Gillard v Rudd: Challenging Convention

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A LP : G i l l ard v R udd
Na t a l Ch a rt 27 Feb 2012, M on 10:00 am AEDT -11:00 Canberra, Aus tral i a 35S17' 149E08'

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Wednesday, 22nd February saw the beginning of an extraordinary series of events triggered by the then Foreign Ministers, Kevin Rudd. His announcement that he was resigning from the Ministry because he said he did not have the Prime Ministers support. What was unusual was that he did so from the USA where he was at the time involved in negotiations. He called a press conference at 1:00 am in Washington DC (source: ABC News http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-22/kevinrudd-resigns-as-foreign-minister/3845812) to announce his resignation.

On Thursday, 23rd February 2012 at approximately 15 9:18 am (Source: ABC News 21 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-23/gillard50' and-rudd-on-course-for-leadershipshowdown/3846974 ) Gillard, while on a visit to 25' 15 Adelaide announced there would be a ballot for the 49' 21 leadership of the Labor Party on Monday 27th 18 46' February at 10 am in Canberra. If we treat this chart as a contest, I believe Gillard takes ownership of the Ascendant as she names the time and date of the ballot. Some may say that the challenge was issued when Rudd quit the Ministry however that was more of a taunt as opposed to a challenge. What then can we make of this?
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If we give Gillard the Ascendant, we see its ruler Mars retrograde, in Virgo in the 5th squaring the Nodal axis; not a good sign as the conflict will do her no favours personally. Mars also is moving to an opposition with Mercury although it will not be exact for a while. Additionally, what does it say about the office she holds? If we consider that Rudd is besieging the Prime Minister in order to win the prize of office, we can look at the 4th house, which in battle astrology represents the holder of the office. Before going any further, there have been many comments that Gillard is not a true Prime Minister; let us not forget that she was elected and formed a government. The 4th has Cancer on the cusp and the Moon is exalted in Taurus conjunct the great benefic, Jupiter. The incumbent is in a strong position albeit receiving a trine from Pluto suggesting that there is power behind this. If we give Rudd the 7th, as the open opponent, Saturn, retrograde and exalted sits in the 7th showing the lengths to which he is going to challenge for the leadership. An exalted planet often expresses itself as having the right to preferred actions. The difficulty is that the ruler of the 7th, Venus is in her detriment in Aries in the 1st. He is in the hands of Gillard. Additionally, Venus is in opposition to the Saturn in the 7th, suggesting that those that may have promised their support are either too few or too ineffectual or cast their support too late. Venus comes to the ascendant at 10:23am. Another interesting point is that when Gillard won the previous challenge in June 2010 Venus was also rising but at that time it was in the sign of Leo. From the news items, Gillard seems to have the numbers in caucus to win but more importantly this challenge goes deeper than just the Labor leadership. The chart for the challenge has a cardinal cross of matter suggesting instability and a transition which echoes the position of the Labor Party as it tries to contain the fallouts of the leadership spill. Finally, the North Node at 9 Sagittarius is the same degree as the referendum Node and of course this is a Nodal return. This suggests that the Australian nation is at a tipping point; the battle for the Labor leadership is echoing the uncertainty of Australian society to go with the familiar and popular or to take a chance and forge a new path. History alone will judge our actions. Mari Garcia 27th February 2012, 8:47 am Adelaide