James Madison Mar 16, 1751

Here's the natal chart of James Madison, Architect of the Constitution.

We see idealistic Sagittarius rising, with Saturn in Sag--he had frail health his whole life, and stood 5'6", yet he lived to a ripe old age, hemorrhoids and all. And, of course, the Virgo/Pisces axis always relates to health issues--Sun in Pisces is not the most vital place for the Sun, is it?

As "the Architect", we expect to see Taurus emphasized, and with Jupiter's placement in Taurus, we see expansion in business on a large scale, love of luxury and indulgence--a gourmet, in fact (leading to hemorhoids?), and a tendency to go on holy crusades.

Chiron in Scorpio brings death crises, and occult interests and talent. Participating in Freemasonry apparently filled the bill, as you might expect, and an early life full of health concerns made Death a familiar companion for contemplation.
Just the era he lived in, and the work he and his colleagues were about, would bring these issues to mind daily. And you see Pluto on Ascendant...if this is his correct birth time, his very birth was an iffy proposition, it would seem--death issues from the start.

Chiron conj Moon places high value on family, and shows an idealizing of the homeland, and on meeting the needs of the public. There's a marked patriotic emphasis, and a tendency toward perfectionism--all of which were obviously used in his writing and editing of the Constitution, and in his public, political life.

His intellectual brilliance with a scientific bent can be seen with Mercury conjunct Uranus, the planet of creative inspiration from On High, and both in Aquarius, sign of the Waterbearer--the Water of Life. Mercury/Uranus is an independent thinker who will not accept ideas simply based on tradition, and so they arrive at original solutions which others have overlooked.

Mars exalted in Capricorn gives him much professional ambition and a desire for high status, while his Taurean Jupiter in 5th house of Romance/Speculations attracts a high status mate...Dolley Todd. Her branch of the Todd family is connected to the Collins family, both of which are known for their centuries-long Freemasonry and/or Illuminati involvement. You go, Jemmy, the Fredrickburg Lodge is just a horse ride away. (But this Lodge with its records destroyed long ago.)


So President Madison will be 255 years old on March 16, yet his soft voice still whispers to us in 2006, for in 1834, although crippled with old age, he penned his last words to America--to you and to me (The Sheeple, it seems):

"The advice nearest my heart...is that the Union of the States be cherished and perpetuated."

And yet so many will let him down--if We-the-Sheeple let them.

3.7.06 12:43 pm est

James Madison

Leo Strauss Sep 20, 1899

Here's the sunrise chart for Leo Strauss, father and instigator of neoconservatism.

Will post more on the morrow concerning this Chiron/Uranus system-busting guy, but 'til then, you may wish to read an excellent essay on his esoteric/exoteric self here:

Essay on Strauss by Edward Skidelsky

OK, it's Sunday, and here're the Jones and the Rudhyar versions of the Sabian Symbol for Strauss' Sun position:

"28Vir" = "A bald-headed man who has seized power."

Keynote: The sheer power of personality in times that call for decision.

Whether at the religious or at the socio-political and cultural level there comes a time when obsolescent patterns of order and cultural refinement have to be radically and relentlessly challenged.

Catabolic personages emerge to seize power and dictate decisions that alter the structure of society. At such times, the issue has to be met and, ruthless as the power may appear, it must be accepted.

Everything bows to THE POWER OF THE WILL--divine, executively human, or Satanic. #

MEJ describes "28Vir" as DOMINANCE...

Positive: accomplishment through a completeness of self-mastery and a rigid control of others. (And that's the positive!)

Neg/shadow side: a sadistic sophistication. #


And since the *Moon was in Aries all through the 24 hours of Sep 30 1899, we see this personality blend:

Sun Vir/Moon Aries: intellectual precision and curiosity; scholarly; pragmatically diligent; self-centered; committed workaholic; bossy; detached; sharp tongue; doesn't suffer fools gladly; sense of humor.

