Nancy’s Blog

For the last few weeks, we have been watching the Straight Talk Express repeatedly crash into the rocks. Some highlights of this ongoing drama have included McCain economic advisor Phil Gramm’s “nation of whiners” moment and Prime Minister Maliki’s very public support of Obama’s exit plan from Iraq. At present, Obama is on a whirlwind European and Middle East tour with so many magic moments that McCain and his gang have resorted to blaming the press for “loving” Obama too much.

But self-pity and whining do not a great campaign make. And so, McCain is now on the attack, charging Obama with a willingness to “lose a war in order to win an election”. Nasty, nasty stuff.

The astrological pattern of all of this is quite clear: Saturn has crossed McCain’s Sun, exact on July 18 and now separating, and converse Moon has been opposite McCain’s Saturn, exact on July 20 and now separating. These configurations have brought frustration, difficulty, and the recent touchiness about not being “loved” as much as the new guy.

The current phase of increasing aggression in McCain has only just begun, as his progressed Moon moves into a conjunction with progressed Mars (26Virgo59), within a degree orb and waxing from August 5 through September 7, somewhat coincidental with progressed Moon semisquare natal Mars (12Leo18) from August 18 through September 18. That irritable and angry tone we have been hearing from Senator McCranky lately will only get louder and more derisive in the coming weeks. The Teflon quality of Obama’s Jupiter transit, quincunx his Sun (12Leo33) through mid-September will push McCain into greater and greater realms of fury, potentially exploding at various times in the next month and a half, especially from August 12 to August 14 when Mars transits the progressed Moon/Mars conjunction.

Meanwhile, with transiting Uranus now back in orb of its square to US Mars (21Gemini23) as of July 22, dramatic and dangerous events are once again upon us. The Moon/Uranus conjunction on July 22 brought the need for the emergency landing of a plane containing several US Congressmen, including Ron Paul. In Texas, Hurricane Dolly is crashing into the coastal cities on the Gulf as of this writing. We can expect more wild, upsetting, and unexpected circumstances through August with this aspect becoming exact on August 26. Violence, severe accidents, extreme economic volatility, and dangerous weather-related events are all possible, as are brutal military confrontations and significant attacks in Afghanistan and Iraq. Of particular danger will be August 5 through August 7, when transiting Mars will oppose transiting Uranus, and August 22 through August 24 when first transiting Mercury and then transiting Venus will oppose transiting Uranus. With the Democratic Convvention beginning on August 25, rather heated protests and disturbances cannot be ruled out and should be handled carefully.

In the midst of all of this tumult, however, Jupiter will make a station in opposition to the US Sun (13Cancer19) from August 4 through September 30. This transit implies optimism and a renewed sense of a belief in America. We are already seeing more hope regarding the outcome of the war in Iraq, with the violence generally down and a sense of some possible light at the end of this long dark tunnel. There may also be some military events that move in America’s favor and strengthen this positive narrative during these eight weeks, as well as some unexpected and hopeful economic news. We should enjoy this boost while we can, for some significant and difficult circumstances are likely at the end of the year, especially from late November onward, that may set the stage for the profound struggles of the next few years (see previous post).

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There is a dark mood in the nation. Not only has King George the Imbecile pushed us over a cliff and into the sea, but he has weighted us down with rocks. Gas prices climb ever higher, dragging up the cost of everything but the equity in our homes and the value of our stock portfolios, which are plummeting. The war in Iraq is a messy quagmire, with any move to extricate ourselves requiring the courage needed to rip open an ill-healing wound. Afghanistan, meanwhile, looms as another potential sinkhole, not mended when the time was ripe, and now demanding a heavy penance in blood and treasure. And, over everything, hangs our massive and ever-expanding debt to China and our debilitating dependence on foreign oil, reminders of our growing inability to manifest the basic material requirements of the independence and freedom about which we like to brag.

It is in this toxic soup that our next president will begin his captaincy of the ship of state. If, as we hope, that president is Barack Obama, he will easily be able to pluck some of the lower hanging fruit, such as opening up the coffers to stem cell research or reinvigorating the Justice Department, thus offering us some hope that this topsy turvy world may yet right itself. But the deeper problems are far more intransigent and will take years to mend. For this we will need patience, endurance, and a belief in a longer-term vision that enables us to deal with the short-term strains. Unfortunately, the Bush Recession is likely to intensify before it breaks, severely restricting the hand of change we can believe in.

