THE INVASION OF IRAQ

Three Years of Lies, Deception, and Delusion by Bush, Blair, and Howard Three Years of Death, Disaster and Hardship for the Iraqi People As the world marks the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq by armed forces comprising the Coalition of the Willing - mainly the United States and Great Britain, with Australia and other countries as bit players it is becoming increasingly clear just what an unmitigated disaster this adventure has become. According to most analysts, Iraq is sliding into civil war between the majority Shias and the minority Sunnis. Even those analysts of a more conservative bent they mostly applauded the original invasion as a great and wonderful event who might deny that civil war has arrived there, would certainly have to admit that sectarian violence is rife and out of control.. One thing is clear, Iraq has become the new killing fields of the world, and the most recent planetary death zone. I am taking as a given, accepted fact that the real reasons for the invasion of Iraq are far different from those stated. We were told by Bush, Blair, Howard and others before the invasion that Saddam possessed weapons of mass destruction of a chemical, biological or nuclear nature; that has turned out to be one of the biggest lies in recent history. The real reason, of course, was to control the oil resources of a country that has the second largest such reserves in the world. Another important reason was to build military bases for the American and British forces; some 14 bases are currently being constructed (and the media has almost completely ignored this story). Finally, there was the financial gain (at the expense of American taxpayers) for the old cronies of George Bush and Dick Cheney through such corporations as Halliburton, etc. When was Iraq actually founded? Before we examine the horoscope of the invasion itself, which is fairly well-known, let us try to determine what the horoscope of the founding of the nation itself might be. Most available books on political astrology list the date of July 14, 1958, at either 5 or 5:30 AM, as the correct time of the founding of the nation of Iraq. What happened on that date was a military coup perpetrated by some rebellious Army officers who seized the radio station and broadcast news of the overthrow of the previous monarchy. While I believe that this chart is worth studying and does have some relevance in regard to the last 40 50 years of Iraqi history, I have come to the conclusion that this chart cannot be taken to accurately represent the founding of the nation itself. First, a little history. From the 13th century onward, this region was dominated in turn by the Mongols and Persians. Then came the Ottoman Empire of the Turks, which controlled present-day Iraq for some centuries. To determine just which chart IS most accurate, we have to look at the time period just after the end of World War I. In the 1

year 1918, the area passed into the rulership of the British, which together with French forces and Arab resistance movements had defeated the corrupt and weakened Ottoman Empire. In 1923, the British formally created the Kingdom of Iraq. The chart cast for August 23rd of that year has important significance for the modern nation of Iraq.

Kingdom of Iraq natal chart and interpretation This horoscope is a very interesting one. It contains a very strong 12th house, with four planets in Leo, two of them rising just above the Virgo Ascendant. To my thinking, this strong 12th house evokes memories of the glories of the days of the old Persian Empire. The Mars / Neptune conjunction in Leo indicates that the old days of military glory when the Persian armies were almost unstoppable had become something of a cultural myth in the subconscious of the present-day inhabitants of Iraq. Of course, the Mercury / Sun conjunction which technically should be called combust because of the close orbs in Leo dominates the 12th, and further indicates that the faded glory of the Persian monarchy and dynasty is alive and well in the memories and hearts of the present-day inhabitants. But because the Mercury / Sun combust occurs in the very last degree of Leo, there is an indication that there is some sort of crisis of consciousness here that, sometime in the future, must be acknowledged and dealt with. 2

