The First Presidential Debate of the 2004 election crystallized the reality of George Bush’s Saturn return. Early rumblings were already apparent during John Kerry’s September 20 foreign policy speech when he accused Bush of being in “a fantasy world of spin” and in denial about conditions on the ground in Iraq. But the essence of this planetary configuration was driven home during the debate. Like wild and untamed waves in a stormy sea, reality came crashing onto the shore of Bush’s increasingly fragile delusions, inexorably washing them away in the public mind. Kerry successfully pounded away at Bush’s false conflation of Iraq and al Qaida, as well as at the preposterous claims that the war was going well and that we had a grand coalition of shared struggle and responsibility. On a more subtle level, but potentially more destructive for the current White House Occupant, Kerry’s imposing presence of calm, strength, and clarity gave the lie to Bush’s flip-flop propaganda message about his opponent. And conversely, Bush’s defensive, irritable, and reactive demeanor greatly undercut his own defender-of-national-security image and his glorified war leader persona. Unfortunately for the Commander-in-Chief, reality’s return can be quite painful when one has been avoiding it for years.
As always in presidential campaigns, Kerry was aided by Venus, in this case by its conjunction to his ruling Jupiter on September 30. Covering the next two debates, and continuing through October 20, Kerry’s progressed Moon will be sextile his natal Venus, also affording him an increase in that ever-important likeability quotient. In addition, during the Second Debate Venus will be square to Kerry’s natal 6th house Uranus. This suggests that we will enjoy (Venus) hearing some of his more visionary and ground breaking ideas (Uranus) in the areas of health care and the environment (6th house).
For Bush, Debate Two may be even bleaker than Debate One. He may try to be more charming and amusing, but it is likely to fall flat. The Sun will be on his 3rd house Moon, which may engender some of his verbal cleverness and flippancy. But Saturn will be exactly on his Saturn, and there will be no way to avoid the realities on the ground in the economy, the war, the environment, etc. It is likely Kerry will relentlessly focus the debate on several uncomfortable facts that will tend to shred Bush’s credibility even further. It should be noted that while Saturn is on Bush’s Saturn, it is also on the Inaugural IC, the emotional root of his administration. This suggests a feeling of pessimism and failure that pervades the White House, despite protestations to the contrary. This aspect peaks on October 12th.
Also peaking around October 12th and 13th is the transit of Neptune on Kerry’s Jupiter. This transit suggests that the period between Debates Two and Three will bring Kerry some soaring emotional energy, likely linked to a substantial rise in the polls after Debate Two. It is possible, however, that some of this will be blunted with Debate Three. I do not feel that Bush will overtake Kerry again, but he may manage to tighten the race a bit. His Saturn transit, though still in effect quite strongly through early December, will pass its exact aspect and therefore be slightly less intense after October 10th. In addition, Bush will have both the Sun and Moon sextile his Venus in the Third Debate, so it is likely he will manage to be somewhat more appealing than in his previous two performances. Nonetheless, if our birth time of 8:03 is correct for Kerry, Jupiter will cross his MC from October 16 through 20 and seal his successful candidacy.
The Vice Presidential Debate will be held on October 5. It is quite likely that Dick Cheney will do very well. Seeming more amiable than usual, he is likely to be amusing, confident and relaxed. He will have Venus on his Ascendant and Jupiter on his North Node, both very positive aspects. Moreover, Uranus is currently on his Descendant and will be triggered by Venus on the Ascendant. This suggests some potential for unexpected and forceful comments that my have quite an impact and put Edwards on the defensive.
Edwards, although generally under beneficial aspects throughout the entire election/inauguration season, has nothing particularly strong for the night of the VP Debate. The most noteworthy aspect is his progressed Moon opposite both Neptune and progressed Saturn. This suggests he will seem somewhat of an idealistic lightweight (Neptune) next to Cheney and be easily put on the defensive (Saturn) if he is not careful. A potential strength of Neptune is its compassion, and this may be used to advantage by Edwards, who can point out how harmful the Bush/Cheney policies have been for everyday Americans. But he must remain practical and focused when talking about the dysfunction of the current administration with its ties to corporate sponsors. Cheney, with his years of experience in the executive branch of government, and his very strong astrological indicators for the night of the debate, will be a formidable opponent.
The issue of an October Surprise has been brought up by many as a way that Bush/Rove will manage to derail a Kerry surge. The only thing I can find that even hints at such an occurrence is a cluster of aspects around October 26 and 27 that mostly suggest increased military confrontation and perhaps a successful campaign of some kind in Iraq. But I do not see these as changing the larger dynamics of this election.
As of early October, Kerry is freed from any impeding energy from Saturn, while the constricting qualities of this planet increasingly inhibit Bush’s agenda. In late October, Venus, known in astrology as the Lesser Benefic and the ruler of Kerry’s Midheaven, will go into the sign of its rulership, Libra, and will fully manifest its powers of attraction and contentment. It will also move to cross Kerry’s Midheaven on November 2nd and then to conjunct the Greater Benefic and ruler of Kerry’s Ascendant and Sun, Jupiter, on November 3rd and 4th. This suggests a shower of blessings and celebration for Kerry at this time. For Bush, on the other hand, the humbling and chastising Saturn transit lumbers on, strongly triggered by Mars in square to it from November 3rd through 6th. Given Bush’s record of recklessness and irresponsibility, I do not see how this can indicate success.