POLITICAL UPDATE SEPTEMBER 15, 2008
BY DULCE BELL-BULLEY

www.astrologybydulce.com

Dear friends,

Things are crazy out there! The political situation in the USA is unraveling as quite a drama as the presidential candidates prepare for the elections November 4^th. It’s more than time to look at the players.

Here’s the current scene: Obama gave his all-important acceptance speech and a few days later McCain brought in Palin. And we’ve been totally distracted ever since.

It’s clear that surprises abound and the stakes are extremely high. Let’s take a look at the players involved and especially the environment in which this political drama is taking place. In particular this article addresses the crazy, unpredictable, often brilliant actions of iconoclastic Uranus, and the dreamy, delusional, spiritual, but often deceptive Neptune.

Here’s what happened.

Obama gave an intelligent and rousing speech on August 28, 2008, and it disappeared in the dark of the moon. The Democrats might like to use the strength of a waxing Moon, or even a Full Moon, for the very important event of announcing party Presidential choice. However, the night of Obama’s speech, is not without its merits. Though the Moon, which represents the public, was dark, it was in the sign of Leo, conjunct Obama’s Leo Sun. This indicates that he had the attention of the people. This attention is seed energy. It disappeared into the Sun with the Moon and will emerge later. How much later? For the Democrats hopefully it’ll be soon enough to win the election.

Not only did the Republicans upstage the Dems with a move completely out of left field by nominating wild card Palin, but they had the advantage of a waxing Moon. And, within days of McCain’s speech September 4^th, abundant Jupiter went direct in the government oriented sign of Capricorn. This was a cosmic blessing. Quite frankly, as brilliant as Obama and the other Democratic speeches were, they have been completely ignored with the bold Republican move that occurred under much more favorable skies.

Let’s look back a little.

If you recall, the August 16^th eclipse provided a powerful hit to Barak Obama’s chart. The eclipse that took place occurred over Obama’s Uranus. Uranus is the “shock and awe” principle in the chart. This eclipse will be activated this November 13^th. This is after the election. Does this indicate a problem with voting? The voting process is governed by the planet Uranus and Uranus is a key player in not only the prevailing cosmology, but in the charts of the players themselves.

Let’s see what the source of this “shock and awe” (Uranus) might be.

Currently McCain is experiencing a Uranus transit. It’s fascinating to note that the August 1^st eclipse squared McCain’s Uranus. So both McCain and Obama experienced eclipses, cosmic doorways, to Uranus in their birth charts this past August. This is indicative of sudden change for both men. In Obama’s case – a rift or breaking away - this could be his relationship to Hillary Clinton, a move he may well be regretting. In McCain’s case the square to his Uranus might be a cosmic warning to play by the rules, or else.

Transiting Uranus currently conjuncts McCain’s Saturn, the principle in astrology that represents authority and Palin is a Uranian person. Indeed, if we put McCain and Palin’s charts together you’ll see that her Uranus conjuncts the light of McCain’s Virgo Sun. And, get this, Biden’s Uranus conjuncts Obama’s Moon. So what does all this mean?

Uranus is the cosmic principle that demands our awakening. It is an unpredictable dynamic that can lift you to new heights or blow your world to pieces. Uranus is the principle that demands change. Sometimes Uranian change comes about in inventive, ingenious ways; and other times it comes through chaos and a kind of madness. Uranus’ movements are sudden and unexpected. We all go through a “mid-life crisis” when transiting Uranus opposes itself in the birth chart. This occurs around the age of 42 and can last a couple of years. Periods of profound change and/or chaos in your own life are likely to be connected to Uranus in some way.

The connections between McCain and Palin, and Obama and Biden are Uranian. Both the running mates for the presidential position come with the Uranus caveat: Watch out! These people are catalysts in some way. For better or worse, we don’t know. That’s the Uranus unpredictability factor right there.

Currently Uranus opposes Saturn and will do so off and on until 2010. This makes things very difficult for the elections and for the new President’s first year in office.  We’re looking at a classic struggle between structure – Saturn, and chaos – Uranus. We’re seeing new paradigms assert themselves against an old model. This can create clashes, fear and possibly brutality. Uranus and Saturn oppose each other for the next six months. (They’ll be back at it for six months in 2010 too – a particularly unusual time for all of us).

Uranus rules the sign of Aquarius.

Though a Leo, Obama also has strong Aquarius energy as he has Aquarius rising. Aquarians are concerned about social matters. Both he and Palin have similar astrological signatures. Though we are uncertain of Palin’s time of birth, the time we do have gives her many connections to Obama. Palin has five planets in Aquarius (this includes the Sun and possibly the Moon). It seems to me that Palin is part of the Uranus scenario that both McCain and Obama are experiencing. And as such, it would be wise to be cautious as Uranus is completely unpredictable and unknowable. Indeed, the entire political picture has shifted due to Palin’s presence on the scene.