With the waning days of George Bush, we are seeing the last gasp of Pluto in Sagittarius. Bush’s inability to live within any limitation has been the hallmark of this 13-year-long planetary signature, exemplified by a presidency that ended nuclear treaties, blurred the lines between justice and politics, between politics and religion, and between war mongering and God. Regulation and restraint of all kinds went out the window under the expansive and freedom-loving Sagittarius, and this defenestration has led to the home mortgage and banking crisis of recent months, as well as the excesses of the unitary executive and the neocon lust for global hegemony manifested in the ill-conceived war in Iraq.

Although we had a taste of Pluto in Capricorn in the early months of 2008, and, with it, an indication of the crash that comes when unbridled exuberance (Sagittarius) meets reality and the need for discipline (Capricorn), the real paying of the piper for our wild binge will come when Pluto returns to Capricorn in late November 2008 and remains there until January 2024. Increasing restrictions and discipline are likely to manifest. Economically, this will mean greater regulation in terms of policy, as well as more cautious and restrained spending habits personally. Politically, many nations may see more authoritarianism in their leadership. Attempts will be made by governments and mass movements to curb the growing strangle-hold of the global corporations, and this battle is likely to go through many stages until Pluto is out of Capricorn. With Pluto’s penchant for excess to the point of self-annihilation, the corporate domination and the intensifying restrictions are likely to push too far over the next decade and a half and ultimately implode, leading to the Pluto in Aquarius period (2024 to 2043) when a global sense of community, leadership, and organization will become the primary impetus in the world as it moves forward.

At present, from May through July 21, 2008, transiting Uranus is opposite US Neptune (22Virgo25) and blasting our illusions (Neptune), mostly in the form of a vast deflating of the housing bubble and a wake-up call (Uranus) about financial structures built on wishful thinking (Neptune). Although hard to imagine with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac collapsing in recent days, some optimism may return in August and September when Jupiter stations opposite the US Sun (13Cancer19). With Uranus square US Mars in late July and August and Uranus squaring Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s Sun/Jupiter opposition (born 12/13/53) at the same time, some new and innovative actions and maneuverings may seem to save the day, at least in the short run.

As I have discussed repeatedly, the 2008 Spring Equinox chart, drawn for Washington, DC, describes sudden, upsetting circumstances that dramatically impact the physical US and its citizens from late March 2008 through March 2009. This is indicated by Uranus exactly square the Ascendant (19Sagittarius16) in that chart. We have already seen historically widespread flooding and destruction in the Midwest and massive wildfires impacting California. Of further concern is the return of Uranus to the exact square of the Spring Equinox Ascendant from September 28 through October 28, 2008, and from November 27, 2008, through January 3, 2009. This configuration suggests the possibility of dramatic, upsetting, and sudden events that impact the physical US and the citizens who dwell in the areas affected, including the possibility of a Katrina-like weather-related or natural disaster or even a terrorist attack of some kind. Given the precarious state of the US economy at present, the long Saturn station square US Mars from late November 2008 through January 20, 2009, and the fact that this Saturn station will square Ben Bernanke’s Sun/Jupiter opposition and quincunx Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson’s (3/28/46) Venus, it seems very likely the difficulties of this period will include significant economic turmoil. Unfortunately, this stressful scenario will set the scene for the next administration as it takes control in January 2009.

It is also in January that the Pluto transit square the US MC (1Libra53) during 2009 and opposite US Venus (3Cancer06) during 2009 and 2010 will begin to take hold on the national psyche. This powerful Pluto transit will signal the slow and profound transformation of the reputation of the US (MC), its alliances, and its diplomatic endeavors (7^th house Venus). Pluto opposing Venus may also intensify the focus on economic issues and bring an undercurrent of anxiety and struggle to the nation. The full brunt of George Bush’s disastrous policies, however, is not likely to be realized until late 2009 through September 2012, a time of significant difficulty economically when business ventures and capital will generally contract and need to recalibrate. It will be a time of needed discipline, regulation, and cautious policy. Small, practical steps will work better than any kind of dramatic, grandiose schemes. America will need to learn the lessons of cooperation, humility, and belt-tightening in order to traverse this long Saturn period effectively. Saturn will conjunct the US MC, square US Venus, Jupiter, the Sun, Mercury, and Pluto, as well as return to its own place during these two and half years.

