Trump challenges US election results

  (11 Nov 2020)  Despite Joe Biden's widening lead in the vote count, President Donald Trump has yet to concede to his Democratic opponent in the US election.  Instead, Trump has claimed that Biden has benefited from voter fraud in several hotly contested states.  To this end, the Department of Justice this week launched investigations into apparent irregularities in the vote which could form the basis of a formal legal challenge to the results.  Since Biden's lead is less than 1% in several states, it is possible that state outcomes could be reversed if significant fraud is uncovered and illegal votes are removed from the tally.

Trump's refusal to concede isn't surprising, since he already stated that he would not accept a loss in the election.  While the media and many world leaders have already recognized Joe Biden as the winner and President-Elect, there has not yet been a formal announcement by the overseeing office of the GSA.  Given the recounts now underway and possible legal challenges, formal announcement of the winner and certification of the results may take several more days at least.

Trump's shift to offense this week following last week's apparent defeat was in keeping with my expectations.  In last week's post, I thought that Trump was likely to enjoy some kind of boost from the Venus transit to his natal Jupiter (24 Virgo).  Not only did Attorney-General William Barr announce the electoral fraud investigation, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also spoke in support of Trump's right to verify the results before committing to any transition process with the incoming Biden administration.  As a reflection of Trump's shift to offense, the political betting market Predictit.org saw a small, but marked, move towards his re-election from a low a 8% last week to 18% today. 

I still think Joe Biden is likely to be the next president, but the planets suggests that Trump will not go quietly.  Previously, I suggested that Trump's fortunes would rise further next week as Jupiter entered Capricorn (Nov 19-20) and would align with his 10th house cusp representing status and success.  And as if to offer confirmation, Joe Biden's chart showed an affliction to his 12th house Mars towards the end of next week. 

Just to round out the analysis this week, we can take a look at the natal chart of the US and the chart of the would-be vice-president, Kamala Harris. As I outlined in a previous post, this year's post-election planetary alignments have a similarity to the post-election patterns of the contested 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore.  One of the main similarities was the placement of Saturn.  In 2000, Saturn was closely aspecting the USA's natal Mercury at 3 Cancer by 3rd house aspect.  This year, Saturn (3 Capricorn) will exactly oppose Mercury over the next two weeks or so.  Saturn's affliction to Mercury here symbolizes frustration, disruption and distortion, especially as they pertain to the election.  Elections are associated with Mercury,as it is the planet that rules matters of rational calculation. 

The Saturn-Mercury alignment will be in special focus late next week, perhaps around the time that Venus and the Sun also align at 3 degrees of their respective signs.  This could represent a significant development related to the election results and Trump's attempt to overturn the results.  As an added layer of affliction in the chart, transiting Mars will align with the natal Sun and Saturn which suggests conflict and strife.  Interestingly, this is also the day that Jupiter enters Capricorn which could give Trump a boost. 

 

Another perspective on this disputed election result is seen in the chart of Kamala Harris, the Democratic VP nominee.  Saturn is also front and center in her chart at this time as it aligns exactly with her Sun (4 Libra) and Moon (4 Aries).  The Saturn influence is usually negative and suggests some kind of burden or setback, especially when in hard aspect as it is here. 

Sometimes, the Saturn influence can translate into a greater sense of responsibility which may not be unwanted or even difficult.  Therefore, it is not impossible that this alignment could formally give her and Biden the election victory.   But this more benign Saturn scenario seems less probable.  While Harris' chart is still quite strong overall at this time, a temporary setback of some kind is quite possible.  In the zero-sum game of politics, it would seem that negatives for Harris (and Biden) could turn into positives for Trump, and vice-versa.  Let's see how Trump's legal challenges unfold.


Weekly Market Forecast

Stocks have continued to their post-election rally this week, especially after Monday's Pfizer vaccine news.  While I thought we might have seen more volatility in this post-election period, I nonetheless expected some upside around Thursday's Jupiter-Pluto conjunction.  This bullish pairing takes place once a year and is usually positive for sentiment in the days leading up to its conjunction.  The days following the conjunction is usually less reliably bullish, however, although the bullish effects can sometimes linger.

