Power Shift: by astrologer Peter Doughty

With Campaign 2020 grinding on, Stars Over Washington is very pleased to present a guest post authored by Peter Doughty!

Power Shift

by Peter Doughty

The other night - Friday night, probably - I was sitting back with ye olde laptop in me lap as I digested a bit more of the bits and pieces I’d been chewing on, that came from the Democratic Party online shindig for anointing POTUS and VPOTUS candidates. It’s been quite the buzz, even in my perennially independent-minded head. Sure, I’ve leaned that direction all my adult life and never did vote for any R candidate that came along: their so-called conservatism never seemed to line up at all with my brand of such.

So, the news of the choice for VPOTUS was, frankly, exciting — somewhat, for a while. After all, the sorts of economic, cultural and political changes that even the near future would seem to hold were not about to pass her lips, masked or not — nor those of her running mate.

Yet from an astrological perspective, the charts of both candidates provide plenty of fodder for fascinating and perhaps illuminating study.

In the case of Mr. Biden, all that Scorpio energy — Mars, Mercury, Sun and Venus, in that order — in the twelfth house would mark him from birth with a path involving much struggle and suffering, and, maybe, inner work. So it would seem. As one with a diurnal chart (Sun in watery Scorpio above the horizon), his first personal cycle of Saturn would be under the general dominion of Venus. However, Venus also being above the horizon as well as “in exile” in Scorpio, she would not be adorning a path toward being a small-p party animal.

Life was evidently not much easier for Mr. B through his second Saturn cycle (until 2001), under Mars’ dominion. More strength and determination were called for, though he was still essentially trapped within labyrinthine institutions.

Now, though, his life is under the general sway of Luna: quite happy (under the overall circumstances) in the steady and huggy sign of Taurus. Ms. Harris could not be in much better astrological condition, conferring popularity and success as long as Mr. B. plays a caretaker role (natal Luna in the service-demanding sixth house).

There are some quite interesting connections in progressions and directions to his natal chart (of course). I will merely say this: The astrological confirmation of the appropriateness of, and the larger societal readiness for, teaming with a woman with roots in atypical cultures comes through most emphatically. The exact natal opposition between Juno in the first house and Saturn in the seventh, along with the seventh-house profection year (age seventy-eight) to begin in November, shout it out. This is a classic depiction of a need for a truly collaborative partner at this time. And the foreign-ness of Juno in Sagittarius is, well — astrologers couldn’t make up something more symbolically spot-on.

It looks like Biden — or, more likely, the hidden councils of his Party — has chosen well.

What I find most intriguing about Ms. H’s natal chart is the exact full moon, somewhat similar to that of the Agent Orange of the Oval Office.

His was a special full moon: a lunar eclipse, with all the spookiness implied and noticed whenever it recurs (at least twice a year). Hers was just a regular full moon.
Hers, like his, was an Air sun / Fire moon combination: cardinal signs, denoting initiative and new directions. His, with the individualistic and defiant element of Uranus thrown in, emphasized reaction, chaos and rendering asunder.

Evidently, Ms. Harris' role is to be one of the chief architects of a newly constituted polity arising from the ashes of the nation’s Pluto return and the depredations of Trumpism. There is apt to be, in her imprint on events and developments, a definite back-and-forth between instinctive, pointed response and action and, on the other hand, patterns of rational consideration to the point of vacillation: Luna in Aries, Sol in Libra.

What probably among most astrologers appears as the most significant portion in the synastry is the superimposition of Ms. Harris’ grand cross in the fixed signs upon Mr. Biden’s chart, linking with his Scorpio cluster and Chiron in Leo. The latter is his “wounded leader” placement, activated by the Great American Eclipse three years ago, nearly to the day. (I wonder what he was doing that day, and where he was?)

For Ms. Harris, the grand cross represents the inheritance of a great burden, just as she enters into her third personal Saturn cycle, under the dominion of Saturn. That placement for her links closely with his Chiron placement. Fortunately for her, and even more so for the citizenry, natal Saturn is in a dignified condition in Aquarius. This indicates that she would undertake great responsibility in this phase of her life, and that it would involve carefully balancing the needs and demands of disparate social or political groups.

As fate would have it, she might have been thrust into the role of headwoman of some tribe struggling to survive the onslaught of Jair Bolsonaro’s destroyers of the last of the delicate rainforests in the Brazilian hinterlands, or mayor of some hamlet on the Great Plains which lately lost its leader in the Great Derecho of 2020. Instead, she’s stepping into line to become the first female president of a faltering republic and shrinking empire which once styled itself champion of the “free world.” What will even be the shape of the presidency in this next era? That’s another and much larger question, with no attempt at an answer here.

Biden and Harris are holding out the carrot of a return, somehow, sometime, to something that might pass for “normalcy.” But it ain’t gonna happen. The largesse both are talking about are represented by Biden’s natal Jupiter, exalted in caring (when it’s not involved in accumulating) Cancer, in a close sextile (sixty-degree) relationship with Harris’ Jupiter in easy-going, got-plenty Taurus. Actually, the latter — in the context of her grand cross — represents the stemming of the bulk of the big-money projects they propose.

The overall national and international economies are on a cliff-edge, teetering near their tipping points.

The resources increasingly devoted to disaster-recovery take away big chunks from whatever Green New Deal ideas come forward. Those will have to depend on regional and local resources, even as their economies are broken.

Yet a great many localized enterprises, like a thousand points of light, can increase a sense of focus and purpose, within the potential for a measure of continuity. (The pervasive and persistent disruptions on a vast scale, symbolized in 2021 by Jupiter and Saturn in square to Uranus, guarantee an era of even-greater difficulties.)

Ms. Harris, whenever and to what degree she assumes prominent responsibility, will have to carry that cross. There will be many false starts and dead ends in cultivating the next stage, yet evidence shows that good-faith effort and due diligence will be among the new norms.

And those ain’t small matters.

For both Ms. Harris and the Agent, December marks the month of climactic shifts in circumstances. On 14 December — a week before the Great Solstice with the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction — a total solar eclipse falls on the natally-eclipsed Luna in the Agent’s chart, and on the western horizon of Harris’ natal chart. Translation: likely precipitous descent into total madness for the former, and full-scale partnership mode for the latter.

May our better angels prevail.

Biden-Harris synastry chart

In addition to his personal consulting work, Peter Doughty blogs every other Wednesday at Zodiacal Spiral and co-writes a monthly forecast with Aeolea Wendy Burwell at Rocmetaphysical online magazine.

Dear Astrology: Is Donald Trump "the chosen one"?

Astro-Notes: Trump's Unconscious Desires

by Jude Cowell

August 20, 2020: On August 21, 2019, Donald Trump, while speaking to reporters, declared, "I am the chosen one" who "was put here by people." He was referring to his dealings with China but had a few hours earlier tweeted about being the 'king of Israel' and the "Second Coming" of God. While the man's Christ vs anti-Christ status remains a topic of debate, Trump is well known for having a massive ego, and for being a serial liar and con man. But can Natal Astrology account for an expanded self-image of such celestial magnitude?

Now often his misperceptions, deceptions, deceit, loose lips, indiscretion, and odd notions I have put down to his Mercury-Neptune square for many of his personal flaws can be put down to it, along with his Geminian tendency toward duplicity. But it seems to me that daring to cast himself as a messiah figure (out loud in public!) cries out for additional astrological input. What could reflect such ideas about his self-image?

Now you should know that I sometimes awaken from dreams in which Astrology appears, as I did today, and this time the subject was squares. Knowing a little about a certain square in particular which relates to one's self-image and identity I snagged a quick glance at the natal aspects of Donald Trump (June 14, 1946 10:54 am edt - allegedly - Queens or Jamaica, NY). No, Trump wasn't born with a Sun-Neptune square, thought I, but lo and behold what he does have is what I've previously called a "hidden square", an aspect of 256 degrees (or, a 1-2 degree orb), unconscious to be sure. Now for astrologers who use such an aspect (could this be you?), for Trump this falls within the Sun-Neptune square category so here I shall quote from The Astrologers' Handbook (Sakoian and Acker) lest any reader think I'm making this up. Their description will cover romantic and financial tendencies, too, and here I shall add that his father (Sun) didn't provide Donnie with a healthy self-image--it was, in fact, full of error (Neptune):

Sun Square Neptune: "This is the aspect of self-deception par excellence. If the natives are mystically inclined, they often consider themselves the chosen vessels of some Master or Divine Being. This belief is often the result of an unconscious desire for importance.

