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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 Tuesday & Wednesday 11/17-18/2015: Neptune Turns Direct
/in The ForecastGood morning!
An easy flow of energy between Mars (action) and the Moon in Aquarius starts the day at 7:23AM ET. Whatever idealistic ideas you may have, they are driven by the Aquarius Moon’s need for innovation and/or eccentricity, suggesting the potential for tech-savvy genius or mad science. Go for it.
If you were born with Moon in Aquarius, you need to be socially significant — and dare I say appreciated for it. You probably need to be unusual, too. And free! “I love you, but don’t take it personally” is a pithy Aquarian expression — and I came up with that one all by myself. If you don’t know where your Moon is, for heaven’s sake, order an Astro-Basics Report — or book a consultation. This is a key clue in solving your own identity puzzle.
Harmonious patterns between the Moon and Saturn (at 1:10PM ET) and Venus (at 8:59PM ET) add a gracious, structured potential to this day. Wednesday begins with amplified innovative flash, as the Moon makes an easy connection to Uranus, which rules Aquarius. After that, we’ll be building to the First Quarter Moon, exact at 1:27AM ET on Thursday. That’s when we may see a challenge to your New Moon agenda.
Said challenge may be one of vision — or confusion, as Neptune turns direct on Wednesday at 11:32AM ET. This ends a five month period of subtle focus on your own dreams and intuition for guidance. When a planet is retrograde, the suggestion is to turn inward on issues involving that planet, as opposed to looking outside the self. So with Neptune turning direct, we can now apply whatever vision we nurtured to the outside world.
You’ll feel the effects of Neptune’s change of station more personally if you were born 6-8 days into Pisces, Virgo, Gemini and Sagittarius…or if you have a planet or angle at 6-8 degrees of those signs. What kind of effects? Oh…perhaps you are feeling somewhat bewildered…or less inclined to be in Type A personality mode (if you are normally a Type A personality). You may find yourself needing to express your creativity — even if you have never thought of yourself as a “creative” person. You may also find being of service richly rewarding. If you are having a Neptune transit, you are especially advised to consult an astrologer for perspective.
The news will be back later this week. I know, there’s so much to talk about. Charlie Sheen; amending the French Constitution; restaurant workers no longer working for tips; refusing to accept immigrants even as thousands are displaced from their own countries and so on. Planetary patterns reflect it all. Stay tuned.
Thank you for reading this forecast.
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 11/16/2015: Sneak Peek at the Week
/in The ForecastUp and at ’em!
Monday is driven by the Moon in enterprising Capricorn, using whatever it can to actualize its enterprise-building strategy. Planetary patterns are generally harmonious, if tinged by no small amount of idealism. Why idealism? Because the Sun and Mercury meet up on Tuesday, that’s why. And Neptune, planet of vision, illusion, delusion and other intangible matters — turns direct on Wednesday.
On Thursday we’ll have the First Quarter Moon, suggests a challenge to the projects you launched on last week’s New Moon. On Friday, Mercury enters Sagittarius, putting mindset and communication efforts into Big Picture mode, but perhaps not being able to see the trees for the forest. Yes, that is what I meant to type.
Also building to a power play and/or an unconventional attraction: Venus — which refers to social graces, women, values, aesthetics and money — clashes with Pluto on Friday and then opposes Uranus on Monday. Whenever a planet engages with the tension between Uranus and Pluto, we can expect volatility and revelations in the matters related to that planet. Should be interesting for the markets.
Oh, and the surreal tension between Saturn and Neptune continues to build to its first release on the 26th. We were talking about that all last week — more on that in a minute.
Your Moon voids — also known as natural cosmic chill periods suggesting that your efforts to move forward in a straight line are more likely to experience delays, twists, flakes and other crises that later prove to be much ado about nothing: Monday 3:53PM ET until Tuesday 2:24AM ET; Thursday 3:19AM ET – 7:21AM ET. So really, other than today (after 3:53Pm ET Monday), it’s pretty much full speed ahead.
And now, the news.
You may recall on Friday the potential for “carnage” was noted, suggested by planetary patterns. There was no joy in seeing that word repeated in the headlines over the weekend with respect to events in Paris. But why France? Might there be planetary patterns connecting the horoscopes of France and the entity claiming responsibility? Yes. Are there patterns in the chart for the time of the event in question — 9:16PM — which might suggest the potential for an explosive outburst? Yes, and if you’re thinking one of them involving Mars, you’d be right. Would it help to look at the charts in detail right now. I’m not so sure.
In other news…
Were there any lighter manifestations of transiting Mars at the Aries Point — in Libra, sign of equality and relationships? Sure! Mars refers to the yang part of the yin-yang polarity — usually thought of as masculine. Earlier in the week, the NYT reported that men are doing more household chores, but “not as much as they think”. On Sunday, the NYT served up this op-ed: “Men’s Lib!”.
