The Forecast

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 Tuesday 5/3/2016: Expansive Bliss?

May 3, 2016/in The Forecast

Go with the flow of any twists that may interfere with your efforts to move forward in a straight line, as the Pisces Moon is void between 1:08AM ET and 1:04PM ET. Aries drives the Moon for the rest of the day with its need to inspire and lead its fiery charge. With Mercury and Mars both retrograde, rushing ahead impulsively has its risks. Patience and focus can be your best friends. Don’t let this happen to you!

Yesterday I mentioned that the Taurus Sun would make a harmonious connection (a trine) to Jupiter, currently retrograde in Virgo. Planets in Taurus are known to stubbornly hold their positions. They need to build and maintain material comfort and security. Change is to be resisted at all costs!

Jupiter is the planet of expansion. Virgo refers to metabolic and digestive processes. Virgo seeks perfection. With Jupiter retrograde, we could expect an expansive process — or a reward — coming up for REview.

A trine between the Sun and Jupiter suggests a expansion of material comfort and security. Is this good or bad? Ask the Chinese farmer — and check out this article that hit the NYT home page yesterday morning: “After the ‘Biggest Loser,’ Their Bodies Fought to Regain Weight.” Researchers kept in touch with many of the weight losers who had streamlined themselves so successfully on that reality TV show. Seems like all of them have gained some weight back — but why? And therein lies the surprise. What an apt reflection of an earthy Taurus Sun resisting change, enabled by an expansive (Jupiter) flow!

In other news, a Mercury Rx travel advisory: “Catching a Flight? Budget Hours, Not Minutes, For Security”. Other delays making headlines: Malia Obama, the president’s eldest daughter, graduates high school this year. She’s been accepted at Harvard, but won’t start classes until September of 2017. Taking a “gap year” is now a growing trend…

Thank you for reading this forecast.

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 5/2/2016: Sneak Peek at the Week; Quarks, Snark & Sark

May 2, 2016/in The Forecast

Good Morning!

Tune in and go with the flow of a sensitive Pisces Moon. The work week gets off to a potentially dreamy start, courtesy of a 6AM meet-up with Neptune. The whole day may feel expansive, given that the material comfort-building Taurus Sun is in harmony with Jupiter, the cosmic sugar daddy. That aspect will be exact in the wee hours on Tuesday (3:58AM ET). Whee!

Around 9:23AM ET, your idealistic quest may get a boost when Jupiter opposes the Moon. At 12:38PM ET, Saturn shows up to either structure or streamline. A deeper perspective may be yours around 4:16PM ET, courtesy of Pluto. Moon goes void at 1:08AM ET on Tuesday…. not to enter the next sign — Aries — until 1:04PM ET. Chill overnight and tomorrow morning, hopefully enjoying a bit of expansive bliss during the Moon void. Remember that crises that crop up during voids are usually much ado about nothing….and with 37 planets now retrograde, a glitch or delay would not be unusual. Just look what some weasel did to the Large Hadron Collider last week — shut the whole thing down. Humans plan. Planets laugh. Bwahahahahahaha!

Once the Moon races into me-me-me Aries on Tuesday, the pace picks up noticeably. Moon goes void early Thursday — 12:17AM ET until 1:10PM ET. By the time the Moon enters Taurus, we’ll be in the dark side of the Moon, methodically wrapping up projects from the last New Moon agenda. The New Moon begins on Friday at 3:29PM ET…goes void at 10:10PM ET Friday night…and enters info-junkie Gemini at 12:34PM ET on Saturday.

Also on Saturday: a trine between the Sun and Pluto at 9AM ET may empower whatever abundant bliss you picked up on Tuesday’s trine between the Sun and Jupiter. You’ll feel that more personally if you have a planet or angle around 13 – 17 degrees of Capricorn, Taurus and especially Virgo. Jupiter will be at 13 degrees of Virgo all month — check your horoscope and see how its expansive potential may apply — or consult your local astrologer.

And now, the news.