This year the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction could have a lingering bullish influence since it will also form an alignment with the Sun and Venus that lasts into early next week.  Monday is also noteworthy as Venus leaves Virgo and enters the sign of Libra.  Venus sign changes are often bullish so there is some prospect for further upside, at least into early next week. 


For more details, check out my weekly subscriber newsletter which is published every Saturday afternoon (EST).   I outline the key technical and planetary influences for US and Indian stocks for the short and medium term, as well as currencies, gold and oil.

US election aftermath: Biden closes in on the presidency

  (4 November 2020) Democrat nominee Joe Biden seems to be on the verge of winning the presidency tonight as the former vice president only needs to win one more state to reach the threshold of 270 Electoral Votes.  The several remaining undeclared states are still too close to call as mail-in ballots will decide the final outcome. Not surprisingly, President Donald Trump is already contesting the results and has requested a recount in Wisconsin and an investigation into Arizona's mail-in ballots.  

Biden's current lead in the voting is not unexpected as I had previously suggested that the planets on Election Day favoured him over Trump.  The current Jupiter-Pluto conjunction at 27-28 Sagittarius aligned very closely with his unequal 10th house cusp (26 Leo) of status and career.  Also the Sun conjoined his natal Mercury (19 Libra) today which provided an additional infusion of energy.  Since the Sun rules his 10th house of status while Mars rules his 1st house, this 1-10 combination is a powerful signature for public profile and success. 

As we know, President Trump's chart is quite afflicted this week as the Mercury-Saturn square aligns closely with his Venus-Saturn conjunction in the 12th house of loss.  The difference in transits between Trump and Biden is stark.   Trump's Saturn and 12th house influences are clear negatives while Biden's Jupiter and 10th house influences are positive. 

So is this the end of the US election?  Knowing Trump has stated that he will not accept a losing result, it does seem likely that he will try to fight on.  First, the counts have not yet been finalized so he could still conceivably win Nevada, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.  And even if he loses, he is likely to pursue full recounts and legal challenges. 

In last week's post, I thought that Trump's fortunes might begin to improve next week.  Venus will conjoins his dasha lord Jupiter (24 Virgo) on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Both planets are benefics and generally denote favourable outcomes.  Moreover, Venus will align with his natal Uranus (24 Taurus) and with Rahu (26 Taurus) and thus we could see a significant development which boosts Trump's chances.  And by this time, transiting Saturn will have moved off its opposition alignment to his natal Venus.  This will further reduce his level of chart affliction. 

However, I would not say this Venus transit can completely alter the post-election dynamic since Biden's chart does not seem clearly afflicted.  Biden may see a small setback next week as Mercury aligns with his Moon and Ketu and then conjoins his equal 12th house cusp.  This is only a brief transit, however, so I would not expect a reversal of his fortunes.  But it could be something that keeps Trump's hopes alive.

More important is the entry of Jupiter into sidereal Capricorn in the following week on November 20.  This could be more positive for Trump since it will align closely with his unequal 10th house cusp (MC).  This is likely to give him a significant boost. 

As it happens, Biden will see Mercury conjoin his Mars on Nov 20.  Coincidentally, this is also Biden's 78th birthday.  Mercury-Mars is usually a stressful combination that coincides with frustrations and small setbacks.  I don't think Biden will lose the election at this time, but it could keep the final outcome in doubt for a while longer.  I will post further updates as the post-election period continues to unfold.


Weekly Market Forecast

Stocks have rallied this week as investors shrugged off the election uncertainty.  Markets appear to be pricing in a Biden win and Republican-controlled Senate.  Typically, the stock market prefers the gridlock of a divided government where the presidency and Congress are controlled by different parties.  This would likely limit the more radical parts of the Democrats agenda (tax increases, green infrastructure) while keeping stimulus packages more modest. 

