The Election is upon us, and excitement is high on both sides. Two strong candidates with vast differences between camps continue the campaign to the last hours before the polls open. The month ahead looks about as contentious as the last several.
The New Moon on November 1 is at 9 Scorpio, the sign of secrets, with an easy connection to Saturn, known for structure, order, restrictions and rules. Initially, this might seem a good thing as we go into the election process, now a bit more diffused than we have had traditionally with mail-in ballots, drop boxes, and in-person options. We can expect the final tally to be a bit slow coming and confused.
This lunation comes with a harmonious Grand Trine pattern of planets in Water signs at ending degrees. Water signs are emotional, changeable, and can be very unstable. The larger pattern is a Kite with the center spine formed between Mars at 29 Cancer in opposition to Pluto at 29 Capricorn. This aspect will be long and slow because Mars is slowing down to station retrograde on December 6, lasting until February 24, when it turns direct again at 17 Cancer. The overall combination of planets in the pattern are a mixture of energies that are not easily clarified. Neptune, planet of confusion, murky waters, and misinformation, linked with Uranus, planet of chaos and revolt, and with Mercury about to shift direction make it extremely hard to predict how things are going to end.
Mars and Pluto are planets which are forceful, and intense in any mixture, but especially in the face-off of the polarities. Pluto, slowest of the planets is concluding its time in Capricorn and will be dredging up some difficult information about history, truths becoming known that may be shocking and hard to accept. Mars rules the Military Industrial Complex, it is strategy, and the thrust of the sword. As the main feature, the strongest and longest contact, these planets both change signs during this contact, meaning the themes become fixed and stubborn.
Mars enters Leo on November 5th. Both Presidential Candidates have Mars in Leo in their natal charts. Both have a strong will to win any battle they enter. Mars will only go to 6 degrees Leo, which is the position of the USA’s North Node, representing important relationships. The World is watching this especially important election. Alliances could shift if there is a change in leadership in the USA.
In the first 10 days of November, we will see the stirrings of these elemental shifts as destabilizing influences. The Water element, which is emotional, gives over to Fire, bringing passion, new inspiration, and drive. Earth signs shift on to Air with innovative ideas initiating changes arising, like sudden revelations.
Mercury and the Moon each ingress into Sagittarius on Saturday the 3rd, which might mean an early call on the voting, suggesting enthusiasm and celebrations of success in some segments of the population with early mail-in ballot counts. Mars slides into Leo the same evening, leading to a swing to the other camp. Too soon to tell anything. The shifts just stirs the tension.
The morning of Election Day, November 5, the Moon ingresses to Capricorn where the Moon’s final aspect in this sign will be on Thursday with the conjunction to Pluto. It will be the last time for the Moon to conjoin Pluto in Capricorn for the rest of our lifetimes. This is a closing the paradigm of top-down power and control.
Both sides will have claims of success, leading to confusion and heated debates in the week following the election. Mercury, the planet most relevant to counting and certifying votes will be in a difficult challenge with Saturn, as Saturn stations direct in motion on the 15th, also it is the Full Moon at 24 Taurus. The Sun in Scorpio opposes the Moon conjunct Uranus, the revolutionary. Mercury in Sagittarius opposes Jupiter in Gemini, as we go into the new week.
This Full Moon is strongly relevant to both Candidates, and it furthers the question of the election. Pluto is on the Midheaven over Washington, DC., suggesting that powerful forces are at work. Pluto will move into Aquarius on Nov. 19, initiating a powerful drive within humanity to develop higher senses and evolve into more self-empowered lives. Yet, this election will be full of tension as Americans simmer through the protracted process of counting and certifying the vote.
Counting and the process of the Nationwide vote comes under Mercury’s influence. Mercury stations retrograde on November 26. It will station direct on December 15, just two days before the Electoral College meets. In between, you can expect a lot of chatter and speculation.
The next New Moon is December 1 at 9 Sagittarius, falling near the USA Ascendant, which is 12 degrees. This in simplicity suggests New Beginnings for the Nation. Mercury will be opposed to Jupiter, in each other’s signs and both retrograde. Their final opposition will be December 27.
Could we see something that has never happened before in US Elections? A Tie vote? It is possible.