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6. Poetry: Saturn in Scorpio by Jennifer Cleminger

8. Exceptional Exam Essay by Lynette Malone

14. Eye in the Sky by Ed Tamplin
26. US Presidential Election by Edith Hathaway

The Federation ofAustralian Astrologers

www.faainc.org.au
FAA JOURNAL December 2012 December 2012 Vol. 42 Number04
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US Presidential Election (Cont'd)

Among the large field of Republican presidential candidates who battled through the
lengthy primary season, Romneys birth chart was by far the strongest. On July 13,
2008 he entered his most prominent life-time Dasha: the 6-year Sun Dasha. His best
sub-period would be the Sun-Mercury period: May 1, 2012 to March 7, 2013. But one
of the major factors diminishing the strength of this Raja yoga (success-producing)
combination comes from a principle from Nadi Jyotisha, a branch ofVedic astrology.
It considers that the nakshatra lord carries more weight than the sign lord and should
be assessed very carefully.
As Romneys Sun and Mercury both reside in PurvaBhadra nakshatra, Jupiter is the
nakshatra lord for both planets. With his Taurus Ascendant, Jupiter is owner of the 8th
and 11th houses, and as owner of the 8th house can cause major problems either in 8th
house matters or those related to Jupiters significations. The 8th house involves
funding, taxes, and intrigues, and Jupiter signifies financial wealth, the law and/or
religion. Romneys natal Jupiter (4:26 Scorpio) closely aspects his Ascendant (7:54
Taurus), and is placed in the Navamsha 6th house (of conflict and legal issues). Thus
it can bring him both great wealth along with controversy regarding that wealth and
how it was gained. These issues accumulated in 2012, including his reluctance to
disclose tax returns for more than a few years, the infamous video showing his disdain
towards 47% ofAmericans, and his actions and policies while at Bain Capital.
By contrast, Obamas Dasha lord and sub-lord are well fortified by their mutual
nakshatra lord, at least in the Cancer Ascendant chart. In my Oct. 16, 2012 article
below, I discuss my preference for a 6:10 am chart for Obama (Aug. 4, 1961), which
puts him in Jupiter-Mars Dasha from May 29, 2012 to May 4, 2013. Jupiter is the best
planet for Cancer Ascendant. Its planetary friends are Sun, Moon and Mars. Jupiter
and Mars are both in Sun-ruled nakshatras, and strong in the Navamsha chart both
in angular houses and Jupiter in its own sign of Pisces. For the official chart (7:24
pm), Saturn is the Dasha lord since July 25, 2012 for 19 years.
As Ascendant lord Saturn is an excellent planet for Capricorn Ascendant, but its
planetary enemy is the Sun, owner of UttaraAshada nakshatra, where Jupiter and
Saturn both reside. This makes more trouble during Saturn Dasha if the official chart
proves to be accurate. In any case, natal Sun and Mercury oppose Jupiter and Saturn,
so there are some life themes of opposition to the Status Quo. Many progressives
hope Obama will show more of that in his second term.
All the votes for the presidential contest came in with relative ease on Election night,
though there were widespread problems for voters due to a myriad of issues,
including Hurricane Sandy. Also, Florida results were not conceded by Romney until
Thurs. Nov. 8 and made official Sat. morning Nov. 10. This coincides with my
prediction that if there were any delays to the Obama victory I put less weight on
the significance of tr. Mercury Stationary Retrograde on Nov. 6 and more on tr. Mars
leaving sidereal Scorpio on Nov. 9. (see below, from Oct. 16, 2012) Several major
secrets were revealed post-election, possibly affecting election results but not
delaying them. For the Republicans, it was Romneys Project Orca, a gigantic
electronic communications fiasco that occurred on Election Day, affecting over
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30,000 campaign workers. For the Democrats, it was the revelation that the current
C.I.A. Director David Petraeus was involved in an extramarital affair which was
investigated for months by the F.B.I., but apparently not revealed to President Obama
until Election night. Four-star General Petraeus officially resigned from his position
on Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, ending a long and star-studded career. Though part of the
Obama administration for over one year, Petraeus is a Republican and had turned
down Republicans request for him to run for President in 2012.
Below is a newsletter I sent out Oct. 16, 2012 at 6:47 am pacific time. The second of
three presidential debates took place that evening in Hempstead (Nassau), New York:
Some people have asked whether I would comment further on the U.S. Presidential
election, and I will do so here. It is covered to a small degree in the Oct. 1, 2012
interview in Jyotish Star with Juliana Swanson: www.jyotishstar.com/interview-edithhathaway-october-2012. I did a lot of work linking astrology to the 2008 U.S.
Presidential election, predicting Obama in late 2007. For the past several years I have
predicted Obamas re-election and did so publicly last May on the 2012 UAC (United
Astrology Conference) panel on this topic I gave Obama 100% chance of winning,
which at the moment would seem to be a daring prediction. Polls have moved in the
other direction after his curious lack of fight on Oct. 3rd.

