I don’t plan to watch Trump’s State of the Union address
tonight—the spectacle of him crowing shamelessly before Congress—many Dems
dressed in black in recognition of the #MeToo movement—might be tempting, but
the impulse passes quickly.
Don’t get me wrong—I care about what’s happening to this nation more than ever, but tuning
out tonight feels like the best way to express that.
Besides, I’m on eclipse
watch—an extraordinary one takes shape approximately 10 hours after Trump
takes the podium tonight, and it’s a cosmic doozy—a rare Super Blue
Blood Moon/Lunar Eclipse. It’s widely thought that eclipse energies begin
manifesting a couple degrees before
exactitude, so the startling news we saw yesterday probably signals things
to come. The actions we’ve been seeing on the ground are undoubtedly more
reliable signs than anything Trump is likely to say at the podium tonight. So,
a quick list, just to get the conversation going:
Just
two days ago (1/28), the following appeared on Axios.com:
“Trump national security officials are considering an unprecedented federal
takeover of a portion of the nation’s mobile network to guard against China.”
This proposal would apparently impose federal control on any 5g networks that
are developed (many are reportedly in development
by mega-corporate players). Controlling the narrative has been an obsession
with Trump since his New York days, and he makes his feelings about our Free
Press abundantly clear: do we really believe this plan is about “China?”
Then,
yesterday (1/29), after months of mounting pressure from the White House,
FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe announced he will step down by retiring
immediately—not in March, as previously planned. McCabe’s being married to a
Democrat who had the audacity to run for office and accept funding from Clinton-connected
entities seems to be the offense here. Never mind McCabe’s 30 years of
professional public service: all that matters is that Clinton wasn’t prosecuted for using a private
email server, and by Trump’s logic, she was guilty, no matter the facts. Ergo,
the investigation must have been rigged, so “off with their heads! Besides, McCabe can corroborate that
Trump demanded a “loyalty oath” from former FBI Director, Jim Comey before
Trump fired him.
Yesterday
evening, the GOP-dominated House Intelligence Committee voted to publicly
release a highly-sensitive memo written by Chair Devin Nunes (R, CA) that
reportedly calls into question the methods and sources used by the FBI to
investigate Trump campaign advisor, Carter Page—after all is said
and done, a known Russian agent. That
same committee’s Ranking Member Adam Schiff (D, CA) has been fighting the
release of this memo; he’s read the classified materials underlying the
allegations in the Nunes memo and says the allegations represent a distortion
of the classified facts. Even so, the GOP members of the committee would apparently
prefer not to know these underlying
facts (maybe they would muddy the conspiratorial message of the memo?), so they
voted not to read the underlying classified
material before releasing the memo. Willful ignorance?
Sent to Trump last night, this questionable, squirrely memo is widely thought to
provide a pretext for Trump to fire Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein—the
only Justice Department official who stands between Trump and Robert Mueller’s
Russia investigation. One by one, anyone else who wields any power over that
investigation has been spirited away by either Trump directly, or by his agents
within the GOP. The GOP-led committee, in fact, also announced that it has
opened an investigation into the FBI and the Justice Department—another
transparent effort to stymie the Mueller investigation.
As Rachel Maddow hammered home when
reporting on all this last night, there are times when obstruction of justice
is worth the risk to top-level officials, because
it works. For his part, veteran Watergate-era journalist Carl Bernstein
offered that we’re probably going to look back at yesterday (1/29) as a “Monday
Night Slaughter of the administration of justice” in this country, carried out
for purely partisan interests and to shield Trump from Mueller’s investigation.
Timing is everything, as they say.
Like the “cherry” on top of a yesterday’s very troubling “sundae” of
pro-Russian, anti-FBI/Justice Department activities, Trump’s Treasury
Department released a list of Putin-linked Russian oligarchs, adding that being
on that list is not a sign that the
person is under sanctions, or a sign that American businesses should avoid
dealing with them. This transpired on the same day the Trump
White House announced that Trump will not
be honoring the deadline set by Congress for enforcing the sanctions laid
on Russia in response to their interference in our 2016 election. A move like
this serves the dual purposes of protecting Russia (always a priority for some
reason) and of daring Congress to challenge Trump’s decision. Co-equal branches
of power?
