Donald Trump in 2019 and 2020 - The Astrology (Will He Get Re-elected?)

The following is a view from abroad of US Politics for today Stars Over Washington is very pleased to present a Political Astrology article authored by British astrologer James Lynn Page whose brief bio and website link you'll find posted, below:

What about the astro-predictions for Donald Trump in 2019 and 2020, when we have the US Presidential elections? If you just assume President Trump won’t be re-elected on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 in the 59th four-yearly elections, read this from the Forbes website:

‘Donald Trump’s presidency has been so widely derided in the national media that a casual observer might easily conclude his prospects for re-election are dim. However, that is not what the odds makers are saying. They give Trump a solid edge over any Democratic candidate in 2020 … Only two chief executives seeking reelection over the last 50 years—Carter and Bush 41—failed in their bid for a second term. Nixon, Reagan, Clinton, Bush 43 and Obama all won reelection, even though at least two of them were highly controversial. In fact, the most controversial presidents tend to roll up the biggest reelection victories. Second, Trump has presided over the strongest economy in living memory. Unemployment is at record lows, inflation is nearly non-existent, and new jobs are being created at a startling pace. Anyone who studies presidential politics knows that strong economies are the most important factor driving support for the incumbent.

Elsewhere, Elizabeth Drew reckons that the Democrats possibly need to do more:

‘Trump’s success at solidifying his base could be his salvation in 2020 if the Democratic nomination process doesn’t produce a strong enough opponent or ends in hostility. And, though Trump appears to have committed several impeachable offenses – accepting “emoluments,” or gifts or income from foreign sources, and obstructing justice, among others – the Democrats are reluctant to be seen as seeking his removal from office, owing to the fierce opposition of Trump’s base. (Fanatic Trump supporters have threatened literal civil war if their hero is impeached or convicted.)’

It seems not to matter how widely Donald Trump is derided in the Press, nor how many ‘false or misleading claims’ (the Guardian) he makes, or how politically incorrect he may be, the train keeps on rolling! Lately, we have seen the results of the Robert Mueller investigation into Trump’s possible collusion with Russia over the election campaign in 2016. Many opponents had hoped for his impeachment, but as Reuters reported, Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House said: ‘Trump is unfit to be president but she is “not for impeachment.” This is because: “Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there’s something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t think we should go down that path, because it divides the country,” Anyway, Pelosi added, “He’s just not worth it.”

In any case, the Mueller inquiry – which ended on March 22nd 2019 – found no direct evidence of any illegal activity on President Trump’s part. Interestingly, the final report concluded just as ‘lucky’ Jupiter had transited (by opposition) Trump’s sun at 22º Gemini. (By one degree of orb.) This is significant, as Jupiter has long been a key factor in the fortunes of the Donald as President – it has been conjunct his ascendant by progression since the start of his presidential campaign on June 16th, 2015 (starting within only two minutes of arc.) Obviously, each subsequent progressed chart shows the orb for the Jupiter-asc. conjunction getting wider and wider. This means that the reality checks will, incrementally, get more urgent.

The Solar return for Donald Trump in 2019 and 2020 shows two important oppositions: a Mercury-Mars conjunction (opposed to Pluto-Saturn conjunction in the 10th house), plus sun opposite Jupiter. Mercury-Mars opposite Pluto-Saturn is fiercely combative, argumentative and divisive, a situation where both opponents dig in their heels, assume strong positions, and refuse to shift ground. Tough opposition in other words, and this can apply just as much to Trump’s personal life as it does the day job. However sun-Jupiter will also provide some self confidence, if not actual protection. We’ll see more instances of Donald Trump in 2019 and 2020 thumbing his nose at convention with that Teflon coat (and delighting his supporters). Here, he may ride the storm just as well once more!

2020 is unlikely to be as smooth a ride as it has been, however. On Donald Trump’s 2020 Solar Return (from June) a different picture emerges when Chiron sits on the MC, whilst Saturn is now in the seventh house of relationships. The MC symbolises the public image and profession, and Chiron energies can bring out the worst in a situation. Saturn is all about having to realise limitations, and so its placing in the seventh may mean that even trusted advisors could be found wanting as loyalties are stretched. However, we must add that both Pluto and Jupiter are also conjunct the descendant (making it technically a stellium with Saturn) so that we have a case of both powerful friends and powerful enemies.

Of further serious weight in 2020 is transiting Pluto (once more demanding his pound of flesh) in late January to early February (also, throughout July) as it opposes Donald Trump’s natal Saturn. This is an extremely tense transit and not easy to bear – the weight of the world is on one’s shoulders and the forces of opposition are strong. Something has to give! Something may now backfire, and this also coincides with the major, historic Saturn-Pluto conjunction in January (which has a universal effect but applies especially to right-wing conservatism and strongly capitalist agendas). Charges of corruption or racism may occur, press freedoms may be under attack, oppressed minorities may be yet more oppressed. The Saturn-Pluto transit in the sky bespeaks of right wing empowerment and its iron hand, authoritarianism and the removal of liberties by those in charge as they push their agendas (or worse). Human rights often go straight out of the window. For example, the last time this conjunction occurred (separated by only one degree) was in late October 2001, coinciding with the appearance of the US Patriot Act, in the wake of 9/11, the previous month. This was:

‘signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001 in order to strengthen national security … Those opposing the law have criticized its authorization of indefinite detentions of immigrants; the permission given to law enforcement to search a home or business without the owner’s or the occupant’s consent or knowledge; the expanded use of National Security Letters, which allows the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to search telephone, e-mail, and financial records without a court order; and the expanded access of law enforcement agencies to business records, including library and financial records. Since its passage, several legal challenges have been brought against the act, and federal courts have ruled that a number of provisions are unconstitutional.’ (Wikipedia)

Its also gonna get interesting in late March, 2020 (and early July) when transiting Jupiter opposes Trump’s natal Saturn – one step forward and two steps back! This is the old expansion–contraction dichotomy when, with an optimistic attitude, you try to accomplish one goal but end up mired in something else quite unforeseen. Decisions announced by Trump, despite popular base-support, may fail to get the blessing of Congress. By the time of the Uranus square to natal Pluto on July 6th (and late September) there is massive tension seeking a release! Whatever has transpired lately – maybe new laws or policies put into force – can no longer be sustained, and President Trump may have to change tack. It might, for example, be time to forget about the border wall, for good! This high-pressure situation should come to a resolution finally in late September as it re-occurs, not least when the concurrent transiting Jupiter squares his natal Jupiter. Here, though, the President will once again be in a confident, nay bullish, mood.

So what does the astrological picture indicate regarding Donald Trump’s possible return to the White House in January 2021? And will the Democrats be able to field someone who can capture the popular imagination, given that populism is what seems to work best these days?

Democrat Party Chart – 17/2/1801, 13.00, Washington D.C.

‘Since Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal coalition in the 1930s, the Democratic Party has also promoted a social liberal platform, supporting social justice … The New Deal Coalition of 1932–1964 attracted strong support from voters of recent European extraction—many of whom were Catholics based in the cities. After Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal of the 1930s, the pro-business wing withered outside the South. After the racial turmoil of the 1960s, most Southern whites and many Northern Catholics moved into the Republican Party at the presidential level. The once-powerful labor union element became smaller and less supportive after the 1970s. White Evangelicals and Southerners became heavily Republican at the state and local level since the 1990s. People living in metropolitan areas, women, sexual and gender minorities, millennials, college graduates, and racial and ethnic minorities in the United States, such as Jewish Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Arab Americans and African Americans, tend to support the Democratic Party much more than they support the rival Republican Party.’ (Wikipedia)

The more community-oriented, ‘all-comers welcome’ element, where minorities and those of foreign birth are drawn to the Democrats, reflects perfectly the Aquarius sun and – in one sense at least – Cancer rising. (The sign of motherhood, caring and support.) Aquarius is the sign of collective idealism, community, brotherhood and sisterhood. Humanity coming together as one. The sun is also conjunct Pluto, and my researches show that strong Pluto aspects are always necessary to an entity like a political party – for wielding great power, what else? On election day, 2020, the progressed sun is exactly conjunct natal Uranus, hence the urge is to reform and break up the old order. There will be much talk of a ‘revolution in politics’ from the Democrats.