I thought we might have seen more volatility this week around the election given the ongoing Mercury-Saturn square.  One possible reason for the gains is the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction which will become exact next week.  This bullish pairing is within one degree of exact this week and may have outweighed any negative effects of the Mercury-Saturn thus far. 

Nonetheless, the Mercury-Saturn square is exact tomorrow and Friday so there is a reasonable chance we could see a rise in volatility later this week and perhaps into early next week.


For more details, check out my weekly subscriber newsletter which is published every Saturday afternoon (EST).   I outline the key technical and planetary influences for US and Indian stocks for the short and medium term, as well as currencies, gold and oil.


Biden Photo: C-Span.org

Trump still lagging in polls; stocks plunge on European lockdowns

  (28 October 2020) The campaign has now entered its final week ahead of next Tuesday's election.  The national polls suggest President Donald Trump is trailing Democrat nominee Joe Biden by about 7 points.  However, some key swing states such as Pennsylvania and Florida are much closer races and keep open the possibility of a 2016-style come from behind win by Trump.  Therefore, if he can eke out narrow wins in these states as he did in 2016, he could still end up losing the popular vote by 3 or 4 points and remain president.   That scenario still seems unlikely since Biden's lead is larger than Hillary Clinton's was, but as we know, polls are not always right.

From an astrological perspective, the planets still don't favour Trump next week.  As I have noted previously, the election night transits look worse for Trump than for Biden.  Mercury will station direct on Election Day while in an exact square aspect with Saturn.  This is a very difficult combination that suggests a range of negative situations including disappointment, confusion, deception, disruption and frustration.  At a general level, it suggests the election will not go smoothly.  This isn't a very bold prediction, given all of the controversy about mailed ballots and Trump's public declaration to contest the results if he doesn't like the outcome. 

Trump's problem is that the Mercury-Saturn square occurs at a pivotal point in his horoscope.  It forms another square alignment with his Venus-Saturn conjunction in early Cancer.  Square aspects are often difficult and coincide with unwanted situations.  And Saturn's double involvement here indicates a stressful and unfavourable period for Trump next week.  To put it plainly: this is not an alignment one usually sees in a winning candidate's chart.

Other transits are also unhelpful for Trump's re-election.  Rahu (North Lunar Node) is conjunct its natal position and suggests major changes afoot.  Mars (21 Pisces) forms an exact 135 degree alignment with Trump's Ascendant (6 Leo).  This is indicative of conflict and anger.  Mars is due to station direct at 21 Pisces in mid-November and is one reason why Trump is more likely to have fewer votes than Biden on Nov 3 and why is likely to contest the results.  Mars is the planet of war, of course, and Trump will likely go to war with the Democrats over this election. 

But as I have also noted before, Trump's chart does improve somewhat later in November and in December as Jupiter aligns with his Midheaven (unequal 10th house cusp) at 1 Taurus.  This suggests that post-election developments may be more positive for him, perhaps reflecting legal successes if he contests the outcome.  I would think he gets some good news on the week following the election (Nov 9-13) as Venus conjoins his Jupiter. 

As I've said before, I still think Biden's chart is better in early January when Congress meets to count the Electoral College votes.  For this reason, I think he is more likely to become president on January 20, 2021.  But I admit I don't feel too strongly about it, partially because it is now unclear exactly when the election will be decided.  


Weekly Market Forecast

US stocks fell more than 3% today as Germany and France announced Covid lockdowns to deal with the second wave of the pandemic.  The recent decline seems to reflect the bearish influence of the Venus transit of Virgo, its sign of debilitation.  Venus entered sidereal Virgo on October 23 and will leave that sign of November 16.  This suggests that stocks are more likely to struggle during that four-week period.  That said, it does not mean that the market will fall throughout the transit, but rather it will be marked by declines at different points during the transit. 

