National Forecast 2024

NEWS BEFORE THE NEWS

U.S. PREDICTIONS FOR 2024

 Three methods will be used to describe the trends for the United States in 2024: major transits in the heavens during the year, the Declaration of Independence chart using my Diurnal-Planet-for-a-Year direction (DPY)* and significant transits to the U.S. natal planets.

*This new direction method is fully explained in my book Your Cosmic Oracle.

HEAVENLY TRANSITS

Here is a brief review of previous transits to give an idea of where we stand in 2024.  Jupiter and Neptune joined April 12, 2022 in a single conjunction.  This is primarily a sign of inflation.  Inflation has ravished the housing industry and harassed the consumer to such an extent that the economy seems to be in bad shape, when in fact, it is not.  President Biden’s poll numbers reflect a widespread sentiment that America is suffering.  Inflation is to blame.  But if Biden had not instituted the 2021 $1.9 trillion stimulus package (the CBO recommended a stimulus of only 400 billion) when the cosmic template for inflation was in effect, roaring inflation may never have taken place.

As 2023 ends, inflationary numbers are gradually coming down.  No one should be complacent about falling prices – they are likely not to last.  The Saturn/Neptune cycle points to rising prices 2026-2034.  The 9.28-year inflation cycle discussed in my book The Spiraling Economy (ISBN 9798717352321 available through Amazon) correctly predicted 2021 as a short inflationary peak.  The next peak in the 9.28-year cycle is 2030 during the next Saturn/Neptune phasing!  The inflation of 2021 is not merely a pandemic induced production and supply chain upheaval; nor will it be temporary.  The inflation/financial crisis induced by Biden’s budget and the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction in 2022 are not the end of the problem either.  The next two presidents will hold in their hands the super inflationary pens of 2026-2034.

The Jupiter/Pluto square 5/17/2023 is another headliner.  This configuration is tied to the previous conjunction.  The synodic cycle of Jupiter and Pluto officially formed when these two heavenly bodies joined in 4/5/2020.  This date and the events that surround it mark the beginning of a grand cycle lasting about twelve and a half years.  The significance of this conjunction varies from nation to nation but a core theme or meaning can be extracted from the historical record.

One theme is massive deaths and warfare – think corona-virus, a wicked flu season, the Ukraine Russian War, and the Israeli-Hamas conflict.

A mass migration from the Middle East to Europe and from Mexico and South America to the United States will reach a critical point and demand remedial actions.

Ecological disasters are another theme; the severe storms and weather extremes of 2022 and 2023.  The Earth appears at a tipping point with global temperatures exceeding previous estimates.

The death or removal of powerful leaders is another possibility.  Another presidential match-up between Joe Biden and Donald Trump seems likely with the end product quite out-of-the-ordinary – a historic turning point for America to say the least.

The last theme comprises the development of renewable energy as the primary source of power generation.  Renewable energy is beginning to stimulate major product innovations that will restructure social living.  The list of products is too large to name but solar cars, places that recharge battery devices without plugging in, solar powered airplanes and civilian car/planes are a few of the advanced ideas being worked on.  2026 is the next year to watch for major lifestyle innovations.  This is when Jupiter and Pluto will be in opposition.  The following conjunction in 2033 is especially important as a transition portal to a renewable energy world.

GRAND CYCLES IN 2024

Two significant planetary configurations form this year: Jupiter/Uranus conjunction April 20 and two Jupiter/Saturn squares August 19 and December 24.

Jupiter and Uranus start a new 13.8-year cycle this year.  War is a major theme so the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza will continue to play front page news.  Let us hope that the Israel-Hamas war does not expand to involve Hezbollah stationed in Lebanon or other Iranian proxy forces in the region.  The war in Ukraine is likely to reach a critical juncture in 2024 and 2025.  A lack of funding for Ukraine would embolden Putin to drive home his invasion.  A Trump presidency could pressure Ukraine to sue for peace.  Or a new level of lethality could be unleashed.  There is also a strong possibility of another significant war breaking out on planet Earth.

The Jupiter/Uranus cycle is primarily an aspect of historic exploration, discovery, invention, and innovation.  Major milestones in space, health science, and robotics will, therefor, take place this year.  This aspect appears to have started in September 2023 when the NASA Space telescope discovered a planet outside our solar system approximately 120 light-years distant that has the properties of life, notably a hydrogen rich atmosphere and oceans of liquid water.  Analysis of the light from this planet reveals possible dimethyl sulfide, a molecule that on Earth is primarily produced by living phytoplankton in the oceans.