Likewise, the solar return 2020-21 chart for the Democrats has Uranus conjunct the MC (to within one degree) emphasising the theme of drastic change (which will require drastic moves) that will possibly extend to their final choice of presidential candidate, possibly a maverick, ‘Uranian’ type with truly innovative and radical ideas! Someone to shake things up. Transits for election time for the Democrats are unhelpful, though on a Tertiary Progression I chart (something I haven’t used for ages) the sun will have moved to an exact conjunction with Pluto. And, as mentioned, Pluto is almost always present where the taking of power is involved! Also, the Solar Arc Direction chart has Jupiter conjunct the natal sun for the time in question. The Democrats astrologically speaking, are well placed, then. So what about the Grand Old Party?

THE CHART OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

Republican Party Chart I – 20/3/1854, 18:30, Ripon, Wisconsin

‘The GOP was founded in 1854 [and] … originally subscribed to classical liberalism and took ideological stands that were anti-slavery and pro-economic reform … After the 1912 election, many [Theodore] Roosevelt supporters left the Party, and the Party underwent an ideological shift to the right… The liberal Republican element in the GOP was overwhelmed by a conservative surge begun by Barry Goldwater in 1964 that continued during the Reagan Era in the 1980s. After the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the party’s core base shifted, with the Southern states becoming more reliably Republican in presidential politics and the Northeastern states becoming more reliably Democratic. White voters increasingly identified with the Republican Party after the 1960s. [In 1973] the Republican Party made opposition to abortion a key plank of its national party platform and grew its support among evangelicals.’ (Wikipedia)

What the Wikipedia piece above doesn’t mention is that the Republicans have always been the party of big business, self-determination, the corporate and capitalist ethic and essentially, the upholding of conservative values. This is hardly reflected in the ‘official’ chart of the Republicans – illustrated above – set for 6.30 p.m., Ripon, Wisconsin (March 20, 1854), the venue for the first meeting for a new anti-slavery party when the name “Republican” was suggested.

Rather, I suggest that a chart for the ‘first statewide convention that formed a platform and nominated candidates under the term “Republican”’ (Wikipedia) better describes the character of the GOP. This occurred at a venue near Jackson, Michigan on July 6, 1854. If we use the time of the traditional chart (18.30) we get Sagittarius rising, though a little later gives us Capricorn rising:

Republican Party Chart II – 6/7/1854, 19:00, Jackson, Michigan

This chart seems to tie in with its perceived character as the party for the ‘self-made business person’ who favours pragmatism, profit and low taxes. The ‘rectified’ chart I have chosen is set for 7.00 pm. Even if this time is wrong, a chart for the Republicans with sun in Cancer (tradition, ‘family values’), moon in Scorpio (reactionary and hard-headed) and a Venus-Saturn conjunction (social conservatism) seems more apt than the first one with sun in heroic Aries, moon in idealistic Sagittarius and ascendant in light-hearted, diplomatic Libra rising.

How are they going to fare then? Well, the Republican solar return shows the sun conjunct to Chiron on the IC – a ‘wounding’ at the heart of things. (See last paragraph.) Then again, we have the Jupiter return occurring at 23º Capricorn in the wake of the election in November 2020 – hardly insignificant, and one of the two major factors suggesting a successful election. Pluto also moves to a powerful conjunction with Jupiter this month – and this has massive significance. It may well help return Trump to power. The Solar Arc Direction chart also shows Jupiter making a square to the natal ascendant. Squares are not necessarily obstacles, but they do always lend plenty of energy and impetus to a situation!

DONALD TRUMP IN 2019 AND 2020 – CONCLUSION

At the end of the day, enabling and empowering Jupiterian energy assists both party charts and the election result will be very close run thing (much closer than the Democrats would expect). The whole thing could easily swing Trump’s way because of the strong economy, low unemployment and the fact that the nation is nominally at peace. However, on election day President Trump’s progressed chart shows pressure involving taskmaster Saturn and the progressed MC as they form a conjunction. Some astrologers may see in this a suggestion of karmic just desserts. But – remember – the strong Jupiter-Pluto configurations on the Republican chart may swing it for Donald Trump, not that a return to power for him in 2021 will be anything like the proverbial walk in the park.

Many left wing academics have commented on how the whole spirit of democracy itself in the US has been affected lately. It’s interesting to note that, on the progressed US chart for 2020, Venus is conjunct Chiron, which – in turn – is also conjunct the natal Chiron! On a mundane chart, Venus is collective common discourse (how a nation communicates and relates) and Chiron is the wound that requires attention. These latter suggest something ‘wrong’ at the core – something that requires healing. On the progressed Sibly chart, Uranus is conjunct the MC (government) and the faster moving moon is conjunct Pluto. Here, we have tension and pressure building up to the point where the energies are ready to burst forth. Something new wants to be born. Something’s gotta give! People are ready for big change in the US, and something will arise from that gnawing sense that one is living in unusual times!

BRIEF BIO – JAMES LYNN PAGE

James Lynn Page is a consultant astrologer, tarot analyst, teacher, lecturer, and author of Mind-Body-Spirit titles, who received the Faculty of Astrological Studies’ Certificate in 1984. His first astrology book, Jungian Birth Charts, was published by Aquarian Press in 1988 under the pen name Arthur Dione, and was called “one of the better popular astrology books to see print in this decade,” by Horoscope magazine. Prediction in the UK labelled it “one of the best books to date to bring added depth to the art of horoscope interpretation.” Soon after going to work for W. Foulsham Publishing, James co-authored their annual 12-volume Old Moore’s Horoscope and Astral Diaries, and is now one of the chief astrological consultants to Foulsham’s annual Old Moore’s Almanac. He has authored the monthly astrology newsletter for Raphael’s Ephemeris and is a guest blogger on the Health and Wellness site HealthyTreeFrog. His website is Astrology, Magic and the Conscious Universe.

Trump with Regulus Rising: Revenge Time!

Now that AG Bill Barr has covered for him so that Mr. Trump's 'exoneration spin' can swing into full force and he's threatening revenge against all his critics, it occurs to me that this particular phase of retaliation by Donald Trump may be a telling part of the Regulus caution he lives under.

For as you know, royal Regulus rises in Trump's natal chart (assuming its 10:54 am timing is accurate with ASC 29Leo55) so the 'kingmaker' star's caution is especially critical for Mr. Trump: 'success if revenge is avoided; if not, all that has been gained will be taken away'.

So if you wish, see a previous post Will Regulus Assure the Destiny of Donald Trump? for more details and a link to Trump's natal horoscope. Plus, for an extra 'punch' of revenge and grudge-holding in his character, it's interesting that Trump's natal Tisiphone, asteroid of retaliation, is positioned @22Sag24 which opposes his natal Sun (22Gem55) and thus conjoins his natal Moon (21Sag12) - on his (fated, karmic) Nodal Axis! Now with Regulus at Ascendant, Tisiphone on Nodal Axis with Sun and Moon - the man embodies retaliation and revenge. And that is one of, if not his primary, Achilles Heels (which is not so say that he hasn't others).

