The United States has been likened to the ancient Roman Empire in terms of power and influence over other areas of the world. During the last few presidencies, I’d add that it’s the Eastern Roman Empire we most resemble – Byzantium. That empire’s culture spawned the adjective byzantine.

One of the definitions of byzantine according to Merriam Webster is of, relating to, or characterized by a devious and usually surreptitious manner of operation. Sounds familiar.

Some rulers in Byzantium lasted just days before being overthrown or assassinated. It’s funny how there are always folks lining up for this kind of work. Maybe they didn’t have a good job market, and certainly no unemployment insurance.

The current president is particularly byzantine in behavior and for this astrologer even resembles Russia’s Ivan the Terrible who eventually turned on everyone in reach in rather ruthless, medieval, ways. A modern psychologist could easily slap a few labels on that type of behavior both past and present.

While the current United States president appears to turn on everyone except his children, folks still line up to work near him. I suppose a few minutes of suffering is worth a resume golden nugget even if being tarred and feathered on the way out. Memories are short these days and “White House” probably gets folks an interview at least.

James Comey

Speaking of tarring and feathering, of the many who have experienced this under the current president, one character has reappeared – former FBI Director James Comey. In addition to learning from Comey’s situation how byzantine politics creates unnatural alliances (I shed a tear for the former Director of the FBI!), we can also learn some astrology from this Sagittarius sun.

When transiting Saturn – the great malefic – was conjunct (on top of) Comey’s sun, he had the repressive, restrictive boss and unfair treatment. Saturn contracts and often it feels like someone is wringing us like an old washcloth. During this transit (circa 2017), Comey was fired from the FBI by the president.

A little later Jupiter – the great benefic – was conjunct Comey’s sun (circa 2019) and he wrote a book about his Saturn boss. So there! Jupiter – and the book – probably gave Comey some much needed cash. As a Sagittarius sun, there’s a habit of spending more than earned or taking risks with money or not paying enough attention to budget.

For the next seven years (2019 – 2025/6), Uranus in Taurus was opposite Comey’s moon/Neptune. That’s a time of emotional and physical reconciliation – and tying the two together. Were you thinking about that mean boss when you tripped down the stairs and broke all the dishes in the process? Are physical challenges (Taurus) creating worry about intimacy (Scorpio)? Is there financial worry (Taurus – Scorpio axis)? Moon could also be late Libra which would add to the spending worries but reduce the intensity from moon in Scorpio.

We can ask Comey when we see him. This was clearly a private seven years. Wikipedia indicates health issues in 2006 timeframe – some may have returned with Uranus in Taurus.

Saturn turns to Pluto

And now Comey’s Saturn boss is back with some Pluto characteristics – i.e., unchecked power. Transiting Pluto in Aquarius is now in orb of Comey’s Venus in Aquarius. Pluto may also be squaring the moon in/out of sign. In other words, power is coming at Comey’s anima, or feminine side.

Venus’ sign describes how we seek pleasure. In Aquarius it’s through thinking and interaction with others who are different, unique, or foreign. It’s not a huggy-kissy sign but enjoys social interaction with wide swathes of people. When Pluto comes around, the social experience completely transforms. Pluto has this habit – if you don’t let go – of forcing release and then evolution.

Café Astrology has this to say about Pluto transiting Venus:

Pluto transits conjunct Venus Your romantic life, social life, and value system are undergoing a complete transformation with Pluto transiting conjunct natal Venus. You are seeking depth of experience in your social and love relationships with Pluto transiting conjunct your natal Venus; or, this kind of experience comes into your life now. Someone may enter your life– or circumstances arise– that completely changes your outlook, alters your value system, or consumes much of your time, thoughts, and energy.

Intimacy, passion, and intensity are what you seek (or these find you!). Anything less will not satisfy. Your relationships can have a compulsive quality to them, and you are unlikely to listen to reason or rationality. Irrational fears about your lovability and love, in general, come up for inspection now.

Your relationships, in general, will become more intense, but especially those involving love and sex. You will experience emotional extremes, and, if a relationship is in a rut, you are likely to decide to break it off.

“All or nothing” may become your motto, and the “all” includes a depth and intensity of emotional response. You want to feel your love to the very core of your being, and you want to play an important part in someone else’s life.

Obviously, any relationship that only stirs lukewarm responses won’t be able to stand up under the demands that you make of it now. Keep your eyes open; someone you meet now may teach you some important lessons about love. You may have a love relationship with this person, or they could be someone who plays the role of teacher or guru. Your sex drive is strong and may find an outlet in either a new or existing relationship or through a creative medium such as writing or painting.

While this may not describe Comey’s relationship to the president, it may be that the president is forcing this type of transformation within Comey by pulling him out of the house where he appears to be living quietly and persecuting him in public. Situations like this can spark Venus in that we learn more about our level of self-esteem in the face of assault and the type of community in which we want to be part.

Comey appears to have prevailed again with a legal action tossed out and most likely will continue to vote Democrat, at least. What other Venus changes are on the horizon?

What does Uranus opposite your sun feel like?

Soon Uranus will move into Gemini (where it was for a bit before going retrograde) and begin to trine (a nice aspect) Venus. In a few years Uranus will oppose Mercury and then sun both in Sagittarius.

Comey will probably be doing something different by then as Pluto in Aquarius refines his social life. Maybe we’ll see him on the picket lines fighting for human rights – Aquarius is the sign of the humanitarian you see. Or maybe he will grow his hair long and play guitar on Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco. Or maybe he will become a fractal artist. Or maybe he will write a play. Or maybe he will teach transcendental medication to bureaucrats.

We’ll have to ask Comey.

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