So, the GOP-led House Intel
Committee fell into lockstep with the White House for an intense flurry of
thumbing their nose at those who believe Russia’s effort to undermine our
democracy on behalf of one candidate should bear consequences. Funny, there’s another election coming within months!
To summarize, we run the risk, reflected strongly in the
astrology of this eclipse, of selling our national “Soul” so that Trump can
consolidate American power (writ large) in his own hands. The full breadth of
Russia’s role in this political intrigue—Trump’s “phantom partner?”—remains to
be seen (they deny everything and even cried foul about Trump publishing that
list of oligarchs), but for now let’s examine the Super Blue Blood Aquarius-Leo lunar eclipse, about to
perfect.
Astronomical facts
Given the topics in the news, one intriguing astronomical
fact is that this eclipse is “totally” visible in Moscow for 8 minutes and 51
seconds (overall duration = 2 hrs. 9m, 29s), and is only partially visible in Washington, D.C. for 26 m. 35s (overall
duration = 1 hr. 23 m 49s. We probably won’t know the significance of this
until we’re looking in the rear-view mirror, but the basic fact that the
eclipse takes in our two geographical locations in one fell swoop feels
significant.
Set for Washington, D.C.,
the penumbral phase of the eclipse begins at 5:51:13 a.m. Standard Time, and
the partial phase (meaning, the beginning of partial visibility) begins at
6:48:27 a.m. ST. Because beginnings are the point of an event chart, I’ve cast Chart #1 below for 5:51:13 a.m. A
penumbra is a “shadow,” which fits the “cloak and daggers” nature of so much of
what’s happening in D.C. these days. Let’s examine this chart.
Chart #1: Super Blue
Blood Lunar Eclipse, January 31,
2018, 5:51:13
a.m. ST, Washington, D.C. Tropical
Equal Houses, True Node.
Eclipse Sun widely conjoins Venus (Aquarius) and opposes Eclipse Moon
(Leo); Eclipse Moon conjoins Ceres-N. Node (Leo). Celeste Teal teaches
that “important decisions are made” during a full moon (lunar) eclipse because “conditions
and circumstances are in full bloom at the time of the Full Moon, for good or
ill.[1] Considering
how rare and intense this particular eclipse is, we can probably expect more extreme manifestations than usual—for good
or ill.
We’ve already seen, for instance, how Trump and his allies
in the House Intel Committee have pre-empted the energies of this eclipse and
made extremely rash decisions that reveal their joint priorities (Sun-Venus).
In fact, Trump could now make yet another
rash decision by publicly releasing the controversial Nunes memo turned over to
him by the Committee. Since the memo supposedly casts suspicion on the FBI and
(by association) the Mueller investigation, why wouldn’t he? Protecting his
personal assets and interests (Sun-Venus) is what he’s about.
Other government entities are making potentially rash
decisions, as well. NPR reports today
that FEMA has decided to suspend its distribution of food and water across
hurricane-ravaged Puerto
Rico—a decision that directly impacts the bread-and-butter needs of people
who still can’t get to the markets (Moon-Ceres). Can Puerto Rico pick up
the slack on its own? We’ll see.
Be watching also in the coming months for trends and
policies affecting agriculture and food production. A lunar eclipse conjunct Ceres
could impact the next season’s harvests—it’s a good time to check out the Farmer’s Almanac!
Another important point to remember is that this eclipse is a
“Dragon’s Head” eclipse (i.e., one in which the North Node conjoins the
eclipse point), and should for that reason bring new energy to bear in the
situation. The energy is inflowing on the lunar side, which could mean the people
are energized in some way; however, with the Sun disposing the Leo Moon,
the people’s energies could be subject to maneuverings “on-high.” This is a
very ambitious, purposeful feeling eclipse—the more conscious we try to remain
about the power dynamics we get caught up in, the better.
Perhaps in keeping with its timing a few
hours before the eclipse, his address
is pre-emptive: it will simply be the
message he wants people to be focusing on while other things go on behind the scenes in the months to come. These other things will more fully embody the eclipse’s
Leonine “inflowing energy.” So, what could those developments look like?
