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I am a reporter with a unique beat. I use my understanding of planetary cycles to provide advance notice and analysis on the Zeitgeist of the day. If you have ever wondered “why is this happening now,” my insights will transform your experience of the headlines, adding new meaning and understanding. Call it Astrology for News Junkies. If you’re curious to know why the Impossible Burger is trending…or why the outcome of the 2019 Israeli elections was likely to be a shocker …or why “Woodrow Wilson, Stud Muffin” was a New York Times headline in December 2013, you will find it here, in over a decade’s worth of historical research and reporting.
Note that I do use astrological jargon in The Forecast in my effort to show how the planetary patterns are reflected in mundane events. I explain what the jargon symbolizes, so that all who want to understand the connections between astrology and the news may do so. However, I do not use astrological jargon in personal consultations, just plain English.
Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 5/6/2014: Shine, Shine, Shine; Venus at the Aries Point
/in The ForecastGet up, get to work, have fun and shine. The Moon is in drama queen Leo, poised to act on its need for love, love, love — backed by a positive expression of assertive energy in the early morning and an unconventional, friendly approach by suppertime. Not only that, but the rock-solid Taurus Sun is in a happy dialogue with buoyant Jupiter, suggesting optimism and perhaps your own personal cheering squad for your plans for world domination.
Get it off your desk today if you can, as the Leo Moon will be void of course as of 6:51AM ET tomorrow…until 2:24AM ET on THURSDAY. Your other Moon void to consider this week starts on Friday at 6:08PM ET. Moon voids are perfect for chilling out, taking care of routine tasks and rolling with whatever twists crop up in your efforts to move forward in a straight line. Voids are not suited for signing contracts or initiating projects you wish to be of consequence. No impulse shopping either, as purchases made during Moon voids often are not nearly as useful as you imagined.
Also of note this evening: the First Quarter Moon, exact at 11:15PM ET, suggesting a challenge to whatever initiatives you’ve taken on last week’s New Moon. Something to do with values, money and anything/anyone else we might hold dear? How are your needs for creature comforts changing?
And now, the news.
On Friday you may recall that Venus — which refers to love, social expression, art, beauty, money and women — zipped into pioneering, inspiring, warrior/hero Aries. You may also recall that the first few degrees of Aries is called the Aries Point, and that any planet at the Aries Point NEEDS to attract attention. So how have Venusian concerns been prominent in recent headlines?
Exhibit A: nothing screams Venus at the Aries Point like the riveting red carpet parade of beauty and fashion at the annual Costume Institute Gala at the Met. Factor in the evening’s Moon in regal Leo and glamorous Neptune running wild — and feast your eyes. Exhibit B: Aries is known for its me-me-me focus and proud self-reliance. How perfectly-timed to read that pioneering sex therapist Betty Dodson is making a comeback, pardon the expression. As the article linked above states:
We should all look as fabulous at 85 as Betty Dodson. Born on August 24th, 1929 in Wichita, KS — reportedly around 6:30AM, she has a pristine, perfection-seeking Virgo Ascendant with the Sun also in Virgo conjunct dreamy Neptune. This conjunction is in the 12th house, suggesting she is well-suited to serve as a consultant, with a unique and healing insider’s perspective. Naturally her Moon, which drives the horoscope, is in — pioneering, independent Aries! Also of interest: Mars at the Aries Point — unaspected — suggesting courageous action and sexual energy needs to be prominent and may run away with the rest of the horoscope. Not to be ignored: Venus conjunct Pluto in the sensitive, watery, feminine depths of Cancer. This Venus-Pluto conjunction suggests strong potential for feminine empowerment and transformation — expressed in ways that need to be nurturing, albeit intense and possibly extreme. This Venus-Pluto pattern squares Dodson’s Aries Moon, amplifying the need for self-indulgence and empowerment! Isn’t astrology amazing? What does YOUR horoscope suggest?
