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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 Sunday & Monday 2/28-2/29/2016: Oscar (c) Musings; Sun Conjunct Neptune
/in The ForecastHappy Oscar ™ Sunday!
The Moon has been in Scorpio since early Friday morning, ruthlessly seeking emotional depths, intellectual substance and — no doubt — control. No voids over the weekend suggest you are free to shop without worrying that your impulse purchase will later prove of little use.
The dominant pattern over the past few days is the Sun’s annual meet-up with Neptune, both currently floating through dreamy Pisces. It’s been an excellent weekend for vision, healing, music, spirit, art…as well as rose-colored escapes, delusion, fantasy, drugs and deception. It’s also been grand for catching up on all those movies you’ve been meaning to see in preparation for tonight’s Oscars ™.
Here are some stories from my archives that hit the wires on the Sun-Neptune meet-up in 2014. This batch is from 2015, and includes my all-time favorite, “In Overturning Conviction, Supreme Court Says Fish Are Not Always Tangible”. Coincidence or conspiracy? Neptune refers to fish. And intangibles.
Speaking of the Oscars (c)….
No void tonight suggests diminished prospects of surprise upsets by underdogs. A communicative connection between sober Saturn in righteous Sagittarius and Venus in humanitarian Aquarius suggests minimal fluff. So perhaps The Revenant will win Best Picture, given its Scorpionic theme of retribution. Or Spotlight, for daring to dig up the dirt on a suppressed scandal (Neptune) in the Catholic Church. I appreciated Spotlight much more than The Revenant, which I’m pretty sure ran close to five hours. Dialogue is a big plus in movies, especially if the viewer has Moon in Gemini. But that’s no reason to deprive Leonardo DiCaprio of his Oscar (R), given the current state of his horoscope, which was noted here back in 2014 and again in 2015.
The Big Short also reflects Neptune themes of scandal, smoke and mirrors. Room reflects Neptune themes of victimization and healing. Neptune also reflects rose-colored romance and the American Dream. Brooklyn certainly captured those themes ever-so poignantly — and may be my favorite of this year’s nominees. I hope you get a chance to see it. Yes, I know there are other contenders for Best Picture. No slight intended by not talking about them here.
We do not have birth times for all of the nominated actors and actresses. We do have one for Charlotte Rampling, and it’s no surprise to see transiting Saturn at the top of her horoscope, along with another Saturn measurement at the Aries Point. She needs to be taken seriously as an authority among her peers, and her nomination reflects it. We could see this potential honor coming a mile away — or years ago. Transiting Uranus and Pluto have been supercharging Ms. Rampling’s natal Mars, and this lights up areas in her life relating to performance, personal identity and self worth, with a broad international reach.
We have a birth time for Sylvester Stallone, too. He also has significant measurements happening now at the Aries Point, suggesting significant opportunities for recognition. His 14 degree Cancer Sun was supercharged by Uranus and Pluto in 2014 and 2015.
We do not have a birth time for Jennifer Lawrence, but we can still see that she has an Earth Grand Trine among Mercury, Saturn and Mars. This suggests material self-sufficiency — and some might argue no small amount of luck. Transiting Jupiter has been in contact with this pattern for some months now. Jupiter suggest expansion. Isn’t it interesting that what’s being written about Ms. Lawrence now is how much money she made last year — more than any other actress in Hollywood?
But enough about those Oscar (c) contenders. I’d much rather talk about what’s going on in your horoscope. We will have an excellent discussion about whether you’re at right now and how you can maximize opportunities for growth. If you happen to be in a crisis situation, we’ll be able to put it in perspective by assessing 1) when you were in a similar pattern and how it was resolved and 2) when it is likely to be resolved. This offers much peace of mind! Here’s how to contact me.
No sleeping in on Monday. The Scorpio Moon won’t go void until 2:55PM ET. You can chill out until 6:56PM ET, then lighten up and push boundaries when the Moon enters Sagittarius.
Thank you for reading this forecast. Thank you for all the referrals, too — the highest compliment an astrologer can receive, if you ask me.
Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday & the Next Two or Three Days: Politics, As Usual
/in The ForecastAllll-riiighty then!
