Reclaiming our Revolutionary Roots
By Judith Goldberg
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it"... Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
The 2008 Presidential Election is pivotal in America’s history and will have ramifications far into the future. While many astrologers have weighed in on the possible outcome-dissecting candidate’s charts to determine who has the luckiest stars-- few have looked at the larger cycles and by extension the larger issues, in play. Outer planet transits provide a celestial filter that transcends our myopic earthly perspective. As these heavenly bodies revolve around the sun in concentric orbits, they establish a symbolic hierarchy wherein the most distant exercise the greatest influence on the human collective. By this yardstick, Pluto, though recently downgraded, may still be considered "The Great Lord of Destiny". Pluto’s ingress into Capricorn on January 26, 2008 set a trajectory towards America’s Pluto Return in 2022, a rendezvous with destiny.
USA Pluto Return
On July 4, 1776, a group of renegade American colonists authored the document that would become the cornerstone of a new republic. Pluto was transiting the 27th degree of Capricorn. Two hundred and forty-six years later, on February 20, 2022, Pluto will return to 27 ° of Capricorn and the fulfillment (or lack thereof) of the sacred tenets of our free society, as outlined in the Declaration of Independence, will undergo new scrutiny. Some legacies continue to haunt us-- the founding fathers failure to address women’s rights and to terminate the "original sin" of slavery. The founders could not have foreseen that social and political elitism would erode the rights of working and middle class citizens, that self-interested politicians would polarize and disempower the electorate for nefarious purposes and corporate influence would corrupt the political process, preempting the "consent of the governed".
Over the next 14 years Pluto will present us with the challenges needed to rectify these inequities. To succeed in this mission, we must acknowledge and transform any shadow parts (Pluto ruled) of our government and our institutions that are inconsistent with our stated ideals. We are engaged in a kind of "back to the future" politics, an effort designed to reclaim our revolutionary roots. It is time for our reality to match our rhetoric.
Saturn/Uranus' Hard Aspects Define Our History
The 2008 election is a turning point in a transformational journey. The key aspect in the Election Day chart, an exact opposition between Saturn, ruler of the presidency, and Uranus harbinger of revolutionary change, at 18º 57' Virgo/Pisces is emblematic of the tug of war between the old guard and an emerging new paradigm. A timeline of hard aspects in the Saturn/Uranus cycle, from Revolutionary times to the present, sheds light on our historic pursuit of geo-political autonomy and social justice, a quest in which the coming election opens the newest chapter.
- Revolutionary War Era: Feb 27th, 1782, English House of Commons votes to end the war against the Colonies. Opposition in the symbolic last degree of Sagittarius/Gemini 29° 51'—3 recurrences (including an opposition at 0° Capricorn/ Cancer, May 1782) until Dec 2, 1783, the month General George Washington resigns his commission.
- Nov 15, 1805, Lewis and Clark reach the Pacific Ocean; conjunction 23° Libra. This singular event inspires the doctrine of America's 'Manifest Destiny'.
- Invention of the cotton gin in 1794 creates a huge demand for slave labor. (Square in Taurus/Leo)
- The Missouri Compromise of 1820 promises, but never delivers, the restriction of slavery in territories applying for statehood. (Square Pisces/Sagittarius)
- Amistaad rebellion, 1839 (Square Sagittarius/Pisces)
- Civil War Era: Saturn in Virgo squared Uranus in Gemini five times from Dec 13, 1860 thru July 16, 1862, embracing Lincoln's election, his inauguration, secession of the South, outbreak of war and escalation of hostilities.
- Civil Rights Act of 1875 (opposition Aquarius/Leo) was never enforced and subsequently declared unconstitutional.
- NAACP founded in 1909 (Square Aries/Capricorn), and CORE in 1942 (Conjunction 29° Taurus)
- Civil Rights Era: Volatile Civil Rights Movement of the mid-sixties (opposition exact 5 times 1965-67 in Pisces/Virgo--the flip of 2008). Lyndon Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act (Jul 2 1964) and Voting Rights Act (Aug 6 1965). Johnson, a Democrat, knowingly hands over the South to the Republicans.
A New Era
Throughout our history, several two-three year eras have occurred, corresponding to periods in which planetary aspects recur due to directional changes. In 2008, we are on the brink of another such era, still nameless and unknown. The Election Day opposition of Saturn and Uranus is the first in a series of four in Virgo/Pisces. A fifth and final opposition occurs at 0° of Libra/Aries, July of 2010.
The Saturn/Uranus cycle must be viewed within the context of the larger Pluto cycle. This election is already stirring the pot and bringing to the surface issues we must transcend by 2022. For the first time in history a woman and an African American are serious contenders for the presidency. Hillary's candidacy shines light on women's rights and Senator Obama's campaign is a catalyst for racial issues. Our history is witness to the fact that slavery and civil rights are recurrent Saturn/Uranus themes. His election could turn a page in the struggle for equality, among ALL minorities, and begin a great healing.
