by Guest Author Judith Goldberg
A New EraAs demonstrated, planetary aspects often recur over prolonged periods due to directional changes. In 2008 another such era unfolds. The Election Day opposition is the first in a series of four in Virgo-Pisces (November 4, 2008, 18°57'; February 5, 2009, 20°39'; September 15, 2009, 24°42'; April 26, 2010, 28°46'). A fifth and final one occurs July 26, 2010 at 0° 25' Libra-Aries.
Considering the Saturn-Uranus cycle within the larger context of the Pluto cycle, the 2008 election may be perceived as catalyzing those issues we must transcend. For the first time in history a woman and an African American were serious contenders for the presidency, shining light on women’s and racial issues. History is witness to civil rights as a recurrent Saturn-Uranus theme, indicating that race trumps feminism as the overriding issue in this contest. Obama’s election could turn a page in the struggle for equality, among ALL minorities, and begin a great healing.
Increased voter participation in the primaries, after years of apathy, was a welcome sign that the American people are preparing to take back their democracy (demo= people) and transform politics (pol=people). Saturn in Virgo and Pluto in Capricorn have conspired (by dispositorship) to contract the economy, creating a crisis that influences election priorities and may even sideline the war as an issue. Values voters will have to choose between their pocketbooks and the divisive social agendas Republicans have exploited in past. Pluto will expose all institutions that hamper fair elections and disenfranchise voters; likely targets are Super Delegates, corrupt election boards, rigged electronic machines and the Electoral College.
Reversing the Reagan RevolutionThe Election Day opposition mirrors the polarization between conservative and progressive forces—red and blue states. When Saturn and Uranus opposed each other at 23º 12' Pisces-Virgo on November 8th, 1966, Ronald Reagan was elected Governor of California. Reagan rode the backlash against 60’s radicalism all the way to the White House. His gubernatorial election jump-started the conservative movement in American politics. The 2008 Presidential Election occurs under an exact reversed polarity of the ’66 opposition, perhaps signaling a turning of the tide.
Signs of conservatism’s demise are visible. Writing in Newsweek magazine, political commentator Fareed Zakaria said, "Conservative slogans sound anachronistic in the context of today’s problems…a new world requires new thinking." (Fareed Zakaria, “The End of Conservatism,” Newsweek, February 25, 2008, p.45). The death of William F. Buckley Jr., acknowledged founding father of modern conservatism, on February 27, 2008 is a bellwether. Buckley inspired both Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan.
In the five years between 2001 and 2006, the right had a chance to control all three branches of government—to actually run the country. Naught but obvious failures have been the result: a crashing economy, a rotting infrastructure, a failed war and a less safe world, more Americans saying their nation is on the wrong track…The conservative era is over. (Rick Perlstein, “All Aboard the McCain Express,” The Nation, April 21, 2008, p.16).
According to the Buckminster Fuller Institute website, Fuller said: You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.
A new visionary and pragmatic politics is emerging, uniting the best of Uranus and Saturn. Progressives, represented by such organizations as Moveon.org and People for the American Way, make up a growing arm of the Democratic Party. The movement is backing Obama. While he is not an avowed progressive, they believe he will be responsive to their agenda. Certainly, he is Uranus’ dog in the race!