As you know from Monday’s post, the Virgo Moon went void this morning at 9:22AM ET, not to enter Libra until 5:41PM ET. Of course a friend of mine texted me at 10 AM ET with this important message:
Elsewhere, a colleague’s work day began with the explosion of a can of flavored water — all over her cubicle. Well, the void did launch on an easy flow to energetic Mars. What about you? Any unexpected twists and flakes in your efforts to move forward in a straight line? Guess how many I experienced in a effort to post a forecast today?
Once engaged in Libra, the Moon may facilitate social graces, relationship-building and rational discourse, at least through Friday. As noted on Monday, the innovative structuring of ideas is also supported, hopefully reflecting your grand vision.
And now, the news.
Senate Republicans have lost their minds, is the headline for today’s NYT editorial, responding to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s statement (backed by Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee), that there would be no hearings and/or confirmation of anyone President Obama might nominate to fill the current vacancy on the Supreme Court. If you know anything about handwriting analysis, you’ll have a field day with the signatures on the letter from the Judiciary Committee. Isn’t it interesting that Ted Cruz’s signature does not even acknowledge the existence of the line he’s supposed to sign on?
We do not have a birth time for McConnell, but we do see in his horoscope at least three planets — Mars, Saturn and Uranus — together between 21 and 26 degrees of Taurus. This is a tough as nails combo of stubborn energy dedicated to keeping things “the way it ought to be” (so says my mentor of Taurus). If you’ve been paying close attention to what I’ve written about transiting Mars recently, you might think, “oh wow — transiting Mars is in Scorpio and is opposing that trio of planets right now.” So this extremely risky action is not unexpected.
Here’s John Oliver with an informative and entertaining take on the roadblock, including a Really Useful lesson in American history.
Meanwhile, we also see the potential for bold action in the birth chart many astrologers use for the Republican Party. Note the GOP’s Moon at 24 Scorpio — just triggered by transiting Mars at — 24 Scorpio! We’d expect an aggressive expression of the GOP’s need for depth, power and control. Isn’t that fascinating?
Avid readers will immediately spot the tension the GOP’s 14 degree Cancer Sun has experienced in the past two years, courtesy of the Uranus-Pluto square. How has the GOP’s identity been transformed, empowered and/or disrupted? And how interesting to see transiting Neptune, which dissolves what it touches, now squaring the GOP’s Saturn (structure, authority and control). Neptune-Saturn patterns can be sooooo surreal. The sense of bewilderment — of falling in love with something that seems ideal that may later prove false — is also suggested by a solar arc between Neptune and the GOP’s Scorpio Moon. This might be reflected as a need for a spiritual experience or vision. Emotional intensity and power plays are suggested by an arc between the GOP’s Pluto and the Moon.
There’s much more that could be said astro-logically which echoes what many pundits have been saying about the ongoing dissolution of the GOP. If we accept the 12PM birth time as correct, we see an additional breakdown and transformation of the GOP’s identity suggested by a recent solar arc to the Ascendant from Pluto, with another solar arc from Pluto to the Midheaven exact in November.
UPDATE — on Monday’s study of the event chart for an alleged gang rape last month — hot off the NYT home page. As the chart suggested, the story did not happen as initially reported. No charges will be filed. Nor will a case move forward against Rick Perry, former governor of Texas. Now all of the abuse-of-power charges filed in 2014 have been dropped. In Rick Perry’s horoscope, we see transiting Venus exactly on his 9 Aquarius Midheaven — his reputation/career/status. Such a transit suggests a boost in popularity or appeal. In traditional astrology, Venus is considered to be a fortunate influence. Venus rules the governor’s 27 Taurus Ascendant, which is significant. Interesting to note that the New Moon this month was on Gov. Perry’s Jupiter, a planet that is also often considered to be lucky.
Hoping for some headlines that are not all about politics in the next forecast….stay tuned!
What’s going on in your horoscope? Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday & Tuesday 2/22-23/2016: Sneak Peek at the Week; Harper Lee & Umberto Eco, RIP
/in The ForecastHappy Monday!
