The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - October 2008
One of the most important events of the decade will take place early next month: the election of the next US president. As this is being written the polls show that the candidates are either even or show McCain slightly ahead. Who will win? We all have our preference. Some might say that the outcome of this election will determine the direction that the world, not just the United States, will take for the next decade at least.
In assessing the potentially victorious candidate, we can look at each of their birth charts in relationship to two factors. One is the chart of the United States. Which candidate’s chart aligns most compatibly with the framework that our country has evolved through for over 200 years? Second are the transits prior to and at the time of the election.
In relationship to the US chart, neither candidate has an obvious connection. Obama's Saturn is conjunct the US Pluto. This implies that he could have a profound affect on transforming this country in two ways. One is to revitalize our core values. After years of misappropriation by the corporate-evangelical complex, the electorate has an opportunity to reclaim its country. The second effect this aspect could have is a renewal of our economic vitality and viability in the world.
McCain's Venus is conjunct the US Neptune. Ironically, this could imply an artistic renaissance or an accentuation of our traditional flow of compassion and financial generosity. Hard to see how someone with such conservative values would benefit either the arts or global philanthropy. So that leaves us with a second option: he will be able to sugar coat our international reputation so that the world sees us as we would like to be seen, rather than as it has been.
Transits prior to and at the time of the election provide more clarity. As we have noted in this space all year, this is a period when the earth signs are filled with powerful planets. Pluto was in Capricorn most of the year and Saturn is in Virgo all year. McCain's Moon sign is Capricorn and he has 3 planets, including the Sun, in Virgo. This could be why he was able to prevail in his party when his candidacy seemed dead last summer. The question is, will the earth energy be enough to propel him to victory in November? So far his campaign has been playing to people's fears and how a President Obama threatens our security, a priority of the earth signs.
One of the most interesting transits at this time is an opposition between Saturn in Virgo and Uranus in Pisces. The last time this transit occurred was in 1966. At that time the planets were reversed by sign: Saturn was in Pisces and Uranus was in Virgo. One of the events that took place at that time was the election of Ronald Reagan as Governor of California. This proved to be the first shot in the "Republican Revolution" that culminated in 1994 when we elected a Republican Congress for the first time in 40 years. Saturn represents the conservative, traditional and the controlled. Uranus represents change, often revolutionary, innovative and inspired. After all the radical changes in the mid-60's, this opposition turned things around, even though the full extent of that shift wasn’t obvious for years.
Fast forward to 2008. Same aspect with the signs reversed. The exact, to the minute, opposition will take place on Election Day. Furthermore, that day begins with the Moon in Capricorn (ruled by Saturn) and ends with the Moon in Aquarius (co-ruled by Saturn and Uranus). We could assume from all of this that this opposition could have the same affect as it did in 1966: a shift in the direction of the country. Only this time it would mark the moving away from the limiting, fear based Saturnine patterns and toward the more liberating, inclusive Uranian influence. This aspect could also represent an unexpected outcome of the election. For example, if the polls clearly show one candidate ahead, he could lose. This could be as a result of people suddenly changing their minds or that the polls weren’t accurate in the first place.
McCain has an opposition in his chart between Venus in Virgo and Saturn in Pisces. This aspect is in exact alignment with the current Uranus-Saturn opposition. With Saturn conjunct his Venus, he could seem less attractive to voters possibly due to them suddenly becoming afraid of him or his policies, values or personal life style. With Uranus testing his Saturn, he could overreact to being challenged by forces and factors beyond his control and appear extremely rigid, controlling and authoritarian. Or he could react to these unexpected events by changing his stance on things during the final stages of the campaign, thus being perceived as flip-flopping.
