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.

Saturday & Sunday 1/30-31/2021: Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius Survival Guide; Catching Up on the News

January 31, 2021/0 Comments/in The Forecast /by Elisabeth Grace

Happy Saturday!

Moon entered Virgo at 3:02 AM ET, seeking to put everything in order. Hopefully you backed up your computers before 10:51 AM ET, which is when Mercury turned retrograde…not to turn direct until February 20th. Here is what you need to know about survival the Messenger Planet’s apparent backward motion through the sky:

So many people who know nothing else about astrology have heard of Mercury retrograde. Often it elicits curses and groans, and that’s a shame. Yes, all of the flights on American Airlines may be grounded because of a computer glitch, and the entire country of Finland may be offline because of a transportation strike. These things actually happened on the first day of Mercury retrogrades past. But there’s much good that can be accomplished when the Messenger Planet appears to be retracing its steps.

Mercury—which in the language of astrology refers to mindset, travel and communication—will appear to move backward through the sky until February 20th. It’s not really moving backward, but that is how it looks from our perspective here on Spaceship Earth. Mercury goes retrograde 3-4 times each year, for a period of 22 days.

Contrary to popular belief, Mercury retrogrades are no reason to freak out. Mercury retrograde gets a bad rap because we are geared, in this crazy modern age, to always be thinking, doing, moving FORWARD. You 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. Why else would your computer, phone and/or car choose THIS time to malfunction? Because you are supposed to be slowing down. And as you slow down, it is vitally important that you FOCUS.

When Mercury is retrograde, be prepared for travel delays, scheduling screw-ups, mechanical breakdowns, computer crashes, having to repeat what you’ve just said, misunderstandings, the past coming back for a second look, surprise reunions and having to repeat what you just said. Use your FOCUS and double check important details, like email addresses, instructions for assembling IKEA furniture. Read the instructions more than once — and don’t hesitate to ask for help. FOCUS!!!!!!!!!

If you are looking for a job, Mercury retrogrades are a perfect time to reach out to people from your past. Mine your address book and trust that your contacts will be happy to hear from you. However, do not be frustrated if your target is away on vacation or keeps rescheduling meetings. Also, triple check your emails and resumes before you hit “send,” as there is a higher probability of typos and other sloppy snafus.

In your business, you’ll need to make sure all communications have been received and are clearly understood. Be mindful of the higher potential for communications equipment to go on the fritz. MAKE SURE YOUR FILES ARE BACKED UP. Also be aware of a higher than average probability for delays in shipping and travel arrangements. For this you will need an extra dose of patience.

You may also find it profitable to REview a project from the past. Maybe you shelved it then, but now is the time to REconsider. However, be advised that a spontaneous, “out-of-the-blue” idea for advancement may not be so sound when Mercury turns direct. This is why the conventional wisdom advises against finalizing and/or signing contracts on deals during Mercury retrograde. An exception might be supported if you are REnegotiating or RElocating. If you absolutely must close a deal, triple check everything.

This is a good time to schedule a corporate REtreat. Any activity that affords the opportunity to REview past performance is encouraged. REsearch on a new strategy is also favored.

Mercury retrogrades are not favored for launching a new website or a new communications systems. There is a higher than average probability of technical glitches and confusion. I can tell you horror stories about a certain prestigious college’s lackluster launch of a website/communications portal which occurred a few years ago, on a day when Mercury was stationary retrograde. The portal was completely redone last year. No surprise there.

Adopt a playful attitude of flexibility to whatever twists you encounter. Avoid making major purchases (especially electronic ones). Don’t believe everything you hear or read in the papers. Rumors have a higher probability of spreading during Mercury retrogrades. Avoid losing patience — that’s a big one.

When in doubt, be silent!

Do plan on RElaxing, REviewing, REsearching, REorganizing, REgenerating, REconnecting and REcreating…and REviewing your life with your astrologer.

Mercury turns retrograde at 26 degrees of Aquarius…and retraces its steps all the way back to 11 degrees of Aquarius. It turns direct on February 20th, and arrives at 26 Aquarius again on the New Moon of March 13th.

Astrologer Robert Wilkinson (who wrote the book on Mercury retrograde) sees Mercury Rx in Aquarius as an opportunity to review old ideals with a mind to fresh application, “furthering the work that was done before by another,” especially in social service. It’s an apt time to review friendships and groups of like-minded souls. Wherever 26 Aquarius – 11 Aquarius falls in your horoscope is where you may be re-evaluating old ideals and associations.

The Sabian Symbol for this Mercury retrograde is “an ancient pottery bowl filled with violets.” Sabian Sage Blain Bovee shares thoughts on this lovely image here. It’s fascinating that his book on the Sabian Symbols makes a connection between these violets and the “pocket full of posies,” mentioned in the rhyme many Brits and Americans learned to sing in their youth. The “posies” are a protection against the plague– and getting the world vaccinated against Covid will certainly be in the news during this retrograde!!!

Anyhoo…this week, Mercury Rx activates seeds that were planted on the New Moon of August 2020 — a hot time for President Biden and P45. When Mercury turns direct on February 20th, it will activate happenings around October 12 and November 19. 2020 — the latter of which was significant in President Biden’s horoscope.

Back to the weekend forecast:

SUNDAY: another full day of Moon in Virgo supports your reorganizing and reconnecting projects. Communication around noon ET may be a bit off-track, as Moon opposes Neptune. Physical energy is running high, as the Sun prepares to square Mars on…
MONDAY: at 5:33 AM ET. Find a pleasant and productive channel, perhaps utilizing the good graces of a harmony between the Moon and Venus at 6:09 AM ET. After a 16-minute void, Moon enters Libra, seeking fairness and balance in relationship. At 9:05 AM ET, Venus leaves Capricorn for Aquarius, where values, money, social expression and art need to be less concerned about climbing ladders of success and more concerned with being accessible to all.

And now, the news.

Mercury turning retrograde just two days before a potentially combative square between Mars (cars, head) and the Sun is seen here:

“Dodger Stadium vaccination site shut down” as protestors cause delays

Last week’s big patterns included:

Sun in Aquarius square Uranus (in Taurus); Sun conjunct Jupiter, suggesting themes of big tech, big gains (for the masses, not necessarily the usual Powers That Be), big wack-a-doodles (Uranus refers to eccentrics and fringe elements); big rewards that are socially significant
Venus conjunct Pluto in Capricorn: themes of empowerment/transformation re: women, values, money, social expression, art. Also: emotional overkill.

And here are a few stories:

We lost two great women actors: Cicely Tyson and Cloris Leachman, aged 96 and 94, respectively
“Sophie, pioneering trans-artist, dies in accident at 34″
Janet Yellen confirmed as first female U.S. Treasury Secretary
“Makers of Sophia the robot plan mass rollout amid pandemic”
In the language of astrology, the Sun rules gold; Uranus refers to accidents. On Monday there was a fatal explosion in a gold mine in China
“‘Immunological unicorn’: the Australian lab growing coronavirus – and its startling discovery”
“Meet YInMn, the first new blue pigment in two centuries — created by accident” (!!!)
“New electric car batteries can re-charge in five minutes,”
“GM plans to phase out gas and diesel vehicles by 2035″
President Biden backs up his commitment to deal with climate change by getting U.S. government to kick its addiction to oil: no more combustion engines; no more drilling on public lands. He’s up to 42 executive orders as of this writing — and Heather Cox Richardson is keeping track of them daily.
In HCR’s latest post, she notes how forcefully the president is moving ahead on his agenda, while staying within the boundaries of the Executive Branch. It’s an apt reflection of the horoscope for his inauguration, which has combative Mars and rebel Uranus in an area (the 12th house) where its destructive potential is muffled. In contrast, the chart for the 117th Congress has Mars and Uranus in a much more open and powerful place. The fighting amongst themselves is obvious, and is currently detracting from other patterns that do support accomplishment.