These persons can be vessels in a pure sense, but only if the rest of the horoscope shows a good mentality, humility, and realistic practicality. A well-developed Mercury and Saturn will do much to offset the negative effects of this square.

Very often peculiar emotional desires and romantic tendencies are indicated which can range from platonic love to the most morbid and debased physical type of sensuality. Secret love affairs and scandal leave confusion in their wake.

The imagination is often overworked and feeds the natives desires to the point where they indulge in self-destructive acts. Severe weaknesses of character can develop, distorting perception of reality. But these difficulties will be manifested only if the rest of the horoscope provides indications of a similar nature.

Usually there is a tendency toward escapism as a means of avoiding individual responsibility and discipline. A well developed Saturn will offset this.

Utmost caution should be exercised to avoid involvement in cults and occult mystical activities of a spurious sort. The motives and character of people who interact with the native emotionally should be carefully and objectively scrutinized.

Unstable and unwise financial speculation should be avoided, since get-rich quick schemes will end in disaster."

Well, there it is. Or there he is. Whether you, dear reader, agree with this description, scoff at the importance of hidden squares, or stubbornly refuse to see Trumpian flaws due to your own idolatry of the man, you may agree or disagree with the above assessment as you wish. However, Trump's Saturn in watery Cancer is weakened by its detriment (opposite Capricorn) and his Mercury in emotional, overly sensitive, self-protective Cancer causes him to look only at facts he wants to see and deny the rest, as well as to consider whatever is done or said within his environment to be directed at himself. And as leader of the 'cult of Trump', backed by hidden people who 'put him here' in the White House, his leanings and tendencies seem clear to me, if not to you, as described, above.

Yes, more aid from his natal Mercury and Saturn would help his Sun-Neptune condition, of course, but I don't consider that to be the case for the poor old fella.

And when we look to the midpoint of his Mercury-Saturn @16Can20, what do we find? Why, his natal Nemesis @16Can40, of course! Trump, at loose ends in the White House, apparently spends hours a day pondering (Mercury-Saturn) divine retribution and retaliation (Nemesis) against his enemies (both real and self-created), doesn't he? Add this to his other personal deficiencies such as natal Mars rising in egotistical Leo - aggressively opposing US natal Moon (We The People) - plus, his death-dealing 12th house Mars-Saturn = Pluto midpoint picture, and disaster appears atop our mutual menu with alarming frequency.

~:~

Above depiction of Trump created by an unknown personage.

Astro-Notes and the Eclipse of Rep. Adam Schiff

The best course for anyone interested in the natal horoscope and planets of Rep. Adam Schiff is to visit Michael O'Reilly's Neptune Cafe for The Unflappable Adam Schiff which includes details and a view of Schiff's natal chart with its 12th house Sun-Venus conjunction at Cardinal World Point 00Cancer. As you know, the 12th is the house of Politics, Large Institutions, and Karma and along with several other factors makes for a very interesting Moon-ruled horoscope and politician of the Democratic persuasion.

So here I shall add a trio of cosmic factors:

That Adam Schiff has recently experienced two major planetary returns in 2019, one a three-fer. In order of occurrence they are: Saturn Return/s (16Cap12:03) 3 times: February 12, July 23, and November 11, 2019. Responsibilities! Then on November 25th a Jupiter Return (28Sag26:15) perfected--the "Jupiter Reward Cycle" as Noel Tyl has termed it--which is especially apt since the tension between Jupiter and Saturn (expansion vs retraction) keeps the planets in their courses ('the flywheel of the Universe') and traditionally, the pair relates in Politics to our fabled checks'n'balances system of government which Rep. Schiff and congressional Democrats are working to honor by attempting to hold Trump accountable for his anti-constitutional overreach and lawlessness. (Note that Schiff's Saturn returning before Jupiter suggests that his hard work is being rewarded.)

Now this is where the US Congress as a co-equal branch of government comes in with its oversight function designed by the Founders to keep presidents from behaving as monarchs acting as if they're above the law. And of course, SCOTUS oversight must be included in the deal as well as the third branch of government.

Therefore, a Masonic lodge the White House may be but a king's castle it is not.

Plus, in Mundane Astrology Jupiter and Saturn relate to our two political parties, or, as I often tend to think of them, our two political factions (because they exploit us as the 'ruling class' vs We The People). Periodically switching roles or hats between generosity and austerity, the Two Santa Claus Theory of Jude Wanniski and popularized by Thom Hartmann can be described in terms of Jupiter the Generous vs Saturn the Scrooge.

The final cosmic factor I shall mention here is Adam Schiff's Prenatal Solar Eclipse Saros Series ('PE') and its themes. Born June 22, 1960 at 6:13 am edt in Framingham, Massachusetts (RR: AA) into the 16 South Saros Series (March 27, 1960 @6Ari38), Mr. Schiff's eclipse themes involve issues of wasted energy and misdirected motivation especially in groups, and sudden inspiration that is potentially unfulfilling (Brady's Predictive Astrology). If your PE is in Mars-ruled Aries, issues of leadership and treating problems as challenges will feature in your life. 16 South last manifested on April 29, 2014 @9Taurus and will next occur on May 9, 2032 @19Taurus.

But Aries issues aside, perhaps you agree that 16 South is not one of your more positive Saros Series to be born into though hopefully while it 'runs in the background' of Schiff's life, no negative influences will be felt during this critical period of time. Yet it's possible that his participation in the group now staging impeachment proceedings against Trump may turn out to be "unfulfilling."

For it does seem significant that during the 3rd day of the inquiry proceedings this week with Rep. Nadler wielding the gavel, on Friday December 6, 2019, transit Jupiter opposes both Schiff's Venus then Sun which suggests a lack of cooperation from others, overblown or unkept promises, and wounded pride--and Jupiter may represent Jupiterian Trump in cosmic disguise challenging Adam Schiff's integrity, values, and his democratic perspectives which threaten to interfere with the 'kingship' and plutonian mobsterism of Donald Trump as he and his comrades continue hollowing out the US government to a more manageable size.

Justice Roberts to Head Senate Impeachment Trial

Crunch Time for America 2019--2020

by Jude Cowell

Although his natal horoscope is based on 'date without time' data (RR: X), you may wish to check out the natal horoscope of Supreme Court Justice John Roberts if you haven't since he will be the one to rule over the Senate impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump if there is to be one. Justice Roberts is said to favor protecting his reputation for non-partisanship and a Senate trial concerning Republican Trump will certainly provide an ultimate test of such a high-minded self-image--and I hope he's correct in his self-assumption because a balanced approach is imperative in this risky situation which must be American, not Democrat or Republican.

Born John Glover Roberts on January 27, 1955 in Buffalo, New York, John Roberts is an Air-Water Sun Aquarian with Moon in Pisces for the entire 24-hour period (Sun ranges from 7 to 7:30 Aquarius, Moon from 15 to 29 Pisces). This identifies his personality as an independent thinker and a humanitarian with a social conscience; he is intuitive, reverent, and eccentric. Somewhat gullible, Justice Roberts has a scientific bent and may be attracted to metaphysical or mystical subjects. Plus, he's sociable and friendly yet few people really know him. Sun AQ-Moon Pisces folk want to be of service to the world so presiding over a Senate impeachment trial is quite a significant way to accomplish this objective. His time has come, in fact, and there's much riding on this impeachment endeavor for Justice Roberts personally as well as for the nation and its future direction as a democratic republic vs a despotic monarchy. I say this after glancing at 2020 transits to his natal planets.

Justice John Roberts in 2020

A few examples include the harsh Saturn-Pluto Conjunction @22Cap46 (exact January 12, 2020) with the two karmic planets taking turns opposing his 'lucky' Jupiter-Uranus Conjunction (both Rx @23--26 Cancer). Saturn opposes natal Jupiter once on January 17, 2020 and Pluto opposes natal Jupiter three times beginning on or about January 29, 2020. Transiting oppositions to natal Uranus will raise his chances for additional political, financial, and/or possibly legal battles and conflicts which may very well affect Justice Roberts personally (and not just as spotlights on the topics he deals with as a Chief Justice of SCOTUS). If he takes a wrong path now, the odds of future conflicts increase.

November-December 2019

As for astrological factors during a potential Senate impeachment trial, we have no date to investigate so let's compare the planets of Wednesday November 13, 2019, the first public impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump's activities which apparently is set to open at 10:00 am est on Capitol Hill.

