Presidential Players

I suspect that more words have been written about the characters in this year's US presidential election than almost any other characters in recent history. This has to be attributed mainly to the widespread use of the internet, mushrooming of blogs, and opening up of news sites to readers' comments.

Almost everything that could be written about the astrology of the leading characters in this tragi-comedy of an election has already been written. As I cast around for a new approach I spied on my bookshelf Robert Camp's "Love Cards". The title sounds trite, and if it hadn't been recommended to me by someone on an astrology message board, years ago, I'd never have given it a second glance, and I'd have missed a lot - it's an intriguing book.

Robert Camp uses a system which originated in another book: "Sacred Symbols of the Ancients". It's based around an deck of playing cards, astrology, and some other mysterious ingredient. I don't know what that ingredient is, but the system can be eeerily accurate in assessments of character and when exploring compatibility potential.

Playing cards are fascinating enough in themselves.Wikipedia explains their symbolism, as well as their origins. The deck widely adopted in Europe many centuries ago, and still in use, is described thus:
"Popular legend holds that the composition of a deck of cards has religious, metaphysical, or astronomical significance: typical numerological elements of the explanation are that the four suits represent the four seasons, the 13 cards per suit are the 13 phases of the lunar cycle, black and red are for day and night, the 52 cards of the deck (joker excluded) symbolizes the number of weeks in a year, and finally, if the value of each card is added up — and 1 is added, which is generally explained away as being for a single joker — the result is 365, the number of days in a year. If the other joker is also added, that makes 366 days, the amount of days in a leap year."

Is it coincidental that the cards relate so closely to our calendar? If so, then it's a rather amazing coincidence. Anyway... back to "Love Cards":

The Birth Card (just the first of many categories explored in the book) is comparable to the Sun sign in astrology. "It is the card that ruled our planet on the day we were born. People born under a certain card's rulership will all share some distinguising traits..... The Birth Card is the strongest and most important symbol of who we are in this lifetime."

All that is needed to consult this system is a person's day and month of birth. Let's see what the cards have to say abut the US presidential and vice-presidential candidates. What follows is an absolute minimum, just to give a flavour, it barely scratches the surface of what can be gleaned from "Love Cards".

Sarah Palin has stolen the headlines recently so I'll start with her. Her Birth Card (11 February) is Ace of Spades. Other birthdays covered by this card are June 13, March 9, April 7, May 5, June 3, July 1. The card is called "Card of Ambition and Secrets", and in some circles is known as "The Magi Card." "Most ambitious and material-oriented card in the deck, but also the most spiritual." The book tells us that these people have a lifelong conflict between material and worldly issues and a deep pastlife spiritual heritage. A card of extremes.
Britain's Princess Diana (born 1 July) had this Birth Card, by the way.

Hillary Clinton's (26 October) Birth Card: 9 of Hearts, and Barack Obama (4 August) Birth Card: 9 Diamonds. Nines in all four suits have something in common (as do all groups of numerical or royal cards). Concerning Nines, the book tells us ,among other things, that these people are "never truly fulfilled unless they find ways to give of themselves to others. Many of them take this to the highest level and become saviours of humanity. Many great spiritual leaders and teachers have Nines as their Birth Cards. In many ways Nine is the opposite of the Ace" (see Sarah Palin, above). "Whereas the Ace needs to be selfish and self-centered, the Nine cannot. Each time the Nine tries to do things for themselves they reap untold misery and pain. It goes against the grain of their soul's essence. Nines can develop strong victim-saviour completes and all of them exhibit this to some degree.....". Sound familiar? Hillary Clinton has been said by some writers to consider herself a victim; Barack Obama is often referred to as a Messiah or saviour figure. I notice too, though, that George W. Bush's Birth Card (6 July) is 9 Diamonds, same as Obama's. Oops! "The underlying message for the 9 Diamonds person is that they arrive on the planet with a host of value-related beliefs, ideas, concepts, needs and personal attachments that must be let go of".

To complete the cast, a word or two about John McCain (29August) Birth Card: 10 of Hearts, and Joe Biden (20 November) Birth Card: King of Hearts.

Re John McCain's 10 of Hearts- "To truly understand the Tens, we must also be familiar with the Aces" (see Sarah Palin above). "The Aces and 10s are very much alike." 10 of Hearts is the "Success With Groups" card: "A leader, not a follower, has much ambition and could stray off the path of truth as a result"

Joe Biden's King of Hearts - "The Loving Father Card" (Jaqueline Kennedy was also of this group). The Kings all have power, naturally! King of Hearts has power with people and personal relationships - charming and very intelligent. "It is not wise to argue with them, their keen minds can always find a response". The VP debate with Sarah Palin should prove interesting!