The Moon in Aries forms a nice balance to the Leo planets. But it is EXACTLY conjunct the South Node, indicating a tendency to want to slip into the past as regards the collective emotions and feelings of the populace. Chiron within a 6-degree orb of conjunction to Moon / South Node indicates that there is a deep soul wound here, that must be addressed and healed if the personality or psyche of the new nation is to function wholesomely. Pluto and Venus are placed in Cancer in the 11th house. This house is very interesting because although it can and does indicate friendship, group activities, collective wishes and ideals, from a more esoteric perspective it also indicates the influence of ENEMIES from past lives. It should be obvious that if a nation becomes a great military power and expands its influence by armed conquest, as Persia did in the old glory days, that it will also make many enemies who will naturally be negatively disposed toward the nation. Jupiter and Saturn form a strong conjunction in Virgo in the first house. Here we see the need for collective purification and the dedication to serve others, as well as an emphasis upon intellectual achievement and the practice and preservation of the healing arts. This conjunction is forming a very nice sextile aspect to Venus. The first house of any horoscope governs self-identity and self-perception, and so these two important planets give to the Iraqi nation a well-defined identity. Saturn is the stronger of the two, firstly because Jupiter is in its fall in Virgo, and secondly because Saturn generally fares better than Jupiter when placed in earth signs. So the Saturnian consciousness, dealing with everything from melancholy, suspicion, loneliness and coldness in its lower vibrations, through to a sense of responsibility, duty, and hard work, and finally culminating in an esoteric understanding of karma and the divine law, tends to absorb the vibrations of Jupiter to some degree here. Last of all we have Uranus as a sort of floater or wild card, strongly placed on the Descendant in the sign of Pisces, its only aspect being a strong trine to Pluto, indicating the possibility of regeneration and enlightenment through contact with other nations and outside influences. End of British Mandate in Iraq The SECOND horoscope we have to consider in the case of Iraq, is the one representing the end of the British Mandate. This occurred on October 4, 1932, at the very beginning (midnight) of that day.. This chart marks full de jure independence when the British Mandate terminated. At the time, the event was not accorded much importance, because it was not even mentioned in the British media. Nevertheless, this was an important legal moment, and the chart has a very important bearing on the future destiny of the nation.

While the 1921 British Mandate chart seems to indicate a strong desire to bask in the glories of the past, this 1932 chart indicates a nation in the process of its difficult transition to a truly modern state. Pluto rising just above the Cancer Ascendant is certainly not an easy position, as it indicates the pangs of death of the old self-identity and the slow rebirth and emergence of a new one. Pluto certainly isnt helped by its aspects. It is in opposition to Saturn, which is strongly placed in Capricorn and by its position close to the Descendant. That opposition alone speaks volumes about the suffering, agony, and (to use Christian terminology), the crucifixion of the nation on the cross of suffering and martyrdom. But thats not all. Pluto and Saturn become part of an extremely difficult T-Square pattern when we consider the position of Uranus in Aries in the tenth house, squaring both planets. This pattern is extremely difficult, my friends, make no mistake about it! It involves two of the outer planets, plus Saturn, planet of Karma, placed on the Cardinal Cross and falling in cardinal houses. Its a real doozy of a pattern!! For the sake of the nation, thank goodness that the Sun and Mercury were not part of this pattern, although they are both placed in Libra, the fourth sign of the Cardinal Cross. To rectify and neutralize past national karma and whenever Libra is strong in a horoscope, personal or otherwise, there is a strong esoteric or inner push for past karma to be neutralized is obviously the major challenge of the new nation. 4

Mars in the first house in Leo indicates a self-identity or self-consciousness that is still strongly coloured by memories of war and conquest, and the glories that were once associated with such ventures. Venus in the second, as well as the Neptune-Jupiter conjunction in Virgo, indicates great material wealth (which would turn out to be the oil reserves) available to the new nation. Finally, the Moon, ruling planet of the entire chart, is placed in Sagittarius in the fifth house, which indicates strong spiritual desires and aspirations. Curiously, the Moon is in opposition to Chiron in Taurus, indicating a tug of war between the desires and aspirations of the personality and the lower emotions, and the necessity of finding healing to deal with enmities and hatreds that arose in nations suppressed and subject to the Persian Empire. As mentioned, the 1958 chart DOES have some relevance to modern Iraq. In this chart, the Sun in Cancer is within two degrees of an exact conjunction with Pluto in the 1932 chart; Mars in Aries is within four degrees of a conjunction with Uranus in the 1932 chart, and Jupiter in Libra is almost exactly opposing the 1932 placement of Uranus. The invasion of 2003 This chart is well-known. I wish to acknowledge the astrological website based on the work of the late Lois Rodden, www.astrodatabank.com , the actual source of this data. Before we get to the interpretation, first of all we should acknowledge that the actions of millions and millions of anti-war protesters around the world actually delayed the invasion date. In October and November of 2002, President George Bush was pushing for UN permission to invade, but he failed to get it. Then I personally thought that the invasion would commence in January and particularly February 2003, but because of the pressure brought to bear by the anti-war protests, it did not materialize until late in March. It is not often acknowledged but should be that this may have been the first time in history that millions of persons around the world were able to delay a major military action. We were not able to stop it, that is true, but we should take a lot of satisfaction from knowing that it was delayed for several months by good people who were trying to do the right thing.

