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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 Monday & Tuesday 12/30-31/2013: Persuasive Action
/in The ForecastReady for a break? The high-flying Sagittarius Moon goes void-of course with a long sigh at 6:36AM ET, not to enter the next sign — Capricorn — until 1:01PM ET on Tuesday. Trying to move forward in a straight line during Moon voids can feel like you’re herding an infinite number of cats. Go with the flow of whatever twists and delays crops up, and remember that crises — including panic attacks — that manifest are often much ado about nothing. Example: in my other life in TV news, I can’t tell you how many times a “urgent” deadline has suddenly pulled focus in a Moon void and then turned into a big “NEVER MIND” once the Moon got back into gear. So if you feel under the gun over the next two days, please maintain perspective and chill, chill chill!
Given that we are the end of the lunar cycle, the wandering potential of the Moon void may be especially augmented by the listlessness or restlessness often felt in the dark side of the Moon. We sense the new cycle is coming, but we don’t know what it is. Clear your desk of projects started at the New Moon, and also consider letting go of these 20 things in preparation for the powerful New Moon in Capricorn that’s happening Wednesday at 6:14AM ET. We are starting the New Year off with a bang!
Today’s Moon void should take some of the potentially forceful edge off the the potent challenge between aggressive Mars and ruthless Pluto (exact at 8:16PM ET), though I still expect to see some notable acts of violence (downside) and/or extraordinarily energetic efforts (upside) making headlines. Same goes for the intensely perspicacious hook-up between mental Mercury and Pluto happening Tuesday at 6:24AM ET, as well as the clash of will and mindset suggested by a challenge between Mercury and Mars a few hours later. Communications may be exceptionally persuasive and/or forceful — especially with Venus (social decorum) in full-blown retrograde mode through the end of January (interesting to see this op-ed piece on political bullies in Sunday NYT).
If you were born around the 1st of January, April, July and October…or if you have a planet or angle around 8-11 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, you are more likely to feel the pressure to “make it or break it” continuing on for the next few days….for better or for worse; the choice is up to you.
At 1:01PM ET on Tuesday, Moon enters “make it happen” Capricorn, infusing the day with an earthy practicality. A soft connection between the Moon and rose-colored Neptune offers a dreamy spin to the “Auld Lang Syne” you’ll be singing at midnight. Do be careful around the fireworks, as the Capricorn Moon makes contact with the never-ending Uranus-Pluto square in the wee hours of the first day of 2014. Did I mention that the New Year might start off with a bang?
Last, but not least, some tech innovations on deck for 2014, as well as this piece about “brain-like” computers, brought to you by rocket scientist Uranus making contact with Mars, Mercury and the Sun all last week…enjoy!
Plan your strategy for the the New Year with a personal astro-logical consultation! Here’s how to contact me.
Donations are always welcome, with gratitude for your expression of appreciation. I’ll also mail you a nifty Mercury Retrograde Survival Guide bookmark, so you’ll always know when that trickster planet is doing its backwards shuffle — and how to handle it.
Astro-logical Forecast for Friday, Saturday & Sunday 12/27-29/2013: The Healing Power of Sudden Breakthroughs
/in The ForecastTGIF!
East Coasters who are working during this holiday week may have experienced a slow start or twist to the morning, courtesy of a three-hour Moon void between 6 and 8:58AM ET. Now the Moon is fully engaged in Scorpio, seeking depth and substance for the sake of power and control. But before you run screaming down the hall, which some people do at the mere mention of the word “Scorpio,” consider that this depth-seeking energy is well-supported by positive contacts from visionary Neptune, mental Mercury and the enterprising Capricorn Sun. Put it all together and you have the potential for mastery and healing — even for a few sublime moments. What projects and visions are you seeking to move forward? Pay close attention to the quality of seemingly “random” encounters, even the ones you experience in your dreams.