Severing ties with a collective belief system, possibly religious? That seems apt for Saturn (cuts) in Sagittarius (religious dogma) challenged by the compassionate potential of Neptune in Pisces. On Saturday, hundreds of Mormons resigned from the church, protesting an “unfair” (Mars & Venus both in Libra) policy barring the children of same-sex couples from being baptized.
More on the surreal tension between Saturn and Neptune. On Friday, I ended the weekend forecast with a reference to Alice in Wonderland. Well guess what? I ended up catching two shows over the weekend — the opportunity to do so turned up quite spontaneously. On Saturday I saw Trip of Love — a jukebox musical featuring songs from the ’60s which has been universally trashed by the critics here, here and here. What a bunch of snobs. Yes, it was a total trip — a perfect fun and mindless escape, and whatever wasn’t perfect was so bad it was good. What’s not to love? But get this: the story begins with a young woman who, like Alice, falls into a dream — and into a rendition of Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit. Coincidence or conspiracy?
On Sunday I scored tickets to To Kill a Mockingbird — rarely seen on stage, though I imagine most everyone studied the Pulitzer prize-winning book in school or has seen the Oscar-winning movie with Gregory Peck. The story takes place in the mid-’30s, during a Uranus-Pluto square. The book and movie came out just before the exact Uranus-Pluto conjunction of the mid-60s. Revisiting it now, in the aftermath of the latest Uranus-Pluto challenge felt apt. But it also has elements of the surreal. Why? Well, if you’re familiar with the plot, let’s just say that it’s about a trial in which the truth is living in one reality and the jury is living in another.
What’s going on in your horoscope? Book a personal consultation and we will have a most illuminating discussion together. Here’s the 411.
Special bonus track: “Under Pressure” — David Bowie & Queen — vocal tracks only — because it’s all over social media and it’s sublime. Enjoy.
Thank you for reading this forecast.
Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 11/13/2015 & the Weekend
/in The ForecastTGIF!
A high-flying Moon in Sagittarius continues to drive the day, seeking to push boundaries and expand minds ever so righteously. Optimistic, seed-planting, tell-the-whole-world energy is aided and abetted by two helpful exact aspects. Venus (social graces, women) and Saturn (ambition, structure, authority) are in an easy alignment; so are Mercury (mindset) and Jupiter (expansion, reward). Make the pitch!
Hang with your besties and think outside the box this evening, as the Moon aligns with innovative Uranus and Jupiter at 7:22PM ET and 10:18PM ET, respectively. Then the Moon goes void until 7:21PM ET on SATURDAY.
Hold off on impulse shopping and chill until the Moon engages in practical Capricorn on Saturday night. Conventional wisdom argues that purchases made when the Moon is void of course will likely prove to be not as useful as you hoped.
Sunday morning’s practical, make-it-happen energy is tinged with a dreamy indulgence, as the Moon makes contact with Neptune and Venus at 8:26AM ET and 9:32AM ET. You can use the rest of the day to plan strategy for world domination, or fortify your castle. At 8:37PM ET be aware that the Moon will meet up with Pluto, suggesting a potential power play or emotional catharsis. Moon clashes with Uranus at 3:10AM ET on Monday, suggesting an upset to the status quo likely making headlines.
No dawdling on Monday. Planetary patterns facilitate an easy flow of action until 3:53PM ET, when the Moon goes void for the rest of the business day.
To find out how these planetary patterns are reflected in your horoscope, schedule a personal consultation. You’ll understand why you are the way you are, why things happen when they happen and how to maximize opportunities now and in the future. But don’t just take it from me — consider these testimonials.
And now, the news.
With Mars at the Aries Point — i.e., at the first degree of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn — we expect headlines reflecting the assertive/warrior energy of Mars to become prominent. In this case we have Mars at the first degree of Libra, and yesterday I could not bring myself to put into cyberspace what carnage I anticipated we’d see in Friday’s headlines. And yet, the carnage is there — and it has an aura of prominence. Astrology is amazing.
First, the United States is “reasonably certain” that a drone strike killed “Jihadi John”, the notorious executioner. Beirut experienced a double suicide bombing that was “the worst attack on the city in years”. More acts of war: “Kurdish Forces Retake Iraqi City of Sinjar from ISIS.” Also: “The Attacks Will Be Spectacular” is Friday’s headline in a Politico exclusive that reveals how the CIA “repeatedly and urgently” warned the White House of an anticipated strike against the US, starting in the spring of 2001. Well, in the light of Wednesday’s New Moon in Scorpio, we did expect secrets to be exposed.
