ELECTION 2012 ASTROLOGICAL PREDICTIONS

PART 3: THE ELECTION WINNER PREDICTED

Astrologers are like cosmic detectives, always looking for the edge when it comes to insight about events. Astrology has a number of ways to discern results, whether personal or national. The most common is to look at the transits, or energy patterns, that the planets are currently making to a birth chart, which holds the blueprint of energy for the person or nation.

The United States of America actually has no clearly known birth time, so astrologers have their pick of several times during July 4^th, 1776, for the moment when the Founders began to sign the Declaration of Independence, thus initiating the process which gave birth to the nation. The current favorite is what’s called the Sibley chart, set for 5:10 pm, Philadelphia, PA.

We are a Moon-child nation, born under the sign of Cancer. Home, family and tradition play important roles in American life. With its Cancerian, Water Sign sensitivity, Mom, apple pie and the girl you left behind have been prominent themes. Our personal (and social) security are important. It’s a bit of a contradiction because we were born of revolution (Uranus, signifying just that, is here situated near the horizon).

The Sagittarius Ascendant, expressing an expansive self-image, speaks of the sheer size of the country, the westward push and the dedication to the dubious concept of Manifest Destiny. Yet the Aquarius Moon (symbolizing the people) indicates the egalitarian mindset American society holds up as its sacred ideal: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

Pluto (power) in Capricorn in the 2^nd House of money speaks to the economic engine of America being so great as well as the concentration of wealth among the elite (called plutocrats, after all). Jupiter, bestower of blessings, sits next to Venus (love/money/pleasure) in Cancer, reiterating the theme of a nation blessed with an abundance of resources and love of family. Saturn (accomplishment) sits in Libra, sign of social justice, high in the 10^th House of reputation—designating a nation committed to law and destined to lead.

Neptune, the energy of dreams and ideals, not to mention religion, sits equally high in the chart, in Virgo, sign of applied knowledge, in the 9^th House of spirituality and international affairs. America takes its religion seriously (at least at election time) and moral issues are always at the fore in public debates. Neptune can, however, also mean illusions, and America’s vision regarding the rest of the world has lately left much to be desired.

Mars (energy, aggression) in the US chart is in Gemini, giving us a tendency toward diversity in thought, word and deed but with a relatively short attention span. Mars in the same sign as Uranus also speaks, for good or ill, to the importance many place on being armed.

So what’s happening now in the USA chart and which political candidate best fits the energies at work? Here are the transits (outer wheel) displayed for Election Night, set for the time when the polls close on the West Coast.

The astrology says there is a possibility of snafus which could delay the election results. Mercury, the planet associated with communications and transportation, turns retrograde at 5:57 pm EST. This is a big red flag that things may not run as smoothly as we might hope.

Every four months or so, the orbital ratio between the Earth and Mercury changes, so that from our POV it looks like Mercury is going backwards in the sky. Clear thinking seems to be fuzzed up by the energy. More effort is required to have things turn out well. Accidents occur with more frequency, computers break down, people argue and communications generally take a beating. It happens so often and so predictably that, whenever something goes awry, people call me and ask, “Is Mercury retrograde?”

What could it mean for the election? A retrograde means that the past is important, that energy turns backward. This would favor the incumbent, President Obama. But it could also mean delays in counting votes due to unexpected factors. There may be trouble with voting machines. After all, the last time Mercury was retrograde on Election Day (turning direct that very day) was the year 2000…and we all remember what happened then. Should we expect more hanging chads? It’s possible. Hurricane Sandy also fits the astrology. But don’t discount another controversy arising, such as one candidate winning the popular vote and the other winning the electoral college.

There are factors, though, which give us clues as to the winner. On Election Night, the Moon (emotional connection) is in Leo, President Obama’s Sun-sign—giving him some extra oomph. Venus (affection) is close to the USA’s Saturn (the past) in Scorpio, in the 11^th House of community. This is generally a sign of continuity. Mars (anger) sits in an exact square (tough, 90-degree angle) to the USA’s Neptune (ideals)—a sign of weariness, confusion and perhaps an inability to accept the election results. Expect the winner to issue a call for healing.