Of course, we have no houses for Justice Roberts without a birth time (12:00 pm is used) but three transits 'pop out' on that date--and note that the 3 South Solar Eclipse of December 26, 2019 manifests @4Capricorn upon the natal North Node of Justice Roberts, a major karmic indicator for him and for America (post contains an image of the 3 South Horoscope as well as the first eclipse of 2020 which occurs in tribal Cancer). Additionally, the 3 South December 2019 Solar Eclipse of 'traumatic transformation' conjoins and activates by degree the 11 North Prenatal Solar Eclipse of John Roberts. As I said, his time has come:

1. Sun @20Sco55 conjunct natal Saturn (20Sco16) denotes a time of serious situations that require trustworthiness, reliability, and probity. His seniority and past loyalty (to Republican objectives?? allegiance to Opus Dei?) can bring rewards, and current matters concern issues of authority and the senior position of others. Of course, this refers to his nibs and may also involve various culprits mired within Trump's Ukraine and/or other abuse-of-power capers, scandals, and deceptions. (And note that 20 Scorpio is the natal North Node degree of SCOTUS (1789), a karmic link to John Roberts' Saturn.)

2. Mars @26Lib11 conjunct natal Neptune (28Lib14) suggests a period when frustration is a potential due to others misunderstanding the Justice's methods or objectives, confusion and deception will (attempt to) undermine circumstances, unrealistic or deceptive enterprises are not favored, and issues involve matters of fraud, bankruptcy, charities, drug-trafficking, criminality, and/or penal institutions.

3. Pluto @21Cap03 opposes natal Jupiter (23Can20 Rx and conjunct Trump's natal Saturn) indicates that his best course will be to keep his aspirations on hold especially in relation to politics, and that titanic forces will block him in a power struggle which has huge consequences.

The Pluto-Jupiter opposition influence can at least partially describe the entire political process of a Republican Chief Justice who apparently possesses a social conscience attempting to protect the reputation of the Supreme Court (1789 chart shown) while fairly presiding over a Senate impeachment trial of a shady president with Republican partisans yapping at his heels in a desperate bid to hide their own crimes, foreign ties, and vulnerabilities.

And hopefully transit Neptune Rx @15Pis58--conjunct Achernar, star of crisis and endings--isn't floating too near the natal Pisces Moon of Justice Roberts for this can denote all manner of mysterious potentials including hidden threats to family members.

But surely a desperate Trump and the anti-government GOP wouldn't stoop that low to save their sorry bacon, right?

Above Image: Chief Justice John Roberts, official portrait; Steve Petteway [Public domain]

More personality details may be found in Sun Sign-Moon Sign, by Charles and Suzi Harvey.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Sun Pisces-Moon Scorpio

Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States; by Steve Petteway [Public domain]

Brief Astro-Notes re: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

November 5, 2019: Since the natal horoscope and data of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsburg, pictured above, are rated X (date with no accurate time), and because she likely will be the Justice who will decide on an upcoming case involving scofflaw Donald Trump (poetic justice!), I'm typing a few notes concerning Justice Ginsburg's personality blend using her double Water Pisces-Scorpio Sun-Moon combo of conscious + unconscious energies.

Related: Ian Millhiser's November 4th Vox article A federal court of appeals just demolished Trump's claim of immunity from criminal investigation.

Born Ruth Joan Bader on March 15, 1933 in Brooklyn, King's County, New York, her Sun-Moon blend reveals her as an individual with tenacity, courage, acute perception, and a deep intellectual capacity. Emotional and intuitive, the personality of Justice Ginsburg is passionate, dedicated, and possesses deep psychological insight into other people's motives. She exhibits strength in adversity and stubbornness once a decision has been made. Unafraid of the truth, the Justice may not be easy to live with, yet has an innate desire to help and heal others who are in despair, an admirable quality in my estimation.

Her complex Sun Pisces-Moon Scorpio blend is shared by the natal charts of some interesting folk including: Johnny Cash, George Harrison, Bernadette Peters, explorer David Livingstone, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and author John Steinbeck who informs us that, "It is the nature of man as he grows older...to protest against change, particularly change for the better."

And according to Longfellow,

"Know how sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong."

Well, I'm not certain how the Steinbeck quote applies to her but perhaps you'll agree with me that tenacious, notorious Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, cancer survivor, definitely has that last concept well covered!

In closing, here are several inspiring Quotes by Ruth Bader Ginsburg and I'd like to cherry-pick three of my favorites off the list for your consideration:

"A gender line...helps to keep women not on a pedestal, but in a cage."

"A constitution, as important as it is, will mean nothing unless the people are yearning for liberty and freedom."

"I would like to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability."

For more personality blend details see Sun Sign-Moon Sign, by Charles and Suzi Harvey.

The Death Eclipse of Robert Maxwell (1923--1991)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Robert_Maxwell_1989.jpg

A brief bio of wheeler-dealer media magnate and Mossad superspy (and MI-6 agent or asset and ??) Robert Maxwell (nee Jan Ludvik Hyman Binyamin Hoch; June 10, 1923 Prag, Czech Republic MET 'noon') notes his enigmatic death by drowning off the Canary Islands, Spain, on November 5, 1991--somehow 'falling off' his yacht, suiciding himself, or being pushed. Conflicting autopsies indicated possible heart attack--he had both heart and lung conditions and had not been feeling well--or drowning possibly after slipping and falling due to a sudden heart attack or other event.

Reportedly there were no signs of assault on his body yet heart attacks can be helped along by nefarious stow-aways so we see the enigmatic quality of the fatal event. However, a second autopsy revealed "froth' in his lungs consistent with drowning--and it seems that he was about to face massive, reputation-shattering bankruptcy, a very good reason to commit suicide, get yourself murdered by disgruntled associates, or to elaborately fake your own death. Yes, the word inconclusive comes to mind which is one reason Maxwell's cause of death continues to seem suspicious.

Note that Robert Maxwell's natal horoscope is available set for noon (RR: X = date w/out time) if you're curious about his Gemini Sun and Moon in either Aries or Taurus. Of interest is the rounded-up Sabian Symbol for his natal Jupiter Rx @10Sco07 (11 Scorpio): "A Drowning Man Rescued." Then was his death a ruse? Jupiter is only one factor, yet there are ways, such as his wife and elder son identifying a look-alike as husband and father but that's quite unlikely, plus, he may already have been 'rescued' once too often during his life. Yes, astrological Jupiter is protective but is often active and near a chart Angle during times of death, whether fair or foul.

What we do know is that his body was located "at the end of the day" (November 5, 1991) so we have that to set a horoscope by if we wish (sunset at 6:11:16 pm UT Canary Islands provides a definite time to work from if you wish to have a look). Also his gone-overboard event from whatever cause seems to have occurred between approximately 4:30 am and 6:30 am UT according to testimonies by the yacht's crew members interviewed in the 53-minute video Robert Maxwell - The Downfall (in English with Dutch subtitles). Now at least one researcher has mentioned Maxwell as the Mossad agent who stole Promis software for Israel, then a 'trap door' was installed for spying purposes and sold to multiple governments around the globe--and to Osama bin Laden, but without personal knowledge I prefer to file that under So They Say. This post is only for entertainment purposes, after all.

July 11, 1991: a 'Wild Card' Suddenly Appears

And so amidst all the dates and hours known and unknown concerning the life and death of Ghislaine's father, Robert Maxwell, there's one cosmic factor (As Above, So Below!) that we have a definite moment for: the 11 South Saros Series eclipse that is Bob Maxwell's death Solar Eclipse which occurred on July 11, 1991 @18Can58. The themes of 11 South are quite descriptive of multiple events which occurred in 1991 including the mysterious death of journalist-writer Danny Casolaro whose research notes for the book he was writing on what he called The Octopus disappeared from his hotel room prior to the discovery of his body. Part of his investigation was the theft of Promis software and for more info, here's a What Really Happened? video originally posted here in 2016 concerning Danny Casolaro and The Octopus, aka, the global crime syndicate.

Above is the 11 South Solar Eclipse Horoscope of 1991 and its themes which to me describe the deaths of both Casolaro and Maxwell with Maxwell's natal planetary links penned in green around the outside for the sake of comparison. As you see, Maxwell's natal Jupiter Rx @11Scorpio rises (11Sco = "A Drowning Man Rescued', as noted). This chart is set for Washington DC although a New York chart works, too, and shows almost the same cusps. Setting the chart for Jerusalem (where he's buried on the Mount of Olives) or Maxwell's place of birth is possible but don't show as many Angular planets. Yet charts must be set for some location or another, and of course with an eclipse, the exact hour of perfection is chosen by the Great Cosmic Clock of which Planet Earth is a part.

11 South Themes: the need for sudden reforms; old ideas and methods fail and new systems are required in order to deal with events; any blocks could be violently or tragically removed. (Paraphrasing Brady's Predictive Astrology.)

