(19 January 2025) All eyes will be on Washington, DC this week as Donald Trump is sworn-in as the 47th president of the United States. Monday’s inauguration will mark the start of Trump’s second term which promises to be no less dramatic and unpredictable than the first. The horoscope of the inauguration looks somewhat more challenging than that of his first term, however. This suggests that Trump and the US as a whole could be faced with significant difficulties over the next four years.
The chart cast for noon, January 20, 2025 contains several noteworthy alignments. First, the Sun is closely conjunct Pluto in the 10th house (Capricorn), the planet of transformation, power and coercion. This conjunction suggests that the second Trump presidency could be more transformative than the first as he is likely to pass major reforms. Given some of the more radical proposals regarding the restriction of immigration, reducing the size of government and an isolationist foreign policy, this Sun-Pluto conjunction argues that big changes really will take place.
However, the opposition from Mars in the 4th house offers some evidence that his policies will create conflict. Well, that isn’t exactly news as Trump’s polarizing agenda will invariably provoke protests and opposition from the left-leaning political and media establishment. We should pay extra attention to the position of Mars in the 4th house, just two degrees from the unequal 4th house cusp, or Imum Coeli (IC). This is situated in a vulnerable place at is the very bottom of the chart and suggests the conflict and frustration embodied in Mars will likely be an ongoing theme over the next four years. Since the 4th house is associated with the domestic front, this Mars influence may relate more with opposition to Trump at home and not in terms of conflict with foreign adversaries. That said, the inauguration horoscope does not have the final word in these matters, as other charts such as Trump’s natal chart would also have to be considered.
We should also note that since Mars rules Aries, the sign in the 1st house/Ascendant, this difficult position of Mars may also reflect poorly on Trump’s fortunes. The placement of Mars near the IC/4th cusp is a negative influence on Trump personally and may increase the likelihood that will not complete his term.
Another alignment that stands out from the Vedic perspective is that Ketu (i.e. the South Lunar Node) casts its 120 degree, 5th house aspect to the Sun-Pluto conjunction almost exactly. Ketu’s influence is less strictly defined but it can often indicate instability and disruption of routines. Again, this is not a surprising statement given that Trump’s American First platform threatens to upend the establishment consensus on many fronts such as climate change and DEI. It also could reflect Trump’s chaotic approach to governing in which he frequently changes his mind, often as a deliberate strategy to keep opponents off-guard. Another aspect of Ketu is that it is often seen as a spiritual planet which elevates unconventional and non-material rewards. One possible manifestation of Ketu here could be the revival of religious belief and Christianity in the US, especially as it pertains to official institutions.
Taken together, this close alignment of Sun-Pluto-Ketu suggests that the new Trump administration will bring about major changes in government and throughout the country. Where Trump may have been limited to half-measures in his first presidency, this alignment suggests changes will be more fundamental and long-lasting.
On the economy, the inauguration chart offers mixed signals. The placement of Jupiter in the 2nd house of wealth is a clearly positive factor which suggests that fixed assets are likely to hold their value and may appreciate further. Mercury, the significator of commerce and trading, is well-placed in the 9th house of international affairs and could support the US balance of payments. However, the Venus-Saturn conjunction in the 11th house of income is a potential trouble spot. This affliction to Venus in the 11th increases the likelihood of a recession and a decline in national income/GDP at some point during his term.
We’ll see how it all plays out over the next four years.
Transit Outlook for the Week
The transits this week suggest tension and frustration. The central alignment in this respect is the Mercury-Mars opposition that is exact on Thursday. Mercury-Mars oppositions symbolize communications that are subject to conflict as compromise and rationality may be in short supply. Uranus joins this alignment late in the week and could intensify matters leading to unpredictable but possibly innovative results. This alignment could be favorable for technologically-oriented activities that require fast thinking. Purely social engagements may be more volatile, however, as harmonious cooperation and mutual recognition may become more difficult. Financial markets may also face an uphill battle late in the week as the Mercury-Mars opposition could coincide with unsettled sentiment. Again, Thursday (EST) would seem to be the more vulnerable day this week in that respect.
