Obama's 2012 State of the Union Address
His first volley in his re-election bid, President Obama, in his 2012 State of the Union speech, spoke directly to issues that concern the American public at large. The speech at around 9:00 PM EST on January 24, 2012, the information used to cast the chart we will discuss.
We’ll take a look astrologically at Obama’s State of the Union address. The chart below has relevant sections and planets highlighted in different colors so I can point you to the astrological point I’m addressing.
The American Dream and the Issue of Fairness
“ . . . the basic American promise [is] that if you worked hard, you [can] do well enough to raise a family, own a home, send your kids to college, and put a little away for retirement.
The defining issue of our time is how to keep that promise alive. No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more important. We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well while a growing number of Americans barely get by, or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.”
The chart of the United States (inner wheel), its progressions (middle wheel) and transits (outer wheel) reflects this theme of fairness. The progressed Mars and Moon of the United States, (in the purple section of the chart) in the zodiac sign of Libra, sit on the Natal Saturn of the United States. This natal Saturn reflects the promise of the America dream; if you work hard, you can raise your children with freedom from want, own your own home and have freedom from want in your retirement years. This Saturn is in the tenth house, where the sun shines brightest in midday. Our reputation as the “land of opportunity” comes from this Saturn.
The essential nature of the United States, highlighted in green is the collection of planets in the sign of Gemini and Cancer. While not connected by degree, we have the planet of individuality and freedom, Uranus as the first planet in this collection. This Uranus IS tied by degree to the Midheaven by the harmonious aspect called a trine, giving us the sound bite, “Land of the free” as part of our national identity.
Mars in Gemini make us a society on the move, actively acquiring information and often of two minds when it comes to doing something.
Venus, the planet of our value systems, Jupiter, our planet of social justice, the Sun, our essential identity, and Mercury, our thinking processes are in the sign of Cancer. Many other astrologers have written their take on this combination, so suffice it to say that we are fiercely protective of home, hearth and family, seeing ourselves as everyday citizens with everyday problems. This combination is in friendly energetic connection, by virtue of Mercury in Cancer at 24 degrees to Neptune, the planet of high ideals that sits at the top, the midheaven of the chart of the United States. With Mercury in Cancer we talk about it. This is the chord that Obama struck when he talked about the need to bring jobs back to America so that average Americans could recapture the American Dream.
Transiting Saturn, the planet that rules challenges is 29 degrees of the zodiac sign of Libra (dark pink section of chart). 29 degrees of any zodiac sign show where a decision must be made. This Saturn is also semi-sextile the planet of action, Mars who sits near the Midheaven of the chart of the United State. This combination is the force behind the statement “No challenge is more urgent”. Libra is the zodiac sign that advocates fairness for all.
American Workers
Obama addressed jobs lost overseas as companies outsourced American jobs. Look at the highlighted yellow sections and you will see the United States moon, the symbol of the public in the third house of commerce. Our workers have always been one of our greatest resources. Progressed Mercury is making a long transit of this moon, highlighting the needs of the workers in the collective. The Mercury is in retrograde motion, stationing next year at 20 degrees of Aquarius and not going direct until five years from now in 2017. This is interesting timing as this is a year past the 2016 Presidential elections. Obama has a history of passing legislation during Mercury retrograde, and this Mercury retrograding and stationing in the area of the U. S. Moon seems to indicate legislation enacted that doesn’t expire until after the 2016 elections. Neptune just passing the U. S. Moon position signals a possible sea change in the our attitudes toward our workers. Here again, Neptune sits at the degree of decision. What remains to be seen if American companies will see this issue more clearly.
Obama said: “Tonight, my message to business leaders is simple: Ask yourselves what you can do to bring jobs back to your country, and your country will do everything we can to help you succeed.”
On the flip side, the ninth house, Obama proposed initiatives to train workers into jobs in growth industries. Transiting Mars is in stress aspect (inconjunct) to the U. S. Moon. Education always seems like a good idea. Implementing enough change to make a difference is another story.
Proposed Changes in Taxing Companies and the Rich
“We should start with our tax code. Right now, companies get tax breaks for moving jobs and profits overseas. Meanwhile, companies that choose to stay in America get hit with one of the highest tax rates in the world. It makes no sense, and everyone knows it. So let’s change it.
So my message is simple. It is time to stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas, and start rewarding companies that create jobs right here in America. Send me these tax reforms, and I will sign them right away.
If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30 percent in taxes. And my Republican friend Tom Coburn is right: Washington should stop subsidizing millionaires. In fact, if you’re earning a million dollars a year, you shouldn’t get special tax subsidies or deductions. On the other hand, if you make under $250,000 a year, like 98 percent of American families, your taxes shouldn’t go up. You’re the ones struggling with rising costs and stagnant wages. You’re the ones who need relief.”
Transiting Pluto is getting ready to cross over (or it may have, since there are quite a few debates on the timing of this chart) in the U. S. second house of money bringing transformation in how we handle money. Mercury, the planet of communications and commerce, at the time of the State of the Union address sat on the U.S. natal Pluto so this is an issue that had to be addressed. Is change going to come? Pluto is in challenge aspect (square) to the midheaven, and opposes the U. S Sun. It looks like a fierce fight ahead to pass these measures. Expect the Republican Party to oppose these measures on the basis they will slow our anemic economy.
Investigation of Overseas Unfair Trading practices
“Tonight, I’m announcing the creation of a Trade Enforcement Unit that will be charged with investigating unfair trading practices in countries like China. There will be more inspections to prevent counterfeit or unsafe goods from crossing our borders. And this Congress should make sure that no foreign company has an advantage over American manufacturing when it comes to accessing financing or new markets”
Obama’s announcement highlights the ninth house and the movement of Mars through it. The ninth house rules the legal process and other countries. Natal Neptune in Virgo is interesting here. As organized as the zodiac sign of Virgo is, Neptune here is either confused about the details, or is deceived. We fail to look after our own best interests. Mars, the planet of action, traveling through the ninth house of foreign and legal affairs, trumpets the bugle call to address these issues. Transiting Uranus opposing Mars and the Midheaven puts some pedal to the medal. Our foreign trade partners will not be happy with this change in the United State’s trade policy. Mars opposing that Uranus will be here until the beginning of July, perhaps allowing for some traction on this issue.
Of all of Obama’s State of the Union speeches this one was less self congratulatory and addressed more issues. But of all the issues that this country has, it is interesting that his speech touch on the hot spots of the chart of the United States.
Photo published under a Creative Commons license as explained by Whitehouse.gov.
