 October 22, 2002
 CNN -- A 40-year-old bus driver shot this morning in Montgomery County, Maryland, has died from his wounds. The D.C. sniper task force is investigating the shooting as a potential sniper attack. Meanwhile, authorities are trying to communicate with the person who left a note at a weekend shooting scene which sources said threatened "more killing."5:56 AM, Aspen Hill, Maryland, Ascendant is 10 Libra. Venus is chart ruler and is, again, highly significant.
ROCKVILLE, Maryland (CNN) -- A bus driver was shot to death Tuesday morning in Montgomery County, Maryland, and the sniper task force was investigating whether the killing was connected to the attacks that have left nine dead and three wounded in the Washington area.
Police said the driver, a man "approximately 40 years old," was standing on the top step platform of a commuter bus when he was shot in the chest. The bus apparently was sitting in a staging area where buses begin or end their routes.
The victim was taken to a trauma center in Bethesda, where he died.
The shooting was reported at 5:56 a.m. EDT in the Aspen Hill neighborhood of Silver Spring, an area close to the scenes of several of the previous sniper attacks.
13th Sniper Attack
Commentary
Sunday, Oct 20th, Neptune decloaked by changing from retrograde to direct motion. The God of the Sea, who loves fad, fashion and glamor, also loves scandal, lying and deceiving. Mercury, the mouthpiece of the zodiac, poeticizes Neptune by dropping Tarot cards and leaving notes for the police. Mars, applying to trine with Neptune, raises the stakes. It's like the God Dionysus on rampage -- sex, murder and death. Although TV pundits say sex isn't a motivating force for the sniper, I beg to differ. Mars has been in mutual reception with Venus in Scorpio, the queen of excessive revenge, and will remain in this bloody relationship until December 1, 2002, when the two struggle to meet by conjunction and miss each other by a mere two degrees.
Today's Libra rising is the 5th attack where Venus is chart ruler. She wields her sword of "justice" by crouching in wooded areas (Moon in Venus ruled Taurus -- a wooded environment) and taking aim upon a hapless victim. The victim, signified by Mars ruled Aries in the 7th house brings the Venus-Mars mutual reception together: sniper and victim.
Uranus in the 5th house of sport (the sniper sees this as sport, too) is conjoined to the arabic part of "Danger or Peril." Uranus, the planet associated with sudden, disruptive events, is retrograde until November 3, or two days after Halloween, the date I predict as the first window of planetary opportunity to apprehend the sinper. Halloween is the day that the transiting Sun conjoins Venus retrograde -- a conjunction that forms via "Mutual Application."
Today's 28 Libra Sun is peregrine, a Sun that has no essential dignity. In Ptolemaic terms, today's Sun, representative of a male shooter, describes someone in frustration, a man wandering, someone who is unable to find a comfortable place to light.
Since the Sun is descriptive of the sniper, it could indicate that he wandered aimlessly and anxiously looking for his next striking place. It is alleged that the letter found in the woods behind the Ponderosa Steakhouse contained "ominous threats" of escalating violance (MSNBC Cable TV, October 21, 2002). Also, it is rumored that the letter contains references to a demand for money, something that pundits describe as "out of character" for this kind of serial killer. However, Venus in her exaltation in the sign Taurus, the most acquisitive of signs, means we must take the money demand (if real) seriously. Since Venus, Taurus's ruler, is in revenge extracting Scorpio, the sniper wants payment in blood AND cash.
Further, yesterday's Neptune "decloaked" (police) revelation that the sniper left a letter in the woods behind the Ponderosa Steakhouse (October 19th's strike) dovetailed with other disasters of the day. The police were unable to hear the sniper when he telephoned "at the number you provided us;" the two men taken into custody yesterday -- one who drove a white van seen parked in front of a "sniper" phone booth -- were no more than illegal aliens out to secure day work; and Saturn retrograde in Gemini: Chief Moose, the king of repetition, "We continue to work the investigation. To comment any further would be inappropriate."
Saturn and Mars are both associated with police and military authority. The game between the sniper and police, described as cat and mouse, is that interesting "chase" underway between Mars and Venus who, remember, will miss each other by a scant 2 degrees in early December. No one really knows yet what that will mean for the apprehension of the sniper. Again, there is a substantial window open on Halloween. This also accords with the time when the transiting Lunar Nodes (North Gemini/South Sagittarius) reach the same degree as transiting Neptune at 8 Aquarius. ANY planet in nodal degree indicates fated events.
Mercury is on this morning's Ascendant at 14 Libra -- [Mercury's sign and degree for September 11, 2001's WTC/Pentagon attacks]. There may well be another another handwritten message found in the wooded area where the sniper shot the bus driver. The sniper, now more in control than law enforcement, NEEDED to strike today in order to make sure that law enforcement and the public remember his core message: I AM GOD.
We have a fixed grand square in process, but it will offload quickly as the Moon is a part of it: Venus opposite Moon where both are in square to a Jupiter-Neptune opposition. The Moon in Taurus, ruled by Scorpionic Venus, is in the 8th house of death in square to Jupiter (expansion) in house 11: the future. There will be more sniper shootings and they will be unpenetrable (Neptune) and very bloody (Venus in Scorpio). Stopping the spree is connected to either a lucky break (Jupiter) or the sniper making an error in judgment (Venus square Neptune) or exceeding all bounds and being discovered (Venus square Jupiter).