With market uncertainty likely to rise with next week's election, it seems quite possible that stocks could fall further.  The Mercury-Saturn alignment on Election Day is a bearish combination in any event so no matter who ends up winning, market sentiment is likely to suffer.  While Mercury-Saturn squares are bearish, this particular one may be especially bearish since Mercury will end its retrograde cycle on November 3 and return to direct motion.  This direct station means that Mercury will remain within Saturn's bearish influence for several days, instead of the usual one. 


For more details, check out my weekly subscriber newsletter which is published every Saturday afternoon (EST).   I outline the key technical and planetary influences for US and Indian stocks for the short and medium term, as well as currencies, gold and oil. 

The Covid second wave takes hold

(21 October 2020)  It would seem the second wave of Covid-19 is now underway.  The number of infections and hospitalizations are spiking across the world as the coronavirus makes its much-anticipated return with the arrival of cooler weather in the northern hemisphere.   As an indicator of the spread of the virus, positivity test rates are now as high as 10% in the US, UK, France and India while most East Asian countries continue to keep the pandemic under control. 

Certainly, the experts had predicted a second wave since people tend to congregate indoors more with the fall season.  Nonetheless, this autumn second wave also validates my previous astrological assessment using the chart of US president Donald Trump as a proxy for the United States.  In a previous post from May 5, I suggested that the ongoing afflictions to Trump's horoscope indicated the likelihood of a second wave in late September, with a possible third wave in December. 

The nation's health is seen through the condition of the 1st house (the national 'body') and the 6th house (health), as well as their house rulers.   The Sun rules Trump's 1st house so the recent transit of Rahu (North Lunar Node) to his Sun in September would manifest as an affliction to the nation's vitality.  The more important transit would be Saturn and its opposition to Trump's Venus-Saturn conjunction in his 12th house.  With Leo rising in his chart, Trump's 6th house of health contains the sign of Capricorn, which is ruled by Saturn.  Therefore, any aspects involving his Saturn (at 0 Cancer) would likely coincide with troubles relating to this pandemic.  Saturn stationed at 1 Capricorn on September 29 -- just one degree from exactly opposing its natal position -- and we have seen the outbreak worsen considerably over the past few weeks.

And with Saturn transiting Trump's 6th house of health for several more months, it seems unlikely that Covid will be brought under control soon.  Transiting Saturn is due to conjoin his 6th house cusp (6 Capricorn) in December.  This could well see another peak of infections and concerns about the virus, although we should note that Jupiter will also be there at 6 Capricorn so that could indicate a mitigation or some kind of 'light at the end of the tunnel' effect, either through infection controls or a vaccine. 


UK Covid second wave

We can also see this Covid second wave in other national charts.  The horoscope of the UK (January 1, 1801) shows the pandemic manifesting as afflictions to key natal planets by malefic planets.  With Virgo rising, the national well-being is seen through the ruler of the 1st house, Mercury.  Mercury has been conjoined by Ketu (South Lunar Node) in recent weeks at the time when infections were rising sharply.  The UK has entered a second lockdown this week in order to arrest the spread of the virus. 

The other key factor here is the role of the transit of Neptune.  In Western astrology, Neptune is associated with illness and weakness, especially when it is in hard aspect (0,90,180 degrees) with a key natal planet.  It is not surprising then that we find Neptune (24 Aquarius) placed in the 6th house of health and forming a close 90-degree square aspect with Mercury, the ruler of the 1st house.  Moreover, the Neptune-Mercury square has been in effect throughout 2020 and is one central astrological reason why the pandemic has hit the UK so hard.

Looking ahead, I would expect this second wave to abate somewhat by late November and early December as Ketu will slip past the UK's natal Mercury.   Moreover, I would expect further improvement as Jupiter transits into Capricorn by January.  Jupiter will cast its helpful aspect upon the Virgo Ascendant and should provide a substantial boost to national health and national confidence. This may be the result of better control of the virus or an effective vaccine becoming available.  Despite the likely improvement, the virus will remain an area of ongoing concern as long as Neptune is square to natal Mercury. This alignment will remain within range until spring 2021, with a possible return in the fall of 2021 when Neptune turns retrograde.


