The New York Times has an interesting article about this noting that the language in the Oath is actually incorrect, and that Roberts' internal copy editor made the change without even thinking about it.
Of course we know that it was all because of Mercury Retrograde and the Void of Course Moon. :) Under the influence of Mercury retrograde we often need a do-over, or an opportunity to get something right the second time.
Last night, in a move that will make astrologers around the world exhale in relief, Chief Justice Roberts re-administered the Oath of Office at the White House at 7:35 pm on January 21st. So which astrological chart is the correct one?
The Constitution says that the Presidency begins at noon on January 20, so I would argue that this chart is correct. The noon chart is the chart for the Presidency, which is really what we are interesting. It's hard to know what importance to place on the chart for the signing of the Oath, which evidently But there is obviously some significance to the oath having been repeated, so let's see what a difference this new chart makes.
Of course the big Pluto transits reported a few days ago are still in force, but the charts are very different. The Inaugural chart has the current Aquarius stellium (including the Sun and Mercury) in the tenth house of government and public life, Taurus is rising, signifying stability and a concern for economic security, and the Moon is at the critical degree (29) of Scorpio in the sixth house, signifying an ending of some kind and a focus on the hard work at hand.
The chart for the retaking of the oath has a lot of advantages - the Moon has moved safely into Sagittarius where it is a lot happier, although it does form a T-square (challenging aspect) to the Uranus/Venus/Saturn system in the chart suggesting that the hopes and optimism of the Sag Moon will be afflicted by the reality on the ground (Saturn) and challenges from allies (Uranus/Venus). My original chart of 7:30 pm showed the last degrees of Leo on the ascendant which was a more fun chart than the Inaugural chart. Now it's clear that Virgo is rising in the oath chart which reflects the focus on service and hard work that this administration will have to endure to get the country back on track.
I suppose that we will see that the administration combines these two - that the retaking of the Oath chart is like a transparent overlay over the Inauguration chart and adds a complexity of meaning that it will take years to fully understand.
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This discussion brings to mind Ronald Reagan's swearing in at midnight prior to the official swearing in at noon at the insistence of Nancy and the recommendation of Joan Quigley. Reagan dodged a bullet that term and one cannot help but wonder what the earlier swearing in had to do with the course of the presidency.
sorry emc. consider that a practice run. Kind of like practice at the church before a wedding. he wasn't president until 12:01.
Yes, yes, yes, Obama legally became president at 12:01. This we all know. But if oaths didn't matter, there would be no need to take them. They in fact do matter to set the tone of one's journey, and they are as symbolic as astrology. No one should rule out the first oath, but the second oath matters just as much. Or else why do it over? To me, his legal status as president has more to do with the material or worldly side of the office, while the oath is the spirit of the presidency.
Well I have to agree with Rinna. I have always understood that the time of the oath represents the way the journey will unfold - the way in which this person will undertakle the responsibilities that have been bestowed upon him. it is the giving of the oath that provides the spritual overlay and meaning to the particular journey. But now we have an oppoprtunity to really clarify our thinking on the subject. Perhaps this president will come to nothing - either by not completing his term, or in failing to accomplish his objectives. Or perhaps the Obama administration will come to represent brilliant energy and creativity (jupiter conjunct sun in the fifth house)and dedicated service (0 degree virgo rising). At the end of four years we should have a better understanding of the significance of the second oath. I"ll check back with you.
In astrology, with our modern computers we have the opportunity to do lots of different charts. We have the birthchart, and the progressed chart. We have the solar return chart. We can do a chart for the tertiary progressions, the solar arc directions, and on and on nearly to infinity.
Events are similar, in which case there are several different aspects of the event that can provide a chart. When a nation is formed, is its birth when the declaration is given? When it is signed into law? When the new government actually takes over?
If the Constitution says that the new government begins at 12:01 pm on January 20, I am inclined to use that chart for the Administration, and not the chart that rectifies the giving of the oath. If you close on a house but there is a typo in the closing documents and you have to go in and initial the correction, does that change the closing date? No, the house is closed when the deed is recorded.
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