Happy Birthday Al Gore!

Today, 31 March, is the birthday of Al Gore. Some months ago I suddenly felt a wild enthusiasm for him to run in the 2016 presidential election, posted about it and placed a little "Run Al, Run" pic in the sidebar. After a while, I realised that it wasn't going to happen, at least, not without some intervening changes. For instance, Hillary Clinton declining to run, or some huge climate-related calamity occurring in the USA. Thankfully the latter hasn't happened (yet), the former still could, but it's an outside chance at best. The other day, while planning a post, I noticed a few fairly recent references on the net mentioning Al Gore as potential presidential candidate. He has not indicated any intention, nor will he, I guess, and yet I still cannot give up hope completely. To me he seems like the obvious president we need.  For some reason I cannot explain, he inspires confidence in me, something few other politicians can do, even the best of the rest.

Here are links to three references mentioned above, and a related video from MSNBC.

Al Gore could challenge Hillary Clinton for presidency
Why the GOP Should Fear Al Gore in 2016
The Case for Al Gore in 2016 (MSNBC) (VIDEO)
The Case Against Al Gore in 2016

My own posts on Al Gore, since 2007, can be accessed via Label Cloud in the sidebar.


Another look at Al Gore's natal chart, using data from astro.com.

Blog friend mike's comments under my post in June last year (Run Al, Run!) included these astrological pointers:

He does have some very beneficial astrological transits in the coming couple of years. Jupiter will be in his first-house of Leo conjuncting his natal Mars-Saturn-Pluto and forming sextiles and trines to other natal planets. Several eclipses will be on his Sun-Neptune opposition, as the transiting North-South Nodes conjunct these two planets. He has transiting Chiron on his Mercury (Chiron just went retro at this point, adding more significance). The recent grand cross involved his Sun-Neptune, which may have invigorated his philosophical interests...and the ongoing Uranus-Pluto square has just finished with his Sun-Neptune involvement. The transiting South Node was conjunct his North Node about a year ago, which tends to induce a re-evaluation of responsibilities to the self.

There's a straightforward interpretation of Al Gore's natal chart by astrologer David Railey at Star IQ, HERE. I don't know when it was written, but I suspect several years ago. I don't immediately agree with all of it, but then, I wasn't in the US in the days when the adjective "wooden" was attached to Gore. I've not perceived this about him at all. The last paragraph of Mr Railey's piece is a nice summing up:

In his heart of hearts (Sun in Aries), Gore would probably like to be more aggressive and direct, but would that ring true for him? His Pisces Mercury adds empathy and imagination, while his Capricorn Moon brings restraint, both very un-Aries traits. Yet, a balanced combination of Aries’ pioneering edge, Capricorn’s sense of duty and Pisces’ compassion suggests a range of power, commitment and caring that could serve the nation well.

What's missing in that summing up, for me, is mention of the Leo stellium in Gore's first house: Pluto/Saturn/Mars in Fiery leader-oriented Leo - transformative intensity (Pluto); authority, science, status (Saturn); dynamic energy & natal Sun's ruler (Mars). Oh my!

How about "Ready for Gore"?

I'd put my hopes about Al Gore running in 2016 to the back of my mind for a while since my post in June, then yesterday afternoon, catching sight of my sidebar, I typed 'Al Gore 2016' into the Google search box and found I'd missed something, on 3 July:



I haven't watched Morning Joe since 2008, so would've missed it anyway, but it's surprising I hadn't picked something up from reading around. Maybe some websites just don't want to know about Al Gore.

I read yesterday that there's a movement afoot to get Elizabeth Warren to run, "Ready for Warren". Much as I admire her, I doubt she's ready, or strong enough, to take on the Presidency yet. She'd become a tool for the oligarchs in no time flat. Al Gore knows his way around, knows exactly how they fight dirty. I believe he could be the only one with even an outside chance of saving the day environmentally, and in other ways too.

We're stuck, for now, with the two party system, Al Gore is the best chance there is of making it work at least a little better than it's working at present.

First Female US Prez? & SCOTUS on Hobby Lobby

Something that brought on a mini-rant from me in 2007 is bubbling up once again, with 2016 in the far distance, but just about visible. Hillary Clinton. Yeah, yeah - she's female. Feminists with a capital "F" (which I'm not) keep on about how right and good it would be for the first woman president of the USA to follow the first African-American president of the USA. Tommyrot!!! Absolute wrong thinking, in my opinion. The USA's presidential position is not there to provide a platform for celebration of equality of the sexes (or races). It's the right person that's important, not that person's gender or ethnicity. Hillary Clinton is a "hawk" (“hawks” are those who advocate an aggressive foreign policy based on strong military power). How very feminine! She's also a corporatist, and scarcely more than a fraction of a degree left of conservative. How can this be thought desirable by anyone calling themselves Democrat or Liberal?

It's looking ominously as though Hillary Clinton will run in 2016. Most of those who seem to be in the know think that, if she runs, she'll be nominated, never mind who else dares to run against her from her own party. I use the word "dares" advisedly. It is, apparently, a done deal. Whether she could win in the General Election is another matter.

Snip from 2007 rant:

Leading off from this topic is something currently in spotlight in the USA - the possibility of a woman president.

If mainstream media and the corporations get their way, Hillary Clinton will be the next US Prez. Some people think that a woman president would be something to celebrate - just because she is a woman. Huh?? Why?

Yes, women have been held back for too many years, and still have a legendary glass ceiling to negotiate before they can get a look-in in many spheres. That does not automatically mean that a woman who manages to negotiate the glassware would make a good president or a good anything. There's as much chance of a woman being a good president as there is a man - good/bad = 50/50.

Let's not get all starry eyed about women in charge. They are no better and no worse than men - it's just that there are fewer of them in that position. My own life and work experience has led me to trust women in charge less than men - due purely to experience, not because I think they are less able or psychologically different. My own experience has taught me that the old myth that "if women were in charge this world would be a better place" is wishful thinking, at best.

A woman could make the best president ever seen in the history of the world - but equally, so could a man.

I still feel the same in 2014, only more so.

