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updated 8/13/2007
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August 2005

We are still reeling from July’s upheavals; the London terror bombings, China’s revaluation of the Yuan, and Pres. Bush’s nomination of John Roberts to replace Justice Sandra Day O’Connor at the Supreme court. As Mercury retrogrades until the 17^th, we will revisit these issues and try to look inward at the long- range consequences these events may bring upon us.

Mars transiting the sign of Taurus until Feb. 17^th, 2006, will direct our attention to the real estate “bubble” and when/where it will burst. My take on this is that it will level off in many areas and literally come to a stop in targeted areas where prices have become unsustainable. The real “crash” will not arrive until the end of 2007 into early 2008.

Saturn went into the sign of Leo on July 17^th and will transit this sign until Sept. 2, 2007. I have examined this transit in my recent printed newsletter and will comment on this in future newsletters. (You can click into that newsletter on this site). Historically, this placement does not usually coincide with severe depressions. However, the energy crisis will continue to accelerate and people will begin to realize the “age of oil” is ending with the resultant end of modern civilization if we refuse to switch to solar, windmill, and biomass energies at a rapid pace. Most importantly, we need to “invent” our way out of this crisis before our economy is a distant memory! Some possibilities are nuclear fusion, the use of magnets, and the possible use of solar cells to extract hydrogen.

Saturn will transit the Pluto of the Leo generation (1938 – 1957) activating their concern for their retirement years and bringing them to a realization that they need to lead the way into a very different era. They will realize that transnational corporations have bought and gained control over governments globally. These governments have exempted them from most laws and regulations, thereby allowing a handful of people to control most of the world’s wealth. Access to labor markets at extremely low wages around the world, improved technologies that eliminate jobs, and corporate control of water systems, agriculture, and infrastructure in general are devastating the standards of living for most people throughout the world. This very vocal and outspoken Pluto in Leo generation needs to step up to the plate with the will to change our direction, moving away from the culture of greed, war, and corruption. We need to reclaim our democracy that is dangerously close to termination!

The Economy:

There will be difficulties around private real estate and construction industries this month. However, jobs will be added in connection to highway and infrastructure construction projects that are state-sponsored.

The stock market may start down, fluctuate in the middle of the month, and likely end with an upward momentum. There are plenty of reasons to be getting into gold now as it will move strongly upward at the end of the year and really surge in 2006. I think China will be likely to move into gold as there are increasing uncertainties in currencies. They have a history of liking gold, and they are realizing the U.S. economy cannot sustain the enormous budget and trade deficits.

Politics:

Saturn is moving onto the ascendant of Pres. Bush which it hits in September as it inconjuncts transiting Uranus. Mars in Taurus is also square his ascendant, Mercury and Pluto. Mars opposes Neptune (scandal) at the end of the month. This strongly suggests major difficulties with his administration, including Vice Pres. Cheney. Karl Rove has gotten hit in conjunction with the Valerie Plame scandal. My take is that this is wider and more serious than anything we have yet seen. The war in Iraq is a budget black hole and people are beginning to wake up to the fact that this administration’s publicly proclaimed reasons for going into it are non-existent. The President may also be in danger in connection with an accident, health problem, or even an attempt by an extremist on his life.

It is very likely that John Roberts will be voted in as Supreme Court Justice. I will comment on this appointment when I get his birth statistics and can study his chart. As Jupiter finishes its transit in Libra (justice) through Oct. 26^th, there will be major changes in the Court and the way the Constitution is interpreted. I have predicted this in a number of past newsletters. My concern is that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights is being compromised. The recent “Eminent Domain” decision giving a city, in conjunction with a corporation, the right to remove people from their privately owned property, making all of us vulnerable to a loss of our right to our own real estate, is a tragedy and strikes at the heart of our democracy! The Patriot Act, which has recently been renewed, robs us of our right to a lawyer and a trial if we are called “enemy combatants” by the President and his administration. What, may I ask, do we have left?

The War:

The Iraqi government is trying hard to come up with a constitution. They will run into difficulties with all their factions and things are beginning to look more and more like civil war. I hope they wait till Aug. 17^th, when Mercury goes direct, to decide. In the meantime, they are making moves toward a closer alliance with Iran. Most of the nations of the Middle East are fed up with the tactics of the U.S.A. The primary reason behind the terror attacks, including 9/11, was to get our military forces out of their countries. The insurgencies will continue until we get out of Iraq.

I have mentioned in past newsletters that the Saturn in Leo will activate the charts of India and Pakistan. Mars in Taurus adds difficulty into the mix. Recently, Southern India was hit with the worst monsoon and flood in recorded history. Pakistan is torn apart by its Muslim factions and conflicts in its leadership. Between now and February of 2006, these countries will have leadership crises and natural disasters.

Israel is entering an extremely tough period in its history in relationship to the same transits of Mars in Taurus, Saturn in Leo, and Neptune in Aquarius. The agreements with the Palestinians may be jeopardized as they move out of the Palestinian territories. The Israelis will have a great deal of conflict within their own government.

The horoscope of modern Germany shows a change in its leadership as Saturn transits its ascendant, sextiles its Sun, hits Jupiter, and inconjuncts its Uranus and Neptune. I doubt, however, that the change in leadership will do much to help the economy. Currently, they have 10% unemployment and many of their young people see little or no opportunity on the horizon.

Weather & Travel:

With Mercury retrograde and square both Mars and Neptune this month, I would not choose to travel abroad this month. There will be many freak storms and delays at airports. Terror threats and dangers are also a factor.

Final Comments:

Mercury retrograde in Leo is a time for all of us to reflect on the purpose and meaning of our lives beyond what is in our stock portfolio and whether or not we can afford the latest cosmetic surgical procedure.

Leo is a sign, at its worst, of self-absorbed, attention-grabbing adolescent behavior. Leo is a sign, at its best, of warmth, generosity and heroic self-sacrifice for a greater good. I remember the Pluto in Leo generation who fought to get out of the war in Viet Nam, demonstrated for the civil rights of African Americans and equality of opportunity for women. I remember the consciousness raising efforts of this generation who were searching for spiritual direction and meaning in their lives.

I see portents from this generation, now in its maturity, making an effort toward a new way of life that may save our planet from years of humanity’s abusive self- destructive behavior. Joining hands across national borders and religious ideologies, it will take, perhaps, the most monumental collective effort humankind has ever witnessed, to save civilization and life on earth. Let’s get going!

Linda

Linda L. Schurman

What Next?
A Survival Guide to the 21st Century

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following are five links that, over time, offer excellent insights into the financial crises we need to understand

Jim Sinclair

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