Since the Earth is experiencing very warm conditions, worldwide authoritarianism tends to increase but the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction can dent this trend as more nations elect democratic governments.

Civil Rights will be strengthened.  The 1965 Voting Rights Act faces a critical test.  A Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 2023 that only the federal government can file challenges to discriminatory voting practices, such as district maps drawn to weaken certain groups like Black voters.  A Circuit Court first ruled in favor of precedent that allows civil rights groups and private citizens to file grievances.  The Supreme Court must now decide if an objection to possible discriminatory voting practices is the sole domain of the federal government or side with precedent.  The implications for democracy are huge.

Large protest marches and rallies will take place touting various social causes.  Social uprisings have taken place under Jupiter and Uranus so expect 2024 to be tumultuous.

Mass migrations will continue to intensify but in new and unexpected ways.  Drastic measures may be taken to stem this tide of refugees including much needed immigration reform.  Terrorism and assassinations will also be on the rise, hopefully not a result of our lax border security and liberal immigration policies.

Jupiter and Saturn form the first square after the historic 2020 conjunction.  Interestingly, a theme with this planet pair is power transfer through an incumbent losing an election or dying in office.  The last conjunction witnessed incumbent Trump defeated by challenger Biden.  A repeat of this contest favors a Trump victory.

Political alliance will collapse and new ones will form during 2024.  This implies that a third party candidate may emerge to challenge the two front runners.  A political faction could also coalesce into a more influential group.  The MAGA movement is one such group and to a lesser extent the Congressional Progressive Caucus (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spokesperson) and on the right the House Freedom Caucus.  Another significant alliance took place in 2023 called BRICS.  The BRICS agreement ties Brazil, Russia, India, China, and S. Africa (other nations may follow) in trade and they pledge to “de-dollarize” the global economy by adopting a common currency called R5 (for real, ruble, rupee, renminbi, and rand).  If the world economy decouples from the dollar, U.S. supremacy falters.  The Jupiter/Saturn opposition in 2029 is the next critical turning point for any shift in the world balance of power.

U.S. HOROSCOPE JULY 2024 – JULY 2025 is a Moon year in my DPY direction.

There are several themes that will unfold during this important election year.  The Moon points to a year of growth yet vulnerability.  The economy and the stock market are growing but the country is severely divided politically.  The Moon points to frequent shifts in the national mood – a vulnerability in perception.  Strong winds of sentiment change can sway the masses one way then another causing significant voting blocs to change course and favor a different candidate; a steady red state, for instance, can vote blue and vice versa.   The public, represented by the Moon, is gullible and can be easily duped by false information and AI generated fraud.  History teaches that the public is driven more by imagination and emotional responses than reason.

High food and home related prices, due to stubbornly high inflation, will be a central issue during the election.  Smaller more affordable homes are being built to satisfy the housing need but it will take a significant reduction in inflation, interest and insurance rates to end the real-estate dilemma.  Another Moon event is abortion access.  For this reason women will play a crucial role in the next election and its aftermath.  On another front, Ukraine and Israel will receive the military aid that they need, albeit, inconsistently and often contrary to what is necessary and practical.  If Trump becomes president, he will push Ukraine to cede territory for peace.

Immigration is another hot topic in the election run-up and the next president will have to deal with it.  Trump was successful in slowing the tide of migrants when he was president.  Biden reversed the Trump executive orders and allowed millions to enter the country until public outcry and pressure within his own party forced him to enact executive orders to help stem the tide.  This wasn’t until June 2024 – three years after he took office.  Immigration has become a political football.  When a reasonable bipartisan bill was introduced earlier in 2024 Trump urged Republicans not to vote for it.  He wants to save this issue for his administration to fix – a feather in his red cap – if he wins in November.  What is needed is immigration reform involving a ‘merit based quota’.  Besides strict humanitarian cases, a merit based system would limit the number of immigrants to the working needs of America.  Applicants would have to remain out of the country or stay in border camps until their case is heard in court within a month of application.  Illegal entries would be hunted down and deported.  Unfortunately, this isn’t going to happen.