As mentioned in a post some days ago, the person I'd most like to see running in the presidential campaign 2016 would be Al Gore. I found an article from 2011 in which the author, someone who appeared fairly regularly on all the usual liberal-type websites, wrote that it'd be a good idea to begin a movement to draft Al Gore for 2016. The same author wrote a more recent article proposing that Hillary Clinton will be the likely 2016 nominee. He appears to be an avid fan of Clinton. As there was a contact e-mail address for the author (I'll not mention his name here), I dropped him a note reminding him of his earlier feelings. He kindly replied immediately, and twice, that he's pretty sure Clinton will run and be nominated (he seems to be "in the know") and that he has seen no evidence that Al Gore is interested in running...unless, perhaps Clinton decided for some reason to decline to run, but this is not expected. He said that in the absence of a run by Clinton "all bets are off". My fingers are crossed for one of those "all bets off" situations, unlikely as one such might seem to be right now.

When Al Gore was asked in a Politico interview recently about 2016 he responded only that he's "a recovering politician" ... he didn't say, "No way, no how."

AG: You say you can ask the question a million ways. I’m going to only answer it one way. With apologies, I’m sure you’ve heard this answer before. I am a recovering politician. And the longer I avoid a relapse the more confidence that I will not succumb to the temptation to run yet again. But I’m a recovering politician. I’ll just leave it at that.

I'd hate to knock a recovering alcoholic off the wagon, but this is different. If somebody doesn't do something pretty major soon there'll be no wagon, and no anything much, as climate change advances during the years to come.

Does anyone have any ideas? Writing to Al Gore, snail mail, via his Tennessee office is the only thing I can think of, but it'd be highly unlikely he'd ever even see the letter. Why aren't other people thinking along these same lines regarding a run by Gore? Am I right around the loony bend on this?

Yesterday's ruling by the Supreme Court in favour of Hobby Lobby (+ Another) probably came as no surprise to most people. My 2012 post about the issue is HERE. The ruling was limited though, and applies only to "closely held" corporations which, I think, means privately or family owned rather than publicly held corporations. That's some crumb of relief, I guess. It still opens the door for other creatively imagined religion-based claims though. Watch that space! And wonder at the blatant hypocrisy of it all.
From The Week.com

"We're Christians," Hobby Lobby's president Steve Green proclaims, "and we run our business on Christian principles."

That is music to the ears of many conservative Christians, who rallied around Hobby Lobby when the retail chain argued at the Supreme Court that ObamaCare's contraception mandate unlawfully burdened their religious beliefs. But a closer look at Hobby Lobby's actual business practices reveals this claim to be as hollow as a flute. Turn over just about any trinket in a Hobby Lobby store and you'll find a gold oval stamped with "Made in China," a country that is one of the worst offenders of human dignity, unborn infant life, and economic justice anywhere in the world.

As such, those shiny stickers littering every Hobby Lobby from sea to shining sea are more than a statement about a product's geographical origin; they are also a stinging indictment against the way the retailer has sought to label itself.

Imagine for a moment a nation with nightmarish labor conditions, inadequate workplace regulation, and rampant child labor. You've just imagined 21st century China. Seventy thousand Chinese employees die every year in workplace accidents — that's roughly 200 humans snuffed out of existence every day........................

If Hobby Lobby was concerned with religious freedoms — not just those of conservative American Christians — it would quit doing business in China.

We haven't entered Hobby Lobby since 2012, apart from once, when away from home, we were waiting for another nearby store to open and it began to rain heavily. We walked into Hobby Lobby to keep dry, wandered round the perimeter of the store's interior, and out again.

RUN AL, RUN !

What if Al Gore were to run in the 2016 presidential campaign? Oh my! Now that would ensure my support, and interest, which would have been yawning in a corner somewhere if the race were to be between Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and even, disappointingly, Elizabeth Warren and/or Bernie Sanders. Al Gore could get me going again! I seem to recall my urging him to "Run Al, run!" in 2007/8. There are around 20 archived posts mentioning him (see Label Cloud in sidebar).

Al Gore is a very wealthy man (something most detractors hold against him). CBS News estimated his net worth at around $200 million, a few months ago. That is puny compared to the combined $72 billion fortune of Charles and David Koch, but it's still a lot of dosh. Even so, Gore has always seemed more populist than elitist to me, and I do get the sense/instinct that he's genuine and sincere. I know he's no leftie - that, sadly, is a rare to unknown species in this country. I'm amazed that so many, even Democrats, in the US dislike Gore so vehemently. The minute his name comes up in an article, derision and hate oozes through threads of comment.

Today I feel like repeating part of what I wrote in May 2007 - so I shall, while keeping in mind astrologically that his natal Sun, at 10.55 Aries, was close enough to be involved in this April's Cardinal Grand Cross formation sandwiched between two eclipses, which could mean....well... something?

(Al Gore's natal chart is at astro.com HERE.)

Al Gore has a Sun/Neptune cardinal opposition in his natal chart - Sun 10.55 Aries, Neptune 11.39 Libra. In "Planets in Aspect" published 1974, Robert Pelletier says about this aspect (among other things which seem irrelevant in this case)

"You are afraid of challenges because you doubt your own capabilities. When threatened you tend to back off and allow others to benefit from opportunities that you saw as obstacles........." AND
"Direct your goals towards fulfilling some important social responsibility."

In a post of June 2006, around the time "An Inconvenient Truth" hit movie screens, astrologer Mary Plumb wrote:

"Many astrologers over the years have noted the dignity inherent in Gore’s Aries Sun in mutual reception (and trine) to his Mars in Leo. May that warrior-like nature help keep us moving towards a better future of passion and activism for the earth."

I add my voice, and my hopes to Mary's, with this quotation from a respected American statesman of the past:"We travel together, passengers on a little spaceship, dependent on it's vulnerable reserves of air and soil, all committed, for our safety, to it's security and peace. Preserved from annihilation only by the care, the work and the love we give our fragile craft." (Adlai E. Stevenson)

Run, Al, run!

And in 2014, I'm still writing, with even more insistence than before:
Run, Al...run!!

Thoughts Astological on Keith Olbermann's Dismissal

Oh dear! Keith Olbermann has been given the old heave-ho yet again, this time by the bosses of Current TV who released a statement, signed by Al Gore and Joel Hyatt, the founders, indicating that relationship with Olbermann had devolved to an unsustainable point. Olbermann released a statment of his own, via Twitter, indicating that he intends to take legal action against Current.

