THE
I am a reporter with a unique beat. I use my understanding of planetary cycles to provide advance notice and analysis on the Zeitgeist of the day. If you have ever wondered “why is this happening now,” my insights will transform your experience of the headlines, adding new meaning and understanding. Call it Astrology for News Junkies. If you’re curious to know why the Impossible Burger is trending…or why the outcome of the 2019 Israeli elections was likely to be a shocker …or why “Woodrow Wilson, Stud Muffin” was a New York Times headline in December 2013, you will find it here, in over a decade’s worth of historical research and reporting.
Note that I do use astrological jargon in The Forecast in my effort to show how the planetary patterns are reflected in mundane events. I explain what the jargon symbolizes, so that all who want to understand the connections between astrology and the news may do so. However, I do not use astrological jargon in personal consultations, just plain English.
Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday & Thursday 6/15-16/2016: Moody, Masterful Moon in Scorpio
/in The ForecastInto the emotional depths of Scorpio the Moon shall plunge, starting at 9:18AM ET. There it shall go about its business of seeking substance, as opposed to any airy-fairy Moon in Libra “but on the other hand….” Let’s just get to the bottom of it, shall we? Can we handle the truth?
There are no serious challenges to the Moon today or tomorrow, suggesting greater receptivity and flow in your own personal world. Matters related to Venus (money, value, social expression, aesthetics) are likely to become more prominent through Saturday — for reasons noted in Monday’s forecast.
Mars is also pulling focus. All week it has not made a major aspect with any planet (save for brief encounters with the Moon every couple of days). It has also been the focal point of a minor but potent pattern called a yod, a.k.a. a “Finger of God.” The other planets involved are the Sun, Venus and Uranus. One possible translation/manifestation: an extreme focus on macho/assertive/aggressive qualities of Mars in sexual Scorpio struggling to adjust to the uncomfortable, potentially irreconcilable 1) idealistic demands of the “happy together” Sun and Venus; and 2) the need for freedom and independence, however unconventional, in me-me-me Uranus in Aries.
Does that sound like any major news story dominating the week? Especially now that it is being reported that Omar Mateen, the perpetrator of Sunday’s mind-numbing outburst of violence in Orlando, had a profile on a gay dating app and had been seen drinking at the club on several occasions. Is it possible to see potential sexuality identity struggles in a horoscope? Yes. Is there any silver lining to be found in the aftermath of this tragedy? Maybe.
A gay friend of mine with a humanitarian Moon in Aquarius said to me the other day that of course Mr. Mateen was responsible for his actions, but also clearly troubled. If we were to view him with compassion, argued Moon-in-Aquarius, we might have an opportunity to “help men and women in Muslim communities who are gay understand that each has self worth. Let humanity grow from this tragedy so it never happens again,” said Moon-in-Aquarius. I wondered if we were ready to consider Moon-in-Aquarius’s proposal. But as if on cue, today’s Guardian has “What’s It Like To Be Queer and Muslim?” — featuring the work of Samra Habib, “a queer Muslim photographer, who has been traveling through North America and Europe to take the portraits of LBGT Muslims willing to share their life stories and desire for connection.”
Compassion vs. despair. That’s one choice we can make under the influence of this Friday’s second exact square between controlling/fearful reality check Saturn and surreal/soulful/suffering/empath Neptune. “Despair is a victory for hate,” said Stephen Colbert on Monday, responding to the awfulness of Orlando. Other late-night talk show hosts also weighed in, as seen here. And here.
Among a sea of other headlines of random violence, including a toddler at a Disney resort being dragged into a lake by an alligator, today the NYT offers this “Reminder of What’s Good in the World.” A man fell onto the subway tracks — and three other men jumped down and saved him — captured on tape.
There really is more good in the world than evil. Each of us has the power to prove it.
Thank you for reading this forecast.
Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 6/14/2016: News Round-Up
/in The ForecastAnother full day of Moon in Libra, seeking balance, fairness and harmony in relationship. On the other hand….
…and that would be a little astro-joke, as Libra is known for its need to see both sides of a debate.
Note the potential for an upset or other status quo-disrupting revelation, as the Moon is opposed by rebel Uranus at 8:32PM ET. Practice your very best social graces in relationship, even as we strive to process the surreal madness and collective grief and soul-searching in the wake of Orlando and other eruptions of violence around the world. Yea verily, the headlines are despairing, reflecting planetary patterns. Let’s collectively imagine a silver lining to these clouds…
And now, the news.
