Presidential Politics

The First Presidential Debate of the 2004 election crystallized the reality of George Bush’s Saturn return. Early rumblings were already apparent during John Kerry’s September 20 foreign policy speech when he accused Bush of being in “a fantasy world of spin” and in denial about conditions on the ground in Iraq. But the essence of this planetary configuration was driven home during the debate. Like wild and untamed waves in a stormy sea, reality came crashing onto the shore of Bush’s increasingly fragile delusions, inexorably washing them away in the public mind. Kerry successfully pounded away at Bush’s false conflation of Iraq and al Qaida, as well as at the preposterous claims that the war was going well and that we had a grand coalition of shared struggle and responsibility. On a more subtle level, but potentially more destructive for the current White House Occupant, Kerry’s imposing presence of calm, strength, and clarity gave the lie to Bush’s flip-flop propaganda message about his opponent. And conversely, Bush’s defensive, irritable, and reactive demeanor greatly undercut his own defender-of-national-security image and his glorified war leader persona. Unfortunately for the Commander-in-Chief, reality’s return can be quite painful when one has been avoiding it for years.

As always in presidential campaigns, Kerry was aided by Venus, in this case by its conjunction to his ruling Jupiter on September 30. Covering the next two debates, and continuing through October 20, Kerry’s progressed Moon will be sextile his natal Venus, also affording him an increase in that ever-important likeability quotient. In addition, during the Second Debate Venus will be square to Kerry’s natal 6th house Uranus. This suggests that we will enjoy (Venus) hearing some of his more visionary and ground breaking ideas (Uranus) in the areas of health care and the environment (6th house).

For Bush, Debate Two may be even bleaker than Debate One. He may try to be more charming and amusing, but it is likely to fall flat. The Sun will be on his 3rd house Moon, which may engender some of his verbal cleverness and flippancy. But Saturn will be exactly on his Saturn, and there will be no way to avoid the realities on the ground in the economy, the war, the environment, etc. It is likely Kerry will relentlessly focus the debate on several uncomfortable facts that will tend to shred Bush’s credibility even further. It should be noted that while Saturn is on Bush’s Saturn, it is also on the Inaugural IC, the emotional root of his administration. This suggests a feeling of pessimism and failure that pervades the White House, despite protestations to the contrary. This aspect peaks on October 12th.

Also peaking around October 12th and 13th is the transit of Neptune on Kerry’s Jupiter. This transit suggests that the period between Debates Two and Three will bring Kerry some soaring emotional energy, likely linked to a substantial rise in the polls after Debate Two. It is possible, however, that some of this will be blunted with Debate Three. I do not feel that Bush will overtake Kerry again, but he may manage to tighten the race a bit. His Saturn transit, though still in effect quite strongly through early December, will pass its exact aspect and therefore be slightly less intense after October 10th. In addition, Bush will have both the Sun and Moon sextile his Venus in the Third Debate, so it is likely he will manage to be somewhat more appealing than in his previous two performances. Nonetheless, if our birth time of 8:03 is correct for Kerry, Jupiter will cross his MC from October 16 through 20 and seal his successful candidacy.

The Vice Presidential Debate will be held on October 5. It is quite likely that Dick Cheney will do very well. Seeming more amiable than usual, he is likely to be amusing, confident and relaxed. He will have Venus on his Ascendant and Jupiter on his North Node, both very positive aspects. Moreover, Uranus is currently on his Descendant and will be triggered by Venus on the Ascendant. This suggests some potential for unexpected and forceful comments that my have quite an impact and put Edwards on the defensive.

Edwards, although generally under beneficial aspects throughout the entire election/inauguration season, has nothing particularly strong for the night of the VP Debate. The most noteworthy aspect is his progressed Moon opposite both Neptune and progressed Saturn. This suggests he will seem somewhat of an idealistic lightweight (Neptune) next to Cheney and be easily put on the defensive (Saturn) if he is not careful. A potential strength of Neptune is its compassion, and this may be used to advantage by Edwards, who can point out how harmful the Bush/Cheney policies have been for everyday Americans. But he must remain practical and focused when talking about the dysfunction of the current administration with its ties to corporate sponsors. Cheney, with his years of experience in the executive branch of government, and his very strong astrological indicators for the night of the debate, will be a formidable opponent.

The issue of an October Surprise has been brought up by many as a way that Bush/Rove will manage to derail a Kerry surge. The only thing I can find that even hints at such an occurrence is a cluster of aspects around October 26 and 27 that mostly suggest increased military confrontation and perhaps a successful campaign of some kind in Iraq. But I do not see these as changing the larger dynamics of this election.

As of early October, Kerry is freed from any impeding energy from Saturn, while the constricting qualities of this planet increasingly inhibit Bush’s agenda. In late October, Venus, known in astrology as the Lesser Benefic and the ruler of Kerry’s Midheaven, will go into the sign of its rulership, Libra, and will fully manifest its powers of attraction and contentment. It will also move to cross Kerry’s Midheaven on November 2nd and then to conjunct the Greater Benefic and ruler of Kerry’s Ascendant and Sun, Jupiter, on November 3rd and 4th. This suggests a shower of blessings and celebration for Kerry at this time. For Bush, on the other hand, the humbling and chastising Saturn transit lumbers on, strongly triggered by Mars in square to it from November 3rd through 6th. Given Bush’s record of recklessness and irresponsibility, I do not see how this can indicate success.

Presidential Politics

Back in the 1960’s and 1970’s, Ralph Nader was considered a hero. The mere mention of his name generated a profound belief that the dedication and strength of an individual could go up against the powerful and change the world for the better. Known as a consumer advocate, Nader harshly criticized the American auto industry for its unsafe products, leading to the US government’s enactment of significant new safety standards for all automobiles sold in the US. Following these pioneering efforts, Nader began to call for stricter standards in several other American industries. His single-minded endeavors subsequently brought radically improved standards in meat and poultry processing and coal mine safety, as well as restrictions on radiation emissions from TV’s, to give but a few examples. In the minds of the still-young Baby Boomers, this man inspired a belief in the ultimate triumph of right over power and, consequently, a belief in a hopeful future.

Three decades later, the dramatic and mind-numbing 2000 election brought George Bush to the White House by a razor-thin majority in Florida. Many have blamed the once-heralded Nader, who ran on the third party Green ticket and siphoned off votes from Al Gore, for enabling the rise of the most radical, right-wing, pro-industry, anti-populist government in American history. Despite Nader’s dubious claims that there was no difference between the centrist Democrat Al Gore and the radical plutocrat George Bush, it is more than obvious that the country and the world would be far different today had Al Gore taken his rightful seat in the White House. As for Ralph Nader, that idealistic man who once stood up bravely for the people against the powerful, he has become known in the 21st Century as the Spoiler who enabled the insatiable corporatocracy and its ally the Republican Party to enormously increase their stranglehold on American life and politics.

And now, in the spring of 2004, another election is upon us. And, as predictable as next winter’s snow, Ralph Nader is again running for president, blinded by the delusion that voters who support him will be withholding their support from George Bush. Needless to say, Democrats, as well as many Green Party supporters, are horrified. The nightmarish fear of George Bush winning yet another four years is almost paralyzing. Images of a devastated and debt-ridden banana republic lace the panic attacks of party stalwarts. The biggest, tentative hope is that Nader will wake up out of his pipedream and quit the race.

A look at Nader’s natal chart shows a very tight T square made up of Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto, that also has each of these planets connected to the Sun by either a semisquare or a sesquiquadrate. Thus, the three planets and the Sun always act in concert and are activated simultaneously by transits and progressions. The configuration itself suggests a person whose goals (Sun) are far-reaching and potentially revolutionary in potency and scope. It also implies arrogance and touch of brilliance.

The possibility for trouble comes with the natal Neptune opposition to the Sun. Neptune adds a tremendous idealism to this planetary picture, but also brings with it the potential for obscuring the boundaries between reality and illusion. Basically, any aspect of transiting Neptune to this chart or a triggering of the Sun/Neptune opposition will set off this latent tendency to lose perspective and go off into a grandiose fantasy motif.