Disposed by the charismatic, but imperious Sun,
this Leo Moon promotes the consolidation of power, and at worst, authoritarian
dominance. It’s a good guess that whatever Trump says at his SOTU bully pulpit
will be calibrated to please his right-wing, “build the wall” base, but the
White House has indicated that his speech will also call for bipartisan unity for the sake of getting “great
things” done. This might be encouraging, except that we’ve heard this song
before—at the Inauguration, as Trump launched the most divisive presidency
ever.
Trump’s call for unity makes better sense if we consider that
this eclipse also conjoins his natal
Pluto (chart not shown). To consolidate his power (Leo Pluto)
demands that others unite behind him, whether they want to
or not. Quick wish list: any holdouts among We the People should finally
relinquish all resistance, appreciate how heroic his “America First” agenda is, and above all, grant him, personally, our undying loyalty and
deference. I wish I were exaggerating, but Trump demands this level of deference
from everyone working under him, so why not from the People at large?
Returning to the eclipse points, the Sun’s position in
Aquarius doesn’t soften this consolidating potential much, unfortunately: totalitarian
regimes are often heavily influenced by both Leo and Aquarius and its ruling
planet, Uranus. The chart for Germany’s Third Reich[2] featured
an elevated Aquarius Sun-Saturn-Mercury conjunction, and the
1930s Uranus-Pluto square from Aries to Cancer! Communist Romania[3]
(one of the most oppressive of the Soviet “satellites”) featured a Capricorn Sun,
disposed by a Leo Saturn conjunct Moon and Pluto, opposite Venus
in Aquarius.
Perhaps a closer model for the threat we’re experiencing is the
chart for the Russian Federation[4]:
transformed under Vladimir Putin into a kleptocracy, the Federation was born
into a hard-edged Capricorn Sun-Uranus-Neptune, disposed by Saturn
in Aquarius.
Pluto (Capricorn) rises at the ASC (Capricorn); Pluto/Mercury
(midpoint, Capricorn) squares Uranus (Aries). These placements and
aspects continue the “power-playing” theme. A Plutonian power play is an order
of magnitude more serious than the usual Jupiter-v.-Saturn tug of wars we see
in D.C.—squabbles over deregulating, v. regulating, “trickle-down” v. “float
all boats” economics, and so on. Plutonian power plays are about “regime
change,” about overturning one order and replacing it with another.
 |
| King George III of Britain |
Of course, as the insurance ad goes, we American rebels “know
a thing or two” about overturning an old order—just ask Mad King George III. We
replaced red-coated British rule with scruffy guerilla tactics and heroic
leaders like George Washington, and we did it the last time Pluto
traversed the final degrees of Capricorn. So, Pluto rising in this
power-saturated eclipse chart in the second half of Capricorn recalls (Pluto
has a long memory) what was at stake during the 1770s. At the risk of being
over-dramatic, I’d say that our 1776 “contract” with democracy is either up for
renewal, or about to expire.
The Pluto/Mercury midpoint is also significant
here because it energizes those stakes into
action, in tangible, Capricornian ways.
Midpoints expert Michael Munkasey captures the points we’ve been discussing
and more in his description:
“High security communications and intelligence activities;
political talk which offers abrupt changes to some functions…Secrets concerning
the business community or transportation systems; communications within the
intelligence gathering agencies; self-destructive impulses in business;
breakdowns in the road networks.” [5]
(p.176)
As we’ve seen, communications, intelligence and secrecy are
front-page news; changes being wrought to our Justice Department might well
threaten our democratic system entirely. Infrastructure projects (including the
“Wall”) are bound to be a big topic of Trump’s SOTU speech, and Trump has only
recently imposed self-destructive tariffs on trade for some items (also a Mercury
concern).
Here’s where the 1st-7th house
placement of the eclipse comes into play: naming one’s enemies (7th house Moon) and
stoking fear and/or anger against them is a useful tactic for consolidating
power in the ruler (1st house Sun). The “charisma” (Leo) of the
enemy (Moon = People) is thus co-opted and used against them.
The Uranus square to this Pluto/Mercury
midpoint adds the element of potential chaos and surprise to all of the
above, but Munkasey also suggests an “information-gathering” dimension:
“Remaining aloof from others who do your bidding to obtain
data in any way possible…”[6] (p. 17)
In fact, we can see in this chart how our cosmic arbiter of facts—Saturn—is
sidelined in the 12th house—Neptune’s natural domain, but even
so, it falls trine justice-minded Pallas
(Taurus): perhaps the truth will come out as the eclipse period unfolds.
