Dear Friends, Clients and Subscribers,
As I have been preparing to write this Astrological View of 2021, I have been inspired to share a commentary I often share with my clients.
It goes like this:
Sometimes I have a long, heavy, two-year transit going on, and I can’t wait until it is over. And then, finally, it’s over. And, I’m so glad it’s over. And then I look over here and I go: “Oh no! Looks what’s coming at me now! Two more years!”
The fact is, the planets do not stop in their orbits, and as they move, they harmonize with you, and then they tense you, and then they harmonize and then they move into tension with you again. And, the reality is, happiness is not good things happening and bad things not happening, because that never happens. It’s how you react to what happens. That is the real freedom, the real liberation.
So, there is always a mixture of harmonious supportive energies from the Cosmos and challenging and difficult energies. Let’s now try to take a look at what seems to be showing up this year.
First of all, my last article was about the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction last month, which I saw as a pretty positive, hopeful omen. It did result in some conservative political backlash emails being sent to me, but I never pretend to be anyone other than a progressive, liberal-leaning individual who just shares things as I see them, and you are certainly entitled to your own opinion.
I would say the general theme of this year is the beginning still carrying the imprint of that new Aquarian dispensation that began on December 21, 2020 but then there will be serious challenges of different kinds as to how to implement that new vision, and to question everyone how ready they are to move into a new vision in their own lives and become a part of the solution, and how much each individual is going to resist that new vision and therefore continue, on whatever level, to be part of the problem.
The US Inauguration: January 20, 2021
That being said, the first big event, aside from the Senate run-off election in Georgia tomorrow, something which may enter this article with an update, is the Inauguration on January 20th.
I did give a lecture on Donald Trump’s Inauguration Astrological chart in 2016 and posted it on YouTube. If you want to check it out here is the link:
Here is the chart for this year’s Inauguration:
Since the Inauguration is always on the same day, in the same place, at the same time, there are components of the chart which always remain the same. For example, the Sun is always in the first degree of Aquarius, straight up above us, conjunct to the Midheaven, and in the 10th House of work, career and ‘role’ in the world.
You may remember that the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction took place in the first degree of Aquarius, so the US Inauguration is an event which will reactivate the Aquarian energies I discussed in that conjunction. And this will coincide with, undoubtedly, a speech of trying to bring a new vision for our nation, and a healing of the tensions which divide us, trying to revive an American brother/sister group consciousness.
Joseph Biden himself has a very positively aspected Neptune in his 10th House of work, career, role in the world. This would engender being drawn to a role where the positive Neptunian qualities of compassion and empathy could manifest. Some of the harmony upon this Neptune is from his Sun and his Venus, so he can easily put his personal identity and his emotions into this role.
The other harmony is from Uranus, giving him the urge and the capacity to be a bit unconventional or to bring a quality of freedom from old patterns that have outlived their purpose into a harmonious relationship with a compassionate Neptunian role.
Something to note at this time, however, is that his Neptune is at the 2nd degree of Libra and his Uranus is at the 3rd degree of Gemini. This means that the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction in the first degree of Aquarius is harmonizing with both ends of his Neptune/Uranus trine, creating what we Astrologers call: ‘A Grand Trine’, which is a very positive and auspicious configuration.
I think this is why it took until December, and various stages, for Biden to feel publicly acknowledged as being the next President. Althought that is, clearly, a process that is still continuing.
The fact remains, on the day of the Inauguration, Jupiter, Saturn, and the Sun will be making this Grand Trine with Joseph Biden’s chart.
And, again, this Aquarian configuration on January 20th will all be in the House of role in the world in the Inauguration chart. This will be the birth of a conscious effort to play a role which will serve those Aquarian ideals.
That’s some of the good stuff in the Inauguration chart. Although there is also a nice harmony, a sextile, between Neptune and Venus, so there will be, no matter what, the effort to bring emotional feelings into resonance with those positive Neptunian qualities of compassion and empathy. The Neptune will be positioned in the 11th House, the house of group consciousness and the human family.
