The Forecast

I am a reporter with a unique beat. I use my understanding of planetary cycles to provide advance notice and analysis on the Zeitgeist of the day. If you have ever wondered “why is this happening now,” my insights will transform your experience of the headlines, adding new meaning and understanding. Call it Astrology for News Junkies. If you’re curious to know why the Impossible Burger is trending…or why the outcome of the 2019 Israeli elections was likely to be a shocker …or why “Woodrow Wilson, Stud Muffin” was a New York Times headline in December 2013, you will find it here, in over a decade’s worth of historical research and reporting.

Note that I do use astrological jargon in The Forecast in my effort to show how the planetary patterns are reflected in mundane events. I explain what the jargon symbolizes, so that all who want to understand the connections between astrology and the news may do so. However, I do not use astrological jargon in personal consultations, just plain English.

Tuesday 6/16/2020: Late Sneak Peek at the Week; Mercury Retrograde; Eclipse Alert

June 16, 2020/0 Comments/in The Forecast /by Elisabeth Grace

Halfway through June, and there’s no stopping the action — no matter how many planets are retrograde. Here are the highlights for this week — and then we’ll break it down day-by-day:

THURSDAY: Mercury goes retrograde at 12:59 AM ET. Mars sextiles Pluto.
SATURDAY: Mars sextiles Jupiter. Sun enters Cancer at 5:44 PM ET — Happy Summer Solstice!
SUNDAY: New Moon in Cancer at 0 degrees — at the Aries Point — plus it’s a super-duper potent solar eclipse.

As you can see, there aren’t many exact contacts among the planets this week. In fact, there are only TWO that do not involve the Moon. NEXT WEEK — as the eclipse ripples out, we will have seven straight days of no major non-lunar contacts, as we did at the end of May. Sudden dramatic shifts are likely, not unlike my favorite metaphor: the sudden collapse of an ice shelf into the ocean, never to be seen again.

Not only are the planets not in touch with each other, but one is currently so far away from the other kids in the sandbox that it is officially “unaspected” — and thus running wild. And this would be Uranus — symbol of shock, surprise, rebellion, innovation, aviation, madmen, rocket science, astrology and gender-benders.

Your mission this week is to 1) STAY FOCUSED — ’cause Mercury is changing direction; and 2) BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD (a.k.a. the First of the Four Agreements) — ’cause Venus is still retrograde in Gemini, demanding that you put your money and your values where your mouth is. If you don’t really mean it or believe it, don’t say it. ‘Cause whatever you’re thinking and saying this week is likely to command attention. We see this need for focus in Beth Owl’s Daughter’s always-in-sync Tarot Card of the Week.

The closer we get to the weekend, the closer we get to the end of the lunar cycle. Yes, wrap up whatever you can — though with Mercury turning retrograde, it may return for a rewrite. Dead Moons suggests clandestine meetings and other happenings flying under the radar…but with this one, chances are higher that whatever is done behind closed doors won’t stay hidden for long.

Here’s the day-by-day:

MONDAY — the pioneering Aries Moon goes void on a grand gesture, as it squares expansive Jupiter at 8:49 PM ET. Chill for the next several hours.
TUESDAY — Moon enters Taurus at 5:36 AM ET, looking to build material comfort and security — which includes refusing to change. Ha! A challenge from a group-focused authority or technological cabal suggests a redirect, cut or squeeze. How so? Moon squares Saturn at 7:29 AM ET…the rest of the day is free and clear for organizing and consolidating.
WEDNESDAY — More Moon in Taurus, disrupted at 12:15 AM ET by a meet-up with rebel Uranus. The rest of the day could be awesome for visionaries, dreamers, creative and spiritual types, as Moon sextiles Mercury at 11:03 AM ET — and Neptune twelve hours later.
THURSDAY — Slooooooooooooooow down and FOCUS! Mercury turns retrograde at 12:59 AM ET. 14 degrees Cancer is the magic number — and where Mercury will be all week, in fact. As it slows to a virtual standstill and then moves backwards, the effect is like a driver leaning on the horn of her car. What’s that blaring all about? Let’s look at the Sabian Symbol for this Mercury retrograde. Ready? “A group of people who have overeaten and enjoyed it.” Fun times, for sure — argues Sabian Symbol Sage Blain Bovee — but with a caveat. “Eating and drinking to excess on a regular basis leads to a deterioration of health,” he notes. A contrarian might say “Eat, drink and be merry — for tomorrow we die”– perhaps as a rebellious acknowledgment of “the transience of life.”
I find it interesting to have this Symbol in our faces as we approach the second of three conjunctions between Jupiter (excess) and Pluto (Powers That Be), exact on June 30th. Bovee suggests we apply this joyfully indulgent image with a mind to “appreciating the difference between guidelines and hard rules — and knowing when to bend them,” with a caution against avoiding reality with a plethora of trifles and/or truffles. There must be a happy medium of enjoying life without a need for Alka-Seltzer. Mercury will travel backwards through Cancer until July 12th.
THURSDAY: While Mercury is changing direction, the Taurus Moon is grooving with three power planets: Mars, Pluto and Jupiter — all between 5 AM and 8 AM ET. Then the Moon goes void…not to enter Gemini until 5 PM ET. Time to get the word out on whatever status quo preserved. Moon trines Saturn at 6:34 PM ET, facilitating your local authority. Mars sextiles Pluto at 7:03 PM ET — an easy connection suggesting cooperative power plays in sports, wars, men, assertion, courage, resources. Maybe Colin Kaepernick will finally get an offer.
FRIDAY: Moon meets up with Venus, looking for an entertaining buzz. There are no other aspects that day — but heads of state, governments and enterprises are likely to be quite prominent, as the Gemini Sun connects with the North Node at the Aries Point. People affected (off the top of my head) include Andrew McCabe, Harvey Weinstein, Edward Snowden, Steven Mnuchin. Everyone else is free to flit about, boosted by the energy of an easy connection between Mars and Jupiter on…
SATURDAY: at 3:55 AM ET. This is a connection suggesting cooperative expansion/excess in sports, men, assertion, courage, courts, publishing — to name a few. Note your dreams in the AM, as the Moon squares Neptune at 9:05 AM ET. Sun enters Cancer at 5:44 PM ET — Happy Summer Solstice in Northern Hemisphere! Four minutes later, Moon squares Mars, suggesting we’re in for an action-packed next three months. I will look at the Solstice chart later this week. Moon goes void at 5:48 PM ET on a conflict-prone square to Mars — chill for the rest of the night —
SUNDAY: Moon enters Cancer at 2:02 AM ET and promptly eclipses the Sun at 2:41 AM ET. The Cancer Moon needs emotional and home/family security. The next exact aspect is a harmony with Uranus at 7:35 PM ET. Think outside the box; reach across the aisle.

And now, the news.

