Inauguration Confusion and Competence

Astrologers’ concerns about retrograde Mercury during the inauguration were more about its long-term effects on Barack Obama’s term in office than the ceremony itself. However, a very concrete expression of the kind of snafus associated with the communication planet’s reversal period was evident with the administration of the President’s oath.* Supreme Court Justice John Roberts altered the order of the 35-word segment of the Constitution twice, requiring correction by Obama. While some critics of the new President tried to blame him for the error, it’s clear that Roberts was at fault. Perhaps this reflects the profound political division between the new Chief Executive and the Chief Justice.

Roberts was born on January 27, 1955 with his Sun at 6 degrees of Aquarius, where the New Moon Solar Eclipse will fall on January 25, an event that can even shake someone with a lifetime job. Although Roberts has suffered from seizures in the past, which some blame for his failure to remember the oath, this error may be more reflective of a psychological rather than biological matter. Chief Justice Roberts has Mercury in Aquarius directly opposite potent Pluto, a combination better known for verbal mastery than missteps. Is this, along with Saturday’s eclipse, a signal that Roberts may be considering a return to the private sector?

One of the major astrological aspects during the inauguration was a constructive 120-degree trine between energetic Mars in responsible Capricorn and authoritative Saturn in detail-oriented Virgo. The harmonious hookup between the planets of action and accountability represents a high degree of efficiency and productivity, especially in these practical earth signs. Barack Obama was born with this same aspect but reversed with Mars in Virgo and Saturn in Capricorn. Its quality was reflected in his extremely well organized campaign and his pragmatic approach to governance. The close alignment of the inauguration Mars-Saturn trine and that in Obama’s chart suggests that his competence will be equal to his ability to inspire. In fact, apart from a few rhetorical flourishes, his inauguration speech was more about concrete issues than idealistic goals. While time will tell how effective he is in resolving problems, the astrology of his inauguration and its relationship to his birth chart are very encouraging.

*Things done improperly during Mercury retrograde often have to be redone. The White House announced that Obama retook the oath of office the day after the inauguration.

As published here on my Tarot.com blog.

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