I haven't seen Keith Olbermann's show on Current, it's not available through our cable package. Occasional YouTube videos of clips from his show prove that his style has remained much the same as during his time at MSNBC : angry (with good reason) and passionate.




A Grand Cross formation in his natal chart links planets in fixed signs: Mars in Taurus, Venus in Aquarius, Jupiter in Scorpio and Uranus in Leo (also loosely Pluto in Virgo). This configuration is significant in Olbermann's overall nature. Astrologers see such a formation, especially when in Fixed signs, as indicating a constant state of tension and challenge - and certainly no indication of a relaxed, easy-going temperament.

While to his TV audience Olbermann comes over as clear, fairly informal, informed and passionate about his subject, behind the scenes he is reported by those who have worked with him, to be difficult. It seems he "doesn't play well with others". Or perhaps others don't play well with him ? Sun in Aquarius people can appear intimidating, cold or stand-offish to some non-Aquarius-types. Of the Air signs Aquarius is generally less sociable than Gemini and less overtly charming than Libra. (Disclaimer: my birthday is on the same day as Olbermann's - I was not born the same year though).

Another astro point to consider: Olbermann's natal Saturn at 2 Capricorn is still within orb (limit) of transiting Pluto currently at 9 Capricorn. This was also the case during his firing from MSNBC last summer. Pluto impacting a personal planet can play havoc. I know this from the time Pluto transited my natal Venus and my whole world collapsed subsequently to be re-built. As Saturn connects to work (rather than Venus's connection to love in my case) Pluto transiting natal Saturn is likely to be transformational in the work area in some way or other. Something else to consider: Al Gore, one of Current TV's founders has Moon at 3 degrees of Capricorn - also under transiting Pluto's shadow. Perhaps they have both been feeling extra scratchy during recent months.

Conventionally Climactic

Barack Obama's acceptance speech in Denver's Invesco Stadium, packed with over 80,000 supporters, a backdrop representing the Lincoln Memorial, had me wondering just how people living in poverty, worried, debts mounting, felt about last night's spectacle. As things are in this country it might have been more thoughtful and sensitive to their plight to keep things simple. But I guess this is "the American way". It's certainly Obama's way, kingly Leo sun proudly to the fore.

We all knew exactly was was going to be said, and repeated, and repeated again - at least those of us who've been paying attention did. I had to keep reminding myself....it's not about Obama, repeat: it's not about Obama. Even if HE thinks it is. To his credit he actually said to the crowd, "It's not about me, it's about you".

It isn't about Obama or Clinton or Biden. It's about those living in abject poverty in what is supposed to be the greatest country in the world. It's about providing health care for all, so that citizens don't have to bankrupt themselves to pay for essential operations and treatment. It's about attempting to slow climate change to make the world a safer place for all its inhabitants. It's about everything the Republicans wouldn't do. It's about every member of Congress, every Senate seat, every Representative. It's about getting rid of Senators like James Inhoffe who thinks global warming is a hoax. That's what it's really about.

While I fully understand and empathise with the many Clinton supporters who insist that they will not vote for Obama, saying that it's "principle before party" or "country before party", they seem to be missing the point about their fellow-citizens in distress. Principles will not put food on the table, and putting what they see as "country first" will not help to save the planet for generations to come.
UPDATE: While McCain's decision to choose a woman, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, as his VP is a plus for women in general, the fact remains she's still a Republican, pro-life, lifelong NRA member, and in the event of McCain winning, falling ill or even dying, she'd have to step in. Never mind Obama's experience, what about hers? Governor of a remote state for a couple of years - is it enough?
In her favor (or perhaps not) she has Sun, Moon, Mercury, Saturn and Mars in Aquarius. While I like Aquarian traits, there can be too much of a good thing, and here you have it!

It was good to see and hear Al Gore again last night. He mainly reiterated the well-worn points about an Obama presidency, but managed to include some important remarks about climate change. I wished he'd said a little more on the issue, it hasn't been given the prominence it deserves during the campaign.

I shall learn to ignore the Obama Leo Sun, and that foggy old Neptune of his, concentrating on his Aquarius ascendant will get me all the way to the ballot box in November.

I hope people are keeping in mind that talented as these people are, they are public servants, not pop stars. American citizens are their masters - or should be. That's something oft forgotten in these self-congratulatory bunfights. Let's hope that the coming astrological atmosphere, Saturn in Virgo soon to be joined in an Earth sign by Pluto as it slips slowly into Capricorn, will bring 'em all down to Earth to face sobering truths.

What I'll find easiest and least irritating to recall from this week's events is Dennis Kucinich's speech - it was only 6 minutes long but he says everything I need to know, with his usual passion, courtesy of a powerful cluster of natal Scorpio planets. So... I'll leave with the one who brung me into this political season what seems now like an age ago - my early first choice, who echoes my last thoughts on this Democratic Convention:
"WAKE UP AMERICA!!"

Obama's VP

Barack Obama said some time ago that he would announce his Vice Presidential pick in July. It has been announced, too, that he plans to visit Europe and the Middle East in the near future. Exact dates are not discussed, probably for security reasons, "this summer", "soon" and "before the election" are the only clues we have. Will he go before August? If so, announcement of a running mate must be imminent.

It seems unlikely, though, that he'll buzz off before the Democratic Convention at the end of August, because until then he's not officially the nominee - it would seem like jumping the gun. So he has another three weeks in which to name a name.

Astrologers haven't been able to glean much on this topic. It isn't known who was on Obama's shortlist. In any case it would be an almost impossible task to look at four or five charts and be able to tell which would be the most likely choice. Each individual has so much going on in their life, it would be difficult to disentangle the threads to identify one as a "positive VP thread".

The shortlist could easily include Al Gore, John Edwards, Chris Dodd, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, and of course Hillary Clinton, as well as other names, not well known in national politics, for example Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of Kansas. Some, whose names might have been expected to be under consideration, such as Jim Webb, have openly stated that they will not consider being VP under any circumstances.

