Astrology of the 2020 Elections: Bernie Sanders

Introduction

In 2016, I saw that the astrological community was very divided on who was going to win the presidential elections, but I noticed that these astrologers had one thing in common: their predictions were driven more by bias than astrology. Hilary Clinton supporters were predicting her win, while Trump supporters predicted his win. Not once did I see a Democrat predict Trump's victory nor did a Republican predict Clinton's. For someone actually wanting to study astrology, it was very disappointing.

This election, I want to see predictions based not on bias or personal opinion, but on actual astrology. This election, I'm going to give my own take on 2019's election. It's not that I don't have any biases—I obviously do—but when it comes down to it, I'm not really for any politician, so my predictions are not based on who I want to win (there are definitely some candidates I hate less than others), but who I think is going to win. As I'm writing this, I'm still not sure—it might even be Trump (I hope not)! It depends on the birth charts, transits, progressions and return charts of everybody running. My source for presidential candidates is ballotpedia.org, and while I must confess there are a few names I haven't heard of before, I included them in an effort to be fair.

I was originally going to write one big long article about the election, but because the article got to be too long, WAY TOO LONG, I decided to separate it into parts. I'm going to analyze the charts of each candidate in alphabetical order by last name. If there's someone I'm missing, please feel free to let me know.

Click the underlined links to view parts one, two, three, four, and five, where I analyze the charts of Michael Bennet, Joe Biden, Cory Booker, Steve Bullock, Pete Buttigieg, Julian Castro (who has since, along with Cory Booker, dropped out of the race), Tulsi Gabbard and Amy Klobuchar.

The Natal Chart of Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders is an American politician, self-identified democratic socialist and the longest running independent in U.S congressional history, serving as the Senator of Vermont since 2007, and as the state's representative from 1991 to 2007. To read more about his plans for presidency, click here.

For starters, his Sun is in Virgo, often seen as a symbol of humility. It is the sign of the worker, the type of person who Bernie Sanders aims to represent. In addition to being humble, Virgos are often very critical and perfectionistic. Bernie Sanders is easily able to analyze and break down the problems present in society today. North Node conjunct Neptune in Virgo shows this is part of his destiny, his mission on earth, what he came to do.

When you factor in the Virgo Sun with both Mercury and Venus in Libra, Bernie Sanders is quite the idealist. By that I mean that as a Virgo Sun, he is ultimately a realist and a pragmatic at heart. The ideals he strives for are not unrealistic per se, but Libra is a sign representing certain social ideals like equality, fairness, justice for all, ideas Bernie Sanders genuinely strives high for and doesn’t give up on. With Mercury in Libra, he is able to see every angle to a situation, and able to reach common ground with others. He is willing to listen to others and put himself in their shoes. With his Libra Mercury making a close trine to his Uranus and Saturn, rebelling against unjust or unfair systems has always been a core part of his psychological make-up. With Pluto also closely sextile Mercury, he is a very powerful speaker able to communicate with an intensity that can change the minds of others.

Moon conjunct Mars in Aries makes him quite the fighter. This is probably gives rise to the idea that Sanders is an irritable old curmudgeon. He is likely to have a temper. But on a positive note, he is direct, honest, straight to the point regarding his feelings and emotions about things. He is not one to avoid conflict, but likely one to believe in getting to the bottom of things, addressing the problem head on rather than beating around the bush. Still with these planets opposite Venus in Libra, this could present challenges in his personal relationships. His Venus in Libra wants harmony, but Moon conjunct Mars in Aries wants to fight for what it feels. These potentially dichtobomous says of being could potentially cause struggles in his life, unless integrated, swinging back and forth between outbursts and the need to negotiate or keep the peace. He may be his own worst enemy, causing the exact conflict he doesn’t want, or being a doormat and suppressing his feelings for the sake of achieving harmony.

Some people think Bernie Sanders is a hypocrite, hating rich people but super rich himself. Sun (ego, personality) square Jupiter (philosophy) in Gemini could point to a bit of discrepancy between what he believes (Jupiter) and how he behaves. Considering that these planets are in the signs of Virgo and Gemini respectively, this discrepancy may have something to do with the pragmatism I mentioned, having high ideals but also making the more practical choice of need be, which critics might interpret as settling or sacrificing principles (I.E backing Hilary Clinton in the 2016 election after he lost) even if he sees it as the most practical step he can take to a concrete manifestation of those principles.

