An  Astrological Look at Leadership
 
What are the qualities of leadership? What makes a good leader?  This is certainly a question worth giving some thought to in this election year. As our country heads into a recession, this the qualities of a leader become more important both on the personal and national level. As a practicing professional astrologer, I know that the birth charts of the candidates can give us important insight into their real personalities and motivations, much deeper than how they are portrayed by their handlers and the media.
 
I choose to begin by reflecting on the qualities of leadership. I feel that essentially leadership is the ability to create a positive vision of change and of our potential, the ability to communicate these ideas in an inspiring way to others so this vision can be implemented and the people skills necessary to encourage others to persevere through the initial stages of these changes.  Leaders must also be able to have the creative ability to imagine fresh new approaches to existing situations and the courage to be able to keep their vision despite other’s opposition but the wisdom to know when to be adaptable and flexible.  A VERY tall order!!
 
I decided to look at the birth charts of two Presidents who were acknowledged leaders, George Washington and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  Both Washington and Roosevelt had astrological charts that showed Mercury in air signs, signifying an ability to communicate well.  Senator Barack Obama’s Mercury is on Leo opposing Jupiter showing an ability to communicate with great drama, but with the tendency to overdue it at times. Senator Hilary Clinton’s Mercury is in Scorpio retrograde, which can give her the appearance of   twisting the truth.  Senator John McCain’s Mercury is in the air sign of Libra, which squares his North Node, causing him to have challenges communicating his ideas. the path of soul growth.  So, Barack Obama has the best Mercury overall which governs the all-important function of communication.
 
Another crucial ingredient in the making of an exceptional leader is the ability to be inspired and to inspire others.  George Washington, a Pisces, had the idealistic vision of a democracy spring from the depths of his soul, Roosevelt an Aquarian, was the champion of a whole new way of helping his fellow Americans through the work and social programs he started during the Great Depression, including Social Security.
 
Charisma is a very important quality in a successful President.  It is helpful to have a decent amount of fire and air in a national leader’s chart John F Kennedy was a Gemini, an air sign, Barack Obama & former President Bill Clinton, both Leos, a fire sign, have wonderful golden child charismatic personas.  President Clinton told us he was the “man from Hope, during his initial Presidential campaign!  Both ask us to have hope while John McCain’s Earth emphasis, his Sun, Neptune, Venus in Virgo and Moon in Capricorn accentuates the practical side of his nature (reminiscent of President George Washington’s chart) Hillary Clinton has her Mars, Pluto and Saturn all right next to each other in Leo.  She won’t be shy about using the United States military as a threat if she feels it’s necessary.  She has very little air in her birth chart, making it more difficult for her to project the image of herself that she would like to.  She succeeds by plugging away and working hard, typical qualities of a Scorpio. When I looked at Senator Clinton’s chart using the astrological predictive technique of secondary progression, I saw that her Moon is in the air sign of Gemini currently. I believe that this will help her be able to communicate more emotionally at this time and connect better with potential voters.  Senator Clinton’s Sun by secondary progression has moved into Capricorn the natural authority figures of the zodiac.  Her message has been that her unique experiences as a first lady and senator will make her ready on day one to be President- a very Capricorn idea.  Despite the fact that Senator Clinton is running behind Senator Obama, it is never wise to count a Scorpio out.  They have a remarkable way of rising from their ashes, one way or another!
 
  There are many styles of leadership. Our three presidential hopefuls exhibit three different styles of leadership.  Hilary Clinton, the Scorpio fighter, John McCain the seasoned Virgo statesman/ warrior and Barack Obama, the Leo golden child.  In our own lives, there always comes a time when we are called to step up to the plate and be a leader ourselves.  Some of us find this an easy role to assume; others find this to be more of a challenge.  Perhaps we need to change direction in our own lives, perhaps we feel that there is an issue in our romantic relationship, our workplace or our community that neither we nor anybody else is addressing.  It takes courage to champion an idea or a change that may not be popular with others or frightening to ourselves There is always a piece of us represented by a part of our charts, that we can draw upon to help us as we face the challenge of leadership. The Sun, Mars and Mercury can tell us about our leadership style.  How these planets relate to the other planets in our charts tell us how easy or difficult it will be for us to assume the role of leader. If we look to see how the planets in the sky today are influencing the planets in our birth charts, we can see if a particular time will either support or hinder our leadership potential. If we have more planets on the top of our birth charts, it will be easier for us as well to influence the world around us.  A qualified astrologer will be able to determine this for you.
 
I wish you much courage and joy as you pick up the mantle of leadership in your own life!

2008 Moonphases
(Based on Eastern Standard Time)

New Moon - New Beginnings
First Quarter - Act, get moving
Full Moon - High energy, power time
Last Quarter - Let go, release