Saudi Arabia and Aries

http://asiabizz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/saudi-arabia-opec.jpg

Don't worry, I'm still studiously working on finding breweries to drown with sea level rise, though it's taking a bit more time than expected. Part two of the previous post will be coming soon. However, in the meantime I have an important topic to discuss- and that's Saudi Arabia.

So, there's been a great deal of revolutionary developments in the Arab world over the past couple of months, particularly as Jupiter moved into Aries (the sign, ruled by Mars, of individuality, action, initiative, sometimes violence). With Egypt shakily stable at the moment, and Tunisia more or less the same, the focus has turned to Bahrain and Libya. Libya, in particular, appears to be a tough situation because there is actual full-scale warfare between the regions held by the rebel "protesters" and pro-government forces. As gas prices jump 30 cents in a couple of days, the effects of oil concern come into focus. Many experts have said that Libya's conflicts don't necessarily indicate a major reduction in oil supply, but general uncertainty by people in the petroleum market leads to increased prices. While people in these countries fight for their sovereignty and human rights, the biggest visible reaction in the rest of the world appears to be gas prices. I think it's safe to say that the world as a whole pretty much survives on oil, literally speaking- to the very fertilizer we use to maintain enough food to feed (almost...) everyone. It is no coincidence, therefore, that news about Saudi Arabia's own forthcoming revolutionary mentality has been rather hushed- panic alone about the effects of unrest in Saudi Arabia is enough to rock the petroleum industry, let alone actual supply changes. And yet, such unrest churns, on our social network/political unrest forum Facebook. Check it out:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/03/saudi-arabia-government-bans-protests-says-demonstrations-are-against-islamic-law.html

"There are also activist calls on Facebook for a "Day of Rage" on March 11 in the austere kingdom and for a "Saudi revolution" on March 20." These two dates rang an astrological bell- they happen to be the exact days that Uranus (Mar 11) and the Sun (Mar 20, the spring equinox) go into Aries. Jupiter moving through Aries over the past couple weeks has indicated expansion into new territories, increased initiative, as well as impatience and even the potential for aggressive action. It has resonated powerfully with the events in the middle east, and as more planets move into aggressive Aries from the compassionate and dreamy Pisces, this fiery energy is set to increase. In the case of these two dates, we have Uranus- the sign of rebellion, new ideas, individuality and technology- and the Sun - the source of our energy- both moving into Aries. The sun does this every year at this time, as we feel the new beginnings associated with Spring, which begins at the same time. Uranus doesn't move into Aries all that often- the last time was 1927 to 1935. Somehow, the planned dates for these two events in Saudi Arabia match up with not only the ideals of Uranus (rebellion) and the Sun (life) moving into Aries (fiery action), but also the actual days. The next few weeks could see some serious action.

For added insight, let's take a look at the chart of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia together:

(It should get a little bigger if you click on it). Though it's already obvious in our policy decisions, you can see that Saudi Oil fuels our wealth in the conjunction between Saudi Arabia's Neptune (outer ring, right side of chart) and the U.S.'s Venus, in the 7th house (the house of relationships and cooperation). Oil is associated with Neptune, linked in the house of partnership with Venus, the planet of beauty, wealth, and love. And boy, does Saudi oil fuel our wealth and happiness.

In another handy article from the LA Times:

And even though Saudi Arabia and the other Arab states of the Persian Gulf have nominally remained U.S. allies, they, not we, hold the key strings in the relationship. The United States continues to support and aid these regimes despite their authoritarianism. If the sheiks of the Persian Gulf decide to put down popular unrest with the same fervor Libya has, the hands of U.S. foreign policy almost certainly will be tied.

This paragraph sums things up pretty well. Neptune can be a confusing, even stupefying or deluding planet in situations where "the path is lost". This magical substance, petroleum, that casts such a spell upon our country, can leave us unstable, and like an intoxicating liquor (also associated with Neptune) only makes us forget the problems with energy infrastructure in the U.S.

There's a lot more connections about these two charts that need to be discussed, but I'm just going to focus on Uranus and the Sun, since they are preparing for such a big change. These two charts are the "birth" charts for the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. If we consider the transiting planets, in the sky right now, we see that Uranus and the Sun are about to cross the very bottom point of the chart- the Imum Coeli, or Nadir line- the base and foundation of, in this case, the U.S. As Uranus and the Sun pass this point, they make an exact square to Saudi Arabia's Neptune we discussed earlier- an aspect signifying uncomfortable structural change and conflict in the interest of long-term stability. Whoa.

These dates, organized on Facebook, seem to be almost "awaiting activation" from transiting Uranus and the Sun, giving energy to the structural upheaval facing that intoxicating Neptune and its thirst-quenching oil. But, then again, maybe those days are just representations of a conflict concerning the world of Sheiks, Oil and Independence.

... I would say that, but for the fact that Facebook was one of the chief tools of the Tunisian Revolution. Which inspired similar movements in Egypt, Bahrain, and now Libya. Unfortunately for the United States, we are in a situation of "damned if you do, damned if you don't." If there was a revolution, and the House of Saud took action to put it down, the U.S. could support the rebels (who, as in other Arab countries, are chiefly concerned with the establishment of good old-fashioned democratic rights, just like we "gave" to Iraq) and risk losing the stability of Saudi oil... or they could support Saudi Arabia in putting down such protests, more or less openly admitting hypocrisy in the name of that oil. Such a difficult situation exemplifies the energy of the square aspect. It's gonna be an uncomfortable couple of weeks for the world of Big Oil. Get ready...

As always, what do YOU think of the events in the middle east? Will the U.S. take action at all, or if it does, what will it do? What do higher gas prices mean for the rest of the world? Share your thoughts!