THE
I am a reporter with a unique beat. I use my understanding of planetary cycles to provide advance notice and analysis on the Zeitgeist of the day. If you have ever wondered “why is this happening now,” my insights will transform your experience of the headlines, adding new meaning and understanding. Call it Astrology for News Junkies. If you’re curious to know why the Impossible Burger is trending…or why the outcome of the 2019 Israeli elections was likely to be a shocker …or why “Woodrow Wilson, Stud Muffin” was a New York Times headline in December 2013, you will find it here, in over a decade’s worth of historical research and reporting.
Note that I do use astrological jargon in The Forecast in my effort to show how the planetary patterns are reflected in mundane events. I explain what the jargon symbolizes, so that all who want to understand the connections between astrology and the news may do so. However, I do not use astrological jargon in personal consultations, just plain English.
Astro-logical Forecast for Thurs 1/29-2/1/2015: Super Bowl Musings
/in The ForecastToday, the fast-talking, quick-think Gemini Moon is sparked by several contacts from other planets, which helps keep balls in play. Tomorrow at 4:24AM ET, that Moon goes void-of-course, suggesting a higher potential for efforts that wander off course. So get it off your desk today if you can, and consider the possibility of an early start to the weekend tomorrow. The Moon won’t enter the next sign — Cancer — until 2:09AM ET on Saturday.
The wee hours on Friday have three exact aspects of note that we can expect to be reflected in the news and perhaps in your own personal world. First is a challenge between Venus in Pisces and taskmaster Saturn in Sagittarius. Pisces can refer to martyrs. A challenge between Venus and Saturn suggests chilly or controlled emotions and/or “women of steel” in the headlines. Here’s an example of past headlines under this aspect.
One story I’m watching is the hostage situation in which a Jordanian pilot and a Japanese journalist may be released in exchange for a female suicide bomber whose efforts did not succeed. Her prominence in the news at this time seems an apt reflection of planetary patterns, even though some media may be baffled. Consider also that Mercury is still retrograde, suggesting projects and people from the past may suddenly reappear.
Around 8:30AM ET on Friday we’ll have a meet-up between Mercury and Sun in Aquarius, suggesting a high level of idealism, likely with a revolutionary, technological or humanitarian bent. At the same time we’ll have an easy alignment between action hero Mars (in Pisces) and ruthless Pluto (Capricorn), suggesting potentially effective power dynamics. These patterns, combined with Sunday’s meet-up between Venus and Neptune could suggest a greater inclination for compassion and empathy. Certainly it’s a perfect time for an op-ed column in the NYT asking “how do we increase empathy”, along with one from Angelina Jolie about the refugee crisis in Syria and Iraq.
It’s this soulful Venus-Neptune meet-up that sets the tone for the weekend, once the Moon enters equally sensitive, nurturing Cancer at 2:09AM ET on Saturday. Healing on the home front? Moon in Cancer does favor energy invested in home, family, Mom, nourishment — whatever stokes your need for emotional security.
Take care of your weekend shopping on Saturday. On Sunday, Moon makes its weekly clash with the disruptive Uranus-Pluto square early in the morning. Then it goes void at 8:37AM ET for the rest of the day. No major shopping sprees! A void Moon suggests upsets, surprise twists and maybe a few spectacular communication snafus at the Super Bowl. Which team is the underdog? They’d be my pick…but — wait — a few days ago, there was no underdog in this match. Verrry interesting, but with a sports match on a day with Venus conjunct Neptune in Pisces, you might wish we could all just get along instead of fighting battle after battle.
I predict that the biggest winner in Sunday’s game will be the advertiser that airs the most sentimental, soulful commercial. It certainly won’t be GoDaddy. Their effort was deemed offensive by animal lovers everywhere and will not air during the game. But what else might we expect from a company whose CEO hunts big game animals in Africa for sport? GoDaddy is not the only web hosting and domain service provider in the marketplace. I use Host Duplex and Hover. Ask my wonderful webmaster for details.
Here’s another story in tune with planetary patterns. The “Friendship Nine”, refers to nine young men who dared to sit at the counter of a “whites only” South Carolina diner in 1961. They were arrested, convicted and served time for their “crime”. Their convictions were overturned this week, and here’s how Justice Antonin Scalia’s favorite paper covered the story. And here’s how the New York Times reported it (one of two articles).
