An Insurrection, Certifying The Electoral College Vote, And The Eclipses

 

Yesterday (January 6, 2021) a pro Trump mob stormed the Capitol Building as a joint session of Congress was in progress to certify the Electoral College vote count. Violence and mayhem ensued, and some members of Congress were moved to safe spaces as others scrambled to couch under desks and shelter themselves. The event is being (rightly) described as acts of sedition and an insurrection.

Many Astrologers are pointing to transiting Mars at the anaretic degree in Aries and approaching transiting Uranus. I agree with that, however I believe that there is more to it astrologically.

There are a couple of eclipses that I would like to discuss. The first one (eclipse point) had been stimulated by the Sun - the January 5, 2019 Solar Eclipse in Capricorn. In my write up of that eclipse I stated:

For the US, this eclipse will affect the President of the nation as it is in opposition to the Sun in the chart of the United States. It is highly likely that justice will prevail with this eclipse, because Saturn always requires what is deserved. And, even if what is deserved is something very good or positive, it usually takes a while for that to manifest. There is an element of permanence or of the final outcome of something. As is always the case, it might not occur along with the eclipse. It might be when one of the inner planets stimulates the eclipse.

Mercury squares Mars in the chart. So, it looks like there will be talk of war and rumours of war and conflict. Jupiter is in a square aspect to Neptune. Many will be tempted to take big and major risks, but there is great potential for loss here.

In addition, transiting Mars and Saturn had been stimulating the Lunar Eclipse (point) of January 20, 2019. In my blog post of that eclipse I stated:

Transiting Uranus in square aspect indicates a time of instability and of sudden surprising and difficult events involving various world leaders. Transiting Mars square transiting Saturn and Pluto connotes power plays, power struggles, and possibly violence.

For the US, the eclipse falls in the tenth house in the eclipse chart over Washington DC and conjunct the MC. The President and the Executive Branch figure prominently. Transiting Uranus squares the eclipse point from the seventh house, so sudden, surprising, and difficult events are likely to occur involving the President with this eclipse.

These eclipses pretty much describe what has happened and is still happening as of this writing. We’ve had the mob and the violence (four people died). And, then there was the finality of the certification of the Electoral vote count in Congress even though Trump refuses to accept the results. In addition, there are calls for Pence and cabinet members to execute the 25th Amendment to remove Trump and/or another impeachment proceeding in Congress. 

A Major Cyber Attack, Coronavirus Vaccine Success, And The Eclipses

 

It’s December 20, 2020 and it has been a fairly eventful seven to ten days. First, we received news that the FDA had approved the first coronavirus vaccine for use on December 12. And, then on December 17 (and earlier to some extent), it was widely reported that the US had experienced a major cyber attack. Both of these events seem to relate to two eclipses. The first one is the solar eclipse on July 12, 2018 at 20 Cancer, and the other one is the lunar eclipse on January 10, 2020 at 21 Cancer. Transiting Mars has been stimulating both these eclipse points during this time period by square aspect from Aries. Interestingly, the MC in Russia’s chart is at 22 Aries.

In the July 12, 2018 solar eclipse chart (over Washington DC), we see Mars in the twelfth house in early Aquarius (a behind the scenes cyber attack) square Uranus (high-tech/cyber) in early Taurus. The US Treasury was one of the targets. We also see Uranus in a grand trine with Venus (in Virgo and in the sixth house) and Saturn (in Capricorn and in the tenth house). The hard work (Saturn, sixth house, and Virgo) of the scientific research community (Uranus) has paid off. 

The events are also validated by the January 10, 2020 lunar eclipse. In that eclipse chart, we see Mars in Sagittarius and widely conjunct the Descendant (attack by a foreign adversary) inconjunct Uranus in the twelfth house (a secret cyber attack) And, we also see Jupiter (Medical industry, doctors) in early Capricorn in trine aspect to Uranus in early Taurus. We got lucky that the vaccines are so effective, and it was somewhat a surprise. 

There is one other thing that I’d like to point out from both of these eclipse charts. Jupiter is in the eighth house in both charts unfortunately indicating the enormous death toll.

Major Astrological Influences Of 2021

2021 promises to be a very interesting year. There will be more of the unexpected, more lessons to learn, more growth and opportunities, more dreams and ideals, and more transformational experiences. I’ll attempt to explain some of the major astrological influences of the year in the following paragraphs.