Therefore, it seems possible to me that the Great Saturn-Pluto Conjunction @22Cap46 (January 12, 2020) conjunct Trump's natal Vertex of fated encounters will bring him his just desserts after all due to the many ongoing investigations now being pursued around the country, NY in particular (thanks to Mr. Mueller's 'farming them out').

Guess we'll have to see how Trump and America fares as 2019 closes, won't we? And as always, America is my only nag in the race!

2019 'Wild Card' Uranus Activates 'The Tower' Eclipse

Wild Card Uranus Returns to Its 'Wild Card' Solar Eclipse Degree of August 2018: Eclipses Are aka 'Wild Cards of the Universe' and 'Cosmic Blinks'

by Jude Cowell

Now you might think the following cosmic event pictured in a DC Horoscope, below, is insignificant and perhaps you're correct. You may also believe that once a new solar eclipse manifests, all previous eclipses are no longer subject to activation, whether the eclipses were Total or not. There we disagree.

So in consideration of the crisis-ridden political climate in America these days as led by chaotic Uranian Trump, and the themes of the August 11, 2018 Solar Eclipse @18Leo41 which is also known as 'The Tower Eclipse' for its karmic collapsing/rebuilding energies in similar fashion to the planet of disruption and chaos, Uranus (Donald Trump's guiding planet in his natal horoscope) here is Uranus conjunct the Sun on April 23, 2019 as it returns to its partile degree of 2Tau33 in 'The Tower Eclipse' horoscope of 2018:

Most of my notes are penned upon the chart so please enlarge the image for better viewing as you wish--although I should point out a few factors: that the transiting Mars-Uranus midpoint sits upon the natal MC of Donald Trump along with enraged star Algol of Medusa fame and this suggests that any, all, or none of the potentials you see penned inside the horoscope may express--plus, transit Mars will soon hit Trump's natal Uranus (17Gemini) in his 10th house of Career and Public Status and this will activate what could be an especially explosive or dangerous period for him; also note that chart-ruler Venus makes no application (other than her conjunction with Chiron), and the chart's BOWL shape is led by an 8th house Moon in Sagittarius (Moon = women and children; the public; Sag is the sign of foreigners and immigrants).

Plus, it's impossible to ignore the cluster f**k at Midheaven with Saturn in Nodal Degree (doubly karmic, or fated) and conjoining South Node, a Saturnian point of separation (see chart notes). Plus, there's power-mad Pluto nearby as the two heavy-weights prepare for their rendezvous on January 12, 2020 @22Cap46 (see link, below) which conjoins the natal Vertex ('VX') of Mr. Trump. Some of Big T's natal placements surround the chart and are highlighted in lavender pink, a perfect shade for cowardly bullies, don't you think?

Related: Saturn Conjunct Pluto January 12, 2020 showing the 2020 horoscope, plus, the current Saturn-Pluto Conjunction horoscope, the cycle we remain in (since November 1982) until their next conjunction in Saturn-ruled Capricorn, an Earth sign of government, law, business, and materialism.

Horoscopes: 1982 and 2020 Saturn-Pluto Conjunctions

Because we remain in the Saturn-Pluto cycle which began on November 7, 1982, as shown by the fact that we're still living in the Reaganomics wealth-favoring economy, below is a DC Horoscope for the planets' exact meet-up in 1982 with November 7, 2018 transits penned around the chart (highlighted in turquoise blue). Significantly, November 7, 2018 was the day of a New Moon @15Sco11 which basically timed a Solar Return to the 1982 Saturn-Pluto chart and, as with all new moons, suggests the seeding of new ideas and/or plans as a new cycle of activity begins. The January 12, 2020 horoscope follows.

This November 7th New Moon resonates with Democratic victories at the 2018 Midterms on Nov 6th so that Republican control of the three branches of government will end once the new 116th Congress is sworn in on January 3, 2019 (last I heard, Jan 3rd), the start of a new congressional cycle. Plus, any conjunction of planets is a 'new moon' within that pair's cycle and 'peaks' of activity may be followed by the planets' sextiles, squares, trines, quincunxes, and oppositions subsequently issuing from the conjunction which starts a particular cycle's 'cosmic clock' ticking toward the next conjunction. Round and round we go!

So as you know, in late 2018 we are nearing the close of the current 1982 Saturn-Pluto cycle (appr 33-38 years' duration) with their January 12, 2020 conjunction coming sooner than we'd like for its 'new social order' implications. Below is the 1982 horoscope, then the upcoming 2020 chart with brief notations included.

Please enlarge the images to read details penned upon the charts:

The Leo Moon is chart-ruler in the November 7, 1982 horoscope (Cancer rising) with the Jupiterian North Node conjunct US natal Jupiter (5Can56), a double Jupiter inference, plus, the Moon also rules the 2nd house of Money, Earning Ability, and Possessions (cusp 21Can48). Busy Luna in Leo leads a a BOWL formation of all the planets denoting an advocacy of a cause or a mission to fulfill; as chart-ruler the Moon and applies twice: 1. Moon square Sun (15Sco16 as noted, Sun is in 5th house of Risk-Taking and Gambling and conjuncts Reagan's natal Jupiter in mid-Scorpio as does Venus, another money planet); the square suggests potentials for conflicts between leadership/authority figures and the people/the public, distorted information and propaganda, and much frustration--self-control and hard work are needed; 2. Moon square Venus which denotes distortion of priorities, rebellion or defiance within relationships and diplomacy, illicit alliances, and a sense of being threatened or intimidated.

2020 minus 1982 = 38 years - half of which = 19 years so I'd say the first half of their cycle ended in or about 2001 just in time for the New Millennium to begin; therefore, we're in process of winding up the Moon-square-Venus phase now.

Setting on the 1982 Descendant is testy warrior planet Mars @5Cap17, so recently limited or restricted by transit Saturn in its own sign of Capricorn which is always a difficult placement for the old man financially. Saturn-to-Mars indicates a period when taking shortcuts or circumventing rules, laws, or regulations is ill-advised (tell that to Trump!), and there are difficulties in relationships with males--or they may break off entirely (ex: former AG Jeff Sessions fired--5Cap is his natal Mars positionand he was born in 1946 with a Saturn-Pluto conjunction, both Rx in Leo!). Also, Mars @5Cap17 opposes US natal Jupiter (see details on the chart, lower right).

Check the 1982 chart's 12th cusp (24Tau06) and you'll see Trump's natal Midheaven (The Goal; Aspirations; Career) conjoining 1982 wounded-wounding Chiron upon the 12th cusp of Politics and Karma (also where raging star Algol resides). Comparing both conjunctions and eras, we now have Saturn and Pluto energies combined in Airy Libra--on the mental or intellectual plane where theories cavort--and describing current trends (a la Reagan, as previously noted) but we will meet compressing Saturn-Pluto energies within the pragmatic Earth sign of Saturn-ruled Capricorn as of January 2020, not the best portent in the social or financial areas of life. That more 'earth changes' and shifts will ensue seems a given to me, how about you? Especially since foreign and domestic corporatists have plundered and mined Earth's natural resources to our detriment.

Then as you see, the transiting North Node, the 'head of the dragon', is at 29Cancer, a critical 29th degree, and will soon conjoin the degree (27Can43) of the 1982 Saturn-Pluto conjunction's Prenatal Eclipse ('PE') which occurred in the 1 North Saros Series on July 20, 1982. This, I should inform you, is 'The Tower' Eclipse under which we now labor for a subsequent eclipse manifested in the 1 North series on August 11, 2018 @18Leo41. 'Collapse of structures, lifestyles, and plans', plus,'rebuilding', are the themes of 1 North (Brady) as we've discussed in several recent posts so if you type 'Eclipses' in the sidebar search field you'll discover a plethora of posts concerning these 'cosmic blinks' of the Universe. Or, tap one of the labels below this post.

