Bernie Sanders: Election 2016 An Astrological Perspective

OVERVIEW 2016  Election Cycle             

With the DNC just over two months away it’s clear that the Democratic contenders for the nomination for President elect are running a hotly contested race.

            In spite of Hillary Clinton’s lead in terms of super delegates, Bernie Sanders has been drawing record crowds; his appeal is not fading rather waxing across the board as recent polls now show that he is more likely to beat Trump in the general election. On May 10^th RealClearPolitics reports Sanders lead over Trump a decided 51% to 38% with Clinton’s lead over Trump a slim 47% to 41%. (June 3rd, Clinton's lead dropped to 1%). 

            In an interview with NPR (May 10^th 2016), Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver noted that 44% of those backing Sanders would switch their vote to Trump rather than support another Clinton presidency. While many take issue at this, it’s important to remember that those who prefer Trump to Clinton if Sanders where to back out, are not jumping the democratic ship, rather they represent republican voters disenchanted with the GOP. Sanders looks more like the change they want while Clinton’s values, although progressive by some standards, are more in line with the Oligarchy, the obsolete status quo that has driven this movement for radical change to the streets. As Clinton continues to monopolize on the super delegates, who many feel also represent the elite, Sanders continues to grow in popularity, appealing to voters from both sides of the political spectrum.

            Political analysts typify Sanders as the underdog and the revolutionary, others vilify him as the symbol of a welfare state, and Obama has recently cast him in the light of one lacking in pragmatism in his speech at the Rutgers Commencement May 15^th.  On the other hand Clinton is typically seen as lacking in the fundamental core value of honesty, as one who is “untrustworthy” and willing to say whatever she needs to say to get the vote; basically a daughter of the “establishment.” Diehard feminists insist that we support her or go to our special place in hell. In my article on Hillary Clinton’s chart, whom I did support at one time, I highlight the repeating planetary aspects that reveal a highly duplicitous and calculating nature combined with an authentic concern for humanitarian ideals.

            The following analysis of Bernie Sanders natal chart and current transits takes a look at how he has made it the forefront of this race for the White House, how his revolutionary ideals and ideological underpinnings have dovetailed with a 250 year cycle, a phenomenological period of American and world history. Let’s see how Bernie’s chart reflects the needs and voices of the American people and the highest standard of democracy.

           

INTRODUCTION

            I have been analyzing the charts of our elections, the contenders, and the presidents along with key events in American history for two decades. There are definite patterns that can be found running through the charts of our most celebrated and effective leaders, as well as the self-serving and unscrupulous. For the most part, the former correspond to the higher aspirations of the American people, as characterized by the chart that I use as the birth chart of the United States, the Vote for Independence on July 2^nd 1776 in Philadelphia. This date and relative time is the consensus among historians, although many astrologers continue to use the fourth of July. In any case, I evaluate the charts of the contenders based on the way they reflect the core values of liberty, justice, freedom, equality, self-sufficiency and compassion; their ability to intuit and execute change when change is needed as we are a country that was conceived by courageous and intelligent men and women who believed in the concepts of self-determination and liberty.  

            Our most celebrated presidents have embodied the ideals and virtues put forth by ancient Greek Philosophers. Socrates understood the potential for failure in all forms of government; Democracy was no exception. Although Socrates left little in writing his student Plato wrote extensively on the phenomenon. They saw Democracy as the natural progression from Oligarchy in which the wealthy dominate, where wealth and the desire element form the ruling class, where honor is confirmed by the accumulation of wealth. As the gap between rich and poor widens, the majority, (the poor), revolt, and seek to establish, or re-establish democratic values, maximum freedom, not just for the wealthy but for all. But maximum freedom based just on desire leads to mob rule, fueled by fear of the oligarchy, undisciplined, unrestrained. At that point, a clever demagogue can exploit the angry masses, wield power and take control, the result a tyranny. Many feel that this is how Donald Trump has managed to gain such a strong hold on the minds of the disenfranchised.

            In a nutshell, 250 years since the first stirrings of revolution in the colonies, after the stings of imperial oppression in the name of the Sugar and the Stamp Acts, we have in many respects come full circle and this is apparent in the transits to the July 2nd 1776 US chart. We have cycled back to a system that has the same impact as the Oligarchy under King George and Parliament, whose decisions to tax the colonists against their will, without their consent or representation, set the stage for the first revolutionary war 13 years later. The Sugar Act and Stamp Act burdened the colonists with the debt of the French and Indian war along with the expense of paying for British troops on American soil, to enforce laws and rules made in Parliament without representation by the colonies. Here we are 250 years later, burdened with taxes, feeling unrepresented by our parties, amassing behind candidates who have emerged from the fringes, whose support comes from the people, not from the elite.

