Obama's Underground Railroad
Al Giordano
Well it looks like folks are getting on board. While all the surface drama has been progressing ...... the campaign has built one of the mightiest underground operations in the history of American politics. The state of California has practically moved into Nevada to register voters, for starters. Participants on all levels are in motion and the leaders have been trained in the techniques of community organizing nationwide. Saturn in Virgo is facilitating this tremendously, with a useful trine to Jupiter in Capricorn. It started in Chicago.
~When Obama arrived, black voter registration and turnout in Chicago were at their lowest points since record-keeping began. Over the course of a few months, Obama recruited staff and volunteers from black churches and community groups and helped train 700 deputy registrars. He put together a fundraising committee chaired by white politicos and black business leaders, and saturated black radio with ads declaring, "It's a power thing."The Underground Railroad that carried American slaves to freedom operated from 1810 to 1850 and it was an amazing organization with all kinds of inventive communication techniques. It began with Saturn and Neptune conjunct in Sagittarius, trine Jupiter in Aries, expanding boundaries and imbued with inspiration and courage. In the last years Neptune was in Aquarius where it is today. The invisible traveling patterns and collective vision seem to fit the conclusion of this mission. Pluto started in Pisces and then went into Aries, describing a thrust out of confinement. In many ways I feel that this is a liberating moment, too, though certainly not of the same magnitude.
Overall, the drive added an estimated 150,000 voters and, though nonpartisan, helped elect Carol Moseley Braun as the first black woman ever to serve in the US Senate. It was, says Newman, "the most successful voter-registration effort in Chicago history." ~
He's a working machine. That's for sure.
Cumbres & Toltec RR, Colorado, Curt Bianchi
posted by jm at 1:24 AM
52 Comments:
Another heart-soaring coincidence..while I was reading this our local NPR (88.1-Maryland) station was airing a wonderful story-underground railroad park plans and tribulte to native, Harriet Tubman. I miss the Rockys so but the Eastern Shore is like the wild west of the coast...Fredrick Douglas, Harriet T. and Annie Oakley hail from here...Barack is on TV now....Ahhh, HOPEFUL HEARTS, FULL SPEED AHEAD!
Quick drive by. A little morning humor with your cuppa joe or tea: The McCain/Palin campaign theme song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob6TTU1knUM
JM: if you would link those quotations, it would be a big help.
Omg, joluna. Omg. Thank you eversomuch for this.
Will check in a mo, helena. Humor is food.
John, that's funny. I knew I was going to get it on this. I purposely don't link becuse I believe that people take in too much information and is in part a cause of their confusion and sorrow. I try to glean what's necessary, but I will post the links. I do want to help.:-)
Al Giordano
Project Vote
LOL. Between the chickens and the Chicken Littles it's amazing we get anywhere at all.
Can I ask y'all something...once I was having a dust up with my dad and my mom took me to a see-er/card reader who said, "Well he's a triple Aries and your a triple Saggitarius-lots of fire-expect explosions"...what does a triple mean? I hate to ask, feel dumb but I yam what I yam..trippled, I recon.?
It's supposed to mean you have Sun, Moon, and Ascendant in the same sign, but sometimes it's extended to other planets instead.
So to be precise it would mean you have Sun and Moon in Sagittarius plus Sagittarius rising.
That Mars in Virgo trine Saturn in Capricorn. I like this one a lot.
JM, Douglas Baker has a chart for Abraham Lincoln. 25 Aquarius rising, 23 Aquarius sun, 25 Capricorn 12th house cusp, Moon 27 Capricorn in the 12th, Mars in the 8th house, Mercury square Saturn/Neptune in the 9th house.
Barack has 18 Aquarius rising, south node 27 Aquarius, Saturn 25 Capricorn, Mercury opposition Saturn square Neptune, Neptune in the 9th, Mars in the 8th (equal house).
This seems uncanny to me, that perhaps there's a link, karmic or otherwise, between these two men.
Any thoughts? Also, do you know which house Mars is in using Koch houses?
That Mars in Virgo trine Saturn in Capricorn. I like this one a lot.
I love that one. He's worth his weight in gold for his work ethic.
