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The Inauguration Auguries

By Dana Gerhardt

Inaugurations are made for divination. The Latin word augur—meaning “to read the signs”—lies at the heart of the word “inauguration.” This ritualized ceremony recalls a time when humanity more consciously mingled its fate with gods, when in ancient Rome, diviners routinely chose auspicious dates for its leaders to claim their power. Augury helped the incoming administration gather celestial blessings and momentum.

When dates are fixed (as is true of our inaugurations), diviners wait until the ceremonial moment. We read the signs during the inauguration to see what the heavens are thinking. January 20, 2017 isn’t a date an astrologer would have picked. The two most traditionally malevolent energies of the horoscope—Mars and Saturn—are locked in a challenging square. Of this combination, Ebertin says:

Harmful or destructive. Concentrated energy either outwardly expressed as violence or inwardly shown as destructive power, hardness, harshness, or bitterness.  …  Tests of strength, disputes, separations.

I thought of this on the night before the inauguration, watching Trump and Melania make their entrance at the Lincoln Memorial inaugural concert; they descended the long concrete steps (Melania in heels) to a Rolling Stones song,  Heart of Stone. This is a ballad about a cold-hearted man who likes to knock women over and make them cry.

Diviners, of course, prefer natural signs. As inauguration day approached, and the Mars/Saturn aspect became exact, what were the auguries? The ancients would have scanned the skies for lightning, thunderclaps, or the flight and cries of birds. I tend to find my omens in the daily news. I learn a lot about astrology this way. Rather than predicting what something will bring, I notice what actually happens when it arrives.

Sometimes omens are bizarre events (like the birth of a white buffalo or an eight-legged calf). More typically they show themselves in archetypal patterns. On the morning the Mars/Saturn square was exact, two powerful images appeared on the news, suggesting an archetype that is very familiar to all Tarot readers.

First, in an Italian ski resort at the foot of the Gran Sasso Mountain, after a series of earthquakes, an avalanche buried a four-star hotel, killing at least fifteen people. Then, in Iran, fire struck the iconic Plasco Building (once the tallest in Tehran). Onlookers watched in horror as the historic structure collapsed and killed thirty firefighters. It was reminiscent of the Twin Tower disaster and  the Tower Card.

Appropriately, this is the Mars card of the Tarot. It depicts a burning tower toppling against a black sky, as people look on in horror and others fly through the air. “It’s the end of the world!” this card screams. In the weeks leading up to the inauguration, the Tower Card has been rippling through the national conversation. Among many Hillary supporters, Trump’s election has  felt like the end of the world. Some saw Russian interference in the US election as a form of terrorism equivalent to the Twin Towers being brought down on 9/11.

To link The Tower to the inauguration, however, we’d want to see this archetype express itself during the very ceremony. Would someone take a tumble on the dais? Would one or more parade bleachers collapse? No. The Tower arrived in the president’s own speech. Its words, (ironically) crafted (or so Trump tweeted) at his luxury resort Mar-a-Lago, are the darkest in presidential memory.

America’s infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay… rusted out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation… mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities… we all bleed the same red blood…. The American carnage stops right here and stops right now.

Trump’s rhetoric seemed like an odd choice, given Trump inherits a US economy that performed better under Obama than it did under all but one of his five most recent predecessors. But these are strange times. Whatever side you’re on, we can all agree, that the political system hasn’t been working well for anyone except the elite and powerful. Democracy herself is the tumbling Tower. Trump—who bears Mars on his Ascendant and who has an obvious love for towers—is an oddly brilliant standard-bearer for the times. The world is ending. What’s called for now is imagination. After the Tower falls, a new world begins.

The Moon was in Mars-ruled Scorpio for the inauguration and for what happened on the day after. Scorpio rules power, destruction, and rebirth. The Tower card looks scary when it appears in a reading. But in most cases, the worst has already happened. Typically, the Tower is already in flames for the person who pulls this card. The blessing is recognizing this. It happened. And now keep watching for signs. On the day after the inauguration, there was a new omen–not blood red, but pink. We saw a pink sea of people in cities around the world gathering as advocates for sacred feminine values like compassion, social inclusion, and women’s health. Daughters, mothers, sons and fathers marched, declaring themselves protectors for the rights of all life on this planet.

Often the world brings something better than our dreams. Instead of electing the first female president to lead us—we empowered ourselves  to lead. This is the Aquarian Age. Democracy herself woke up through us. The people are now engaged. We’re paying attention. We’re gathering locally. We’re calling congress. The world transformed on Saturday, January 21. Something confident and exuberant rippled through the compassionate collective. If you felt this, and still feel it, amplify this vibration. Let it continue to sound throughout the energetic community WE  inaugurated that day. We will need this nectar in the weeks and months ahead as each of us keeps marching. Let’s protect democracy and the Great Mother’s values—Moon values—in this new world, where we hope everyone will feel welcome.

