Sign In
As it is often the case with personalities who leave their mark on History and on peoples, Barack Obama's natal chart reflects his outstanding destiny very accurately. In retrospect, his chart seems to describe his personal programme and, to some extent for specialists versed in mundane astrology, that of the United States. Let us take a closer look at the chart.
Firstly, Barack Obama embodies to the highest degree the qualities of Leo and of his dominant, namely, the Sun. Further down, we shall see that his second facet relates to the sign and the ruler of his Ascendant. These two characteristics lead to a first diagnosis which is both simple and coherent.
The Sun sits majestically in the middle of Leo, and forms only one notable aspect, a square with Neptune, indicating disillusionment with the paternal image. As underlined by biographers, Barack Obama Sr. was brilliant but unstable. He rapidly stepped out of the life of his son to start a new chapter in Kenya before sinking into alcoholism. Barack Obama met his father again only once, at the age of ten, when he last visited Hawaii. Later on, the father died in a car accident. Interestingly, the title of Barack Obama's biography could have been chosen by an astrologer to narrate the first part of Obama's path: "Dreams from My father". An excellent illustration of the Sun-Neptune square.
However, Barack Obama is a very good representative of Leo, with three planets in this sign, including the ruler of his Ascendant, the North Node, and the Black Moon. These elements, both traditional and karmic, prompted him to overcome hurdles despite a difficult childhood. Besides, it is also revealing to look at the pictures of the quite clumsy adolescent he was in Honolulu, when he was a mere mixed-race student who did not feel too good about himself, living light years from power. Nonetheless, it will not take him too long to achieve a dramatic transformation. By the end of the 70's, he bid farewell to high-collared shirts, asserted himself, and discovered the satisfaction of leadership by winning basketball games. From then on, his body and his face radiated his new inner energy. He slimmed down, the way he carries his head became as leonine as could be, and his features expressed sheer dignity. When he started his career as a barrister in Chicago, he oozed charisma, with his predatory and warm smile, and earned his first political successes.
Since his rise to power, he always managed to behave with constant elegance. In the same Sun in Leo-square Neptune vein, he turned out to be an unparalleled speaker who knows very well how to take full advantage of his audience's emotional potential. He is able to shift from gravity, when he has to deliver bad news, to compassion or empathy, when he has to stand up for the weak and the victims. With just the perfect dash of humour too, so as not to come across as excessively... perfect!
With Aquarius on the Ascendant, thus opposed to Leo, he is endowed with qualities which are complementary to those of his Leo Sun. Without this 11th sign, Barack Obama could have contented himself with winning the first place in sports, at work, and in other areas. However, Aquarius counterbalances Leo's ego and gives it a social dimension, spurring Obama to put his skills at the service of the community. Furthermore, Uranus, ruler of the Ascendant, is in a remarkable position. In Leo, in the 7th House (other people), conjunct the North Node, it suggests that Barack Obama believes that it is neither utopian nor pointless to strive to change the world. This was the very philosophy of the motto of his first presidential campaign, "Yes we can". He promoted the principle that when there's a will, there's a way, while insisting that the Americans had the power to hand over the keys of the first world power to a mixed-race candidate, born in Hawaii in a modest family, who enjoyed no connections and no personal wealth. A revolution that even Hollywood would not have dared to imagine.
Beneath his apparent coolness, Barack Obama is a born leader who shrewdly controls every detail of his image. This is the signature of Mars in Virgo, which provides undeniable strategic intelligence. He may be blunt, meticulous, and he has no qualms when it comes to intellectual reflexion. Mars is strong in his chart, owing to his wonderful trine to Saturn, himself conjunct Jupiter. Thus, Obama dedicates his energy to his political endeavours with a pragmatism which is dear to the Americans. These aspects are rooted in the Earth element, which enables this fiery Sun to apply his faith and his enthusiasm to concrete matters.
Let us say a few private words now. With Venus at the beginning of Cancer, family life is of utmost importance. Actually, the US quickly adopted his wife Michelle, his two daughters, as well as his dog. Although they do not come across as a dynasty in the sense of the Kennedys, the Obamas proved that the links and the routine of an ordinary American family are unaffected by the glamour of the White House. As for the Moon in Gemini, she highlights the sharp sense of repartee of this brilliant word juggler. At times, he may purposely respond with cynicism, owing to a Pluto square, unless the latter hints at underhand manoeuvres...