            It’s impossible to discuss Bernie Sander’s chart and aspects without weaving in our current economic crisis, which many believe to be a consequence of opportunistic politicians and the wealthy elite that have perpetuated it. Sander’s natal chart is the profile of a politician that has a history of pragmatic, progressive, ingenious reform, of not catering to the elite, but of one who has learned the lesson of self-discipline through the acceptance of responsibility. In no uncertain terms Bernie Sander’s chart speaks to the movement he speaks for, the core values of the American Revolution, which was not the work of a mob of reckless or undisciplined individuals (take away Sam Adams), but a carefully weighed, organized, phenomenological movement, one whose time had come.

The revolution that the Sanders Movement speaks to today is not so unlike the American Revolution, freedom through self-determination.

Analysis of Key Aspects in Sanders Natal Chart

A Pragmatic Crusader for American Values, Equality and Positive Change

(Scorpio ascendant, Pluto (ruler of Scorpio) in the 8^th house in Leo, on the Cusp of the 9^th). 

The signs here speak to a powerful and profound leader. His strong personality radiates from an inner core of power that has the ability to inspire and transform others. There is a classic dislike of superficial or useless habits and actions, he is brief and to the point. This combined with what astrologers refer to as a “why” oriented person – he attracts those who are ready for change, through his pragmatic approach to reality; his brief and to the point announcement of his decision to run for the office of president a case in point. Both of these placements (Scorpio Ascendant and Pluto in the 8^th) speak to one whose ideals go very deep, whose commitment to the responsibilities vested in him is of the highest integrity. The attributes of personal courage, personal conviction and with Pluto in the sign leo here, the promise of good health and longevity are strong. Presidents who had Pluto in the 8^th/9^th house: FDR, JFK, Jefferson, Jackson, Harrison, Truman, Buchannan, Carter and Coolidge.

(Mars conjunct Moon in Aries 5^th house).

Complementing the above placements, this configuration of the moon and mars speaks to Sander’s unwavering passion as a crusader for humanitarian values, and for the energy that infuses him which he uses for the good of humanity, which in turn stimulates the collective. He is inspired by, and inspires a higher aspiration to the collective ideal of egalitarianism. This combination of Mars and the Moon can also be overbearing and abrupt at times, and can come across as rude to others, however other aspects in the chart indicate that this impatience stems directly from his natural grasp of complex issues and frustration with setbacks and limitations. Fortunately there are a number of solid indications that he has the self-awareness to cultivate self-discipline that he learns from his mistakes, and uses them as an opportunity to develop more effective forms of negotiation based on awareness of opposing ideologies and perspectives. He understands the need for discourse. People with moon and mars in Aries thrive on open communication as they know it is the only way that problems truly get solved. The tendency to be impatient is modified throughout the chart (Venus in Libra and Mercury Trine Saturn/Uranus) indicating not only self-awareness and the need for balance and judgement in negotiation with groups and organizations, it also indicates a highly sensitive nature, one that is not obvious to everyone given his strong personal dynamism and passionate moral convictions. Libra is the most sensitive placement for Venus, natives with Venus in Libra who have sustained great loss and trauma often cloak themselves in armor, but those who know them understand that there is a highly sensitive, intuitive side to them. FDR had moon/mars conjunct in the 10th. 

(Gemini on the 7^th house cusp, Saturn conjunct Uranus trine Mercury in the 10^th). 

Here we see the signs for one who is naturally ingenious, who is highly pragmatic and who sees the big picture. There are profound intuitive abilities along with a strong mind which can easily grasp what needs to be done and how to do it. There are highly developed mathematic as well as intuitive abilities. He is adept at dealing with organizational responsibilities on the highest order. This is an excellent configuration for leadership, for the political, managerial planning needed for healthy organizations to function. There is an advanced understanding of the rewards that come through taking responsibility for one’s life and the challenges that present, that true freedom comes from voluntary acceptance of responsibility. This is key for those who are afraid that a vote for Sanders is a vote for a welfare state. On the contrary, he embodies the true meaning of freedom through taking responsibility for one’s life.

(Gemini/Sagittarius intercepted in the 1^st and 7^th houses). 

These placements confer an accelerated and concentrated learning experience found in the charts of individuals who understand the importance of adhering to one’s ideals, simultaneous to cultivating an awareness of the ideals of others. There is a natural skill for compromise without compromising one’s values. Here is the sign of one that is devoted to developing skillful powers of negotiation. Sanders history in Washington, the passage of so many important bills, demonstrates his understanding of how to work with others without compromising moral values, rather maintaining a sense of objectivity. These aspects and signs also reiterate his understanding of the importance of creating systems and techniques that support healthy functioning in relationships, partnerships. With transpersonal planets here the skills are used to further healthy dynamics in more complex organizations where partnerships and open discourse is paramount to success. A case in point, his response to the question of Israeli use of force during the debate in New York historical; his response genuine and evenhanded, objective and fair, while refusing to condone disproportionate violence.