Jupiter in Virgo favors an expansive reach on behalf of workers. Saturn in Sagittarius suggests a need to consider freedom of speech…or lack thereof. Sagittarius refers to foreigners and the media. Sagittarius pushes boundaries…of good taste. Jupiter and Saturn are still in a highly charged pattern; both refer to business and law.
First: “Laid-off Americans, Required to Zip Lips, Grow Bolder.” The laid-off workers were replaced by foreign imports from outsourcing firms — and were often required to meekly train their own replacements or be denied severance by their former employers. How do we know? The headline says it all.
Second: Gawker filed for bankruptcy. The gossip site lost a highly publicized lawsuit in March and was ordered to pay Hulk Hogan $140 million. Why? Because it published excerpts of a sex tape featuring Mr. Hogan and a woman who was not his wife — and the court declared it had gone too far.
Several days ago it was revealed that Mr. Hogan’s lawsuit was bankrolled by a third party — billionaire Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, in a payback against Gawker. Why? Because Gawker outed Mr. Thiel in 2007. Mr. Thiel did not appreciate his private life becoming public news. And, as someone with potent resources who was not likely to be shy about using them ruthlessly (suggested by certain patterns in cosmos on the day of his birth), he enabled Mr. Hogan to have his day in court.
Now the question some are asking, according to the NYT is
…which is an apt Saturn in Sagittarius (controls imposed on speech/publishing) concern. What do you think? And, for the sake of Moon in Libra argument, would your thinking be any different if you knew that Mr. Thiel supports Donald Trump?
Speaking of scorned wealthy people and freedom of the press, yesterday Donald Trump revoked the credentials of what he called “the phony and dishonest” Washington Post.
Which reminds me of a saying I read somewhere long ago:
Food for thought…and I believe it applies to everyone.
Meanwhile, the Sun and Venus are traveling close together in double-bodied Gemini. In the past 48-odd hours they formed an easy connection to Uranus, planet of the non-conformist and the unconventional. In Oregon, a person — Jamie Shupe — who was born with male anatomy but does not identify as such was allowed — in an historic first — to legally identify as “non-binary” — i.e., neither male nor female. This decision, while aptly reflecting the potential of current planetary patterns, seems to be problematic for some.
Finally, a salute to two women embody the quirky Space Age aesthetic potential of Sun-Venus in Gemini in alignment with Aquarius. They recently passed away at ripe old ages — 96 and 98! First, a shout-out to Margaret Heldt, the hairdresser who invented the beehive. Where would the B-52s and Mad Men have been without her? Second, RIP to Janet Waldo, whose voice gave life to cartoon character Judy Jetson. I’ve often noticed an odd synchronicity between planetary patterns and the obituaries, along with other daily headlines. Coincidence or conspiracy?
Thank you for reading the forecast. Here’s the 411 on personal consultations….when are you scheduling yours? I look forward to a most excellent discussion with you soon.
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 6/13/2016: Sneak Peek at the Week; Neptune Retrograde
/in The Forecast…and we’re off to the races again.
Driving the action today is the Moon in Libra, where it has been since 8:33PM ET on Sunday. Social graces, rational discourse, fairness, harmony in relationships — along with an abhorrence of conflict — these are a few Libran needs. There are no exact aspects to the Moon during business hours, and that’s generally good for business. The upsets and powers plays suggested by the Moon’s weekly clash with Pluto and Uranus do not hit until 6:26AM ET and 8:32PM ET on TUESDAY, respectively.
We have a few planetary wobbles to process this week — i.e., planets that are changing sign or direction. One is Mercury’s ingress into Gemini last night (Sunday) at 7:22PM ET. That may pick up the pace of ideas and communication, as Gemini is a speedy sign, usually engaged in several conversations at once. Mercury in Gemini has a better knack for juggling information than Mercury in other signs.
The second wobble is Neptune, turning retrograde today at 4:43PM ET…not to turn direct until November 19th. When a planet is retrograde, the suggestion is to turn inward on issues involving that planet, as opposed to looking outside the self. Neptune refers to vision, intuition, healing and other intangibles. With Neptune retrograde, look within for the vision you seek. Yes you can save yourself!
In the mundane world, Neptune refers to water, oceans, oil, toxins, snake oil, fantasy and fanatics and spirits of all kinds. News along those lines are likely to pull focus over the next few days. Here are some headlines from past Neptune stationary retrogrades.
The third wobble is Venus, leaving Gemini on Friday and entering Cancer at 3:39PM ET, seeking nurturing and emotional security in social expression. At 0 degrees of Cancer (the Aries Point), we thus expect Venusian concerns, (e.g., women, art, money, social expression) to be prominent. Venus will be meeting up with the Suns of Edward Snowden, Meryl Streep and Elizabeth Warren — let’s see what happens — and let the record show that Elizabeth Warren continues to attract serious attention, as anticipated here several times over the past couple of years.
