The Transcendentalist literary and philosophical movement from mid-19th century New England stressed intuition, self-reliance and human godliness. Since the unseen and eternal were valued, Transcendentalists supported metaphysical thinking, which underlies an astrological world view. I believe that Evangeline Adams’ teacher, Dr. J. Heber Smith (1842-1898) and Adams herself were influenced by this movement, which was often allied with Unitarianism and reform.
Expect Great Things, Kevin Dann’s biography of Henry David Thoreau, explores his connections with the transcendent world. Thoreau captured personal insights and ecstatic experiences in his poetry and journals, many of which are shared in this book. He revered the power of nature and learned about Indigenous cultures.
We don’t have a definitive birth time for Thoreau, but his Sun and Mercury closely contraparallel Uranus and Neptune show his insightful and intuitive focus. He wrote, “Every mortal sent into this world has a star in the heavens appointed to guide him. It has sent its beam to him, either through clouds and mists faintly or through a serene heaven.” And he believed that, “in eternity there is indeed something true and sublime.”
Thoreau read widely on classical hermeticism, the daimon, the ether and the immortality of the soul. He was a student of mythology, and while Thoreau was not an astrologer himself, his biographer considers seven-year cycles, Martian energies and the long-term influence of Neptune. Dann places the Transcendentalist movement near the planet’s discovery, word of which came to U.S. shores on October 20, 1846, nearly a month after its announcement (before transcontinental telegraph communications).
Before the name Neptune was settled on, Atlas was preferred for the planet (referencing the Titan obliged to hold up the heavens after their revolt against the Olympian gods). The first use of ether for anesthesia in the U.S. was on October 19 of that year, and it replaced mesmeric anesthesia (without the side effect of clairvoyance!). Dann sees this time as representing a turning point from a spiritual understanding of myth to its study as a purely academic subject, and the subsequent embrace of a mechanistic and materialistic view, when, in Thoreau’s words, “shams and delusions are esteemed for soundest truths.” The cycle of Neptune in Pisces from 1848-1862 spanned much of Thoreau’s career.
In addition to tracing Thoreau’s life of ideals and later support of John Brown, Dann also looks at Nathaniel Hawthorne and Margaret Fuller’s interest in mesmerism and spiritualism, and Ralph Waldo Emerson and Bronson Alcott’s efforts to convey Transcendental ideas to a wider audience.
A wonderful book for students of U.S. history, philosophy and metaphysical thinking. Kevin Dann has done a tremendous amount of research to capture not only the history, but also the soul and spirit of a man and his times.
Senator Chuck Grassley accepted Donald Trump’s endorsement for his his 8th term in the Senate, where he’s the longest serving Republican at 88 years old. A successful politician, his horoscope has assets and liabilities, as most do. In the coming year, though, stressful aspects far outweigh the supportive ones.
As reality-driven Pluto trined his Sun in Virgo at his October 9, 2021 appearance with Trump, the Senator stated, “I was born at night, but not last night…” expressing his understanding of the former president’s popularity in Iowa. As we have no time of birth for Grassley, let’s take him at his word and estimate around 9:40 p.m., the middle of night-time hours. This approximation gives him Gemini rising with Sagittarius on the 7th house cusp, and 7th ruler Jupiter in the 5th conjoining both Mercury and the Sun in Virgo. The fortunate combination is in keeping with his continued popularity, his 67-year marriage, and five children.
Grassley had supported Trump’s policies and lauded his appointment of three conservative Supreme Court justices. But he criticized Trump’s actions following the 2020 election, and called the January 6 violence at the Capitol “an attack on American Democracy itself.” Things change.
While September 2021 polls show Grassley leading against his Democratic opponent, aspects throughout 2022 present challenges. He will experience his third Saturn return in December, as Saturn activates his natal Saturn-Mars square. While it could consolidate his position, it’s also sure to produce some life changes, along with professional frustrations and limitations. Transiting Uranus’ station in January 2022 also begins to turn the natal square to a T-square, introducing unforeseen circumstances over which the Senator will have little control, especially as it exactly opposes natal Mars in May and December 2022.
Another notable pattern in Grassley’s chart is his natal Uranus-Pluto square, characteristic of the early Depression era. Transiting Pluto activated this pattern in 2021, which may indicate shifting sands or unstable footing. Pluto exactly squares Grassley’s Uranus once again in August and November 2022 – significant timing for his re-election.
The Sun conjunct Mercury and Jupiter (with Mercury exalted, closely conjunct and parallel Jupiter) seems to be at the heart of his past success. Transiting Neptune, though, will weaken this pattern and likely undermine his efforts going forward. The Senator survived the coronavirus in November of 2020 as Neptune opposed his Sun-Neptune midpoint. But Neptune will exactly oppose his Sun throughout 2022 and into early 2023, beginning to station again at the time of the election, an aspect that may well reduce his effectiveness.