Weekly Market Forecast

Stocks have generally moved lower over the past week on fading hopes for a US stimulus bill.  This negative bias was in keeping with expectations given last week's tense Sun-Mars-Ketu-Saturn alignment.  This week hasn't seen much improvement with the Mars alignment with Jupiter and Neptune. 

The outlook doesn't look especially bullish for the coming days.  While some short term upside is still quite possible, the entry of Venus into sidereal Virgo on Friday, October 23 introduces a new bearish influence upon collective sentiment in the near term.  As it happens, the US election on November 3 will take place while this bearish transit is still in effect.  This suggests that any gains are likely to be modest and unsustainable. 


For more details, check out my weekly subscriber newsletter which is published every Saturday afternoon (EST).   I outline the key technical and planetary influences for US and Indian stocks for the short and medium term, as well as currencies, gold and oil.

Mercury turns retrograde as hopes fade for a US stimulus bill

  (14 October 2020) This week US markets began to consider the possibility that there would be no stimulus bill before the election as hopes faded for an agreement between the White House and the Nancy Pelosi's House Democrats.  After Monday's gains almost matched the early September highs, stocks moved lower this week, as Mercury turned retrograde on Tuesday after the close.  Mercury's retrograde stations are often bearish for stocks as the backward movement of the planet of commerce often correlates with pullbacks.       

This political situation feeds into the larger question is whether this week's pullback may be a preview of a larger decline given the ongoing uncertainty about the outcome of the US election on November 3.  While Democrat Joe Biden is well ahead in the polls, investors remain concerned about a possible contested election where President Donald Trump finds a way to appeal the result to the Supreme Court.  A contested election result would be bad news for markets.

One window on the state of the markets is seen through the horoscope of the New York Stock Exchange, founded on May 17, 1792.  The various transit influences on the horoscopes of stock exchanges and stock indexes often provide clues which can help to predict the future movement in share prices.   According to the principles of financial astrology, transit alignments involving benefic planets like Jupiter, Venus and Mercury often coincide with gains while transits of malefic planets like Saturn, Mars, and the Lunar Nodes, Rahu and Ketu, are common in declines. 

Today's transits are an apt reflection of current sentiment.  On the positive side of the ledger, we can see that the 60-degree aspect between Jupiter-Neptune (bullish) is closely aligned with Uranus and Chiron in the natal NYSE chart.  This is one reason why stocks have been bullish so far in October.  We can also say that the Jupiter-Neptune transit alignment itself is a bullish influence which likely had a hand in creating a more optimistic trading environment. 

It is worth noting that the Jupiter-Neptune alignment was exact on Sunday and Monday, right at the time of Monday's strong rally.  While the positive effects of this alignment can sometimes linger, its bullish influence starts to wane on the day it is exact.  Thus, the two down days we have seen so far suggests that the Jupiter-Neptune alignment is indeed weakening.  Interestingly, there was a similar Jupiter-Neptune alignment on February 20 just before the big Covid sell-off.  This is not to suggest that another huge decline is imminent, but rather that there is an underlying shift in sentiment towards a more pessimistic bias in the wake of these Jupiter-Neptune aspects.

On the negative side of the ledger, we can see that Mercury turned retrograde yesterday after the close of trading in the US.  Mercury stationing retrograde is often a negative influence on sentiment and the downside on Tuesday and Wednesday would appear to be a neat reflection of this tendency.  While Mercury Rx is bearish, its effects do not usually last beyond a few days, even though it continues its retrograde cycle for three weeks and will return to apparent direct motion on Election Day, November 3. 

But the chart suggests other sources of tension.  We can see that the current alignment of retrograde Mars (26 Pisces), the Sun (27 Virgo), Pluto (28 Sagittarius) and Ketu (27 Scorpio) is likely to have a significant impact on this chart.  Mars is conjunct the natal Moon (28 Pisces), while all three planets align with the natal Mars at 27 Leo.  This bearish alignment is closest this week and suggests more downside is quite possible.

