After a lifetime of success as an actor and politician, Ronald Reagan's life ended on June 5, 2004, at around 1:00 pm. The only modern president to consider astrology as he planned his schedule, Reagan used astrology to enhance his already considerable skills and his position on the western side of the Iron Curtain to bring about the eventual downfall of communism and friendship with the Soviet Union.

Many of the prominent events in Reagan's life were marked by what astrologers call "hard aspects"—connections between the planets that indicate challenges, separations, endings and new beginnings, and internal stress. At the time of his death, his chart was illuminated by a powerful connection of transiting Neptune, solar arc Jupiter and birth Sun; another connection between transiting Pluto, solar arc Neptune, birth Ascendant, and birth Mercury; and a connection between transiting Saturn, birth Jupiter, and birth Moon. These connections are mainly what astrologers call "easy aspects"—connections that reflect conditions and opportunities. They reflect the final illness, pneumonia, which was the ultimate cause of death.

Saturn in Action
In his Human Potential Left essay dated May 23, 2003, Matt Carnicelli wrote: "Saturn is a planet that astrologers associate with the need to accommodate the demands of physical reality … Beginning in the fall of 2003, and throughout 2004, transiting Saturn will be conjunct the natal Sun of the United States of America. This passage of Saturn over the natal Sun of a person, corporation, or nation typically brings a period of intense struggle, resulting in either a hard earned victory, and the assumption of even greater responsibilities—or in failure and a need to take stock of errors and change direction. The period can also mark a time of tremendous physical stress and psychological fatigue, even physical breakdown. The Sun in the chart of a country inevitably describes its President, King, or Prime Minister."[i]

Former President Reagan died just as Saturn came within a few days of an exact connection to the US Sun. The US chart has the Sun at 13 degrees of Cancer, while Reagan had the Moon at 13 Taurus and Jupiter at 13 Scorpio. Saturn forms so-called easy aspects. In this case, the combination suggests indifference and separation from one's wife (two ways to describe the results of Alzheimer's disease).

When Reagan Was Shot
It's interesting to note that at the time when Reagan was shot on March 30, 1981, the same planets were involved in powerful astrological connections (aspects). Reagan's solar arc Venus was in the same degree as his Moon, opposite his Jupiter. His solar arc Jupiter was midway between Mercury and Uranus in his birth chart, indicators of the bullet that punctured his lung. Solar arc Saturn was 165 degrees from Uranus in his birth chart, indicating "disruption of governing systems" and breaking "the rules through defiance of law and order. Benefit comes through making societal changes for the betterment of mankind."[ii] Shortly after the assassination attempt, Reagan announced the US Strategic Weapons program and attended an international summit on cooperation and development. Events reflected both sides of the energy of the planetary contacts.

Both the assassination attempt chart and death chart involve the same planets in Reagan's birth chart and involve the lungs. The earlier event had all the indicators of a near-death experience. Without treatment, Reagan would almost surely have died from the bullet to his lung. Over twenty years later, he was not strong enough to overcome the effects of pneumonia.

Bush, Reagan, and the US Chart
Astrological charts for George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan both show a dynamic astrological connection to the chart of the US. The current movement of Saturn through the sign of Cancer directly affects all three charts. Mr. Carnicelli points out the significance of Saturn as it comes to the place of the Sun in a birth chart and gives us a clue to the outcome of George Bush's "Brash, martial approach to American foreign policy." The Reagan administration dramatically increased military spending, as has Bush. This action by Reagan applied economic pressure to the Soviet Union and is sometimes credited with Russia's eventual financial ruin.

George W. Bush is spending massive amounts of money on military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, running up the national debt in much the same way Reagan did, but without a defined target like the Soviet Union. Terrorism is "an enemy without borders." Saturn's energy is all about structure and boundaries. To be successful in the current effort against terrorism, Mr. Bush has to define the situation in concrete terms and take appropriate action.

Only time will tell whether a war on terrorism can be fought successfully with traditional weaponry. Right now, in June of 2004, it appears that traditional military methods increase spending, give a temporary boost to the economy, and ultimately are unable to bring terrorism to an end. Astrology tells us that Saturn delivers what we deserve, for good or ill. George W. Bush is feeling the effects of Saturn as losses in the polls. His re-election depends on effective action that boosts not only the economy, but also the mood of the American people.

[i] Carnicelli, Matt, "The Reagan Legacy," http://www.hpleft.com/060604.html.

[ii] Reeves, Ricki. The Quindecile. St. Paul, MN.: Llewellyn Publications, 2001, p. 187.