One of most significant historical developments in the last century was the formation of the European Union. Throughout the last two millennia the countries of Europe fought bitter and bloody struggles in attempts to gain dominance, with vast world powers blocks based on the empires of England, Portugal, Spain and France, culminating in the ascendancy of a unified Germany in the late 19th century. The devastation caused by German nationalism in particular resulted in a deep-seated urge to solve the problems of the nations of Europe. Initially this started as a simple economic union between the Benelux countries, France, Italy and Germany with the EEC on January 1st 1958, but it culminated in the formation of the actual European Union on November 1st 1993 at 0.00 hrs in Brussels through the Single European Act. It was at this time that the expression "European Union" became official.

The EU chart and Uranus/Neptune conjunction

See chart of the EU

This is a most extraordinary horoscope, depicting an organisation which not only can match the powers of the USA, China, and Russia, but can also come to be the dominating factor in world development for centuries to come. First of all, it was formed within only one week of the last of three Uranus/Neptune conjunctions, cementing for the next two centuries the significance of this 172-year cycle for political development. With the conjunction taking place in Capricorn - it was also in Capricorn in 1821 - the major theme of this synod was the dissolution and revolutionary change of established political organisations, notably in this case the total break up of the Soviet Union and the birth of a so-called New World Order. Major planetary cycles of this nature bring the end of an era and the beginning of a new. Thus it was no accident that the expression "New World Order" came into currency at this time. However, it is when something new is formed or founded, that there is truly lasting significance, and the creation of the EU, after the Maastricht negotiations of 1992, enshrined in its horoscope the principles of vision and renewal in a European state. However this state is run, this vision will inform its actions: to create a democratic and caring union of states, who share the same ideals.

A materialistic Moon

So much for the dream. Getting back to reality, the economic values of the EU are shown quite clearly by the exalted position of the Moon, strong in Taurus and in the 10th house. Plenty of beef mountains and milk rivers here. The materialism shown by this position of the Moon cannot be ascribed to the politicians assembled in Brussels (who are represented by the Venus/Jupiter conjunction in the 3rd house). No, the people who put those politicians there - that's us - sent them there to ensure that our material comforts are not threatened. We want our supermarkets to be full, our loans to be cheap, our incomes to increase. And as a general rule the EU will make this happen, because the chart is so powerful. Apart from the exalted Moon, the planets Mars, Venus and Saturn are strong in their own signs, which is very unusual.

The power of Mars/Pluto

The elevated position of the Moon shows that in the last analysis the EU is a democratic institution, answerable to the people, who secretly will fight to the last breath to secure their material comforts. Because this chart - although it has vision and humanity - is also brutal. Formed on the very day Mars conjoins with Pluto, in the sign which both rule, there is absolutely immense power at the disposal of the EU. Bearing in mind that this conjunction opposes the Moon, it is hardly any wonder that when threatened with Foot and Mouth disease, for example, the EU chooses the most brutal option... slaughter. Other options like vaccination are resisted because this would prevent export of animals. Even though Foot and Mouth is in theory not deadly for livestock, the mountains of sheep, pigs and cattle burning in the British countryside in the months of March and April 2001 - as Saturn conjoined that Moon and opposed Mars/Pluto - the plumes of black smoke, the distraught farmers, the suffering animals... they are offered on the altar of ruthless economic principle. It is in the mindset of the EU that such uncompromising action is for the good of all, but this is not so.

The spider's lair

If this was the horoscope of a person, then that person would be seen as dictatorial and unfeeling, totally governed by deep-seated anxiety about economic loss. The person cannot see beyond his own wallet. Therefore, citizens of the new proud state of Europe, take care! You are in the driving seat of an organisation whose fixation on material security can be life-threatening. Europe needs long-term therapy, but at the same time is resistant to it. The stellium in Scorpio and the 4th house shows the seat of the EU in the monolithic headquarters in Brussels. This is where the invisible power brokers sit, and though Mars is dignified in Scorpio, the conjunction with retrograde Mercury shows secretive decision-making and power-hungry officials, who are both paranoid of losing influence and dictatorial in wielding it. If the EU seems soft on the outside, there can be no doubt that it is like a samurai on the inside. It might be monolithic, but when it actually makes a move, it will crush whatever is in its path.

