(1 July 2019) The race to be the Democratic nominee in 2020 is heating up.  The Democratic party held their first debate last week and Kamala Harris was the clear winner.  The California Senator bested frontrunner Joe Biden on the topic of race and his record on mandatory busing.  Biden appeared uncertain and rambled at times while Harris was sharp and well-prepared.  New polls still show Biden with a lead of 10-15 points but Harris has improved her standing significantly and matches the support levels of  Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.  Biden may still have the lead but now it’s anybody’s race.  

Fortunately, we know Kamala Harris’ birth time thanks to the research efforts of Oregon-based astrologer, Steven Stuckey.  According to her birth certificate, Harris was born 20 October 1964 at 9.28 p.m in Oakland, CA.  The chart is very strong.  She was born with Rahu (North Lunar Node) rising in Gemini which can indicate a person who values originality and innovative thinking and does not shy away from breaking with convention, if necessary. The Rahu placement in the 1st house often describes a person who is shrewd, ambitious and self-sufficient.  

This nodal influence is even more pronounced because both Rahu and Ketu aspect both the Sun and Moon.  This is because Harris was born on a Full Moon — a very auspicious placement that inclines the native more towards gaining public recognition.  As it happens, President Donald Trump was also born on a Full Moon and lunar eclipse which similarly bring the Sun and Moon in association with the nodes, Rahu and Ketu.  Rahu casts its 5th house/trine aspect to the Sun in the 5th house while Ketu casts its 5th house/trine aspect to the Moon in the 11th house.  The double nodal aspects of Rahu and Ketu to the Sun and Moon clearly mark her as a trail-blazer and someone who is not afraid to ruffle establishment feathers to get something done. 

The Moon in the 11th house in the fiery sign of Aries is an excellent placement for keenly pursuing ambitions.  These 11th house Moon individuals tend to be successful in achieving life goals.  Even the close sextile/3rd house aspect from Saturn is likely beneficial to her career success since it would likely give her a prudent sense of caution and emotional control.  This is likely an asset in the fiercely competitive world of national politics.

 

We can quickly see why Harris did so well at the debate on June 27.  Venus (29 Taurus) was closely conjunct her Ascendant (1 Gemini).   There are few more reliable patterns in a chart than this kind of Venus transit.  Venus brings happiness and success whenever it is closely conjunct key points in the chart such as the Ascendant, the Moon and the Sun.   Interestingly, we can see that combative Mars was square her Sun-Moon opposition.  While it is less clear that this is a positive influence on outcomes, it definitely reflected the conflictive nature of the debate. 

The next debate is slated for July 30-31.  Harris’ chart looks less activated by transits so that may translate into a good performance but one that may not change her poll standing that much.  Joe Biden’s chart looks better for this second debate so that could help him somewhat stabilize his support. 

While Harris’ horoscope is very strong this year and next, there are some patterns that look more challenging in early 2020.   For example, Saturn will conjoin her 8th house cusp (1 Capricorn) in February and then square her Sun-Moon opposition in early March.  These difficult placements will occur during the early primary season and will make it more difficult for her to win delegates.  At the time of the potentially decisive Super Tuesday (March 3), Saturn will be exactly square the Sun-Moon alignment in her chart.  While she could still win the nomination without doing well on March 3, I think it would be much more difficult. 

I will provide frequent updates on the race for the Democratic nomination in the weeks and months ahead.

Weekly Market Forecast

US stocks hit a new record high today (July 1) after the US and China promised to return to the bargaining table to resolve their trade dispute at the weekend G20 conference.
 
The ongoing Saturn-Ketu conjunction has fueled fears of an imminent recession as bond prices have surged higher amid falling yields and lowered inflation expectations.  Yield inversions now pervade the curve in most developed economies and most European bonds now have negative yields. 

Tomorrow is the solar eclipse at 16 Gemini.  Eclipses can sometimes indicate times of interruption and disruption of the status quo.  They may also signal a change in trend.  That said, the correlation with reversals actually isn’t that impressive.  To further muddy the waters, this eclipse will occur on the Jupiter node which may well be bullish, at least in the short term. What may be more important is what follows the solar eclipse. 

On that score, there is some reason to be cautious.  Mercury is in close conjunction with Mars for the rest of this week and next week in the sign of Cancer.  The conjunction will tighten into next week as Mercury turns retrograde on Sunday July 7. 

For a more detailed analysis of the markets, please check out my weekly subscriber newsletter which is published every Saturday afternoon (EST).   I outline the key technical and planetary influences for US and Indian stocks for the short and medium term, as well as currencies, gold and oil.