Greatest Weaknesses: scathingly critical; a verbose know-it-all: overly cerebral and emotionally detached.

Image: A jolly, rotund monk enjoying his food and wine while excelling in well-worn Latin sayings, witty responses, and kindly good humor. (Sun Sign-Moon Sign, Chas & Suzi Harvey.)


And yes, Strauss shares this Sun/Moon combo natally with Dick Cheney. Perhaps they can toast each other in Hades.


You have noticed, I'm sure, that Strauss has a major pile-up in idealistic Sagittarius--Uranus conjunct Chiron, and a wide conj of Chiron with Saturn.

If you wish, read my previous post on the Chiron/Uranus combo: Stars Over Washington: Chiron/Uranus Types in Government

This trio of Chiron snugged between Saturn and Uranus is interesting also because Chiron is the 'bridge' between Saturn (which was considered the outermost planet until the discovery of rebel Uranus in 1781--hence its connection to the American Revolution, etc), and Uranus, the first of the Transpersonal or Generational planets. Uranus therefore has particular significance in America's chart/s.

So you could say that Sat/Uran = Chiron, and describes the tension of Saturn's control/restriction vs the rebellious, disruptive freedom and independence of Uranus, the Awakener, and Chiron's transcending abilities.

(Sat/Ura = tension; the urge for freedom; willpower; and violent people, according to Reinhold Ebertin's "The Combination of Stellar Influences".)

Saturn: the past, Uranus: the future, and with Chiron as the Key or Bridge, we see a bringing together of the two principles by way of Chiron transformation--and of course Chiron is the Christ archetype in the chart...the Alpha and the Omega--the past and the future blended with Chiron's "be here now" effect.

And although Strauss' Sat/Ura conjunction has a 13 degree orb, it seems applicable:

Original genius with ideas arrived at intuitively, Saturn conj Uranus gives the realism of Saturn and the originality of Uranus to the nature, plus a serious interest in mathematical studies, science, and the occult, including Astrology.
(Brings to mind Strauss' esoteric/exoteric philosophy, as does the Symbol for his Moon's sunrise degree, see below.)

There is use of systematic, math-oriented methods to make new discoveries and breakthroughs. The new (Uranus) builds upon the solid foundation of the old (Saturn.)

But the square (blockage) from Mercury (thinking; communication) results in obstinacy and autocratic attitudes. And a Virgoan Mercury generally indicates a primary interest in ideas that have a practical application for financial success and status.

Plus there's a T-square with Mercury as focal point--

Saturn/Pluto (a magician or an adept, or on another level, cruelty, violence, and war) = Mercury: the desire to solve difficult problems (doesn't seem to occur to Straussians that they ARE a difficult problem); thoroughness; taciturnity; doing research work.

And so our society's current infestation by the "elite" has much in common with this man's autocratic attitudes which he seems to have passed on successfully, yet the funny thing is, *Moon in Aries = "I AM the people" (!) and it's the same Moon placement as that other revolutionary everyone loves to hate--Robespierre...who was fond of saying just that.

Psychopaths get all kinds of odd ideas, don't they? But the "Reign of Terror" rearing its ugly head in the new millenium isn't just odd, it's tragic...once again.


Now for the sunrise degree of his Moon (Moon = the reigning need), which relates, I believe, to his esoteric/exoteric way of thinking:

(DR)"7 Aries" = "A man successfully expressing himself in two realms at once."

Keynote: The first realization of the dual nature of man and the possibilities it implies. LIVING TWO SEPARATE LIVES.

MEJ's version gives the same picture, but keyword, PROFICIENCY, speaks of the many interpenetrating realms of reality, and of a capacity for a complete control of events by shifting from one to another focus of emphasis whenever it proves convenient or expedient. #

Hmph. Sounds like the class all our current politicians have passed with flying colors...but they're sure not red, white, and blue.