Will that be enough to stop Trump from transforming our system with a heavy-handed
Plutonian
agenda? At home in Capricorn, Saturn disposes this aggressive Pluto,
so the pressure is on and the stakes are high.
Jupiter (Scorpio) squares Venus-Juno (Aquarius), inconjoins Uranus
(Aries); Jupiter and Mars (Sagittarius) form a mutual reception. In (U.S.)
political astrology, Jupiter is often associated with the
GOP—its radix Pisces Sun resonates with Jupiter’s
laissez-faire approach and promotion of growth. The square to Venus
and the inconjunct to Uranus that we see here suggest an
intense economic agenda that could hold some surprises, and with Saturn
hovering exactly opposite Sibly Venus-Jupiter (Cancer, chart not
shown), a Wall Street “correction” isn’t out of the question.
In fact, the economy could well be over-stimulated with a
somewhat arrogant Jupiter holding court at the top of the chart, sextile Scorpio
co-ruler Pluto and in mutual reception with Mars (Sagittarius). Jupiter
also trines Pisces Chiron, suggesting that the “happy times are here again”
excesses we’re seeing today (a deliberate $1.5 trillion tax revenue loss,
followed by $25 billion for a wall?)
may come back to bite us.
Final thoughts
We’ve seen efforts by Trump to consolidate power in a myriad
of ways, so the eclipse is likely to merely intensify a process that’s already
in place. It’s a process that always plays out like a no-holds-barred wrestling
match, complete with dirty maneuvers and throw-downs: Step 1, tear down/undermine the Enemy (media person, political
functionary, judge, prosecutor, etc.); Step
2, confuse the narrative with plausible ambiguities, sowing doubt and division
(thus gaining power over public perception); Step 3, play “Bait & Switch,” replacing the confused narrative
with a fear- and crisis-driven imperative: “we must do this now, or else!”
Even a casual observer can see that through Twitter or other means, Trump and Co.
work to undermine the power of everyone around them, attempting to co-opt that
power to themselves. Through unrelenting bashing, the Media is being trained to
see that to contradict the “official narrative” or to ask uncomfortable
questions is to be labeled “Fake News” (with awards, even); this makes sense
with Pluto
transiting into a tight opposition with our Sibly Mercury (Cancer, chart
not shown).
And slowly but surely, Congress, the Justice Department, the
Courts and even State and City governments (“sanctuary cities” beware!) are
learning that their intended new purpose is to serve the Executive’s agenda—“loyalty first!” Pluto is also transiting square our Sibly Saturn
(Congress, the Courts) and opposite our Sibly Sun (Executive). Many
commentators have pointed out that Trump just doesn’t seem to “get” our supposedly
balanced system of 3 co-equal branches of federal power, and who could disagree?
Would anyone argue that he wants to
get it?
No, the reality is pretty clear: despite any illusions to
the contrary, he doesn’t want to get
it, and this eclipse could help him solidify that position if we’re not
vigilant and determined. So, do we renew the 1776 “contract,” or stand by as a new
order takes over? Stay tuned!
Raye
Robertson is a practicing astrologer, writer and former educator. A graduate of
the Faculty of Astrological Studies (U.K.), Raye focuses on mundane,
collective-oriented astrology, with a particular interest in current affairs,
culture and media, the astrology of generations, and public concerns such as
education and health. Several of her articles on these topics have been
featured in The Mountain Astrologer and other publications over the years.
She is
also available to read individual charts—contact her at: robertsonraye@gmail.com.
© Raye Robertson 2018. All
rights reserved.
[1]
Celeste Teal, Eclipses: Predicting World
Events & Personal Transformation, Llewellyn Publications, Woodbury, MN, 2006, pp. 110-111.
[2]
Nicholas Campion, The Book of World
Horoscopes, revised/updated edition, The Wessex Astrologer, Bournemouth,
UK, 2004, Chart #126, p. 137.
[3]
Ibid, Chart #259, p. 251.
[4]
Ibid, Chart #280, p. 273.
[5]
Michael Munkasey, Midpoints: Unleashing
the Power of the Planets, ACS Publications, San Diego, CA, 1991, pp. 176.
[6] Ibid,
p. 177.