ELECTION UPDATE

The First Presidential debate in Denver has carried far more weight than anyone
expected, giving surprising wings to Romneys campaign. Seventy million American
viewers tuned in to watch, twice the size of the audience that watched Obamas
Acceptance speech a month earlier.
Astrologers Chris Brennan and Patrick Watson have done some excellent work on the
2012 U.S. Presidential Election at the Political Astrology Blog. They are Western
tropical astrologers using Hellenistic astrology. And though we use different methods,
all of us benefit greatly by sharing the research process and data. They predicted that
the first debate would present Obama with some surprises, but that ultimately
Obama seems to have better career transits for the first debate. Among other factors,
they cited the nearly Stationary Jupiter (very strong) in a close trine with Obamas
Ascendant, using the official data: Aug. 4, 1961, 7:24 pm HST, Honolulu, HI.

Romneys chart

The strength of 7 planets in the angles of the chart is noteworthy, including Sun
Digbala (best angular house), and most planets above the horizon. All 7 planets are in
fixed signs. Natal Sun and Mercury form a very fine Raja yoga of success in the 10th
house of career, and Romney runs Sun-Mercury Dasha from May 1, 2012 to March 7,
2013. This is a formidable period in his life destiny. The all-important Navamsha (9th
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US Presidential Election (Cont'd)

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US Presidential Election (Cont'd)

harmonic) chart does not confirm its strength, however. And on Oct. 23, 2012, tr.
Venus (lord of his Taurus Ascendant) enters Virgo, its sign of debilitation, through
Nov. 17, 2012, though in a beneficial trinal house from the Ascendant.