The horoscope of the P45 inauguration is due for a week of streamlining and upsets. On June 17th, action hits a brick wall (remember the discussion of JK Rowling‘s horoscope in the last forecast?). On June 18th, upsets come courtesy of Uranus opposing the Scorpio Moon‘s need for ruthless control; streamlining is reflected by transiting Saturn’s second conjunction to the Aquarius Sun. Plus, a new cycle of action/assertion begins, as transiting Mars meets up with Mars — i.e., returns to its original position in the chart.

Meanwhile, P45‘s birthday weekend aptly reflected intensely provocative patterns in his horoscope, as anticipated. Saturday’s wiggy Mars-Neptune conjunction squared his Sun and Moon, suggesting potential bewilderment and/or wipeout. At West Point (a Mars-Neptune military ideal), he struggled to walk down a ramp and could not raise a glass of water to his lips with just one hand. This became A Thing on Twitter (#TrumpIsNotWell) and a cause for concern in major newspapers questioning his physical and mental health. Twitter declared his June 14th birthday Obama Day and flooded his feed with photos of the 44th president. Adding to the potential for attack: 1) John Bolton‘s tell-all book is supposed to be published next week; and 2) P45’s niece also has a tell-all book scheduled for release this summer.

A third smackdown — which may be tied to transits in both P45’s and his inaugural horoscope — would be today’s “unexpected breakthrough for gay rights” — i.e., the SCOTUS ruling that the 1964 Civil Rights Act does in fact prohibit discrimination against gay and transgender workers. This seems to throw a possible wrench into last week’s P45 Administration reversal of the Affordable Care Act’s prohibition of discrimination against gay and transgender people by health care providers and insurers. Today’s SCOTUS ruling was a 6-3 decision, with the majority opinion written by P45’s first pick…Neil Gorsuch.

It’s worth reviewing Gorsuch’s horoscope, discussed here back in March of 2017. It is faaaaascinating to be reminded that Gorsuch has a nearly exact Mars-Neptune conjunction in Scorpio — activated last week by the Mars-Neptune conjunction in Pisces! But he also has five planets in perfectionist Virgo and Moon in talk talk talk Gemini — and at the end of the day, legal analysts were convinced that Gorsuch was driven to adhere to the meaning of the words in the 1964 legislation, not whatever the drafters of those words might have intended.

I’m toast. I really wanted to ship this forecast on Monday, but I am going to have to finish it on Tuesday morning. Some of you may know that as part of my own personal crusade for justice for all, I serve as a poll worker in the New York elections. I started doing this in 2016 after a friend of mine was told at his polling site that his name wasn’t in the registry and he would have to vote by affidavit (meaning there was no guarantee his vote would count in that election). It is extremely upsetting to be told that your state election board doesn’t believe you exist — and — as he was telling me what happened, it took five seconds for me to check the voter roster online and see that my friend was TOTALLY registered, and that the poll worker had made a stupid, stupid, STUPID error. Since I am lucky enough to set my own business hours, I made it my business to make sure these stupid mistakes wouldn’t happen again — at least at my polling site — and over the past four years I’ve caught and corrected scores of them.

Last fall, New York joined other states offering more than one election day for registered voters to cast their ballot. Though the official primary election is June 23rd, polls are open nine days beforehand. I do not have the bandwidth to work all nine days, but I did work Monday — leaving the house at 5 AM. Gah! It was quite surreal as New York has been encouraging voters to file absentee ballots this year, given the Covid-19 crisis. We served a grand total of TEN voters yesterday. Upside: I got to sit and read a wonderful book by Nobel Prize winner Olga Tokarczuk. The protagonist in Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead is an astrologer (!!) who starts investigating a series of mysterious deaths in her neighborhood. Tokarczuk has done her homework, and I can’t tell you how delightful it’s been to read passages like:

This time I carefully analyzed the television schedule for as many channels as I could and studied the correlation between the contents of the films being broadcast and the configuration of the Planets on a given day. The mutual connections between them were distinct and plain to see.

Yes indeed.

Are you registered to VOTE? Don’t take it for granted — check here! Does your state treasury owe you money? Check this site — unclaimed.org — in every state in which you’ve ever lived. Let me know if you find anything.

Finally…I woke up this morning to Heather Cox Richardson’s latest summary of the news of the day, with its opening paragraph saying

The president has personified his administration to such an extent that it increasingly feels like it is less a clash of political parties that fuels today’s political animosities than it is him against the world.

Yup. He’s being attacked. As his horoscope suggests he would be. For just pure good and helpful news, Shirley Maclaine’s bimonthly ShirleyGram was also in my inbox — filled with tidbits about Bach flower remedies, UFOs, astrology, a breathing exercise to help you sleep better and stories of people doing things to make the world a better place. Her newsletter is so jam-packed with information, you’d think her Moon was in Gemini, but it’s in Virgo. Get it here.

Thank you for reading this forecast. To support the work — and make Avid Reader Diane a happy camper — here’s how you can become an official Avid Reader, Fairy Godparent, Guardian Angel or Biggest Fan — with much gratitude. To find out what’s going on in your horoscope — and plan for the months ahead, here’s the 411 on personal consultations.

Saturday & Sunday 6/13-14/2020: When Mars Met Neptune…

June 14, 2020/0 Comments/in The Forecast /by Elisabeth Grace

Writing this during the loooooong Pisces Moon void, which began at 8:45 AM ET. It’s been a good day to sleep in and go with the flow. The energy of action (Mars) is diffused by today’s exact meet-up with Neptune, as Neptune — in the language of astrology — dissolves whatever it touches. Mars refers to the military; Neptune can reflect a sense of malaise a.k.a. “meh,” making this combo a lackluster backdrop for West Point’s commencement ceremony (happening as I started typing), especially with the much-ado-about-nothing potential of the Moon void. And indeed, WaPo observed that it “lacked the crackling energy of typical commencements,” citing the coronavirus as a cause. Sure, OK — the coronavirus.

Moon enters Aries at 5:03 PM ET, focused on fulfilling its me-me-me-first agenda. See if you notice the change of pace. The Moon’s path is free of planetary speed bumps for most of SUNDAY, aiding and abetting your favorite Moon-in-Aries crusade or parade.

No sleeping in on Monday. The Aries Moon continues on its quest to get things started, building to a potential power play or catharsis around 6:22 PM ET, as it makes its weekly clash with Pluto.

Reminder: Mercury turns retrograde at 12:59 AM ET on THURSDAY. There is no need to freak out! Just back up your computers and resolve to be patient with any communication, shipping or travel delays. We are supposed to be moving carefully and slowly in this time of monumental change. And yea, verily, even the monuments are changing. Got that?

And now, the news.

Most of the stories making the front page last week reflected the fog and mirrors of Neptune’s square to the Sun and conjunction with Mars. Keywords for Mars include soldiers, assertion and cars. Keywords for Neptune include erasure, memory, viruses, illusion, conspiracies, surrender, victims, ideals.