In addition, Grassley’s progressed Sun will be nearly 24 Sagittarius in November 2022, creating a T-square with his natal Sun and transiting Neptune and adding to Neptune’s disintegrating effects. (Donald Trump had a similar pattern at the time of the 2020 election, with a grand cross of natal Sun, Moon and Uranus with his progressed Moon and transiting Neptune.) However, when transiting Uranus conjoined the Senator’s Mars and squared his Saturn, he was elected to Congress. When transiting Neptune squared his Sun, he was elected to the Senate.
Throughout much of the Senator’s birth night, Saturn in Aquarius was a singleton and the most elevated planet, an indication of his political longevity. Vice President Kamala Harris has a similar placement. Both consistently advanced step-by-step in their careers.
Still, it does not look good for Chuck Grassley in the year ahead. But without a timed chart, we can only speak in relative generalities. His popularity seems to ensure his 2022 re-election, but the long-term, heavy planet transits point toward many developments by that time. He’ll be 89, and may fall prey to health issues, erosion of support, a rapidly changing landscape, or all three. Perhaps he only wants to ensure that Iowans retain a Republican Senate seat. But things will certainly play out differently than he imagines. We’ll have to wait and see.
Post-election update 11/13/22 — Grassley won re-election once again with 56% of the vote, but only after polls in October showed his Democrat rival closing in on him within 3%. The Senate will continue to be controlled by Democrats.
My great-grandmother died in the 1918 pandemic, well before my father was even born. We only have a few records of her life, though her original birth certificate actually has a time, so astrology can tell us more.
Mariantonia de Stasio was born in Montecalvo Irpino in Avellino, Italy in 1870. The country was unified in 1861, but the south had a high tax burden, limited medical care, transportation problems and land shortages. About a third of the town’s residents left for the U.S. between 1892 and 1924.
I’m not sure of the accuracy of the 11:00 a.m. birth time on Maria’s birth record. But it gives her Leo rising, which seems appropriate, as her photo shows that she had good taste and presented a polished appearance. She wore a beautiful lace collar and earrings, and her hair is perfectly swept up.
Maria’s Sun in Taurus conjunct Pluto, as well as her Moon-Venus-Saturn T-square, suggest some trauma and limitations in her life. Her father died before she married at the age of 20. Her husband, my great-grandfather Donato, travelled to New York City in 1895, and their second daughter died in Italy only a few months after he left. But with Jupiter trine her Moon and conjunct her Sun, emigrating to the U.S. was probably a good choice for Maria.
Maria and Donato had six more children in New York, one of whom died in infancy. Census records show that they lived in tenement apartments in Manhattan’s Little Italy on Mott Street and Hester Street. By 1915 they had moved to Bridge Street in Brooklyn’s Vinegar Hill, on the other side of the Manhattan Bridge.
Maria’s mutable Moon in Virgo square Saturn in Sagittarius could also indicate their less than ideal housing situations. She had been trained as a tailor and must have been skilled, with a strong work ethic. Her oldest daughter Rose was working as a coat finisher when she was only 13. Like many women of the time, they probably sewed piecework in their home.
The Moon rules Maria’s 12th house relating to the immune system, and Saturn rules her 6th of illness. Saturn is then placed in her 5th of children. It seems like her many responsibilities may have weakened her health. She might have also suffered from anxiety or even depression.
The flu pandemic hit NY in the spring of 1918, and became much worse that fall. With transiting Jupiter and Pluto in Cancer and Saturn in Leo, both youthful signs, it was more dangerous to children (as opposed to the 2020 pandemic with Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn affecting seniors more strongly).
Maria’s Sun helpfully conjoins Jupiter, but Jupiter in its detriment in Gemini makes it less benefic. Mercury is dignified in Gemini and disposes the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn, so she probably overcome her limitations with common sense and the help of friends (since Mercury conjoins the 11th house). But mutable signs can affect the lungs: Saturn in Sagittarius might constrict her breathing, while Jupiter in Gemini presents potential lung congestion. She contracted the flu and died of pneumonia less than two weeks later, on October 24, 1918. Transiting Saturn conjoined her Ascendant, lowering her vitality, while transiting Uranus in the 7th opposed it. The doctor visited but was unable to help her; she was only 48 years old.
At the same time, Maria’s progressed Midheaven at 25+ Gemini opposed natal Saturn, and her progressed Ascendant at 26 Virgo conjoined her Moon, both activating the natal Moon-Saturn square. (It seems that her 11:00 birth time may not be that far off.)
We often find close connections with the horoscopes of family members. I never met my great-grandmother and we have only one photo to tell us what she looked like. But her Pluto is only a few minutes from my Moon and the connection is both genetic and after her death!
I wrote more about the 1918 pandemic in New York City here.