Both Obama and Palin, by virtue of their Aquarius energy, are experiencing Neptune transits. Not to confuse you by adding yet another planet to the mix, but that’s the way it is. Neptune is a confusing planet. Whenever it appears in a chart the first thing an astrologer suggests to a client is that the client may want to proceed cautiously, to avoid being deceived or deceiving others as Neptune obscures the path ahead.

Neptune is currently traveling through the last 10 degrees of Aquarius where Palin has her Sun, Saturn and Mars. This is a direct conjunction for Palin, meaning she is in the thick of a Neptune transit. Obama’s Aquarian ascendant is 18° Aquarius so he has actually passed through Neptune’s veil and we can now see who he is. He is “out of the clouds” so to speak.

Palin may be a puppet under these skies. She’s also experiencing the tail end of Neptune square Neptune, a configuration that occurs for all of us in our early 40s.  Neptune directly connects with the light of her Aquarian Sun, Mars and Saturn and will do so until the end of 2010. We do not know who Palin is under these skies. She is hidden from us by Neptune’s veil. Neptune is associated with film and movies. It’s possible that Palin may be akin to a movie star – playing a role determined for her. As she has Leo rising, she may enjoy the role and the attention!

Palin also has Neptune square the Sun in her chart. There’s no doubt Neptune is associated with oil and her position on the environment is clear. To her, oil comes before critters. Obama’s natal Neptune also squares his Sun but I’ve yet to find connections to big oil in his history. However, Neptune also represents connection to spirit and there have been controversies about his spiritual life, including his old pastor who had some extreme things to say, and a prevailing rumor that Obama might have ties to Islam. 

Obama is also experiencing Neptune’s transit. Neptune has crossed his Aquarian ascendant and is opposing his Uranus (there’s Uranus again) until late 2010, same as Palin. This transit has an eroding effect on Obama. If he were an ordinary person, living an ordinary life, he might want to spend some time in self-reflection. However, he is no mere mortal. He is running for President. He is either deluding himself under Neptune’s dreamy influence, or he’s inspired by Neptune’s possibilities and the desire to surrender himself to service to his society. He is a 6^th house Sun after all. 6^th house people are service oriented and appear Virgo like in their busy industry. Nonetheless, Neptune can wash all our best efforts away. Neptune’s goal after all is to dissolve ego. This can be threatening to a Leo person, such as Obama, as Leo is strongly rooted in ego, or healthy confident self-esteem.

Incidentally both Obama and Palin are about to experience Jupiter’s abundance at the same time, as Jupiter connects with Palin’s Mercury and Moon and Obama experiences a Jupiter return – something that happens every 12 years. Jupiter is a benevolent presence that expands everything it connects with. Obama might like to examine what occurred for him in late 1996 and 1997, at his last Jupiter return. I’ll tell you what happened – he was elected to the Illinois Senate. That bodes well for his next Jupiter return occurring early January 2009, at Inauguration time. Palin also benefited by Jupiter’s transit to her Mercury 12 years ago when she was elected as Mayor in the town of Wasilla, Alaska.

What about Biden? I haven’t yet verified a time of birth, so I’m a little cautious here, but can say his strong Scorpio energy mimics Hillary’s. Folks with strong Scorpio energy like this can withstand great setbacks and yet still emerge time and again, much like the phoenix from the ashes.

If Biden was born at 8:30 AM as some sources state, transiting Saturn is moving across the top of his chart – a very stabilizing and beneficial position for one in authority. However, this means Uranus is moving across the bottom as well! This indicates new growth and new directions and challenges, and, as we’ve discovered with Uranus, new surprises.

Apparently Biden is born just nine days before Barack’s mother was (unverified source) and because of the connections to Barack’s Moon, he may somehow be surrogate family. Obama may change his feelings about Biden with a Moon connection to Biden’s Uranus. Yet Biden has the ability to keep up with the prevailing Saturn/Uranus energy. He was born with Saturn conjunct Uranus – he knows how to navigate shifting paradigms and changing structure. He is well equipped to be Obama’s right hand man under these unpredictable skies.

What about McCain? Well, he’s getting on in years. He just turned 72 and, as mentioned he’s experiencing a Uranus transit to his Saturn until late January 2009. His Saturn is in Pisces.

Saturn in Pisces is a particular cosmic signature that indicates one’s lessons are in the realm of the spirit. Folks bearing this particular life’s karma, often have to make up the rules as they go. Saturn demands structure, and in nebulous Pisces it has a tough time finding structure in all that water. This however, may have been source of McCain’s resistance and strength as a POW.

