Forecast for the 2024 US elections

I've took some time to look at major predictive techniques for the 2024 US presidential race. 
I've checked both candidates, Trump and Harris, for the outcomes of some major forecasting techniques. 
Most of the techniques used are taken from traditional astrology. 
Many predictive techniques were checked for the date of writing, which is the 1st of Nov 2024. 
The results are available here, for you to read.

Some technical notes:
I've used the Astro-Databank listed times for both Trump and Harris.  
In the primary directions section, I've used the method of Placidus semi-arc, zodiacal.  
For firdaria I've used the regular sequence, discarding the change of node positions for night charts. 
The solar return section uses the candidates' birth town as a reference place. 
For all pictures in this article, please click on them to see an enlarged version with more detail. 
Made some minor edits and revamped the solar return section, on the 4.11.24. 

Zodiacal Releasing

Trump enters a major L1 period, when releasing from spirit, on the 20th of April 2025. Three months after inauguration day. This seems quite major, as Leo is Trump's 1st house in his whole sign (WS) chart. Also, the Sun which rules Leo is in the auspicious 10th, conjunct the elevating north node. Also, a good indication. 
Alas, Mars and Pluto inhabit in Trump's 1st WS house, and Mars is the out of sect malefic. This may show that violence or the use of force may somehow be involved at the beginning of this period. 
On level-2, when releasing from spirit, Trump is in a culmination period till the 21st of Nov 2024. This may also play to his advantage. This culmination period isn't all flowers and rainbows though, as it fall on a cadent house, both natally and from fortune. 
We also need to take in account that major periods are basically signs of active times in one's life, not necessarily good active times for the native. That's also a possibility in Trump's case.  

Harris' zodiacal releasing period, from spirit, also seem decent. Right now and till July 2025, she's in a major L1 and L2 period (angular from fortune). Also, the relatively benefic north node is located in her L2 sign of activation (Gemini). 
Overall, nothing too exciting here, but things do seem positive and stable. 

In conclusion, Harris' ZR spirit period looks more stable, and thus a bit better. 





 Annual Profections

In continuous annual profections we can see that Trump is currently in a Pisces profected year, which would fall on his unlucky 8th house. The ruler would be Jupiter in Libra in the 2nd house, which is okay in terms of dignity (term and triplicity, and stationing direct). I'm not sure though, how that Jupiter would fare in terms of bringing Trump to a position of authority. It may be a bit less likely. 
Overall, the Profections don't seem as good, although they don't seem horrible, either.    

We can see that in continuous annual profections Kamala Harris has the advantage. Till the end of December 2024, she's in a Gemini profected year, which falls on her rising sign. This makes the period the possible stage for a new beginning of sorts, maybe a presidency.
Also we have the more positive north node in her rising sign, and the ruler would be Mercury. That Mercury isn't in the best shape as it's peregrine, and in the 6th WS house. Despite that fact, Mercury is conjunct the Sun which symbolizes authority and is conjunct the fixed star Princeps, which has to do with nobility or royalty. Also Mercury is the ruler of the rising, which may negate some if its drawbacks. 

Overall, I'd say that the profections look better in the case of Harris, and less beneficial in the case of Trump. Although, not by much. 

Distributions (Circumambulations through the bounds)

Trump's latest development in distributions is focused on his directed ascendant lord moving to the terms of Mars, inside the sign of Scorpio in Aug 2023.
Mars is a strong but a divisive planet in his chart, being conjunct the ascendant, not far away from Regulus and in the feral sign of Leo. Trump's directed ascendant first moved to the terms of Mars (back then it was in Libra) in January 2021, when he vacated his seat and agitated towards January 6th, which didn't bring him much favor. Probably, Trump would continue his divisive line, even after the elections would be over. This may mean he would lose, and then try to agitate against Harris, claiming election fraud. 

Harris' distributions look better. Her directed ascendant moved to the bounds of Saturn in July 2020, which was approximately the time, in which she announced that she'd be running for president. As we know, this bid failed, but she was chosen to be Biden's running mate. Thus we can see that the shift of her directed ascendant to a Saturn bound, coincided with political success. 
In 2024, her directed ascendant would still be in the bound of Saturn, for five more years. This probably means that her political rise will continue and that she would be elected as the next president. 
We also have to note that Saturn is very prominent in her horoscope. Being conjunct the MC, domicile in Aquarius and supporting her luminaries by positive aspects.  
Funny enough, Harris' natal chart shows the Saturn in Aquarius is in opposition to her natal Mars in Leo, and in exact opposition to Trump's Mars in Leo. Recreating this plot line of her life story, perhaps. 

The bottom line is that distributions seem to favor Harris over Trump. 

