NeptuneCafe

08/18/2024

Mercury Retrograde Shaped by Uranus and Pluto

Astrologers generally treat Mercury’s three-week retrograde phase with warnings about lost items, misinformation, and signing documents. Mercury going backwards messes with messages, and those under its influence may have to re-work any number of personal or professional affairs. However, the current passage of Mercury retrograde has taken on transpersonal or collective shifts in the U.S. since transiting Uranus and Pluto are activating key degree areas associated with the national horoscope.

Transiting Uranus has made its mark in the last few degrees of Ta**us by squaring the US Moon at 25º Aquarius, and trining the US Pluto at 27º Capricorn. Transiting Pluto is making its last passage to the US Pluto, the ruler of the Scorpio Rising national horoscope. Although Pluto has moved beyond its exact conjunction with natal Pluto, it’s still joining up with the US progressed Pluto at 29º Capricorn. This becomes most intense and transformational in mid-October as Pluto turns direct at 29º Capricorn.

The most obvious Mercury retrograde phenomenon is the withdrawal of Joe Biden from the presidential race followed by the sudden surge of Kamala Harris. The Democratic National Convention has been planning Biden’s expected nomination for many months while attempting to make it as exciting as possible – a nearly impossible task considering his age-related frailties. Now, as the convention unfolds this week, an air of excitement makes her Election Day victory seem most likely.

Transiting Uranus is the planet we associate with electrical excitement. This week it’s at 27º Ta**us where it forms a harmonious, regenerative trine to the US Pluto. It’s also activating Harris’s Sun-Moon polarity at 27º Libra/Aries. Several indicators in her chart underscore her advancement on the national scene, including her progressed Midheaven sextile her natal Vesta at her Midheaven. Also, her progressed Part of Fortune by week’s end will be at 25º Aquarius and right on the US Moon. This is a great connection to the American public, represented by the US Moon.

Another Mercury retrograde item is unfolding in the pop music world, with the ongoing love affair between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce hitting a snag. While the couple and the media assume they will get married, their individual financial situations require a detailed, hardnosed pre-nuptial agreement. Taylor is reportedly worth about $1 billion and Travis is worth an estimated $70 million.

Naturally, Mercury as the ruler of documents has made this pre-nuptial agreement process a sticky quagmire. Their agents have said that their busy schedules have made it difficult to complete any pre-nup. But looking at Taylor’s chart, transiting Uranus is less than two degrees from her Descendant (partners) where it opposes Mars on her Scorpio Ascendant. This is a highly disruptive, often separative influence.

We’ll see if this pre-nup business is a deal-breaker when Mercury turns direct on August 28 at 21º Leo. It forms a sweet trine to her Sagittarius Sun then and also her progressed Mars, with both at 21º Sagittarius. Meanwhile, transiting Pluto turns direct while conjunct her progressed Venus at 29º Capricorn. Venus, as the natural ruler of money, is under intense pressure from transiting Pluto to make a long-term investment in Travis, or not.

A third and more serious shift in public opinion concerns global warming. For the past 13 months in a row, global temperatures have reached their highest in human history. This unexpected sharp increase has surprised many scientists, raising concerns about an acceleration of heating. Mercury’s retrograde phase is also changing public opinion, with the number of climate deniers declining every day.

As this 13-month phase unfolded, transiting Pluto entered Aquarius, which may be seen as the necessity to take immediate and drastic collective action on the use of fossil fuels. The horoscope I’ve used to track Big Oil is based on the incorporation of Standard Oil on January 10, 1870. The Sun in Capricorn trines a Jupiter-Pluto conjunction in Ta**us, reflecting the monopoly that Big Oil has on the world’s energy supply.

Since 2008, transiting Pluto passing through Capricorn has only increased the dominance of Big Oil (the corporate inheritors of Standard Oil). Oil use reached its historic maximum output last year, and the trend is continuing this year. Next year, transiting Pluto will be a bit deeper into Aquarius, where it conjoins Big Oil’s Mars at 3º Aquarius. This will only increase their interest in fighting for their monopoly.

