Candidates Part II

Yesterday I looked at an early-20th century astrologer's interpretation of the Sun, ascendant and Moon positions in the natal chart of Senator Hillary Clinton. Next up is the candidate many suspect will be our next president - but not before a couple of hard fights, first against Senator Clinton for the Democratic nomination, then for the presidency of the USA, against the Republican party's nominee, still to be decided, but probably John McCain.

Let's take a look at what astrologer Llewellyn George had to say about the placements of Sun, ascendant and Moon in Senator Obama's natal chart.

SENATOR BARACK OBAMA

August 4 1961 Honolulu, Hawaii 1.06pm (time uncertain)
See chart at AstroFutureTrends

SUN in Leo
"In Leo the Sun gives an active mind, good nature, generosity, many friends. Is a natural leader, ambitious, independent, determined, persistent, industrious, honest and very conscientious; philosophical, philanthropic. Quickly angered but quickly appeased. Has a sunny disposition, is frank, oputspoken, candid, forceful and greatly appreciates affection in which he is usually ardent and sincere. Magnetic, intuitive and inventive; fond of children, sports, drama, honors and high office."

ASCENDANT Scorpio (if time of birth is correct)
Note - This is the same interpretation as for Hillary Clinton's ascendant -
"Reserved, tenacious, determined and secretive, somewhat inclined to be suspicious or skeptical and stingingly sarcastic. They are quick-witted, quick in speech and action, alert, forceful and positive. They are often blunt, brusque and seemingly fond of contest; nevertheless they make staunch and splendid friends. They possess grit and enterprise that will enable them to reach high attainments. They accomplish their purposes by subtlety and strength of will, or by force if necessary. They have mechanical skill and much constructive (or destructive) quality. They enjoy travel, are fond of investigating mysteries and things occult. Although appreciating luxury, can be very frugal and exonomical. They are natural detectives, sheriffs, bailiffs, chemists.....gifted for accomplishing things requiring muscular skill or aggressive enterprise. Motive-vital temperament.
Mental tendencies:
Quick, keen, shrewd, critical, penetrating mind and keen judgment. Strong will and determination; self-reliant, bold, fixed views. A subtle mind, hard to influence, not easily imposed upon, willful, courageous, energetic and active when interested but at other times indolent. Sarcastic or impulsive and very angry when provoked."

MOON in Gemini at 00degrees if birth time is correct.

"This location of the Moon gives the subject an agreeable, warm-hearted, sympathetic, humane, progressive and ingenious nature, with the capacity of being very reserved in some matters, but fluent concerning local or national affairs. Strengthens and enlivens the intellect, inclines to literature and gains pleasure from books or scientific pursuits. Gives an active body and a versatile, receptive mind, responsive to new ideas and capable of following artistic, literary or professional occupations.

Dislikes quarreling and warfare. Subject to many changes and some journeys. Through lack of caution or prudence apt to be drawn into embarrassing or difficult positions."


It's interesting that, provided these birth times are correct, Senator Clinton and Senator Obama share a Scorpio ascendant. The interpretation does seem to fit them equally well. Senator Obama's Sun brings more warmth and likeability to his personality, Senator Clinton, on the surface, is a more determined, potentially aggressive, and driven character, yet Pisces Moon tells a different story about her inner self.

The differences can be seen at work "in the flesh", quite easily. And it's a moot point who is better fitted for the specific job in question. Choice is a matter of personal taste, judgement and the viewer's own astrology.

Tomorrow, a look at Republican Senator John McCain.

Candidates - Part I

Political spin is in the air non-stop here in the USA these days. My interest is kept alive by the hope that I'll be able to vote in the presidential election, if called to interview, then oath ceremony, and become a US citizen by early fall.

There are a lot of conflicting messages going the rounds on-line, on TV, in newspapers. There's also plenty of downright nastiness aimed at one or other of the candidates. I'm already tired of that part, so have decided to go back to astrology basics as a way of shutting out the noise, prejudice and other people's viewpoints.

A thumbnail astrological sketch of each candidate is as good a starting point as any. It's amazing that even using the most basic and simple parts of astrology, I can still see it working.

I'm using an old book, "Student Chart Reader of Horoscope Indicators" by Llewellyn George, published in 1934, written by a British born astrologer who emigrated to the USA. Expert interpretations of the candidates' charts by professional astrologers have been carried out already, but this impartial exercise, using textbook interpretations from long ago, unconnected with current affairs, will help clear and focus my own mind, and may be of interest to anyone who is unfamiliar with Llewellyn George's work.

Brief interpretations for Sun, Ascendant and Moon positions, the big three in any natal chart, will be copied exactly as they appear in the book. Other planets, houses and aspects are not part of this thumbnail experiment. Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama and John McCain are the likely contenders, I'll cover them over the next three days.

Ladies first -



SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON
October 26 1947, Chicago, Illinois. 8.02am
Natal chart available at AstroFutureTrends

SUN Scorpio
"In Scorpio the Sun gives strong characteristics and shrewd, keen judgment. The Scorpion native is critical, suspicious, skeptical but enterprising, reserved, tenacious, determined and secretive. Fond of luxuries but economical and calculating; restless, energetic, fond of travel especially on water and admires grandeur in nature. Attends to own affairs in business but in matters of duty may make trouble for others. In speech plain, blunt, sarcastic and forceful; in politics or law very aggresseive. At best, original, scientific, sagacious, daring and creative, capable of much success through bold enterprise. Fine engineers, contractors, surgeons, chemists, detectives, and sheriffs are born in this sign."

