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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 Wednesday 4/2/2014: Super-charged Aries & Other News
/in The ForecastShake-ups from the early morning’s hook up between the fiery Aries Sun and rebel Uranus notwithstanding (cue 8.2 earthquake in Chile), today’s practical Moon in Taurus offers grounding potential for all your plans for world domination. Plus, as noted yesterday, an equally practical and deep connection between mental Mercury and disciplined Saturn at 11:02PM ET facilitates productive communication. Make your pitch and place that call…though note the potential for a wet blanket response or ambitious reach around 5:54PM ET, when stern Saturn opposes the stubborn Taurus Moon. After that bump in the road, you’re free to indulge Taurean earthly pleasures: wine, music, comfort food & a deep tissue massage.
Meanwhile…
According to my Jim Maynard Celestial Calendar, today is Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday. His horoscope has three planets — Sun, Mercury (mind, communication) and Saturn (ambition) — that have all been supercharged by the Uranus-Pluto square for the past year or so. In fact, his Mercury is at 13 degrees of Aries, which means it’s right in the cross hairs of this month’s super-duper Cardinal Grand Cross. Here’s his horoscope. Isn’t it interesting that the movie Frozen (which was based on Andersen’s The Snow Queen), did so well at the Oscars this year and has just been officially declared “the biggest animated film EVER”. Horoscopes never die!
Today is also actor Michael Fassbender’s birthday. His 12 degree Aries Sun is exactly opposed by Pluto conjunct his Midheaven. His horoscope is innately designed to attract power and prominence, and all the more so now thanks to transiting Uranus and Pluto. He was nominated for a slew of awards for his performance in 12 Years A Slave — and he won a few of them. Coincidence or conspiracy?
Yesterday was Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito‘s birthday. He has three planets within range of the Cardinal Grand Cross, and the lunar eclipse on April 15th sits right on his 25 Libra Midheaven (career, public status). His is a horoscope to watch this year and next.
Speaking of the Supreme Court, one of the high stakes cases argued last week was brought to you by a twisted combination of Saturn in Scorpio’s insistence on forcing us to consider life and death consequences of sexual energy, and the square between rebel Uranus in me-me-me Aries and ruthless Pluto in corporate Capricorn. This would be Sebelius vs. Hobby Lobby, Inc., in which the corporate person known as Hobby Lobby does not want to provide employees with insurance coverage for contraceptives as mandated by the Affordable Care Act – on religious grounds. It’s totally OK for it to invest in companies that make all the contraceptives it does not want to provide to employees, however, because surreal.
Anyway. It’s an important case, and it’s on my mind because I sense it may be setting the stage for the “hot button” issues we’ll face when Saturn enters Sagittarius at the end of the year. With Saturn in Libra, we looked at marriage equality. With Saturn in Scorpio, we’ve been looking at sexual energy and debt (i.e., the consequences of energy exchanged). Sagittarius suggests collective belief systems and global communications: religion, legal systems, journalism – to name a few.
Let’s close with some happy news, shall we? First, the spectacular windfall potential of Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto’s ongoing tango is tough to beat in this April Fool’s “prank” that appears to have changed the fortunes of a humble waitress overnight. Second, an amazing Aries rebirth: for the first time in 300 years, a pair of nene (Hawaiian geese) — driven to near extinction not long ago — have been spotted here on Oahu. And they have goslings — captured on film. And finally — talk about a miraculous rescue: a man in Maine was foraging for medicinal mushrooms and ended up saving the life of a baby porcupine. This porcupine is sooooooooo cute. And how cool is this: porcupine totem represents “a great protector and warrior for the innocent” — an apt symbol for this Aries lunar cycle.
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday & Tuesday 3/31/2014: A Rollicking Week; the US Horoscope & More
/in The ForecastAlll-riighty, then!
As of 4:20PM ET on Monday, the New Moon in Aries is void-of-course, and perhaps happily so, given that its last aspect was a communicative connection to friendly Venus in Aquarius. Got something social on your calendar this evening?
The Moon enters Taurus on Tuesday at 1:20AM ET; until then you are free to wander aimlessly, take care of routine tasks and roll with twists that may impede your efforts to move forward in a straight line. Better yet, find some time to chill, as this Moon void is the only natural break in the action the Americas will see during business hours until Saturday.
