A quick replay of the forecast for today: at 11:39 AM ET, Moon officially entered Aquarius.  Now is the time for social significance, intellectual innovation and networking panache. Hang with your chosen group of buddies and come up with a seriously sobering communications playbook. Around 3 PM ET, Moon met up with “get real” Saturn and harmonized with clever Mercury in Gemini. At 4:14 PM ET, Mercury and Saturn were beautifully aligned — reflecting that aforementioned playbook.

How fascinating that here in these United States we have not one, but TWO “get real” events streaming online today. Tough choice, but I opted for SCOTUS, which is finally hearing arguments in the battle for the release of P45’s tax returns. The other “get real” option was Dr. Fauci’s testimony for the Senate, in which he was reportedly going to say that it would be the dumbest dumb thing ever to re-open America for busy-ness too soon — and it would have “really serious consequences,” including “suffering and death.” Here’s a recap of the “reality check” he delivered.

More news in a minute — but first let’s do Part 2 of the Sneak Peek at the Week, continuing from yesterday:

• THURSDAY — Moon in Aquarius  trines Venus at 5:20 AM ET — facilitating sweetness in relationship. As the morning progresses, the Third Quarter Moon kicks in, exact at 10:03 AM ET. It suggests a conflict or release of energy involving sharing with others what some people would prefer to keep for themselves. Moon goes void for the next 11 hours, not to enters Pisces until 9:24 PM ET. Chill out during this long void; stick to routine concerns; avoid impulse shopping online; take a nap; go for a walk (wearing your mask). Roll with the twists and flakes — and remember that crises which crop up during voids are usually much ado about nothing.
• THURSDAY — Jupiter turns retrograde at 10:03 AM ET.   As you know, Jupiter is in Capricorn until December 20th, expanding matters ruled by Capricorn: ambition, government and corporate entities, social status, patriarchies — to name a few. If you’ve got a planet or angle around 27 degrees of Capricorn, Cancer, Aries or Libra, that planet may be in an expansive phase of development, for better or worse.
• In the horoscope of the United States,  Jupiter is  ALMOST — but not quite exact — on its Pluto, reflecting a drive for the expansion of power — for better or for worse. When will Jupiter be EXACTLY conjunct Pluto, fully releasing the potential of this power drive? December 7th. Anything happening around that date? Well, the Electoral College meets on the first Monday after the second Wednesday of that month, i.e.,  December 14th. It’s fascinating that literally one minute ago, the Brennan Center for Justice reminded everyone on Twitter that tomorrow SCOTUS will hear two cases related to the Electoral College. Hmm. Jupiter also refers to travel — and it appears that the power of Americans to travel around the world is about to be delayed.
• Jupiter turning retrograde puts a hold on expansion — and may be related to travel, publishing, courts, sports — which are a few examples of Jupiter-ruled concerns. Patience is advised.  Jupiter turns direct on September 13th at 17 Capricorn. The Sabian Symbol for this Jupiter retrograde is “a large aviary” — and here is the link to further insights from Blaine Bovee.
• THURSDAY — Moon enters Pisces at 9:24 PM ET, shifting our focus to feelings, impressions and ideals.
• FRIDAY — At 12:06 AM, Moon meets up with Mars, suggesting an assertion of will that may be challenging to fathom — but it’s likely related to executive power and an easy earthy flow of resources, suggested by two harmonies between the Taurus Sun over the next few days. The first one is Sun trine Pluto, exact at 2:49 AM ET. Sun-Pluto aspects often reflect stories of CEOs, news from underground, power and resources, regeneration and transformation.
• An easy flow of innovation sparks controversy around 1 PM ET, as Moon sextiles Uranus and squares Mercury.
• SATURDAY — Go with the flow of this Moon-in-Pisces day — wherever your dreams may take you. Just remember that those who are reality-challenged may be especially susceptible to whatever fantasy is put forth around 2:34 PM ET, as Moon meets up with nebulous Neptune. Tension over women, arts and social expression may briefly spark around 4:35 PM ET, as Moon squares Venus.
• SUNDAY — Moon goes void at 3:59 AM ET — you may sleep right through it. At 9:36 AM ET, the pace picks up, along with a need to get something started, as Moon charges into Aries. Count your blessings in this day of potential bliss, reflecting the good cheer of a harmony  — a trine — between the Sun and Jupiter.

And now, the news — mostly highlights of the past week.