There is, however, a lot of tension in this chart as well. It is all bundled up in one area, one bunch of squares, coming from the 12th House, the house of the deeper unconscious, into square with the Aquarian planets in the 10th House.
And be advised, these are not easy squares to deal with either. They involve Uranus conjunct Mars in the 12th, with this being what Hilarion* says when you have Uranus conjunct Mars natally:
Mars
Uranus in close aspect to Mars always points to a lack of self-control, usually physical self-control. The negative aspects are the most problematical in terms of angry outbursts, fits of rage and violence, but even the positive aspects call for extra effort in controlling those urges which can damage others in some way. (End Quote)
So, in the deeper unconscious, or we could say, ‘behind the scenes’ of this Presidency, is an aggressive, difficult to control energy.
These are in tension with the Sun in the chart, although in even closer tension with Jupiter and Saturn. Here is what Hilarion says about Saturn/Uranus aspects:
Saturn aspects to Uranus denote the conflict between that which restricts and that which wishes to break free of restriction. Therefore, whenever a close aspect of this kind occurs in a chart, the individual will find his life oscillating between periods of limitation and conformity on the one hand, and periods of unorthodox, independence-oriented experiences on the other. There will be clashes between the urges underlying these two kinds of experience, and the main lesson is to seek and find a balance between them. (End Quote)
And this is what he says about Saturn/Mars aspects:
The secret here is the balancing-off of the restrictive tendency of Saturn against the expansive, not to say explosive tendency of Mars. If the individual can learn to find the mid-point between these principles, balance in the life pattern is possible. If he cannot, then wild swings between over-repressive and overly energetic states can be expected. Typically, such a person finds himself under the cold, limiting hand of Saturn for extended periods, and when he cannot bear the frustration any longer, breaks free and shoots the Martian energy in all directions, usually in a destructive way. (End Quote)
Now I can see this in two ways. Basically, it is Biden being hit from the Left and the Right. Which one creates the bigger problem for Biden may depend on the results of tomorrow’s election. If the Republicans retain control of the Senate his battle will be with them. Although I think it will also be from the more radical, Uranian, i.e., potentially crazy, hidden fringes of the radical Right. This would include groups like the Proud Boys who Trump, (who I will get to shortly), has really pumped oxygen into, but also the remnants of Trumpian craziness in the Congress itself, such as the Republican Congressmen who plan to contest the officiating of the Electoral college vote in Congress on the 6th.
If the Democrats win control of the Senate, Biden’s battle may tend to be more with the radical progressive wing of the Democratic party, who may well feel emboldened to push their agenda more aggressively.
Now obviously, these tensions have already been existing, and no matter what happens in the election tomorrow, Biden is going to have to contend with these, potentially, undermining energies, on the Left and the Right, to his role and efforts. It will be a challenge to somehow accommodate, heal and integrate these energies in the best way that he can.
I do think that most of this tension will come from those who are clearly antagonistic to this new Presidency. This does, however, lead to a feeling of the on-going influence of the ‘Donald Trump effect’ after the election.
You know that that guy doesn’t know how to give up, or how to step out of the limelight. It’s a drug for him.
I’m not going to revisit Donald Trump’s chart again, but he has some major tension affecting him from Neptune up in the sky right now. Right now, Neptune is transiting his 7th House, his house of marriage and partnerships with others.
So, these tensions may well involve some things going on in his marriage, of which we can only conjecture, but it is more blatantly, or at least publicly, evident in all of his professional relationships, where the Neptunian theme of the victim/victimizer program has been clearly playing out, including with fellow Republicans.
This past year Neptune was squaring his Uranus in the 10th House. That Uranus in the 10th gives him a capacity to play an unusual, unconventional role in the world, and to ignore traditional norms. This past year, however, that part of himself has been being challenged by Neptunian illusion, confusion, delusion, victimhood and martyrdom in his interactions with others, which for a President, includes his partnership with the American public.
There are far too many examples of this I could cite here, for example his handling of the pandemic. I think you can easily get the picture on your own.
This year, the Neptune stress is going to move into tension with both ends of his Sun/Moon opposition. His Full Moon Eclipse he was born under, with the Sun in Gemini, in the 10th House of role in the world, and his Moon in Sagittarius in the 4th House of home, family, sanctuary and childhood.
