Another US Solar Return is upon us and this year, the ASC is back where it was when our nation was emerging as an independent and free federation of 13 freedom-seeking states. Remarkably, Venus and Jupiter also conjoin, just as they did at the time of our nation’s formation, which represents, among other factors, our love of traveling about the country and increasing our personal wealth, which happens to go together for those of means and few time constraints. It speaks to our natural appreciation for fun and adventure and our collective optimism and enthusiasm for the things we love, like the great outdoors and sports of all sorts, including the Uranus-themed team variety. Personal freedoms are the foundation of our republican democracy as signified by Aquarius on the 4^th house cusp, the IC, at the roots of the chart. Its ruler, Uranus (5^th), points to our ideals about love and individuality regarding self-expression but it makes the first of seven squares to Pluto just a couple of days after the solstice. This is the world in turmoil but when has it not been so, yet this is quite an extreme version of tumultuousness that we have periodically previously experienced. Challenging the oligarchs for control of the economy by upsetting the status quo is another phase of the Uranus-Pluto square and indicates the anti-corruption passion of the Occupy Wall Street movement. The history of our people not getting their needs met is shown by the Moon square Saturn in the Solar Return charts, and in both natal and the SR chart, the Sun square Saturn, the combination of which would make us more than a little depressed about our economy, especially considering how many times we’ve suffered through economic depressions and recessions. One key to this chart is a Yod that involves the ruler of the chart, Pluto forming inconjuncts to the Mercury- Venus sextile in Leo and Gemini, respectively. Banks, lending institutions and Wall Street market manipulators like hedge fund managers have gamed the system to rob us blind on mortgages and student loans, which brings in another aspect of the fraud and abuse of capital, Neptune in the 4^th of homes in a square to the Venus/Jupiter conjunction on the S Node, so this kind of bubble has burst before in previous over-valued or falsely inflated property scenarios. And while Venus and Jupiter can predict wealth and opportunity, it’s presence on the S Node suggests the opposite. It can also mean that people want better government and have been trying for a long time, failing time and again of becoming more progressive, truer to the founder’s intentions. Additionally, perceiving yesterday’s truths as valid allows opinions to flourish in an environment of exaggeration, hyperbole and hyper-rationalization, reflective of the Gemini pair of planets hovering on the S Node.

Physically, more particularly, weather-wise, Jupiter-Neptune squares can cause floods, tsunamis and extreme hurricanes coinciding with the disaster-prone Uranus-Pluto square. Another factor is the health care issue, represented by Chiron/Hygeia/Neptune square the nodes and Venus/Jupiter, as there is too much money being made on the backs of sick people, including medical marijuana patients, revealing our wounded values. Los Angeles is even trying to shut down cannabis clubs and the federal government is over-riding states rights to raid pot dispensaries. It’s a conspiracy, I tell you! Prohibition is historically failed policy, as it gave rise to the gangsters of the 20’s and 30’s, gaining a foothold in criminal society and popular culture. But there was already a good documentary on the period and HBO tells the story via Boardwalk Empire. Yet the roots of our nation’s decay are found there in the 4^th house placement in Pisces of Neptune, Chiron and Hygeia, as drugs and alcohol have periodic influences into the social order. Addiction is found in the US natal chart in the Mars square Neptune and this is a Solar Return year in which we need to take care of the problem but only the legalization of marijuana will really save us. It will reduce the number of alcoholics and deaths resulting from alcohol abuse. It would be nice to reduce the number of stupid people in the world but I guess that’s what drunk driving is for.

Only a large turnout for Obama and Democratic legislators can prevent the crazy train of insane Republicans from going over the cliff. Liberals care about people while conservatives care about profits, so when you see Ceres on the S Node, one thing that can be said is that the people who have the ability to care will not show any nurturing, caring kindness toward the destitute and impoverished victims of budget-cutting conservatives without compassion. These are the people that can’t even afford to leave their homes for very long, trapped by the lack of jobs and transportation that results from constant shortages of funds. Yet there is hope on the horizon; a grand trine connects the Moon to Jupiter and Mars in the first degree of Libra, an action degree for an action sign. This could get the people more activity and as Mars rules the 6^th, the house of employment, more work should be forthcoming. Things could well get better but it’s important to remember the true identity of the secret enemy; Saturn in the 12^th says that powerful corporations undermine our economy but the moneyed masters of material control will not relinquish their hold on their power anytime soon and we’ll need to enforce new regulations to regain equilibrium between Main St and Wall St.

What will turn this looming election is the need for leadership, demonstrated by the Leo MC with the Sun in the 9^th and the Capricorn Moon (ruler 9) in the 3^rd, suggesting an international figure with a committed focus on the people. All the astrologers on the UAC (United Astrology Conference) panel predicted Obama will win and on Election Day, the Moon will be on Obama’s Sun, connecting him to the people. However, there will be some hinky things happening at the polls as Mercury turns retrograde that day in a square to Neptune, muddying the waters with deceptive tactics and abuse of power by GOP governors and Secretaries of State. But if people are confused about the candidates, it’s because of their ignorance of the facts, avoiding them, which is indeed one way that aspect operates. The fantasy constructs people create to have the perspective they do can be astonishing. All one has to do is listen to Wisconsin as they voted against their own best interests and let Scott walker keep his job. Democracy suffered a serious blow, being outspent by secret Super-Pac money that supported the criminals of the Greedy Old Pigs. Turnout by an energized electorate is the one thing that can beat dirty money, so we’ll have to get the people out to vote in November. Elections are under Uranus’ domain which really sucks this year as its square to Pluto reveals the dark corruption that undermines our democracy, funneling secret wads of money into attack ads against Democrats. Numerous states with Republican governors are making it harder for seniors, students and minorities to vote, requiring a state ID card which for some amounts to a poll tax because they cost money and many of those people are poor. The more people who can vote and cast their ballots for those who represent their interests, the more likely it is for the Democrats to hold on and even increase their power, including taking back the House. It takes one thing that we all have to do; PAY ATTENTION! If you don’t, it’ll cost us all.

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