Review and Preview

 On Thursday evening, September 4, at 9:20 PM, CDST, in St. Paul, MN, John McCain accepted the nomination of the Republican Party for the office of President of the United States. At that moment, the Ascendant was just moving from Aries into Taurus, which means Venus – and not Mars – is the ruling planet. The chart of this acceptance moment is not nearly as powerful or highly charged as that of Barack Obama’s acceptance last week. There was only one planet conjunct an angle (Jupiter conjunct the Midheaven) as McCain accepted, whereas at the time of Obama’s acceptance, there were three planets on angles, including Uranus (Ascendant), Venus (Descendant) and Pluto right on the Midheaven and Galactic Center. Although less powerful, McCain’s moment of acceptance is still very revealing. For one thing, the traditional rulers of the Ascendant and Descendant (Venus and Mars), are together in Libra. When these two rulers are together, it indicates a deal or agreement can be made. This is a positive. We also find the Sun is less than one degree from a conjunction to Saturn, which normally would not be considered a great omen for success, at least not right away. But this conjunction also forms an exact trine to Jupiter, and in close orb to a trine to the Midheaven. This implies the goal can be attained, which I assume means to win the election and become President of the United States. The one signature that does not bode well, in my opinion, is the Moon right in the middle of Scorpio, in the seventh house. Its final aspect before going “void of course,” is a square to Neptune. The last aspect can indicate the outcome of the event initiated at the time. A square to Neptune means confusion or uncertainty as the possible outcome from this election. The Moon in Scorpio by itself has a slew of possible meanings. For now, let’s just say it could relate to his message of reform and change - the same message perhaps indicated by Pluto on the Midheaven at the time of Obama’s acceptance the week before.

 I think it is safe to say that whoever wins this election will try to bring change to the way things are conducted in Washington DC. Both candidates are agents of change. And those in power may not like change. For McCain to vow that he will end the partisan rancor if he becomes president is probably very far off the mark. As I see it, he may become the cause of even more rancor, not necessarily between the parties, but amongst those who resist the changes he will attempt to bring about if elected.

 And what about Sarah Palin? Who is she and what was that energy she brought to the convention on Wednesday night? Although there is no confirmed data on her birth time, there is an unconfirmed report that she was born at 4:40 PM on February 11, 1964, in Sandpoint, Idaho. If correct, then she is an Aquarian with Leo rising, just the mirror image (or exact opposite) of Barack Obama, who is a Leo with Aquarius rising. Sometimes astrology is just too amazing to ignore. She is the “new Obama” as far as sudden fame and fascination by the U.S. public. She is probably the exact opposite to him on every policy issue, but has perhaps the same powerful and charismatic effect on her party as he does on his. And who will ever forget her line comparing her experience to Obama’s… “Well, I guess a small town mayor is like a community organizer with responsibilities.” Whew! This is rapidly becoming the most exciting election in a lifetime.

 In terms of financial markets, the behavior of the U.S. stock market last week does not support a McCain victory – at least not yet. On Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average sold off a whopping 344 points, to its lowest level since the yearly lows in mid-July. As stated in a previous column, when stock indices go down into an election, it usually favors a victory for the opposition party (Democratic Party, in this case). However, that rule did not work in the last election, which saw U.S. equity prices continue lower and lower all year, until they finally bottomed October 25, 2004, just a week and half before that election. Contrary to the history of this indicator, Republican incumbent George Bush won re-election then. So this indicator is not perfect. In other markets, Crude Oil fell to 105.13 during the day on Friday, now down over $42 form its all-time high of 147.27, and right in the middle of our call for a $30-50 decline by the end of October. But here comes all the Jupiter aspects this week, and Jupiter co-rules Crude Oil.

Short-Term Geocosmics

This is a very powerful week for the study of Financial Astrology. To start with, Jupiter turns direct on Sunday, forming an exact waning square to Mars. These two Jupiter signatures by themselves represent the possibility for exaggeration, hysteria, and panic. We’ve already witnessed some of this at the end of last week as several equity markets throughout the world sold off sharply Thursday and/or Friday. We also saw it in Silver and Crude Oil prices, not to mention some currencies measured against the U.S. Dollar. Each of these markets fell sharply last week.