The news is that there is no news today, just a photo essay entitled “Soaking Up Starlight on Sark.” Sark is one of the Channel Islands. There are no cars and no streetlights, which makes it perfect for star-gazing. Sounds like a lovely place for a Mercury REtrograde REtreat — enjoy the view — or take a cue from Radiohead and just disappear….

Thank you for reading this forecast and sharing it with the rest of the Free World. Welcome to any new Avid Readers! To find out what’s going on in your own personal horoscope, consider scheduling a consultation. We will have a fine discussion together.

Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 4/29/2016 & the Weekend: Obsessively Yours with Venus, Mars & Mercury

April 29, 2016/in The Forecast

TGIF!

The next two days are driven by the Moon in Aquarius, seeking friendship and a good humanitarian cause. Lunar energy flows without interference until 11:29PM ET, when we’ll have a square between the Aquarius Moon and the Taurus Sun — a.k.a. the Third Quarter Moon. Whatever your agenda was at the New Moon seemingly eons ago, here’s a chance for another burst of effort.

Venus enters Taurus at 8:36PM ET, joining Mercury and the Sun in their quest for material comfort and security. Currently at 29 degrees of Aries, the planet of social expression, women, money and aesthetics is exiting feisty warrior Aries accompanied by a plethora of fighting women in the headlines which I’ll get to in a few more paragraphs.

Consider a way to marry the old guard with the avant garde in your approach on Saturday, as the Moon makes easy connections to Saturn and Uranus at 8:46AM ET and 7:55PM ET respectively. Or you could apply seriously constructive energy to a project during the day on Saturday and hang with your favorite eccentrics at night. Note that around 10:56PM ET the Moon will go void on a charged square between the Aquarius Moon and Mercury — now retrograde in Taurus. These can be stubborn signs — something to consider if you’re wishing to negotiate an overnight deal to make a dream come true under the rose-colored glasses of an easy flow between the Sun and Neptune at 8AM ET Sunday.

No harm, no foul during the overnight Moon void. Moon enters Pisces at 10:33AM ET, seeking an intangible escape. Looks like a lovely day for art, spiritual and healing pursuits — on the upside. A REtreat sounds divine, as we adjust to Mercury’s recent retrograde turn. Follow the lead of those who gathered at the White House last night for a final Seder hosted by President Obama. What — a Seder at the White House — since when? Since a spontaneous Seder happened on the campaign trail in 2008. The story is charming, and this passage is so apt for the weekend’s planetary patterns:

Part of the Passover tradition includes an invocation to recline; rituals of rest and reflection are key to the celebration. “And so we paused from this historical campaign, we paused from how tired we were, paused from the ups and downs of traveling. We knew deep down that our lives were about to change – and the senator’s life would change the most – and this was a chance to reflect…”

No sleeping in on Monday — do note your dreams, as the Moon will meet up with Neptune at 6:23AM ET.

And now, the news.

Did I mention that Mercury turned retrograde on an obsessive quindecile to a retrograde Mars….AND Mercury has been conjunct the Fixed Star Capulus at 23-24 degrees of Taurus? Capulus, as some may receall from an earlier write-up on Donald Trump’s horoscope, is associated with aggressive energy — usually masculine and sexual. Trump’s Midheaven (public status, career) is 24 Taurus. So is Hillary Clinton’s North Node — a focal point of growth potential in the horoscope. Hmmm. Take Mercury, Mars, Capulus and Venus at the end of Aries, and we might see headlines like “Are Some Women Headed for the Draft? Support for the Idea Grows in Congress”…or “NYT Boss Sued Over Ageist, Sexist…Policies”…on the same day the NYT runs with “Trump and Clinton Gear Up for a Race Defined by Gender”. My personal favorite: “Royal Mail Threatens to Halt Deliveries to Home of Mail-Snatching Cat”, whose expression in the accompanying photo looks remarkably like Venus at the end of its rope in Aries.

Meanwhile….