Last, but hardly least: how fascinating to note that as Venus (women) demanded prominence as it hit the Aries Point late last week, the outrageous plight of the hundreds of kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls is also demanding the world’s attention. They were kidnapped on April 14th, the day Pluto, Lord of the Underworld, turned retrograde…which instantly made me think of the Greek myth of Persephone, though the abductors in this modern horror story are hardly motivated by love. More like yet another Cardinal Grand Cross/Uranus-Pluto square “moment of truth” (as noted in a small number of outraged posts on Facebook), which is that the world will immediately commit millions of dollars and man hours to finding a missing Malaysian plane with presumably dead passengers, but when it comes to finding a slightly greater number of poor African schoolgirls who are likely very much alive and in danger, the response is less than enthusiastic.
Why is that?
And seriously, what DOES your horoscope suggest, in light of these intense planetary patterns? Aren’t you just a wee bit curious? Consider booking a personal astro-logical consultation — I guarantee you’ll find our discussion enlightening and helpful.
Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 5/2/2014 & the Weekend: Mind the Void; Venus in Aries; Home Sweet Home
/in The ForecastTGIF!
Lucky you if you started the weekend early, as the chatty Gemini Moon has been wandering aimlessly (void of course) since 7:32PM ET on Thursday. It won’t enter Cancer until 2:13AM ET, affording you the chance to take a nice long CHILL. Stick to routine tasks and roll with whatever twists come up in your efforts to more forward in a straight line.
A Gemini Moon needs to talk. Communication today may skew toward the critical/pessimistic side as the day moves into night. If so, mind the VOID and do not make a mountain out of a molehill over some perceived insensitive slight. Why do I say this? Because at 8:56PM ET, mental Mercury will be opposed by stern, “wet blanket” Saturn, suggesting a need for heaviness in thoughts and communication.
Also of note: Venus, which refers to love, social expression, women and money, leaves soulful Pisces and charges into Aries like a bat out of hell — at 9:21PM ET. Issues of affection and feelings of worth are likely to carry an extra bit of prominence for the next couple of days. Venus will remain in Aries until the end of the month, flirting with everything in its path to prove it is desirable. If you’re an Aries, you may be feeling pretty popular for the next few weeks. Enjoy.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Cancer Moon seeks to fulfill its need for emotional security. What can you do to feather your nest and otherwise enjoy the comforts of home and family? Tap into some undiscovered resources, courtesy of a connection between the earthy Taurus Sun and potent Pluto, exact at 8:34PM ET. Your Saturday night date may be quite energetic, for better or for worse, given a challenge between action hero Mars and the reactive, sensitive Moon at 11:17PM ET. Could be some shake ups and power plays in the wee hours, as the Moon makes contact with the rest of the players in last week’s Cardinal Grand Cross drama.
Whatever turbulence and/or passion rolls in overnight likely subsides by Sunday morning. That day begins on an optimistic note, courtesy of expansive Jupiter…and is fueled by a constructive influence courtesy of disciplined Saturn. Feather nest. Fulfill emotional security needs. Home-cooked meal. Call Mom. Hang with family. Watch weepy movie on Netflix. Heads up that the Moon will be VOID on Monday from 4:46AM ET until 1:56PM ET, suggesting a slow start to the work week. You can sleep in late and probably get away with it.
Meanwhile…
How was your week? Supercharged? Overloaded? I’m getting emails from people who do not read my forecast (but know that I am Aware of Certain Things), wondering what’s going on, as circuits both literal and figurative are shorting out around them. Just the kind of release of bottlenecked energy you could expect from Monday’s especially lush New Moon in combination with the “make it or break it” drive of last week’s Cardinal Grand Cross, a.k.a. quite possibly the defining moment of truth of the 21st Century, for those who are actually paying attention.
I have a ton of news to write about, and I will post again before the weekend is over. Meanwhile, if you are wondering how these supercharged patterns are impacting your horoscope (and what you can do to maximize positive potential), I encourage you to schedule a personal consultation. There’s so much more to your horoscope than your Sun Sign…
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 4/28/2014: New Moon in Taurus; Cardinal Grand Cross Fallout
/in The ForecastGood Morning!