08/11/2024

Simone Biles Beats the Twisties

Nowadays, observers look at Simone Biles and marvel at the superb athletic ability that has brought her more Olympic gold medals than any other gymnast in history. But as super-athletes know, physical ability is only half the equation when it comes to being a champion. The other half is internal, the mental game of being confident and knowing that you can win. Otherwise, a little self-doubt can get terribly dangerous, especially when you’re a gymnast spinning through space and working on the perfect landing.

A peek at Simone Biles’ natal horoscope shows how the mental and physical are in constant tension. Her Pisces Sun conjoins Mercury, and both oppose Mars in Virgo. While Mars aligned with the Sun naturally takes to athletic pursuits, the Sun and Mercury in Pisces are susceptible to the “twisties.” This is a term used in gymnastics referring to disorientation, a loss of the sense of space and dimension while in the air. This can lead to doing extra twists or flips while losing control of their bodies.

And this is what happened to Simone during the Summer Olympics held in July 2021. She had to withdraw due to the “twisties.” At the time, transiting Neptune was conjunct her Pisces Sun, accenting the natal tendency toward this phenomenon. Simone commented that she was feeling the pressure, and the “weight of the world on my shoulders.” She was widely criticized for being a quitter, but also praised for recognizing the value of mental health.

Adding to the mental/emotional challenge in her natal chart is her Gemini Moon in the 3rd house of mental attitude where it forms an exact opposition to Pluto. Challenging Moon-Pluto aspects are renowned for their emotional intensity, and often describe a debilitated early home life. In fact, Simone’s mother abandoned her because of her own problems, leaving Simone to grow up in a foster care home until her maternal grandfather took over.

Simone showed a natural talent for gymnastics from the age of 5, and by 2013, she was competing against the best in the nation. This became a turning point in her life because she was also beginning to experience a performance-robbing lack of confidence. In July, she decided to consult a sports psychologist, and the ensuing therapy became the catalyst that vaulted her into the championships. She suddenly had the self-confidence that empowered her to make the most astonishing maneuvers.

The astrology of that turning point looks highly stressful, but this is generally what it takes to overcome hardships. Naturally, spacy Neptune was involved: transiting Neptune was right on her Ascendant and Vesta, with all three at 4º Pisces. Vesta is the asteroid associated with devotion, focus, and a special or sacred purpose in life. Right on her Ascendant, Vesta brought an early start to her career, but its square to the Moon-Pluto polarity also brings up the emotional issues, the self-doubt, and questions about mental health.

Also in August 2013 she was experiencing a rare, once in-a-lifetime conjunction with her progressed Sun and Saturn both at 10º Aries (progressed Venus at 9º Aries was close by). Sun-Saturn aspects bring about caution, a more conservative approach, and often a lack of confidence. As this unfolded during her trials, she stumbled several times and realized that her mental state was negatively influencing her performances.

Transiting Pluto was at 9º and 10º Capricorn that summer, squaring her progressed Venus, Sun, and Saturn. She knew these stumbles could end her professional career, unless she made some drastic changes. Pluto is associated with therapy, and in this case, it was completely successful. No doubt, transiting Jupiter at 10º Cancer facilitated the successful transformation of her psyche, paving the way for her status as an Olympic champion.

08/04/2024

The US Pluto Return and Climate Change

Last year was the hottest year on record, and 2024 has only continued the trend with the latest data showing that July 21 was the hottest day on record globally. Meanwhile, the glaciers are melting, the forests continue to be clearcut, and Big Oil – the major producer of CO2 gases – had their biggest production year ever in 2023. How hot does it have to get before consensus is reached on a plan going forward?

As the U.S. goes through the final phase of its Pluto Return, signs of potential collapse can be seen on multiple fronts, including financially, politically, and environmentally. The U.S. – and the global community that lives synergistically with the world’s largest economy – is at a pivot point, a situation clearly represented by the presidential race between Harris and Trump.