As for the election we need to look at the U.S. horoscope.  Many astrologers, including myself, have relied on the Sibley chart of 5.10 pm LMT.  This is a purely symbolic chart with Masonic overtones.  It is not the U.S. horoscope from a historical perspective.  According to congressional records and those of John Adams the last edit by Thomas Jefferson was submitted on the 4th and review began at 10 am.  Adams said the review ended at 11 am and a vote was then taken; the declaration passed.  The exact time is unknown but sometime shortly after 11 am.  I currently favor a rectified time of 11.05 am.  In this chart transiting Mars opposes natal Neptune 4/20/24 and goes over the Descendant 4/29.  Widespread college campus demonstrations against the war in Gaza turned violent for the first time near these dates.  On the 29th marijuana (Neptune) was reclassified to a Level 3 substance meaning it has medicinal properties and is not addictive.  Fast forward one month to May 20 when transiting Uranus is square natal Moon and Neptune transits the Descendant of other people.  Trump is convicted of 34 felonies, a verdict that millions of people believe to be bogus.  Also this month, AI generated political fakes appear for the first time on social media.  This transit hints at secret players, cover-ups, and hidden agendas.  Whatever you think of the hush money trial it pales in importance to the Georgia election interference case that has been put on hold until after the election.  The document case is ongoing but will likely not be completed until after the election; if Trump wins the presidency he will nix this case with pardon.  I’m saying there is mischief afoot and the upcoming election will involve deception.  In all eventualities, this election will not be decided November 4th.  An electoral tie would be decided in the House, likely going to Trump.  A messy election – a contested one – would also delay the results.  “Faithless electors” might not vote for their majority. And in the 2020 election, there were fake electors that tried to vote. Fortunately, they were discovered and rejected. Measures have been taken to prevent such a thing in the future but there is no guarantee that 2024 will be a fair election. This time around there is a real chance of a contingent election. The popular vote and the electoral vote do not matter in a contingent election. A contingent election takes place when the results cannot be certified two months after the election. Then each state delegation has 1 vote in the House. Trump would likely win in such a case.

Transiting Uranus makes a second and third contact with natal Moon influencing December-February 2025.  Biden has a transit to his Moon during the election and Mars transits his Jupiter near January 20, the beginning of a new term; Trump has Mars transiting his Saturn.  Biden wins.

But March is ugly, uncertain, and deceptive.  A triple transit to natal Neptune takes place.  The lunar eclipse of 3/14 falls on Neptune and transiting Saturn is opposite Neptune on the same day!  On the 19th, transiting Neptune once again crosses the U.S. Descendant of adversaries, dissolving alliances, and public scapegoating.  Foreign nations are wondering if they can count on us; they are bewildered by our behavior.  Adversaries are up to no good through espionage and Iran is desperate to keep advancing nuclear bomb capabilities secret.  A serious attack on Iran would have unknown and unintended consequences, all too real at this critical time-point.  Allies are abandoned.  Immigrants waiting in the country for asylum hearings are fearful of deportation so hide and larger numbers fail to show up at their court date.  Drugs and the fentanyl poise the greatest threat yet so more aggressive action is taken to fight this scourge.  Deep sea mining for rare earth elements by foreign nations reaches a critical point demanding more U.S. engagement.  Prescription drugs and marijuana issues are hotly debated.

If the rectified U.S. horoscope holds true March will bring euphoria for many and a time of great disillusionment to others.  Trump will be up to all manner of nefarious deeds if he is president.  If unelected, Trump likely will face the most serious charges against him – election interference and withholding classified documents – since it was during the first Neptune Descendant transit that he was convicted in the Stormy Daniels hush money case.  If president he will dismiss these cases and go after those that maligned him, like the judge and jury and his primary political rivals.

Who wins this ‘no body wants’ election?  It’s hard to say from polls that rate the run a tossup.  Astrologically it’s difficult too.  Mentioned earlier is that Trump has to win in order to avoid the strong legal cases against him.  His transits and those to the U.S. rectified chart point more to a victory than a defeat.  For a second civil “cultural” war is looming.  Based on the Sibley chart it would take place in 2028.  In the rectified 11.05 am chart presented here it is early 2025.  Transiting Neptune crossed the Descendant 3/27/1861, just like it does in March 2025.  The transit of Uranus returned to its 1776 natal position 4/1/1861 symbolizing the rebellion that started that month.  This time it is a civil culture war that can tear this country apart much like the War Between the States.  Trump returning to the White House could make this happen.

