On September 9, Saturn entered a new degree (24°) of Virgo, lining up for the exact opposition to Uranus at 24°43’ on Tuesday. That, of course, was the night when President Obama addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress to outline his proposal for reforming health care.
Everyone who watched was shocked by the “You lie!” outburst from South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson. The Congressman, like the President, is a Leo Sun, born on July 31,1947 in Charleston, S.C. (1)
Wilson’s Saturn is at 11° Leo, and Pluto is at 12° Leo. The President’s Sun is at 12° Leo. Saturn and Pluto sitting on the Sun — an attempt to squelch or insult (Saturn is in his detriment, after all) the President’s authority in many ways. I thought that Obama kept his natural Leonine dignity and handled the moment well.
Wilson’s natal Mars is at 21° Gemini, conjunct Uranus at 24°, and the President’s natal Mars is at 22°35’ Virgo. With Mars square Mars, we saw a personal challenge and a display of antagonism.
The U.S. Sibly Mars, however, is also at 21°23’ Gemini, the same degree as the Congressman’s. Wilson seems to have been a voice for people who may not only have a legitimate difference of opinion with the President but are actually angry at him (or feel threatened by him?).
The outburst was a breach of protocol, but Mars is never known to be polite. However, with the polarizing, divisive potential of Saturn and Uranus close at hand, the words had a chilling effect.
Wilson has transiting Saturn opposite Uranus squaring his natal Mars (and Uranus). I’d say he’s personally plugged into the grand creative stretch that we all need to make, as we are impelled to move toward resolution of the apparent conflict between the pull of the past (Saturn) and the promise of the future (Uranus).
Obama has Aquarius rising and presents abstract ideas with ease. On last night’s 60 Minutes TV interview, he seemed to describe the archetypes of his co-ruling planets when he spoke of the high level of “anxiety” felt in the country now and characterized the current disagreements as part of America’s recurring redefinition of the role and size of government.
Glenn Beck is another influential character on the U.S. stage at the moment. Not only is the talk show host popular with the public, he seems to be exhibiting a phenomenal influence on the Obama administration. (Remember Van Jones’ resignation?) Beck was born on February 10, 1964, the day before Sarah Palin. (2)
Both have the Sun, Mars, and Saturn in Aquarius, conjunct the U.S. Sibly Moon. (Saturn at 25° is the closest to the U.S. Moon in each case.)
The words “reactionary” and “progressive” have various meanings in the political world today, but the resonance that the particular worldview voiced by Palin and Beck has with the U.S. public is rather startling to see.
Transiting Jupiter stations direct on October 12 within one degree of the President’s Ascendant. The exact passage of Jupiter on the Ascendant was in March, and again on September 19 and November 4. I trust that this will help Obama to keep his spirits up, in spite of the relentless difficulties he faces. Aside from the obvious cyclical collective stress implied by Saturn opposite Uranus, Obama’s progressed horoscope shows many stressful aspects. Progressed Mercury squared progressed Saturn the week he was elected; progressed Mars squared progressed Saturn in March 2009, and progressed Mars was semi-square progressed Pluto during the last week of August. (Still to come: progressed Mercury square natal Saturn in August 2010 and progressed Mars square natal Saturn in April 2012.)
Taking the long view (toward Uranus) can sometimes be a good idea when the moment (Saturn) seems impossible: I think that the President will be much stronger overall — that is, more effective — next year; in September 2010, his progressed Sun (now at 29°04’ Virgo) moves to 0° Libra.
(1) Wikipedia
(2) Wikipedia