The two opposing candidates also represent the two clashing manifestations of Pluto. Trump, with his promise to “drill, baby, drill” if he gets elected, supports the oil giants as a way of lowering inflation. His progressed Midheaven is now at 9º Leo and about one year from conjoining his 12th house Pluto. This development suggests his focus on creating an autocratic style of government and supporting the power players who support him. In the 12th house, we can only imagine the behind-the-scenes deals he’s working out.

Harris, on the other hand, was born during the generational Uranus-Pluto conjunction, a demographic keen on revolutionizing our era’s institutional norms. Over the past two weeks, as Harris stormed onto the national scene and then secured her party’s nomination, transiting Jupiter was squaring (favorably activating) her natal Uranus-Pluto conjunction.

Harris has promised to make a response to global warming a top priority, and her record on environmental activism is nothing short of stellar. In this sense, her Sun at 27º Libra and her Moon at 27º Aries align perfectly with the US Pluto as the nation goes through its Pluto Return. She’s using Pluto to bring big changes, which include creating an Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, and promoting the Green New Deal, a $10 trillion plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For her, Pluto is about regeneration, rebuilding, and re-thinking our collective future.

If there’s any planet or other astrological archetype most associated with global warming and protecting the environment, Ceres is the closest fit. Ceres is about taking care of others and self, and when the individual feels a responsibility to the collective, Ceres can indicate an interest in taking care of larger concerns, and especially the ecosystem. Ceres is known as the Great Mother, and by extension, Mother Earth or Gaia.

Harris’s Ceres is located at 5º Capricorn where it conjoins Black Moon Lilith, giving her an awareness of the dark side of our environment. Her natal Uranus-Pluto conjunction readily attunes her to the collective, and throughout her years in public office, she’s championed the need to rein in fossil fuel companies. Her Ceres is favorably sextile Vesta at her Midheaven, making her stance on global warming a professional interest. Ceres also sextiles her Mercury in Scorpio, giving her a passionate voice about these issues.

Trump’s Ceres is located at 13º Aquarius where it opposes his 12th house Pluto. This polarity defines his calculated risks aimed at achieving personal power at the expense of equality and social justice. Currently, his progressed Ceres has retrograded to 0º Aquarius where it’s being activated by transiting Pluto, also at 0º Aquarius. We’ve seen this manifest as racist attacks against Harris as well as accenting his resolve to partner with Big Oil. We can only expect the personal attacks to continue through this month as transiting Pluto completes this conjunction with his progressed Ceres.

07/28/2024

August’s Top Five Astro-Events

1. Mercury turns retrograde on the 5th in early Virgo. For the next three weeks, what was assumed to be true or the way forward will be subject to major changes. New situations arise under this month’s outer planet stresses, so be prepared to adapt to the new conditions. Mercury’s retrograde phase in Virgo lasts through the 14th when important details may be lost, misread, or misunderstood. From the 15th through month’s end, Mercury in Leo going backwards can bring problems from egocentric individuals. Avoid thinking only of yourself and consider others’ perspectives to maintain good relationships. Take time to reappraise your information sources and listen to your heart to know the true path forward. The best outcome is a change of attitude or recognizing the error of your ways and making healthy adjustments.

2. Jupiter forms a trioctile (135º aspect) to Pluto on the 7th but this aspect is strong from the 2nd through 11th. Jupiter-Pluto combinations can bring a deep personal transformation by activating key planets in your personal horoscope. In general, those with power and influence are on the airwaves: Jupiter in airy Gemini is empowered by Pluto in airy Aquarius to be more persuasive, advance a new program, and completely make over the old ways. This Jupiter-Pluto duo is socially active and urges you to find like-minded people to help build a better future. Now is the time to think big, but stay focused on being practical and logical. Leaders of belief systems -- such as organized religion, business enterprises, and political parties -- become stridently vocal under this influence. Make sure your personal views aren’t swayed by fanaticism.