In the spirit of an exercise and experiment, once again I've consulted my tarot deck this week, and asked "What do I need to know about the person to be chosen as Obama's Vice President?" I drew:

5 of Swords
3 of Wands/Rods
10 of Coins/Pentacles

Without a second thought, or having to refer to a source I thought: This is someone who has suffered defeat in the past, is about to move forward to a fresh start, will achieve some of their dearest wishes, and a big material gain (possibly, but not necessarily related to a kind of inheritance from family).

Tarot readers say that it's always the first impression which counts. That was my own. Checking with tarot websites later I confirmed that it does fit with traditional interpretations of the three cards.

Does that tarot portrait fit any of those named above? It fits Al Gore, who was defeated in 2000 (allegedly!) It fits Hillary Clinton - very obviously. It could also fit Edwards, Dodd, Biden or Richardson - all were defeated in the primaries.

I'm no nearer to a precise prediction.

The 10 of Coins/Pentacles is possibly the key card to the identity of the VP. All the 10s, in every suit, represent culmination of one cycle and beginning of another. This particular ten relates to earthy matters, houses (painted white?), homes and matters of wealth. Aleister Crowley in his "Book of Thoth" defines this card astrologically as Mecury in Virgo and says (he refers to Coins or Pentacles as "Disks") -

"The Ten of Disks is called Wealth. Here again is written this constantly recurring doctrine, that as soon as one gets to the bottom one finds oneself at the top; and Wealth is given to Mercury in Virgo. When wealth accumulates beyond a certain point, it must either become completely inert and cease to be wealth, or call in the aid of intelligence to use it rightly. This must necessarily happen in spheres which have nothing whatever to do with material possessions, as such. In this way, Carnegie establishes a Library, Rockefeller endows Research, simply because there is nothing else to do.
But all this doctrine lies behind the card; it is the inner meaning of the card.
There is another view to consider, that this is the last of all the cards, and therefore represents the sum total of all the work that has been done from the beginning. ....."
(Here) .

I can see Al Gore in that description. He has accumulated a great amount of wealth, whereas Hillary Clinton is in debt after her primary run. "There is nothing else to do" in Al Gore's case, in aid of his dearest wish to address climate change, but to be in a position of power.

That is what tarot tells me. What my own gut feeling tells me is that Al Gore wouldn't want to be Obama's VP. He has said that politics is toxic. So, although Hillary Clinton is currently in debt, rising to the position of VP might ensure that her debts would be paid off, a new cycle could begin.

Wishful thinking? I guess so. I think Obama needs Clinton, but doubt he'd ever admit it. His Leo pride could mean he won't offer her the opportunity.

The 10 of Coins doesn't fit the other potential VPs nearly as well as Gore or Clinton. We shall see, soon.

An Al-luring Suggestion

The primary election process here in the USA shambles along to the few remaining states waiting to vote for a Democratic party nominee. The whole process is looking ever more bizarre. I've read two or three articles by political journalists this week theorising that Al Gore might be dragged, reluctantly, into the fray.

They say it looks likely that Senators Clinton and Obama could eventually be so closely tied that it would fall to party elders at the Convention in August to confirm the nominee. They suggest that rather than alienate around half of all Democrats, endangering the party's chances in the General Election, an alternative plan could be to draft Al Gore as democratic nominee, theoretically uniting the party.

Bizarre !

Eight Democratic candidates set out long ago to fight for the US presidency. By process of elimination, led largely by the mainstream media, two remaining candidates were left to battle it out. In the process multi-millions of dollars have been collected and spent, thousands of hours of effort put in by the candidates and their teams, thousands of miles of travel, billions of words, written and spoken. All could be cancelled out, simply because the country's Democrats are almost equally divided in their preference of nominee. Each camp of supporters is so entrenched and bloody-minded that many of their number would prefer to see their party sink rather than vote for the nominee they didn't support. Another four years of Republican rule would likely be the outcome. Nice!

Al Gore. He was my first great hope, way back before this madness began, before Kucinich, before Edwards and long before Clinton and Obama. He chose not to put himself forward as a candidate, despite his legion of fans begging him to do so. Why then should he be a better choice than either of the very capable candidates who have worked their socks off trying to persuade Americans of their capabilities?

Bizarre!

That being as it may, I've looked at Al Gore's natal chart, and how the planets will be lining up between 25 and 28 August 2008 in Denver - the time of the Democratic Convention. I see nothing significant, other than transiting Pluto conjoining Mr. Gore's natal Jupiter, that has been so for many months, probably signifying his Nobel Prize, his Oscar, and business successes. Looking ahead a few years though, when Uranus, planet of change, has moved into Aries, and has reached Mr. Gore's natal Sun (10* Aries) in 2013, maybe..... maybe he will then be president, after the 2012 election. Here's food for the imagination! What might lead to that eventuality?

Hopes that didn't float

One year ago I was writing about my hope that Al Gore would run in the presidential election, and looking eagerly for signs in his astrology. ("Al Gore, his transits, our chance?") That hope sank, gradually, and without trace. I was bitterly disappointed in my hero, in spite of opinions that "he can do more for the environment outside of politics".

As hopes of Gore's entry into the presidential race faded, I pinned hope on Dennis Kucinich gaining popular support. I've written several blog entries about him and his astrology (linked via the Label Cloud in the sidebar). His policies are truly what the nation needs, many can see this, but few have had the confidence to give him their support. Another hope sinking fast. He is now routinely excluded from debate in spite of fighting against his exclusion.

My third hope, John Edwards, has a reasonable level of support from the people, but little or none from the mainstream media, whose bosses, the corporations, fear his policies. There's still time for his campaign to gain strength, time for the people of the USA to see the light, to see past what they are being force fed by the media. If change is what they truly crave, then I believe Edwards is the best one to bring it about. Others may speak of it, they may have good intentions, but I doubt they'd fight as hard and fearlessly for it as I believe Edwards would.

If my third hope fails to float, wishes must once again be modified, and I'll be prepared to hope that whichever of the three current "front-runner" Democrat candidates wins the nomination, also wins the presidential election in November. Any one of them would be an enormous improvement on what the USA has had for the past seven years.

"We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope."(Martin Luther King Jr.)