From August to mid-November 2000, Jupiter squared Nader’s natal Neptune and Sun, as well as setting off the Jupiter/Uranus/Pluto T square by the minor hard aspects of semsiquare and sesquiquadrate. Thus, the desire to achieve revolutionary goals (Pluto/Uranus) and an inflated sense of power (Jupiter/Pluto) were infused with the grandiosity and self-deception of Neptune.

In the current election cycle, there are two Neptune aspects of consequence, one which weakens considerably after June 2004 and the other which weakens sometime in July 2004. Transiting Neptune is currently opposite Nader’s natal Moon and is stationary there from March through June 2004. This is compounded by converse progressed Neptune conjunct converse progressed Midheaven, which peaks sometime in July. It is unlikely that Nader will be amenable to reason before late July at the earliest. Until then, he will be on a self-deceptive quest that inflates and distorts his impact on the presidential campaign.

There are also some very significant triggers to the Jupiter/Uranus/Pluto T square that go though mid-August, which will add to Nader’s sense of power and his desire for a role in transformative change. His sense of what is right and what is true will be very rigid through that time. Converse progressed Mars is currently opposite natal Pluto and will peak by late July. This very aggressive, supercharged energy will be intensified when converse progressed Moon joins converse progressed Mars from July 8 through August 8, 2004. The converse Moon square natal Jupiter overlaps this from July 14 through August 14. These aspects suggest that this period from July though mid-August will see Nader waxing in his sense of his own power and being very aggressive in pursuing his goals.

But by mid-August 2004, Neptune, the Deceiver, will have effectively weakened its grasp on Nader’s distorted perceptions just as some much-needed Saturnian practicality enters the picture. From mid-August through mid-September, Saturn will in rapid succession square Jupiter, oppose Pluto, sesquiquadrate the Sun, and square Uranus. There is a strong possibility that these four weeks will see a bracing splash of cold water thrown over Nader’s pretensions. It may be that during this period or shortly thereafter, he will drop out of the race and accept the reality of his potentially disastrous impact on the presidential race. There is, of course, no guarantee that this will occur, but it is safe to say that the hugely inflated ego energy and the self-delusion that are very much impacting Nader’s current awareness will be far weaker from mid-August through November 2004. And we can hope that he may take the painful step that liberates his tiny band of supporters from making another historical blunder of massive proportion.

Presidential Politics

The compelling majesty of the rising sun each day is a moment that can give pause to even the most cynical among us. As the darkness slowly recedes in deference to the increasingly omnipresent light, a celestial paintbrush burnishes the sky with color, like rose petals strewn before the advent of the king. A boisterous choir of birdsong also rises with the sun, solemnly heralding its daily journey.

In astrology, the placement of the Sun just reaching the eastern horizon is considered a position of great potency, containing within it the power and determination of the imminent day, like the gathered strength of the lion about to leap across a great distance. This extraordinarily dynamic first house Sun can be found in the chart of Senator John Kerry and has colored his life with an inordinate sense of focus and dynamism.

Kerry’s birth chart is also strongly impacted by a waxing, almost exact Full Moon. This tempers and sometimes contradicts the fierce striving of the rising Sun with sensitivity, an awareness of others, and a healthy objectivity, as well as endowing it with a tremendous emotional energy.

And coloring all of this – the striving ambition, the power, and the sensitivity – is the profound sense of duty, responsibility, and depth of Saturn, which sits very near the Moon and opposes the Sun. Although Saturn can give a very serious and sometimes dour demeanor to one so thoroughly infused with its energy, it also offers a steady, solid trustworthiness, especially in times of great stress. Saturn is the carrier of burdens who will not shirk from any duty. Combined here with an enormously dynamic solar position, it indicates the determination, depth, commitment, and resolve that will be necessary to restore the shattered landscape that will be left when the Bush Family Circus leaves town.

Currently, Senator Kerry is enjoying the progression of his Moon conjunct natal Jupiter, which will continue through March, and a trine from transiting Uranus to his Venus, with the first pass peaking on March 8. These aspects are bringing with them the sense of popularity and success that come with the newly secured role of Democratic presidential nominee and leader of the Democratic Party, a role that has remained virtually empty for three years. But come the end of March, the real fireworks may begin.

Uranus, the planet of upsets, surprises, and sudden revelations, moves to a quincunx with Kerry’s Midheaven as of late March through April 17, followed by Uranus square natal Uranus from mid-April through mid-July 2004. This transit is likely to bring some sudden and unexpected salvos from the Bush campaign that may include attacks on the Senator’s prestige and reputation (Midheaven). It is possible the Mars/Uranus square of March 26 through 28 will begin this process with a really aggressive onslaught. The strong Uranus influence of this period is also likely to stimulate unique ideas and a break from some traditional policies as Senator Kerry flushes out his vision for America. This burst of creativity may be especially strong in the areas of healthcare and employment since Kerry’s natal Uranus is in the 6th house of work and health.

Mars in the natal chart shows how and where a person will be aggressive and how successful that focused energy and drive will be. Interestingly, Kerry’s Mars at 10 Gemini tightly squares Bush’s Mars at 9 Virgo, which describes a very combative relationship between these two men. We will see this exacerbated from late March through early June 2004 due to the Jupiter station at 9 Virgo. This period may also bring some slight increase in Bush’s popularity and his stature as a war-time president, specifically from late March through May 22, during a period when the Saturn influence on Bush is minimized.

Both men have strong progressions that intensify the inner strength of their respective Mars positions and that will be triggered by the coming Jupiter station. Kerry is under the progression of Mars conjunct his natal Mars that extends from December 2002 through mid-February 2006. Bush’s year-long progressed Sun conjunction to natal Mars will peak in early June 2004. But whereas Bush’s natal Mars is weakly aspected by only a sextile to the Sun and a sesquiquadrate to the Midheaven, Kerry’s very dynamic Mars is conjunct Uranus, opposite the Sun, widely conjunct the Moon, and trine the Midheaven. This highpowered Mars is evident in Kerry’s dramatic war history, the prosecutorial work he has done both in and out of Congress, and the strong offense he has thus far manifested in the early campaign against George Bush. There is a great deal of the Warrior archetype in these positions – courageous, competitive, and willing to fight the good fight - but tempered by the serious consideration and sense of responsibility of Saturn.

Although things are likely to go very badly for Bush from late May through July due to various Saturn transits, Kerry seems to have mostly smooth sailing, right through the Democratic Convention in late July. At that point he will benefit from the very strong Jupiter transit square his Ascendant, Sun and Moon. This highly charged energy will bring a feeling of success, expansion and optimism that will be especially strong the last 10 days of July. There may be some minor difficulties for Kerry from the 15th to the 23rd of July due to Saturn quincunx his natal Sun, but these will pass quickly.

The period following the Convention up through the election is perhaps the most important one in a campaign, since people are beginning to pay far more attention than previously. The candidate’s visceral appeal to the voters is crucial during this time. In Kerry’s chart, Venus is the ruler of his all-important Midheaven, the point of career goals and reputation, as well as the generic indicator of attraction and popularity. During these post-Convention months, we find two significant Venus aspects that will augment Kerry’s attractive power and his “likability” quotient.The first is the converse progressed Midheaven square to natal Venus which begins in August 2004 and peaks the following August 2005. This will then be intensified by the other major aspect, the stationary trine of transiting Uranus to natal Venus, which covers the period from September 1 through December 25, 2004. To further strengthen the feeling of charisma and appeal of these configurations, Kerry’s progressed Moon will sextile natal Venus from September 18 through October 18.

There is one period where Kerry may run into some problems, though Bush’s chart does not indicate any parallel improvement for his campaign. Nonetheless, the period from September 13 through October 5 may bring some setbacks, difficulties, or possible financial struggles for the Kerry campaign. Minor health complications are also possible. These issues derive from the transit of Saturn semisquare Kerry’s Mars and the converse progressed Moon square his natal Saturn. After October 5 these setbacks will evaporate.

