Jupiter and Mercury. This is a configuration that could reflect a chemical or biological weapons attack.

Iraq 1958 and February 17, 2003 Full Moon

Israel

a. Biological and chemical weapons are one of Israel’s worst fears of Iraqi attack. Israel’s Leo Moon-Pluto conjunction straddles the same degree as transiting Jupiter and Iraq’s Uranus. To further compound matters, it is Israel’s progressed Moon return; it will be at 11 Leo 27 in late February.
b. The problematical Mars in Leo in Israel’s seventh house of enemies,  is being hit by the full moon and transiting Uranus.

USA

a. February 16, 2003 full moon and transiting Uranus sit precisely on USA’s Moon and progressed Sun.
b. USA’s progressed Moon has moved to 19 Gemini 36 in the seventh house, conjunct natal Mars, Iraq’s Moon and June 2002 solar eclipse. It is precisely conjunct Iraq’s Moon about two weeks before.
c. Transiting Saturn makes a station conjunct natal Mars.
d. Transiting Mars and Pluto both oppose natal Mars  and progressed Moon. The opposition of these planets make a T-square to Neptune in the ninth house. This indicates a major challenge in maintaining the higher vision and ethics, though the point of least resistance could well be subterfuge and deception, and/or the use of biological weapons.
e. Aquarian full moon of February 2003 squares Israel’s Sun in Taurus, Sharon and Arafat’s Moons in Taurus.

Saddam Hussein

a. Progressed Saturn conjunct Aries midheaven. Is he ready for his destiny with Mars, God of War?
b. Progressed balsamic moon (dark phase before new moon) with six months to go before its conjunction to the Sun in Taurus.
c. Progressed Sun in Cancer is two degrees (two years) from exact conjunction (well within orb) to Bush’s and USA’s Sun.
d. Transiting Jupiter square natal Uranus.

George W. Bush

a. Progressed Sun conjunct Mars in Virgo. Bush is ready to fight.
b. Progressed Mars conjunct Chiron and Moon in Libra. Could be some indecisiveness about that fight, even averring to peacemaking. Natal Chiron-Moon sit on USA Saturn, which square USA Sun, just as the Bush’s Libra Moon squares Sun natally.
c. Progressed Moon opposite Saddam’s Uranus.
d. Transiting Jupiter conjunct Mercury and Pluto in Leo – exact. This natal conjunction sits on Israel’s Moon.

It seems then that a conflict is imminent, and that Israel may somehow become embroiled in the whole affair. In fact a whole devastating Middle East war could arise, as many Arab nations are opposed to the invasion of Iraq.

With the USA as the major backer of Israel, who is surrounded by hostile Arab states, a US invasion of Iraq could trigger an all out Arab uprising that may well centre around Israel, Palestine and Iraq.

Phillip Lindsay © 2002