You know, it always amazes me that many folk assume that God isn't watching events on planet Earth yet if they attended the sight of a Total Solar Eclipse they could sense His 'blink' if they had any sense at all!

Be that as it may, both Saturn and Pluto are slow moving karmic planets which influence many levels of societies the world over, and it can be instructive to consider historical events of November 1982 (and all of 1982). These include Nov 3: the DOW soared to a record high, the first time since January 11, 1973; Nov 12: former KGB head Andropov succeeds the deceased Brezhnev as secretary general; Nov 13: in Washington DC the Vietman Veterans Memorial is dedicated; and Nov 28: 88 countries send representatives to a meeting in Geneva to discuss world trade and free trade issues. Here's a more complete list for the entire year.

Naturally, 2020 history and beyond has yet to be written but here's the January 12, 2020 horoscope in a meager attempt to look ahead toward the future:

For further details see Horoscope: The Saturn-Pluto Conjunction of 2020.

The Saturn Return of Mr. Trump: Authority Challenged

The Current Three-Fer Saturn Return of Donald Trump Shows Maturity Problems

by Jude Cowell

Since planet Saturn's orbit is between 28 and 30 years' duration, a Saturn Return horoscope is 'good for' about three decades. The last Saturn Return of Donald Trump (#3 of 3 conjunctions) perfected on May 24, 2005 and the chart below details the experiences, conditions, and influences that we're all suffering through now as his leadership, authority, and authenticity are challenged by Saturnian figures of governmental, legal, and other fact-finding realms. For as you know, astrological Saturn prefers just the facts and when returning to natal degree, he demands accountability, maturity, and the correction of past mistakes. Therefore, based on his recent and current behavior, we immediately see that Mr. Trump has major problems complying with the commands and imperatives of Saturn because taking responsibility and owning up to his own guilt and irresponsible actions are arrows not found in his quiver. We might even say he resists such mature behavior and has famously asserted that he's never made a mistake!

See "I Don't Talk That Way." Except When He Does about Trump's foolish denial of hurling certain insults at AG Jeff Sessions.

For a complete study of Trump's Saturn condition, several horoscopes should be considered including his natal chart and natal Saturn's aspects, progressions, and his very first Saturn Return (age 29, July 25, 1975 with Saturn in Return 9th house along with Mercury @24:34 and Sun @2Leo10; Saturn is squared by Jupiter in Aries and by Uranus in Libra which forms a T-Square: Jupiter-Uranus = Saturn with potentials for one-sided principles (wait! he has principles?), obstinacy, sudden disadvantages or losses. These horoscopes are helpful guides to his/our present circumstances particularly in the realms of authority, plus, other planetary return charts and transits add details to the cosmic picture and although I've studied them, this is a post not a book so no charts will be published here other than Trump's third of three Saturn Returns, the horoscope in effect since he ran and 'won' the White House--and at this moment. General notes on Saturn Returns will follow, below.

Image: Trump Saturn Return May 24, 2005 5:57:20 pm edt Queens, NY; ASC 7Sco54; MC 15Leo36; Hour of Mercury;chart-ruler Mars trines Saturn (6A40) = an auspicious time to initiate long-term projects geared toward creating more security (his marriage to Melania in 2005?); plus, more mature people (males) aid him in his endeavors--aid he continues to need though he wouldn't admit it; Saturn's other aspects are listed on the chart as well as the dates of the previous two Saturn Returns in September 2004 and January 2005; a three-fer denotes one who on a personal level needs multiple lessons from Saturn, and/or an important person in the professional sphere:

The Mercury-Saturn sextile indicates getting into wearisome quarrels, holding on to petty grievances, and nagging that destroys harmony in relationships. An inability to listen to others is also suggested as well as neglect of basic rules and a lack of respect for others' need for personal space. However, it does show a potential for good management and a concern (overconcern?) for details (Epstein). Saturn is also engaged with quirky Uranus via a sesquis-square (135 degrees), a dynamic 'square within a square' denoting complex or complicated conditions which may hint at Melania's immigrant status and relationship/freedom issues around that time. Of course, Saturn is the planet of tradition and The Past while Uranus prefers progress and The Future. And according to Robert Pelletier, Trump's Saturn-Pluto inconjunct (150 degrees) shows tendencies toward: voicing complaints about unfair competition (plus, his natal Jupiter in Libra: "it's not fair!"), laboring and wasting time over trifles, questioning valid candidacies (ex: Obama), and being impressed with his own sense of responsibility which compels him to take on more than he can handle. And here we are.

A Few Notes Regarding Saturn Returns

In general, a Saturn Return identifies the phase in which we enter a new cycle of experience and a new set of environmental conditions with which we can work. The Return house of Saturn denotes the area in which we are ambitious and/or seek recognition. Here in the 9th house, Mr. Trump seeks approval and recognition for his intellectual capacities yet his Geminian traits keep him on lighter levels of superficial understanding, quixotic notions, and an obsession over minor details as he often misses the wider points or the bigger picture in situations, events, and experiences. Plus, he seems unaware or simply unappreciative of the ultimate consequences of his actions, many of which are dire for other people whose feelings he twists for his own purposes but never genuinely considers.

Trump's urge for professional development is strong with his natal Saturn in business-savvy Cancer, yet we find that his personal compulsion toward self-protection (Cancer, the Crab in his shell) is operative in political realms via protectionism (exs: trade tariffs, removal of US from treaties and alliances as per Putin, his 'lodestar' of authority; 'wall building'), plus, his 'ivory tower' isolation (cheeseburgers in bed, no uncomfortable State Dinners), extreme emotional sensitivity, and difficult family ties which cause disadvantages whether he admits it or not. Such is karmic Saturn in Moon-ruled Cancer where the planet of maturity, authority, and accountability is in his detriment so acting maturely is difficult for him as is the expression of true emotions and sentiments. There's ambition and strategy in abundance, yes, but a tendency toward depression is also suggested by this placement in which feelings of emotional isolation can lead to neurotic, self-defeating behavior. In addition there is a leaning toward financial difficulties which have certainly been the case and seem to lie at the root of his foreign involvement as a businessman. And as you know, Saturn in Cancer people are talented in the field of Real Estate but Trump's underworld ties probably began there with Saturnian concrete which had to be purchased from mobsters!

So when playing the POTUS role, Saturnian weaknesses become particularly problematic and in fact, can place a wheeler dealer such as Mr. Trump under Saturnian scrutiny by legal authorities for such financial involvements with mobsters, foreign and domestic! And it has--money laundering through real estate seems to have been a favored activity, one that honest Saturn frowns upon. Yet having natal Saturn in the 11th house of Groups and Associations, shows that Mr. Trump could have developed a sense of responsibility by which everyone involved would benefit, for his ties to older, more mature persons have aided him--or negatively have made it easy for him not to evolve. One possibility is that his 11th house potential has been used primarily for membership in an older (ancient?) secret society or club with its own agenda so is this what Trump's take-over of the Republican Party, part of an ongoing, long-planned coup d'etat of our nation, has been about? Remember that Donald Trump is a Geminian thespian who could be smarter and more aware than he plays on TV!