In Senator Kerry’s natal chart there is a Pluto/ North Node conjunction sextile the Midheaven. This aspect suggests the likely attainment of a powerful position that has contact and influence with the public. In early 2004, the progressed Midheaven (7 Sagittarius) moved to trine the natal Node (7 Leo), and will reach the exact aspect in January 2005. By mid-October 2004, the progressed Midheaven will move to trine natal Pluto (8Leo) as well, remaining in orb through October 2005. This suggests a period of time, during 2004 and 2005, when the latent power and scope of the Pluto/Node conjunction will come to reach its full potential. The series of Jupiter aspects just prior to, during, and after the 2004 election will augment these progressed configurations, bringing Kerry to a time of extraordinary success, power, and influence in late October and early November 2004, and therefore likely symbolizing his victory in the presidential election. Here is the line-up: Jupiter conjunct the natal Midheaven from October 17 through 22; Jupiter sextile the natal Node, triggering progressed MC trine natal Node, October 27 through 31; Jupiter sextile natal Pluto, triggering progressed MC trine natal Pluto, November 1 through November 4; Venus/Jupiter conjunction exactly sextile natal Pluto, on November 4.

It is worth noting here that while Kerry is experiencing a growing popularity and appeal, George Bush will be largely bereft of his much vaunted charm and charisma during the election period and will likely be in the midst of one of the least favored times of his life. Bush has often gotten away with tremendous mischief with only a wink and a nod due to his engaging first house Venus. But it will become more and more obvious that this Venus is increasingly out of commission come November. Beginning in May 2004, converse progressed Venus will be semisquare to natal Saturn, exact by February 2005. By July 2004, progressed Venus will be square to natal Saturn, exact in July 2005. These aspects will then be triggered by the stationary conjunction of transiting Saturn to natal Saturn, itself a very difficult aspect, from September 24 through December 7, 2004. Taken together these suggest a rather morose and burdened period for the current White House resident, when nothing seems to be going right, his polls are at an all-time low, and the consequences of his reckless and ill-considered policies become increasingly and painfully apparent.

In the US chart, the progressed Sun will change signs for the first time in 30 years and move into Pisces come November 2004. This signals a distinct change of direction for the country and will likely first be manifested by a regime change in the White House. Initiatives begun by the current administration during the final year of its term, with the Sun in the 29th degree of Aquarius, are likely to come to naught or be totally transformed by the void of course nature of the progressed Sun’s position prior to November. Currently, Senator John Kerry is riding the cresting wave that will soon wash ashore and transform the landscape. For the Democratic Party, he is the embodiment of the Warrior archetype, and he has come to slay the dragon.

Presidential Politics

As the restless Democratic winds gather speed during the primary process, it is hoped that the unfocused fury of the country’s moderate and left-leaning partisans will coalesce into a tornado-like vortex, capable of wreaking a huge swath of destruction on the Republican landscape. Inexorably, the nominating process will lead to one candidate, whose singular goal will be to upend the reign of the Emperor Bush and his Neocon Nazis.

It is hard to imagine a more consequential moment in the history of our Republic. The coming election offers us a critical choice, a momentary fork in the road with two widely divergent paths streaming from it. The Democratic nominee will strive to paint a brutally clear picture of where these two very different roads will lead. The Rovian Propaganda Ministry will attempt, as always, to obscure and distort what the public most needs to know – the truth.

Iowa and New Hampshire are now behind us, and Senator John Kerry has claimed the mantle of a dramatic victory in both states. Will Senator Kerry continue this sweeping march to victory in the South and the West, or will the candidacies of John Edwards, Wesley Clark, and Howard Dean gain new momentum in the coming weeks as the primary process spreads far and wide across the American homeland?

The next big primary events are on February 3rd in South Carolina, Missouri, Arizona, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Delaware. Kerry is still under the beneficial impact of Jupiter square his Moon for these primaries and is likely to do well, but it will not be a clean sweep. He will, however, greatly benefit from the Mars opposition to his Venus on February 7 and 8, which indicates great promise for the very delegate-rich Michigan and Washington primary combination.

John Edwards will also benefit from events on February 3, probably winning in South Carolina, due to the Venus transit to his MC. But this may only bring a brief boost. Wesley Clark, on the other hand, remains in the midst of a Saturn return, with Saturn additionally square his Neptune, so he is not likely to fare well enough to gain much traction. This Saturn transit is not allowing him to get away with any statements, past or present, that are the least bit unsubstantiated or unfocused (Neptune). He is being pummeled by critical detail (Saturn), and his lack of experience as a candidate is perceived as a weakness (Neptune). The transit of the Sun to his Venus on February 3 will begin to dissipate before the polls close, suggesting he will not have a big win in Oklahoma. We may, however, see a brief surge in Clark’s fortunes between February 28 and March 6, 2004,due to the crossing of Jupiter to his Midheaven during the time of the Super Tuesday primaries. But this momentum is likely to weaken within a few days.

Howard Dean, on the other hand, may gain some small boost on February 3, since two of his current progressions are activated. The Sun will oppose his converse progressed Venus/Pluto conjunction, and Mars will trine his natal Jupiter, currently square converse progressed Sun. In addition, Jupiter will be on his IC until February 5. But all of this comes under the larger umbrella of the Saturn transit to his Ascendant (9 Cancer) which has really taken much of the air out of his campaign. Saturn recrossed his Ascendant at the end of December and during the first 10 days of January, during the time he was being battered from all directions prior to the Iowa caucus. Although Saturn has passed its exact conjunction, its February /March station remains within three degrees of Dean’s Ascendant, and the planet’s ponderous and restrictive energy lingers, making a really strong expansion at this point difficult.

Dean’s two most important progressions will both begin to wane after March 1, suggesting a significant dimming of his campaign energies shortly thereafter. In addition, Uranus will begin a long opposition to his Saturn, from late March through early August, which suggests some disruptive and uncomfortable challenges during that period. Most significantly, Dean will undergo transiting Saturn square to his natal Venus and semisquare his natal Saturn during and just after the Democratic Convention. Given his natal semisquare between these two planets, this transit indicates an emotionally difficult time, with a generally inward and unhappy feel to it, nothing close to the likely feel of a candidate being launched by the Party to run for president.

Returning for a closer look at John Kerry’s chart, we find two major planetary aspects to the angles during 2004. Pluto is squaring his Midheaven, and Uranus will soon be square to his Ascendant. These are both life-changing aspects, and coming together, they signify huge shifts in his stature in the world (MC), as well as personally (Ascendant). Pluto square the MC creates a tremendous power struggle for one’s place in the world, as well as a relentless striving for power. Interestingly, Dean had the same aspect in 2003. The first crossing of this transit for Kerry was from late December 2003 through January 20, 2004, simultaneous with Jupiter square his Sun. This coincided with his tremendous rise in political fortunes after being written off as all but finished by almost everyone. Pluto is the planet of “death and rebirth”. The Pluto square to Kerry’s MC, with its determined push for dominance, remains in effect in February and March 2004, though slightly less potent, returning to its full intensity again in late March through May 2004.

Simultaneous to this rising Pluto strength in late March, some very strong Jupiter energy is again in play. The second half of March and early April 2004 will be an exceptional period for Kerry and may bring about the actual nomination. His progressed Moon will be conjunct natal Jupiter from March 11 through April 11, and transiting Jupiter will be square his natal Mars (3/23 to 4/1). This strong Jupiter presence will bring success, optimism, and expansion. Because it is triggering progressed Mars conjunct natal Mars, it may also bring forth a vicious volley of attacks between Kerry and the administration.

The first crossing of Uranus square to Kerry’s Ascendant will also take place during this critical time, from 3/16 to 4/4/04. This transit will bring a change in Kerry’s position and stature, a sudden shift in personal status, as well as a fiercely independent streak. Combined with the success of Jupiter and the power surge of Pluto, the Uranus transit could signify the shift to becoming the nominee.

The second crossing of Uranus square to Kerry’s Ascendant is also noteworthy, since it will come during and after the Democratic Convention, suggesting another change in status and an acceleration of energy swirling around the candidate. A strong Jupiter influence, indicating success, expansion, and optimism once again will accompany this transit. Jupiter will square Kerry’s Sun during and just after the Convention, and then move to cross his Midheaven during the first half of August. It is hard to imagine that the timing of these transits does not indicate that Kerry will be the nominee.

