by Judith Goldberg
Buckminster Fuller
The 2008 Presidential Election is pivotal in America’s history and will have ramifications far into the future. We are on an historic journey. The collective karma of the nation, the generational karma of its citizens and the personal karma of the candidates are coalescing in a rare cosmic blueprint. More than simply about “change”, this election is about charting a revolutionary new course.
USA Pluto Return
The story is written in the stars. Pluto, ruler of collective consciousness and ‘Lord of Destiny’, began a transit (movement) through Capricorn on January 26, 2008 that will end on November 19th, 2024. Beginning with the current contest, this period encompasses four presidential terms (Capricorn rules the presidency). The election in 2012 will occur just as the Mayan Calendar ends, a key transition point for human consciousness and perhaps for human history. In 2022 Pluto will return to the exact sign and degree it occupied when the Declaration of Independence was signed. Pluto’s Return could be a day of reckoning or an opportunity for America to claim her true power and authority. The outcome depends on the ability of the nation to confront and transform the (Pluto ruled) shadow parts of its society and institutions, a task we must begin now.
Saturn & Uranus Advance History
Historic events often coincide with the movements of their ruling planets. When a significant aspect between planets, such as a 90 º square, 180 º opposition or conjunction (joining) occurs at an important time, examining past occurrences provides insight about evolving patterns and their meaning. A flashpoint is coming up on Election Day, November 4th, 2008–an opposition between the planet Saturn, guardian of tradition and Uranus, bringer of revolutionary change. The two planets have been in opposing signs since Saturn entered Virgo on September 4, 2008. Uranus is in Pisces. On Election Day the opposition becomes exact by degree—a power point.
Saturn and Uranus have been in hard aspect–conjoined, opposing or squared– at some of the most expansive and conflicted junctures in our history. England officially declared an end to hostilities against the American Colonies, in February of 1783 while Saturn in Capricorn (the old Royal authority) was opposing Uranus (rebellion) in Cancer (our homeland). In 1794, during an opposition of Saturn in Aquarius (technology) and Uranus in Leo, James Watt patented the steam engine that began the Industrial Revolution and eventually led to the opening of the American West. Lewis and Clark reached the Pacific Ocean on Nov 15, 1805, at the exact conjunction of Saturn and Uranus in Libra. This event inspired the doctrine of America’s ‘Manifest Destiny’.
Karmic Challenges
Some of the country’s greatest challenges, slavery, Civil War and the struggle for Civil Rights have come around to haunt us during Saturn/Uranus aspects. The invention of the cotton gin in 1794 (Saturn square Uranus) created a huge demand for slave labor. The Missouri Compromise that same year promised, but never delivered, the restriction of slavery in territories applying for statehood. The Amistaad rebellion in 1839 the founding of the NAACP in 1909 and of CORE in 1942 all occurred under Saturn/Uranus aspects.
Due to planetary retrograde motion, some aspects wax and wane over a two to three year period. Saturn in Virgo squared Uranus in Gemini from the fall of 1860 through mid-summer 1862, a period embracing Lincoln’s election, his inauguration, the secession of the South, the outbreak of Civil War and the escalation of hostilities. McCarthy’s Communist witch hunt took place during the squaring off of Saturn in Libra and Uranus in Cancer throughout 1951-52. The volatile Civil Rights Movement of the mid-sixties transpired while the opposing planets were passing through Pisces and Virgo (the flip of 2008). Lyndon Johnson’s signing of the Civil Rights Act (Jul 2 1964) and Voting Rights (Aug 6 1965) Act finally passed into law many of the provisions of the previously disregarded Civil Rights Act of 1875, passed while Saturn in Aquarius opposed Uranus in Leo.
Reversing the Reagan Revolution
Ronald Reagan was elected Governor of California in on November 8th, 1966, as Saturn (tradition) in Pisces exactly opposed Uranus (rebellion) in Virgo. Reagan would ride the backlash against 60’s radicalism all the way to the White House. The gubernatorial election of 1966 jump-started the modern conservative movement in American politics. The 2008 Presidential Election occurs under an exact reversed polarity opposition, i.e. Saturn in Virgo to Uranus in Pisces. Is this a signal that the tide is turning?
R.I.P.
Signs of the demise of conservatism are becoming visible. Fareed Zakaria recently wrote an article in Newsweek (Feb 25, 2008) entitled The End of Conservatism, in which he stated “a new world requires new thinking”. The recent death of William F. Buckley (February 27th), Rush Limbaugh’s avowed “founding father” of modern conservatism, is a bellwether. Buckley’s National Review set the agenda for the Republican Party and inspired Goldwater and Reagan.
Opposites resolve through balance, integration or the emergence of new models. Progressivism, from the root word “progress”, defined as “a forward course of action”, is a growing new political movement that could potentially reconcile Saturn and Uranus. Progressives, who make up a large arm of the Democratic Party, are not the “free lunch” liberals of yesterday; they are both visionary and pragmatic, advocates of efficiency, integrity and accountability.
Generational Karma
The three primary contenders in the 2008 election, McCain, Clinton & Obama, are each from a different generation and consequently derive their core motivation from three different natal Pluto placements. Shared concerns give each candidate a strong base of peer group support. Pluto rules our path to significance, personal power and the unconscious forces which drive us. 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. He is the quintessential elder statesman, a Saturn archetype, thus representing the forces of conservatism and tradition.