Tuesday’s Taurus Moon offers stabilizing, security-building energy after a work week that began with a surge of enthusiasm, courtesy of the pioneering Aries Sun’s contact with expansive Jupiter at (exact at Tuesday at 3:40AM ET). Did Monday feel like you had a lot on your plate? Can’t believe you ate the whole thing — or promised more than you could deliver? Maybe you were just feeling generous — or were the recipient of someone’s bounty.
Whichever it was, a need for fierce self-determination that also stamps the week (courtesy of the Sun’s hook up with rebel Uranus on Wednesday at 3:08AM ET) may take solid form, bolstered by a practical and productive connection between mental Mercury and sobering, disciplined Saturn, also exact on Wednesday. In your own personal world, much planning and strategy may be accomplished, driven by careful thinking. The potential downside may be having your ego energies meet with stubborn Taurus resistance and a conservative or patriarchal mindset.
Regardless, on Thursday at 5:19AM ET, the Sun is challenged by ruthless Pluto, suggesting a power play or catharsis likely related to resources, plus plenty of dirt exposed and other disruptive “news from underground”. How fast can you say “wake up and smell the coffee?” For those who insist on hitting the snooze button, be advised that mental Mercury will engage with the planetary heavies (Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto) on April 14th. Aggressive Mars gets into the act on April 22nd-23rd, triggering the widely anticipated Cardinal Grand Cross and fifth of seven exact Uranus-Pluto squares. NOW will they get out of bed?
You are personally affected by all the excitement if you have a planet or angle around 8-14 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn — and especially 11-14 degrees of those signs. The 8-10 degree people are directly affected by Sunday’s powerful Aries New Moon. Consult your local astrologer for details.
And now, the news.
Talk about a wake-up call — although if you’re like me and read Al Gore’s book Earth in the Balance when it was published in 1992, it’s hardly news to you. But there, in perfect synch with planetary patterns, and on the front page of the New York Times, is the latest climate change report warning that “the worst is yet to come”. Another wake-up call — also noted in prior posts, but “coincidentally” showed up on my Facebook feed right after the New Moon is this item listing the Five Biggest Regrets of the Dying. May it give you the courage to be true to yourself!
You know how I like to say that Aries falls down stairs because it’s faster than walking. Getting there FIRST, no matter how reckless the method might be, is definitely an Aries trait. And on this Aries New Moon, so tightly configured with the disruptive and resource-focused T-square among Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto, how interesting to see an excerpt from Michael Lewis’ latest book in Sunday’s NYT magazine. The book is called Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt, and this excerpt explains how the stock markets are rigged by high frequency trading and what a small group of rebel entrepreneurs are doing to correct this apparently corrupt practice.
I don’t know what the good folks at Cadillac were thinking when they decided to air this ad for its electric car, but it sparked considerable debate when it aired just before Mars turned retrograde on March 1st. AdAge noted:
Mars refers to cars. Conventional astrological wisdom advises against buying a car when Mars is retrograde. A REview or REvision of something related to Mars is entirely appropriate during a REtrograde, however. So here is Ford’s response to Cadillac commercial — with a different spin on the rewards of the American work ethic. Which car would you buy?
As for the American work ethic, it is screamingly obvious in the U.S. horoscope. Our Sun at 13 degrees Cancer is squared by stern Saturn at 14 degrees Libra. On the upside, sure, we have the resolve to move mountains and build empires. On the downside, it suggests a difficult relationship with a demanding and/or remote paternal influence. This may lead to an inferiority complex in matters of ambition. It suggests an entity that may work hard out of guilt or fear of lack, especially in comparison to someone else. You know the expression “keeping up with the Joneses?” It’s an American creation.
Point is, the Cardinal Grand Cross (and especially Uranus and Pluto) is directly impacting the U.S.’s Sun-Saturn square. Revelations, revolutions and transformations regarding our work ethic may be anticipated. Raise the minimum wage, already! In fact, last week, Connecticut became the first state to raise the minimum wage to $10.10. Isn’t that interesting?
This fire engine red is brought to you by the Moon in fiery Aries! April is going to be a power-packed month! Book a personal astro-logical consultation and find out what it means to YOU.
Astro-logical Forecast for Sunday 3/30/2014: New Moon in Aries
/in The ForecastAloooooo-ha!