My last political hope, albeit a forlorn one, is that I'll achieve citizenship in time to register and vote in the November election. Senator Schumer's plan for speeding up the processing of applications by re-appointing retirees to assist (mentioned here) has been approved. There's an outside chance that my last hope may float.

In my re-located chart, the 11th house of hopes and wishes is occupied by Mercury in Capricorn - and it's beginning to look as though writing (Mercury) about them may be the best outcome I can expect !

"Come what may, I am bound to think that all things are ordered for the best; though when the good is a furlong off, and we with our beetle eyes can only see three inches, it takes some confidence in general principles to pull us through".(Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Come on Uranus - you can do it!

Good news! Al Gore is joint winner of the Nobel Peace Prize with the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

A full-page ad in the New York Times on Wednesday, and calls from a plethora of websites to "draft Al Gore" for the 2008 presidential campaign grow ever louder. Will he, won't he run?


A full page ad placed in the Oct. 10, 2007 edition of the New York Times by a group called DraftGore.com is displayed for a photograph in New York. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg News


Transiting Uranus is meeting up with Al Gore's natal Mercury around now - is his mind being changed?

Come on Uranus, old pal - you can do it! Change his mind!


Paul Kaplan adds his plea via YouTube:

Al Gore, America's Lucky Charm.

I'm going to make a determined effort this week to feel more upbeat about the future, "accentuate the positive and (try to) eliminate the negative".

An article from HuffingtonPost acted as quite a tonic at the weekend. By Brent Budowsky "If Al Gore Wins the Nobel Peace Prize".


A quick look at Al Gore's natal chart (here, at Astrodatabank) tells me that transiting Uranus (planet of change) is hovering over his natal Mercury these days - could he be in the process of changing his mind about running in the presidential campaign?

Transiting Jupiter is slowly moving towards his natal Jupiter at 28 Sagittarius, they'll be exactly conjoined in mid-December, along with Pluto. The lucky planet and the planet of transformation conjoining his natal Jupiter!

Let's have....."Plenty of heart and plenty of hope!"

A brief excerpt from the article by Brent Budowsky. The author envisions the scene:

"From the moment his award is announced through his speech in December accepting the prize, Al Gore will be the most influential living American in defining the terms of our national debate.

From the immediate surge of media attention until the aftermath of Gore's acceptance speech there will be a profound surge of international and national attention to what Al Gore stands for, and what he has done.

For the first time since September 11, 2001 was hijacked as a pretext for the Iraq war, there will be a powerful, compelling and global discussion of the America that has been and should always be a genuine beacon of hope and light for the world.

At first there will be saturation coverage of the dangers to planet earth, the crisis that poses the ultimate danger comparable to, and possibly even surpassing, the threat of nuclear weapons during the Cold War.

Within hours of the Nobel announcement there would be a global statement of American ideals, American values, American traditions, and American notions that have been time honored for more than two hundred years, and placed under attack by George W. Bush and enabled by a submissive Congress unable and unwilling to stop him.

There would be a statement to Americans, and to the world, that the real America is the nation that respects and rallies the free nations of the world rather than the preemptive and arrogant power that alienates freedom's best friends everywhere."

A Climate of Backlash

Yesterday I decided to spend a little time catching up on blogs I've neglected to read for a while. I started at Barbara's "Silverwheel Astrology" then moved on to Dr. Glen Barry's at "Earth Meanders" (17 July post)- I got no further.

Although the authors of these two blogs hold opposite views about climate change, the bloggers and many comments speak out against Al Gore and his "mission", albeit for different reasons.

It's no surprise that Al Gore is an irritant to those skeptical about man-made, or indeed any global warming. I can understand also why dedicated environmentalists might feel miffed to see him, with celebrity helpers, getting so much publicity when their own efforts have gone well nigh unnoticed over many years.

Al Gore is caught in backlash coming from both sides of this debate, not only in blogs, elsewhere too. Backlash is a by-product of success, of course, so I suppose it was to be expected. I'm not sure whether there's a coinciding astrological transit - transiting Mars is hanging around his natal Venus just now - maybe that's it.

I've noticed recently another discernable backlash. People who appear to have been scolded and chided by over-eager "Greens" are becoming weary of it. Over-zealous nagging is never helpful, and eventually turns counter-productive.

My personal opinion on climate change remains that human activity over the last century has contributed to, and exacerbated, change which may or may not be part of a natural cycle. I feel pretty sure that even the most qualified expert doesn't know for certain what's going on, or what's in store for the future. Isn't risk limitation the best way forward? It surely must be, unless we are truly short-sighted and uncaring, for the risk is scarily unquantifiable. Isn't this what Al Gore's mission is all about?

Solutions involved in combatting man-made climate change (whether one believes that it exists or not), would greatly benefit humans and the planet in the long term. Deforestation is patently bad for the planet. Huge mountains of waste plastic and other non-degradable materials will someday become a menace if nothing is done to reduce them. New sources of energy will be essential in coming decades - oil will someday run out. If population isn't limited soon, Mother Nature will do it for us. Glaciers are melting - proof is there for all to see. Ocean levels will therefore rise, to what extent is uncertain. Whether currents such as the Gulf Stream will be affected is also a consideration. Banning new development on flood plains, and vulnerable coastal areas, would surely benefit the environment whether catastrophe comes in our lifetime, or things trundle along much as they are now.

As for Al Gore's penchant for recruiting celebrity helpers - what does it matter about their motives or their lifestyles? The message is the important thing. Their luxurious lifestyles give these people the freedom to do what they are doing. It's the superficial, yet essential, side of Al Gore's mission. He's attempting to reach the youth of the world - those who will have to deal with after-effects from long decades of our not caring.

I admire Al Gore a lot, my only disappointment is that, so far, he declines to run in the 2008 presidential campaign. Without strong action from the government in the USA, which I suspect will not be forthcoming under any other presidency, nothing will change here - except, perhaps, the climate.

Al Gore and Live Earth

In spite of the razamatazz of the Live Earth concerts yesterday, and in spite of the fact that I greatly admire Al Gore and all he's trying to do for the environment, I still can't help feeling let down by his continued insistence that he will not run as a presidential candidate in the US 2008 election.

