Forecast for Super Tuesday
South Carolina and John Edwards:A Tale of Two GeminisFriday, Jan. 25, 2006 The polls in South Carolina show Barack Obama with a substantial lead over Hilary Clinton. The astrology confirms that an Obama victory is the most likely outcome. The Moon enters Libra early Saturday evening, which definitely favors Obama and could result in his best night since Iowa. Any win is welcome, but this short-term victory in the Palmetto State won't do much to change his national status as an incredibly inspiring runner-up. As the campaigns swing south, it seems appropriate to focus on the only real Southern candidate among the Democrats, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards. Edwards, a native son of South Carolina, is obviously stuck between a rock and a hard place. Still he remains remarkably chipper, revealing in his recent interview with Dave Letterman a genuine flair for comedy; the kind that is only born of pain. Edwards, like Rudy Giuliani, was born with a conjunction of two planets near 7 degrees of Gemini, and that's just the wrong part of Gemini, at least for this election. There's nothing intrinsically wrong about that part of Gemini. In fact, it ties in very nicely with the US chart (July 4, 1776). Both gentlemen strongly identify with the American people and seek to lead them, but now is not the time. Right now, Saturn is at 7 degrees of Virgo, forming a hard 90 degree angle to 7 degrees of Gemini, and that's blocking both of them, while favoring others. Edwards and Giuliani have some other points in common; for instance they are both highly effective communicators, and they both began their careers in the legal profession. Obviously, at some point, the similarities end and their characters diverge, for these two Geminis have two very different messages. Edwards, born with that bouyant Moon-Jupiter conjunction in Gemini, is unflaggingly positive, uplifting, and optimistic. This guy believes. He really believes. He has a message of hope and good will, and is on a mission to go everywhere and share it with anybody who will listen. Edwards has an obvious gift for reaching out to the people, building them up, and inspiring them to reach beyond their limits. That's a beautiful thing. I don't know if it makes for a particularly good president, but it does put a lot of exciting ideas into circulation. Still, Gemini is not an especially executive personality. A Gemini like Giuliani, who was born with nearly half the solar system in Leo, would be an exception to that rule. Edwards is more true to type. He's a herald, a communicator, an idea man, a promoter. He is playing out a vitally important role on the American political scene. Besides, the longer he goes on collecting delegates, the more clout he will wield in the clash of the Titans at the National Convention in August. Hilary needs a hefty lead to prevent Edwards and his 10-13% from playing kingmaker. The current fuss-fight between the Clintons and Obama has been a real boon for Edwards. South Carolina should also give Edwards his best night since Iowa. Regardless of whether he ever wins anything or not, I feel grateful just to have him in the race. He makes a positive contribution to the overall political dialogue, and empowers people with belief in themselves. If that's how he wants to spend his money, then we all benefit.
Democrats in Nevada, Republicans in South Carolina
Saturday is the next big step in the race for delegates, with voters making their choices in both Nevada and South Carolina.
Nevada has chosen to go the caucus route, and I only wish that more states would too. Old-fashioned caucuses, unlike primaries, put a face back on politics. Instead of anonymous voters disappearing behind curtains, raucous caucuses bring neighbors and communities together to debate and discuss amongst themselves, reminiscent of those early American town hall meetings. If my state that held caucuses, I wouldn’t miss it for the world, even if only for the ‘crack,’ as we say in Donegal.
Nevada will be holding some of its caucuses in casinos, to give shift workers more opportunities to participate. If I had my way, voters of every shape and size would caucus face-to-face: in person, in bars, bowling alleys, bingo halls, arcades, football stadiums, any place people are most likely to gather, have fun, and really feel like they are part of the process. After all, it’s our country, and while it’s easy to rig voting machines, caucuses put a real, live human face on the final tallies.
Republicans in Nevada: The polls say Mitt Romney has this one in the bag. He’s the only major candidate to field a serious campaign here, so it will be no surprise when he wins. Ron Paul should have one of his better showings in this notoriously libertarian stronghold.
Democrats in Nevada: The polls show Hilary slightly ahead of Obama, but the astrology shows just the opposite, with a strong showing for Obama against the front runner. The democratic caucuses will take place between 11:30am and 1:00pm PST, which makes it easier to pinpoint the precise planetary influences. The dominant feature is a tight Venus-Mars opposition, with Mars (retrograde) at 24 degree Gemini opposite Venus at 24 degrees Sagittarius. That depicts a ‘girls vs. the boys’ scenario, especially as the transiting Moon in Gemini (23 degrees) closes in on a conjunction with Mars. Obama has the advantage of the transiting Sun conjunct his natal Jupiter, and trine his Moon; a lucky combination, but even staying close to Clinton could be construed as a positive result. With so many planets in Gemini, Edwards, born with both his Sun and Moon in Gemini, will attract some support, but his options are narrowing with each passing day.
Republicans in South Carolina: The Republican race in the great state of South Carolina is a lot more competitive than the one in the gambling capital. (South Carolina Dems will vote next Saturday, the 26th, leaving the candidates free to focus all their efforts on Nevada.) Mike Huckabee, and even dear old Fred Thompson were once thought to be shoo-ins in SC, a stronghold of traditional Southern values, but McCain has become hard to beat lately. Polls show him either even with, or just slightly ahead of Huckabee, and the astrology confirms that. They should both do quite well.
Huckabee gets more planetary support from the transiting Venus-Mars/Moon opposition, and will draw the support of the more vocal ‘ideological’ voters: the radical conservatives and evangelicals. McCain’s bid is still supported by the transiting Jupiter-Saturn trine, and he cuts a very broad swath right through the middle. I would give a slight edge to McCain, but they both make some gains here.
