Alex's Asteroid Astrology

It’s another catch-up edition of Cosmic Grab Bag, where AAA delves into previously skipped stories, to set the celestial record straight!  This issue is all about protest and insanity, with a successful, bloodless revolution in Bulgaria, and an ongoing, bloody protest in Iran; and two Trumpian moments of note.

SOFIA’S CHOICE

Protest against the current government in Bulgaria began in late November 2025, prompted by anger over a 2026 budget plan that would have increased taxes, which the government at first suspended, then withdrew.  But demonstrators weren’t mollified, continuing to protest government corruption and inadequate healthcare, and demanding the resignation of the régime and new elections.

Young people, specifically students, were the core of the protest movement, dubbed the “Gen Z protest,” with many university students joining the massive 50,000-person protest in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, on December 2^nd; an estimated 100,000 flooded the streets nationwide.   As of the 5^th, a series of half-a-dozen “no confidence” votes aimed at the current regime were held in the National Assembly, and on 11 December 2025, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced the government’s resignation on a live broadcast.  Not a shot had been fired, no blood shed.

A series of eclipses in 2025 set the stage for the uprising, beginning with an activation of Bulgaria’s (1) Mars (anger, protest) at 26 Virgo, conjoined by the Lunar Eclipse of March 14^th at 23 Virgo.  Shortly after, the 11 Libra Sun was hit by an opposition from the Solar Eclipse on March 29^th, setting up a year of potential turmoil and change. 

Cosmic body blows continued, with a Lunar Eclipse on September 7^th at 15 Pisces in square to Bulgaria’s 17 Sagittarius Ascendant, and exactly opposing natal asteroid NOT at 15 Virgo, prompting a reappraisal of the county’s public image (Ascendant) (Bulgaria was perceived as the second most-corrupt nation in Europe) and igniting a recalcitrant, contrarian spirit (NOT).  The subsequent Solar Eclipse of September 21^st at 29 Pisces once again activated natal Mars, setting events in motion.

When the Bulgarian government fell, the skies well reflected its collapse.  Transit asteroid Bulgaria 2575, named for the country, appears at 27 Leo, in a Grand Cross with squares to Uranus at 28 Taurus, fomenter of protest and rebellion, and Mercury at 28 Scorpio, ruling students and young people, the core of the protest; and an opposition to Damocles 5335 at 29 Aquarius, representing the peril or doom hanging overhead, about to descend at any moment.  A square from transit asteroid Pax 679 at 2 Libra, Latin for “peace,” to asteroid Sophia 251 at 3 Capricorn, alternate spelling of the capital, displays the peaceful nature of the revolt.  Transit Jupiter at 23 Cancer was an exact match for natal Sophia, helping to birth the positive outcome in the capital, also suggesting the university students (Jupiter rules academics and higher education) that were key to success.  Transit Mars at 25 Sagittarius was exactly squared its natal degree, energizing the populace, with the transit Sun at 18 Sagittarius conjoined Bulgaria’s Ascendant, suggesting a new identity for the country.

DONALD I, KING OF GREENLAND?

With asteroid Donn 4689 at 15 Cancer conjoined Jupiter at 19 Cancer, arbiter of foreign policy and international relations, since late September 2025, it’s no surprise to find US President Donald Trump immersed in such matters (Jupiter also has affinities with immigration and aggrandizement, and Trump’s recent focus has extended to mass deportation and his vanity project of creating a gilded White House, complete with massive ballroom).  Just since Christmas, Trump has ordered military strikes on Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, and Venezuela, where US forces kidnapped President Nicolas Maduro, extraditing him to America to face drug trafficking charges.

Trump has also issued aggressive rhetoric against Colombia and Cuba, and threatened to bomb Iran (again) if the government crackdown on protestors there isn’t eased.  This extended conjunction of Jupiter and Donn pertains through early May 2026, so the world is likely in for more of the same for the foreseeable future.