I hope you are starting the week with efficiency, using the discerning faculties of the Virgo Full Moon (exact at 1:20PM ET) to perfect your boundless ideal in greater detail. Said “ideal” would be suggested by the Pisces Sun in an approaching meet-up with visionary Neptune (exact on Sunday). A practical technical analysis may lend itself to you, courtesy of a communicative flow between Mercury (mindset) and Saturn (structure; ambition) — that’s exact on Thursday. What will you do with this potential illumination?
Structuring and focusing an all-encompassing vision is a theme echoed in the Sabian Symbols for this Full Moon. Don’t know the story of these cryptic Symbols? Here it is. For the Sun at 4 Pisces: “a colored child playing with white children” (remember that these Symbols were channeled in 1925); for the Moon at 4 Virgo: “heavy traffic on a narrow isthmus”. Huzzah for the ever-helpful Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee, who points out that “‘play’ is an activity that blissfully ignores boundaries, rules and narrowly drawn lines of convention and bias”; whilst the latter of the two Symbols suggests “a well-defined sense of procedure that narrows into a bottleneck situation”. We are advised, says Bovee, to apply these Symbols “with a mind to the challenge of being tolerant while following a focused, narrow path to one’s goal; crossing social and ethnic boundaries with childlike ease…bottleneck issues slowing progress…needing to get away…funneling energy towards the key thing”. Bovee offers many other insights too numerous to mention here, but are readily available in his wonderful book.
Keep on plugging with discernment on Tuesday, using Virgo’s practical and earthy drive. Note the potential for an ambitious reach or a wet blanket around 1:02PM ET, as the Moon is challenged by taskmaster Saturn. Depth of analysis is facilitated around 3:17PM ET, as Moon trines Pluto just in time for tea. The evening builds to an enthusiastic release around 9:44PM ET, when the Moon meets up with expansive Jupiter.
Get it off your desk on Tuesday if you can, as the Virgo Moon goes void on Wednesday at 9:22AM ET, wandering through the day without dynamic thrust until 5:41PM ET. You might focus on routine tasks that require innovative sorting and refinement. I say this because Mercury (mindset, communication) is in an easy alignment with Saturn (exact on Thursday) and Uranus (exact on Friday). Roll with the twists and flakes that may detour your efforts to move forward in a straight line; perhaps indulge in a creative outlet that takes you in an unexpected direction. Resist the urge to turn a picayune molehill into a mountain of crisis. Chill — and avoid impulse purchases, as those made during Moon voids have an odd way of proving themselves not nearly as useful as you hoped they would be. But don’t just take it from me. Test the theory for yourself.
Once the Moon shifts into gear in Libra at 5:41PM ET on Wednesday, it drives the next few days with a need for social graces in relationship, as well as an appreciation for rational discourse seeking balance. In the wee hours on Friday morning ET, the balance may be disrupted by the Moon’s weekly clash with Pluto and Uranus. It goes void on a face-off with the latter at 6:18AM ET, facilitating your plans to start your weekend early.
And now, the news.
At the start of last week, I opined that the relative lack of action among the planets suggested a set-up for a dramatic event, seemingly happening out of nowhere on a perfectly routine day. On Saturday such an event happened in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Six people were killed — and others wounded — by one man in a series of series of random shootings. What’s interesting from an astro-logical perspective is that the chart for the time of the first shooting — around 6PM on 2/20/2016 in Kalamazoo — paints a picture of a potentially violent outburst. Immediately we see lethal Mars (guns, anger, war) very strong in Scorpio, not in connection to any other planet (thus demanding attention by “running wild), but smack dab on the angles of the horoscope. Planets on the angles of the chart for an event say much about its nature.
Which makes me think of another incident back in January I meant to write about as soon as it happened, because what was reported did not reflect what is suggested in the horoscope. This was an alleged gang-rape of an 18 year old girl by five teens in a Brooklyn playground. It happened around 9:10PM on the 7th. The first thing to notice is Neptune — planet of illusion, fog and alcohol — right on the angles of the chart. Other patterns suggest boundaries pushed, accounts revised and/or retracted, details blurred and twisted and a potentially kinky expression of assertive energy. I did not believe initial reports in the papers, and I wondered why one reporter (and her editors) at one rag have paying jobs in journalism — see that initial write-up here. A week later, after the five teens were found, arrested and charged, the case against them was “crumbling,” as murky and disturbing allegations involving the young woman’s father emerged. The DA apparently has until June to build its case for a grand jury.