Now, with a client coming to me for help with this configuration I would be prone to recommend whatever may help them in a deep therapeutic, spiritual way. This transit will entail a ‘test of faith’ and a tendency to, otherwise, take this Neptunian confusion very personally, and try to lash out to take back control, thereby creating more confusion and the on-going victim/victimizer program.
I doubt, however, that Donald Trump would take my suggestion to go into therapy, spend time in nature, or go to a meditation retreat.
The Saturn/Uranus Squares
Now, the place where I would tend to say: ‘Oh no! Look at this now coming up on me!’ is something that is affecting the whole world this year. That is the fact that there will be three squares between Saturn and Uranus this year.
Of course, all of us are going to be getting these squares somewhere in our own charts. Today, I will mention where these squares will be affecting some notable individuals in the public eye.
The first of these squares will be on February 17th, so coming right up, and therefore, as I already mentioned, this tension is already operative in the Inauguration chart on January 20th. Here is a reminder of what Hilarion said about Saturn/Uranus aspects:
Saturn aspects to Uranus denote the conflict between that which restricts and that which wishes to break free of restriction. Therefore, whenever a close aspect of this kind occurs in a chart, the individual will find his life oscillating between periods of limitation and conformity on the one hand, and periods of unorthodox, independence-oriented experiences on the other. There will be clashes between the urges underlying these two kinds of experience, and the main lesson is to seek and find a balance between them. (End Quote)
The fact is, this kind of tension will be affecting the whole world. The flavor of this tension will be the Uranian energies being in Taurus, which I have identified with a 7-year period of whether humanity is going to choose love or money. And the Saturnian energies being in Aquarius, which are about getting serious with what is your relationship to the whole human family, as well as a realistic assessment of whatever groups, tribes, nations you happen to be a member of. In a square these energies will feel at odds with each other.
As far as individuals in the public eye, the Astrologer Alan Oken pointed out how this square is going to hit, in a very tense, personal way, the charts of Boris Johnson, Angela Merkel, and Emmanuel Macron. So, I don’t think Brexit is going to be an easy transition for the European Union. Although with Uranus involved there is always the element of complete unsuspected surprise from some other quarter.
For example, I have wondered if this Saturn/Uranus tension this year could manifest as a Saturnian/vaccination-focused control and grip on the virus having to deal with, surprise! an unforeseen mutation pulling the rug out from under that confidence in the practical Saturnian/authoritative control and its effort to dominate and eliminate the pandemic. It’s just a thought. Like I said, Uranus is about surprises.
Now with Uranus in Taurus it is also always going to involve money and finances, and that is an area where the Saturnian responsible effort to control the Uranian uncertainty in people lives may well be greatly challenged. I would say especially in the U.S. as the Saturn end of this tension will be in the U.S.’ 2nd House of money and finances.
Now, stepping back into a longer view, these squares are actually the final quarter/chapter in a much longer story/cycle.
This cycle began in 1988 when Saturn and Uranus conjuncted each other. That clearly coincided with the energies that led to the collapse of the Soviet Communist Bloc of nations and the end of the Cold War. This cycle will end in 2032, when Saturn and Uranus conjunct again and start a new cycle.
In 1988, I was already saying that the victory of Capitalism over Communism was kind of a hollow victory. I think in the time since then we can see that, as long as we had Communism as an enemy, the Capitalist West never had to look at its own shadow. In recent years our blind faith in the religion of Capitalism has really lost its luster and, of course, these years of Pluto in Capricorn and various other Capricorn, Uranus configurations etc. have been part of this process of a deeper investigation and an openness to change and transformation.
The triple conjunction last year of Saturn, Jupiter and Pluto in Capricorn was an indication of the likelihood that the flaws and inequities of our current economic systems would need to be reckoned with in a deep and serious way.
These Saturn/Uranus squares, however, are to force us to face what outmoded Saturnian structures/ways of belief and thinking need to be tossed overboard, and which components of those structures need to be retained and used in service of the coming revolution.