Every successful candidate, especially in the technological age, needs a certain amount of charisma and attractiveness to appeal to the voters. This is often manifested astrologically by Venus – activated in some way by transit or progression. In November 1992, Bill Clinton had progressed Sun conjunct natal Venus. In November 1996, Clinton had progressed Venus square natal Sun. In November 2000, George Bush had converse progressed Sun square natal Venus and converse progressed Venus trine natal Moon. These are all very potent Venus progressions, which were able to create an aura of attractiveness that overcame many other obstacles (such as George Bush’s obvious inexperience and intellectual deficiencies). In contrast, Al Gore had Saturn, the inhibitor, conjunct his natal Venus for the 2000 election, somewhat muting his attraction to the voters and making his “stiffness” an issue.

For the 2004 election, Kerry will have progressed Venus quincunx natal Moon from August 2004 through June 2005, and transiting Uranus trine natal Venus, stationary from September through December 2004. Neither of these is as potent as the Venus aspects found in the previously mentioned elections. However, they may well suffice for Kerry in 2004. The reason for this is twofold. In the first place, the voters today want a warrior to go against George Bush. They want someone who will take Bush to the mat, thrash him, and punch him out. There is so much residual anger at this administration for reasons too numerous to describe that voters want a candidate who will channel their rage and then forcefully evict the current White House resident. This has been the tremendous appeal of Howard Dean, who seems the consummate scrapper. But it is also the appeal of John Kerry, a Viet Nam veteran and motorcycle aficionado whose campaign resonates with a bristling sense of war against the right-wing fanatics in the White House, and who repeatedly uses the words “courage” and “fight” to describe his ethos. The voters’ goal is a warrior now, a diplomat and policy buff later. In his chart, Kerry’s progressed Mars currently conjunct natal Mars is stimulating this Warrior archetype, so appealing to the rumbling, angry thunder heard everywhere in the Democratic electorate.

The second reason Kerry’s progressed Venus quincunx Moon and transit of Uranus trine Venus signal enough of an “attraction” quotient is that they far surpass anything in Bush’s chart for late 2004. Indeed, Bush will have progressed Venus square Saturn, converse progressed Venus semisquare Saturn, and transiting Saturn there to trigger them both, while sitting on Bush’s natal Saturn from late September to mid-December 2004. This combination suggests that Bush’s popularity will have diminished appreciably and that he will seem stiff and uncomfortable in the public forum. The stench of failure will waft around him, despite the relentless Rove attack machine and the White House spinners frantically attempting to spin straw into gold.

The final square of Pluto to Kerry’s MC will happen from mid-October through mid-November 2004, suggesting the completion of his transformation and surge to power of 2004. The final square of Uranus to Kerry’s Ascendant will come during January 2005, signaling the last stage in the shift of his personal status, the one that is likely to usher Senator John Kerry into the White House.

The blistering battle for the Democratic nomination is now in high gear. Passionate followers of the various candidates duke it out with their counterparts from other campaigns all across cyber space, with barely six nail-biting weeks to go before Iowa and New Hampshire. Former Governor Howard Dean, the current frontrunner, has clearly run a remarkable campaign, with many already gleefully anticipating that he will win the nomination. Al Gore’s recent endorsement of Dean has jolted the primary landscape and added enormously to Dr. Dean’s prestige, viability, and, perhaps, inevitability. Many, however, continue to fear that a Dean candidacy will doom the country to four more years of President Bush and his incredibly disastrous policies. To these concerned Democrats, Dean’s total lack of foreign policy or military experience and his plan to eliminate all of Bush’s tax cuts seem ripe for a Republican assault that will leave him, and us, in tatters.

Questioned at a fundraiser one night, Dr. Dean gave as his birth time 7:21 PM. Despite the seemingly irrefutable source (himself), I still have doubts about the accuracy of this data and so will avoid focus on predictions most specifically related to the exact time.

Dean’s current popularity, success, and the intense feelings he inspires seem most clearly described in the converse progressions: converse Venus conjunct Pluto which peaked in June 2003; converse Venus conjunct converse Pluto which peaks in early March 2004; and converse Sun square Jupiter which also peaks in early March 2004. What is striking in these aspects is that of the two still active, both rapidly begin to dissipate by mid-March 2004. Thus, at least some of the powerful emotion surrounding the Dean candidacy (Venus/Pluto), as well as its over-abundant optimism and high success (Sun/Jupiter), may rapidly stream away in March 2004.

There are the transits of Jupiter square to Dean’s Moon (3/23 to 4/3/04 and 5/26 to 6/9) and the transit of Venus to his Moon (6/20 to 7/7), all of which could give him a strong, temporary boost. But the general trend, especially from late March through early August 2004, is one of increasing difficulty and burden. The Uranus station of this period will be basically sitting in opposition to Dean’s Saturn. We can expect a series of sudden events that upset him and cause significant changes in their wake. If our given birth time is correct, these events may have to do with Dean’s penchant for making quick and witty remarks that come back to haunt him, such as the Confederate flag comment. Saturn in the 7:21 PM chart is in the third house of communications, an area where lessons will come when that Saturn is activated.

Even more significant as a signal of possible trouble for the Dean candidacy are the aspects during the Democratic Convention. Here we find not only Uranus opposing Dean’s Saturn, but also Saturn squaring Dean’s Venus, especially strong from 7/27 through 8/4/04. This suggests that Dean will be distressed, upset, and pulling inward during this time. It is possible he will be the nominee but undergoing a great deal of opposition and difficulty from within the Party or from a Republican smear campaign at that time. Normally, the days of the Convention are when adoring crowds surround the nominee and the Party comes together to support him no matter what has gone before. It is a time of hope, energy, and restoration. This transiting Saturn square to Venus, especially seen in the light of Dean’s natal Saturn /Venus semisquare, suggests a sour mood that is generally incompatible with the experience of the Convention.

One possible interpretation of these shifting aspects is that Dean does not win the nomination during the primaries or that it ends up being brokered at the Convention. Another possible interpretation relates to predictions I have made elsewhere about the increase in US military activity and its likely temporary success in the winter of 2004. It may be that such a scenario makes a Dean candidacy look less appealing by spring and increasingly problematic. Or, it may simply be that Dean does win the nomination by early March but then comes under the full frontal attack of the treacherous Rove propaganda machine and its vicious attack dogs in the media. In any event, things will go less smoothly for Dean from April through early August, and July and early August, in particular, will bring some very uncomfortable and problematic issues to the fore.

I can find very little in Dean’s chart that suggests successful campaigning from August through early November 2004 or strong emotions around the time of the election. The transiting Saturn semisquare to his Moon from 9/ 12 - 9/24/04 and again from 12/6 – 12/23/04 even suggests some periods of emotional funk. This very uncomfortable aspect is again repeated during the Saturn station in early 2005, from 2/24 – 4/5/05. These aspects indicate times of emotional adjustment, difficulty, and introspection. There is a progressed Venus opposition to natal Uranus that grows in strength through the summer and fall of 2004, bestowing an electrical attraction in Dean and an appreciation for his unorthodox approach to things. This will become extremely beneficial when it comes into orb of Jupiter in December 2004 and thereafter. But it is not triggered by much of anything up until then, including during and immediately after the election.

On the other hand, most of January through mid-February 2005 brings Dean’s progressed Moon into opposition with natal Jupiter, which has just begun to be influenced by the progression of Venus conjunct natal Jupiter. This is a very optimistic, popular, and beneficial aspect. Dean will be under this popularity-inducing progressed Venus/Jupiter aspect through most of 2005, as well as impacted by transiting Pluto conjunct Mars. Thus, the events around the Inauguration and through mid-February are generally quite positive for him, bringing him into a more general cycle of optimism, popularity, and powerful energy, with the brief exception of the mid-February to early April 2005 Saturn/Moon aspect. This indicates the possibility of a dynamic role in the next administration, but I continue to question, despite all evidence to the contrary, whether that will be as Commander-in-Chief.

Senator John Kerry has fallen far behind in New Hampshire and many are predicting that his candidacy is all but dead in the water, eclipsed by the come-from-behind Dean. Despite current appearances, I am not altogether sure this will be the case. Kerry is just about to enter an extended period of Jupiter square his Sun that runs from 12/6/03 through 1/17/04. It is possible that the expansive and beneficial energy of this transit will facilitate enough of a comeback for Kerry to keep him in the running.