My logical pain-in-the-arse Aquarian mind keeps saying to me

"But what's the use of it all? Without the right people in charge of the USA, nothing will change on a large enough scale to make a difference. Look at the presidential candidates who have announced so far. Who is making the environment their big issue?"

Nobody.

Persuading us to change our lightbulbs for low energy ones is fine, as are all the other things we can do as individuals to help the situation. These efforts will not be enough to make a difference without a high level of governmental involvement to enforce required changes, as only government can do. I don't see promise of this from anyone currently on the debating platforms.

Al Gore knows this.

Things just don't add up.

THE WEEK THAT WAS

It's been a somewhat slow news week generally, so a little padding may be needed!

Al Gore's book "The Assault on Reason" was published. Blogger Dave Johnson attended a book signing, see his report HERE. He says, amongst other things:

"He (Al Gore) was supposed to talk for a short time, take questions and sign books, but he just got going an gave one of the most inspired, intelligent and I think historically important articulations of the current threat to the American experiment and our democracy that I have heard. He was just on fire".

Yes, I guess he must be, with transiting Pluto sparking his natal Jupiter at 28 Sagittarius!

Michelle Kraus says:
"Al Gore is the cool guy now. He is really smart. He speaks the truth. He still uses big words and has even bigger ideas. He talks about the information eco-system! He references the Age of Enlightenment and he has a dream and a vision for this country."

I've said it before, and I'll keep on saying it until all hope is gone: "Please....Run, Al....Run!!!"

To hear Paul Kaplan singing his song "Run Al, Run!" (Click twice on arrow in centre of screen)


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American Idol ground to a halt at last. Capricorn Sun beat Cancer Sun, but both Jordin and Blake have achieved a head start towards lucrative careers.The finale on Wednesday night more than made up for some past lacklustre shows. It was good to see and hear Tony Bennett, Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson - all still in good voice. We thoroughly enjoyed Wednesday's show.

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On Thursday evening a new experience of American life awaited me. We attended my husband's grandson's Graduation ceremony at the local High School. I'm not sure what goes on in British schools nowadays, but in my day we had nothing quite like this. It was interesting for me, and emotional for the families involved. More on this from my husband's blog "Thinks Happen"

Two pieces of music played during the evening took me aback. As the 220 graduates filed into the auditorium we heard the orchestra play Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March, known to almost every Brit as "Land of Hope and Glory". It's almost a secondary national anthem! This is always played with great gusto and flag-waving at the Last Night of the Proms in London. (A series of orchestral concerts held each year in the Royal Albert Hall). I felt a little disoriented for a few moments. Later, when the students sang their School Song (see photograph) there was another surprise - it was sung to the tune of "Men of Harlech"(which some folk think of as a secondary national anthem for Wales). Still - both are good tunes, and do not belong exclusively to us Brits!


Watching the students seated together on the stage, listening to their peers deliver speeches, I wondered what kind of world it will be when these kids reach the age of say, 40. Around the year 2030 Pluto will have reached Aquarius, and Uranus will be in Gemini - a good combination both in the element of Air. Neptune will have reached Aries by then. So the 3 outer planets will be quite harmoniously placed in Air and Fire signs. I cannot start to imagine what may have happened in the time between now and 2030, but I have to believe that by the time these young people reach maturity the world will be a wiser, and a better place.

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On Monday morning, at the crack of dawn, I waited in the local hospital while HeWhoKnows underwent a routine "Uranian" examination. The fun part occurred when I was ushered in to help him wake from his sedation. After attempting to rouse him, I was treated to such pearls of wisdom as the mumbled "Are we there yet?", "What's my new name, then?" I asked what he would like his new name to be, and was told "Gene Autry", this followed by "Wanna fool around?" His eyes remained tightly closed, speech very slurred. I suspect he was visiting Neptune.

Speaking of Neptune - I realised this week that in my relocated chart, to which I pay scant attention, transiting Neptune is currently stationed exactly on my relocated ascendant.

Neptune! Yes. I remember you! You visited my Sun a few years ago and set my world askew for months. Perhaps now I'll have a chance to find out whether relocation charts actually "work" - I'll be watching!

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They still haven't got the message!

It appears the US administration has still not got the message about global warming - are they deaf, dumb and blind? The Bush administration still seeks to water down proposals to be put forward at next month's G8 summit.

Al Gore ! America needs you! But even more urgently, the planet needs you! Please!!! You must have realised by now that no other current presidential candidate has the foresight or determination to do what's needed.

Al Gore currently has transiting, restrictive Saturn sitting on natal Mars (18* Leo) - possibly putting the brakes on any thought he may have of running in the 2008 election. When Saturn trundles on to 22* Leo at the end of June and into July, that planet will harmoniously sextile Gore's natal revolutionary, idealistic and ingenious Uranus at 22* Gemini, hopefully prodding him into "putting his money where his mouth is".

Transiting Jupiter, now appearing to move backwards, away from his vertex - will be conjoining it again in late October. I think the vertex is an especially sensitive point in the natal chart. Perhaps this fall may be the time for any fateful decision. Al Gore's vertex is in the same degree as my own natal Venus - maybe this is why I feel so strongly about him and his message.

There's little doubt that Mr Gore will have a very busy summer. He has a new book to be published later this month, with attendant tours and appearances. Entitled The Assault on Reason, it's said to be "A visionary analysis of how the politics of fear, secrecy, cronyism, and blind faith has combined with the degration of the public sphere to create an environment dangerously hostile to reason". Later, in July, Live Earth concerts in worldwide venues will take up much of his time. I guess it's easy to see why any announcement of a presidential run might over-egg the pudding just now, yet it could be vastly more important for the planet, and all of us, than any book or concert.

Al Gore has a Sun/Neptune cardinal opposition in his natal chart - Sun 10.55 Aries, Neptune 11.39 Libra. In "Planets in Aspect" published 1974, Robert Pelletier says about this aspect (among other things which seem irrelevant in this case)
"You are afraid of challenges because you doubt your own capabilities. When threatened you tend to back off and allow others to benefit from opportunities that you saw as obstacles........." AND
"Direct your goals towards fulfilling some important social responsibility."

In a post last June, almost a year ago, around the time "An Inconvenient Truth" hit movie screens, astrologer Mary Plumb said

"Many astrologers over the years have noted the dignity inherent in Gore’s Aries Sun in mutual reception (and trine) to his Mars in Leo. May that warrior-like nature help keep us moving towards a better future of passion and activism for the earth."

