ABC news
Please note that any comments from either side of the aisle which serve only to inflame and do not add productively to the conversation will be deleted.
Predicting the outcome of an election is a tempting exercise, but extremely difficult in practice. In 2016 astrologers everywhere attempted to predict whether Clinton or Trump would win the November US Presidential election. You can geek out here and read the article and comments breaking down results by whether the astrologer followed the tropical or sidereal zodiac, was US-based or international etc., but the important takeaway is that of the 90 predictions collected in the article, 62.1% predicted a Clinton win and 37.9% predicted a Trump win. These predictions were based on a nearly infinite assortment of techniques including ancient and obscure techniques such as firdaria, vertical zodiac, whatever that is, and something my friend Barry Goddard called “a non-astrological judgement that politically the more charismatic candidate usually wins.”
62.1% predicted a Clinton win; 37.9% predicted Trump would win. This wasn’t far off from Gallup’s polling which gave Clinton a 51% chance over 32% for Trump.
After the election some astrologers attempted to blame the incorrect predictions on faulty birth data, but in this kind of prediction there are so many factors. The individual candidates, their personalities and their planetary cycles affecting them at the time of the election. Whether or not they connect with the People as reflected in the chart for the United States. Which chart for the United States is used (most astrologers, myself included, use the chart from July 4 1776 but there are many others). The mood of the People on election day. Planetary conditions for the US chart and how the candidates fit into those conditions.
And then there’s the fact that planetary conditions are not good predictors of future events. Saturn transits can create tests and challenges, but they don’t necessary mean a loss. Jupiter transits can indicate good fortune, but they don’t necessarily mean a win. I can tell you that Joe Biden has a transit right now of Jupiter in a harmonious trine to his Midheaven – the point of reputation and public life. That’s very positive for the way he is seen right now. He also has a challenging square from Neptune, planet of illusion and detachment, to his Midheaven. This suggests the potential to be undermined and perhaps lose one’s focus as he reaches for greater meaning (Neptune) in his public life. Overall, Biden’s transits and progressions are pretty favorable this year.
Donald Trump also has some favorable planetary cycles, including harmonious trines from Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto to his Midheaven of public life. However, these same planets are challenging his natal Venus/Saturn conjunction which shows his basic insecurities about being liked. This conjunction is in Cancer, the sign of the family, and he really only likes or trusts those in his immediate family and inner circle. This will be challenged over the next few years with Pluto opposing those planets.
More significant, in my mind at least, is what is happening in the US chart as we approach the US Pluto return. Transiting Pluto (destruction and regeneration) will return to its place in the US chart beginning officially in 2022, but it is within the orb of influence now. Transiting Saturn (tests and challenges) has been triggering the US Pluto all year as part of the Capricorn trio, adding additional pressure. Pluto has made significant impacts on the US chart for the past few years and we have been seeing the Plutonic effects of the eruption of national rage for quite some time now, but this has really only set the stage for the upcoming Pluto return. Race and class wars will be amplified by the stressors of Covid-19 and related economic challenges, and the choice of President will have a huge impact on how this scenario unfolds.
On election day (November 3, 2020) four planets plus Chiron will be retrograde, and this includes Mercury. Mercury will be squared by Saturn on that day, suggesting some negativity of thought and perhaps changes of mind on the part of the voters. Mars will also be retrograde, in its own sign of Aries, holding on to old grudges – especially with the Sun in Scorpio. A conjunction of Jupiter to Pluto and Saturn which has been in effect all summer will be completing its third phase, adding the likelihood of ideological conflict. On top of the astrology, we have a president who has already said that he will not step down if he loses because that will mean the election was a fraud.
President Trump is a symbol of the conflict in the United States, not a cause. This election is not merely a choice between two presidents, but a choice of the path that the US will take through its Pluto Return. Will it continue to tear apart the veneer of normalcy that has covered over hundreds of years of racial strife and economic equality, forcing an eventual transformation through destruction (Pluto’s domain), or will it decide to try repair the deep fissures through kindness and strategy? Either way, we will have to at some point come to terms with the darkness that is at the heart of the American experience.
Lynn,
thank you for that interesting analysis of the past predictions and for an interesting look at the future influences! I know where my heart lies, and I keep scouting the internet for astrological insight, and I’m no clearer than before I started- sadly. A good lesson in living with uncertainty, but not satisfying to the part of me that yearns for confidence that I will be happy come January.
One thing that did hearten me was that one astrologer pointed out (without revealing what house system he was using) that the trines to Trump’s midheaven are now post-peak and waning . . .
Thanks for a great site!
I’m sorry to inform you Deb, but when I look into my crystal ball it appears to me that nobody will be happy in January. ;)
LOL. Thanks for the laugh. And great article.
yes- LOL,
Biden’s Trines are also weakening on election day.
If President Trump won this election he would have to trump Pluto.
Scary but I RATHER VOTE FO THE INCUMBENT THAN FOR SOMEONE WHO IS TOO RADICAL….TRUMP HAS DONE A LOT IN THESE THREEE YEARS AND I BELIEVE IN HIM AND HIS PARTY. i BELIEVE IN FACTS NOT SENTIMENTS….
This doesn’t really have anything to do with the article, Liliana. I’d like to keep the discussion focused on the astrological factors.
Lynn, I think the all caps should have given you a clue–if you know what I mean.
I see you have been well and working really hard.
Do you have time to do individual readings?
Honestly I didn’t read the article because I am done with pretty much everyone. Black people who won’t vote but complain. Trumpsters who are beyond insane.