Let’s check the transits to the candidates’ charts for further clues. First, Mitt Romney’s:

There are several strong factors in Romney’s chart that say he is a force to be reckoned with at this time. The transiting Sun is just moving off from an exact trine (flowing angle) to his Mercury, which means his message is heard. The transiting North Node, or life destiny point, has just crossed his Moon-Jupiter conjunction in Scorpio. This gives a great boost to his chances, but it is also just moving off. It peaks before Election Day.

Uranus, the sudden change agent, is within three degrees of an exact sextile (opportunity angle) to his natal Venus, creating much affection and excitement in his life. Jupiter (good fortune and expansion) is in his 1^st House (personality) in a close square to Mercury (communications). The classic interpretation is exaggeration and “malarkey,” but in any case he is being listened to.

However, a couple of harsh energies may do Romney in. The first is Saturn (accomplishments) transiting in a tough square to its own position in his birth chart. This is reality check time—a clear sign of loss, not gain. Neptune (dreams/illusions) is also transiting in a square to his Ascendant (image), which speaks to a lack of actual substance. Neptune is barely moving and will make its turn from retrograde to direct motion on November 11^th, indicating a change of direction of his personal dreams.

Do the transits to Romney’s composite chart with Paul Ryan indicate anything different?  Here again (see Part II) is the chart of their relationship:

What jumps out here is the transit of Neptune, making its station November 11^th at zero degrees Pisces, precisely on the composite chart’s Sun and Ascendant.  Technically, Neptune has moved back by a few minutes of arc into the 12^th House, which one could interpret as loss after much media glamour. The phrase “smoke and mirrors” comes to mind. Neptune breeds intrigue and charisma, but makes it difficult to discern substance. It’s also in a hard square to the Midheaven, the point of reputation. What appears solid may be insubstantial instead.

Saturn, Mr. “Get Real” Himself, is approaching the composite chart’s Neptune, which looks like cold water being dumped on Team Romney’s dreams. Benevolent Jupiter is retrograding out of its fortunate conjunction to the chart’s Saturn, which is like getting that hot girl to say yes to a date and then getting acne.

Still, Jupiter is nicely aligned with the chart’s Mercury, emphasizing good news of some sort, and there is a rare Yod aspect—called the “Finger of God” because it indicates something fated—involving the chart’s Saturn (achievement), Pluto (power) and transiting Uranus (sudden change). The transiting North Node (destiny point) is also close to the chart’s Midheaven (angle of elevated status). It’s entirely conceivable that Romney and Ryan could win the popular vote, or come close, and lose the electoral college.

So what about President Barack Obama? Let’s look at his transits.

The transiting Sun is moving away from a tough square to his natal Sun, indicating an improvement from the last few days before the election. The transiting Moon revs up Leo, his Sun-sign. Obama’s mood is light…and made lighter by the fortunate angle of Venus (harmony and love) in justice-loving Libra to his Sun in Leo (leadership).

Jupiter, giver of grace, is within two degrees, in mid-Gemini, of a sextile (opportunity angle) to his Sun, and moving backwards toward the exact angle. If we do not know the results on Election Night, this is an indication of him winning in a week or two.

Saturn (achievement) is moving past a harsh square to Mercury (communications), so the hard times begin to fade just as the election arrives. Neptune (ideals) floats harmoniously in a trine to the president’s Moon (moods), another indicator of happiness. Pluto (transformational power) also sits in a flowing trine to its natal position, a self-empowerment aspect.

The transiting North Node (destiny point) is near the Midheaven (point of status), but also in a square to Uranus (the unexpected), so nothing is guaranteed until all the votes are counted. Transiting Mars is also precisely square his natal Mars on Election Night, an indicator of perhaps having to bring out his political boxing gloves one more time.

Finally, we find that the president is in his Chiron Return, an every-fifty-years aspect of crisis, regeneration and healing. Taken together, Barack Obama’s astrological aspects seem to indicate a winner. Not an easy winner, but a victor nonetheless.

