Calling Time: Joe Biden Stands Down

It’s been quite a week in astrology land! After the shock of last Saturday’s assassination attempt on Donald Trump, signalled by Monday’s explosive Mars-Uranus conjunction, we end the week with a Capricorn Full Moon, which coincides with Joe Biden electing to bow out of the 2024 presidential race.

Everyone who has watched him struggle with growing criticism since the debate in June knows that this was not an easy decision for him, especially given how high the stakes for America in this election.

However, looking at his transits chart, I believe he did the right thing for his party and for his country.

Saturn, the Planet of Old Age Prominent

Not only is transiting Saturn, the planet of old age and limitations, almost exactly conjunct his Midheaven (career/public image), signalling his increasing age-related physical frailty, but the Full Moon, in Saturn-ruled Capricorn, is located with Pluto in his 7th house of both allies and enemies. A powerful signal that his time as a presidential candidate is up. Both Saturn and Pluto signify endings. The strong Saturnian influence also suggests that he felt mounting pressure from advisers and powerful party members and donors to step down.

Jupiter: Stepping Down with Dignity

However, a handful of positive Jupiterian influences, including the Cancer Sun, which is conjunct his natal Jupiter, ruler of his house of health and work, from the 1st house, indicates that it will benefit his health to slow down. Transiting Jupiter is also conjunct his natal Saturn in the 12th. Saturn rules his 7th house of close partnerships and allies – I think they will see his decision as a patriotic and sensible one – nd respect him more for putting country before personal ambition.

Plus, look at that kite linking his natal Neptune, to the Full Moon, that transiting Jupiter, and transiting Neptune in his 10th house of career and public image – this move will enable a dignified slow-fade, rather than the alternative scenario: a sudden and unceremonious ousting at the Democratic Convention, a distinct possibility, giving transiting Mars and Uranus which are conjunct his natal Uranus in the 11th house of groups and memberships.

Full Moon in Capricorn – Impeccable Timing

And what perfect timing too – a Full Moon in the sign of the GOAT – he can leave, head held high, knowing that he beat Trump in 2020 and did the country proud in terms of managing the economy post-COVID with aplomb (the US avoided the recessions many other countries faced) and a strong record on things like job creation.

Although full moons signify the moment of greatest light in terms of the Sun-Moon-Earth cycle, they also signal the beginning of it’s waning phase, and so, from an astrological POV, are about both culminations and endings – a pivot point when the high tide turns. So in effect, Biden has chosen the best and brightest moment, the culmination point of his stellar political career, to retire from public life. I am sure many other astrologers are also nodding sagely and commending him for chosing this moment to do so.