Fun fact: if you were born around the 30th of January, April, July or October OR have a significant placement in your horoscope around 7 degrees of Leo, Aquarius, Scorpio or Taurus, you’re likely experiencing a few shake-ups in your own personal world, as in:

Exhibit A: Leon Black, the chairman of MoMA and former hedge fund bigshot who resigned from the latter after more information came out re: the tens of millions of dollars he paid Jeffrey Epstein. We’ll see how long he can hang on to his post at MoMA.
Exhibit B: George W. Bush did not choose sides in the November election (save for endorsing Maine’s senator, Susan Collins). But this week, he was motivated to voice support for Exhibit C and sent 80th birthday greetings to Exhibit D (Liz and Dick Cheney, respectively). Rep Liz Cheney is under fire from seditionists in the Republican Party, who want to punish her for voting to impeach P45.
Exhibit E: Jen Psaki is the new White House Press Secretary. The shake-ups in her horoscope suggest a windfall opportunity (“Congratulations, you’re hired!”), and an innovative platform for social expression. She’s a Sagittarius with Moon in late Sagittarius or Capricorn, with three other planets in Sagittarius. Every horoscope has contradictory patterns, and Psaki’s is no exception. On the one hand, her Mercury and Mars in Sagittarius are conjunct Neptune. This suggests words and actions that need to be optimistic, opinionated and boundary-pushing, and also charismatic and visionary. On the other hand, these planets in high-flying Sagittarius are grounded by a square to Saturn in detail-oriented Virgo. Enthusiasm is balanced by caution. In a recent NPR interview, Psaki gets props for being “professional and generous — not what we’re used to.” That generosity is reflected in her horoscope by a Venus-Jupiter square, and this is the pattern that’s been activated in recent weeks by transiting Uranus (windfall opportunities; innovative creative outlets).

Meanwhile, there is GameStop, whose meteoric and shocking performance perfectly reflected planetary patterns. You know what happened, right? The stock soared because a group of small-time investors in the Reddit forum Wall Street Bets (power to the little people/Jupiter-Saturn in Aquarius square Uranus in Taurus) started buying it — not because of its intrinsic value, mind you — but simply as a way to push the value up. In doing so, they blindsided the Pluto in (corporate) Capricorn hedge funds, who’d placed bets that GameStop’s value would tank, as Stephen Colbert explains. The hedge funds lost millions; the masses made money, like this 10-year-old in San Antonio, TX. And then “the masses” started playing with the value of other companies, e.g. American Airlines and AMC.

I’ve noted the potential of 2021’s series of squares between Saturn and Uranus a number of times in this forecast over the years. The exact dates are February 17, June 15 and December 24. The last challenging pattern between these two planets was a series of five oppositions between November 4, 2008 and July 26, 2010.

I leave you with the latest from the Good News Network.

What’s going on in your horoscope? Here’s the 411 on personal consultations — and here’s the 411 on the Empowered Astrology Conference happening online March 11 – 14. This is an annual gathering with a stellar faculty — check it out!

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

Monday 1/25/2021: Sneak Peek at the Week; Full Moon in Leo: Mercury Retrograde Alert!

January 25, 2021/0 Comments/in The Forecast /by Elisabeth Grace

Wowwwwww….what a week! How did everyone sleep? Better?

This week offers a similar surge of energy, as the Sun will make contact with Uranus (surprise!) and Jupiter (big!). Emotions are running high, represented by Thursday’s Full Moon in Leo, combined with that Sun-Jupiter conjunction and a conjunction between Venus-Pluto in Capricorn. The weekend features another build-up of energy, as the Sun squares Mars (action! aggression!) on February 1st.

Soooooo much energy….and then we have Mercury (how we need to think and communicate), slowing to a virtual standstill this week. Why? Because Mercury turns retrograde on Friday! BACK UP YOUR COMPUTERS NOW. Here’s how the week rolls:

MONDAY: You can take it slow in the morning, as the Gemini Moon will be void between 2:15 AM ET and 1:51 PM ET. A void Moon is a time to stick to routine tasks, roll with the twists and flakes that may disrupt your focus & don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. It is not a time for impulse shopping, as items purchased during voids often do not live up to expectations. One expression of the Moon void happened to me when I realized that subscribers of this forecast were emailed one of my “Charts in the News” columns this morning. This was completely unintentional; I meant for it to accompany this forecast, not replace it. And alas and alack, I can only send one subscriber email within a 24 hour period –and so on and so on. D’oh you pesky Moon void AND Mercury slowing to a standstill!!! Will everyone please remember to FOCUS this week? That means me, too! (In other news, it’s not a bad idea to visit my website directly to see if the forecast has posted, but not yet emailed. This one has been up since Monday afternoon.)
MONDAY: Once the Moon enters Cancer, that focus can be on building home and family security — with a mind to the disruptive buzz that is STILL in the air from last week. Why? Because Uranus — the Great Awakener — hasn’t finished making contact with all of its cosmic friends. Last week it made contact with Mars and Jupiter and on…
TUESDAY: at 7:48 AM ET, Uranus squares the Sun. Themes of freedom, revolution, aviation, seismic action, astrology, gender benders and how that applies to leaders/CEO and willpower will be making news. So perhaps we will see some truly innovative efforts at preserving the emotional security this day’s Cancer Moon seeks. These efforts should feel better than the heavy reality checks we experienced over the weekend, as the Sun met up with Saturn. Meanwhile, Moon makes a cooperative contact with Mars at 8:17 AM ET, and cruises through the rest of the day.
WEDNESDAY: emotions are on the rise in the morning, as the Cancer Moon opposes Venus (10:36 AM ET) and Pluto (12:54 PM ET). The Moon-Pluto face-off suggests a catharsis or power play, as there may be a temptation to get carried away in the ensuing NINE-HOUR VOID. Remember that crises which crop up during void are often much ado about nothing. CHILL — and prepare for the grand entrance of the Leo Moon at 9:53 PM ET. A Leo Moon is an apt backdrop for fun, entertainment and love, love, love! This is a time to shine — and help others shine, too — with a compliment or whatever you have to give. Tonight may be more fun than…
THURSDAY morning: when the Leo Moon’s parade may be rained on by a 6:40 AM ET opposition from Saturn, symbol of necessary control. Saturn is in Aquarius for the next two years and is inclined to think of what’s best for the group, not the drama king. A shake-up or breakthrough follows at 10:11 AM ET, as the Moon is squared by Uranus.
THURSDAY: Emotional response may be grand to the extreme — for better or worse. Venus (who, what and how we need to love) meets up with Pluto in Capricorn at 11:18 AM ET. This is an intense focus on social status and hierarchy, especially in matters of women, aesthetics, money and social expression. Three hours later, the Leo Moon opposes the Aquarius Sun, and we may experience an illumination in matters of personal ego recognition vs. the impersonal energy of the group.