Other potentials for violence, murder, bodily harm, and intervention of a higher power are in the horoscope and include: the eclipse rises with Pollux (danger of disgrace, murder, rape cruelty--A. Louis) and leads a Locomotive shape of planets denoting the ruthless, high-powered executive determined on success (Maxwell or...?); planet Pluto of the Underworld, aka, 'the assassin' rises in intense Scorpio (the sign associated with death) with Pluto apex in a midpoint picture with Mars-Saturn (the 'death axis'--Ebertin) so we have potentials for rage and fury of destruction, bodily harm, death, and murder. Also rising is Venus-Saturn = Pluto: retaliation, separation, and/or passing states of chaos (Ebertin).

Additionally, there's Maxwell's natal Neptune (ruler of the oceanic realms) @15Leo54 conjunct the Midheaven of this chart which suggests loss, death by drowning (or by heart attack: Leo), dissolution, identity change, subterfuge, and/or deception as possible goals (MC). Then with his Jupiter conjunct ASC and Neptune at MC, the speculative, bubbly, wastrel pair of Jupiter-Neptune are prominent for him at that particular period in relation to the eclipse suggesting potentials for misjudgment, fraud, deception, and living in a dream world that results in a rude awakening. Could Pluto in Scorpio provide such a rude awakening? That would be my suspicion, in an assassin role or not.

And note that marked on the chart, lower right, is the current position of transit Neptune @17Pis27 closely conjunct the natal Uranus (17:29) of Robert Maxwell which suggests generational conflicts that bring significant changes to how things are done. This reminds me, if not you, of the 11 South eclipse themes and the fact that a poorly performing Bob Maxwell was on the verge of facing bankruptcy, disgrace, loss, and possible prison not to mention how his fate would affect his offspring, wife, his investors and associates (underworld and otherwise). He'd mismanaged finances for a while imho, plus, years of over-indulgence had taken a toll on his health as well so whether or not he 'fell' or whether steps were taken against him before he could 'name names' remains a mystery--including in the spy world. Yet this is a typical mystery since death from one cause or another can be an outcome for people who 'know too much' and this could be the case according to the messages lurking within the 11 South eclipse horoscope. Unless you have other ideas?

Chiron-Uranus Chaos in the White House 2019

August 21, 2019: Seldom do I re-publish one of my own posts but seldom do I re-read one that closely applies to current events and/or people in the here and now. Such has occurred with the following remarks posted here on SO'W on December 30, 2005 and which I applied to George W. Bush at the time--obviously, since Dubya was playing the POTUS role in 2005. Therefore, you'll notice references to the departed Bush, below.

And so I ask all readers to consider the following in light of the chaos-creating Trump personage and his 'administration' along with his enablers and fellow saboteurs and would like to know if you agree that Big T is described herein to a 'T'. If you wish, please leave your on-topic opinion with this post.

As for the Astrology of it, little did I know in 2005 who my post was describing in the future! For as you know, Trump was born with his guiding planet, Uranus, in Gemini (10th house), and Chiron in Libra (2nd house), an Air trine between them. Their trine indicates one whose Quest involves a lifestyle that attracts public notice and social reactions which greatly influence him (R. Nolle). This sounds somewhat mild, like Trump's current obsession with polls and his years of headline-grabbing activities--until we consider the rest.

Original post begins here, with precious few edits:

Chiron-Uranus Types in Government

by Jude Cowell

Our current system of government is being guided in the last few years by those who know better than the average bear, and don't mind telling us so.

I refer to the restless, opinionated, passionate, other-worldly reformers who have Chiron/Uranus aspects or other signatures of these two planetary mavericks in their personalities and natal charts.

See if any of the following sounds like US 'public servants' you know for I think we're suffering under a whole gaggle of them - and have been for decades:

Thriving on change, the Chiron/Uranus type of personality has an inability to accept a higher authority than his personal choice, and possesses a strong belief in individualism--as long as it's his own.

Existing social systems and any sort of restrictions upon him personally are things to rebel against and to reform, and although there is a belief in freedom, including freedom of speech, there is deep intolerance of others' ideas. Blithely unaware of this contradiction, he plows along, like an unstoppable bulldozer with utter belief that he (they, really) know what is best for all humankind.

He feels an urgent need to improve the world according to his personal belief system, and frequently can be found in politics, law, or other social institutions. According to his agenda, institutions are little more than systems which must be broken and remade--and the resulting chaos they cause is "temporary" and to them, "worth it."

And while a love of humanity may exist, the love is detached and abstract--there's no love of people up-close or personal, for that would involve an exchange of feelings, and might result in the Chiron-Uranus person's authority being challenged. This gives a tendency to dehumanize others, and to keep them at a distance.

"Energy follows thought" is an intrinsically-understood concept, and overthrowing the old system and challenging prevailing wisdom is assumed to be a worthy and necessary goal.

This is the "speculator for great gain" personality, and if a few toes get crushed underfoot, so be it. One's Mark Must Be Made in History, preferably in an individualistic way.

Here is an agent for change, either positively or negatively, yet an "escape hatch" must always be available, for this type hates being pinned, tied down, or inconveniently held accountable for the unfortunate consequences of his actions. (Unless it's furry handcuffs--there can be a kinkiness behind closed doors, but Let's Not Go There.)

There is an ill-considered zeal and self-righteousness coupled with an indiscriminate willfulness which causes disaster rather than the creative change hoped for. Yet "outstanding in his field" is an apt description of this sort of rebel with his abundance of intense preoccupations that can widen horizons too far--his over-concern with the larger picture allows the devil to take over the details, and things can fall very flat.

And while he may think freedom is to be had by overthrowing structures "out there", his personal freedom/authority issues are what is in need of reform and careful consideration.

Rash, crusading, and hypocritical, he seldom feels the beam in his own eye, for the trouble is always seen as being outside himself--yet he would do well to address these issues stemming from his own unresolved adolescent conflicts with mummy and daddy.

Above all, there is a conviction that anything can be changed--that traditions are minor restrictions to be dispensed with--and that nothing is really sacred, including boundaries, borders, inconvenient laws, treaties, or Constitutions. Laws are for commoners, he thinks..."we" are the "ruling class" who make up the rules for others...we don't follow them, we just make them.

A numbing lack of connection to his own feelings makes it difficult for him to admit mistakes, especially when added to the above-mentioned "out there" tendency. The black-white, "for us or against us" method of polarization has worked well for him--exs: Bush after 9/11, and the illusory "con vs lib" arguments which have kept most Americans busy infighting for years and under the plutocrats' claws. (I can't say 'thumbs' here because this kind of primal reptilian behavior is way beneath most human beings' evolutionary level and shows a tendency to eat one's young, quite frankly.)

W Style?

Is the quickest way to unite all "evil-doers" against the "white-hats" simply to draw the line in the rhetorical sand and keep repeating your most calculated lies? 'Twould seem so. Especially in Washington, DC (my favorite former abode.)

Yes, the Chiron-Uranus types of personalities have a strong and consuming urge to remake the world, a tendency shared by globalists who have the same arrogance and greed to make their marks upon the world, and who don't hesitate for a second to use Chiron-Uranus types as tools for their NWO purposes.

Chiron info: my own chart studies blended with Melanie Reinhart's book Chiron and the Healing Journey.

Posted by Jude Cowell Dec 30, 2005 at 4:48 PM est #

Above image: my drawing 'Chiron Returns 2027--2028' to its 1977 discovery degree of 3Tau07. And curiously, the Prenatal Solar Eclipse of Chiron's discovery fell within the gentle 16 North Saros Series with themes of 'Uranus-Neptune illumination, sudden release of unconscious material which brings a great deal of insight that can be acted upon' (Brady). Last 16 North: 2013 in Scorpio, next 16N: 2031, again in Scorpio, sign of regeneration.

Planet Mars on Trump's Mind - and natal Ascendant

July 27, 2019: As the steamy month of August 2019 approaches and transit Mars in Leo nears a return to its position in the natal horoscope of Donald Trump (August 11 @26Leo46), the hazy focus of his nibs includes NASA's proposed Mars Mission which necessarily must include a stop-over on Earth's Moon. Yet Trump wants to go directly to Mars, no stop-overs and no safety measures. If this sounds to you like a brash, impatient dumblehead know-it-all with only a superficial understanding of space travel and the science behind it who was born with Mars Rising, then we're on the same page in the Trump department.

