With the Affordable Care Act rollout marred by website malfunctions, lack of enrollment and unfulfilled promises on existing coverage, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, must be getting a headache.

It’s a good time for Sebelius to have an astrological wellness check.

Pain in the neck

My first glance at Sebelius’ chart produced the thought, “President Obama likes his women strong.”

Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Janet Yellen and Sebelius all have very strong personalities. Strong is certainly a useful trait if you are going to be in a government role; all the better to be strong when the nation is angry about your health care insurance system.

Sebelius’ strength comes from sun in fixed earth Taurus and four planets in fixed fire Leo (Pluto, Saturn, moon and Mars). While too much strength can turn one rigid, Sebelius has some nice offsetting planets in mutable signs (Jupiter in Sagittarius and Mercury/Uranus in Gemini) and cardinal signs (Venus in Cancer and Neptune in Cancer).

The sign Taurus, in which Sebelius’ sun is placed, rules the neck and throat. Sebelius may simply be having the clichéd pain the neck.

Taurus squares Leo, which rules the heart, so a little indigestion might also be occurring. Taurus and Leo are sensual and indulgent so possibly the indigestion is due to specific food choices. This is part of the natal horoscope and not a passing transit.

Sebelius’ natal Venus in Cancer was recently opposed by transiting Pluto in Capricorn. Cancer rules the stomach so the digestion may have changed during that time. As Pluto passes, hopefully too, have any stomach issues.

But those are minor to the transit that began in mid October 2013 – transiting Saturn in Scorpio began its square to Sebelius’ stellium in Leo.

Open enrollment in the Affordable Care Act began October 1, 2013 but was delayed due to the government shutdown until October 21. What a coincidence.

Convalescence

Convalescence, the gradual recovery of health and strength after illness (www.dictionary.com), is a word you don’t hear much these days. Is it simply modern pharmaceuticals bring us back to health more quickly? Or is it that we truly can’t afford to recovery from illness gradually due to pressures of work and paycheck?

Sebelius’ convalescence from the current maelstrom will take about 15 months.

Saturn began its square to Sebelius’ Pluto in mid October. It will continue to square Saturn, the moon and Mars finishing its tour in January 2015. Because Saturn is far away from earth, it will appear to go backwards then forwards during that time.

If Sebelius is hoping for a Rip Van Winkle situation, she should take a nap now and wake up in January 2015.

From now until mid July 2014, times will be tough as transiting Saturn in Scorpio squares Sebelius’ Leo planets and opposes her sun. That formation is called a T-square. A T-square is friction, like being the pickle in the middle or the potato chip inside a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

When Jupiter enters Leo in July next year, Sebelius will begin to fight back, gaining strength. Leo is a strong, proud sign and retreating with tail between the legs is not energizing. Later we will hear her roar.

Leo does nothing if not bounce back. And bounce back Sebelius will do next summer.

We have two distinct six-month periods. One is October 2013 to July 2014 when the situation will get worse. Then in July 2014, a renewed sense of strength returns and the next six months are an energetic tackling of the situation.

By January 2015, Sebelius will be ready for a well-earned vacation to a relaxing spot. She will have won, although won what, I’m not sure.

Those fighting with Sebelius must remember that Taurus has the self-control to restrain from hitting you over the head. Leo doesn’t have natural restraint but Sebelius’ Saturn and Pluto in that sign provide discipline from external sources.

When she has to restrain herself no longer, her foes will have a taste of a Taurus temper and Leo fire. Since it will be summer when this happens, we can consider it a little bit of sunburn. Play outside in the sun too long without protection and these things happen.

It’s good timing for Sebelius because next summer she’ll be 66. According to the Social Security website, those born in 1948 are able to retire at age 66 with full benefits.

I have a feeling she will opt for retirement – a retirement which relieves her neck of its pain.