3. Mars conjoins Jupiter in Gemini on the 14th where it energizes Jupiter’s aspects to Saturn and Pluto. This makes the 10th through 16th unusually action-oriented days. Mars in Gemini is mentally stimulating and makes people sharp-tongued, quick, and restless. Mars here makes a good tactician, capable of seeing multiple options and selecting the best one going forward. These tendencies are multiplied, increased dramatically when linked to Jupiter and Pluto. Opportunities to make big moves, participate in strategic activities, or join in fun undertakings are on the rise. This is no time to sit around, or the abundant energy available at this time will create inner turmoil. Traveling is favored, especially to visit relatives. Think of close friends as brothers or sisters. The 10th through 16th is a good time to network.

4. On the 19th, the day of the Full Moon in Aquarius, Jupiter squares Saturn. This Lunar event becomes a major astro-event with important developments shaping up from the 15th to 23rd. In its most basic sense, Jupiter square Saturn represents the struggle between good and evil, between expansion and return to the old ways, between optimism and pessimism. And since Mercury is retrograde, whatever conclusions or results come about during this divisive time may not bring about the desired shift. To find the best outcome, consider what you can devote yourself to, what you feel called to do. The Sun conjoins Vesta, known as the Keeper of the Flame. What do you feel is special or even sacred? That can be a cause, a professional expression, your family, or whatever makes you feel passionate about life.

5. Mercury turns direct in Leo on the 28th while octile a Juno-Black Moon Lilith conjunction in Libra. If you have a key planet at 19º to 22º of the fixed signs (Ta**us, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), you are coming under the influence of this astro-event. Its most likely manifestation brings changes in relationship patterns and whether you can make a deeper commitment considering recent developments. For the previous two weeks, Venus and Mars have been squaring each other while being pushed around by the outer planets. This can lead to brief encounters and/or third party intrigues in the romance department. Lilith and Juno in Libra are keen on making a long-term commitment, one that brings about soul connections and meaningful, mutually agreed shared values. Mercury turning direct following the flirtatious Venus-Mars phase can be a make-or-break time for some relationships.

NeptuneCafe is an advanced astrology ezine, and features some of the best astrologer writers in the field. This is astrology at its best. No Sun Signs, but the real thing, with weekly blogs showing how astrology describes real events and people.

07/20/2024

Nvidia Leads the AI Revolution as Pluto Enters Aquarius

Nothing has demonstrated the power of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) movement more than the skyrocketing growth of chip maker Nvidia in 2023 and 2024. This Silicon Valley company provides the GPUs (graphic processing units) that allow high-tech companies to create the AI programs shaping our collective future. Nvidia’s stock price quadrupled in 2023, and so far this year it’s tripled again.

Astrologically, Nvidia’s rise corresponds closely to Pluto’s entrance into Aquarius. Pluto tends to empower those that are working toward collective shifts according to the zeitgeist of the times. In Aquarius, Pluto supports revolutionary technologies like AI, and Nvidia is the industry’s leader in this area. Nvidia’s First Trade chart shows how well Pluto in Aquarius has fueled investors’ interest in this company.

Nvidia began trading on the NASDAQ market on January 22, 1999 when the Sun in Aquarius conjoined Neptune, which had only just entered Aquarius two months earlier. We associate Neptune with the visualization process, so this Sun-Neptune conjunction reflects Nvidia’s business as a tech company that provides graphics for various platforms. According to data collector Michael Munkasey, Nvidia’s First Trade took place at 12:15 pm, which puts the Sun-Neptune duo right on the Midheaven.

From this elevated position, the Sun-Neptune is strengthened by a sextile to the Moon in pioneering Aries as well as sextiles to a Juno-Chiron conjunction in playful Sagittarius. Nvidia’s first partnerships were with companies that needed the GPUs for PC gaming platforms and streaming services. Note that Uranus, the planet associated with Aquarius and well-known for its revolutionary nature, is placed in its own sign and elevated in the 10th house.

