October 15, 2019: Democratic Debate Number 4

October 10, 2019: the upcoming 2020 Democratic Debate is scheduled for Tuesday October 15, 2019 at 8:00 pm edt and will be hosted by CNN's Anderson Cooper and Erin Burnett, plus, the National Editor of the NYT, Marc Lacey. Predictably, this 4th debate is billed as another "showdown" between former VP Joe Biden and Senator Elizabeth Warren with 10 other Democratic candidates flanking them onstage. Whether Biden and Warren will fuss'n'tussle as The Media so desires remains to be seen. Why, you'd think the networks and the press make money off the debate's entertainment value, or something, though I do agree it's primarily a performance of America's Political Theater. However, the cosmic weather of the debate's Sun Libra-Moon Taurus combo of energies, with both signs ruled by Venus, suggests that cooperation between the candidates is more likely to be shown than competitiveness, and we may hear the assertion that everyone has the right to health, wealth, and education.

The full line-up of political performers on October 15th consists of Gabbard, Steyer, Booker, Harris, Sanders, (Biden, Warren), Buttigieg, Yang, O'Rourke, Klobuchar, and Castro and will be held at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio where they 'serve the common good' (then it's my kinda place!).

So with the October 15th debate's North Node of future direction @11Can43 in the 3rd house of Communications (8:00 pm Westerville, OH) we can round up to '12 Cancer' which spotlights a certain Sabian Symbol: "A Chinese Woman Nursing a Baby with a Message". You see my artful depiction of this symbol, above left, but its display is not intended as a shout-out to Chinese interference of any kind!

Meanwhile, Venus @9Sco03 in 6th house with debating planet Mercury is chart-ruler because ascending at 8:00 pm is 19Tau12 with the Moon (the public) rising @16Tau12 (it's a "Swords vs Torches' affair!). Chart ruler Venus makes no Ptolemaic aspects to other debate planets but she does trine the North Node of public contacts and future direction, as noted. Will a female be the Democratic nominee or someone's VP pick? Obviously, there is a beneficial feminine touch to the proceedings yet it's the 6th house Mars @7Lib37 which leads a ruthless Locomotive shape of planets toward success and Mars suggests males or a male, and US military and/or civil service issues (such as whistle blowers?! Trump's troop withdrawals for the sake of Russia's ambitions?).

And as you know, health can also be a factor when the 6th house is involved and we think of Senator Sanders' recent heart procedure which casts doubt upon his continuing stamina. Here's hoping Bernie is feeling fine now with his medical problem taken care of.

Yet perhaps the most obvious planetary stand-out in the October 15th horoscope is the rising Moon in Taurus opposing the setting Mercury in Scorpio which paints an appropriate cosmic picture of the 4th debate itself (Taurus-Scorpio issues) and suggests that someone's progress is blocked or frustrated, conflicts flare, ideas and opinions (Mercury) are confronted (opposition), and things that don't run very smoothly. Any, all, or none of these head vs heart potentials may involve the younger (Mercury) candidates challenging the female (Moon) candidates but may also represent a public (Moon) challenged by the ideas and policies (Mercury) of any or some of the Democratic candidates in this debate. Consequently, indecision can be one of the results of the Moon-Mercury opposition which implicates both economic and domestic issues--and lively debates.

We might also note that 4th debate Mars conjoins powerful asteroid Hidalgo which hints at social climbing and may possibly denote Julian Castro. To close, there are only two midpoint pictures in the 4th debate horoscope and both involve planet of The Masses and the Mass Media, Neptune:

Assertive Uranus-MC = Neptune: expecting recognition, and withdrawal if frustrated; and, the patient, wise, and/or inhibited pair of Saturn-ASC = Neptune: over-making a point, and arguments about strange dimensions or obscure things (Tyl). The topics of Trump's crimes, antics, bad decisions, and unsuitability for office may be included here, plus, Big T appears at other places in the chart.

Now naturally there are several more chart factors of note (ex: debate's Syzygy Moon @20Ari13 = "A Pugilist Entering the Ring" which is the degree of America's natal Chiron--an injured public will be watching the debate!) but to keep this a post not an e-book, I'll stop here and let you, dear reader, ferret out the rest!

And as always, your on-topic comments and kind shares are welcomed and encouraging. Jude

Spotlight on Mercury: John Edwards

John Edwards (June 10, 1953; 7:02 am est; Seneca, SC; rated A: astrodatabank) is proud possessor of an out-of-bounds Mercury in his natal chart.

Out-of-bounds (oobs) planets accept no limits and may indicate boundless success and creativity--in the case of John Edwards, Mercury's territories of communications, oration, intellectual pursuits, and commerce seem to have benefited him greatly when he was trying medical malpractice suits and making millions.