Dr. Vin Gupta goes on the TV to say that “Distortion of reality about coronavirus is mind-numbi ng.”
Coronavirus deaths are down in New York, but skyrocketing elsewhere (e.g. Florida, Texas, Arizona and Brazil, for starters)
Two huge coronavirus studies are retracted because key databases could not be verified
P45 thinks it’s safe enough to schedule a big giant rally in Tulsa next week, but all who attend must sign a waiver agreeing not to sue if they catch Covid-19
However, that big giant rally was originally scheduled on Juneteenth, prompting outrage, as Heather Cox Richardson explains. In a rare instance of “blinking” (Neptune!) in the face of outrage, the rally has been rescheduled for June 20th (the Summer Solstice). Also in that link to HRC’s Saturday post, you’ll note the P45 Administration wiped out policies prohibiting health providers and insurers from discriminating against LGBTQ Americans.
“Why QAnon supporters are winning congressional primaries”
“What the Pandemic Reveals About the Male Ego”
“From the Civil War to the football field, we have been celebrating the wrong values,” argues this WaPo op-ed
Plenty of stories about calls to abolish the police.
Remember that $500 billion dollar coronavirus relief fund for businesses that Democrats agreed to create provided that Congress would have oversight over who got the tax payers’ dough? It was negotiated in the dark of the Moon — top secret, doncha’ know — and when the bill was signed, P45 said he had no intention of going along with that provision. It should surprise no one that U.S. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin announced yesterday that in fact, the Executive Branch would not be telling the Legislative Branch how those taxpayer dollars were distributed. Was the Legislative Branch conned?
“Fox News removes manipulated images from coverage of Seattle protests”.
“Atlanta police chief resigns after an officer fatally shot a black man — Rayshard Brooks — on Friday night”
“Senate panel backs stripping Confederate names from military bases”
“NASCAR ratings get a boost after Confederate flag removed from races”
U.S. Marine Corps & Navy ban Confederate flag
So far, the design of the Mississippi state flag remains as is, though with so many planets eclipsed in Mississippi’s horoscope in recent months, one sees the potential for a change.
Mars-Neptune patterns can be out of this world, as in “Another mysterious deep space radio burst is sending signals to Earth every 157 days, study finds.” Kewl.

UPDATE: on Taylor Swift, last discussed here back in 2017. This week, she made headlines by calling on politicians in her home state of Tennessee to remove statues that symbolized “hideous patterns of racism.” In the past, Swift has been criticized for not using her celebrity status to speak up on social and political issues, but no one is accusing her of that now. Looking at her horoscope, we can see how being part of a crusade would be fulfilling, with her Mars rising before her opinionated Sagittarius Sun.

A plethora of planets in the 2nd and 8th houses needs to be concerned with matters of values and worth — not just money, mind you — but social values, too. Her Cancer Moon in the 8th house suggests her personal needs for fulfillment might prefer to be hidden from view, but at 1 degree of Cancer — the Aries Point — it’s hard to see how any effort she makes to provide emotional comfort and security wouldn’t attract attention. Ditto for her unaspected Venus in Aquarius — a mark of a potential humanitarian gone wild. With transiting Saturn on that Venus through 2020, we see how she could take on even more gravitas.

Not only that, but with three planets affected by eclipses — Uranus in December; Moon in June; Saturn in July — we see potential for Swift development this year, both personally and professionally.

Meanwhile…

J.K. Rowling has sparked quite an upset. Wikipedia introduces the controversy as follows:

On 6 June 2020, Rowling, via Twitter, questioned an article’s use of the phrase “people who menstruate” instead of saying “women”. She went on to write, “If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased”, while saying that she is empathetic to trans people.

Isn’t it interesting that during these past several weeks of heavy Neptune patterns, Rowling would use the word “erased?” Rowling’s comment was made on a conflict-prone square between Sun and Mars, just days after an equally conflict-prone square between Venus and Mars. Sandwiched in between — and potentially dangerously unaware — was an idealistic Sun-Venus conjunction. Venus — as you know — was and is still retrograde, and not inclined to mind its manners. The response to Rowling’s comments has been brutal. She was called out by GLAAD, trashed by the famous and not-so-famous. After she posted a long essay on her website, attempting to explain why she said what she said, even Harry Potter cast members weighed in against her.

What in the world is happening in her horoscope?

First, we don’t have a confirmed birth time. We can’t be sure of her Ascendant, though it is reported she once tweeted that it was Aquarius. She is a Leo with an unaspected Sun. We can see how she may have felt like a misfit in her early home life. Five planets in Virgo — including the Moon — would drive her to be perfect, exacting and correct in every detail (the inspiration for Hermione Granger?). Four of those five planets are in a difficult relationship with Saturn in Pisces. We can see how she could have experienced bouts of depression and suffering. But — like Taylor Swift — we also see the potential humanitarian. Rowling’s Venus is conjunct Uranus, which can reflect a need to be a friend to all — especially those who do not conform to “standards.” It may also reflect a rebellious streak.

It’s too bad Rowling didn’t check in with her astrologer that week, as she would have been advised that intensely assertive efforts were likely to hit a brick wall on June 6th. Better she should have gone for a long walk in the moors! At the end of May, Rowling experienced a pattern she hadn’t had since 1997 — when Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was first published. That pattern was a hard aspect to her Leo Sun from transiting Uranus. It suggests a break-out opportunity and a disruption of the status quo. There could be a drive to be true to one’s self — no matter the risk — and here it is again, years later — in 2020. This pattern will be in effect until early 2021.

On May 26th, Rowling released her first children’s story that doesn’t involve anything related to Harry Potter or magic. The Ickabog seems to be a fresh start — “a political fairy tale,” she calls it. A fresh start is apt for a Uranus cycle. The Ickabog is being published one chapter at a time — for free on this website. Readers have been invited to submit illustrations for the hardcover book that will be published in November — on the next disruptive Uranus-Sun transit. Hmmm. What do you think might happen?

And what’s going on in your horoscope? Are assertive efforts likely to hit a brick wall or be met with rave reviews? Here’s the 411 on personal consultations. Special shout-out to Avid Reader Barbara, whose Joyful Random Expression of Appreciation prompted me to ship this forecast out today, rather than wait until Monday, when I will post the usual Sneak Peek at the Week. I hope you find these musings fun and informative. Thank you for reading this forecast.

London, August 26, 2016: Platform 9 and 3/4 at Kings Cross Station. Don’t try this at home.

Monday 6/8/2020: Sneak Peek at the Week; Eclipse Musings; News, News, News

June 8, 2020/0 Comments/in The Forecast /by Elisabeth Grace

Allll-righty then!

