So, now, do you believe in Neptune/Chiron?

thought it was odd there was even doubt, but..oddly I felt a shift in myself during the same group of hours or timespan as all of this wonderful news.

How does mercury retrograde figure into the election results?

I'm not an astrologer and I genuinely appreciate all the information that you (and others) provide here. But I have always been skeptical of the hysteria I see surrounding mercury retrograde. That is, astrology believers who won't leave the house, sign papers, etc. during mercury RX. It just seems to be slavery to a belief system to allow a transit to limit activity during such a large span of time every year.

I respect your knowledge and I ask if you can enlighten me please.

in the large scale scheme of things. Whatever you do in terms of planning or arranging, go real slowly; read the fine print.
DO NOT buy electronic items.

Mercury Rx is a pain in the rear; that simple; it complicates everything ESPECIALLY COMMUNICATIONS.
Hell W even accidentally voted for Obama and they wouldn't let him have a 2nd ballot!

MERCURY RX is a big deal because it's one of the only non-sun-sign truths in astrology that non-astrologers know about. Therefore
it is blown WAY out of proportion.

The space shuttle took off and landed many times successfully during Rx periods.

As usual, very practical advice.

"Hell W even accidentally voted for Obama and they wouldn't let him have a 2nd ballot! "

he is satire

The Onion in particular has had some stiff competition and a really hard time this time around. Over and over, people think they're reading the Onion, and they're not. Or the reverse. It's been unbelievably bizarre...

Mercury plays both a general and a more specific role. The specific role in a Mercury retrograde phase is determined by the particulars of the individual, institution, or object being studied. If the chart has a prominent Mercury influence then any Mercury transit will offer more intensity of expression for either good or bad - trines and sextiles portend beneficence and squares and oppositions portend maleficence. So no two individuals will experience Mercury retrograde the same though there are general issues as has been mentioned that we all could pay attention to.

In the case of this particular Mercury stationing retrograde on election today, it was significant. In part because of how prominent Mercury is in Romney's chart. Many astrologers have focused on the Venus/Saturn opposition and the Moon in Scorpio for why he would not win or shouldn't win. I don't disagree per se, I am just a traditionalist and look elsewhere to make the prediction concerning his election or not.

Romney's Ascendant is at 1º Gemini. The Lord of the 1st is in detriment in Pisces retrograde in the 11th.

Mercury plays a very important part in this chart. In classical astrology, I can immediately see his inability to distinguish lies from truth. His personality is innately duplicitous. He presents the face he expects others want to see. Mercury in Pisces has a difficult time with logic and the facts of reality which is the hallmark of Mercury in its rulership of Virgo, Pisces' opposing sign. Being retrograde natally makes this even worse. If you want to hear the truth from a Mercury in Pisces, listen closely to their unconscious and unscripted gaffes and utterances. Romney's blunders and 'miscommunications' was 'truth' as opposed to his direct statements in scripted moments 'lies'. There is the retrograde Mercury ruled chart in play.

Jupiter often is a functional malefic when transiting the 1st house in this case in Gemini (Mercury's co-ruler). This planet accentuated for all to see his utter denial of reality. He and his supporters refused to accept fact checking in the campaign. He and his supporters ignored mathematics instead believing in their 'guts' and their 'feelings' that he would win - Mercury in Pisces retrograde in the 11th house of friends and social connections. Romney believed so strongly in his version of 'reality' that he didn't even write a concession speech in advance in case he lost.

Mercury turned retrograde on election day in early Sagittarius in his 7th house. It opposes his Ascendent and opposes transiting Jupiter. It squares by degree his Mars in Pisces and by sign his Mercury and Sun in the 11th. Mars is also in Sagittarius in the 7th house opposing the Ascendent and Jupiter and opposing by degree his Sun and by sign his Mars and Mercury.

There is nothing good about this setup for Mitt Romney. It is all in a T-Square - oppositions and squares involving Mercury and Mars (the lesser malefic). While networks began to call the election an hour earlier, Romney would not concede. I have explained why above. But at 12:01 am EST, Moon entered Virgo (the earthy co-ruler of Mercury). The T-Square became a Grand Cross, and the full force of reality finally hit home for himself and his followers. Romney had lost. Right around that time, he made his concession speech.

So yes, in this case Mercury retrograde played a very specific role in Romney's life on election day. I won't go into all of the details but the same Mercury was not as malefic for Obama. When it occurred, it was trining his Mercury which is much more beneficent obviously. Mercury also doesn't play as strong of a role in the Presidents chart. I would look elsewhere then for what is going on with him and why he won. Those who follow more traditional approaches rather than modern might also find it very interesting that the chart for the year for the USA drawn up on March 20, 2012 for 12:02 am in Washington D.C. when the Sun entered Aries at 0º has the mutable signs of Sagittarius (Ascendant), Gemini (Descendant), Pisces (Nadir) and Virgo (Midheaven) and Mercury was retrograde in Aries. This mirrors a similar astrological field on election day.

appreciate your analysis of Romney's elections woes. There are many folks around here who are more advanced, astrologically speaking, than I. I look forward to your participation in the discussions in this forum. Make yourself comfy, and let us hear from you.

don't be a stranger

I appreciate the welcome. I will post a short introductory post in the ASAH this weekend. It is nice to be here.

the more the merrier!

I was fortunate in that my father was a student of astrology. His best friend was a student of Olivia Barclay, and I was introduced to Horary astrology and William Lilly as a teenager. So I have been studying and now practicing professional for quite a few decades.

I will make a proper introduction later this weekend. I enjoy sharing and teaching so I will certainly contribute when I am able.

I am always happy to share the knowledge that has been imparted to me from many excellent teachers and decades of hard study and professional practice.

During a Merc Retro--Anything starting with "RE" is a good and likely endeavor. RE-election hooyahh!

Thanks tho to the astrology experts here --I learn so much from you!

What most perplexes me is that Romney was so... Obvious, why didn't ordinarily intelligent people see through this?

While Romney is so 'obvious' as you say, human psychology comes into play.

If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend a colleague of mine's work - Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Dr. Robert Cialdini. Understanding his six principles of persuasion will show you why we human beings are, despite being even highly intelligent, so susceptible to psychology manipulation even when it is staring us in the face.

1. Ego that must have Romney saw what they wanted.
2. They couldn't stand the thought (Fox News) that a Marxist was running the show

my guesses

My opinion is that we will never see a candidate as bad as Romney again

EVery day we hear new revelations coming from the BBC scandal in Britain:
the once venerable broadcasting company unraveling due to a
sex/abuse scandal and cover up...

The whole Petraus mess.. there is blame going around,
yet I believe there is much more to come.

I feel like I have whiplash with one thing after the over coming to light.

I would have never believed it. But I seriously thought they were going to steal this election. Ever since it didn't happen it seems all hell has broke lose. I'm starting to have faith again. Maybe things are shifting.