Of great signficance during this period will be the movement of Uranus, the planet of dramatic innovation and powerful breaking from the past, into Aries, signifying the end of an entire journey through the zodiac for this planet and the beginning of a new cycle of ingenuity for humanity. Uranus is the ruler of Aquarius and therefore the ruler of Obama’s Aquarian Ascendant and the US Aquarian Moon. Thus, a very strong impetus towards new, innovative, and bold transformation will take hold in the US, first being felt from June through August 2010 and taking firm root by March 2011. By late 2010 and 2011, however, with Saturn conjunct US Saturn (14Libra48) and square the US Sun(13Cancer19) three times each, as well as Uranus conjunct US IC (1Aries53), there will be a great deal of turmoil, upset, and difficulty to stimulate this strong impulse to seek ground-breaking and unanticipated solutions.

By late 2012, the US will have weathered the worst of the necessary shifting and straining to get itself back on some kind of firm footing. By June 2012, however, the Uranus/Pluto square will begin, impacting humanity from mid-2012 through 2015, and bringing dramatic transformation, rebellion, and awakening in its path. This potent aspect will impact the US most profoundly in 2014 and 2015 when Uranus and Pluto will each make a hard aspect to the US Sun (13Cancer19), likely stimulating the US president (the Sun) to act in dramatic and transformative ways to deal with a signficant and possibly crisis situation of some kind.

In summary, it seems we are now seeing the first indications of a very difficult time economically in the US, with a possible window of optimism in August and September 2008, followed by some serious event(s) at the end of the year that may push us into a very challenging recession. The most pressing trials may not come until late 2009, extending into 2012, as the US struggles to recalibrate and reregulate the many threads that will ultimately allow for the renewal of a robust economy.

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Much of the vitriol recently aimed at Senator Barack Obama over his purported “move to the center” is dissipating as Uranus separates from its months-long opposition to his Mars. Coming up on the horizon instead is the increasingly anticipated Obama world tour including stops in the Middle East and Europe and the accompaniment of the glitziest of the American news anchors. The transit of Saturn across Obama’s Pluto (6Virgo59) for the duration of the trip implies he will be cautious and circumspect, as well as feel somewhat constrained by the enormous media attention and the demands of increased security. Nonetheless, there will also be a strong Venus component to the journey, always a good thing when one wants to be diplomatic and well-liked. Venus will cross his Sun (12 Leo) on the day he is in Jerusalem (7/22), suggesting a successful meeting there, and reach his Descendant (18 Leo) by July 26 and 27 just after his return to the US. The umbrella of progressed Venus conjunct his natal Node (27 Leo) is ever-present, reaching its peak in mid-October and continuing to strengthen Obama’s personal charisma over the next three months. This will be intensified on July 20 when the Moon crosses 27 Aquarius later in the day. It is possible he will be in either Iraq or Afghanistan at this point, though his exact schedule is being kept under wraps at present.

It seems likely the trip will be quite successful due to the strong planetary picture that comes thereafter. Jupiter will be semisquare Obama’s Midheaven for the first 9 days of August followed by the long Jupiter station quincunx his Sun from August 13 through September 11. This suggests a period of consolidating success, expansion, and optimism. The glow continues into the fall as progressed Venus moves into orb of progressed Uranus (28 Leo), triggered by transiting Jupiter in September (13 Capricorn). A series of minor but significant aspects involving Venus and Jupiter continue well into November to indicate the positive feelings and optimism associated with a likely victory at the polls (progressed Moon sesquiquadrate natal Venus, converse progressed Moon quincunx natal Jupiter, and transiting Jupiter sesquiquadrate natal Moon).

