OCTOBER 2008

NEWS

 

Thanks to all those who attended my Venus and Mars workshop. For anyone who missed out, I will be running the workshop again, but most likely not until next year.

 

I am considering teaching an introductory astrology course next year, so if you are interested, please let me know.

 

 

US ELECTIONS UPDATE

 

It’s a hot month politically in the lead up to the US elections on November 4, which is the exact day of the first pass of the Saturn Uranus opposition, and the same day as the Melbourne Cup (more on both these topics in November.)

 

The consensus among many astrologers in both the US and Australia, myself included, is that there remains a great deal of uncertainty about the outcome of these elections. There’s a “wild card” energy in the cosmos with this Saturn Uranus opposition aspect and other planetary aspects as well.

 

On the one hand, Uranus opposing Saturn suggests change, and indeed the Obama campaign slogan is “change”.

 

Being the younger candidate, who is more concerned with the future, Obama seems to be strongly associated with Uranus.

 

Likewise, because Pluto’s shift into Capricorn is indiciative of generational change, the younger candidate is favoured because Pluto is empowering the Pluto in Virgo generation (1957-1972) as it makes a trine to the natal charts of all those born between 1957-1961 now and in the next few years.

 

Meanwhile the older man and Republican, McCain, embodies Saturn the status-quo, the traditional, the incumbent, and all things conservative.

 

All this seemed fairly clear and most pundits, political and astrological, were tipping Obama would win. Uranus would trump Saturn, although in myth it was Saturn who overthrew Uranus, but that's another story.

 

            Enter Sarah Palin, who embodies everything Uranian. As an Aquarian, a woman, younger than Obama, left of field, with some quite extreme right-wing views, and from Alaska, (a highly Aquarian state, being the coldest and isolated from the other states), since her nomination as Republican Vice-President, she is the one now who embodies the radical, unpredictable, maverick energy of Uranus.

 

            Yet Saturn is still associated with the Republicans, since their candidate McCain is much older (though he looks quite young for 72) all of which is making trying to make a prediction as to the outcome of this election incredibly difficult.

 

            Added to which there are a number of similarities in the planetary positions in Obama’s and McCain’s birth charts. They have several planets at the same zodiacal degrees.

 

            Then of course there is the unpredictable nature of Uranus itself to consider, which means whichever candidate we think will win, the result is likely to be a complete opposite!

 

            Under these planetary conditions, all we can be sure of is to expect the unexpected.

 

            On the day of the election, Mercury will change signs and move into Scorpio. Note that Mercury retrograded on September 24 at 22 Libra, and will turn direct on October 15 at 7 Libra, but will not get back to 22 Libra until October 31, just 4 days before the election.

 

             My feeling is that some crucial miscommunication or public statement by one or another of the candidates in the weeks before the election, will affect the result. Someone may very well put their foot in their mouth, or some kind of mercurial mishap may occur which will turn public opinion and affect the outcome at the last minute.

 

             Perhaps the candidate who says and does the least in the next few weeks, may actually come up trumps.

 

           

             Note also in the Libra Ingress chart for Washington DC, Mercury, the MC Ruler is virtually stationary, about to turn retrograde and exactly is conjunct the Ascendant Ruler, Mars, which is in detriment.

 

 

 

Pluto, Ascendant co-ruler is in the second house of domestic financial matters, squaring the Sun, highlighting the US economic woes which will likely also play a role in determining the outcome of the election.

 

Saturn and Uranus are both in angular houses, so this 3 month period from September to December is a pivotal time when some singular events may have lasting consequences for the US.

 

Meanwhile in Australia, Malcolm Turnbull has become the new opposition leader.

Although his time of birth is not known, I have drawn up a speculative chart and added some brief thoughts to my feature on Australian Prime Ministers and past federal elections.

 

OCTOBER 2008

 

Aries Full Moon

Oct 15

 

 

Sabian Symbol for Moon: The gate to the garden of desire.

 

Mars and Venus in Scorpio fire the passion of this Aries Full Moon as sexuality and emotional intensity combine. Mars in Scorpio opposes asteroid Vesta in Taurus in the 7th house, also heating things up but perhaps adding a discriminating edge and focused intent on what we most desire. 

          

Vesta is a model of self-sufficiency, a virgin goddess, self contained and content to rely on her own resources, yet within Vesta is an inner fire that burns like an eternal flame. In Taurus she is perhaps more likely to express her physical desires, while still remaining true to her personal values.

 

            Juno, goddess of marriage and committed relationship is making a conjunction to Pluto, adding intensity and perhaps leading to some heated exchanges with loved ones.

 

            For better or worse, relationship encounters under this Full Moon are likely to be intense.

 

If affected personally by this Full Moon new intimate connections are indicated and where unresolved tension and conflict exists, it may be necessary for each party to go their separate ways.

 

 

Mercury Station Direct

Oct 15

 

Mercury has been retrograde for the past three weeks and now resumes forward motion.

 

            When Mercury stands still there is a pause in proceedings and disruptions often ensue. There isn’t much point jumping up and down. The best option is often to walk away from the problem for a while to think it over.

 

            Magically, when we stop fiddling with it, the computer glitch or technical hiccup often resolves itself when left to its own devices. When Mercury is retro we can often make things a lot worse by interfering.

 

            Now that Mercury is turning around, an important piece of information previously overlooked may come to light, some detail or miscommunication from the past few weeks may now surface. Adjustments to plans may be necessary as a result.

 

            Now that Mercury is resuming forward motion, it’s much easier to proceed with plans that may have been put on hold over the past few weeks.

 

 

Chiron conjunct North Node

Oct 16

 

Is it just me, or have you also noticed there seems to be a lot of health concerns and hospital visits among your circle of friends and family of late?

 

            This is a good time to heal any physical or emotional wounds and to focus on things which support your health and wellbeing on all levels. It may be time to let go of those activities and/or people who are creating undue stress in your life, which might be impacting on your health and wellbeing.

 

Chiron will station direct on October 25, so take this opportunity to initiate a new healthy diet and exercise regime, or make an appointment to visit a healer who can support you at this time.

 

 

Scorpio New Moon

Oct 29

 

Sabian Symbol: A gold rush.

 

 

 

 

At this Scorpio New Moon, Mars is in Scorpio too. Although about 11 degrees away, his presence here adds potency to the Scorpio theme. Meanwhile Pluto joins Juno in a tight conjunction in the last degree of Sagittarius, emphasising the Pluto themes of renewal and rebirth.

 

Uranus and Saturn are getting mighty close now to their first opposition in 45 years which will take place next Tuesday, the day of the US Election and the Melbourne Cup, November 4.

 

            This Sabian Symbol, a gold rush, suggests a frenzy of activity, such as we might expect in the lead up to these events. Everyone is looking to make money.

 

            The opposition of Saturn and Uranus last occurred in the mid 1960s and is associated with major social change. Whoever wins the US election, the coming years are set to be very challenging.

 

            Meanwhile in Australia the Rudd government will be making its decision soon on the carbon trading scheme and introducing regulations to deal with climate change. Some major adjustments are in store.

 

Personally and collectively we are in for a year of significant change in 2009 as we awaken to the fact that the future is now.