Be Very Afraid of the Birther Movement: A Scary Sign of Pluto in Capricorn

The ugly, dark, and bitter heart of the so-called "birther" movement is a frightening thing to behold. Because what's beneath it is pure, unbridled racism, the kind that created the segregated South, the KKK, Jim Crow, and all the other detritus of the legacy of slavery in our country. These people cannot accept that Barack Obama is our president, in simple terms, because he's Black. Pluto in Capricorn, as we've mentioned, is likely to be a time of rising fascism. With the governor of Texas threatening secession, Southern Republicans totally losing their minds and trying to make healthcare Obama's "Waterloo", and the birther movement getting actual traction in the media, we are clearly in dark times.

As a totally personal aside, I have never in my lifetime been so demoralized and ashamed to share my heritage with another human being than the crazy rightwingnut Israeli who is also the de facto leader of the birther movement. May she be dragged over the coals and exposed for her disgusting racism. How DARE she invoke Nazi Germany in this wholly imaginary farce of a "movement" whose motivation is paper thin hatred. It's clear that she's completely and totally nuts, off of her meds, and in need of desperate psychiatric assistance. But the fact of her heritage is a clear and present danger for other Jews. The Glenn Becks and Rush Limbaughs and Lou Dobbs of this world are gunning for a race war, and with Pluto in Capricorn, they just might get one. Thank god we at least have the Jewish genius Jon Stewart lay it on the line for us.

Revolution 2.0: Brought to You by Pluto in Capricorn

We've talked about the implications of the Pluto in Capricorn era since 2008, when it began by gutting our economy and altering our cultural landscape. The important piece to remember between now and the early 2020's is that Pluto, planet of total transformation, is moving through a constellatory space it hasn't occupied since the 1770s. That's right: we are now revisiting themes, emotions, and challenges reminiscent of the American Revolution. Unless you're a history buff, you may not know that the original revolution was eerily similar to what we're going through at this moment, down to the roots. According Gordon S. Wood, a professor at Brown University, it was the economy, stupid. Adding astrological intrigue is the fact that it wasn't just the economy, but SPECIFICALLY A HOUSING BUBBLE that made the American Revolution unfold the way that it did.

From a recent piece in the New York Times:

For the colonists, as for us, first came the boom. During the height of the French and Indian War, which lasted from 1754 until 1763, money flooded into the colonies, especially New York, where the British Army was headquartered. At the same time, the New York Legislature issued large numbers of bills of credit.

All that cash sloshing around resulted in lavish displays of wealth — notably by British officers, whose opulent living was emulated by the locals, especially in New York.

Housing prices soared during the war. But when credit tightened afterward — thanks in no small part to a prohibition on the issuance of paper money by the colonies under the Currency Act of 1764 — real estate owners who could not pay their debts lost their land.

Pluto lives in the second house of the natal chart of the USA -- the house ruling money, income, and material possessions. Our obsession with stuff was written into the DNA of our country. But Pluto is now taking us to task for overvaluing what we own, and not recognizing how much we have in our hearts and minds. It started with the obscene materialism of banks and corporations and then moved into our homes, forcing tens of thousands into foreclosure. We can't know what comes next, but we do know that it's time to get serious about what we value, or Pluto will force a reckoning. In the next fifteen years, denial is just another word for disaster.

Happy Birthday, America. It seems that bootstraps are the new black.

Neda's Saturn Return -- Meet Iran's Joan of Arc

By now we've all heard about Neda and watched the graphic, wrenching images of her death by Baseej snipers over the weekend. She has become the face of the new revolution in Iran, her bloodied image affixed to flags waving in protest all over the world. Neda was 27, born in 1982. Although her actual birthdate is still unknown, her Saturn Return would have begun this fall. The country of Iran is in the midst of a collective transformation. As Ahmadinejad's violent rhetoric increased, so did the intensity of Iran's Saturn return. Now, as the exact return of Saturn separates, the anger and hunger spills out into the streets. Neda, whose name literally translates to "the call", is no cosmic accident. If she'd lived her life would have been about justice, as her Saturn was in the sign of Libra. When Saturn moves into Libra this October, the calls for democracy will only get louder and more vehement. Neda didn't have a political candidate in mind -- she just wanted freedom for her fellow Iranians.