As for Senator John McCain, the magnetism and appeal necessary for a victory has been in no way evident. Instead, More-of-the-Same McCain bumps along from one metaphorical pothole to another leaving the impression of meager understanding and endless ineptitude, both cloaked in a ghoulish grimace. The increasing Saturn activity in McCain’s chart in July (conjunct natal Sun, converse Moon opposite Saturn) and from September onward (Uranus conjunct natal Saturn, Saturn square natal Jupiter, Saturn conjunct natal Neptune, and Saturn opposite natal Saturn) suggest he will be increasingly eclipsed by Obama’s rock star (Venus/Node, Venus/Uranus) status. To my mind the biggest question is: how big of a mess will Obama inherit come January. My next post will begin to explore this issue.

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I will be taking a month off from blogging, planning to return in early August.

Have a nice July. I will see you pre-Convention.

Nancy

On edit: Some things to watch for as the month progresses:

Better news and more optimism in general due to Jupiter moving toward a station opposing the US Sun. We have already seen North Korea blowing up its nuclear facility and Pakistan fighting the terrorists themselves. This trend will intensify through September.

Increasing aggression and military expansionism through August due to Uranus moving back to opposition US Mars and Jupiter opposite US Sun. See today’s latest Seymour Hersh article.

See you in a month.

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Although John McCain lumbers onward with occasional moments of near-effectiveness, his campaign has drawn little enthusiasm from the base and struggles to bring in the cash needed to fight the rapidly coalescing Obama juggernaut. There are even some whisperings that McCain may withdraw around the time of the GOP convention in early September and leave the field to some as-yet-unidentified Republican superstar. This narrative, however, is likely to be more fantasy than reality.

If McCain were to withdraw, the time frame would probably be during the first three weeks of July or not at all. It is during this period, especially from July 8 to July 20, that McCain will be feeling enormous stress and extreme pressure as various problems press upon him. Transiting Saturn will be conjunct his 6Virgo01 Sun (7/8 to 7/18) and converse Moon will oppose his 20Pisces09 Saturn (7/1 to 7/20). Organizational problems, health concerns, family issues, and other frustrations may cause difficulties.

However, with transiting Neptune quincunx McCain’s Venus (22Virgo47) from July 7 through August 18, the Republican presidential nominee is likely to remain hopeful in spite of the increasing odds against him. Moreover, from August 8 through September 18, he will seem somewhat invigorated and increasingly aggressive, likely surmounting for the time being the obstacles he faced in July. This is indicated by progressed Moon conjunct progressed Mars and progressed Moon semisquare natal Mars. Some irritability and impatience are also a possibility during this period. Unfortunately, we do not have a verified birth time for McCain, although the period between 8:30 AM and 11 AM is most commonly accepted. It is possible he may get a lift in August and September from the Jupiter station at 12 Capricorn should it square his Ascendant or oppose his MC.

In McCain’s birth chart, Venus (22Virgo47) conjuncts Neptune (16Virgo07) in opposition to Saturn (20Pisces09), with Saturn actually sitting on the Venus/Neptune midpoint. This aspect implies a comng down to earth after an illusory infatuation or emotional high. The transit of Saturn exactly across the Venus/Neptune midpoint from October 28 through November 10 suggests an enormous let-down for McCain after having been unrealistically hopeful, especially during the Neptune transit quincunx Venus in the summer. The prolonged Saturn station opposite McCain’s natal Saturn after the election for three months further points to a feeling of dissatisfaction, fatigue, loss, and disillusion, as well as possible health issues.

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The two most dangerous indicators in the US this year are the exact square in the Washington, DC, 2008 Spring Equinox chart between the Ascendant (19Sagittarius16) and Spring Equinox Uranus (19Pisces18) and the square from transiting Uranus to US Mars (21Gemini23). The former is in effect from March 2008 through March 2009 and is most evident when triggered by transits to 19 degrees, especially from mutable signs. It describes sudden, powerful, often destructive events that directly impact the US mainland and its population. The latter aspect is most keenly felt from April through August 2008 and in February 2009, with some less potent impact in between. It describes sudden, often violent, attacks, anger, and aggression, especially impacting the US military, as well as a great deal of agitation, disruption, and upset in the area of home and security in the US due to Mars’ rulership of the US 4^th house.

