Obama08

Before he gave the keynote address at the Democratic Party's National convention in 2004, Barack Obama was virtually unknown nationally, and barely recognizable in his home state of Illinois, even though he was running for Senator. But his speech hit all the right chords and was universally hailed – even among conservatives – as being simple, powerful, and inspirational. In the speech, he used his own family background as the son of a white woman from Kansas and an African foreign exchange student from Kenya to illustrate that America offers opportunity to everyone.

A number of speculative birth times have been posted on the internet, but the one that seems most credible is 1:06 pm. This time was relayed by astrologer Frances McEvoy to astrology newsgroups, and supposedly originated from Obama's own memory when he was asked what time he was born during his New Hampshire visit. The indirect, unnamed sources mean that this data must be rated DD (for "dirty data") until confirmed by his birth certificate. However, the birth time sets the chart's angles, and from this, the astrologer can test it against the record. This process, known as rectification, relies on accurate angles, since major life events generally involve the Midheaven and Ascendant.

Obama's birth data (August 4, 1961; 1:06 pm; Honolulu, HI) places his Leo Sun near the Midheaven, and this position supports the "star quality" that so many observers report. His tenth house of career holds progressive Uranus and reform-minded Pluto, each of which describes a recognizable ideological facet of his professional persona. In addition, the tenth house Pluto opposes Chiron in the fourth house. This dynamic polarity involving the parental axis is about two degrees from exact, which by Solar Arc progression, coincides with the divorce of his parents when Obama was two (two degrees is two years).

So far, this 1:06 pm time feels right. Let's test it against some of Obama's personal history. On October 18, 1992, he married Michelle Robinson, who was working with a Chicago law firm. The main indicators for this kind of life change are evident: transiting Pluto was conjunct his Ascendant, and transiting Chiron was on his Midheaven. Transiting Vesta was precisely conjunct his Ascendant on the date he married, and this is significant because Vesta natally resides in the seventh house of partners. Most importantly, his progressed Midheaven was trine his seventh house Ceres, which is the strongest indicator yet that this data is correct. Ceres, now categorized as a dwarf planet, represents his partner as a caring person, financially secure (in Taurus), and the mother of his two children.

The Horoscope of

Barack Obama

NeptuneCafe presents

What does Barack Obama's horoscope say about his chances of winning in 2008?

As a political astrologer, and one who uses the Scorpio Rising horoscope for the United States (July 4, 1776; 2:21 pm; Philadelphia), I was most struck by the close connections between Obama's chart and the U.S. chart. Among the several tight intra-aspects are two that, in my opinion, account for his national popularity. First, his Neptune at 8º36' Scorpio is exactly, to-the-minute conjunct the U.S. Scorpio Ascendant. At its best, Neptune symbolizes the ideal, the charisma, and the hope for a better future. In fact, Obama's keynote address in 2004 used the phrase "the audacity of hope", from which he wrote a book by the same name, and which has been on the New York Times bestseller list for months. Many observers note that he is the most charismatic politician since JFK, who happened to be President when Neptune was in this position.

But Neptune has a down side, and that is that the truth is never what it seems. For Kennedy, his Camelot marriage to Jackie was a sham: we know that he was involved in numerous romantic affairs, and entertained his women in the Presidential swimming pool. Obama himself has noted that he is just a projection of America's need for something new, anything new. Neptune allows Americans to see in him anything and everything they hope for, and realistically, no one can be all that. So at some point, disillusionment is inevitable. Until then, Obama can ride the wave, and maybe bring some constructive changes along the way.

The second important connection between Obama's and America's horoscopes is that his Uranus is exactly opposite the U.S. Moon. The Moon symbolizes the American mood, its national security needs, and popular opinions. The U.S. Moon in Aquarius represents America's multicultural population, its hunger for news, and its sense of justice and fair play. In the last 50 years or so, no president has ever been elected without a close connection to the U.S. Moon. This trend has been described in an article I wrote for Horoscope magazine (see U.S. Presidents)

For this reason, John Edwards cannot be seriously considered as the Democratic Party's nominee. While he has good connections to the U.S. Sun and Mars, neither his natal chart nor his progressed chart shows any planets or angles at 25º, which would connect him to the U.S. Moon and the public mood. However, his progressed Jupiter is conjunct his Sun during the entire campaign cycle, which brings him the financial backing and political influence to make him a contender. If the Democrats do nominate him, they will lose the general election because he doesn't have the critical connection to the U.S. Moon.