Obamas chart

Even after the official time for Obama was released in June 2008, I was skeptical of
it for a number of reasons. I still prefer a 6:10 am chart (Aug. 4, 1961, Honolulu, HI),
which is also four minutes after sunrise. The 6:10 am Ascendant is sidereal Cancer,
while the official chart has sidereal Capricorn Ascendant. My reasons are outlined in
some detail here, under REVIEW OF THE CHARTS OF THE LEADING
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES:
29eagles.com/election/edith/edith7_feb08_early_talk.html
To summarize briefly, the 7:24 pm chart does not reflect:
1) the weakness and absence of the father;
2) the Presidents easy win, running unopposed in Nov. 1996;
3) his devastating loss and political miscalculation in Nov. 2000; or, among other
factors
4) his sudden elevation to national prominence in summer 2004, prior to winning a
seat in the U.S. Senate. The Dasha (Vedic planetary period) as well as the planetary
transits should indicate these extremes. Since Jupiter is debilitated and prominent in
an angular house in the chart, its Dasha should start with difficulties and
disadvantages.
With the 6:10 am chart, Jupiter Dasha starts from Sept. 28, 1999. With the 7:24 pm
chart, Jupiter Dasha starts July 24, 1996. In the long run, Jupiter is an excellent planet
for Cancer Ascendant chart, while only neutral for Capricorn Ascendant chart. For
the 6:10 am chart, Saturn also becomes much stronger in the Descendant (Digbala
best angular house).
I look at both charts, but give more credence to the 6:10 am chart. In any case, Vedic
astrology gives weight to the Moon Ascendant chart as a key sub-chart, especially in
assessing the effect of transiting planets. If Moon is also Ascendant lord, that chart is
even more significant. Obamas 6:10 am chart has sidereal Cancer Ascendant with
Ascendant lord Moon at maximum exaltation at 3:00 Taurus in the 11th house.
When the Ascendant lord is exalted, especially to the maximum degree, a person often
rises to a lofty status in some arena, and perceives that possibility very early in life. At
age 10 (in Moon Dasha) Obama obtained a scholarship to the prestigious Punahou
School in Hawaii. His former Punahou classmates recall him telling them at different
times he was an Indonesian prince or Kenyan royalty and that he would go back
and rule his country when he had completed his schooling. He was charismatic and
convincing and most of them believed him. After Columbia University, he attended
Harvard Law School, becoming the first African American editor of the Harvard Law
Review. This brought him national attention. Obama was in the U.S. Senate only a
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few years before announcing his run for the Presidency.
This 3:00 degree Taurus Moon becomes especially arresting when we review the
chart of the first Presidential Debate on Oct. 3, 2012. On this one night, Romneys
chances for the Presidency increased by 15 or 20 percent. What was the story
astrologically?
U.S. Presidential Debate no. 1 Oct. 3, 2012
ASCENDANT 27:57 Pisces
MOON 0:39 Taurus opposite MARS 3:46 Scorpio
KETU 4:16 Taurus opposite RAHU 4:16 Scorpio
JUPITER 22:20 Taurus
U.S. Presidential Debate no. 2 Oct. 16, 2012
ASCENDANT 25:38 Taurus opposite MARS 13:01 Scorpio
KETU 3:34 Taurus opposite RAHU 3:34 Scorpio
JUPITER Retro 22:04 Taurus
U.S. Presidential Debate no. 3 Oct. 22, 2012
ASCENDANT 15:53 Taurus opposite MARS 17:22 Scorpio
KETU 3:15 Taurus opposite RAHU 3:15 Scorpio
JUPITER retro 21:46 Taurus

