Like the soil’s ache for water on a drought-deadened prairie, the nation’s need for real leadership is palpable. Occasionally a few teasing drops rain down upon our thirsty shores, when a Feingold stands tall against the government’s warrantless eavesdropping or when a Conyers convenes an investigation of the Downing Street memos or challenges unbounded executive power. But mostly, we live during a long, lonely drought reminiscent of the Dust Bowl, with no FDR in sight.
What we need is someone with a clear understanding of where we are and where we need to go, who will bring our Ship of State out of iceberg-laden waters and back on the charted path of an evolving democracy. We cry out for someone with a vision for the future that is in alignment with our highest ideals and purpose, as well as with the greater good of the planetary community; someone with the leadership skills to guide us forward on our newly righted course, even when some of the steps are momentarily uncomfortable; and someone with the courage to face the truth and speak it clearly and loudly enough for all to hear so that we can meet it together, rather than cowering in the corner in ignorance and fear.
Instead, what we have is a White House stuck, like a broken record, on the same soundtrack long after the song should have been over. Tax cuts and deregulation cover all fiscal policy, and bombing and belligerence is how we deal with the world. The paucity of response rivals only the inability to comprehend reality with any insight or understanding. The Bushistas seem to live in a magical kingdom where the economy is merrily rolling along and the democratization of Iraq is progressing as planned. In this sanitized and Disneyfied version of events, reality doesn’t dare intrude. The Emperor might get upset.
Into this total vacuum of effective leadership, names are beginning to emerge out of the fog in reference to the 2008 election. One whose name has been repeated often of late, although he himself has steadfastly claimed not to be running, is Al Gore. To many progressives, the other candidates imbibing the heady froth of presidential politics seem like pygmies compared to the man who has been consistently and unequivocally right, as well as outspoken, about such issues as the disastrous Iraq War, the egregiously illegal attacks on the Constitution by the current administration, and, of course, the growing threat of global warming. He has demonstrated unparalleled courage and character in the past few years by provocatively inserting the naked truth into a notoriously toxic environment of partisan pandering, intimidated muteness, and unbridled governmental deceit.
It is not possible to determine with certainty whether or not Al Gore will run, until he does, nor whether or not he will win, until he has. The many strong positive indicators in his astrological chart can just as easily be read to signify the continuation of his present work: awakening the country to the grim reality of global warming and developing a more enlightened, youth-oriented media presence. But it is useful to take a look at the planetary configurations surrounding him over the next few years to see what we can see and to determine what might be possible.
The single most compelling planetary aspect in Gore’s chart, one that runs from mid-2003 through early 2015 before beginning to slowly dissipate, is the progression of Venus square to the Sun (10Aries55). Similar aspects can be found in the chart of Bill Clinton in 1992 (progressed Sun conjunct Venus and converse Sun square Venus) and in 1996 (progressed Venus square Sun), as well as in the chart of George Bush in 2000 (converse Sun square Venus, progressed Mercury conjunct Venus, converse Venus trine Moon). A progressed Venus/Sun aspect indicates a period of heightened popularity, strong feelings of deep affection for others, as well as a time of being greatly admired and well-received. Normally, such a progressed aspect will wax in strength for about a year. In Gore’s chart, however, progressed Venus makes a station only 14 minutes past the exact square rendering this aspect quite strong for 12 years. Moreover, in the years 2013 and 2014, during what could be a second Gore term, or a first if runs in 2012 and not 2008, the Gore Sun/Venus progression will be incredibly strongly activated by the very same planetary transits that will be putting the US through very powerful challenges and transformation: transiting Uranus conjunct Gore’s Sun and square the US Sun and transiting Pluto square to Gore’s Sun and opposition the US Sun. If he were president during this period, one could expect that he would be not only well-loved and respected, but also empowered with the charisma, strength, and vision to meet the profound challenges of the time.
Returning to the present, Gore’s current burst of popularity and success may be seen in the transit of Pluto quincunx his natal Venus (26Taurus01) from January through May 2006 and the transiting Uranus square to the Gore/US composite Venus (14Gemini34) in May and June 2006. This latter aspect is not only putting him again into the public’s eye, but is suddenly (Uranus) changing perceptions of him in a positive way. It will return for one more crossing in mid-February 2007 for three weeks.
It may be that 2007 is the pivotal year for a Gore decision to run for the Presidency. Not only will Pluto make the first of its stations conjunct Gore’s Jupiter from January through May, intensifying his desire to bring forth truth and understanding and put himself forward in the world, but Jupiter will make an extended transit trine to his Sun, thereby triggering the progressed Venus/Sun square from July 1 through September 2, adding immeasurably to his appeal. In the midst of these aspects, Uranus, the planet of sudden change in direction, will make the first of three crossings of Gore’s Mercury from late March to mid-April, as well as begin its quincunx to Gore’s Mars from late April through July 2007. The second Uranus crossing of Mercury comes during August into early September. It is this strong Uranus activity in Gore’s chart, from roughly April to early September 2007 (and really not finished until February 2008) that I think may cause the sudden realization in him that he wants to run. Uranus often brings an unexpected shift in direction that then transforms everything else in a moment. Moreover, transiting Uranus will be square to the Gore/US composite Uranus (15Gemini44) from September 2007 through January 2008, which suggests an intensified and shifting connection between Gore and the US at that time.
Should Gore decide to run in the primaries, it seems extremely likely that he will prevail. The nearly-exact progressed Venus/Sun aspect will be set off by numerous small transits through the fall and winter months and then receive a strong boost from tertiary Jupiter square to natal Venus and semisquare the natal Sun from April through August 2008. In addition, the Jupiter station will be trine to Gore’s Midheaven from early April through May 2008, an indication of great success.
Although the aspects around the time of the election are not as clear, there are two that show enormous changes in Gore’s personal life and situation: progressed Ascendant square to natal Uranus, from August 2008 through September 2009, and the transiting Uranus station sesquiquadrate Gore’s Ascendant from October 1, 2008 to January 1, 2009. These both indicate lots of movement and a potential change in location. In addition, the same Uranus station will be conjunct Tipper’s Midheaven, so her chart also registers a big change of position in the world.
The aspects in Gore’s chart around the time of the 2009 Inauguration are very promising, including Jupiter crossing in opposition to his Ascendant from January 19 through 23. There are also two profoundly strong triggers of the all-important progressed Venus/Sun progression. Gore’s progressed Sun moves into a sextile with his natal Sun in January 2009 for a year, and his tertiary progressed Sun will be conjunct his natal Sun from mid-January through mid-February 2009. These suggest a time of heightened and positive emotional experience, as well as a newly strengthened focus.
There will be many trials for this nation in the years following the Bush Devastation no matter who the next president is. Climbing out of a pit is never easy. Both transiting Pluto and transiting Saturn in hard aspect to the US Midheaven and Venus in 2009 and 2010, followed by Saturn squaring the US Sun in 2010 and 2011 may be particularly difficult. Nonetheless, if Gore wins the presidency, he is likely to maintain some level of public support and affection (Sun/Venus) despite some very troublesome transits in his own chart, as well as the country’s. He will quite possibly go on to a second term, ushering the nation through some of its most difficult challenges to date.
