The Astrology of the 2020 Elections: Julian Castro

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 and Pete Buttigieg.

The Natal Chart of Julian Castro

Julian Castro is a Democratic politician, once rumored to be Hilary Clinton's running mate, if elected. To read more about his plans for presidency, click here.

Julian Castro was born on Monday, September 16th, 1974, at 2:40 in the morning in San Antonio, Texas.

Julian Castro's chart is interesting because he was born on a New Moon. His Sun and Moon are conjunct at the last decan of Virgo. In astrology, the New Moon phase represents new beginnings and fresh starts, making those born under this phase of the moon very dynamic and creative people, great at jumping into action and initiating new projects, although they might not always be so great with the follow-through. Because their Sun and Moon are in the same sign, their ego and heart are aligned. This gives them a strong sense of self-assurance. They're in touch with their feelings and they know what they want. While they're often quite sensitive and emotional, having the Sun and Moon in the same sign makes them less conflicted than those of us who have Sun and Moon in separate signs. The Moon conjunct a man’s Sun could also indicate the mother (or women in general) as a strong influence.

In other words, Julian Castro is very much a Virgo. Not only are his Sun and Moon (which is also his chart ruler) placed here, but his Venus is, as well. Virgo is a mutable earth sign ruled by the planet Mercury. Virgo is a symbol of service and humility, as well as perfectionism. Virgos strive for perfection and while often critical in nature, they are the helpers of the zodiac. Their function is to put things in order, categorize things. It makes sense then that they would be ruled by Mercury, planet of communication, because that's what words do: words make order out of chaos. Julian Castro's Virgo placements sit in his 3rd house of communication, making words a very big part of his life. It makes sense then that Julian Castro would have studied communications in college before deciding to go into politics.

Julian Castro’s chart includes a Libra stellium as well. While Pluto and Uranus are both generational planets, the influence of Mars and Mercury in a persons chart is strong. Mercury and Mars in Libra show us that Julian Castro is the type of person who thinks things through before he acts. He is easily able to put himself in another person’s shoes, and he listens to other people’s input before fully committing to a decision. Similarly, he is able to change his mind in the wake of new information. Mercury’s square to Saturn in the 12th house, however, may pose a problem: it may cause him to doubt his intellectual abilities and/or his way of communicating. He may not always voice what he is thinking for fear it will come out the wrong way.

Julian Castro has a Cancer Rising. While his Virgo and Libra placements give him a strong sense of logic, his Cancer Rising gives him a strong sense of sympathy and compassion for others, as well. He may be quite sensitive, an emotional person who takes things personally, but also the first one to help a friend in need. Because Cancer is ruled by the Moon, he might be very popular with women as well. His Midheaven in Aries, however, shows strong leadership qualities.

I also notice that there is a T-square between his Venus in Virgo, Neptune and North Node in Sagittarius (the 5th house) and Jupiter in Pisces (the 9th house) as well as his 11th house South Node in Gemini. The North Node in Sagittarius in the 5th house, shows that his mission in life is to find his truth, and speak it loud, and when conjunct Neptune, his mission is to get in touch with life's deepest and most spiritual truths, to see behind the veil of materialism into the heart and soul of things. With Venus involved, the relationships in his life might be very karmic, fated. Especially with Venus in his fall, they might be very difficult but also educational, teaching him some important and valuable lessons. With Venus square Neptune and opposite Jupiter, he may struggle with idealizing others, and maybe devaluing them as well, when his idealizations turn out to be nothing more than illusions. This is something to work through.

Julian Castro's Transits

To be honest, the first thing I notice when I look at Julian Castro's transits for the upcoming primaries, is the conjunction between Saturn and Pluto. While this conjunction, one of the most important of 2020, does make a trine to his Sun and Moon in Virgo, suggesting power and authority on his part, the conjunction also takes place in his 7th house, which if we look at as the house of open enemies, isn't a very good sign. In fact, I'd imagine this to indicate an unfavorable public opinion. Perhaps, he's experiencing restrictions, blockages and competitiveness at the hands of others. He might even feel oppressed or overpowered.