Increased voter participation, after years of apathy, is a welcome sign that the American people are preparing to take back their democracy (demo= people) and transform politics (pol=people). Saturn in Virgo and Pluto in Capricorn have conspired (by dispositorship) to contract the economy, creating a crisis that can have a unifying effect. It may finally force "values voters" to choose their pocketbooks over the divisive social agendas Republicans have exploited in past. Pluto will expose all institutions that hamper fair elections and disenfranchise voters; likely targets are Super Delegates, corrupt election boards, rigged electronic machines and the Electoral College.
Reversing the Reagan Revolution
The Election Day opposition mirrors the polarization between conservative (Saturn) and progressive (Uranus) forces—red and blue states. The last time Saturn and Uranus opposed each other in Pisces/Virgo (23º 12'), November 8th, 1966, Ronald Reagan was elected Governor of California. Reagan rode the backlash against 60's radicalism all the way to the White House. The gubernatorial election of 1966 jump-started the conservative movement in American politics. The 2008 Presidential Election occurs under an exact reversed polarity opposition, signaling a turning of the tide.
Signs of conservatism's demise are visible. Fareed Zakaria stated in an article in Newsweek (Feb 25, 2008) entitled The End of Conservatism, "a new world requires new thinking". The death of William F. Buckley (February 27th), the acknowledged "founding father" of modern conservatism is a bellwether. Buckley set the agenda for the Republicans and inspired both Goldwater and Reagan.
"In the five years between 2001 and 2006, the right had a chance to control all three branches of government—to actually run the country. Naught but obvious failures have been the result: a crashing economy, a rotting infrastructure, a failed war and a less safe world, more Americans saying their nation is on the wrong track...The conservative era is over." (The Nation, April 21, 2008, p.16)
Buckminster Fuller once posited, "In order to change an existing paradigm you do not struggle to try and change the problematic model. You create a new model and make the old one obsolete." A new politics is emerging, one that is both visionary and pragmatic—uniting the best of Uranus and Saturn. Progressives, represented by organizations such as Move On.org and People for the American Way, make up a large arm of the Democratic Party. The movement is backing Obama. While he is not an avowed progressive, they believe he will be responsive to making needed changes. Certainly, he is Uranus' dog in the race!
Generational Legacies
Our national destiny, the legacies of generations of citizens and the personal missions of the candidates are coalescing in a powerful cosmic blueprint. The three primary contenders, McCain, Clinton & Obama, are each from a different generation and consequently derive their core motivation from three different natal Pluto placements. Common peer group concerns give each candidate a strong base of support. For McCain, with Pluto in Cancer (1914-1938*), patriotism is his paramount incentive. He strikes all the right notes for his generation—love of God, duty, sacrifice for country, home and family. The quintessential elder statesman, he is Saturn's dog in the race.
Hillary is a member of the Pluto in Leo "me" generation (1939-46). Sun-ruled Leo conveys a "center of the universe" perspective on its progeny. Like her husband and George W., our two 'Boomer' presidents, she is run by personal ambition and entitlement. Hillary's chart has strong problematic male imprints—a 12th house stellium in Scorpio (including Sun) dispositing to a conjunction of Pluto, Saturn, and Mars in Leo. She regards power as her birthright. Fiercely competitive, when backed against a wall her Scorpion stinger comes out. If elected she could create many enemies. Her candidacy will ultimately fall through the cracks because the Saturn/Uranus, old vs. new, dogfight is between McCain and Obama who occupy the more extreme positions.
The Generation Who's Time Has Come
Barack Obama, with Pluto at 6° Virgo, is among the first in his generation to be tested by the conjunction of transiting Saturn in Virgo to natal Pluto. Over the next two years, Saturn will impel all of his peers (1957-1972, ages 36-51) to claim their power and to exercise it responsibly. Pluto in Virgos regard service as a sacred trust. Their mission is to clean up the environment and fix our broken systems, particularly in the business sector. True to form, Obama is heavily invested in public service. It is time to pass the torch to this new generation of Americans.
Obama's message resonates particularly well with disaffected young voters. His mantra, "Change We Can Believe In" perfectly encapsulates Uranus in Pisces! Two newly energized groups could have the decisive impact on the election. Pluto in Libras, (1973-1983 now ages 25 to 35) are passionately anti-war –or should I say, pro-peace? Obama's theme of national unity appeals to their "Can't we all just get along?" sensibilities. Pluto in Scorpios are the youngest eligible voters, 17-25 years old. They would relish any firestorm of change to burn away the old ways.