Finally, Mars in Libra is hiding (in the woods) in the 12th house of the chart. The Moon at 10 Taurus, the same degree as the Libra Ascendant, has passed the frustrating quincunx of adjustment where, most likely, the sniper had to choose another location whereby he could select a target to shoot and remain undetected (12th house Mars). Mars in the 12th is also descriptive of the victim (7th house Aries cusp). Venus of revenge draws both Mars and the Moon together. Mars in the 12th is the victim in the hospital, but the 8th house Moon is, unfortunately, his demise.
Counting counterclockwise from the cusp of the 7th house (the victim) the 12th house equates to the victim's 6th house. The 6th house is associated with his health, particularly the integrity of his body. Mars of guns in this house clearly shows that the victim's body would be impacted by a bullet. The 6th house is also indicative of daily routines. The victim was at his job, and more than likely this man worked each and every day of the week. Virgo is about precision, and bus driving requires attention to one critical detail: time. Saturn, or Chronos, the God of Time is in the sign Gemini, associated with transporation!
Mercury is the ruler of the Virgo (health) cusp of the victim's 6th house, and Chronos, Saturn, the God of Time. The victim's 7th house, his enemy, is house one of the chart, or the sniper, where we find Mercury, ruler of the victim's Virgo cusp. House 4 of the chart equals the victim's 10th house -- his employer and his public reputation. Saturn retrograde at 28 Gemini is ruler of the Capricorn cusp. Saturn is the greater "malefic" ruled by Mercury. Malefic Saturn, in the male sign Gemini, is in trine to sniper masculine Sun in Libra. Two men, one a killer and one a victim, are clearly linked in today's attack chart.
Fixed Stars, October 22, 2002
Venus conjunct ALPHECCA
According to tradition, it is said to be associated with "The Lord of the House of Death" and if connected with Neptune and Mars, infectious diseases and poisoning are indicated. (Ebertin).
Influence of the constellation: "According to Ptolemy it is like Venus and Mercury. It is said to give artistic ability, love of flowers, lassitude and disillusionment, but to bring its natives to a position of command. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Daleth and the 4th Tarot Trump, The Emperor". (Robson).
Alphecca is noted for conveying honor, dignity and artistic ability. But like all Venusian stars it can also have its undesirable effects. Medieval astrologers, who tended to emphasize the more perverse side of astrology, asserted that Alphecca rising indicates a life spent in a variety of pleasurable pursuits by an individual who decked his body with adornments, secretly engaged in love affairs or adultery and who "bedded boys and girls" according to Firmicus Maternus. If the star is setting, disgrace will come of all this. (Noonan). Anne Wright's Fixed Stars
For more sniper astrology analysis, visit Christopher Warnock, Esq.'s Renaissance Astrology for excellent chart interpretations of the Sniper attacks.
October 22, 2002, Starcats
October 20, 2002
Twelfth Attack by East Coast Sniper
 Shooting occurred shortly before 8:00 PM according to MSNBC Cable TV, October 19, 2002.
MSNBC ASHLAND, Va., Oct. 20 — Authorities continued combing the woods and parking lot behind a steakhouse Sunday trying to find evidence that may link the Saturday-night shooting of a 37-year-old man to the sniper attacks that have claimed nine lives in the Washington area. Meanwhile, doctors at a Richmond hospital said Sunday that the man faced more surgery to save his life — and to possibly remove the bullet that could aid investigators in establishing a connection to the sniper plaguing the area since Oct. 2.
 
Commentary
The sniper struck just before 8:00 pm on a Saturday night just across the road from a Ponderosa Steakhouse. Cops and media pundits who said a) He hasn't struck at a school; and b) He never works weekends should get a clue that what you say he won't do is what he does next. Now, why is that? Because when the sniper dropped the Tarot death card with the words "I am God" scrawled on it, he meant it. That is, at this time, he wields the power of God and will not be second guessed. Maybe the TV pundits who have nothing better to do than pull their puds might consider another line of broadcast masturbation.
That being said, Neptune retrograde (going direct Sunday, October 20th at 9:51 AM EDT) conjoins the MC. It trines Mercury in Libra in the 5th house of gaming. Uranus retrograde, associated with sudden events and television also appears in the 10th house with the political strategy asteroid, Pallas. Neptune is deception -- the sniper's ability to "melt, dissolve, disappear into thin air," while Uranus alerts us that it will be televised. The asteroid Pallas is the sniper's keen ability to plan, strategize and execute his goal of killing by stealth. Uranus, still hovering close to the USA's natal Moon and Progressed Sun, continues to "shock" the people with wave after wave of sniper attack, terrorist threat, and threat of war in Iraq.
The impatient Aries Moon (Full on October 21 at 27 Aries) has just opposed Mars and Mercury in Libra and is in orb of trine to Jupiter in Leo in the 4th house (where matters end) setting off the T-square comprised of Jupiter opposite Neptune (excessive/addictive identification with a religious or cultish idea) in square to Venus in revengeful Scorpio. (No, I do not mean that my Scorpio readers are revengeful. I do mean that oftentimes in political/world astrology, the Scorpionic "tone" gives rise to revenge by stealth). This T-square is one of excess whether it be in relation to overeating, drinking, smoking, spending or killing, Jupiter in fixed Leo in stressful relationship to two other planets in fixed signs indicates that the circumstance or the excesses are not likely to go away soon. The Aries Moon is also in the degree of the Part of Fortune (12 Sagittarius) in the 7th house of "public enemies" in the chart. Mars, ruler of the Aries Moon in square to Chiron in Capricorn (8th house of death), connects the sniper to a long-held belief (South Node 9 Sagittarius) in a dark, murderous "god."