Predictions

Yesterday I followed a link to website "Visions of Reality with Elizabeth Joyce" and an article posted on 17 January 2008: "Psychic Predictions for the 2008 Election"
Some of this lady's predictions haven't materialised exactly as set down, yet in a strange way an alternative view of her words might still prove to have been (accidentally?) accurate. Note especially the last four lines of this brief extract!

"For sure my psychic sense sees that a woman will occupy the White House as vice president as a result of the 2008 election, but not president. It’s just not Hillary’s time yet, as I have psychic stated for the past three years.

The male presidential candidate who runs with a woman vice presidential candidate on the ticket will win the election by a landslide. Obama or Gore will take the lead. What others are not thinking about at this time are the coming earth changes. They begin heavily after the February eclipses. America may call on and try to draft Al Gore to enter the presidential race. Psychic predictions everywhere state that we are reaching a point where the public is intrigued with the idea of a female president, but as a country we tend to take cautious steps.

If Barack Obama wins the nomination, Hillary Clinton may consider his invitation as the vice president, but his life will automatically be in danger. This “back seat” will be very difficult for Hillary to accept. Typically, you don’t want a vice president who is equally strong as the presidential candidate, but in this case it will benefit Obama, because he is “so green behind the ears,” as my grandmother, an excellent psychic, used to say. Hillary can beneifit him with her first hand knowledge of how the Oval Office is run.

My psychic sense tells me that not only will a woman become the nation’s first Vice President at the 2008 election, but she will be sworn in as president when the male president is forced to step down due to serious health issues or worse. I have also psychically stated that we will have a one-term president in 2008."


The scenario this psychic envisioned (back in January) was probably Obama winning, with Clinton as his VP, a possible assassination attempt forcing him to resign, leaving Hillary Clinton as president. As it has turned out this is unlikely to happen, but the premise of a female VP taking over as a result of the president's illness, or other reason, does remain a possibility, should John McCain win the election.

I felt intrigued enough to get out my tarot deck and ask: "What do I need to know about the outcome of the General Election?"

3 CARDS ~~~~
7 of Pentacles/Coins
The Hanged Man
The Moon

7 Pentacles/Coins relates to a time of contemplation, taking stock, and capitalizing on gains, adjusting any areas of weakness. This is apt and applicable to both Democrats and Republicans, now their respective conventions are out of the way.

The Hanged Man - a card of the Major Arcana, so more important in the reading. This card is said to be ruled by Neptune. Odd that! I've written on several occasions that when I see Obama, I think Neptune, in all its fogginess and illusion. The Hanged Man card symbolizes self-sacrifice, sometimes a period of feeling "in limbo", its message is that this is a time of waiting and requires patience, a need to watch as things develop. Being ruled by Neptune means that the card also has an undertone of spirituality.

The Moon - Again, from the Major Arcana. This card is said to relate to Pisces in astrology, Pisces' ruler is Neptune, which relates back to the previous card - a thread runs through this! The Moon card relates to highly charged emotions, a confused state of mind, feelings of fear, perhaps delusion or deceit. All is not exactly as it appears to be. Moon also signifies organic change, change led by nature, rather than manipulated change.

So..... the three cards together? Confusing! First card is clear enough, and fits the situation as it is at present. The two Major cards present uncertainty - I'm going to opt for a view that all may not be as it seems now, there is much more still to emerge. These two Major Arcana cards, for me, relate more to Barack Obama than John McCain. I could invent a scenario to fit, but it would be fiction. I'll wait, and try this experiment again in October.

Off The Fence

Bloggers, journalists and all media people have had a bonanza week: the Democratic Convention followed by news of Sarah Palin, Alaska's Governor, the Republican VP choice.

Here's a link to some thoughts on Ms Palin, which passing readers might find of interest. These come from astrologer Marjorie Orr. Her interpretations of the good lady's chart and compatibility with Senator McCain can be found in entry dated
29 August, timed 16.37hrs.
McCain VP - Sarah Palin

I'm saying no more on this subject. I've overdosed on politics this week. I have, at last jumped off the fence, though am still not feeling any real confidence in Obama. I took in the view from both sides and remain unable, in all conscience, to support the Republican ticket - even with a female as VP, this particular female is a Republican female, Hillary Clinton she ain't!

