Winter Solstice Chart: A Look at 2011 for USA

Winter Solstice Chart: An Indication of What’s Ahead for USA in 2011

I have used the Winter Solstice chart set for Washington, DC as a tool successfully to see what main issues will be facing our nation in the year ahead.

(see chart below)

As we are all aware, this solstice/ingress had a lunar eclipse on the same day for the first time since 1638. To top that off, it was at the critical 29^th degree (the subject of an article in and of itself!). The ingress was about 15 ½ hours afterwards, with the Moon still in full phase, but having moved on to Cancer. Looking at the chart, Cancer is on the Ascendant, so that very Moon is the ruler of the chart! It is in the 12^th house still conjunct the South Node and opposite Mars/Pluto conjunction in Capricorn in the 6^th house, and trine Venus in Scorpio on the 5^th house cusp. The people (Moon) are tied down to the past (South Node) having to confront the nation’s dirty laundry (12^th house), or what had been hidden from them by the institutions they have handed their power over to (cadent houses), and who are backed by the military, (Mars in 6^th) and those who control them (conjunct Pluto), who are the true powers and drivers of the country’s destiny (exalted Mars; conjunction to North Node; square an exalted Saturn in angular 4^th house). Mars/Pluto indicates continued war and military excursions. It is possible that authorities could use force against frustrated workers right at home (square Saturn in 4^th). The Sun’s conjunction to North Node/Pluto (whole stellium really), and Mars rulership of 10^th house indicate President Obama and the military’s goals coincide. Incidentally, Moon/South Node shows Wikileaks will likely continue to expose how down and dirty politics can get and be a real eye opener to the people of the nation on how our government keeps much from us that is not pleasant when revealed.

Moon trine Venus in Scorpio (detriment) continues to show a nation deeply divided ideologically with different ideas on where the nation is headed that plays out through the two political parties in Congress (Venus rules 11^th) and how each defines nationalism (Venus rules 4^th). However, the trine indicates skillful intense negotiations could move forward some issues that would benefit the people. Venus on 5^th cusp shows dark cynical humor, interest in the macabre, and more intense expressions of sexuality and our mortality will dominate the entertainment world. Expect more scandals from Hollywood and the world of sports exposing our heroes’ shadow sides.

Note how weak Mercury is in this chart: in detriment (Sagittarius), cadent (in 6^th), retrograde, rules the 12^th, and square Jupiter/Uranus in Pisces in 9^th house. Jupiter conjunct Uranus in the 9^th house shows old belief systems (Pisces; 9^th house) are being shaken to the core by sudden events at rapid rates (Uranus) breeding distrust in traditional forms of religious leaders, the law, and the press. New values/belief systems, juries/people taking the law into their own hands, and the use of the internet as a source of alternative voices in the press will continue to make inroads. This will create a crisis in people’s thought processes and communications and will leave many introspectively soul searching what they truly believe, and who they trust to lead them/be a voice for them (square to weakened Mercury; Mercury rules 3rd). Many will feel unable to decide or communicate their thoughts while the plundering and greed of excessive/extremist leaders of corporations, the military, religion and the law goes on around them (Uranus co-ruling 8^th; Jupiter ruling 6^th and 9^th).

Hope lies in Mercury’s sextile to Neptune/Chiron conjunction in 8^th house: an opportunity to see the deceptions and wounding to society from the business practices of multi-national corporations and financial institutions. Although I don’t believe much will change yet, the recognition could bring about the ideas of how to envision a new future that begins to heal the many wounds in the fabric of society. Dialogue must begin on local levels (Mercury ruling 3^rd) on how to change values (Neptune co-rules 9^th) and ultimately institutions (Mercury rules 12^th).

The Sun’s rulership of 2^nd house indicates those in power will continue to consolidate most of the wealth into fewer and fewer hands (Sun Conjunct Pluto) leaving many materially weakened (in cadent 6^th house). A weakened Mercury shows that education, infrastructure, and transportation will continue to feel the pinch of lowered funding and the press will continue to be divided ideologically with many just tuning out the mainstream and seeking alternative voices. A weak Venus ruling the 4^th will continue to drag on real estate values and really show people how low they can sink. It also shows that local communities will suffer the most from the current economic policies. Mars in Capricorn (exalted) ruling the 5^th shows investments may be aggressive but driven by those in power only (conjunct Pluto). Entertainment and sports will continue to be a strong part of the fabric of our culture. Jupiter in rulership rules the 6^th giving strength and power to the military, but many shocks may await it both on and off the battlefield (conjunct Uranus) that force a re-assessment of its values. Workers and civil servants will also continue to have to make sacrifices that were unthought-of in the recent past. Saturn exalted in Libra rules the 7^th and shows relations with allies are in good hands with President Obama, as he is able to negotiate give-and-take well. Saturn also rules the 8^th, showing corporations and banks will continue to have the power over national finances. Exalted Mars ruling the 10^th will give Obama some victories, but the conjunction with Pluto shows the power struggle he will be in against the Republican House. Weakened Venus ruling the 11^th shows once again that Congress is in it for themselves and their cronies, not the will of the people, and many secret deals will be made on Capitol Hill to usurp power from the people and the President.

2011 is only the 3^rd year into the cycle of Pluto in Capricorn and the beginning of 7 years of Uranus in Aries and their square to each other. I know many expect Pluto to transform the way corporations and hierarchal systems do business while in Capricorn. Indeed, after its sojourn through this sign, things will look different, no doubt. However, in my opinion, when Pluto ingresses into a sign, the 1^st 15 degrees of time are spent in turmoil as those in power will struggle to maintain at any cost. Uranus in Aries has traditionally meant right-wing revolution (think of how the Tea Party really got going when Uranus briefly went into Aries in early 2010). Be aware of those who try to create enemies/fear by demonizing certain groups in order to create Fascism: the ultimate display of singular power and control. It has happened many times before in history in similar situations to what the United States is going through today. I believe that the solstice chart backs this up: don’t expect a people’s revolution/massive change in society during 2011. If anything, those in power will attempt to consolidate even more so. However, the seeds of change are also being planted. Neptune/Chiron is the salve needed, and we can see those with more compassionate, spiritual, inclusive ideals making changes on local levels that hopefully will “trickle up.” Will it happen in our lifetimes? Perhaps. Can you/we hang on to the 2020’s? I recommend to be the change you want to see the world become and perhaps you/it will. Indeed, we live in interesting times: be a conscious participant and that will be a life well lived, irregardless of what goes on between now and then.