Why did I ever get involved with the presidents? It must be astrological. With a strong Saturn trine the Ascendant, my connection with them began before I even thought about looking at their elections astrologically.
When I was a kid, my parents bought me a poster with headshots of all the chief executives. I’m not sure why they considered it an appropriate gift for a grade-schooler, but they were both civic-minded and we all had Capricorn in our charts. The poster stood out in black and gold on my bedroom wall, and I was fascinated by the weird hairdos and fashions. I knew very little about the people, but named my hamster after one of them. (Fillmore’s cage sat beneath the poster, though he never got as far on his wheel of fortune as his namesake.)
When my first book about Sun-signs and career came out, one of my radio interviews was in Tennessee. It was election season and I thought they’d like to hear about Vice Presidential candidate Al Gore’s chances for success. Using pretty basic techniques, I already expected Bill Clinton was likely to win, and Gore’s chart settled it.
I’d always been attracted to forecasting, and calling the outcomes of political elections was the kind of definitive, testable astrology I liked. Clients were interested in it, too. I focused on the natal horoscopes for my conclusions regarding major changes, continuing on a particular path, and possible success.
Early 20th century astrologer Evangeline Adams was no stranger to prediction, and famously called the outcomes of several presidential elections correctly. She appeared to base her judgments, at least partially, on transiting Saturn, which is so important to career and life direction. When I began studying Adams’ work, I became more interested in her Gemini rising U.S. chart, and took more time with my next presidential forecasts, studying not only the candidates’ charts but the country’s too.
With several correct forecasts in a row, I now had a record to uphold! I eventually became convinced that the more things I looked at, the more accurate I’d be. I checked transits, solar returns, progressions, solar arcs, progressed declination, planetary cycles, the candidates’ progressed to the U.S. chart, as well as their progressed to U.S. progressed aspects, and included the candidates’ spouses to see if they supported my conclusions.
Some were easier than others. I was skeptical that an African American president could be elected in 2008, but the prevailing transit of Saturn opposite Uranus, announcing innovation, clinched my forecast of Obama’s win. In 2012, his progressed declination was so deeply connected with longer-term U.S. progressions that I felt his work with the country was not yet complete. At the same time, Mitt Romney had transiting Neptune squaring his Gemini Ascendant, while running mate Paul Ryan had the mirror aspect to his Sagittarius Ascendant: I imagined their joint hopes would evaporate.
The presidential contest between George W. Bush and Al Gore, despite being one of the closest in U.S. history, seemed to me relatively easy to determine astrologically, and many other astrologers agreed.
My brother, a die-hard skeptic, also kept me focused on the presidential predictions. A math person with a fixed-sign Aquarius Mercury, he argued my successes were simply coincidence. I’d actually been correct 6 out of 6 times. The probability of choosing heads correctly in 6 coin tosses is 1 in 64, or a 1.56 % (.0156) chance.
But by the time Hillary Clinton ran against Donald Trump, I’d become overconfident, and transiting Jupiter trine my Moon that year only added to my presumption. Living in New York City for most of my life, I assumed most would see Donald Trump’s run as the publicity stunt I thought it was. I also couldn’t imagine someone with such a checkered career in the White House. We all know the result; bias is not a good thing for astrological judgment, and the lack of an accurate birth time for Hillary didn’t help.
I was determined to do better with the 2020 election and again spent a great deal of time with the candidates, their spouses and the U.S. charts. I also returned to basics, and only used the techniques I was most familiar with – transits, progressions and progressed declination. My study of U.S. Inauguration charts for my book Tecumseh’s Curse also helped me call the 2020 outcome correctly, when I realized that Saturn and Uranus in hard aspect historically suggested a change in presidential party.
I now had an accuracy record of 7 in 8 correct, or 87.5%, versus odds of 3.13% by chance alone. When I asked my brother what he thought, he laughed nervously and began talking about Trump’s legal challenges. We know what happened with that! More importantly, I had refined my forecasting techniques and vindicated both myself and astrology.
On the verge of the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction, I’m delighted to release my new E-book, Tecumseh’s Curse: Indigenous Wisdom, Astrology and the Deaths of U.S. Presidents. I cover the Shawnee brothers linked to the “curse” and the zero-year presidents dying in office, the connections between myth and history, Indigenous culture and American expansionism, and astrology and prophecy. The book looks at patterns in American presidential history and includes analyses of inauguration charts with a preview of the 2021 term and the Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius era to come.
Astrology is not the best at determining outcomes. We can always describe the astrological weather and types of events to expect, but predicting a result is a different matter. It’s far more effective to describe what planets are operating and how they might alter the status quo. Pluto relentlessly erodes what it touches, Neptune dissolves things, Uranus can shatter, Saturn gradually reframes, and Jupiter refreshes situations.
