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Astrologer's Notes: |
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Astrology &
Presidential Elections
Part 1 |
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by Basil Fearrington |
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It is the year of a Presidential election in America. In astrology, that means lots of speculation about the outcome of the election. Leading magazines in astrology will have features on the topic. Internet forums will have discussions ad infinitum. This is a phenomenon that I have watched for as long as I have been able to understand astrology on a sophisticated level.
What I see every four years is that at least half of the astrologers, top level astrologers get it wrong. I think that, at least partially, that perhaps much of the reason for the errors is that the astrologer has a tendency to interpret the astrological symbolisms in a way that supports the candidate that he or she wants to win. Objectivity is diminished in lieu of partisanship. Secondly, maybe it just isn't possible to predict the outcome of these elections using astrological symbols alone.
In any case, here we are again at the point of speculating on the probable winner of this election between Kerry and Bush. The question begs to be asked, "Can astrology really select the winner of a Presidential election? In this two-part essay, I am going to do my best to provide a helpful perspective on this question, concluding (next month) with a logical approach to picking the winner.
Methodology
There are many approaches to the analysis of a horoscope in astrology. There are also many approaches to the analysis of the candidates of a presidential election. There are some who look at the synastry between the candidate's horoscope and the horoscope of the first Inauguration. Then there is a twist on that methodology where some astrologers look at the synastry between the candidate and the Inauguration-to-occur should he become President. Then there are the approaches from the different schools: Cosmobiologists, Uranians, Classicists, Vedic, etc. Each practitioner of a select method sees the election through the eyes of the technique that they are accustomed to using and feel most comfortable with."
In the astrology that I practice, I operate under a system that stipulates that life-significant, life-changing developments (of which becoming the leader of one's country is) are reflected by outer planet (also including Jupiter) hard aspect transits and Solar Arcs to the Angles of the horoscope as well as to the Sun or Moon. As you read these words, reflect back to a time in your life when, transiting Pluto squared your Sun or Solar Arc Uranus squared your Midheaven, etc. Just think back on the life-significant changes in your life and look at the coinciding measurements. It is rare that any of the aforementioned aspects take place and reflect no significant life change. The movement of the Secondary Progressed Moon over the Angles of a horoscope is also highly significant (as is its conjunction, square, and opposition to Saturn) as a reflector of life-significant change. All of these techniques - transits, Solar Arcs, SP Moon will be used for analysis within the context of this essay.
There are some who depend more heavily on Secondary Progressions (other than the Moon), Minor Progressions, parallels of declination, etc. But in my experience, these measurements do not consistently reflect life-changing developments.
The most simple, most efficient way to approach the analysis of an election is to look at the horoscopes of each candidate to see which horoscope has the most life-significant measurements. The emphasis on "life-significance" cuts out a lot of measurement probabilities and techniques. While we have many ways of measuring the potential climate of one's future (or past), the life-significant measurements are few. To summarize, those measurements are transiting Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto making hard aspect contact (conjunctions and squares) to the Angles, Sun or Moon; Solar Arc Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto making hard aspect contact (conjunctions and squares especially but not excluding semi-squares and sesquiquadrates) to the Angles, Sun, or Moon; Secondary Progressed Moon's conjunctions to the Angles and its conjunction, square, or opposition to Saturn. Why? The Secondary Progressed Moon shines a spotlight upon that which it makes hard aspect contact to. With Saturn, that spotlight is on a life strategy. It usually indicates that it is time to make things happen, to carve out a new structure and to confront one's environment with the need to make structural changes. Added to these is the Secondary Progressed New (a new beginning) and Full Moons (the illumination of all that one can be or a screeching halt to whatever one has been doing because it has run its course).
Trines and sextiles cannot be used as life-significant measurements because they are simply weak and are they reflect conditions that support keeping things as they are rather than reflecting a new level of existence. Transiting Pluto trine to Venus or even the Ascendant, for example, is not a life-significant measurement.
Is it enough to simply measure each candidate's aspects? On paper and in conversation, this is a good theory. However, there are astrological realities, world realities and political realities. The astrological reality is the candidate's horoscope. The world reality is the pulse of society, the condition of world affairs, i.e., wartime, peacetime, recessions, bull markets, etc. The political reality comprises the circumstances surrounding the party's concerned as are measured against the country. I think that these realities are reflected by outer planet transits. Perhaps it is true that the candidate who best fulfills what is needed in society at the time, and also has the strongest beneficial life-significant measurements wins the election. We will soon see.
Transiting Outer Planets and the "Mood" of Society
Transiting conjunctions of outer planets (Jupiter, also) are dominant. For example, the sixties were dominated astrologically by the conjunction of Uranus and Pluto. There were also transiting oppositions between Jupiter and Neptune (idealism), Saturn and Uranus (the old dying for the new), It was a time of turning over the status quo in order to make a way for a new order. There was a need for a new social order, a new vision. Theoretically speaking, the best President for the times was the man whose leadership vision for the country fit both the astrological and world realities. Thus, it was a decade dominated by Democratic Presidents. John Kennedy's personal vision for America required that which we expect from Uranus conjunct Pluto.