Primary Directions

The primary directions in the case of Trump make sense when we check them using the Naibod direction key. Using the Naibod key and his angles as promissors, we can see that the directed ASC reaches his natal Uranus, at around April 2025. This may show that after losing the elections, Trump will try to "pull a hat trick" and act in some way or form, in order to overturn the result of the elections. The events of January 6th 2021 come to mind, although it will probably be different this time. 
This, I would say, is his biggest direction in the near future. It also hints at lack of other testimony to support his win in the presidential race. 

In Harris' primary directions, also using the Naibod key, we see something akin to a struggle, which is followed by some positive testimonies. 
In Mach-April 2025 Harris has Mars as promissor squaring Pluto as significator. Following that she has Jupiter as promissor opposing Venus as significator, and then she has Mercury as promissor opposing Saturn as significator. This may show that for Kamala too, the coming spring would prove to be difficult, but I don't think it precludes her from winning the election. This is probably the case as her directions become positive from August 2025 and till August 2027. I think that after some troubled times, any further attempt by Trump to overthrow the result would be unsuccessful.  
 

Firdaria

From April 2024 and until September 2025, Trump is located in a Sun major period, Mercury sub-period, in his Firdaria sequence. The Sun fits his current ambition, to return to the white house, as it's the Sun and it rules his natal 1st house. Mercury though, may show that his rallies and television appearances are carefully choreographed, in the attempt to gain mass appeal. This is apparent as Mercury is in his natal 11th, and in that it squares both Jupiter and Neptune in his chart. The Mercury square to Neptune is also telling. Prior to this period being over, the count of the votes can be a major talking point in Trump's rhetoric. Plus, he would probably ask for a recount and possibly claim election fraud. This is in line with Mercury's role as a trickster (or a "stable genius" perhaps).  
From September 2025, Trump shifts to a Moon sub-period. His natal moon is in his 4th house of home, and this may show that he'll be going back to his home in Florida, by that time. 

In Harris' case, she's currently in a Mercury major period, and Moon sub-period. Mercury, as the ruler of her rising, is a good indication of a major time in her life (although Trump has a parallel testimony with his Sun in major period). The moon as a sub-period ruler, is interesting for a few reasons. It is in combative Aries and it's in the lucky 11th, although it's rather weak in essential dignity. This mostly shows that Harris would have to put up a fight, during the time of the election, and in the events which would follow. 
From July 2025, her Firdaria sub-period shifts to a Saturn sub-period. The Saturn, as we established in the distributions section, is a strong horoscope factor which may catapult her to the actual job of running the United States.  

Concluding the Firdaria section, we don't have a clear winner, but a sequence of dates and events is roughly established. Possibly, Harris has the edge. 





Solar Returns

When we examine Trump's 2024 solar return chart by itself, the first thing which stands out is the applying opposition of ascendant ruler, the Moon, to Saturn. This happens while the Moon is approaching the IC, which points to Trump "going back home". I don't think that 'home' here refers to the White House, as the applying opposition to Saturn smells like something bad, and probably a loss. That same Saturn, is the ruler of the 7th of opponents, and is more strongly placed near the MC, which symbolizes assuming positions of power for Kamala.
Also, the Moon which stands for Trump, is in a cadent house and in hard aspects to many planets. 
Lastly, the ruler of the 10th is Jupiter and the Moon is configured in a separating square from it. The presidency as 'getting away'.   

When we examine Harris' 2024 solar return chart we see a brighter picture. Venus, a benefic, is conjunct the rising sign. The ruler of the rising, Jupiter, although retrograde and in detriment, is positioned in an angular house and the moon is applying to it by conjunction. The last part seems to give Harris the initiative. 
The Moon and the ruler of the rising, Jupiter, both aspect the MC degree by a dexter square. This gives the impression that the presidency is within reach.
Mercury, which signifies Harris' opponent, is peregrine and conjunct the unlucky 12th house cusp.   

In conclusion Harris' solar return chart looks better than Trump's solar return chart. 

Conclusion

The majority of traditional predictive techniques point out that Harris will probably win the elections. 
There seems to be an intermediary stage of sorts, in which votes would be recounted, or the result of the election would go to court (like in the 2000 elections), or something akin to January 6th 2021 would happen. Only after this would be settled, Harris would be able to concentrate on running the US, and not before. In terms of chronology, this may end up being during late spring 2025 or during the summer of 2025. 

Regardless of my humble conclusions, please go out and vote it you're a US citizen. 

Saturn in Aquarius – Forecast, Historical Overview, and Contemporary Events (2020-2023)

Saturn will enter Aquarius for the first time in our generation on the 22^nd of March 2020, he will spend a period of a bit more than three months in Aquarius till he will return to Capricorn amidst a retrograde motion on the 1^st of July 2020. He will later return to Aquarius a week short of Christmas, on the 17^th of December 2020, after which he will leave Aquarius in favor of Pisces on the 7^th of March 2023.