Almost a year later, I add my voice, and my hopes to Mary's, and add this quotation from a respected American statesman of the past:

"We travel together, passengers on a little spaceship, dependent on it's vulnerable reserves of air and soil, all committed, for our safety, to it's security and peace. Preserved from annihilation only by the care, the work and the love we give our fragile craft."
Adlai E. Stevenson

Run, Al...run!!

Letterman, and guess who!

It's his 60th birthday today. When looking at his chart a couple of things rang a bell. He has some placements which are very similar to Al Gore's. They were born a year and 12 days apart, so it's not too surprising, with regard to the slow moving planets. Moon and Mercury aren't slow-movers though, and they are in the same signs for both men.

Both have Sun Aries, Mercury Pisces, Moon Capricorn, Pluto and Saturn in Leo. But Al Gore's Pluto, Saturn and Mars in Leo are close together in first house, whereas Letterman's Mars at 00 Aries and Saturn at 02 Leo are in trine, 6 and 10th houses(if birth time is accurate). Al Gore's Sun is not as closely sextile Uranus as is Letterman's. Al Gore was born into a political family. His father was a Senator mother qualified in law. David Letterman's father was a florist, mother a church secretary. Letterman has made humour and communication with the public his path to fame, Al Gore's path was public service and leadership - but I think he has a closet yearning to be funny - as evidenced by his little turn on Saturday Night Live. Needless to say, both men are rich and famous!

David Letterman was born 12 April 1947 in Indianapolis, Indiana, one source (e-tarocci.com) has what appears to be a computer produced horoscope for him, giving 6pm as a birth time. I don't feel too confident that this is reliable, but it fits. I haven't read the rest of the horoscope interpretation, I prefer to sort out my own take on it.

If Letterman's ascendant is 19.19 Libra, then his natal Sun at 22.14 Aries would be close to the descendant angle and his natal Moon at 15.42 Capricorn would be within 7 degrees of the IC angle (nadir) - both strong positions in any chart. Mars at 00.49 Aries is powerful too, in its own sign in a strong degree. Mercury and Venus are both in Pisces. In a nutshell, those placements describe the Letterman I see. A strong but sensitive character, a blend of Aries and Pisces.

His humour is an odd mix of absurdity, intended lameness, and wit. He seems to enjoy that childish kind of humour which often comes with Aries, I've found (I have an example here at home) - though is capable of more sophisticated and subtle stuff if circumstances demand. Natal Uranus is sextile Sun in Aries - I'm told (by HeWhoKnows) that Letterman is rather less unpredictable than he used to be. I guess this comes with maturity.

Early in his career he was a news anchor and weatherman. His bosses were often nervous about what he'd do next. It's said in Wikipedia "He received recognition for his unpredictable on-air behavior, which included erasing state borders from the weather map and predicting hail stones "the size of canned hams." One night he reportedly upset his bosses when he congratulated a tropical storm on being upgraded to a hurricane. He had a nervous habit of clapping his hands together."

He's kind, I'm pretty sure of that. There's a softness about him that isn't Aries, it'll come from his Pisces bits. I've read that he is co-owner of an auto-racing team - that's a bit of Aries! His Capricorn Moon indicates innate business sense to me. He has his own production company "Worldwide Pants" and is probably a multi-millionnaire - you don't get that rich by just being funny, you need business sense too.

Letterman doesn't make his politcal leanings terribly clear, I suspect this is a tactical decision, although I don't think Bill O'Reilly is one of his heroes - a clue? He's no Bill Maher, (or Al Gore) that's not his thing. It would be unwise to alienate half his audience and scare away some potential guests from the world of politics - that would be bad business.

I like finding coincidences like this one between Al Gore and David Letterman. We can't know how alike, or otherwise, they are in real life, but it's interesting to compare what we do know of them.

Future Uncertain

The future seems to me the most uncertain it has been since I was a young child in Hull, England during World War 2, when that city suffered horrendous bombing. The morrow was uncertain for many at that time, never mind the future.

Most astrologers now foresee chaos of one kind or another on the horizon, due to Pluto's move into Capricorn in 2008 and subsequent aspects of other outer planets, not to mention the dreaded 2012, end of the Mayans' long count calendar. For a concise and clear rundown on the astrology the late Maya del Mar's article "The Road to 2012" is as good as any I've seen. It was written a year ago.

It's not hard to guess the source of potential chaos in the world. Yesterday my husband's daughter e-mailed me an article about global warming. I've found a copy on-line HERE. It tells of experiences of mountaineers who've come face to face with the effects of global warming. For me, reports of real experiences such as these bring the situation more sharply into focus.

A blog called Earth Meanders written by Dr. Glen Barry is well worth reading. It's serious stuff. He pulls no punches about global warming. George W. Bush should be required to read that blog once a day, every day! My only minor argument with Dr. Barry's writings is his view that Al Gore and his "celebrity" helpers are not doing much good. Dr. Barry is probably so far ahead of the average American in knowledge of what's going on in the climate, that he doesn't realise the good Al Gore and co. have done in the past year or so. As something of an outsider, I can see it quite clearly.

When I first arrived in the USA at the end of 2004, global warming was looked on as something of a joke here. I despaired. I can see, now, the enormous difference Al Gore has singlehandedly made, in a short time. When "An Inconvenient Truth" first arrived in cinemas in Oklahoma, it was shown only in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. We travelled to Oklahoma City, about 75 miles away, to see it. The number of people in the theatre could have been counted on two hands, but that sparse audience rose to their feet as one at the end of the film, applauded, and uplifted my hopes.

Since then, global warming and climate change have been in the news on a regular basis. The American government is still dragging its feet, and appears to be lagging well behind public opinion, but in 2008 that government is guaranteed to change. I hope that its successor will be strong enough to do what's needed, however unpopular it makes them.

We may not get to the stage of being uncertain about the morrow in the next few years, but those who come after will have that to face, if we don't insist that something is done by world governments soon.