I’m finally caught up on all the requests for insights on the three eclipses happening between June 5th and July 5th. Now I can catch everyone up on the news. If you prefer I spend more time writing these fun and informative forecasts and less time on individually tailored reports, Avid Reader Diane invites you to support the work with Faithful Monthly or Joyful Random Expressions of Appreciation. The more support this forecast receives, the more it can return to you, dear Avid Readers and Fairy Godparents and Guardian Angels.

I started writing this forecast on SATURDAY night, which went like this:

After a looooong Moon void in Sagittarius that began at 12:11 AM ET, Moon entered Capricorn at 3:44 PM ET, looking to Make Things Happen in practical, earthy terms. During the void — and arguably motivated by today’s exact square between the Sun (willpower) and Mars (action) — hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets in the United States and other nations to express righteous outrage, sparked by the murder of George Floyd by police officers sworn to protect and serve. This is the ninth day of protests; today was the biggest yet — and overwhelmingly peaceful, according to the reports on the Twitter and the papers. Perhaps the relative calm reflected the lull of the Moon void — and its last aspect, which was to Neptune, which diffuses whatever it touches.

With Mars driving the narrative last week — building to exact squares to Venus (social expression) and the Sun, we can see how the headlines would be filled with Martian themes, for better or worse: military might, brute force, courage, crusades, sports, etc. Patterns on SUNDAY were proactive (driven by the needs of the Capricorn Moon), but not so jarring. Moon made easy connections to Uranus and Mars around 7 AM ET and 10 PM ET, respectively; an opposition to Mercury (how we need to think) around 10 AM ET might reflect a challenge to an authoritative initiative because of a lack of sensitivity.

No sleeping in on Monday. Note your dreams and waking thoughts in the morning, as Moon sextiles visionary Neptune. The rest of the morning reflects a focused power play and/or emotional catharsis, as the Moon makes its weekly clash with Pluto. Exuberance or excess follows around 2:06 PM ET, as Moon meets up with expansive Jupiter. Here in New York City, we’re finally moving to Phase One of our COVID-19 recovery plan, as non-essential workers in manufacturing return to work, and retail stores open for curbside pick-up.

Chill during the void which begins at 2:06 PM ET and remember that crisis which crop up are usually of no consequence. Moon reboots in Aquarius at 8:54 PM ET, looking to network with its besties. A focused and sobering piece of news hits the wires around 11 PM ET, as the Moon meets up with authoritative Saturn.

The rest of the week goes like this:

TUESDAY — Moon squares Uranus at 1:30 PM ET, suggesting a jolt to the status quo. Themes of revolution may be involved. It all settles down peacefully, as Moon harmonizes with (trines) Venus at 3:15 PM ET.
WEDNESDAY — get it off your desk before 10:35 AM ET if you want it to be of consequence. Moon goes void for the rest of the day. Stick to routine concerns — work on a draft of something — roll with the twists and flakes that disrupt efforts to move forward in a straight line. Take time to wander, if you can. No impulse shopping! Whatever crisis does crop up is likely to reflect the bewildering spell of Neptune, in effect all week, as follows….
THURSDAY — note your dreams, as Moon enters impressionable, compassionate Pisces at 5:32 AM ET. Six minutes later, Sun squares Neptune. This is the first of two exact Neptune patterns we have this week. We expect stories of peace, oil, water, floods,oceans, deception, spirits of all kinds — including spiritual leaders — to demand our attention. Examples of stories from past Sun-Neptune squares are found here and here. We are likely to hear more about that big Russian oil spill in the Arctic.
FRIDAY — More Moon in Pisces — dreamy and possibly surreal, especially between 10 and 11 PM ET, as the Moon meets up with Mars and Neptune. We anticipate themes of spiritual warfare or warriors; fanatical or sublime vision; scandal, drugs, charisma and music — don’t forget music! Watch the obituaries, too.
SATURDAY — Third Quarter Moon at 2:24 AM ET presents conflicts seeking resolution. Cooperation involving power and resources — including the Powers That Be — is suggested, as Moon sextiles Pluto and Jupiter in PTB Capricorn. Moon goes void at 8:45 AM ET — until 5:03 PM ET. Go with the flow — chill if you can. At 10:14 AM ET, Mars meets up with Neptune in Pisces, planting seeds for a new two-year cycle of steamy spiritual action. Here are headlines from a past Mars-Neptune meet-up in Pisces. At 5:03 PM ET, Moon shifts gears dramatically as it charges into me-me-me Aries, looking to get something started.
SUNDAY — Moon in Aries leads the parade, free of speed bumps for most of the day.

RANDOM REMINDER: Mercury turns retrograde on June 18th. BACK UP YOUR COMPUTERS NOW.

Meanwhile…

A few thoughts about last Friday’s Full Moon, which was the first of three eclipses happening over the next thirty days. Here is the chart, set in Washington, D.C.

The focus of this eclipse for the U.S. is in matters of mindset and collective belief systems — whatever gets the message out. Foreign affairs are also a focus. The Moon and Sun’s next aspects are to Mars, so we see the potential for action based on empathy (Mars is in Pisces). After that, both Sun and Moon will square Neptune — and Mars will meet up with Neptune after that. So — in the aftermath of assertion/aggressive, the next step is likely to involve all that Neptune symbolizes: vision, healing, ideals; oil, oceans, film, drugs; spirits of all kinds — and lie, lies and more lies.

The chart is ruled by Venus retrograde — rethinking how we are seen and the values we share with others. The leader of the nation is symbolized by the Moon (ruler of the chart’s 10th house). The Moon is opposed by the Sun and squared by Mars — and eclipsed, thank you very much — so we see the potential for much to be revealed and released.

The Sabian Symbols for this eclipse are — for the Moon at 16 Sagittarius: “seagulls watching a ship”; for the Sun at 16 Gemini: “a woman suffragette orating.” We last encountered this pair on the New Moon of December 2018. It’s quite curious to be reminded that the December 2018 New Moon happened on a week with a Mars-Neptune conjunction, just like this Full Moon. Here’s Blain Bovee‘s take on how to apply these Symbols — pulled from that December 2018 forecast:

“Seagulls watching a ship,” is “an image of a vigilant attendance to a potential source of food and nourishment.” He advises us to have a mind for “a sense of the right time to have one’s words heard and believed…squeaky wheels getting the grease…an uproar when a scrap of information is dropped…watching for the moment when one is least likely to be duped.” Hmm. Consider the anticipation building in the never-ending Mueller investigation as we breathlessly await further indictments.

Bovee also writes, “One may be gullible when it comes to matters of social justice, accepting a few scraps of oratorial platitude from authorities who bestow such pronouncements.” The mate to “seagulls watching a ship” is “a woman suffragette orating,” which suggests “an entreaty for a decisive right through organized protest.”

I am so fascinated by these Sabian Symbols. If you are not familiar with their history, here’s a link.