Can we get a final confirmation from his composite chart with Joe Biden?

The transiting Sun is illuminating the team’s 10^th House of status and reputation, and on November 6^th forms an exact flowing trine to Uranus (innovation) in the 7^th House of partnerships. That’s a big yes to political victory. The Moon on November 6^th moves through the composite chart’s 7^th and 8^th Houses of shared connections, and by early morning is close to a conjunction with Pluto (power). That’s another favorable sign.

Transiting Venus (harmony) is that day also on the precise midpoint between Team Obama’s Sun (self-identity) and Mars (desire for action). That’s a soft, warm pillow for their political head. But it’s not all honeydripping goodness, as the transiting Moon (emotions) makes a tough square to the chart’s Moon, indicating some major mood swings during the day, and maybe from the electorate as well.

As if that weren’t enough, transiting Uranus (liberation or chaos) is precisely opposite the composite chart’s Sun. This could be the constraints being removed or the wheels coming off, but taken together with other positive factors, I am seeing it as reelection and a major new political direction.

Barring an upset brought about by weather conditions, hanging chads or rigged voting machines, energies indicate that we will have Barack Obama as our president for four more years. Hopefully they will be less divisive and much more inspiring.

Like a ship caught in a hurricane, America is undergoing much buffeting right now, and I don’t mean from Warren Buffet. It is simply a volatile period, and America has an important role to play in leading the way toward a more prosperous and peaceful world. This election is part of that process. It’s as if the heavens are putting pressure on us to see if we can transcend our differences, our illusions, our attachment to the past. If we don’t, the pressure gets more intense. The world needs a strong, but clear-minded and open-hearted America.

Astrology gives us a language, a spiritual vocabulary, to be able to understand the energies at work. Those energies right now say to look forward, not back. We shall see if the electorate agrees. Perhaps they should listen to their astrologers!

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 ELECTION 2012 ASTROLOGICAL PREDICTIONS

PART 2:  THE POLITICAL PARTNERS

No one runs for president of the United States by themselves… although sometimes we may think they should. The vice presidential candidate can either bring strength or weakness to the ticket and this year’s election shows a great contrast of personalities.

Here is the birth chart of current Vice President Joe Biden:

Biden’s Sun-sign is Scorpio, an intense sign known for passion and insight—not to mention secrecy and behind-the-scenes diplomacy. Biden, of course, is a renowned wheeler-dealer. Biden’s Sun is in his 12^th House of karma and possible loss, along with three other planets. In fact, all the inner planets except the Moon are in Scorpio in the 12^th, intensifying a pattern that says that Biden’s life has been about coming to awareness through suffering.

His well-off father lost his job, moved the family to Delaware from Pennsylvania and never really recovered his previous prosperity. Scorpio represents the sting of death, and Biden lost his first wife and son in a car accident after being elected in his first Senate race in Delaware. He went through much anger and religious doubt. But Scorpio energy can be relentless, and Biden has had a long and distinguished career. His Moon, situated in Taurus (another fixed sign) indicates that stick-to-it-iveness is one of his strengths.

Biden is a foreign policy expert, indicated here by the presence of Pluto (power), Chiron (healing and healing crises) and the North Node (life destiny point) in the 9^th House of international affairs. Saturn (accomplishment) sitting in his 7^th House of partnerships signifies that his greatest victories may be in conjunction with a partner. He has credited his second wife, Jill, with saving him emotionally and of course he is Vice President due to his political partnership with Barack Obama.

Biden’s most cringe-inducing trait is also explained astrologically—his tendency to put his foot in his mouth. Joe has Sagittarius rising, a sign renowned for this very thing. So when Biden makes a verbal gaffe, blame it on his Sagittarius Ascendant! He just can’t help himself. Jupiter (blessings/expansion) rules Sagittarius, and therefore his entire chart. It’s a blunt and big-picture energy, and Biden often gets in trouble for speaking the raw truth as he sees it. He may be looked upon as a bit of a clown, but his gaffes are seen as amusing, not cynical or wicked. That’s Jupiter at work.