Now as you know, the Ascendant is considered by astrologers to be the most important point in a natal chart and represents the Physical Body and, in a word, The Self. So in the case of Trump, his Self is Mars, the planet of energy, action, motivation, and desire. (Please note that yours truly would be happy to contribute a modest amount to a Mars Mission Fund if it will help send his nibs directly into outer space, and as far as I'm concerned, Big T can claim ownership of the mineral, water, and any other lucrative rights the alluring red planet promises. After all, red ties, red planet here he comes!)

So what does Trump's Mars-Ascendant duo promise its owner and how does he express its combined energies in the external world? Let's see if we can recognize the combative, enemy-seeking Herr Spanky in any of the descriptions below:

In A Combination of Stellar Influences, Reinhold Ebertin states that Mars-Ascendant denotes "a fighting spirit." Check! But there's more, both positive and negative, and I quote:

"Psychological Correspondence: + Tendency to force one's own will upon others, ability to lead or guide resolutely, active teamwork. - A fighting and aggressive spirit with regard to others. A quarrelsome person, inclination to become physically violent. C Advancement in life by the use force." Well, yes. No matter what it costs or how much cheating it takes.

Ebertin continues...

"Biological Correspondence: Prone to accidents. A surgical operation. Sociological Correspondence: Colleagues and coworkers. Bullies and ruffians." Peep-eye!

"Probable Manifestations: + Tendency to drive and push others to get on with their work, successful creative activity in teamwork, forceful attainment of success. - Quarrels conflicts, disputes." Constant quarreling and vicious insults! Yet as most people know, cheating isn't actually winning, it's stealing.

Then the fact that Trump was born with enraged star, screaming Algol, conjunct his Taurus Midheaven visibly adds fuel to his fiery Mars-ASC nature of a roaring lion made more vengeful and threatening by his negative, retaliatory use of royal star Regulus rising. Wonder if Big T ever carries a weapon (Mars) on his person (ASC)? No surprise, if so. If not, his mouth is probably lethal enough for most if not all opponents.

So naturally, being easily provoked to anger and having tendencies toward trouble-making and arsonist behavior can be parts of the Mars-Ascendant combination so now let's consider a few of Michael Munkasey's insights into the testosterone-driven pairing for further information:

"In Relationships: How you evaluate others for their ability to keep up with you physically; urge to show anger toward others; an impulsive shifting mental focus from event to event; scattered energies. With Body or Mind: Pressure or heat within the ocular fluids" (staring directly at the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse can't be good for this!); "elevated blood pressure caused by (the) environment." How could it not be elevated at his weight and with his hot temperament?

"Thesis: a well-trained military and an active armament industry; an ability to focus sharply on the business needs of industry" (always transactional!). "Antithesis: leaders who don't have the will or energy to mobilize their resources productively" (troops sent to the southern border? dreams of vanity-inspired military parades? diverted military funds to build a stupid non-effective if lucrative wall?); "a poorly prepared defense or war making capability" (cyber warfare and 2020 election hacking?); "focusing the efforts of an enterprise upon its energy or armament needs." Why, war profiteering is one of Herr Spanky the Martian's favorite cups o' tea!

Now in closing, here's a view of the natal chart of Donald Trump but please heed a small warning: penned on are the natal planets of Mike Pence sucking up around the outside with planetary contacts of the two men noted. Spy more links between them if you dare!

Previously on SO'W: Is There a Silver Lining for Trump in 2019? in which transit Nemesis comes to call upon Trump's natal Ascendant (29Leo) after aggravating natal Mars and goosing royal Regulus and the star's 'avoid taking revenge' caution with a nasty little karmic tickle.

Astrology: The 2020 Potential for Beto O'Rourke

Beto O'Rourke official portrait; US Government [Public domain]

Recently yours truly was asked why no post concerning the astrology chart of 2020 candidate Beto O'Rourke has appeared on Stars Over Washington. For one thing, an accurate birth time for Baby Beto is elusive though perhaps it will eventually turn up. Another reason is that I must agree with expert astrology Marjorie Orr who writes that, Beto O'Rourke: Not a Good Bet for 2020. Marjorie cites O'Rourke's natal Saturn (21Gemini) experiencing a series of squares from transit Neptune in Pisces beginning in late April 2020 (confusion, uncertainty, perhaps a scandal--I'll add potentials for discouragement, deception, false hopes, false promises), plus, from late May 2020 transit Uranus squares his natal Mars-Saturn midpoint which suggests a series of crises, one after another. His strength (Mars-Saturn) will definitely be tested by disruptive Uranus square Mars-Saturn along with the potential for brute force to be applied by and/or toward him (Ebertin). Of course, with Uranus involved results are always unpredictable.

The negative influences of both these significant cosmic stop signs run into early 2021 for Beto so his suggestion of a "blue Texas" sounds good to the Democratic hierarchy but may not be enough to stem the Neptunian and Uranian tide soon to wash against him. Yet many of Mr. O'Rourke's ideas are good (ex: repairing the misery created by Nixon's 'War On Drugs') and the more he spouts them on the campaign trail, the better for those of us who want Trump out of the White House and demand progressive policies to create a fairer balance between the haves and the have-nots in our nation. Is this Beto's ultimate goal? You tell me! But yes, Beto's Kennedy-esque vibe is alluring, I agree.

And yet, as with all transits and life itself, positive aspects to his natal planets also manifest during the 2019-2021 period. Two such significant examples are:

Transit Pluto conjunct natal North Node (future direction) three times, the first of which occurs on or about January 24, 2020. This plutonian influence of power and wealth is karmic and suggests a major turning point for Beto O'Rourke, certainly a boost or perhaps a powerful endorsement--and the Pluto-NN conjunction perfects all through 2020.

Another positive influence is also a three-fer: transit Saturn, planet of authority, accountability, and authenticity, trine natal Mars which first becomes exact on or about February 21, 2020. This period denotes a sense of realism concerning his abilities (he is self-reflective as we've seen), taking appropriate actions, and having lots of energy available for the required hard work. Some form of further recognition is also a potential--maybe an offer of a vice presidency?

Ah! There I show my personal sense that Beto isn't quite ready for the POTUS role due to his political inexperience. Of course, that didn't stop The Trump, did it? Plus, if nominated, Beto would be well-vetted for playing the POTUS role and isn't as heard-headed as Big T who is unable to learn via his natal Mercury-Neptune square.

Now as for us all, Solar and Lunar Eclipses will also be part of Beto's cosmic picture as will other transits during the 2019-2021 political season but this is a post, not an e-book, so I'll close with only one mention: that the Lunar Eclipse of June 5, 2020 @15Sag34 conjuncts his natal Lilith (the seductress) so this Lunar Eclipse may uncover the scandal noted, above (tr Neptune square n Saturn) if there is one for opponents to make hay of, since Lunar Eclipses affecting one's chart very often reveal precisely what one most wants to hide!

Don McGahn Testifies May 21, 2019 (+ his Natal Planets)

It is being reported that former White House Counsel Don McGahn will testify before Congress on May 21, 2019. Donald Francis McGahn was born June 16, 1968 and grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey so his natal planets based on 'noon' of his birth date are placed around the 10:00 am edt horoscope, below, set for May 21, 2019 Capitol Building according to the subpoena issued by House Judiciary Committe Chairman Jerrold Nadler; please enlarge the image for better reading of chart notes if you wish; note that many of Trump's natal planets are penned around the chart with Trump's natal Uranus-NN-Sun trio missing for lack of space; both McGahn and Trump are Sun Geminis and McGahn's natal Sun @25Gem32 conjoins the 12th cusp of the 10:00 am edt testimony chart.

And as you see, Luna is chart-ruler and there's an applying Moon-Mars opposition (Mars "4Cancer" = "A Cat Arguing with a Mouse"..JUSTIFICATION--Jones) which denotes testy emotions and quarrels (plus, an angry public?), yet Trump's natal Sagittarian Moon (conjunct his SN) is again being transited by jolly Jupiter Rx indicating a period of happiness which Trump has recently avowed himself to be feeling (has an offer been made for his retirement?).

Yet Jupiter with South Node suggests this is also a period when ethics conflict with societal standards, endeavors may be blocked, and there are problems in relation to foreign lands. Loss (SN) of money (Jupiter) may also be in the picture along with Trump's diminishing popularity. More 'positively', broadcasting Jupiter in his role as politician will tend to repeat words he's mouthed in the past (SN) although, as you know, Mr. Trump repeats himself all the time--at his rallies and elsewhere. (It must be really annoying to be around grandpa telling the same story he told ten minutes before.)

