Joseph Lowery, a pastor with deep roots in the civil rights movement and co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Council, will deliver the closing benediction. Lowery is not only a civil rights leader with impeccable credentials, he is also one of the few black religious leaders in favor of equal rights for gays.  Moreover, the Lesbian and Gay Band Association will march in the inaugural procession.

Obama has said that he will be the President for all Americans, and he certainly seems to be taking big steps in that direction.  He has some interesting transits going on at the time of the inauguration:  Transiting Pluto, planet of transformation, will be opposite his Venus for the second time, suggesting possible challenges with relationships and alliances (during the first pass of Pluto to Obama’s Venus the scandal about the Reverend Jeremiah Wright erupted, causing the end of that relationship.  In addition, transiting Chiron, the wounded healer, will be within minutes to a transit over Obama’s ascendant which can have effects on a number of different levels; it could signify the revelation of painful emotions (Chiron) regarding Obama’s relationship to others (ascendant/descendant axis), or it could provide an impetus for Obama to act as an instrument of healing (Chiron) for those around him (ascendant).  

Transiting Pluto will also be making a challenging aspect (square) to the Midheaven of the chart of the United States.  The Midheaven in a national chart represents the government and its leaders, and this is a good harbinger for a significant transformation (Pluto) in the way the US government conducts itself.  I don’t think any of us can argue that this is a really good thing right now!!