You are personally affected by Friday’s eclipse if you have a planet or angle around 15 degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces. Case in point: Anthony Brennan III — who has Venus at 15 Virgo. We can appreciate how his ever-critical/rarely satisfied perfection-seeking social expression would be provoked by transiting Mars last week, leading to an outburst on a Maryland bike path. He was captured on video assaulting teenagers who were posting flyers designed to raise awareness of the murder of George Floyd. The video went viral; Brennan was arrested and lost his job. There’s more to come for Brennan in the aftermath of the next eclipse on June 21st, as that one will affect his natal Saturn. Astrology is amazing.

And now, the news.

I’ve been meaning to write about events that happened over a week ago, as the synchronicity of actual headlines with planetary patterns was so perfect. For example, the forecast for May 27th was:

Moon enters Leo at 2:33 AM ET, looking to shine and help others shine, too. Such efforts may be thwarted around 5:42 AM ET, as Moon is opposed by Saturn, seeking to impose impersonal group-think controls upon someone’s sense of regal entitlement.

Also driving that day was Venus retrograde — still in effect through June 25th — suggesting that social graces would be thrown under the bus and true colors would be seen. The headline reflecting the action just after 5:42 AM ET was this one from Variety:

Two CNBC anchors had a fiery exchange sparked in part by the grim milestone that the nation has surpassed 100,000 deaths due to the coronavirus outbreak

The full “fiery exchange” between anchors Andrew Ross Sorkin and Joe Kernen is posted here — and it is a worthy case study of planetary patterns brought to life! See how the words in the Variety story reflect planetary patterns? Amazing!

Meanwhile….

Remember that the week before last was a tipping point. George Floyd‘s casual murder by a callous police officer was one of several significant “last straws.” Another was Twitter, which finally pushed back against the lies and violent statements on P45‘s feed (for which any other Tweeter would — and has been — suspended, including one user whose tweets are exact replicas of P45’s). That being said, for the first time ever, Twitter fact-checked a P45 tweet about mail-in voting, adding a label warning users that the tweet was false. This happened when Mercury was at the Aries Point. Translation: words themselves are likely to be prominent — and they were! Here’s another one: “Facebook Employees Stage Virtual Walk-out to Protest P45’s Posts.”

Other tipping points — many with a Mars theme (sports, warriors, etc.):

“NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says it was ‘wrong’ not to listen to its players about racism”
“Confederate statues and monuments are being taken down across the South and elsewhere” (some said they merely tripped and fell).
Heavily armed men standing guard in Washington refuse to identify themselves
“Minneapolis City Council pledges to disband its police force,” perhaps replacing it with something similar to what Camden, NJ implemented successfully some years ago. In a related story, John Oliver recorded the latest episode of Last Week Tonight during Saturday’s opinionated Sagittarius Moon, with that Sun-Mars square. The episode is all about police and specifically, police force, its historical origins and possible remedies. Avid Readers may refer to the U.S. horoscope’s “law and order” Sun-Saturn square, combined with its Mars-Neptune square (glamorization of martial energy) for further understanding of what America values — and why.
“Congressional Democrats introduce sweeping police reforms”
“89 former defense officials say they are ‘alarmed’ by P45’s threats of military force”
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) disagrees with those 89 defense officials and wrote an NYT op-ed advocating military force to crush citizen unrest. Controversy ensued — and an NYT editor has resigned. Cotton’s horoscope is quite the warrior type — seen in this post from 2015. His horoscope was directly affected by Friday’s eclipse — and the one we’ll have next month. Changes are in store.

Meanwhile…

UPDATE: on P45. When the protests in DC broke out last Monday, the White House went dark. It was reported that P45 was “rushed” by the Secret Service to an underground bunker. #BunkerBoy became a trend on Twitter — and yesterday Randy Rainbow released his latest creation with the same name.

Presumably upset at being laughed at for hiding in said bunker, trusted advisors came up with a plan: in order to clear a path for P45, have law enforcement assault Australian journalists on live TV, then tear gas peaceful protesters and evict church staff at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Then stride over from the White House with an equally white entourage and hold up a liberal edition of the Bible (yes, really) — upside down — in front of the church. If Hope Hicks did hatch this plan — as some said — credit her Mars at the Aries Point being activated by transiting Mercury and the North Node (ideas and action make a prominent public impact).

Hiding in a bunker. Holding up a Bible. Where do we see this potential in P45’s horoscope? I’ll tell you.

On May 26th, transiting Neptune made the first of a series of squares to P45’s North and South Node. The next one happens on July 20th; the last one happens on March 14th. Neptune is verrrrrrrry close to a square to P45’s Gemini Sun and Sag Moon, and while those won’t be exact until Spring 2021, they are in effect now. As an example of what these contact might look like, recall rapper Kanye West’s bizarre performance in the Oval Office back in October 2018.

Neptune dissolves what it touches. It suggests a wipe out. The Nodes refers to relationships, groups and fate. We see a potential meltdown in relationships, as P45 is abandoned by some — while bonded with others through “spiritual sharing” (argues astrologer Noel Tyl). Neptune is a useful inspiration for artists, messiahs and snake oil salesmen.

As Avid Readers will recall from my post on January 6th, P45 is entering another period of Mars action. Dates: June 8th, 13th and 16th. Transiting Mars will square his Uranus, Node-Moon and Sun, respectively. We see the potential for daring/reckless initiatives.

In July, Mars opposes his Neptune on the 7th and Mercury on the 13th. These happen against the backdrop of two supremely intense patterns suggesting a turning of the tables and anguished effort against the threat of loss. Hmmm.

In other news…

Last week I explained how the U.S. horoscope is entering into a period of development it has not experienced since the Carter Administration. The next day, Matt Bai wrote an op-ed for WaPo called “The Carterization of the Trump Presidency.” Many readers were offended by the comparison, but as you know now, it makes total sense. Coincidence or conspiracy?

I leave you with this high-flying image that aptly reflects last Friday’s Moon in Sagittarius, combined with a cooperative connection between Mercury (messages) and Uranus (technology; space). Planet Labs sells photos of Earth from several satellites it owns; however, it posted this one on Twitter, apparently for the public to share around the world, according to Space.com. It’s an aerial shot of the yellow Black Lives Matter mural on the street leading up to the newly-christened Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C. — near the White House.

Thank you, Planet Labs — and thank you for reading this forecast.

“We stand in solidarity with the Black community

and all people of color who are peacefully

voicing their anger and frustration

at having their voices ignored for too long,

Planet supports the equal treatment of

all people and believes that we must all

stand up and speak out for openness,

inclusion and social justice. Only through

collective unity will the voices of our friends,

our family and our entire community

be heard. Bias and discrimination have

no place in this world. Planet stands with

those seeking justice and racial equality.”