Career and Calling

Talents, Virtues and Current Cycles

(Tenth House Virgo with Sun, North Node, Neptune and Mercury)

This placement indicates one whose soul work and mission is to lead, specifically movements where there is need for reform, where obsolescent patterns of order and cultural perspectives need to be challenged. The midpoint of the North Node and Mercury, which has been activated by a slow steady transit of the North Node (expressly pulling him toward his life work) since he announced his candidacy, symbolizes a leadership personality that identifies the need for change and who has the personal power and will to channel it.
Presidents JFK, Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Adams and Carter had either North Node, Sun, and Neptune (or some combination of the three) in the same house. 

Current Cycles: Jupiter, the planet of expansion on all levels is currently coursing back and forth over this dynamic planetary grouping and will continue to grant him protection and fortune throughout the entirety of his race. If Bernie came to me and asked me whether he should stay in the race, based on the “stars” I would so in no uncertain terms, Yes, with a capital “Y.” He has, unequivocally the strongest chart for the job and the best aspects for the race.       

Help From Above
The Collective Power of Truth

(March-May transiting Uranus over natal Moon and Mars, Pluto trine 10^th House Sun, N. Node Neptune, 7^th house Saturn). 

There is no doubt that Bernie has been experiencing an electrifying uphill swing, one that has the energy of a figure 8, or, a positive feedback loop. The more passionate his convictions and “moral outrage” to use a Greek term, the greater his support and appeal. This energy will continue and will peak around the time of the DNC. The momentum will be sustained by the long term transits by transpersonal planets for more than a decade. 
A sign of the universal importance of Bernie’s message came on March 25^th2016 with the voluntary appearance of the sparrow on his podium in the midst of a rally of 11,000 strong in Oregon.  On that day, the planet Uranus at 19 degrees Aries, made an exact conjunction with his natal moon. The Ancient Sabian Symbol for that degree of the zodiac:

A Young Girl Feeding Birds In Winter: Overcoming crisis through compassion.

The synchronicity of this event is not to be taken lightly. It can be taken as a sign that there is an endorsement of a higher or greater power, I prefer to think of it as a collective power of an archetypal quality. There is protection and support for his mission which is far greater than the sum of its parts. This endorsement a sign that he is on the right track, the goal is not to divide but to unite the American people, but unite them under the core values of tolerance, compassion, love, and sympathy, of the need to replace the impotency of hate and self-serving ideals with that of a higher level of human expression, of “the transmutation of life into love.” Symbolically speaking, the Sanders Movement, so to speak is taking place "under the auspices."

The week of the DNC in Philadelphia will be nothing short of electrifying.
Bernie's transits are extraordinarily beneficial, with Sun at an exact conjunction with Natal Pluto, Moon in Aries giving his Moon in Aries conjunct Mars an extra lift, North Node conjunct Sun, Mercury trining his Natal Moon and Mars (clear and effective communication), Venus and Mercury trine natal Mars, Mars conjunct his Ascendant, Jupiter conjunct North Node, and Saturn forming a grand trine with natal Moon/Mars and Pluto.

Uranus continues to conjunct his Mars/Moon conjunct, the planet of progressive reform. My advice to Bernie and the movement as a whole is to exercise temperance in the highest meaning of the word. That of the voluntary act of self-disciplined commitment to spiritually informed values. This is not to say there needs to be a compromise of values, rather, what the founding mothers and fathers strove for, a harmonious balance of the concepts of liberty and freedom and voluntary self-determination.  With Uranus coursing back and forth over Bernie's natal Mars there will be Movement, Tension and Upheaval. By September Mars and Saturn will be in a strong trine to Mars and Moon, the energy will be even more constructive and will be channeled in a positive direction. With the "karmic debt" transits that will be in effect for Hillary, it would be a big mistake for Sanders to pull out of the race.  Clinton will be called to task in the least for her bold move to install a private server in her home for government business as Secretary of State, deleting emails, etc. etc. her integrity will be put under greater and greater scrutiny. 

In essence, Sanders Chart and the overall tone of his message is one of emotional honesty and high moral integrity. Is he a politician? Is he prepared for the job? I believe that I have answered those questions in the body of this discussion, in terms of his capabilities and how those parallel many of our most celebrated leaders. 

After Thoughts...

After writing many have commented that Bernie's legislative record does not compare with HRC. The general tone is that Clinton has more experience and that Bernie's biggest claim to fame is his work to enhance the quality of life for Veteran's.

Prior to writing this article I did a good bit of research and found hundreds of bills that Bernie had sponsored or co-sponsored on Health Care, Armed Forces, Labor and Employment, Energy, Education, Government and Politics, Taxation and Finance (Gov.Track.com).