Astrological Rewind: George W. Bush "Shoeing" incident

This is a repost of a newsletter dissecting the astrology of the George W. Bush "Shoeing" incident for its 12th anniversary back in 2020.

This newsletter was originally sent on December 14th, 2020.

I would have sent this earlier, but like I've been at work...so I couldn't. This one just couldn't wait til tomorrow. 

Today is the 12th anniversary of one of my favorite moments in history:
The day Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw his shoes at then President George W Bush. 

This is a warning that I will use a lot of expletives and political opinions. It's Sag season, I'm unhinged. Have a sense of humor. It's time to put this Poli Sci degree to good use. *cracks knuckles*

I remember this like it was yesterday. And it is still the funniest thing every to me. If you were too young,  just never knew this happened, or if you are a fan of schadenfreude like myself here's the looped version of the video for you to watch over and over again.

But we're here to talk astro, so let's talk about this auspicious day which is referred to on Wikipedia as the "Bush shoeing incident."

It takes 12 years for Jupiter to make its way around the zodiacal wheel. This moment is having it's first Jupiter return. Looking at the electional chart of the incident, as well as the birth chart of our hero Mr. al-Zaidi, Jupiter and Saturn were the stars of the show.

Electional Chart of George Bush shoeing incident (no time of event)

Birth Chart of Muntadhar al-Zaidi (no birth time)

Mr. al-Zaidi, who is a Capricorn (born January 15th, 1979), has Sun combust Mars. Any planet within 14 degrees of the Sun is considered combust. Combust, in the literal sense, means to be consumed by fire. Planets that close to the Sun, often lose their strength and can be overtaken by the power of the Sun. Mars combust the Sun can make for a short-tempered person. It's probably pretty easy to get rise out of this person. Lucky for him, this magical day just happened to be one in which transiting Jupiter, planet of expansion and excess, made a conjunction to his Natal Sun and Mars. Mr. al-Zaidi's Sun & Mars square Pluto in Libra. Within this aspect holds an immense amount of personal power and fearlessness. The impulsivity of Mars in this square, doesn't make much room for considering consequences. Especially with a planet like Jupiter coming into join the fun, it makes for dramatic outbursts of anger. Something about Sun & Mars in Capricorn square Pluto in Libra seems to prioritize power and control to maintain law and order. If a line is crossed, it is a breech upon one's integrity and authority social graces that have been extended. Thus, the throwing of a shoe. The shoe itself is culturally (Jupiter in Capricorn) is considered dirty. Most people outside of the Western world don't even step foot into someone's home with shoes, let alone chuck them at the "Leader of the Free World".

We also see in the electional chart of the day that transiting Mars in Sagittarius was combust the transiting Sun in Sag. The Sun rules presidents, and Mars is a planet associated with attacks and accidents. With Jupiter being the depositor of the Sun and Mars, this foreign policy decision was bound to have some malefic consequence for President Bush in the short term.

Not only was Jupiter forming a conjunction to al-Zaidi's Sun and Moon; the Moon in Cancer was in an opposition to Jupiter. The Moon in Cancer was representative of roots, ancestry and nationhood; as well as the deep emotional connection we have to our home. As I've talked about before, Jupiter in Capricorn is centered around policy (especially foreign policy and law) that protects that status quo. Military intervention in other parts of the world in the name of "democracy" is very American. Ironically Jupiter was ALSO forming a conjunction with the US's natal Pluto at 27 degrees Capricorn. This US-Iraq agreement was a strategic use of policy and diplomacy to expand (Jupiter) power and influence (Pluto) in this region of the world.

Contextually, this moment took place 5 years into an illegal war waged on the Iraqi people. Bush was in Bagdhad giving a press conference after signing a security pact between the US and Iraq. This would begin the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, which of course was met with skepticism.

As he threw his shoes, Mr. al-Zaidi shouted "This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi people, dog" and "This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq,"  Transiting Moon opposite Jupiter, was definitely the astrological trigger. Oppositions are how we externalize tension and conflict that we feel within. Feeling conflicted about the government's established policies (Jupiter in Cap) and how it impacts your home and your people (Moon in Cancer). I probably would have thrown my fucking shoes too!

One of the other things I found interesting is that al-Zaidi was at the tale end of his Saturn return. As the astrological initiation into adulthood, the Saturn return is largely centered around our relationship to our authority and consequences. Transiting Saturn in Virgo also formed a separating conjunction to his North Node in Virgo. Through his chart, it is evident that he feels a sense of responsibility to living in service to other people. With Neptune also square his North Node in Virgo, he may even have a bit of a martyr complex since he was literally ready to risk it all.

For those, like myself, who think about Mr. al-Zaidi often and wondering what's happened to him since 2008. He served 9 months in prison and upon leaving prison he planned to started a humanitarian organization to build orphanages and provide free medical services to Iraqi people. In 2018, he planned to run for office. Have any of these things actualized...I'm not sure. 

And if you are wondering what planet rules shoes, I am happy to announce that is in fact Jupiter that rules shoes.

Happy Sag season! Happy Solar Eclipse! Fuck George W Bush! No we haven't forgotten you started a war and a human rights crisis over a fucking lie.  

And fuck Dick Cheney. And Thank God for Al Gore's internet.

Jupiter will leave Capricorn on December 18th and this iconic moment will live on forever. This just seems like the proper send off. 

I'll probably do this again! Just respond to this email or DM me with other Moments in history you would like to see broken down astrologically!