But perhaps the most bizarre outworking of this conjunction is Trump’s obsession with obtaining Greenland, an autonomous arctic region belonging to Denmark, a NATO ally.  Trump claims that the US, which already maintains a naval base on the island, needs to acquire Greenland for its national security.  He seems intent on pursuing this policy, whether benignly, either by paying Denmark outright, or dangling the prospect of cash payments to the roughly 60,000 inhabitants to induce them to vote for union with the US; or in less friendly manner, via outright invasion, a step which would seriously fracture the nearly eighty-year-old transatlantic alliance that has helped to keep the globe relatively stable since World War II.

On January 15^th both France and Germany agreed to send troops to the island to join Canadian forces already engaged in joint military drills with Danish troops.  This appears to be an overt move to bolster Greenland’s defenses against its ostensible ally, the US, or at a minimum to express solidarity with the inhabitants’ right of self-determination.  On the 17^th Trump retaliated with a 10% tariff on European nations supporting Greenland as of February 1^st, rising to 25% June 1^st, and remaining in effect “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland” [bizarre capitalizations his].

Given these facts, it’s no shock to see the situation on the ground reflected in the skies, where the heated rhetoric coming from DC is mirrored by an opposition between asteroids Washingtonia 886 at 14 Leo and Green 12106 at 17 Aquarius (for Greenland).  A T-Square is formed by squares with asteroid Toro 1685 at 14 Scorpio, which represents bullying, intimidation and aggressive acts or language, resulting in a celestial pattern which certainly fits the terrestrial bill.

Some of the nations currently supporting Greenland and Denmark are also in evidence in the T-Square, with asteroid Gallia 148 at 15 Scorpio, named for the original Latin designation of France, conjoined Toro, and asteroid Dominiona 24899 at 9 Leo, named in honor of the Dominion of Canada, conjoined Washingtonia.  As well, asteroid Germania 241 at 22 Libra in trine to asteroid Green shows Germany’s support of the islanders.  In the old days, pressure applied by these staunch US allies would have sufficed to tone down the aggressive posture from the White House, but all bets are off in the era of Trump.

Denmark’s parlous, turning-point situation here is reflected by asteroid Danmark 2117 at 26 Virgo, the Danish form of the name, appearing at station, a pivotal time fraught with potential peril, indicating a major change of direction.  Danmark is conjoined exactly by asteroid Canada-Assandri 11453, another marker for the US’ neighbor to the north (and nearest neighbor to Greenland), and both points make their retrograde stations simultaneously on January 18th, suggesting heightened solidarity between their governments.

The root cause of Trump’s obsession with Greenland might be found in his birth chart.  It seems obvious that Donald Trump craves the unchecked monarchical powers the US Constitution deprives him of, and with natal asteroid King 2305 at 24 Libra at station, conjoined a stationary Jupiter at 17 Libra, planetary ruler of royalty, his aptitude for regality seems, to him, self-apparent.  And with natal asteroid Green at 16 Aries opposed King, his sovereign ambitions are focused on that bit of arctic real estate.  Perhaps he thinks, since Greenland’s titular head-of-state is Denmark’s King Christian X, that ownership of the island confers royal status, and if he buys or invades it, he’ll become its king.

AND IRAN, IRAN SO FAR AWAY

The mounting unrest in Iran, where millions have been demonstrating in the streets since 28 December, has escalated from its origins as a protest over record-high inflation, food prices, and currency depreciation, evolving into a broader movement demanding an end to the current regime, which has been in place since the Iranian Revolution of 1979.  In an effort to tamp down dissent and prevent protestors from organizing, the government has shut down all internet and phone service in the country, imposing a news blackout on foreign outlets.