Also on Friday, we’ll have the second of a series of three challenging aspects between realist Saturn and surrealist Neptune, exact at 11:23PM ET. Last week I mistakenly wrote that this would be the third, but that doesn’t happen until September 10th. Apologies. Meanwhile, I accurately wrote that the headlines in the days leading up to June 17th were likely to be laced with a sense of despair and bewilderment, fortified by the volatile ruthlessness of Mars retrograde in Scorpio. More on that in a minute.
We have two other planetary patterns of note this week. Yesterday Venus was in an easy alliance with rebel Uranus, facilitating innovative and unconventional social expression; on Tuesday the Gemini Sun makes the same easy connection. Reach across the aisle in your networking today and tomorrow — you may find you have more in common than you think.
Your Moon voids — natural breaks in the action which favor taking care of routine matters, while rolling with twists and flakes that may derail your efforts to move forward in a straight line — are: Wednesday 3:01AM ET – 9:18AM ET; Friday 9:52AM ET until 9:34PM ET. That’s four days of productivity and a potential early start to the weekend. Just mind the potential wigginess of Saturn’s reality-bending challenge from nebulous Neptune and you should do just fine…unless there’s something afoot that’s specific to your unique horoscope. Consult your local astrologer for details.
And now, the news.
The headlines out of Florida are just absolutely awful, starting with Saturday’s senseless murder of singer Christina Grimmie. This was followed on Sunday by “the worst mass shooting in U.S. history,” in which a very angry man with a handgun and an assault rifle murdered 49 people and wounded dozens of others. How angry was he? Let his ex-wife tell you — and let the record show that her words are clearly suggested by patterns on the day he was born: November 16, 1986. We see Scorpio Sun in an idealistic meet-up with Mercury retrograde, squared by Mars in Aquarius — there’s your potential hot-temper, and that pattern is currently being intensified by rebel Uranus.
Reinforcing that potential is another measurement between Mars and Pluto, suggesting he is likely to be known for a connection with brute force. Over-the-top emotions are suggested by Venus retrograde in Scorpio together with Pluto — this is a challenging aspect for relationships. Transiting Neptune has been squaring his natal Saturn this year — a potential personal reality meltdown and/or feeling victimized….sigh. Enough.
Feels like an apt time to refer back to a post from 2014:
Finally, a tip of the hat to Frank Langella, who won his 4th Tony Award last night. He said this in his acceptance speech, reported by Playbill.
Patterns in his horoscope in 1973 through 1975 were stellar. Clearly Mr. Langella has experienced other periods of stellar measurements in his horoscope, including now. What’s going on in your horoscope? How is the wiggy Saturn-Neptune square at play in your life? Find out in a personal consultation. Here’s the 411. We will have an excellent discussion together.
Thank you for reading this forecast — and sharing it with your friends.
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday-Saturday 6/9-11/2016: Mars vs. Mercury; Politics As Usual
/in The ForecastAllllllll-righty then!
The regal Leo Moon, seeking ways to play, shine or issue insufferably egocentric edicts, cruises through the day. It’s supported by easy aspects from the Sun, Venus and Uranus between 1:40PM ET and 9:40PM ET, suggesting the potential for balance, enjoyment and innovation in your plans for world domination.
On the other hand, there’s this: a face-off between Mercury in stubborn Taurus and Mars — retrograde — in equally stubborn Scorpio. That happens at 1:01PM ET. Oh, and Mercury is also conjunct the fixed star Algol, which conjures up images of the Medusa and other ways of “losing one’s head.” Mercury refers to mindset and communication. It is absolutely fascinating that Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders are meeting on a day with this aspect — at 11:15AM ET in Washington.
We haven’t looked at President Obama’s horoscope in a while, but let the record show that his Midheaven (career, status), is 28 degrees of Scorpio. Remember back in 2014, after those awful midterm elections, when mainstream media pundits were predicting he would be toast for the rest of his term? Remember how your local astrologer had written many moons before that transiting Saturn would be at the top of the his horoscope at the end of 2014, suggesting that to the contrary, Barack Obama would likely be at the top of his game, moving forward on an ambitious strategy?
So now we have transiting Mars crossing Barack Obama’s Midheaven, exact on March 2, May 30 and July 30. We can see the potential here for action, likely related to whatever ambitious advance was on his mind in late 2014 and 2015. Today’s Mars-Mercury face-off affects his horoscope more than others.