Biden’s opposite number in this election is Paul Ryan. Here is Ryan’s chart:

Ryan’s Sun-sign is Aquarius, making him an independent “I think for myself” sort. His Sun sits in the 3^rd House of communications, and Ryan definitely articulates, in great detail and intensity, what he wants to say. These verbal faculties are strengthened by the nearby presence of Venus, the ruler of harmony. Whether or not his subject matter is endearing, Ryan has felicitous phraseology. He has taken inspiration from author Ayn Rand (also an Aquarius) and one could call Paul Ryan a conservative iconoclast… essentially a Libertarian.

Ryan’s Moon is in Libra, the sign of artistry, partnerships and social justice. It’s situated in the 11^th House of community, associated in politics with Congress. Ryan loves to network and express his deeply-held personal views to as many people as possible.

Ryan’s Ascendant is (like Biden’s) the sign of Sagittarius. The quest for truth is doubly evident in Ryan because of the presence of Neptune, the God principle, sitting precisely on the degree of the Ascendant. Neptune here is very strong, even though it is a diffusive and often confusing energy. (Ryan’s budget plan has been viewed as vague and deceptive.) Neptune clearly indicates that Ryan’s religious views—again, like Biden, he’s a Catholic—play a big role in his life and indeed in his self-image. He’s a devout, orthodox Catholic who is totally against abortion, even in cases of rape or incest. From the looks of his chart, this to him is Divine Revelation.

Paul Ryan has the charisma, but also the religious bent, of the crusader. His politics are essentially an outgrowth of his morals and religion. With Mars (aggression) in its home sign of Aries opposing Uranus (volatility) in Libra, Ryan is someone who won’t back down from a fight. A positive aspect of this is that he is health conscious and runs marathons. Negatively, he is prone to disputes which he could avoid with a little less impulsiveness.

Pluto (control issues) is also in a wide opposition to Mars from the late 10^th House of status. Pluto in Virgo gives Ryan his love of detail regarding taxes and such, but it also keeps him focused on small-picture items like budgetary figures rather than larger humanitarian concerns. Paul Ryan’s chart has a bit of the obsessive-compulsive energy one finds in addicts (which Neptune rising could also indicate). If he is elected Vice-President, expect him to defend Romney’s views vociferously.

COMPOSITES

These two men are, of course, each part of a political team. In astrology, the synergy between two people can be seen in the composite chart, made up of the midpoints between the angles and planets when one chart is compared to the other. This third chart paints a revealing picture of the energy at work in the relationship and here can be used to discern the essential energy and focus of each political ticket. It can show us a successful or unsuccessful pairing.

Here is the composite chart for the team of Barack Obama and Joe Biden:

The Sun in this chart is in Libra, sign of harmonious relations. It’s a give-and-take relationship, with an emphasis on 9^th House energy. This sector is about international affairs and one of Obama’s top priorities has been to deal with the winding down of two wars on foreign soil (Mars, god of war, is here as well). Sun in the 9^th also means that Obama’s international reputation would be important. Obama was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 essentially for not being George W. Bush.

The Mars-Neptune conjunction (action regarding caregiving) is the most elevated aspect in the chart and speaks to the important role his health care law has played in his administration. This is actually somewhat double-edged: a political ticket with an elevated Neptune is almost certain to be idealized, and if those great expectations are not met, disillusionment follows. This also points up something strange: facts don’t seem to matter when Obama’s opponents talk about his administration. There seems to be a (Neptunian) glaze of sorts over objective facts.

Is Obama’s administration on the level? Astrologically, we could read Neptune’s position either as Obama being too idealistic and/or pulling the wool over people’s eyes, or being the subject of outright fantasies from his opponents. Either way, it’s hard for people to see this administration clearly. And Obama has sometimes not been the best messenger for his own policies. Lack of clarity has hurt him. But Neptune in the higher sense is compassion, and Obama projects caring for the common folks, which helps him politically. Neptune in the 9^th also means that both Obama and Biden are essentially spiritually-minded individuals.