On November 8, 2006, Nvidia unveiled its CUDA technology, a fundamentally new architecture for computer graphics that eventually became the basis for creating Artificial Intelligence programs, like ChatBot. At the time, Nvidia’s progressed Midheaven had conjoined natal Uranus, marking this development as the key to its future growth. Also, transiting Jupiter at 26º Scorpio was just entering the 7th house as numerous new business partners became very interested in CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture).

When Pluto briefly entered Aquarius last year, AI was becoming widely recognized as the wave of the future. Nvidia was growing so fast that it began to rival the world’s largest companies including Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet (Google), and Apple. When Nvidia reached its all-time high on June 20, 2024, it actually became the world’s largest company by market cap, just surpassing Microsoft. Its price has retreated slightly since then, but it remains among the top three.

As Nvidia’s stock price rose to this lofty level, transiting Pluto was conjoining its Sun-Neptune conjunction. This peak was boosted by transiting Jupiter’s entrance into Gemini where it formed a supportive trine to the natal Sun-Neptune-Midheaven and transiting Pluto. That’s a five-planet, financially empowering configuration. As Jupiter moved on, the enthusiasm waned a bit, but it’s still a growth opportunity.

Financial analysts are concerned that geopolitical competition from China, and advances from rivals AMD and INTEL will soon knock Nvidia down. Talk of a bubble-burst, like the dot-com collapse in 2000, is everywhere since Nvidia’s stock price has risen so fast in such a short period of time. Its collapse would bring down the entire tech sector, and in turn, the overall economy.

Transiting Pluto was a major influence during the 2000 dot-com bust, the same year the Supreme Court decided the winner between Bush and Gore. Pluto was in a stressful octile (semisquare) to its natal position in the US national chart, and at the same time, quincunx the US Sun in Cancer. And now financial and political turmoil may once again coinciding in uncomfortable ways as the US goes through the final phase of its Pluto Return.

07/14/2024

Transiting Uranus and Pluto Lead the Way to Election Day

Many astrologers have been warning us about the potential danger of the current Mars-Uranus conjunction in Ta**us, especially since it’s aligned with the evil star Algol. And astrologers who track political developments knew that Trump would be a key player as this transit unfolded since it landed right on his Ta**us Midheaven and squared his natal Mars. Saturday’s assassination attempt on Trump can only be seen as a natural manifestation of these volatile planetary aspects.

The key issue going forward is whether this event leads to rising political violence as Election Day approaches. A look at the Scorpio Rising national horoscope sets the tone, primarily when considering the transits of Uranus and Pluto. Transiting Uranus is a major focus since it’s squaring the US Moon at 25º28’ Aquarius. And transiting Pluto is also a powerful influence as it completes its Return to the natal US Pluto at 27º33’ Capricorn.

When considering violence, Mars as the archetypal Warrior, is always active during major events. By transit, Mars advances relatively swiftly when compared to the outer planets, and so activates underlying configurations. When considering the transiting Mars-Uranus conjunction, notice that Mars was at 25º09’ Ta**us and just over one degree from the exact conjunction when the assassination attempt took place at 6:11 pm in Butler, Pennsylvania.

However, when comparing this transiting Mars to the US chart, Mars was only 0º19’ from squaring the US Moon. In other words, transiting Mars activated the long-term square of transiting Uranus to the US Moon. In a national horoscope, the Moon represents the people and their interests. Transiting Uranus squaring the US Moon makes for an edgy political climate -- tense and volatile.

Transiting Uranus turns retrograde on September 1 at 27º15’ Ta**us. It will then square the US Moon on November 11, only a few days after Election Day on November 5. From this key indicator, one has to doubt that the returns will be readily acceptable to both sides. Uranus then turns direct at the end of January 2025, and makes a third and final square to the US Moon on April 15. During this entire phase, transiting Uranus stays within two degrees of squaring the US Moon, keeping the general public stressed out about political developments.