On Monday, Pluto will change directions, from retrograde to direct, while on the same day Jupiter will form a waxing trine aspect to Saturn. Last week I stated that, “Whereas Saturn restricts and represses, Jupiter expands and offers hope. The combination is said to be a moderation of both forces. Matters won’t get too exaggerated because Saturn is present. At the same time, matters won’t get too depressed either, because Jupiter is present” But on retrospect, that seems not to have been the case. The square of Mars to Jupiter seemed more dominant, as the mood of investors at the end of last week was more panic-oriented than controlled. In fact, it was very similar to the sentiment on January 25 when Jupiter made its first trine in earth signs to Saturn. You may remember how stock markets around the world fell sharply into that period too, and then began a very sizeable rally. But that rally lasted just four months before another decline began that continues even now.

On Tuesday, September 9, Venus will form a waning square to Jupiter, and two days later it conjuncts Mars. This represents more exaggeration and potential for panic and hysteria, for the very next day the Sun will be in opposition to Uranus. As much as Jupiter exaggerates, Uranus surprises and breaks through barriers of support and resistance with more drama than most would expect. In fact, the entire period from September 3 through September 12 is important, for the Sun is “translating” the forthcoming Saturn-Uranus opposition. That is, on September 3 it conjunct Saturn, and on September 12, it will be in opposition to Uranus. The entire period is known as a “translation” of the Sun to the Saturn-Uranus opposition. As we have seen all year, when faster moving planets make a “translation” to the Saturn-Uranus opposition, there have been very strong sell-offs in the stock indices of the world. This one has already proven to be likewise. At the end of this week, we could see a reversal in many financial markets, for the Sun-Uranus opposition of September 12 is followed by the full moon of the next Monday. The entire set up is like an explosion or an earthquake, or perhaps a hurricane, literally or figuratively. It is a time suggesting high drama and unbelievable or unexpected happenings

Longer-Term Thoughts

I received several comments  regarding last week’s column, which showed that in the three prior cases of elections nearby to a Saturn-Uranus conjunction or opposition, Republicans won the presidency. One reader pointed out that this was hardly enough cases to justify a strong correlation, which of course is true. But there have been several columns written over the past two months which showed several other correlations between this year’s election, Mundane and Financial Astrology, and historical themes and outcomes related to both. This was just one of several studies that led me to forecast a McCain victory in November. However, no one should assume I am entirely convinced that all the indicators favor a McCain election. I am far from confident due to the principles of Saturn and Uranus. Together, they represent the “unpredictable,” and plenty of surprises not only into the election, but even 20 months afterwards. For instance, the phasing of the Saturn-Pluto cycle (it is waning from 2001-2020) has a solid correlation to increasing the Federal deficit and debt, as well as increasing taxes, in the USA. Although such an outcome is possible under a John McCain administration, he is running on the theme that he will not increase taxes or spending, whereas Obama is forthright that he will do both. Yes, I realize that he says he will increase taxes on only the top 2% of the population, but if I recall correctly, the top 2% of income earners pay 39% of the total income taxes collected. And as far as spending, I am aware that Obama refers to his plans as an “investment into our future.” Nevertheless, it will involve very ambitious spending programs. I am not arguing about the “right” or “wrong” of either platform. I am merely relating the correlation of each to my understanding of the geocosmic cycles and their historical correlation to cycles in human activity. When Saturn moves from opposition to conjunction to Pluto, taxes and spending (and consequently, debt) increases. Which candidate or party is likely to fit that cycle in 2008? This is a very important cyclical correlation that favors Obama winning.

 However, there are other mundane and geocosmic cycles that favor McCain winning. Transiting Saturn and Uranus, for instance, will be in hard aspect (T-Square) to the USA Mars, planet of war, over the next two years. This implies an increase of military activity. Which candidate or party is most likely to reflect that cycle? Of course Obama may be forced to fight if elected. But it is not his platform that speaks most loudly to this possibility. It is McCain and the Republican platform that do.

 Yet, when looking at the chart on Election Day (November 4, 2008), we get a glimpse of the mood of the electorate as they go into the voting booth. Yes, they want change, with the Saturn-Uranus opposition in effect. But on that day, the Moon begins in Capricorn. I think this means voters will also place a premium value on Capricorn themes, like security and experience, at the top of the ticket. Hence my “forecast” (not “prediction”) for a McCain-Palin victory.