Also, Mars, traditional ruler of Scorpio, is in mutual reception then with enraged Venus and squares Chiron in authoritarian Capricorn in the 8th house of death. Only "God" has the power to end life. Hence, the psychopathology of the sniper is justified by his addiction to the dark God powers of death. It would seem that his idea of God is more Plutonic or even Saturnian -- the ruler of Capricorn. Saturn is outpictured dressed as the Grim Reaper, a fact not lost on the sniper when he chose the Tarot card of death. So, perhaps his understanding and beliefs about God (Pluto in Sagittarius) are wrapped up with the Angel of Death or Kali.
The Mars, Venus cycle
- October 10, Venus retrograde at 15 Scorpio. Venus goes direct on November 20, 2002, in time for Thanksgiving and the first official day of Christmas shopping. The closer we come to the holidays, the more people will need to be spending time at malls, restaurants, grocery and decorating shops. These parking lots are far too dangerous.
- December 1, 2002, Mars enters Scorpio. Mars is also associated with the military and the police. Venus will be at 2 Scorpio, indicating that Mars, currently in mutual reception with Venus (the police and the sniper have a "special" relationship as is sometimes seen between law enforcement and serial killers like "the Zodiac Killer"), is finally close enough to conjoin Venus (betrayed in the sign of Scorpio). But does make the partile (exact) conjunction? No. Because Venus is faster than Mars, the God of War only gets within 2 degrees of the object of his desire. I am not sure what this will mean for the sniper case if he is not caught by Halloween (see "Halloween" below). However, with Neptune now going in direct motion, perhaps the sniper's ability to hide so easily will betray him.
Halloween
I think that the closest date (so far) for apprehension of the Sniper is Halloween (and maybe that is his plan?), October 31, 2002. The Scorpio Sun will conjoin Venus retrograde. Venus has been a chart descriptor of the sniper since his first attack on October 2, 2002. The Sun, ruler of the MC of the first sniper murder chart (in Leo) represents bona fide authority, the very issue the sniper challenges. His law is aligned with his being the dark god of justice or the dark angel whose position outranks that of the police.
Mercury of "discovery" moves into Scorpio that day. A Virgo Moon squares the dark god Pluto at 9:47 pm EST (turn your clocks back on Sunday October 27th!) about the time children would be out trick or treating. Mercury rules the Virgo Moon (precision/perfection) and Pluto, modern ruler of Scorpio, rules Mercury. Mercury transiting Scorpio, the natural 8th house sign of death, depth, and deep transformation, may signal the sniper's own call to end his own life publicly if apprehended that day. Because of the current T-square where excessive Jupiter plays a role, the sniper may shortly overplay his hand. Jupiter, associated with wrecklessness when exacerbated by a "magical" outer planet such as Neptune, lends itself to feelings of invincibility. It is as if the sniper thinks he's operating from a Romulan space ship complete with "cloaking device."
October 21, 2002's Full Moon @ 27 Aries/Libra
Commentary
There's a kite formation in this chart when viewed as a bi-wheel with the natal chart for Washington, DC. The 8th house full moon conjoins DC's Mercury; opposes DC's Neptune; and sextiles both T-Saturn and T-Uranus. The 2nd house/8th house axis of DC's chart is hit by the Full Moon equating to a Libra deal-making Sun in dialogue with an impatient, warring Aries Moon. DC's Mercury is about War talk, especially when you consider that DC's chart has no less than 4 planets in Mars-ruled Aries.
DC's natal Venus at 20 Taurus is in the sign of her rulership and will be opposed by T-Venus (associated with the sniper but also another war persona) on December 27, 2002. The 3rd house/9th house axis, ignited by Venus's current transit, will set up a T-Square to Sudden, eruptive Uranus in DC's 6th house of civil servants and the military!
Twenty-one degrees of any sign is highly critical for Washington, DC. Pluto of irrevocable change, covert power and total rehabilitation is at 21 Aquarius in the 6th house of the military. (The U.S. Pentagon is located in Washington, DC). Pluto is in the degree of DC's lunar nodes which have just been ignited by the transiting Libra Sun and the Aries Moon. Hence, escalated talk of war in Iraq; deal making and arm twisting inside the United Nations, an upcoming midterm election and ongoing sniper attacks.
DC Factoid
Uranus was at 21 Aquarius, conjunct DC's Pluto and in the degree of her lunar nodes on September 11, 2001 -- the day the Pentagon was attacked by a terrorist enemy in a jet airplane. Aviation and aircraft are ruled by Uranus.
George Bush's progressed Uranus is 21 degrees Gemini, conjoined to the Declaration of Independence's natal Mars (in its 7th house of public enemies). That equates to a lot of smart bombs and jet bombers.
Both of the aforementioned planetary hits are in the same degree as DC's underground, secretive Pluto (trine aspect) and the fated lunar nodes. Since T-Mars (in Libra) and T-Venus (in Scorpio) are currently in mutual reception (and Mars will be 2 degreesshy of a conjunction with Venus in early December), it looks like war with Iraq is imminent. It is the Venus-Mars cycle that so often shows Washington's move toward war. It is clear how that works when looking at Mars's position in the USA's birth chart and in the chart for Washington, DC!
T-Pluto at 15 Sagittarius squares DC's natal first house Moon and is, of course, transiting the USA's first house of identity. Is part of the identity change connected to America in the role of world policeman and aggressor nation? It would appear so as long she is under the guidance of Bush, Rice, Rumsfeld, et al. Because of Pluto's transit through Washington, DC's 4th house, it would appear that by 2008, when it enters Capricorn, Washington, DC itself will have changed into a city not heretofore recognized. Chiron's transit through DC's 4th house is in quincunx to the 4 Gemini Midheaven for Monday's full Moon and opposes its natal Chiron in the safety and security sign of Cancer.