The Two Natal Aspects of Mr. Trump's Saturn

So just as with any planetary return, Saturn reinforces the aspects he was engaged in at birth so for Donald Trump we see that any Saturn Return stimulates two aspects: his natal Venus-Saturn conjunction (1S55) indicating loyalty issues, using others for his own emotional gratification, but with possibly a heightened sense of justice, fair play, and the benefits of 'mutual advantage'. However, feelings of discontent in relationships may affect him off-and-on via Venus-Saturn yet the pair does provide him with a practical approach to problem solving (if only he could clearly see problems through the lens of his confused Mercury-Neptune square of fantasy, falsehood, misconception, distorted impressions, and indiscretion).

Simultaneously, a Saturn Return activates a second natal aspect--a difficult Moon-Saturn inconjunct (2A36) where we see his basic childhood complexes thanks to Mom (Moon) and Dad (Saturn). This aspect tends toward emotional immaturity, pessimism, and a fear of betrayal. A suspicious nature is indicated (Dad: "never trust anyone") engendering a cautious, defensive posture which may express emotions at the wrong time or in the wrong way and place (plus, his natal Moon-SN conjunction = bad timing, as noted). A sober facade is often employed in order to hide deep feelings of inferiority and melancholy even while he blurts out show-stopping rhetoric and slogans. Obviously things were off-kilter with Mom and Dad back in the day so that issues of abandonment are in evidence here, plus, a fear of losing emotional control may haunt him even as he rages in fury in a sad attempt to re-exert a measure of control over others while manipulating circumstances to his liking. The May 2005 Saturn Return shown above, as does his first Saturn Return in 1975, has Scorpio rising and Mars-ruled Scorpio tends to control and manipulate others even though a deep need to learn to practice self-control is the real problem.

So can cussing loudly and insulting others like a vicious adolescent help matters? Perhaps they did during his childhood and teen years. But unfortunately, We the People are stuck with his rage and inferiority issues because none of these Moon-Saturn tendencies improve with age especially for a non-reflective control freak. Yet if desired, serious Saturn will teach such control and discipline that can result in emotional maturity and a genuine sense of responsibility as long as authoritative Saturn's lessons are faithfully completed first! So there is the timing factor involved in Saturn Returns when reflecting upon serious matters and our part in them, regretful or not, is at hand and a change of course is necessary in order to progress as an adult traveling on the path of the hero's journey.

Future-Defining Saturn and Creepy Pluto

Naturally, Saturn's transits through his Return chart as well as the transits of other planets, provide additional information and timing of events and peaks of various sorts (including the possibility of karmic loss or well-earned rewards). As I type, today's position of Saturn @2Cap32 (his Direct Station degree of September 6th) falls into Mr. Trump's natal 5th house (although the sign Capricorn is intercepted in his 5th house--karmic conditions concerning children and risk-taking to deal with?) and, as noted above, is in the 9th house of Higher Learning, Philosophy, and Distant Travel in the 2005 Return chart.

A watershed moment for taking responsibility and paying the Saturnian piper (see lower left, Sun Gem-Moon Sag's image) is coming when transit Saturn opposes his natal Saturn one time on January 21, 2020 (owning up to past mistakes) but karmicly the Great Conjunction of Saturn and Pluto, so recently perfected on January 12, 2020 @22Cap46, is even heavier for it conjoins the natal Vertex of fated encounters in the natal chart of Donald J. Trump where a simultaneous transit of Pluto opposing natal Saturn adds the potential for difficult if not harsh circumstances of the underworld kind.

Back When Melania and Barron Trump Entered the Trump Family Picture

As you see, the Trump Wedding (January 22, 2005) and two stand-out links to Melania's natal chart are highlighted in pink around the Return chart; in light red are the Return's Syzygy Moon (Full Moon @2Sag47 in 1st house); also in light red is its 6th house Prenatal Solar Eclipse ('PE') @19Ari05 in the 7 North Saros Series--theme: sudden passions, lust, birth (Brady).

This eclipse could suggest their son Barron yet a Moon-Pluto conjunction may also indicate a child born out of wedlock. That Moon-Pluto conjoins Trump's natal Moon-South Node conjunction (bad timing) makes such a birth more likely but not a definite. Yet along the same lines, Pluto @23Sag41 Rx is apex planet of a YOD pattern with the Mercury-Saturn sextile at its base; this adds to the karmic feel of the Return chart (as in, reaping what's been sown) and times a crossroads situation, a destined change, and/or a spiritual opportunity for karmic progress upon the path of life. A turning point is reached and a new direction is available via apex Pluto but with Mercury-Saturn tendencies toward undermining existing authority, striving to assume a higher level of power, and the ability to usher in a revolutionary new order.

Plus, the YOD trio forms a midpoint picture of Mercury-Saturn = Pluto with potentials for: grappling with unusual problems; brooding over one's destiny (to play POTUS?); plans determine destiny (Ebertin); contemplating loss; fearing wipe-out; feeling a lack of resources; abandonment (Tyl). Could this describe a 'marry me or else I scram' threat?

Then checking the natal chart of Melania Knauss Trump born April 26, 1970 at an unknown hour ('noon') in Novo Mesto, Slovenia (follow for a link to her husband's natal horoscope), we see that Trump's Saturn Return #3 of 3 shown above was approximately an annual Mercury Return for Melania (22Tau18/40) while Return Uranus @10Pis35 conjoined her natal North Node (10:09). Was Donald taking responsibility by marrying Melania? One could think so. Their Uranus-NN pairing suggests an unusual and/or exciting connection, one that has been recently 'visited' by transit Neptune in Pisces which hints at undermining conditions affecting their union including deception, and/or a possible 'retirement' of a partner from a 'joint enterprise' (Ebertin). Also, the Return's Sun-Moon midpoint (marriage; husband and wife) conjoins Return Uranus (shared upsets, conflicts, events; inner rebellion; separation) and links to Melania's NN (an association for the purpose of marriage--as it was). And of course, Trump's natal 10th house Uranus in changeable Gemini is his guiding planet or inner voice advising his chaotic style of leadership.

Now let's close with another point of interest: the Sabian Symbol for Melania's Mercury: '23Taurus': "A Jewelry Shop Filled With Valuable Gems" which would have been quite persuasive, one imagines. And her Mercury, planet of children, is only one degree from Donald Trump's natal Midheaven (conjunct raging Algol) but is in his 9th house (of Foreigners) so being hyper-subjective and emotionally over-sensitive, the image and appearance of a beautifully 'decorated wife' was naturally important to him as "A CERTIFICATION OF PERSONAL WORTH" (Rudhyar). And I must surmise that apparently Melania Knauss Trump was on the same jewel-encrusted page.

American Revolution Horoscope w Feb 2018 Transits

2018/19 Astrology for Children of the Revolution

Bi-Wheel Charts: center = American Revolution (1st Shot) April 19, 1775 5:00 am LMT Lexington, MA; outer chart: transits February 24, 2018 12:00 am est Lexington, MA.

Since horoscopes of past events (and people) continue to be affected by planetary transits, eclipses, and so on, here are the transits of tomorrow (Feb 24, 2018) 'embracing' or otherwise affecting our American Revolution planets of April 19, 1775 which lead, of course, to our Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776. Those who use that date and a late afternoon hour for setting up a natal horoscope to symbolize America (with an Ascendant at or around 12-13 Sagittarius) will note that on April 19, 1775, the Moon (population; public mood) conjoined that Ascendant.

Moon in Sag gave the rebels who helped establish this Ideal Nation we call America strains of idealism guiding actions, alternating optimism and pessimism, and a sense of inconstancy along with changeable or fluctuating moods so prevalent during the war--and this remains a factor in the US psyche now.