Now one interesting planetary aspect between Trump and Don McGahn, a "real lawyer", is that their natal Saturns square one another (Aries/Cancer) which suggests conflicting values and disagreements (penned on the chart, upper), and in Astrology Saturn is legal planet of the law and government. There are other aspects between them, of course, but since my blogging time is brief today, I'll leave them for you to ferret out if you're curious!

Funny how Mercury-ruled Gemini is the sign of records and note-taking--Gemini McGahn takes them and Gemini Trump disparages them due to the record of his words and deeds they keep for future reference.

Ari Melber: March 31 1980 Sun Aries-Moon Libra

A few bio details concerning MSNBC's Chief Legal Correspondent Ari Melber are available for the curious. Mr Melber has a 39th birthday upcoming - born March 31, 1980 in Seattle, Washington. Below you see a speculative natal horoscope for Ari Melber as timed by that day's Full Moon which perfected @11Lib03 at 7:13:52 am PST in Seattle; I'm not going to make a big deal about the chart but here it is in case anyone ever wants it--the Full Moon version, that is. Because to me, his day of birth is cosmically imprinted with the rays of a Full Moon @11Lib03, no matter his accurate hour and minute of birth.

Any other speculation on Ari's birth time is up to you so have at it!

As you see penned on the chart (messily as usual!), his planet of communication and reporting (on TV, no less--he's quite photogenic), Mercury @13Pis22 sextiles Chiron and forms the base of a YOD pattern that points toward the Libran Moon (the public; publicity) and this, I assert, describes Ari Melber's special task in life. What do you think? See chart for sextile details provided by Barbara Hand Clow (as notated above the natal chart).

And since the page linked above states that Mr. Melber married in 2014, divorced in 2017, I'll gingerly mention that his chart displays a telling Venus-Uranus opposition which tends a native toward problematic relationships that, in order to last, must be supported by stability from other factors in the chart and psyche for best results. A strong, sober Saturn is always helpful - his Rx in critical, discerning Mercury-ruled Virgo, and in wide opposition with thinking Mercury in creative Pisces. Yet with any contact between lovely Venus and quirky Uranus, relationships can be and usually are, exciting while they last!

Then what about his Sun Aries-Moon Libra personality blend of conscious and unconscious energies?

Some personality traits can be seen on his MSNBC show The Beat, Ari's love of rap music is well known, and music references tend to turn up on his show in segments and in his commentary. His is a Fire-Air blend, full of exciting ideas that he communicates easily and with zeal. Idealism, optimism, and a charming hospitality may be noticed on screen (and one presumes in person) along with a vivacious streak of chivalry (hero complex?), plus, a large dose of ingeniousness is apparent. Dependence vs independence in relationships (Aries-Libra) proves an important theme in life, though in youth Ari may have been a bit of a flirt. And actually, a Libran Moon person can become quite detached and this coolness tends to attract emotional outbursts from others. Others like the ladies! Still, as an adult Mr. Melber naturally prefers to be in a 'good' relationship (Sun Sign Moon Sign, Charles and Suzi Harvey).

The Harveys' "Image for Integration" seems appropriate for Ari Melber's Sun-Moon blend and perhaps you'll agree:

"A conductor leads an orchestra with passionate conviction and a vibrant pulsating organism of musical perfection is created to the ecstatic uplifting of the audience." Yes, pulsating like The Beat!

Well, perhaps two famous quotes from a fellow also born under the Sun Aries-Moon Libra combo can add a certain something to our tale:

"The love of liberty is the love of others; the love of power is the love of ourselves." And, "The art of pleasing consists in being pleased." - essayest William Hazlitt.

Great advice for us all!

Chart Note: the earliest (12:00 am pst) position of the Sun on March 31, 1980 in Seattle, WA: 10Ari45, earliest Moon position = 7Lib29); the latest (11:59 pm pst) Sun and Moon positions are: 11Ari44 and 19Lib21 conjunct Pluto Rx @20lib39 which, in self-aware folk, can give great psychological insight into the psyches of others and an endless well of creativity, yet may also hint at a mother who smothered. Perhaps all three!

Astro-Chart Round-Up: Ivanka, Jared, Don Jr, and Eric

Since former Trump 'fixer' Michael Cohen testified in open session on Capitol Hill last week, more and more often we hear the Trump Clump described out loud as a 'crime family'.

To run such an organization the head gangsta must have a crew willing to operate under the same criminal persuasion--a crew surrounding and protecting him, and willing to take orders and do his bidding. Donald Trump has such a crew with a core made up of Don Jr, Ivanka and Jared, and other son, Eric.

So I decided to make their planets more accessible for future reference by clumping The Clump together into one post with links to their natal charts such as I have access to them presently--some accurately timed, some set for noon:

Donald Trump Jr. (RR: A),
Ivanka and Jared (noon and noon),
and Eric Trump who actually may be the brightest bulb in the box, as it turns out.

Now naturally, these four minions (including Cohen) also appear in other SO'W posts which may be located by tapping or clicking labels of their names below this post, or by entering their monikers in the sidebar Search field. Because that's the kind of power you have, dear reader!

A Related Post: On Donald Trump as Clumsy Liar. Not that he's the only one.

On the Fear of Ann Coulter and Donald Trump

Perhaps you've read the excellent column by astrologer Lynn Hayes concerning a certain political flame thrower so happy to be 'in the news' again for her advice to Donald Trump on shutting down the government (December 22, 2018 midnight est for 35 days) and her critiques of Trump that apparently led to his declaration of a national emergency which he announced from the White House Rose Garden today as away to extort billions of dollars of taxpayer money for a dubious "wall" to keep out the marauding hordes Trump fears. Now I ask you, how can circumventing Congress be anything but a power grab by the Executive Branch of government?

Disagree if you must but do check out Ann Coulter's Poisonous Rage where Lynn discusses Coulter's pile-up in Sagittarius of her Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Mars (Sun conjunct Mars: Miss Independent) and the shadow side of Sag which, according to Dr. Liz Greene, "The Sag is often frightened of making any commitment to the tangible world, because then he'd have to face not only the limitations of form but also the fact that his potential genius might not be quite so boundless and cosmic as he thinks it is." (My italics.) Commitment, tangible, limitations, form--all Saturn's words.

Of course, this fear relates to the ruler-ship of Sagittarius by Jupiter, the planet of boundlessness, expansion, and unlimited potential, plus, the sign's Fire element with Fire's 'dark side' of deep depression when things don't turn out to be as grand as was optimistically expected. Note that with his natal Moon and South Node of the Moon in Sagittarius, Donald Trump suffers from such 'vast optimism vs deep pessimism' issues himself. However, the pair are reported presently to be on the outs beginning with the ill-advised Trump Shutdown--or is their tiff only political theater? If genuine, Trump and Coulter may just be too much alike to get along for the long term especially considering the tendencies of Sag toward self-righteousness and the constant judgment of others, and neither have empathy for other human beings who are treated as if they're only screens upon which Coulter and Trump project their lives of fame and fortune--with the two of them playing 'starring' roles.

Yet astrologically there is one factor between them that's similar yet different: Trump was born with Pluto unaspected while Ms. Coulter was born with Saturn unaspected which emphasizes the distinct possibility of her sashaying through life completely conscience-free. Both conditions are problematic, of course, and few can handle them in a positive way yet we all must choose how we use the planetary energies we were born with. How do you think the two of them are doing so far?

For more on Saturn unaspected you may wish to see my previous post on Justice Neil Gorsuch who shares this problematic condition of 'the loner without a conscience'. Wonder if free-floating fear or anxiety is a feature of an unaspected Saturn, one of the planets known for its 'fear factor'--along with Underworld Pluto, planet of sabotage and creepiness.

Blog Note: yes, relocation is this weekend so Monday will be the start of my 'settling in' week and asap I'll be blogging at you from downtown Raleigh, North Carolina! Wish you were here (to help me unpack!!) jc

Astro-Note: Ann Hart Coulter born December 8, 1961 NYC, hour unknown; Donald Trump June 14, 1946 10:54 am est Queens, NY.

Dec 12, 2018: Maria Butina hearing on Capitol Hill

The Sabotage of America Ongoing

by Jude Cowell

If need be, NPR shares some background info on 'gun-rights activist' Maria Butina, a Sun Scorpio born on November 10, 1988 in Barnaul, Siberia. Reportedly, her Russian agent activities have been ongoing in the US since 2014 when she began encouraging guns-rights demonstrations. A mild activity when compared to her more recent ties to US politicians and officials, plus, there's her work for or with the National Rifle Association (NRA)--and all seem to be compromised by the Kremlin now.