Apologies for the lapse in service. I’ve been preoccupied with that tooth/jaw issue I mentioned a few forecasts ago; it’s not over yet; I may need surgery, which means I may not be posting regularly this week, either. All things considered, I feel fortunate. Your thoughts and healing light will be accepted with much gratitude, as well as any contributions for serious drugs. ; )
After a loonnnng void of course Moon all day on Sunday, it finally gets into gear at 10:23AM ET on Monday. It’ll be in Taurus, which is an excellent placement for organizing, establishing and building on material security needs. These next few days are also good for indulging in creature comforts; whatever makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Monday is best suited for wrapping up projects from last month, as the new lunar cycle does not really kick in until Tuesday.
The New Moon in Taurus happens at 2:14AM ET (Tuesday). It is also an eclipse; the last time we had an eclipse at 9 degrees of Taurus was on April 29, 1995. If you’ve been on the planet long enough, think back to what was happening in your life at that time, especially if you have a planet or angle around 8-10 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius. You may get an encore experience over the next few months.
Eclipses are supercharged New Moons. They’re also like bottlenecks of energy. Light flowing from the Sun or Moon is temporarily interrupted, focusing attention on the interrupted point and allowing something new and possible fragile to enter the picture and grow. And here I would be thinking of Michael the kindhearted policeman in Make Way for Ducklings, who stopped the flow of traffic on Beacon Street so Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their brood of eight could safely make their way to the Boston Public Garden http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Make_Way_for_Ducklings
A New Moon in Taurus suggests a focus on values, finance and other material concerns. An interruption in the normal traffic flow allows for the birth of some new way of thinking — or being — about them. This new way of thinking will likely require a release of something old — ready or not. In the aftermath of last week’s fifth of seven exact squares between rebel Uranus and ruthless Pluto, which brought more and more revelations about resources (who has ’em; who doesn’t), the pressure for change is great. Interesting to note that the New Moon in Taurus in 2013 was also an eclipse — and it happened just before the third exact Uranus-Pluto square. Note also that Taurus is world-famous for its resistance to change. Though I happen to believe that current planetary patterns are setting us up for a major change in how we value money…
And now, the news:
Mars was the driving force for much of the action last week. On Tuesday it made a boisterous, physical challenge to expansive Jupiter; Wednesday it opposed rebel Uranus and then squared ruthless Pluto. This was a “make or break it” opportunity — a definite upside. On the downside, it suggested outbursts of aggression and war. In your own personal world, take a look at what was going on in your life in the last week of 2013, when Mars in Libra made its first contact with Uranus and Pluto. Are some of those issues up for a second look now? Mars will engage for the third time in mid-July, so you can expect a final wrap then.
Some of the stories reflecting these patterns include: physical efforts and triumph at last week’s Boston Marathon; the ongoing Ballad of the Rebel Rancher (a.k.a. Cliven Bundy); a startling power grab and disruption of the status quo regarding net neutrality; and the official announcement that the American middle class is no longer the world’s richest. Oh, and the continued unrest in the Ukraine….and North Korea.
In other news, George Clooney, whose natal Venus is 13 degrees of Aries and thus totally supercharged by last week’s Cardinal Grand Cross 1) got into a headline-making, profanity-laced spat and 2) is rumored to be engaged. Venus refers to social expression and love matters. Coincidence or conspiracy?
Meanwhile, a belated Earth Day musing I meant to post last week:
Down the road from my little rental cottage on Oahu, there’s a lovely little cafe/gift store called Sweet Home Waimanalo. Check out their website and I think you’ll agree it is the poster child for Earth Day organic sustainable recyclable local-grown eco-friendly composting fair trade vegan soy fresh juices veggies-grown-on-the-roof crunchy granola save-the-planet perfection. Their kale-pineapple smoothies are to die for. And yet, on the azure-blue wall of its pristine restroom hangs a paper-towel dispenser with these words printed on it:
Georgia-Pacific
What’s wrong with this picture? Anybody know?
