Astrological Highlights and their

Influence on World Events

(Updated 18 August 1999)

Mercury enters Leo August 27, 1999

Mercury conjunct Rahu on August 22

Mercury square Mars on August 30

Venus in Leo, and retrograde from July 30 to September 10

Venus enters Cancer (while retrograde) on August 28; Venus trine Jupiter on August 5

Mars in Libra; enters Scorpio August 21

Jupiter in Aries; goes retrograde August 25

Saturn in Aries; goes retrograde August 30

Review of the effects of the Solar Eclipse of August 11, 1999:

As predicted in earlier editions of this column, the solar eclipse would have a disruptive influence upon the world affairs. Important events which have transpired recently include:

Increased incidences of solar flares and electromagnetic storms.

Increased terrorist activity, mass murders, hate crimes, and violence around the world.

Threat of nuclear war between India and Pakistan.

Threat of war between China and Taiwan.

Russia military forces invade Dugistan and threaten Chechnya.

Prime Minister of Russia was dismissed by Boris Yeltsin.

Threat of war between, North Korea and South Korea, Japan, and the United States.

Civilian massacres in East Timor, Indonesia.

Major earthquake in Turkey. Minor earthquake in northern California.

Rwanda invades neighboring state.

10 percent decline in the U.S. stock market in one month (S&P 500 Index down almost 150 points).

I believe that the repercussions of the solar eclipse will continue to be influential for many weeks to come. My astrologically based forecasts for the coming months are:

1. After a bounce-back rally in the American stock market, a major, sustained decline in stock prices will follow.

2. Higher interest rates in the U.S. bond market will induce a recession, which will begin at the end of 1999 or beginning of 2000.

3. The Year 2000 (Y2K) computer problem will be much worse than envisioned by the majority of people. Major disruptions in the power grid, transportation, banking, financial, and governmental services will result.

4. President Clinton will suffer from additional scandals and allegations concerning illegal fundraising and other issues concerning personal ethics.

For details about possible scenarios and reference materials, please visit the website www.garynorth.com. While I do not agree with Mr. North's apocalyptic vision of the world, his website does contain solid research on this issue, and it has links to other resources and other experts (with differing views) who have studied this issue in depth.

I have received e-mail complaining about the focus on "negative events", or bad news in this column. My response is that, if and when there are difficult astrological patterns present, it is better to point out the potential danger and encourage people to take pre-emptive actions to avoid troubles, rather than to lull people into a sense of complacency by ignoring imminent dangers.

For those students of history, and especially those who have studied Biblical history as recorded in the Old Testament, there are innumerable examples of the people of Israel ignoring the warnings of their prophets--and suffering the painful consequences. In the face of warnings of war, invasion, famine, epidemics, and other dangers, the people continued to eat, drink, and make merry.

Astrological predictions concerning world events are not intended to be therapeutic in nature. There are other writers who can provide you with hope, encouragement, and emotional support. There is a time and place for celebrating the joy of living, a time and place for prayers for world peace and service to humanity, and also a time and a place to prepare for possible dangers.

I hope that you will use your own good judgment and put these astrological predictions in the proper perspective.

May we live in harmony with the cosmic forces of the Universe.

Aum Tat Sat Aum

Stephen Quong

-- Arion (arion@dreamatron.com), August 20, 1999