From the viewpoint of mundane astrology (the astrology that affects Planet Earth), the U.S. presidential election of 4 November 2008 was the focus of a powerful constellation: Saturn exactly opposing Uranus. Saturn, as the principle of established order, and Uranus, the principle of surprise and revolution (mythologically better thought of as Prometheus, who stole the fire from the gods), informed the campaigns of John McCain and Barak Obama, respectively. The election of Barak Obama suggests that a new spirit may be gaining ground, and the post-election excitement and enthusiasm in the U.S. feels like a new day is dawning after eight dreadful years of “business as usual.”

However, the longer-term astrology may dampen the early enthusiasm. In the Fall of 2007 Ray Merriman wrote: “ Pluto, the God of the underworld who rules such mundane experiences as death, power, debt, and taxes, moves into the domain of Capricorn, which is the realm of government, authority, boundaries of nations, and is signified by the psychological concepts of ambition, caution, resistance, responsibility, and an urge to make a clear distinction between right and wrong or good and evil. When these two principles interact with one another, it promises to be a very serious time.” Merriman concludes the essay: “ Pluto in Capricorn: it is strength blended with clarity, when used correctly. It knows the difference between right and wrong, good and bad. It is power, but with a purpose and a direction. It can do things either with others and accomplish great things, or it can use others to attain its own self-interest purposes. In the first case, it is capable of greatness, or producing great things that lasts for many generations. It is the start of bold new cycles that can reconstruct the world as we know it in wonderfully well-functioning governances. In the later case, it is a nightmarish experience for humanity in which civil liberties of certain groups are trounced upon by self-proclaimed leaders who are misguided and mislead others into walking over the edge of a cliff in support of their vision, which is really nothing more than a delusion to grant them unlimited powers. The thing is, when Pluto is in Capricorn, we usually experience both sides. The good times come first, followed by the hard times, followed by redemption as we come back into touch with values and goals that are “good,” and virtuous. We learn the difference between right and wrong, good and evil. We become a nation, even a planet, of greater character once we actually experience the consequences of allowing our rights to be trampled upon by leaders of questionable character. And then we say: “Never again.” That’s Pluto in Capricorn or Cancer. That’s our future – unless we wake up sooner than later.”