Venus trines Jupiter shows good luck in love. He’s attractive to others and especially popular with women.

Astrotheme gives him a birth time of 12:26 PM, making him a Scorpio Rising. Apparently this chart had a Rodden rating of X, meaning his time is actually unknown. I was skeptical of the 12:26 birth time at first given the lack of evidence but the more I think about it, a 10th house stellium (with potential 11th house placements as well) would make a ton of sense for someone who has embarked on the long and hard political career that he has.

Bernie Sanders' Transits

Looking at Bernie Sanders' transits for the Iowa Caucus, the first big event of the electoral season, I can see he is one of the few candidates who are actually benefiting from the dreaded Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn. These two planets, symbols of power, authority, and strength, make a grand trine to his North Node-Neptune conjunction in Virgo along with his natal Uranus-Saturn conjunction in Taurus. This helps put him in touch with his evolutionary, spiritual purpose; there might be something destined about his campaign. If not destined for presidency, then at least the issues he stands for and the things he talks about are destined to make their way into mainstream conversation and policy. Since Neptune, Uranus, and to some extent, Saturn, are all generational planets, representing whole groups of people as opposed to the individual, I believe this grand trine puts Bernie Sanders in touch with the collective unconscious. He is able to tap into the concerns of the public, and be their voice. Since this is a grand earth trine, these are mostly concerns about physical and material conditions of the American people.

Furthermore, Jupiter in Capricorn is making a trine to his Sun in Virgo. This is one of the best aspects to have in astrology. It is a sign of good luck. Bernie Sanders is confident, popular, and optimistic. Abundance and external success are likely.

I do notice, however, that Saturn and Pluto also make a t-square to his natal Venus in Libra as well as his Moon-Mars conjunction in Aries. There might be some competitive forces in his life but I believe, as the Moon represents our emotions, that this represents more of an internal conflict. He could fear losing the presidency. It might feel like a life-or-death situation to him. This fear, the fear for our country, could potentially cause him to act irritable with others in his everyday life. The stress could make it hard for him to relate to others. Since Venus and Moon are both indicators of women, it's possible that he may currently be struggling to win support from women voters after the Elizabeth Warren controversy.

Luckily, Mars' sextile to Venus helps with that somewhat, while Mars in Sagittarius's trine to Bernie's natal Moon-Mars conjunction in Aries, fuels his ability to stand up for the things that really matter. He is fueled with righteous anger.

Neptune's opposition to his Sun could trigger confusion regarding his identity. There may be tension between the idealized figure that other people expect him to be, and the person he really is. Many people seem to perceive him through an idealized lens and it’s possible that he perceives himself that way as well. As a Virgo, he is ultimately a pragmatist, and some of his supporters may become disappointed when their high expectations fail to come to fruition.

The transits for the general election will tell us whether or not Bernie Sanders has what it takes to beat Trump.

The transits are mostly the same, except Jupiter has now joined in a conjunction with Saturn and Pluto, still making a grand trine to his North Node-Neptune conjunction and his Saturn-Uranus conjunction, but a t-square to his Venus and his Moon-Mars conjunction. Again, this shows that he is reaching his true and destined spiritual destiny and that he is in touch with the collective needs of American citizens, but he may feel a certain sense of competition, and a terrible fear of failure, that causes difficulties in his personal life. He may feel put under pressure because the stakes are high and the stress could cause problems in his relationship with others.

Bernie Sanders' Progressions

With a Progressed Sagittarian Sun in the 10th house and a Progressed Pisces Moon, there may be tension between his public image (that is, who he wants to be professionally) and how he actually feels as a person in his everyday life. He may feel like expectations of him are high and he doesn’t know how to live up to them, while also staying true to himself and his own beliefs.

However, with two grand trines, things mostly look pretty good for Bernie Sanders, currently speaking.

The grand fire trine between the Sun in Sagittarius, Mars in Aries, and Pluto in Leo, indicates strength and vitality. Bernie’s life force is strong and full of an enthusiasm that helps to win people over. He is fired up about his political views but because the grand trine affects all three social houses, he expresses his passion in a way that other people can relate to.

