September 5, 2005
JOHN G. ROBERTS FOR CHIEF JUSTICE
How Conservative Would He Be?

With the sudden death of Chief Justice Rehnquist, President Bush this morning nominated John G. Roberts to be Rehnquist’s replacement as Chief Justice. Although general opinion had favored his probable confirmation as an Associate Justice, this ups the ante and the Senate hearings should be more intense.

Brilliant and successful all his life, Roberts is professionally supremely qualified to be a Justice. He had even been a clerk for Rehnquist. Extensive media has described him as not only brilliant and hard working all his life but also a well-rounded human being with a modest demeanor and genial and collegial disposition. He has argued cases for clients with very different points of view for both Republicans and Democrats and has argued more cases before the Supreme Court than any other lawyer.

Roberts was born on January 27, 1955 in Buffalo, NY (time unknown) (view chart). He has his SUN in the FIXED (determined) AIR (intellectual) sign of AQUARIUS. AQUARIANS are known to have a humanitarian orientation and can be either quite conservative or innovative and often both. The ancient “ruler” of AQUARIUS was stern SATURN and the modern “ruler” is unpredictable and innovative URANUS. Many dominating figures in American history were AQUARIANS such as Reagan, FDR and Lincoln.

John Roberts has a very integrated chart. Every planet is connected to another planet or pattern of planets. His planets are spread in a “Splash” pattern around many sections of the chart (view chart), showing an interest and native capacity in many different areas of life. He has a GRAND TRINE in the WATER signs, showing a deeply emotional side which he has not shown publicly. More apparent has been the drive and focus of his FIXED T-SQUARE. Interestingly, he has no planets in EARTH signs, a signature of someone who feels no earthly limits as to what he can achieve.

Roberts’ MARS is strongly placed in its own sign of ARIES. This is a driving and pioneering position, especially because the MARS favorably and closely aspects (by SEXTILE) his SUN. This man is indeed driven to succeed and be first in whatever he does.

SATURN, the stern taskmaster planet, is in the power sign of SCORPIO, indicating his desire for both self control and to be in control of any situation. SATURN in fact is the focus of his T-SQUARE and a part of his GRAND TRINE in WATER, both of which emphasize the importance of SATURN in his chart.

MERCURY’s aspects to MARS, URANUS, NEPTUNE and PLUTO show the quickness, versatility, imagination and depth of his mind. His occasional quirky remarks and sense of humor can be especially ascribed by his MERCURY-URANUS QUINCUNX.

VENUS in FIERY SAGITTARIUS is very natural for someone who loves the law, philosophy and broad concepts. VENUS in freedom-loving SAGITTARIUS may be one reason he married so late in life, but VENUS’ positive TRINE to PLUTO gives his romantic depth of feeling.

He has multiple close connections to the chart of the U.S. (view chart) as well as to the chart of President Bush (view chart). Among the most striking contacts with the U.S. chart is Roberts’ SUN at 7 AQUARIUS within one degree of the U.S. SOUTH NODE in the ninth house (philosophy and the Justice system). His JUPITER in CANCER conjoins the U.S. MERCURY, indicating a broad philosophical connection with the thinking of the country.

Bush’s ASCENDANT at seven LEO conjoins the SOUTH NODE of the U.S. chart, therefore exactly opposing (or being complementary to) Roberts’ SUN. Transiting SATURN is now challenging both Bush and Roberts at the same time. SATURN is on Bush’s ASCENDANT and opposing Roberts’ SUN. This is probably the most challenging time for the Bush presidency while Roberts will be challenged even more strongly as a potential Chief Justice than as an Associate Justice.

If confirmed, John Roberts will be Bush’s first Supreme Court appointee, perhaps a prophetic indicator of Bush’s legacy. Known to be able to argue either side of any case, he nonetheless has a lifetime history of conservative convictions.

How might he grown and change in office? Conservatives are not all convinced he is conservative enough and liberals are terrified of how conservative he might be. In about three years his Progressed SUN will enter the sign of ARIES. Then he will start developing a more aggressive role which may reach a peak in 2016 when his SUN conjoins his MARS. This indicates his taking on a bolder leadership role. Whether he will remain so conservative or surprise us, as so many justices have, remains to be seen.

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