Mars applying to a square with his Sun and Moon in Virgo indicates conflict, fights, arguments, emotional drama. Again, not a good sign.

The saving grace here is Jupiter in Capricorn's sextile to his natal Jupiter in Pisces. This could potentially indicate good luck, though on it's own, it isn't really enough, especially when we weigh in the other factors.

Now, here's the transit chart for the general election. The first thing that stands out to me is the grand cross between transiting Mars in his 10th house (conflict in regards to career, enemies trying to tarnish his reputation perhaps? he might appear to the public as an angry, curmudgeon sort of person), the transiting Jupiter-Pluto-Saturn conjunction in his 7th (negative public opinion, as I said), his natal Saturn in the 12th house and natal Mercury in Libra, which I think I mentioned before as one of the most difficult points in his natal chart. It doesn't look very good and the conflict between his Saturn and Mercury (the anxiety regards to speaking his mind, for fear of what other people might think, and the self-doubt regarding his own ideas) may be activated by this transit and he may be more anxious and afraid to speak his mind than usual, especially when these are 7th and 10th house transits we're talking about.

The other thing I notice is Mercury in Libra's exact conjunction to his natal Uranus. I don't usually pay much attention to the inner planets transiting the outer planets, but because this is so exact, I thought it was worth mentioning. What could it mean? Shock, surprise, anxiety, chaos, maybe a touch of rebellion with a touch of social awkward, saying the wrong thing, and falling out with the party or his supporters.

Based on his transits for the primary, I doubt he'll make it to the general election to begin with, but if he does, its' doubtful he'll win.

The good news is that Uranus in Taurus is making a trine to his natal Venus, suggesting exciting and fun times in his love life!!! But unfortunately that doesn't say much about his political career. Perhaps he'll forgo politics to spend time with his wife instead.

Julian Castro's Progressions

Julian Castro's current progressions, using his birth location of San Antonio, Texas, show a continued focus on matters of communication and media, with a 3rd house stellium, comprised of Mercury & Uranus in Libra and Mars, Venus & the Sun in Scorpio. Venus and Mars conjunct his Sun once again show a focus on romance, as I mentioned when reviewing his transits, but it could also be that his communication strikes the right balance between tact (Venus) and assertiveness (Mars). Meanwhile, Mercury's conjunction to Uranus shows a radical approach to his thinking at this time, revolutionary ideas, especially related to Libran matters of fairness and social justice. This could further his popularity in leftist circles but also shock and alienate some more moderate democrats.

The Ascendant is in Virgo, his birth sign, which shows that it is easy for him to be himself at this time. What you see is what you get with Julian Castro. However, the 7th house ruler, Jupiter, in it's domain of Pisces, shows a heightened focus on relationships. Less of a concern with himself and more of a concern with other people and what they think of him. With Jupiter trine the Sun, Venus and Mars in Scorpio, though, public opinion should mostly be to his benefit.

Julian Castro's Progressed Moon is in the 9th house, Taurus. Taurus is a good position for the Moon to be in, as it's exalted here. In the 9th house, the focus is on matters of ideology and belief, philosophy and spirituality, higher knowledge. The Moon's sextile to Saturn in the 11th house and Jupiter in the 7th is very positive, but the opposition between the Moon and the Sun in the 3rd, shows slight conflict. Perhaps, there's a conflict between what he really believes or wants to be learning and focusing on, and the simple terms in which he's expected to communicate with the public.

Looking at Julian Castro's chart for Inauguration Day, you can see that not much changes, except that his Progressed Moon is no longer in opposition with the Sun, and is now conjunct the Midheaven. This shows us that even if he doesn't win, he will still play a very important role on the public stage in the years to come.

Julian Castro's Return Charts

I'm including Julian Castro's 2018 Solar Return, since it was effective for most of 2019 when he announced his candidacy.

The Sun in the 7th house conjunct Mercury shows a strong focus on Julian Castro's relationships. This isn't necessarily in reference to romantic relationships, but also business partnerships, and even open enemies. The trine from Pluto shows that these relationships helped him gain power, or they helped to transform him somehow. Most of his energy this year was probably spent interacting with other people, trying to get them to like him, to vote for him, etc.

