Enjoyable but ultimately weak.  Why? 

I'm always glad to see Hollywood explore philosophical themes, such as here when unlimited potential can be unleashed just by popping a pill.  The question is raised during this film: what can be achieved with a life when a chemical substance can release all the brain's latent ability, bringing superhuman powers of mentality and ultra-clear thinking?  What does super-functioning man look like, and how does he behave?

In my opinion, the movie falls short of the mark because the writers can't conceive of goals beyond the typical young-soul ones of fame/wealth/power.  The movie is fun, and doesn't lag, plus it has some terrific dialogue especially between Cooper's character and Robert DeNiro's to illustrate the power games taking place between two "masters of the universe".  But the goals of the characters lack higher aspiration.

When a loan shark "enforcer" gets hold of the pill, his goal changes from thuggery to import-export business success.  When the leading man gets addicted to it, his goal is to amass wealth in stock market trading, and then become a politician!  When the girlfriend pops a pill, she figures out how to elude a hitman.  When a businessman gets hooked, he has a meteoric rise on Wall Street.

Is that all there is??!

What about the Law of Attraction?  What about humanitarianism in today's battered world?  What about the goals of service and loving kindness?  And why not excel in reaching your divine nature, your self-realization, if you've tapped into so much unlimited potential?  None of this is even considered in this film.  It would have been oh-so-much-more satisfying if the schlub who was down on his luck found the key to interior latent powers and began using them for others' enrichment besides just his own.  The movie might just have had a heroic ending.  This guy could've ended up solving world hunger, for instance, instead of just becoming a rich, smug, get-the-beautiful-girl politico of the screenwriters' limited imagination!

Well, hopefully it's a start.  Can you imagine the possibilities if Hollywood were to start producing works of real mental grandeur?  But first steps are always good.  Now I'll look forward to viewing "Source Code" (free will versus fate) and "The Adjustment Bureau" (ditto).  Hope they'll be fun and mind-expanding but in any case, this is why I love sci-fi! 

MAY 2011 ASTRO TIDBITS   

            This month, for a change I'm going to play with some players' charts!  Will Donald Trump run?  If so, will he give President Obama a run for his money?

            First, let's look at their synastry (comparison of charts).  They are natural enemies (Trump's Mars on Obama's Uranus/Node in H7), with Trump able to provoke upsetting fights that have a karmic purpose, possibly bringing out explosive antagonistic energies in both men (Obama's Mars square Trump's Sun/Uranus in H10).  It's as though these two guys have an ancient grudge to explore... two rival Kings at swords!  Trump can pressure Obama to change (Trump's Pluto on Obama's Sun in H6), forcing issues about work to the forefront, and perhaps even cause an effect upon Obama's health (e.g., stress).  However, they are well-matched and on equal footing (Saturn opposite Saturn).  Although they can be charming and diplomatic with each other (Obama's Venus conjunct Trump's Mercury), in truth Trump can't stand Obama (Trump's Venus opposed by Obama's Saturn)!  Trump is not shy about his urges (Mars in Leo in a Gauquelin degree on his 29 degree Ascendant - to wit, the hair!), and will say what he chooses.

            Will Trump run?  Mid June 2011 sees a lot of activity in his career (transiting Mars cross Trump's Midheaven), and a definitive choice one way or another (Lunar Eclipse conjunct his Moon in H4).  His family's needs will be the deciding factor.  By mid November 2011, he'd be blocked and unpopular (transiting Saturn square natal Saturn/Venus), and perhaps even fiscally challenged despite his boasts (natal Neptune in H2 square Mercury).  In my opinion, Trump could definitely "stir the pot" between June and the end of 2011, but would be wise not to pursue this prize.

            Of course, the next question is: can Obama win a second term?  That's a lot trickier to answer at this stage of the game.  Here's what we can see:  throughout 2012, Obama is faced with setbacks, frustration, power struggles, even grave threats in unmasking serious secrets (transiting Saturn, ruler of H12 from H12, square natal Saturn, conjunct progressed Mars/progressed Mercury/solar arc Pluto while the latter is conjunct progressed Mars in H8), making the year a most difficult uphill climb.  In June 2012, he is either quite confused and vulnerable, or living in a fantasy about his home/homeland and finances (transiting Neptune, ruler of H2, stations retrograde exactly square his Moon in H4, and quinqunx his progressed Sun in H8).  These hard aspects, along with his over-idealistic natal pattern (Sun/Mercury, Jupiter t-square to Neptune), are like a bubble waiting to be burst, while bringing problems to the nation he's attempting to govern.  His best strategy is to keep reinventing himself while building better alliances (transiting Pluto, ruler of H10 from H7, trine itself from H11).  By September 2012, relief is shown (transiting Saturn leaves conjunction to progressed Mercury) and activity is very strong throughout Election Day of 11/6/11 (Mars in H10).  He gives it his all.  Between Election Day and Inauguration Day, the fantasy encounters reality (Saturn conjuncts Neptune in H9 of government, and squares his Sun in H6 of employment), and by January 2013 there is an emotional crash (solar arc Moon opposite progressed Saturn in H12).

            In summary, while Trump may not be Obama's ultimate nemesis, I think someone else will be, and Obama will not win a second term.

The Knife of Fear Turned into the Balm of Light

GROUP KARMA