Information does trickle through, with organizations such as Iran International reporting that at least 2,000 protesters had been killed nationwide by January 10th, as Iranian security forces escalated their use of live ammunition against demonstrators, leaving hospitals in Tehran and Shiraz overwhelmed by injured protesters.  Within a few days, estimates of the carnage reached 12,000 dead, with the numbers hard to calculate since many of the dead are taken directly to morgues, not to hospitals where they would be registered.  The protest is now a nationwide movement, with uprisings in all 31 provinces, making it the largest in a series of demonstrations that has been flaring almost annually for the past decade.

Foreign governments have expressed concern for the protestors, with US President Donald Trump threatening retaliatory strikes if the killing continues. 

The notoriously repressive theocratic regime was born 1 April 1979 (2), with its 11 Aries Sun opposed Pluto at 18 Libra, ruling repression and oppression, obsessive, unyielding control, and coercion.  A Grand Cross is formed by squares to asteroids Demokritos 6129 at 11 Capricorn and NOT 2857 at 16 Cancer, clearly signaling that in Iran, there is no room (NOT) for democracy (Demokritos).

The ongoing conjunction of Saturn and Neptune (now in late Pisces) in itself can reflect both a hardening (Saturn) of the theocratic (Neptune) state, or its dissolution (also Neptune) and its passage over the country’s natal Mars at 25 Pisces and Mercury at 27 Pisces placements has promoted the blackout (Neptune) on media, internet and phones (all Mercury), as well as the military response (Mars, also ruler of violent death).  Saturn is also frustration, and Neptune is idealism, so this pairing was also influential in evoking the protests themselves, as Iranians dream (Neptune) of becoming fully engaged in the modern world, which they feel is being denied them (Saturn) by the theocracy.  A Solar Eclipse at 29 Virgo last September activated this pairing, bringing matters to a head.

Another Solar Eclipse last March at 9 Aries conjoined Iran’s Sun, setting up a year of potential turmoil and change, which was reenergized by a Full Moon at 13 Cancer/Capricorn on January 3rd, just as the protests began to gain steam, T-Squared Iran’s Sun.  As well, dwarf planet Makemake 136472 at 12 Libra is opposing the Sun, representing a shock to the system, and responses so extreme as to seem crazy, unhinged or unstable.  The opposition aspect can also refer to an enemy or opponent, and in this case, someone viewed by the regime as an unstable maniac who acts unpredictably and wildly (Makemake), seemingly a role currently filled by Donald Trump’s threats.

Uranus at 27 Taurus is the planet most associated with protest, rebellion and revolution, and is currently semisquare Iran’s Sun, further agitating the populace, which is represented by asteroid Irani 18987, an adjectival form of the nation and a synonym for its people.  Irani came to oppose Uranus exactly in mid-December (and is still within orb), just before the outbreak of protests, and will come to its station on May 3rd at 4 Capricorn, squared Iran’s Sun and semisquare its natal Uranus at 20 Scorpio, perhaps symbolizing the dug-in (station) nature of the protest (Uranus).  Makemake is currently sesquiquadrate Uranus, completing a cosmic circuit, overexciting (Makemake) people’s desire for freedom (Uranus) with such fervor that they risk their lives and liberty to demonstrate and protest (also Uranus).

Currently Irani at 5 Sagittarius is also closely opposing the country’s 6 Gemini Moon, also representing its people, and locked in a T-Square with Damocles at 1 Pisces, representing the looming threat or peril, outwardly taking the form of drastic government responses.  Exactly conjoined Irani is asteroid Troemper 28130, our celestial referent for The Donald, perhaps helping to explain why Trump gives a crap about this.  Natally, Irani is squared by Saturn at 8 Virgo, another symbol of a harsh, autocratic regime which represses and is at odds with (square) its people (Moon), in a T-Square with natal Venus at 3 Pisces, suggesting fiscal (Venus) hardship (Saturn) for the population (Moon), a putative cause of the initial unrest.

The massive loss of life can be related to centaur Pholus 5145 at 11 Capricorn, noted for mass casualties by whatever cause, which is currently exactly squared Iran’s Sun and was also highlighted in the January 3rd Full Moon, by conjunction with the transit Sun.

