Zodiac bares grisly predictions for Pennsylvania pols this November

The fate of Pennsylvania’s midterm elections could already be written in the stars. 

No, we’re not saying the results are predetermined – because they’re not – nor are we saying there’s no use voting in the midterms. But what if there’s some information about the state’s November political contests that we can glean – not from polls, models, maps or debates – but from our celestial friends better known for forming constellations than for forming political opinions?

Astrology can generate its fair share of skeptics, but the practice can be traced back millennia – all the way to the Babylonians, who used astrological charts to predict seasons and other events, according to the American Federation of Astrologers. Years later, over a quarter of U.S. adults believe that celestial objects have the power to influence their lives, according to YouGov. It’s also been an area of fascination among celebrities and people holding positions of power, so much so that astrological beliefs even made their way into the White House on several occasions, particularly during Ronald Reagan’s administration. 

In an effort to explore how the commonwealth’s contentious races for governor and U.S. Senate could play out next month, City & State spoke with astrologer Susan Miller, founder of the website AstrologyZone.com, to see if there’s anything we can take away from our universe’s celestial objects and how they might play into this fall’s midterms. 

An election eclipse

Not only is Nov. 8 Election Day, but it’s also the date of a full lunar eclipse that will occur when the full moon is at 16 degrees and 1 minute of Taurus, which Miller said could make for an unpredictable day. “The full moon is out of control,” she said. “It is so angry. I’ve never seen anything like this.” Complicating things is the location of the planets. Uranus, which Miller described as the “planet of all things unexpected,” will also be in Taurus, while Saturn – which is associated with restrictions, limitations and life lessons – will form a square aspect, falling in between the sun and the moon. 

“In astrology, when you have the planet in the middle, he exerts the same pressure, and it’s called a square,” Miller said. “It’s an obstacle. It’s difficult (for) both sides at the same time.”

“Something’s going to happen at that eclipse that we’re not expecting. In a million years, it’s not on your radar, but it’s big. Of course, we’re having it on an Election Day,” Miller laughed.The candidates

It’s a little difficult to tell how favorable the stars could be to each of the candidates next month, given that birth times are required for more specific charts. But Miller said there are some general traits and predictions that can be made based on the Zodiac signs of each candidate. 

Doug Mastriano

Born: Jan. 2, 1964

Zodiac sign: Capricorn

A Capricorn, state Sen. Doug Mastriano, the GOP gubernatorial nominee, is an Earth sign ruled by Saturn. Cafe Astrology describes Capricorns as tenacious, conservative, resourceful, disciplined and wise. Miller said Capricorns are traditionally practical and “make really good leaders.”

“They’re practical, they’re realistic. They see things as they are and are willing to hold to that,” she said. “They don’t govern with ‘what if.’ They govern with ‘what is.’” But Miller said the status of Mastriano’s Neptune could get in the way, given that it is in Scorpio. 

“If there’s something he’s not noticing or not understanding – maybe the depth of feeling of certain people about a certain topic that he’s ignored or dismissed – that could be a problem,” Miller said. 

Josh Shapiro

Born: June 20, 1973

Zodiac sign: Gemini

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro is a Gemini, an air sign ruled by Mercury. Geminis are known for being talkative, mental, adaptable, inquisitive and changeable, per Cafe Astrology. 

Miller says Shapiro’s chart features what’s called a “grand trine” – an astrological aspect that occurs when three planets share the same element and are within 120 degrees of each other, according to Astrology.com. “That gives amazing luck and happiness,” Miller said of Shapiro’s grand trine. “Things land in his lap. Politics is very rough and tumble, so that’s good to have.”  

Shapiro’s Pluto, though, could make his run for governor a little more difficult, Miller said: “He faces real opposition. I mean fierce.” 

Dr. Mehmet Oz

Born: June 11, 1960 

Zodiac sign: Gemini

Like Shapiro, Dr. Mehmet Oz, the state’s Republican Senate nominee, is also a Gemini. He shares many of the astrological traits as Shapiro, per Cafe Astrology – and as a Gemini, Miller said Oz is “very articulate” and “made for communication.”

Oz has a moon in Aquarius, which she said explains his willingness to break into politics. His Mars is also in Aries, which indicates that Oz “wants to lead.”“He’s very flexible. He could become a Democrat tomorrow if he felt the wind was blowing in another direction,” Miller said. “He has a liberal moon, but a conservative Saturn,” which, she said, is in Capricorn and is associated with the past. “His strength is that he speaks well,” she added. 

John Fetterman

Born: August 15, 1969

Zodiac sign: Leo

The lone Leo of the bunch, Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman has a sun sign associated with being generous, confident, hospitable, caring and warm, according to Cafe Astrology. 

Miller said Fetterman’s moon being in Virgo gives him an attention to detail that others might lack, while noting that his Jupiter being in Libra could indicate a “very deferential and nice” demeanor. 

She also said the Fetterman campaign is “facing a lot of headwinds,” which could be a result of Fetterman’s Saturn opposing the sun. “When you have Saturn (in) the sun, which the Aquarians have now, you choose a very difficult mountain to climb. It’s hard and there’s a lot of people watching you. But when it’s (opposite) the sun, the universe picks what your challenge is going to be.”