This is amazing helena. Here are two comments I just ran across. I know there's a link.
~This IS the whole point. FDR was handed disaster and turned it into gold because he was a level-headed, inspirational, courageous leader with vision and bold plans.
Sound familiar?
~FDR and Lincoln both inherited a giant clusterfuck when they took the oath of office, and they each went down as two of our greatest presidents. I don't think it's a coincidence that they're also two of Obama's favorite presidents. Looks like he'll be getting the chance to follow in their shoes.
His favorite is Lincoln and he has a picture in his office that he says he "communicates" with. The aspects are uncanny.
His Mars is in the 6th adding even more to the Virgo. I agree with these two that he's going to thrive within the disaster situation. I'm expecting a FDR type realignment with variations.
He follows Lincoln in his unity plans - "A house divided"- and of course the racial factor. He reminds me of Lincoln most of all with his independence and aloofness and his adherence to principle. But the intellectuality of FDR also is similar, not to mention the economic situation and the similar transits.
FDR was from a political family and Lincoln was a loner and here again he's like Lincoln. Both seemed like men of destiny arriving for the troubled times and Obama is one of those. People have yet to realize how talented he is. They will.
Both of them were distant from their fathers.
Obama's father being physically absent, as you know.
Lincoln's was not, but his biography in the on-line encyclopedia states that he was affectionate to his stepmother and distant from his father.
That's interesting. I've been working on a theory about the absent father in great leadership. I'm thinking maybe it propels the person toward creating his own father figure without being stymied by the father himself.
The freedom in all of them could be a factor. Lincoln and his Aquarian planets, FDR with four, and Obama especially with his south node.
The Lincoln situation is really interesting. It's as if he could have intentionally, albeit subconsciously, avoided bonding with his father and choosing a less biologically connected figure in order to maintain his separation. I wonder if great leaders need this detachment.
I agree about taking in too much information, but I wanted to be bad. :-)
You're awful!!!!!
But I'm used to it!
I've been chastised for this infraction before so I'll give in to group pressure on this one. Cutting the infoflow will have to be left to personal discipline. The linking maniacs in Blogland are beyond redemption I'm afraid.
It's hilarious. Like a cyber scavenger hunt trying to find the secret treasure. Linking into infinity. I admit it's instantly gratifying. And just plain fun!
"His favorite is Lincoln and he has a picture in his office that he says he "communicates" with."
JM: That's really interesting. Love your response and the quotes. Thanks!
"I've been working on a theory about the absent father in great leadership. I'm thinking maybe it propels the person toward creating his own father figure without being stymied by the father himself."
I've never thought about any connection between the absent father and great leadership. It's an interesting question.
Bill Clinton is another example, although I don't consider him great.
I saw something impressive about Barack a couple of days ago, but I can't find the link ("The Young Turks"). If I recall correctly, he approached a former chairman of the SEC (I think it was the SEC) and asked him how to fix our economic problems. That was two years ago! He was thinking about this back then. Shows forethought and that he thinks about tacking large and complex issues. I'm impressed.
(volunteered today for the campaign) 8>)
"This seems uncanny to me, that perhaps there's a link, karmic or otherwise, between these two men."
For some time now, my thought on the two has been one of amusement:
"Those lawyers from Illinois -- thinking they can be president, just like that! Pondering the issues of their day for years, honing their speechcraft on the public, challenging the status quo, and not even getting some executive experience from, say, a governorship, along the way. Who do they think they are?!?"
But you astrology fans do prompt some entertaining explorations. :-)
Their Suns in opposite signs (Aquarius and Leo) of the zodiac suggest complementary purposes. And somehow that leads me to be curious about their birthdates.
I dug out the old numerology book on my shelf. It's "Your Days Are Numbered" by Florence Campbell, and was copyrighted in 1931 -- the key words and descriptions often seem more striking and useful than contemporary treatments (which try to smooth out and harmonize perhaps too much).
Lincoln's birthdate (February 12, 1809) reduces to the Life Path number 5, one of the numbers of Air. According to the book, the primary key word for 5 is freedom, and its imperatives include seizing the new and the progressive, and understanding all classes and conditions of people. The high ideal of freedom and human feeling for all walks of life do fit Lincoln's destiny as recorded by history.