Curiously, Bush and Blair waited until the very end of Pisces the Sun was in the last degree of that sign - to start the invasion. Pisces is probably the most dual and contradictory sign of the zodiac, and for me, the fact that the invasion started in late Pisces, rather than early Aries, is a strong indication of the lies, deception, and attempt to delude and deceive the world that we now know characterized this action. My interpretation of the invasion chart is that it well may signal the destruction of Iraq as a nation. The planets Pluto and Saturn are among the strongest by placement in the chart, although Mercury and the Sun are also strongly placed in the first house. The Pluto Saturn opposition falling across the zenith and nadir of the chart are very, very ominous signs. And Mercury in the first house of the chart is squaring both planets, so we are looking at a T-square pattern here. This does not bode well either for the invasion itself, or the future of Iraq. Curiously, the chart also has a Grand Trine pattern in air signs. The Moon in Libra trines Venus in Aquarius which trines Saturn in Gemini on the nadir. That would be an excellent pattern for the creation of a society based on refined pursuits such as art, culture, and moral and ethical values. But such a society would have to be built on a foundation that already exists and is stable. Such is not the case in modern Iraq. Art, culture, and moral / ethical values would relate to Venus and venusian influences, but although Venus is very well-placed here, she is somewhat hidden in the 12th house. That 6

could indicate that despite the outer chaos, Iraqis still cherish and hold dear their cultural values in secret. When military action, war and destruction dominate an event, we must look to Mars in any horoscope to see how things will turn out. On the surface, Mars looks pretty good in this chart. It is strongly placed in the sign of its exaltation, Capricorn, and is also strongly placed in the 10th house of the chart, which governs institutions and the public image. The strong Mars in this chart probably indicates the relatively quick victory achieved by coalition forces in forcing their way into Baghdad and overthrowing Saddam Hussein and his Baathist regime. But look a bit deeper at Mars here, and the picture begins to get more cloudy. For one thing, Mars is forming a 150 degree angle, technically known as a quincunx or inconjunct, with Jupiter in Leo. Jupiter is the old ruler of Pisces, and because both the Ascendant and Sun are in this sign, Jupiter (along with Neptune) rules this chart. That makes the Jupiter / Neptune opposition all that more significant, as the planets are working against each other. The fifth house of any chart relates to speculative ventures or gambles, and the presence of Jupiter in this house means that Blair, Bush and Howard took a sort of punt or gamble on this action. Neptune brings in a strong element of fantasy or delusion, particularly through its opposition to Jupiter. The invasion of Iraq was thus based on fantasies, delusions, and outright lies, as we now know that Saddam never did have weapons of mass destruction. Incredibly, politicians to this day continue to deny the good work done by Hans Blix of the United Nations and his weapons inspection teams, who worked in Iraq for months prior to the invasion, and who succeeded beyond the wildest dreams of any leader in making sure that Saddam did not have ANY chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons. One politician here in Australia who is particularly guilty of continuing to perpetrate the lies and deceptions in this regard is Robert Hill, former Minister of Defense and now ambassador-designate to the United States. I am sure that when the former Senator Hill is posted to Washington as ambassador in April of this year, he will find many lying and dishonest official cronies among the Americans, and together they will attempt to continue to weave their ring of lies and deceptions about what was happening in Iraq prior to the invasion. But back to Mars and its inconjunct / quincunx aspect to Jupiter. This aspect means that the two planets in question and they are both important factors in this chart, Mars by its sign and house position, Jupiter by virtue of its rulership - want to work together, but just cant seem to manage. That is one reason why this chart is so ominous. Then when we look at another subtle influence Uranus in early Pisces in the 12th house we can see just what secret and unusual influences went on behind the scenes in the lead up to the invasion. The 12th house is often associated with confinement and prisons, and thus the Abu Ghraib torture abuse scandals that rocked the U.S. military a few years ago are indicated here. Uranus often rules technological advances, and operating in the house of secrecy, indicates that there may have been strange experiments that we are not even yet aware of regarding the invasion. Uranus is forming an almost exact square aspect to the nodal axis, the Gemini North Node and Sagittarian South Node, and this pattern reinforces my belief that not only will we hear more about abuses in Iraqi 7