Uranus to Sun and Jupiter Opposing Jupiter

As you see, 1775 Sun @29Ari06 will soon be electrified or intensified by transit Uranus beginning on April 29, 2018, again on December 2, 2018, and finally on February 10, 2019. Penned on the chart are some of the potentials for this Uranian transit: dramatic changes, rebellions, erratic lunges for freedom. Also transit Jupiter has already opposed 1775 Jupiter once--on February 4, 2018. Tr Jupiter will again do so on April 10, 2018 (Rx) and September 28, 2018 so that's a full year of those Jupiterian vibes which include: general discontent, and a tendency toward overblown efforts which are only partially effective if at all. Boasting about what's been done to improve situations and conditions is part of the picture as well, whether the actions have been or will be taken or not. Jupiter symbolizes money and bankers, of course, plus, corporations, religious figures, politicians, military generals, teachers, beliefs, ideals and ideologies. 1775 Jupiter in Taurus had interests in financial security, liberality, and freedom from oppression while Jupiter now in Scorpio is more about materialism, ruthless striving for possessions, optimism (real or faked!), and those who overrate themselves. Over-promising can also be a feature of a Scorpio Jupiter...Scorpio, sign of Big Business, spying and surveillance, control, and betrayal.

Rebellious Uranus-Pluto

Now naturally a cosmic backdrop to everything in both horoscopes in the Revolutionary department of life is transit Uranus square 1775 Pluto, also a feature of our July 4, 1776 Pluto (27Cap33 Rx) but on later dates since 1775 Pluto is earlier in the Zodiac @26Cap41. This also involves our January 20th inauguration Midheavens, the Goal Point of our presidencies. Disruptions and shifts in the realms of power, politics, economics, and within the physical environment are the usual results of this transit along with revolt and resistance, as we've seen. Wars (anti-war), struggles for civil rights, and other social concerns are often the areas that need to be shaken up by intense Uranus.

Karmic Saturn 2018 in the Cauldron of The Revolution

Another transit of note is the tr Saturn square to 1775 Saturn with authority, authenticity, maturity, responsibility, seniority, restriction, loss, and other Saturnian themes of control which is blocked, delayed, or denied. Exact squares are already in progress: January 21, 2018, July 28, 2018, and October 14, 2018. Paying off past debts, some of a karmic nature, is likely along with inflexibility found in current circumstances. Authority can be blocked by senior officials as can legislation deemed irresponsible, ineffective, or unworkable.

Of course, any time Saturn associates with MC or is in the 10th house of Public Status, a 'fall from grace' may be inferred if not expected for as you see, transit Saturn will eventually cross the MC (Goal) of the American Revolution horoscope and join Pluto in 10th house--where the January 12, 2020 Great Conjunction of Saturn and Pluto takes place @22Cap46 with its hardship and cruelty vibes. Yet transit Saturn to MC can bring rewards for hard work though additional responsibilities will accompany any benefits (see below for a list of the American Revolution's first-ever Pluto Return/s dates).

As for a Saturnian fall from grace, Mr. Trump has America going down that drooping and disgraceful path now (imho) and his approval ratings are sad. Congress legislates austere economic measures to restrict social programs and other common sense initiatives, and my thought is that politicians and their backers have bankrupted our National Treasury and can only continue to finance and supply America's global military by diverting funds from the needs of the American people and plowing the money into more wars of conquest. Disagree if you will! For support I cite the US Progressed Full Moon of December 2008 (4Vir10) which timed the karmic limit of our nation's reach and expansion into the world, a cosmic fact that Washington DC chumps ignored, of course.

The exact dates of Saturn-SQ-Saturn (not listed on the chart) are: May 15, 2017, October 15, 2017, and March 16, 2018. Mr. Trump's sketchy relations with realism, facts, reliability, and honesty can hardly be more in the spotlight than they are now as these are some of the demands of karmic Saturn--and Trump is allegedly 'in control' of our country acting as the Saturnian managing officer, we could say, though some would say the Jupiterian Uranian Mr. Trump behaves as more of a CEO, at least in his own mind. We all would shudder if we knew who is actually behind this man!

Now as you see, the Saturn-SQ-Saturn dates spotlight the first and second years of the Trump White House and denote potentials for trauma, vulnerability, fear of loss, and psychological therapy being needed. Most Americans agree that gun accessibility needs common sense legislation and action after yet another horrific school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Under Ronald Reagan, mental health funding was cruelly cut so now Mr. Trump is calling for the opening and/or re-opening of mental asylums. If so, they could quite well turn up as privatized from the start, similar to our draconian prison system. Scary. Yet access to mental health care truly is needed considering America's decades of a Bomb the World's Children campaign of conquest for the corporations as US Mars (military and police) continues in retrograde motion by progression (since 2006) and US males who are turning inward with vicious thoughts and vengeful actions taken on US soil against their fellow citizens. Tragically, this looks like spiritual and karmic blow back to me.

We may expect the Saturn-SQ-1775-Saturn transits to continue to deal with issues of authority, authenticity, maturity, responsibility, seniority, restriction, and other Saturnian themes of loss and control that may block, delay, limit, or deny rules, laws, and decisions. Exact squares are already in progress: January 21, 2018, July 28, 2018, and October 14, 2018. Paying off past debts, some of a karmic nature, is likely along with inflexibility found in current circumstances. Authority can be blocked by senior officials, lawmakers, or judges as can legislation deemed irresponsible, ineffective, or unworkable.

Moon-Neptune and the 'American Dream'

Another cosmic backdrop is transit Neptune square 1775 Moon, a five-fer transit that began on May 7, 2017. Its second partile square occurred on July 27, 2017 and next will be March 1, 2018, then November 1, 2018, and finally on December 17, 2018. Now we might think of this nebulous transit as only affecting Americans who are actual descendants of the Revolutionary generation--Children of the Revolution (as many of us are) but for me, 1775 Moon symbolizes everyone born here and who immigrated because of the American Ideals of freedom, independence, and equality--however imperfectly the modern-day political class may express these concepts and interfere with them. The Neptune-SQ-Moon period we're in suggests domestic upheavals, emotional upsets, clouded or murky issues and events, heightened intuition which may inspire solution or which may bring upsetting revelations or events to confuse and distract. Sadly, grief and loss are part of the Moon-Neptune picture and no additional responsibilities should be taken on during this period for trying to save what's left may be more in keeping with the times and this includes natural disasters which very much include floods and other water damages.

Dates of the American Revolution's Pluto Return/s:

April 5, 2021; May 20, 2021; January 23, 2022; August 18, 2022; and November 26, 2022. Influences and themes of Solar and Lunar Eclipses should be considered for these important plutonic events.

Yes, these and many other factors are worth noting between the two horoscopes if you have a chance to consider them and I hope you will--because all Americans must follow the time-honored Know Thyself dictate...and because forewarned is forearmed!

2018 Saturn and Pluto to Inauguration 2017 Planets

Below is the Inauguration 2017 Horoscope previously published here with my messy chart notes intact:

First, let's note the all-alone Sun (POTUS) in Career 10th house (conjunct asteroid Icarus) which has turned out to be prophetic given the high number of resignations and firings from the service of Donald Trump's White House--and in the brief time of his under-fire administration. Obviously, many stressful situations and separations have been self-created no less so than by Mr. Trump himself through his attempt to remake America in his distorted Klan-esque image.

Of course, it is no secret that this particular Southerner has never believed the man is up to the task of playing US president because I value the office more highly than his personal flaws can possibly reach. Many of my fellow astrologers criticize me for this bias yet I have also stated here and elsewhere that as any POTUS goes, so goes America and for this reason my hope as a Child of the Revolution has been that Donald Trump would do well in the job on behalf of the American people, and by extension, the rest of the world. Unfortunately, this so far seems an empty wish on my part and yet hope does, and must, spring eternal.

