What happened to Obama in the debate??

October 6, 2012 By

One thing everyone can agree on is that Barack Obama is a powerful speaker with an exceptional command of the English language and a preacher-like ability to inspire the emotions.  Yet he was universally declared the loser in the first presidential debate on October 3, 2012.  So what happened?

You can catch up on my astrological profile of Obama here in part I, and here in part II.  With the Sun and Mercury in Leo, the sign of charisma and zest for life, Obama has a sunny disposition and a confident manner of speaking.  Aquarius is rising in the chart, reflecting his famous detachment and “Spock”-like qualities.  But the astrological factor being activated currently is that he is in his Chiron Return.

Chiron is a small planet that was discovered in the late 1970s, and for some reason it, more than any of the other “minor” planets, has a powerful astrological effect.  Chiron in the chart shows where we are wounded, and how deeply those wounds run.  Planetary cycles involving Chiron will bring up those all wounds so that they can be re-experienced and released.  In Obama’s chart, Chiron is very strongly placed: in the first house of personal identity (reflecting the wound to his sense of self) and squares the Moon (emotions, inner world).  Chiron/Moon people are typically extremely sensitive emotionally and since Pluto is tied into the system as well (opposite Chiron and squaring the Moon), the process of identifying these old wounds and healing is a lifelong effort.

At around age 51 we all experience the “Chiron Return,” which happens when Chiron returns to its place in the birthchart.  This can be a time of incredible emotional release – it can also be extremely difficult and often coincides with major health problems if the emotional wounds are repressed and left to fester.  In Obama’s case the Chiron return also triggers the Moon and Pluto, making this a very intense time of overwhelming emotions – particularly for someone with an Aquarius ascendant who strives to go beyond emotion and live a life of reason.

Obama’s Chiron return actually began during the summer of 2011 so he has been dealing with this for some time.  The fatigue of campaigning takes its own toll, but combined with a long transit of Chiron to Pluto and the Moon, particularly during the Chiron return, would be quite exhausting.

Mars went into Obama’s 10th house of career and public life on October 5th which ought to energize him for a few weeks.  It’s too bad he didn’t consult an astrologer, though, because that is just a few days before the exact square from transiting Chiron to his Pluto and he will be more sensitive than usual which could create the fatigue that we saw during the first debate.  Transiting Mars is square his Pluto, though, which is likely to make him more combative and this could help his performance.

The final debate is on October 22nd which is a slightly better time for him.  Saturn (discipline and focus) will make a harmonious trine to his Venus (personal magnetism) and Mars will be approaching a trine to his Sun which will help to energize him.  However, Saturn will be nearing a challenging square to his Mercury (mind and communication) which is NOT a good time to try to make your views known.

Obama has had a solid lead so far in the election process, but poor debate performance will narrow the gap and make my prediction of an undecided election much more likely to be correct.

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Great New Political Blog: The Moon and the Debate

October 9, 2008 By

Thanks to April for the link to Terry Lamb’s new political blog.  Her first few posts discuss the debate and the significance of Mercury retrograde in the election.  I particularly like the way she talks about the effect of the Moon, something we (I) pay all too little attention to in addressing the effect of larger planetary cycles.  Here’s what Terry says:

It all hinged on the Moon. It was in late Capricorn during the debate, past any other planets in the heavens when measured by zodiacal degree. In energetic terms, the Moon is a trigger of action through our urges. When it is past the other planets (called void of course), we get down time, or as the I Ching says, “No action furthers.” This means that whatever actions we take during this time (until the Moon enters a new sign) will only work if they are the end of a matter. Activities started during the Moon’s void of course period tend not to develop.

The Town Hall Debate and the Void-of-Course Moon
The Moon was in its void period all during the debate. This says that activities begun during this time will come to nothing. We can extend that interpretation by noting that the Moon is associated with the public. This means that the public will not be changed by whatever happens during this time. The end result? Public opinion will not be changed by the debate; the debate will have no effect on the polls or electoral prospects of the candidates.

More precisely put, whatever trajectory the candidates are on, this debate will not change it. This is exactly what happened. Obama is up in the polls since yesterday, but this is unlikely to be due to the debates, since he is continuing on the rising trajectory he experienced beforehand. There was no bump from the debate itself, at least so far.

Beyond the Polls
This is quite separate from the notion of who won the debate, but the Moon can be used to ascertain who was favored by style and mood. Here the favor goes to Obama. Even though the Moon was past all the planets in their current positions, it was in direct contact with McCain’s Moon and Obama’s Saturn, both in late Capricorn. The Moon magnetizes energy to wherever it’s found in the heavens. Therefore, it drew energy to each of these planets in the candidates’ nature.

This was amply displayed in their demeanor and influenced the debate’s outcome. Whenever the Moon contacts our own Moon, it makes us more sensitive and moody. This was noted in the feisty attitude that came across in McCain’s speech and body language. He tossed the microphone, fidgeted, grimaced (that was not a smile, folks) in anger. When the Moon contacts our Saturn, we may feel more responsible, burdened, or work harder. If we use it well, we will rise to the challenge it presents. Barack Obama uses his Saturn well, as we’ve seen by his sense of responsibility, ability to bear up under hardship, and (nearly) unwavering focus on the good and the true.

read more here…

I’m looking forward to seeing what Terry says about the next debate which is October 15 in New York.  Mercury will have just turned direct, but the Moon in Taurus will have just opposed that intense Scorpio Mars which is likely to bring about a heightened emotional reaction from both candidates.

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