For political elections, we are astrologically considering the likelihood of an outcome. When we add personal bias and agendas to the mix, we can understand how challenging it can be to predict a result. Analyzing the kind and amount of change an individual may expect is one way to approach it. Another is by studying long-term planetary cycles. An important combination this year is the progressed U.S. Sun leaving its conjunction with transiting Neptune.
On election day in 2016, transiting Neptune retrograde at 9 Pisces 16 was very close to the U.S. progressed Sun at 11 Pisces 28. These placements were also approaching a trine to the U.S. natal Sun at about 13 Cancer, allowing Neptune’s cloak to stealthily wrap itself around the country. Neptune advances only a little more than 2 degrees each year. On election day 2020, with the U.S. progressed Sun at about 15-1/2 Pisces and Neptune stationing at 18+ Pisces, the aspect is beginning to depart from the conjunction.
This suggests that some of the Neptunian confusion and complications the country has faced in recent years will gradually begin to lift. Neptune rules otherworldly transcendence, dreams, images, illusions, healthcare, drugs, contagion, disintegration, empathy, charity, idealism, isolation, the oppressed, secrets and deception, among other things.
By 2000, the influence of pharmaceutical companies had already led to a national health crisis, and deaths from opioid overdoses peaked in 2017. The coronavirus pandemic is a Neptunian development all its own, but it also exacerbated the opioid crisis and brought to light the flaws in the American healthcare system.
The proliferation of the Internet, smartphones and other mobile devices, communications satellites, distance learning and web conferencing has kept people glued to screen images.
Donald Trump, the real estate developer turned TV personality who was elected president in 2016, is truly a Neptunian character. His administration popularized the terms “fake news” and “alternate facts” to describe media coverage, promoted a nostalgic return to fossil fuels, and issued executive orders limiting the rights of refugees (many of whom were incarcerated). Through mixed messages and skepticism, he encouraged a mistrust of journalists and healthcare professionals, fueled conspiracy theories and further polarized the nation.
Neptune and Pisces have surely been influencing many aspects of our lives. The country entered an economic slump caused by a trade war with China that became a recession with the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. But feminist, LGBTQ and Black rights movements coalesced during this time.
Another interesting feature of the 2020 election is that transiting Neptune in Pisces is activating all of the major candidates’ horoscopes. It stations in square to Donald Trump’s natal 10th house Uranus in November; opposes his progressed Moon in Virgo the day before election day; and goes on to exactly square his Sun-Moon opposition in March of 2021. The station squares Mike Pence’s Sun-Mercury midpoint in Gemini, exactly squares it in January and squares his prominent Mercury for the first time in April 2021.
The Neptune station in November opposes Joe Biden’s Midheaven, exactly opposing it for the final time in February of 2021. The station transits Kamala Harris’ 10th house as it opposes her natal Venus in Virgo and opposes progressed Mars in Virgo in October and January. Which candidate has the vision for the future? Ultimately it’s a judgment call.
I’ve looked at the 2021 Inauguration horoscope, the Nodal Return cycle, and the candidates’ forecasts. The tides comes in and tides go out, and so it is with astrological developments. As it seems to me that Donald Trump resonates more strongly with recent Neptunian developments, I believe the tide has turned against him as a politician.
I always consider the Vice Presidential candidates when evaluating an election, checking on how they’re interacting with notable transits like Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn and their progressions. Both Pence and Harris show important changes in their lives in the coming months.
We unfortunately don’t have a time of birth for Mike Pence. Declination moves slowly, and his progressed Moon is on the less fortunate downslope, though offering the possibility to coast along in a position. Are there any indications for a major change? I think so.
Pence has a notable Venus conjunct Mars in early Leo squared by Neptune in Scorpio in his birth chart. These squares will become a T-square with the transiting Jupiter-Saturn conjunction between the crucial months of November and January, scattering his attention and hampering his efforts. In addition, Jupiter and Saturn contraparallel his Mars in December, causing many frustrations. The aspects are more notable since natal Mars is also inconjunct Saturn. While Pence has nice sextiles from transiting Jupiter and Pluto to natal Jupiter, it may not be enough for re-election.
Mike Pence’s controlled and low-key image is probably due to his natal Saturn in Capricorn contraparallel a Venus-Pluto parallel (all within about a half a degree). Between late October and January, transiting Jupiter and Pluto will both activate the natal contraparallel. This is another combination involving the year’s momentous transits that also suggests significant life developments.
Progressed Venus in Virgo has moved another degree closer to squaring Pence’s natal Sun. While the Neptune station in November is about two degrees past an exact square to both, it activates them at a crucial time, creating another T-square, and T-squares are purveyors of change. President Trump’s progressed Moon at about 18 Virgo is also moving away from Pence’s progressed Venus as both experience the Neptune transits. Outside events, such as the pandemic or economic recession, may feel out of their control and impact negatively on re-election.