Ronald Reagan's era was dominated by transiting Saturn conjunct transiting Pluto, a decidedly autocratic, Conservative measurement. Reagan is arguably the prototype Conservative in modern times.
Bill Clinton's years in office were dominated by Jupiter conjunctions to Uranus and Neptune, all three of which are "liberal" planets. Thus it was a time of prosperity. The stock market went through the roof. The unemployment rate did a marked about-face. The economy was booming!
In this Century, the seeds planted by the "Reagan" Saturn-Pluto conjunction came to a full bloom in the Saturn-Pluto opposition. The Bush presidency occurred with a Jupiter-Saturn conjunction (heavy duty law and order concerns) but emphasizes tough, difficult conditions. It is a decidedly conservative measurement. Interestingly, the first decade of this century has no dominant conjunction aside from the Great Jupiter-Saturn conjunction (until 2009's Jupiter-Neptune conjunction). At this point in time, the Saturn-Pluto opposition looms large. George W. Bush is the perfect candidate to fulfill the reality of this aspect. We have started to move out and away from this influence.
Presidential Elections
Kennedy vs. Nixon
I was in the third grade when John Kennedy was assassinated so I obviously did not have any understanding of politics at all in the sixties when he and Nixon campaigned for the presidency. However, with all of the yearly attention focused on the Kennedy story, it has been easy to get a sense of what the political climate was like at that time.
The race between Kennedy and Nixon was as tightly fought as we are experiencing now with the Kerry-Bush campaigns. This is always the case when one of the candidates has a progressive vision for America and the other candidate has a vision based on tradition. In his acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention in Los Angeles that year, Kennedy said, "We stand today on the verge on a new frontier- the frontier of the 1960's a frontier of unknown opportunities and perils- a frontier of unfulfilled hopes and threats." Many Americans did not want to hear that message so there was a great division, which is why Kennedy chose Johnson as a running mate. But as I previously mentioned, the times demanded a revolution; demanded that things be overturned and progress always wins out in the end. Things have to change. It is a universal law!
The race between Kennedy and Nixon came to a head in television's first televised presidential debate. Nixon's appearance and projection were marred by an illness and his refusal to use makeup. He thought his substantive knowledge in foreign policy would win the majority of voters to his side. It was not the case. His appearance was further hampered by the terrible suit he wore and he looked sickly. The contrast between the two candidates could not have been more emphasized. Nixon looked more like Kennedy's father.
In almost every election year, the real action seems to take place in February during the primary votes. By July, each Party is set with their candidates and the real battle ensues between July and November.
In 1960, as both candidates rallied towards the election, we see Nixon's horoscope (January 9, 1913; 9:35 pm PST, Yorba Linda, Cal.) with the following measurements of importance between July and December (1960): transiting Uranus opposed the Moon; SP Moon opposed Saturn and very close to the election date, transiting Jupiter conjunct the Moon! This is followed and tied into SA MC=Sun/Moon, which brings career matters and status front and center in one's life AND, transiting Saturn conjunct the Sun. I can imagine the astrologers of the day seeing these measurements, especially the Jupiter conjunction to the Moon and thinking that Nixon is going to be feeling good and that the Saturn transit to his Sun would reward him for hard work. It would have been easy to project Nixon as the winner.
Contrarily, Kennedy's horoscope (May 29, 1917; 3:00 pm EST, Brookline, Mass.) showed the following measurements of importance between September and December, 1960: transiting Uranus square Jupiter (important because of the intensification of the reward symbolism); SP Moon square Saturn and into the election month, transiting Pluto was exactly square his Sun. That is a big time measurement of a gain in prominence for a public person.
Nixon's horoscope showed the more decisive measurements. I think that the Jupiter transit to his Moon would have edged most astrologers to heighten Nixon's chances and predict him as the winner. Yet, he lost a close race in which only 64% of all people who could have voted actually voted. Was it the television appearance or was he not the best man for the times?
Nixon vs. Humphrey
Taking place in 1968, this was a very interesting year for the Democrats. Lyndon Johnson, the incumbent, pulled out of the race. Robert Kennedy looked to be an absolute lock to win the Democratic nomination until he was assassinated. This caused mass confusion for the Democratic Party. In the end, they selected Hubert Humphrey (May 27, 1911; 4:43 AM CST, Wallace, SD) to run against Nixon, who won his Party's favor on the first ballot.
Nixon was a clear favorite and front-runner in the race with Humphrey but the lead narrowed with Humphrey's effective harsh criticism of Lyndon Johnson's handling of the war in Vietnam.
Humphrey was nominated on almost the exact day that transiting Jupiter squared his Sun. Jupiter-Sun contacts always suggest an opportunity for being rewarded for those who have worked for it. Humphrey's horoscope showed no other measurements of significance for the rest of the year. He had no astrological support in his bid for the presidency.
Nixon's horoscope measurements, as of September, 1968 began with transiting Jupiter conjunct his Ascendant; transiting Uranus square Mercury, which is important here because Mercury rules his Midheaven and Ascendant. This is an enormous intensification of his status and identity in the world. Into November, transiting Saturn squared Nixon's Sun, which is very typically an aspect that reflects a shift in one's work status. Nixon had much more astrological support than was the case with Humphrey. The astrology clearly reflected the reality. Nixon won by over 100 electoral votes in a race that was not close.
