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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 Monday & Tuesday 4/20-21/2015: Neptune Musings; Sneak Peek at the Week
/in The ForecastGood Morning!
A double dose of earthy, steady Taurus energy kicks off the work week, as the Sun enters the sign of the Bull at 5:42AM ET and joins the Moon — currently void until 7:28PM ET. Perhaps you will need an extra push to get you going this morning. Or your plans may be subject to a higher than average “flake factor” of twists, delays and “crises” that later prove to be much ado about nothing.
Once you do get started, however, you are likely to find an easy flow of applied action and resources, driven by some big idea. Why? Because mental Mercury and expansive Jupiter are making exact contact just past midnight on Tuesday. By happy hour Tuesday, Mars (action) and Pluto (resources) will also make contact. Got it? What are you working on today that will build upon your need for material security?
At 7:28PM ET, there may be plenty to talk about, as the Moon enters pixie chatterbox Gemini. Tuesday looks productive, for reasons noted in the preceding paragraph. Get the word out — gather the facts — for your New Moon plans for world domination. On Wednesday, the Moon will be void all day, suggesting you resist the urge to formally launch anything you wish to be of consequence. Planetary patterns on Wednesday do favor serious research and resourcefulness, however, as Mercury moves on from Jupiter to potent Pluto and then Mars. Or we may see a lot of talk, but no action.
The only other Moon void this week happens on Friday at 1:04PM ET….until 9:13AM ET on Saturday. Overall, a week that begins with solid enthusiasm, backed by brainpower, resources and good cheer. If your unique horoscope is experiencing more challenging transits, call or shoot me an email and we will make an appointment to talk about it. Astrology is a wonderful tool for gaining clarity, whether you’re struggling to make sense of your own life or others around you.
And now, the news.
More headlines cropped up in the “big is beautiful” vein, courtesy of last week’s charged connection between Mars (action) and Jupiter (big). Big money in politics received another tax break from our elected representatives in Congress. Do not despair, as George Lucas demonstrated what Sir Isaac Newton first determined: that “for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”. With that Mars in Taurus (building and maintaining material security) and Jupiter in regal, generous Leo, he announced he’d build and finance 224 units of affordable housing on his own land, “because we’ve got enough millionaires here,” thank you very much.
Power, resources and status quo disruptions are of course what we expect in the wake of the seven Uranus-Pluto squares. I love this one — the most-emailed article in Sunday’s NYT: “Solar Power Battle Puts Hawaii at the Forefront of Worldwide Changes” — guess who prevented one homeowner from installing solar panels that would have saved him $12,000 in one year? Meanwhile in California, a battle over another resource is brewing, as residents consider whether it makes sense for a private company to export bottled water for profit when they are being asked to reduce water consumption because of a drought. The San Bernardino Desert Sun did some investigative reporting and found that Nestle’s bottled water business “has been taking water from some of California’s driest areas on permits that expired as long as 27 years ago“.
Update on Meryl Streep, whose horoscope was last written about here in mid-February. Planetary patterns suggested themes of empowerment and emancipation, along with a fresh start in matters of career and reputation. Over the weekend, on that big Mercury (writing) – Jupiter alignment, laced with a dash of Venus (women) square Neptune (charity, arts), her “significant” contribution to an initiative supporting women screenwriters over 40 was announced.
Update on Jon Stewart, also last covered here in mid-February: in a lengthy interview published in The Guardian, he explains what motivated him to leave The Daily Show — and it all sounds exactly what you’d expect to hear from someone going through a heavy period of Neptune, followed by Saturn. Translation: feelings of dissatisfaction, lack of purpose and bewilderment….followed by ambition and gravitas.
Update on Monsanto, which was written about here last week: U.S. regulators announce they “may” start testing food for glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round-Up, Monsanto’s ubiquitous pesticide, which was labeled a “probable carcinogen” in a recent WHO study.
Update on John Harrison, a British clockmaker who has never been covered here before. He made news, as his horoscope suggested he might, despite having died over 200 years ago. Mr. Harrison’s has Sun at 14 Aries, conjunct Mercury at 16 Aries, and if you’re an avid reader of this forecast, you know that any planet or point at 14-16 Aries would likely be pushed into prominence or celebrated for its uniqueness — big time — thanks to two eclipses and the seventh Uranus-Pluto square all happening in that part of the zodiac. Here’s an excerpt from the whole piece in The Guardian:
I appreciate the “maritime” theme of this story, given Neptune (ruler of oceans, fish) being so prominent in the weekend’s planetary patterns. Neptune also refers to refugees. With Neptune in a loose square to Saturn in Sagittarius (travel, foreigners), it is not surprising to read of an ocean tragedy: an estimated 700 migrants presumed perished while attempting to cross the Mediterranean from Africa to Europe.