Here is the chart for the Full Moon, set in Washington D.C.:

Observations:

The Ascendant is 0 degrees Cancer — the very beginning of the sign. There’s much free will at play for the nation in this lunar cycle;
Boy oh boy are there a lot of planets — five — in the 8th house (of death, debts, taxes, inheritance & things that demand investigation as a result of being locked away).
Two of those five planets — the buoyant meet-up of Sun and Jupiter — are rushing into the 9th house (of foreign affairs, legal concerns, publishing, travel). That’s where we’re likely to see a light shining brightly.
Leo Moon is in the 2nd (money and values), opposed by that grandly humanitarian Jupiter — but also about to square a stubborn Mars (taking action), after being zapped with a 20,000 volt cattle prod (square to Uranus). Think we’ll be fighting about money/values for the next couple of weeks? I sure do. Note that the Aquarius Sun will square Mars, too.
Mercury (how we think and communicate) is definitely in the 9th house, almost at a dead stop as it prepares to turn retrograde on January 30th. Mercury is not connected to any other planets in this chart, so it’s likely to demand a ton of attention in matters of publishing, legal and foreign affairs.
The Sabian Symbols for this Full Moon are “early morning dew” (for the Leo Moon) and “a popularity that proves ephemeral” (for the Aquarius Sun). Both tend to be sparkling and short-lived, but may return again after seeming to literally dry up and blow away. Thus Sabian Sage Blain Bovee suggests we keep an eye out for news involving comebacks (reflecting Mercury retrograde, no doubt), and also time-limited opportunities to sparkle and shine (which should be handled with “a graceful touch…knowing when to put your face forward and when to disappear.”) Enjoy these good times while they last (advises Bovee), with a sense of ease about their ephemeral nature. That sparkling (and refreshing) morning dew is bound to return…again and again.
Here’s how Beth Owl’s Daughter’s Tarot Card of the Week sees it.

Back to…

THURSDAY: the fall-out from the Full Moon is big and provocative, as Moon opposes Jupiter at 2:38 PM ET and squares Mars at 5:31 PM ET. The evening is positively grand or excessive, as Sun meets up with Jupiter at 8:38 PM ET. Are you an Aquarius, Leo, Scorpio or Taurus born around the 28th of your birth month? You are more personally affected by this week’s planetary action. Same if your Ascendant and Midheaven are around 4 – 8 degrees of those signs. Lots of people making news this week are in this category. Consult your local astrologer for details.
FRIDAY: Moon in Leo rumbles through the day, mostly without interference. A clash of thought and communication may manifest around 8:52 PM ET, as Moon opposes Mercury…and then goes void with a sigh. Chill!
SATURDAY: Moon enters Virgo at 3:02 AM ET, seeking to put everything in order. REorganizing and REview is an excellent strategy today, courtesy of Mercury turning retrograde at 10:51 AM ET…not to turn direct until Feburary 20th. Here’s a link to your Really Useful Mercury Retrograde Survival Guide .
SUNDAY: another full day of Moon in Virgo supports your reorganizing and reconnecting projects. Communication around noon ET may be especially off-track, as Moon opposes Neptune. Physical energy is running high, as the Sun prepares to square Mars early Monday morning. Find a productive channel.

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And now, the news.

First, the Biden-Harris inauguration — here are the highlights from NBC News. But how did it reflect the astrology of that day? You will remember that the Moon was at the last degree of me-first, me-rush Aries — and it was void! This suggests twists and flakes in efforts to move forward in a straight line:

Justice Sonia Sotomayor mispronounced VP Kamala Harris’ name (!!!) while swearing her in at 11:42 AM ET
Harris almost fell down the stairs on her way to the inauguration
There was an awkward moment of silence while Senator Amy Klobuchar was serving as emcee (a perfect task for a double Gemini)
President Biden was sworn in at 11:48 AM ET, not noon (!!). This prompted a flurry of discussion on astrology forums re: which time should be used for the start of his Administration. The 11:48 AM ET is much more volatile than the noon chart (!!!), as it puts that day’s Mars-Uranus conjunction closer to the Ascendant. We’ll have to see how these two charts respond to transits over time, though constitutional scholars insist that Biden’s term began at noon, period, end of story because the Constitution says so. But isn’t it TOTALLY COOL that there were twists and flakes, reflecting the Aries Moon void? Astrology is amazing!!! What’s going on in your horoscope? Don’t you want to know?????
Lady Gaga’s Venus in Aries (red) is currently supercharged by Pluto (black), as seen in her empowering performance of the national anthem and red & black gown.
We wonder if National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman‘s Cancer Moon is being similarly supercharged by Pluto, given the surge of accolades she received after reading her poem “The Hill We Climb” (March 7, 1998 in LA — no birth time). We know she has Mars in Aries — at the Aries Point, demanding attention. Do you think that reflects her talked-about bright red headdress?
Bernie Sanders’ handmade mittens and jacket became an internet sensation.
When the Bidens arrived at the White House later that afternoon, they were kept waiting outside the front door — reportedly because the former occupants had 1) fired the Chief Usher; and 2) sent all the other ushers home early. Surprise!

Astrologers weren’t crazy about that afternoon’s Mars-Uranus conjunction, as it suggested explosive activity. I thought the Moon void might take the edge off, along with the Moon’s ingress into Taurus (which is reliably resistant to heavy disruption). There were a few notable disruptions in the news, including an explosion in Madrid, a small temblor in LA and a fatal military helicopter crash in upstate New York.

Then again, it could be argued that the disruptive potential of the Mars-Uranus conjunction in Taurus –– a sign that needs to preserve things The Way They Ought to Be — was in fact all over this inauguration. That afternoon, with a stroke of his pen, President Biden signed over a dozen executive orders, many reversing isolationist P45 policies and replacing them with initiatives aptly expressing the humanitarian, tech-friendly, eco-conscious, all humans are created equal potential of Jupiter-Saturn in Aquarius. Here’s a list of 50 things that have changed for the better — just like that — compiled by WaPo columnist Jennifer Rubin. VP Kamala Harris swore in three new senators, giving the Democrats the majority. Just like that. There was a truly inspiring virtual parade (so diverse!) and at the end of the day, the most massive display of fireworks I’ve ever seen. Fun fact: the First Lady’s white dress — btw — is embroidered with flowers from all 50 states. Inclusive! Diverse! Aquarius!!

Other items hitting the wires as I’m typing this:

Reflecting this week’s Venus (money, women) – Pluto (power) meet-up in Capricorn and all the other groovy Aquarian patterns, Harriet Tubman is now back on a fast track to replace Andrew Johnson on the $20 bill.
Andrew Johnson is also out of the Oval Office, having been replaced by a portrait of Benjamin Franklin — who — along with the United States will soon experience his first Pluto Return. Here’s who else is gracing the Oval Office (portraits, busts, etc.) — I’m sure their horoscopes are hot, too.
Biden signed an executive order lifting the ban on transgender persons serving in the military

In other news…

I saw Saturday’s Sun-Saturn conjunction (heavy news, some of it involving leaders) and Mars-Jupiter square (big news in sports, broadcasting, courts, travel) in the obituaries:

Media icon Larry King dies at 87
Baseball great Hank Aaron dies at 86
Dr. Deborah Birx tells “Face the Nation” that P45 was given “parallel data” — a.k.a. alternative facts about Covid (that contradicted her own data, but she didn’t bother to tell anyone about it — until now)
It’s confirmed: there was no P45 Administration plan to distribute the Covid vaccine
Tom Brady is heading to the Super Bowl again — but did you know that his parents had severe cases of Covid?

Elsewhere, the NYT wonders what defines “domestic abuse” and argues that it includes “coercive control”

WaPo has this to offer: “Senate gridlock threatens Biden agenda.” Oh, but wait. Hours later, as the Sun squares gridlock-blasting Uranus, they’re good to go.

We are learning more and more about lawmakers and/or law enforcers who facilitated P45’s attempted coup on January 6th, as in:

“Calls mount for Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) to resign“
Josh Hawley (R-MO) has been planning to run for president in 2024 since he was 15
P45‘s impeachment trial is supposed to begin on February 9th. On that day, Mercury will be right back where it was on January 20th — Inauguration Day.

Meanwhile…

Lawyer/activist Alexei Navalny reflected the daring/reckless patterns currently active in his horoscope by flying home to Russia, where he was immediately arrested (on live TV) and imprisoned. Navalny responded by releasing a 90-minute documentary on a secret $1.3 billion palace he alleges Vladimir Putin built — with suspect funds. In less than a week, the video has been viewed 80 million times — and apparently its allegations of corruption are making an impact. Navalny called for Russians to take to the streets in protest — which they did en masse over the weekend, in sub-zero temperatures.

