Beliefnet.com posted astrologer Shelley Ackerman’s annual what’s-in-store-for-next-year article yesterday. Since the start of George W. Bush’s administration, astrologers have been nattering about what’s to become of our 43rd president. Many have consistently felt that he would not finish this second term, due to scandal, or something more unfortunate. Here’s what Shelley speculates for the White House in 2006:

“President Bush’s chart is under enormous stress. With Saturn, Lord of Karma, on his Ascendant, and Uranus opposite his Mars through much of the year, his popularity may decline, and he may have to further explain wiretapping without Congress’ approval. The stress is especially high at the end of January, when Saturn is on his ascendant. The new moon chart for Jan. 29, the day before Cheney’s 65th birthday, is interesting: it has Pluto on the Midheaven, often symbolic of a change of leadership. Cheney’s chart has his progressed moon moving at the same degree as the U.S. chart; in fact, his progressed Midheaven is about to contact Pluto.

“Astrologers are speculating about the extreme nature of that progression: With Saturn opposite his Sun and squaring his Taurus planets, the questions are: Will Cheney’s health hold up? Will he have to answer uncomfortable questions about Scooter Libby? May he even ‘ascend to the throne?’

“The seasonal charts (horoscopes cast for spring equinox, summer solstice, fall equinox, and next winter solstice) are especially interesting. Three out of four of those charts cast for Washington, D.C., have Saturn in Leo Rising, suggesting a leadership that is under the gun, fiercely struggling to maintain its sovereignty and authority.”