The First Presidential Debate

Tr. Jupiter gains power by nearing its Stationary Retrograde degree on Oct. 4, 2012
at 22:24 Taurus. (It is retrograde through Jan. 30, 2013, Stationary Direct at 12:17
Taurus). But the Taurus-Scorpio axis the current eclipse axis was crucial to the
chart of the evening. Greater intensity also occurs when the Sun or Moon enters the
eclipse axis by transit, or when there is contact to natal Sun or Moon. On Oct. 3,
2012, tr. (sidereal) Moon had just entered Taurus at 5:40 PM MST, and by 7 PM MST
in Denver the Moon was at 0:39 Taurus.
The Taurus-Scorpio axis is also crucial in the chart of both Presidential candidates,
even the Vice Presidential candidates, both of whom have sidereal Scorpio
Ascendants, and Joe Biden with Sun and Venus close to 5:00 Scorpio. This axis is
especially loaded in Romneys birth chart, with his birth Ascendant and Rahu in
Taurus closely opposite Jupiter, debilitated Moon, and Ketu. (Romneys Jupiter is at
4:26 Scorpio, Moon at 4:30 Scorpio, and Ketu at 13:17 Scorpio). Obamas birth
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Moon at 3:00 Taurus has been presented for the 6:10 am chart. (For the 7:24 pm chart
his birth Moon is at 10:02 Taurus.) Accordingly, this very busy axis should receive
extra scrutiny in the months and weeks leading up to the election, most especially as
Taurus-Scorpio is the eclipse axis from June 6, 2011 through Dec. 24, 2012. TaurusScorpio is also the money axis where these planets are considered by some to be
debilitated, and capable of inflicting greater instability on financial matters in
general. That gives Romney an exalted natal Rahu.
On the night of October 3rd, tr. Mars was within half a degree of tr. Rahu, exactly on
Romneys natal Moon and exactly
opposite Obamas natal Moon. The
close opposition of tr. Rahu-Mars to
Obamas Moon in a debate situation
had the effect of energizing his
opponent for the battle while both
overwhelming and enervating the
President. And if I am correct that
the Moon is Obamas Ascendant
lord, there is a compelling case for
why Obama was so paralyzed by the
same planetary combination that
galvanized Romney. This should
ease up by the next debate.
Each side says the other distorted
reality, though fact-checkers have
said that Mitt Romney has broken all previous records for public mendacity.
Romneys statements were later contradicted by his own staff, by videos of his many
previous statements, and by Obamas actual record as president. Meanwhile, during
the debate Obama did little to correct the record. During the VP debate even
moderator Martha Raddatz erroneously stated that Social Security and Medicare are
going broke. Romney, however, is reported to have told 27 myths in 38 minutes,
while his Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan told 24 myths in 40
minutes. Obama and Biden were criticised largely for their style of delivery or nondelivery, along with the governments handling of the recent situation in Libya.
We could debate the planetary propulsion for such mendacity, but we know that the
8th sign of Scorpio is among the emotional water signs, galvanized by being ruled by
Mars (in Vedic astrology). Close proximity to Rahu in turn both exaggerates and
exacerbates the natural warrior qualities of Mars. Scorpios inherent nature is
contained, inscrutable, and often hidden, thus Scorpios association with hidden
places, holes or cavities. Vedic 'malefic' planets include: Sun, Mars, Saturn, Rahu and
Ketu. Each of them can cause turbulence, separations and losses, notably amplified
when these or any planets contact the eclipse axis: Rahu and Ketu.
In short, until transiting Mars exits Scorpio on Nov. 9, 2012, it is capable of
providing a tortuous, circuitous quality to the entire election process, which some
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astrologers have suggested will not be finalised on Election day due to Mercury
Retrograde starting on Election Day, Nov. 6 (at 6:01 pm EST) through Nov. 26. This
can certainly add to the confusion and to the 'spin,' especially while Mercury transits
Scorpio, from Oct. 23 to Nov. 17, 2012. (Mercury re-enters Scorpio Dec. 6-27,
2012). But in my opinion, the louder planetary imprint comes from transiting Mars
and Rahu in Scorpio opposite Jupiter and Ketu in Taurus. Mars-Jupiter contacts can
bring religious zeal, and together with Rahu-Ketu we have the explosive,
unpredictable component.
The departure of tr. Mars from the eclipse axis Nov. 9, 2012 should provide some
relief to the tension, and some letup in the attacks and counterattacks. If election
results are questioned or delayed for any reason, this factor should help towards
resolution, notwithstanding upcoming eclipses on Nov. 13 and Nov. 28, 2012. Rahu
exits Scorpio (and Ketu exits Taurus) on Dec. 23, 2012, ending 18 months of tenancy
on the money axis. Their shift from the money axis should be just in time to ease the
dangers of the 'fiscal cliff.'

The Second Presidential Debate

The Ascendant at the start of this debate is in Taurus, highlighting the Taurus-Scorpio
eclipse axis. Transiting Mars is no longer so tightly conjoined with transiting Rahu
and Ketu, but it does conjoin Romneys natal Rahu very tightly. The planetary day is
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a Tuesday, ruled by Mars and
featuring the competitive energy
of Mars.
Thus, it is more likely to be
Romney who either loses control
or is perceived as overly
aggressive. Since the "no drama
Obama is known to be less
comfortable in debate situations,
the fact that transiting Mars has
moved on some 10 degrees from
where it was on Oct. 3rd has to
be an improvement for him. Four
planets in Libra (Sun, Saturn,
Moon and Mercury) are in the
6th house from Obamas Moon,
but in the 12th house from
Romneys Moon. This will be an
interesting test of the power of
the Moon-Ascendant chart, as it
clearly easier to have malefic
planets in the 6th house from the
Moon than in the 12th house
from Moon. The Moon is the mind, and shows how we respond to events.
[UPDATE: This debate showed a far more feisty Obama. Some women pundits even
complained of the level of testosterone shown by both candidates. But Romney
was perceived as overly aggressive and at times lacking respect to both President
Obama and the moderator, Candy Crowley. She politely corrected him on a fact
supporting the president on the Sept. 2012 explosion in Benghazi, Libya that killed
four Americans, including American Ambassador Stevens. Obama was seen to win
this debate and to begin recovering ground lost at the First Debate on Oct. 3rd.]