During the month of May, if Trump becomes president, a great roundup of immigrants begins.  This is the beginning of the retention and deportation process he promised.  Saturn crosses the Descendant this month for the first of three contacts.  Detention of others is one meaning.  Problems imposed by foreign nations and political litigation are another.

U.S. HOROSCOPE JULY 2023 – JULY 2024 is a Uranus year in my DPY direction.  The DPY direction is a general forecasting tool like progressions.  Uranus is located just below the western horizon at the time of the Declaration of Independence (Sibley chart).  It signifies freedom from oppressors.  During this birthday year for the U.S. expect the political/cultural divide to worsen with radical elements on both sides exerting more pressure on their parties.  Loud cries will go forth to defund the Ukrainian war effort.  The course we take, however, will be to protect freedom abroad in our national interest while remaining free of military engagements unless attacked.  The U.S. will distance itself from China while still doing a brisk trade in consumer goods.  A technological disengagement with China is necessary in areas where our self-defense is jeopardized.  There are three new processing chip manufacturing plants now being constructed in the U.S. to reduce foreign reliance.  The same effort needs to be made regarding rare earth elements.  Border security, especially with Mexico, is another issue that will take center stage during this Uranus year.  Unique methods like those used by Texas governor Greg Abbott will continue to garner attention to the plight along the border, Border States, and increasingly to the rest of the country.  A comprehensive revamping of immigration law is needed but unlikely at this time.  At best, innovative new approaches may be employed to control immigration with the support of Mexico and primary countries of immigrant origin.  Unfortunately, the necessary cooperation for such a restructuring of immigration is unlikely between countries.

The Uranus year promises to be wild, surprising, and destabilizing, like the sudden attack on Israel by Hamas October 7, 2023.  Strange things are going to happen.  Allies can surprise us with their innovation and sudden independence.  Nations of interest to the U.S., like Niger with rich deposits of uranium, will experience upheaval or become politically extreme; Israel is another example of this. Adversaries can also do the unexpected.  Let us hope a nuclear crisis in Ukraine doesn’t happen, or that China doesn’t pull a fast one over Taiwan.  Sides are forming.  China, Russia and Iran have a bond; NATO is growing; and Biden has vowed to uphold freedom in Southeast Asia and to keep vital sea lanes open.  It is a year of posturing and picking sides as compromise between adversaries is extremely difficult.

The war in Ukraine is particularly troubling for nations dependent on grain shipped out of Odesa and other ports.  Many nations rely on Ukraine’s vast grain producing regions for food.  Russia has attacked Ukrainian ports destroying grain elevators, storage facilities, and loading equipment – even in the backdoor ports along the Danube.  The U.S. will take an increasingly detached and independent position regarding Ukraine while continuing to supply weapons and vital supplies to this besieged nation.

Surprises will abound in major litigations.  Joe Biden may even be impeached over shared profits in his son Hunter’s foreign business dealings.  Donald Trump will be part of the surprise developments this year.  His trials will be unique and terribly upsetting to the nation.  Democracy is in peril if Trump somehow manages to beat the indictments and win the White House.  He would then drain “the swamp” and replace thousands of career bureaucrats with MAGA supporters.  Efforts would also be made to harness the Justice Department and the FBI by redefining their supposedly independence.  On the other hand, radical Democratic groups have exerted great influence on Biden to bend the nation toward greater inclusiveness, redistributing massive amounts of wealth, adding layers of new regulations to a nation already overly burdened by red tape.  Socialism, aka European style, is what they want and a bulk of Americans has bought into this Big Brother mentality.  What was once thought impossible will now be considered.  Many believe bending the Constitution and rule of law may be necessary to re-establish order.

Nothing short of spectacular is in store for the United States.  The renewable energy revolution will continue with erratic progress, sometimes rapid deployment of more fueling stations, infrastructure improvements, and waves of new electric cars will take place while at other times not enough will get done.  We are in danger of pushing recklessly ahead with renewables at the expense of current energy needs.  Dismantling dams and power plants when demand for electricity is increasing and renewables have not caught up is a recipe for power outages.  All practical methods of energy production need to work together as renewable sources come online.  This means small, efficient nuclear plants are needed along with natural gas, fuel, and clean burning coal plants.  Too quick and radical a departure from fossil fuels will leave us vulnerable to the whims of foreign suppliers.