In the last several days we have seen both of these aspects triggered by transits from the Sun, Venus, and Mars, resulting, on the domestic front, in massive flooding and tremendous damage to several Midwestern states, especially Iowa. The final piece of this is the Mars transit quincunx transiting Uranus on June 17 and 18, still unfolding as I write, that is bringing further flooding, breeched levees, and destruction in the wake of a still-cresting Mississippi River.

The transiting Sun and Venus squares to Uranus and the transiting Mars quincunx to Uranus in the past week have greatly agitated events in Afghanistan as well. The Taliban militants staged a daring prison break on June 13 (Sun square Uranus) and, in the past few days, as Mars moved into its quincunx with Uranus, destroyed bridges, planted mines, and took over several villages. As Mars continues its aspect with Uranus though June 18 (June 19 in Afghanistan), a huge offensive is in process, launched by Afghan and NATO forces against the Taliban. Meanwhile, the deadliest car bomb in months struck Baghdad on June 16.

As we move toward the Summer Solstice on June 20, of great concern is the square in the 2008 Summer solstice chart drawn for Washington, DC, between the Ascendant (22Sagittarius53) and Uranus. This aspect, replicating and emphasizing the square in the Spring Equinox chart, would seem to underscore the potential for more destructive weather and other natural events during the summer months in the US. The Mars transit from August 1 through August 7 from 19 to 22 Virgo is likely to unleash several unexpected and dangerous incidents both at home and involving our soldiers abroad. July and August will also see Uranus moving back towards its exact square with the US Mars, as well as a Jupiter transit opposite the US Sun, and a heightened militaristic and expansionist mood is likely. In particular, the expansionism of Jupiter at this time could be very problematic with George Bush at the helm, and we can only hope he manages not to initiate further military complications during his final days, particularly in Iran.

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This year’s presidential campaign between Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain is beginning to look more like a comparison of the new iPhone, with all its 21^st Century wizardry and its promise of a bold and yet-uncharted future, with an old, wind-up watch that no longer keeps the time so well. It is more than apparent that Obama’s organization, fund-raising, command of the intricacies of the issues, and personal charisma are light-years ahead of anything McCain can even dream about. By contrast, the dismal experience of watching McCain give one of his leaden and ineffective speeches leaves one more with a sense of pity than an image of presidential power. Although the news media, ever with an eye on ratings, is promoting the narrative of a tight contest, it seems quite likely the case will become harder and harder to make.

Recently, the astrological world was gifted with a rare blessing: an iron-clad, accurate birth time for Barack Obama (8/4/61, 7:24 PM, Honolulu). His website posted a copy of Obama’s birth certificate to quell the latest wave of pernicious slime emanating from the sociopathic fringe of the right-wing scream machine. This cult of pathological liars’ most recent claim was that Obama had not been born in the good ol’ US of A. Fortunately, a copy of his Hawaiian birth certificate laid this calumny to rest and also gave us an accurate chart with which to work.

If Obama wins the presidency, he will follow 8 years of a callow, arrogant, tone-deaf administration that has alienated America from its friends, empowered its enemies, and weakened its clout in the world economically, politically, and even militarily. What Obama promises is a profound change of course for the country, both in domestic and foreign policy and process. In his campaign, he has talked a great deal about the importance of dialogue with both friends and enemies. John McCain, of course, has harrumphed mightily over this notion, sticking to the Bushian hard-line rigidity that has had such stellar results (sic). Moreover, the entire thrust of the astounding success of the Obama campaign so far is its message of inclusiveness, basically co-opting a slogan that is at the core of the American self-definition: out of many, one. He has told us repeatedly that if we work together for a common goal, we can achieve anything.

With Aquarius rising (18Aquairus03) and its ruler Uranus in the 7^th house conjunct the North Node, Obama perceives humanity as more united by its common threads than separated by its differences (Aquarius) and strives to bring people together for a united purpose while respecting their uniqueness (Uranus/Node in 7). He also has a tremendous capacity to think outside the box, bringing in new ideas and solutions to old problems (Uranus/Node square MC). Moreover, his Midheaven is in Scorpio (28Scorpio53) with its ruler, Pluto, also in the 7^th house. This suggests that the transformative power of Scorpio is manifested in Obama’s professional life by utilizing his deep insight and listening skills (Pluto) with both adversaries and allies. Pluto acts to shape and reveal what is hidden and in so doing transform the entire dynamic.