I believe there were a few debates among the candidates running for president around that time. If memory serves, Neptune was on an angle at the start of each of those debates, too. Take that with a grain of salt.
If you’re a student of astrology and you just learned something new and exciting, why not express appreciation for the gift of knowledge right here. You would totally make my day.
Meanwhile, Jeb Bush formally ended his presidential campaign just as transiting Jupiter hit 20 degrees of Virgo. Why is that significant? 20 Virgo was the degree of a potent eclipse in September, and as you may recall, Governor Bush’s horoscope was personally affected. The eclipse fell in his 12th house, close to his 23 Virgo Ascendant and square his Gemini Midheaven. Back in September, I noted that we needed to keep an eye on his horoscope in 2016, when Jupiter would trigger September’s eclipse. And speaking of eclipses, we have two of them next month, and you’ll find a bit of info on how eclipses can operate in that last link. As for Governor Bush, perhaps the third hit of Jupiter to his Ascendant and Midheaven in August will bring expansive opportunities, accompanied by shoes he can actually fill. By the end of this year and into 2017, he likely be needing to get serious about core foundation and family concerns, as transiting Saturn hits the angles of his horoscope.
In other news, Umberto Eco — truly a one-of-a-kind novelist and scholar — passed away over the weekend. Looking at his horoscope, I expected to find eccentric/genius Uranus all over it. Yep. It’s there — sitting right at the top of the chart on the Midheaven, square to his Capricorn Sun and Mars. Those planets and that Midheaven have been under a high level of tension in the past couple of years, with transiting Uranus and Pluto supercharging them. Mr. Eco passed away with transiting Saturn exactly on his high-flying, big-picture focused Moon in Sagittarius.
Harper Lee, author of the beloved classic, “To Kill A Mockingbird, ” also passed away. I expected to see Uranian/Aquarian humanitarian themes in her horoscope, too .Yep, they are there. Ms. Lee is a Taurus, with her ruling planet — Venus — conjunct Uranus in Pisces, suggesting a need for sensitive yet avant garde social values and expression. Venus also rules her people-pleasing Libra Ascendant. Uranus trines the Midheaven, suggesting a need for that social consciousness to be expressed in her vocation. Additionally we see Mars conjunct Jupiter in Aquarius, in a complex and dynamic T-square pattern. They oppose Neptune — suggesting no small amount of energy and charisma — and all three square a seriously intense meet-up between Moon and Saturn in Scorpio. This is a woman who would need to be appreciated for depth and substance. She is described by the NYT as “reclusive,” and her horoscope suggests that need, too.
It is fascinating to see that Ms. Lee’s 25 Libra Ascendant is about to be opposed by transiting Uranus starting in August of 2016, and again in May of 2017, then hovering around 25 Libra for weeks between December 2017 and February 2018. Transits to the Ascendant from Uranus often suggest a fresh start, and horoscopes live forever. Guess what’s planned for Ms. Lee around that time? A new production of “To Kill A Mockingbird”, written by Aaron Sorkin. This play has never had a Broadway run. A fresh start indeed — and potentially quite a splash when it premieres. Transiting Jupiter will cross her Ascendant in October of 2017 — how nice for a public debut. Transiting Jupiter will then conjoin her Moon-Saturn conjunction and engage and expand the other three planets in that T-square in the spring of 2018. Tony nominations, anyone?
UPDATE: have to add that Umberto Eco’s horoscope, as noted above, also reflects the “fresh start” potential of transiting Uranus to the Ascendant and/or Midheaven. And guess what? Mr. Eco had a book scheduled for publication this May….but now it will be published this weekend! Astrology is amaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing.
Finally, because it’s always fun to end on a bright note — the weekend’s Leo Moon coincided with a heartwarming cat story. Did you hear about Kunkush? He belonged to a family of refugees who fled Iraq last fall. En route to their new home in Norway, Kunkush was lost on the island of Lesbos. Incredibly, he was reunited with his family last week. Roll heartwarming tape. Grab box of Kleenex. Imagine a world where everyone treats everyone else with the kindness and care shown to Kunkush.
