Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 10/18/2013: Forward March!

Good Morning!

As of 9:18PM ET on Wednesday, Moon charged into the fiery sign of Aries. This pioneering, inspiring, me-me-me, let’s-get-it-done-yesterday energy is a dramatic shift from the watery, go-with-the-flow-that’s-going-nowhere-in-particular energy of the void-of-course Moon in Pisces we experienced for 18 hours yesterday. I heard plenty of stories of people sleeping late, wandering around and/or flaking out. I also heard stories of some who were frustrated because their efforts to move forward in a straight line felt a lot like herding cats.

Today you can charge forward with intense focus, with a couple of caveats. First, emotional energy is running high, as reflected by the Moon waxing full tomorrow at 7:38PM ET. So try not to run over everyone’s toes in your rush to move ahead. The Moon will make its weekly engagement with the disruptive Uranus-Pluto square between 1:36PM ET and 3:01PM ET, so some may experience a shock, revelation or emotional power play.  Second, mental Mercury turns retrograde on Monday, so know that some of what is accomplished may be up for review and/or delayed implementation during the three week retrograde period (Mercury turns direct November 10th). Third, as noted in prior forecasts, a challenge between aggressive Mars and nebulous Neptune (exact late Saturday), suggests plenty of pixie dust, and thus the potential for magic and miracles…or illusions and delusions that lead to disappointment.

Towards the end of the business day, a lovely alignment between Venus and the Moon smooths ruffled feathers and offers potential for a pleasant evening, leading to indulgent expansion as the morning approaches. Woo-hoo!

And now, the news. Had I taken the time to actually type up the forecast that was in my head in yesterday’s Moon void, I would have written that any freakout over the debt ceiling deadline was likely “much ado about nothing”, and that a deal would get done before everything hit the fan. Why? Because although planetary patterns are volatile now, they get really intense in the horoscope of the United States in 2014.  It’s just too soon for the wheels to come flying off the bus. Plus, as noted in the forecast for Obama’s second term, it is suggested that the President can prevail in any stubborn impasse with this equally stubborn, but petty, misguided, health insurance-obsessed and ineffective 113th Congress.

Even more important: the re-opening of the government and the raising of the debt ceiling lasts only until January 15th and February 7th, respectively. That’s good news for corporations worried about consumer spending and profit margins during the holiday season, as Gail Collins implies in her usual irreverent style. The bad news is that we’re set up for another round of insanity after the first of the year. So here’s another piece of good news — about the increasing power and influence of certain women in the U.S. Senate. Check out this article about how Susan Collins (R-ME) spearheaded a cooperative effort that led to a Senate deal to end the shutdown. You go, girl! Did I mention that the early part of this week featured a lovely alignment between Venus and rebel Uranus, suggesting the potential for news of innovative women and unconventional social expression?

Finally,  just because it is cool: a post-script to last week’s artistic challenge between Venus (social expression) and Neptune (music): “Is Music the Key to Success?”

Arise, go forth and practice those scales…