So, now, do you believe in Neptune/Chiron?

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11. Another answer

Mercury plays both a general and a more specific role. The specific role in a Mercury retrograde phase is determined by the particulars of the individual, institution, or object being studied. If the chart has a prominent Mercury influence then any Mercury transit will offer more intensity of expression for either good or bad - trines and sextiles portend beneficence and squares and oppositions portend maleficence. So no two individuals will experience Mercury retrograde the same though there are general issues as has been mentioned that we all could pay attention to.

In the case of this particular Mercury stationing retrograde on election today, it was significant. In part because of how prominent Mercury is in Romney's chart. Many astrologers have focused on the Venus/Saturn opposition and the Moon in Scorpio for why he would not win or shouldn't win. I don't disagree per se, I am just a traditionalist and look elsewhere to make the prediction concerning his election or not.

Romney's Ascendant is at 1º Gemini. The Lord of the 1st is in detriment in Pisces retrograde in the 11th.

Mercury plays a very important part in this chart. In classical astrology, I can immediately see his inability to distinguish lies from truth. His personality is innately duplicitous. He presents the face he expects others want to see. Mercury in Pisces has a difficult time with logic and the facts of reality which is the hallmark of Mercury in its rulership of Virgo, Pisces' opposing sign. Being retrograde natally makes this even worse. If you want to hear the truth from a Mercury in Pisces, listen closely to their unconscious and unscripted gaffes and utterances. Romney's blunders and 'miscommunications' was 'truth' as opposed to his direct statements in scripted moments 'lies'. There is the retrograde Mercury ruled chart in play.

Jupiter often is a functional malefic when transiting the 1st house in this case in Gemini (Mercury's co-ruler). This planet accentuated for all to see his utter denial of reality. He and his supporters refused to accept fact checking in the campaign. He and his supporters ignored mathematics instead believing in their 'guts' and their 'feelings' that he would win - Mercury in Pisces retrograde in the 11th house of friends and social connections. Romney believed so strongly in his version of 'reality' that he didn't even write a concession speech in advance in case he lost.

Mercury turned retrograde on election day in early Sagittarius in his 7th house. It opposes his Ascendent and opposes transiting Jupiter. It squares by degree his Mars in Pisces and by sign his Mercury and Sun in the 11th. Mars is also in Sagittarius in the 7th house opposing the Ascendent and Jupiter and opposing by degree his Sun and by sign his Mars and Mercury.

There is nothing good about this setup for Mitt Romney. It is all in a T-Square - oppositions and squares involving Mercury and Mars (the lesser malefic). While networks began to call the election an hour earlier, Romney would not concede. I have explained why above. But at 12:01 am EST, Moon entered Virgo (the earthy co-ruler of Mercury). The T-Square became a Grand Cross, and the full force of reality finally hit home for himself and his followers. Romney had lost. Right around that time, he made his concession speech.

So yes, in this case Mercury retrograde played a very specific role in Romney's life on election day. I won't go into all of the details but the same Mercury was not as malefic for Obama. When it occurred, it was trining his Mercury which is much more beneficent obviously. Mercury also doesn't play as strong of a role in the Presidents chart. I would look elsewhere then for what is going on with him and why he won. Those who follow more traditional approaches rather than modern might also find it very interesting that the chart for the year for the USA drawn up on March 20, 2012 for 12:02 am in Washington D.C. when the Sun entered Aries at 0º has the mutable signs of Sagittarius (Ascendant), Gemini (Descendant), Pisces (Nadir) and Virgo (Midheaven) and Mercury was retrograde in Aries. This mirrors a similar astrological field on election day.