Obama's birthdate (August 4, 1961) reduces to the Life Path number 2, one of the numbers of Water. The primary key word for 2 is association. The imperatives for 2 include peacemaking, diplomacy, mediation, service and cooperation in relation to groups and communities. As we well know, these related concepts do fit some of Obama's themes and history thus far.
(Like Sun Signs in astrology, the above only scratches the surface of numerological techniques in the book.)
Musing further, there appear to be obscure connections to astrology.
5 has many key words suggesting Aquarian traits.
In numerological meaning, 2 is like a form of 11 (1+1 = 2), and 2's key words refer to groups.
In my mind's eye, I notice that if we take the zodiac and run the numerological digits 1 through 9 repeatedly around the twelve signs, the digits cluster into groups. I'll represent this in a tabular form so I can easily type it out.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
------------------------------
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
If we use the numerological digits to refer back to zodiac signs, we see that the clusters correspond to the cardinal, fixed and mutable modes in astrology -- and essentially repeat them in number form.
So, an interesting thing here is that Lincoln and Obama represent two of those fixed signs not only astrologically by Sun sign but also in that the Life Path numbers (computed from the very digits of the birthdates) have a patterned relationship to those signs, and their respective Life Path numbers seem to somewhat characterize and differentiate the two men. It's almost as if each was born with his own "double whammy" of converging esoteric patterns, adding to the archetypal resonance.
And of course, there is more than one numerological system, more than one astrological system, and many calendar systems. I'll assume for now that the forms closest to our present day culture will be the most relevant to us.
What does it mean?!? A pretty coincidence of numbers, key words, and history? On one level, it may well be. At the same time, it's often curious how significance seems to emerge from the raw data of life into human consciousness.
Yeeeaayyyyy!!!!! OMG! I'm so happy that you volunteered. That's how he's winning it. The enthusiasm on the ground has to be seen to be believed. The opening of my neighborhood office was like an avalanche.
I agree with you about Bill and that's interesting. He was not at all great but he was perceived as one of the greatest in history for awhile.
That was two years ago! He was thinking about this back then. Shows forethought and that he thinks about tacking large and complex issues. I'm impressed.
He does that on just about everything. He specifically warned about this financial situation repeatedly, and that's one of the reasons, I think, that he decided to run. I believe he hated the Senate, Feeling trapped and ineffective. So as president he'll have more freedom and of course influence. He's had broad visions all his life and just needed the right time.
The more you learn about him the more impressive it gets and I was thinking of his tendency to break through historical barriers. He got the 1st black female Senator in, became the first black prez of the Harvard Law Review, and now the 1st black prez of the United States.
I was stunned. Absolutely astonished at how he orchestrated the Dem Convention so perfectly. That's the kind of administrator he is. I think maybe it's partly his ability to work undercover and undistracted with his Saturn in the 12th, and also the spiritual energy that's available to him there. So maybe he doesn't rely on outside circumstance so much for motivation, back to the 12th house stuff we were discussing. He also delegates like you can't believe. He bestows confidence. He gives people free rein and control and only insists on one thing - that they don't manufacture false distracting dramas. Poor guy. What he has to endure with the current crop.
He's totally impressive and we've only just touched the surface. His foresight comes with his visionary talent, probably, and his detachment. I'm looking forward to it all.
Good news helena.
Their Suns in opposite signs (Aquarius and Leo) of the zodiac suggest complementary purposes.
Hmmmm.
I do get the 5 vibration. I'm studying your depiction and will comment.
Speaking of Clinton and Obama, I rather like his smart praise of Obama, according to this article. Excerpt follows below.