And so with trepidation, the following is my consideration of a few of the upcoming 2018/2019 transits to the Trump Inauguration chart of 2017. No beneficial transits will be listed which is due to my anxiety over the fate of our nation under Trump's quixotic Uranian leadership (see the 'whimsical' link at the end of this post). If this bothers you, dear reader, you are invited to discount this post and mosey on to something that echoes your adoration of Mr. Trump as 'dear leader' for you'll find no such adoration here!

Note that in the Inauguration 2017 chart, the rebellious Uranus-Pluto square is featured (3A09) and so...

Transit Pluto Square Inaugural Uranus 2018 into 2019

In the chart you see Inaugural Ascendant @14Tau07 which brought Trump's natal 9th house of legalities, foreign lands, philosophy and religion to the fore from the start and for the duration of his tenure. Inaugural Pluto in 9th house will make a series of squares to Inaugural Uranus (12th house of Politics, Karma, Self-Undoing, and Large Institutions) beginning on March 7, 2018--still a 9th-to-12th house situation. This occurs with both transiting planets at critical-crisis degrees (Aries-Capricorn 20:46). This is the Cardinal Square reasserting its difficult energies for Mr. Trump and our nation. The second exact square occurs on June 9, 2018, the third on January 6, 2019, the fourth on September 9, 2019, and the last on October 26, 2019 so the entire period is one of higher powers threatening or imposing restrictions on political and economic systems and on the radical reforms (Uranus is Aries = Utopian anarchists and blind zealots--Ebertin) of Mr. Trump and his conspiring Republicans.

Transit Saturn 2018 Conjunct Inaugural Mercury @6Cap45

As you know, astrological Mercury represents multiple things on various levels with plans, communications, and commerce being only three of them. In 2018 there are three conjunctions to 9th house Mercury (6Cap45) from transiting Saturn, karmic planet of limitation, delay, loss, judgments, courts, laws, lawmakers, government, and business. Of course, Saturn is strong in his own sign of Capricorn and is slowly gearing up for his Great Conjunction with powerful Pluto on January 12, 2020 (DC horoscope shown). But for now, the old devil hits Inaugural Mercury in the legal 9th house three times in 2018 on: February 21, June 14, and November 20. This creates a period of increased responsibilities, circumstances that require a broadening of skills and knowledge, serious meetings (testimonies?) occurring, soberness that pervades the environment, and schedules, ideas, and plans that are restricted, delayed, or denied--and may a military parade be one of them!

Of interest as well is March 8, 2018's Jupiter Station Retrograde @23Sco13, the same spot in the Zodiac where transit Mars Stationed Direct during the 2016 Campaign on June 29, 2016--conjunct Mr. Trump's natal IC. On March 8, Jupiter will again be leading a BOWL pattern as Mr. Moneybags (and Jupiter the General) has done of late. Perhaps this cosmic condition relates to dictator-idolizing Trump's dream of a military parade through the streets of Washington DC which would show Trump's and America's weakness rather than the projection of power that he imagines.

Another curious transit to the Inauguration 2017 horoscope is the transiting South Node of the Moon (the 'tail of the dragon') swiping US Inaugural Sun (00AQ49 = POTUS) exact on October 27, 2018. This karmic transit suggests ego concerns (as always for Trump), leadership differences, and the potential for physical interactions. A major separation from POTUS--perhaps of the public or his 'base'--is also a possibility around this time.

Year 2018 ends with transit Jupiter square Inaugural Neptune (10Pis16 in 11th house of Hopes, Wishes, and Group Associations) on December 24, a time when Mr. Trump's need to live in a fantasy world increases, his judgment becomes cloudier than usual, and he yearns for greener pastures. Well, one thing we know--that for a majority of Americans, the current kingpin-in-chief can't graze to greener pastures soon enough.

Related post include: Trump Inauguration 2017's 2018 Solar Return, The Whimsical Sun (POTUS) of Inauguration 2017, and 2018 Saturn to Trump's Natal Mercury-Neptune Square (reality to his delusions?)

2018 Saturn to Trump natal Mercury-Neptune Square

January 5, 2018: besides various positive and negative planetary transits to the natal chart and planets of Donald Trump, karmic taskmaster Saturn has difficulties in store for the current White House resident. In 2017, he and we lived through transit Saturn conjoining his natal Moon-South Node conjunction, bringing him separations galore and scrutiny of his past, then opposing his Sun-North Node and hampering his goals and undermining his ego. Trouble from authority in the forms of judges, lawmakers, and an Independent Counsel attempting to hold him accountable were prominent in 2017 and will continue to be so.

But now that 2018 has arrived, transit Saturn has more up his sleeve for Mr. Trump whose problematic Mercury-Neptune square will be targeted by cold Saturn's baleful glance.

And since we've discussed previously the Trump Mercury-Neptune square with its wrong perceptions, lack of discretion, and tendency toward fantasies and falsehoods, let's not step again into that wacky realm of his 'sneaky mind', as master astrologer Alan Oken calls this particular square. Plus, square aspects (90 degrees) contain a Saturnian quality anyway with his blocks and obstacles imperative.

Now by way of explanation, here's something I previously posted when comparing Donald Trump with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson: "...there are insinuating energies since both men were born with challenging Mercury-Neptune aspects in their natal charts, aspects which suggest stretched truths, distorted facts, indiscretion, and off-kilter perceptions, unintentional and unconscious though inaccuracies may be. Both the square (Trump) and opposition (Tillerson) between Mercury and Neptune denote strong tendencies to fantasize." Of course, one could easily add a reference to fake (Neptune) news (Mercury)! Meanwhile, Trump's fuzzy (Neptune) thinking (Mercury) seems, some say, to be degrading as he ages with dementia a regular suggestion by some talking heads. And lies are ever-present with his loose grasp of Truth.

As for 2018 Saturn's restrictive effect on Trump's Mercury-Neptune square, we might first wish to consider the trio as a midpoint picture with certain potentials. Natal Mercury-Neptune = tr Saturn: egoistic ideas, pessimism, dark or morbidly sensitive thoughts (Ebertin); and, looking at the downside of things which may not be valid, a gloomy reaction to real or imagined circumstances (Tyl). In Politics, Michael Munkasey gives the Mercury-Neptune pair - Thesis: a legislature which controls the excesses and dreams of its leaders; Antithesis: a leader who mesmerizes people with delusions of possible progress or growth. Add authoritative Saturn and you have increased restraint about the use of intuition vs logic, persons with psychic gifts are disappointing.

Well, if I had ever believed Trump's campaign promises I'd be feeling mighty deluded and disappointed well before now.

Of course, it's possible that a bunch of positive transits in 2018 will manage to lift him out of the Saturnine depths but we'll see. Perhaps the shadowy figures who wanted him in the White House will pull the right strings to keep him in office in spite of karmic Saturn's demands.

2018 Saturn in Capricorn to Donald Trump natal Mercury-Neptune (Cancer-Libra)

So when transit Saturn forms an opposition to natal Mercury the period tends to bring challenges to ideas and plans, (more) strong criticism, (more) quarrels, (more) hampered activities, slow sales, delays in, or cancellation of, travel, and one's self-confidence is shaken. For Mr. Trump, the opposition will occur across the natal 5/11 Self-Will axis of Groups, Associations, Hopes, Wishes, Risk-Taking, Gambling, Creative Pursuits, and Children. And of course, Mercury is the planet of youth and offspring as well as of commerce, trade, negotiations, thinking, mental abilities, the senses, and communications, and plays a major role in magic and hucksterism.