Will Saturn Stop McCain?

With the news of McCain's choice of a young, inordinately inexperienced veep pick, it's time to look at this now 72-year-old's health. Old Mac might be putting the country in an extremely dangerous situation if he were to win the election, as his prospects ain't lookin' too good, to be frank. Born with his sun, Neptune, and Venus all in the sign of Virgo, Saturn is now making its way over all these pressure points as it moves slowly moves over each planet. And here's the kicker -- McCain's natal Saturn is in Pisces, the sign opposite Virgo. So while the three aforementioned planets are getting kicked in the pants by Saturn via conjunction, his Saturn gets tackled by an opposition. Wait -- it gets worse. If the birth time most astrologers believe to be correct is indeed accurate, it places McCain's Saturn in his 6th house. That's the house of health, folks. So look for stories in the coming months of a health crisis from McCain, who in my humble opinion has NOT been doing his Saturn work properly. Do we want Ms. Sarah at the helm in case he can't live out his term? I think we all know the answer to that.

Obama, on the other hand, is thought to be an Aquarius rising, with his sun in Leo and his Saturn in Capricorn. The symbolism is magnificent, as Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, signifies change. Big Change. Like a lightning bolt, and just what the collective needs. Saturn represents the past, and McCain, as an old man stuck in old, rigid policies, has come to represent the worst of Big Daddy Saturn's dark side.

Things will get decidedly interesting (as if they're not interesting enough already!) on September 12th, 2008, when Saturn in Virgo opposes Uranus in Pisces for all of us. This is a transit we'll experience together -- everyone on earth. So change now, or forever hold your peace. And look out -- because American politics are going to get as polarized, and as ugly, as they possibly can get.

Saturn's Role in Ted Kennedy's Diagnosis

Born with his natal Saturn in Capricorn, Ted Kennedy knows a lot about hard knocks. The 911 call that brought him to the hospital this past weekend came at the very moment Saturn stationed direct on his moon in Virgo. Everyone in Washington was distraught to hear the news of his diagnosis -- a malignant brain tumor. Known as the "liberal lion" of the Senate, he's a fighter, especially for the little guy. Saturn will directly oppose his sun in Pisces at six degrees in mid-July. Let's all pray that this is a battle he can win.

The Saturnizing of Eliot Spitzer

Eliot Spitzer, the self-appointed "steamroller" of New York politics, moments ago apologized for being involved with a prostitution ring. Currently transiting Saturn is conjunct Spitzer's natal Pluto and transiting Pluto is conjunct his Saturn. This is an aggressive cosmic double-whammy involving underground, illegal activities and secrets (Pluto) and moral comeuppance (Saturn). Spitzer's public persona has always been about cleaning up the dirtiest of business. Ironic that his downfall coincides with Saturn's trip through Virgo, the sign of purity. As we predicted in a previous post, Saturn is currently forcing all politicians to come clean. Will Governor Spitzer pass the test? Only the Cosmic Taskmaster knows...

Elizabeth Edward's Second Saturn Return

Last week, Elizabeth Edwards courageously announced that her cancer was back. Talk about incredible survival skills. Although she's coping with metastatic, incurable cancer now, her demeanor is fearless and upbeat. There has rarely been such a public example of the right way to handle Saturn's challenges. Born on July 3, 1949, Edward's second Saturn Return begins this September. Her Saturn is in Virgo, the sector of the horoscope ruling health. The reverberations of this profound event started when she got her diagnosis. We don't know what time she was born, but Elizabeth is clearly a prime example of what it means to be a Saturn in Virgo -- she has created a life of public service, and now, just about to face her second return, has offered to sacrifice her needs in the interest of her country. It has nothing to do with ambition.

During her initial Saturn Return between late 1978 and 1980, she became pregnant and gave birth to her first son, Wade. Wade tragically died in a car accident in 1996, and Elizabeth has been open about her healing process and how this loss transformed her life. For those born into the Saturn in Virgo generation, trading alone-time and spirituality with an over-booked schedule is one of your greatest tests. Although Elizabeth has chosen to be at her husband's side throughout his campaign, she MUST listen to her body in the next two years. That is the key for surviving this second Saturn Return -- she has to find the perfect balance between her political obligations and her own needs.