Preliminary Notes on the Nature and Significators of Both Saturn and Aquarius

Amongst the significations of Saturn we can find time, old-age, work, labor, planning, strategy, borders, limitations, reality, agriculture, heavy industry, coldness, fear, winter, history, tradition, scholars, physical laborers, maturity, discipline, harshness, depression, et cetera.

Amongst Aquarius’ sign representations we can find friendship, groups, genius, socialites, freedom, rebellions, alternative currents, reversals, followers (unlike leaders), the nobility (unlike the king), committees and boards, detachment, objectivity, progressive ideas, humanism, high culture and more.

From previous cycles, when Saturn was in Aquarius, we can learn a lot about what expects us in the coming three years. It takes Saturn about 29 years to complete a full revolution around the Sun, and we know that in the early 90s, early 60s, early 30s and during the early years of the first decade of the 20^th  century Saturn was in Aquarius.


Saturn’s Spheres of Influence in Aquarius, by Categories

* Dissolution of previously existing power structures
Here we need to comment on the egalitarian nature of Aquarius as a sign, and also concerning the fact that it is the sign of freedom and revolutions. One example is the dissolution of the Soviet Union and its reversal back to the nation state of Russia during Saturn’s Aquarius sojourn in 1991-1994. The end of Apartheid in South Africa, during the same years, is another good case in point. Another example is the Nazis rise to power and the disbandment of the fragile Weimar Republic in the early 30s. One more example can be found in the creation of the Russian parliament in the time of the last tsar, Nicholas II, in 1905. It’s important since Russia was an old-fashioned autocratic state and a creation of a state parliament was a symbolic move towards a more progressive position and a proto-modern state (even though it was virtually without powers).    

* Scientific and intellectual achievement
Saturn’s stay in Aquarius during the early 90s brought with it the early golden age of the internet. The early 60s on the other hand were an age when the space race between the USA and the Soviet Union was in full swing, shortly after communist Russia have successfully launched the first man into space, Yuri Gagarin. Even earlier, during the early to mid 1930s Europe was entangled in an arms race, after it became apparent that Germany wasn’t demilitarizing after the first world war (science can be implemented for good or for ill). Likewise, in 1905 Saturn was once again in Aquarius. During that time Albert Einstein had what biographers call his “extraordinary year”, when he published four major papers in physics and changed modern science forever. Also the Wright brothers’ first successful flight attempt happened in the year 1903.   

* Breaks in the status qua or trying to do things differently
This is another major manifestation of Saturn in Aquarius, and here are a few examples. The Oslo Accords, which were signed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the early 90s, have tried to end a long conflict between the two sides. In the previous Saturn cycle, during the early 60s, the Cuban Missile Crisis was a failed attempt by the Soviet Union to place nuclear missiles within range of the US. If such an attempt was successful the status qua of America’s national defense interest would have been violated. A last example is from quite a while before. in the early 30s, the United States has ended a decade or so of prohibition after it became evident that alcohol consumption did not decline and that organized crime was at its height.

* Civic causes, betterment of people’s lives, society becomes more free
These are the final ingredients on this list of categories. We can find examples from virtually all Saturn’s cycles in Aquarius during this last century. In the order of newest to oldest we can mention the 1990s as a decade of growth, prosperity, peacemaking and generally a mini-golden age after the end of the cold war. Things became less rosy as time progressed but the first half of the 90s, when Saturn was in Aquarius and then in Pisces were ‘as good as they come’. Earlier in 62 till 64 we witnessed the height of the African American civil rights movement, spearheaded by Martin Luther King Junior. Also during those years Alcatraz Prison was closed, in a symbolic and factual gesture of expanded freedoms. The Saturn cycle before that, in the early 30s was the time of FDR’s New Deal. The newly elected American president attempted to deal with the aftermath of the 1929 stock market crash, he did so successfully and raising the standard of living for millions of Americans was a side effect of the New Deal’s many measures. In the earliest years of the 20^th century we can witness Saturn in Aquarius’ social effects in the opening of women admission to colleges and universities worldwide. Additionally, In the tail end of that Saturn in Aquarius transit, Finland was the first European country which gave women the right to vote.  


