Weekly Astrology Forecast - October 28 – November 3, 2024

US Election Fever

With Mars perfecting the first of three oppositions to Pluto this week, the challenge we must explore now is what do we do in the face of fear, in the face of things that are utterly out of our control? I’ve noticed an uptick in anxieties, particularly amongst my American friends with the election looming alongside this volcanic Mars-Pluto aspect. Here in the UK and no doubt beyond too, we are all anxiously watching and waiting because what is decided over these next few weeks will have repercussions across the planet.

I find myself thinking back to one of my favourite movies, Jason and the Argonauts. In my mind’s eye, I see the scene where Zeus and Hera are moving pieces on a great chessboard. It feels as though that at any one time, there are people/players/pieces that showcase the stories of the heavens, huge characters that inhabit the energies at play.

Here is Donald Trump - a 29-degree Leo Rising and this is exactly what makes him a natural ‘big player’ – the man who would be king (indeed his name means King or Ruler!). Whip that up with asteroid Zeus (Greatest of the Gods) conjunct his Descendant and Apollo (Sun God!) conjunct the Ascendant (both anaretic!) then we definitely have a small man in a large costume, vying for the crown.

Now whilst I may not understand it, it’s undeniable that Donald seems to shine bright (Apollo!) on the public radar. His natal Sun conjunct North Node in the 10^th house of reputation would be that pesky protective element that seems to get in the way of absolutely any attempt to hold him accountable – even when convicted of both rape and fraud. And oh look, here is transiting Jupiter, the fortune bringer, currently sitting right on his North Node. In fact, one could argue that Fate says, this man is here to shine no matter what you think of him because he has an important part to play – president or NOT (caps for emphasis!). In fact, maybe it’s not about whether he is president at all but instead more about an archetype at work. After all his position at the top says something of the system, the laws of the land, the culture and current temperament of the people. How could this happen is a question on the lips of many of us! But maybe that is exactly the point? How COULD this happen? How HAVE we got here and WHY?

Here is a collective caricature, the bad guy with the black hat or the good guy with the white hat depending on which side of the political spectrum you fall. He is either all good or all bad, can do no wrong or is corrupt to the core. He’s a Mr. All or Nothing guy – perfect for a ‘chips all in’ anaretic Leo Ascendant person! Love him or hate him, he’s hard to ignore with his chart ruler conjunct the Dragon’s fiery head. Anaretic degrees can be expressed as extremes (as can Pluto). But Pluto anaretic in Capricorn now sits at the end of his 5^th house, a part of the chart that also has Leo overtones. Over confidence is an issue. Is this a gamble too far? Pluto’s quincunx to the Ascendant would suggest there are already irritating health problems from risky practices that are likely to become more pronounced as Pluto moves into his 6^th house next month. You cannot burn the candle at all ends without consequences. Still, Trump’s chart is certainly a dramatic story. He didn’t have to play his chart this way of course. We all use the energies of our birth chart in accordance with our spiritual, emotional, intellectual and mental maturity. But this is the way he decided to show up, with a desire to shine no matter what.

If we turn to Kamala, what’s immediately noticeable about her chart is her Ascendant North Node conjunction. Anyone who has the nodes across the ASC-DESC seems to have a big story (even if played out in a more ordinary role). But here we see that it’s Kamala’s voice that stands out. Gemini rising makes Mercury her ruling planet and here it is at 1 degree Scorpio, making it the recipient of five squares from transiting Pluto as it moves into Aquarius. Her thoughts, decisions, speeches, ideas are powerful – but also constantly coming under attack. She’s constantly cornered, constantly boxed in, constantly forced to redefine, reposition, re-imagine. But with this much Pluto energy at work here, this lady is not for turning. Her natal Mercury in Pluto-ruled Scorpio will make this work no matter what. Strength of will, vocal acuity (and authority with a natal Mercury-Saturn trine), the power to make oneself heard, these are the kinds of attributes required by a President. Note that one of her main phrases ‘we’re not going back’ is a perfect illustration of anaretic Pluto in Capricorn by the way. The phrase alludes to women’s rights and rights for people of colour and indigenous groups. If Trump gets the crown, then there is a risk that decades of work for these causes will be obliterated, and the country could take a step back towards the dark ages as abortion rights are removed.

Kamala has asteroids Themis and Ixion conjunct her Sun, meaning that she incorporates these energies and stories into her identity. Themis is the Greek Goddess of Justice and Divine order – interesting as Harris initially trained as a lawyer and became Attorney General. Ixion is a harder and more complex energy as this character is the archetype of ‘rule breaker’. In mythology, Ixion refused to stand by accepted rules of conduct and consequently ended up strapped to a fiery turning wheel for eternity. Ixion in practice can ‘break the rules’ positively or negatively so this could play either way in Kamala’s chart. Certainly, we need a little Ixion sometimes to challenge the stuffy rules of the past that are outdated. But Ixion can also upset the natural balance (Themis!) so it’s an energy that requires careful management. Note too that Kamala has a powerful Thor’s Hammer Pattern in her natal chart with Uranus square Pallas sesquiquadrate the Moon. It’s the perfect pattern for someone who is fighting for women’s rights but again, it’s a pattern that needs careful handling. Thor’s Hammer can smash through injustices and destroy enemies, but it can also obliterate everything else in its path. There can be a ‘too muchness’ about this pattern unless the energy is used wisely.

It interests me that both Harris and Trump are Full Moon people – i.e. born with their natal Moon and Sun in opposition. It is in their nature to reflect, to take centre stage, to duel, to look for ways to resolve opposing views. Perhaps we could also say that each are apt to split the vote.