Hillary is a member of the generation born between 1939 and1956 with Pluto in Leo. Leo is ruled by the Sun, conveying 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. Her chart has strong karmic imprints—a stellium (4 planets) in Scorpio in the karmic12th house and a conjunction of power signs Pluto, Saturn, and Mars in Leo. These characteristics indicate many former lives of power, which she regards as her birthright. Her husband’s sex scandals are one of her Scorpion projections. Fiercely competitive, when backed against a wall her Scorpion stinger comes out. If elected she could create many enemies.
The Generation Who’s Time Has Come
Barack Obama belongs to the Pluto in Virgo generation, those born between 1957 and 1972 and currently ages 36-51. Members of this generation are slated for a rendezvous with destiny over the next two years, as transiting Saturn conjuncts their natal Pluto placement. Virgos, the cosmic cleanup and repair crew, view service as a sacred trust. True to form, Obama is heavily invested in public service. How fitting it would be for this generation to give us our next president, turning the page on Kennedy’s declaration. “It is time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans”.
Elements of Obama’s message resonate particularly well with younger voters. Two newly energized groups could have a decisive impact on the election. The Pluto in Libra generation, born between 1973 and 1983 and 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. The 17-25 year old Pluto in Scorpios would relish any firestorm of change to burn away the old ways. The mantra, “Change We Can Believe In” perfectly encapsulates Uranus (change) in Pisces (faith).
Shifting Paradigms
The political message machines seem eerily orchestrated to mimic planetary changes. Optimism and vision were all the rage during 2007, while Pluto was in philosophical Sagittarius, but became passé with the ingress (entrance) of Pluto into Capricorn (January 26, 2008). The conversation quickly turned to issues, plans and the Commander-in-Chief litmus test (a Capricorn archetype). Pluto will retrograde back into Sagittarius on June 14th, and remain there throughout a long summer of hot contests, the conventions and the election. Obama’s high minded message should benefit from this shift in the wind. His most inspiring moment could come at the Democratic Convention in August.
Personal Karma
Barack Obama is a man on a karmic mission. A prominent psychic recently conjectured that he is a reincarnated Abe Lincoln. Although an improvable assertion, a strong resonance exists between the two men. Surely, Obama inherited Lincoln’s gift for inspiring oratory. When Obama announced his candidacy, on the steps of the Illinois State Capital in Springfield, site of Lincoln’s famous “house divided” speech, he invoked the beloved former president numerous times. 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.
Famous or humble, individuals reincarnate to complete unfinished business from the past–a pattern I have observed over the twenty years I have been practicing karmic astrology and past life regression. Lincoln was assassinated one week after the Civil War ended; before he could reunite the country. Indeed, many of the deep divisions that persist today are the legacy of a Reconstruction gone awry. Red and blue states are nearly identical to slave and free states. Obama’s call for unity, “I see the United States” is reminiscent of Lincoln’s vow “to bind up the nations wounds”. Perhaps we are finally ready.
Considering the number of historical events in the Saturn/Uranus cycle that center around Civil Rights, the presidential candidacy of an African American demands special attention. Obama’s campaign is a catalyst, re-opening many of the still festering wounds of racism. His election could begin a great karmic healing.
New Leadership
Obama is a strong Aquarian, as demonstrated by his grassroots orientation, message of inclusiveness and his own mixed race background. He recognizes that America’s diversity is her strength. Since the turn of the millennium, 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. Some folks doubtless also recognize (unconsciously) his energetic overlay with Lincoln.
Inauguration Day
Since 1937, when President Roosevelt moved Inauguration Day from March 4, to January 20th, all American Presidents have been sworn in under a Sun in Aquarius, the sign that rules democracy. Outer planets in the mix alter the influence and set up a long term trajectory. Sun conjunct Neptune for GWB’s inauguration ushered in eight years of deception. On Inauguration Day, 2009, benefic Jupiter, ruler of Sagittarius, will conjoin the Sun, Mercury and North Node (sign of dharma), promoting vision and foreshadowing a new future course. By a fortuitous coincidence, Obama’s natal Jupiter in Aquarius conjoins this stellium. His Jupiter/Saturn conjunction also triumphantly straddles the Midheaven (highest point) of a chart cast for the event. Lucky stars!
Coming Together
As the political process unfolds, as it reveals much about who we are as a country and a people. Partisan battles, issues of race and religion may ignite an un-civil war. Americans will be called upon to do a great deal of soul searching and to act on their highest instincts. Our country is approaching a difficult crossroads and will need not only an individual of character, competence, heart and soul at the helm, but the collective commitment of all her citizens. United by a common purpose, perhaps Americans can fulfill the “more perfect union” dream of our founding fathers, the first revolutionaries, who envisioned a democracy, “of, by and for the people”.
© Judith Goldberg 2008
Judith Goldberg is a Karmic Astrologer and Past Life Regressionist with a private practice in Baltimore, Maryland. Her webpage: www.creativechoices.com/cc.php?page=judi
Contact Judith at judith.goldberg@verizon.net .
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