— Planet Labs on Twitter 6/1/2020

Sunday 5/31/2020: Sneak Peek at the Week; Busting Out in June; Eclipse Alert

May 31, 2020/0 Comments/in The Forecast /by Elisabeth Grace

It’s Sunday…

At 10:38 AM ET, after being void for just over five hours, the Moon left Virgo and entered Libra. While in Virgo, its goal was to put things back in order and make things right. A Libra Moon shifts the focus to needs of relationship, as in fairness and equality, which may be a subject of debate. Which side are you on?

Today is the sixth of seven straight days without an exact aspect between two planets that does not involve the Moon. I don’t know why these apparent breaks in the action coincide with events that seem like the sudden collapse of an ice shelf into the ocean, but that’s what I’ve observed over the years. They suggest tipping points — and that’s what we’ve seen all week — in more than one headline story. The most obvious one is the murder of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man who begged for his life while police officer Derek Chauvin drove his knee into Mr. Floyd neck, making it impossible for Mr. Floyd to breathe. All while Chauvin was knowingly being filmed by a bystander, leading us to conclude that Chauvin felt his behavior was perfectly acceptable. Millions across the nation — and in some cities in other countries — took to the streets to say they’d had enough.

Where is the tipping point taking us? In the short-term — i.e., this week — it goes like this:

MONDAY — No sleeping in, as Moon continues its trek through Libra, supported by easy contacts from the Sun and Venus in Gemini. General mood: hope for the best; let’s talk it out.
TUESDAY — More Libra Moon — challenged in the wee hours by its weekly supercharged contact with Pluto and Jupiter in Capricorn. We see potential for exaggerated power plays and catharses, especially in the minutes leading up to 3:22 AM and 6:40 AM ET. Moon then goes void — chill, chill, chill — it’s a fine day to sleep in or flake out during the void.
TUESDAY — Moon enters Scorpio at 12:06 PM ET, now looking for depth and substance for the sake of establishing power and control. Moon is in its Fall in Scorpio, though it is considered to be fertile and thus creatively productive. It can also be quite creatively ruthless and vengeful (down side) in defending its personal honor code. Heavy cuts and structuring efforts present themselves around 2:38 PM ET, as the Moon squares Saturn.
TUESDAY — At 8:41 PM ET, we finally have contact between two planets that do not involve the Moon. Retrograde Venus in Gemini squares Mars in Pisces. Let the record show that before Venus turned retrograde, Mars was in Aquarius. The two planets were ohhhhhhhhh sooooooo close to an exact trine, suggesting an easy flow of energy between them. Venus in Gemini can totally grok with Mars in Aquarius as an innovative and humanitarian rebel. The two have plenty to talk about, which is what Venus in Gemini needs to do. BUT — Venus and Mars never made that EXACT connection. It was a flirtation, as Venus started to slow down to a standstill and REthink matters by turning retrograde.
What is Venus retrograde in Gemini re-thinking? It’s rethinking whether what is said accurately reflects authentic value. In an effort to correct any disparity, social graces are thrown under the proverbial bus — and that’s how Speaker Nancy Pelosi ends up taking off the gloves on national TV and observing that P45 should not take hydroxychloroquine because he is “morbidly obese.” Have you found yourself — and other around you — speaking with less care for manners than usual?
When Mars left Aquarius and entered Pisces on May 13th, its agenda changed. Mars in Pisces needs to execute a plan based on feelings (e.g., faith, delusion, empathy, compassion, intuition — any and all may apply), but direct confrontation is not its style and — since fish are mute — there’s not much to talk about.
Tension has been building between Venus and Mars for several days. When they do meet up, it won’t be an easy alliance, as it looked like it might be several weeks ago. Adjustments will have to be made. Sparks will fly, especially since Venus retrograde is not inclined to hold back for the sake of appearances. This Venus-Mars square is not the only pattern of conflict, as you’ll soon see.
WEDNESDAY — Upsets in the wee hours, as the Scorpio Moon is opposed by Uranus in Taurus at 2:17 AM ET. Moon is supported in its efforts to control for the rest of the day, as it harmonizes with Mars (action) and Neptune (vision, healing). Not only that, but at 1:42 PM ET, the Sun and Venus will meet up, adding intensely clever communication to the news flow, some of which may not seem so ideal after a little distance.
THURSDAY — another morning of chilling, as the Moon goes void at 7:36 AM ET. Roll with the twists and flakes; remember that crises which arise during voids are usually much ado about nothing. At 1:17 PM ET, Moon soars in to Sagittarius, seeking to push boundaries and express its righteous opinion. An innovative twist to your big idea can be had, should you opt to make use of a cooperative pattern between Mercury (how we need to think) and Uranus (innovation, technology), exact at 7:03 AM ET on…
FRIDAY. This Mercury-Uranus harmony is in effect all week. Both planets rule astrology, so why not contact your local astrologer and schedule a check-up? If it’s been over a year, you’re overdue — and there’s much to discuss, including the first of three eclipses over the next six weeks, one of which is especially potent. If you’d prefer to have a few paragraphs of personal insights on the three eclipses instead, toss $64 into my Cosmic Tip Jar, using the link for the Quick Question. Why $64 for the eclipse insights instead of the usual $44? Because there are three eclipses to talk about, not the usual two. Then please email me your birth date, time and place — if I don’t already have it.
FRIDAY — the Sagittarius Moon waxes full — and is eclipsed at 3:12 PM ET. If you have a planet around 15 degrees of Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo or Pisces, you’re scheduled to receive some illumination and a likely release. I will write more about the Lunar Eclipse in a later forecast. Do note that the next aspect the Moon makes is a square to Mars (assertion, aggression) at 3:44 PM ET, so outbursts of such would not be surprising. We also note the potential lack of clarity in the afternoon and evening hours, as Moon next squares wiggy Neptune at 12:11 AM ET on…
SATURDAY — …and then goes for a loooong void, not to enter Capricorn until 3:44 PM ET. Keep an eye on the action a couple of hours beforehand, as 1) the Moon activates the Aries Point, demanding we pay attention; and 2) Mars squares the Sun (willpower, leaders) at 3:12 PM ET. The Sun-Mars pattern needs an assertive/aggressive outlet, and it’s been in effect all week.
In the U.S. horoscope, transiting Mars has activated Uranus, facilitating a sudden burst of rebellion (!) or daring initiative in technology. Once the Moon is in Capricorn, the goal is to make something happen out of whatever assertion the Mars-Sun square expressed.
SUNDAY — in your own personal world, you can make use of the Capricorn Moon’s practical and strategic energy to get tasks done around the house. Fortify your structure.