Upcoming eclipses could prove pivotal moments in the struggle, with a Solar Eclipse February 17^th at 28 Aquarius activating transit Uranus in square, and Iran’s Sun in semisquare, perhaps stoking further fuel on the fire.  As well, a Lunar Eclipse at 12 Virgo on March 3^rd conjoins Iran’s natal Saturn, symbolizing its government, perhaps prompting a collapse.

A NOBEL GESTURE

On 15 January 2026, US President Donald Trump met with exiled Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, whom many consider to be the rightful leader of her country (based on the 2023 primaries, which Machado won, only to be excluded from the 2024 general election by the Maduro regime).  Trump has been dismissive of Machado’s chances of establishing a government, claiming she has little respect or support in Venezuela, and backing instead Delcy Rodriquez, Nicolas Maduro’s former Vice President. 

In a canny move, Machado presented the notoriously flattery-susceptible Trump with her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize Medal.  Trump had shamefacedly lobbied to win the award himself (in between bouts of bombing foreign countries and militarizing US cities), and might have been expected to resent Machado as its actual recipient, but now characterizes her gift as “a kind gesture,” and Machado herself as “a fine woman.”

Maria Corina Machado’s star may literally be on the rise, with asteroid Machado 2543 coming to its direct station on January 30^th at 10 Gemini.  Stations mark vital turning points, crucial changes of fortune which can reverberate for decades.  The selfless gift (which Machado was awarded December 10^th, under an exact conjunction of asteroids Machado and Nobel) could prompt a change of heart in Trump for Machado’s political fortunes going forward in Venezuela, which Trump claims will now be “run” by the US for the foreseeable future.

At 11 Gemini for their White House confab, stunningly, asteroid Machado conjoins both asteroid Nobel 6032 (named for the founder of the award) and asteroid Psyche 16 (both at 10 Gemini), opposed asteroid Troemper at 7 Sagittarius, our celestial referent for Donald Trump.  Surely, Machado had taken Trump’s psychological (Psyche) measure, with a vanity gift that cost her nothing (3) but could evoke great rewards.  A Grand Cross with Damocles at 1 Pisces and asteroid America 916 at 2 Virgo underscores the potential peril (Damocles) in which Machado’s career stands, if Trump (Troemper) and the US (America) reject her candidacy.  A trine from asteroid Pax at 7 Libra (Latin word for “peace) to Nobel specifies the type of award on offer, while a Grand Trine Kite pattern is completed with a trine to Pluto, noted for manipulation. Machado had her special “moment in the sun” with asteroid Maria 170 at 29 Capricorn conjoined the 25 Capricorn Sun and 21 Cap Mercury of the meeting.  Venus and Mars are here as well, at 27 and 23 Capricorn respectively – perhaps Machado’s diplomacy (Venus) can convert an erstwhile opponent (Mars) into an ally (Venus).

One potential stumbling block – asteroid Rodriguez 13760, identifying Machado’s rival, interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, conjoins Troemper from 6 Sagittarius, imaging the support he has offered her thus far, and her willingness to accede to his demands for the country.  But perhaps familiarity, in the form of the ongoing conjunction between their cosmic namesakes, will breed contempt, unless Rodriguez has a better gift to offer.

Notes:  (1) Bulgaria, established 5 October 1908, Noon EET, Tirnovo, Bulgaria, from Nicholas Campion, “Book of World Horoscopes”

(2) Islamic Republic of Iran, established 1 April 1979, 3 PM GMT, Tehran, from Nicholas Campion, “Book of World Horoscopes”

(3) Machado gets to keep the $1 million cash payout that accompanies the Award, and after hearing of Machado’s presenting Trump with her Medal, the Nobel Committee promptly announced that, while the hardware can be disposed of in any manner its recipient wishes, the Award itself is non-transferable.