2001 Inauguration
George Bush was the first president since Benjamin Harrison (1888) to win the electoral vote but lose the popular vote. At the time, a lot of people felt like a grave injustice had transpired because a majority of voters wanted somebody else. His first inauguration felt novel because no one alive could remember a time where so many voters felt swindled.
Mars Square Mercury
Mars in the 7th house of open enemies (the President’s detractors) is squaring Mercury (thinking and communicating) in the 10th house of career and reputation. Many Americans felt that they were being represented by an ineloquent buffoon.
The people who opposed George Bush thought he was unintelligent and incurious. He had an unusual speaking pattern which gave way to infamous quotes including “They misunderestimated me,” and “Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream,” and “Rarely is the question asked: ‘is our children learning?”
Moon Conjunct Pluto
The moon in the chart is separating from a conjunction with Pluto and applying to a conjunction with Chiron, all of which are in the eighth house. The moon conjunct Pluto speaks to secrecy and deception. President Bush did not run the most transparent or forthcoming administration. He was strongly opposed to an independent commission to investigate the September 11 attacks. Most notably, his reasons for entering the war in Iraq (the possible threat of chemical and biological weapons possessed by Saddam Hussein) were later proven false. This administration avoided accountability by concealing the truth whenever possible.
Moon Square Venus
This aspect has a lot to do with emotional neediness as well as a desire for luxury. Venus is exalted in Pisces, in the 11th house of communities, and friends. The moon is in the 8th house of death, taxes, and community resources. This shows us that the administration was to the benefit of the wealthy.
Saturn Trine the MC
This may be the most telling aspect. In Taurus, Saturn preserves the status quo. Saturn is never about rocking the boat; Saturn is about strict adherence to limits and boundaries, as well as minimizing. The MC is located in Capricorn, which is ruled by Saturn. George Bush called himself a neo-conservative, or a compassionate conservative and his administration perpetuated those values, (if you can call them values).
2009 Inauguration
The first thing I notice when I look at this chart is the pile-up of planets in the 10th house. Aquarius is the most radical sign of the zodiac. It represents the collective and is about group dynamics and advancing social and communal projects. Unlike Capricorn, which is about preserving what has worked in the past, Aquarius wants to reshape the future to accommodate the needs of the many.
Mercury Cazimi
Mercury is in an inferior conjunction with the Sun, both of which are at 0* of Aquarius. This administration ushered in new and innovative ways of understanding what it means to be an American. Jupiter is barely three degrees away from the Sun and Mercury. In this chart, Jupiter represents law and ideals of justice, suggesting that our understanding of justice would be made more inclusive.
Saturn Opposite Uranus
Saturn, the planet of structure, order, boundaries, and rules (but not justice) is opposite Uranus the planet of innovation, rebellion, and free thinking. This highlights the tension between old ways of thinking and new ways of understanding.
Saturn trines MC
Strangely, Saturn is making the same aspect as it was in 2001, but from a different part of the sky. Saturn has moved on from Taurus and is now trining the MC from the sign of Virgo. Virgo is a sign that correlates strongly to women’s rights. This is showing the strong support President Obama had amongst women voters.
Moon sextiles the Sun
The moon is in the 7th house making an out-of-sign sextile to the sun in the 10th. This shows support for the president and his administration by a majority of citizens. This inauguration was one of the most watched events (both in person and on television) in the world at the time.