The Vice President has the Sun conjunct Mercury in Gemini in his birth chart. Mercury is prominent, as it’s placed Out-of-Bounds in declination and disposes all other planets but Saturn. As a conservative radio host and politician, it’s allowed him to share his message. But his progressed Sun will be about 15 Leo and progressed Mercury about 11 Leo by the 2021 inauguration. In February and March, transiting Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius will oppose his progressed Mercury, and by May, transiting Uranus will square it, creating a third T-square and suggesting significant new developments in life that may be unanticipated or contrary to his intentions.
Transiting Jupiter opposes and contraparallels Mike Pence’s progressed Sun and Uranus in February, as Jupiter parallels natal Jupiter and trines his Sun. He should be moving toward new vistas by then, and will certainly land on his feet.
We stand on firmer astrological ground with Kamala Harris, who was born in California, where birth records are available. As other astrologers have noted, Harris has quite a strong birth chart. Her Ascendant and North Node in Gemini form a grand trine with her Sun in Libra and Saturn in its ruling sign of Aquarius conjunct her Midheaven. This shows a consistent focus on career and the ability to gradually move to positions of greater authority. The pattern opens out to a rare Star of David or grand sextile, an active and dynamic pattern with nine planets and points and four oppositions involved.
Like Mike Pence, Kamala has Jupiter at 24 degrees. Transiting Jupiter through her eighth house will create a grand trine with her Venus in Virgo in September and Jupiter in Taurus in November. This shows support for her efforts and events running in her favor. Her progressed Moon, exalted in Taurus, has been activating her earth-sign planets, and will trine natal Pluto in December, oppose her Neptune in January and go on to trine natal Venus in early February. This run begins and ends with favorable influences for success while her progressed Moon also double-approaches a conjunction with progressed Jupiter.
From late October through December, the transiting Jupiter-Saturn conjunction also sextiles Harris’ progressed Venus at 26 Scorpio (close to conjoining running mate Joe Biden’s Sun).
The candidate’s progressed Sun in late Sagittarius exactly conjoins her Descendant in December, bringing her before the public as it approaches a sextile to her natal Sun over the next four years. At the same time, she’s experiencing a Nodal Return (exact in early October, see my earlier article on that here). And finally, her progressed Sun conjoins her natal South Node in January. While the South Node may not seem like a favorable conjunction to western astrologers, it could signify Harris being drawn along by karmic forces. In any event, she is at quite an important turning point in her life and career.
Transiting Saturn squares Harris’ Sun and Moon in late November. With so many oppositions in her chart and the Sun and Moon key components of her grand sextile, I believe this indicates new responsibilities. In February 2020, when Saturn first activated the opposition, she called on the Trump Administration for a plan to combat the pandemic. In August, shortly after the second exact squares, she was named the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate. These themes would be consistent with her election. Her progressed Moon also contraparallel natal Saturn in the tenth in late December is a similar influence which may include changes in residence, lifestyle and responsibilities.
All the candidates this year have natal or progressed mutable planets or points that are activated by Neptune, which may relate to prevailing confusion over the coronavirus pandemic and their various approaches to it. In Harris’ case, transiting Neptune stations in opposition to her natal Venus and progressed Mars in Virgo from October through January, bringing up issues in her natal chart. Progressed Moon opposes Neptune at the same time. These are difficult aspects to delineate, although Neptune goes on to more favorably trine her natal Neptune before election day.
Kamala Harris’ Moon progresses Out of Bounds in declination, making for significant periods of time in her life. It is now on the more fortunate upslope, but will peak in her early sixties, a time when she may attract even more attention or prominence – perhaps as the Democratic presidential candidate in 2024.
The two Vice Presidential candidates both have mixed aspects. I’m influenced by Biden and Trump’s forecasts, as well as Harris and Trump’s Nodal returns and the 2021 inauguration horoscope. What stands out in Pence and Harris’ analysis is that notable developments are promised for both, which would hold true for a change of administration. Saturn rarely surprises us. With hard aspects from Jupiter and Saturn for both candidates, the current trajectory of Trump’s team polling lower than Biden’s will probably continue, with Kamala Harris moving into a new job.
What are Joe Biden’s astrological chances of winning the November 2020 presidential election? His natal horoscope is certainly not as fortunate as President Trump’s, and the incumbent always has an edge.
Biden was born during World War II, and the era’s characteristic Saturn-Uranus conjunction straddles his Descendant as it opposes his Sun, Venus and Ascendant. The oppositions are probably responsible for the ups and downs in his life and career, but six planets in fixed signs give a consistency of purpose. Neptune in his 10th trines and sextiles the oppositions, balancing the energies and making him a career public servant. A yod with the Moon at its apex and inconjunct aspects to the Ascendant, Venus and Neptune may have also added to the elusiveness of his presidential bids in the past.
