We either see change as fundamental to life, and therefore as having purpose, or we see it as threatening, and so consistently negative. Though I’ve warned of over-simplification of the concepts (particularly the Uranus/ Saturn opposition) that are accompanying the US Presidential election, there is a strong argument to support Uranus as fundamental change that Saturnian forces must deal with; and if that translates to an Obama win, then we have to ask ourselves: What fundamental changes will we feel at a personal level? And definite changes for two specific groups come to mind.

These shifts apply to a basic world view, as innate in what we know as gravity is to living upon the Earth. The first group, white men, will be faced with a symbolic loss of power. The power structure will for the first time in this country look profoundly different than what we are all used to, and for white men, this will be the first time they’ve looked at those at the very top of the pyramid, at the ultimate pinnacle of influence, and not seen themselves. Now, I’m not judging this, or saying that white men will all perceive this change in the same way, and I’m not saying that they think or act as a group, since individuality within all classifications and ways of grouping humans trumps a simple external likeness; but I am saying that in a patriarchal society built on the mostly unspoken presumption of supremacy of the white male as most ‘qualified’ to lead and arbitrate the social order, white men have always enjoyed the kinds of privilege allocated those at the top of the heap. They are more likely to be seen as serious and stable, and therefore a ‘better’ employee, they are in many instances paid more than minorities or women for the same jobs, and, since they ‘look’ just like the power that came before them, they’re more likely to be promoted and mentored by the white men who preceded them. Yes, these are all generalizations, and yes, there are many exceptions–but they typically prove the rule.

So for them, this election may skew the world view in such a way that they may not recognize the landscape as their own. I think this will be true beyond any racism or position of dominance; things just won’t look the same, which is true for all of us, but for the white male, it represents a command to loosen the psychic grip on the reins of power.

The other group affected by this at a profound level will, of course, be Black men and women. Justified pride in looking to the pinnacle of power and seeing one of their own is almost beyond expression for me; I can’t pretend to know the depths of feeling connected to this, but I can know that it will represent a fundamental change for them, too. On the one hand, it will be a peak moment of Collective experience in terms of a group that has been historically underserved, denied opportunity, and has suffered horrific prejudices and injustices, finally seeing a new dawn for themselves within the power structure. This will be undeniably sweet for many in the older generations, especially for the 109 year old daughter of a slave, Amanda Jones, who voted this week for Barack. And for the younger generations, a Black man ascending to the Presidency has to act as a beacon that shows them the truth of the idea that nothing is out of their reach. On the other hand, it makes a demand of the worldview, too: one cannot continue to define oneself as underserved or trodden upon to quite the same extent when one looks at ‘The Man’ (can you tell when I was young?!) and sees distinct cultural, racial, and experiential similarities–suddenly (Uranus) the social landscape changes, quite specifically for different groups (Uranus again) and our disparities may parse out more and more in cultural, educational, and economic spheres, and less and less (I hope) in racial ones. A scant few, married to a victim mentality, may stay with a victim mentality, just as there will be whites who will embarass themselves by railing against the country’s chosen leader, simply because of skin color (but there’s always a chance it’s out of a sense of intellectual inferiority, very Age of Aquarius!)–but there are always some who will be vessels of intolerance, and they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

The social landscape I speak of is Jupiter; right now it’s still in Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, but the trine it forms with Saturn does not perfect again; each energy goes its own way, Jupiter moves into Aquarius in early January 2009, and Saturn retrogrades December 31st, while Uranus goes direct late November. And what does all this suggest in terms of change in the social sphere? Inevitable, progressive change, the Saturnian grip loosening, forward thinking energies gaining; maybe this is finally, as the long-ago song suggested, the dawning of the age of Aquarius.

But I’m not entirely convinced that Obama will win, despite the polls. I’m feeling we’re in for some real upheaval, and I can’t put my finger on that nature of it. I’ve wondered if a natural event might not supersede the results of the election, not on the day but shortly thereafter; and I’ve wondered if this election might not turn into another contested catastrophe a la 2000, but with a different flair–or maybe Bush as a lame duck will try to institute changes that will bring everyone under pressure and up in arms (maybe literally–a draft?) At least, we don’t have long to wait to find out what happens.

We had only one poll this week. I actually put up two but Polldaddy has issues (!) so until they’re resolved we must be satisfied with having asked just one question: “How do you think Pluto’s move into Capricorn will affect you?” Overall, more people were positive about anticipated changes, or were neutral, feeling it was hubbub over nothing (55% total) than were concerned. A troubling few answered as if they are sure they will be victims of Pluto–but they should remember, as one of the options said, Pluto can’t do anything to us that we don’t agree to.

And have a great Monday!