The Moon in the 10th house puts the focus on his career and public image. This makes a lot of sense given his campaign for presidency. The year was spent on the public stage. The Moon is negatively aspected, however, by a square to Neptune in the 1st house. This can indicate delusion: he may have had high hopes about the probability of him winning, only to feel disillusioned when he sees others like Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders leading the polls. It could also indicate deception; not necessarily intentional, but perhaps the public perception of him is misleading in some way. This could also be the media's fault, for casting him in a false, maybe even unfair light, not his.

The Ascendant in Aquarius, once again, shows a year on the world stage, a year centered around politics and activism, as well as friends.

The T-square between Uranus in the 2nd house, Venus in the 8th, and Mars in the 12th, is the most challenging aspect here. It could indicate difficulty with relationships, but it could also indicate rebelliousness, eccentricity, and a lack of balance. He may be too soft one moment, and too aggressive the next. This could confuse and frustrate people.

His chart for THIS year, the last three months and ongoing, again shows a focus on communication and new connections, with a Gemini Ascendant. A busy year with lots of multitasking. Perhaps, there will be two sides of him, at this time. A public twin, and a private twin?

His chart ruler, Mercury, sits in the 4th house, conjunct Venus in Libra. His Virgo Sun is also in the 4th house conjunct Mars. The 4th house represents his private self, his home, his family. He may be on the more introverted side this year, spending time with the people he loves and cares about. Mercury conjunct Venus in Libra shows communication with loved ones, or wanting to enjoy the pleasant things in life nonetheless, but simultaneously, Mars conjunct tha Sun indicates potential conflict in the home as well.

Mars and the Sun oppose Neptune in the 10th house, making a T-square to Jupiter in the 6th. This indicates conflict. The 10th house represents Julián Castro’s public self, his career, how he is seen in the eyes of the world. With Midheaven in Pisces, and Neptune there, public perception of him is foggy, confusing. It could also be very sensitive, spiritual, artistic, but with Neptune opposite Mars and the Sun, it seems like there is confusion about what he plans to get done in office, or how he plans to get it all done. He might feel overwhelmed and want to take a break from being in the public eye.

Moon in the 11th house puts the focus on social groups. This could be his personal friends but it could also be the people he works with, organizations and movements his job as a politician forces him to interact with. Moon is closely trine Jupiter in its domicile which is good; there is some happiness and good feelings to be had here. But Moon square Pluto and Saturn in Capricorn shows conflict. Saturn is in the 7th and Pluto is in the 8th; there could be manipulation and power struggles, deceit, people out to get him and sabotage him. There could also be traumatic memories or things from the past up from the surface to haunt him, secrets leaking out into the public that could damage his campaign. He may have a hard time, coping emotionally, on top of all this work and socialization. Inner conflict might make socializing with people overwhelming.

Here is Julian Castro's 2020 Solar Return chart, his birthday being just two months before the general election. What will be in store for him if he wins the primaries? Will he win against the republicans too?

With a Virgo Ascendant, his demeanor is quiet, organized, hard-working behind the scenes, although the Sun in the 1st house shows a year focused on himself and his interactions with others. He is confident, outgoing, with a strong presence. The Sun in opposition to Neptune in the 7th house though, shows some confusing, and mystifying interactions.

Moon and Venus in the 12th house points to more behind-the-scenes work than a presidency will generally entail, more solitude, though it could also be that the true affairs of his presidency are hidden. Government secrets? Moon trine Mars is beneficial, but Venus exactly square Uranus shows major changes in regards to his relationships.

Meanwhile, Mercury square Jupiter shows some difficulty with communicating. Exaggerations, broad ideals but without any focus on the details. Things getting taken out of context.

Conclusion

Based on an analysis of Julian Castro's transits, progressions and Solar Return charts for 2018 through 2021, it does not look like he'll have enough popularity or support to win the primaries and become president. In fact, his charts show more focus on his relationships and home life. However, it does look like he'll play some important role in government affairs, maybe even as vice presidency, but it looks more like behind the scenes work, which is sometimes more important, than center stage. There is a lot of mystery.