Technically, the US Pluto Return was completed in 2023 when transiting Pluto made its final conjunction to the natal US Pluto. However, many astrologers consider a wider orb for this kind of Return, and the conjunction within two degrees is a fair and influential orb to consider. The full effects of the US Pluto Return are obviously in effect in 2024, and there’s one more main reason to look at this as a dynamic shaper of national events.

The US progressed Pluto has advanced two degrees since the nation was founded in 1776. It’s now located at 29º32’ Capricorn. So transiting Pluto’s re-entrance into Capricorn on September 2 is only ½ degree from the conjunction with the US progressed Pluto. Transiting Pluto then turns direct on October 11 at 29º38’ Capricorn, or only 0º06’ from progressed Pluto. This is a precise hit, and the final phase of the US Pluto Return.

The US Pluto Return can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but the most obvious is the intense political division that shapes the presidential contest. The US Pluto resides in the 3rd house of information where it opposes Mercury in the 9th house of publishing. America’s news networks have created silos of insulated information systems that in turn have divided the American public. Neither side listens to the other because they have different ways of perceiving events according to the partisan broadcasts they regularly take in.

The US Pluto in Capricorn not only represents these corporate interests with their target audiences, but the government structure in general. The US Pluto Return has left Americans with an uncomfortable choice. Under the current political system they can choose between fascism and gerontocracy.

07/07/2024

Kamala Harris Links to the US Horoscope

Many readers responded to last week’s look at the DNC Convention in August and Kamala Harris’s horoscope. Here’s one: “Even though Kamala Harris may have favorable astrological signs for getting nominated at an open convention, I thought you had said in the past that her chart is not optimized for getting elected President of the United States. Could you clarify the issue?”

In my view, an individual can’t get elected to the nation’s highest office without having strong connections to the national horoscope. Otherwise, any potential success operates in a relative vacuum where it doesn’t influence the nation’s direction. As I wrote in my book Political Astrology, “In this era of mass media, the successful presidential candidate has to connect to the people and their security needs. In astrological terms, this means that he or she must have planets tightly linked to the US Moon, which is found at 25º Aquarius in the Scorpio Rising horoscope.”

Bill Clinton is a good example since his Sun at 26º Leo is one-half degree from opposing the US Moon. George Bush (the elder) and Jimmy Carter both have Mars at 25º Aquarius, and although Ronald Reagan has no natal planets at 25º, his progressed Mars was at 25º Aquarius when he was first elected in 1980. Barack Obama’s natal Saturn and Uranus are located at 25º in their respective signs, while Donald Trump has Venus at 25º Cancer, and Biden has his Jupiter at 25º Cancer.

And what about Kamala Harris? She has no natal planets at 25º of any sign, which is likely why I said a few years ago that she could not win in a national election. A few things have changed since then, which is especially noteworthy when looking at her progressed chart. Most significantly, her progressed Mercury (the ruler of her chart with Gemini Rising) is now located at 25º Sagittarius.

Another factor is that the nation is going through its Pluto Return, an historic ending and re-birth that is challenging the very structure of our government at multiple levels. Harris’s Libra Sun and Aries Moon are both closely squaring the US Pluto, putting her at the center of this final phase of the US Pluto Return. And since she is a woman candidate, the US Venus at 2º57’ Cancer is another factor to consider. For comparison, Hillary Clinton’s Sun at 2º45’ Scorpio is only 0º12’ from the exact trine to the US Venus.

In Kamala Harris’s case, her Midheaven at 2º24’ Pisces and nearby Vesta at 2º49’ are also the smallest fraction from exactly trining the US Venus. Both Hillary and Kamala are big on women’s issues along with the normal party platform policies. Does that mean these women don’t have the strength or drive to compete? Not at all, since both Hillary and Kamala were born with Mars in Leo, a placement that bestows natural leadership, performance skills, and self-confidence. Americans are fascinated by candidates with Mars in Leo.