*The DPY direction divides time into 9-year segments with a different planet representing each year within the group (the Sun is excluded).  The current 9-year segment is represented by Pluto and runs from 2020-2029.  The last Pluto 9-year period was 1939-1948 during World War II and its aftermath.  The previous Pluto 9-yr period was 1848-1857 a tumultuous time of mass migration during the 1849 Gold Rush and the deep political divisions that led up to the Civil War.  We may conclude then that July 2023 – July 2024 is a very dangerous time.  It is a time of division and rebellion.

ASPECTS TO THE U.S. HOROSCOPE

It is worth repeating part of what I wrote last year about 2023 as these conditions continue to unfold in 2024.  The following is based on the Sibley chart for the U.S.

Transiting Pluto returns to its natal position in the U.S. horoscope for the third and final time 12/28/22.  Coincidently, transiting Mars crosses the Descendant while Jupiter traverses the Lower Meridian.  The significance of this threesome after the midterm election is monumental.  Pluto, as always, signifies the tearing down of something in the process of rebuilding anew.  In this case it is likely the transfer of government power back to the conservative court.  Although transiting Pluto is no longer influencing Mercury in the U.S. chart, the natal opposition between these two remains as a warning for all citizens to be cognizant of where they get their news and viewpoints.  Pluto corrupts.  It manipulates.  A strong compulsive action is produced that results in profound restructuring.  The initial stimulation for change is often packaged around with lies, conspiracy theories, and enticing themes of treachery.  I have warned before that the American media, primary education, some businesses and bureaucrats will try to manipulate opinions surreptitiously.  The outcry over educational standards and curriculum is one example of this.  Another is the proliferation of internet-based social media disinformation – personal opinions and peculiar theories.  What gets watered down (torn asunder) in the flood of differing ideas are facts.  So please check your ideas out; fact-check – otherwise, you are partner to the corruption that is undermining our society.

The Pluto conjunction in the U.S. horoscope also points to investigations regarding corruption in the highest places.  Fingers always point to various allegations of government corruption in every administration but circumstances are different this time.  Never, except when the British did it, has the Capital been assaulted.  Never has a president tried in nefarious ways to overturn an election deemed fair by recounts, state audits, and multiple legal courts.  Never has a president taken and kept so many government documents, some classified secret, and lied that they had all been returned.

Make no mistake about it.  Pluto destroys.  It converts to another system by casting aside the existing.  No matter your frame of reference, be it conservative or liberal, the other tribe is guilty.  Before continuing, let me say at the outset that I’m calling it as I see it and not the way I believe it should be.  I try as best as humanly possible to fit the facts to astrological principles in order to ascertain timing, impact, and result.

The Pluto return signifies a turning point – a transition – for our nation.  One obvious transition is from the Age of Oil to the Age of Green ‘Renewable’ Energy.  Another is space exploration and commercialization.  Artificial Intelligence is also a huge leap forward with extraordinary benefits contrasting with potential catastrophic results.

2022-2023 was a pivotal time that is still playing out in 2024.  To fully explain, let me take you back in time to the late 1850s.  Transiting Neptune was square natal Mars and in opposition with the U.S. Neptune in 1857.  There was a bitter divide at the time between Northern “free” states and Southern “slave” states.  The abolitionists distrusted adherents of the slave economy and vice versa.  Disinformation swelled the controversy amid threats of secession and violence.   Viciousness spew from both sides of the great debate: angry arguments and fist fights and ugly newspaper opinion pages were common.  The insinuations from the South trigged fear and apprehension – what would an end to slavery and Northern domination mean for Old Dominion?  The Northern view, not unlike the Democrats of today, loathed the idea of exclusionism (enslavement) and state’s rights over federal jurisdiction.

The situation is much the same today.  Transiting Neptune during the first three months of 2022 was square natal Mars and opposite natal Neptune just like in 1857.  The liberal ‘left’ and the conservative ‘right’ can agree on little.  Each side distrusts the other.  Accusations run rampant concerning what will happen if one side gains popular control over the other.  Lies, deceptions, fear – and the insidious unknown – rule the day.