Georgia-Pacific is one of the companies owned by the second-largest privately-held corporation in the United States: Koch Industries, Inc.. a.k.a., the Koch brothers. Their products include (says Wikipedia): asphalt, chemicals, commodities trading, energy, fibers, fertilizers, finance, minerals, natural gas, plastics, petroleum, pulp and paper, ranching.
Much has been written about the Koch brothers (Charles & David) and their political influence and presumed political agenda. Filmmaker Robert Greenwald made a documentary about them, with an updated version to be released next month.
Isn’t it fascinating that Sweet Home Waimanalo would spend its hard-earned capital on a product manufactured by a corporation whose owners appear to be passionately and powerfully against everything Sweet Home Waimanalo holds dear? Waaaaaaake upppppp — suggests, nay — demands — this never-ending Uranus-Pluto square!
And isn’t it fascinating to see this NYT editorial about the latest crusade of the Koch brothers, entitled The Koch Attack on Solar Energy. People are waking up. Hopefully before it’s too late.
Oh — Moon voids for the week: Wednesday, 12-5pm ET; Thursday, 7:32PM ET until Saturday 2:13AM ET — looks like a three-day weekend to me.
Thank you for reading — and sharing — this forecast.
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 4/21/2014: Sneak Peek at the Week
/in The ForecastGood Morning!
The Moon in enterprising Capricorn today (where it has been since 9:28PM ET on Saturday) continues on its quest to make things happen, aided and abetted by a supportive connection from disciplined Saturn at 9:48AM ET. Take care of important tasks early, as the afternoon is marked by challenging patterns. First, the 5th of 7 exact squares between rebel technogeek Uranus and ruthless Pluto happens at 2:38PM ET. Then Moon makes a jarring connection with mental Mercury, suggesting a disruptive communication to process this evening. Note that the Moon goes void of course at 7:21PM ET…not to enter the next sign, Aquarius, until 12:18AM ET. So get it off your desk before the void — West Coasters, this especially applies to you.
For those just tuning in, here’s some info on the Uranus-Pluto square a.k.a. The Planetary Pattern Everyone Should Be Talking About. As many of you know, this week this highly volatile pattern is augmented by contact with two other planets: expansive Jupiter and action and accident-prone Mars. It all adds up to something astrologers call a Cardinal Grand Cross or Cardinal Grand Square.
Now by “Cardinal” I am not talking about birds or baseball teams or men in pointy hats and red robes. In astrology, “cardinal” refers to the signs of the zodiac that NEED to take ACTION and thus effect CHANGE. So whatever fallout occurs as a result of the dynamic “resistance is futile” breakthroughs and shifts in consciousness suggested by this pattern is sure to change the world, period.
How so? Well, the conceit of this forecast is that planetary patterns are reflected in the headlines. And what’s on the home page of the New York Times is one of those shifts in consciousness we might expect, in the form of an urgent wake-up call entitled “Running Out of Time”. And yesterday, the big story in the NYT Sunday Magazine was entitled “It’s the End of the World As We Know It…And He Feels Fine” — a sobering but inspiring story about an environmental activist making peace with the inevitable destruction of things he holds dear. Coincidence or conspiracy?
On Tuesday and Wednesday warrior Mars takes center stage, as it makes contact with expansive Jupiter (Tuesday) and then Uranus & Pluto. I expect bold actions — some heroic; others gratuitously violent; others just accidental. Be extra-mindful on the roads and working with sharp objects, especially knives. Robust physical activity is recommended. If you are personally impacted by this pattern, you can make some amazing breakthroughs over the next couple of days.
Here are some cool cosmic breakthrough stories to offset the depressing items about US taxpayer-funded drones in Yemen and how many members of Congress think climate change is a bunch of hooey. Consider this spectacular crash on the surface of the Moon; a new telescope in Chile looking for alien life; and the discovery of a planet 500 light years away that is “the closest match of our home world discovered so far”. Also check out this 16-year-old kid who survived a 5 1/2 hour flight to Maui on Sunday — stowed away in the wheel well of a Hawaiian Airlines jet. This high-flying adventure happened on expansive (and lucky) Jupiter’s exact contact with the Uranus-Pluto square.
