Bernie Sanders - DNC Nominee?

Bernie Sanders: DNC Nominee?

During the DNC nominating convention in July, the transiting North Lunar Node (the "dragon's head", Rahu, or the T'li of the Sefer Yetzirah - meaning the theoretical mathematical point thought to indicate the karmic trajectory or tikkun point in a person's natal chart) will be conjunct Bernie's Parts of Fortune, his natal "Shefa Point" in his 8th House (things he shares with others: values, valuables, resources & intimacies). 

On election day the North Lunar Node will be conjunct his natal Jupiter in Gemini, also in his 8th House. North Node conjunct Jupiter in 8th House = "BIG WIN"... but....but....but....

It happens to be Bernie's natal Jupiter is very close to Trump's natal Sun in Gemini, so the North Node when making a conjunction to Bernie's Jupiter will also be conjunct Trump's Sun (and opposite his natal Moon in Sagittarius, which of course means the South Lunar Node will be conjunct his natal Moon). If they do end up running against each other that configuration will be a real live "Clash of the Titans", more so than any other candidate in the race.

I'm fairly confident about his Ascendant being Scorpio, though his birth time is in question, I'm holding with the astrologer who asked for, received, and recorded his birth time several decades ago. Scorpio Rising makes us look at Mars, the classical ruler of Scorpio, conjunct his Moon in fiery, combative Aries (that's why he's always yelling) in his 6th House, the place of "work", "service" and "unequal / hierarchical relationships" (such as employer/employee, pet/pet owner, etc.) Mars/Moon conjunction in Aries = an emotional (Moon) fighter (Mars) who fights for 6th House issues ("workers rights" is a very 6th House concept). Pluto, the modern ruler of Scorpio, is in Leo conjunct his Midheaven (the most public place in his chart). Pluto in Leo is a fighter as well - Trump has Pluto in Leo as does his whole generation (more or less from August 1938- August 1957). Both Bernie and Trump's Pluto in Leo placements make them "fighters" who roar like lions when they're on the attack - But Bernie's Pluto in Leo at his midheaven makes aggression his JOB, he's a "professional" (10th House) fighter, fighting for other people (that's his "job"/10th House as Senator) and Trump's Pluto AND Mars in Leo in the sign of his Ascendant makes him fight primarily for himself, fight in self-defense, fight to get what he wants for himself. 

Bernie and Trump are not that different in this sense: both have Fire Sign Mars placements (Trump in Leo, Bernie in Aries), both have strong Pluto placements in Leo, both have Mercury-ruled Sun Signs (Trump in Gemini, Bernie in Virgo), both have Fire Sign Moon placements (Trump in Sagittarius, Bernie in Aries). Trump's Leo Rising makes the Sun his ruling planet, greatly strengthening him. Bernie's Scorpio Rising makes Mars/Pluto his co-rulers; the conjunction of Saturn/Pluto in Capricorn this past January and the upcoming trifecta of Jupiter-Pluto Capricorn conjunctions during 2020 ALL make a harmonious, supportive and empowering Trine to Bernie's natal North Node (his "fate" or "destiny") in Virgo as well as to his natal Saturn in Taurus, and a hard Square, forcing decisive action, to his natal Mars/Moon conjunction in Aries. 

So like I said: clash of the Titans. But that won't happen unless Bernie is nominated, and the nominating convention in July happens during transiting Mars in Aries and transiting Jupiter and Pluto conjunct THE 2020 Capricorn Cluster Zone (22-25 degrees), with Saturn at 29 Capricorn - the ultimate degree. Bernie will literally have to fight his way to the nomination, and his opponent is the Status Quo - he'll have to beat the collective fears of the Democratic Party "powers that be" (which are an entirely different demographic than the actual voters) at the nominating convention, and that fight may be nasty. Stay tuned.

Pictured here: Bernie Sander's natal chart, whole signs method for easier viewing.

The Saturn - Pluto Conjuction: Destruction of the Old, Making Way for the New

#Saturn / #Pluto conjunction (exact today after a tortuously long build-up) at 22 degrees of Capricorn. Destruction (Pluto) of systems, structures and constrictions (Saturn) which previously seemed useful but are now exposed as impeding progress and prosperity.