Inhofe the Intransigent

Senator James Inhofe, who the good but misguided folk of Oklahoma voted into office, is to global warming what Richard Dawkins and James Randi are to astrology. Thorns in its side, pains in the arse - and I make no apology for language - it is a fact!

Senator Inhofe, who continues to tell us that global warming is nothing but a hoax, is currently trying to block Al Gore's proposal that the steps of The U.S. Capitol should be the venue for the American concert in his worldwide "Live Earth" series planned for this summer. There's a good summary of related events and links at a blog called Retrospectacle.

Senator Inhofe is either the consummate skeptic, or in the pay of the oil industry - possibly both. A look at his chart calculated for 12 noon ( he was born 17 November 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa) reveals 4 personal planets in Scorpio. Sun and Venus both at 24*, Jupiter and Mercury at 8* and 5* respectively. Saturn, strongly placed in Aquarius is square his Sun/Venus conjunction. Uranus in Aries is inconjunct Sun/Venus, and square Pluto. Pluto in Cancer trines Sun/Venus. Mars and Neptune in Virgo are inconjunct Saturn in Aquarius. Moon at 12 noon was at 11* Aries, I think it would remain somewhere in that sign irrespective of his time of birth.
I get a quite disagreeable and uncomfortable feel from this chart - of course I could be strongly prejudiced! He's not a person with whom I'd find much in common. His strong, fixed Aquarian( humanitarian) Saturn challenges four fixed passionate Scorpio planets, which probably win through sheer force of numbers to show through in his personality. Had those planets been reversed - 4 in Aquarius and 1 in Scorpio, perhaps Al Gore would have had a staunch ally instead of an enemy.

I think there's a "Yod" configuration here too, it's perhaps too loose to be indicated on the chart above though. Mars and Pluto are sextile and both inconjunct Saturn, forming an arrow-like pattern with Saturn at its tip. Pluto, Mars and Saturn - Yikes!!! That's a strong formation. But I'd have thought Saturn in Aquarius, Mars in Virgo and Pluto in Cancer would be considerably more benign, and sensible than it turns out! But I suppose it depends on which side of the argument one stands. It's difficult to be objective.

Comparing the charts of Inhofe and Gore, it's interesting to see that Inhofe has Neptune and Mars conjoined within 3 degrees (Neptune rules oil). Al Gore has Mars, Saturn and Pluto within a few degrees of each other. So both men have Mars close to an outer planet, I wonder if this is significant. If so, Al Gore's line up wins in strength, especially as those planets are in his first house. It's a pity there's no birth time for Sen. Inhofe.

Transiting Neptune is currently conjoining Inhofe's Saturn (21* Aquarius), and transiting Saturn is coming up to opposition, it's now at 18* Leo. What might that indicate? Saturn is probably one of his stronger planets, and it'll be under pressure, perhaps its influence becoming more illusional/delusional through Neptune's fogginess. As transiting Saturn comes into opposition with natal Saturn there could be an uncomfortable time in store for the Senator! I'll watch coming events with interest.

Aries-driven Reformers

I'm on a C.E.O. Carter kick just now. His comment below set me thinking: fromhis discourse on the zodiac sign of Aries .

"Yes, Aries is a reformer; the trouble is, his reforms seem so often to be aimed at making people more uncomfortable than they need be."

Until I read his piece I hadn't considered the sign of Aries in this light. As I read, Al Gore sprang to mind (Sun and midheaven in Aries), and Tony Benn former British member of parliament , socialist, and scourge of the rabid right wing - I love him (Sun and Venus in Aries). Both these men also have Leo ascending and some Leo planets in their first house, Pluto, Saturn and Mars for Gore; Neptune and Moon for Benn. They both therefore have Aquarius on the descendant, which, going back to yesterday's blog entry, fits! Both these men come across, to me, as quite Aquarian. This combination makes for two forces to be reckoned with, yet neither politician has been allowed to rise to heights of which he was more than capable.

There's still time for Al Gore, in spite of the fact that his proposed reforms may be very unpopular with the masses. Tony Benn, though was 82 this week - his time for reforming his country, or the world is well past, but we could still gain from his wisdom. He was a founder member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

Several commentators in the US have been asking us recently to imagine what America would be like today had Al Gore been declared president in 2000. I've often wondered what today's Britain would be like had Tony Benn been Prime Minister instead of Margaret Thatcher. Those are two inspiring visions, the first far more likely to have come to pass that the second.

Perhaps the time for Aries-driven reformers is not yet at hand - but it soon will be - mark my words!

Al Gore under fire.

I avoided reading or listening to much news while we've been away during the past week. I'm disappointed now to see a more insistent swell of anti-Gore feeling on the internet and in the media . I've found only two items supporting Al Gore, but dozens trying to discredit him.

I notice that transiting Saturn is conjunct his natal Mars in Leo, while Pluto is currently on natal Jupiter and transiting Jupiter is conjoining his Vertex ! Saturn and Mars together make for a hard time, I'd say. That will pass, though. I think Jupiter is a more significant feature in the configuration. I continue to hope that he will run, and win, in the presidential campaign.

I guess it was inevitable for that old see-saw effect to come into play now, with avengance. Al Gore has received so much acclaim, has had so much success, he has raised awareness on climate change to a level that even the most ardent of his supporters could not have envisaged. Current school-yard taunts from bloggers, snide remarks from journalists, all indicate, in my opinion, fear rather than reasoned consideration. Are they afraid of having a man of conscience and dedication in power in the United States? There seems to be a plan afoot to discredit Al Gore to the extent that, should he decide to run in the presidential election of 2008, he would be unlikely to win. If that is what a majority of Americans want, so be it. But the planet deserves better!

I've opened my own mind to doubts about the extent and true cause of global warming, and climate change. Scientists are divided, or so they say. There's an unknown factor of who is backing whom, and who is in the pay of whom. That unknown element might make a world of difference to public opinion.

I think it's safe to say that nobody knows for sure the certain outcome of, or reasons for, climate change, not even Al Gore and the best scientists in the world. It's not possible to know, this is a totally new situation in the recorded experience of humankind. Scientists, politicians, and astrologers can only put forward their best guesses about the future, based on the evidence as they see it.

When things are uncertain, I find that the way to go is towards risk limitation. In this case the potential risk is to mankind . How can there be any doubt which way to go ?