Anne Massey’s astrology blog

Obama Era

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 | Mundane astrology

On January 20, 2009 Barack Obama becomes the 44^th president of the United States of America. Officially the transfer of power takes place at noon in Washington DC. From an astrological perspective, the Moon is void of course in Scorpio. The Moon moves into Sagittarius at 12:30, half an hour after to the swearing in ceremony. The void of course period is typically defined as ‘not a good time for new action’. This concept was popularized by Al H. Morrison in the mid 1970s and it is a vital concept in horary astrology. Horary astrology is a branch of astrology which addresses questions posed at a specific time and place. When the Moon is void of course in a horary chart, the answer tends to be ‘nothing will come of it’ or ‘there is nothing to worry about’. Vedic astrology pays no attention to the void of course concept, naturally the Moon would not be void from this perspective at the inauguration as all planets are about 24 degrees earlier from the Western reckoning.

Based on the Hellenistic and the medieval rules, the Moon is void of course less often because those rules are different… If the Moon fails to make an aspect within a day it would be considered void. The Moon will be at the 29th degree at noon hour and will make an aspect shortly to both the Sun and Mercury which form a conjunction just prior to the inauguration. So from one perspective the Moon is absolutely void and from another nope.

The inauguration is an event, which in reality has been in progress since the election results. I would consider this as a foregone conclusion, Obama won and the inauguration is just a formality—void Moon and all. The Moon in mundane astrology represents the people and public opinion. The transition to power has been in the works since November 4, 2008 and on February 4, the aspect that took place back then repeats—we have another Saturn-Uranus opposition. The degrees involved tap into Obama’s Mars, the man has his work cut out. He now has to live up to our elevated expectations!! I watch this unfold and think that somehow the press has made this appear as the ‘second coming’ and how can a mere mortal live up to what people hope he can do—he does not have a magic wand that he can wave to solve all of the problems. I also wonder if Saturn on his Mars is going to describe how his hands will be tied and he has to learn how to overcome the obstacles placed in his way. He just had a Jupiter return which might explain the long ‘honeymoon’ he is likely to have with the voters lasts. Now the talk has to become action—and quick action at that.

This presidency begins during the eclipse cycle—we have one on January 26 just days after the Inauguration. In the United States chart the South Node is at that degree, and only six days prior to the eclipse in a spectacular ceremony (lasted for weeks, really) a new president was sworn in and this has taken on incredible proportions. Obama is a Leo but his planets are not at this degree. Barack’s progressed Moon was at the eclipse degree 6°Aquarius 30’ in March 2008, about the time his statistics in the polls began to soar against Hillary’s. In astrology we look at an array of charts, the progressed chart helps reveal what we are growing into and when we need to meet the demands of an eclipse we do have our work cut out for us.

It is interesting that Obama’s progressed Ascendant is at 17°Aries31’, that is the Ascendant degree in Canada’s national chart—his first state visit will be to Canada. This is an aspect I expect to see when two people meet for a long-standing relationship. This is good for us Canadians; the Bush Junior presidency was not that great for Canada. Now we will have co-operation, what we have to offer matters. I will be looking at the charts of our prime minister and that of Obama to discuss how the two might get along in future postings.

The presidency officially begins with Mercury Retrograde. A New Mercury cycle at 0°Aquarius 40’ began mere hours prior to the inauguration, and lasts about 60 days. Aquarius is the sign we associate with societal change and the zero degree with brand new beginnings. Obama needs to have many things in place and launched within these two months to appease the demands of the public, who have placed incredible expectations on him. At noon hour, when he officially assumes the presidency we have practical, money-oriented Taurus on the Ascendant in Washington, DC. Venus is extremely strong in this chart, thus I think that Obama’s ability to relate to the people becomes the key. He is an excellent orator, how quickly might we demand that he walk the talk? Mars of action is in Capricorn—he will have an action plan but can he implement it.

The eyes of the US Press and to a lesser extent the international press will be on the Obamas. I was talking to an economist client of mine about the expression of the upcoming Venus in Aries Retrograde period and thought that the perfect trivial expression of the energy might be Michelle’s wardrobe—perhaps she should become more prudent with what to spend on an outfit.

I expect there will be an incredible amount of astrological press on Obama, his birth certificate was posted on the web in order to prove that he was born on US soil… his chart will be an interesting study. August 4, 1961 at 19:24 in Honolulu, Hawaii–stay tuned. To read more from my friend and colleague Edith Hathaway, check out http://www.29eagles.com/election/edith  and listen to Sirius Star Talk at 16:00 on Inauguration Day—the link is http://www.siriusstartalk.com

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