We who have endured Saturn's challenges know that he offers parting gifts at the end of his two-and-a-half year transits. When Saturn leaves Virgo in 2009, it seems quite possible that Elizabeth will already be living in the White House, doing a whole lot more than decorating. If it comes to be, this mighty prize will be shared by every single citizen of the United States. We've never needed it more than we do now.

The Real Rudy

Most New Yorkers recall with angst the mayor we grew to hate in the 1990's. He seethed and lisped his way through town, shutting down museum exhibitions, defending corrupt police officers, and ruining our fair city with his "clean up" of Times Square. Before the world watched him do what anyone in his position would have done on 9.11, he was generally thought of as an evil skeezeball. But those images made him famous, and he became "America's Mayor". Truth be told, he didn't do anything out of the ordinary. The real heroes remain those firefighters, police officers, and ordinary citizens that acted with compassion and humanity on that awful day. Amazing what a TV camera can do for one's approval ratings.

Now power-hungry Rudy is enjoying his status as the front-runner for the GOP nomination in 2008. There are several reasons for this. First off, it's a shameful assortment of candidates, and some form of cream, no matter how rancid, has to rise to the top. (And pander to the right wing, apparently. Even though he supports gay marriage, is divorced, pro-choice, and has notably dressed up in drag, Rudy has somehow become the sweetheart of the Republican party.) Pluto is currently giving him quite a powerful boost, but come June, Saturn will swoop in and Rudy's karma will catch up with him. A series of ego-squashing transits are likely to bring him to his knees. Come September, he'll probably be out of the race.

Oh, Saturn, how we praise you for these small favors. Hopefully by then Aries superstar Al Gore will have announced. More on him in a few weeks.

Hillary and Saturn -- In it To Win It

Last weekend, Scorpio Hillary Clinton announced her bid for the 2008 Democratic nomination. We've always told you that the key to a successful life is survival of one's first Saturn Return. In 1977, when she was about to turn thirty, Hillary was already going strong. She founded Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families that year, beginning a life-long role as an spokesperson for women and children, and probably already gunning for her presidential run.

With Saturn in Leo, ambitions run strong, but the fruits of one's labors often take until later in life to manifest. (Those of you born between between November of 1975 and September of 1977 know what we're talking about.) Hillary's lessons at the hand of Saturn have been tough. Bill, a Leo, has often acted as Saturn in Hillary's life, teaching her lessons not always expected. Interestingly, rock star Barack Obama is also a Leo. This not-so-compatible combo are already jousting, no matter how they make nice on the floor of the Senate.

If Hillary's looking for a great match, she should hook up with Gemini John Edwards for some sexy Southern charm, if he doesn't beat her for the nomination, that is. She's a Gemini rising -- and he would make quite the adorable and progressive VEEP, a counter-point to her more middle-of-the-road politics. Edwards isn't quite as green as Obama, and he's already been blazing a popular trail though Iowa and New Hampshire.

Saturn made its first pass over Hillary's Saturn Return point (21 degrees of Leo) last fall. Between now and September it will make two more passes over this degree, either strengthening her resolve or breaking down her mettle. She needs to watch her step, stay above board, and heed Saturn's lessons. If she can keep it together and appease the Cosmic Taskmaster, we might just have a woman at the helm in 2008.

Saturn has Spoken

Rumsfeld Resigns

Nancy Rocks the House

The people have spoken and our democracy is intact, Mercury-retrograde recounts not withstanding. Aries-firebrand Nancy Pelosi is the new Speaker of the House, the first woman to hold this eminent position. Here at Saturn HQ, we salute Speaker Pelosi and look forward to her tenure.

That said, she won't necessarily have an easy time of it. With many of her planets in Taurus and Scorpio, Saturn will continue to challenge her over the coming year. Although Republicans are contrite and just about everyone is promising bi-partisanship, it looks like Nancy and her democratic troops shouldn't uncork the champagne until late in the summer of 2007. Even though all seems festive right now, we have miles to go before the real party starts.

