SEPTEMBER 2011 ASTRO TIDBITS   

Readers of this column might remember a prediction in the May 2011 issue about Moammar Gaddafi:

Much of the world seems to be going nuts, with the bloody violence in Syria and Libya connected to the "Arab Spring", with mob riots and thuggery in the UK, with previous riots in Greece, and here in America with the stock market on a wild rollercoaster ride, and fears of a second recession as this is being written.  (A lot of this is a reflection of the outer planets in square to each other - rebellious Uranus square to transformative Pluto).  Another factor that has been occurring brings restriction and limitation on the homefront.This will last until September 25th (a Saturn Return in the U.S. chart square to the natal Sun, especially as Saturn is now returning to the same degree [17 Libra] it had previously stationed at in late January). 

In addition to global disruption and American limitation, we're facing the beginning of a presidential election campaign pitting extremely polarized points of view against one another.  Before I look at specific aspects, I just want to say that some have compared America's trajectory to that of  the Roman Empire - its arc, its glory, and its ultimate fall.  To my mind, the Roman Empire represented the peak of Yang energy - that is to say, the male ego in its full grandeur but also with all of its pitfalls.  When force coupled with egotism manifests in a way that's tyrannical and even insane, it brings the structure of society to its eventual end and results in a period of lunacy.  Are we on the same track?  Will those who are narcissistic, ruthless, and in power be able to give up their dominion?

It's against this question that we can look at some of the presidential contenders and Obama himself.

For the latter, he is facing a trial of karmic proportions throughout the remainder of this administration (Saturn, ruler of H12, square Saturn in H12, conjunct progressed Mars/progressed Mercury, progressed Descendant, opposite Fortuna).  He will feel stymied and unhappy about his responsibilities and limitations.  In fact, he could feel bullied (Solar Arc Pluto from H7 conjunct progressed Mercury, square Saturn).  Because Election 2012 sees him heavy-hearted (Solar Arc Moon in H6 opposite Saturn), the picture does not look good for re-election.  Thus, it's fair to ask the question: (With multiple placements in Leo including the Sun, the Node, and an angle of his chart), will he be able (if it should come to that) to accept defeat?  Will he be able to let go and walk away with pride?

Let's take a look at some of the other contenders.  It's no surprise that Aries Michele Bachman's chart (4/6/56, 12:08 PM, Waterloo, IA) looks lit up like a rocket now (progressed Mercury Rx now conjunct natal Venus in H10; progressed Venus station retrograde; progressed Midheaven conjunct Fortuna; progressed Sun, chart ruler, conjunct South Node)!  It's a destiny thing!  And she will resonate with a large part of the nation, especially females (natal Moon conjunct U.S. Moon in late Aquarius; natal Node conjunct U.S. Ascendant).  The question is if she can keep the momentum going, especially after February 2012 (transiting Saturn station retrograde conjunct Neptune exact).  She might be asked to take just a pioneering secondary role in which she campaigns strenuously (transiting Mars conjunct Ascendant from late September - early November 2011) but should gain some kind of rewards by Election Day (transiting Jupiter sextile her Midheaven).

Another top contender is Pisces Mitt Romney (3/12/47, 9:51 AM, Detroit, MI).  He's a lucky and sensitive guy (Sun trine Jupiter/Moon in water; Grand Air Trine; Fortuna/Venus at the top conjunct Aquarius Midheaven) who is now confused about his goals, misunderstood, and perhaps seen as weak through late March (progressed IC leaving conjunction to Neptune; progressed Mercury/progressed Sun SQQ Neptune).  However, from April 8th through Summer 2012, his message improves and his likability increases, giving him a better shot for the Republican National Convention in late August (progressed Mercury, chart ruler, SSX progressed Venus from H10; good progressed Moon aspects).  He makes a strong showing in October (progressed Moon conjunct progressed Midheaven, trine Pluto; progressed Mercury SSX progressed Mars), and by late November he is quite empowered (progressed Pluto trine progressed Midheaven).  Furthermore, by Inauguration in late January 2013, he is under a success aspect (Jupiter station direct at 6 Gemini trine his Midheaven exact).  He could be the person who defeats Obama (Romney's Pluto conjunct Obama's Sun).

Rick Perry, also a Pisces (4/4/50, 10:40 AM, Haskell, TX), is another lucky contender (also Venus at the top conjunct an Aquarian Midheaven... and it's the chart ruler!), with a message the nation likes (his Jupiter/Mercury conjunct the U.S. Moon).  But he has some built-in problems, such as being seen as overly idealistic (shades of Obama!) (Neptune conjunct South Node in Libra), distant or unpopular with women (Moon/Saturn opposite Sun), and too militaristic (Aries Node; Mars/South Node in Libra).  The end of 2011 through early February finds him facing an upsetting crisis (progressed Moon SQQ Pluto, opposite Uranus).  He puts up a terrific fight from July 9th-August 16th, right before the nomination process (progressed Moon square Mars/Node, SSQ Mercury) but in the end, he does not look like a winner (progressed Moon square Neptune, QNX Pluto by Jan-mid Feb '13).