ELECTION DAY ASTROLOGY:

As I write this Barack Hussein Obama has just been elected 44th President of the U.S by surprising majority of the Electoral College. It is truly a day which will be remembered for many reasons. On this Nov 4th Election Day there is an exact opposition of Uranus and Saturn. In this instance ( and it is a hopeful sign, indeed) the scales tipped in favor of Uranus,  the side favoring innovation, reform and radical shifts that seem to embody the theme of the “Yes, we can” America,  as opposed to the Saturnian side representing the “established order” and the old America. As with everything in astrology, we are looking at the convergence of major waves in time, which are cyclical in nature, not linear. The current opposition cycle began with the conjunction of Saturn and Uranus in 1988-1989 moving from the last degrees of the sign Sagittarius into Capricorn. This period witnessed the economic restructuring in the Soviet Union (called “perestroika”) and began the radical changes (Uranus) to the old Soviet order (Saturn). In addition Soviet forces (Saturn) withdrew from Afghanistan under pressure from the "freedom fighters" there (Uranus), setting the stage for the war underway at the present time. It is also worth remembering that Jesse Jackson attempted to capture the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988, and it has taken until this cycle for the dream to become a reality.
On an extremely  synchronistic note, the planet Pluto (which symbolizes MAJOR annihilation and destruction of something in order to rebuild from the inside out) is just moving( as of Nov 26th, 2008) from the final degree of Sagittarius into the sign of Capricorn. Capricorn is all about big business, big government, financial empires, form and structure. What we have just experienced in the past few weeks is not a new phenomenon at all….it has been “brewing” for 20 years!
At the opening square of this cycle, which occurred in 1999-2000 with Saturn in Taurus and Uranus in Aquarius, the Enron traders (Uranus) were circumventing established rules (Saturn) in order to create artificial energy shortages (Saturn again) and get rich. Now we are in the opposition phase, where Saturn and Uranus are 180 degrees apart.  There is no getting away from the chaos and discord that these previous events precipitated. What is required now is sacrifice and hard work (the favorite themes of Capricorn) to get things back into balance and “reboot” the system.  The second exact phase of the opposition cycle will occur on February 5, 2009. Events that are put into motion now in early portion of November 2008 under the first "hit" will continue to unfold over the next few months. Most major planetary cycles have three hits, but this opposition cycle will have five phases, signaling its particular significance for permanent change.
What does all this mean for President-elect Obama?
November 5th signals a sextile from Jupiter (abundance and optimism) to Uranus (innovation and insight). We become excited about new ideas and thoughts for the future.  Obama is already organizing his cabinet and “transitional “government” in a very detailed, methodical way, much in keeping with his Mars in Virgo.
The Sun/Moon opposition of this Full Moon also forms a T-square to Chiron and Neptune,

all in fixed signs. The T-square is a stressful combination that creates a crisis that encourages action to relieve the crisis. The Chiron/Neptune combination also signifies an increase of personal wisdom that can be accessed directly by the power of the Full Moon.
Excerpts from last October’s Newsletter:
We see this echoed in the placement of Chiron (the Wounded Healer) in the first house of identity and personality. This Chiron is important as it forms a square to Obama’s Moon. This is a fourth house Moon that craves a home and sense of family. Pluto is also involved in this dynamic, forming a “T-square” as it opposes Chiron and squares the Moon. The Pluto/Chiron opposition generally results in a life that can be rather painful on an emotional level as the individual is forced by Pluto to face the wounds of the soul and work through them. This dynamic creates a shamanic process in which there is tremendous potential for understanding and wisdom. The pressure of both Pluto and Chiron on the sensitive Moon illustrates the emotional difficulty that Obama has experienced, although with Aquarius on the ascendant he will never reveal his emotions to the public. His “catharsis” like the Shakespeare’s protagonists will also be catharsis for the collective wounds of the American psyche…..slavery, human rights issues, helping the disenfranchised….Many astrologers and psychics have compared him to Abraham Lincoln, as well as JFK….interesting parallels, for sure…..

