Election Musings
It has always been difficult for me to predict congressional elections. There are too many variables involved. A candidate may win, but his party may lose. A candidate may lose, but he may be getting married the next day (this actually happened) or he may go on a vacation after a long, grueling campaign. The president’s party may win, but his administration may be involved in other very stressful events. All of these factors can cloud the astrological picture of an election outcome. Moreover, I almost never have accurate birth data for candidates other than in presidential campaigns, which adds another enormous handicap. The following are some musings I do have on the coming election, but the many caveats should be kept in mind.
President Obama’s chart and the Inaugural chart suggest a very difficult month through mid-November 2014. We have already seen this manifesting in the recent complications and setbacks in the conflict with the Islamic State. It seems possible that these same aspects do not bode well for the November 4 election, suggesting a loss of the Senate for the Democrats. For a year, through April 2015, the president is under a solar arc Moon opposition to natal Saturn (25Capricorn20) which will be triggered by transiting Saturn (25 Scorpio) from November 4 through 13, and further activated by transiting Mercury (25 Libra) on November 5. In addition, the Inaugural progressed Moon is currently quincunx natal Saturn (10Scorpio48), while tertiary Inaugural Venus is square natal Saturn, with both of these intensifying through November 8. It may be that there are other pressing and stressful events the administration is dealing with during these early November days, but the November 4 election seems a likely source of disappointment.
Most of the Senate races I have been looking at give very mixed indications. The Kentucky race between Allison Lundigren Grimes and Senator Mitch McConnell is one example. With transiting Jupiter square to McConnell’s Mars from November 1 through November 10, it is possible he will manage to win, but, if he does, it seems likely to be a pyrrhic victory. The phrase “herding cats” comes to mind should McConnell win the Majority Leader position, with progressed Mercury conjunct progressed Saturn and progressed Uranus (29 Taurus), a difficult and frustrating aspect that will continue to intensify through April 2015 and will be triggered numerous times by transits of Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto over the coming months, as well as by transiting Mercury on November 7 and 8.
It is the latter aspect, transiting Mercury quincunx this Mercury/Saturn/Uranus progression on November 7 and 8, followed by transiting Saturn opposite natal Uranus from November 14 to 23 that also suggests immediate difficulties for McConnell and may point to a ray of hope for the Democrats. Saturn will also make its first crossing square McConnell’s Sun (1Pisces26) from December 27 through January 8, suggesting significant complications, disappointment and frustrations as Congress opens. It is certainly possible he may lose his election or the Republicans will not win the Senate with these planetary indicators. His best hope is the “herding cats” scenario which comes under the theme of “be careful what you wish for.” We shall see.
Allison Grimes’ chart is much more upbeat in November and December, which could indicate either a win or maybe just a post-election vacation to the Caribbean. I think we can hold onto some small hope for this race despite the polls. Transiting Jupiter will be trine to her natal Mercury (21Sagittarius15) from November 1 through November 9 and again from December 26 through January 7. In addition, the Jupiter station will light up her progressed Venus (22Scorpio) semisquare to progressed Sun (7Capricorn) from November 10 through December 12. In other words, she seems pretty happy in November and December, indicating either a win for her or just relief that it is over and she did reasonably well. The Saturn transit conjunct her Sun from December 24 through January 2, coming before the new Congress begins, could easily point to the chore of her move to Washington.
There are a few other races that offer some cautious possibility for prediction despite the lack of comprehensive birth data and the other numerous caveats already discussed. Rick Wieland (D) may manage to beat Mike Rounds (R) in South Dakota. Greg Orman (I) may oust Pat Roberts (R) in Kansas. Kay Hagen (D) looks like a possible win against Tom Tillis (R) in North Carolina. On the other hand, David Purdue (R) may well defeat Michelle Nunn (D) in Georgia, and Dan Sullivan may pick up Alaska for the GOP against Mark Begich (D). I also think Mary Landrieu (D) may lose to Bill Cassidy (R) in Louisiana.
Should the GOP manage to take the Senate, it is hard to see how much more obstruction of the president’s agenda they will manage. Perhaps we will see an increase in their usual extortion tactics, especially if Americans continue to sleep walk through the political realities of our time. Let us hope that Harry Reid will be able to push through a significant number of appointments in the lame duck period before the coming storm. The Mars translation of the Uranus/Pluto square from November 9 through November 14 is likely to bring some kind of dramatic political brawl, as well as the usual uptick in explosive conflict, violence, and severe weather conditions. There is always the slim possibility that the Democrats will keep the Senate, especially after some delayed election results. This story is yet to be told.