Looking further ahead, we can see another mix of influences in play.  Bullish Jupiter is approaching its conjunction with Pluto over the next several weeks and could provide a floor beneath stocks in the event of further volatility.  And yet Saturn (2 Capricorn) is due to aspect Jupiter and the Sun over the next two or three weeks.  This is likely to have a depressing effect on sentiment.  The simultaneous bullish and bearish influences leading up to the election suggests a somewhat mixed market, as opposed to a strong rise or sharp fall.  That said, I might hold on to a modest bearish bias here in any event given the upcoming transit of Venus in Virgo from October 23 until November 16.  Venus is debilitated in sidereal Virgo, as notions of value and wealth come under greater scrutiny. 

For more details, check out my weekly subscriber newsletter which is published every Saturday afternoon (EST).   I outline the key technical and planetary influences for US and Indian stocks for the short and medium term, as well as currencies, gold and oil.

VP debate preview; Trump treated for Covid

 (6 October 2020) The roller coaster of 2020 never stops it seems.  President Donald Trump was diagnosed with the coronavirus last Friday but has returned to the White House after a short hospital stay. Trump's condition has improved since the weekend although doctors are watching him carefully in the event of further symptoms.  In some patients, the second week can be worse than the first week. 

Trump's diagnosis is reflected in a difficult planetary alignment.  As noted last week, the month of October was likely going to bring bad news for the president since he was experiencing an unusual multi-planet alignment of malefic planets.  The Lunar Nodes, Rahu and Ketu, have returned to their natal position where they also conjoin Trump's Sun and Moon, since he was born on a lunar eclipse when the Sun is conjunct Rahu and the Moon is conjunct Ketu. 

Trump's problems are compounded by the fact that Pluto and Mars are also in a degreewise alignment with the Lunar Nodes and thus deeply afflict both his Sun and Moon.  He is in a very tough spot indeed.  This week would appear to be a possible nadir in his fortunes.  As I noted in last week's update, the time around the VP debate would seem to carry an added burden for him.  This could reflect a poor performance by his VP Mike Pence, or it is possible it could also relate to other concerns, such his ongoing medical condition.  


Vice presidential debate

The VP debate takes place tomorrow, October 7, at 7.00 pm in Salt Lake City when Republican vice president Mike Pence will debate Democratic Senator Kamala Harris.  The debate promises to be highly confrontational given the strong Mars alignment with Ketu and Pluto.  In addition, the Moon will conjoin Rahu at the start of the debate and will likely amplify the emotional impact of the proceedings.  Intense feelings and unpredictable developments are more likely with this Moon-Rahu conjunction, particularly when the Mars and Pluto influence is factored into the equation. 

Predicting the possible performances of Pence and Harris is made more difficult because we only have the birth time of Kamala Harris.  Mike Pence's horoscope is therefore only estimated for noon and may not offer as much useful data on how the debate will unfold. Pence's chart shows the Rahu-Ketu-Mars-Pluto alignment highlighting his natal Mercury at 28 Taurus.  This suggests some disruptive news or developments are possible in the debate.  It also can greatly intensify his speech patterns and aims of communication. 

But all three of these planets are natural malefics and do not set up a positive outcome for the debate at all.  Rahu can sometimes coincide with situations of creativity and thinking 'outside the box' but the Mars and Pluto influence here seems unhelpful in a debate setting.  The emphasis is on tension and conflict rather than success or rationality.  Of course, we don't know his exact horoscope so it's possible that he could have other more favorable patterns.  But that cannot be known.