Lending further credence to Obama’s promised role of diplomat-in-chief is his very strong 5^th house Venus, ruler of the 7^th house of partnerships and open enemies and of the 9^th house of foreign relations and diplomacy. Venus is the planet of attraction and synthesis. When its action is intensified, it brings an ability to persuade and smooth relationships, engendering warm and sympathetic feelings. It is always in evidence in a presidential victory, especially a first-term win, when adoring crowds surround a candidate and propel him or her to victory. Natal Venus (1Cancer47) in Obama’s chart is trine Neptune, sextile Pluto, quincunx Jupiter, and at the direct Moon/Mercury midpoint. Moreover, transiting Pluto will oppose it for much of 2009, intensifying Obama’s appeal and his desire to reach out and connect in common purpose. At present, progressed Venus is conjunct his 7^th house Node (27Leo17), probably the single strongest indicator of his incredible success this year. By September 2008, progressed Venus will move to conjunct progressed Uranus (28Leo07) waxing in strength for about a year, and by April 2009, it will move to square the Midheaven (28Scorpio53) also for about a year. This series will begin to diminish in strength after February 2010, but a new grouping of strong Venus progressions and transits will begin by December 2010 and continue through at least October 2013, suggesting sustained popularity and charisma even through many of the difficulties and stresses of his presidency (the worst patch likely to be from 10/09 through 12/2010, likely to be a very difficult time for the country). This list includes: progressed Venus quincunx natal Jupiter; progressed Sun square natal Venus; progressed Venus sextile natal Venus; transiting Uranus square natal Venus; transiting Neptune trine natal Venus; and progressed Venus square natal Moon.

Of some concern in Obama’s chart is the very strong Neptune influence, square the Sun (12Leo33) and Mercury (2Leo20), and elevated in its 9^th house position. On the one hand, this gives him his exceptionally inspirational and visionary tone. On the other, it sets him up for disillusionment and a lack of practicality if he is not very careful. The Mars/Saturn trine in earth signs helps to offset this pattern, giving him a healthy dose of reality and competence. His wife, Michelle, herself a Capricorn, also emanates a very pragmatic and down-to-earth quality that likely helps to keep him tethered to solid ground. Nonetheless, the Neptune transits of 2010 and 2011, the first conjunct his South Node and the second square his MC, are likely to bring him some over-inflated expectations, disillusionment, and difficulty, especially in 2010 when Saturn (square his and the US Venus) forces some very real obstacles and reality checks on his goals.

Coming back to the present campaign, most of my previous previous discussion is still relevant though the shift in birth time may alter some of the predictions by a few days. The most stressful period is likely to pass after June 16 at which time Saturn moves away from the square to Obama’s Moon. In addition, there may be a patch of some setbacks from July 15 through July 26 when Saturn crosses his Pluto for the final time. Beyond that, his popularity and success are likely to grow, especially from mid-August to mid-September 2008 when the Jupiter station is exactly quincunx his Sun. It seems to me quite probable that Obama will be our next president, and his focus on diplomacy and working together beyond the partisan divide will be a balm to the nation’s soul after eight devastating years in the Nightmare of Bush.

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A “skirmish” with militants on the Afghan/Pakistani border has brought an angry outcry over the aerial bombardment and its resulting casualties. Yesterday’s Venus/Uranus square has highlighted the transit of Uranus square the US Mars (21Gemini23) and its implication of aggressive strikes and counterstrikes. In addition, yesterday brought vicious tornadoes to Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Minnesota, resulting in enormous damage and following a week of massive flooding (19 Gemini Sun and Venus activating Spring Equinox Uranus square 19 Sagittarius Ascendant). With the Sun square Uranus (22 Pisces34) for most of today (Thursday), expect more stories of either harsh weather striking the land or violent eruptions involving US troops. This mood will continue next week from June 16 through June 18 when Mars (22 Leo) moves to quincunx Uranus, again setting off the planet of upsets, agitation, and lightning strikes (both literally and figuratively).