When we compare Navalny’s horoscope with what we believe may be Vladimir Putin‘s, it’s clear Navalny’s existence disrupts Putin’s need to be seen in total control. First, Navalny can’t help but attract attention. If he’s around in mid-May, when Jupiter enters Pisces, it will be opposing not only his Virgo Moon, but modern Russia’s, too. This suggests expansion of a need to make things right.

If Putin’s birth time is correct, we see how he will need to do some serious core foundation work in 2022, with a potential change of status to follow. Fun fact: on January 6th (the attempted coup in Washington), patterns in his horoscope were expansive. On January 20th (the Biden-Harris inauguration), patterns suggested a potential loss. Coincidence or conspiracy? I don’t know, but President Biden is already in Putin’s face, calling for the release of Navalny and his supporters.

Finally, if you’re a researcher and have convincing evidence for “the survival of consciousness after permanent bodily death,” you could win hundreds of thousands of dollars in an essay contest. Wheeeeee!

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A representation of this week’s planetary patterns!

Monday 1/18/2021: Late Sneak Peek at the Week; Biden-Harris Inauguration

January 19, 2021/0 Comments/in The Forecast /by Elisabeth Grace

And…we’re off to the races again. Racing is an apt word for a day driven by the Moon in me-me-me-first Aries, where it has been since 2:07 AM ET. Cooperative aspects between Saturn and Jupiter at 9:19 AM ET and 6:57 PM ET keep the action going without too many speedbumps.

Today we honor the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., who was actually born on January 15, 1929 at 11:21 AM in Atlanta, GA. Dr. King was a Sun Sign Capricorn (the energy to make things happen in order to move forward), with Moon in Pisces, which needs to work with the collective soul and other intangibles…a dream, perhaps? Since the horoscope lives forever, we immediately take notice of transiting Pluto about to meet-up with Dr. King’s 25 Capricorn Sun, and transiting Neptune on Dr. King’s 19 Pisces Moon. Translation: Dr. King’s visionary ideals are more revved up than ever, and we expect his efforts to administer social progress will manifest in a power play, possibly being torn down and transformed over the next two years.

Other components of Dr. King’s horoscope are also hot this year. King’s Jupiter at the beginning of Taurus seeks its reward in material comfort and security, in The Way Things Ought To Be. It was just activated by the Jupiter-Saturn in early Aquarius, and by transiting Mars in Taurus. Dr. King’s unaspected Mercury at 11 Aquarius (how he needs to think and communicate) will soon find plenty of channels via contacts with Mars, Uranus, Jupiter and Saturn. For more on his horoscope, here’s a post from January 2012.

So. It was pretty quiet over the weekend relatively speaking, as anticipated. Here’s what’s coming next:

TUESDAY: More Moon in Aries, with the Sun at 29 Capricorn — squaring the place where Mars was at on January 6th. We will likely see a recurrence of assertive/aggressive energy; perhaps it will involve leaders and CEOs, as well as willpower, ego identity and the heart. Since I wrote that line last week, it was announced that P45 is expected to pardon 100 people on Tuesday. For the record, Ghislaine Maxwell’s horoscope is days away from two patterns that often coincide with honor and recognition, potentially being at the top of one’s game in whatever arena one happens to be in. As for P45, according to my nifty Solar Fire software program, he needs to be aware that
“Your life is changing and you feel insecure. However these changes are manifesting in your life, your perceptions are unlikely to be correct right now. You would be well advised to think before you speak. In the meantime you could enjoy going to the cinema or spending time with young children and animals. Counseling may also be beneficial.”
Another pattern exact for P45 on Tuesday is one suggesting “meetings with unusual persons; temporary contacts,” — add it to the mix for whatever message to the masses the Aries Moon reflects as it travels through his 9th House (of broadcasting & legal opinions).
TUESDAY: Sun enters Aquarius at 3:39 PM ET — worsening in condition (argue traditional astrologers), because it’s tough to shine as a king or queen when you’re traveling through a sign that reflects the interests of all humanity. My money says we’ll see plenty of Aquarians shine in 2021, as Jupiter travels through that sign for most of the year. Same for those with Aquarius Ascendants and Midheavens (e.g. Mitt Romney).
WEDNESDAY: Moon squares Pluto at 3:28 AM ET, suggesting a power play or catharsis. Moon then goes void for the next 10 and half hours, so CHILL! This is a potentially volatile day — all around the world — though experience suggests that the Moon void may take the edge off of the explosive potential of Mars meeting up with Uranus at 3:37 PM ET.

In Washington, D.C. (and the Eastern Time Zone in general), keep an eye on the action around 6:20 AM and 7:45 AM ET, and again around 11:30 AM and 12:40 PM ET. The early morning times correspond to P45‘s departure from Washington via Andrews AFB. It’s good to read that those in charge of security are saying that they are on high alert, as in “All 25K National Guardsmen going to Washington for the Inauguration are being subject to extra vetting.”

Here is chart for the Constitutionally mandated inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr.:

With the Moon void at 29 Aries, a twist or delay would not be surprising Who remembers the time Chief Justice Roberts flubbed a line during Obama’s first inauguration in 2009? The Moon was void (and there was a do-over when the Moon was not void). Today’s Moon is exactly where Mars was on January 6th, recalling the aggressive energy of that day. The Moon in this chart refers to the people, so here we have a populace that is all fired up about its righteous crusade. No matter what side you’re on in this righteous crusade, the next step for the Moon is Taurus, where it needs to establish a materially comfortable status quo. This Aries Moon also refers to the reigning need of the Biden Administration, i.e., to lead, inspire and start things that have never been started before. It is square the Aquarius Sun, a sign that it is being born at a time of crisis. Ya think?

Mars and Uranus are in Taurus the 12th house — with the Aries Moon. This suggests a need to shake up the system. Mars in the 12th is an excellent placement for assertive energy that serves the needs of a group, as opposed to one person’s ego. You may see it in the horoscopes of surgeons and quarterbacks. In an event chart, Mars in the 12th may weaken or subvert its destructive potential. Compare this chart with the 117th Congress’ horoscope, which you’ll find in my latest “Charts in the News” column for The Mountain Astrologer.

As encouraging as this potential seems so far, note also that Saturn is squaring Uranus. This is a tension we will all be dealing with in 2021, and it is one of the dominant patterns this year. It represents the needs of the old guard vs. the needs of the avant garde. It’s a conflict, and it’s a stubborn one. One day, efforts are blocked. The next day, a lightning bolt strikes the tower.

Pluto on the Midheaven denotes a transformation, with the upside being empowerment. Biden’s administration has the potential to tear down and rebuild the American presidency. He’s already released a list of executive orders planned for his first ten days in office that reflect the new business model demanded by the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in Aquarius:

Overhaul of immigration laws
Cancel Keystone pipeline
$1.9 trillion Covid relief bill to be introduced
White House science post is elevated to a Cabinet position
Diversity
And plenty more, listed in the NYT right here
Fun fact: Robert Reich wants us to know (via Twitter) that America’s billionaires could give everybody in the country a $3,000 stimulus check and still be richer than they were before the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the chart ruler is Venus in Capricorn, trine the Ascendant and sextile Neptune. That’s good for the arts, humanities, healing and being well-received. Of course Biden’s inauguration address will call for unity.

In this schedule of inauguration events, there will be a “memorial to honor and remember the [400,000 American] lives lost to Covid-19.” At 5:30 PM ET on Tuesday, towns and cities across the country are invited to illuminate buildings and ring church bells. It’s about time.

Here is a write-up of Biden‘s horoscope.

Here is a write-up of Kamala Harris‘ horoscope.

Meanwhile, I was delighted to be invited to talk more about the Biden-Harris inauguration with journalist and cultural critic Whitney M. Fishburn. If you’re a paying supporter of docu-mental, her online journal about American thought and culture, check out the conversation.