We find the Moon (responsiveness) in Taurus (fixed focus/money issues) in the 4^th House associated with the homeland and personal security. Obama has suffered because his economic policies have not made people feel more secure, and people blame him for their not having a job. Still, Taurus is a fertile and steady sign; it sits in a flowing trine, or fortunate angle to the Ascendant in Capricorn, the sign of business. This is a good sign if he wins reelection that the economy may indeed rise again.

That Capricorn Ascendant shows an ultra-serious image with emphasis on practical matters. Capricorn being associated with government per se, arguments over the size, shape and programs of the government play an important role in their mutual image. On a personal level, this shows that maturity (Biden’s near 60 and Obama looks like he’s aging quickly) plays a big part in decision-making. A ticket with Capricorn rising is actually quite traditional, for good or ill, and not the radical change many have hoped for—or feared. Saturn, ruler of Capricorn, often limits one’s options, and here it sits opposite the Sun in fiery Aries. This describes Obama and Biden having to deal with policy limitations from a feisty Republican Congress.

Volatile, change-prone Uranus, sitting on the 7^th House cusp of relationships, speaks to the initial “hope and change” image this ticket had in 2008, and some policy disagreements may crop up between Obama and Biden. But overall, it’s a harmonious relationship, with Jupiter (good fortune) in the 4^th House at the foundation point and making a flowing angle to Pluto (power) and the Moon’s North Node (the destiny point). This is a powerful aspect for success. Obama’s political partnership with Joe Biden also looks to be long-lasting.

Now let’s look at the composite chart of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan:

The first thing we see in this chart is that the Sun is rising in Pisces, directly on the Ascendant, making this an exact sunrise chart. This immediately speaks to mutual empowerment, a strengthening of their mutual identity. Whether or not one agrees with the candidates and the Republican platform, this is a strong ticket. Romney’s Sun-sign, of course, is Pisces, so it especially benefits him. Pisces is the sign of merging one’s identity in a larger cause, and both men are extremely religious. This ticket is about a Cause with a capital C.

But exactly what cause is this ticket trumpeting? Neptune rules Pisces and therefore the entire relationship. It represents all things transcendent and also confusing on the rational plane. Deception and illusion come under this heading, as well as glamour and charisma. The promises Romney has made so far are vague (Neptunian). Oil is also given to Neptune and Pisces, and the Koch brothers, plutocrats who are vitally invested in oil, are essentially bankrolling the campaign. Romney has clearly stated he will do well by the oil industry. Expect that to happen should he win.

The Moon in Scorpio (the men’s personal connection) sits near Neptune on one side— reiterating our theme—and Jupiter (wealth) on the other. There is really no doubt about whose interests this ticket will represent. Scorpio represents the banking industry, power and secrecy. The Moon’s placement here, however, is basically benevolent and casts a bit of a media glow over their campaign.

Pluto, ruler of Scorpio and representing power itself, sits near the 7^th House cusp, opposite the Sun and on the angle of partnerships. Yikes! This is a very nasty indication of power plays and manipulation. Should this ticket win, there will be a focus on power issues with regard to allies. Pluto also represents violence and terrorism, and it’s tough to look at this aspect and think positively about the possibilities. There may be issues between Romney and Ryan themselves.

The major focus of the chart lies in the 12^th House, the place of hidden things. What is spoken about may not be all that is present here. Communications (Mercury) and values (Venus) are sketched out rather than given in-depth treatment. Caregiving is also 12^th House territory and both Romney and Ryan plan to repeal “Obamacare.” Should they win, expect a major emphasis on this topic.

With Mars rising in the 1^st in Pisces, there is an aggressive quality to the ticket and an appeal to the emotions. That can work for a ticket if there is a popular response to their assertions. The emphasis on a new approach to jobs (Uranus in the 6^th House of employment) is a strong sell, but Uranus sits in opposition to Venus in the 12^th, not a sign of agreement when it comes to money or personal values. Romney and Ryan disagree on social issues and have different approaches to policy making.

The Romney-Ryan ticket has the astrological markings of a shotgun wedding, and it remains to be seen whether or not their entreaties to the American people strike enough of a chord to catapult them into the White House. But in a close election, all bets are off.