And then there was rebellion.  Fort Sumter was bombarded in Charleston harbor by secessionist forces sparking the Civil War just as Uranus joined with natal Uranus in the U.S. horoscope (April 1, 1861).

Uranus does not join itself in modern times until 2028-29, long after the 2022 transits to Neptune and Pluto.  But there is another danger now seeping and growing into the very foundations of our Republic.

In the U.S. chart Neptune is near the Midheaven of leadership and government.  Is it no wonder then that a majority of the population is distrustful of government?  Large numbers of people are disappointed in Washington leadership.  Presidents have lied; made promises they couldn’t keep, and behaved incompetently.  Although another civil war, if there is to be one, will not come until 2028 or 2029,            Pluto today replaces the Uranus transit of 1860.  Rather than an immediate civil war, we face the undermining (Pluto) of ideas (Mercury).  Extremism and fanatical talk is all over the internet.  The media, once the bastion of reliable information, is now subjected to scorn and ridicule – even disbelief – as increasing numbers of people get their news online from extremist forums and through social media chitchat.

A constitutional crisis is in the making.  It was first felt during the 2020 election.  The January 6, 2021 Capital insurrection and the ensuring prosecution of perpetrators and investigation of then president Donald Trump is the manifestation of the Pluto return.  Trump is likely to be found guilty of many of the charges against him.  This will not stop him from running for president and, if elected, he could fulfill the astrological prophecies laid out.

Problems in our political system are systemic.  Remember Neptune on the U.S. Midheaven.  Conservatives fear a totally socialist America (Neptune); liberals relish the idea of Euro-style democratic socialism. Extremists in both parties are trying to push their agendas past congressional moderates.  Even President Biden who campaigned on a promise to “bring America together” has caved to the extremist voices in his party.  The Republicans are unified against the liberals because an extreme faction of conservatives drives the party.  This has created a stalemate.  Trump upped the ante in his bid to disavow the 2020 election.  Now his loyalists are harassing, threatening, and pressuring fellow Republicans that voted to impeach Trump resulting in many of them retiring from politics or being defeated in the polls.  There is also a clandestine movement to install Trump followers in state precincts, on election boards, and in other key voting positions.  In other words, there is a plan underway for undermining the next presidential election.

Fierce debates and disclosure of information unsettles the nation in February 2024.  Obsessive and unyielding viewpoints create much discord.  This month is one of feuds, disclosures, material forced into the forefront that rattles opponents on both sides.

March is peaceful with the voice of women and needs of the public coming to light near the 19th.  Food and housing issues will be important and a breakthrough may come near the lunar eclipse of the 25th.  The focus on food prices, lodging (homelessness and the immigration crisis), real estate availability and affordability reach beyond March and are quite significant in May.  Mention has been made of the importance of women and female interests like education, child care, and abortion.  Three major, slow moving, transits aspect the U.S. Moon this year peaking in May, August and September.  The mood and sentiment of the nation is changeable at these times, vulnerable to being swayed one way or the other.  The nation yearns for a change: one side receptive to Martian tough talk and action, the other to Venusian compromise and non-confrontation.

July brings surprises in international affairs and perhaps an unusual court ruling.  There is hope that new policies will help control the flood of immigrants.  Mexico and other countries could be part of such a solution at this time.

The events of July and August will forebode the election results.  President Biden has numerous, significant transits to his Moon this year and immediately following the election.  His perception as a vacillating and weak leader will persist but issues involving women, food, prices, housing and other lunar concerns will make or break him.

September is an extension of the lunar events of August as transiting Uranus makes its second square aspect with the U.S. Moon.  This is an upbeat month for the nation with high expectations and good news abundant.  The month is a high water mark for Biden to cement a lead over his rival.

October 20 is the peak of a weekly transit to Mercury, a time of rapid campaigning and final decision-making on undecided voters.  This is a logical and factual time so the polls should clearly point to the November presidential winner.

November and December interestingly are devoid of hard angle transits to the U.S. chart.  The election has simply been decided ahead of time.  The chances of a contested election are heightened however by transiting Mars turning retrograde December 6 and Jupiter retrograde crossing the U.S. Descendant January 9.  The Supreme Court may be called in to decide the outcome.