In addition, late December will bring the beginning of the year-long transit of Pluto square to Kerry’s Midheaven, a very dynamic aspect that suggests intense striving for power and great attainment. It is particularly strong from late December through January 20 and then again in late March through May 2004. Its final pass covers the period from mid-October through mid-November 2004, exactly during and just after the election. It is always possible that this transit will lead to renewed vigor and leadership in the Senate, but it would seem to imply that Kerry’s run for the White House will take on new energy and power in January 2004 that will continue right through the election.

Another very dramatic aspect coming to Kerry’s chart is the square from Uranus to his natal Ascendant. The first crossing comes between mid-March and early April 2004, simultaneous with a progressed Moon conjunction to Kerry’s natal Jupiter and a Jupiter transit square natal Mars. This promises to be a dynamic time for Kerry, of both great optimism and success, as well as a change in personal stature (Uranus/Ascendant). Uranus may bring some kind of reversal of direction or break with the past. This could imply either the end of his presidential campaign or a shift in the campaign that changes his status. I continue to wonder if at this point a brokered convention begins to seem likely. These aspects do not suggest defeat though they do imply a significant shift in the landscape.

In late July and August 2004, the powerful Uranus square to Kerry’s Ascendant returns for the Democratic Convention and its aftermath, accompanied by Jupiter square to Kerry’s Sun in late July and then conjunct his Midheaven in August. For its final crossing, the Uranus transit returns for the entire month of January 2005, accompanied again by Jupiter, this time stationary and in sextile to Kerry’s Sun. With each pass, Uranus squaring Kerry’s Ascendant suggests a change in status, a change in location, and a stepped-up schedule with all kinds of unexpected events imposing themselves. That all three crossings are accompanied by strong Jupiter transits implies that these changes will be dynamic, expansive, and colored by success.

Thus, despite current appearances, it is conceivable that Kerry will somehow regroup and make a dynamic comeback, perhaps even benefiting from a brokered Convention scenario and moving forward from there. A Vice Presidential run also seems to be a possibility. Otherwise, the combined Uranus and Pluto transits may cut him off from his presidential ambitions but move him into another very dynamic and energized role of leadership, possibly back in the Senate. I see no quiet defeat and withdrawal in his astrological picture.

General Wesley Clark, despite his long and productive military career, is a newcomer to politics. Nonetheless, he seems to be picking up the rules of the game quickly and integrating them rapidly into his impressive presentation. Many are suggesting it will come down to a Dean/Clark battle for the nomination. At present, Pluto is conjunct Clark’s natal Mars, and his progressed Moon is trine natal Venus. But the Moon aspect is about to wane (exact 12/9/03), and the Pluto transit will weaken around Christmas 2003 for several months. Thus, it could be that December ends up being the most dynamic period in Clark’s campaign until May or June 2004.

The current Pluto transit brings with it a focused and aggressive tone that is clearly moving Clark up in the polls and in people’s minds as a possible alternative to Dean. The stimulation of Venus also adds to his attraction to the voters. From mid-January through to mid-April 2004, however, there is a tremendous amount of Saturn influence that implies that Clark will lose ground in his campaign and perhaps even give it up entirely. This shows up in three separate charts.

In Clark’s birth chart we find a natal Cardinal Grand Cross in which all four of the Cardinal signs are occupied with planets at hard angles to one another. This configuration includes the Sun, Mercury, Moon, Saturn, and Neptune. It implies a tremendous amount of energy, as well as a lot of struggle necessary to keep things moving along smoothly and to succeed in the achievement of goals. Difficulties may arise when either Saturn or Neptune transits one of the four corners of the cross. The Saturn/ Neptune dynamic in this configuration describes the underlying issue: an ongoing struggle between practicality (Saturn) and idealism (Neptune), between a lack of awareness of the details on the ground and being hit over the head by them.

Beginning in mid-January for three months duration, Saturn will be making a station conjunct Clark’s natal Saturn (7Cancer47) and square his Neptune (6Libra22). This suggests a rather hard coming down to earth, and may be experienced like a bucket of cold water thrown on any dream of the presidency (Neptune). This theme is reiterated in Clark’s composite chart with the US which shows this same Saturn transit square the composite Sun (7Libra25). Clark’s solar return drawn up for Little Rock, Arkansas, likewise shows a strong Saturn transit during this same period when Saturn transits conjunct the IC (6Cancer49) and opposite the Moon (6Capricorn40).

There are, however, two progressions involving Venus that intimate an increasing popularity and appeal enjoyed by Clark as 2004 unfolds. These are: progressed Midheaven square natal Venus (12/03 through 11/04) and progressed Venus square progressed Node (9/03 to 1/05), which in turn will be strengthened and then followed by progressed Venus square natal Node (11/04 through 11/05). All of these taken together suggest the personal charisma and popularity that are essential for an electoral victory. Some of this may manifest during the period from 2/21 through 3/6/04 when Jupiter both crosses Clark’s Midheaven and quincunxes Venus, thereby triggering the fortunate Venus/Midheaven progression.

Several important primaries occur during late February/early March, suggesting that, despite Saturn, Clark may grasp some primary successes and potentially throw the nomination to a brokered convention. In addition, the transit of Neptune to Clark’s Venus from late February 2004 through January 2005, will also act as an activator of the progressed Midheaven/natal Venus square aspect. From mid-May to mid-July this aspect will be very strong and undiluted by Saturnian difficulties, thus further increasing Clark’s appeal. He will emanate a real sense of caring and compassion that people will respond to in a very positive way.

Other factors will also come into play by May 2004 that may signify a radical shift for Clark as Saturn lifts and some significant power aspects enter the picture. From May through mid-November 2004, transiting Pluto will be square to Mars in the Clark/US composite chart. This suggests that his relationship with the country itself will go into high gear and people will be focusing on him intensively. In addition, another Pluto aspect of importance during this period will be the return of the powerful Pluto transit to Clark’s natal Mars, which will go from June through October 2004, bringing with it again the focus, drive, and forcefulness we are witnessing in December 2003.

These aspects taken together lead me to wonder if Clark will go down in the early primaries only to rise again as the Vice Presidential nominee. They certainly suggest some kind of active, aggressive candidacy. Alternatively, they could imply a very aggressive entry into the private sector after the primaries, with work that brings him a great deal of recognition. But my sense is we may see him as the Vice Presidential candidate in the second half of 2004.

Congressman Dick Gephardt has focused most of his campaigning energy on the Iowa primary and the labor vote. He is currently running neck and neck with Howard Dean in this important primary state. A loss there will finish Gephardt; a win for Gephardt in Iowa will make Dean seem less inevitable and bring at least a little more oxygen into the larger primary process.

Gephardt is currently going through the last month of a year-long Neptune transit to his natal Sun. When it passes in January, he may be willing to let go of his presidential aspirations and come back down to earth. He has also just completed the empowering Pluto transit to his natal Mars, which has given him a decided boost in focus and charisma during the 2003 campaign cycle.

Although Gephardt has a few beneficial progressions that are worth noting, the only significant activation comes up just before and during the Iowa primary (1/17/04) and then dissipates. Currently, his progressed Jupiter is quincunx his natal Mars, ruler of the important career-indicating Midheaven. This progression has been building since January 2003 and continues through April 2005. From early December 2003 through January 21, 2004, transiting Jupiter will be square to Gepahrdt’s natal Mars, thus triggering the Jupiter/ Mars energy going on in his chart. This suggests a time of success and expansion of career potential and at least some level of triumph in Iowa - if not a win, then perhaps a close second. After that, the air seems to go out of his campaign.

Like meat thrown to starving dogs, the newly-declared candidacy of Wesley Clark has aroused and greatly energized the Democratic faithful. For those not already smitten with Howard Dean, Clark’s candidacy offers hope of a new and potent weapon that can be deployed to crush the Incompetent Emperor. Already, only a week after his announcement, there are polls that show a Clark candidacy rushing to the top of the Democratic ladder and smiting the increasingly vulnerable Bush.