The nation’s president is often referred to as the Commander-in-Chief, so the Mars placement becomes extra important. Of the 45 men who have served as the Commander-in-Chief, 11 have natal Mars in Leo. This kind of imbalance drives statisticians mad since 11 out of 45 is way outside the bell-shaped curve of likelihoods*. It goes a long way in demonstrating the validity of astrology since the US national horoscope has Leo at its Midheaven, and Mars there naturally refers to the nation’s military leadership.

* A long-time reader notes: “I asked a math professor friend who practices astrology about this. He said that, first, you have to figure out what the odds are that the average person you stop on the street has Mars in Leo. One in twelve.
Combine that with calculating the odds that a random group of 45 would contain 11 people with Mars in Leo. He shared the calculation with me. Then he said that the odds are one in 14 trillion.”

06/30/2024

Biden’s Not Dropping Out

At least not in the immediate future, according to his campaign officials. But the astrology (as described here two weeks ago) says otherwise. During his horrendous debate performance, transiting Saturn was standing retrograde right on his 4th house cusp, the point of life’s endings and new beginnings. And in two months he’s got transiting Uranus stationing opposite his Sun, which may well indicate he’s dropping out to support a more viable candidate.

The DNC Convention will be held in Chicago August 19-22 when Democrats officially nominate and select their presidential candidate. A few key planets mark this staged event with uncertainty and conflict. Most notably, Day One begins with the Sun in Leo conjunct Mercury retrograde and both opposite the Full Moon in Aquarius. This three-planet configuration perfectly aligns with Biden’s Scorpio Sun square Chiron in Leo, depicting him as “The Wounded President”.

Also, during the convention another exact configuration sets the scene: Jupiter at 17º Gemini squares Saturn at 17º Pisces. This push-pull dynamic promises plenty of open conflict and wide emotional swings between unbridled enthusiasm and inconsolable pessimism. Assuming Biden voluntarily drops out, his most likely pick to replace him is Vice President Kamala Harris. As it happens, transiting Venus (representing a woman) will be at 17º Virgo on August 19 where it engages with the Jupiter-Saturn square.

Whoever gets the nod at the convention will most likely have one or more important placements at 17º to fulfill this nomination process. Biden has nothing at this degree, which is a big clue that he will drop out. Ms. Harris has her Venus at 17º Virgo which in turn is conjunct the generational Uranus-Pluto conjunction. That gives her an empowered Venus natally, which is activated at the convention as she goes through her Venus Return.

The Full Moon on August 19 also connects with several vital placements in her natal chart. She was born with her Sun at 27º Libra opposite the Full Moon at 27º Aries. Her Sun and Moon are harmoniously aspecting her Saturn at 28º Aquarius, which is only four degrees from conjoining her Midheaven. This elevated Saturn, supported by her Sun and Moon, gives her a natural sense of leadership and authority. However, her Saturn squares her 12th house Jupiter and widely opposes Mars in Leo, leading to power struggles, behind-the-scenes deals, and other conflicts which may impede her rise to the top.

The key here is that the transits during the DNC Convention closely resonate with Harris’s planetary dynamics. The transiting Full Moon echoes her own Full Moon. The transiting Jupiter-Saturn square likewise repeats her natal Jupiter-Saturn square. And unlike Biden’s chart where transiting Saturn is at an end point, Harris’s chart has transiting Saturn in the 10th house where it encourages public recognition and professional success.

Harris isn’t the only possible choice to replace Biden. Over the next month we’re going to see plenty of discussion about whether Biden should withdraw, as the transiting Jupiter-Saturn square draws closer. Another option is California’s Governor Gavin Newsom, who has already been visiting swing states and speaking out for his party’s policies. His progressed Midheaven is now at 17º Leo, which puts his name in the air as we approach the DNC Convention. More later as the proud and stubborn Biden considers his options….