But as we near election day in late October, transiting Jupiter trines his Midheaven, while Pluto stations conjunct Jupiter near the trine, helping him promote his message. In November and December, the approaching Jupiter-Saturn conjunction sextiles his rising Sun and Venus and trines progressed Uranus and Neptune, an unusual combination. Transiting Uranus also sextiles his progressed Moon and trines progressed Mars in November. While sextiles are not the strongest aspects in the world, they facilitate things, and the great Jupiter-Saturn mutation into air signs is favorable to Biden.
Donald Trump struggles under the weight of oppositions from the momentous transits in Capricorn while his opponent profits from their aspects to both his natal and progressed charts. Jupiter and Saturn go on to square Biden’s Moon and trine his 10th house Neptune by the end of the year, suggesting both a change of residence and new career vistas. (His progressed Moon square natal Saturn, exact on January 1, has similar resonances.)
Biden’s progressed Mercury at about 25 Capricorn falls right on the progressed U.S. Moon, South Node and Pluto in Capricorn combination as well as the Jupiter-Saturn-Pluto transits in November, which appear to be keeping him in sync with important developments in the country.
Biden’s progressed Sun in Aquarius will be less than a degree from trining the U.S. Mars and a few degrees from conjoining the U.S. natal Moon (using Evangeline Adams’ Gemini rising chart), showing a closer relationship with the country. His progressed Moon and Venus in early Pisces are both drawing close to trining the U.S. natal Sun-Jupiter midpoint, which also seems a favorable connection.
The candidate’s progressed Midheaven at 9 Sagittarius falls in his first house near an opposition to his natal Saturn and U.S. natal Uranus. This could potentially signify an upset, but given the preponderance of other flowing aspects, I feel it suggests a new phase in his life, along with new responsibilities.
The U.S. progressed Venus is about a half a degree from conjoining Biden’s natal Moon in Taurus, indicating a close connection.
The powerhouse in Joe Biden’s chart is Ascendant-ruler Jupiter exalted in Cancer in his 8th house, which trines his Sun, Mercury and Venus. Not the most fortunate of placements, it has nevertheless helped him win supporters and raise campaign funds. Progressions of the heavier planets move very slowly, but in an unusual combination, Biden’s progressed retrograde Jupiter in Cancer is within two degrees of conjoining U.S. progressed Jupiter. At the same time, it trines the U.S. progressed Sun at about 15-1/2 Pisces in a double-approaching aspect (about a degree and a half from exact), and also conjoins the natal U.S. Sun (at about 4 degrees). His progressed Jupiter is also close to trining his Mercury-Mars midpoint in Scorpio, creating a grand trine with U.S. progressed Sun near his IC, a fortunate combination for considering the outcome of an election.
The Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in Aquarius shows Biden in the right place at the right time, and that his momentum continues into 2021. The conjunction transits his 2nd house, and in January (inauguration month), exactly trines 7th house Uranus while sextiling his Ascendant. Jupiter also trines natal Saturn in the 7th, which should help in dealing with the public and important partners. Since Jupiter and Saturn are always close in declination when conjunct, they both also parallel Biden’s Sun and natal 1st house Venus in January, aspects often signifying notable career developments.
An unusual transit is Neptune stationing closely conjunct Biden’s fourth house cusp in November. An angular Neptune can be difficult to interpret. Certainly transiting Neptune closely squaring both Mitt Romney’s Gemini Ascendant and running mate Paul Ryan’s Sagittarius Ascendant in 2012 seemed a strong testimony that they would fail to win their bid for the presidency. Here it may suggest the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the country and a sense of “shifting sands” underfoot. As it also closely trines Biden’s natal Mercury in Scorpio (ruler of his 10th and 7th houses), it might be less onerous than otherwise. On some level, though, it also has the potential to undermine him. Perhaps the idea of people voting against Trump rather than for Biden is symbolized here.
The 23 Sagittarius solar eclipse on December 14, 2020 is strongly placed in Biden’s 1st house of identity, and squares transiting Neptune and his MC, while sextiling his progressed Ascendant in Aquarius. This spotlights his message, but there may be upcoming events that we cannot anticipate as yet.
In evaluating presidential candidates, I look at several astrological factors. Whether they win or lose is basic, but can be complicated, although there are often clear indicators for success or failure. Does it look like they’ll have a change in responsibility or residence? And what about their continuing relationship with the country?
The natal chart is the most important element. Donald Trump attracts attention with his Sun conjunct Uranus birth eclipse. It brings surprising successes, but, I’ve always felt, will include equally notable falls from grace. Belinda Lai has included a detailed analysis of Trump’s birth chart on AstroPastures and I agree with her analysis that the mutable pattern tends toward one-shot situations, rather than long-term appointments.