In the political realm. Uranus is opposing the Mars position in Barack Obama’s chart (8/4/61, Honolulu, 7:24 PM), and the Sun and Venus triggers (22 Gemini) are lending energy to the array of attacks against him, as well as his aggressive responses. In addition, transiting Saturn is continuing its square to his Moon (3Gemini21) for the first half of June, through the 16^th, suggesting that at least some of these attacks against the Democratic nominee will bear some fruit and manage to upset him. With his Moon involved, attacks against his wife, Michelle, have also become part of the equation.

In the past few days, we have seen a resurgence of the much-hyped story about Michelle claiming to be “proud of her country for the first time” thanks to FOX news and the right-wing smear machine. At the moment, a strong counter-campaign is in the works on behalf of Michelle. Meanwhile, the Obama-is-really-a-Muslim narrative is also being dragged out again by the same nefarious creatures who can never figure out how to legitimately win on the issues. Uranus remains in opposition to Obama’s Mars for several more weeks, so the aggression and swiftness of the onslaught and counter-response will remain, but the capacity to wound and the focus on Obama’s wife should diminish with the separation of Saturn after mid-month.

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By all accounts, the economic belt is tightening in the US, and the prognosis is grim. With oil prices surging, not only is the cost of getting to work increasing, but all things transported are becoming more expensive, including food. In addition, unemployment levels are rising and foreclosures are growing at an alarming rate, while the Stock Market is very jittery, responding negatively to every new indication of fiscal weakness.

Meanwhile, the same concerns are rapidly spreading across the globe, as higher oil prices and the shift to biofuels have added to inflation and disrupted food supplies, with shortages and rioting on the increase, especially in Asia. Anxiety and concern are pervasive.

Perhaps the most important backdrop to the entire financial situation in the world today is the movement of Pluto into Capricorn. From late January through mid-June 2008, Pluto has been hovering around the first degree of Capricorn. It will dip back into Sagittarius from mid-June through most of November 2008 and then will return to Capricorn where it will remain until late 2024. Pluto brings a sharp focus to the areas covered by the sign in which it resides, often intensifying the characteristics of that sign to the point where they become overwhelming, ultimately leading to a total transformation in that area. Since 1995, Pluto has been in the religious and expansive Sagittarius, highlighting an intense ideological dispute between the right and the left within the US, as well as heralding the dramatic rise of religious fundamentalism as a driving force in the world. Financially, the obsessive Pluto in the expansive, irrepressive Sagittarius has led to deregulation and a tendency to exaggerated risk-taking, speculation, and over-investment.

Capricorn, on the other hand, is the sign of the institutional structures of society: the financial system and the government. It is a sign that likes control, order, and regulation. Pluto, which intensifies whatever it touches, in the sign of Capricorn, will bring a strong push toward authoritarianism from many governments towards their people over the next fifteen years, with the requisite push-back from the population. Inherent in everything Plutonian is a power struggle of epic proportions. A re-regulation of the financial system is also quite likely, though there may be a tendency to go overboard, with the proper balance not being fully reached until the 2020’s. While Pluto in Sagittarius brought a power struggle between ideological/religious factions, Pluto in Capricorn is likely to bring a power struggle between the institutions in society for control. For example, we are very likely to see a struggle between the global corporations and the governments of nations over who holds the reins of power. This issue is already brewing in the wake of the mortgage crisis as the need for regulation of the finance industry becomes increasingly obvious, as well as with the many contractors in Iraq and the battle over in which jurisdiction, if any, their crimes will be adjudicated. By the end of Pluto in Capricorn in 2024, it is very likely that many of the financial, regulatory, and governmental institutions of the world will have been recalibrated and restructured.