The very soil (house 4) is under attack and challenged by the Mercury, Saturn and Moon rulers (in opposition) across the 1/7 chart axis and the 4/10 chart axis. Sad, depressing dialogue dominates the landscape, especially since the transiting Lunar Nodes (9 Gemini/9 Sagittarius) were just in the degree of DC's Saturn in Aries. T-Mars applies to an opposition with DC's Saturn perhaps delaying the inevitable (war in Iraq) only for a short time, yet upping the ante for vicious campaign tactics utilized by candidates in life/death competition to win November 5th's midterm election.
T-Pluto conjoins DC's 4th house cusp, squares its Moon, and opposes DC's 10th house cusp. Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune become the chief players in DC's chart at midterm election time, especially since Jupiter is moving through George Bush's first house and is opposed by Transiting Neptune in his 7th house of advisers. Bush is beguiled by his own TV image. He is under the spell of a hubris. He and his administration are under the veil of an arrogance that can only spell disaster for him and the American people.
Start looking for signs of Nemesis in motion, a dark poetry of retribution, starting next June, 2003. Saturn moves into the sign Cancer. But that, my friends, is the subject of another article.
October 20, 2002, Starcats
October 15, 2002
Eleventh Attack by East Coast Sniper
NBC News FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- Fairfax County, Va., police say a woman was fatally shot Monday night at a Home Depot store in the Seven Corners shopping center near Falls Church, Va. ...
The woman was walking with her husband when she was shot. The couple was pushing a shopping cart to their car around 9:15 p.m. The car was parked in the garage near Route 50. Police said as the couple approached the car, the woman was shot in the upper body and died at the scene.
Police said they are looking for a cream-colored Chevy Astro van. They said the right rear tail light on the car is out. The van has two rectangular windows and has a silver ladder or roof rack.
Early witness reports said the van was a 1990 Dodge with Virginia license plates. Witnesses have reportedly said the driver is a light olive-skinned man who could be wearing a blue jacket and blue pants. Police would not confirm that information and said they had not heard that physical description of the driver.
MSNBC "The victim was identified by police as Linda Franklin of Arlington, Va. The mother of two grown children, Franklin was 47 and had worked as an cybersecurity analyst for the FBI’s National Infrastructure Protection Center, a department that tracks crimes tied to infrastructure such as computer networks, energy grids and financial services. Police said Franklin was not one of the 400 FBI agents working on the sniper case and that there was no indication she was targeted because of her job.
Franklin was shot once in the head as she and her husband loaded bags into their car around 9:15 p.m. The two were in a covered parking lot outside a Home Depot in the Seven Corners Shopping Center."
11th Sniper Strike, Biwheel With State of Virginia
Commentary
Legend:
T=Transit, the planets in the heavens for October 14, 2002, 9:15 PM, EDT.
N=Natal, planets at birth, State of Virginia.
T-Jupiter (14 Leo) in the first house conjoins N-Venus (16 Leo) and opposes N-Pluto (17 Aquarius). The aforementioned are in T-square to T-Venus retrograde at 15 Scorpio. Houses 1, 4 and 7 pressurized.
Fixed Stars:
T-Jupiter conjunct DUBHE associated with the Tarot card, The Chariot.
T-Venus conjunct ZUBEN ELGENUBI (South Scale) associated with the Tarot card, Justice.
T-Saturn conjunct BETELGEUSE associated with the Tarot card, The Magician.
T-Saturn conjunct POLARIS associated with the Tarot card, The World.
T-North Node 10 Gemini conjunct ALDEBARAN associated with the Tarot card, The Magician.
He drives his own car (the chariot) dispensing world punishment (Justice) masterfully (Magician). He feels God-like, omnipotent and has globalized his "mission." (The World).
By reading the fixed star footnotes, it is easy to construct a portrait of the sniper. From October 2, the evening upon which this catastrophe began, up to October 14, the night of the 11th victim's murder, planets in transit have either been conjoined to these fixed stars or were quickly on approach.
By way of example, let's take key phrases from each stars' definitions and use them to construct a broad portrait of the sniper.
"quiet, prudent, suspicious, mistrustful, self-controlled, patient nature, but an uneasy spirit and great anger when roused." (Jupiter conjunct Dubhe) and:
"It is well to remember here the association of this star with a scorpion's claw, used for making love as well as for slaying its prey. It does not let go until one or other matter is complete and onlookers are not sure which of the two acts are in process." (Venus conjunct South Scale).
great anger when roused. . . making love and slaying its prey. . .does the sniper get sexual pleasure from his precision, clean, masterful kills? (Mars in Virgo square Saturn in Gemini).
"Superior athlete, being endowed with outstanding agility and speed of body. Variable moods and the mind always anxious with the immediate problems of the day. Honors and titles. (Noonan). Everlasting fame. Shrewd, cunning, craftily dishonest, treacherous to friends, eventful life with many ups and downs, eventual wealth but little comfort, unfavorable for domestic matters. (Robson). (Saturn conjunct Betelgeuse).
He is most likely a superb athlete and would need to be in order to stalk his victims, fire upon them, then deftly escape. Moody, anxious, is he competitive in order to prove essential worthiness? What honors and titles has he earned? Or is it that his spree murders are his way of gaining "everlasting fame"? It seems clear that he has developed a shrewd, cunning behaviors in response to a life filled with "many ups and downs." Neither wealth nor comfort can compensate for an insecure homelife.
Aldebaran has been in the sign Gemini since 1286 AD, just around the height of the Christian Crusades against Islam, an interesting indicator of conflict between two world schools of thought. Antares, for the other side in the conflict , went into religious Sagittarius in 1272 AD and showed its superiority, perhaps, since the Crusaders never did dislodge the Saracens. (Dr Eric Morse). (North Node conjunct Aldebaran).