Struggling to find his footing in the treacherous terrain of the political landscape, Clark has already stumbled over a key issue: how he would have dealt with the war resolution passed by Congress last fall. The tentative and recalibrated positions he has espoused have called into question whether or not he is ready to plunge into the deep end of the political pool. His domestic policy positions are somewhat murky as well. It seems Clark will need a Rhodes Scholar-level crash course over the next few weeks just to catch up. But for the moment, his star is rising despite recent mishaps, and the people hunger to hear more from this new beacon of light in a dark world.

Unfortunately, we have no birth time for General Clark (d.o.b.12/23/44), which is always a huge handicap in attempting predictions. Nonetheless, there are several planetary indications that are worthy of discussion. It is generally some form of very strong Venus energy that renders the candidate appealing and attractive to the popular imagination. Currently, Clark’s progressed Venus is square to his progressed Node from May 2003 through June 2004. This, in turn, will meld into the progression of Venus to his natal Node from May 2004 through July 2005. This aspect is currently triggered by the transit of Pluto (quincunx), from June 8 through October 7, 2003. The highly charged Venusian nature of this period has brought with it a burgeoning support for a Clark candidacy which has grown to such an extent that he has now declared himself in the race. We can expect his popularity to be quite strong during these early weeks through October 7. Other pockets of intensified popularity will come when Jupiter triggers this aspect by sextile from 11/27 through 12/6/03 and 1/17 through 2/2/04 and when Uranus triggers it by a semisquare from 2/1 through 2/18/04. The latter times are during the Democratic primaries, which suggest that Clark will make a reasonably good showing during this early primary period.

Continuing with the Venus theme, we find this progressed Venus/Node aspect is again activated at the end of the Democratic Convention for a few days by Jupiter sextile to natal Node (7/28 through 8/1/04), and by a Uranus semisquare for an extended period from September through December 2004, the height of the campaign season. Finally, Jupiter will square this progression from early January through mid February 2005. Thus, we see a pattern emerging of an especially strong appeal and popularity for Clark during the most critical times: currently through October 7, 2003; the early primaries through mid-February; the Democratic convention; the height of the campaign, September through December 2004; and the month of the Inauguration and shortly thereafter.

There are three other astrological configurations coming in General Clark’s chart that further help to understand the coming 18 months. As of December, transiting Pluto will move to conjunct Clark’s Mars. This will bring him into a yearlong period of very focused, powerful energy that will surely be used to hone his campaign and make bold attacks against Bush. This transit is especially strong during all of December 2003 and from late May through October 2004, during which time we will see a far more aggressive and strong side of Clark than we are witnessing now under an intensified Venus.

The one aspect that suggests some difficulties for Clark comes from the station of Saturn in early 2004 that will sit on Clark’s Saturn and square his Neptune. We can expect this Saturn influence to impact Clark from mid-January through mid-April 2004. I think it will force the General to stay very grounded in his statements. He will be challenged on anything that is the least bit unrealistic and in any area where he doesn’t have any real expertise. It is also possible that Clark will be forced to reevaluate some of his ambitions and goals and put them in a more realistic and modest perspective. Perhaps he will shift toward becoming the Vice Presidential candidate at this point. Because this period is also a time when I expect the US to be militarily very active (transiting Pluto station opposite US Mars), it may also take a great deal of finesse to oppose Bush and at the same time support America in its endeavors. Clark may be walking a very fine line around then.

The final aspect of significance in Clark’s chart worth discussing is the transit of Neptune across his Venus from March through June 2004 and again during all of January 2005. This is an aspect that suggests an almost transcendent feeling of love for all humanity. It elevates the feeling life to great heights. This could suggest that Clark will be enjoying great popularity at that time and his first real experience of swarming and adoring political crowds that he truly wants to serve. It is significant that it is felt all during January 2005 at the time of the Inauguration.

Without a birth time, there is still a great deal of important information missing from this picture. I have found very little to suggest that Clark will be engaged in the Herculean task of the presidency come 2005. But this could easily change with the relevant birth data. I also am continuing to keep my eye on John Kerry, whose astrological picture shows great promise, despite his current lagging in the polls. It may be that these two will join forces on the 2004 ticket: either Clark/Kerry or Kerry/Clark. I would anticipate great success either way.

Representative Dennis Kucinich, born 10/8/46 at 5:53 PM in Cleveland, has a fiery Aries Ascendant, ruled by Mars in the indomitable sign of Scorpio. He charges forth with proposals that are bold and groundbreaking, honest and forthright while heedless of the naysayers. Here we see Aries in action, as the warrior willing to lead the way in uncharted waters. In addition, Kucinich’s Venus is in exact opposition to Mercury in the Democratic Party chart, suggesting a real attunement to the Democratic mind.

Currently, the process unfolding amongst the numerous Democratic contenders offers each of them the opportunity to contribute ideas to the evolving platform. Seed thoughts bounce back and forth amongst the candidates, nurturing the soil of inspiration. Kucinich is very much involved in this profound and creative energy. In addition, his proposals are significantly to the left of center, providing a clear marker for the left-wing boundary, and enabling many of the others to appear quite moderate by comparison.

My investigation of Kucinich’s astrological picture shows nothing that would suggest a sharp rise in popularity or a likely win. Saturn crosses his IC three times between July 2003 and April 2004 and then moves to square his Sun and Ascendant in June 2004. These aspects suggest difficulties and obstruction, completely unmitigated by more promising configurations. In addition, Pluto will be square his Moon from November 2003 until October 2004, suggesting an emotional vulnerability and intensity that may remain hidden from view, but is likely to be somewhat uncomfortable. It seems likely that Kucinich’s energy and boldness will be his very valuable contribution to the Democratic tide amassing to oppose the Philistine Colossus that currently is running the country.

Senator Bob Graham (11/9/36, Coral Gables, Florida) is a former governor and current, very popular senator from Florida. His main thrust so far in the presidential campaign has been to challenge George Bush on national security issues, an area where the Commander-in-Chief has seemed invulnerable. Graham has forcefully contended that Bush’s focus on Iraq has been a crippling distraction from the War on Terror that has enabled Al Qaida to reconstitute and remobilize. He has further charged that the administration is consciously covering up the truth about its inept prelude to 9/11. These charges have been picked up to some extent by the other candidates and by the press and are likely to proliferate as the Democratic Party campaign machine evolves in this election cycle. Whatever happens to Graham as a candidate, he has broken the spell that paralyzed criticism of Our Leader in matters relating to national security. This is a huge contribution to the Cause.

Unfortunately, there is no available birth time for Bob Graham, and so a great deal of significant astrological information is missing. Nonetheless, some fairly striking aspects over the coming two years suggest that Senator Graham will not be moving into a quiet retirement.

In Senator Graham’s natal chart there is a striking Venus/North Node/Jupiter conjunction that will be hit by Pluto from January 2004 through November 2006. This natal configuration is perhaps the central indicator in his chart of great success, popularity, and positive accomplishment. It seems likely that with Pluto crossing these sensitive points over the next few years, Graham’s career will achieve a new pinnacle of success and acclaim.

The first phase of these coming aspects is the transit of Pluto over natal Venus, where it makes a station from January through May 2004, and then returns in October and November 2004. An increase in charisma and magnetic appeal to the masses is likely during this transit, which coincides with the primary season and returns during the height of the coming election campaign. In addition, converse progressed Venus will be conjunct natal Mars from the summer of 2004 through the summer of 2005, lending a further shot of popularity and attraction.

Also of interest in Graham’s chart are the aspects that follow the election, which suggest some enhancement of his power, though not right away. Beginning around May 2005 through at least 2007, there are several aspects that suggest Graham will be in the thick of some dynamic activities and wielding power of some kind. The relevant aspects are: progressed Sun opposite progressed Pluto; progressed Sun opposite natal Pluto; transiting Pluto conjunct the natal Jupiter/Node conjunction; and transiting Pluto square natal Mars. It would seem that Graham’s very outstanding career in politics will continue to unfold over the next few years, perhaps more likely in a vice-presidential or cabinet role, but one in which he will excel and greatly contribute.