Trump has many challenging transits in the coming months. Between October and February, transiting Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto all oppose the president’s Venus. Jupiter and Pluto exactly oppose his Saturn in November and December, close to the election. (They will trine his Midheaven near that time, too, but since Venus rules his MC and Saturn relates to career, I feel the oppositions carry.) Pluto also opposes his natal Venus for the first time on February 18, 2021, drawing him to begin a new life direction.
Progressions may be more notable in terms of where a person is going in life. The president’s progressed Mercury in Leo, near his Mars-Pluto midpoint, sextiles natal Uranus in late September, and transiting Uranus sextiles his Mercury in late October. Mercury co-rules his 10th house and is prominent in the 11th so this could point toward unexpected support. But his natal Mercury lacks dignity, and none is added by the sign or 12th house placement of the progression. He can expect help from loyal associates behind the scenes, and there may be a court decision in his favor. But I feel that the challenging aspects outweigh the rest of the picture.
Trump’s progressed Ascendant at 29 Libra 57, denotes the end of a phase in his life. His progressed Venus, Jupiter and Ascendant in Libra will all take exact squares from the heavy Capricorn transits from late October through December. (These may also explain his catching the coronavirus in early October.)
His progressed Midheaven, showing his status and career development, is equally afflicted. The Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in Aquarius will oppose both his progressed Midheaven and progressed Saturn in January of 2021 from the bottom of his progressed chart (traditionally the “end of the matter”).
Trump’s progressed Moon in Virgo squares his natal Uranus in the 10th in October. The transiting Neptune in Pisces station squares natal Uranus in November, while progressed Moon opposes transiting Neptune close to election day, creating a T-square. Transiting Neptune’s continuing aspects from the 7th house aren’t yet exact, but will include squares to his Sun, Moon and Nodes, forming a grand cross and eroding his popularity. The December 14 solar eclipse at 23 Sagittarius also activates the grand cross.
In addition, the progressed Moon is within a degree and a half of conjoining the Midheaven of Joe Biden’s 8:30 a.m. birth chart! It’s as if he’s ready to hand over the reins of government. Or we might say that his work ethic and health situation enhance Biden’s reputation.
The progressed Moon in declination may show periods of time when one achieves great popularity or notoriety. Trump’s Moon progressed Out of Bounds in declination between the ages of 69 and 71, presenting a very unusual period of time when he won the 2016 election. His progressed Moon is now on the downslope and has not been OOB for a few years: he no longer enjoys the responsiveness from the public that he did four years ago.
Trump has some positive progressions, including progressed Moon approaching a trine to progressed U.S. Moon and his progressed Sun near a trine to U.S. progressed Ascendant. However the most notable thing is the number of progressed to progressed aspects that are departing (I count 13 of them under 4 degrees), showing his path moving away from the country’s. The U.S. progressed Moon at 22 Capricorn, South Node at 26 Capricorn and Pluto at 29-1/2 Capricorn are all reinforced by the transits in the same sign that afflict his birth chart.
All of this is within the context of the bigger picture. Donald Trump is experiencing a Nodal return, which often coincides with a life-changing time. See my earlier post on Trump and Kamala Harris’ Nodal returns. And the Inauguration chart, with its prominent Saturn square Uranus, also suggests a change in the party in power. My earlier Inauguration 2021 post shows that this has historically been the case with many new administrations of the past.
I do not believe that Donald Trump will begin a second term as President of the United States. If he’s somehow re-elected, I expect he will face very difficult challenges indeed. I hope to post about Biden’s horoscope soon.
The 2021 inauguration horoscope seems to indicate a period of momentous change and potential turmoil, upheaval and even loss during the term. Seven planets all square one another, and Neptune squares the Nodes. Certainly there should be many noteworthy events in the coming four years, and we also appear to be moving into a new and different situation. Is it possible to be more specific?
We can get a better idea of what we might expect in the future by looking back through history. While I’ve seen no inauguration horoscope as focused or dramatic as 2021, various elements repeat themselves from previous administrations.
Pluto can relate to financial issues, power, essential transformation and intervention or even manipulation. Pluto with the Sun or Midheaven in an inauguration horoscope may show the president’s experience with these issues during the term.
Thomas Jefferson’s 1801 administration and James Monroe’s 1817 term both had the Sun conjunct Pluto in Pisces. William McKinley (and Theodore Roosevelt) had the inaugural Sun and Mercury in a T-square with Uranus and Pluto. Franklin Delano Roosevelt had an angular grand cross with the Sun, Moon, Mars, Uranus and Pluto in 1937 and a fixed grand cross with the Sun, Moon, Mercury and Pluto in 1941. Ronald Reagan’s 1981 inauguration had the Sun, Moon and Nodes square Pluto.
