A NEW YEAR’S BLOW

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Hillary Clinton’s current health issue can be tied to the transit of the North Node to her Ascendant where it is conjunct natal Mercury and the South Node in a half nodal return. When she fainted following dehydration around December 10, 2012, the aspect was activated by transiting Venus (ruling the 6^th house of illness) crossing the recent solar eclipse point (21°57 Scorpio) and contacting her Ascendant and the natal and transiting nodes. 

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With Venus involved, the injury probably appeared more benign than it actually was. However, since Venus rules the transiting South Node, there was loss associated with the lesser benefic (a loss compounded by the influence of Scorpio where Venus is in detriment). Transiting Venus, carrying the energy of the transiting South Node was conjunct natal Mercury and square natal Saturn, which expressed outwardly (conjunct the transiting North Node) as an injury to the brain in the form of a concussion (Saturn ruling the 3^rd house of the mind).  Structural damage to the skull and thinking process is further indicated with natal Saturn situated at the South Bending of the transiting nodes.
             Three weeks passed before an MRI showed a blood clot in the brain. By now, transiting Mars (blood) was in Aquarius square her natal Sun, reflecting the life threatening event.  Natally, Hillary has the Sun and Pluto in mutual reception, and Mars is conjunct Pluto in Leo, suggestive of a genetic blood disorder arising from circulatory issues (heart’s pumping capacity). This aspect is currently trine progressed Jupiter (which magnifies everything) and was activated by transiting Venus (ruler of the transiting South Node) when she was hospitalized. Although Hillary is said to be responding well to treatment, the transiting North Node is still approaching the Ascendant, the solar eclipse degree, natal South Node and natal Mercury, and square to natal Saturn, an indication she is not yet out of the woods.

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HILLARY AND THE VENUS-NORTH NODE CONJUNCTION

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Last week, Venus conjoined the North Node and two powerful women made news. The first was Hillary Clinton, preparing to end her term as Secretary of State amidst wild speculation she will run in 2016 for president. According to a Bloomberg National Poll published the day of the conjunction, 70% of Americans have a ‘mostly or favorable view of Clinton.’ Since Venus symbolizes a woman, the North Node indicates physical manifestation, and Scorpio represents power, that a powerful woman would make news was not too startling.

            But why Hillary?

The transiting conjunction provides no context, which is only obtained through the interactions of the transits with the natal chart. So, I was surprised to see the transiting North Node and Venus conjunct the natal South Node. Hillary was having a half-nodal return, a time when the North and South nodes exchange notes about the manifest and unmanifest realms. Since the transits activate the nativity, with the South Node stimulated, I was expecting some manner of loss. Typically, no matter how spiritual the South Node may be, its activation almost always coincides with suffering or loss. Yet, what was expressed here was high standing and professional accolades. This was doubly puzzling since the transiting North Node was square natal Saturn at the transiting South Bending, further suggesting some outward loss for Saturn (standing, authority). Nonetheless, here she was, practically being elected president four years in advance (transiting Venus-North Node trine natal Moon). I interpreted the meaning of the natal South Node as service; she is sacrificing herself for the country.

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            However, yesterday, news surfaced that at the ‘beginning of the week’ (likely Monday or Tuesday, December 10-11), Clinton picked up a stomach virus, became severely dehydrated, fainted and suffered a concussion. As a result she would be unable to testify on the Hill this week about the Benghazi attacks. On Monday December 10, 2012, transiting Venus was at 23°27 Scorpio, in partile conjunction with her natal South Node (applying 7'), conjunct the Ascendant, natal Mercury, progressed Chiron, and square natal Saturn. Here was an unhappy loss (Venus conjunct the natal South Node) from a manifest (North Node) head (first house) wound (Chiron) that negatively affected her health (Venus ruling the 6^th), left her unconscious (natal Mercury in the 12^th) and unable to fulfill her professional duties (Saturn at the transiting South Bending).

            What of the other woman? Read on…