There are usually three Mercury retrograde periods every year. In 2021, these Mercury retrograde periods will fall in the air signs. The first Mercury retrograde period begins on January 30, 2021. These periods are generally marked by miscommunications, misunderstandings, problems with communications equipment, travel delays, and plans that will later need to be revised or completely changed. It’s usually better not to make important decisions or to sign contracts (or anything else) if that is possible during these periods. Complications and problems are too easy to encounter, and often we don’t have all the information that we need. The best thing to do is to continue to collect this information throughout the period. How these periods will affect you personally depends on where it happens in your astrological chart(s).

In 2020, we experienced a Venus retrograde period beginning in mid May and continuing till close to the end of June in Gemini. Fortunately, this year (2021) there will be no Venus retrograde periods.

In 2020, we experienced a Mars retrograde period from early September through early November in the sign of Aries. In 2021, there will be no Mars retrograde periods.   

There will be eclipses in May, June, November, and December of 2021. They occur in Sagittarius, Gemini, and Taurus. If you’d like to know if an eclipse will affect you personally, ask me. Most people will experience these eclipses as either a Full Moon or a New Moon.

Saturn will continue its transit through Aquarius. Saturn entered Aquarius last year on December 16, 2020. Saturn will affect Astrology, friendships, groups, humanitarian efforts, and the high tech. This transit will affect you personally depending on where Saturn is transiting in your astrological chart(s) (its house placement and if it aspects any of your natal planets or points). Transiting Saturn will square transiting Uranus (in Taurus) off and on during much of 2021. We may vacillate between wanting change and wanting to move forward quickly and/or to move more slowly (or, even stand still) valuing the status quo. There seems to be a conflict between progressive and more conservative (but moderate) values. The first exact square occurs on February 17, 2021 at about 7 degrees Aquarius/Taurus.

Uranus, the planet of change and the unexpected, will continue to transit financially conscious Taurus in 2021. Transiting Uranus will transit Taurus till July of 2025. Transiting Uranus could affect the high technology industry, astrology/astrologers, civil rights issues, and other humanitarian interests. Transiting Taurus, it could affect the banking industry, investments,  and finances. It is likely to affect the stock market as well. We might come up with new ways to make money and/or we may change the way we think about money and other possessions. Some astrologers have indicated that this transit could cause more earthquakes to occur. My own view is that this transit alone will not be the cause of more earthquakes (should we actually experience more). 

Jupiter will be transiting the sign of Aquarius for much of 2021. Jupiter entered Aquarius on December 19, 2020 last year. Scientific breakthroughs are fortunate now - such as the discovery of vaccines to fight the coronavirus. This transit bodes well for high-tech, Astrology, civil rights issues, and humanitarian concerns. Space travel should produce some interesting - perhaps shocking - results. Transiting Jupiter will square transiting Uranus (in Taurus) on January 17, 2021 (exact). We (collectively) may want to try something new and very exciting during that time period, but there are risks.

Jupiter will enter the sign of Pisces in mid May, 2021, and will stay there till very late July, 2021 (when it retrogrades back into Aquarius). During this period, the oil industry, the motion picture industry fishing and boating, and matters concerning the oceans and seas will be favored. We may also experience larger storms - hurricanes and typhoons. 

Neptune will continue its transit through its home sign of Pisces in 2020. The oil and gas industries will be impacted by this transit. Neptune also rules the motion picture industry and the shipping industry.  

Pluto will continue to transit the sign of Capricorn in 2020. The areas related to Capricorn are due for transformation. It could influence the large multinational corporations, the leather and hide industries, and the iron and steel industries. Pluto’s effects are subtle sometimes, tend to happen over a lengthy period of time, and are very powerful. The United States will enter its Pluto return period during this year. Power structures will begin to break down and will be eventually replaced by (hopefully) something better, but this is just the beginning of this phase. 

December 14, 2020 Solar Eclipse In Sagittarius

 

Our final eclipse of 2020 will be a  solar eclipse on December 14, and it occurs at 23 degrees and 08 minutes Sagittarius.

This total solar eclipse will be visible in Chile and some parts of Argentina in the afternoon. Some regions in southern South America, south-west Africa, and Antarctica will see a partial solar eclipse, if the weather permits. Since this eclipse occurs in adventurous and optimistic Sagittarius, this eclipse could affect the airline industry, the legal industry, religious organizations, and higher education. The lord of the eclipse is Mercury. So, communications and the media are strongly influenced.

