Political Astrology: Allen West

I thought that I'd try something a little fun. What do the stars say about Rep. Allen West's personality? .

Because we don't have an exact birth time for Rep. West, 12 noon is used as a stand-in midpoint birth time on his birth date. If anyone has his exact birth time, feel free to send it my way and I can make this report even more detailed.

Without an exact birth time, we are missing Rep. West's Ascendant sign (which represents the "face" that he presents to the world and is a placement as important as his Sun Sign....although I suspect that he is either Leo Rising, Scorpio Rising, or perhaps Aries Rising).

Because we don't know Rep. Allen West's Ascendant sign, we also don't know his Midheaven (career cusp) sign. We also don't know Rep. West's true house placements, which would highlight the key areas of his life. Thus, we're missing more than half of his natal information.

However, we can still do a decent (although significantly less extensive) personality analysis based upon his planetary placements and planets' aspects to each other:

"What You See Is What You Get"

Of course, not all Aquarius personalities are alike. With a February 7 birth date, Rep. Allen West is what's known as a second decan Aquarius. One website states about the second decan Aquarius personality: "You do not have any hidden agendas and 'what you see is what you get' in your connections with people. You are honest and truthful and expect the same of others. You are very intelligent and quick witted and you allow your head to rule over your heart and think carefully before you reach decisions. You like puzzles, mysteries and anything that challenges your intellect. A natural academic and scholar you can excel in a number of professions of your choosing. You also possess a strong imagination and can turn your hand to creative writing. You are a gifted communicator and use the power of the word to your advantage."

As an Aquarius, Rep. West is driven by issues of fairness and justice. This can be illustrated by his positions regarding the government not confiscating wealth and punishing good life choices and success. He is humanitarian and idealistic, but Aquarius also gives him unconventional and rebellious streak. This also means that he is intellectual, but somewhat aloof.

With Mercury (which represents thought) in dreamy Pisces, Rep. West is intuitive and imaginative. His Mercury (thoughts) trines his Moon (emotions), Mars (action), and Neptune (dreams). This means that his intellect works well with his emotions, thus giving Rep. West facility with both written and spoken words. He also has the ability to act on his goals and desires, and his imagination.

Determined & Stubborn, But A Go-Getter Who May Over-Extend Himself

Four of Rep. Allen West's planets are in Fixed signs, which means that he is a determined but stubborn individual. Another four planets are in Cardinal signs, which means that the conservative Congressman is a go-getter. What Astrology-Numerology.com states about Cardinal/Fixed types: "You are ambitious rather than adaptable, strong-willed and resistant to external influences, and yet always ready for the next challenge. You set values and ideals high, and attainment is a constant goal. The Cardinal influences may make you charge off in many different directions and the fixed signs will want to finish everything that you start. So, you are the type of person that is apt to overload and over-extend yourself."

Rep. West's Saturn (which represents ambition and delay) in serious-minded Capricorn — Saturn is Capricorn's natural ruler — means that he's ambitious and has a strong sense of responsibility. He thus has no problems working hard for his success.

Why Is Rep. Allen West A Conservative Politician, & Military Man?

Saturn in prudent-minded Capricorn — along with him having a tradition-minded Earth / Water chart — is what imbues Rep. West with his conservative orientation. Saturn is conservative by nature (representing restrictions and delays), and it's reinforced by conservative-minded Capricorn's energy. Add the fact that his Saturn conjuncts his Jupiter, also in Capricorn, and this gives him an even stronger conservative orientation. This is a man who loves and thrives on structure, which may explain why Rep. West's career has almost all been within bureaucratic structures....the military, the K-12 education system, and now the U.S. Congress.

It is no surprise that Rep. West is in politics, given that his Venus in Aries is at the Sabian symbol of 5 degrees. That is a good placement for a politician, and a person who enjoys power. In fact, I suspect that his currently-mysterious Midheaven (career cusp) is in power-oriented Scorpio because (other than a very brief stint as a high school teacher) his career has been about raw power: military power, political power.

Mars in Cancer is an interesting placement for Rep. West, a former military man. Given his military background, you'd expect his Mars (which represents action) to be in a more aggressive sign, like Aries or perhaps Leo. Mars in Cancer suggests defensive action and not aggression. However, Mars in Cancer types also tend to have a strong love for both family and homeland. With Mars in Cancer, mess with either his family or country and Rep. West will certainly have a problem with you.

