John McCain’s horoscope is dominated by two complex planetary constructs. The first is a mutable t-square with Neptune opposing Saturn both squaring focal planet Jupiter in Sagitarrius. Idealistic, optimistic, this planetary cocktail makes John McCain flexible, malleable, and able to adapt to any set of circumstances. Cameleon like he has the ability to profit (Jupiter) from affairs related to the houses 3 and 6. The sixth house is related to service (including public service i.e. in the army or politics). The third house is related to media, television, and to how one is able to present ones ideas. The t-square enables John McCain to remain optimistic and opportunistic even under the most difficult or extreme of circumstances. This brings me to the other complex construct in the chart: Moon in Capricorn oppositie Pluto in Cancer. The theme here is one of self-denial and the suppression of emotions, no wonder John McCain was drawn into the army. This is a man who probably felt comfortable repressing his feelings. The planet to rise before the Sun was Mars – another indication that this guy is martial in character.
The ascendant is in Libra: dangerous – he’s a very likeable sort of guy. Libra rising is in your face – it’s what you see first. It make charming, affable, attentive, easy to talk too. The general aura is diplomatic. The US has something with Libra presidents… check it out. John McCain is the sort of guy one could easily underestimate.
The mutual reception between Venus in Virgo and Mercury in Libra both in the 12th house suggests that there will a strongly secretive side to the character. Charm could be used in a subversive way. Secret machinations. Venus and Mercury support each other. The co-operation between these two planets explains how a potentially devasting 12th house experience – McCain’s imprisonment in Vietnam – can ultimately be useful in furthering the individual goals as shown by the Libra ascendant and Venus’ rulership of the first. It is difficult to rationalise this and it can only be understood in the light of the whole life plan which is itself linked to the hand of fate (and 12th house soul choices).
Looking at where the planets stand right now, then it is very noticeable that transit Pluto is already in the process of passing over John McCain’s North Node in the third house. This suggests that John McCain is becoming a sort of mouth-piece for forces larger than himself. Pluto is a powerful trans-personal force often linked to multi-nationals. That his persona is in the process of being transformed can also be seen in the transit of Uranus in opposition to ascendant ruler Venus. This looks like the horoscope of a man who is on the road…. but to nowhere??
Footnote: Since writing this article, McCain’s birth time has been challenged. It is unlikely that John McCain has a Libran ascendant. This is significant. US presidents, very often have a strong Libra component. They often have either the Sun, the Moon, or the Ascendant in this sign. Very often. This is because the US has Libra on the midheaven and the midheaven = the ruler. With a Libran ascendant, the McCain horoscope showed strong links to the US chart.