 

For the US, the executive (i.e. the presidency) is the focus. An eclipse indicates a change, and the USA is in the midst of a transfer of power (from the Trump Administration to the Biden presidency). With Mars trine the eclipse point, actions taken in that regard are favored and could produce financial relief. However, Neptune is squaring the eclipse point, and there is some confusion. There could also be some deception in the process. There could be trouble at sea - perhaps giant storms/hurricanes as a result of climate change. Foreign affairs are favored with Venus sextile Jupiter/Saturn/Pluto. Our friends are supportive. Behind the scenes events are constructive and mostly positive. There is reason for cautious optimism, although the unexpected could be just around the corner. The Moon rules the health industry (in this chart) and the general health of Americans, so the coronavirus will continue to be a problem. Asteroid Koronis is conjunct Mars and in square aspect to Pluto. Uranus in the second house points to continued wide swings in the stock market. Interestingly, Asteroid Whitehouse is conjunct Biden's natal Ascendant.

The eclipse point is opposite Trump’s natal Sun. This points to significant changes in his life during the coming year. All that can be definitely said right now is that it will be an eventful year for him - even more so than usual. He should be careful with regard to his health as transiting Saturn enters his sixth house of health early next year, because stressful events could affect his health in a negative way.

As always, this eclipse will affect you personally if you have planets and/or points conjunct or opposite the eclipse point (only a two degree orb). Those planets or points between 21 degrees and 25 degrees of Sagittarius or Gemini are included. Eclipses are Uranian in nature in that what happens is unexpected, and you might not even be certain as to what is happening for six months. For a solar eclipse, it takes about a year for the event to completely mature. Whether the eclipse is experienced as positive or negative depends on the planet that is conjoined or opposed, it’s place in your chart, the condition that the planet is in, and whether and how you might have prepared for what is happening (i.e. free will). If you’d like to know if you have planets or points that fall into this range, let me know. For most people, it will be experienced simply as a New Moon type event. Those are generally felt as the start of something new or a new beginning.

2020 US Presidential Election - Postmortem Analysis Of My Prediction

 

I made the overall US Presidential election prediction based on the July 5, 2020 lunar eclipse in Capricorn. I stated that Biden would win the election. Thank Heavens, I got that right. Then I analyzed several battleground states - Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, and Florida. I got all those correct except for Florida. I predicted that Biden would be able to rebuild the Midwestern blue wall. He was successful in doing so, although Wisconsin was again very close - just about a 20K vote gap. 

I originally left Florida as a tossup. I did not change that based on Astrology. I later moved the race to favoring Biden based on election polling, and that Biden was doing well among seniors. The (average) polling was very incorrect with regard to Florida this year - about 5 or 6 points depending on which polling aggregator that you want to use. Although Biden did do comparatively better with regard to seniors in the state, he under-performed significantly in Miami-Dade County (Florida’s largest county). He won the county, but the gap was not nearly what he needed it to be. This is partially because of the Cuban American vote, but other demographics performed poorly for him as well (other than African Americans). 

I was very pleased that Biden flipped/won Arizona as I had predicted. Arizona had long been a Republican stronghold. Democratic candidate Mark Kelly also won that state’s Senate race. Kelly actually outperformed Biden and helped pull Biden across the finish line (as I also predicted). Interestingly, Mr. Kelly’s natal Sun/Mars/Saturn is in opposition to Trump’s natal Ascendant/Mars.

I did not get a chance to analyze Georgia’s chart for the election, but I stated early on that the state would be very interesting and important in this election. Biden has also flipped this state, although a recount is expected. And, there will be a runoff for two Senate seats - the results of which will let us know which party controls the US Senate. All eyes will be on Georgia’s election on January 5, 2021.

Full Moon Surprises And Election Day Illusions

 

We experienced a Full Moon today (October 31, 2020) conjunct transiting Uranus in Taurus. Since I’ve been looking at twitter and Presidential election polling, that is where my surprises have occurred. First, a final Des Moines Register Selzer poll of Iowa came out showing Trump with a seven point lead in Iowa. Their last poll about a month ago was showing a tossup in the race. This was a surprise to me because Selzer is the gold standard pollster for Iowa, and other highly regarded pollsters have been showing Biden with the lead in Iowa - as much as four points in the Monmouth poll. The poll is likely an outlier, but it certainly sent (political) twitter into a tailspin. Even the best pollsters produce outlier results every once in a blue Moon (see what I did there?)