Shifting Paradigms
Over the course of 2008, Pluto passes back and forth by direct and retrograde motion between Capricorn and Sagittarius, in eerie synchronicity to the political message machines. Optimism and vision, once the rage, became passé with the icy dwarf's ingress into Capricorn. The conversation quickly turned to concrete plans and the Commander-in-Chief (Capricorn) litmus test, empowering both Clinton's and McCain's campaigns. Pluto retrogrades back into Sagittarius on June 14th, resurrecting the power of Obama's philosophical message, hopefully tempered by pragmatism. Pluto transits Sag through the dog days of summer, the conventions and the election. The long primary season has spawned broad voter participation, of paramount importance even if it produces no definitive result. A selection process at the Democratic Convention would test the system whereby Super Delegates have the power to disenfranchise voters. Dems failed this test in 1968; this time around it is critical that voters triumph. Obama's most inspiring moment could be his acceptance speech.
Personal Ambition
Barack Obama is a man on a mission. He is often compared with Kennedy, yet, a stronger resonance exists with Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln's portrait even hangs above Obama's desk in his Senate office. Obama is literally following in the footsteps of the 16th President. He announced his candidacy on the steps of the Illinois State Capital in Springfield, site of Lincoln's famous "house divided" speech. He also spoke in the Great Hall at Cooper Union where, in 1860, Lincoln delivered the anti-slavery speech that is said to have won him the presidency. Lincoln, a lawyer from Illinois who served in the State Legislature before being elected to the Senate, was in Congress only two years before occupying the While House.
A prominent psychic, Gordon Michael Scallion, speaking recently to a group at the A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment, The Edgar Cayce Foundation) in Virginia Beach, conjectured that Obama is a reincarnated Abe Lincoln, a compelling if improvable thesis.
Lincoln freed the slaves, defeated the Confederacy, but did not live to re-unite the country. Red and blue states are nearly identical to slave and free states and many of the deep divisions that persist today are the legacy of a reconstruction gone awry. Obama is passionate about uniting the country, as if to complete Lincoln's unfinished business. He is the only candidate who is a unifier and only unified can we effect real political change. He often cites the motto on the Great Seal "epluribus unum, out of many one". His statement "I don't see red and blue states, I see the United States" echoes Lincoln's sentiment "to bind up the nation's wounds". Perhaps we are finally ready.
New Leadership for a New Age
Archetypally, Obama is a strong Aquarian. Uranus hugs his Midheaven, his South Node at 27° Aquarius sits squarely on the (Sibley) US moon (the people) and conjuncts Lincoln's Sun. His Jupiter at 0° Aquarius trines his 0° Gemini moon, expanding his inclusive message and grassroots orientation. Given his own mixed race, multi-cultural background, he recognizes America's diversity as her strength. Since the turn of the millennium, and the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, many astrologers have been waiting for an Aquarian leader to step forward. The American collective (unconscious) shares this messianic quest, a factor that could explain the momentum behind Obama's campaign.
Inauguration Day
In 1937 President Roosevelt moved Inauguration Day from March 4, to January 20th, creating a chart for the day with a 10th house Sun in Aquarius, ruler of democracy. Inner planets often conjoin the Sun, but the rarer conjunctions of outer planets set up long term influences. Sun conjunct Neptune for GWB's inauguration ushered in eight years of delusion and deception. In contrast, on Inauguration Day, 2009, benefic Jupiter will conjoin the Sun, Mercury and North Node (the dharma sign), promoting optimism, vision and foreshadowing a new future course. By a fortuitous coincidence, Obama's natal Jupiter conjoins this stellium. His Jupiter/Saturn conjunction also triumphantly straddles the Midheaven. Lucky stars!
Coming Together
The stakes are high in this dog-eat-dog election competition. With each side fighting for survival, ugly partisan battles will certainly characterize an un-civil war. As the electoral process unfolds, it will reveal much about who we are as people and a nation. On the way to our common destiny, we will be challenged, tested and called upon to do a great deal of soul searching. Over the next 14 years, our country will face critical challenges that will require enlightened leadership along with the collective commitment of all citizens. United by a common purpose, perhaps Americans can one day perfect the union envisioned by our founding fathers and create a just and truly democratic society.
© Judith Goldberg 2008
* All inclusive generational dates are approximate.
Chart Data:
Hillary Clinton/Oct 26, 1947/ 8:02 am /Chicago, IL*
John McCain/ Aug 29, 1936/8:55 am /Panama/Panama
Barack O'Bama/Aug 4, 1961/1:06 pm /Honolulu HA*
Election Day/ Nov 4, 2008/10:00 am (opposition exact)/Wash DC
Reagan Gubernatorial Election/ Nov 8, 1966/12:00 am /Sacramento CA
Inauguration Day/Jan 20, 2009/2:00 pm /Wash DC
Abraham Lincoln/Feb 12, 1809,5:00 AM/Hodgenville, KY.
U.S. Sibley Chart: Declaration of Independence: Jul 4, 1776, 5:10 PM Philadelphia PA.
* Time not confirmed.