Kamala Harris' chart also looks troublesome.  The theme of conflict is also front and center since her Mars (28 Cancer) will feel the full effect of this nasty Mars-Rahu-Ketu-Pluto alignment.  It seems likely that antagonism and conflict will be prominent in her debate experience.  For example, Pence may try to paint her as a radical leftist who is fomenting racial divisions in the US.  By standard Vedic aspecting, her Mars is in an exact 120-degree/5th house aspect from Ketu, the South Lunar Node.  This is associated with intense and stressful attacks that demand quick responses.  By itself, it cannot be considered a favorable influence for a debate win.  However, I would also note that the Mercury-Uranus opposition does form a close 135-degree alignment with her Ascendant and should give her the ability to deliver effective and intelligent answers. 

 

But the larger problem for her is that Saturn is sitting on her 8th house cusp at 1 Capricorn.  While this placement is dependent on an accurate birth time (which is from a birth certificate at least), this Saturn placement is not good at all for making progress towards one's goals.  It suggests obstacles and setbacks and even scandal.  Saturn is finally moving forward again since its direct station on September 29, but as I see it, it is too close for comfort there.  This is another reason why I can't get too optimistic about Harris's chances in the debate.  It may refer to other ongoing negative situations unrelated to the debate, but it nonetheless casts a long shadow over her progress.

Harris' chart gets a bit better if we relocate her chart to Salt Lake City, there is a very nice placement of transiting Venus there on her 3rd house cusp. The 3rd house is associated with communication and Venus symbolizes beauty and harmony.  Therefore, there is at least some reason to expect Kamala Harris could do well in the debate, at least on the level of presentation.  Given these highly volatile aspects, I am reluctant to predict a clear winner in the VP debate.  And yet, Harris could have an edge here given the role of Venus in her relocated chart. 


Weekly Market Forecast

Stocks suffered a major reversal lower today after President Trump abruptly broke off stimulus negotiations with the Democrats.  With Trump postponing any hope of a stimulus until after the election, markets are more vulnerable here since much of the recent up trend had been based on stimulus hopes.   The sell-off appeared to confirm my forecast from last week of some turbulence on the alignment of Mars with stationary Pluto and Ketu, the South Lunar Node. 

I suspect we could see more turbulence this week as the Mars alignment will remain within range until Friday.  At the same time, it is important to note the potentially offsetting bullish influence of the Jupiter-Neptune alignment over the coming days.  This suggests that the market may see significant moves in both directions as the tense pessimism of Mars alternates with the optimism of Jupiter.  Nonetheless, caution is warranted.

For more details, check out my weekly subscriber newsletter which is published every Saturday afternoon (EST).   I outline the key technical and planetary influences for US and Indian stocks for the short and medium term, as well as currencies, gold and oil. 

The passing of RBG reshapes the race ahead of next week's debate

  (23 September 2020) Last week's passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has introduced a new dynamic into the US election campaign.  The loss of the left-leaning RBG could mark a significant rightward shift in the Supreme Court if Trump and the GOP carry through on their promise to appoint her successor.  As of now, Trump and the GOP-controlled Senate have the 50 votes necessary to confirm a new justice over the coming weeks, regardless of who wins the election on November 3.  The administration's term concludes on January 20, 2021 so even if Trump should lose the November election, the confirmation of a conservative justice such as Amy Coney Barrett or Barbara Lagoa could still take place sometime in November or December.

This development is likely a political boost for Trump.  The prospect of another conservative member of SCOTUS will likely increase the enthusiasm and turnout of his voting base.  Whatever his many shortcomings and failures, Trump has delivered on his campaign promise of appointing two and now, possibly three conservative judges.  In the US system of government, the judicial branch has a greater and more direct political importance than in, say, the British Parliamentary system.  Also, the focus on the campaign can now shift away from his administration's bungled handling of the Covid crisis and onto the more politically beneficial confirmation of a conservative justice. 

As I suggested three weeks ago, I thought that Trump's standing could improve in September due to the Mars retrograde cycle and the transit of Mercury to his natal Jupiter.  Interestingly, I highlighted the day of Mercury's conjunction to Trump's Jupiter on September 17 as the time of a possible favorable development.  As it happened, Justice Ginsburg passed away the following day, on September 18.  To be sure, Trump's polls numbers and betting odds haven't moved much in September, but there is some sense that the battleground states are very much in contention as we approach the first presidential debate next Tuesday, September 29. 

