Jimmy Carter has died aged 100, who became renowned in his post-presidency years for the success of his initiatives on global health, democracy promotion and conflict resolution. Although deemed a lacklustre president he was the first since Jefferson under whom no blood was shed in war. At a farewell dinner as he left office, his vice-president, Walter F Mondale, gave a toast: “We told the truth. We obeyed the law. We kept the peace.” Carter later added a fourth major accomplishment: “And we championed human rights.”
He was born 1 October 1924 7am Plains, Georgia, into a well-to-do family though they had no electricity, running water or mechanized equipment on their farm. After a stint in the navy he took over the family peanut business and moved into politics, stepping into the White House on the back of Nixon’s Watergate scandal.
He had a 12th house Libra Sun square a strong-minded Pluto in his opinionated and far-travelled 9th; with an idealistic Neptune, leadership North Node and Venus in Leo in his career 10th in a high-vitality opposition to Mars in determined Aquarius. He had an understated Saturn in Scorpio just below his Ascendant in his 1st as well as an intense, secretive Scorpio Moon. His 12th house Sun and 10th house Neptune would help in his humanitarian ventures though was perhaps less useful in the attention-grabbing, ego-clashing arena of politics.
His Presidency chart, 20 January 1977 12pm had an afflicted Mars in the 9th square Pluto and inconjunct Saturn, hinting at foreign policy failures; with an indecisive Neptune in the 8th. The Moon opposed Saturn and square Uranus on the Descendant for an administration that left the electorate less than pleased (Saturn) and proved divisive (Uranus Desc). There was an enthusiastic Jupiter on the Ascendant and a friendly 11th house Venus but it was not enough to stave off criticism or a swingeing electoral defeat to Reagan next time round.
From a previous post on his wife Rosalynn Carter, who died last year (Post 20 November 2023).
Rosalynn Carter wife of former president Jimmy Carter has left behind a solid legacy of good works as she dies aged 96. A biographer described her as having achieved “one of the great political partnerships in American history”. She was up with Eleanor Roosevelt in her influence as first lady. And their four decades after the White House as global humanitarians advocating peace, democracy and the eradication of disease set a new standard for post-term presidents.
She was born 18 August 1927 6am In Plains, Georgia, into poverty, becoming a carer for her siblings after her father died in her early teens. She married Jimmy when she was 18, was a devout Baptist and mother of four, but her soft smile and outward shyness masked her determination and passion for politics which had her dubbed the ‘Steel Magnolia in Washington.
Her 12th house Sun Neptune in Leo gave her idealism, flair, inspiration and the ability to work tirelessly behind the scenes on mental health and other issues. Her Venus Mars in Virgo in her First added passionate enthusiasm for practical causes and a far-travelled 9th house Taurus Moon sent her round the world doing good.
Oddly enough his Uranus fell in her 7th house suggesting a bond that can only work where both gave each other freedom and she did travel and campaign a good deal on her own. His equally idealistic Venus Neptune North Node in Leo were conjunct her Sun Neptune for shared hopes and activism, with his Mars in Aquarius in opposition adding a spark of zest and no doubt a few arguments along the way.
His Libra Sun was opposition her adventurous Jupiter Uranus in Aries for an adventurous streak; and his Uranus square Jupiter sparked off HER Mars Venus conjunction.
Her Mercury and Sun Neptune in Leo fell in his 10th for a helpful career mate and her Moon in his 7th for support and nurturing.
Their relationship chart had an affectionate and friendly composite Sun Venus conjunction and a domestically soothing Moon Jupiter conjunction. A 10th house Pluto which made them influential as a couple was in an enduring trine to Saturn and sextile the composite Sun. Both were keen on a settled family and home life, she with a Taurus Moon and he with a Scorpio Moon – they could both be stubborn but obviously found a way to handle their differences.
It was a relationship which could have gone wrong if either had been driven by ego but both with 12th house Suns helped in that regard. Pluto in the composite 10th can turn into a power struggle but only when aims for individual glory are pursued. Pulling together they had the capacity to make a difference.
The post Jimmy Carter – truth and decency in the White House first appeared on Astroinform with Marjorie Orr – Star4cast.