Gifted politicians

The secretiveness and power is in the nature of the organisation itself... those kind and idealistic politicians that represent our countries are generally speaking a fine bunch of people, working hard and optimistically to achieve functional compromises. This is clearly shown by the Venus/Jupiter conjunction in Libra and the 3rd house. Venus is the decision-maker as ruler of the 10th, and its position in the third shows all those MEP's travelling to Brussels, and talking amongst themselves, and having a fine time socially. They do a good job, and have the capacity to accept the disruption of their daily lives indicated by the square to Uranus/Neptune. And the trine to Saturn in Aquarius in the 7th indicates accomplished diplomacy in dealing with other world organisations. It's a wonderfully dignified process, combining friendliness and formality.

EU diplomacy

The strong 7th house Saturn shows a worthy opposition, whether it be from Russia, Asia or the United States. With Saturn also almost exactly squaring the uncompromising Mars/Pluto opposition to the Moon, then every drop of diplomatic juice needs to be squeezed from Venus. Saturn in Aquarius is the voice of reasonableness, whilst Mars/Pluto to the Moon is the voice of self-interest. As a result, there will be many deadlocks in dealing with other economic organisations. And when you read about these deadlocks in European newspapers, you will almost certainly get a story manipulated (by Mercury in Scorpio) for European consumption. If we hear about the intransigence of other economic blocks, it is almost certain that it is Europe itself that is intransigent. With Europe sitting pretty on its mountain of resources (though this mountain has a volcano churning deep at its root), it is fairly natural that a lot of people want to join the party.

Immigration

Whilst right-wing European politicians - motivated by the politics of greed - bitterly complain about economic migrants, the Uranus/Neptune conjunction precisely on the 6th house cusp shows how necessary they are to keep the wheels of the machine turning. This conjunction square Venus shows a porous labour market, with exotic foreigners seeping across the borders by land, air and particularly by sea - much to the consternation of the good MEP's. Yet the trine of the Moon to Uranus/Neptune shows the benefit foreign workers bring, not just materially, but also spiritually and culturally.

The economy over the next two years

So this is our superstate of the next millennium. It's powerful, sometimes fearsome, and it's secure, sometimes kind. It encapsulates the democratic vision of the age. The pillars holding up this temple of materialism are subject to the occasional earthquake - especially here in 2001 with the T-square so powerfully activated by Uranus. We can expert dramatic economic fallout from the recession which is growing in strength and will shake the US to its foundations. Fortunately the Saturn/Pluto/Node oppositions of 2001 to 2002 do not hit the EU as hard as the US, so the Euro will probably get comparatively stronger, but the repercussions - for telecoms in particular - will be global, with Nokia, Siemens and Eriksson continuing to suffer for at least a couple of years. Whilst economic experts predict a resurgence of the economy, those in the know should batten down the hatches, sell their technology shares if they still have value, or sit it out for the long term. The secret of success is to expect a turnaround after 2003, not before.

The future

The shadow side of the EU is its dictatorial and secretive nature, which predisposes it to corruption. There will be a shattering example of this when Neptune conjoins the T-square in 2008 and 2009, which will precipitate another economic crisis. It is at this time that the progressed Sun conjoins the Mars/Pluto conjunction, and this will foreshadow major world political change on many other fronts too. This is a time of European upheaval. With Europe here to stay, however, it is important to be conscious of its shadow side. Ultimately the influence of Scorpio is to transform materialism, and to seek deeper values, and it is up to the individual to fight power misuse and create the circumstances for transformation.

Adrian Duncan 17.04.200