My daughter was very anxious about going to school today. This was because voting would be taking place there and she would have trouble entering since she’s on crutches with a broken foot (yes, she is one of those lucky people experiencing this transit personally- actually, my whole family is).

Uranus (unexpected) wreaks havoc on Saturn (structure). Bones may be broken, teeth fall apart, companies reconstruct.

I don’t know why, but the schools are open today here in New York. The educators have it set up in a semi-lockdown so they can ensure the kids safety.

When we got to her school, the principal had told us to go through a door that was blocked by the voter registration people. They had taped a flag across it and when I suggested they temporarily move it for my daughter, it caused a small domestic crisis. I am happy to report the hall was swamped with voters, but I had to take my daughter through the masses while she fretted behind me, certain she was going to get in trouble.

People respectfully parted and let us through and when I got to the classroom area, we worked out a plan with a teacher to pick her up in a less stressful way. No guarantees on this, but I’m confident I can figure it out. We Aquarians are used to this tug of war with Saturn and Uranus. They are the planets connected to our sign.

Of course, there are all different kinds of Aquarians and how they would approach a situation like I described may be different. The world will be watching Obama (Aquarius rising) and Sarah Palin (Aquarius Sun) today and how they navigate the energies. But right now my next concern is taking my Aquarian mother-in-law to vote (and I might bring along a folding chair).

Sarah Palin’s Neptune is on Alaska’s midheaven (status). Neptune among other things represents oil (drill, baby, drill). Looking at the Alaska chart however, shows the Moon (the public) teetering at 29 Libra towards Neptune in Scorpio, so one could argue that Palin is simply emphasizing what the people want.

Neptune in Alaska’s chart would also symbolize its native people, the Yup’ik and other tribes. Apparently, Palin has a record of wanting to eradicate native subsistence fishing and hunting. Much has been made by the Republican party about Palin’s awareness of foreign affairs because of Alaska’s proximity to Russia.

However, within Alaska are native tribes recognized to have sovereign authority by state and federal courts. Palin has a history of refusing to recognize the tribal sovereign nations within her own state on issues of Alaska native children and language. Her Neptune connected with Alaska’s chart indicates her ability to paint a picture for the larger world that doesn’t fit reality. This can be handy as she encourages further exploration for oil, but can also show an attempt to erase the face of a people.

This does not bode well for her diplomatic ability in dealing with other nations who also may be inconvenient for her larger vision.

But Alaska is going through profound identity changes because of transiting Pluto on its Ascendant (which natally has Saturn there). Heightened visibility may change the lower 48′s awareness of its lack of state tax. The rest of the nation may start to question Alaska’s infrastructure benefits from federal taxes because of the promise of oil. As Pluto makes its slow journey towards Alaska’s Sun, this could be the beginning of greater visibility for the nation’s last great wilderness.

The moon represents among other things, how you feel and your relationship with women. Oprah’s moon in Sagittarius in opposition to Jupiter in the 10th (career) emphasizes her huge connection to women. With Saturn (limits, fears) activating this picture, she is feeling pressure to define her allegiance. The questions fly, is she more dedicated to Obama or with her audience who wants to see more of Palin?

She had cast her hat in with Obama when Saturn transited her 12th (unconscious), not traditionally a good time to begin something new. Since she’s a brand, this decision can also effect her business. And now Sarah Palin comes on the scene with her Uranus (revolution) and Pluto (transformation) sitting right on Oprah’s ascendant (rising sign = brand). Ouch!

The irony is, these two women have A LOT of astrological connections, but Palin is even more Aquarian than Oprah. That means she feels more like an alien than Oprah does. She may speak in broad strokes about being a mother, but the way she mothers is not going to be like anyone else on the block. It’s fascinating to read and hear how many women say they identify with her, as the Neptune transit obfuscates who she really is.

Palin’s Sun/Mars/Saturn engages Oprah’s Mercury (communication). So even if they don’t sit on the couch together, these two women are in dialogue. With Neptune floating over Palin’s Aquarian planets and Oprah’s Mercury, it is unlikely they’ll get clear reception.

Nonetheless, Sarah Palin has two strong yang planets linked with her Sun and she’ll be damned if anybody is going to tell her what to do. If she wants to get on Oprah, (and I think she does) she’s going to encourage the spinmeisters to make it happen.

Palin’s Chiron is on Oprah’s descendant. My bet is if Oprah interviewed her she might end up crying. But I wouldn’t expect her tears would be viewed as Hillary’s were. With Neptune transiting the U.S. Moon and Palin’s Sun, you won’t see the Republican VP candidate clearly until after the election.

Oprah can decide to invite Palin on and limit her credibility to those who expect her to keep her word. Or she can avoid the invitation, causing friction with her base. Either way, somebody’s going feel a lack. That’s Saturn’s way.

If you’ve read the story about Sarah Palin’s pregnancy, this is classic Aquarian behavior. She kept it to herself, making her own counsel and it was a surprise by the time the public knew about it. Same with her other kids finding out their little brother had Down Syndrome. Aquarian upsets, but not to the Aquarian. The baby did come early, but my guess is his Libra moon is trine the Neptune in Aquarius…

My mother-in-law has a stellium in Aquarius. She worked a union job all her life, has seen her benefits disemboweled through airline bankruptcies, is a devout Catholic but also a feminist and always voted Democratic except for Eisenhower.

She is one of the rabid Hillary supporters that concerns Obama’s platform. Much to my husband’s horror, she had been threatening to vote for McCain. He was, after all a war hero and she felt Obama lacked experience. Nonetheless, it’s been the nomination of Sarah Palin that put her squarely back to the Democratic side. She is insulted by the choice, as though Palin was chosen simply to pander to women.

Because the election takes place with the Saturn/Uranus opposition, it seems to me Sarah Palin as an Aquarius is going to be the pivot that turns the vote. Will the more Saturnine Aquarian voters win or the Uranians? Or will it require the exquisite balance of both? I’m only getting warmed up on these thoughts: next musings, my mother!