Guns and cars are also ruled by Mars. “How Gun Traffickers Get Around State Gun Laws” is on the NYT homepage. Over at the The Guardian, you can read how one of Google’s self-driving cars got a traffic ticket. Even the presidential campaigns are being reported as more combative. There’s a Democratic debate tonight, the second in a row which is not happening on a weeknight. Coincidence or conspiracy, media mavens? The NYT headline asserts that Bernie Sanders’s strategy will be to “Attack Hillary Clinton, If Asked”.
Meanwhile, in Republicanland, the Washington Post reports, “After pulling punches at the debate, GOP candidates take the gloves off“, with Donald Trump calling Ben Carson “pathological, “comparing him to child molesters. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio were also on the offense.
Is there anything positive to report? Yes! Earlier this week, a judge in Utah made headlines by ordering a lesbian couple to give up their foster child because he’d read somewhere that children are better off when raised by heterosexual parents. Much outrage ensued, including the State of Utah’s, and today, under the rational and supportive connections between Venus, Saturn, Mercury and Jupiter, the judge reversed his order. However, he is still concerned by the research, and a hearing is scheduled on December 4th, during a Moon void and a square between Mercury and Jupiter. This ought to be of no consequence, if the judge gets his facts straight, no pun intended. If you’ve been reading this forecast for over a year you may remember a study from last summer concluding that actually, children raised by same sex parents “are happier and healthier than their peers”. Tell it to the judge.
Meanwhile, here are two stories reflecting the “small is big” potential we’ll see through 2016, as Jupiter (big) travels through Virgo (small). “After a Mass Extinction, Only the Small Survive” and “The Microcomplaint: Nothing Too Small to Whine About”, the NYT wants you to know. Does Jupiter in Virgo also reflect a story about how a tiny chip of carbon was valued at $48 million — purchased at an auction by a billionaire who wanted to give the famous (prominent!) flawless blue diamond (now known as the Blue Moon of Josephine) to his seven-year-old daughter? Factor in Venus and Mars entering Libra (things of beauty) and other planetary patterns, including the reality-melting potential of Saturn square Neptune….
…which is an excellent pattern to facilitate stories all over the place about the 150th anniversary of “Alice in Wonderland”. This article is from the Sunday NYT travel section, travel being an excellent focus when the Moon is in Sagittarius. I suppose the “mysterious space junk,” seriously known as “WTF”and plummeting to Earth today qualifies, too. Certainly it being Friday the 13th is not a factor.
Happy surreal journeying and cue Jefferson Airplane now, please.
Thank you for reading this forecast.
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 11/12/2015: Mars in Libra
/in The ForecastAt 9:54AM ET, the Scorpio Moon goes void for 20 minutes — blink and you’ll miss it. At 10:14AM ET, the Moon shifts gears into high-flying Sagittarius. Thus, instead of brooding intensely about this morning’s headlines, we will be more inclined to express our righteous opinions. Sagittarius is an optimistic, big picture-oriented energy that loves a good gamble or gambol. Until 7:21M ET on Saturday, you may have plenty of opportunities to broaden your mind; get out in nature; treat yourself to a foreign movie or some other culture that is not your own.
Action is accented today, as Mars — the action planet — leaves Virgo and enters Libra at 4:41PM ET. In Virgo, Mars can be a perfection-seeking critic, exacting in detail. In Libra, one productive application of the assertive energy of Mars is to act as a warrior for peace, balance, justice and fairness — all Libra concerns. Generally speaking, planets in Libra suggest an aversion to conflict. This makes Mars in Libra a challenge for some to handle. It seems to work well if you happen to be a pope, including Pope Francis. Though with transiting Uranus opposing his Mars in Libra into 2016 (followed by Pluto in 2017), I expect his daring and innovative action will stir up plenty of conflict in his quest for peace, balance and fairness.
The evening hours may have a aura of surreal gravitas, as the Moon meets up with heavy Saturn at 8:47PM ET and then clashes with nebulous Neptune just before midnight.
And now, the news.
Remember the study that had researchers from Princeton falling out of their chairs several days ago? The one about the rise in mortality rates among white, middle-class Americans — especially uneducated Americans? Causes of death are prescription drugs, liver disease (from alcohol abuse) and suicide. Today The Guardian begins a series of in-depth reports on poverty in America. First stop is Beattyville, Kentucky, “the poorest white town in America”. It’s plagued by an addiction to “hillbilly heroin”. Why?
Meanwhile, the NYT’s “Room for Debate” ponders a Saturn in Sagittarius reality check: “Why Has Trust in the News Media Declined?”. Workers and wages in the food industry was an expected concern marked by Jupiter entering Virgo in September, with significant actions right about now. Following Danny Meyer’s lead, Joe’s Crab Shack is going to try a no-tipping policy on its workers. Menu prices will increase, but presumably by less than 20%.