Ironically, Obama's Mars is exactly conjunct McCain's Venus at 22 degrees of Virgo. So Obama will also be challenged by this transit. One of the problems his campaign has had up to this point is proving to the American people that he is mature, experienced and responsible enough to lead the country. Saturn conjunct his Mars could enable him to appear tougher, more assertive and more in control. He could be more decisive in defining his plans and policies in more detailed (Virgo) ways. He could seem like the safer, more responsible and more "in charge" candidate. Similarly he could cause his opponent to seem flaky or more detached from the concerns of everyday people living their regular lives.
This transit also suggests that the people of this country, those who value our democracy (Uranus) will rebel against the repressive, secretive, patriarchal and authoritarian policies and actions of our government over the past 8 years and simply rebel from those patterns by choosing a brand new path. As the Monty Python players used to say: "Now, for something completely different…"
However these influences play themselves out, and ultimately whoever wins, we can expect some major shifting and changing as well as wild accusations and some compelling political fireworks transpiring as the election approaches.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Relationship energy is in the air. In any significant one-to-one relationship, with a spouse, business partner or good friend, strive to be honest with them about who you are, what you offer and what you need. Emotional vulnerability can lead to a deeper bond, more passion and greater intimacy.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
A most comfortable time for you. You could feel as though everything is moving in a harmonious way, which give you the opportunity to move at your rate of choice – slow, deliberate and methodical. Growth comes from not being overly leisurely or overly generous towards others. This is a great time to begin art projects.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Early month is a good time to review relationships with lovers and children. You could also take some time to finish art projects. Late month is time to implement the changes you may have only thought about previously. Growth comes from maintaining your identity and integrity even as you relate to others with consideration and diplomacy.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
The full Moon is in Aries on the 14th, the new Moon in Scorpio on the 28th. These signs are either ruled or co-ruled by Mars, the planet of assertiveness, physicality and new beginnings. This is a time for you to be more direct and authentic in relations with others. Physical activity can provide a renewed sense of self, at least in terms of comfort in your body or body image.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
In early month strive to balance social interaction with alone time. You could be very generous and loving to others, but the time alone provides the opportunity to be become aware of your motivation and intention. This clarity prevents being excessive in your generosity. Writing, either creative or journaling, is a good way to get this clarity and to maintain a healthy balance in your life.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
This is a good time to review your financial situation. It might be beneficial to work with a financial consultant who can provide clarity about where you are and how get to where you’d rather be. Growth comes from being able to look objectively at these things. This detachment will help you make the right decisions.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Early month brings energy to be more self-aware and work on personal growth. Strive to balance your sense of self through a combination of interacting with others (finding your identity through feedback from others) and doing art projects that will enable you to create your own feedback and thus a more authentic sense of self.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Mars enters Scorpio on the 3rd. This suggests that your energy will be quite intense and filled with physical activities. They could range from working out to engaging in sports to feeling extra sexual. Growth comes from handling that intensity without being extreme. One extreme is to be overly sensitive and secretive. The other is being pushy or demanding when interacting with others.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Early month provides the energy for spending time alone in quiet contemplation or to spend time with others who stimulate your artistic juices. The clarity gained from these activities provide the foundation for practical activities done in a methodical way late this month and throughout November as well.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Since Saturn rules Capricorn, you may be more personally affected by the Saturn-Uranus opposition than most other signs. The challenge is to be open to change that is grounded in inspiration and oriented toward personal liberation. Trying to prevent or control the changes can lead to frustration, resentment and alienation from others.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Saturn and Uranus co-rule Aquarius. They represent the two primal sides of the Aquarian nature. One side is open to change and often provides the vision or inspiration to make the change (Uranus). But this side could be flaky or self-absorbed. The other (Saturn) can tend to be more cold and controlling, although also more grounded and productive. Growth for you during this transit comes from integrating these qualities in affective and appropriate ways.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
This is a time to practical activity for you. In order to be most productive, and take greatest advantage of the potential, be clear about your goals. Pay attention to both the form with which you are working to achieve them as well as the philosophical basis of your intentions. Growth comes from showing up in ways that benefit your life in practical ways.