WEDNESDAY (CONT.): Moon enters Taurus at 1:56 PM ET. At 3:37 PM ET, Mars meets up with Uranus in Taurus, which would be super-fabulous for a NASA launch, as it suggests daring and technological innovation. It also reflects reckless action in the headlines, as we’ve seen over and over again in over ten years of writing this forecast. Moon squares Sun and Saturn around 4 PM and 10 PM ET, respectively. Tension between the need to resist change and the need to serve the greater good. For a sense of what that tension looks like, here is Beth Owl’s Daughter’s Tarot Card for the Week.
THURSDAY: Moon in Taurus moves forward on its need to build and maintain material comfort and security.
FRIDAY: More of the same, with the Moon going void at 4:27 PM ET. Action over the past few days may be boundary-pushing in the most buoyant of ways, with a square between Mars and Jupiter, exact at…
SATURDAY: …2:48 AM ET. Moon enters clever Gemini five minutes beforehand. Overall these patterns suggest an easy airy flow, and let’s hope the sweetly forgiving sextile between Venus and Neptune (exact at 2:48 PM ET), can work more of that kind of healing balm, as opposed to dreamily deluded idealism. At 10 PM ET, the annual conjunction of the Sun and Saturn suggests heavy news involving leaders and CEOs. You’re more personally affected by the streamlining focus if you have planets around 4 degrees of Aquarius, Scorpio, Leo or Taurus. Time to get real. Consult your local astrologer for details.
SUNDAY: Moon in Gemini gets the word out about whatever gravitas gripped our attention last night. A dreamy or surreal escape may be yours around 4:30 PM ET, as Moon squares wiggy Neptune.

And now, the news….

…which reflects these patterns — exact last week:

Mercury conjunct Jupiter in Aquarius — square Uranus (big humanitarian ideas; big breaks; sky-high innovation)
Mars square Saturn — militant discipline in matters of guns, men, control, anger
Sun conjunct Pluto in Capricorn — power plays, catharses and gut renovations re: leaders
Uranus turned direct — seismic activity; revolutions; liberation; aerospace

Ready?

“When hackers can take your nether regions hostage, something has gone very wrong”
“NRA files for bankruptcy, seeking to avoid NY lawsuit”
Scores are killed in earthquake in Indonesia
Virgin Orbit launches rocket from 747
“North Korea’s Kim could be planning missile launch to welcome Biden Administration” — indeed, and since this story just posted, note how it reflects Wednesday’s Mars-Uranus meet-up
Lisbeth Salander would be proud of the hacker who apparently downloaded everything on Parler before it went offline
“Electric eels hunt in packs, shocking prey and scientists”
Why physicist Avi Loeb thinks there’s a “serious possibility” that ‘Oumuamua was an alien spacecraft
Russia withdraws from the Open Skies treaty
Dutch government collapses over benefits scandal
Italy’s premier struggles to keep his government from collapsing
Estonia’s prime minister resigns in corruption scandal
Angela Merkel‘s party has chosen a successor to lead them into Germany’s federal election in September. Merkel is one of the world’s longest-serving current heads of state; she will soon step down.
Airlines banning checked firearms on DC-bound flights; Capitol insurgents end up on no-fly lists
P45 administration executes last of thirteen people in unprecedented killing spree

And oh, yeah…

P45 impeached for “incitement of insurrection” — stay tuned for the upcoming trial. If convicted, P45 does not get to pass GO, collect hundreds of thousands of dollars in pension, travel and security benefits — nor can he ever hold office again.

UPDATE: on Liz Cheney — first discussed here in July 2013, when Saturn in Scorpio was squaring her Sun-Mercury conjunction at 5-6 Leo. All this month, transiting Uranus has been squaring her Mercury, suggesting an opportunity for a surprising and daring change of mindset. Cheney was one of nine Republicans in the House who voted to impeach P45, which has generated criticism from the GOP in her home state of Wyoming. Within the next several weeks, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will challenge her Sun-Mercury. A squeeze, an expansion or a bit of both?

Meanwhile, the Washington Post is has amazing reporting on the January 6th attempted coup at the Capitol — with a video timeline here. So much more will be uncovered in the next Mercury retrograde, which begins on January 30th.

Stay tuned to this channel for continuing updates. To support the effort it takes to produce these musings, please consider tossing a bit of silver into the Cosmic Tip Jar — in a Joyful Random Expression or Faithful Monthly Expression of Appreciation.

Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.

Thank you for reading this forecast.

Monday 1/11/2021: Sneak Peek at the Next Two Weeks; Uranus Direct; Mars in the Mix & More

January 11, 2021/0 Comments/in The Forecast /by Elisabeth Grace

OK, kids — buckle up, it’s gonna be another busy week — and all through the rest of the month.

At 8:29 AM ET, Moon wrapped up a 19-hour void in righteously opinionated Sagittarius and entered Capricorn. Your mission: to make things happen, facilitated by a harmony with Mars (action!) at 12:15 PM ET. That’s followed by a (conciliatory?) meet-up with Venus at 3:14 PM ET, which in turn is followed by a harmony to Uranus, planet of technology and unconventional alliances. Also exact today — and in effect for the past several days: a focused meet-up between Mercury (how we need to think and communicate) and Jupiter (expansion, broadcasting, dogma) in Aquarius (the greatest good for the greatest number; groups, friends, networks, technology). Are we all on the same page yet? More and more of us should be.

If you’re new to this forecast and don’t know what a Moon void is, look here.

In the U.S. Congress, the House is getting its impeachment papers in order. But first, they are asking VP Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment — which it seems the Republicans will block.

In your own personal world, get the word out — with militant discipline that will clearly be apparent by Wednesday. Note that we are in the balsamic phase of the lunar cycle — i.e., a dead Moon. This lack of light grants cover to clandestine meetings — and you better believe those are happening. It is natural to feel a sense of listlessness or restlessness in the dark, wondering what the new cycle will bring.

TUESDAY: No exact aspects, other than a visionary cooperation between the Capricorn Moon and Neptune at 4:16 PM ET. The militant discipline driving you to take care of business is brought to you by a square between Mars and Saturn, exact on…
WEDNESDAY:…at 6:01 AM ET. This is the third of a series of Mars-Saturn squares that began in 2020. The difference is that in 2020, Mars was in Aries — functioning with efficiency and dignity; Saturn was in Capricorn — one sign it rules. We had clashes between the me-me-me crowd and the forces of necessary authoritative control. This last square is between Mars in mine-mine-mine Taurus, a stubborn, earthy and traditionally undignified expression. I thought of Mars in Taurus when it was reported that P45 supporters who attacked the Capitol on Wednesday left their literal sh*t all over the place. Now we have this mine-mine-mine energy of assertion and action squaring off against the humanitarian and/or revolutionary structures of Saturn in Aquarius. In such a contest, Saturn — operating as a humanitarian helper/healer — is more likely to prevail. Saturn functions at its highest potential in Aquarius. If you were born with Saturn in Aquarius, you’re here to help — and hopefully you’ve figured out how to do just that.
WEDNESDAY: Before this militantly disciplined Mars-Saturn pattern is exact, we’ll have a New Moon at exactly midnight (!) ET. It’s at 23 Capricorn, and it exactly opposes P45’s Saturn in Cancer, which represents his authority/ambition (in his unique horoscope), as well as his need for appreciation and ego expression. Here is the New Moon chart, set in Washington, D.C.

