In each of these regions the local conflicts carry the potential of spilling across international borders, and those interested in keeping global peace have been urging President Bush to play a larger role, especially in the Middle East. Mars , the planet associated with military affairs, is now retrograde , and will continue to retrace its steps backwards through Sagittarius until July 19 when it turns direct . This celestial path is extremely dangerous due to the simultaneous presence of Chiron and Pluto in Sagittarius and the opposition from Saturn in Gemini. During July peace loving Venus also enters Gemini, and will be exactly opposite Mars on July 19. Between now and then a retrograde Mars incites military units and police action to a cautious approach.
Action is taken randomly and unpredictably, a political climate that favors terrorism.
In Macedonia, Israel, and China the national governments issued ultimatums against their rebel groups, with the answer in all three cases being more armed clashes and dissidence. Last week, and through the end of May, Mars and Chiron are traveling close together. Chiron feels terribly wounded by acts of martial violence, and demands revenge. We can expect increased defiance and hostility over the next ten days. If the international community cannot force the participants to the negotiating table between now and July, the fateful July 19 date could mark the trigger point for a devastating war.