There’s much more to report, but it will have to wait for now. Plant those New Moon energy seeds!
Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 11/11/2015: New Moon in Scorpio
/in The ForecastThe morning of this New Moon in Scorpio day gets an optimistic boost, suggested by a harmonious flow between the Scorpio Sun and Jupiter, exact at 11:41AM ET. Think positively as you conjure up your list of intentions for the next lunar cycle, which begins at 12:47PM ET. After the meet up between the Sun and the Moon, there are no other exact aspects for the rest of the day. Keep on truckin’!
Around the 19th, on the First Quarter Moon, we can expect a challenge to your New Moon intentions, with appropriate adjustments made. At the time of the Full Moon on the November 25th, we can expect illumination on the success or failure of our goals for the cycle. If we succeeded, we can consciously release our success into our reality; if we failed, we let go of whatever did not work. After the Third Quarter Moon on December 3rd, we can review our achievements; make more adjustments; tie up loose ends and get ready to begin another New Moon on December 11th.
Scorpio is a deeply emotional sign. It has a thing about power and control. With Scorpio, there’s often a lot going on underneath the surface of its masterful mask. A Scorpio Moon needs to appreciated for being of substance. Scorpio can build all the way to Heaven and all the way down to Hell. Its depths and heights apply especially in matters of sex, death and (other peoples’) money, a.k.a. energy, transformation and resources. Scorpio challenges us to face our basest instincts, fears and passions — more on that in a minute.
In the horoscope for this New Moon, Mars is at the Aries Point in perfection-seeking Virgo, suggesting a need for prominent action. Sorting out what is real vs. what is unreal in our belief systems is also a theme, suggested by the tension between Saturn in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces. With Mercury closely aligned with the Sun and Moon, we must consider the possibility for idealism and/or being blinded by the light. A saving grace in relationship this month is suggested by Venus, strongly placed in diplomatic Libra and in easy contact with practical Saturn. Whatever murky depths we fall into, this Venus-Saturn connection facilitates communication and structure. Yes, there really is a way out of the swamp — once you recognize that you are mired in one. And then of course, humming in the background, we have the tension of the revolutionary Uranus-Pluto square. Never a dull moment in the cosmos…and thus never a dull moment in the headlines.
The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon furthers the opportunity to reveal what has been hidden. It is “a woman drawing two dark curtains aside”. Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee cleverly points out that the Symbol does not specify what the curtains were covering. A window? A passageway? The former would let in light; the latter could take you someplace else…up, through or down…which will it be? Bovee suggests we are invited to imagine it for ourselves.
With last month’s New Moon suggesting the potential for a disruptive revelation in relationship, this month we see the potential for focused recognition and exploration of shared values and resources. We shall see if it reveals light or shadow. With respect to the headlines, probably a bit of both. In your own personal world, this opportunity to draw back a curtain will affect you more if you have a planet or angle around 20 degrees of Scorpio and Taurus, and to a lesser extent, Leo and Aquarius. As always, if you would like to find out more about why you are the way you are, why things are happening now — and how you can plan a strategy to create opportunities in the future, consider scheduling a personal consultation, here’s the 411.
And now, the news.
I did not watch last night’s Republican debate, though one report declared it “substantive” and “volatile,” which is apt for an event happening during a depth-seeking Scorpio Moon, with aggressive Mars attracting prominence at the Aries Point. Immigration was a big topic, as we expect it to be for at least through 2016. Here’s a recap of winners and losers from one of Antonin Scalia’s favorite newspapers, using the words “substantive” or “substantial” multiple times. Coincidence or conspiracy? But don’t take it just from The Washington Times, or any single news source, especially if you did not actually witness the news event in question. Here’s a different perspective on who did well in that same contest, like so many blind people touching different parts of an elephant, describing to the world what they see. All of life is like this. Rumor has it there are still people in the world who believe the Earth is flat.
Meanwhile, no one lost his or her head, including the moderators and the Republican Party. Ted Cruz had a Rick Perry moment when he couldn’t remember all five of the federal agencies he says he’d close if elected President, but my money says those employed at the four agencies he could name should not be too concerned. With transiting Mars about to make contact with Mr. Cruz’s Sun-Pluto square within the next 36 hours, I would not be surprised to see an expression of assertion or aggression in the news, and perhaps his allegedly otherwise strong performance last night qualifies.
In other news, the mysteries of Stonehenge are closer to being revealed — or so it is hoped. Check it out.
Finally, a random fun story, exposing what lies beneath in matters of shared resources: a picturesque town in Wales is using the same controversial accountancy loopholes used by huge multinationals in an effort to move its businesses offshore. Here’s more on Crickhowell; the experiment is the subject of a BBC documentary to be released next year.
Thank you for reading this forecast.