The grand earth trine between Capricorn Venus, Saturn-Uranus in Taurus and Neptune in Virgo, show an ability to relate to others on both a practical and spiritual level. Venus is about relation but when it comes down to it, it is also about what we value. With Venus trine these generational planets, he is in touch with the values of the collective. Since the trine is affecting the earth sign, he is in touch with physical and material values, especially. This makes sense as much of his campaign, is centered around class issues and issues of economic justice (free health care for all etc.) Venus’s sextile to Mercury almost makes the grand trine into a kite, and it shows us that he knows how to communicate in a way that appeals to people, and potentially win them over to his side.

His Inauguration Day Progressions (for it he becomes president) are pretty much the same except Mercury opposite Saturn shows communication problems. He may feel he is blocked from saying what he wants. Because Saturn is conjunct Uranus, he might be afraid of shocking or alienating others, keeping him silent.

Bernie Sander's Return Charts

This is Bernie Sanders’ Solar Return chart from 2018-2019, when he started his 2020 campaign. Multiple trines show is that he got off to a good start. The grand trine between Mercury, Saturn and Uranus shows a mind that is both sensible and innovative, practical and revolutionary. His intelligence at an all time high. Meanwhile, Jupiter trine Neptune, sextile the Sun, and sextile Pluto, shows a confidence and optimism that likely leads to success and it may feel like the universe is on his side. The only potentially “negative” aspect here besides Sun opposite Neptune (which I’ve already discussed) is the exact square between Venus in Libra and Mars in Capricorn. If not representative of his love life, he could have difficulties with balance, being too assertive to the point of appearing combative one minute while being too gracious and considerate to the point of being a doormat. The square between Libra, the scales, and Capricorn, the mountain-climbing goat, could represent the dichotomy between egalitarianism or social ideals, and status, or the drive for success. Some have considered him a hypocrite for criticizing the rich while being rich himself.

Bernie Sanders’ current Solar Return chart (2019-2020) should give us some clues as to how he’ll do in primary.

This chart is really interesting because there are a lot of trines but a lot of squares as well.

Moon conjunct Saturn in Capricorn shows a strong emotional resolve. Bernie Sanders is sensible, responsible and career driven, but because Capricorn is the Moon’s detriment, it may point to some sadness as well or inability to take care of his feelings. The Sun’s conjunction to Mars, however, shows passion, vitality and strength. Hes getting a lot of things done and throwing himself headfirst into his political campaign, gifting it his al. Mercury conjunct Venus and widely conjunct the Sun shows charm and with in his communication with others. The Virgo stellium (Sun, Mars, Venus, Mercury) trine the Moon-Saturn in Capricorn shows great success. Because these planets make a grand trine to Uranus in Taurus, he succeeds by rebelling against the establishment and setting himself up as unique in some way.

The problem lies in the t-square between Jupiter in Sagittarius, Neptune in Pisces, and the Virgo stellium consisting of Mars, the Sun, Venus and Mercury. Especially with the Sun exactly square Jupiter at 15 degrees of their respective signs, the problem is too much of a good thing. He could overestimate his own abilities. Things could feel like they’re going so well, succsss could seem so promising, that he and his supporters fail to see or prepare for the danger that lies ahead.

Bernie Sander’s upcoming Solar Return chart follows a similar pattern to the others. This chart will tell us how he’ll fare against Trump, should he be elected the Democratic nominee.

Once again, we a grand trine but a kite between the Sun in Virgo, Jupiter-Pluto-Saturn in Capricorn and Moon-Uranus in Taurus, with Neptune in Pisces making it into a grand kite. This points to both success (Saturn) and comfortability (the Moon). Things look very positive for Bernie Sanders, almost as if the universe has his back. Moon conjunct Uranus indicates a degree of rebellion, and also spontaneity. He does what he feels regardless of what other people may think and in the sign of Taurus is very stubborn about it.

Meanwhile, Mercury sextile Venus indicates charm and wit that will likely win people over to his side.

Despite what the red lines would have you think, there aren’t many negative aspects to contend with here. For the most part, the “squares” pictured in the image above are out of sign, so not really squares at all. However, we do have Mars widely square Pluto and Saturn which could indicate frustration with the political establishment for blocking him (or attempting to block him, at least) from achieving his goals.

Conclusion

With grand trines or something resembling one present in virtually every single chart (transits, progressions and solar returns) I’ve linked, Bernie Sanders stands an even greater chance than I thought. The negative aspects point to a stressful campaign and a fear of failure, as well as the potential for certain establishments to try and block him from succeeding, but with all these grand trines, he will likely come out on top no matter what.