With Uranus conjunct his Saturn, being the planet of authority, structure and government; McCain may be under some physical stress, or have a hard time maintaining boundaries or leadership. It’s possible that McCain is not at the helm of his own presidential race. Or even, that his health is precarious. Clearly Palin has overshadowed McCain. She has imbued his campaign with new Uranian life. Republicans everywhere are rejoicing. Even as changes occur around him and even as he may physically be feeling the strong effects of Uranus to his Saturn John is lifted up as abundant Jupiter in Capricorn moves across the bottom of his chart. This is empowering and strengthening.

So what’s my take on this? Who will win? I can’t give you my personal preference as that would be contrary to my role as your astrological reporter. Besides, I’m a Gemini. But, what I can tell you, is that the charts for the elections (November 4, 2008) and for the day and time of inauguration for our next president (Jan 20, 2009 at noon, Washington DC) don’t exactly clear things up. There’s simply too much instability.  

Looking at Election Day we need to look to the Moon, which rules the people. When George W. Bush won the last election it was the Moon travelling in Cancer over his Cancer planets that tipped the scales in his favor.

On Election Day the Moon is in the practical conservative sign of Capricorn. It remains there until 7:00 PM EST. This is beneficial for McCain and those who want the status quo to remain as such. After 7:00 PM the Moon enters Aquarius and connects directly with Obama’s Jupiter. This is very favorable indeed for Democrats as voting begins turn in Obama's favor. However, this also benefits Palin. On the evening of November 5^th the Moon in Aquarius opposes Barack’s Sun – he’ll be struggling to maintain control. Clearly, and who wouldn't be, he's feeling huge emotions.

On November 4^th the Sun is in intense Scorpio – opposite McCain’s Uranus. What could that mean? A little upset maybe, some unexpected outcomes? It is Uranus! Who can tell? A few days before, on October 28th, transiting Jupiter has crossed the base of his chart – usually a very favorable position though Jupiter magnifies whatever is going on. Thus if things are good, they get better; if they’re worse they may improve or become even more alarming.

At that day and time of the Inauguration, the Sun directly connects with Barack’s Jupiter and the Moon is high in his chart. This is very positive and auspicious for Obama. Also, over the next few months, Jupiter and Chiron cross his Aquarian ascendant suggesting that the man is very busy with the people. Chiron gives me a little shudder. His transits are often painful as well as deeply illuminating. Please read my article on the Aquarian Consortium posted to this website. This transit will powerfully activate Obama and Palin’s charts as well as many of yours! You may also purchase my Chiron CD for more information and great listening. Send me an e-mail or call me and I’ll mail you one for $15. Get “Changes to the Solar System and What it Means to You” as well for just $25 for both mailed to you.

On the day and time of Inauguration, Saturn opposes McCain’s Saturn: a time of karma and reaping what one has sown. It’s up to the voters to decide if they like the crops John has planted. The Sun and Jupiter connect with his Capricorn Moon suggesting a time of heightened emotions. It’s a feel good transit folks.

So who will win? There’s more to see. Uranus is a key player after all and that keeps bringing surprises our way. Neptune is also a factor. Neptune, if you recall, is a dreamy, vague, clouding energy that prohibits one from seeing the way ahead. If you’re in a Neptune transit you’ll need frequent cleansing and grounding in order to find your way.  By progression, or evolution, the United States has become a Pisces country, as it’s been many long years since our birth as a Cancer country. Pisces countries are ruled by Neptune.

So what’s happening astrologically to the chart of the USA? Ready for the news? Transiting Uranus opposes natal Neptune. How about them apples! This transit comes with a warning- All is not as it appears! Proceed cautiously.

Let’s weave all these little strands together in conclusion: The prevailing challenge of change versus status quo is on. There’s a fog over the entire picture. We cannot see the outcome. We know however that the country needs much growth even as it succumbs to the karma of its past actions. Ultimately we’ll live through these next four years as active participants in a drama of re-organization. The key issues are likely to be: health care (Saturn in Virgo), right to life (Uranus in Pisces) and struggles to resuscitate the economy (transiting Pluto in Capricorn opposing natal Venus). Hopefully the way will be smooth and we won’t deceive ourselves or be deceived. These will not be easy years! But they will be exciting. Hold onto your hat!

May you enjoy clear thinking and inspired voting!
Your astrologer,

Dulce

Copyright Dulce Bell-Bulley. Please do not reprint article without author’s permission.

Obama

Aug. 4^th 1961

7:24 pm (Lois Rodden)

Honolulu, Hawaii

McCain

Aug. 29, 1936

9 am (9:18 am is also a possible time)

Cocosolo, Panama

Biden

Nov. 20 1942

8:30 am (I have been unable to confirm this time)

Scranton, PA

Sarah Palin

Feb. 11, 1964

Sandpoint, ID

(4:40 pm) Time unconfirmed

USA
July 4, 1776
5:10 PM
Philadelphia, PN (Sibly chart)