There are many different arenas where this will obviously be playing out, including somewhere in your own chart.
As I said before, this theme is present in the Inauguration chart, especially as a conflict between things that are hidden, or in the unconscious, and the more apparent role in the world.
Both Biden and Trump, however, will have these Saturn/Uranus squares opposing and squaring their Pluto placements in their natal charts.
For Donald Trump, it will be his Pluto in the 12th House, the house of the deeper unconscious and past life memory. The thing is, his Pluto is unaspected in his chart, that is, not connected to any other planets in his chart, so his Pluto has an even greater tendency to live in the unconscious, not connected to conscious awareness. This would give him little connection to the need to go into deep transformation within himself by looking into the deeper realities of his unconscious. It is why he can say in an interview: ‘I don’t like to analyze myself. I might not like what I see there.’
Getting this double whammy from Saturn and Uranus may severely challenge that attitude of his.
For Joseph Biden, it will be hitting his Pluto in the 8th House, the Scorpio house of sex, birth, death, the hidden side of life, as well as the house of other people affecting your money or, perhaps, you having a deep effect on other people’s money.
Well, we all know that Joseph Biden has gone through a lot of growth and transformation through death, with the deaths of his wife and daughter, and later, of his son. And he had his own brush with death through having a brain aneurysm in 1988.
I certainly hope that these transits will not entail his own demise, although there are other elements which make me question whether he will live through all four years of his Presidency.
Actually, I think it is easy to see this Pluto in this house in relation to the last theme I mentioned as relatable to the 8th House as well. That is the theme of affecting or being affected by other people’s money.
As a congressman and Senator, and as Vice-President, he has always had a hand in legislation that is going to have a great effect on other people’s money.
At this time, however, with the economic crisis we are in, it is easy to see he is going to be sorely challenged as to where he needs to be Uranian and really shake things up and throw caution to the wind, and where he really needs to be Saturnian and be more responsible and cautious in what actions he takes that may affect other people’s money.
This is happening at probably the most intense time period for a U.S. President to be dealing with the economic karmic lessons of the United States of America. That is because, our natal Pluto is in the 2nd House of money and finances, as well as a house of love and affection, and that natal Pluto is also in the sign of Capricorn, the sign of economic structure, authority and tradition. And, we are about to have our first Pluto Return. This is Pluto returning to where it was when your born, something you have to live 248 years to be able to experience.
The only other time period that could be viewed as being as significantly intense as now, in this way, would be in the 1930’s when we had Pluto opposing our natal Pluto. That, of course, was the time of the Great Depression, as well as President Roosevelt’s New Deal in relation to the US government’s relationship to the economy and what the Government could or couldn’t do economically for its own people.
It would appear that we are in the midst of another period of similar intense scrutiny and possible death/rebirth transformation in those areas.
This conjunction, however, is the start of another 248-year cycle, so the choices we make now are going to have very long-lasting effects.
The other major Astrological exam affecting the U.S. chart this year is not going to make figuring out this stuff very easy.
Natally, in its Astrological birthchart, the U.S. has Mars in Gemini square to Neptune. Here is Hilarion re: Mars in Gemini:
Gemini
This sign is a mental one, ruled by Mercury, and Mars here will tend to express its energies through the mental gifts. There will be considerable mental energy present, if the positive aspects to Mars can be found. The negative aspects are concerned primarily with learning mental control, i.e., learning to channel and direct the mental forces. There is also a tendency for the afflicted Mars in Gemini to be mentally or verbally combative or abusive.The strife and pugnaciousness of the afflicted Mars will, if in Gemini, tend to make the person seek out situations in which verbal spats and abusiveness will manifest. (End Quote)
And this is what he says about Neptune aspecting Mars:
Mars Neptune afflicting Mars is not the problem one might think in terms of the energy available. Mars is such a fount of energy that even the weakening effect of Neptune will not manage to sap its strength. But Neptune can blind the individual to the proper use of this energy. What is usually observed in individuals with this placement is a tendency to misuse the strength, energy or power with which they are endowed. (End Quote)
And, as I am oft repeating, any difficult Neptune aspect is going to involve a propensity for the victim/victimizer program. Since we have this in Gemini it will likely be played out in terms of communications.
