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.
Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris will have her third Nodal return on September 17, 2020. Donald Trump will experience his fourth Nodal return on November 10, 2020. With both candidates experiencing this near-exact aspect this fall, what, if anything, does it bode for the election?
Ken Negus did an in-depth study of these returns and found that we often experience important new beginnings, endings or even sharp turns when the Lunar Nodes return to their natal places at the ages 19, 38, 56-7 and 76. Some encounter major transformations and others may find various areas of their lives affected. Ken researched these cycles in the lives of the presidents and confirmed that at the returns, some of the notable events included appointment to major political office.
I attended Ken’s lecture on this topic in 1996 and will summarize his findings.
The Moon’s nodal cycle of 18.6 years overlaps the 19-year Metonic Sun-Moon phase cycle (though they diverge noticeably as the years go on). Ken found that, like Harris and Trump, almost half of the 41 presidents he studied had angular Nodes. This makes sense since the Sun represents the ego and the Moon the public. It may also explain their ambition for public service (since any random group should only have the Nodes angular about a third of the time).
At the age of 38, Ken found that 17 of the 41 presidents studied (about 41%) were elected or appointed to important political offices. But the returns at 56-57 were the most impressive, perhaps as they are a prelude to the Saturn return. 7 of the 41 began their first presidential terms at this age, and 3 went on to a second term (making for a total of almost 25% who were elected president on a Nodal return).
4 completed their presidencies and 4 more were elected to other offices – Vice President or Congress. On the other hand, another 4 of the 41 studied died in office! Ultimately, about 61% experienced significant turning points in their political careers at their third return years.
Ken concluded that the half returns were also notable. At age 66½ there were more negative overtones, including difficult terms of office, the decision not to run, defeats, and the death of a candidate or their spouse. Abraham Lincoln and Vice President Andrew Johnson were born only 45 days apart, with natal Nodes separated by about 1¼ degrees. Johnson took over as president after Lincoln was assassinated near both of their half-Nodal returns. Jimmy Carter lost his bid for re-election. (John F. Kennedy was also killed at a half-Nodal return at the young age of 46.)
By the fourth Nodal return at the age of 76, most presidents were in retirement, but often experienced other significant life events. Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia and James Madison became rector of the same institution. John Quincy Adams intensified his political activities, chairing a committee to impeach President Tyler (which did not go forward). Harry Truman was involved in John F. Kennedy’s campaign.
Can we draw any conclusions from the Nodal returns for the 2020 election? There’s a likelihood that both Harris and Trump will each have important career transitions. It makes the most logical sense to me that Harris will be elected and Trump will be voted out of the White House. Harris’ Ascendant trines her dignified Saturn conjunct the 10th house, showing the slow and steady progress of her career, and this would be the next logical step for her. While Trump’s Sun conjunct his North Node and Uranus in the 10th indicates spectacular achievements with equally striking reversals, which would be in keeping with him losing support.
But the Nodal return is just one element to consider, and we need corroboration elsewhere to arrive at a definitive judgment.
About Ken Negus — his chart on Astrodatabank, and his bio/obit from the Astrological Society of Princeton.
As COVID-19 spreads, many are recalling the influenza pandemic of 1918. With the largest population in the U.S. (5 million), New York City was the worst hit. 33,000 died over a year, a third of all cases in the country. The City’s response was very different than for the 2020 Coronavirus restrictions, as the astrology shows.
When the flu first struck in the spring, it wasn’t serious. But New York was the arrival port for troops returning from Europe in World War I, and that fall influenza became a serious health concern. Young, healthy people were falling ill and dying.
The City’s health system, recently galvanized to combat tuberculosis, advised the public to avoid spitting and to use handkerchiefs – reminiscent of some of the hygiene suggestions we’re receiving a century later. The Health Commissioner ordered staggered work hours to lessen rush-hour crowding. 150 emergency health centers were put to work. But businesses, theaters and schools remained open to avoid panic. Teachers and school personnel were expected to assess children for symptoms and educate them. These measures seem to have worked as the death rate was much lower than in other large cities (about half a percent).
New York City has a dynamic horoscope, with Jupiter rising in Libra: it’s well-known for its focus on business, publishing and the arts. The Sun conjoining the 4th house in Capricorn reminds us that many make their homes here, too, and the T-square with Jupiter in Libra and the Midheaven in Cancer creates a lively, active place. Four planets in Sagittarius put the emphasis on communications and the value of its ports and many immigrants. Venus and Jupiter are in mutual reception and dispose of all the other planets, making New York a rather large and successful city.
As the flu arrived in the spring of 1918, a total Solar Eclipse activated the City’s Neptune conjunct Pluto in air-sign Gemini, and transiting Jupiter conjoined first Pluto, then Neptune in the 9th – allowing for a wide spread of a deadly pathogen by air. In September, when the flu became more dangerous, the progressed Moon in late Capricorn conjoined progressed Venus and the North Node, and squared the progressed Ascendant in Libra. Transiting Jupiter in Cancer conjoined the MC as it stationed on the City’s natal T-square, squaring 1st house Jupiter and opposing Saturn. As is so often the case, the emphasis on angularity made for more significant events.
While the cardinal signs and angular houses are again emphasized, the 2020 Coronavirus scenario is quite different. The authorities’ recommendation to shelter at home and avoid unnecessary travel are clearly shown by the transiting combination of Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn in NYC’s 4th house. With so much Capricorn, there is a more serious, organized and controlled response.