Thank you for reading this forecast. Here’s the 411 on consultations. I can’t imagine why you would not want to understand how planetary patterns are reflected in your own personal world. We will have an excellent and enlightening discussion together.
Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 2/19/2016 & the Weekend: Mars Retrograde 2016 Alert; Tim Cook Just Says “No” — Right on Schedule; Sun in Pisces
/in The ForecastTGIF!
The Cancer Moon goes void of course at 9:36AM ET, as you may remember from Monday’s forecast. An easy connection to Mars facilitates efficient action based on home/family/emotional security needs. Take care to nurture yourself and those around you — but when in doubt, put the oxygen mask on yourself first. It seems as if I’ve been repeating that mantra left and right over the past several weeks.
Moon is void until 9:17PM ET. Focus on routine concerns; roll with the twists and flakes; chill over perceived crises that are likely much ado about nothing. The party-hearty Leo Moon takes over the evening and sails through Saturday and Sunday. Not until 8:17 PM ET on Sunday does it go void with a potentially provocative sigh, challenged by Mars in Scorpio. Check your stubborn regal egos at the door for the duration of the night. A waxing Full Moon — exact on Monday at 1:20PM ET — suggests equally waxing emotions and perhaps a bit of howling, too.
Moon enters Virgo to set everything right on Monday at 6:24AM ET. No sleeping in! More on the Full Moon in Monday’s forecast.
Meanwhile, Friday’s big news is the Sun leaving Aquarius for Pisces at 12:34AM ET. Happy birthday to your favorite fishies! Pisces is a sensitive, intuitive energy that at its best expresses compassion and loving kindness for everyone and everything, in its understanding that we are all One. Being such a sensitive soul is not always easy. Pisces has been known to wallow in suffering. It can go to extremes of surrender in order to escape life’s hard knocks, drowning its sorrows in the nearest rose-colored glass. Pisces is ruled by Neptune, a dreamy energy that can be challenging to integrate, but oh what sublime creative visions it can bring to life, when effectively channeled.
Pisces folk born 9-10 days into the sign should chat with Fish born a few days earlier about how spacey life seemed in the past two years. Lots of potential for creativity and soulful questing, though. Pisces folk born halfway through the sign have experienced the expansive potential of transiting Jupiter to their natal Sun in recent months. Now Saturn is weighing in, asking for streamlined plans for advance. Maybe time to check in with your local astrologer…
Famous Pisces include Kurt Cobain, Drew Barrymore, George Harrison, Dr. Seuss and Albert Einstein. All sensitive, soulful and sublime, in their own magical way.
And now, the news.
UPDATE: Justice Scalia was in fact having health issues, including high blood pressure and heart problems. Sorry, conspiracy theorists. Plus, planetary patterns support his doctor’s statement, not foul play. His solar returns for 2015 and 2016 are quite compelling.
HEADS UP: Yesterday Mars was at 23 degrees of Scorpio. Why is this significant? Because on April 23rd, Mars will turn retrograde at 8 degrees of Sagittarius. It will appear to move backwards in the sky through May and most of June, finally turning direct on June 29th at…23 degrees of Scorpio. It’ll be sitting on that degree for almost four weeks, until it picks up speed and moves on in mid-July. Here’s a brief and general 411 on how we may use retrograde Mars energy most effectively. Point is, actions initiated between now and April 23rd will be revisited once Mars turns retrograde. Then, once Mars turns direct in late June, we will go over the action for a third time.
THEREFORE, if you have planets or angles between 23 Scorpio and 8 Sagittarius — and especially on those degrees, you can expect those parts of your horoscope to be triggered once, twice and thrice between now and late August. Same for planets between 23 Leo, Taurus and Aquarius…as well as 8 Gemini, Pisces and Virgo. Where are your planets and angles? Order an Astro-Basics Report and find out how Mars retrograde will fall in your horoscope. You’ll find it in the Services & FAQS section of my website.