Same for Bernie Sanders. In his horoscope, using a speculative birth time of 12:27PM, we see transiting Mars on a 25 Scorpio Ascendant, meaning that Mercury is on his 25 Taurus Descendant. Interesting. We can see how he might need to be communicating one-on-one today. Regardless of a birth time, transiting Mars is opposing his natal Saturn-Uranus conjunction, triggering his need to reinvent the wheel. The Mars factor also suggests potential frustration and recklessness — or discipline and innovation in meeting goals. As with President Obama, Mars will be hot again in the senator’s horoscope at the end of July.
Random thought: looking ahead to 2017, I have no worries whatsoever about President Obama’s career prospects, as upcoming patterns suggest considerable power, influence and resources on a wide-reaching scale.
As for the forecast tomorrow:
West Coasters may feel more of the potential for conflict suggested by a challenge between Moon and Mars at 1:37AM ET on FRIDAY. Moon goes void on a challenge to Mercury at 3:14AM ET on FRIDAY, entering perfection-seeking Virgo at 9:46AM ET. East Coasters, that early morning void may be experienced as a twist or flake in your trip to the office. Roll with it and remember that crises which crop up during voids are often much ado about nothing.
The Virgo Moon sails through Friday without interference, facilitating your efforts to put everything in order.
Note your dreams on Saturday, as the Moon connects with Neptune at 8:59AM ET. A potential wet blanket or necessary chore may be on your plate in the early part of the day, as the Moon squares off with taskmaster Saturn. The rest of the day suggests an easy flow of good cheer and resources as you go about your day. Do your shopping on Saturday, as there is no moon void. On Sunday the Moon will be void between 10:47AM ET and 8:33PM ET. Chill.
And now, the news.
“What would it take for Paul Ryan to withdraw his endorsement of Donald Trump?” wonders Washington Post reporter James Hohman, no doubt rhetorically. Perhaps a swift kick from transiting Uranus to Speaker Ryan’s Libra Moon around July 1st. We can imagine how stressed out that part of his horoscope must be. A Libra Moon needs to be a people pleaser, promoting balance and harmony in relationships in a fair-minded way. Generally speaking, planets in Libra are averse to conflict — and I can tell you horror stories of what some people with heavy Libra horoscopes have done to avoid it. Other dates to watch for include the first week in August, when transiting Mars will hit Speaker Ryan’s Sagittarius Ascendant and Neptune for the third time. The Third Quarter Moon on August 24th looks like an interesting period, when he’ll have the second hit of Uranus opposing his Moon.
Hmm…there is literally nothing fun on the homepage of the NYT right now…gotta end on something fun…especially given next Friday’s reality-bending, potentially despairing square between Saturn and Neptune….
Ooh! Looky! Physicist Stephen Hawking now says there’s no need for despair when confronted with a ginormous black hole! He believes there may be a way out. Huzzah! Keep that in mind, if you happen to encounter any black holes over the next several days.
Thank you for reading this forecast. To schedule a personal consultation, here’s how to contact me. We will have a fine discussion together.
Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday & Wednesday 6/7-8/2016: Giant Meteor Edition
/in The ForecastMoon continues through today in Cancer, seeking to fulfill a need for emotional/homeland security. It opposed Pluto at 4:05AM ET, infusing the morning with a power play or other emotional catharsis. At 3:20PM ET, an upset or other revelation is likely to present itself, as the Moon is challenged by rebel Uranus. At 8:18PM ET Moon goes void on an easy alignment with Mars, facilitating action that is carefully and methodically thought out. Otherwise, put a sock in it.
The Moon enters regal Leo at 2:47AM ET on WEDNESDAY. During the void we are advised to roll with the twists, flakes and other crises that may derail efforts to move forward in a straight line. Upsets favoring the underdog are common during voids.
There are no exact aspects to the Moon on Wednesday. We’re on cruise control with that Leo Moon, seeking to shine, shine, shine — with ever so much entitlement. Personally, I prefer the side of Leo that needs to play. What about you? Choose and act accordingly. And be mindful of the opposition between Mercury and retrograde Mars, exact on Thursday at 1:01PM ET, suggesting — as noted yesterday — a stubborn clash and release of (frustrated) action.
And now, the news.
Last night on an apt meet-up between the Sun and Venus (women) in Gemini, a sign that needs to be the smartest kid in the room, the Associated Press declared that Hillary Clinton had enough delegates to clinch the nomination. How intensely clever can the AP be? Despite the fact that the delegates surveyed in the AP poll will not actually vote until July 25th. Despite the fact that the six primary elections being held today aren’t over. Despite the fact — and here is the real abuse of power, oh AP media giant — that by announcing a winner in the presidential race, many voters may feel there’s no reason for their choice to be counted. Even though there are other elections being held today — it’s not all about the nominee for President.
