Which horoscopes show a rise or fall in political power?
Political astrology, especially when it uses an ascent-to-power chart, that is, when someone takes power, is the first element to examine in mundane astrology. Ascent-to-power charts are one of the most useful tools that the astro-historian can employ in assessing the affairs of state. Every astrologer should be familiar with this technique. It involves casting a chart for the time a president is sworn into office or when a powerful historical player takes power. This is a clear moment in time when a cycle of power is born. Out of this moment, all permutations and destinies will evolve. Often, the exact birth time of a historical figure is not available to us, as in the case of Lincoln or Andrew Jackson. We do have, however, an exact birth time for their terms in office, their ascent to power.
Political Astrology: The Founding of Nations
An ascent-to-power time for the founding of a nation will almost always be legitimate; such a chart—whether of a republic, a kingdom or an empire—can last for centuries or even millennia.
One of the still-functional charts for England is the Coronation of William the Conqueror chart (Dec. 25, 1066, 12 noon, London).
Execution of Charles I of England
A little less than six centuries later, when Charles the First of England was executed (Jan. 30th, 1649), by transit an exact Saturn/Pluto synod had just passed an inconjunct of the natal Sun Mercury of the 1066 chart. In his natal chart that Saturn Pluto was exactly opposed his natal Sun Mercury on the day he was beheaded. Oppositions like this do not always work that way: Sometimes the opposition of Saturn or Pluto can indicate a rise in power. It all depends on the situation and qualities of character of the leader who is undergoing the opposition.
During the Battle of the Somme (July 1 – 18 November, 1916), losses for the British numbered around a half million casualties. And the battle achieved nothing, except more stalemate. The upset over the casualties and their seeming uselessness brought about a fall of government, a replacement of the prime minister, and the installation of a new prime minister and cabinet. During this period of the battle (140 days) transiting Pluto was always within 1° opposing the Sun of the 1066 chart. The 1066 chart was and still is functional.
The chart of Imperial Rome is cast for the moment Octavian became Augustus and Emperor (Jan. 16, 26 B.C., Rome). We have no accurate time for this chart, so houses cannot be used. This chart has a Saturn/Pluto conjunction that spans ten degrees, with the Sun moving into the exact opposition of Pluto, implying a partnership with the military. The Roman Empire lasted for five centuries in the West, and much longer in the East. The emperor was almost always chosen by his Praetorian Guard or an army in the distant provinces that he commanded, and very few emperors died a natural death. Most were the victims of conspiracy, poisoning, assassination.
Horoscope of the Nazi Party
The Nazi Party ascended to power on Jan. 30, 1933 (11:30 am Berlin, Germany), when Adolph Hitler was sworn in as First Chancellor, and became in effect the absolute ruler of Germany.
Political Astrology: the Fall of Germany
Pluto made the exact opposition to the Mercury of this ascent-to-power chart during the Battle of Britain (August-October, 1940). In this battle, much of the German Luftwaffe (air force) was destroyed. When Pluto again had returned to exactly oppose the Mercury of this chart, and was a degree and a half away from its Saturn, General Von Paulus surrendered the German 6th Army at Stalingrad (Feb. 2, 1943). This event marked the turning point of the war between Germany and Russia. It was the beginning of a retreat that later led to the complete destruction of Nazi military power. When Pluto was within less than a degree of opposition to the Saturn of that chart, the Allies invaded Occupied France (June 6, 1944), which began Eisenhower’s Western push into Germany.
Franklin Roosevelt was sworn in for a third term as president of the United States on January the 20th, 1941, 12:30 p.m. In this ascent-to-power chart we find Pluto opposing the president’s natal Sun exact to within 30΄ implying possibly that the president would be dealing with issues of war (World War II) and economics (the Great Depression).,
An ascent-to-power chart will always show the issues that will be confronting a president or tyrant or dictator or king.
Eisenhower’s Presidency
In the ascent-to-power chart for the presidency of Dwight Eisenhower we note a Saturn/Neptune synodic conjunction. When he entered office, he had to confront the raging tumult of an anti-Communist religion called McCarthyism. Later in his term he encountered the problems of segregation and race, also ruled by Saturn/Neptune. Yet one of the first things he did was to bring about the end of the Korean War. He would go on to calm the politics of nations, generally restoring it to peace.
The more powerful the ascent-to-power chart is, the more influence it will exert on a people. In the first ascent-to-power chart for Franklin Roosevelt (he was sworn in on March 4th, 1933, at 12:30 p.m., Washington D.C.), a Jupiter/Neptune/Mars conjunction opposed the Sun. Roosevelt was one of the most powerful leaders in American history. He served more terms than any other president, and changed much of the country’s political thinking, and led them in the effort to destroy the Third Reich.
Political Astrology: de jure and de facto
Two kinds of charts are employed in astro-history: de jure, meaning “of legal right”, and de facto, meaning “in fact”.
The coronation chart of William the Conqueror on Christmas day in London in 1066 A.D. is a de jurechart. When William defeated Harold at the Battle of Hastings, he became a de facto king.
Founding of the Soviet Union
On Nov. 8th, 1917, at 2:12 a.m., the Bolsheviks rushed into the ruling committee room in the Winter Palace in Leningrad and announced that they were seizing power—and so the Communist Party was born. This chart is a de facto chart.
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a legal document still today employed as one of the two foundations of American law; its chart is a de jure chart. De jure charts are often longer lasting.
Both de jure and de facto charts are legitimate in the astrology of history.