The left is in my blood, in my DNA, and probably somewhere in my astrology. In the end that overcomes all uncertainties and distrusts. I'm home!

"BOTH SIDES NOW" -
Vocal: Judy Collins, song written by Joni Mitchell.

Astro-Political Predicting

Clinton, Obama. Obama, Clinton. Polls are up, polls are down, popular vote, electoral college, superdelegates, pledged delegates.... la-di-da-di-da! This way is madness found.

If the upcoming presidential election in the USA were not so very important, to the world at large, as well as the USA, I wouldn't be feeling so unsetled and uncomfortable. This election is important - much more important than I think we are able to fully appreciate at this point (that's gut-feeling from yours truly!)

[This blogpost is written by Twilight at Learning Curve on the Ecliptic. If reading it elsewhere, please link back by clicking on this message. Thank you.]
Astrology, one of the loves of my life, should at least be able to point a shadowy finger in the right direction to settle my mind. It doesn't. A crystal ball might well be a better bet in this instance!

Vedic astrologer Christopher Kevill here with further assessments here and tropical astrologer Jonathan Cainer (at Previous Thoughts for the Day, March 10 2008), amongst others are sticking to early predictions, despite some doubts, that Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee and/or next President of the USA. Other astrologers favour Barack Obama, others John McCain.

Yesterday I set out seeking further astrological guidance, Googled "Barack Obama astrology". I chose one link I respect and trust - Astrodatabank. There's a discussion there, between astrologers, on Senator Obama's natal chart and his chances in the primaries and the general election.

I pondered over the wide variety of comments and approaches in the Astrodatabank discussion for a long time. Is it ever possible for an astrologer, however expert he/she may be, to be purely objective? Doesn't each astrologer's view rely upon their own astrological makeup? There could hardly ever be agreement, especially on predictions, because each astrologer is coming at the situation from a different place, their own astrological place, each guided by unique personal placements and aspects.

Some astrologers predict a Clinton victory, an Obama withdrawal in May/June, others say Obama will be victorious, and others are confident that McCain will beat the Democratic candidate, whoever it turns out to be. Different astrological reasons, (reasonable ones!) are found for each potential eventuality. So, astrology leaves me little nearer to a settled mind.

My American husband is pretty level headed and completely non-astrological about politics. His view:
"There's a long long way to go - every day a different page of the story is turned, new information emerges. You can't measure what will happen in November by what goes on in the present.....bottom line, most important of all, hold this thought.... we CANNOT have another Republican president - CAN NOT!!"

My response, because due to very strong gut-feeling I am unswervingly in favour of Senator Clinton's candidacy:
"Erm, but.. but......huh....okay."

Only time will solve this unsettled feeling of mine - a long time, many months. Until then I'll no doubt continue to search for astrological hints.

*********************************************************************************
(I have included the cryptic hyperlink message after paragraph 2 because somebody, or some mechanical device has been "borrowing" some of my posts, (and those of other astrology bloggers), for display on another website, without the courtesy of a request or a direct link back to my blog. While the site doesn't appear to be making money, nor am I and nor do I wish to, and while they also carry a linkable list of astrology sites (also "borrowed") which includes Learning Curve on the Ecliptic, there is nothing to link "Twilight" to my blog name. "Twilight" at the head of the posts is not linkable back to this blog. If the "borrowers" are reading this, please do the polite thing. Either desist from borrowing posts, send me a courteous request via comments here, or provide proper links back to this blog on every post you "borrow". Thank you.)

Candidates Part III

Since Monday I've been looking at at astrological thumbnail sketches of the leading candidates for the upcoming US presidential election. Interpretations used are from Llewellyn George's 1934 book "Student Chart Reader of Horoscope Indications", chosen for scrupulous impartiality. It's impossible for there to be any subconscious connection to events or characters on the US political scene of late 20th/early 21st century. Today it's the turn of the last of the three candidates for sketch treatment: Republican Senator John McCain.


SENATOR JOHN McCAIN

August 29 1936, at 9am, Coco Solo Air Base, Panama Canal Zone.
See natal chart at AstroFutureTrends

SUN in Virgo

"In Virgo the Sun makes the native modest, thoughtful, serious, contemplative and industrious with desire to refine the mind and acquire knowledge. Learns quickly, is philosophical, a good reasoner and usually has a good command of language. It gives a good endurance, reserve force, quick recuperation and as a rule Virgoans do not show their age. Quick tempered but not a fighter as Virgo prefers arbitration. Loves order, beauty, art and literature, Not easily discouraged or kept down, although somewhat given to worry. Is idealistic yet practical, frugal yet speculative, ingenious, careful, cautious and usually endowed with good forethought. Very active and seldom contented long at a time. Desires wealth but not able, as a rule, to acquire wealth easily. Interested in hygienics, diet and labor conditions."

