The Obama Inauguration Chart

The day that has seemed inevitable since summer is finally upon us. President-elect Barack Obama will take the oath of office on January 20 as prescribed in the Constitution. Actually the original document set March 4 as the inauguration day, but us modern hurry-up types moved it forward. Looking back, it would be more favorable to have the date in March, when the Sun would trine the election Sun.

I was not going to write an article on the inauguration, but a fellow astrologer emailed me all aflutter because the chart featured a Mercury retrograde plus a void-of-course Moon. To me, Mercury retrograde signifies trying to undo all the destructive acts and executive orders of the previous occupant of the White House (who shall not be named here). Perhaps we can look forward to this former law professor, Obama, restoring much of the integrity of the original Constitution. As for the Moon being voc, I started one of my better jobs under that aspect, and had to learn to ignore it as one year after aociated with the entrance of the Sun into Aries on thenother rolled by.

Milky Way Astrology Looks at The Year 2009 in Short; Plus a Brief Snapshot of New Year’s for the Signs

Pluto is moving into Capricorn for good in 2009 (it actually re-entered Capricorn around Thanksgiving this year). That means the end of all the Sag high-flyer bloodletting and we can try to mop up the mess they left behind. But wait, what is Pluto going to do next? I’m afraid we have not seen the last of the corporate scandals. But instead of the investors/speculators being the source of the scandals, it will be the execs themselves, and especially the top tier of Chief Executives who make the rounds of major corporations, miking them to death and escaping with the proceeds. The dark underbelly of Big Business will become public knowledge. We will also probably see scandals about the other main Capricorn sphere of influence, Big Government. Where is government really getting all the money that is allocated in the annual budgets? Does that money really come from taxes? Does that money really exist?
But on to Mars. Mars enters Capricorn on Dec. 27, keeping company with Pluto like a pair of hit-men on the loose. One holds you while the other beats you up. Mars, according to astrologer Barbara Koval, is the money made from fees and taxes. “Mars rules other people’s money or value that is shared or used without having full control. Mars is a loan. Mars is debt…Mars always represents those transactions that are represented as ‘cuts’.”
By cuts she means any fee that is charged for doing the transaction, whether it is a sales tax or a service charge or a commission. These cuts really ‘cut’ into one’s profits and can make the difference between making or losing money on a deal. Mars enters the business sign Capricorn just as credit card companies are raising rates and fees and lowering limits for cardholders. Oh, you don’t want to accept their ratejacking, you say? Fine, just terminate the card and so long, buddy. BTW Mars enters Aquarius in February, so watch out for raised fees for your telecom and internet carrier or the end of unlimited texting.

What Kind of Pope Will Benedict Be?

The most striking thing about the chart is the Jupiter-Mercury conjunction in late Pisces, plus Uranus in the first degree of Aries. Jupiter is the natural ruler of Sag and ninth-house matters, which include publishing, higher education, religion and law. With Sag in the tenth house of career, it is interesting that Ratzinger has pursued a career that has spanned all four areas.

Fourth Week of April 2008

Happy birthday to all the Taureans as the Sun enters your sign this week! Taurus natives include Martha Graham, Fred Astaire, Margot Fonteyn, Helen Tamiris, Shirley MacLaine, Audrey Hepburn — and those are just the dancers! Saturn and Pluto having just entered the other earth signs, trining your Sun, and Jupiter is already in Virgo. The first two can be tough taskmasters, but if you have learned the major lessons of life, you should be in a position to reap the rewards of working in harmony with the Earth. Read up on the effects of biotech crops and speak out for farmers and consumers.

In other news, the planet Pluto and the asteroid Juno become an odd couple for most of the year as they travel in close company. Juno lingers at the very end of Sagittarius and Pluto just entered Capricorn in late January. This will likely force partners to re-evaluate their relationship, and evolve into something healthier. Whether actual psychotherapy or counseling is involved, is up to you. But I feel that working on the relationship issues will bring about a much richer, rewarding and more productive level by fall.

A T-square between Mars in Cancer, Venus in Aries and Jupiter in Capricorn is in place this week. You may hold on to your house in spite of the crisis, but could very well cost you much more in monthly payments.

Third Week in March

Happy Spring Equinox this Thursday the 20th!!! The Spring Equinox is when the Sun enters Aries, so happy birthday to all the fiery Arians. This is followed by the Full Moon on the 21st, at one degree Libra. This can be a touchy day for Librans, so avoid any verbal spats at all costs. Avoid somebody else’s power plays, and dance on the diplomatic high wire.
This week’s bonus feature: Check out the website Spiral Goddess Grove, at SpiralGoddess.com. It has all kinds of goddess info to help you tune into your style of relating to social, societal and relationship matters. There are fun activities like making yourself a goddess mask, or selecting items for a virtual altar.