THE SOOTHESAYER INTERNET

June 2006

A country that has attracted worldwide attention in recent years is Venezuela and it’s current president, Hugo Chavez, has brought it front and center. Venezuela is a major oil producer and may have even more oil that the prognosticators have predicted. Now that prices are climbing, Chavez (born under the sign of Leo) has dramatically come onto the world stage, forging deals and alliances with China and India and awakening the dormant revolutionary tendencies of other nations in Central and South America to the dark machinations of the U.S. military-industrial complex. He has been transferring oil wealth into programs of health and education for the poor and this has made him appear like a hero. The darker side of Chavez is that the government has taken over private property and "redistributed" it. To those who have lost their property rights, his administration is one of a militant dictatorship. He has also threatened to throw out American oil companies.

The chart of Venezuela’s independence (Sep. 22, 1830, 12:00 PM LMT, Caracas, Venezuela) reveals Pluto conjunct it’s ascendant, square to its Mars (in oil producing Pisces), trine its Saturn in Leo (power structure) and in 2008, it will square its natal Sun. Uranus stations to go direct this November right on its South Node, also in Pisces. All of this points to a mighty struggle for power. Chavez was deposed in a military coup but regained power and was re-elected. I suspect the Bush administration is hatching schemes to get rid of Chavez and gain control over the mighty oil reserves. Only time will tell if they will succeed.

The Economy:

Last month, extreme volatility in markets had the financial wizards swinging back and forth in their predictions, demonstrating that our roulette-wheel economy can turn on a dime! This month, the uncertainty continues whether the emphasis is on stocks, gold, or currencies. Between the 16^th and the 20^th, political events, scandals, and consequences of war will continue the saga of pessimism and disillusionment in the U.S., as Mars, Saturn and Jupiter form a t-square (action meets obstruction and ends optimism). In addition, Venus is square Neptune between the 12^th and the 15^th, reflecting disappointment in our society in general. The Federal Reserve may find itself between a rock and a hard place in dealing with interest rates: they are damned if they raise rates and damned if they don’t.

I think financial markets in general are poised for a hit between now and the end of August and it may be better to be in a cash position on the sidelines rather than trying to second-guess who and what will sink or swim. Even solid securities can be sold off in times like these. Gold and the metals will likely make a comeback late October into November.

Global Politics and War:

Pres. Bush’s astrological chart is in even more trouble this month as Mars and Saturn hit his Ascendant and Pluto/Mercury conjunction, square Jupiter. Mercury in Cancer in his 12^th House square his Libra planets will make communication difficult and his frustration level will be very high. He may be in some kind of physical danger at this time, and I would advise him to be very cautious.

The war in Iraq that has been going so badly will deteriorate to the point that by August of this year, there will likely be a genuine attempt to get some of our troops out. This nation needs to solve its own problems and govern itself, even though civil war is a looming possibility.

Pres. Bush has been making noises for months that he would like to threaten Iran. This would be a complete disaster, but he may attempt to do something this month to deal with their accumulation of nuclear materials that could, in the future, be" weaponized." Their chart is being strongly activated between now and August.

Between June 4^th and July 8^th, the Pluto/Mars conjunction in Leo in the Chart of China is being activated by transiting Mars, and suggests they may be demonstrating more military buildups. There will also be an internal leadership crisis that may come to a head the end of August as Neptune opposes Saturn on their ascendant/descendant axis.

Earthquakes and Volcanoes:

Between now and July, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune form configurations that tend to coincide with earthquake and volcanic activity. A major volcano is erupting in the Philippines now and earthquake activity may be accelerated this month.

Weather & Travel:

Watch out for June 1^st as Mercury is opposite Pluto. With Mercury transiting Cancer this month, inconjunct Neptune on the 16^th and Pluto between the 21^st and 22^nd, I would lighten up on travel plans at these times. The extreme clashes of heat (Mars in Leo) and cold (Jupiter in Scorpio) could produce weird storms. Hurricane season has begun!

The full Moon on June 11^th tells us to complete old projects. The new Moon on the 25^th advises us to begin the new.

Final Thoughts:

The North Node is transiting this month from the sign of Aries (self-preservation) into the sign of Pisces (compassion). We are beginning to realize that the selfishness of entrenched wealth and power whether it resides within huge corporations ors big governments, will eventually, if left unchecked, lead to the toppling of our civilization. If we cannot address the interests of the poor, disabled, the very young and the very old, our society will simply decay into something that does not resemble a viable culture. Without a middle class (which is, at present, heading toward extinction) we will have no consumers to buy the products the corporations are selling. Henry Ford realized this when he decided to pay his workers a decent wage so they could buy his cars.

Spreading wealth and opportunity around actually creates both wealth and opportunity. Concentrating wealth in the pockets of the "few" has always led to economic illness and eventual collapse. Using up the earth’s resources and despoiling the environment will inevitably lead to the disappearance of life, including our own.

I see signs of a major shift in consciousness in which people are truly seeing that all of this is not "theory" but is happening on the ground. We are beginning to see the ancient evils coming to the surface everywhere and we are staring them in the face.

This is the beginning of the mightiest rescue that human history has ever seen. It will take a monumental effort, a new heart-centered resonance contained within the framework of life itself.

Stay tuned!

Linda

Linda Schurman

Gemini – The Twins May 21 – June 21	Cancer – The Crab June 22 – July 22
I am two "smart alecks", Thinking everything up, A little bit jealous Of each other’s good luck!	My emotions swing high But I do like to bake. Take care you don’t hurt me, And I’ll make chocolate cake! ©
Original art by Alain DeShane Verse by Linda Schurman