Tag Archives: 2020 presidential election

2021 Inauguration Revisited

No, I don’t think that President Biden will die before the November 2024 election.  But I do want to re-visit the 2021 Inauguration horoscope and compare it with actual events.  In my book, Tecumseh’s Curse (2021), I studied the inauguration charts of all the Jupiter-Saturn presidencies to see what information the planetary cycles conveyed. 

The 2021 Inauguration had quite a challenging horoscope.  We tend to read charts with the archetypes in mind, but much is guesswork or conclusions based on different types of charts.  I analyzed the chart by identifying the types of events that had actually occurred on previous cycles – hard aspects between the Sun and Pluto in inauguration charts, Sun-Uranus, Saturn-Uranus and Sun-Saturn.

Much can be gained by this kind of study, though it’s time consuming and not detail-oriented.  And I’ve always felt that accurate forecasts will, by their nature, tend to be somewhat generalized.  The more specific we try to get, the more often we’ll be wrong.  Narrowing down the considerations with a framework – in this case a presidential term – will also narrow down the possibilities.

The original text from Tecumseh’s Curse is in regular font; actual events are in italics.

Forecast:  “Sun-Pluto charts represented notable victories for the presidents, who sought to unite the country. (They included some of the most memorable chief executives in history.) The political parties themselves underwent change. 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. (In 2021, the country faces a recession and an exponentially rising national debt.)”

Actual eventsCommon ground was found in the approval of the American Rescue Plan in 2021 (for economic stimulus), and the 10-year bipartisan Inventory and Jobs Act.  The Republican party is now dominated by “MAGA” adherents, and extremists on both sides of the aisle continue to make themselves heard, with stark ideological divisions.  Ukraine’s and Israel’s wars affected the U.SFears of recession continued with inflation and rising interest rates affecting everyone.

Forecast:  “Hard aspects from Uranus to the Sun in Jupiter-Saturn inauguration horoscopes created unforeseen circumstances in the corresponding administrations. Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt faced tempestuous and chaotic years, and the 2021 administration also has indications of unpredictability and the prospect of involvement in overseas conflicts, with the country potentially re-evaluating its relationships.”

Actual eventsBiden withdrew American military from Afghanistan, a move that was roundly criticized (he began his term with over 50% approval, and spent much of it closer to 40%).  Ukraine and Israel’s wars escalated contention among various factions in the U.S. (most notably campus protests in 2024).  Billions in aide was sent to both countries, and economic sanctions were imposed on Russia (also in keeping with Pluto).

Forecast:  “Uranus squaring Saturn in the tenth house in the 2021 inauguration highlights the breakdown of old structures and the opening of a new phase. (Biden reversed many of his predecessor’s executive orders in his first days in office.) Change and progress should be inevitable, but as before, the president could be limited to some extent by public opinion, opposing parties and international relations. Popular movements should impact the coming years, leading to reform or even some sort of crisis or upheaval that shakes up the country in a significant way. Uranus and Mars conjoining the first house in 2021 suggest a new identity and perspective for the country. Mars also holds the possibility of volatility or perhaps even violence.”

Actual eventsJoe Biden was the first president to walk a union picket line with the UAW.  His climate change and clean energy bill failed to gain enough support.  Perhaps most notably, the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade caused legislatures in various states to limit women’s rights to abortion.  In six states, voters reversed abortion restrictions, with up to 11 more state ballot measures expected in 2024 elections.

Forecast:  “An inaugural Sun conjunct Saturn has correlated with contentious issues and administrations that were limited in time or by circumstances. In the past these have brought civil rights and racial injustice to the forefront, and it seems likely that these issues will continue to be addressed.”

Actual eventsMany in 2024 feel that Biden has aged-out of his job, and his more liberal policies were blocked (a voting rights bill failed in Congress, and the Supreme Court ended consideration of race in college admissions).  The Supreme Court’s July 2024 decision on former president Trump’s immunity helps him evade prosecution in the courts.  During the term, Biden appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black female Supreme Court justice, Juneteenth was made a national holiday, and recognition of same-sex and inter-racial marriages were signed into law in December of 2022.

Ideological contention is nothing new, but there are many questions about both presidential candidates as I write this in the spring of 2024, with important developments expected as Mars conjoins Uranus in mid-July and Jupiter squares Saturn at the time of the election.  Pluto also dips back into Capricorn for the final time from September through November right before the election, bringing up lingering issues before moving forward. 

Original forecast text from Tecumseh’s Curse pages 167-169.

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2020 Vice Presidents

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.