Saturn in Aquarius and the Coronavirus
In terms of current events, this lines are being written simultaneously with the coronavirus outbreak. Here too, Saturn in Aquarius provides some interesting insights for things to come.
First of all, the literal symbolism of Saturn in Aquarius can be interpreted as limitations on social contact, group meetings, public gathering and the social sphere, which is so vital for the air signs. Classic Aquarius like locations have already been hit, in the form of museums and galleries, music festivals, cultural events, sports outings, pubs and bar, and so forth.
On a more close and personal level, the Saturn Aquarius symbolism has a strong tinge of anti-social behavior, simply because people are afraid of contracting  coronavirus. Moreover, Saturn is closely tied with governments, rules and regulations, all of which are responsible with contracting the social sphere at the moment.
Lastly we mustn’t forget that Aquarius is an air sign, and one of the industries which has been hit the most is the airline industry.


Saturn’s Transits 2018-2025
Another valid point of view on the Saturn in Aquarius transit is examining Saturn’s transits on a continuum. This is also important since no transit appears out of thin air, rather they are preceded and followed by transits in adjacent signs.
Adopting such a frame of reference, the 2018-2020 Saturn in Capricorn transit seemed to have characterized a timespan when governments worldwide became more authoritarian and human rights began to be reduced, global warming began to seem undeniable (or at least, hard to deny), the world became less united and hard borders began to spring up everywhere (Trump’s wall, Europe’s legislation against refugees, Brexit, China’s crackdown on HK and the Uighurs, Russia’s effort to deny Ukraine entering the EU and other such unwelcome developments). Maybe it is also the place to point out that Saturn’s night domicile is Capricorn, but as events have shown worldly manifestations were less then ideal, albeit they remained true to the Capricorn symbolism of authority, bureaucracy, conservatism and regulation.  

Adjacent signs are often very much unlike each other, this can be seen in their differences by element and mode. Likewise, we can expect the Saturn in Aquarius period to differ significantly from the current Saturn in Capricorn period. We’ve already seen from the historical examples above that a few major counter trends might be on the way in. Namely, dissolution of current power structures, gradual expansion of social freedoms and civic rights, breaks in the status quo and scientific advancement. On a different note, technology might notch up the sharing economy to new heights. Likewise, peer to peer money transfer technology (like Bitcoin) will definitely claim a larger market share and begin to replace the old model of banks. Also on the topic of technology the internet giants; Amazon, Google, Facebook and Apple may finally start to be regulated and taxed, as befitting Saturn's restricting nature. 

Saturn in Pisces might be too far away and too weird and unexpected to be foretold as easily, but we might as well try. Again with the climate crisis theme, nations might find themselves dealing with faster and more volatile rises in sea levels, there might be a fresh water shortage in different areas around the globe, and floods could prove to be a problem as well. Why so negative? Saturn is related to challenges and karma after all. If this will prove to be the case, we would need to do a good job in the coming three years in terms of developing green solutions, green technology and becoming more united. That is, If we want to face the third millennium successfully and survive. Moreover, religion and spirituality will probably make a big comeback, as some people will undoubtedly become disillusioned with the all-pervading scientific world view. No doubt some will search for an alternative. This may also be a reaction to society’s growing reliance, and dependence, on science during the Saturn in Aquarius period. Also on the topic of science, the Saturn in Pisces timespan may be characterized by big advancements in biology, genetics, chemistry and maybe cloning. All the soft and “watery” sciences, so to speak. Politically speaking, we can be fairly certain that after Saturn’s five years sojourn in Saturn-ruled signs, some people will become disillusioned by politics and governments all together, thus a period of socio-political experimentation will ensue. Maybe anarchism will come in vague, maybe there will be a phase of new nations building, and maybe other forms of organization will become prominent. Concerning this final point we must remember that Pisces is a sign which marches to the beat of one’s own drum.


Pluto in Aquarius, A Disclaimer and Maybe a Word About Politics
From the point of view of March 2020, it’s a bit hard to believe that Saturn in Aquarius will fulfill all of its promises. Even when we consider that Jupiter will join Saturn in Aquarius for the vast majority of 2021 and will continue to his domicile in Pisces in 2022, it’s still somewhat hard to believe. At the current moment the “Saturn in Capricorn machine” which relies on thinly disguised oligarchic and plutocratic forms of authority seems to be invincible, and there are plenty of examples. From Trump’s America and what seems like an upcoming loss for the progressive candidate, Bernie Sanders, to autocratic heads of state in China, Brazil, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Israel, India, Russia and many other nations.

The words above seem reason enough to postulate that the real solution may only hide in Pluto’s revolution around the sun, rather than Saturn’s. Pluto is much smaller, but in a way it’s a far but an influential planetoid (dwarf planet). On its current transit it will spend three last years in the critical and final degrees of Capricorn, and those tend to pile up difficulties most often than not.
If this is truly the case, we would need to wait for March 2023 for Pluto’s first ingress into the sign of the water bearer for some real good news to arrive.



Photo credit: NASA