Therefore, if you live in New Jersey, California, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota and South Dakota, get thee to the polls! Make your voice count! Even if your candidate has already been declared the winner. And be prepared for a few twists and flakes after 8:18PM ET. Remember: if you don’t vote, somebody else will.
Next year I’m thinking that as soon as the Oscar votes are tabulated, the press should announce the winners, even if the votes are counted the day before the actual ceremony. Whaddaya say?
This concludes the public service portion of this forecast.
Astrologically, Bernie Sanders is a week away from the third hit of transiting Jupiter to his Virgo Sun, suggesting the potential for expansion and reward. Transiting Uranus in Aries conjunct his Mars suggests an intensified need for action– possibly rebellious. Transiting Mars may be hitting his (probable) Scorpio Ascendant next week, too — echoing a need for action. On July 18th and 19th, we see reward and action potentials again. The downside potential of Jupiter transits is wretched excess and/or bombast. Again, its up to the individual to choose how to apply the potential.
We do not have a confirmed birth time for Hillary Clinton. With the 8:02AM time that many astrologers do use, there is not much exact tension in her horoscope this month or next, save for a challenging aspect between Mars (action, assertiveness) and a point in the horoscope which refers to meetings with other people and the need to work together for a common goal. Ever wonder what Hillary Clinton was like when she was 22? Today Wellesley College released excerpts of her commencement speech from 1969.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle, let the record show that sudden or forced alliances made when Mars is retrograde (as it has been since April 17th) often have their own special brand of challenges, as people like Lindsey Graham and other Republicans opting to support their presumptive nominee (warts and all) are now discovering.
File this under last week’s potential for “women of steel” and/or “harsh treatment of women” to make news, suggested by tough taskmaster Saturn opposing Venus. Also file under Mars, retrograding back through Scorpio, forcing a provocative take on nitty-gritty Scorpio issues we might prefer not to examine, i.e., sex, death and money (debt). Brock Turner was a freshman at Stanford when he was caught — drunk — behind a dumpster — sexually assaulting a drunk woman who was also unconscious and thus unable to give consent. Last week he was sentenced — to six months in a county jail. Outrage ensued, and the woman he assaulted read a 23-page letter in court, detailing the nitty-gritty awfulness of her experience. The letter has gone viral. Mr. Turner’s father, who may live on the banks of a river in Egypt, defended his son’s sentence as apt for “20 minutes of action,” making matters even worse. The judge is facing a recall. Today — finally — Mr. Turner’s mugshot was published around the world, replacing earlier images of him taken in a more innocent time.
Meanwhile, John Oliver exposed the nitty-gritty cesspool known as the debt collection business. Reflecting the expansive and benevolent potential of Sun, Venus and Jupiter in a powerful connection with one another, he also made TV history with the biggest giveaway ever: forgiving $15 million dollars of medical debt at a cost of only $60,000. Oh and let’s not forget the Neptune portion of current planetary patterns. Neptune refers to healing, charity, and other intangibles — including television. Watch the whole segment here.
A couple of days after Mars dipped back into Scorpio, Poland announced it would revive efforts to extradite Roman Polanski, who fled the United States in 1978, just as he was about to be sentenced for having sex with a 13-year-old girl. Last fall, Poland announced it would not be extraditing Mr. Polanski — so why this sudden reversal?
Looking at Mr. Polanski’s horoscope, it takes less than a second to see transiting Uranus at play, squaring his emotionally intense Moon-Pluto hook-up in Cancer, which in turn opposes conflicting-avoiding Mars in Libra. Sudden upsets to his public status and a potential total overturning of the tables — now and into next year. Retrograde Mars is squaring his regally entitled Leo Sun, suggesting an outburst of energy — possibly an attack. Transiting Uranus hit his 15 Libra Ascendant and 19 Cancer Midheaven earlier this year — suggesting more disruptions of his status.
Transiting Pluto, now at 17 Capricorn, has also been part of the tear-down process — and it is far from finished. If transiting Jupiter does not gift him with the biggest stroke of luck in the century when is meets up with his Jupiter-Venus conjunction in August, he may well be sent back to the United States to face resistance-is-futile Pluto as it crosses his Ascendant by solar arc and transit this summer and into next year. I’m betting on Pluto and Uranus to work its magic, much as it has been working through Bill Cosby’s horoscope.
Where are transiting Uranus and Pluto in your horoscope? Find out so you can plan a strategy for making the best of this potential for emancipation and empowerment. Here’s how to schedule a personal consultation.
Thank you for reading this forecast.