ASCENDANT in Libra (with 9am as time of birth)

"Love justice, order, peace and harmony, usually very courteous, pleasant and agreeable persons; although quick to anger, are easily appeased. They are fond of beauty in all forms: in nature, art, music, literature etc., and can enter with zest into refined and cultured pleasures and amusements and greatly enjoy the company and society of brave, happy, sunny and mirthful people. They are affectionate, sympathetic, kind, generous and compassionate; idealistic, artistic, adaptable, constructive, intuitive impressionable and inspirational. They admire modesty and refinement; are ambitious but dislike unclean work and all discord. The best outlet for their talents is in the professions, and they have ability for lines requiring good taste, neat touch and fine finish. Mental-vital temperament.
Mental tendencies:
Good mental abilities, keen sense of perception with foresight and good comparison, imaginative or artistic; good natured, hopeful, cheerful, genial, humane, just, orderly; usually amorous, loving but changeful, fond of society and amusements. Like to "go places and do things", be in style or up-to-date. Fond of fine clothes and jewelry."

MOON in Capricorn

"Tends to bring one before the public in some manner, but whether beneficially or otherwise depends upon the other indications in the chart.

If the Moon is well aspected at birth, especially by the Sun, (in this case they are both in Earth signs, but not in close aspect) may attract attention as a prominent and respectable person. If the environment has been good it may manifest as rulership, generalship and administrative ability.

If the mental rulers (Sun, Moon, Mercury and rulers of 3rd and 9th cusps) were afflicted and the early training neglected it gives a vague indeterminate mind, lack of creative energy although ambitious; misfortune through women and lax control of the appetites. Usually has enemies whether merited or not, and some drawback or difficulty attached to the occupation or reputation of the native. If the aspects in the chart are generally good it indicates honors and prominence; the native has ability to interest others and inspire confidence; a good organizer and welfare worker.

This location is also indicative of care and caution in money matters. The nature is often too cold and calculating and at times too regardless of the feelings of others."

Oddly, in Senator McCain's case, I see the Moon as more indicative of the public person we see, rather than the Sun/ascendant picture, as in the cases of Senators Clinton and Obama. Other factors in his natal chart are needed for clarity, one example is Mars in Leo, indicating a forceful and militant character, it lies in his 10th house of public status, making it a focal point in his career.


Three thumbnail sketches of leading candidates are complete - I thought the first two depicted very recognisable traits, from what little we know of the real people involved. This third example, for me, is less clearly recognisable without involving more of the natal chart.

Now, as we see them approaching the final rounds, coming out swinging, keeping their guard up, we have to hope, somewhat forlornly, that there will be no hitting below the belt.

May the best person for the job win!

Spirit of Idealism in the USA

It's fascinating to observe the patterns and passions erupting, from a variety of perspectives, during this long election season in the USA. The conundrum I puzzle over a lot these days: sidereal versus tropical zodiac, nags me regularly as I browse news articles.

There's an interesting phenomenon occurring in the USA now. On first thought it seemed to me to be classic Uranus in Aquarius, which would have to relate to the sidereal zodiac, Uranus is now in tropical Pisces. "Change", a keyword of Uranus and Aquarius, is the buzzword of the moment here. American youth has suddenly become avidly interested in politics, passionately supporting their almost messianic hero, presidential candidate Barack Obama, whose message encapsulates Aquarian ideals.

The movement towards Aquarian ideals isn't only for the youth of the USA. Those left unmoved by Obama's oratory and celebrity endorsements are enthusiastically supporting an equally determined Hillary Clinton, who passionately demands change from the way the country has been run for the last 7 years. Even the old-fashioned Republican party has taken a wee step towards more Aquarian thinking by supporting John McCain, who, though still something of a warrior, is considerably more humanitarian (Aquarian) in his views on some fronts than his party would traditionally have been.

Uranus in sidereal Aquarius initially seems like a good fit, but because we currently have Neptune in tropical Aquarius and Uranus in tropical Pisces the two planets are in what astrologers call "mutual reception", each is in the home sign of the other. Astrologer Robert Wilkinson says (here) that mutual reception "is a very strong influence. It is as though the two planets feed each other, and grow stronger, for good or ill, in their ability to dominate those affairs in the chart." Using the sidereal zodiac, Neptune currently lies in Capricorn, mutual reception with Uranus is absent.