I love how this story incorporates themes of Friendship (Aquarius) and forgiveness (Pisces) against the backdrop of Mercury retrograde (remembrance of things past) and the Uranus-Pluto square, whose conjunction in the mid-60s planted the seeds of the civil rights movement that is struggling to firmly take root today. Yes, struggling — in certain places. Did you hear that the Senate subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights has just dropped “civil rights” and “human rights” from its name?
In other news, a potential revelation on the heavy topic of depression, as a recent study has found a link between depression and inflammation of the brain. I remember reading a theory somewhere that depression was “anger turned inward.” How interesting that inflammation of the mind (reflecting tomorrow’s Sun-Mercury meet up!) would be observed…
That’s the brain dump for the next few days. Have a great weekend…thank you for reading this forecast, and don’t forget that…
Mercury retrograde is an excellent time to REview your life with your astrologer — and find out if your own Mercury is being supercharged. Here’s the 411 on scheduling a personal consultation.
Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 1/28/2015: Mind the Void
/in The ForecastPatience, as you arise and go about your business. If you’re tuning in, you may feel as if the day is idling in neutral. Stick to routine tasks and roll with whatever detours and delays that crop up on Moon void and Mercury retrograde. How many times will you have to repeat yourself? I don’t know, but best to make sure what you said is what was heard.
Moon enters chatty Gemini at 5:36PM ET and is challenged by Venus in soulful Pisces at 8:57PM ET. Sounds like a backdrop for the “Madeleine Episode” of Remembrance of Things Past, presented here for your entertainment. Sleep on those fond memories before the potential wet blanket of a face-off between Moon and Saturn hits at 11:44pm ET…and sends you into a fit of restless melancholia.
And now, the news.
Earlier this year I wrote about the fantasy/reality challenge of a the approaching square between Neptune and Saturn. I noted that these two planets were in a challenging pattern around the time of the housing bubble/bust, and the internet bubble/bust of the late 90s, too. I wondered where we might see another bubble rising, and it seems there might be one in the wild, wacky world of auto loans — made to people who have no real means of paying them back. Deja vu all over again? Let’s watch how this story develops as we move into the Fall and 2016.
Quite a scandal in the NY State Assembly on Monday, as the Speaker of the Assembly, Sheldon Silver, is alleged to have taken “millions in payoffs”. He’s been Speaker for 20 years, and now he’s history. Just like that. Add it to the list of sudden disruptions of the status quo as planetary patterns reflect a pressing need for corruption to be exposed.
Meanwhile, in Greece, the new Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras unveiled his new cabinet of “mavericks and visionaries,” just in time for today’s innovative connection between Mercury and Uranus (and discussed in yesterday’s forecast).
I must share this item posted on the last day of Venus in Aquarius, sign of unconventional attractions. Now that Venus is in empathetic Pisces, the warm and fuzzy quotient may be doubly appreciated. It’s a story about animal friendships — between dogs and donkeys; goats and rhinos; cats and pigs. With lots of pictures and videos. Melt my heart….and let the power of the potential for us humans sink in. If you can be like a rhino or a donkey and still see yourself reflected in the eyes of a goat or a dog, you’ve got the hang of Pisces, which understands deeply that we are all in this together…and if that dog or goat becomes your best friend in the world, you’ve got the hang of Aquarius, ol’ buddy, ol’ pal…
Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 1/27/2015: More Moooooon in Taurus; Venus in Pisces
/in The ForecastMore Moon in Taurus, sign of creature comforts, as the snow continues to fall here in New York. My pantry is stocked, and so long as there’s no power outage (which I am not anticipating), I’ll be happily engaged in a full day of appointments, with no need to leave the home office. Planetary patterns are mostly easygoing, save for a challenge between the status quo-preferring Moon and stubbornly revolutionary Mercury in Aquarius at 11:55AM ET. Which will prevail?
Look back to two weeks ago, when there was an easy connection between Mercury and Uranus. How were you thinking outside the box? Your innovative genius gets a second look just after midnight, as that Mercury-Uranus connection repeats itself. Adjust as required. Plans may be finalized around March 1st, when the pattern makes a third connection and concludes the cycle.
Also of note: Venus — which refers to love, attraction, values, women, money and art — enters Pisces today at 10AM ET. No more Venus in Aquarius social scientists who blithely proclaim “I love you, but don’t take it personally”. Venus in Pisces is soulful and compassionate. See if you notice the shift.
Get it off your desk if you can today; Moon goes void on an expansive connection with Jupiter in regal Leo, suggesting an indulgent evening…and doesn’t enter the next sign — Gemini — until 5:36PM ET on WEDNESDAY.
And now, the news.