FULL MOON 22 DEGREES TAURUS/SCORPIO – NOVEMBER 13, 2008 at 1:19am

The sextile from Jupiter to Uranus is exact on November 13, just in time for the Taurus Full Moon. This is a powerful Full Moon that incorporates a Grand Trine (a very harmonious flow of energy) in the Earth signs that includes the Moon in Taurus, Jupiter in Capricorn and Saturn in Virgo. This Full Moon is also called a “Super Moon”, when the moon is at its closest approach to Earth at either its Full or New phase.  Super Moons increase the gravitational pulls on the Earth, generating more extreme tides, weather and emotional reactions.  This Full Moon is the culmination of the “seeds sown” and choices made at the beginning of the cycle on the last New Moon in Scorpio of October 28th.
Excerpts from October’s newsletter:
This New Moon at 6 degrees Scorpio marks another momentous crossroads for humanity. The sign Scorpio rules death, as well as transformation. Its ruler is Pluto, the Greek god of the Underworld, the terrain of the “unconscious”.  What needs to die before it can be reborn? Scorpio is the only astrological sign that has three symbols: the Scorpion (physical); the Eagle (psychological); and the Phoenix (spiritual); showing that there are three levels of consciousness to be bridged before true “metamorphosis” can occur. Saturn and Uranus are about to oppose each other in the signs of Virgo and Pisces respectively, which happens about every 40 years. The first of 3 oppositions occurs EXACTLY on Nov 4th, U.S. Election Day.  Saturn is represented by John McCain, the oldest man who would be inaugurated as President. (John McCain’s natal chart will be adversely impacted by this Saturn -Uranus opposition at the time of the election, which shows that chronic and erratic health issues may come up immediately.) Barack Obama is symbolized by Uranus, a liberal and the first non-white candidate to be elected President (and also one of the youngest at age 47). (This Saturn-Uranus opposition is conjunct Barack’s Mars in Virgo, implying a frustrating period punctuated by many surprises during which he is able to think creatively and “out of the box”.)

Obviously, the cycle that was begun prior to Election Day is now in full motion.
This Full Moon in Taurus is also a pivotal point in the Mayan cosmology. From November 18, 2007 to November 12, 2008, we have been experiencing the 5th Night, a period full of economic upheavals, chaos, and the breakdown of the material structures, as we know them. On November 13, 2008, we begin the dawning of the 6th Day, representing a new direction and a new era of “Light”, as we begin the shift from mere mechanistic, left brain technology and hierarchical structures to a more enlightened global consciousness. As Carl J. Calleman, Mayan scholar and author, says: we are talking about an entirely new species of human beings”.
OTHER ASPECTS with the FULL MOON:
On a personal note, Venus conjunct Pluto on November 12, intensifying relationships, heightening our passion, and increasing our desire for attachment. Venus enters Capricorn the following day along with the Full Moon.  Venus’ passage into the last of the Earth signs signifies that responsibility and commitment become the primary motivators of our relationships with others. This is a very “calm, cool, and collected” placement of Venus, emotions may take a back seat to material considerations.
November begins with a change of direction for Neptune which has been retrograde since May. Neptune at 21 degrees Aquarius is in a challenging aspect with the Taurus Full Moon. Neptune symbolizes spirituality, as well as, illusion.  We are being asked to experience a far greater reality that transcends the material world.  Because Neptune rules our connection to Spirit as well as our imagination and creativity, when it is in retrograde motion, we tend to let go of logic.  Neptune in direct motion releases us to begin to express our creativity in a more external and focused manner…and, often times, with more concrete results. We will be looking at our creations more realistically, and also taking responsibility for what we create.
Also, Jupiter (expansion) will be approaching a trine (harmonious aspect) to Saturn (structure and limits). The effects of this will remain from Nov 10th to the exact trine on the 21st. Jupiter is expansive and encourages us to be optimistic and adventurous, and Saturn assists in creating effective structures in our lives. When these two planets are working together there are tremendous opportunities for manifesting our intentions and desires, so take advantage of this time! Saturn also rules government officials   in the “lawmaking” sense, as does Jupiter, in the sense of “foreign relations” and “foreign expansion”. It will be interesting to see what changes take place in U. S. foreign policy over the next two weeks.
Jupiter (in Capricorn) is sextile Uranus (Pisces) exactly at the time of this Full Moon. This is a very positive aspect which emphasizes the potential for new possibilities and new PERCEPTION. Some astrologers consider this to be a ‘lucky” aspect when reading it in a personal horoscope. In outer event-oriented astrology called horary), this aspect deals with positive social change and reform, usually generated quite spontaneously. There may be big changes coming quite quickly for the oil industry; also a “surprise” announcement regarding a world religious or spiritual leader.
(Excerpts from October’s Newsletter):
Obama was born during the 1961 Jupiter-Saturn conjunction. The planetary pairing of   Saturn and Jupiter (going all the way back to ancient Egypt) has been seen as co-signatories of socio-politico-cultural changes since the first “star watchers” calculated the movement of the heavens. In fact, the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 6 BCE   is most likely the “Star” which the Magi recorded as denoting the birth of a new King. It is a significant indicator in a birth chart that the individual has a remarkable destiny pattern to fulfill. Barack’s ascendant of 18 degrees Aquarius is conjunct the Moon of the US chart. This shows that the “collective psyche” is emotionally touched by his personality. It is also interesting since the eclipse on Super Tuesday fell nearly exactly on his ascendant. Aquarius is cool and rational, with a passion for social justice and equality.