READ PART 3: PRESIDENTIAL WINNER PREDICTED!

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ELECTION 2012 ASTROLOGICAL PREDICTIONS

PART 1:  THE CHARTS OF ROMNEY AND OBAMA

There was a time when astrologers were in danger of losing their heads if their predictions were not borne out by subsequent events. Despite the apparent flood of lunacy this election cycle, I think I’m currently safe. Wait! Let me check that lock again. Okay—so far, so good.

This is a race that has tightened—as astrologers have predicted it would—as Election Day draws closer. This fits with the rather tumultuous energetic terrain through which we are passing—what astrologers term Uranus square Pluto. It’s the first time since the 1960s that these two planets have been aligned. Uranus in astrology represents the forces of personal freedom, revolution, innovation and sudden, chaotic social change; Pluto represents the power structure undergoing a slower but inexorable transformation as we get down to core issues. Pluto is about power itself…in this case, about the holding of power.

The 1960s were not an especially peaceful time, and the social divisions of that time are reappearing now, as those who seek to return to previous notions of American culture do battle with those who live for the future. The result is an important election that can decide whether American society, and to some degree the entire planet, will be aligned with the current change-oriented energies or resistant to them.

Here is what astrology says about what we can expect to see this November 6^th. We’ll look at the charts of the contenders and predict the winner accordingly.

Let’s start by looking at the birth chart of the challenger, Mitt Romney:

Romney’s Sun-sign is Pisces, which is known for empathy and personal connections. Imaginative and spiritual, Pisces energy opens one up to greater causes. Romney’s Mormon faith is very important to him. The Sun sits in the 11^th House, the sector known for community involvement…and Romney spent time as a Mormon missionary. He’s definitely a “people person,” a natural salesman. It’s not an accident that he went into business as a profession. And being a Mutable Sign, he has no problem changing his positions on social or political issues. He may be glib, but he means what he says…at least, at that moment.

Romney’s Moon, representing his inner, emotional nature, sits in late Scorpio in the same degree and almost the same minute as Jupiter, the planet known as the King of the Gods and associated with wealth and abundance, generosity and moral rectitude. It doesn’t take much insight to see that Romney’s wealth (Jupiter) was inherited from his family (Moon, the ruler in astrology of home and hearth). One can see here the origin of Romney’s innate characteristic of not being able to relate to the little guy. He’s an aristocrat through and through.

But Scorpio is not a lazy sign. In fact, it has a reputation for ruthlessness. It’s associated with the banking profession, and despite the Moon-Jupiter conjunction’s knack for personal generosity, it can also be arrogant because the striving for power is strong. Its position in the 6th House of work, service and health emphasizes Romney’s work ethic—“I did it, so why can’t you?” Such a person will not be focused on creating a social net for the less fortunate for there is an innate self-interest at work. As the conjunction is close to the 7^th House cusp of relationships, he does in fact have some talent in relatability when he chooses to exercise it. He’s not a bad guy, but there is usually a profit motive hidden somewhere. Scorpio, after all, is known for its love of secrecy. What we have here is a natural Plutocrat—one who seeks out and enjoys holding power; power derived from one’s wealth.

Romney’s Ascendant, or Rising Sign, is in early Gemini, which means that he projects into the world a natural touch of intelligence—you don’t make his kind of money if you aren’t smart—combined with a way with words that can either be soothing or not depending on his mood (the opposition to the Moon). Gemini is another Mutable Sign and given to a love of variety. In politics, it pays to be wordy, but if you constantly change positions on the issues (another manifestation of the mutability factor), you may gain a reputation you have to live down.

Romney also has Mercury, the ruler of Gemini and therefore his entire chart, also in Pisces in the late 10^th House of career, which means his reputation in the world may be a bit “mercurial”—inconsistent—and that his speaking and writing ability may play a part in this. Whether or not he has developed it, it looks to me as if he has natural talent as a writer.