As a start, you can collect the phone numbers of your senators and representatives, state and national.  This info is easy to Google and calling has an impact. The staff notices when the phones keep ringing. Call regularly. Claim your power.  Act.

Sign up for the Women’s March 10 Actions in the first 100 days.

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About Dana Gerhardt

A popular columnist with The Mountain Astrologer since 1991, Dana Gerhardt is an internationally respected astrologer. She has lectured extensively and written for astrology publications on several continents. Her ongoing passions are the moon and living the intuitive life. Dana worked for many years in the corporate sector, where she observed the undeniable influence of natural cycles. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from Occidental College in Los Angeles and did graduate work in literature at Columbia University and CSULA. Dana can be contacted by email.

Comments

  1. Pat E says

    Feb 1, 2017 at 2:00 pm

    Somebody wise sang I shall lay down my sword and shield down by the river-side. I was very young then and went down by the river-side to lay my own sword and shield . Then enjoyed the best swim ever. Is there a water card in the Tarot?

    Reply
  2. Jim Roy says

    Jan 28, 2017 at 6:23 am

    Dana, your article leaves me with hope. In the meantime, we’ll keep watching the news, try to be informed and aware and keep reminding our elected officials (congressmen and senators) to do the right thing. Very interesting and well written article.

    Reply
  3. michelle prentiss says

    Jan 27, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    Dana,

    I have adored your beautiful words for decades in Mountain Astrologer. You are so special!!
    Thank you so much for sharing your exquisite vision with us.
    As an astrologer you have guided and inspired me with your unique views, as a writer you have thrilled me with your evocative and insightful prose and as a fellow human, and American woman you make me proud to raise my voice alongside yours!!!

    Let’s do this!~!!!!!

    Reply
  4. sandy says

    Jan 27, 2017 at 10:59 am

    I loved the headline I saw somewhere – “She, the people”.

    Reply
  5. Della says

    Jan 27, 2017 at 10:58 am

    Thank you for this awesome augering Yes, I did feel that ripple in the collective as the energy signatures shifted. Nice to have it expressed so clearly.

    Reply
  6. Karin says

    Jan 27, 2017 at 10:09 am

    Dana,
    you’re a great woman! I’ve always liked your writing, and this has thrilled me!
    We HAVE TO STAND UP and show who we are and what we want (and what we
    don’t want), yes humanity is waking up!
    Love

    Reply
  7. Laura Fellows says

    Jan 27, 2017 at 7:23 am

    Fucking wow.

    Reply
  8. Denise says

    Jan 27, 2017 at 6:16 am

    Thanks Dana, you’re right, its up to us to defend what Hillary worked for her entire life – equal rights. Interestingly nearly the same number of marchers showed up as the number of votes that gave her the majority vote. Showing up now to tear down the walls Trump wants to build – he does love memorializing himself- can heal the great divide and restore wholeness to humanity.

    Reply
  9. Colleen Hannegan says

    Jan 27, 2017 at 5:24 am

    ….”we empowered ourselves to lead. Democracy woke up through us.”
    Dana, your comments here touched me deeply and it felt like a bright light illuminated the darkness of this whole mess.
    Yes! We did wake up. I woke up..
    I love ❤️ astrology!

    Reply
  10. Virgo G.W. says

    Jan 25, 2017 at 2:40 pm

    This was a powerful and thought-provoking read. Thanks, Dana!

    Reply
  11. Shawn F. says

    Jan 25, 2017 at 1:39 pm

    Thank you Dana for this reminder. There has been a transfer of power. From the old adage that “we the people” “elect” a leader, to the nuance of eliciting leadership within ourselves and that ignited collective of discovery how we are lead, we do so with clarity, and transform into new worldly experiences. Blessings.

    Reply
  12. Linda Thomas says

    Jan 25, 2017 at 8:35 am

    Well said! Yes, the world was transformed on January 21.
    We the people realized that we can transform any situation.

    Reply

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The Moon is in its
New Phase

in the
Sign of Aries


Today's Lunar Aspects (Greenwich Mean Time)
(subtract: PST -8 hours, PDT -7 hours, EST -5 hours, EDT -4 hours)

  • Moon sextile Mars, 5:13pm  Mar 23 2023
  • Moon square Pluto, 6:42pm  Mar 23 2023
  • Moon sextile Saturn, 9:57pm  Mar 23 2023

Venus is currently
The Evening Star

in the sign of Taurus


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Astrologers use a variety of house systems, or methods of dividing up the sky into twelve sections. I use the Porphyry house system; another popular house system is Placidus (this is the default on https://astro.com). If the chart I send you looks different from what you are used to seeing, then likely a system other than Porphyry was used. Whole signs, Equal House, Regiomantus, and Campanus are examples of other systems. If you find all of this confusing, do not worry. It is likely not critical to your report.

m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.