I have (had) an older friend whom I hadn’t seen in over a year visit me and he is on the other side and couldn’t stop bringing up politics even though I tried to deflect several times.
He has told me that he has been trolling various political forums on Facebook the past couple of years.
We have known each other for almost 15 years and I have never seen him like that before. He is in his early 70’s and has had a lot of health problems lately and we had a nice hug before he left and for some reason I think that will be the last time I see him because I try to avoid toxic people.
It is sad to end friendships over politics but I won’t have my boundaries violated.
Again thanks for braving the crazies to give your astrological take on the election.
Hi Roderick, good to see you. I think we have a ways to go before the toxicity abates, no matter the result of the election so it IS important to take care of ourselves and our energy field. Yes, I’m doing individual readings, you can sign up here if you like.
Yes, the transiting Pluto opposite the U.S. natal Mercury is doing a number on us as well as the U.S. progressed Mars which has been retrograde since the mid-2000s so it should be no surprise that Americans are turning our anger on each other. *sad*
I feel a lot of bias in Lynn’s posts….I appreciate her freedom to express herself, but facts have no interest in our feelings, they just are.
Saying no one will be happy in January is just silly. I choose Happiness each day.
I am leaving this group because of the above.
I am a huge follower ad admirer of your astrology site , however, I was disheartened by your comment in the last paragraph which was clearly biased.
Michele, I generally try to avoid any semblance of bias although being human and full of opinions of my own, they do sometimes leak through. But your point is well taken and I’ve edited the last paragraph to avoid any attack on any particular candidate.
Thank you for braving the inevitable emotional reactivity that comes with political discussions! Your astrological analysis of the current cultural climate and the politics of the moment are insightful and helpful to those of us who are trying to make some sense of these tumultuous times. The United States Pluto return is dominating the stage . And as one who comprehends the archetypes and astrological influences, it is clear we are collectively experiencing the culmination of our nation’s karma. It’s time to atone, forgive and heal.
Blessings to you all
Thank you Laura. ❤️
Regarding Laura’s note—“We are experiencing the culmination of our nation’s karma”—wow,
That really says it all.
Sorry, Lynn, but the first sentence of the last paragraph is in my opinion, incorrect.
I think it’s fair to say that there are many differing opinions about what is going on right now.
With this virus many people (and maybe most) have turned inside and are evaluating their lives.
Materialism had dominated our country for many years, but people are changing rapidly now. Some have decided to stay home and homeschool, others have begun cooking more meals, saving more money, moving closer to family, more spiritual, cut back on social media and cable news, etc.
The virus united us. Unlike a hurricane, tornado, etc., this affected every man, woman, and child. We united to help our family, friends, and community. This is similar to 911, but it goes even much much deeper.
Although this transition is painful, when it is over America will be a better stronger country with more opportunities.
As you said, Pluto’s effect will continue to be felt, and is having a profound affect of destruction and regeneration, and this will be evident on the election day.
Sorry Deb but I have to disagree with unity. I have seen many selfish behaviors because I feel many are unable to deal with all of the change and the notion of dealing with the past scares them!
Hi, Im with Deb! What on Earth could possibly give us All This Down Time for Reflection? I find it Long Over Due!
2020 … IS One Lyfe Altering, New Decade, Double #, Unforgettable, Leaping Year!
… and my Birthday was 02/20/2020! WOW!
I spell Lyfe with a “Y” cause there are sooo many questions!
When I first looked @ 2020… I got the message of… Perfect Vision, but Not what’s in front of me, cause that comes and goes, It’s the INNER VISION… where it all comes from, that I keep my eye on!
We do have choices here, we can choose to live in Love or live in Fear. They Both Work! We are being Tested!
Even though, change is good, for some reason we have a tough time with it.
Letting go of old ways, that don’t work anymore, is very challenging, & happening now.
… it gets worse before it gets better… but it’s all on the Agenda.
Keep your light on… and be kind with your thoughts, they go out where u send them, then come back to you.
So I’m ending here with some food for thought, that came to me @ the beginning of the yr, for the END Of This Year….
All of Us On This Planet, can Honestly say, Hindsight Was 2020!
… and this too shall pass, everything does, ya know… just like gas!
Love to U, and all connected, what u catch a butterfly with… AnNETte xox
Thank you for an interesting article. So the USA is going thru a Pluto Return–no wonder things are so chaotic. Your comment that “no one will be happy come January” made me smile. We all need learn to surf the waves of change. Wishing you well. Thanks again.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, Suzanne. ❤️
There is no “kindness” when it comes to Marxism/Communism.
Thanks for your comment, but I believe it’s irrelevant to the discussion which I would like to limit to astrology.
I consult an astrologer for my life related things. As per his analysis , he does not see him winning but for some reason, I see him coming back. No matter how bad I want it other way around but I am not able to change my gut feeling .
I was reading about Ben Franklin recently, his knowledge of astrology. Some people think he timed the signing of the Declaration of Independence so that the moon would be better aspected. He didn’t want it in Capricorn opposing all the US’ Cancer planets. It’s interesting that nobody knew Pluto existed in 1776. If they had, I’m sure Franklin would have scooted the signing to a different date to avoid that Pluto/Mercury opposition. Since things are so chaotic, can we go back to not knowing it exists? LOL.
Hi Liz, that’s an interesting thought! The Moon is unaspected in the Sibley chart for the signing of the Declaration and in Aquarius which would reflect the desire for a “shining city on the hill.”