ASCENDANT
If 8.02 am is correct time of birth (uncertain)- -Scorpio rising

"Reserved, tenacious, determined and secretive, somewhat inclined to be suspicious or skeptical and stingingly sarcastic. They are quick-witted, quick in speech and action, alert, forceful and positive. They are often blunt, brusque and seemingly fond of contest; nevertheless they make staunch and splendid friends. They possess grit and enterprise that will enable them to reach high attainments. They accomplish their purposes by subtlety and strength of will, or by force if necessary. They have mechanical skill and much constructive (or destructive) quality. They enjoy travel, are fond of investigating mysteries and things occult. Although appreciating luxury, can be very frugal and economical. They are natural detectives, sheriffs, bailiffs, chemists.....gifted for accomplishing things requiring muscular skill or aggressive enterprise. Motive-vital temperament."
"Mental tendencies:
Quick, keen, shrewd, critical, penetrating mind and keen judgment. Strong will and determination; self-reliant, bold, fixed views. A subtle mind, hard to influence, not easily imposed upon, willful, courageous, energetic and active when interested but at other times indolent. Sarcastic or impulsive and very angry when provoked."

MOON in Pisces
( This is going to be the Hillary Clinton we do not see on the public stage!)

"Kind, benevolent, retiring, sympathetic, fond of luxury, comfort, diversity, change, beauty and harmony. Meets with many misfortunes and obstacles which tend to make the native feel irresolute, inert, downhearted and easily discouraged at times. It gives a taste for reading and keen perception of romance, having a powerful and fruitful imagination. As a speaker, writer or composer is copious, fluent, earnest and very correct in details.

Inconstancy is indicated in love affairs; generally has a hard time saving money. If the Sun also is in a watery sign or watery sign ascending the native is likely to grow corpulent.

With the Moon in this location the native is often very receptive, mediumistic or inspirational and responsive to psychic conditions generally. Suffers both physically and mentally through adverse environment, uncongenial surroundings and misunderstanding."

I see that as being a fairly accurate overview. There are many qualities described which would prove invaluable in the fights and difficulties the next US president is bound to face after the inauguration in January 2009.

It'll be Barack Obama's turn tomorrow.

An old book by Llewellyn George

When out of town last weekend we explored a couple of big antique shops. On casually inspecting some shelves filled with books, but finding little of interest, I pushed one heavy old tome aside and found another smaller volume hiding beneath it. "Student Chart Reader of Horoscope Indications" by Llewellyn George, published in 1934, hardcover, somewhat battered and bruised, spine supported by sticky tape.

"This one's for me", thought I, ignoring a rather inflated price tag and concentrating on a notice which declared "20% off all books".

It's the first sample I've seen of the work of astrologer Llewellyn George. He was born in Wales, but at some point emigrated to the United States. A Memorial with a link to his natal chart can be seen HERE. I note that he had Sun in Leo with Uranus close to the ascendant. Astrologer C.E.O. Carter also had Uranus close to ascendant, very apt as Uranus is said to rule astrology.

The book I bought is a straightforward text book offering interpretations of planetary positions in signs and houses, and in aspect, also some information on progressed horoscopes. I find Mr George's interpretations quite gentle and diplomatic. For instance, his take on Sun in Aquarius:


"In Aquarius the Sun gives a quiet, patient, determined, unobtrusive and faithful nature, as a rule. The Aquarian is refined, pleasant, friendly, generous, charitable, dignified and humanitarian; fond of art, music, scenery and literature; cautious, steady, intelligent, intuitive, discriminative, concentrative, studious, thoughtful and philosophical. Good reasoner, practical as well as theoretical; strong likes and dislikes and often with very radical and advanced ideas; is cheerful, sincere and honest, easily influenced by kindness, slow to anger, but will not be driven; loves liberty and is fond of occult research."

I'll take that, thank you very much, sir ! (Preening and forgetting all about the sidereal zodiac and its charms for the moment!)

Mr George was much kinder than Grant Lewi, whose work I admire, but who scared me off initially by his negative take on Sun Aquarians with Aries Moon - I swear he'd had a nasty experience with one of these natives at a tender and impressive age!

It's interesting to note that Mr Llewellyn pointed out:
"At the present time, March 1934, very little is yet known of Pluto's influence upon human affairs.......There will be no new immediate effect except to stimulate investigation as to its influence upon the human, animal vegetable and mineral kingdoms. The stranger may have been recently discovered but it has not just arrived. It has long been circling its orbit just as the other planets. But when man arrived at the place in his unfoldment where he could think and believe there were bodies beyond his sight, he also acquired the skill to find them. That does not mean however that he suddenly becomes capable of registering and manifesting the influence of its rays".

The idea of planetary "rays" has been mainly discredited I think, in today's astrology world, but I like it. I wouldn't ever completely discount the idea of a causal relationship to account for at least some of the factors we can see working with the aid of astrology. "Rays" may be a clumsy description, but it'll do for now.

I enjoy the writing of 20th century astrologers C.E.O. Carter, Carl Payne Tobey, Grant Lewi, and now Lleywellyn George. This is not to say there's anything wrong with contemporary astrology authors, but I feel somehow very comfortable with the astrologers of yesteryear. Maybe it's because, at heart I'm just an old fashioned gal!