Venus is the ruler in astrology of love, money and worldly pleasures, and Romney was born when Venus was directly overhead, so we find it in the chart right at the Midheaven, or point of reputation in the world. Well, if you have money, you can have lots of pleasure! Intriguingly, Venus and his Midheaven point are in Aquarius, which is associated with a humanitarian outlook on life. Is Romney a secret visionary? Or a superficial lightweight? His chart says he could be both.

With Mars, the planet of willpower and aggression, also in Pisces, the sign of caregiving, in the 10th House, he could actually be a healer of sorts on the social level, as this is an aspect often found in the charts of doctors or those in the healing professions. Pisces being associated with religion, we know that he is at least devout. But Mars also sits in a square, a difficult 90-degree angle, to his Ascendant, or projected self-image. This man has a temper and his aggressive nature may come out at moments of insecurity.

Saturn and Pluto, the work and power energies, are at the bottom of his chart in Leo, the sign of aristocracy. Again, this points to him having been born into a socially prominent family. It was his karmic destiny. It would thus benefit him if he had a sense of noblesse oblige, the notion that he must give back to others because of his elevated social status. Whether this is the case or not is up for question. If nothing else, it points to using family status for his own ends.

Neptune, ruler of his Sun-sign Pisces, is associated with faith and creativity, but also with deceit and illusions. Romney has Neptune in the 5^th House of love, children and self-expression. How many sons does he have? Are they not all devout? A subliminal image is also here of his father’s background as part of a polygamist Mormon community, as Neptune represents a lack of personal boundaries, perhaps in relation to a religious faith. But there’s another indication of Romney’s personal charisma here as well. I still say he could have done well in the creative field.

Finally, we find Uranus, that lightning bolt-like energy referred to earlier, sitting in his 1^st House of personality along with the North Node, or life-destiny point. Mitt Romney is an individual, not someone who necessarily kowtows to others. He wants to be the boss. Uranus, in fact, is often found prominently in the charts of authoritarian types or political dictators. Romney has an easygoing nature publicly, but is a don’t-talk-back-to-me sort on the personal level. He will chart his own path and use his personality to fulfill it.

President Barack Obama has a somewhat surprising chart for someone who has ascended into the most powerful position on Earth. It is essentially the chart of a humanitarian and spiritual teacher.

He was born under Leo, the sign associated with leadership and personal charisma. His Sun sits in the 6^th House, associated with service to others and practical organizing. (Obama, of course, worked as a community organizer in Chicago.) Notably, the 6^th House is associated with health concerns, and Obama’s major claim to fame so far as president is his health care law.

His Moon is in Gemini, the sign of the writer, in the 4^th House of home and family roots. It sits in a trine, a flowing angle, to Jupiter (planet of life’s fortunes) in the 12^th House of dreams, visions and past karmic secrets. Hence, his book, “Dreams From My Father,” about his search for his own identity. This also gives him an emotionally generous nature. If he is not Bill Clinton (another Leo), who “feels your pain,” he is at least somewhat empathetic in the abstract. But it’s filtered through Gemini, an Air Sign, which deals with the mind. He is essentially an intellectual, not part of the common crowd. He likes suits and white shirts and rarely wears a hardhat.

This seeming aloofness is strengthened by Obama’s Aquarius Ascendant, which means he will think first (that’s the Air Sign energy) before acting. This trait gives him the cool, Zen-like persona, the contemplative quality that people see first in him. Obama sometimes comes across with an abstract iciness that does not serve him well politically. It does not really fit with the passionate expression of one’s feelings and general warmth of personality that Americans find so appealing in someone like Clinton. But it allows Obama to make decisions rationally, rather than emotionally, and to articulate inclusive humanitarian ideals, but it can also make him seem a bit cold-blooded. He may be a futurist, a visionary, but he is not universally loved.

Obama’s Mercury, the communication energy, is also in Leo in the 6^th House of craftsmanship, giving him personal charisma and eloquence. All his words are well crafted and pronounced. Venus—planet of love, pleasure and general harmony—sits in early Cancer, the sign of home and family, in the 5^th House of children and matters of the heart. The USA’s Sun-sign is also Cancer, so Obama’s family-oriented Venus energy does great things for his image. People like his family.