A great deal of election litigation is going on in Texas this year. The latest is that the Texas Republican Party is asking a judge to invalidate 100K ballots in Harris County (Houston) as a result of curbside voting. I’m just surprised that they’re going that far. I knew voter suppression efforts were going on, but 100K ballots in one Texas county?!

On Election Day (Tuesday, November 3), the Moon is transiting Gemini. It will square transiting Neptune in Pisces in the afternoon. We aren’t likely to understand what we’re seeing then, and it is complicated by the transiting Mercury (in Libra) square to transiting Saturn (in Capricorn). This aspect is very good for exacting detail work, but not so much for seeing overall patterns. We may not be able to see the forest for the trees for a while. In addition, Mercury has been in apparent retrograde motion, and it turns direct earlier in the day.

Is The 2020 US Election A Replay of the 2016 Election?

 

At this point in the 2020 US election, it seems that many folks (including me) are getting PTSD because of the 2016 election. So, perhaps it makes sense to go back and take a look at what happened in 2016, and compare it to what is happening now in 2020. During a Mercury retrograde period, analyzing the past is often helpful.

I suspect that people being worried about that is helpful. This is because folks will not become complacent. They will make the effort to get out and actually vote. That’s the way it seems to be happening in my sphere. I suppose it might paralyze some folks and they might give up, but I’m not seeing it. 

Let’s take a look at the (national) polls first. As I write this post, we are ten days out from the (end) date of the election of November 3, 2020. It’s helpful to know that the (end) date of the election in 2016 was November 8, 2016. So, we are five days closer to the actual (end) date in 2020 than we were in 2016 on October 24. Anyway, add five days and you get October 29, 2016. The RCP national polling average in the Presidential race had a gap of 2.6 points in favor of Hillary Clinton. The RCP polling average today (October 24, 2020) is 8.1 points in favor of Joe Biden. That is significant. Could he make up enough of that difference to still win the election in the electoral college? Yes, but it’s very likely to be much more difficult this year. 

Let’s also take a look at the Astrology for comparison’s sake. I mentioned that Donald Trump had his Jupiter return in 2016. That was exact on December 4, 2016. That is almost a month after the election. Debbi Kempton-Smith states in “Secrets From A Stargazer’s Notebook” (page 207):

“It is a good idea to check in with an astrologer a few months or years before your Jupiter Return, so the stargazer can tell you the date it becomes exact. Jupiter is an expansive planet, and the luck can come up to eight weeks earlier than the exact day.”  

Hillary Clinton’s largest polling average lead (in October) came on October 17, 2016 - she was in the lead by 7.1 points then. That was after the Access Hollywood tape became public. But, her numbers began to diminish right after that. By October 28, 2016, her polling average lead was only 3.8 points. That is the date that Comey reopened the Clinton email investigation. Her numbers continued to fall after that. She got down to a lead of 2.9 points before returning to a lead of 3.3 points on election day. The final result was that she led the popular vote by 2.1 points, but lost the electoral college vote (because of a little over 70K votes in three states).

Another difference between the elections in 2016 and 2020 is that there were a lot more undecided voters in 2016. There was also more interest in third party candidates. Even on October 17, 2016, Hillary was only at 46.2%. Trump got almost all the undecided voters. On October 24, 2016, Biden is at 50.8% in the RCP national polling average. He’s at 51.9% in the 538 polling average. 

Let’s just look at one battleground state - Pennsylvania. Clinton’s polling average lead in that state (per RCP) on October 17, 2016 was 6.8 points. On October 28, 2016, it was 5.2 points. And, after Comey reopened the email investigation, her numbers plummeted to a lead of 1.9 points on election day. She lost the state by 0.7 points.

By comparison, the 2020 election polling has been remarkably stable with Biden leading by seven or eight points for most of the last three months. The biggest variance came after the first debate when Biden’s lead got up to double digits. It has now come back down to about eight or nine points. So, could Trump come back and win? Yes, perhaps. But, it looks very unlikely at this point. It’s 2020 - not 2016.