So. On Monday we were discussing how Mars will hit President Obama’s 28 degree Scorpio Midheaven — his career/public status point — three times between now and the end of July. His Uranus — which rules his Ascendant — will also be hit, as will his Pluto. We can expect him to be especially assertive and likely dealing with equally assertive energy directed at him. Here are some other public figures to watch:
Random cool headline: “Naval Academy Students Are Learning to Navigate By The Stars for the First Time in a Decade,” reports the Washington Post. Yes, there is real value in using the position of the stars to guide us. Random headline which confirms what I’ve long suspected: “The Parmesan Cheese You Sprinkle on Your Penne Could Be Wood.” Seriously, those little packets of Parm that come with take-out pizza? Yucch! Not that I eat that stuff anymore…
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 2/16/2016: Sneak Peek at a Short Week; Justice Scalia, RIP; Venus in Aquarius
/in The ForecastGood Morning!
We’re off to the start of a four-day work week, one with no major aspects (trines, sextiles, oppositions, squares or conjunctions) among the planets, except for planets making contact with the Moon. Does a week of relatively quiet activity suggest nothing dramatic will happen? I used to think that was a logical expectation, but now I think of these planetary lulls as giant shelves of ice in the Antarctic. They’re there — all solid and stable. And then a big chunk just falls into the sea, with no visible alert. We shall see.
The Moon is still in Gemini, buzzing around, sharing information. It is challenged by an opposition from taskmaster Saturn at 12:10PM ET. A downer or an ambitious reach, maybe a combination of both. Innovative connections and communications are favored in the afternoon, courtesy of an easy connection between Moon and Uranus at 4:30PM ET. Information overload may set in as the Moon squares Jupiter at 10:02PM ET.
At 11:17PM ET, Venus leaves status-conscious Capricorn for the much more egalitarian sign of Aquarius. Huzzah for you if you happen to be an Aquarius, as your dance card may be fuller between now and March 12th, when Venus enters Pisces. “I love you, but don’t take it personally” is immediately understood by people with many planets in Aquarius, an airy, mental sign which so deeply understands and values friendship. Who’s yer buddy? Venus is Aquarius is happy to help.
On Wednesday, Moon goes void at 11:37AM ET and enters Cancer at 2:24PM ET. On Thursday evening the Moon makes its weekly clash with Pluto and Uranus at 8:34PM ET and 10:42PM ET, respectively. Upsets, power plays and other excitement that may disrupt and/or empower our need for emotional and/or home security — or at least make headlines.
Sun leaves Aquarius for Pisces at 12:34AM ET on FRIDAY. Moon goes void at 9:36AM for the whole business day. Stick to routine. Party time begins at 9:17PM ET, when the Moon enters drama queen Leo. TGIF! That’s the lay of the astrological land this week — march forward with your plans for world domination.
And now the news.
We’re sure to be yakking about Monday night’s Grammys, given the Moon’s challenge to Neptune (music and glamour) at 1:15AM ET Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the story dominating headlines — at least in the US — was the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Justice Scalia was found dead — presumably of natural causes in his sleep — at a luxury resort in Texas, where he had been invited to join a private hunting party. We should all be so lucky to spend our last day on Earth doing what we love.
Weird, because in the draft of my last forecast, I mentioned Justice Scalia — then edited it out. I first wrote about his horoscope in 2011, when he rear-ended another car on his way to work. I thought for sure I’d noted in 2013/4 how empowered and daring his need for assertive action would likely become in 2014 & 2015, with transiting Uranus and Pluto supercharging his natal Mars at 14 Aries. Can’t find the post to link, alas. Question is might there have been any other astrological measurements that might suggest a potential health concern? Plenty of books have been written about astrology and health. They are fascinating to read.
Perhaps you recall in my last post — about Michael Moore’s sudden bout with the flu — that Mr. Moore had transiting Mars in Scorpio making a stressful aspect with his Leo Ascendant. This can suggest an outburst of energy that results in a health event. The Ascendant refers to one of the health markers in a horoscope. Justice Scalia had a similar pattern — between his directed Ascendant and his natal Mars — and this has been in effect for months, not just a few days. Mars in is Justice Scalia’s sixth house and rules it, too. The sixth is another reference to health in a horoscope, among others. Caveat: Mars-Ascendant aspects can also suggest a more productive release of energy, such as beginning a new exercise regime.