Where is this all going? Here are the highlights for June:

June 11th and June 13th: Sun squares Neptune; Mars is conjunct Neptune. More of the sublime and surreal;
June 18th: Mercury turns retrograde, offering a rest and review until July 12th;
June 18th and June 20th: Mars sextiles Pluto and Jupiter, supporting actions and rewards involving power and resources.
June 20th: Summer Solstice; we can look at this chart for a three-month prognosis and we will.
June 21st: New Moon/Eclipse in Cancer at 0 Cancer — the Aries Point — a rare and potent event. It is sure to amplify the tumultuous events of this past week (of May), as the North Node and Mercury are both at 0 Cancer.
June 23rd: Neptune — our need for vision — turns retrograde. Look within for that dream.
June 25th: Venus turns direct — what did we learn about our values; did we toss what no longer serves? Did you stumble across some money you didn’t even know you had? To find out, please visit my favorite website — and search the state treasuries of every state in which you’ve ever worked and/or lived. Let me know if you score!
June 27th: Mars enters Aries and activates the June 21st eclipse. Mars will be in Aries until January 2021. Mars rules Aries, and the two refer to courage, crusades and combat. The word “martial” is derived from “Mars,” and this long stay in Aries — in combination with the heavy controlling patterns of Saturn-Pluto in Capricorn, expanded by Jupiter in Capricorn — reflects why some astrologers included martial law in their list of potentials for 2020.
June 28th: Mars sextiles Saturn — the energy of action supports the energy of necessary structures and controls.
June 30th: the second of three conjunctions between Jupiter and Pluto in Capricorn. The first was on April 4th; the third happens on November 12th. The agenda is the expansion of power and resources in all earthly matters — and who has worked hard enough to claim power as their reward.

Fun fact: Governor Andrew Cuomo just said this in his daily press briefing:

“Change comes at a moment when the stars line up.”

He’s right!

Meanwhile…

Over the next year or so, we are at the end of an old order, come hell or high water — and probably both. Resistance is futile. Professor Heather Cox Richardson offers this historical perspective, and I wonder if she’s at all hip to planetary cycles. Seeds for a major new cycle will be formally planted in December — symbolized by the Great Mutation between Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius. You can read more about that here.

In these United States, we are simultaneously surrounded by fog, while beginning a gut renovation this country has never experienced since its inception in 1776. This would be a Pluto Return — and it works like a Saturn Return (which most Avid Readers know about). Pluto refers to breakdown and transformation, for the purpose of empowerment. The U.S. gets the first exact hit in 2022, but it’s in effect now.

Also in effect now — but not exact — is transiting Neptune in Pisces, squaring the U.S. Mars in Gemini and opposing the U.S. Neptune in Virgo. This pattern will be exact in 2021. Avid Readers will recall that the U.S. Mars-Neptune square reflects this country’s romance with war, religion, opiates, oil and Hollywood. It’s why we need to have this thing we call The American Dream. What’s it like to have transiting Neptune on your Mars (your ability to assert and take action)? Ask Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, who has this pattern active in his horoscope all through 2019 and 2020. His two-year investigation into l’affaire Russe is being erased, as charges are dropped and jailed guilty parties are released from prison and sent home.

Neptune dissolves whatever it touches. Thus the United States is at risk of having its assertive capabilities erased. The last time the U.S. had this kind of Neptune transit was during the Carter Administration — especially 1979. We had an oil crisis and a hostage crisis in Iran, which many viewed as embarrassing. We also had an upside of the healing potential of Neptune: the Camp David Accords, which resulted in a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. This Wikipedia entry summarizes the Carter Administration; you’ll see other shades of Neptune in the issues of that time.

Neptune patterns often reflect disappointment, as people operating under Neptune’s influence look for greener pastures. President Jimmy Carter lost his bid for re-election by a landslide in the Electoral College, winning only six states (plus the District of Columbia) and 41% of the popular vote.

The fog of Neptune lifted in 1981, as Ronald Reagan was inaugurated (with just 50.7% of the popular vote). The Republicans won control of the Senate for the first time since the 1950s, just in time for two important seed-planting cycles that happened in late 1980-81 (Jupiter conjunct Saturn in Libra) and 1982 (Saturn conjunct Pluto in Libra).

One more point about cycles repeating themselves. There’s a lot in the press comparing these times in the U.S. to 1968 — and of course there would be. 1968 was the aftermath of the disruptive seed-planting opportunity of Uranus conjunct Pluto. We hadn’t had one of those since 1848 (think about that, history buffs). Avid Readers will recall that between 2012 and 2015, we experienced the next stage of the Uranus-Pluto cycle in the form of seven squares between Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn. This post from 2014 talks about those squares in light of the protests that happened in Ferguson after yet another unarmed African-American man was murdered by the police. May it offer insights on the present unrest in these United States.

I had a slew of headlines to share — but it seems more helpful to review past cycles and remind Avid Readers that in many ways, we have all been here before. We will get through this — together.

Listen to the music from the late 60s/early 70s for further clues. Cue Ohio, by Neil Young now, please.

Thank you for reading this forecast — and for sharing it with your friends. If you find it worthwhile, Avid Reader Diane insists I remind you that the Venus retrograde in Gemini is an excellent time to support what you find of value. I deeply appreciate those of you who have chosen to be Faithful Monthly Avid Readers, Fairy Godparents and Guardian Angels as I endeavor to help you put the headlines in perspective during these oh-so interesting times.

Stay safe. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Maintain social distance. COVID-19 isn’t done with us yet. And if you’re out in the streets protesting, wear goggles and a helmet. Carry extra cell phone batteries, water and milk (for tear gas), as well as a first aid kit and phone numbers for the press and an attorney.

Tuesday 5/26/2020: Sneak Peek at a Short Work Week; Anything Goes

May 26, 2020/0 Comments/in The Forecast /by Elisabeth Grace

Good Morning!

Moon entered Cancer on Sunday at 7:09 PM ET, shifting our focus to needs of emotional, home and family security. At 2:48 AM ET on Monday, Mars — planet of action — made a cooperative connection (a sextile) to Uranus — planet of newfangled technology, seismic activity and unconventional types. This pattern is the only exact pattern we’ll have for the next eight days — other than aspects to the Moon.

Avid Readers will recall that these stretches of little-to-no planetary action should not be thought of as times when nothing is going on. We had one in April 2019 and another one in October. What I’ve noticed after observing them for the past several years is that they coincide with events like this: looking at a giant ice shelf on the most sparkling sunny day ever…and then, for no apparent reason, half the shelf crumbles into the ocean. So if an “other shoe” drops in the headlines — including an ice shelf — I will not be surprised, and neither should you.