On a lighter note, I appreciated the timing of Sunday’s NYT piece on trout-fishing — in the sports section — which included this dreamy Neptunian prose:
Isn’t that lovely?
For another transporting experience, I submit this breath-taking and thought-provoking illusion: a time-lapse recreation of the evolution of the New York skyline — from 515 years ago to the present. It’s what visitors to the new World Trade Center Observatory during the elevator ride to the top.
Your horoscope is also awesome. If you’ve never taken the time to learn about its mystical patterns — and been amazed at how they have manifested in your real life, I invite you to do so now. Checking in with your astrologer every six-twelve months will help you plan, prioritize and keep things in perspective. You can also use astrology to build better relationships with family, colleagues and friends.
Thank you for reading this forecast — and for sharing it with the rest of the Free World.
Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 4/17/2015 & the Weekend: New Moon in Aries
/in The ForecastTGIF!
The Moon in pro-active Aries would love to forge ahead, fueled by the exuberant physicality of a Mars-Jupiter contact at 8:29PM ET. But unless you wish to keep your project under wraps, better to wait to launch until after the New Moon. Channel any restlessness or listlessness to wrapping up projects started a month ago, or work on your to-do list for the next cycle. Note the potential for a flash, upset or power play between 6 and 9PM ET, when the Moon makes its weekly clash with Uranus and Pluto. No, those planets aren’t backing off their one-two weekly punch anytime soon.
On Saturday, Moon meets up with the Aries Sun at 2:57PM ET, then goes void until 5:31PM ET, when it enters Taurus. Oh hooray for a weekend with Moon in Taurus, a placement that delights in keeping things all cozy and cuddly: good food, wine, song — a snuggle with your sweetie or an extra 10-minute massage with your mani-pedi.
Color it all artsy-sweetsy-rose through Sunday, as dreamy Neptune makes exact contact with mental Mercury, socially-conscious Venus and the Moon in the wee hours.What dreams may come…what inspiring vision will you seek to make real, fueled by your pioneering New Moon in Aries agenda and driven by the earthly Taurus Moon? Make the most of the optimistic easy flow of energy and resources provided by supportive contacts to the Moon by Jupiter, Mars and Pluto in the afternoon hours ET.
Moon goes void at 7:06PM ET on Sunday…not to enter Gemini until 7:28PM ET on MONDAY. If you’re late to work on Monday, blame the flake factor of the Moon void, as well as the slower pace of the Sun, which leaves Aries for Taurus on Sunday at 5:42AM ET.
Meanwhile…
Saturday’s New Moon in Aries offers us an opportunity to re-set intentions and goals for the next lunar cycle. Make a list, light a candle, say a prayer. Around April 25th, on the First Quarter Moon, we can expect a challenge to those goals, with appropriate adjustments made. At the time of the Full Moon on May 3rd, 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 the 11th, we can review our achievements, tie up loose ends and get ready to begin another New Moon cycle on May 18th.
A New Moon in Aries suggests a need — or an opportunity — to be a courageous, inspiring pioneer and/or warrior, preferably on the side of the angels. At its best, Aries is a champion for the weak, the vulnerable, the underdog. It inspires people to take initiatives and defy the odds…yes, sometimes foolishly, but hey — if Plan A blows up, there’s always a Plan B, a Plan C and D. A true Aries never never never gives up. Astrologer Linda Goodman once wrote that Gone With the Wind heroine Scarlett O’Hara was a classic Aries, and never more so than at the end of the film when, after Rhett Butler dumps her and life is totally over, Scarlett declares, “I’ll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day”. To Aries, there is always a tomorrow.
This New Moon suggests vision, courage and enthusiasm rarin’ to go — but perhaps not quite sure where to plant it. I say this because the Sun and Moon are not in touch with any other planet in the New Moon chart. That vision is amplified more by Mercury and Venus in touch with Neptune — noted a few paragraphs ago. These are potentially big plans here — suggested by Mars and Mercury in touch with expansive Jupiter. And Mars (action) is in an easy flow with Pluto (power and resources) — even better. What did you say you were planning to do over the next few weeks? Lay the groundwork and rest assured you’ll have the next lunar cycle to review your game plan, as Mercury turns retrograde on May 19th.