Interesting to note that on Friday, February 12th, Justice Scalia had the second hit of transiting Jupiter in Virgo opposing his natal 21 Pisces Sun. In recent days he had transiting Jupiter square his natal Jupiter at 23 Sagittarius. Jupiter refers to expansion — for better or for worse. The Sun refers to the heart and vitality. Back in December and early January, you may recall that Jupiter was at a virtual standstill at 23 Virgo, preparing to turn retrograde. We could imagine him being overextended, and in conflict with another measurement (Saturn square Saturn), suggesting a need for limits and control.
Interesting to note the Moon was in Aries on the 12th, traveling through his Sixth House. It would have crossed his Descendant and squared Pluto during the night. I can’t remember which one of my teachers opined that the Ascendant represents the point where the soul enters the body; the Descendant is where the soul exits. Interesting thought. There are other measurements I could note in Justice Scalia’s horoscope which add to the suggestion of a health concern, but you get the idea. And “suggestion” and “potential” are the operative words. Modern medicine, with its miracle drugs and technology, has a funny way of helping people survive health crises that would have been fatal in years past — a good thing, don’t you think?
Did you know that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Justice Scalia were the best of friends? An odd coupling, and on opposite sides of the political spectrum, but there you have it. Something to think about with Venus entering Aquarius later tonight. Here is Justice Ginsberg’s tribute to Scalia. How interesting that they were both born with the Sun in Pisces and the Moon in Scorpio.
Meanwhile, in Barack Obama’s horoscope, we see transiting Mars about to challenge Uranus, the ruler of his Ascendant this week…and then it will make the first of three conjunctions to his Midheaven (status, career) on March 2…with the rest on May 30th and July 30th. Rest assured he will take action. Last week’s New Moon at 20 Aquarius conjoined his Ascendant; Mars exactly squared it. The battle is on — and I’d argue the surreal meltdown potential of it all is related to transiting Neptune squaring the U.S. Ascendant, as I’ve noted many times before. Neptune-Ascendant phases can be surreal, disorienting, bewildering. Here are some thoughts…and here are some others.
UPDATE: on those nifty gravitational waves from last week. Avid Reader Katya sent me this cool BBC link with more info, (if you’re still not clear what the fuss is all about) and these deep thoughts:
I would like to hear musings about subtle physical waves and astrology, too. There is so much we do not know. Until then, I see astrology as a symbolic language which conveys information about time and space. No idea why it works with such accuracy. But it does.
UPDATE: George W. Bush, whose horoscope we expected would become more empowered in 2016, as transiting Pluto moves on to square his 16 Libra Moon, did in fact hit the campaign trail on behalf of his brother, Jeb!
NEW TOPIC: Thanks to Avid Reader Nick, who thoughtfully sent in this item reflecting the diet-consciousness of Jupiter’s sojourn through Virgo: a supermarket offering healthy food at affordable prices. Meanwhile, did you see that last week France made it illegal for supermarkets to throw out unsold food? Now it must be donated. Tres bien fait!
PSA of the Day: if you’ve been following this forecast for several months, you know I’ve mentioned The China Study a number of times. In October I decided to switch to a mostly all-plant diet. Consider it my Jupiter in Virgo new & improved diet experiment. Protocols: no meat and fish. Maybe an egg a few times a month — good to have a source of vitamin B-12. Goat cheese on occasion. Won’t give up half & half in my coffee/tea, wine, plain yogurt or chocolate. More important, no oils — including olive oil and olives. Result: I now weigh what I weighed in high school. Don’t feel deprived at all. Stunned to see how much flavor food has when it is not cooked in oil or butter! Now I saute in vegetable broth — it’s delish! Clean-up is so much easier without the grease. I know this regime may not be for everyone, but if you have questions, feel free to email me…
…and please reach out if you are dying to know what’s going on in your horoscope! We will have such an excellent discussion together. Here’s the 411 on personal consultations. If we have not spoken in over a year, you’re due for a check-up. Yes, astrologers are like dentists. Book your six-month and yearly cleanings, count on us to be there for you when you are going through a cosmic root canal. Oh — and if you just love this forecast and would like to let me know how much you appreciate its value, donations are always welcome, with much, much gratitude.
And now, check out these cosmic space travel posters NASA is giving away free…just for you.
Thank you for reading this forecast.