Bush's summer of discontent

So the summer of George Bush's discontent is finally upon us. Many astrologers (myself included) have long pointed to this June-July 2006 time as especially difficult for Bush and the US. As transit Mars and Saturn conjoin on the degree of George Bush's natal ascendant on June 17, the astrologer is once again in a position to see the future unfold ahead of time.

Regardless of other chart factors, the Mars Saturn conjunction seems to be a focal point of energy -- whether for action or reaction. Given the natural and temporal maleficence of the these planets, it is hard to imagine how anything favourable can come of this configuration. Indeed the other factors do suggest a time of serious hardship.

Bush is running Mercury-Mercury dasha, so the planet Mercury, ruler of 3rd and 12th houses natally, should be a focus of our attention. In fact, the timing of the major events in this time window probably will have more to do with contacts to Mercury than with the ascendant. Transit Saturn doesn't conjoin natal Mercury until July 4. At that time, Mars will still be debilitated in Cancer and will be in close aspect with natal Ketu. Also, the time when Mercury comes back over the Saturn will coincide with an exact Mars semisextile to Saturn on July 17.

Add to that Rahu's aspect to natal Saturn in the next month or two, and you have the recipe for an extremely difficult time. Saturn's affliction may bring destabilization and erosion of institutions and ruling structures through scandal and embarrassment.

Since Mercury is the ruler of all three dasha levels, it would be well to pay attention to Mercury's transit motion as well. Transit Mercury conjoins Saturn June 24, suggesting that is a likely time of communication problems (3rd house) especially involving foreign affairs (12th house). The double presence of Mars and Saturn points to a suddenness of events with a violent component. But afflictions to Mercury may not necessarily imply problems with Mercury's portfolio since Mercury is placed in the first house. This suggests a more general manifestation is possible, although it may have a Mercurial flavour.