The conventional astrological wisdom advises against rushing into or cementing partnerships when Mars is retrograde. That unity pledge between Ted Cruz and John Kasich, vowing to work together to stop Donald Trump lasted all of five seconds. Mars retrograde also suggests that Ted Cruz and recently-declared running mate Carly Fiorina may be a match made in Hell. But don’t take it from me, take it from John Boehner, who called the would-be Presdent “Lucifer in the flesh.” The former Speaker may be inclined to act with more abandon than his diplomatic Libra Moon often dictates, now that rebel Uranus is adding the element of surprise and shock to his precision-crafted Mars in Virgo. The internets went wild! How quickly we forget that NYT columnist David Brooks said as much back in January. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Satanic Temple was not amused.

Are we having fun yet? We will have even more fun in a personal consultation about your own unique horoscope. Here’s how to contact me.

Thank you for reading this forecast.

Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday & Thursday 4/27-28/2016: When Mercury Goes Retrograde…

April 27, 2016/in The Forecast

Allll-riiighty then!

A Capricorn Moon drives today and tomorrow with an enterprising energy. Alignments to the Moon flow smoothly to the earthy Taurus Sun, expansive Jupiter and visionary Neptune today. Tomorrow the enterprising drive is challenged by an early morning clash with emotionally intense Pluto at 5:20AM ET, followed by Uranus at 12:59PM ET.

Be advised that mental Mercury is at a standstill now, about to turn retrograde tomorrow at 1:20PM ET. BACK UP YOUR COMPUTERS NOW — otherwise, there’s no need to panic. Here’s a reprint of helpful guidance on surviving this planetary pattern:

Even if you know nothing else about astrology, you may have heard this term before. Often it’s accompanied by curses and groans, and that’s a shame. Yes, all of the flights on American Airlines might be grounded because of a computer glitch. Or the entire country of Finland might be offline because there’s a transportation strike (actual Mercury Rx events). But there’s much good that can be accomplished when the Messenger Planet appears to be retracing its steps.

Mercury—which in the language of astrology refers to mindset, travel and communication—will appear to move backward through the sky until May 22nd. It’s not really moving backward, but that is how it looks from our perspective here on Spaceship Earth. Mercury goes retrograde 3-4 times each year, for a period of 22 days.

Contrary to popular belief, Mercury retrogrades are no reason to freak out. Mercury retrograde gets a bad rap because we are geared, in this crazy modern age, to always be thinking, doing, moving FORWARD. You know what that gets you? BURN OUT. We need our down times, and Mercury retrograde is a perfect time to give our minds a rest. Why else would your computer, phone and/or car choose THIS time to malfunction? Because you are supposed to be slowing down. And as you slow down, it is vitally important that you FOCUS.

When Mercury is retrograde, be prepared for travel delays, scheduling screw-ups, mechanical breakdowns, computer crashes, having to repeat what you’ve just said, misunderstandings, the past coming back for a second look, surprise reunions and having to repeat what you just said. Use your FOCUS and double check important details, like whether the restaurant you’ve chosen for a meet-up is still in business. Or whether it is booked for a commercial shoot or a private party — all of which has happened to me during Mercury retrogrades.

If you are looking for a job, Mercury retrogrades are a perfect time to reach out to people from your past. Mine your address book and trust that your contacts will be happy to hear from you. However, do not be frustrated if your target is away on vacation or keeps rescheduling meetings. Also, triple check your emails and resumes before you hit “send,” as there is a higher probability of typos and other sloppy snafus.

In your business, you’ll need to make sure all communications have been received and are clearly understood. Be mindful of the higher potential for communications equipment to go on the fritz. MAKE SURE YOUR FILES ARE BACKED UP. Also be aware of a higher than average probability for delays in shipping and travel arrangements. For this you will need an extra dose of patience.