* * *
Barack Obama also addressed the Clinton Global Initiative today via satellite from Clearwater, Florida. Before the Democratic nominee spoke, President Clinton also praised Obama for rearranging his schedule to be able to speak to the Clinton Global Initiative. He said he didn't want to be political, but did give some insight into what he spoke to Obama about when they met in New York on September 11th:
"We talked for and hour and a half—very close to an election—I'm not exaggerating, 80% of conversation had nothing to do with politics and everything to do with the responsibilities of the next president for the welfare of the American people and the future of the world," Clinton said according to a transcript of the event, "I normally don't reveal the contents of any private conversation, but this is interesting because of our meeting. First thing he said to me, he said, "I know you do this Global Initiative." He said, "What's the matter with the way America is organized to exercise our soft power…To deal with AIDS, TB, and malaria…To do all these things." I promise you—including me in 1992—he's the first candidate for president to ever to ask some former president that question out of the box. It's a very good thing to do."
Clinton added that Obama contacted both him and his wife for advice on the current crisis, "He didn't just call me and Hillary and ask us what we thought. He had a conference call with the primary members of my economic team—who later appeared in public. What I know from talking to them about it is when he got on the phone and we talked about what a mess we are in, he said this "Just tell me what you think it ought to do and do not waste any breath talking about what is—or is not—politically salable. Let's figure out what the right thing to do is and then we'll figure out how to sell it.'"
That's fascinating! Did you devise that cluster thing?? OMG!!
What does it mean?!? A pretty coincidence of numbers, key words, and history? On one level, it may well be. At the same time, it's often curious how significance seems to emerge from the raw data of life into human consciousness.
This is what I think. And I got it from O's asc at 18 Aquarius being the same as MLK's Saturn.
I think there are themes that weave through history and the baton is passed in certain individuals to lead and continue the evolution. As metaphysicians we can read the connection and facilitate the process.
OMG on the numbers! I have to look at that further.
significance seems to emerge from the raw data of life into human consciousness
The clues are repeated everywhere. Back to the theme idea. That's how I read charts. But do we thread them together to make them significant or are they significant in and of themselves and we are discovering the patterns?
"(volunteered today for the campaign) 8>)"
Very good! :-)
I think maybe the fixed energy is good for a certain type of leadership. Strong, determined, and somewhat dictatorial. Probably good in times of crisis.
Oooooh that's wonderful from Clinton. Thank you for this. Ooooweeeee.
Obama's speech at the Global Initiative was wonderful but completely overlooked.
Just tell me what you think it ought to do and do not waste any breath talking about what is—or is not—politically salable. Let's figure out what the right thing to do is and then we'll figure out how to sell it.
Wow. I mean wow.
We talked for and hour and a half—very close to an election—I'm not exaggerating, 80% of conversation had nothing to do with politics and everything to do with the responsibilities of the next president for the welfare of the American people and the future of the world
That touches me. Very very very good. Good for Bill.
"That's fascinating! Did you devise that cluster thing?? OMG!!"
Sure, you know I've done silly stuff like that before. Not sure if it really means anything beyond the moment's contemplation, really, but it's intriguing. For all that I know, it could all unravel if I scrutinize it at the wrong level of analysis. So selection of the optimal level in a particular instance could be dependent on consciousness and intuition.
Astrology and number mysticism have roots in common, of course, and it may be that I am recapitulating some of it from unconscious knowledge.
"This is what I think. And I got it from O's asc at 18 Aquarius being the same as MLK's Saturn."
Aha. Hmmmm.
"I think there are themes that weave through history and the baton is passed in certain individuals to lead and continue the evolution. As metaphysicians we can read the connection and facilitate the process."
It could be like waveforms peaking every now and then, reinforcing or neutralizing to various degrees. As if our outer selves are extensions of a greater being.
"The clues are repeated everywhere. Back to the theme idea. That's how I read charts. But do we thread them together to make them significant or are they significant in and of themselves and we are discovering the patterns?"
Sometimes I wonder if all of reality, from subatomic particles on up is contructed through hidden significances held in pure consciousness. From that point of view, every physical object is a condensed synchronicity that holds long enough for us to think of it as a coherent form. But actually, it emerges from a deeper reality that we but dimly perceive. When certain aspects of reality coincide in some way -- "coincidence" -- the tip of the iceberg appears to us, and then we treat it as real.
I'll assume for now that the forms closest to our present day culture will be the most relevant to us.
Heheh. Make it easy.:-)
That's amazing!
For all that I know, it could all unravel if I scrutinize it at the wrong level of analysis.
