Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 5/16/2014 & the Weekend: Upsets and Power Plays at the New York Times
Allll-riiighty then!
As of 3:43AM ET, the Moon in high-flying Sagittarius is void of course — not to enter the next sign — Capricorn — until 4:12AM ET on Saturday. This suggests a day of opinionated, righteous optimism, all dressed up with no particular place to go. Or optimistic, righteous opinions to fuel a philosophical debate.
Moon in Sag is always up for a gamble or a gambol — and in the void, there’s likely little consequence for indulging in either. Use the energy — or lack thereof — for Sagittarian pursuits including, but not limited to broadening your mind, wandering a bit, getting out in nature or mulling over your travel plans for next month, when Mercury retrograde on June 7th suggests an opportunity for escape.
On Saturday & Sunday, make good use of an enterprising and practical Moon in Capricorn to take care of projects around the house. There’s no Moon void to deter you from finding thrifty bargains at yard sales or hitting other retail stores. The “thrift” is the Moon in Capricorn. On the other hand, an indulgent connection between loving Venus and expansive Jupiter on Sunday at 11:31AM ET counters that thrift with an inclination to consume three instead of just one. “But it was such a good price!”. Yeah, OK, enjoy.
Be mindful of a challenging connection between the make-it-happen Moon and willful Mars around 7:14PM ET on Saturday; this suggests the potential for outbursts on the roads and in the house. Find a positive channel for all that energy and you’ll be fine. The wee hours between Saturday and Sunday are colored by the usual upsets and power plays we’ve come to expect once a week, as the Moon engages with the disruptive Uranus-Pluto square. Could be interesting if you happen to work in an ER.
On Monday there’s a brief Moon void between 3:02AM and 5:58AM ET — and then it’s off to work — no sleeping in.
And now, the news.
My, my, my what a rollicking few days we have had in the aftermath of Wednesday’s Full Moon and Venus (women, money, arts, social expression) hooking up with rebel Uranus in warrior Aries and squaring power-mongering Pluto in Establishment Capricorn (Wednesday & Thursday). First, as I’ve noted before — the Venus-Uranus-Pluto patterns suggest volatility in the markets. How interesting to see record highs in a number of markets on Tuesday…followed by “the worst two-day drop since a swoon in mid-April”.
Second, a truly startling upset involving a woman behind the headlines now making headlines: Jill Abramson, the first female executive editor of the New York Times, was abruptly fired — ten minutes after the potentially nasty and cutting square between Venus and Pluto and one hour before the Full Moon in equally cutting Scorpio. Whoa! How could this happen? Was it because she discovered her pay package was far less than male predecessors? Was it because she was “pushy” (and a woman)? Better to ask, “what’s going on in her horoscope?” Let’s find out, since everyone who knows nothing about astrology is abuzz over this event — at least here in New York.
Ms. Abramson was born March 19, 1954 (time unknown) in New York. She’s a Pisces, with her Sun conjunct the Aries Point, which regular readers know is a suggestion of a need to become prominent. Her Pisces Sun is also conjunct the Fixed Star Scheat, which suggests great intellect, on the one hand. It is also associated with shipwrecks. Yes, really. Yikes. Her Moon is either late-degree Virgo (a need for exacting perfection) or early degree Libra (a need to be appreciated, seen as fair and/or people-pleasing) — and either way, the Moon is also likely on that Aries Point. Her natal Uranus is unaspected (“running wild”), suggesting a bigger than average need for freedom. This could easily manifest in a work situation as a failure to keep others in the loop. Also running wild: her Venus (social expression) at 10 Aries — and this is a tough placement. Venus in Aries can be a champion for the underdog; a pioneering warrior. It also can be brash, self-absorbed and impulsive. Y’know, pushy. Deal with it. Back in June of 2011, when Ms. Abramson became the executive editor, Saturn was at 10 Libra — exactly opposing her Venus. This suggests an opportunity to anchor the “running wild” energies of Venus with practical, diplomatic and gracious ambition. Interesting to note that transiting Uranus had just completed a series of conjunctions to her Sun, suggesting a need for greater freedom of independent expression — and an opportunity to be recognized for her unique talents. (Also interesting to note that on May 8, 2007 — just three days before ruthless Pluto made a second conjunction to her Sun, she was hit by a truck in Times Square. The story of her recovery — and of other New York Times colleagues hit by reckless drivers in New York — was published earlier this month — talk about adding insult to injury).
Anyway. Now, just three years later, it is fascinating to see that her dismissal happened with Mars stationary retrograde — sitting at a dead stop at 10 Libra — exactly opposing her Venus. The Scorpio Full Moon at 24 Scorpio exactly squared her Pluto, suggesting an illumination or release involving power and resources. [Note to Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., Ms. Abramson’s former boss: firing and hiring employees when Mars is retrograde is not generally advised, as it is highly probable that such actions are motivated more by impatience, resentment and frustration than by rational thinking. Time will tell.] Also of interest in Ms. Abramson’s horoscope: 1) her Saturn at 9 Scorpio was eclipsed by the powerful New Moon on April 29th. An eclipse to Saturn in the horoscope often brings career and status into focus. 2) her Neptune at 25 Libra is in alignment with an important midpoint which refers to writing and publishing. Neptune (and the writer/publisher midpoint) was also eclipsed: last month — on the April 15th Full Moon at 25 Aries/Libra, and last year on October 18! Astrologer Celeste Teal notes in her book, Eclipses, that Neptune naturally rules the 12th house — which is the house of self-undoing. On the plus side, Teal notes the potential for increased “inspiration, creativity, spirituality and absolutely blissful times.” Interesting to also note that in 2010, before Ms. Abramson was promoted, three of the year’s four eclipses personally impacted her horoscope.
Looking ahead at prospects for Ms. Abramson, we see the New Moon on August 25th exactly opposing her natal Mercury, suggesting seeds planted in areas related to communication and mindset. Around March of 2015 (give or take a few months — wish I had her exact birth time), a connection between rebel Uranus and expansive Jupiter suggests a windfall opportunity that affords her greater independence and satisfaction.
Other prominent women of arts and letters making headlines: author Mary Stewart passed away at 97. She wrote The Crystal Cave, which retold the legend of King Arthur from Merlin’s point of view. Love that book. RIP. And Barbara Walters is retiring from television today — at 84.
What’s going on in YOUR horoscope? Plan a strategy for maximizing opportunities in a personal astro-logical consultation. Here’s how to contact me.