A pause, while we discuss this intensely potent chart. Look at all those planets: Moon, Sun, Pluto, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars — in the 4th house. That is the U.S. homeland, and this is where the focus is. “This land is your land/This land is my land” — as Woody and Arlo Guthrie and others have sung — that is what is being tested now. Sun-Moon are almost exactly conjunct Pluto, suggesting a catharsis, a power play and a purging of that which is rotten to the core. Moon meets up with Pluto first at 2:21 AM ET — it then goes VOID. The void takes the edge off of whatever militant discipline the territorial Mars-Saturn square (“Oh, yes you WILL!” “Oh, no I/we WON’T”) releases at 6:01 AM ET. Moon doesn’t enter the next sign — Aquarius — until 11:43 AM ET; stick to routine concerns until then.

Back to this New Moon chart. The literally sh*tty Mars in Taurus is in the 7th house (of partnerships, the public and also open adversaries). It’s in an obsessive-compulsive relationship with the Ascendant (how whatever the chart represents needs to be seen), and it’s on its way to a conjunction with rebel Uranus. The planet of disruption/revolution/innovation (Uranus) is pulling big focus this week, in the way a horn blares when the driver leans on it. We expect a focus in the news on: aviation, technology, seismic activity, rebellion, freedom, uranium, gender-benders. This focus is likely to influence Taurus themes of money, material comfort, real estate, agriculture, fashion, beauty, etc.

Sun-Moon oppose the MC (the leader of the nation), who (according to other patterns here) is blinded by its own light, not feeling nearly important enough, and thus obsessively-compulsively acting out.

Remember that the Sabian Symbol for the Full Moon on December 29th included a theme of “the naked truth.” For this New Moon, the Sabian Symbol is “a woman entering a convent.” Our resident Sabian Sage Blain Bovee suggests that this image is what it is –a person retreating from the “profane world and seeking refuge in a cloistered world.” We are advised to be mindful of “finding oneself in a triangulated circumstance no matter where one goes,” and “having to choose between two options.” Triangulation, btw, is a classic strategy employed by narcissists as a means of maintaining power and control over their supply.

Bovee suggests we think of “protective covering in terms of both focusing light on a matter and avoiding the issue.” Watch of issues of prison; confinement as a means to spiritual freedom; being stuck in “an eternal threesome; withholding one’s favor; forfeiting emotionally charged decisions.” As for how it applies to the U.S. at present…wow. Just. Wow.

This New Moon may recall events that were hot a year ago, around January 10-13th. It also triggers events around October 16th, 2020. You are more personally affected if you were born a day before and after the 10th of January, April, July and October. Off the top of my head, that list includes Jared Kushner and Lindsey Graham. You are also affected if you have a planet or point around 23 Capricorn, Aries, Libra or Cancer. Consult your local astrologer for details.

Right-o. Back to the forecast for the week:

WEDNESDAY: Moon enters Aquarius at 11:43 AM ET and crashes into the Mars-Saturn square between 5 and 5:30 PM ET. Aquarius needs to network, intellectualize and innovate with its besties, while being of social significance. The meet-up with Saturn suggests an authoritarian advance or cut; the square to Mars suggests a provocative release. An argument in favor of reaching across the aisle is a trine (harmony) between Venus and Uranus, exact at 7:21 PM ET. Moon meets up with Jupiter at 9:54 PM ET, suggesting an expansion of Moon in Aquarius’ humanitarian and/or rebellious drive. Got that? After the squeeze, the expansion. This is how it’s going to roll now that Jupiter is moving away from Saturn. We get to Saturn’s gravitas first, followed by Jupiter’s expansion. Next stop (for the next few weeks, away): Moon square Uranus, suggesting an upset, breakthrough or other disruption of the status quo, exact at 11:28 PM ET. Meanwhile…the buzz buzz buzz in the air represents…
THURSDAY: Uranus turning direct at 3:35 AM ET. If you have a planet around 6 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Aquarius or Scorpio, you’re feeling the potential revelation/shake-up personally. The Sabian Symbol for this turn around is “a woman of Samaria.” It is faaaaaascinating to see that this is the point at which Uranus turned retrograde in August 2019, when US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman and DNI Chief Dan Coats resigned (and the whole “perfect phone call” to Ukraine scandal was about to hit the fan, leading to P45’s first impeachment, etc, etc.). Here’s what I wrote back then:

The Sabian Symbol for Uranus turning retrograde is “a woman of Samaria.” We last looked at this one on the Full Moon of October 2012. The woman of Samaria’s story involves a well), and back in October 2012 I asked the rhetorical question, “Must the cosmos hand us [a Symbol] referring to water when part of the world is anticipating a hurricane & flooding?” So perhaps we will see severe hurricanes and floods during this Uranus retrograde, i.e., until January 10, 2020. (UPDATE: perhaps we’ll see hurricanes and floods of information in the coming months — which would be apt for 2021’s focus on AIR).

Blain Bovee calls the woman of Samaria “an image of a moment of truth.” To paraphrase Bovee’s further musings, we are advised to be alert to situations where we must determine the authenticity of what is presented. Consider matters more deeply before moving forward into unfamiliar territory. Settle for nothing less than unconditional truth.

Having used the retrograde period of Uranus to free ourselves from self-imposed constraints, we will now seek to free ourselves from limitations imposed by external bodies.

THURSDAY (CONT.): Moon meets up with Mercury at 4:27 AM ET and gets the word out. It then GOES VOID FOR 36 HOURS. Whatever is initiated today is likely to be of no consequence. Whatever crisis arises is likely to be much ado about nothing. Chill chill chill — and roll with the twists and flakes that disrupt efforts to move forward in a straight line. Is this mic on? Do we still have power? Stick to routine concerns. Work on a draft of a screenplay — or the astrology course your Avid Readers have been asking you to teach. CHILL. And no impulse shopping, if you please. Meanwhile, another power play — this one involving heads of state and commerce — has been building to a climax this week. Cue the annual meet-up of the Sun and Pluto at 9:18 AM ET now, please. Ready for your tear-down and potential regeneration/empowerment? Watch the headlines. Its potency may be diffused somewhat by the Moon void.
FRIDAY: Nothing but the void of course Moon wandering through Aquarius until 5:17 PM ET. That’s when it enters Pisces, and we can all start to empathize.
SATURDAY: Moon sextiles Mars — a cooperative alignment for getting stuff done. That happens at 1:28 AM ET. Same for the sextile with Uranus at 5:42 AM ET, and the one with Venus at 12:01 PM ET. Sweet. But still — a buzz is in the air….
SUNDAY: Note your dreams, as Moon meets up with Neptune at 4:34 AM ET. Moon sextiles Pluto, tapping in easily to power and resources, at 3:54 PM ET. The big buzz in the air is exact at 5:49 PM ET: 2021’s one and only square between Jupiter (the cosmic sugar daddy) and Uranus (evolutionary leaps forward is one potential upside to this disruptive energy). Big. Change. And perhaps still more revelations making news, with Uranus still on that “moment of truth from the bottom of the well” Sabian Symbol. A balance is achieved around 10:43 PM ET, as the Moon sextiles the Sun and then goes void.