Jimmy Carter vs. Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford (July 14, 1913; 12:43 AM CST, Omaha, Nebraska) came into office as a result of Richard Nixon's "Watergate" activity and subsequent resignation. In running for office against Carter, Ford faced enormous obstacles from his own Party who had become thoroughly strong supporters of Ronald Reagan's vision for conservatism - against busing; against abortion and in favor of increased spending for the armed forces. As well, Ford was seen by the public as being too closely associated with Watergate in much the same way that Al Gore probably suffered from the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal.
Jimmy Carter (October 1, 1923; 7:00 am CST, Plains, Ga.) was an unknown. He seemed to appear from out of nowhere. With his charm and fresh approach coupled with Ford's opposition from his own Party, Carter was leading Ford by some 30 points at various times during their campaigns. However, the lead narrowed when Carter made a crucial error in a televised debate. He stated that Eastern Europe was free from Soviet domination! That error caused many to question Carter and have reservations about his knowledge.
Jimmy Carter' significant measurements between May and December, 1976, included: transiting Saturn conjunct the Midheaven, Saturn, and Moon. The transit of the Midheaven alone carries considerable weight as anytime transiting Saturn crosses an Angle, the potential of structural change in one's life is high.
Gerald Ford's horoscope measurements of significance were as follows: transiting Saturn square ascendant; SP Full Moon; transiting Neptune opposed Saturn (puts ambition to sleep). In all of my research, I have never seen a candidate win an election who has transiting or arcing Neptune making important contact in the horoscope.
The choice here would have been an easy one to make. Ford's measurements were practically non-existent. It was Carter's time. He won a narrow victory due to his favor in the south and with Black people. In this case, the reality of politics made the race much closer than the astrology would have suggested otherwise. But the astrology supported Carter clearly.
George Bush vs. Michael Dukakis
George Bush (June 12, 1924; 11:38 am EDT, Milton, Ma.) had served as Vice-President under the Ronald Reagan presidency. Despite that advantage, he went into the race in third place behind Bob Dole and Reverend Pat Roberts but came out on the top in the end. They were both forced to resign from the race.
Michael Dukakis (November 3, 1933; 5:50 PM EST, Boston, Ma.) became a favorite after Gary Hart was forced to drop out as a result of his sex scandal with Donna Rice after having proclaimed his innocence and dared the press to trail him.
The American public found neither candidate interesting as only half of all possible voters took part in the electional process.
Michael Dukakis' horoscope showed the transit of Jupiter to his Moon during the month that he was officially nominated as a candidate. It was followed by the transiting square of Pluto to Saturn and the Midheaven! The Pluto part of this equation is certainly the symbol for the prominence that he enjoyed at that time. However, the contact to Saturn amplifies difficulties (see my essay - Astrology's Menacing Measurements in the archives of this web site or at BasilFearrington.com). Transiting Pluto then conjoined his Sun. This is enormous prominence potential, followed by the transit of Jupiter to his Moon just after the election.
George Bush was the beneficiary of a Jupiter transit from the point of the onset of the Republican Convention of 1988 (conjunct Mercury, ruler of his Midheaven and Ascendant and then on to conjoin his Midheaven). Interestingly, the only other measurement of importance in Bush's horoscope occurred in December, 1988 - SP Moon opposed the Ascendant.
I doubt that there is an astrologer in the land who would have picked Bush to win this election based on the astrology alone. But an embarrassing picture of Dukakis in a tank destroyed his image and started an avalanche of resultant media problems. This brings up an important point in that you cannot look at the measurements alone without looking at extenuating circumstances of the election. In this case, Dukakis was never a favorite. Hart was the person favored by the Democrats. Dukakis even made third place showings in some of the Primary races. That aside, Bush had the favor of Ronald Reagan and Reagan was an absolute hero to his party. I believe that if Reagan had spoken out against Bush, Dukakis would have won. He certainly had the astrology to do so. As it turns out, the momentous Pluto activity in Dukakis' horoscope simply reflected a time of enormous prominence for him. He had the stronger measurements but the political reality of the time dominated the decision.
I will continue the analysis of Presidential elections in next month's essay and make a final pronouncement on the 2004 election.
Copyright © 2004 Basil Fearrington
All Rights Reserved
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Basil Fearrington,
Astrologer
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Basil Fearrington is the author of "The New Way To Learn Astrology." He has been a professional astrologer for 22 years.
Basil's articles have appeared in the leading astrological publications around the world. He was the Inaugural Chairman for the MilleyDome project in Johannesburg, South Africa and taught astrology there for one year.
Basil has twice been a faculty member of UAC and spoke at Astro 2000. In addition to his work in astrology, Basil is a professional musician who has toured with and/or recorded for artists such as Stevie Wonder and George Benson.
He was on a team of composers who did the music for a network show called "New York Undercover." The same team won a Grammy award in 1980.
bfearr@aol.com
www.basilfearrington.com
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