Run, Rummy, Run

Talk about survival skills. Cancer-native Donald Rumsfeld has managed to keep his job even after repeated calls for him to step down. He's right at home with fellow Cancer Bush and King Capricorn Rove -- they all rotate on the same axis of power. As we've mentioned, Saturn in Leo portends the fall of leaders. Today, in a joint-editorial in the Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corps Times, his very own people have called for his resignation.

Will he ever pack it in? Saturn opposed his natal Saturn in Aquarius over the past year, weakening his heretofore unrelenting grip on power. This month, as the full moon in Taurus and swarms of planets in Scorpio face off in the midterm elections, Rummy meets one of the biggest challenges of his tenure at the Pentagon thus far. With Jupiter, planet of irrational exuberance, touching off his Saturn, the Decider says he'll keep Rummy on his team no matter what. But if the retrograde doesn't mangle the democratic sweep of the House (and maybe the Senate) we'll see how long he holds on. Saturn, planet of karma, only allows you to overreach once. Rummy ran out of free passes years ago.

We take this break from our regularly scheduled Saturnian programming to bring you a special report from the planet Mercury.

We're in enough trouble as it is with the coming mid-term election and the current state of our electronic voting machines. Yet the planet of technology, communication and travel isn't doing us any favors by going retrograde on October 28th. The energy of the retrograde is often strongest in its first week -- are we in for another 2000-style (s)election debacle?

All I can say is beg your local voting authorities for a paper ballot trail. And while you're at it, back up your computer, insure your cell phone, and don't sign any contracts between October 28th and November 17th. This one is gonna be a doozy.

Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

With the signing of the new torture bill today, Bush took the very step that Saturn in Leo expected him to. With one flourish of his pen, Furious George officially ended Habeas Corpus, a law that protects basic American rights that go back to the birth of our nation. This is serious stuff, and it's kind of shocking that the populace has not taken to the streets in defense of what's been stolen from us. We're still under the veil of the deceptive Saturn/Neptune opposition, and it'll take a bit of time before we truly wake up. I trust that Saturn will roust us from our beds.

Saturn is currently in the sign of kings, laying bare for all to see any gross grab of absolute power. This will not stand. In a few months, when Saturn retrogrades back over the territory he's on right now, watch for the Democrats, poised now to take back the House and Senate, to reverse this egregious and outlandish bill. And after all his congressional brothers fall, Bush is likely to follow.

Big Daddy vs. L'il Kim Jong Il

All is unwell on the Korean peninsula, thanks, in part, to the Cosmic Taskmaster. Kim Jong Il isn't just suffering from a Napolean Complex: Saturn is squaring his natal Saturn in Taurus, causing his nuclear hissy fit last week. Watch for more explosive outbursts from the North as Saturn opposes Il's sun in late November and early December. We may want to hide under our desks. Saturn is giving us a lot to chew on.

Those of us born in 1970 and 1971 are feeling L'il Kim's pain -- Saturn has been squaring our natal Saturns as well. Thought you wrapped it up when you reached your thirtieth birthday five years ago? This most recent hurdle is merely Saturn whispering in your ear: "Keep up the good work, dear." If things feel heavy, take a deep breath -- this too will pass.

Going to War With Saturn

These are hard times. The 24 hour news cycle keeps us up with the relentless death and despair in the Middle East. Innocent Lebanese citizens driven from their homes, Israelis hiding from a barrage of rockets in their bunkers -- and Saturn has a role to play.