Wrong level? ?? ???
So selection of the optimal level in a particular instance could be dependent on consciousness and intuition.
Or mood.
"I think maybe the fixed energy is good for a certain type of leadership. Strong, determined, and somewhat dictatorial. Probably good in times of crisis."
Yes, I was about to ask about that.
A few days ago, we were discussing the mutable signs in relation to financial attitudes. Not necessarily mutable signs in the subjects of the study because we don't have their birth data, but the highly archetypal groupings of their attitudes.
Now we are looking at fixed signs in actual birth data of government types. There is a strong dose of fixed signs in some of the people vying to be President or Vice President (including Hillary Clinton).
What might the fixed mode actually mean in this context, I wonder.
"Wrong level? ?? ???"
Sure, like if I took a purely rationalist tack, I could probably construct an argument that pooh-poohed what I just did. :-)
Amazing on your numbers, that is. I'm impressed. I love what you do with your spare time. Like measuring apartments and such meaningful things.
It could be like waveforms peaking every now and then, reinforcing or neutralizing to various degrees. As if our outer selves are extensions of a greater being.
I think you might have something there about the peaking. Energies align for a jump.
From that point of view, every physical object is a condensed synchronicity that holds long enough for us to think of it as a coherent form.
This line of thought could go on forever. It's more than thought. We experience it through the senses too. I often think of it that way. As a thing in constant flux. And we perceive form to attach appropriately to the material world.
But actually, it emerges from a deeper reality that we but dimly perceive. When certain aspects of reality coincide in some way -- "coincidence" -- the tip of the iceberg appears to us, and then we treat it as real.
Yes. An identification in the material plane. I relate it to my theory of receptors that connect with particles for specific purposes as we navigate this plane. We really don't need to perceive that deeper reality unless we're bored or something. ?
So coincidence might be necessity.
"Wrong level? ?? ???"
Or, you know, simply over-reading or over-interpreting the way many astrologers and low-level psychics are prone to do, leading them to wildly off-base conclusions.
Fixed signs are associated with executive leadership. They are the types that can give orders without question whereas the mutables want to see all sides. So Democrats lean toward mutable and autocrats are fixed. The combo is probably good for fair leadership, but the mention of all the fixed energy around this election leads me to believe that the crisis demands the more autocratic right now.
Biden also has a lot of fixed. Mixed with the mutable Gemini. McCain has the least. And the Moose has the most, but she's not a real contender, although her fixed energy probably adds an important element.
HA HA HA!!!!
Or, you know, simply over-reading or over-interpreting the way many astrologers and low-level psychics are prone to do, leading them to wildly off-base conclusions.
Wildy. But certainly not you.
Sure, like if I took a purely rationalist tack, I could probably construct an argument that pooh-poohed what I just did. :-)
That's what I need to do!! Just for practice. Being wrong, you know.:)
Hmm, I'll have to find some time to refresh on MLK's chart. I haven't looked at it since I looked at his late daughter's chart in relation to the late Jerry Falwell, her cosmic opposite.
Ah, well, time for bed and maybe some of that cosmic consciousness that I've heard so much about. :-)
Right after I take another enjoyable look at the wonderful photo of the choo choo and inspiring blog post up there.
Yes. See what you come up with. I'm interested in pursuing the Lincoln connection. Even his physical attributes remind me of Abe a little bit. Not in features but in feel.
I think Obama's fixed energy creates the leadership image, which is confusing for some because of his youth. The mind sees the older man and thinks he should be he trusted one, yet the trusted one is falling apart and acting like an infant. It boggles the poor voter's mind. It will be interesting to see when we get into Scorpio how the response will be affected.
aaaw...sweet dreams my favorite numerologist, mistaken as you might be. :-)
dang it, I missed an interesting discussion.
I didn't notice anyone say anything about the odd complementary 100-year span of time between Lincoln and JFK.