Obama's Uranus to the U.S. Moon electrifies people, bringing an aura of excitement and dramatic change to the political arena. What makes this connection so strong right now is that Obama's progressed Venus is forming a conjunction with natal Uranus (exact on May 13, 2007). A well-placed Venus, and especially when Uranus is involved, brings tremendous popularity. As this aspect wanes in power, one might expect the excitement around Obama to wane as well. However, in 2008, his progressed Ascendant will be forming a trine to Uranus, and this one could carry him right through the election cycle. However, the progressed Ascendant is based on his exact birth time, so this is true if, and only if, he was born at 1:06 pm.

On October 26, 2002, Obama delivered his first political speech that marked him for greatness. While the rest of the leadership in Washington passively approved Bush's plans to invade Iraq, Obama had this to say:

"I don't oppose all wars. And I know that in this crowd today, there is no shortage of patriots, or of patriotism. What I am opposing is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war. What I am opposed to is a cynical attempt by Richard Perles and Paul Wolfowitz and other arm-chair, weekend warriors in this Administration to shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the costs in lives lost and in hardships borne."

This slice from a bi-wheel features Obama's progressed Venus conjunct his Midheaven, marking the beginning of his political popularity in October 26, 2002

The speech was radical at the time, but now seems visionary and bold. At the time, transiting Uranus was virtually exactly opposite his own Uranus, awakening his political career in a big way. His progressed Venus was right on his Midheaven, promising a favorable reception and the beginning of his popularity, especially among Democratic Party leaders. His progressed Sun was conjunct his natal Mars, giving him the boldness and courage to say such remarkable truths. His progressed Moon had recently crossed his Ascendant, allowing him to confidently project his personality, and once again verifying this birth time.

Then, the speech that launched his reputation was the keynote address given on July 27, 2004 at the Democrats' national convention. Transiting Uranus was conjunct his fourth house Chiron, which reflects the content of his speech about his unusual roots. Transiting Jupiter formed an exact sextile to his Scorpio Ascendant, giving him dramatic flair and confidence, while transiting Mars was right on his Midheaven, which can be seen as describing his heroic path (in Leo). Transiting Pluto was exactly trine his Midheaven, securing his future as a political player with vast influence.

The progressions also look good: the ultimate success and consequent fame is shown by his progressed Midheaven trine beneficial Jupiter, located in the third house of communications and mental attitude. People liked what he had to say, and they liked the way he said it.

Why do successful national politicians, and especially our elected presidents, need a close conection to the U.S. Moon? read more

In gauging what lies ahead for the Senator, one can't help notice that his Mars has progressed into his twelfth house of secret enemies. Again, this is true only if he was born at 1:06 pm, but progressed Mars here, especially when making hard aspects to other planets in his chart, shows that there are people actively working against his best interests. Of course, in politics, all his adversaries may wish that he would just go away. But Mars here can be more than adversaries – Mars can represent enemies filled with hate and prejudice.

This interpretation is underscored by progressed Mars forming an octile (45º) to his Pluto, which is exact on June 26. Under this influence, Obama could be in serious physical danger. In 2008 his progressed Mercury conjoins his progressed Mars in the twelfth house, adding another interval of potential attack. No doubt, he could use the services of an astrologer to protect him against his most vulnerable time frames, just as astrologer Joan Quigley may have saved Ronald Reagan's life by overseeing his schedule, his public appearances.

The content of this page is excerpted from the cover story for Dell Horoscope's July 2007 issue, written by Michael O'Reilly

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CNN Breaking News (May 3) - "Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, a U.S. senator from Illinois, has been placed under the protection of the Secret Service, the agency said Thursday."

Here's a comparable look at the horoscope of Hillary Clinton. Once you've read both natal profiles, compare their prospects in 2008

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