Israel is currently experiencing its second Saturn Return, and it's a doozy. Created on the eve of May 14th, 1948, the nation is having a seriously dark mid-life crisis. In the country's natal chart, Saturn lives in the tenth house of worldly affairs, in the constellation of Leo. Thirty years ago, during Israel's first Saturn Return, it strived to resolve the issues it continues to struggle with today. In the chart of a nation or an individual, if you don't get your Saturn Return right the first time and cleanse your karma properly, it comes back around to haunt you close to your 60th birthday. Syria invaded Lebanon thirty years ago, and soon after Israel followed. Much death and destruction has ensued over the last thirty years, despite peace treaties, despite retreats, the Middle East has continued to burn. The hisotry goes back thousands of years, but until Israel resolves its Saturn in Leo issues, we're stuck in the mire that precedes what feels like WWIII. We don't mean to suggest that the other Middle Easterm countries lack difficult charts and transits. Israel's Saturn Return is exact in mid-August, when Saturn returns to 16 degrees of Leo. Watch for the news to get particularly difficult around that date (as if it could get worse). It's time for a breakdown or a breakthrough, and we hope for the latter.

Collectively, we're all dealing wtih issures of ego, power, domination, self-preservation, and at the core, self-love. Every indivdual born with Saturn in Leo is experiencing a war of the worlds at the micro-level. You're not just watching Anderson Cooper on the border of Israel and Lebanon, bombs exploding behind him. The bombs are exploding in your heart, and if you don't want to be at war with yourself in thirty years, we hope you heed Saturn's lessons.

Didn't we say "I told you so"?

We've repeated ad nauseum that Saturn works in very practical ways -- there's not much mystery when it comes to Big Daddy. He simply giveth and he taketh away, leaving those who refuse to heed his lessons bereft and regretful.

Bush & Co. have seemingly gotten away with murder (literal and figurative) since the cabal came to power in 2000. But all along, behind the scenes, the wheels of karma have been turning, and the avian flu-laden chickens have finally come home to roost. From Katrina ("Brownie -- you're doing a great job! I'm gonna go play guitar and take a ride with Lance Armstrong") to Harriet Miers ("Mr. President, You are AWESOME!") to Plamegate (a scandal that will eventually make Watergate look like a low-key cocktail party), Saturn has finally spoken.

Since the cosmic taskmaster has made his way over major planets in Bush's chart (crossing his ascendant and assaulting his first house, his image) his approval ratings have fallen drastically. As Saturn makes him face his karma, watch for Bush to get ever more combatant and for the public to finally see him for what he really is.

Comeuppance

Saturn is not forgiving to folks that try to sidestep his lessons. White House puppetmaster Karl Rove has been living under the Cosmic Taskmaster's big black boot for the last two years. With several planets in Cancer and Capricorn, he's been in quite the crucible. Despite installing Bush for a second term, Saturn watchers have expected that the chickens would eventually come home to roost. Big Daddy Saturn frowns on misplaced arrogance.

It's fitting that a leak might be his undoing: the water metaphor is completely apt for Saturn's transit through Cancer, sign of the sea. As Saturn transits the last few degrees of the sign, we all revisit the issues of the last two and half years, and hopefully purge ourselves once and for all. For Rove, this could spell an ending. Saturn in Leo is often a time of fallen leaders. In these hyper-Orwellian times, let's just pray that he doesn't wag any dogs to distract us.

Hitting Home

Before Saturn finally abandons the watery world of Cancer for the fiery land of Leo, he apparently wants to leave us with a very clear message about his power. When the Supreme Court ruled today about the government's use of eminent domain, it was a slap in the face for homeowners everywhere. Since Cancer rules the home, it's no wonder that Saturn, in the guise of of a 5-4 decision, socked it to residents instead of commerical developers. Saturn's most powerful lesson of the last 2.5 years is clear: you can't go home again.

hard work

Not that we're obsessed or anything, but GWB's debate debacle last Thursday illustrates the hazards of the Saturn Return so elegantly that we have to say it again. On Friday, October 1st, 2004, the day that the pundits came out in force to say that Kerry hit a knock-out punch against the commander-in-chief, Saturn returned EXACTLY to Bush's natal Saturn placement. When Bush was born on July 6th, 1946, Saturn sat at 26 degrees of Cancer. On Friday, Saturn came back around to 26 degrees of Cancer for the first time since August 1975: Bush's first Saturn Return. Although the facts are somewhat sketchy, sources say that the early seventies were Bush's hardest-partying years. Bush's natal Saturn is in his 12th house of secrets, lies, and addiction. His alcoholism and those years of missing-in-action resonate perfectly with his chart.