The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon is: “a celestial choir singing“. I just looked that up after writing about the grand aesthetic vision suggested by other patterns in this New Moon chart. Neptune refers to music and other intangibles. Coincidence or conspiracy?
Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee suggests this image evokes an “inward listening” (how very Pluto retrograde), leading to an awareness of heavenly influences. He also notes the significance of the numbers nine and three in celestial choirs, as in “nine orders of angels” required to sing the music of the spheres, presumably in “three part harmony”. So we’ll see if the numbers 3 and 9 pop up in the headlines during this lunar cycle. We’re definitely sure to see stories involving divine justification, for better or for worse. Let’s also look for efforts to harmonize that which is earthbound with what seems to be a bit “out there”.
Bovee mentions Pythagoras in his write-up of this Symbol, which led me to do further reading on “music of the spheres”. My Google search also brought me this gem of a cartoon, “Donald Duck in Mathmagic Land” – which I hadn’t seen in decades. In the first few minutes, Donald meets Pythagoras and learns about the mathematics of music, as well as the significance of pentagrams. Watch it and appreciate how geometric patterns are everywhere, constantly repeating. Geometric patterns are everywhere in astrology, too, as well as repeating cycles of time.
You will feel the inspirational push of this New Moon more personally if you have a planet or angle around 28 degrees of Cancer, Libra, Capricorn and especially Aries. Consult your local astrologer for details.
Meanwhile, the new Star Wars trailer is out. May the Force be with you.
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 4/16/2015: Pluto Retrograde; Corporate Musings
/in The ForecastChill and go with the expansive flow. Moon is void in dreamy Pisces until 5PM ET. You know the drill: be advised of a higher than average potential for flakes and twists in your efforts to move forward in a straight line. After 5PM ET, the pace and focus should pick up noticeably when Moon enters me-me-me Aries.
Meanwhile, the “expansive” part of today’s flow comes courtesy of an energized connection between Mars (action) and Jupiter in regal Leo — exact on Friday at 8:29PM ET, but in effect all this week. How big is beautiful? Size 24 apparently, as supersized model Tess Munster makes headlines by becoming the biggest ever to sign with a mainstream agency. Doubleplus good for her. Meanwhile, fat yoga, anyone?
Biggest news today is potent Pluto turning retrograde in Capricorn just before midnight. Retrograde planets suggest a time to look inward for authority in whatever matters ruled by that planet. Pluto is power, control, regeneration, transformation, healing. So stop trying to control the world around you, already. Work on controlling (mastering) your own inner world — and then the world around you will start to reflect your newly-masterful self. Y’know? You’ll feel the potential for a change of perspective more personally if you have a planet or angle halfway through Aries, Libra, Cancer — and especially Capricorn.
Pluto will continue to hover around 13-15 degrees of Capricorn through the rest of the year. In June and July, it hits 13 degrees and triggers that Cardinal Grand Cross everyone and their dogs were talking about last April. 13-15 degrees Capricorn is in a obsessive-compulsive relationship with 0 degrees Cancer, a.k.a. the Aries Point, so we can expect continuing prominent power plays, changes of perspective and inner transformations in matters of hallowed government and corporate institutions, especially as related to Cancer concerns such as motherhood, nurturing (food), home and home security.
Take Monsanto, for example. In the summer of 2013, The Mountain Astrologer ran a fascinating cover story about Monsanto’s horoscope, concluding with the author’s opinion that Monsanto might well be affected by the status quo-disrupting potential of the Uranus-Pluto square. And when I looked at the horoscope (Nov 29, 1901 at 12p in Jefferson City, MO) for the filing of the initial incorporation papers, a potent conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn at 14 degrees of corporate Capricorn pulled focus. Also of note: Neptune (toxins, ideals, chemicals, vision, deception, drugs, spirit) in Cancer at 0 degrees. Isn’t it interesting that Monsanto is perhaps best-known for GMO foods, pesticides and a certain lack of transparency? Neptune (ideals/deception/toxins) in Cancer (nourishment). Astrology is an amazing language.