Rep. West has a Grand Trine (talent triangle) between his Scorpio Moon, Mars in Cancer, and Mercury in Pisces. Unfortunately, we don't have his house placements so we could see how this plays out in his life. However, it's a very positive aspect which relates to emotions (Scorpio Moon), action (Mars), and his thoughts (Mercury), and probably relates to his high-profile career.
 
Strong Personality With Leadership Potential, But Emotionally Impulsive & A Huge Worrier

Three of Rep. West's five key planets/"planets" (the Sun and Moon are considered planets for the purposes of astrological analysis) are in Water signs. This means that Rep. West is emotionally driven (but you knew that already). Rep. West's independent-minded and humanitarian Aquarius Sun combines with his intense and private Scorpio Moon. Astrology-Numerology.com states about the Aquarius Sun / Scorpio Moon combination: "Your personality is very strong, and you possess tremendous powers for good or for constructiveness if you can only keep your emotional impulses under mental control. You have a stubborn desire to get your own way, and you're a highly determined leader. As a leader, you are one to work right along with your subordinates since you never expect anything from anyone that you yourself are not willing to do. You have a good deal of ambition and enterprise, and these are well supported by a dogged determination, making you very forceful when it comes to getting things done. Some of your action may seem a bit impulsive and ill-advised, but no one ever has to coax you to take an initial step or make a decision."

The intense Moon in water-sign Scorpio reinforces Rep. West's need to be powerful, and right in his actions. A Scorpio Moon suggests someone with a difficult personality, who has (more than) occasional temper tantrums when upset. Rep. West is also likely a very private person, who doesn't like folks all up in his business. Moon in Scorpio types also tend to be quite the worriers as well. However, Moon in Scorpio also provides an individual with focus, and a taste for intrigue and danger (which may partly explain why Rep. West joined the military).

Problems In Romantic Relationships

Hey, don't shoot the messenger....I just interpret. With a Venus in Aries placement, Rep. Allen West is sexually straightforward and perhaps even pushy when it comes to his love life. Aries' natural ruler is Mars (the planet of action), so this is an aggressive placement. Venus is also in a detrimental position when it's in Aries, so this suggests troubles as well. The bad part of Venus in Aries is that it could lead to him wanting excitement with another relationship.

Rep. Allen West does have a difficult, romance-related aspect in his natal chart: Venus square Mars. While Venus (which symbolizes women) square Mars (which symbolizes men) means that Rep. West had no shortage of female attention back in his bachelor days, people with this aspect tend to have difficult relationships. Venus-Mars squares are very demanding in their relationships, and are quick to go the infidelity or alcoholism route when they don't get what they want. This is something that Rep. West will need to watch out for in his life. Rep. West can again take some solace in the fact that President Obama also has this aspect in his own natal chart.

In response to that dreadful Democratic attack ad illustrating Rep. West hitting two female constituents, Mrs. West (pictured) claims that Rep. West has never engaged in violence against women. Rep. West's natal chart astrologically backs up her claim. He has no aspects which suggest abusing women (e.g., Venus-Pluto aspects, which entertainers Bobby Brown, Chris Brown, and Ike Turner had/have in their charts, nor does Rep. West have lots of oppositions and squares — like, say, Batman massacre killer James Holmes has in his natal chart — strongly suggesting a very tightly-wound personality). However, with a Venus (love) square Mars (representing anger) aspect, this marriage has significantly more troubles than the Wests publicly let on. Only a synastry chart (which would require Mrs. West's birth data, in addition to Rep. West) could confirm it. Coupled with Rep. West's Sun opposition Uranus — which means that he's prone to erratic mood swings, hypersensitivity, and tends not to compromise — and it's likely that he's a difficult husband.

However, the good news is that Rep. West's Chiron (which represent wounded healing, and is positive in his chart) does help mitigate the negative aspects regarding his romantic relationships.