*clip*
Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846
John F Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946
Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960
The names Lincoln and Kennedy each contain seven letters
Both were particularly concerned with civil rights
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House
Both Presidents were shot on a Friday
Both Presidents were shot in the head
Lincoln's secretary was named Kennedy
Kennedy's secretary was named Lincoln
Both were assassinated by Southerners
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson
Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908
John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939
Both assassins were known by their three names
Both names are composed of fifteen letters
Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford'
Kennedy was shot in a car called 'Lincoln'
Booth ran from the theater and was caught in a warehouse
Oswald ran from a warehouse and was caught in a theater
Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials
AND HERE'S THE KICKER:
A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe, Maryland
A week before Kennedy was shot, he was in Marilyn Monroe
They are locked!!
We're all locked in this madness. Just playing the numbers.
Speaking of numbers ...
O's numbers in the state polls are climbing fast. It's nearing the end and the work of the underground is coming to fruition.
The ground operation is simply amazing. They've got Joe, Jill, and Michelle covering territory daily and the army of staff and volunteers. And they are serious. The beauty of this is that the people are getting direct contact, asking questions, and getting honest answers away from the media. So there's a whole universe in the campaign that nobody notices and nobody ruins. All community organizing techniques and it's working well. If people keep supporting him like this he will have a big obligation, not at all bad for a Saturn in Capricorn in the 12th. The bigger his win the better. He does well under pressure.
"I think there are themes that weave through history and the baton is passed in certain individuals to lead and continue the evolution."
That's it! That expresses what I was driving at when I brought up the Lincoln and Obama charts, the link!
Splendid! ...and thank you.
The parallels are even more than you know with Lincoln. I'll try to find the diary about them that really illuminated the thing.
I came to the baton conclusion the night of Obama's nomination when the north node was on his asc at 18 Aquarius and MKL's Saturn also at 18. And it being the 45th anniversary of King's Washington speech. That orchestration convinced me of the cosmic destiny surrounding Obama's election. The grace of that event was the most I've ever seen in such a ceremony.
It's a big moment for the whole world. Slavery is a bad one. If it's a start on the long road to karmic correction, I'm glad to be a part of it.
More Connections
"Amazing on your numbers, that is. I'm impressed. I love what you do with your spare time."
Of course, I must give the blog and Helena's inquiry credit.
If not for that, I wouldn't have toyed with the birthdates. My spare time has grown sparer.
Biden is like Obama in having Life Path 2 and fixed sign energy. Because the story of the children's quest for The Bell came to my attention while I was contemplating Obama's candidacy and the Saturn-Uranus opposition, I tend to view the story in part as a hopeful signifier of their partnership.
McCain also has Life Path number 2. State politics and foreign relations are therefore suitable spheres of endeavor, but his instability of temperament is directly opposed to the Life Path's admonishment to cultivate consideration and listening ability.
Sarah Palin has a 6, adjustment, a domestic administrator who must learn the meaning of responsibility, how to navigate disharmony, and balance opposites. The text specifically warns against forcing one's own ideals on others. The adjustment should be made to accommodate, and in service to the people in need of material or spiritual sustenance. She has the opportunity to fulfill these themes but, given her history and style of governance, she still has lessons to master. Something is in conflict.
Hillary Clinton's Life Path number, 3, self-expression, asks her to give by being herself joyfully and freely, to cultivate society and culture, and to use words to shed light on dark places.
Hillary Clinton's Life Path number, 3, self-expression, asks her to give by being herself joyfully and freely, to cultivate society and culture, and to use words to shed light on dark places.
That's exactly what I get from Hillary which is why she's seems so much happier now that she's free to have fun.
The diplomatic talent of Barack and Joe is superb. Thanks for the info. The synastry between he two charts is quite amazing and I thnk he chose Biden for that pupose. To govern well togther.
Yes, Hillary Clinton is a more interesting figure than she was before, more than her husband. Maybe this year has been her lesson that her influence is most positive when she expresses herself authentically.
It's interesting how the weaknesses of some of the candidates relate to the imperatives and warnings of their Life Path numbers. Yet their lives have given them opportunities to find their places in the larger scheme of things.
Maybe this year has been her lesson that her influence is most positive when she expresses herself authentically.
The lesson of Saturn in Leo and she has Neptune opposite now.
Fellini said that the artist's search is for authenticity. He had Saturn-Neptune in Leo.
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