Driving a majority of headlines was the surreal, magical thinking potential of nebulous Neptune, as it squared Venus and sextiled the Sun. These patterns reflect a need for people to see what they want to see; ergo, any conspiracy theory that crops up under these patterns should be taken with a hefty grain of salt — or disregarded entirely. Other stories reflected the simply magical, charismatic or surreal. Music — another Neptune keyword — was also big:

• “The White House’s coronavirus cure is even more magical than we imagined”
• “Covid-19 conspiracy video goes viral; flamingoes in Venice and other fake news”
• “Roy Horn, who dazzled audiences as half of Siegfried & Roy, dies of covid-19”
• “Little Richard, flamboyant rocker who fused gospel fervor  with R&B sexuality, dies at 87”
• Elon Musk and Grimes name their newborn X AE A-12. Bizarre?
• “Live and Let Die” plays in the background as P45 visits a mask factory — without a mask
• “Woman killed by alligator in SC was visiting gated community to do nails”

UPDATE: on Robert Mueller. Some Avid Readers may recall these observations from the forecast posted on July 29, 2019 — after his disappointing testimony before Congress:

 What contributed to the fizzle effect of Mueller’s testimony, as opposed to a potential sizzle? In a word: Neptune. As Avid Readers may recall, transiting Neptune has completed a series of oppositions to Mueller’s razor-sharp Mercury in Virgo and is now in the middle of a series of oppositions to Mueller’s equally precise Virgo Mars. Neptune dissolves and fogs whatever it touches — and in this case, it’s Mueller’s ability to act with said laser-precision. Neptune will continue to exert its foggy influence on Mueller’s Mars for the next 12 months.

When I wrote those words, I remember wondering how Mueller could possibly be erased more than he already had. But then Bill Barr’s Justice Department announced it was dropping its case against General Mike Flynn, who had already pleaded guilty to lying:

• “Barr Undercuts Mueller Investigation as P45 Cheers Him On”

Dropping the charges against Flynn also undercuts the rule of law, which Mueller arguably represents.

UPDATE: P45, because it explains much. Avid Readers may recall my post from January 6th, anticipating when he would be in an especially aggressive period of attacking and being attacked for the first half of 2020.  At the time, he had already scheduled certain events:

• January 29 – February 5 (his State of the Union speech was on the 4th)
• May 4 – 12  —  invited to attend a military parade in Moscow (cancelled by covid-19, but he still spoke with Putin by phone on May 7th)
• June 8 – 16 (P45 was scheduled to host the G-7)

The most intense days of aggression in May were the 4th, 10th and 12th (today). So what happened?

• P45 “Throws Full-Blown Tantrum Over GOP Ad Criticizing Coronavirus Response” — the ad is called “Mourning in America”
• P45’s personal valet tests positive for Covid-19, along with others in his inner circle, as The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah explains
• President Barack Obama referred to the P45 administration’s coronavirus response efforts as “an absolute chaotic disaster” given its “…mindset — of ‘what’s in it for me’ and ‘to heck with everybody else’”
• P45 struck back with a marathon rage-tweet session on May 10th, which was Mothers’ Day — howling about a newly-imagined conspiracy
• On May 11th, he “stormed out” of a press briefing in response to questions from women reporters
• The legality of his change of residence from New York to Mar-a-Lago is now in question — that just came in
• Paul Manafort was released from prison “due to fears of the coronavirus,” and will spend the rest of his eight year sentence in home confinement. Astrology is amazing.

P45 isn’t the only one in the world with Mars and Mercury activating planets in his horoscope. Case in point: Mitt Romney, who wasn’t afraid at all to offer a “scathing rebuke” of the P45 Administration’s response to the covid crisis. Nor was he afraid to ask Dr. Fauci if there was any truth to P45’s allegations that Barack Obama was to blame. Mercury is right on Romney’s Gemini Ascendant today; later this week, Mars will square it. More fireworks?

In other news…

I can’t bear to write in detail at the moment about the unspeakable awfulness of how 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery was murdered in Georgia for the offense of Jogging While Black —  other than to note that it happened on a dead Moon, which reflects how the video recording of the crime remained hidden for so many months.

Meanwhile…

Saturn’s station in Aquarius (aviation) offers a long sobering look at the future of airline travel. WaPo reports that consumer complaints have skyrocketed.

Just in time for the retrogrades — reflecting potential delays:

• The Keystone XL pipeline that was on — is off again, thanks to a judge’s order
• Los Angeles will likely keep its “stay-at-home” order in place until July
• Judge Emmet Sullivan is in no rush to dismiss the case against General Flynn
• “How to Re-think  Your Wedding” — if you were planning on tying the knot this summer

Speaking of weddings…and to always try to end on an upbeat note, Avid Reader Andra says you must must must tune in to John Krasinski’s Good News Show — available to all on YouTube.  In the last episode, he officiated at a wedding. Awww.

Thank you for reading this forecast. And thank you to Avid Readers Whitney, Sarah and Stephanie for their recent generous contributions to my Cosmic Tip Jar, which welcomes Joyful Random and Faithful Monthly Expressions of Appreciation.  Such support enables me to maintain this website and pepper it with photos to enjoy. And speaking of Pepper, she says hi.