SB1170 Summer Study: The Lion Roars

Speaking Up For Our Loved Ones

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Usually when a bill working its way through the Tennessee General Assembly is "deferred to summer study", it's their passive-aggressive way of saying "no". Most bills referred to summer study die a quiet death by being denied serious hearing. That was not going to happen to SB1170, the bill which will end the use of the theory of criminal responsibility in Tennessee.

On 8/14/25, there was a rare summer study convened on behalf of folks who systemically are denied access to power. Everyone who attended could feel an energy which is generally in short supply in those assembly rooms: hope and LOVE. Basking in the warmth of that powerful energy, I decided to pull the chart. And I was blown away.

Astrological Chart for TN General Assembly Bill SB1170 Summer Study

Sun in Leo in 11th House

The Sun in this chart shows the core, the essence of the story this chart is telling. In the 11th house of community and in the regal sign of Leo, it represents collective, communal power being exerted within established system. But the square to Uranus in Gemini in the 9th house suggests a disruption in business as usual. The 9th house rules systems of justice and, with Gemini in the 9th, the vehicle of disruption is storytelling. These are not the usual stories that get told about justice in those rooms.

The Sun's square to Uranus does not promise an easy resolution. Instead, it indicates struggle and uncertainty. But the Sun is strong in Leo. It is the lion whose roar shakes its cage.

Moon in Taurus in 8th house

The Moon in the chart represents the underlying, unseen motivations and forces that are driving the actions of the Sun. In this case, the Moon in Taurus is addressing values and resources. Sitting in the 8th house of deep transformations, the Moon is demanding a complete reassessment of what we value. The Moon is asking: "Who's lives are worth protecting?" "What happens when people's lives are discarded and thrown away?" This Moon is driving us toward the inevitable reckoning that comes when generations have been denied what they need to thrive.

What happens when the folks who have been shitted on stand up and say they've had enough? The easy interaction between the Sun and the Moon, both in signs where they are strong, indicates that when these folks band together and demand to be heard, nothing can stop them. The Moon, at 0º, is at the very beginning, the point where all possibilities exist. Their voices echo with ancestral resonance booming across time as they tell their stories. They will no longer be ignored.

The Moon is getting her energy from the Sun. She needs it because she is under stress from Mercury in Leo and Pluto in Aquarius who in turn are pulling at each other. She is also embodying the passionate love of the asteroid Eros, compelling her to take risks she otherwise wouldn't take and the pain of the asteroid Chiron which represents injuries and scars that never completely heal. This is a forceful configuration which is so uncomfortable that it forces change. Something has to give. Mercury in Leo, again indicates the power of words. In the 11th house, it's the stories of a community, not an individual that changes things. Pushing away from the rebellious power of Pluto in Aquarius, the stories are about much needed change that will not be denied. Pluto in the 5th house indicates this change is generative and when the transformation is over, nothing will be the same. The placement of Pluto indicates an expansion. It's a good sign that, in the end, everything will be okay. But there's a hard road ahead, requiring creativity and commitment to get us there.

The Ascendant in Libra

The Ascendant in this chart summarizes its core themes perfectly. Libra is equity, justice, fairness. With Mars conjunct, it means there's gonna be a big fight. It means in this case that the community struck the first blow. And it was solid. Mars isn't at his strongest in Libra. The Summer Study, by itself, isn't enough. It was solid blow but didn't carry enough force to win the fight.

Mars's opposition to the Saturn/Neptune conjunction across the 1st and 7th houses is another indication that dedication, commitment and follow through are necessary to bring the possibilities inherent in a Saturn/Neptune conjunction into reality. Saturn and Neptune together are a powerful force for bringing our highest ideals into reality. (SIDENOTE: I would highly urge everyone to see where Saturn and Neptune are conjunct in their personal chart. This conjunction can bring long held desires and dreams into manifestation. These slow moving planets are going to be conjunct until early 2027. Long enough to really make things happen.) All those possibilites are right there but it's not easy work.

Additionally, Mars is forming a grand trine with Uranus and Pluto. Uranus and Pluto are making up with each other after their beef during 2012 to 2015. That doesn't make anything feel easier right now. It means that the issues that were brought up during those years are coming to a resolution. The fight to end criminal responsibility is a part of that resolution. However, dedication and faith are required to get the benefit of the powerful trine between Mars, Uranus and Pluto.

Venus and Jupiter conjunct in Cancer in 10th House

The energy of Venus rules this chart by virtue of the Ascendant being in Libra, one of the signs ruled by Venus (the other is Taurus, where the Moon is). Venus is debilitated in Cancer so she's not at full strength. Love alone is not going to free our folks.

Fortunately for us, she has aligned herself with Big Daddy Jupiter who is exalted in Cancer and rules systems of justice. And together, they are in tune with the karmic North Node in Pisces. The work that lifts our people out of oppression, pain and suffering is karmic, destined work. It is happening when it's supposed to happen, how it's supposed to happen and with the people who are supposed to make it happen.

CONCLUSION

This chart tells a story of how people who have been denied what they deserve win when they come together and fight. The promise and hope of this chart is our love for each other and our willingness to fight for ourselves, our loved ones and our community to the absolute end. It shows us that what happened on the day when we spoke truth to power absolutely meant something. It changed something. We have to believe that and keep fighting.