Transit Saturn square natal Neptune denotes a sobering time of depression, lethargy, pessimism, and confusion. For Mr. Trump, natal Neptune is posited in his 2nd house of Money, Values, and Self-Esteem so these areas will be most affected as transit Saturn treads through his natal 5th house where Capricorn is intercepted.

The interception of Cancer-Capricorn across his natal 5/11 polarity suggests karmic issues he must deal with involving his powerful self-will which is something responsible Saturn demands of us all for we must all reap what we sow (the law of karma). And of course, Trump's natal Mercury, Saturn, and Venus are in Cancer and intercepted in 11th house though transit Saturn won't opposes natal Saturn and Venus until 2020, energy made more powerful and fateful by transit Pluto in Capricorn opposing them as well. And of course, a major period for him and all of us will be the Great Conjunction of Saturn and Pluto @22Cap46 exact on January 12, 2020.

Now here is a list of the 2018 Saturn transits to Mr. Trump's Mercury and Neptune in order of occurrence, which as you see, covers the entire year of 2018 for his nibs, his administration, and thus, for the American people (tr = transit; n = natal) - even if he leaves the White House at some point:

1. February 11 tr Saturn square n Neptune

2. March 30 tr Saturn opposite n Mercury

3. May 6 tr Saturn opposite n Mercury

4. June 27 tr Saturn square n Neptune

5. November 11 tr Saturn square n Neptune

6. December 10 tr Saturn opposite n Mercury

Whew! That's a major load of Saturnine vibes for any man to withstand and all within one year.

DC Horoscope: Dec 19, 2017 Saturn Enters Capricorn

Here is a horoscope of the moment on December 19, 2017 that transit Saturn enters its own sign of Capricorn, a significant cosmic event. The horoscope is set for Washington DC with 25Vir18 rising which elects communicator Mercury as chart-ruler, though retrograde (signifying more delay).

Mercury in 3rd house as chart-ruler (and MC ruler) applies to one Ptolemaic aspect, a square to nebulous Neptune @11Pis40 in 6th house (see chart), and conjoins America's natal Ascendant for those who use July 4, 1776 in the late afternoon to set up a US natal horoscope. Naturally, we are reminded of Mr. Trump's natal Mercury-Neptune square of misperception, indiscretion, falsehood, and wild promotions, or as astrologer Alan Oken terms the aspect, "The Sneaky Mind."

Please enlarge the image since my notes are penned upon the chart including Saturn's upcoming Retrograde Station @9Cap08 on April 17, 2018 and Saturn's Direct Station @2Cap32 on September 6, 2018. As you see, the karmic planet of limitation, delay, accountability, and old age does not leave the labyrinth that is Capricorn once the old man enters the door and crosses the Saturnian threshold where he'll eventually meet and greet transit Pluto @22Cap46 on January 12, 2020 and US natal Pluto (27Cap33), a time when disappointment over the past surges, and there's potential for loss of control over situations and events that are simply too big to handle.

Transit Saturn ends year 2018 @11Cap15 and will eventually enter Aquarius (a sign Saturn traditionally rules) on or about March 23, 2020. Saturn in Aquarius suggests ambitious plans without a solid foundation though there may be a wealth of social aspirations.

And on a rather curious note, conjunct the 12th cusp of Politics, Karma, Self-Undoing, and Large Institutions such as hospitals and prisons, is 28Leo35 which recalls (Mercury Rx) The Great American Eclipse of August 21, 2017 which hit Mr. Trump's natal Ascendant. You'll remember the series' (1 North) themes include: information is distorted and possibly false and unexpected events loom large and put great pressure on relationships (Brady). How much more these potentials can apply to Mr. Trump, his family, and his White House I cannot imagine.

See what karmic Saturn is reaping in the DC Horoscope of Winter Solstice 2017.

DC Horoscope: Saturn-Pluto Conjunction January 2020

Here is the horoscope set for Washington DC of the Great Conjunction of restrictive Saturn and powerful Pluto @22Cap46 on January 12, 2020; Moon in Leo and Venus in Aquarius are both unaspected and the Hour belongs to a Capricorn Jupiter strong in its natural 9th house of Philosophy and Foreign Travel:

Saturn conjuncts Pluto in the publicly visible 10th house of Public Status and Career with authoritative Saturn ruling 10th house (MC 18Cap06) and Pluto's Scorpio on the Descendant of Partnerships. The Aries-Libra axis is intercepted suggesting something hidden or karmic in the realms of the 6/12 polarity in relation to alliances, diplomacy, war, police/military forces, and/or health and civil service issues. Chart-ruler Venus makes no applying (or waning) aspects at all so her house and sign positions are emphasized and you see by her degree (28AQ) that US natal Moon in Aquarius has been conjoined recently by Venus which suggests a harmonious period when intuition leads and the cold, hard facts are ignored or bypassed. But with the January meeting of Saturn and Pluto, 2020 will be a year when cold hard facts cannot be ignored or denied and may be forced upon society.

'Facing hard facts' relates to the crisis-ridden 'YOD' (not exactly one since the MC is part of it) that points toward an unaspected Moon @17Leo13 in the 5th house of Risk-Taking, Creative Pursuits, Romance, and Children. Strain (inconjunct) is upon the people (Moon) and issues from the Neptune-MC sextile which indicates those in authority who influence people and public policy in subtle ways in order to gain their acquiescence and avoid opposition (like they've practiced against us for years with varying levels of success). The Saturn-Pluto conjunction may be the catalyst that further solidifies global corporatists' totalitarian power with Pluto in Capricorn as the dictator, according to Reinhold Ebertin, and of course, Saturn in its own sign of Capricorn is extremely strong but times financial difficulties--though not necessarily for the win-win types). And we have America's first-ever Pluto Return coming up in 2022 to cement the Saturn-Pluto deal of 2020.

As for the Moon as Bucket handle this denotes some level of inspiration and zeal coming from the realms of Leo and identifies those who adapt allegiances where they can count for the most (Jones). A Bucket pattern suggests a cause or a mission to fulfill but is the Moon-as-handle advocating the cause or playing a different or an opportunistic tune? Saturn-Pluto likes to use secret police and military agencies to dominate the public and creates turmoil in traditional institutions especially if they're resistant to change. The duo's affairs are not open to public scrutiny as governmental checks and balances are upset (they already are) and secret preparations are being made for more restriction in the future which is underscored by the chart's Aries-Libra interception with its hidden, secret, or karmic (reaping what was sown) quality.

Upper right is a list of Jupiter's conjunctions with Saturn and Pluto, all in 2020; this chart's Saturn-Pluto conjunction is the first of them and denotes bleakness, brutality, and hard hard work. Also in the 9th house is penned the Pre-Natal Eclipse of this conjunction which occurred on December 26, 2019 @4Cap06 in the 3 South Saros Series (see lower left). 3 South themes are: traumatic transformation via news received or a short journey taken; sudden endings of relationships, possibly with a young person; this series is deeply emotional with Pluto involved (paraphrasing Brady's Predictive Astrology).

Perhaps you recognize this eclipse from the last time it manifested on December 14, 2001 when 'mastermind' Osama bin Laden was (allegedly) tracked to the Tora Bora Caves by the US military, then pouf! he mysteriously disappeared as if he'd never been.

3 South is the Pre-natal Eclipse series of the Discovery of Pluto (Feb 18, 1930) and of the Republic of China. This chart's Earth-Fire (scorched earth!) Sun Cap-Moon Leo blend is shared natally by China's Mao Tse-tung and America's Dolly Parton so let's close with Mao's famous quote:

"Wherever we go, we must we must unite with the people, take root, and blossom among them."

No thanks.

~:~

Bucket info from an old copy of The Guide to Horoscope Interpretation by Marc Edmund Jones.