Inauguration Astrology

Barack Obama’s inauguration at noon on January 20 marks the beginning of his administration. Some astrologers calculating a chart for this event have made negative comments about it. First, the messenger planet Mercury is retrograde and, second, the Moon is Void-of-Course. Mercury shifts into reverse gear three times a year for about three weeks at a time. These periods are perceived as more challenging when it comes to dealing with details, technology and communication. It is true that complications may arise in these areas, yet it is also true that retrogrades are opportunities to go back and correct errors made in the past. The economic, diplomatic and environmental messes left by the previous administration will require a good deal of cleaning up. It’s been reported that President Obama will announce plans to close Guantanamo within his first few days in office. Turning back the clock on this egregious symbol of disregard for international law and human rights is an excellent application of Mercury retrograde’s reparative gifts.

The Void-of-Course Moon (VOC) is the period between the Moon’s last major aspect to a planet in one sign and her entry into the next sign. This can last a matter of minutes or more than 24 hours as Luna passes through each sign every two to two and half days. The negative interpretation is that events occurring during the VOC will not produce meaningful results. It’s as if the Moon loses the ability to make things stick, thus creating a void. I’m resistant to this interpretation because I was born during a VOC and life feels pretty full to me. Additionally, the negative interpretations of the VOC and Mercury retrograde are rooted in a pre-modern deterministic astrology that generally underestimated the power of human imagination and will. Seen positively, the VOC Moon can be a time of freedom when we go beyond the limited conditioning of the past and produce new models of who we can be.

Ironically, Mercury retrograde and the void Moon are not the most important astrological factors for the inauguration. The Sun in Aquarius is close to a conjunction with Jupiter, the traditional planet of good fortune. This harmonious connection between the two largest bodies in our solar system—philosophical Jupiter and the symbol of the President (the Sun)— represents wise and generous leadership. The Sun is also conjunct Barack Obama’s natal Jupiter to reinforce the expansiveness of the occasion and offer an innovative vision for a brighter future. Even the VOC Moon is cooperating as it applies to supportive 60-degree sextiles to the Sun and Mercury, connecting the public mood with the leader’s mind. The parties will be good, too, as sociable Venus makes a sweet sextile with passionate Mars. A more enduring and valuable effect is energetic Mars in constructive Capricorn forming favorable aspects with serious Saturn and inventive Uranus to help build bridges between the past and the future. This pattern alone promises more than Mercury retrograde and the VOC Moon might take away. And when the Cosmic Santa Claus Jupiter aligns with the life giving Sun, this promises a shining moment enriched with collective well wishes and shared intelligence.

As published here on my Tarot.com blog.

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