Of course we both know well that even ancient astrologers couldn’t agree on everything, though.

Even Robert Hand has stated in TMA: “There is considerable disagreement among traditional authorities about the use of ingresses…Frankly, at this stage of the research, I cannot say that I really know what the correct procedure should be.”

He then went on to use all 4 ingresses in the article “A Crisis of Power: Saturn and Pluto Face Off” in the Aug/Sept 2001 Issue

One question – what do you think about Abu Mashar’s approach with ingresses – the Aries Ingress is pivotal; if the Ascendant is Cardinal then one must examine the Libra Ingress; if the Ascendant is Fixed, the Aries Ingress stands; and if the Ascendant is Mutable than all four cardinal ingresses must be examined?

Not to quibble with looking at all four ingresses – that can never hurt!

Wonderful to see some insights on the Goddesses Elizabeth! And I agree that perhaps the Dems are shooting high on purpose -to leave plenty of room for compromise. Obama had to have known that significant opposition was coming, and yet he didnt unleash his formidable organizational forces until late in the summer…makes me think he was happy to give the opposition enough rope to possibly make themselves look foolish in town halls.

The Dems are said to have enough votes to force the issue via reconciliation, so as far as the applying square of the Sun to Pluto, I feel this could just as easily signify a President who is wielding considerable power and putting pressure on behind the scenes (12th) to force a compromise.

In Hellenistic astrology the diurnal and nocturnal planets are seen like representatives of opposing parties, so perhaps the Venus-Saturn conjunction will represent this compromise…

In any event, I feel one of the values of the Health Care debate is that it vividly demonstrates that Re-birth is a process which mirrors birth. When I hear people say “transformation” as a keyword for Pluto it sounds like it is something that best happens from without (transpersonal), but in reality genuine transformation is an organic process which rises from within.

So, I am thankful that these Saturn-Uranus oppositions are being experienced by our Nation largely via internal conflict, rather than external

“Our moulting season, like that of the fowls, must be a crisis in our lives. The loon retires to solitary ponds to spend it. Thus also the snake casts its slough, and the caterpillar its wormy coat, by an internal industry.” ~Henry David Thoreau “Where I Lived And What I Lived For”

I never expected to come across such a vivid reminder of labor pains here. Compression, contraction, and, yes, the feeling of no escape for – from! – the baby or those !@#$%& pains! I’m not quite sure how to thank you for the memory…:-)

But, seriously, that turbulence certainly does reflect the birthing of the bill before us. The word crucible – another vessel from another alchemy – also came to mind. A metaphor sparked by your mention of the Cancer Ingress and Mars in Cancer, perhaps.

–We must assume that, after his speech, the president will once again leave this process to the legislative branch.–

I don’t agree. Looks to me like he’s hands-on in there slugging it out for this one.

I understand that Pluto is invisible and unmentionable in classical astrology. However, for a modern, Pluto at AP dominates this chart: The President (Sun) has tough, formidable challenge to deal with on his plate (square Pluto). Potentially with an outcome anticipated at the Capricorn Ingress (with Pluto-Sun in a 2 degree conjunction) – powerful change?

A thoughtful piece, Gary, thanks.

–the means are being confused with the goal, which is a Jupiter-Neptune problem.–

Appreciated this insight in particular, Elizabeth.

Mars in fall (in the 6th) is approaching a square to Ceres in Libra (in the 9th). This quarter may see problems with contamination of imported or exported foods, battles that center on Social Security and pension plans, and concerns about medicines and vaccines (contamination, global distribution, or other issues may apply). Mars in Cancer is a soggy Mars, too! His square to Ceres could indicate crop damage from excessive rains or flooding, or damp rot in storage facilities.

Notice, too, that Juno in Pisces is the only body that shares the Nodal degree. Juno’s nodal connection is a favorable sextile/trine with the Nodes. With her near conjunction to Uranus, this suggests that new or unusual collaborations will lead to non-traditional modes of problem solving. Her placement in the 2nd house speaks specifically of resources and value systems. Pisces can be a sign of smoke and mirrors, and its traditional ruler, Jupiter, is retrograde and making repeated contacts to Pisces’ co-ruler Neptune.

Yet Juno’s powerful connection to the Nodes says that birds-in-the-hand are better than those tweeting from the bushes. It is always possible that Congress may decide to utilize and expand a resource already at hand, like Medicare/Medicaid, rather than choosing to create an entirely new National Health Care Plan bureacracy, as it is currently proposed. Indeed, the whole idea of proposing a national, federally-sponsored plan may be smoke and mirrors! What is more likely to bring insurance companies to the bargaining table than the threat of a cheaper, more efficient health insurance provider?

Indeed, the means are being confused with the goal, which is a Jupiter-Neptune problem. The means of comprehensive health care MIGHT require a national insurance plan, but then again, it might not. The goal is to make sure everyone is covered, and it might be faster and cheaper to simply expand a pre-existing system – a 2nd house resource like Medicare – than to create an entirely new federal behemoth. This possibility will elicit much less resistance than a new bureaucracy, too. It is clear that the government needs powerful ammunition, so the National Heath Care Plan is still an effective weapon for ensuring the cooperation of insurance industries.

Also consider that another election is around the corner and will take place under the aegis of this ingress chart. The fixed angles are telling; conservatives and liberals are digging in their heels, and aren’t willing to bend much toward compromise or non-partisan efforts. The lack of greatly visible improvements from the Federal Recovery Act, as well as the fracas over health care, means that voters are going to be careful about their choices. Incumbents will do well in this election, and with the Scorpio Moon in the ingress chart, conservatives may gain some seats in November. A Scorpio Moon is suspicious and sometimes fearful. The inconjunct between the 1st house Neptune and 8th house Saturn-Mercury Rx-Pallas is palpable evidence that the big picture in the nation is not all that it should be, and that adjustments should be expected in the realms of authority and power, which is Saturn’s balliwick. The failure to regulate TARP monies and banking policies undermines confidence in elected officials; obviously the critical 2008 election wasn’t enough to impress upon politicians the need to serve constituents and not lobbyists. It is likely that election outcomes will reflect the displeasure of the voters in some respects; but ultimately voters have very little to do (in practice) with the candidates that appear on their ballots, or the deals they’re making with corporate sponsors behind the public’s back.

If only those senators and representatives who had taken no campaign funds from insurance and pharmaceutical interests were allowed to vote on national health care issues, a more balanced and consumer-friendly solution might be possible. Too bad that option won’t be on the ballot!