Big blizzard on the East Coast. Happy Mercury retrograde travel delays! How about communication snafus? Sarah Palin experienced one on Saturday, when her teleprompter allegedly failed while she was making a speech. The result was a train wreck, apparently, according to numerous reviews by conservative commentators, including this one published in the Washington Examiner:
Don’t let this happen to you! If you’re giving a speech in the next two weeks, make sure your tech support folks have triple-checked everything. Also make sure you’ve got notes in your pocket as a back-up, if tech supports fails.
Meanwhile, I am still having trouble receiving emails sent from my website. So if you’d like to schedule a consultation, please either call me (what a novel concept) at this number — or send an email directly to eg at graceastrology dot com. Tech snafus aside, Mercury retrogrades are excellent times to review your life with your astrologer.
As the Uranus-Pluto square approaches its seventh hit, we are sure to see more and more incidents of shocks and explosive actions. One that happened yesterday also has a lesson to tell about Saturn (control, reality check) in Sagittarius (broadcast media, beliefs, righteousness). It involves a TV news promotions producer who committed suicide outside Fox headquarters here in New York. The promo producer was fired from his job at the Fox affiliate in Austin back in May. One can imagine that this man might have had significant mental health issues, as losing a job — however upsetting — does not mean the end of the world for most of us. But here’s the Saturn in Sagittarius lesson:
A promo producer’s job is to get your attention and convince you to watch the actual news broadcast. Back in February, you may remember a story about a pretty blonde college student who went jogging in Austin and was arrested for jay walking. Read the details here. A photo of her in tears, on the ground and handcuffed, went viral. The promo producer put that photo on the Fox affiliate’s website, hoping it would get viewers to tune in.
Soon thereafter, the Austin police chief was asked at a press conference about the arresting officers’ seemingly overly aggressive tactics. The police chief reacted defensively and said something totally outrageous, for which he eventually apologized. The promo producer used a shot of the police chief at the press conference and placed it next to the photo of the woman jogger on the Fox website. It was a provocative contrast.
The Saturn in Sagittarius lesson here is that the police chief did not like the photo — so much that, according to the promo producer’s boss, he would not give the TV station any more one-on-one interviews. Restricted access (Saturn) for that TV station (Sagittarius). The boss was not happy. He thought the photo the promo producer used made the police chief look like “a buffoon,” if the recording of the conversation made by the promo producer is authentic. Does it look that much different from the one that ran in the New York Daily News? Why, when the police chief refused to grant the TV station any more interviews, didn’t the station make that a news story?
Welcome to the reality of news — if you weren’t already aware of it. Check out what Meet the Press host Chuck Todd had to say when asked why reporters do not ask tough questions of certain interview subjects; this happened in late December, a few days after Saturn entered Sagittarius. Who really controls the news? The next couple of years will bring more awareness on this topic, I’m sure.
This New Moon cycle suggested the potential for big ideas with sweeping consequences. Today the Obama Administration announced its intention to “dramatically change how doctors are paid”. I hope the plan also includes ways to dramatically change how some nursing homes are collecting their debts (a must-read for anyone planning to grow old someday). Elsewhere, the Koch brothers announced their intention to spend $900 million in the 2016 elections, as ad sales reps for media outlets across the nation surely cheered….
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 1/26/2015: It’s Greek to Me
/in The ForecastSo who noticed the decided shift in energy as of 8:31AM ET on Saturday, when the Moon charged into proactive Aries, after almost 24 hours of wandering Moon-voidness in dreamy Pisces all day Friday? I hope you accomplished much over the weekend in a Mercury retrograde vein: reorganizing, reconnection, reviewing, etc. — but with Aries gusto!
Speaking of Mercury retrograde, which continues until February 12th, there was an article about Mercury retrograde in the NYT Sunday Magazine a couple of weeks ago. I have been so preoccupied with workshops and seminars this month that I missed it. So thanks to reader Karen for sending it along.
It’s not the first article the NYT has published on this subject, and I dare say it won’t be the last. What’s especially fascinating are the reader comments. There are only 23. That’s it. As if Times readers simply do not know how to process talk of astrology. So they do not respond at all. Fascinating.
I’ve been having my share of Mercury retrograde snafus, especially with the contact form on my website. Apparently I have a hyperactive spam filter which has been blocking some of the real emails sent by real clients. I am so grateful to those of you who figured out that I also have a telephone number (clearly posted on my website here), or who asked the friends who referred me to you for my email address. That address is eg at graceastrology dot com, and please write me or call me if you’d like to schedule a consultation and are wondering why I haven’t written you back. We will have a fine discussion together.