Let’s look ahead (briefly) into next week, too:

MONDAY: Moon in Aries all day — charging ahead on its pioneering, get things started, me-first agenda.
TUESDAY: Same, but the Sun will be at 29 Capricorn — squaring the place where Mars was at on January 6th. We may see a recurrence of assertive/aggressive energy; perhaps it will involve leaders and CEOs, as Sun refers to such things, as well as willpower, ego identity and the heart. Sun enters Aquarius at 3:39 PM ET — worsening in condition (argue traditional astrologers), because it’s tough to shine as a king or queen when you’re traveling through a sign that reflects the interests of all humanity.
WEDNESDAY: Moon squares Pluto at 3:28 AM ET, recalling another power play or catharsis. Moon goes void for the next 10 and half hours, so CHILL! At 12 PM ET, Joseph R. Biden and Kamala Harris must be inaugurated as the next President and VP of the United States, per the Constitution. We’ll look at that chart in greater detail in an upcoming forecast. Yes, it is interesting that Aries Moon will be void at 29 Aries — recalling planetary positions on January 6th. Upside: Moon improves in condition when it enters Taurus, seeking to preserve the status quo. That will happen at 1:56 PM ET. At 3:37 PM ET, Mars meets up with Uranus in Taurus, which would be super-fabulous for a NASA launch, as it suggests daring and technological innovation. It also reflects reckless action in the headlines, as we’ve seen over and over again in over ten years of writing this forecast. Moon squares Sun and Saturn around 4 PM and 10 PM ET, respectively.
THURSDAY: Moon in Taurus moves forward on its need to build and maintain material comfort and security.
FRIDAY: More of the same, with the Moon going void at 4:27 PM ET. Action over the past few days may be boundary-pushing in the most buoyant of ways, with a square between Mars and Jupiter, exact at…
SATURDAY: …2:48 AM ET. Moon enters clever Gemini five minutes beforehand. Overall these patterns suggest an easy airy flow, and let’s hope the sweetly forgiving sextile between Venus and Neptune (exact at 2:48 PM ET), can work more of that kind of healing balm, as opposed to dreamily deluded idealism.

I have a ton of news to report. I’m going to ship this forecast now — and when I can return to my desk around 4 PM ET, I will add in the top stories and people to watch. So check back around 6 or 7 PM ET — because that’s how long it will take. If you would like to support this work by becoming a paying fan of this forecast, here’s a link to the Cosmic Tip Jar, where you can set that up — with much appreciation. (UPDATE: I finished the news section at 8 PM).

a pause, whilst you talk amongst yourselves

And now, the news.

Welp, it flowed pretty much in sync with planetary patterns. We had an attempted coup on the last day of Mars in Aries. Thousands of angry and armed pro-P45 people breached the Capitol. They came in from all over the country, openly invited by P45 weeks in advance. With the White House as a backdrop, he hosted a Big Fat Seditious Rally built on the Big Fat Lie that Joseph R. Biden did not win the election. This is Fascism 101, and mundane astrologers aren’t the only ones who’ve been warning that it could happen here. At the rally, P45, P45 Jr., Rudy Giuliani, Rep Mo Brooks (R-AL) and Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) encouraged the mob to invade the Capitol, where the states’ electoral votes were being certified by the House and Senate, according to protocols dictated by our hallowed Constitution.

It is emerging that the mob’s success in breaching the Capitol was enabled by deliberate refusals on the part of the Pentagon and other law enforcement forces to protect our elected officials and federal property. It is a miracle that only two people were killed. One woman was shot as she tried to force her way into the Speaker’s Lobby. One Capitol police officer was murdered by the mob. I could go on for paragraphs detailing the horrific violence, but fortunately we have Heather Cox Richardson to sum it all up.

We need to take a moment to appreciate what else happened on January 6th, which was that Stacey Abrams organized the entire state of Georgia and got two Democratic Senators elected. Jon Ossoff — whose prospects for January were mentioned in an earlier forecast — and Rev. Raphael Warnock are going to Washington, and thanks to them, Moscow Mitch has been stripped of his majority leadership. You can read more about the horoscopes of Stacey Abrams and the 117th Congress in the latest Mountain Astrologer — posted online a couple of days ago. I wrote the column just after the November election, and I’m pleased that the planetary patterns I noted back then are playing out as promised in real-life.

It’s going to be quite chaotic in February, as Mercury goes retrograde at the end of January — and much that was intentionally suppressed is revealed. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

UPDATE: on P45. On January 6th, he had a pattern between the secondary progressed Moon (another way astrologers measure time) and the North Node, suggesting a culmination of a month’s long effort to connect with his tribe in a public way. Right. We know what that was, and here is Randy Rainbow with a recap. Comedy is a coping strategy for pain.

Meanwhile, we anticipated a challenge to his administration on Friday and we were not disappointed. Twitter pulled the plug permanently on his Twitler account, and other social media companies shut him down, too. Twitter’s stock is down 6%, but guess what? We’re seeing the new paradigm suggested by the Jupiter-Saturn (business) conjunction in Aquarius (social significance — or, even better, a social conscience). Saturn in Aquarius suggests necessary controls and authority in networks, information and technology. Saturn in Aquarius says you can’t yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater. That’s not the humanitarian way. Over the weekend, other social media companies shut down channels of insurrection. Parler was banned by Apple, Google and Amazon. Stripe and other ecommerce companies will no longer process credit card payments for P45 campaign solicitations. Even more painful — P45’s most-loved group of all — the PGA — withdrew from their plans to host a tournament at one of his golf courses. In the words of Amy Siskind (whose weekly lists I told you about four years ago), “womp womp.”

Other businesses “waking up” — as Uranus patterns tend to reflect — include Marriott and Blue Cross Blue Shield, who announced they would no longer give money to the scores of seditious Republicans who challenged the election. Hallmark went so far as to demand a refund from the seditious Josh Hawley (R-MO) — and Hallmark is about as conservative as it gets when it comes to media companies. I could tell you stories…but that’s from another life.

Back to P45: patterns in his horoscope strongly suggest that his tenure at the White House will end on January 20th. It’s nice to have astrological back-up when managing expectations.

UPDATE: on Nancy Pelosi, whose horoscope was written about in detail here. I regret not reviewing it in recent days because I’d forgotten her exact Saturn-Pluto square at 0 Taurus-0 Leo, which was clearly activated by transiting Mars on Wednesday and by Mercury on Friday (and will be by the Sun as soon as it enters Aquarius). This is a red alert for a highly charged day, for better or worse. Pelosi is an Aries, driven by Scorpio Moon and a ton of planets in Taurus. Of course she brought the whole House back to the floor to finish certifying the vote — even if it took until 4 AM ET (thanks to aforementioned seditious legislators).

UPDATE: on Clarence and Ginni Thomas, whom it seems I haven’t written about in over 10 years — and here’s the link to that earlier post. It’s no secret that Mrs. Thomas is a big MAGA fan, and she cheered on the insurgents as they invaded the Capitol. While this piece from Slate doubts there will be consequences for Justice Thomas, his horoscope is sooooo ripe for a change, starting this summer and into 2022. Time will tell.

Here is WaPo’s Really Useful List of astronomical events for 2021.

Here is Beth Owl’s Daughter’s Tarot Card of the Week.

Random story that isn’t political: an NYT reporter spends time in Kenya with the last two surviving Northern white rhinos on Earth. There’s a technological twist at the end…

Thank you for reading this forecast.

A close-up of the rebel Uranus.

Monday 1/4/2020: Late Sneak Peek at the Week; Counting the Days…

January 5, 2021/0 Comments/in The Forecast /by Elisabeth Grace

Aaaaaaaaand…we’re off!

The Moon is in Virgo, driving the day with a need for perfection in every detail. Did you note your dreams this morning? Moon’s opposition with Neptune at 4:49 AM ET may have facilitated special insight. Get it off your desk before 4:33 PM ET, when Moon goes void for the next eight hours. Stick to routine; don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. Give yourself permission to wander and CHILL!

Speaking of special insight, investigative reporters have been going gangbusters over the past few days, thanks to a conjunction between Mercury (information; communication) and Pluto (power; resources; corruption exposed), exact tonight at 7:57 PM ET. That conjunction is especially significant for the United States, as it falls on the U.S. Mercury…and oh…lookie…here’s an audiotape of P45 trying to bully Brad Raffensperger (Georgia’s honorable Republican Secretary of State) into “recalculating” Georgia’s election results, and somehow “finding” enough votes (a mere 11,780) to declare P45 the winner. Raffensperger would have none of it, and the entire hour-long conversation has been aptly described by actor Mark Hamill as “a lost episode of The Sopranos.”