So this Neptune in Monsanto’s horoscope is in an obsessive relationship with its Jupiter-Saturn meet-up, and also with Uranus (innovation, technogeek) in Sagittarius (sky’s the limit). Neptune with Jupiter suggests faith, healing and rose-colored legal eagles; Neptune with Saturn suggests a nebulous component to its structure (albeit with the potential for great compassion); Neptune with Uranus is a potentially freaky disruption of the ideal. Remember the Goth trend of the early 90s? That was Neptune conjunct Uranus in Capricorn. Freaky. In black (Capricorn, natch).
Anyhoo.
Around the time of 1) the 7th Uranus-Pluto square on March 16th (at 15 Aries-Capricorn); 2) the New Moon/Solar Eclipse at 29 Pisces on March 20th; and 3) the Vernal Equinox at the Aries Point, also on March 20th, I expected that we’d see something significant about Monsanto in the headlines. And in fact, we did. On March 20th, it was reported that a World Health Organization study had concluded that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round-Up, the world’s most widely-used weed killer, “probably causes cancer in humans”. What timing! Not surprisingly, within days, Monsanto demanded a retraction, as papers such as the NYT published an op-ed calling for glyphosate to be pulled off the market until it could be proven safe beyond a doubt.
Let’s see how this story has developed by the end of June, when Mars will meet up with Monsanto’s Neptune, and Pluto will be close to an exact hit to Monsanto’s Jupiter-Saturn conjunction. It will also be interesting to see what happens in 2016 when transiting Saturn conjoins Monsanto’s 6-7 degree Sagittarius Sun and Midheaven, triggering a lunar eclipse that happened at 7 degrees of Sagittarius on May 25th of 2013. As the The Mountain Astrologer notes, that day coincided with the “first worldwide protest against one company: Monsanto,” followed by its “worst week ever”.
General Electric also made headlines this week when it announced plans to 1) sell its once hugely-profitable GE Capital division; and 2) partner with producers Brian Grazer and Ron Howard on a new techie television series called “Breakthrough”. So I looked at GE’s horoscope, too — April 15, 1892 at 12pm in New York. GE is a pioneering Aries with Moon at 3 Sagittarius, which is currently being conjoined by transiting Saturn. We could expect some separations and also structured ambition related to the empowered visionary needs of Neptune and Pluto opposing its Sagittarius Moon. GE’s innovative brilliance is suggested by a face-off between mental Mercury and technogeek/rocket scientist Uranus, prominently placed near the angles of the chart.
Interesting that these announcements were made when transiting Mars met up with its natal Mercury (the communicator, of course). We can expect more innovative risks this year and into next, as transiting Uranus fires up GE’s natal Mars in enterprising Capricorn. Monsanto has Mars in Capricorn, too.
Meanwhile, Uranian-Pluto upheavals continue to make headlines in the form of strikes, power plays and other disruptions. I love this story about a Seattle CEO who took to heart a study concluding that the key to happiness was about $70K a year. Less than that causes stress; anything more is just icing on the cake — but does not increase overall happiness. So he’s reducing his $1 million dollar/year salary and giving everyone else in the company a raise — to $70K. The company is called Gravity — a credit card processor — and if I can work with them instead of PayPal, I’ll switch.
News from underground is another trend when Pluto is active in the cosmos. Here’s a story about a woman who believes composting could be the wave of the future when it comes to burying your loved ones. Meanwhile, in Italy…you won’t believe what this man discovered under his home when he embarked on a quest to fix a toilet.
Remember that the Moon is void until 5PM ET today. If you have time on your hands to work on something of no consequence, put your brain to work on this logic problem from Singapore that went viral this week. Can you figure out when Cheryl’s birthday is? You missed mine.
If you’d rather focus on your birthday (and who would blame you), here’s how you can contact me to discuss the unique patterns at your birth that created the magical miracle that is you.
Thank you for reading this forecast.
Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 4/15/2015: Short & Sweet
/in The ForecastNote your dreams upon waking, as the visionary Pisces Moon meets up with equally visionary Neptune at 6:52AM ET. Go about your business until 5:37PM ET, making good use of planetary patterns suggesting an easy flow among ideals, action and resources. After that, Moon will be void for almost 24 hours — not to enter Aries until 5PM ET on Thursday. Avid readers of this forecast know that voids often coincide with twists, delays and flakes in your efforts to move forward in a straight line. Chill and don’t turn molehills into mountains of crises — it’ll all sort itself out. Go with the flow; avoid impulse purchases and find some time to rest and/or take care of routine concerns, such as filing your tax returns.