Barack Obama
You can also read the Astrotheme astrological portrait of Barack Obama.
Looking at the transits of this exceptional chart, we note that on the evening of his first presidential victory, on 4 November 2008, the Sun in Scorpio transited Obama's Neptune, thus activating the natal square in the 9th House. Let us remember that this election aroused unprecedented hopes in a country stricken by the severe subprime financial crisis, and painfully recovering from the Iraq wars. It is the confirmation that it is possible to overcome a theoretically harsh aspect, if other transits permit, and of course if one takes appropriate actions. In this specific case, Saturn opened the way by transiting Mars, in good aspect with Jupiter, and invigorated the notorious trio which supports his political power. As for Venus, she was auspicious and shining at the Midheaven (the career) in Sagittarius: the Obama-mania spread like a global epidemic. While the general trend was definitely promising on this 4 November 2008, it also sowed the germs of some disappointment, which was to be dealt with afterwards. As we pointed out, Obama learnt to get used to deceptions since childhood. For this ability, he ought to be grateful to his Sun-Neptune square!
On 6 November 2012, in a quite different context, although he failed to “change the world”, Barack Obama was re-elected with a bigger margin than expected. The Sun, followed by Saturn still in Scorpio, evoked maturity challenges and the necessity to complete the reforms promised, including the health system reform. As far as Uranus is concerned, his position progressing in Aries may enable Obama to astonish the world once again at the end of his second term of office, but in a more positive manner this time.
The President is blessed with quite favourable aspects. To begin with, Uranus in Aries will form an exact trine with his natal Sun. Since the aspect links these two main dominants, Barack Obama may unleash his innovative potential even more staunchly, knowing that the background will be quite tough. For instance, he will need to tap into the pragmatism we already mentioned, in order to find new solutions to crises, especially in the financial and economic areas (the natal 2nd and 6th Houses are involved). Whether he will succeed or not remains to be seen.
In October 2014, sheer good luck enters the House related to other people and to partners, with Jupiter in Leo and exactly on the Descendant. Contracts and treaties are beneficial. The President enjoys popularity and/or attracts allies who offer such advantages. As December starts, Saturn in Scorpio reaches the Midheaven. This planet has a bad reputation in mundane astrology and delays projects. In harsh aspect with natal Uranus, the President will have to reinforce his personal security and exercise extreme caution. Nevertheless, with protective Jupiter, he may improve his actions, since Saturn, let us not forget this fact, will sextile his potent political conjunction, symbolised by natal Jupiter and Saturn. The end of his term of office may be calmer, and he may harvest new marks of honour later on, when it will be Jupiter's turn to transit the Midheaven in 2018.
Aries
Taurus
Gemini
Cancer
Leo
Virgo
Libra
Scorpio
Sagittarius
Capricorn
Aquarius
Pisces
Sun 12°33' Leo, in House VI
Moon 3°21' Gemini, in House IV
Mercury 2°20' Leo, in House VI
Venus 1°47' Cancer, in House V
Mars 22°35' Virgo, in House VII
Jupiter 0°52' Я Aquarius, in House XII
Saturn 25°20' Я Capricorn, in House XII
Uranus 25°16' Leo, in House VII
Neptune 8°36' Scorpio, in House IX
Pluto 6°59' Virgo, in House VII
North Node 27°18' Я Leo, in House VII
Lilith 2°49' Leo, in House VI
Fortune 27°14' Aries, in House II
Vertex 12°54' Virgo, in House VII
East Point 24°22' Aquarius, in House I
Ascendant 18°03' Aquarius
House II 25°54' Pisces
House III 0°18' Taurus
House IV 28°53' Taurus
House V 23°59' Gemini
House VI 19°01' Cancer
House VII 18°03' Leo
House VIII 25°54' Virgo
House IX 0°18' Scorpio
Midheaven 28°53' Scorpio
House XI 23°59' Sagittarius
House XII 19°01' Capricorn
Ascendant 18°03' Aquarius
Midheaven 28°53' Scorpio
* A planet less than 1° from the next House cusp is considered to be posited in the said House. 2° when the AS and the MC are involved
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