Recurring Chart Theme: Emotionally Focused On Security, But Needs To Learn To Adapt

I expected Rep. West to have a lot of Fire in his chart given that he's a known ideological firebrand. However, he does not. With four planets and his Chiron in Water signs, Rep. West is an emotional man. However, this is somewhat tempered by having three planets and his True Node (which represents his "destiny") in Earth signs. Astrology-Numerology.com writes about Earth / Water types: "These placements are very conscious of survival needs, and other issues of security, and others' reliance on their solidity and resources. Therefore, much of your energy is used in an effort to maintain or obtain resources, and there is great attachment to money, possessions, job, children, and other security factors. You have endurance and an ability to survive through any calamity. Your attachment to security and to rather traditional values is often manifested in a strong adherence to family, home, and community responsibility. The negative side of earth/water types is becoming too attached to the past and rather fearful of the present and the future. Positive thinking and forming ideals may be your challenge."

While friendly (which his Aquarius Sun provides), the combination of his Scorpio Moon suggests that Rep. West likes to keep his private life private. Rep. West's need to feel emotionally safe is further backed up by his Moon (which represents emotions) in Scorpio. As emotionally intense types, Scorpio Moon people drive much of their behavior based on emotional needs. Rep. West's Mars (which represents action) is also in security-minded Cancer.

The virtual lack of Air signs in Rep. Allen West's chart shows he may be unable to view situations objectively, and adapt to the situation at hand.

Recurring Chart Theme: Lovable Bear Underneath The Gruffness

While Rep. Allen West publicly comes across on the gruff side, his natal chart shows that he has a pretty generous heart. This is shown by his True Lilith angle and Uranus retrograde angle (both at 23 degrees in loyal Leo), True Node angle, and Pluto retrograde, and Saturn angle placements. Generosity is arguably the biggest theme which shows up in Rep. West's planetary aspects. With these placements, I strongly suspect that in his private life, Rep. West goes far beyond the call of duty to help people (relatives, friends, co-workers) close to him.

Advice to liberals: if the Congressional Black Caucus (with whom Rep. West, who is a member, has often battled due to partisanship on both sides) were wiser, it would maximize this aspect of Rep. West's personality to its advantage by developing some bipartisan policy proposals which he could get behind and which would induce him to push other Republicans to support the proposals. This would further enhance the CBC's clout in Congress.
     
His True Lilith & Uranus retrograde placements suggest that Rep. West also enjoys working with wood products (if he doesn't already do so, it will be a good hobby for him to take up).
 
Recurring Chart Theme: Rep. West Must Keep His Deep Depression & Escapist Tendencies In Check

There are two huge red flags in Rep. West's natal chart. Rep. West was born during the Last Quarter Moon phase, which imbues him with plenty of emotion. While this makes Rep. West an empathetic individual, it also often results in deep depressive episodes. 

The tendency toward deep depression is further reinforced by Rep. West's Sun opposition Uranus aspect. This means that he's prone to erratic mood swings, and is hypersensitive. With these placements, I suspect that Rep. West privately battles some sort of depressive disorder. 

In addition, Rep. West has a very difficult aspect in his natal chart: Sun square Neptune. This aspect means that Rep. West tends to engage in escapism, especially if he feels that he doesn't measure up in some way. Despite his outward projection of self-confidence and take-charge attitude, this aspect strongly suggests that Rep. West is often internally plagued with self-doubt and fears.

People with Sun-Neptune square (which includes many entertainers, as Neptune rules both creativity and dreaminess) often go down the road of self-destructive behaviors like alcohol and drug abuse, secret romantic affairs, or other addictions. Rep. West will have to stay on top of his escapist tendencies to ensure that they don't go down a negative path a la Whitney Houston (who is an excellent example of the Sun square Neptune aspect's self-destructive side)! If it makes Rep. West feel better, President Obama also faces the Sun-Neptune square challenge.

Recurring Chart Theme: Love Of Nature

Love of nature is another recurring theme in the Congressman's chart, shown by his True Lilith angle, Uranus retrograde angle, Pluto retrograde angle, and Moon in Scorpio angle placements. These placements surely explain Rep. West's love for scuba diving (he is a certified Master diver) and his going against many Republicans' views when he slammed Rep. Michele Bachmann's position regarding oil & natural gas drilling in the Everglades. While Rep. West is a conservative whom liberals love to hate, his love for nature is another soft spot where liberals can gain entry in crafting legislation that he would likely support.