Decay/Death (Pluto) of structures and systems (Saturn) to make way for the new. Separation of the essential / useful from that which no longer serves. End of the cycle which began in 1982/83 - death of the last remnants of the NeoCons, for one thing (though their death-throes be nasty with long-lasting effects; they're still dying). Collective and personal grief and loss over the destruction of the status-quo; breakdown and failure of social and economic systems consolidating power and wealth in the hands of the few. 

They that are not busy being born are busy dying (Dylan, more or less). That's the theme of this transit.



The Saturn-Pluto opposition September 2001 brought us 9/11. There Saturn in Gemini (information, communications, immediate environment i.e. "our neighborhood") was opposed by Pluto in Sagittarius (religion, "foreign" people, places and things). We all know what happened.

At the conjunction of Saturn/Pluto in Capricorn we've seen the US and Iran at the brink of war last week. Iranian students are being seen refusing to trample US and Israeli flags after discovering their leaders lied about shooting down the Ukrainian passenger plane last week.

It's interesting to note than in his Sefer HaOlam, Ibn Ezra gives the zodiac signs and planets associated with certain cities and countries. He states that Bagdad (the capital of Persia during his lifetime as well as during other periods of Persian history) was associated with 21 Cancer: exactly opposite today's Saturn/Pluto conjunction. 

It's also interesting to note that in the natal chart for the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Saturn/Pluto conjunction is exactly opposite the current Iranian government's natal Vertex. I call the Vertex "the rabbit hole" because in my experience as an astrologer it's the point where, like Alice in Wonderland following the White Rabbit, one unconsciously follows patterns which lead to repeating the same mistake over and over again until the lesson is finally learned. How many times must one fall down the rabbit hole until one learns not to follow that White Rabbit? 

The Vertex has to do with unchosen but seemingly "fated" encounters, those that seem compelled. In the Islamic Republic of Iran's natal chart, the Vertex at 23 Cancer in the 8th House (values/valuables/resources & intimacies we share with others) opposite Saturn/Pluto seems to be saying: Wait a minute! Was that really a White Rabbit I saw running past me, and do I really have to follow him down the rabbit hole again?

The consequences and long term effects of this conjunction will unfold this year as Jupiter and Pluto make three conjunctions in Capricorn, enlarging (Jupiter) the Pluto effect: death/destruction in order to create transformative change. Like the phoenix rising from the ashes of his own self-immolation, Pluto (modern planetary ruler of Scorpio)  doesn't do things halfway. There is no half-death and partial transformation: it's all or nothing now. Leading up to December 2020's Jupiter-Saturn conjunction at Zero degrees Aquarius (classically ruled by Saturn; modern ruler Uranus), by the time we get to the end of 2020 we'll be looking at ourselves and our world in the mirror and asking: Who is this? What are we becoming? Let us hope the angels of our better/best selves collectively agree we're getting better, not worse, as a human race.

CHODESH TEVET: GROWING UP AND GETTING REAL

CHODESH TEVET: GROWING UP AND GETTING REAL

Capricorn "G'di" from the Hammat Tiberias Synagogue floor mosaic, 4th Century

Why is this Chodesh Tevet (December 28, 2019 – January 26, 2020) different than all other Tevets which have gone before? Tevet is the mazal of Capricorn / G’di, the mountain goat, the month ruled by the planet Saturn/Shabbtai, and associated with the Tribe of Dan. That never changes. What’s different this month is the long-awaited (and much feared by the non-Jewish astro-blogosphere) conjunction of Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn which occurs January 12^th, with Mercury, Jupiter, and the South Lunar Node in Capricorn as well. This conjunction is bookended by the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in Aquarius, for the first time since the year 1405, which will take place in December 2020. The entire year of 2020 is parenthetically enclosed by these two powerful, historic Saturn conjunctions! 

Medieval commentators Abraham Bar Hiyya, Abraham ibn Ezra, Kabbalists such as Joseph Ashkenazi and Abraham Abulafia, Moshe Cordovero, and a host of others all mention the planet Saturn as having a special connection to the Jewish people. In classical astrology Saturn was the ruling planet of both Capricorn and Aquarius, though now modern astrology assigns rulership of Aquarius to Uranus. 