Most of these Plutonian administrations were notable victories for the presidents elected. They all sought to unite the country in various ways, and often succeeded (the above list includes some of the most notable presidents in history). The political parties themselves also underwent change either in their evolution or due to reforms or other pressing issues. Developments in the country’s territory, alliances and antagonisms came to the forefront. Financial affairs were often highlighted, with important changes in policies and trends. The presidents either chose to utilize more fiscal or political power, or were forced to do so.
Hard aspects from Uranus to the Sun in inauguration horoscopes created surprising and unforeseen circumstances in administrations that started with them. They coincided with danger to the chief executive as well as some of the shortest of presidential terms. William Henry Harrison served for a month (Sun conjunct Uranus), James Garfield and William McKinley only eked out about six months apiece (Sun opposite and square Uranus, respectively), and Warren Harding served for about two and a half years (Sun opposite Uranus). The Civil War raged throughout Abraham Lincoln’s Sun square Uranus 1861 term, with a tempestuous and chaotic situation for the entire country. (All of these inauguration charts also included Jupiter conjunct or parallel Saturn.)
A concern for 2021 is Uranus conjoining the inaugural Ascendant (less than 7½ degrees). Roosevelt’s 1941 inauguration Uranus was solidly in the first house and he was forced to confront the constant unpredictability of war (though Uranus had no close classical aspects and the fixed grand cross did not involve it). Roosevelt’s 1937 administration may more closely resemble 2021, as Uranus is in a grand cross with the Sun, Moon, Mars and Pluto. Overseas conflicts were a key issue, but the U.S. was not yet at war. Though in 1937, Uranus was in the twelfth house in the inauguration chart.
Ulysses S. Grant’s first term featured Uranus rising closely trine the Sun and a grand fire trine, quite a different pattern. He was a reformer who supported Reconstruction and civil rights and made progress in these areas while stabilizing the economy.
Uranus and Mars conjunct the first house in 2021 suggests a new identity and perspective for the country. Mars in its detriment in Taurus holds the potential for volatility and even violence, and with an angular Sun square Uranus, the president will likely face some surprises. Popular movements may impact the coming years, leading to reform or even some sort of crisis or revolution that shakes up the country in a significant way.
But with traditional rulers, Saturn is the final dispositor of the 2021 inauguration chart, ultimately ruling both Mars and Uranus as well as the Sun. Only a few chief executives began their terms with the Sun actually conjunct Saturn. These coincided with contentious issues and the administrations were limited in time or by circumstances.
Zachary Taylor was the only president not elected in a zero year to die in office. His 1849 inauguration Sun conjoined both Saturn and the South Node. Over a decade before the Civil War, the slavery debate had created partisan divisions and southern leaders threatened succession. Rutherford B. Hayes came to the presidency in 1877. With an inaugural Sun conjunct Saturn, Hayes’ election was one of the most hotly disputed in U.S. history. He lost the popular vote, and electoral votes in the south were contested amidst charges of fraud and Black voter suppression. John F. Kennedy’s Sun conjunct Saturn in Capricorn years are remembered for the Cold War, with civil rights also an important issue during the early ‘60s as well.
All three of these Sun-Saturn administrations addressed Black inequality (the Sun-Saturn combinations reiterate the Sun-Saturn square in the U.S. horoscope). With the Black Lives Matter movement in the forefront in 2020, it seems probable that racial justice will once again feature in the 2021 administration. The president could be limited to some extent by public opinion (first house), opposing parties or international relations. Like FDR or even Woodrow Wilson in 1913 with a Moon-Mars-Uranus conjunction straddling the ninth house cusp, the president may also need to begin to respond to developments abroad as the country’s relationships are re-evaluated and reorganized (since Mars or Pluto rule the inaugural seventh house).
Uranus squaring Saturn in the tenth house in the 2021 inauguration highlights the breakdown of old structures, with movement into a new phase. Unanticipated events might even impact the president personally.
In fact, many presidential elections or inaugurations with hard aspects between Saturn and Uranus have coincided with a change in the president’s political party. (We can consistently see this in the transitions from James Buchanan to Lincoln, Hoover to FDR, Truman to Eisenhower, Ford to Carter, Clinton to George W. Bush and Bush to Obama.) This presents a likelihood that the same will occur in 2021.
Though I personally need to analyze the candidates themselves before coming to a more definite opinion about the election (see my guidelines for forecasting political elections here), planetary cycles are very powerful!
I analyze many inaugural horoscopes in my forthcoming book, Tecumseh’s Curse: Indigenous Wisdom, Astrology and the Death of U.S. Presidents.
We don’t have a definitive birth time for Thoreau, but his Sun and Mercury closely contraparallel Uranus and Neptune show his insightful and intuitive focus. He wrote, “Every mortal sent into this world has a star in the heavens appointed to guide him. It has sent its beam to him, either through clouds and mists faintly or through a serene heaven.” And he believed that, “in eternity there is indeed something true and sublime.” 