Exact lunar aspects on Saturday are equally supportive, save for a potential downer of a hook-up between the Moon and stern Saturn. On the upside, this serious aspect (exact at 7:58PM ET) can a facilitate a necessary reach for ambition, driven by a sense of lack. Go for it, with all the idealistic fervor you can muster, aided by a flash of disruptive genius. That’s the potential of mental Mercury aligning with the Sun and challenging rebel Uranus on Sunday. Far out!
Sunday, like today (Friday) may get off to a wandering start, given that the Scorpio Moon will be void for a few hours starting at 8:54AM ET. Please hold off on those super-duper after-Christmas sales until the Moon enters Sagittarius at 12:37PM ET. After that, the Sagittarius Moon drives the day with a need to broaden horizons, express opinions or take a gamble or a gambol. “The sky’s the limit” might even be too conservative, given the breakthrough potential of another challenge from rebel Uranus, this time to the Sun in patriarchal Capricorn, exact just after midnight on Monday. Disruptions of the status quo — in aviation, technology, revolutions, energy resources and “news from underground” are likely to make headlines. Also on Monday — but likely to be reflected in headlines beforehand — a challenge between aggressive Mars and ruthless Pluto that suggests extreme action and persuasive force, for better or for worse.
If you were born around the 1st of January, April, July and October…or if you have a planet or angle around 8-11 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, you are more likely to feel the pressure to “make it or break it” continuing on for the next few days. Book an appointment with your local astrologer for guidance and strategies. As someone who happens to have a planet at 8 degrees of Aries, I can say from personal experience that sharp knives and other metal objects should be handled with great care. I’ve cut myself twice this week doing utterly mundane tasks, making typing this forecast quite a challenge. D’oh!
And now, the news.
I confess I was expecting a truly freaky (Uranus) act of aggression (Mars) to hit the wires by Christmas Day and was somewhat miffed by its absence when I started writing this last night. Yeah, OK, there was a big ice storm that knocked out power in Maine, Michigan and Canada…a father who threw his young son off a building and jumped to his own death in New York (factor in the potentially cold, cruel behavior of Venus retrograde in Capricorn)…and yet another story of anger involving airplanes. Oh, and the markets are going nuts. Then the BBC reported an “exceptional” event in Argentina, in which 70 bathers were injured by a school of ravenous piranhas. Truly freaky. Astrology strikes again.
But planetary patterns don’t just show up in the headlines; they can be reflected in daily life, too. Here’s an example of how the visionary potential of mental Mercury aligned with Neptune in Pisces and the “sudden breakthrough” potential of action hero Mars with rebel Uranus was reflected quite unexpectedly (Uranus) in my day yesterday.
I’d made an appointment with the lovely and talented Claudia Rosenhouse Raiken, whose exquisite hands and loving energy make her one of the most extraordinary cranio-sacral therapists I’ve ever worked with (New Yorkers, take note). Claudia’s unique approach also includes visualization techniques (Neptune!), which facilitates healing (more Neptune) and breakthroughs in consciousness (Uranus!) Claudia is also an extraordinary doula (her true calling), and has assisted in over 200 births since 2011.
Now what is a birth if not a profound push forward, and thus a perfect higher expression of Mars-Uranus energy? And how perfectly timed could it be that Claudia’s work is included in a book that will published next week called Dreambirth: Transforming the Journey of Childbirth with Imagery? This powerful tome is chock-full of empowering and healing visualization exercises for every aspect of the birthing journey, including pre-conception, postpartum, miscarriages and abortions. There are exercises for prospective fathers and same-sex partners, too, including some super-cool visualizations that facilitate connections with the soul of the unborn child.
Point is, in a period of heavy Mars-Uranus-Neptune-Mercury activity, you could be attacked by a school of ravenous piranhas (Neptune does rule fish)…or you could make the startling discovery of a book about dreams, birthing/breakthroughs and healing. Planetary patterns have many levels of expression…for better or for worse…and often, the choice is up to you. What healing breakthroughs have you manifested this week, hmmm? Better to choose that option than to slice off a small chunk of your index finger with a pair of scissors…
Plan your strategy for the the New Year with a personal astro-logical consultation! Here’s how to contact me.