In personal astrology, Saturn’s role is to develop maturity. Shouldering adult responsibility and accepting hard work and personal sacrifice as the price of progress is essential. The Full Cancerian Moon / Lunar Eclipse January 10^th opposite Sun, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury and the South Node contrasts empathetic maternal energy with pragmatism so practical it’s practically heartless. Aquarius New Moon January 24 illuminates the value of compassion and tender care for the vulnerable and weak. Saturn’s transit through Capricorn into Aquarius this year is an unflinching, unvarnished, bottom-line reality check intended to ultimately develop the fully individuated, unique, empathetic and effective Self in each one of us. Growing up and getting real: these are our Tevet tasks.   

Jupiter in Capricorn: Don't Dream It. Be It.

Jupiter in Capricorn: Don't Dream It, Be It

It's time to say goodbye to #Jupiter (Tzedek), leaving his home sign of #Sagittarius and entering #Capricorn territory at 10:30am Pacific time today (do the math for your own time zone).

Now as everybody either knows or should know, Jupiter is the ruling planet of Sagittarius, so an entire year of Jupiter in Sag has been like a homecoming. A big, loud, raucous, expensive, over the top homecoming party with several bands and of course nobody’s parents at home. Nobody to tell you to clean up the mess.... until now. 

Everything is about to change as Jupiter enters Capricorn, a place its expansive self finds a little too restrictive for its abundant, over-the-top extra extra supersized self. Jupiter is about going big, expanding, bringing abundance, enlarging wisdom. But there’s a reason the zodiac is ordered the way it is. Now it’s time for all the expansiveness we’ve enjoyed over the last year to learn how to actually manifest in the real world. That’s what Capricorn is all about: it’s the Cardinal (initiating) Earth (manifestation) sign – it’s the sign of Initiating Manifestation. 

Capricorn makes things happen because they’re REAL things. Jupiter in Capricorn is about taking the grand and glorious ideas of Jupiter in Sagittarius and manifesting them in real time in the real world. It’s about building the changes we want to see in ourselves and this world. As Dr. Frankenfurter says in the Rocky Horror Picture Show: “Don’t dream it, be it!” Jupiter in Capricorn takes our dreams, the ones we dreamed for ourselves during Jupiter in Sagittarius, and applies them to concrete real life. Are they viable? Can they live outside our imagination? Jupiter in Capricorn will answer these questions, tachlis, bottom line. It’s not a feel-good position: Jupiter in Capricorn will not lie to you to make you feel better. Jupiter in Capricorn isn’t about giving everyone a gold star simply for trying hard. It’s about making dreams and ideas real, viable, sustainable, practical, and material. 

In Jewish astrology, Capricorn is G’di, the mountain goat, and is associated with the Tribe of Dan who fiercely guarded the borders of ancient Israel. Saturn (Shabbtai) is the ruling planet of Capricorn, and “borders” and “boundaries” are the function of Saturn/Capricorn. This is because in the era of classical astrology, Saturn was the furthest visible planet from earth and thought to guard the boundaries / borders of our solar system (this was before the discovery of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, of course). I dare say that Jupiter, with his function of expanding everything he touches, will also be expanding the concept of “borders” and “boundaries” in our own personal, individual lives (which will depend on the placement of Capricorn in our own individual natal charts). How Jupiter in Capricorn will play out on a global scale may also see an expansion in border security and boundaries between countries. 

Jupiter will make three conjunctions with Pluto during 2020. Each of these conjunctions hovers around the sensitive point of the Zodiac (22 degrees Capricorn) where the Saturn/Pluto conjunction in January 2020 will occur These are the dates:

April 5th: Jupiter 24 Capricorn conjunct Pluto 24 Capricorn
June 30th: Jupiter 24 Capricorn conjunct Pluto 24 Capricorn
November 12th Jupiter 22 Capricorn conjunct Pluto 22 Capricorn

Jupiter = expansion, Pluto = raw power. It may be a gigantic power grab, or it may be the death or downfall of individuals or organizations which have blatantly abused power. 

This is all about Jupiter's journey to "THE GREAT CONJUNCTION" of Jupiter and Saturn at zero degrees Aquarius in December 2020. Everything Jupiter has to do on his way to that Great Conjunction will be HUGELY practical, GIGANTICALLY pragmatic, and IMMENSELY realistic. For the most inflated planet, this transit through Capricorn is all about deflating the hot air and revealing Jupiter's most tachlis gifts: growth (into maturity because Capricorn), wisdom (based on practical reality not dreams or imagination because Capricorn), and optimism (but not the wild kind: optimism based on an adult understanding of life rather than a child's untested desire for utopia). 