Word is, Ms. Butina has changed her plea to 'guilty' and agreed to cooperate with the Mueller investigation. Unless otherwise is announced, her hearing is set for tomorrow, December 12, 2018, starting at 3:15 pm, on Capitol Hill. Here's the horoscope of that date, hour, and location:

Some of Maria Butina's natal placements are marked in and around the chart (highlighted in lavender pink), a few of Donald Trump's are added (highlighted in blue), and some of America's natal placements, too, such as US natal South Node, the 'tail of the dragon' conjunct the 3:15 pm est Midheaven (5AQ50) and the transiting South Node now 'swiping' across US natal Pluto (27Cap33). And that would be the same Pluto that was spotlighted at the RNC 2016 by a Full Moon Conjunct US natal Pluto: Russian Encounters when Vladimir Putin had the Republican platform changed more to his liking.

And if you view the RNC 2016 Full Moon chart, you'll see that the current position of the North Node of destiny points toward the Full Moon's Sun (the leader). Interestingly, a Sun-NN connection in Politics can lead to 'political associations which eventually do more harm than good, formation of ties to allies drain vitality, and/or a loss of respect due to unfortunate mergers or alliances' (Munkasey's Midpoints: Unleashing the Power of the Planets). Well, yes.

Besides a few midpoint pictures you see listed, notable in tomorrow's chart is that 3:15 pm falls within a Jupiter Hour and Butina's natal Jupiter Rx @2Gem+ is her first natal planet to rise in this horoscope suggesting Jupiterian themes on the menu such as finances and politics. Boundaries have been broken! Donald Trump's first natal planet to rise is his chaos-loving Uranus (@17Gem+ in his natal 10th house of Career and Public Status) which forms his nibs' quirky and very visible trio along with his North Node and Sun; plus, his natal Sun conjuncts the 2nd cusp (22Gem23) of this chart--along with US natal Mars. Has the money been followed? Of course!

Listed in the 5th house of the chart and highlighted in orange is Maria Butina's Prenatal Solar Eclipse @18Vir40 ('PE') which manifested prior to her birth on September 11, 1988 in the 8 South Saros Series. Themes of 8 South are 'loss, separation, sad partings, and possible physical injury' (paraphrasing Brady's Predictive Astrology). An 8 South eclipse last occurred in 2006 @29Virgo; next 8 South: 2024 @10Libra.

And in the 6th house of Military, Police, and Civil Service appear her natal Scorpio line-up of Mercury, Pluto, Sun, and Moon. Transit Venus now conjoins her natal Mercury, planet of communications, deals, and pleas and suggests her decision to cooperate with investigators though it remains to be seen if her information will be reliable for with so much Scorpio within, perhaps we can say that Ms. Butina was born to betray, spy, and sabotage.

2018--2019 Transits for Donald John Trump Jr

Brief Astro-Notes on Donald Trump Jr and Transits to Natal 2018--2019

by Jude Cowell

If you wish a peek, the natal horoscope of Donald John Trump, Jr, is rated A (from memory or news reports) and shows a birth hour of 5:20 pm est on December 31, 1977 Manhattan, New York City, New York. A New Years Eve baby was he! And if you haven't, check out his Wiki bio page for more details on 'Little T' where you'll find him perennially yoked to Reality TV, thanks to his dad Big T. But his yoke is loosened from wife Vanessa Kay Haydon as of their divorce announcement on March 15, 2018. A contested or uncontested divorce seems imminent although its status remains a secret, last I heard.

Now theirs has been an intensely passionate partnership which may have included quite a bit of antagonism and volatility (Sun Sco-Moon Ari: "best of friends or worst of enemies" -- and moodiness, with a lack of sensitivity to the partner's feelings--this is a "riding roughshod" combo, say Charles and Suzi Harvey). And if you look at their Wedding Day planets for November 12, 2005, Mar-a-Lago, Florida you'll see their steamy Water-Fire blend--Sun = husband, Moon = wife, theirs a Mars-Pluto (Scorpio)-Mars (Aries) combination of ambition, pride, and subterfuge.

So with Donald Jr's natal Venus @5Cap02 in 6th house, we know that transit Saturn has recently come to call bring sobering conditions to his relationships and the potential for breaking them off. For Donald Jr, this Saturn-to-Venus transit occurred three times in 2018: February 2, July 8, and November 2. Then there's his 6th house Sun @10Cap08 with restrictive Saturn approaching for a direct conjunction only once: on December 21, 2018. This is a period when his responsibilities must be faced and he must deal with the consequences of past decisions and events. He may be or go into isolation as often as he possibly can as 2019 nears. One must wonder if a prison term is being described here by legal eagle Saturn's dampening of his Sun-Venus conjunction of self-satisfaction. If so or not, Donald Trump Jr is definitely dealing with feelings and issues of restriction, limitation, and the specter of a possible future prison term, just as most media outlets report.

Another heavy transit that has occurred all through 2018 is transit Pluto conjunct his natal Descendant (19Cap53) and bringing relationship upheavals. Exact conjunctions of transit Pluto to his natal Descendant in 2018: February 3, July 17, and next on December 9, 2018. This transit marks a period when he is forced to face any relationship problems or issues he has accumulated so of course divorce and divorce settlements concerning his wife and five children are part of the plutonian picture. What this means for his relationship with his father remains to be seen.

Will 2019 Improve for Donald Trump Jr?

Leaving such a value judgment up to you, dear reader, here are a few prominent 2019 transits to Don Jr's natal chart to consider. First, there's the start of three conjunctions of transit Jupiter to his natal Neptune (16Sag44): January 25, July 3, and September 19, 2019. This is a period when pretense and illusion may expand, imagination is enhanced, he may lose whatever touch he's had with reality (or freedom?), paranoia and/or fanaticism may increase, mysteries abound or perhaps are solved, incorrect diagnoses can occur, and scandals and schemes can continue. There is even a possibility of bankruptcy under Jupiter-to-Neptune's inflated, fraudulent influences. Of course, spirituality may increase as well but I'm not suggesting it for the son of a con man such as Trump--unless his mother Ivana provided her first son with such a possibility or interest.

Now one 2019 transit that is particularly fretful is Saturn square natal Pluto (16Lib35 in 4th house conjunct Trump Sr' natal 2nd house Jupiter Stationary). For Trump Sr this transit is a question of economic growth and political success being hampered by imposing authority figures and by endless laws, rules, and regulations. For Trump Jr it's a more existential period when he is being stripped of unnecessary baggage and may have a feeling of stepping into unknown territory. For Junior the exact transit dates are: February 16, July 17, and November 15, 2019.

Then there's a significant Solar Eclipse on July 2, 2019--significant for America since it manifests so near Independence Day 2019 in between our nation's Venus and Jupiter in Cancer (more on this in a future post). Obviously, finances are implicated although business-loving Cancer is a also tribal sign of family and security issues so white nationalism may be part of the eclipse picture as well as the Trump family.

Solar Eclipse @10Can37 July 2, 2019; 3 North Saros Series (a lunation @00Cancer in 3 South is the Prenatal Eclipse of the 9/11 attacks). Themes of 3 North eclipses: 'news involving young people or news that transforms a situation and causes worry or obsession; large plans and activities are taken but don't get carried away' (paraphrasing Brady's Predictive Astrology).

The July 2019 Solar Eclipse is significant for Donald Jr because, among other things, it opposes his natal 6th house Sun (10Cap08) and manifests in his natal 12th house of Politics, Karma, Self-Undoing...and hidden places such as Prisons. Besides any eclipse influences, this 'cosmic blink' marks an 'unbirthday' transit for Don Jr when one is meant to reassess current plans and activities and make a change of course if results have not been not favorable up to that point (6 months after a birthday). But how free will Donald Jr actually be to make any necessary directional changes toward better outcomes? Will he turn witness for Robert Mueller against his father? Doubtful, yet a strong sense of self-preservation runs in the family and reduced sentences are usually cat nip at times of indictment. Well, surely his Pa-pa' will pardon him if at all possible!

A Mars Return Marks a New Two-Year Cycle of Activities and Efforts

Last I shall mention that 2019 is a year of a Mars Return for Donald Jr and it perfects once on July 16, 2019. Setting Don Jr's Mars Return chart for Manhattan, Mars (9Leo04) conjoins the Return IC (5Leo31 with Mars conjunct sexy asteroid Sappho!) from the 4th house side (more domestic troubles?) and shows his planet of motivation, energy, and activity to be under the quixotic rays of transit Uranus as it has squared his natal Mars. This Uranian transit marks a period when relationships with males are fraught with disagreements, disruptions, and possibly with danger--and when efforts may meet with unexpected results. In addition, transit Uranus, today @29Aries Rx, has been ruffling Donald Jr's natal 10th house Chiron (1Tau09 Rx) off and on suggesting feelings of rebellion and a tendency to act on impractical impulses (Nolle). Of course, his father is quite the quirky Uranian with chaotic impulses and notions shown every day as provided by Big T's guiding planet, his 10th house Uranus in duplicitous Gemini for it's the leader of all Trump Sr's natal planets.