You may also find it profitable to REview a project from the past. Maybe you shelved it then, but now is the time to REconsider. However, be advised that a spontaneously, “out-of-the-blue” idea for advancement may not be so sound when Mercury turns direct. This is why the conventional wisdom advises against finalizing and/or signing contracts on deals during Mercury retrograde. An exception might be supported if you are REnegotiating or RElocating. If you absolutely must close a deal, triple check everything. The key is not to RUSH.

This is a good time to schedule a corporate REtreat. Any activity that affords the opportunity to REview past performance is encouraged. REsearch on a new strategy is also favored.

Mercury retrogrades are not favored for launching a new website or a new communications systems. There is a higher than average probability of technical glitches and confusion.

In general, adopt a playful attitude of flexibility to whatever twists you encounter. Avoid making major purchases (especially electronic ones). Don’t believe everything you hear or read in the papers. Rumors have a higher probability of spreading during Mercury retrogrades. Avoid losing patience — that’s a big one.

When in doubt, be silent!

Do plan on RElaxing, REviewing, REsearching, REorganizing, REgenerating, REconnecting and REcreating….and REviewing your life with your astrologer.

This Mercury retrograde happens at 23 degrees of Taurus, suggesting that whatever is up for REview and RElaxation likely involves steady, focused thought about its tangible reality, worth, comfort and/or security. If you have a planet or angle around 23 degrees of Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius and especially Taurus, you are more personally affected by this particular Mercury retrograde than most. This includes Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Mercury will move backwards through their respective 6th Houses, suggesting a focused review on health and work processes.

Astrologer Robert Wilkinson has written a whole book on Mercury retrograde; here’s an intriguing quote about its transit through the 6th House: “This is a time of practical adaptation and adjustment before something comes to the surface, a time of learning and reviewing the place and function of what has individualized up to this point in the process. See the possible practical application of power; prepare to take something public.”

This Mercury retrograde stations almost exactly atop Donald’s Trump’s 24 Taurus Midheaven. Did he get the message out yesterday — winning all five states in the so-called Acela primaries — or what? As Mercury retraces its steps through Donald Trump’s 9th House next month, we see an opportunity for him to reconsider the value of his message to the masses. How will it be revised over the next few weeks? UPDATE: a few hours after this posted, Trump gave a major speech on foreign policy — a 9th house “big picture” topic indeed.

And now, the news.

With Saturn (controls) squaring his Sun (ginormous ball of fire), the bern was tempered in last night’s primaries — as was speculated here last week. Hillary Clinton won four states; Bernie took Rhode Island. Transiting Jupiter conjunct his Virgo Sun should bring more expansive times in June, but with the third hit of Saturn to the Sun just after Election Day in November, it may not be enough to realize his current quest. We shall see.

Donald Trump is experiencing transits we would all willingly pay for: a yugely resourceful double hit of a Pluto-Jupiter square and a swoon of a solar arc to his regal Leo Ascendant from his Gemini Sun. The Ascendant-Sun thing is exact in July. It’s hard to imagine a hotter horoscope ruining his personal party before then.

And now, more news.

In the last forecast, we were writing about the surreal quality of the current tense T-square among Jupiter (expansion), Saturn (reality) and Neptune (dissolves whatever it touches). How apt to see a piece in The Atlantic entitled “The Case Against Reality.” Reading it recalled the nights I spent in college writing philosophy papers arguing that no one can perceive a chest of drawers in exactly the same way. Especially when reading bits like this:

So while neuroscientists struggle to understand how there can be such a thing as a first-person reality, quantum physicists have to grapple with the mystery of how there can be anything but a first-person reality. In short, all roads lead back to the observer.

Happy mulling over those deep thoughts, on a pre-Mercury-retrograde-in-material-security-building-Taurus!

Thank you for reading this forecast. Feel free to contact me to schedule a personal consultation about your own unique horoscope — Mercury retrograde is an excellent time for REview, doncha’ know…

thx to Beth Owlsdaughter for the creative Photoshopped Mercury Rx w/banana peel

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 4/25/2016: Sneak Peak at the Week; Beyonce, Right on Schedule

April 25, 2016/in The Forecast

Good Morning!