Jupiter in Capricorn: Don't dream it, be it!

Chodesh Kislev 5780: First Steps in the Maturation Process

CHODESH KISLEV: FIRST STEPS IN THE MATURATION PROCESS

"Mazal Keshet", the constellation / zodiac sign of Sagittarius, which is the Hebrew month of Kislev. From the Sefer Evronot, Pinchas ben Avraham Segal of Halberstadt, Germany 1716.

Chodesh Kislev (November 28 – December 27) is usually the most jovial of months, chiefly because Kislev’s ruling planet Jupiter (Tzedek) is connected to optimism, inspirational ideas, and hope. This year Kislev takes a turn towards the serious when Jupiter enters Saturn/Shabbtai-ruled Capricorn December 2, where he’ll be transiting until his conjunction to Saturn in Aquarius, the zodiac sign of the Jewish people, in December 2020. The Jupiter-Saturn “Great Conjunction” has been an important part of historic Jewish messianic speculation since the early Middle Ages. This year, Kislev 5780 marks the beginning of this significant planetary process climaxing in December 2020. Will it be “good for the Jews”? Only time will tell.

Kislev’s Tribe is Benyamin, portrayed on his flag as a ravening wolf on a rainbow background. Benyamin’s fierceness is focused on issues of unity and inclusion. His flag’s rainbow background incorporates the colors of all the Tribes, who unite as one in the Holy of Holies, located in Benyamin’s Tribal portion nestled within the larger Tribe of Yehuda, upon whose land the Holy Temple stood. The Full Moon in Gemini December 11 exposes multifaceted allegiances, the spiritual light of Chanukah which falls on the Winter Solstice December 21-22 pierces divisions, exposes sectarian biases, and illuminates the illusion of fragmentation. The Solar Eclipse/New Moon in Capricorn December 25 reveals where we may lack maturity, wisdom, patience, and endurance. These qualities must be integrated, or we will suffer the ill effects of immaturity, ignorance, and impatience, especially around issues of the resources we all share: this Earth and the environment we all have in common. 

Kislev with Jupiter in Capricorn this year inspires through introspection, the practical manifestation of abundance, the embodiment of dreams, and real-world modeling of good will, generosity, and idealism. These are Kislev’s gifts which keep on giving!

Chesvan: Empty of Holidays, Full of Promise

Pictured: Scorpio the Scorpion, from a ketubah, Padua 1732

Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan Tov!


Chodesh Cheshvan is sometimes called “empty” because there are no holidays, but the secret to this Ma’adin/Mars-ruled month is that it is full of hidden potential. Cheshvan’s Tribal ruler Menashe hid his identity while acting as an interpreter between his father Yosef, who himself was disguised as the Prime Minister of Egypt, and the brothers when they came to buy food during the famine. Scorpio (Ekrav), the zodiac sign of Cheshvan, employs secrecy and subterfuge in the service of ultimate truth and the greatest good. The energy of deep investigation and uncovering hidden truth is powerful this month!

Kochav/Mercury’s retrograde in Scorpio through November 20 probes into what is hidden, and revisits facts you thought were solid, but which now need re-checking. Looking deeply into uncomfortable or even unpleasant matters is important now and will yield long-term positive results for everyone involved. A crisis in continuity of authority and confusion around leadership roles is possible when Shabbtai/Saturn in Capricorn sextiles Rahav/Neptune in Pisces on November 8. Beautiful illusions or dangerous delusions are likely when Noga/Venus in independent-minded Sagittarius squares dreamy Neptune in imaginative Pisces November 14. The Full Taurus Moon November 12 illuminates our relationship with Mother Earth. Tzedek/Jupiter’s station at the Galactic Center November 15-20 focuses attention on humanity’s largest communal issues and demands confrontation with deniers who control valuable resources without caring for our collective future.

One of Scorpio’s symbols is the phoenix, which self-immolates and rises from its own ashes to a new life. Like Menashe who used pretense to achieve reconciliation, this is the month to use every means possible to recreate yourself anew. The only ones who will come away from Chodesh Cheshvan empty-handed are those who prefer the superficial to the deep, and those who fear letting go in order to experience truly transformative change.