Of course, not everyone likes Obama, and astrologically this is due to his having Uranus, the innovating principle, and Pluto, the principle of regeneration, both in the 7^th House of partnerships. The presence of these two major planets of change—one fast, one slow—in the 7^th House (sometimes called the house of open enemies), means that no matter what he set out to do in his life, Barack Obama would face a great deal of opposition.

We also find Mars—the planet of personal drive, aggression and war—on the cusp of the 8^th House of death, legacies and transformation. Nobody who has these planetary configurations could expect to have an easy time of it in life. He would be fought every inch of the way and have to make sure that his own views were correct before putting them out to others, because the odds are he may not get anyone to listen.

Karmically speaking, we could say that Obama’s task in life is to be reconciliator. This is astrologically expressed by the placement of the Moon’s North Node (the life destiny point) in the 7^th House, the place of harmony with others. The problem is, not everyone wants to be reconciled. And Obama must be wise enough not to cause more conflict. Politically speaking, that has not always been the case. Because this energy of the 7^th House opposes his Aquarius Ascendant (his personality), Obama’s own voice may get lost, or he may simply not express himself strongly enough to avoid needless conflict. He could benefit from speaking his own feelings more frequently and more powerfully.

Nobody is elected to high office without a strong Saturn, because Saturn represents work, discipline, mastery and accomplishment. Here it’s in its own sign of Capricorn (government, business and tradition). It’s somewhat surprising that it sits in Obama’s 12^th House, which is about past karma, inner secrets and often loss. It does explain his father’s absence in his life (Saturn rules male authority figures) and also makes a fortunate angle to the Midheaven, the point of public reputation. Obama is nothing if not serious and dignified (Saturnian) when he appears in public. But Saturn also makes a hard angle to Uranus, which shows his struggles as an innovator. Many of his best ideas about the future may not work out as planned.

Saturn in the 12^th does not seem like it would fit the most powerful man on Earth. It’s often the sign of great struggles, both inner and outer—in a phrase—karmic burdens. Those who have this aspect need to dig deep to live up to their full potential, which may be blocked by outer circumstances. That may well be the case here, dependent on how self-disciplined Obama turns out to be. This is an aspect of great—and perhaps unappreciated— personal sacrifice. Saturn here is indicative of a scapegoat, one who is blamed for others’ troubles. The kicker is that the 12^th House is also about spirituality. Jupiter (hope and blessings) also being situated in this house lends spiritual protection to Obama against his own foibles and his political enemies. Somebody, it seems, has always got Obama’s back.

The suggestion of personal sacrifice leads to our final point. The magical rise to prominence of Barack Obama, at least according to his astrological chart, seems to have a spiritual element to it. Neptune, symbolizing spirituality as well as glamour and charisma, is his most elevated planet, sitting in the 9^th House of philosophy, religion, education and meaning. It occupies the sign of Scorpio (deep insight/power issues/transformation). Neptune is the God principle, universal energy. Here it makes a harmonious angle to the Moon in Cancer (great love) but a hard square, or 90-degree angle to the Sun (possible confusion or delusion).

There are those who feel that Barack Obama is the Devil himself, or that he is self-deluded. He seems to inspire extreme opinions (Scorpio is the sign of extremes) about his stature and policies. Neptune square the Sun can certainly mean a confused sense of self, or a Messianic complex. But it can also mean vision and clarity regarding the highest dreams of humanity. In short, Barack Obama is both a mirror and a chalice for the ideals which many want to make manifest in the world. Does he himself hold those same ideals? Or is he simply expressing what he knows people want to hear? The astrology says it could be either. But the main thrust of energy is basically positive. He has the chart of someone who could well be an instrument for the higher and wider good.

Obama is an enigma, and there remains something essentially unknowable about him. His reelection as president may come down to whether or not he can translate his own vision into concrete terms and not be overcome by the vicious fear and loathing so prevalent at this moment.

READ PART 2:  THE POLITICAL PARTNERS

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