The Third Presidential Debate

Again the Ascendant is Taurus at the start of the debate. Transiting Mars has now
moved to 17:22 Scorpio, near the 5th house cusp of the Obama 6:10 am chart (18:46
Cancer Ascendant), providing extra mental sharpness. The planetary day is a
Monday, ruled by the Moon ruler of Obamas 6:10 am chart. If this is the correct
chart, he should be the most comfortable with this debate night. Transiting Moon is
at 17:13 Capricorn, closely aspecting the Cancer Ascendant (or tenanting the
Capricorn Ascendant). It could be Obamas night to seal his case with large sectors
of the public, especially women, and those women not yet realising how much a
Romney administration intends to turn the clock back on womens reproductive
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rights, shut down Planned Parenthood and repeal Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973
Supreme Court case
Romney has called one of
the darkest moments in
Supreme Court History.
[UPDATE: Obama was
seen to score major points,
especially among women
voters, with his emphasis on
equal pay for equal work,
and his advocacy of health
care for women and
protecting their
reproductive rights.
Generally, Obama showed
far greater authority on
foreign issues, the major
topic. Romneys stance was
totally different from the
previous two debates. He
was so comparatively
accommodating and even
passive pundits claimed
he was modifying his
behavior and approach to
appeal specifically to
women voters and to look
'presidential.' In the process,
he appeared to differ very little from Obamas positions on the issues. After being
soundly defeated in the first debate and frankly ill-prepared for Romneys intensely
rehearsed performance that paid off handsomely up to Oct. 16th Obama was
considered to win both the second and third debates.]

INAUGURATION CHART

There are two of them this time. The official (private) one is on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013
at 12 noon, followed by a second public Inauguration ceremony on Monday, Jan. 21,
2013 at 12 noon, coinciding with Martin Luther King Day, which is a good omen for
President Obama. The main thing to watch is the transiting Moon, which moves from
25:35 Aries on Jan. 20th (12 noon EST) to 7:23 Taurus on Jan. 21st (12 noon EST),
within 5 degrees of transiting Jupiter, and no longer contacting malefic planets at this
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time. This should be Obamas day to start his second term as President. Transiting
Sun at 7:47 Capricorn exactly conjoins Obamas natal Jupiter at 7:36 Capricorn.
With the 6:10 am chart, this Jupiter is also his Dasha lord, boosted by transiting Sun,
and sub-period lord Mars benefiting from exalted transiting Mars in Capricorn. The
7:24 pm chart puts him in Saturn-Saturn Dasha on Inauguration Day, also auspicious,
but not as auspicious as Jupiter-Mars, especially in his Navamsha chart, with both
Mars and Jupiter in angular houses.

Summary

Many, many factors and various charts come into play in making an astrological
prediction about a major election. With this update, I am not attempting to examine
all the complexities, but rather to add to my previous statements by focusing
particularly on the Taurus-Scorpio axis in fall 2012: how its emphasis on money
matters on so many levels is key to this election, as well as to the control or lack of
control each candidate has over the facts; and how its emphasis has provided a
bigger emotional component than usual.

[Postscript (Nov. 1 7, 201 2)

A roundup of various astrologers making predictions about the election was released
by Chris Brennan Oct. 29, 2012:
http://politicalastrologyblog.com/2012/10/29/astrologers-predict-the-2012-electionroundup/ It was also cited in a story by ABC News on Nov. 2, 2012:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/planets-align-predict-electionturmoil/story?id=17616732#
On Nov. 14, 2012 the Astrology News Service also released an article titled
Election Day Predictions A Win For Astrology, in which they cited the five
members of the UAC 2012 Presidential panel (Chris Brennan, Gary Christen, Edith
Hathaway, Nina Gryphon and Claude Weiss). They also cited Chris Brennans
Election Roundup above, in which astrologers surveyed predicted Obamas win by a
2 to 1 margin.

Editor's note

Edith Hathaway's book In Search of Destiny is available for purchase at her website:
www.edithhathaway.com as well as at Amazon USA and Amazon Europe.

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