Another aspect of Pluto entering Capricorn is that it now is crossing and recrossing the first degree of a cardinal sign and is therefore in a hard aspect to the Sun in the Equinox and Solstice charts for 2008 and parts of 2009. These charts are the birth charts of the four quarters of the year, and the Sun in such a chart, when drawn for the capital city of a nation, represents the head of its government. Such a strong Plutonian influence on the heads of state in the world indicates fierce battles for these world leaders during 2008 and parts of 2009, which can manifest politically, economically, or militarily. The intense struggles necessary to keep inflationary pressure under control, to defend against an encroaching recession, and to deal with food shortages, all bear the Plutonian hallmarks of an emotional, obsessive battle against a dangerous insidious foe.

Focusing more specifically on the US, the transit of Uranus square to the US Mars (21Gemini23), very active from April through August 2008, has brought a wave of anger and agitation to the US population, recently manifested strongly in the inflamed passions of the presidential primaries. With this aspect becoming exact during the first days of the Democratic Convention in late August, we may see some vigorous passions manifested around that time despite efforts at party unity.

In the US birth chart, Mars is the ruler of the 4^th house of emotional roots, home, and security. The agitating Uranus has had a clear impact on the domain of America’s 4^th house in the last few months with the home mortgage crisis, which has resulted in huge numbers of foreclosures, and with the rapidly increasing cost of living stemming from the inflated price of oil. Both have threatened the emotional stability and security (4^th house) of the American homeowner. It is possible that during the period when Jupiter stations opposite the US Sun in August and particularly in September, as Uranus/Mars weakens, that some optimism will briefly return to the financial outlook.

After September, however, financial difficulties are likely to tighten their grip once again. The Uranus square to the Washington, DC, 2008 Spring Equinox chart Ascendant (19Sagittairus18), which has already brought a record number of wild weather patterns and added to the volatility (Uranus) of the financial markets, will be activated from October 2008 through mid-January 2009 by the return of Uranus to 19 Pisces, igniting the latent upset and agitation in this aspect. It is also around this time, from late November 2008 through mid-February 2009, that Saturn will station square the US Mars, the ruler of the 4^th house of security and emotional stability, bringing a feeling of tremendous burden and stress to the US. There is the likelihood during this period of significant and powerful stressful events (Uranus square Spring Equinox Ascendant) that are either part of or the trigger for a powerful financial contraction (Saturn). Although things are likely to pick up considerably by February 2009, there will be lingering insecurity and concern through 2009 and the first half of 2010 when Pluto moves to oppose US Venus, and Saturn, by late 2009, will square US Venus, suggesting what may be the astrological signature of the Bush Recession, which along with numerous other disasters will be the legacy of the current president.

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Eight years of George Bush has changed us in many ways. Perhaps the most insidious and dangerous has been the rather pervasive addiction to shared outrage. In the early days, we learned to scan the news for the latest abomination from the Bushies and then send it to our friends or post it on some leftie website where we could all be horrified together. Over time, this became almost an addictive behavior, with the periods of lull in the news leaving us restless and hungry for more fodder. Needless to say, George Bush and his crew have provided a mountain of damage and abuse with which to feed our habit over the last several years – Iraq, Katrina, Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, Attorney-gate, to name but the most notorious - and our fury has known no bounds.

But then a funny thing happened. The primaries took off, and we remembered what it was like to have leaders speak for us and talk in coherent and inspiring sentences. George Bush started to fade into the mists of Lame Duckhood (even though, in reality, he still remains an uncontrollable danger until he is out of office). Unfortunately, old habits die hard, and our addiction to outrage did not disappear, it merely mutated. Like a road that suddenly forks, our need to focus anger and blame split in two, with one half enraged at Hillary Clinton and the other at Barack Obama, each half with its websites on which to share a righteous outrage at every little word or event that might fit into our angry, indignant narrative.

I think it is time for us to take a good, hard look at this pattern. If our party is to come together, it will not be while we scan the headlines for another proof of how awful and incorrigible our chosen scapegoat remains. This is the mind of the irrational mob, searching for reasons to hate and scorn. It was appropriate during the height of the Dark Days of Bush in order to keep us energized and fighting the lethal encroachment of so many lies and misdeeds. But now we must embrace our candidates despite their flaws, and let go of this tendency to scorn and be consumed with righteous disdain. Both candidates have worked hard to serve our country, and only a focus on this rather than the consuming, obsessive acrimony will move us toward a repair of the party and a victory in November.

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