Past Issues NewsScope for September 18, 2000 by WolfStar Presidential Debates Scheduled Last Thursday George W. Bush ended the debate about the debates by agreeing to the schedule sponsored by the Federal Election Commission. The first debate will be held on October 3 in Boston, followed by two more on October 11 and October 17. Political observers agree that these debates will likely determine the election as the undecided independent voters will make up their minds. Astrologically, October 3 is the most competitive since the dominating planetary configuration at the time is a highly antagonistic Mars-Pluto square. For the past few months Jupiter and Pluto have been opposing each other, establishing a background campaign vibration centered on morality and high finances. On October 3 the relatively faster moving Mars enters this geometric picture, perfectly squaring Pluto on the evening of the debate. George W. Bush, now trailing in the polls, will be pushing the hardest to score points against his adversary. Transiting Mars, the trigger planet, is in critical Virgo, and at the same natal location as Bush's own Mars. Still, a secondary planetary influence is also coloring the atmospherics: the Libra Sun is trine Jupiter, creating a feeling of civility, diplomacy, and even friendliness. But don't be fooled; the Mars-Pluto-Jupiter vibe is cut-throat politics. At the same time, Mercury and Venus are in early Scorpio, right on the Ascendant of the national horoscope. Mercury, the communications planet, making his appearance here is a natural symbol for the debate. Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, indicates that for many Americans the televised event is to see which candidate looks the best. Ritalin-maker Charged with Conspiracy Class action lawsuits were filed in California and New Jersey last week against Novartis Pharmaceuticals, the maker of the widely prescribed Ritalin for hyperactive children. The lawsuits contend that the company conspired with the American Psychiatric Association to over-diagnose ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), an illness unknown before 1987. This drug-related event occurred under the cosmic influence of the Full Moon, often a time of the month when events reach climactic developments. The Full Moon took place in the signs of Virgo and Pisces, and exactly lined up with the U.S. Neptune, the natural ruler of drugs. Meanwhile, transiting Ceres has just entered Scorpio and is nearing a square with Neptune. This astrological process can be likened to a dialogue between these two: Ceres, governing the parent-child relationship, meets with Neptune, the ruler of drugs. Parents may be wondering if their kids are really ill with ADHD, or if they're just amped up on television and other frenzied media. Ritalin is chemically most similar to cocaine and amphetamines. Its action is to speed up an already fast mental process, and has the curious, immediate effect of calming the child down. Watch this week as Ceres approaches the square to Neptune for other major news stories concerning drugs and youth. Gloria Steinem Gets Married Radical feminist Gloria Steinem, abandoning a social convention she once regarded as a feudal property contract, surprised everyone on September 3 by taking her marriage vows. A longtime friend deadpanned that evidently Steinem had finally found romance and financial security. "Those are the reasons you get married, right?" Gloria Steinem was born a feisty, independent Aries (March 25, 1934; 10:00 pm; Toledo, OH) with her Moon in dramatic, confident Leo. This fire combination is energized by Mars, which is conjunct her Sun and trine her Moon, adding tremendous personal courage, physical vitality, and strident ambition. Pluto is the ruler of her horoscope, and placed in the ninth house of publishing describes her career as a successful freelance writer and co-founder of Ms. Magazine. Steinem's Venus-Saturn conjunction at the foundation of her chart reflects her family roots in the feminist movement. While in college she discovered that her mother's mother was a suffragette who helped win women's right to vote. Her own mother was a talented columnist, but had to give up her career to raise a family. This Venus-Saturn conjunction is in Aquarius, the sign of reformers, humanitarians, and thinkers. All four of the asteroids are prominently placed in Steinem's horoscope, including three directly aspecting her Sun. The asteroids can be seen as the awakening feminine principles in modern society, and Steinem's lifelong task has been to express and embody these energies. Her Sun squares the committed relationship asteroid, Juno, which is placed in structured Capricorn. After years of criticizing marriage, she has finally integrated this principle into her life, but on her own terms. Reader feedback is welcome. Click here for feedback. Home | What is an Astrogram? | Astrogram Reports | Order Now | About astrogram.com Astrogram Postcards | Cosmic Windows | astrogram.com Bookstore Weekly NewsScope | Moira Collins