3.5.06 11:26 am est

Leo Strauss
neoconservatism Political Astrology

"The Aurora" Speaks Out Again

In colonial times, the press was just as partisan as our day, and Ben Franklin's grandson was publisher of a certain paper, The Aurora.

Let's hear again what he had to say to George Washington and thus on to our present-day George who thinks so much of his own leadership abilities:

>Let no flatterer persuade you to rest one hour longer at the helm of state. You are utterly incapable to steer the political ship into the harbor of safety.

If you have any love for your country, leave its affairs to the wisdom of your fellow citizens. Do not flatter yourself with the idea that you know their interests better than other men.

There are thousands amongst them who equal you in capability and who excel you in knowledge. #


And the contempt continues, Dubai deal and all. Harbor of safety indeed.

Mar 4 2006 7:26 pm est

George Washington

The Aurora

Michael Chertoff Nov 28, 1953

Here's the sunrise chart (birth time unknown) for Mr Chertoff, who may soon be saying buh-bye to his czarship of Homeland Security.

(UPDATE Dec 16, 2006: he's still at HoSec--who else would take the job anyway?)

Here are Chertoff's Sun/Moon personality blend and his natal midpoint pictures for your consideration...

Since the Moon was in Virgo for the 24 hours of Nov 28, 1953, we have:

Sun Sag/Moon Virgo: an athlete gives a fund-raising performance for charity...a philosopher presents a perfect mathematical vision of the nature and meaning of the universe...The Ten Commandments.

This combo describes a practical idealist who is prone to mental obsessions and has a tendency to moralize. His desire for certitudes can cause narrow-mindedness, yet, positively, there is an ability to persuade others with clear arguments and a calm integrity. This is the combo of an educator, and is shared natally with Thomas Carlyle, who said, "Nothing is more terrible than activity without insight."

Post-Katrina, that's a valid and excellent point.


Natal midpoint pictures:

Sun/Neptune = Mercury: lack of objectivity; deceptions and illusions; false logic.

Sun/Sat = Venus: reserve; suppression of feelings.

Venus/Mars = Saturn: separation in relationship.

Mars/Saturn = Neptune: insufficient power to tackle obstacles or resistance; a grievous loss; waning powers and weakening of efforts; self-torment; weak vitality.

Jupiter/Neptune = Pluto: plans unreasonable beyond measure; a great loss.

Mars/NN = Sun: the will to unite with others; cooperative teamwork.

(Progressing the sunrise chart to March 6, 2006, secondary Moon at 7Leo03 is conjunct Bush's natal Ascendant, the "Bolshevik propagandist" degree. Chertoff's sec Moon = sec Uranus/Pluto: daring and audaciousness; bringing about changes by force. As you know, the combo of Uranus + Pluto = the collapse of the old order of things, the construction of the new; revolution; transformation.) And it would be great if he used this energy to rebuild New Orleans, rather than the US government, wouldn't it?

So will Chertoff be tasked with falling upon this sword?

I'd be quicker to hazard a guess if I had his correct birth time, but one thing I do know:

Transiting midpoint of Saturn/Pluto has been hanging about Chertoff's natal Mars (energy, action, initiative) 2005-06, and so we see:

Saturn/Pluto = Mars: the necessity to fight for one's existence; maltreatment; ruthlessness, violence, assault, or brutality.

And natally at *16Lib+ he has two asteroids, Toro = capacity to use and control power; strong will; the power of boundless strength...and Atlantis =
sense of doom; use/abuse of power; ethics.

Seems Mr Chertoff's use and abuse of power has been in process of being tested and put on the line. And if you asked Katrina's victims, I doubt they'd say he's passed the test.

And since I agree with them, let me help you hoist that sword, Mr Chertoff. George Bush ain't worth it, but you knew the deal when you signed on, I'm figuring.

Cash in your chips while ye may.


(*16Libra+ is also the natal position of Bush's Moon, so he's been on the oppressed and depressed side...well-deserved, most would agree.)

March 4 2006 3:54 pm est

Chertoff