With a malefic [North Node at 10 Gemini is with Saturn at 29 Gemini, the malefic, in the 11th house] in the 4th, 7th, 11th house and the Moon at the same time with Antares [Antares is the South Node at 10 Sagittarius in the 5th house of gambles], death by a sudden sword thrust, stab or fall. (Robson). (Suicide at the time of apprehension?)
The State of Virginia's N-Saturn at 10 Pisces in the 8th house of death is in the degree of the T-Lunar Nodes (10 Gemini-North conjunct Aldeberan and 10 Sagittarius-South conjunct Antares). T-Pluto at 15 Sagittarius is also in square to N-Saturn ans opposes the Ascendant for the time of Linda Franklin's murder at 9:15 PM. Virginia's natal Chiron at 16 Gemini and Lunar Nodes have been impacted three times by 2001 and 2002's Saturn-Pluto opposition. Since Virginia lies very close to one of her sisters, Washington, D.C.. The scene of Mrs. Franklin's murder is only a mere 20 miles or less from the Pentagon. The aforementioned Nodes along with Saturn and Pluto point directly to September 11, 2001. That infamous day has inflicted a Plutonic and Chironic wound on the Old Dominion. She remains under siege by the sniper and thus also shares a fate with her other historic sister, the State of Maryland.
Sidebar, Anyone?
Virginia's 12th house Cancer Sun conjoined to an exalted Jupiter is parallel (north declination) to the fixed Star ALCYONE, the Star associated with great grief. At present, Virginia's Sun is opposed by Chiron in Capricorn (wounding) setting off the Sun's parallel resonance to Alcyone. Alcyone's position in 2002 is 29 Taurus to 0 Gemini and is thus trined by Mars at 29 Virgo and semi-sextiled by Saturn at 29 Gemini. Mars and Gemini in square, the aspect I call the "death grip," both exacerbate a long-term relationship with grief.
Washington, D.C.'s(1) Ascendant and Moon are squared by transiting Pluto; its natal Pluto is in the degree of her lunar nodes (Libra/Aries) and pressurized by the Declaration of Independence's Mars at 21 Gemini! Note how D.C.'s Chiron at 3 Cancer conjoins Virginia's natal Sun and Jupiter! D.C.'s Saturn at 10 Aries is in the degree of the T-Lunar Nodes (10 Gemini/10 Sagittarius). Reminder: any planet in degree of the Lunar Nodes whether it aspects the nodes or not is "in Nodal Degree," and thus indicates fated matters in relation to that planet, house, its ruler and the houses and rulers of the Lunar Nodes.
DC's chart angles show a city torn apart by the Saturn-Pluto oppositions of 2001 and 2002. The natal Virgo Moon, in square to Pluto and Saturn, has been forced to "digest" the horrific attacks of 9-11 upon U.S. soil. [Not to mention the current administration.]
Maryland's Pluto at 17 Aquarius is also in the degree of her Lunar Nodes (Sagittarius-Gemini) and will soon take the conjunction to the North Node from Transiting Pluto! Maryland's Venus is conjoined to the USA's Mars at 21 Gemini. The position of the Nodes by transit indicates a nodal reversal for Maryland both by transit and progression. Gemini's transiting North Node just passed over Maryland's Chiron signaling ever-changing difficulties: terrorism, West Nile Virus, higher crime rates and the rapid encroachment of urban blight.
Her Progressed Venus at 25 Libra conjoins George W. Bush's progressed Jupiter, but the good fortune that this planetary relationship foreshadoes has yet to be seen.
(1) Source of data Marc Penfield's "Horoscopes of the USA and Canada," published by AFA: "Washington Post" verifies the date and the time of 'shorty after 3:00 pm' comes from the "Alexandria Gazette." Penfield's work is also the reference for Maryland and Virginia's charts. Maryland's is set for 12 Noon in absence of any dependable time. Virginia's chart may have up to 4 Leo rising.
|
It will be difficult to apprehend the sniper. His clever manuevers and masterful use of side streets (Gemini, Lunar Nodes, Mercury) is outdone by his stealthy (Pluto, Mars) creep forward upon his victims.
The sniper has familiarity with the jurisdictions he haunts because he has most likely driven these routes in connection with employment. Some say he's a two-way radio repairman. But who knows? His allegiance is what he has chosen as his life's vocation: serial killer.
The sniper has been an intricate part of a vast, pulsing network of web sites, freeways, shooting ranges and target competitions throughout the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area.
Of course, in the end, it will be a 5th house (Jupiter in Leo) screw up that snags the Sniper. That and GPS surveillance authorized today by the Pentagon. The fact that it violates the Posse Comitatus Act (no military interference in civilian/police cases) is the subject for another article. Presently, Jupiter, the great benefic is in square (mortal combat) with Venus retrograde in "revenge is sweet" Scorpio. Venus, the lesser benefic in the sign of "Kali" spells "nightmare" for bright, optimistic Zeus! Venus in Scorpio is more like Hera. She will demand payment for excess.
The police are reticent about a man allegedly under questioning as of yesterday evening, this morning, or whenever. I've heard this story 15 ways since my first cup of coffee this morning. The man in question was viewed suspiciously after a domestic disturbance call this weekend (Maryland). The cops found a sniper's manual, a "Jihad America" sign, and discovered that the guy has several guns lying around. This story, so Neptunian it makes me sleepy, keeps being put forth than retracted either by the media pundits or the cops. Figuring out what they've got is like trying to nail jello to a tree. But sniper manuals and GPS surveillance make me wonder if I'm watching Schwartenegger, Segal or perhaps Will Smith in "Enemy of the State." That was on T.V. Saturday night, by the way.