Donations are always welcome, with gratitude for your expression of appreciation. I’ll also mail you a nifty Mercury Retrograde Survival Guide bookmark, so you’ll always know when that trickster planet is doing its backwards shuffle — and how to handle it.
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 12/23-26/2013: Sneak Peek at the Week
/in The ForecastSoulful, spiritual and dreamy on the one hand; volatile and illuminating on the other hand. Dominant planetary patterns this week include the breakthrough or breakout challenge between aggressive Mars and rebel Uranus (exact on Christmas Day), versus cooperative connections among the enterprising Capricorn Sun, Capricorn Mercury and nebulous Neptune (exact on the 24th and 26th, respectively). Mercury leaves high-flying Sagittarius for earthy Capricorn on Tuesday at 5:12AM ET, suggesting a need to think less about big philosophical constructs and more about how to make them happen.
Today is quiet, compared to the potential for the rest of the week. The Virgo Moon is humming along, seeking to make things right with easy efficiency today. Please see thoughts posted in the weekend forecast for the joys of Moon in Virgo.
Tuesday is also a full-fledged work day, for those who would like to make it so. The Virgo Moon is well-supported by expansive Jupiter and constructive Saturn and the evening ends on a lovely trine between Venus and Moon before going void for a couple of hours at 10:54PM ET — no big deal. The only caveat is how soon we may see the more intense reflections of Wednesday’s Mars-Uranus challenge, given that Mars is notoriously trigger-happy and it is in Libra, sign of relationship. Uranus is notoriously erratic, especially in me-me-me Aries — the point being that this is an impatient and impulsive aspect that often manifests ahead of schedule. So don’t be surprised if you’re surprised.
Speaking of relationship, Moon enters Libra at 1:17AM ET on Christmas Day, needing so much to be popular, considerate and appreciated. However, that Mars-Uranus challenge will be all over the Libra Moon throughout the day, along with the Sun and Mercury. “Lively” would be one way to describe the potential quality of your interactions today, and if you’re interacting with anyone who has planets or angles around 8 to 11 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, those folks are likely to be livelier than other — and definitely more easily provoked. Be careful on the roads and around heavy machinery. Making time for a physical release that is not driven by an angry outburst would be a productive use of the high-voltage energy of this day.
On the 26th, also known as Boxing Day and also Kwanzaa, the only challenge to the Libra Moon’s need for peace and balance is from expansive Jupiter at 9:01AM ET — hardly a challenge at all, unless it’s to your wallet. Note your dreams that morning, suggested by a productive channel between mental Mercury and visionary Neptune. Let the dust settle.
There’s plenty to write about in the news, but in this moment the story I feel like sharing is one that reflects a positive manifestation of the feisty pioneering potential of rebel Uranus in Aries. The headline is “How to Monetize Your Closet” and it’s about a business that allows individuals to profit — including you, if you like. Another story that reflects the visionary potential of all the rose-colored Neptune energy of the next few days is called “37 Things You’ll Regret When You’re Old”. Then there’s this gem, “Iceland’s Hidden Elves Delay Road Projects”, a Neptune story if there ever was one…and now, if you’ll excuse me, I am going to go bake some cookies to leave for Santa Claus, whom I believe with all my heart will be climbing down my chimney with loads of presents on Christmas Eve. Magical!
A personal astro-logical consultation would make a lovely gift — for yourself or a special someone on your holiday shopping list. I have seven festive gift certificates left to email or snail mail — here’s the 411.
Donations are always welcome, with gratitude for your expression of appreciation. I’ll also mail you a nifty Mercury Retrograde Survival Guide bookmark, so you’ll always know when that trickster planet is doing its backwards shuffle — and how to handle it.
Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 12/20/2013 & The Weekend: Winter Solstice; the Aries Point & Edward Snowden
/in The ForecastMoon roared into playful, dramatic Leo this morning at 1:48AM ET, which along with the rowdy Sagittarius Sun, offers the potential for super-fab holiday cheer on this last weekend before Christmas. Jolly good! Lunar aspects are light, and favor a smooth application of will with innovative flair. Whatever it is, “make it so” — just like Captain Picard says in this way cool holiday Star Trek:TNG mash-up, where the whole crew performs an innovative version of “Let It Snow.” If you’re lucky, the commercial before the song will be the latest ad from Pantene that everyone is talking about, which ends with the very Moon in Leo tagline, “Be Strong and Shine”. Cue Helen Reddy now, please. Guys, it’s OK if you hum along, too.
On Saturday at 12:11PM ET, we say goodbye to the Sun in Sagittarius and hello to the Sun in Capricorn. Happy Winter Solstice! In the Northern Hemisphere, days will be getting longer and nights will be getting shorter. If you live in South Africa or anywhere else south of the equator, you are celebrating the first day of summer. What’s it like having a serious sign like Capricorn associated with bikini weather, I wonder? Somebody please write and tell me. In any case, with Capricorn, we move from big-picture thinking (Sagittarius) to practical application. What will we build that will materially define our collective philosophy? Think corporations, governments and maybe The Junior League. Think status and ambition.
Here’s what you need to know about the first day of any season — i.e., equinoxes and solstices — from an astrological point of view. The first days of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter correspond with the first day (or first degree) of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, respectively. Got that? Good. These four signs are called cardinal signs of the zodiac. Cardinal signs initiate. They come up with the idea and put it into action, which leads to necessary change. “Cardinal” suggests (from the Latin root of the word), “that on which something turns or depends.” So the first day/degree of a Cardinal sign is a turning point. In astrology, the technical term for the first degree of any Cardinal sign is the Aries Point, just to confuse people who are not professional astrologers.
Equinoxes and solstices are also prominent. We make a fuss over them, right? In Japan, the first day of each season is actually a national holiday. How cool is that? Thus, in a horoscope, a planet or angle at the Aries Point needs to be prominent. I’ll give you a detailed example of someone famous who was born around the Aries Point in a minute. Off the top of my head, Meryl Streep (a Cancer) and William Shatner (an Aries) were both born with the Sun at the Aries Point. They’re pretty prominent in everything they do, don’t you think?
In the chart for the Winter Solstice using Washington DC as the location, it is interesting to note that the angles are all at the Aries Point, strongly suggesting that this winter is a turning point for the U.S. The volatility of the DC chart supports what has been posted in prior forecasts about the enormous challenges and disruption of the status quo the U.S. horoscope will likely face in 2014, courtesy of the never-ending Uranus-Pluto square challenging the U.S. Sun and the U.S. Saturn.
The other significant planetary shift on Saturday is Venus turning retrograde at 4:53PM ET — refer to yesterday’s forecast for details. Note that at 5PM ET, the Leo Moon is challenged by Saturn in controlling Scorpio, so we can expect a reach for ambition or a heavy wet blanket to set the tone for the evening. On Sunday, Moon goes void of course at 8:25 AM ET and enters Virgo at 2:19PM ET. That’s when it will be safe to hit the malls or computer to finish your holiday shopping (gorgeous gift certificates for personal astro-logical consultations can be emailed anywhere, in case you were wondering). The Virgo Moon offers excellent energy for making lists, checking them twice and finding out who’s been naughty or nice. I wonder if Santa works for the NSA during the off-season…
Speaking of the NSA and people born with planets at the Aries Point that need to be prominent, Edward Snowden is making headlines again. Here’s an earlier post about his horoscope. Of course we’d expect him to be making news at this time, given that all week the Sagittarius Sun has been opposing his natal Mars-Sun conjunction in Gemini and conjoining his natal Neptune. Snowden’s Sun is at 29 Gemini; his Neptune is at 27 Sagittarius — within range of the exact Aries Point & thus we expect the energy to inform and be informed (Sun in Gemini) and a vision of and/or deception/mystery/dissolution in the service of a righteous higher mindset (Neptune in Sag) to achieve prominence. Well?
