At one time or another all of us have looked up into a clear night to be captivated by the silvery light of the Moon against the velvet black of a twinkling sky.

She travels around the Earth in a predictable 29½ day cycle, just as she has for thousands of years. The influence of our closest astrological neighbor can be felt in the world’s oceans, the magnetic field of our atmosphere, the behavior patterns of both plants and animals, and in our own bodies — 70% of which is water.

Astrologers give special significance to the Moon — and many place it second only to the Sun sign in terms of importance in a personal horoscope. Beyond the personal issues in individual charts, astrologers believe the Moon can be used to help with the timing of important actions — from one-time events like starting a business or getting married, to more everyday ones like shopping or adopting a pet… to very important national ceremonies, like the swearing in of a President.

In fact, the online astrological community is abuzz in the aftermath of astrologer Shelley Ackerman suggesting a change in timing be made on Inauguration Day so that the Oath of Office be given at 12:30 pm (moved from 12:00 Noon) to accommodate a quirk of the heavens known as the void of course Moon. Not all astrologers agree this period has influence, though many believe this to be so, and there are significant numbers of calendars, online sources or printed books (Llewellyn’s Moon Sign Book) devoted to the idea of planning in conjunction with the Moon.

The period that’s prompted all the discussion is known as the void-of-course Moon (or more simply the void Moon, often abbreviated as VOC) an oddity of geometry and astronomy that happens as the Moon is about to change signs. The Moon is considered void after she has made her last aspect to one of the other planets until she changes zodiac signs. This period can last a few moments, a few hours, or most of the day. Rarely, the Moon will make no aspects to a planet and thus be void during her entire 2½ day stay in a sign.

Not surprisingly there’s rabid disagreement among students of astrology about the influence of the void moon. Some, such as astrologer Lynne Hayes are convinced it is an ancient concept that has no impact… while others continue to believe this period is an unfavorable time that brings unexpected outcomes (not always pleasant ones either) for any action begun under the void influence. There is a void… an emptiness… a sense that nothing will come of an action. At the very least, decisions made or actions undertaken during this period have disappointing outcomes and can have major results in the areas of love and politics.

So you see Ms. Ackerman’s reason for suggesting a change in timing.

If you’re one of those inclined to dismiss the void outright, consider this. During every presidential election from 1900 to 1972, one of the two major party candidates was nominated during a void Moon. In all cases, that candidate lost the election. More recently Jimmy Cater was nominated in 1980 under a void moon, as was Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004. Barack Obama avoided the fate of fellow Democrats by being officially nominated at 4:47 pm on August 27, before the void that began at 8:15 pm (6:15 pm Denver time) that evening.

Inaugurations under void Moon include Franklin D. Roosevelt for his fourth term in 1945, John F. Kennedy in 1961 and Richard Nixon for his second term in 1973. In each case the President taking the Oath of Office under the void didn’t finish his term… Roosevelt died, Kennedy was assassinated and Nixon impeached. The term begun under the void resulted in death or dishonor.

While modern man disdains the use of astrology, powerful and learned ones of the past did not. In fact, it’s widely believed that some of those (most notably Benjamin Franklin) who founded our nation were followers of astrology and well aware of its symbols. Did it influence the timing for the beginning of our nation? Arguments continue to rage, skeptics continue to doubt, but can it really be coincidence that on July 4, 1776 there were not one or two, but five planetary bodies aligned together?

Sadly, even if the President Elect were inclined to make the schedule change, another formidable opponent to any change in timing for the Inaugural Oath is the Twentieth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Here, the January 20th date and the time, 12:00 Noon, were named as the official ending of one presidency and the beginning of another. So it would seem, we’re stuck with some unfavorable timing. It might ease your mind to know that on January 20, 2009 there are other planetary aspects, good and bad, that can’t be mitigated by a 30 minute change in schedule.
But before you assume the worst, remember that unexpected isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes it can be quite welcome… highly energizing, and in the end, better for us all.

-Susan Morgan