By 9:21 tonight (EDT), the Moon will conjoin erratic, unpredictable Uranus at 25 Aquarius retrograde still in orb of conjunction of the USA's Moon (the people). Either the guy gets nailed or he strikes again in a very odd ball fashion. The Moon's last aspect at 5:15 am EDT is a trine to Saturn retrograde (still in square to Mars now ensconced in deal-making Libra). I think something busts apart as the Moon heads towards Pisces and makes her square to Pluto in Sagittarius. Whatever it is, it is going to hurt. Be ready. He's still out there.
October 15, 2002, Starcats
Footnotes
Fixed Stars
Jupiter conjunct DUBHE
Anne Wright's Fixed Stars
Influence of the constellation: It is said to give a quiet, prudent, suspicious, mistrustful, self-controlled, patient nature, but an uneasy spirit and great anger when roused. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Zain and the 7th Tarot Trump "The Chariot". (Robson).
General influence of the star: Credited with the destructiveness of Mars, working itself out particularly in mundane maps, in a nasty way if conjunct Saturn. Conjunct Hitler's Saturn, Mao Tse Tung's Moon. (Ebertin).
Venus conjunct ZUBEN ELGENUBI (South Scale)
Anne Wright's Fixed Stars
Influence of the constellation: The Scales are associated with the Hebrew letter Heth and the 8th Tarot Trump "Justice". (Robson).
General influence of the star: According to Ptolemy and the old writers it is of the nature of Saturn and Mars, but later authors substitute Saturn and Venus or Saturn and Mercury, and Alvidas likens it to Mars, Venus and Saturn. It causes malevolence, obstruction, an unforgiving character, violence, disease, lying, crime, disgrace, and danger of poison. (Robson).
It is well to remember here the association of this star with a scorpion's claw, used for making love as well as for slaying its prey. It does not let go until one or other matter is complete and onlookers are not sure which of the two acts are in process. Sometimes even the Scorpion seems to get it wrong along the way! It frequently shows up ill-aspected in many unfortunate situations, from domestic strife and miscarriages of justice to psychopathic killings that started out in the guise of love. Its appearance in better aspect is often just the right moment to repair a relationship and to reconsider an earlier harsh judgment. Well aspected and on the 'right planet' we have someone of courage who will fight for right, but is generous to his opponents when they are defeated. If harshly aspected, especially to Mars, Saturn or the Moon, justice may well take a back seat to vengeance. (Dr. Eric Morse, The Living Stars).
The unhelpful influence of this star is said to be noticeable especially in natives who were born during the night. A bad omen for health of the native is given if Sun or Moon is in conjunction with The Southern Scales. It has been noted that it is particularly disadvantageous to have Saturn or Neptune tied up with this star. Even the conjunction with Jupiter is credited as being adverse. Vehlow has recorded "confiscation of possessions during times of war'. A credit given to the Southern and Northern Scales is that they both bestow an immortal name. However, this comes about more by tragic circumstances than by well noted success. Conjunct the Ascendant, this star could mean rise in fortunes, followed by a downfall. There is also an indication of danger coming about in connection with water. (Ebertin).
With Venus: Bad for marriage, sudden and secret death, may be poisoned owing to jealousy of one of own sex. (Robson).
Saturn conjunct BETELGEUSE
Anne Wright's Fixed Stars
Influence of the constellation: It is said to give a strong and dignified nature, self-confidence, inconstancy, arrogance, violence, impiety, and prosperity in trade and particularly in voyages or abroad, but danger of treachery and poison. It was thought by the Romans to be very harmful to cattle and productive of storms. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Aleph and the 1st Tarot Trump "The Juggler" (The Magician). (Robson).
General influence of the star: According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Mars and Mercury; and, to Alvidas, of Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter in good aspect. It gives martial honor, preferment and wealth. (Robson).
Superior athlete, being endowed with outstanding agility and speed of body. Variable moods and the mind always anxious with the immediate problems of the day. Honors and titles. (Noonan).
Everlasting fame. (Ebertin).
Said to be a harbinger of wealth. (Larousse Encyclopedia of Astrology).
Orion will fashion alert minds and agile bodies, souls prompt to respond to duty's call, and hearts which press on with unflagging energy in spite of every trial. A son of Orion's will be worth a multitude and will seem to dwell in every quarter of the city; flying from door to door with the one word of morning greeting, he will enjoy the friendship of all. (Manilus).
Placed in the angles, preferment, luck, success and everlasting fame are promised. On the Ascendant and in conjunction with Mars there will be danger of death by lightning, fire, explosions, firearms or similar things. Elsbeth Ebertin recorded that in June and July of 1927, when the Lunar Node was in conjunction with this fixed star, that groups of people died by lightning or were victims of explosions or assassination. (Ebertin).
With Saturn: Shrewd, cunning, craftily dishonest, treacherous to friends, eventful life with many ups and downs, eventual wealth but little comfort, unfavorable for domestic matters. (Robson).
Saturn Conjunct POLARIS
Anne Wright's Fixed Stars
Influence of the constellation: It is said to give indifference and improvidence of spirit and to lead to many troubles. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Tau and the 21st Tarot Trump "The Universe", "The World". (Robson).
General influence of the star: It causes much sickness, trouble, loss of fortune, disgrace and great affliction, and may give legacies and inheritances attended by much evil. The Arabs were of the opinion that the contemplation of Polaris cured ophthalmia. (Robson).