Last, but not least, thanks to Annie, an avid reader of this forecast, who sent me this article entitled, Is It Time for Us to Take Astrology Seriously? Now that’s a cosmic breakthrough to warm my heart…
Your Moon voids for the week, other than today: Wednesday 12:10PM ET until 2:55AM ET on Thursday; Friday at 4:03PM ET until 6:01AM ET on Saturday. Sunday the Moon will be void form 7:02AM ET until 10:23AM ET on Monday. I have a feeling we will be happy to have these long rest periods to process the intensity of the next few days….
Apologies to those of you whose emails I have not answered in the past few days…Saturn (ruler of teeth & bones) and Mars (ruler of the head & inflammation) have been active in my horoscope, and I’m sorry to say it’s been very distracting. I will be back on track by the end of today…with gratitude for your kind understanding and patience…
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 4/17/2014: Moon Void; Supercharged Planets; Ending on a High Note
/in The ForecastChill, chill, chill. The depth-seeking Scorpio Moon is void of course as of 3:09AM ET, suggesting twists and delays in your efforts to move forward in a straight line. The flake factor is high, as wandering lunar energy can feel like herding lots of unruly cats. Go with the flow — take care of routine tasks — don’t make a mountain out of a molehill – avoid impulse purchases. The latter is especially relevant because the key planetary aspect today is pleasure-loving Venus in harmony with expansive Jupiter at 9:19PM ET. Sweet — but potentially expensive and indulgent.
After 5:44pm ET, Moon enters high-flying Sagittarius, ready for a gambol or a gamble. Buy some lottery tickets, why don’t you, especially if you have a planet or angle around 13 degrees of just about any sign. No, that is not a guarantee that you will win big…but ya never know. Find a pleasant diversion this evening — preferably one that broadens your mind.
And now, the news.
Venus can be ultra-compassionate and forgiving in soulful Pisces, sign of salvation. Jupiter can be quite bountiful in nurturing Cancer. Together, they offer the potential for extreme good fortune. Like this 20-something Iranian man who was about to be executed for a murder he committed in his teens…until the mother of the boy he killed approached him, slapped him in the face…and forgave him. Which set him free. Wait ’til you see what his mother did…
In other news, illumination on one of the themes suggested by the New Moon on March 30th; i.e., resources: who’s got ’em; who doesn’t. According to a Serious Academic Study just released , the United States is not a democracy. It is an oligarchy, not that anyone who’s been paying attention needs the serious academic folks at Princeton and Northwestern to tell them this. But now it is official…with footnotes and everything….so maybe the folks who have not been paying attention will finally get around to doing so. Mid-term elections are in November, and planetary patterns with respect to the United States strongly suggest we are at a turning point. Which way will we go?
Meanwhile, Jimmy Carter knows something about turning points, as he and nine other Nobel Peace Prize winners wrote in a letter to President Obama, a fellow Laureate:
The “choice” is whether to greenlight the Keystone Pipeline, which Carter and the other Laureates oppose. Turning point!
Jimmy Carter has been getting a lot of press these days — so much that you might conclude his horoscope was being supercharged by the never-ending Uranus-Pluto square…and in fact, it is. Carter has his natal Pluto –referring to power and perspective at 13 degrees of Cancer. It will be directly impacted by next week’s exact Cardinal Grand Cross, which adds Jupiter and Mars to the Uranus-Pluto dynamic.
The horoscope of South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu is also being supercharged: his Sun is at 13 Libra. He’s calling for a boycott and divestment campaign against fossil fuel companies, as 100 Harvard professors are petitioning for their university to divest itself of its stake in the gas, oil and coal industries…just in time for this sobering op-ed noting the fourth anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. You do remember that, don’t you?
Can you tell I’m writing this forecast on a heavy hook-up between the Moon and stern Saturn in Scorpio? I promise the day will feel much lighter as the day progresses — and definitely once the Moon enters Sagittarius later this evening…enjoy. And if you want to know how your horoscope will be affected by next week’s Cardinal Grand Cross a.k.a. the Cardinal Grand Square, I’m offering a special mini-consultation through the end of April — check it out.