By the time you read this, the Moon will have completed a loonnng void-of-course drift through dreamy Pisces and blasted into RAMbunctious Aries at 9:54PM ET, putting an energetic spin on your Saturday night plans. Not that there’s any place in particular to go, however, given that the Moon is still “dead” until Sunday, when a new cycle begins.
The New Moon in Aries happens at 2:45PM ET, offering us an opportunity to re-set intentions and goals for the next lunar cycle. Make a list, light a candle, say a prayer. Around April 7th, on the First Quarter Moon, we can expect a challenge to those goals, with appropriate adjustments made. At the time of the Full Moon on the 15th, we can expect illumination on the success or failure of our goals for the cycle. If we succeeded, we can consciously release our success into our reality; if we failed, we let go of whatever did not work. After the Third Quarter Moon on the 22nd, we can review our achievements, tie up loose ends and get ready to begin another New Moon cycle on April 29th.
A New Moon in Aries suggests a need — or an opportunity — to be a courageous, inspiring pioneer and/or warrior, preferably on the side of the angels. At its best, Aries is a champion for the weak, the vulnerable, the underdog. It inspires people to take initiatives and defy the odds…yes, sometimes foolishly, but hey — if Plan A blows up, there’s always a Plan B, a Plan C and D. A true Aries never never never gives up. Astrologer Linda Goodman once wrote that Gone With the Wind heroine Scarlett O’Hara was a classic Aries, and never more so than at the end of the film when, after Rhett Butler dumps her and life is totally over, Scarlett declares, “I’ll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day”. To Aries, there is always a tomorrow.
At its worst, well…let’s just say Aries can be utterly self-absorbed and go to disturbing extremes in order to get there FIRST. Astrologer Rick Levine likes to say the Aries operating principle is, “Ready…Fire…Aim!” Wherever, whatever…so long as something gets started. I like to say that Aries falls down stairs because it is faster than walking. You got a problem with that?
This New Moon kicks off several weeks of volatile planetary patterns, which does not mean you should run screaming down the halls. Yes, there will be disruptions of the status quo and reckless behavior. But there will also be breakthroughs sure to excite, awe and in some cases, emancipate and empower. If you are personally affected by this lunation i.e., have a planet or angle around 8 to 14 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, a shake-up may be an opportunity for a much-needed fresh start.
This New Moon features the Sun and Moon together at 9 degrees of Aries, about to hook up with rebel Uranus. It is a fiercely independent and potentially eccentric alignment. This gathering of planets sits in a T-square formation — between expansive Jupiter and potent Pluto. Add a ton of optimism (Jupiter) and resources (Pluto) to the mix. The Uranus-Jupiter-Pluto T-square has dominated the sky all year; in the news we can expect more of the same in matters of energy, power, food, money: who has it; who doesn’t — again with the potential for breakthrough revelations.
Visionary thinking is also a big part of the next four weeks, as dreamy Neptune and mental Mercury are both running wild in empathic Pisces. Check out this item about a “Festival of Colors” making it to the homepage of the New York Times (link to the original story with pictures is here). Far out!
The big challenge for initiatives made during this cycle is suggested by Mars, ruler of Aries, currently retrograde. This suggests impatience and/or frustration, and rash actions taken as a result. A retrograde Mars is excellent for planning strategy; not so great for instigating a conflict — including lawsuits and wars.
The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon is “a man teaching new forms for old symbols,” which is ever-so-hopeful in this time of anticipated volatility, don’t you think? Sabian Symbol guru Blaine Bovee suggests we apply it with a mind to “the ingenious ability to make the unworkable work again; to make the unmanageable manageable” or otherwise reinventing the wheel. If you’re stumped, start by going shopping in your closet. Create something fabulous and fresh with pieces you’ve owned for years. Then take your old computer hard drives, mix them with a dozen eggshells and this morning’s coffee grounds, and turn it all into a solar panel. I really believe we have the creative genius to figure this all out…
Note the potential for volatility between 5:08PM ET and 8:46PM ET, as the Moon makes its weekly contact with Jupiter, Uranus and then Pluto. Aries Moon: me-me-me first action! Jupiter: ooh! go for it! Uranus: surprise! Pluto: power play or catharsis, for better or worse. Be mindful if you are on the roads…or walking on a road, as the potential for accidents is higher than usual. Same mindfulness is advised if you are working with knives or any other form of steel.