NEW MOON IN 5 DEGREES SAGITTARIUS NEW MOON – NOVEMBER 27, 2008 at 11:55am

This New Moon conjunction (both the Sun & the Moon together) is also within three degrees of Mercury and Mars in Sagittarius, packing a huge Sagittarian wallop!
Sagittarius   expands our horizons and fuels our “quest” for Higher Consciousness. Under the Sagittarian influence, we are more open and optimistic and dislike restrictions and dishonesty of any kind. Combined with the powerful forces of Uranus (see below), this is a time for personal revolution and breaking free of anything that feels limiting. We definitely want to “stretch, if not actually push, the envelope”.  Fortunately, both Jupiter and Venus are in the responsible sign of Capricorn, which offers some degree of checks and balances, but if there is any area in your life  creating limitation or resentment, it will be become a real “ouch” point.  Take the opportunity of this New Moon to exercise your personal freedom and expression, but also to honor your responsibilities and commitments.
OTHER ASPECTS:
On a personal note, the New Moon energy will still be in effect on November 28 when Venus forms a sextile to Uranus, facilitating the liberation of the New Moon in a way that is positive, although it may bring a few surprises with it. You may want to do something totally different and break from your ordinary routine.
 Mercury also conjuncts Mars that day, sharpening our focus and giving us the mental energy we need for writing, studying or other mental pursuits. We have more positive Mars energy available with a trine to Saturn on the 29th, so this last week of November helps us to be organized and effective in all we do.
As mentioned earlier, Pluto re-enters Capricorn on November 26th.  This occurs just as the lunar cycle completes and begins again with a New Moon in Sagittarius, so the strong Uranian energy for radical behavior and change is incorporated into the effect of the New Moon.
Uranus will begin its retrograde motion on November 27th. Uranus is known for its ability to bring sudden reversals, and when it changes direction that tendency becomes even more pronounced. Issues of personal freedom and liberty will be highlighted. Sudden and unexpected events may come into play on the Thanksgiving weekend. This is a big week for travel, so there may be unexpected snags or delays…..give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to be and try to remain as flexible as possible with your details.
THE SABIAN SYMBOL FOR THE NEW MOON AT 6 DEGREES SAGITTARIUS   indicates the importance of integrity, fair play, and cooperation. “A game of cricket; the development of skill in group-situations testing collective goals.”

Posted by Mary Lomando at Monday November 03, 2008 I comments I