The Chinese considered the Pole Star as the 'Great Honorable Lord of the Heavens'. Other races too had high admiration for it and one can draw the conclusion that, in a relevant position in the natal chart, it will give spiritual powers to the bearer and he will be highly respected. The Pole Star serves as a guide and indicator. If it is conjunct with planets in the angles, the native will have a good sense of discretion and is able to follow 'his intellect'. He clearly recognizes his aims and will pursue and achieve them. (Ebertin).
Ptolemy gives it a Saturn-Venus rating entirely right for the star which serves so well to guide us in our wanderings and this is just what it tell us about people when we find it strong in their charts. According to its aspects, they are excellent, or not so good at, receiving and giving guidance, and give it they always will and to any and all who will listen. (Dr Eric Morse).
North Node conjunct ALDEBARAN
Anne Wright's Fixed Stars
Influence of the constellation: By the Kabalists Taurus is associated with the Hebrew letter Aleph and the 1st Tarot Trump "The Juggler". (Robson).
General influence of the star: It gives honor, intelligence, eloquence, steadfastness, integrity, popularity, courage, ferocity, a tendency to sedition, a responsible position, public honors and gain of power and wealth through others, but its benefits seldom prove lasting and there is also danger of violence and sickness. (Robson).
Aldebaran has been in the sign Gemini since 1286 AD, just around the height of the Christian Crusades against Islam, an interesting indicator of conflict between two world schools of thought. Antares, for the other side in the conflict , went into religious Sagittarius in 1272 AD and showed its superiority, perhaps, since the Crusaders never did dislodge the Saracens. (Dr Eric Morse).
Catastrophe by weather conditions, floods, shipwrecks. Acknowledged and leading position, but will make enemies through whom danger will threaten. Extraordinary energy. (Ebertin).
With Fortuna or its dispositor; poverty. (Robson).
With a malefic in the 4th, 7th, 11th house and the Moon at the same time with Antares, death by a sudden sword thrust, stab or fall. (Robson).
If Rising and in conjunction with the Moon, a good fellow, but if in conjunction with both the Lord of the Ascendant and the Moon it denotes a murderer, especially if the lord of the Ascendant is a masculine planet and the Sun is at the same time afflicted. (Robson).
Starcats, October 15, 2002
The Sniper -- Tracking A Serial Killer
October 12, 2002
 Sniper Strikes on 10/11. "The victim of Friday's shooting was identified as Kenneth Bridges, 53, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The co-founder of a marketing distribution company was in the area on a business trip."
Police release composite of alleged sniper vehicle on October 12, 2002. Police Chief Charles Moose describes it as an "older" vehicle. There is "severe damage" to the rear bumper. The paint is oxidized. There is writing on the side of the vehicle.
Starcats' vehicle description, October 8, 2002 Column:
"Because Saturn is ruler of the third house cusp and the Gemini North Node (neighborhood and mode of transportation) I think that the vehicle he's riding in is old. A vehicle that is nondiscript; one that won't draw any attention; a vehicle that may have dents and dings. The vehicle may have writing on it -- such as advertising (Gemini/Mercury) for plumbing services, carpet cleaning services or house cleaning services."
CNN, Man killed at suburban D.C. gas station
He strikes again!
"MANASSAS, Virginia (CNN) --A man was killed Wednesday night while pumping gas at a gas station here, and authorities were investigating whether the incident was connected with the string of sniper shootings that has already claimed six lives in the Washington area.
Dennis Mangan, a detective with the Prince William County Police Department, said the shooting happened at a Sunoco gas station around 8:15 p.m.
Sniper Case Cops Won't Discuss 'Death Card' Clue
"Quoting law enforcement sources, WUSA television reported that detectives who recovered a shell casing in woods near Monday's shooting, when a 13-year old boy was badly wounded, found a Tarot card known as the "Death Card" with a message scrawled on the back that read: 'Dear Policeman, I am God.'" Yahoo News
Starcats, October 8, 2002: "He has religious or deeply held convictions on the level of paranoid obsession. Sagittarius is the sign on the cusp of the 9th house of beliefs and religious or legal rituals. The South Node, indicator of the past, is found here with Pluto of stealth, coversion and murder."
When I learned of the East Coast sniper, the Doors' song, "Riders on the Storm" played through my mind.
Sniper Timeline
CNN "At 6:05 p.m. Wednesday, the first killing took place when 55-year-old James D. Martin, a program analyst for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was shot in the parking lot of Shoppers Food Warehouse in Wheaton."
"At 7:41 a.m. Thursday, police were called to a crime scene and found James L. Buchanan, a 39-year-old landscaper who had been shot while mowing a lawn at a commercial establishment near Rockville. Buchanan was identified as the son of a retired Montgomery County police officer."
"At 8:12 a.m. Thursday, Prem Kumar Walekar, a part-time cab driver, was shot and killed while pumping gas into his taxi at a gas station in the Aspen Hill area of Montgomery County, Maryland."
"At 8:37 a.m. Thursday, Sarah Ramos, 34, of Silver Spring was killed at a post office near Leisure World, a retirement community. Immediately after the shooting, a witness reported seeing a white van or truck speed from the post office parking lot."
"At 9:58 a.m. Thursday, Lori Ann Lewis-Rivera, 25, of Silver Spring was reported shot at a Shell gas station in Kensington where she was vacuuming her van."
"At about 9:15 p.m. Thursday, in the only killing in Washington and the only one to occur at night, Pascal Charlot, 72, was shot in the chest as he walked along Georgia Avenue. He was taken to a hospital, where he died less than an hour later."