And the debates could be very important.  For Joe Biden, they are an opportunity to decisively put to rest the widely-held view that he may no longer be mentally sharp enough to be president.  The 77-year old Biden has at times seemed confused and incoherent on the campaign trail so a strong debate showing against Trump could help to solidify his support.  Trump therefore needs to make Biden look like he is incapable of leading the country in order to build more momentum towards his failing campaign.  

The planets for the first debate suggest a mixed picture for both candidates.  In Trump's chart, the transiting Mars-Saturn square will be closely aligned with his Venus-Saturn conjunction.  This is a difficult pattern that suggests frustration, tension and generally negative social interactions. Jupiter isn't helping him much here, although I do note that it forms an exact 120 degree aspect with his relocated Midheaven (10th house cusp) for Cleveland where the debate will be held.  That could indicate some favorable outcomes at least.  Transiting Venus will be conjunct his Mars in his 1st house.  This can be good for public perceptions (1st house) although the Mars influence on Venus is usually a sign of disagreements and conflict.  Well, it is a debate, after all. 

Mercury in Libra will transit Trump's 3rd house which should enhance his ability to communicate.  Of course, the slow-moving Rahu-Sun conjunction and Ketu-Moon conjunction is a huge wild card although its effects are not specific to the night of the debate.  This heavy nodal influence often marks situations of disruption and instability and may make Trump's behavior even more unpredictable than usual.  We may charitably say that he could succeed in keeping Biden off balance in the debate, but he also may not do himself any favors in the process.

Biden's chart is also afflicted by that Mars-Saturn square as it sets up against his Jupiter in the 9th house.  This could symbolize an inability to communicate his philosophy and campaign platform.   The Venus in Leo transit looks generally positive for him in the 10th house, although that may simply be a reflection of the greater social exposure he will enjoy as a result of the debate.  More worrying is the Moon-Neptune conjunction that is conjunct his 4th house cusp (IC) opposite his 10th house cusp (MC).  Moon-Neptune aspects can indicate situations of confusion or loss of self, especially when they are located around one of the chart angles as is the case here. 

Mercury in Libra will transit his 12th house opposite his Moon.  This suggests that Biden may have some difficulty getting the specifics of his message across to the debate audience. Moon-Mercury oppositions can indicate creative thinking but it is less well-suited for logical and orderly presentations. 

Overall, both charts have significant problems on September 29. Trump's may be a bit better, however, in terms of communication (Mercury in 3rd house, vs in the 12th in Biden's chart) and the Venus in the Ascendant with his Mars could actually boost his personal appeal, albeit through conflict.  I would not expect a clear win by either candidate, although I think that Trump could do better than Biden. 


Weekly Market Forecast

Stocks have retreated in recent days as the reality of the Covid second wave has begun to sink in.  US stocks fell sharply again today just as Mercury and Mars aligned with Saturn and Ketu (the South Lunar Node).  Since three of these four planets were natural malefics (i.e planets that tend to produce negative outcomes), it was no surprise that the market moved lower.  The downdraft was in keeping with expectations as I have previously noted both here and in my newsletter the likelihood of some significant declines in late August and throughout September, with a special focus on late September and this rare four-planet alignment.

Further declines are possible this week as Mercury and Mars remain in fairly close alignment with Saturn and Ketu.  Mercury will begin to separate tomorrow (Thursday) so that could indicate some lessening of the negative sentiment, however.  But Mars will stay in a tense square with Saturn well into next week so I would not expect much upside over the next few days.  It seems more likely that markets will trend lower going into next week. 


For more details, check out my weekly subscriber newsletter which is published every Saturday afternoon (EST).   I outline the key technical and planetary influences for US and Indian stocks for the short and medium term, as well as currencies, gold and oil.