Transiting Saturn conjoined the City’s North Node in the 4th in mid-February, perhaps the time when the infection originally arrived. When the first cases were reported in NY in March, transiting Jupiter in Capricorn conjoined natal Mercury (ruler of the 9th and 12th) in the 4th house. The progressed Ascendant at about 19 Capricorn conjoined the progressed North Node at 20 Capricorn (right on the January Lunar Eclipse at 20 Cancer), further adding to the emphasis on Capricorn and the North Node that we also saw in 1918. But as Mars, Saturn and Pluto have now moved away from these degrees, hopefully the imposed restrictions will help alleviate the contagion.
The comprehensive astrological textbook Mundane Astrology: an Introduction to the Astrology of Nations and Groups (1984) benefits from the contributions of three accomplished astrological authors – Michael Biagent, Nicholas Campion and Charles Harvey – who raised the level of astrological discourse with their contributions. While readers need a familiarity with basic astrology to understand this book, those interested in the subject, whatever their level of knowledge, will find much valuable information.
This is one of the excellent astrology books published by the U.K. based Aquarian Press in the 1980s. It begins with a concise history of western mundane astrology dating back to the Babylonians. Basic meanings of planets, houses and signs in mundane astrology are provided, along with information on various planetary cycles. Other topics include ingress charts, lunations, eclipses, Astrocartography, the astrology of cities and countries and much more. This book predates Biagent’s Astrology in Ancient Mesopotamia and Campion’s Book of World Horoscopes and The Great Year, and provides an introduction to those works. I had never read Charles Harvey before, and his discussion of planetary cycles is phenomenal, including many references to Andre Barbault’s work. He also addresses midpoints, giving us a better understanding of this topic, too. The work of Charles Carter and John Addey is also covered, and with numerous references to the works of others, the book serves as a resource for more.
A long section pulls the techniques together to analyze World War II, as many European astrologers failed to accurately forecast it (ironically, Americans Elizabeth Aldrich, Louise McWhirter and Evangeline Adams had all predicted U.S. involvement in a conflict years earlier).
While this is a long book, many chapters are inclusive in themselves. The Table of Contents and Index make it easy to find topics of interest.
And it’s time for a reprint! While the book is available second-hand, copies tend to be rather expensive. The charts are small and hand-written, and can be challenging to read. Planetary abbreviations at times also make for a less than fluent read (it took me a while to find the key and realize that SO stood for the Sun!). Notes and sources sometimes follow one chapter and other times are placed further along in the text. The use of a 90-degree dial around the outside of many of Harvey’s charts is not explained until the very end, and it would’ve been more helpful at the beginning. A tiny font detracts from the Index. (Perhaps the 1995 Thorson’s edition may have resolved some of these issues.)
But these are quibbles. Mundane Astrology is a classic of astrological writing, superbly researched and clearly written. The authors generously share their abundant knowledge, and anyone interested in this complex subject will profit from reading it.
How can we forecast long-term trends with astrology? I wondered what took my grandmother away from her home in the U.S. for nine years during World War II. She had lengthy transits of Pluto and Neptune through houses, but their aspects changed and didn’t seem the most descriptive of her situation. Her progressed Sun in Sagittarius in her 4th house would show the developments in her home situation, including foreign travel, but that’s a longer trend. She also had Saturn chasing her Moon.
Since the progressed Moon’s cycle through the signs and Saturn’s transit cycle are similar (around 28 or 29 years), some of us will experience extended periods of time with Saturn repeating the same aspect to the progressed Moon. This, too, is such a long-term influence that it may be tough to categorize.
Saturn opposed my progressed Moon for over 20 years. For me, the period coincided with career development, important decisions, a lot of hard work and important housing issues. I also researched my family genealogy, broke an ankle and had minor surgery. I lost my father and became a caretaker for my mom. The symbolism is clear, but these are also typical life events that many of us will experience in a 20-year period.
My grandmother Ida’s cycle started in 1935 with Saturn in her 7th house opposite the progressed Moon in the 1st, and didn’t end until after 1948, with Saturn in the 1st and the Moon in her 7th (lasting about 13 years, nearly half a Saturn cycle).
Ida’s natal Moon was in the 12th and Saturn in Pisces in her 8th house. Both might relate to events she couldn’t control. There’s no close connection between the two planets, but they’re widely inconjunct (over 3-1/2 degrees apart), not the most comfortable aspect.
Ida had been away from her native land and family members for about six years when her progressed Moon began to oppose transiting Saturn. She never gave us convincing reasons why she didn’t come back to New York before her visa expired. Though when back in Germany, her mother wasn’t well and she also had no great affection for her husband in the U.S. She worked on the family farm and later had jobs as a mail carrier, waitress and housekeeper. World War II brought major limitations: food shortages and life-threatening situations. Her mother and two brothers died during this time. Ida finally got back to New York in 1947, but a year later her husband had a stroke and died, leaving her with little money and an infant to raise. The final two exact passes of her progressed Moon to transiting Saturn came later that year.
Most people won’t experience dire events like these. And because of its length, the transit Saturn-progressed Moon cycle is somewhat unwieldy for astrologers to interpret. It nests within many other cycles and we need to do a lot more research to understand how best to describe it.
See my previous post for more information on Ida’s natal chart and her experiences as a refugee and displaced person.
