Leo New Moon — August 20, 2009 6.01 am EDT Washington, DC
Leo New Moon — August 20, 2009 6.01 am EDT Washington, DC
The forthcoming New Moon takes places at 3 degrees of Leo in the nakshatra of Magha just before sunrise in Washington, DC. Overall, it is quite a busy chart in that it contains many close aspects. Generally speaking, it features a number of tense aspects that point to an array of significant problems that could emerge over duration of this lunation cycle (Aug 20 – Sep 18). Magha is sometimes associated with leaders and given its fairly close opposition to the dissolute effects of Neptune, we may see troubles ahead for Obama (see also section below on US politics). Neptune indicates weakening or illness, illusion or deception, perhaps a loss of identity (attention "birthers"!), and a lack of focus. Given Obama’s sagging popularity and growing unease about his health reforms, it would not be unreasonable to expect that he may not be able to make significant progress during the period of this lunation. Of course, the New Moon is a global phenomenon, so this planetary geometry will also pertain to other countries where leaders may be weakening or ill (or is that Il? — the August 20 New Moon sets over Pyongyang) or give rise to situations of deception and corruption. The Neptune factor in this New Moon may also be an indicator of growing concern over the H1N1 virus or swine flu. While it has been put on the back burner somewhat since its original outbreak and identification back in April and May, health authorities have expressed concern that it could spread more quickly once the fall flu season begins. It will be something to watch for to be sure.
This New Moon also occurs at a time when there is a powerful t-square between Mercury (0 Virgo), Mars (2 Gemini), and Uranus (1 Pisces). Mercury represents trade, commerce and communcation, while the combination of Mars and Uranus symbolizes sudden bursts of energy which can create conflict and suffering. And if we include nearby Saturn (27 Leo) in this mix, we have the recipe for a disruptive event that could have major political and economic consequences. With Saturn, the planet of loss and limitation, sitting in the 2nd house of the economy, we might wonder if the economy could once again be in the limelight for the wrong reasons. Given the large number of aspects here, it is even harder than usual to offer a specific prediction. The possibilities are very large indeed ranging from a failure of the economic recovery, new geopolitical concerns, to a significant natural disaster somewhere in the world. Whatever the eventual outcome of this Leo New Moon, it will very likely be noteworthy. I note that Pluto rises and Mars sets over Pakistan and Western India so that is one area that may be affected by some notable outbreak of violence or suffering during this time. The Mercury-Saturn conjunction sits atop the Midheaven over Iran which would tend to create stress and frustration for Iran’s leaders since the Midheaven (i.e.10th house cusp) symbolizes leaders and government. On a more peripheral note, Venus is placed on the 12th house cusp of this chart which is often a difficult place for Venus. This placement could conceivably correspond with public revelations of a compromising sexual affair or the death of a prominent woman or artist.
In recent weeks, President Obama has encountered problems are at least two fronts. His proposed health care reforms have run into opposition both in the public and in Congress. Even the current watered-down compromise version championed by moderates is coming in for stiff criticism from different quarters. Second, Obama recently got into trouble by unwisely wading into the controversial arrest of Harvard Professor and personal friend Henry Louis Gates by local police. Obama’s "stupidly" remark brought the race issue in the foreground and he eventually was forced to backtrack and hold a face-saving "beer summit" photo-op with the black professor and the white policeman. These events highlight some of the difficult influences that are setting up in Obama’s horoscope. The brouhaha over ‘Gatesgate’ occurred when Mars was transiting over Obama’s relocated ascendant in Washington, DC while Rahu is conjunct his Jupiter and Saturn is sitting on his natal 8th house cusp. Mars is a fast moving triggering planet and represents a surplus of active energy that is often hard to handle. This may have led the usually scripted Obama to veer off-message (and off teleprompter) and make comments about a situation where he did not know all the facts. The Rahu-Jupiter conjunction is a longer term influence that has been in effect for much of July and now early August. It can signal situations where a person’s philosophy or advice (Jupiter) is questioned or causes confusion (Rahu). The affliction of Obama’s Jupiter by transiting Rahu is one important astrological reason why his poll numbers have been falling throughout the summer.
It may also be related the persistence of the "birther" movement in the fringes of the Republican party and certain parts of the right-wing media. For foreign readers who may not be aware, the birthers are a group of Americans who suspect that Barack Obama was actually born in Kenya rather than Hawaii, USA and therefore is not legally elligible to be president. They are demanding that he produce his legal birth certificate as proof. So far, this has been little more than a marginalized sideshow that the White House has not had to respond to publically. But Obama’s transits do not show much improvement this month, so the questions are likely to continue. Saturn (25 Leo) is currently sitting on his 8th house cusp (24 Leo). The 8th house is a malefic house and represents obstacles in general along with scandals, embarrassments, and vitality. Saturn is a particularly important planet for Obama because it rules his Capricorn ascendant. When it comes under stress such as this transit of the 8th house, Obama will tend to run into more problems and setbacks. This is the second important reason why Obama has been losing support over the summer.
With Saturn slowly moving off this point, however, Obama’s fortunes may improve somewhat in the next couple of weeks. However, Saturn is now moving forward and will conjoin with his natal Mars (29 Leo). This will probably make the second half of August more unpredictable for him since Mars embodies a surplus of energy. We might pay extra attention around the middle of August when Mercury will conjoin Saturn on his Mars while transiting Mars also aspects his natal Mars. This looks like a nasty alignment of planets that will coincide with a stressful and frustrating situation. This does not bode well for his health care reform and may also reflect the onset of new economic problems. Obama will likely experience some significant relief from these transits by September when Jupiter and Venus set up on his ascendant. After that, November and December also don’t look favourable as Saturn will station square to his Venus. This looks like a very disappointing time for him and the USA.
The underlying assumption of astrology is that the position of the planets at birth is a discernible pattern against which future developments can be read. This principle may also apply to the start of new projects, new companies, new relationships, and new ideas. However, the selection of auspicious dates to begin a new endeavour is rarely straightfoward since the time of day will determine the position of the angles, and hence the orientation of houses. These are at least as important as the geometric patterns between the planets themselves and hence, apparently "good" astrological days can deliver bad results and vice versa. As always, astrology is not an exact science. With that caveat in mind, here are a few dates that stand out this month. New things begun on auspicious dates will tend to work out according to plan, while projects started on inauspicious dates may have disappointing results.
Auspicious Dates: August 6, 14, 21
Inauspicious Dates: August 10, 17, 24, 26