No sleeping in on Monday…there are very few breaks in the action this week…
April is going to be a power-packed month! A powerful New Moon sets the tone on March 30th. Then, the Sun and Mercury make contact with the Uranus-Pluto square. But wait, there’s more! Two eclipses, bracketing the fifth of the seven exact Uranus-Pluto squares in a rare Cardinal Grand Cross formation. How will your horoscope be affected? Book a personal astro-logical consultation and plan a strategy for now and the rest of the year.
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 3/27/2014: Mind the Void, Part 2 — with Much Aloha
/in The ForecastIt’s deja vu all over again. As in, just like Tuesday. Except it’s Thursday. Moon goes void of course at 9:13AM ET and doesn’t enter the next sign — Pisces — until 8:10PM ET. Go with the flow and appreciate that efforts to move forward in a straight line may be hampered by flakes, twists and a feeling that you’re herding cats. Take care of routine tasks and do not freak out over crises that usually turn out to be much ado about nothing.
And that’s all I have to say about that.
It’s 27 degrees here in New York…again. Have I mentioned that I will be Hawaii next week? I’ll be there for the month of April, reporting on the action suggested by two eclipses, the fifth of seven exact hits of the never-ending Uranus-Pluto square and a rare Cardinal Grand Cross that is sure to be reflected in some interesting events for those whose horoscopes are personally affected. If you have a planet or angle between 8 and 14 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, that would be you. Same for those with planets and angles at 28 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. But wait — there’s more: 24-27 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn…as well as 6-9 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius: come on down….ohhhhh yeahhh….
If you can’t make to Hawaii anytime soon, you can still enjoy the aloha spirit of this fun and funky New York-based band. Quirky, too — and thus appropriate for a Moon void in eccentric Aquarius. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to……The Moonlighters.
Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 3/26/2014: Mercury Trine Jupiter;Gwyneth Paltrow
/in The ForecastLate post today, as I’m packing for a birthday trip to Hawaii, which is one of the positive potentials of having rose-colored Neptune making a significant connection to the Moon. Woo-hoo! Who’s buying the champagne?
Since you all read Monday’s forecast, you know that today is a day for getting things done. There’s no Moon void to derail your efforts to move forward in a straight line, and the Moon is in detached-yet-ever-so-friendly Aquarius. Network, network, network…and hang out with your weird, wacky friends in the evening. Ship it today, rather than tomorrow, as the Moon WILL be void as of 9:13AM ET Thursday until 8:10PM ET that night. If research is on your list of things today for the rest of the week, take advantage of a healthy dirt-digging connection between mental Mercury and investigative Pluto which is exact on Friday.
Also noted in Monday’s forecast: a connection between Mercury and expansive Jupiter, suggesting we’d see news involving publishing, justice and/or religion. How interesting to see on the New York Times homepage this item about local bookstores closing because rents keep expanding. And just now, this item about the Pope accepting the resignation of a high-spending bishop. The court case making headlines this week adds the essence of Saturn in Scorpio (controlling consequences of sexual energy), as arguments are heard by the Supreme Court about whether a corporation can refuse to provide its female employees insurance coverage for contraceptives on the grounds that it restricts religious freedom. None of the corporations are concerned about providing coverage for Viagra…or vasectomies.
So Gwyneth Paltrow’s slightly bewildering divorce announcement is attracting a lot of attention. I glanced at her horoscope for about a minute and immediately noted transiting Neptune (bewilderment) almost conjunct her Pisces Ascendant, which rules her first house of personal projection/ego identity. Her Mercury, which rules her 4th house of family/home and her 7th house of partnerships has (and still is) been supercharged by the never-ending Uranus-Pluto square, suggesting a need for empowering and/or emancipating mindset and communication in those 4th and 7th house areas. And from 2009-2012, she had the Uranus-Pluto square challenging her Libra Sun, suggesting still greater needs for empowerment and individuation. No surprise at all that her marriage would have to find a way to accommodate those needs…and sometimes accommodation is escape or dissolution.
April is going to be a power-packed month! A powerful New Moon sets the tone on March 30th. Then, two eclipses, bracketing the fifth of the seven Uranus-Pluto squares — in a rare Cardinal Grand Cross. How will your horoscope be affected? Book a personal astro-logical consultation and maximize opportunities for growth and change. Here’s the 411.