We’re starting the work week with a Moon void in Aries from 9:23AM – 11:37AM ET, suggesting a slow start or twist to your morning routine. Moon enters Taurus thereafter, intent on building material comfort and security. There are no exact aspects during business hours, but you may be starting to become aware of a challenge or a surge of energy regarding the New Moon agenda you set last week.
This challenge would be the First Quarter Moon at 11:48PM ET. Push through blocks with steady calm and patience, as the Taurus Moon continues fairly unimpeded through Tuesday, until it goes void at 9:18Pm ET…not to enter Gemini until 5:36PM ET on WEDNESDAY. Yes, if that monster blizzard really does materialize on the East Coast, planetary patterns will truly support chilling out, going with the flow and rolling with unexpected twists that may come up in your efforts to move forward in a straight line.
Pick up the pace again on Thursday. Note that the Moon will be void again all day on Friday: 4:24AM ET until 2:08AM ET. Plan accordingly. No major purchases. No launching important initiatives. No freaking out over crises that more often than not, are much ado about nothing.
And now, the news.
I am fascinated by recent headlines reflecting the potential of last week’s New Moon, and especially its Sabian Symbol:
“Sun-baked” adobe, eh? As in this Tweet by Melissa Jamrock calling out the Pantone colors of Speaker John Boehner’s tan at the State of the Union? Why would such a thing go viral now? Speaker Boehner also made headlines when he invited Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel’s Prime Minister), to address Congress, sparking a controversy. Will the PM’s kindly message also have striking repercussions? We’ll find out later than originally planned, as the February address has been rescheduled for March. Sudden cancellations and a need to reschedule is typical of Mercury retrogrades.
Meanwhile, President Obama is in a foreign place — India — also with a kindly message with striking repercussions. On a heavier note, the image of two orange-clad Japanese hostages held captive in the desert also seems in sync with a symbol suggesting fervent beliefs, hot spots, foreign places and repercussions. Meanwhile in Greece, there’s been a overturning of the status quo, as the people decided they’d had enough of an anguishing transit of Pluto to Saturn. After Pluto moved on to make its third and final contact with the Ascendant of Greece’s horoscope, suggesting a radical change of perspective about its identity, the anti-austerity Syriza party swept to a “stunning victory” in last week’s elections. Greece has been under intense pressure for a few years, as Uranus and Pluto have made contact with five planets before hitting the Ascendant, usually a highly responsive point in the horoscope.
Read that last linked article and you may understand the potential for further disruptions of the status quo extending to the rest of Europe. Fun fact: Patti Smith’s anthem, “People Have the Power” has become “the unofficial anthem of the Greek populist movement“. How very New Moon in Aquarius….
…against the backdrop of the ever-intensifying seventh and last hit of the Uranus-Pluto square on March 15th. So many other disruptions of the status quo recently: a new king in Saudi Arabia; Yemen’s government collapses. Pay much attention to the Swiss franc lately? We live in such interesting times.
Here’s the video of Patti Smith’s People Have the Power, for those of you who do not have paid subscriptions to the New York Times. Of course one of Smith’s songs would become the anthem for a revolution right about now, with Uranus and Pluto making contact with her Capricorn Sun and Mars, and her Libra Midheaven (public status) and Neptune (music, vision).
Astrology is amazing, isn’t it? Thank you for reading this forecast and for sharing it with friends.
Onward!
Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday-Friday 1/21-23/2015: Mercury Retrograde!
/in The ForecastSo the big news today is that Mercury turned retrograde at 10:54AM ET. Your mission, should you choose to accept, is to not freak out about it. Because you already backed up your computers, right?
Still, delays and snafus involving communication and transportation devices (computers, cell phones, cars, trains, etc.) may be experienced. If 17 Aquarius is a significant degree in your horoscope, you’ll likely feel it more than most. President Obama, for example has an 18 degree Aquarius Ascendant, and with transiting Mercury so close to his Ascendant, we could expect matters of personal projection to be front and center now. Not a bad transit to have if you’re making a big speech; chances are what is said will make an impact. And in fact, just as I typed that sentence, a friend texted that “everyone at the office is talking about Obama’s State of the Union speech”. Astrology is amazing.
Those who know just enough about astrology to make them dangerous often curse Mercury retrograde, and that’s a shame. It gets a bad rap because we are geared, in this crazy modern age, to always be thinking, doing, moving FORWARD. Ya 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 — and an opportunity to review our progress over the past few months. Why else would your computer, phone and/or car choose this time to malfunction? Because you are supposed to be slowing down.
