It could be argued that George W. Bush, leader of the last remaining superpower, is the most powerful individual in the world today. Whether he arrived at that position by accident or as the result of a carefully orchestrated plan, the power he wields at this time as the US invades Iraq is unprecedented.

   George W Bush has an interesting birthchart that reveals some clues to his personality and motivation. GW's Sun sign is Cancer, which is ruled by the moon and represents emotional security, family, and roots. Would this individual have been elected President if it weren't for his family history? I would venture to say this is doubtful. The geneaology and legacy of the Bush/Pierce family was crucial to his being elected. It was even said that GW Bush has more royal blood than any other president.

    Despite this Cancer influence, this is not the chart of an emotional or nurturing man. The Sun is in the 12th house, indicating an intensely private individual, yet with Leo rising he requires attention, admiration, and validation from others. Mercury (communication) in Leo is paired with Pluto (issues of power) very near the ascendant - this is a man with strong ideas who is very expressive, who enjoys wielding power, and who can be extremely stubborn and unyielding in his opinions. Mercury is the trickster, and Mercury on the ascendant often shows an individual who wears disguises and wears many cloaks in the process of establishing Pluto's power base. The conjunction of Pluto with Mercury is one indicator of the language difficulties experienced by GW in the past - I have noticed that as he becomes more empowered in his position his language difficulties seem to have lessened considerably.

   Mars in this chart is unaspected by any other planet, showing us that this is a man whose aggressive urge is unhindered by any moderating force. Janis Huntley's research shows that unaspected Mars possesses "a reckless, self-destructive quality which is highly inflammable.... [It can be] far too powerful for most people to control and is capable of taking over a person's identity." We can see this reflected in the way Bush is leading the country away from the coalition building of the previous presidencies, and away from operating by consensus through the United Nations. Bush's Mars is in the 2nd house of finance, and his headstrong push for a tax cut beyond all reason may be an example of the unbridled will of the unaspected Mars.

   Bush's Moon is in Libra, which shows that he has a deep emotional need for peace and harmonious relationships, but the fact that his Sun (or conscious Self) is square to his moon tells us that he has difficulty activating his emotions. This is further evidenced by the conjunction of Chiron, the wounded healer, to his Moon. Often people with this placement bear a deep and unhealable wound to their emotional security, and particularly in men, can lead to one's detaching from the emotional nature completely. Alcoholism or drug addiction can be a result as these people attempt to heal the deep pain within them. However, the painful attributes of this aspect is ameliorated by the conjunction of Jupiter (faith and optimism) to the Moon, which also, by squaring the Sun, adds a degree of overconfidence and self-aggrandisement. Finally, the presence in the 12th house of the unconscious of Saturn, representing discipline and diligence, as well as disappointment and self-doubt, shows us that Bush is haunted by spectres of defeat that generally remain relegated to the subconscious realm except when activated by transit.