"On Friday afternoon, a 43-year-old woman who had been loading purchases from a Michaels craft store in Fredericksburg, Virginia, was hit by a bullet that pierced her lower back, exited her chest and came to rest inside her Toyota minivan. She was in stable condition Sunday in a Fairfax hospital."
"At 8:09 a.m. Monday, a 13-year-old boy was shot and critically wounded outside a middle school in Maryland's Prince George's County."
October 8, 2002, Starcats' Commentary -- The Sniper
With 22 Pisces rising ruled traditionally by Jupiter and by Neptune in modern astrology, we find the following:
Jupiter in Leo in the 5th house has just been crossed over by a "public" Leo Moon. The activity is sport, a risk, a gamble and the act of an "actor" who has decided to "play the role of his life." [October 9, 2002: with discovery of the Tarot Card of Death and the sniper's message, "I am God," we know what role he has assigned himself.]
Neptune retrograde in house 11 in trine to the North Node in talkative Gemini in the 3rd house means that he's a) "talked" about this with others and is not acting alone; b) is the member of a nefarious, secretive group of individuals who hold cultish beliefs; and c) he lives in the neighborhood in which he began his shootings.
Sun in Libra in house 7 could indicate that the anxiety that pushed him forward is a stressed relationship such as a marriage in financial trouble (Venus, Libra ruler in house 8). Death is also connected to whomever he most strongly identifies with in relationship and can also indicate his partner -- the driver of the car he's using for the spree killing. It would not be unlikely to discover that the driver is a woman -- a lover and member of his political/cult/network. [Witnesses and police say that the driver of the Van is a man.]
Because Saturn is ruler of the third house cusp and the Gemini North Node (neighborhood and mode of transportation) I think that the vehicle he's riding in is old. A vehicle that is nondiscript; one that won't draw any attention; a vehicle that may have dents and dings. The vehicle may have writing on it -- such as advertising (Gemini/Mercury) for plumbing services, carpet cleaning services or house cleaning services.
October 9, 2002
CNN "Suspect vehicle:
White van, possibly an Isuzu or a Mitsubishi, with black lettering on the side.
SUSPECT INFORMATION
Tip lines:
240-777-2600
800-755-9424
$237,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of people involved in the shootings.
Reward contribution line:
240-777-8970
[October 8, 2002, Continued] Mars at 21 Virgo conjoins the USA's 9th house Neptune. Whoever the spree killer is, he has foreign connections that are deeply important to him. He has religious or deeply held convictions on the level of paranoid obsession. Sagittarius is the sign on the cusp of the 9th house of beliefs and religious or legal rituals. The South Node, indicator of the past, is found here with Pluto of stealth, coversion and murder. We do not know, but the sniper may have taken an oath of some kind -- an oath of secrecy such as oaths taken by military Special Forces, Navy Seals, and Marines: "Semper Fi!" Because Pluto also can refer to irrevocable change, we may discover that the root of the sniper's belief system has been uprooted and undermined by events out of his control.
The killer chart's Mars squares the USA's Mars in its 7th house of public enemies. This could be a person who has had military sharpshooting training or is a militia member. Someone like Timothy McVeigh. My guts tell me the sniper is homegrown -- not a member of Al Qaeda or a member of a sleeper cell here in the USA. His methods are those we would associate with someone like McVeigh or the Unibomber. If this were an Al Qaeda sponsored event, Al Qaeda would quickly want their signature on it. They would have planned a much larger public attack such as the one seen on September 11th.
Because Jupiter, natural ruler of Pisces is in Leo in the 5th house of "staging," I tend to think that the sniper has plans to go out in a blaze of glory. Saturn at 29 Gemini in the 4th house of the chart (where matters end) is the ruler of wounded Chiron in the 10th house of the chart. This alerts me that perhaps the sniper has been wounded by power and authority -- the U.S. government -- and now takes the power of life and death into his hands by playing the ultimate authority figure: God.
October 9, 2002
My colleague, Sue Miller, submitted the following in regards to the fixed stars:
Fixed Stars in the chart for Oct 2 , 6:05 pm Wheaton, Maryland:
Denabola conjunct Mars shows one out of step, a non-conformist. He may be crippled in some ay as Taulouse-Lautrec was. (Brady p 266).
Ras Elased Australis conjunct Mar suggests one who has trouble with women. This peprson has a very strong sense of purpose (Brady p 145) This person will have fame (!) for violence (Diana Rosenberg) .
Betelgeuse conjunct Saturn (4th House of End of the Matter) shows a con-man who may be a charmer (Brady p 168).
Polaris, a possible 'evil star' says Robson in Brady's book p 207, is conjunct Saturn in 4th House End of the matter. It also shows guidance and leadership. Hope this does not mean he will inspire other 'would-be's'.
Merak conjunct Moon shows domination, one who cannot stand to be ignored (Rosenburg's manuscript) .
Ras Algethi is conjunct Moon showing a heartless, destructive suicidal individual (Rosenberg).
Kohab conjunct Jupiter (ruler Ascendant) shows one of violence, do-or-die, suicide (Rosenberg).
The first House is intercepted Aries which is ruled by Mars. This could suggest a 'hidden gun'. Jupiter (ascendant ruler) is trine Pluto in 9th. Could this indicate one from a foreign country who has become a citizen here (Jupiter is Ascendant and the sign of Pluto 9, he 'belongs' to the chart, but not really).
In the Ptolemeic table, Jupiter and Saturn are to each other's detriment. This could have some meaning. Ascendant and End of the Matter working against each other. Mars, ruler of the intercepted First House is hard on an angle suggesting some military/police service to deal with. He (Mars) is of detriment to Jupiter also. . . .
|