You see in his natal chart that Mercury had just risen as he was being born, yet the Moon is chart-ruler (ASC 12Can01--conjunct US n Sun = the leader in a national chart. He has already expressed this connection, of course, in the Senate and in running for president 2004.)

Moon is in Gemini near Jupiter and all in all there are many factors showing money-making ability, and links to medical issues (including wounded Chiron in 7th house of marriage partner and legal affairs (lawsuits.) And Edwards isn't the only Washington politician with a Moon-Jupiter conjunction...expansive emotional desires used in public relations...Dubya is one such...the glass is supposedly always half-full.)

Tonight I'm looking at Edwards' Mercury in Cancer, 12th house, yet perhaps should mention that also in 12th house are Sun (politician; unconscious arrogance); and Mars 27Gem33..."28Gem" = "A man declared bankrupt"--DELIVERANCE...

pos: an effective and overall effectiveness even in the worst of situations;

neg/shadow side: a willingness to dodge every responsibility and betray the very core of self. (This "Bankruptcy" degree refers to court cases and to "enter(ing) new paths of opportunity) (The Sabian Symbols in Astrology, Jones.)

Mercury in 12th house is very creative--as is the sign of Cancer, which is also connected to business and commerce) yet a 12th house Mercury, says Tracy Marks in her marvelous book, Your Secret Self, gives a constantly active mind, always seeking to organize vast amounts of stimulation and information; plus, a tendency toward nervousness.

Frequently there are negative messages from childhood which must be overcome--"don't be stupid" or "be quiet", etc. Then much can be achieved. 12th house Mercuries study many in-depth subjects behind the scenes--more than anyone knows.

In Washington, Sen Edwards was known to be a fast-talker, fast-walker, with little regard for protocol--Mercury in 12th house seldom develops an ability for small talk and makes compulsive lists of details for organizing and planning life.

An undervalued or overvalued intellect may result from having a 12th house Mercury and refuge may be sought in their intellectual capacities. Yet the Scarecrow's "If only I had a brain" mantra may sometimes prevail, esp during school days.

As you know, Edwards was first in his family to attend and graduate from college--AQ on 9th cusp of higher learning would've wanted that bwo Saturn's influence in 9th house. And Uranus' higher vibrations (AQ) would have wanted progress bwo higher education.

Basically this is a non-verbal thinker who perceives the world in terms of images, feelings, and sensations. His active Moon in combination with Mercury supports this, for Moon-Mercury is intuitive and thinks with the feelings (Tyl.) Moon is oobs, along with Mars and Mercury--and Edwards was born during a Moon hour--good for public dealings and publicity--an extraordinary amount of it thanks in part to an oobs Moon.

Although Gemini is the sign of a social butterfly, Moon-Mercury folks are usually very involved with their families. In fact, Edwards' Moon and Mercury are in mutual reception with one another, describing his family's strong support of his ideas and plans.

Mercury's only aspect is 'minor'...a semi-square with powerful Pluto. Semi-squares are in the octile family (8) and are weak but difficult; a separating semi-square = the release of self through creative interchange (The Astrology of Relationship, Michael R. Myer.) They show a tendency toward dynamic connections with others which manifest in either an exciting and constructive way or in a conflicting and difficult way.

And the combo of Mercury-Pluto = communicating or demanding new perspectives; persuasion ability (which attorneys need for success), and propaganda promotion--admittedly helpful in the political realm.

It may as well be for we sure are stuck with a gracious helping of it from every direction.

Mercury rules natal 4th (Virgo) and 12th (Gemini); Saturn is square Uranus--the two old vs new , tradition vs progress planets will be in opposition for the 2008 election and for Inauguration 2009. This re-contact may support his win along with this:

John Edwards--as you can see for yourself--has North Node (NN = connections with the public) conj his 8th cusp 3AQ13...and this is where tr Jupiter (3AQ32) will be at Inauguration Jan 20, 2009; noon; DC.

And while this one factor may not be enough to propel Edwards into the Oval Office, I've not found any other candidate with such an exact, or perhaps I should say, obvious--connection with Jupiter 2009, in 10th house of the Inauguration chart. Perhaps I will but haven't *as of yet.

*UPDATE 12.22: Barack Obama's natal Saturn 25Cap22 Rx and Jupiter 00AQ56 Rx are tucked next to the Inaugural 2009's MC (noon 26Cap11, conj US n Pluto) and Mercury 00AQ41Rx, and Sun 00AQ47. So...an Obama-Edwards ticket?)

Yet Jupiter = Republican...though jolly Jupe is also the rich man (Edwards or Romney or---Bloomberg!), judge, preacher (Huckabee? don't even joke--more Bushesque Armageddon there; besides, church + state is unconstitutional), professor, guru...and attorney--which again could be...John Edwards and his out-of-bounds Mercury as prez or VP!


general notes on Mercury and the natal Mercury of Barack Obama here.