Governor Dean has become exceptionally popular among the left wing of the Democratic Party base. His courageous anti-war stance in an atmosphere of demagoguery and military marching music has been nothing short of heroic. Recently, his birth time has become available, enabling us to do more comprehensive calculations (11/17/48; 7:21 PM; New York, New York).

Unfortunately, the added data confirms my previous prediction: Governor Dean is unlikely to win the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Two significant patterns contribute to this analysis. The first is that his most promising planetary indicators of popularity and attraction peak in March 2004. The second is an increase in the limiting and repressive element of Saturn impacting him from August 2003 onward.

Dean's current incredible magnetism may be attributed to two very strong Venus progressions. His converse progressed Venus, currently exactly conjunct natal Pluto, will begin to wane by mid-June 2003. This will be overlapped and then followed by converse progressed Venus conjunct converse progressed Pluto, which begins to wane by mid-March 2004. These aspects intensify his attractiveness to the public, charisma, and passion.

In addition, Dean's converse progressed Sun is currently square to his natal Jupiter, also peaking by mid-March 2004. This aspect is especially strong through the summer of 2003 while converse progressed Uranus remains in exact opposition to Jupiter, creating a Sun/Uranus/Jupiter T-square. This configuration has been a contributor to Dean's early successes with the Democratic base, giving him a reputation for outspokenness and a willingness to defy a status quo supportive of Bush's war. With the Sun/Jupiter energy continuing unil early March 2004, Dean will continue to demonstrate a measured success until that time.

The second significant pattern suggesting an unsuccessful candidacy is the increase in Saturn energy. The difficulties for Dean begin in August 2003, when Saturn comes to Dean's Ascendant (9 Cancer), moving over this sensitive point three times between August 2003 and May 2004. He may appear somewhat stiff, overly serious, and harsh, lacking in the charm and warmth necessary in a 21st Century candidate wooing the media-crazed American electorate. Dean's natal chart has a Saturn/ Moon square and Saturn/ Venus semisquare, both suggestive of periodic difficulties regarding emotional tightness and social discomfort. These difficult tendencies are likely to be be brought out during the coming Saturn transit, especially in early January 2004 and in late April and early May 2004.

In late March through mid-August 2004, transiting Uranus will make a station opposite to Dean's natal Saturn. This suggests a series of events that are likely to upset the Governor and cause sudden shifts and changes in his perspective. One possibility here is that he will likely not be offered the Vice Presidential nomination, despite expectations. It is quite clear that he will not be happy with the outcome of the Democratic Convention given that transiting Saturn will be square his natal Venus during that significant political event and for a few days thereafter.

The biblical triumph of David over Goliath is the archetypal story of the defeat of the bully. David, empowered by devotion to his spiritual faith, symbolic of truth and virtue, defeats the barbaric and brutish Philistine, Goliath. Significantly, David is unable to fight encumbered with the traditional sword and armor, but instead uses a simple sling and stone. This perfectly aimed bit of rock hits Goliath in the center of his forehead, where he is unprotected and vulnerable to a lethal blow.

The Goliath-like bullying tactics of the Bush administration are well known throughout today’s world. The orchestrated riot used to shut down the ballot counting in Florida 2000, the shameless and manipulative campaign tactics, and the recent arm-twisting, threats, and bribes used to get a UN Security Council Resolution, all demonstrate this administration’s willingness to use aggressive and threatening tactics – economic, military, rhetorical, and strategic – to further its goals. Indeed, the entire Iraqi war enterprise, a manifestation of the recently published Strategic Policy Review, has been an exercise in global bullying on a breathtaking scale.

In the meantime, Democrats are fast reaching a critical moment of decision. Who will play the role of David in the looming battle with the philistine Republican behemoth? Who will go one-on-one with George Bush on the 2004 presidential battlefield? Who can aim the stone that wields the deathblow to this corrupt, incompetent, and brutish administration?

Below, I will briefly look at the upcoming trends in the charts of Senator Tom Daschle, Representative Richard Gephardt, Governor Howard Dean, Senator John Edwards, Senator John Kerry, and Senator Joseph Lieberman, each a potential presidential contender.

There are some definite indications that point to Senator Daschle growing bolder in his ongoing battle with the Republican opposition, through 2004. He will be moving from the transit of Pluto to his natal Sun in 2002 to the progression of his Sun opposite progressed Pluto in 2003 to the progression of his Sun opposite natal Pluto in 2004. All of these configurations strengthen his position of power and prominence and bring him into an intense power struggle with the opposition. This Sun/Pluto series ends around 12/04, however, which suggests to me a decrease in prominence after 2004. This could be because the leadership mantle of the party is taken over by a Democratic president at that time. It is also possible he will give up his role as the leading Senate Democrat. Clearly, this does not signal a presidential win for him.

Look for Daschle to be more outspoken and aggressive during the following periods: January 2003, when transiting Jupiter first trines his Ascendant and then triggers the progressed Sun opposite progressed Pluto; April through June 2003, when transiting Uranus opposes his natal Mars and triggers progressed Mars conjunct natal Mars; February 2004, when Uranus returns to oppose Mars once again.

Richard Gephardt has been in a funk lately, with several Saturn activations during the election cycle and beyond. The big one is converse progressed Sun quincunx natal Saturn, activating the natal square, and continuing full strength through May 2003. This will continue to oppress him through Spring 2003.

From September through November 2002, there was also the transit of Neptune conjunct his Descendant and square his natal Saturn. Add to this the tertiary progressed MC conjunct natal Saturn that peaked on election day, and you have the setting for the recent crisis that transpired when Gephardt supported Bush’s War Resolution. The perception of weakness was enhanced by the Neptune transit, and the MC/Saturn progression suggested wrong career choices that carried a big price.

Gephardt will move out of the doldrums by June 2003 and will be speaking out more and more in criticism of the administration. Despite some perceived weakness in July and December 2003 when Neptune crosses his Sun, the general trend will be more aggressive and focused. Pluto will be conjunct his natal Mars and triggering the progressed Jupiter quincunx Mars. We can expect some very strong rhetoric around October through November 2003, during a time of great crisis for the Bush administration.

Gephardt will continue to be quite aggressive during the second half of 2004 and throughout 2005 as progressed Mars comes into opposition with his natal Pluto. However, there is little to suggest popularity during this period, and, in fact, there is some suggestion of a lack thereof. Saturn will be squaring his Venus in August 2004, just after the Democratic Convention, and in January 2005. Thus, though it looks as though he will be actively pursuing the presidency during 2003 and early 2004, his chances of catching the public’s imagination as a winner are very dim. He may, however, prove to be an effective and tireless campaigner for the nominee or a strong spokesperson against administration policy from the House chamber.

Howard Dean, the current Governor of Vermont, is something of a political dark horse in terms of national politics, but he has a very strong and devoted following. It seems likely that Dean will ride a crest of popularity through 2003, with his campaign gaining some momentum. I do not have an accurate birth time for Governor Dean, but using a noon birth, some significant progressions show up. Converse progressed Sun will be square natal Jupiter throughout 2003. This triggers the larger and slower converse progressed Uranus opposite natal Jupiter that continues until early 2005. This Jupiter/Sun/Uranus combination suggests a large outpouring of expansive, ebullient, and creative energy in 2003. There will also be a strong undercurrent of passionate feeling and attraction suggested by converse progressed Venus conjunct natal Pluto throughout 2003.

Significantly, converse progressed Sun moves into a square with natal Uranus for a year beginning in August 2003, leaving the square to Jupiter by early 2004. At this point there are upsets, changes, and sudden shifts in the campaign, clearly manifesting during the primary season of 2004. The period from late March to mid August 2004 indicates some obstacles and difficulties. In particular, transiting Saturn will be square Dean’s Venus during the Democratic Convention in late July 2004, suggesting he is not entirely happy with the events there. In addition, Uranus makes a station opposite his natal Saturn from late March through mid-August, and tertiary progressed Sun will be conjunct tertiary progressed Saturn from mid-June to mid-July. Perhaps there is a hope of being the Vice Presidential nominee that gets disappointed during this period.