prisons, but we be may hearing about dark and evil experiments involving new technologies and perhaps other weird or strange practices. Comparing the Invasion chart with the two charts for Iraq When two of the charts are put on top of each other for instance, the Invasion chart superimposed on the 1921 Kingdom Chart (KC) which I have not done here because of the length of this article, interesting patterns begin to emerge. Mars in the Invasion chart is exactly opposite to Pluto in the KC; Jupiter in the Invasion chart is forming a conjunction with Mars in the KC; Uranus in the Invasion chart is opposing the Sun / Mercury combust in the KC; Sun / Mercury in the Invasion chart are opposing the Jupiter / Saturn conjunction in the KC while Pluto and Saturn in the Invasion chart are squaring the KC Jupiter / Saturn conjunction; etc. Placing the Invasion chart over the 1932 End of British Mandate chart (EBM) we see the following patterns: Moon in Libra in the Invasion chart completes a Grand Cross with Uranus, Pluto and Saturn in the EBM; the Invasion chart South Node is in conjunction with the Moon in the EBM, Jupiter in the Invasion chart conjuncts Mars in the EBM; etc. This whole sorry episode has reinforced public belief around the world that we cannot and should, in fact, never trust the stated intentions of prominent world leaders again, particularly when it comes to matters of military intervention and war. World leaders of whatever political persuasion have demonstrated conclusively that they simply cannot be trusted on such matters. Bush in particular continues to lie constantly and vigorously about the situation in Iraq. The good news is that the American public which thanks to the mainstream media, is probably the most brainwashed and manipulated in the so-called free world has finally figured out that Bush is blatantly lying about Iraq and has totally screwed up there. Only about 35% of voters there now still support his line on the war; the other 65% definitely disapprove. The Muslim world now hates America and other Western nations to an extent uncalculable even five years ago. The American military death count now stands at over 2,300- and will almost certainly reach 2,500- (another disastrous milestone) in a few months; the 3,000- mark will also certainly be reached, either by the end of this year or sometime in 2007. There is no accurate count to the number of deaths of Iraqi civilians, but it is conservatively estimated at over 30,000- and maybe as high as 50 or 100 thousand, no one knows for sure. Over 17,000- Americans have been wounded in Iraq, and about 20 25% of returning military personnel will experience continuing post traumatic stress disorders which will disrupt their lives to some extent. The war is calculated to cost about U.S. 200 MILLION dollars per day, or 1.4 BILLION dollars per week, or 6 BILLION dollars per month. The adventure has been a fiasco from first to last, although one good thing has come out of it, which was the removal of Saddam Hussein as head of state and the death of his two murderous sons. Apart from those goals, it is almost impossible to see what else the war has achieved.

End of the war? As long as Bush remains President, probably the war will not end. Only if Bush is impeached before his term of office ends in January 2009 will the chaos, death, and destruction that he unleashed in March 2003 finally come to some sort of end. I have speculated that Uranus moving across the Ascendant of the Invasion chart might signal the end, or a real beginning of the end, to the war. The first time that occurs is in June 2006 when Uranus reaches 14 degrees of Pisces, but I would definitely have to discount any serious attempts to end the war at that time, given the current stupidity and intransigence of both Bush and the U.S. Congress. In March 2007, Uranus reaches 15 degrees Pisces, the exact degree of the Ascendant in the Invasion chart. Perhaps this point in time might see some sort of serious effort to terminate the war, or at least America and Britains involvement in it. Uranus continues to transit in the 15 18 degree range of Pisces during the months April October 2007. I think that this time period might provide a real opportunity to start to bring the war to an end, but of course we know that Bush and the evil people who use him as their puppet will oppose such a course of action. Jupiters transit of Pluto in the invasion chart will occur in March through early May 2007, and again October of that year. Another chance to bring Americas involvement in the conflict is signaled here, but we should never underestimate the stupidity and evilness of Bush and his cronies in the matter. God help the poor people of Iraq who are suffering daily because of their stupidity, greed, and darkness!! Zachary Casper

20th March 2006.

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www.esotericastrology.net.au acharya@netconnect.com.au