THE SUN AT THE NORTH BENDING

In Washington D.C., on January 22, 2014, at 5.57 pm, the transiting Sun made the exact square to the nodal axis from the position of the North Bending. In a mundane chart, the Sun represents a leader, and I was watching this transit, wondering what it would bring to the political landscape.

     The North Node was in Scorpio, wrapping up its 18 month long journey through the ‘dark sign’ which ends on February 19^th. The North Node is ruled by Pluto, currently in Capricorn, where it has been exposing governmental practices that are typically buried and beyond public scrutiny. The South Node was in Taurus, ruled by Venus, presently retrograde, and in approaching conjunction with Pluto.  As noted in previous posts, the union of the two nodal rules is all but guaranteed to bring visible spectacular fireworks. With the South Node ruler associated with downfall or loss, and the North Node ruler representing outward manifestation or expression, the combination of the two can denote an overt fall from grace. Factor in the Sun (leader) at the North Bending, a placement of high visibility, and there is a potential of political disgrace.

What happened during this transit? On January 21, 2014, Bob McDonnell, the newly-former governor of Virginia, received a 43 page indictment with 14 criminal charges, for accepting gifts in return for political favors.  According to the Washington Post, ‘The criminal prosecution marks a stunning crash for a politician who was considered for the Republican vice presidential nomination in 2012 and who, just a year ago, was considered a credible prospective candidate for president.’

     Allegedly, during the last two years, the governor and his wife received over $165,000 from a wealthy donor in the form of low interest loans, stock, vacations, and a wedding reception. The donor, Jonny Williams, is the owner of a small company that once made cigarettes and now sells a dietary supplement of dubious value that is not approved by the FDA. According to the indictment, the governor’s wife, Maureen, told Williams she would help him, but needed financial assistance. In apparent exchange, the governor used the influence of his office to introduce Williams to relevant state and university officials who could aid the company.

       What is perhaps most surprising to me about these charges, is that McDonnell maintains that despite accepting these gifts, he did ‘nothing illegal.’ This is just politics. You can take hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts as long as you don’t make your rich friends any promises. Why not go ahead and help them out? After all, part of the governor’s job is to promote business in the state!

       So here is Pluto in Capricorn, in mutual reception with Saturn in Scorpio, digging deep and exposing what clearly appears to be an abuse of office that the perpetrator considers perfectly legal (Pluto opposite Jupiter).