Interestingly, Dean’s chart suggests tremendous energy, power, and popularity come 2005. What exactly this will entail is unclear, but Pluto will conjunct his Mars, and progressed Venus will conjunct his Jupiter, so great things are possible.

Beginning in January 2003, Senator Edwards will experience the transit of Pluto opposite his Sun and sesquiquadrate his Venus for much of the year. This will add a boldness and intensity to his rhetoric and deeds in Congress. The general trend with Senator Edwards over the next few years is one of great popularity and success, running from Spring 2003 through at least mid-2009, with some periods of intense difficulty in the midst of this general mood. Progressed Jupiter will be semisquare his natal Venus from May 2003 through November 2008, joined by progressed Jupiter conjunct his natal Sun from January 2004 through June 2009. These are spectacular progressions for success and popularity. There is some question about how much the Uranus/Saturn opposition between October 2008 and February 2009 that falls directly square his Sun will interfere with the general level of protection gleaned from this tremendously strong Jupiter presence. With natal Sun trine natal Saturn, we may expect Edwards to weather this storm fairly well.

Other very positive influences in Edwards' forecast include the converse progression of Venus sextile his natal Sun (May 2003 through April 2005) and the progression of Venus conjunct his natal Mars (December 2004 through November 2005). Again, we find charisma, charm, and popularity with these strong Venus aspects, running very strong from late 2003 through 2005.

But there are some significant questions as to whether these lovely aspects will actually move Edwards to the presidency. There is the station of Saturn on his natal Ascendant from September through November 2003. Then, from late May 2004 through late September 2004, there are a series of strong Saturn influences, several to Edwards’ Moon, that signal a period of some sadness, seriousness, difficulty, and grief. It is possible that these times have less to do with presidential politics and more to do with sorrow and struggle over issues befalling the nation during a very turbulent time (see Timeline) or personal issues. But there is no way of knowing at this point.

The significant Saturn aspects during Spring and Summer 2004 are as follows: transiting Saturn conjunct natal Ascendant (5/23 to 6/1/04); converse progressed Moon square converse progressed Saturn (6/1 to 7/1/04); transiting Saturn square natal Saturn/Neptune, semisquare natal Moon (8/1 to 8/14/04); converse progressed Moon square natal Saturn (8/25 to 9/25/04); progressed Moon opposite natal Saturn (8/25 to 9/25/04); and progressed Moon opposite progressed Saturn (9/19 to 10/19/04). In Edwards' natal chart, there is a sesquiquadrate between the Moon and Saturn. Although this is a minor hard aspect and has minimal impact much of the time, it does make Edwards sensitive to transits and progressions between the Moon and Saturn. This series includes five different aspects covering five months. There will be some significant difficulties for Edwards during this period. If these aspects are part of the presidential politics picture, I think they suggest a loss of the Democratic presidential nomination. The Vice Presidential nomination remains possible, with a strong, though brief, Jupiter transit right after the convention.

Very powerful, positive energies return without encumbrance for Edwards from late October 2004 onward. If he is the presidential nominee, he will be very likely to win, despite the somber period during the campaign. Tertiary progressed Venus will cross his natal Ascendant, then semisquare his Sun for four months. In addition, converse progressed Mars will be square his natal Pluto from December 2004 through May 2006. This brings a very aggressive, assertive, and focused energy to all that Edwards will attempt, while he remains under the general benefic influence of progressed Jupiter conjunct the Sun.

With Al Gore suddenly out of the presidential horse race, John Kerry has shot to the top of many polls as the current front runner. Interestingly, this change happened almost to the day when transiting Pluto came into a one-degree orb of Kerry’s Sun, bringing him into a role of increased prominence and power. With Pluto conjunct Kerry’s first house Sun from now through November 2003, we will see the Senator grow in stature and charismatic presence.

What is perhaps most striking in Kerry’s natal chart is the exceptionally strong Saturn influence: Saturn is conjunct the Moon, opposite the Sun, and square the Midheaven, altogether forming a tight T-square. This suggests a steady, serious, responsible, and very sober personality. There is little in the chart to suggest the warm and appealing nature of a Bill Clinton or the back-slapping (supposed) charm of George Bush. However, strength of character, integrity, perseverance, and depth are all qualities of Saturn. Although, generally, the easy charm and appeal of a strong natal Venus is an important component in a successful candidate, it is not impossible that by 2004, the country will hunger for someone who is able to demonstrate the positive attributes of Saturn. That would be someone whose conscientiousness and thoughtfulness preclude jumping into ill-conceived policies calculated for short-sighted political gain and disastrous for the long-term good of the nation. The 2005 Inaugural Chart has a great deal of Saturn energy and none of the reckless aggression of Bush’s Inaugural Mars/ Uranus square, suggesting a time of hard work and struggle during the four years it describes. It is conceivable that Kerry’s sense of responsibility and integrity will resonate with the times.

From January until early April 2003, Saturn will return to its natal position in Kerry’s chart. During that period his somewhat stiff and serious nature will be much in evidence. Whether this will ultimately prove to be a liability for his campaign or an asset is yet to be determined.

Also beginning in December 2002 and continuing through 2006, Kerry’s progressed Mars will be conjunct his natal Mars. This is a highly enterprising and aggressive progression that will highlight action, courage, and a pioneering spirit. Natally Mars is conjunct Uranus, which sits exactly on the Descendant. The very strong Uranian influence here adds a counterpoint to the dour Saturnine qualities in Kerry’s character. The willingness to break with tradition and the power of tremendously creative thought are attributes of Uranus that always work in concert with Kerry’s Mars. These will be much in evidence between mid-March and mid-August 2004, when transiting Uranus squares his natal Ascendant and natal Uranus. Returning in January and February 2005, these Uranian periods are also likely to bring unexpected and transformative events that cause significant and sudden changes for Kerry, as well as catapulting him into a whirlwind of activity.

There are several indications that Kerry will indeed win the Democratic presidential nomination. The Democratic Convention, scheduled for July 25 thorough 29, 2004, comes during the transit of Jupiter square to Kerry’s Sun, suggesting that he will be in an expansive and optimistic mood. This transit peaks a few days after the Convention. Within a few days, Jupiter moves to conjunct Kerry’s Midheaven through mid-August, an extraordinarily propitious indication of success. In addition, as mentioned above, transiting Uranus will come back into a one-degree orb of the square to Kerry’s Ascendant at this time, suggesting powerful changes in his status and an abundance of enterprise.

In the ever-important domain of charm and attraction, Kerry does have several progressions involving Venus, between August 2004 and November 2005, that will enable him to survive the image-obsessed world of American politics with skill and aplomb and, quite likely, win the Presidency if he runs. His basic visceral appeal will be very strong during this period. The significant aspects are: progressed Venus quincunx natal Moon (8/04 through 6/05); tertiary progressed Venus conjunct natal Ascendant (9/1/04 to 10/1/04); progressed Moon sextile natal Venus (10/1/04 to 11/1/04); tertiary progressed Venus opposite natal Uranus (10/1/04 to 11/1/04); transiting Uranus trine natal Venus (9/04 through 12/04); and progressed Ascendant square natal Venus (1/05 through 11/05). These Venus aspects suggest a campaign with great appeal and a potential presidential honeymoon that will last through much of 2005.

Currently, Senator Lieberman is gaining a boost in the polls due to Al Gore’s withdrawal. In some parts of the country, most notably New York, he is running almost even with Kerry. The planetary indicators suggest, however, that Lieberman’s popularity will crest early, around May 2003. By early 2004, he will enjoy another slight boost in the polls, but things will rapidly unravel for his campaign thereafter. The relevant aspects here are: progressed Sun square natal Venus (5/02 through 5/03); progressed Venus square progressed Jupiter (2/03 through 2/04). It is the waning of these two aspects that will leave Lieberman without that aura of attraction so necessary in a political candidate. The sudden awakening to his shift in status is likely to come as Uranus crosses Lieberman’s Sun for the first time in late March and early April 2004.

There is little else to suggest a victory for Lieberman as we near the July 2004 Convention or the November 2004 election. The only other noteworthy aspect for him over the next two years is the transit of Neptune over his Mercury, ruler of his Midheaven, during 2003. This suggests unrealistic hopes that eventually are disappointed.