It's not a clear-cut choice to decide which fits the situation better, sidereal or tropical zodiac. It could be argued that Uranus in sidereal Aquarius is a good match for events in the USA, it could also be proposed that Neptune's influence is involved. In a paragraph above I used the word "messianic" quite automatically, and only later, when searching for information in my books, noticed that Grant Lewi, when describing Neptune in Aquarius in his book "Astrology for the Millions" said
"There is a tendency to messianic feelings of social and economic reconstruction, perhaps an inclination towards dubious methods of accomplishing worthwhile goals (an "end justifies the means attitude")".

Rosa Brooks' article "A National Mood Swing", in the Los Angeles Times discusses the current phenomenon (see here)
In conclusion, she writes:

"It’s far too soon to say if the newfound spirit of idealism that’s sending voters (including many independents) to the Democratic primaries in record numbers will endure, paving the way for an era of energized new social movements and reforms. But I’d bet that we really have turned a page. On the Republican side too, there’s a palpable desire for a candidate who doesn’t fit into a rigid ideological box, one who can tap into and reflect our best instincts instead of our most craven fears.

Whether the idealistic yearning for change endures probably has little to do with who wins and who loses the Democratic nomination (or even the White House). Losses can galvanize social movements just as much as victories, and whoever wins the White House will be president of an America different from the one that greeted Bush’s inaugurations in 2001 and 2005. It will be a more hopeful, less partisan nation, one united in its rueful awareness of the ways the Bush presidency went wrong, a nation more ready to pull its socks up and get to work to put things right."

Conclusion: Tropical zodiac may describe this particular situation more exactly than sidereal, depending on one's viewpoint, but sidereal would still describe it well enough.

Astrology aside, the hope in the hearts of everyone is surely that the phenomenon occurring here survives the election, then grows and blossoms, so the world and the planet itself will benefit.

Sunday Scraps: poem, pic, tarot tale.

"In Starry Skies" by Sterling Bunch

In starry skies, long years ago,
I found my Science.
Heart aglow I watched each night unfold a maze
Of mystic suns and worlds ablaze,
That spoke: "Know us and wiser grow."

And with each season's ebb and flow,
My soul with faltering steps and slow,
Still wanders up far-glimmering ways,
In starry skies.

Nor do I heed Life's gaudy show,
But onward, upward I shall go,
Until new star-lands meet my gaze,
And where, perhaps in after days,
I'll learn the things I long to know
In starry skies.


PIC
Last weekend, on my birthday, we visited Wichita Falls, a city just over the Red River, in Texas. On the way home we saw this lovely mural on the wall of an abandoned building - I couldn't resist a photo-call with a feathered friend. (Click to enlarge)



TAROT TALE
While waiting for the bath to fill a few nights ago I picked up my tarot deck, shuffled it and held a question in my mind: "Who will be the next president of the USA?" I cut the deck and took three cards.

Two of Coins. Ten of Swords. Ten of Coins.

Hmmmm. I'd hoped for something easy such as Queen of Swords or King of Coins! OK then... well....Two of Coins represents the choice, the picture on the card shows a person juggling with two symbols. Ten of Swords is a card I'd prefer not to have seen, but it was there. It probably means some kind of serious difficulty arising, or one that has arisen in the past for whoever is to be president - I came to this conclusion because of the third card. Let's consider Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain, who seem to be the likely contenders at this point. All three could be said to have difficulties connected with their past history - Ms Clinton's nasty experience when her husband's philanderings and disgrace hit the headlines. Mr McCain's imprisonment during the Vietnam war. Mr Obama hasn't anything personally disastrous that I know of in his past, but his African/American ancestors certainly did. The third card, Ten of Coins, traditionally is thought to indicate success and gain through family or inheritance. I don't see any connection to McCain here, and only loosely to Obama if we look on a presidency as an inheritance/repayment due on his African/American background. Ms Clinton is often accused of being part of a "dynasty", the Clinton and Bush families having dominated politics in the USA for so long. Were she to be victorious, her presidency might be seen as a gain through family/background.

From a broader perspective, and considering the three cards as past, present, and future, my interpretation would be that a sideways step was made in the past which has proved disastrous, but whatever happens in the future will be for the best, and the country will prosper again.

The very next morning though, I read that John Edwards had withdrawn his candidacy. Perhaps that Ten of Swords could have been a hint about his withdrawal and my disappointment. The tarot can be very enigmatic.