Note your dreams upon waking, as the boundary-pushing Moon in Sagittarius squares off with visionary Neptune at 7:27AM ET. This is the first of three contacts the Moon will make today to a loose T-square among Neptune, Jupiter and Saturn — the last two at 11:42AM ET and 3:47PM ET, respectively. The Jupiter-Saturn square — which will be exact for the third time on May 26th — suggests the last charge in a 20-year business cycle which began with the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in material security-seeking Taurus at the end of May 2000.

Let the record show that the chart for that Great Conjunction had an info-junkie Gemini Sun opposing power & resources Pluto, driven by a me-me-me Moon in pioneering Aries. Jupiter & Saturn were squared by technogeek Uranus, and it’s fascinating to see how that pie-in-the-sky pattern has been reflected in the explosion of tech-driven businesses that seemingly allow us to be so free and independent. We’re in the back half of the cycle until 2020, and the current square suggests the challenges created in the expansive first half of the cycle will pull focus. From the weekend’s headlines: “In An Age of Privilege, Not Everyone Is in the Same Boat” and “The Secret Shame of Middle-Class Americans” — truly a must-read. Neptune added to the mix suggests themes of spirits and other escapes; empathy and suffering — along with a dose of the surreal, as in “how can this be happening?”

That being said, there are no exact planetary patterns — other than to the Moon this week. This does not suggest that the week will be meh, as I’ve noticed in weeks with a similar lull before. In your own personal world, be aware that mental Mercury will turn retrograde on Thursday at 1:20PM ET. BACK UP YOUR COMPUTERS NOW.

Another shift this week is Venus, heading into Taurus on Friday at 8:36PM ET, just before the Third Quarter Moon. Venus in Taurus is a sensual placement, which may help you slow down and take time to smell the roses in May — so apt with so many planets retrograde.

Your Moon voids for the week: Tuesday 11:51AM ET until 7:54PM ET. I shudder to think of the potential twists and flakes that may lie in store for people trying to vote in tomorrow’s primaries, starting with Rhode Island, which is closing two-thirds of its polling places as a “cost-saving measure,” just as Arizona did in its primary fiasco. Let the righteous opinions of the Moon in Sag begin! That’s the only Moon void you’ll have to consider during business hours; the only other one is on Friday between 3:07AM and 4:47AM ET.

OMG…I just realized that yesterday marked the seventh anniversary of this forecast. Seven years — and no Pulitzer yet? I can’t even…

And now, the news.

Plenty to report in the aftermath of Friday’s emotionally intense Scorpio Moon, along with its surprisingly unconventional Venus conjunct Uranus attractions. You may recall Hillary Clinton’s Scorpio Sun (likely in her 12th House) was directly affected. Things the 12th House refers to include that which is behind the scenes, self-undoing, big giant institutions. Surprise, surprise — guess who thinks she might be a better president than the Republican challengers? None other than Charles Koch. Mrs. Clinton rejected the flirtatious endorsement via Twitter — but not for reasons some might prefer. FYI, in the past, Mr. Koch has personally contributed to these political campaigns.

Another surprise in the NYT, in which former U.S. Senator Harris Wofford writes of his upcoming second marriage. He was with his wife for 48 years until she passed away in 1996. On April 30th, he will wed his partner of the past 15 years — a younger man he met on a beach at age 75.

Meanwhile, Beyonce surprised fans with the unexpected release of an album, “Lemonade,” right after the airing of her HBO special on Saturday. Not surprisingly, Beyonce is currently experiencing transiting Uranus opposing her natal Venus-Pluto conjunction in Libra. We’d expect an emancipated expression involving over-the-top emotion and partnership right about now. Isn’t astrology amazing?

What’s going on in your horoscope? I’d love to share insights with you in a personal consultation. Here’s the 411 — we will have an excellent discussion together.

Many clients have found me because a friend posted my forecast on Facebook or some other public forum. To those of you who have shared my musings, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you for reading this forecast.

THE FORECAST

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FORECAST