The week goes like this:

TUESDAY — Moon in Cancer trines Neptune at 9:43 AM ET; note your dreams upon waking. A dreamy morning and early afternoon builds to an emotional catharsis or power play around 5:03 PM ET, as Moon opposes Pluto. An exuberant or wretchedly excessive release follows around 9:06 PM ET, when Moon opposes Jupiter, planet of expansion. Moon goes void for the rest of the evening, so chill, chill, chill!
WEDNESDAY — Moon enters Leo at 2:33 AM ET, looking for ways to shine and help others shine, too. Such efforts may be thwarted around 5:42 AM ET, as the Moon is opposed by Saturn, seeking to impose impersonal group-think technological controls upon someone’s sense of regal entitlement. A sense of balance returns by 3:02 PM ET, as the Moon sextiles (harmonizes with) the Gemini Sun, perhaps to announce a Very Important Message. At 5:34 PM ET we see the potential for an upset, as Moon is squared by rebel Uranus.
THURSDAY — begins sweetly enough, as Moon sextiles Venus in entertaining Gemini at 9:30 AM ET and goes void for the rest of the day. Now is the time to stick to routine concerns and roll with the twists and flakes that thwart your efforts to move forward in a straight line. See if you notice a sense of time slowing down during this long void — and if you’re not familiar with the term “moon void” here is a primer. Crises that crop up during voids are usually much ado about nothing — though with this Moon void in regal Leo, drama queens and kings may raise a royal ruckus. Coping strategy: schedule time for wandering and creative play.
THURSDAY — Mercury leaves Gemini at 2:09 PM ET. Watch for communication that demands our attention. Why? Because as it leaves Gemini and enters Cancer, Mercury will be at the Aries Point. And planets at the Aries Point (0 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn) get noticed. Watch for news involving these politicians born with Aries Point planets in their horoscopes (off the top of my head): Elizabeth Warren, Barack Obama, Adam Schiff, Lamar Alexander and Ted Cruz. Mercury in Cancer suggests a need to think that is more emotional and instinctual, less analytical.
FRIDAY — Moon enters Virgo at 7:40 AM ET, determined to sort out the details and put things back in perfect order. Plan accordingly, with an innovative spin. At 11:30 PM ET, Moon squares the Sun. This First Quarter Moon may bring up challenges to the agenda you set on last week’s New Moon. The next few hours may be provocative, as Moon is opposed by Mars (action; aggression) at 3:34 AM ET on…
SATURDAY. A clash between someone’s need for perfection and someone else’s need for frivolous entertainment may crop up around 11:14 AM ET, as Moon squares Venus. Moon opposes Neptune at 7:14 PM ET, perfect for music, art and other dreamy escapes. Just double check the instructions or directions, as Moon-Neptune patterns can also be foggy.
SUNDAY — Night owls and other creative types can make great use of the depth of perception suggested by the Moon-Pluto trine at 1:46 AM ET, followed by a Moon-Jupiter trine at 5:17 AM ET. Moon then goes void until 10:38 AM ET — a perfect morning for sleeping in. After 10:38 AM ET, Moon will be in Libra, seeking balance and fairness in relationship. A trine between the Moon and Saturn keeps it real around 1:20 PM ET. A square between the Moon and Mercury at 5:16 PM ET may find someone sulking about something they feel just isn’t fair.

And now, the news.

Most stories reflected the boundary-pushing idealism and/or delusion of Mercury (how we need to think and communicate) and Venus (our values and social expression) being literally out-of-bounds in Gemini, both square to weird, wild, duplicitous Neptune. The fact that Venus is still retrograde until June 25th suggests we will continue to see stories of social encounters sorely lacking in social graces. Remember the image I gave you a few weeks ago of Venus retrograde being like an opened can of sardines, exposing the stinky fish for all to see?

Exhibit A was all over Twitter yesterday — and described in a WaPo story this morning:

“A black birdwatcher asked a white woman to leash her dog in Central Park. She called the police instead” — and everything she said and did was caught on tape. Public outrage at Amy Cooper‘s decision to use false, manipulative and potentially destructive language actually crashed the website of her employer, Franklin Templeton. She’s since lost her dog, her reputation — and possibly her job. We don’t yet have a birth date for Amy Cooper, but her horoscope has to be hot right now — perhaps with some regally entitled Leo planets activated by Uranus and Saturn, as well as late-degree planets in Aries or Capricorn, too.

Also trending now on Twitter is Exhibit B:

“Husband of deceased Scarborough staffer asks Twitter to delete baseless Trump claims.” The “baseless claims” falsely accused the former Florida congressman and host of Morning Joe of murdering the “staffer,” Lori Klausutis, who died of natural causes. I wonder what would happen if everyone justifiably outraged by Ms. Cooper decided to forward her widower husband’s letter to Twitter honcho, Jack Dorsey.

Meanwhile…

Pushing boundaries thousands of miles away (while most Americans were focused on a three-day holiday weekend): “Mike Pompeo and the Australian TV interview that caused a diplomatic storm.”
Uproar in the UK as Dominic Cummings, an adviser to Boris Johnson, refuses to resign over outrageous breach of lockdown rules
China’s military is prepared to step up in response to Hong Kong protests;
Israel’s Netanyahu vows to push ahead with plans to annex the West Bank
“An international example of bad judgment: local officials stunned by raucous Memorial Day festivities”

Meanwhile…

Mercury-Venus square Neptune (drugs and fantastic escapes) was reflected in this NYT Sunday Magazine cover story: “A Hidden Origin Story of the CBD Craze”. This week’s magazine offers plenty of other creative coping strategies for the current quarantine.

In other news…

A sextile between Mars and Uranus is an apt pattern reflecting the buzz over the first planned launch of a (hu)manned space craft from U.S. soil since 2011. Doug and Bob are the astronauts in question; here’s the lengthy WaPo profile — and no, they are not the Doug and Bob McKenzie who had a hit single called “Take Off.” Those guys were going to the Great White North, not the Wild Blue Yonder.

Glancing at the chart for the planned launch — 4:33 PM ET on May 27 in Cape Canaveral, Florida — we immediately see that the ruler of the chart is retrograde, suggesting a higher than average probability that the launch will not happen on time. It was thus delightful to read in the lengthy WaPo profile that there is a 60% chance the launch won’t happen because of the weather. (Mission scrubbed at 4:17 PM ET — the retrograde ruler of the planned launch is one of several patterns suggesting a no-go).

Hard aspects between Mars and Uranus often reflect disruptions in aviation and seismic events. The recent sextile is a soft aspect, and thus not as destructive. New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern didn’t bat an eye when her live interview was disrupted by a magnitude 5.8 earthquake. A plane crash in Pakistan actually had a number of survivors.

Reflecting the weekend’s sobering Sun-Saturn trine, the front page of Sunday’s NYT presented this reality check:

The 1000 names listed on the front page represent just 1% of the nearly 100,000 lives claimed in the United States by the coronavirus. On the day this went to press, P45 went golfing.

To schedule a delightful consultation about your own unique and fabulous horoscope, here’s the 411. Here’s how to follow in Avid Reader Diane’s fabulous footsteps and support my efforts to keep you cosmically informed and help you make sense of these interesting times.

Thank you for reading this forecast — and sharing it with your friends.

This photo of Lady Liberty keeping New York safe by wearing a surgical mask aptly expresses the nurturing needs of today’s Moon in Cancer.

THE
FORECAST