And did we not anticipate in the forecast for last week’s Full Moon at 8 Cancer that it was likely to shine a spotlight on how P45 needs to think? And that one of the interpretations for the Full Moon’s Sabian Symbols was “the naked truth.” Yes. Yes, we did.

Another pattern influencing the action in recent days is Mars, which finally came out of its shadow phase on Saturday. Translation: Mars finally returned to 27 Aries, which is where it was when it turned retrograde on September 8th. NOW we can move forward with new initiatives. Got that? Not only that, but on Sunday (yesterday), Saturn also came out of its shadow phase, returning to 1 degree and 57 minutes of Aquarius. That’s where it was when it turned retrograde on May 10th. Translation: projects related to structure, authority and the administration of progress can now move forward. It’s fascinating that the January 3rd start of the 117th Congress has Mars and Saturn at these “forward march!” positions.

The rest of the week goes like this:

TUESDAY: Moon enters Libra at 12:42 AM ET, shifting our focus to matters of fairness and balance in relationship. An easy flow to Jupiter and Saturn in the early morning hours facilitates a rightness of humanitarian purpose. Meanwhile, this is the last full day of Mars in Aries, where it’s been since June 27th. Watch for last-gasp efforts at me-me-me first, me-reckless, me-fearless assertion today and tomorrow. Upside: last-gasp acts of courage on behalf of the underdog. There’s no Moon void or Mercury retrograde madness to mess with today’s Georgia Senate runoffs. Without birth times for the candidates, we don’t have enough information to make a call, but Mitch McConnell has a couple of uncomfortable patterns in his horoscope at the end of the month — which may reflect a change in professional status.
WEDNESDAY: Moon in Libra squares the Capricorn Sun at 4:36 AM ET, activating tension between fairness and authority. Get ready for a power play or catharses around 6:22 PM ET, as Moon makes its weekly clash with Pluto. This clash is likely to reflect the stubborn persistence of Mars entering mine-mine-mine Taurus about an hour earlier, at 5:27 PM ET. John Lewis, Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell all have Mars in Taurus. If Mars in Aries is the irresistible force, Mars in Taurus may be the immovable object. Mars will be in Taurus until March 4th (march forth!), which solidifies my belief that the cosmos has a wicked sense of humor and is quite clever with words.
WEDNESDAY: note that this particular Mars in Taurus is supercharged by its approaching conjunction with rebel Uranus. Mars-Uranus contacts can be experienced as evolutionary or revolutionary leaps forward — as in genetic mutations. Mars-Uranus suggests daring, courage and/or recklessness in matters of cars, action, war, aggression, aviation, technology, seismic activity. Mars and Uranus will exactly conjoin at 3:37 PM ET on January 20th — Inauguration Day — so we can anticipate disruptions of the status quo. This Mars-Uranus conjunction will activate planets in these horoscopes: Joe Biden and Prince Charles (who both have Moon at 0 Taurus), Mike Pence (Venus-Mars in early Leo), Queen Elizabeth II and the Inauguration charts of the P45 and Biden administrations (the Queen has the Sun at 0 Taurus; the latter two have the Sun at 0 Aquarius).
WEDNESDAY: speaking of presidential administrations, today a number of seditious members of Congress have said they would challenge the results of the November 3rd election…but somehow that challenge does not extend to the validity of the ballot count that got Team Sedition elected to Congress.
THURSDAY: Libra Moon is void between 12;54 AM ET and 3:53 AM ET, and then it plunges into the emotional depths of Scorpio. A Scorpio Moon seeks security through knowledge acquired for power and control, and the first contacts of today’s Scorpio Moon are to Mars and Saturn in the early morning. Assertion/aggression, followed by a wet blanket or heavy advance — all before 7:53 AM ET. Everything seems grand around 11:10 AM, ET, as Moon squares Jupiter. Teatime on the East Coast features the disruptive potential of Uranus, opposing the Scorpio Moon’s bid for power.
FRIDAY: This day is notable in the horoscope of the P45 inauguration, as it suggests an attack or assertive action on the part of — or against — the Commander-in-Chief. The Moon is still in Scorpio, and the morning features two planetary shifts. At 6:59 AM ET, Mercury (how we need to think and communicate) leaves Capricorn for Aquarius, where it immediately activates a potential newsflash involving the horoscopes mentioned in Wednesday’s forecast. In Aquarius, thoughts become less practical and status-driven, more intellectual and innovative.
FRIDAY: At 10:41 AM ET, Venus leaves high-flying Sagittarius and enters Capricorn. From now until February 2nd, social expression and values are likely to be less boundary-pushing, and more “how can we make the best use of X?” Note that the first degree of Capricorn is the Aries Point, so look for prominent headlines involving women, money, aesthetics and social expression.
FRIDAY: Meanwhile, Moon makes harmonious contacts with Sun, Neptune and Pluto throughout the afternoon and evening, facilitating your quest for world domination. Chill during the nine-hour void that begins at 8:58 PM ET. If there’s a crisis, it might be related to the sparks that fly between Mercury and Mars (words and deeds), exact at 9:43 PM ET.
SATURDAY: Moon zooms into Sagittarius with an exuberant sigh at 6:15 AM ET. Now is the time to take a walk in the woods, entertain a debate, take in a foreign film and express your righteous opinion. Your efforts are well-supported by contacts among Moon, Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn. Thoughts and communication take on a serious focus around 10:16 PM ET, as Mercury meets up with Saturn. Whatever feels heavy now may feel expansive by Monday, as Mercury moves on to a meet-up with Jupiter (publishing, courts, dogma).
SUNDAY: a dreamy brunch hour, as Moon squares Neptune. Double check the directions, if you’re out and about — but really, why would you be out and about in a pandemic? Plus, Moon immediately goes void (at 1:28 PM ET) for the rest of the day…not to enter Capricorn until MONDAYat 8:29 AM ET. Chill out during the void. Avoid impulse shopping purchases. Roll with the twists and flakes. Remember that crises that turn up during voids are often much ado about nothing.

And now, the news.

Reflecting Mars and Saturn coming out of their respective shadow phases over the weekend, it was interesting to see this op-ed from ten living former Secretaries of Defense — Democrats and Republicans — affirming that the military has no place in resolving election disputes. Meanwhile, the leader of the right-wing Proud Boys was arrested.

Heather Cox Richardson’s December 30th column has a lot to offer about the last 20 years. She writes without realizing that those two decades were dominated by the 2000 Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in Taurus, i.e., the last gasp of world domination being determined by he who exploits the most in the element of earth. When she talks about America’s idealization of the ruggedly individualistic cowboy, she doesn’t know she’s referring to the U.S. Mars-Neptune square (idealization of macho man), coupled with its rugged and hard-working Sun-Saturn square. But she is!

For comic relief, Dave Barry offers this recap of 2020 — which feels like it happened 20 years ago!

For now, I’m just counting down the days ’til the January 20th inauguration of the 46th President and Vice-President of the United States: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. On January 31st, Mercury will turn retrograde. There will be delays — and plenty revealed.

Meanwhile, if you’re free in mid-March, I’ll be giving two talks at the 2021 Empowered Astrology seminar. The superb faculty, includes many graduates of Noel Tyl’s masters course (e.g., yours truly). J. Lee Lehman, Frank Clifford and Greg Bogart will also be presenting. Check it out — holler if you have questions — and tell ’em I sent you when you register.

Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Avoid crowds and limit your contact with people you aren’t already living with. The UK is going into lockdown again. The new, extra-contagious strain of Covid has been detected in several U.S. states, including New York (as of today). The vaccines aren’t being delivered as quickly as promised — as we might expect in the aftermath of announcements that were made during last fall’s Mars and Mercury retrogrades. Stay safe — we will get through this — together.

Thank you for reading this forecast. To support the effort it takes to write it, visit the Cosmic Tip Jar. For the 411 on personal consultations and such, look here. Now is the time to plan your strategy for 2021.

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FORECAST