The Mars is also, however, in the 7th House, the house of partnership and marriage of which Hilarion says:
Seventh House
The placement of Mars in the seventh house of a birth chart brings the disruptive energies of this planet into the life department dealing with partnerships — particularly the pair-bond partnership with a mate. Mars in the seventh sector tends to promote the selection of a mate who will allow the aggressive and disruptive tendencies of the native to be brought to the surface, where he can clearly see them for what they are, and can experience their results in terms of conflict with the mate. Generally speaking, most of his love-relationships will be marked by conflict energies.The lesson is of course to dismantle the tendency to rush into battle when opposed, and to rise above differences on the wings of true affection. Remember that true love forgives all, and that one of the primary purposes for earth life is to learn at last that true form of compassionate affection. Karmically, the native must pass through repeated episodes in which his love-relationships founder on the shoals of conflict that he himself has created. The pain of separation is a way to discharge burdens accumulated in earlier lives when others suffered similar distress at his hands. (End Quote)
So, this is another arena where I can see the Neptunian tendency toward illusion, confusion, delusion, victimhood and martyrdom and the victim/victimizer program.
In the past I have focused on this as being our partnerships with foreign nations. For example, when Pluto was conjuncting the Neptune and squaring Mars was in the 1960’s coinciding with the War in Vietnam.
When I saw that Pluto was going to be squaring Neptune and opposing Mars, coming up in 2003, I predicted that we may well be involved in a similar kind of delusionary martial/military conflict inspired by illusionary reasons, which turned out to be, of course, the War in Iraq.
This year we have Neptune, up in the sky, opposing our natal Neptune and squaring Mars. I certainly hope that doesn’t mean another major military engagement with a foreign power, although, that is always a possibility.
The Neptunian tension, in this case, is coming from our 3rd House, the house of mind, thinking and communications.
I have also come to see the 7th House of partnerships as not only partnerships with other nations, but also how we communicate and reconcile with contingencies with whom we are somehow fated to be in partnership with within our own nation, such as Democrats and Republicans.
It reminds me of listening to the debates in Congress as to whether to allow George W. Bush to have the authority to go to war in Iraq, or during Trump’s impeachment trial. I said to myself: “These two groups of people do not even live in the same universe.”
With this Neptune aspect I expect this kind of thing to get worse. Perhaps it will be Trump starting his own TV station, which will make Fox News look Left Wing.
In all of this, however, there is always a lesson. There will be a deeper vulnerability to the consequences of the negative actions and reactions to this tension, coming to the place, hopefully, where at least some people realize that the only way to heal the victim/victimizer program is to embrace the positive side of the planet Neptune, that being unconditional love, for yourself and for others, complete forgiveness, for yourself and for others, and spiritual faith, trust and surrender, to where there are no victims or victimizers. There is just all of us frightened little girls and boys doing the best that we can.
On a more positive, or perhaps easier, note, the U.S. will also have Uranus harmonizing, sextiling, our Jupiter in Cancer in the 7th House of partnerships, and our Sun in Cancer in the 7th House of Partnerships. I think that this will be the complete ‘flip-around’ of the nature of our relationships with other nations than was the case during the Trump Presidency.
Jupiter in the 7th House in an individual’s chart is a good indicator of an eventual happy marriage or partnership. I have seen this as our occasional deep bond with certain allies over the years, something that have been sorely damaged by Trumpian diplomacy.
I think the Uranus sextiles will be the astonishingly quick overturning of the old Trump regime engagements but, even more, an even greater surprise enthusiasm as to how good it feels to have the U.S. ‘back on board’ again, as a positive, helpful, partner to other nations in facing the global challenges in front of all of us. This will be somewhere where Biden can find some solace from what looks like an on-going domestic tension and difficulty.
Blessings,
Steffan Vanel
* ’Astrology Plus by Hilarion’, the book which I am always quoting from and has been out of print for some time, is now available as an EBook on Amazon.
* Hilarion’s ‘Nations’ EBook is also available on Amazon