Thankfully for Don Jr there is a grace note found in another aspect in his July 2019 Mars Return chart, an applying trine from Jupiter (6A29) to Mars indicating that a Jupiterian figure will provide Donald Trump Jr with beneficial aid in his hour of need and this may describe a pardon or other legal and/or financial help from his dad, Donald Trump Sr., or it could relate to benefits from wealthy financiers and promoters of the Trump Family...perhaps a cushy, pimped-up prison pad?

Image: Hubble's view of planet Mars

Relationship Horoscopes and Ethics Analyses: Brett and Ashley Kavanaugh

Good news! Millennial astrologer Kevin Estes returns to Stars Over Washington with an in-depth analysis of Brett and Ashley Kavanaugh including their Composite, Synastry, Natal, and "love" horoscopes.

Note that Kevin favors the Regiomontanus house system for chart calculations and you'll want to check out his intriguing post which also analyzes each of the Kavanaughs in the ethics department of life at his Left Wing Astrology blog.

You might just find a surprise or two!

And in case you missed them, here are two previous posts by Kevin Estes with overviews of generational topics which apply to every person born upon Mother Earth:

Neptune Generations: The Image and Culture of Our Society

Pluto Generations: The Evolution of Our Society.

2018 Midterms Over: Horoscopes of Trump vs Pelosi

Due to yesterday's 2018 Midterm Elections in which the Democrats won control of the House of Representatives, in early January 2019 Nancy Pelosi (RR: X for time unknown) will become Speak of the House, the first woman in US history to do so. Meanwhile, Oval Office occupant Donald Trump is said to be quite happy with this arrangement and, as an old friend of Nancy Pelosi (and of Chuck Schumer), called her last evening with congratulations. I shall leave it up to you to decide whether or not their tenuous association will mitigate Trump's usual vicious insults, fibs, and jabs, plus, with the new 116th Congress in 2019, Trump will have a wider field of lady politicians to take aim at while he's fighting off subpoenas, very inconvenient questions, and investigations led by Democratic Committee chairs.

Now since Nancy Pelosi's natal chart is untimed, noon is used to set up a bi-wheel of Donald Trump's timed natal chart (inner) with Pelosi's planets surrounding; her Prenatal Solar Eclipse ('PE') in the 14 North Saros Series is included with its themes penned on, lower left, and as you see, 14 North is the series of The Sequestration Eclipse of November 2011 (era of the 'Super Congress' which was 'a peculiar turn of events' concerning 'unexpected financial happenings'--Brady):

Included on the image are a few basic chart factors, more for Trump since his birth time is known. Highlighted in blue around the chart are the approximate positions of today's planets (November 7, 2018). Please enlarge the chart if you dare read my scribbled study notes. Following are a few major planetary links between Nancy Pelosi and Donald Trump in more or less order of prominence, plus a few mentions of current transits to Pelosi's natal planets:

Pelosi natal Mars @25Taurus conjunct Trump natal MC with raging Algol conjoining both (no smooth sailing between them there especially when his career is affected!); her Venus @20Taurus attends his MC as well suggesting the use of diplomatic negotiations and hinting at the involvement of financial and relationship issues, possibly with a nod to allies or foreign involvements and/or travel (9th house);

Pelosi Jupiter @17Aries closely opposes Trump's natal Jupiter @17Libra (more conflicts--over ideals, politics, and finances--also note that her PE @18Libra36 'eclipses' his natal Jupiter in Libra which tends to harangue, "it's not fair!"; perhaps her 'fury level' is as formidable as his); this opposition will probably result in both of them being quite unimpressed with one another.

November 7, 2018 transits to Pelosi planets include: disruptive Uranus conjunct her natal Saturn @00Tau44 suggesting changes and altered circumstances in the realms of Saturnian authority and leadership, plus, new methods for handling responsibilities. Obviously, her upcoming Speaker of the House position is involved and it didn't hurt during the Midterm Elections that the Syzygy Moon (last lunation) prior to November 6, 2018 was the October 24th Full Moon @1Tau13 which reflected upon Nancy Pelosi's natal Saturn, planet of authority, and was sparked by the aforementioned transit of electric Uranus to her natal Saturn in Taurus!

Another stand-out transit is the Jupiterian North Node of public contact and future direction pointing toward Pelosi's natal Pluto @00Leo40 Rx which is the "tiger by the tail" combo and shows a period for her when power and control are on the upswing and meetings ('NN') with 'the powerful' (Pluto) occur.

Now here are dual horoscopes of today's New Moon @15Sco11 and the upcoming Full Moon of November 23, 2018. Plus, you may wish to check out a previous post in which the Sun Aries-Moon Scorpio personality blend of Nancy Pelosi is considered.

Horoscope and Eclipse of Eric Trump January 6, 1984

If you remember, Politico ran a story back on September 12, 2018 titled, Eric Trump accused of anti-Semitism after 'shekels' remark when he spoke of Bob Woodward, author of Fear: Trump in the White House which debuted in September 2018 and is now a most-read best-seller on Amazon.

Now, thanks to singing canary Michael Cohen, Trump's former fixer and bag man, we find that Trump reportedly directed Michael Cohen and Eric Trump to keep Stormy Daniels quiet and that Eric enlisted the aid of a Trump Organization lawyer to do just that. This puts Eric Trump in a brighter, more dangerous spotlight than even his misappropriation of charity funds has done. See Eric Trump's charity remains under investigation. Apparently, the charity has been used by the Trump family as their personal 'piggy bank'.

This sort of financial slight-of-hand appears in the natal horoscope of Eric Trump--primarily through his speculating, inflationary, fraud-leaning Jupiter-Neptune conjunction which also links to his truth-challenged Mercury-Neptune conjunction and forming a trio of planetary slight-of-hand! This trio is how Donald Trump's fantasy-prone Mercury-Neptune square and his 2nd hou$e Neptune-Chiron-Jupiter trio express in the chart, psyche, and behavior of his middle son, Eric, and it creates a midpoint picture of interest, Mercury-Jupiter = Neptune with potentials for: tendency to bamboozle or mislead others; 'to lose the solid ground under one's feet' during speaking; a person successful in deception or speculation; a powerful imagination (Ebertin). Turns out that when it comes to such things as financial dealings, a "powerful imagination" can land you in hot water!

So for your consideration, below is a 'noon' horoscope (birth time unknown) for Eric Trump, born January 6, 1984 in New York City; please enlarge the image to read my study notes; today's transits (Oct 16, 2018) are marked in turquoise around the chart:

Now without an accurate birth time I'm not inclined to write much more concerning this natal chart and will leave it to you, dear reader, if you wish to delve more deeply into it. However, a few notes on the Prenatal Solar Eclipse ('PE') of Eric Trump are in order. Highlighted in orange on the chart and conjoining his natal Uranus, Eric's PE perfected on December 4, 1983 @11Sag46 in the 3 South Saros Series. This echoes his father's PE in the 2 Old North series which repeated for Donald Trump on July 12, 2018 @21Cancer because in 1946, Trump's PE @8Gemini conjoined America's natal Uranus, our country's 'totem planet' of revolt and revolution. And as you know, eclipses are considered 'wild cards of the universe' affecting events in similar fashion to quirky Uranus, planet of disruption and chaos, Trump's favored way of 'ruling'.

As for Eric's PE, themes of eclipses in the 3 South series tend toward: 'sudden endings of associations or relationships, possibly with a young person' (a family member as in divorce? plus, his Venus-Uranus conjunction--jc); 'traumatic transformation and emotions via Pluto's involvement' (in 3 South's initial eclipse of August 13, 1208 @27Leo10 when Pluto was @10Leo15--conjunct Donald's natal Pluto 10:02!) 'through news received or short journeys undertaken' (Brady's Predictive Astrology).

Of upcoming significance, the Solar Eclipse of January 6, 2019 @15Capricorn 'eclipses' Eric Trump's natal Sun but manifests in the 2 South Saros Series. 2 South's theme: 'unusual groups, involvement with such groups, and feeling that a great deal will be gained' (Brady). As long as this doesn't turn out to be a prison group, Eric Trump should feel well out in 2019 although an indictment cannot be ruled out for it may well be in his cards.