|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul Ryan, the Next House Speaker?
Last Thursday the House Majority leader, Kevin McCarthy, unexpectedly withdrew from the race to replace John Boehner, who himself had unexpectedly announced he would leave Congress at the end of October. With Republicans sharply divided, only one member is seen to have the national profile and intellectual force to unite them, and that’s Paul Ryan. The only problem? He doesn’t want the job.
Ryan was born with his Aquarius Sun conjunct Pallas, the political strategy asteroid (January 29, 1970; 2:37 am; Janesville, WI), a combination that benefits from being trine Uranus in his 10th house of public standing. His Sun is also conjunct Venus, which makes him a popular figure, both in his home state and in Washington. At the moment, his progressed Sun is exactly octile (45º) his Venus, which emphasizes his approval rating and reputation as a mediator.
Astrologically, the role of "Speaker" is naturally associated with Mercury, the communications planet. With a Virgo Midheaven, Ryan’s career is ruled by Mercury. Last Friday, when House Republicans reached a consensus around Ryan, Mercury was in the process of turning direct. In Ryan’s chart, transiting Mercury turned direct while in his 10th house and exactly sextile his Sagittarius Ascendant. Privately, he’s telling his colleagues that he’s now thinking about it.
People do change their minds when Mercury makes a station, especially when it connects with natal placements. Ryan is also experiencing transiting Saturn on his Ascendant, which represents the burden of responsibility that is being placed on his shoulders. Will he accept the Speaker role? With transiting Jupiter heading to his Midheaven, it seems likely. But first, he has to secure the cooperation of the Freedom Caucus, the disruptive right wing of House Republicans.
Bernie Sanders, Rectified
A reader asks, "Can you rectify his chart so we can get a better idea of his chances?" Speculatively, I would start with a time that gives him Aquarius Rising. Sanders would then have the same Ascendant-Sun combination as John McCain, another well known independent. Actor Larry Hagman is also in this camp, and these three express a similar temperament and personal style.
A 6:22 pm birth time puts his Aquarius Ascendant in the same degree as the U.S. Moon and would account for his popularity on the national scene. It also gives 10º Sagittarius at the Midheaven, a degree area frequently activated during some of his major career advances. For example, transiting Uranus was squaring his Midheaven when he was elected to the Senate on November 7, 2006. At the same time, the progressed Midheaven was quincunx his natal Sun.
Sanders declared his candidacy for president on April 30, 2015 as his progressed Midheaven was nearing his Ascendant and forming a precise sextile to natal Mars at 23º Aries. Note that in his chart transiting Saturn is climbing toward the Midheaven, when his desire to make his mark in the world dramatically increases. Transiting Saturn was exactly sextile his Mercury when he declared his candidacy.
With Black Moon Lilith (and a Saturn-Uranus conjunction) squaring his Aquarius Ascendant, Sanders unapologetically declares the uncomfortable truths, calling for radical changes to the American capitalist system that favors the billionaire class. This platform has met with an enthusiastic and unexpected popular response, which can be attributed to a progressed Ascendant-Jupiter conjunction. If 6:22 pm is correct, Sanders can anticipate continued success going into 2016 as his progressed Ascendant goes on to conjoin natal Jupiter, the ruler of his Midheaven.
Matt Damon as The Martian
In its second week, The Martian was the top box office draw, as Matt Damon* continued to wow audiences in this realistic sci-fi adventure. With a $100-million take so far, The Martian has re-awakened national interest in a future Mars mission. NASA gave the film a boost by announcing the discovery of flowing water on Mars just as the film was being released.
Matt Damon’s horoscope (October 8, 1970; 3:22 pm; Boston, MA) depicts many of the personality traits and talents portrayed by astronaut Mark Watney in The Martian. His Sun-Uranus conjunction in Libra trines his Aquarius Ascendant, giving him a detached scientific attitude, a keen interest in technology, and the desire to work with a team. Mercury conjoins both Uranus and Pluto, adding wit, a survival instinct, and creative intelligence.
Damon’s natal Mars is a key player in his chart due to its network of favorable aspects. Mars conjoins Pluto in duty-conscious Virgo and is given endurance and perseverance by a supportive trine to Saturn. Mars also trines his Capricorn Moon, making an Earth Grand Trine. In reality, this configuration has made Damon one of the most bankable Hollywood actors in film history. In this film, it shows his ability to be immensely resourceful and practical.
Damon’s chart suggests that he is now at the pinnacle of his career: a progressed Sun-Neptune conjunction at his Midheaven is currently being conjoined by transiting Saturn. This rare quadruple conjunction indicates that The Martian is a special landmark film. Also, his progressed Midheaven at 13º Capricorn is being activated by a conjunction from transiting Pluto which, in turn, opposes the U.S. Sun. These alignments suggest that Damon has become the cinematic vehicle fueling national aspirations for space travel.
* Damon was previously profiled in NewsScope for April 9, 2012.
Reader feedback is welcome. Email wolfstar@neptunecafe.com.
Questions About Life - an interactive ebook
Have you seen Local Space and Astrocartography Maps ?
Have you seen Halloran Chiron Interpretations ?
What is new with AstrolDeluxe, version 8 ? See http://www.halloran.com/dlr8.htm.
Updated astrology software news.
Return to Halloran Astrology Software Home Page.
Copyright © 2015 Halloran Software, Los Angeles, California
Last modified on October 12, 2015.
http://www.halloran.com/astnews.htm
