Harper's bad stars

Word is out that new Conservative PM Stephen Harper will be sworn in February 6 in Ottawa. Looking at the likely chart that will result, I have a feeling no astrologer was consulted in choosing that date. Typically, the swearing in occurs around 10.30 am although the time is not associated with any formal traditions that I know of.

The chart has sidereal Aries rising with Sun in exact conjunction with Neptune in the 10th house and Mercury closely squared by Mars. The Sun Neptne conjunction occuring in the 10th house of leadership points to either a scandal or possible illness involving the PM. The Mercury square by Mars shows conflict and rancour and again confirms the theme of health since Mercury rules the 6th house of Virgo. A couple of saving graces might be the near stationary Venus in the 9th and Jupiter in the 7th aspecing the ascendant. Both of those benefic placements perhaps speak to improved foreign relations abroad, including most obviously the USA. George Bush will take any new friends he can find.

What is significant here is that the key transits echo the time frames I have already noted for probable troubles in the incoming Harper government. Saturn will oppose the Sun-Neptune conjunction in August and may reveal a scandal. Then in November, Saturn will come to station near an exact square (casting its most malefic 10th house aspect) to Mars, the chart ruler. Around the same time, transit Ketu was also be aspecting this Mars. This is the most likely time for the defeat of the government in the House of Commons and the forcing of yet another election in the Fall.

Of course, it is still possible that the government wouldn't fall at this time and would only represent extreme stress. Nonetheless given the fact that this is an unstable minority government and the ferocity of these transits, I believe an election in which the Conservative's lose is the more likely outcome. At this point, this chart strongly points to a return to power for the Liberals before the end of 2006. I'll wait until the 6th and see for the exact time of the oath-taking in order to fine tune this chart and double check other calculations.

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