Be prepared for travel delays, scheduling screw-ups, computer crashes, having to repeat what you’ve just said, misunderstandings, people you haven’t seen in years showing up on your doorstep and having to repeat what you just said. Take advantage of this prime opportunity to review and rethink a project you may have abandoned. It’s probably worth a second look. Get out your Rolodex and reach out to people. Trust that they will be delighted to hear from you. Take a break from your routine. Take a vacation. Unplug your computer and cellphone. Avoid signing contracts, making major purchases (especially mechanical ones) and losing patience. Make sure the restaurant you’re meeting at is still in business. Don’t believe everything you read in the papers and ignore the juicy gossip at the water cooler. Do plan on RElaxing, REviewing, REsearching, REorganizing, REgenerating, REconnecting and REcreating.
Yesterday I received an email from a man I met at a party years ago and never saw again. He was going to another party hosted by the same organization last night, and wondered if I might be going (no), and wouldn’t it be nice to catch up (unknown). Pay attention and you may be surprised by the number of “chance” reunions you’ll have over the next few weeks.
In Aquarius, Mercury can be stubborn, quirky, detached and downright wonky as it boldly explores topics some may find revolutionary and/or socially significant. Mercury turns direct on February 11th. Mercury retrogrades are a superb time to review your life in consultation with an astrologer, and I invite you to schedule an appointment.
Planetary patterns today are generally bright, bubbly and expansive. Go about your business — reach out to people — and work on your New Moon agenda. Chill out at 8:45PM ET, when the Moon goes void.
The Moon enters soulful Pisces at 7:48AM ET on Thursday, infusing the day with a need to manifest or communicate what is ideal, intangible, impressionable. A push forward or a wet blanket may be experienced around 12:19PM ET, as the vulnerable Moon is challenged by “get real” Saturn. Creative vision or misfired communication may ensue around 5:27PM ET, as the Moon meets up with dreamy Neptune. Steaming emotions or drive is suggested around 9:10PM ET, when the Moon moves on to action hero Mars.
Today and tomorrow, take advantage of the potential for effective communication of will, backed by practicality, as the Sun and Saturn make contact on just after midnight on Friday. Get it off your desk by EOD Thursday, as the Pisces Moon will be void of course all day Friday, as of 6:13AM ET. Go with the flow of whatever twists may detour your efforts to move forward in a straight line. Better yet, use that creative energy for review and routine, given that Mercury is retrograde.
And now, the news.
In astrology, we use our astrological symbols to represent just about every aspect of modern life. Take large farm animals, for example. They are naturally ruled by the 12th house in a horoscope, and the 12th house is naturally ruled by Pisces, which also refers to empathy and suffering. (Astrology is a complex language; the symbols are intensely interconnected, which is why it is so important that your astrologer be able to translate these symbols into plain English.) Combined with never-ending corruption-exposing Uranus-Pluto square, Monday’s intense meet-up between Mars and Neptune in Pisces could be seen in this NYT headline “U.S. Lab Lets Livestock Suffer in Quest For Profit”.
I don’t know about you, but after reading books like The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight by Thomas Hartman and The Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan, my consumption of meat and processed food plummeted. I feel lucky to live within walking distance of a greenmarket where I can buy organically-grown vegetables and other comestibles directly from the farmer. The NYT article is not for the faint-hearted. But if we do not make ourselves aware, how will things ever change?
Meanwhile, disruptive Uranus and Pluto, combined with a concentrated planetary focus in “out of this world” and/or “otherworldy” Aquarius and Neptune can be enjoyed in this item about a proposal to add the dwarf planets Ceres, Eris, Haumea and Makemake to the ten already Officially Approved Members of our solar system. If the proposal flies, we’ll need a new mnemonic, which the article linked above invites you to create. In March, we can look forward to reports from Ceres (and later, Pluto), as a NASA spacecraft closes in…
Speaking of otherworldly, here is how the The Washington Times covered last night’s State of the Union speech. This is the only paper Justice Scalia says he reads, except for the Wall Street Journal. Here’s the Los Angeles Times with their take. And here’s The Guardian, pointing out one mind-blowing fact I had not seen elsewhere, which also shows how communication delays and “snafus” are being reflected in Obama’s horoscope, as noted earlier in this forecast.
Finally, here’s Jon Stewart — for no particular reason — calling out likely presidential candidate Mike Huckabee about the different worlds we may live in and the blinders we may wear…