The news will be back tomorrow.
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday-Tuesday 4/13-14/2015: Hillary’s Big Announcement; Sneak Peek at the Week
/in The ForecastGood afternoon!
The work week begins with the Moon in humanitarian Aquarius, cruising without too much interference until 3:45PM ET on Tuesday, when it goes void for barely 30 minutes. At 4:12PM ET, Moon shifts gears from the cerebral Air Sign to the emotional Water Sign of Pisces, suggesting a need to go with the intuitive flow.
Mixed messages may crop up on Tuesday night. On the one hand, there’s an ego-indulgent alignment between the Moon and Venus at 10:51PM ET. Ooh — cake! On the other hand, there’s an ambitious and/or restrictive alignment between Moon and Saturn at 10:59PM ET. Didn’t you say you were dieting? You’ll feel this push-pull more personally if you have a planet or angle around 4 degrees of Virgo, Sagittarius, Gemini and Pisces. Collectively, we may all see stern headlines about strong women, streamlined finances, serious social graces and other values, as Venus is subsequently opposed by Saturn at 12:25AM ET on Wednesday. Here are some headlines from a prior harsh alignment between Venus and Saturn — last paragraph.
Other planetary shifts this week include mental Mercury, which leaves zippy Aries for steady Taurus at 6:52PM ET on Tuesday. That should slow down the pace of collective thought and communication for a few weeks. On Thursday, Pluto turns retrograde, mostly affecting people with planets and angles at 15 Capricorn. On Saturday, we’ll have a New Moon starting at 2:57PM ET, so use the rest of this week to wrap up your projects started at the New Moon — gawd how time flies — on March 20th.
And now, the news.
To no one’s surprise, Hillary Clinton announced on Sunday that she was running for president, and is now on her way to Iowa. Here was the forecast for Sunday:
So what do you think? Did Hillary Clinton pick a good day to launch a campaign? There was some debate among astrologers as to what event should mark its official start, and I’m going with 3:27PM ET, which is when her intention to run was announced on her Twitter feed. Also, if you had picked that time in a contest held by The Washington Post, you would have won. Alas, I did not see that contest until today.
Looking at the chart for 3:27PM in Chappaqua, NY, a few things stand out. First, the Moon is not void and it is in Aquarius, which aims to be everyone’s best friend. Take a look at the diversity showcased in this introductory campaign video. Lovely pixie dust, right? Second, the Moon is in a fine alignment with Venus, which is beautifully placed at the top of the chart. Third, ambitious Saturn is actively engaged with Ascendant and the Midheaven. This suggests a serious effort, driven by Saturn in righteous Sagittarius ideals. opposed by Venus in eloquent Gemini.
With Virgo rising, we’d expect an image of perfect organization — definitely no drama, despite the drama potential of the candidate herself (she has Mars and Pluto conjunct in Leo). Interesting that the chart ruler — Mercury in pioneering Aries — is not applying to any other planet in the chart. It’s forging ahead on its own.
Nebulous Neptune in this chart has pluses and minuses, as it is also making contact with the Ascendant and Midheaven. On the plus side: vision, charisma, glamor and the aura of a savior. On the down side: potential fog in presentation and interpretation.
If you like learning about Fixed Stars, you may find it fun to know that Mars, planet of action in the chart, is conjunct the Fixed Star Schedir, which refers to “the Queen; female power” (with a certain caveat). Isn’t that interesting? Mars is in an energetic relationship with Jupiter and in easy alignment with Pluto, suggesting stamina and resources (albeit with a potential for overexertion).
We’ll look at Hillary Clinton’s personal horoscope in another forecast. Meanwhile, I am compelled to call attention to NYT columnist David Brooks and his latest Sunday op-ed, because it is getting so much attention on social media — at least here in NY.
Since last fall, Mr. Brooks has been enjoying an expansive transit of Jupiter to his Mercury, Sun and Moon — all in Leo, which is where Jupiter is now. He’s also been experiencing a period in which spiritual concerns would likely become prominent — noted a couple of times before in this forecast — and especially this year, there is a strong suggestion of a need to take action on them. What is the title of this op-ed? “The Moral Bucket List”. Everyone is like “OMG…this is exactly what life should be about!” Check it out.
I wonder if David Brooks has ever consulted with an astrologer. Or Hillary Clinton, for that matter….