Looking at their transits – as I mentioned, Kamala has Pluto square Mercury, a tough unrelenting transit that is going to put her under a lot of pressure. But I’m fascinated that her progressed Uranus is just about to station retrograde on November 24. It suggests a turnaround year, maybe even a need for her to curb her rebellious tendencies. As Uranus rules her natal 9^th house, there may be some kind of legal wrangling to go through or perhaps it relates to a shift of belief, a change in the way she sees the future. Jupiter stationed retrograde close to her Ascendant but will cross her Ascendant and conjoin her North Node in May 2025. There’s a spirit of ‘ascendancy’ about this combination of influences – perhaps coming into her own in some way. Saturn will have entered her 10^th house by then which is a transit that can coincide with having greater authority in one’s career – as well as greater responsibilities. I have the odd feeling that her chart feels a little weaker than Trump’s right now but will grow in strength.

But the reverse seems to be true of Trump. Yes, he has Jupiter’s favour right now as the Sky god passes through his 10^th house. But Uranus is busy conjoining his Midheaven and squaring his Mars. It’s this combination of aspects that saw him targeted for assassination. They are unpredictable, reckless, impulsive, rash energies that are easily triggered.

Note that in March next year, Saturn will square his Sun-Moon opposition from the 7^th house – a restraining influence that lowers mood and limits his movements. This is also when Uranus makes the final conjunction to his MC - a shocking changes of direction perhaps. There is also a solar arc conjunction between Neptune and his natal Moon which has a bewildering feel to it plus Neptune by transit is about to enter his 8^th house which could dissolve partnerships (or link to more shady dealings!).

There are positives and negatives astrologically speaking on both sides but as ever it is the symbolism that captures my attention. Whilst we’re concerned about the story on the ground ‘who’s gonna be president?’ my mind rolls around to how Trump is often depicted as a clown and how clown symbolism tends to erupt from the human psyche when we’re scared and uncertain about the future. When people are afraid, they will follow anyone who seems to present the idea of leader.

Pluto entering Aquarius just a few weeks after the election tells us that political systems are due for a dramatic overhaul (and not just in America). A Uranus return for the U.S. in 2026 is coming on the back of this and the current Pluto return. How interesting then, that whether Trump or Harris, the energy of this election still centres around the idea of something new and different - whether Trump with his anti-political, tear it all down stance or Harris as the first African-Asian Woman who hopes to change the system from the inside out. We could also say that that each full moon character is showing us the extremes of possibility for our future. Traditional versus Progressive, Man versus woman, Majority Groups versus Minority Groups. Yet each character seems entirely a product of our current system. I look again at Pluto and wonder, isn’t it perhaps time now to move on from all this light and shadow, duality and duelling for good? Isn’t it time for a more rounded and holistic system that can answer to the needs of all its peoples? The anxious unsettled, discontent that simmers in all four corners of the globe suggests that change is inevitable. Whoever makes President may illustrate whether we want to do this the easy or the hard way. Whoever wins this election, it is going to be a catalyst for even greater changes later down the line.

Looking at Kamala’s chart against the U.S. chart, I note her Saturn conjunct the U.S. Moon. The Moon is a symbol for the people. Moon-Saturn can represent certain rules and restrictions and therefore if Kamala won, it might not be an easy presidency.  But there is a sense of constancy, loyalty and stability that comes with this placement, and it brings the idea of someone to rely on as a country. There is a wide opposition from Mars to the Moon though which could illustrate how there is division in support for her. Sometimes there may be things she wants to enact that the people disagree with.

Trump’s Mars also lies opposite the U.S. Moon – a much closer opposition which is also emphasized by his Ascendant. Here we have an illustration of conflict with the public. Trump wants people on his side, and maybe he doesn’t care how he gets that. Technically we could say that Trump’s goals and the people’s needs are at two opposite ends of the spectrum. Although Kamala’s Mars also lies in opposition to the U.S. Moon, her Saturn will always have boundaries and there is a deep sense of responsibility to the people.  In contrast, there is nothing holding back Trump from doing whatever he wants – responsible or not.

Good luck my American friends.

Good luck to us all.

Painting - Unveiling The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World, 1886 by Edward Moran

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THIS WEEK’S MAJOR ASPECTS – OVERVIEW

28-Oct-24 Mars trine Neptune. Venus square Saturn. South Node conjunct Black Moon.
Acts of forgiveness. Intuitive goals. Creative imagination. Not feeling good enough. Money worries. Learning to say no.

29-Oct-24 No major aspects.

30-Oct-24 Mercury opposite Uranus.
Anxiety. Mental instability. Sudden changes of mind. Breaks in communications.

31-Oct-24 No major aspects.

01-Nov-24 Mercury trine Neptune. New Moon in Scorpio.
Intuitive thought. Compassionate conversations. Empathy and kindness support new beginnings around shared resources.

02-Nov-24 Jupiter sextile Chiron. Mercury trine Mars and sextile Pluto. Mercury enters Sagittarius. Venus conjunct Pallas. Pluto square Juno.
Teachers and healers. Reach out for guidance. Diplomatic talks. Discussing changes. Dealing with commitment phobes. Broadening horizons. Thinking about going back to school.

03-Nov-24 Juno enters Scorpio. Mars opposite Pluto. Venus opposite Jupiter. Venus trine Chiron.
Deepening ties – but potential for jealousies to arise. A sting in the tail if betrayed. Bloody-mindedness. Wanting it all. A need for no-strings attached conditions to heal hearts.

Tarot King of Swords (Crow Tarot)
A cool head. Quiet authority. Wise counsel.

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