In our book, Surviving Saturn's Return, we repeat ad nauseum that the Saturn Return is hard work. Nobody seems to know this better than Bush. He repeatd that telling phrase a total of 11 times during Thursday's debate.

Despite the Machiavellian strategies of the Bush campaign (maliciously maligning Kerry over the last few weeks) Bush could not help but engage in a karmic self-undoing of the highest order. If he refuses to answer to the subterfuge of his first Saturn Return and all the years since, Bush will be hard-pressed to survive his second. It bears repeating: there's no side-stepping when it comes to Saturn.

the year of inconsequence

Last winter we predicted that George Bush's Saturn Return would come back to haunt him right around campaign time. It's safe to say that the time has come.

Bush's second Saturn Return is exact on October 1st, 2004. In 1972, when Bush the Younger busied himself avoiding military service and partying around Alabama, his first Saturn Return was about to ensue. During the months when he was MIA, Bush perfectly embodied the nature of his Saturn in the 12th house of secrets, lies, and subterfuge. Will his bad karma end his stay in the White House? Only Saturn knows.

Playing Rummy

Donald Rumsfeld has been effectively dodging Saturn's bullets for the last few months, but his free ride seems to be close to its end. Big Daddy Saturn is now calling Rummy to task. The buildup to his potential downfall begins around May 10th, when Saturn moves toward his sun in Cancer. The assault is exact in mid-July. Maybe he should just stick to poetry.

Why now, Ralph, when everything is at stake?

As always, Nader makes some excellent points about the current state of affairs in the US, but even old-school progressives question his motivations.

Nader was born with a scrappy, revolutionary Aquarius rising and Saturn in Aquarius in his first house of ego, making him pugilistic and in-your-face. He says what he wants when he wants to, so there. And now Uranus, his ruler, is making him, umm, a little bit crazy in the next few months. Also, I am worried about his health (his heart, in particular.)

Perhaps Bush and Co. are funding his campaign. Let's just hope that the stars allow him to come to his senses before the election.

As predicted on January 14th in this space, the demise of the Deanster has come to pass. The romance ended swiftly and firmly, but alas, a second wind might just loft devastated Deaniacs from their period of mourning. Dean's difficult Saturn transit ends early in May, and its last pass may be a triumphant one. Although his presidential bid is now over, watch for his return to public stature in the coming months. He might just win some more delegates and wield some influence when it comes to convention time. Saturn willing.

So much news, we forgot to blog.

Howard Dean's been getting hit hard. As the democratic superstar, he's a natural target, of course. But little does Joe Trippi know that his beautifully-branded front runner is up against an astrological humdinger right now: Saturn is pounding Dean's Cancer rising chart. (The events of this week seem to prove that this is his correct birth time, in fact.) Starting on Saturday (Saturn's day) the planet of karma exactly hit the part of Dean's chart that has everything to do with his image.

Fear not, Dean-supporters: this influence will linger for a few months and likely resolve itself in some way by the end of April.

One day soon we'll relish being dissenting eccentrics and take a closer look at vegan lefty Dennis Kucinich's chart. Really, not kidding.

Evil genius Karl Rove has launched yet another mustache twirling-worthy scheme. As dastardly as ever, this time, he's put our beloved solar system on his electoral map. C'mon guy, we all want to get to Mars, but this manipulative plan-hatching is waaaay too obvious. Maybe they should wrap that "Mission Accomplished" banner around Bush's torso like a Miss America sash as he announces the space iniative.

Rove would do Machiavelli proud. (He re-reads The Prince every year, btw.) Happily, I smell a right-wing downfall in the not-too-distant future. Rove's sun, Venus and Mercury are placed in Capricorn, and cosmic ass-kicker Saturn is giving them a bunker-buster run for their money this year. We'll be watching his Mercury closely, as Rove is the administation's messenger. (Well-known for his vicious "whisper campaigns"). But June doesn't look to be such a glory-filled month for the man behind the curtain. And Bush the younger's chart ain't lookin' too healthy come this summer, either.

Soon we'll take a closer look at GW's chart, and also, Dr. Dean's.