Six months after a birthday is when the Sun opposes the natal Sun — this applies to everyone. We expect illumination on whatever what launched around the birthday — a.k.a. solar return. In Edward Snowden’s case, it is fascinating to note that a panel of advisers has advised President Obama to restrict the NSA’s massive surveillance of everyone and their dog — and this is a direct result of Snowden’s actions six months ago. Meanwhile, the illuminations just keep on coming.
No Moon void on Monday means no sleeping in. Get up and get organized — planetary patterns suggest you’ll have more than enough incentive…
A personal astro-logical consultation would make a lovely gift — for yourself or a special someone on your holiday shopping list. I have festive gift certificates to email or snail mail — here’s the 411.
Gratuities are always welcome, with gratitude (what else?) for your expression of appreciation :)
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 12/19/2013: More on Venus Retrograde
/in The ForecastThe Moon is still in Cancer, seeking to fulfill its need for emotional security, perhaps by wearing its heart on its sleeve. There are no exact lunar aspects during business hours in the Americas and no Moon void either, so keep on truckin’. This fast-approaching Mars challenge to erratic Uranus next week is in effect now, so please be careful on the roads.
On Saturday, we’ll have two noteworthy planetary events: the Winter Solstice and Venus turning retrograde in Capricorn. Let’s talk about Venus retrograde today; we’ll cover the Solstice in the next forecast.
Venus goes retrograde on the 21st at 4:53pm at 28 degrees Capricorn. It turns direct on January 31st at 13 degrees of Capricorn. Venus refers to how we need to express ourselves socially. It also refers to women, art, beauty and money; in health matters Venus refers to the belt line area of the body (and internal organs at the belt line, as well as the thyroid and the throat. Venus also rules copper, which is an important indicator of economic growth in the commodities markets.
In our social interactions, Venus is the sugar that sweetens our needs and demands, facilitating cooperation in relationships. When direct in motion, Venus supports social graces and words like “please” and “thank you”. When retrograde, courtesy and consideration do not come so easily — and relationships suffer the consequences. The image I hold of Venus retrograde is one of those old-fashioned sardine cans — the ones where you had to use a key to open them. Roll back the lid of the sardine can and there you have it: stinky fish exposed, for all to see. There’s no hiding that smell.
Venus retrograde offers a relationship, material or aesthetic challenge wherever it is traveling in your horoscope, in this case 13-28 degrees of Capricorn. Tried and true connections may be strained, but durable. Less sturdy bonds may snap. All that fishy smell can mess up our aesthetic senses, too. Be very careful about starting a fling with that hot new thing during this time period, lest ye awaken in a month or so with buyer’s remorse — or worse — the horrible panicked aftermath of a coyote date. This applies to all partnerships, not just romantic ones.
Don’t believe me? Just ask the voters who put those Tea Party rock stars in office in the November 2010 elections, despite the suggestions posted in this forecast (search the archives) that they might live to regret it. And in fact, many Tea Party candidates who were elected in 2010 did not win in 2012. Some are now running for re-election in 2014, presenting themselves as more moderate candidates. As it turns out, there will be no Venus retrograde in November.
Exercise caution in matters of decor. If you’re planning on redecorating, you hopefully have your colors picked out now, rather than during Venus retrograde. Putting in an offer on a new home? The value of the home may be inflated; make sure you’re not paying too much. Look under the rugs, kick the tires — make sure you’re not seduced by surface charm covering up so much….stinky fish.
If you were born with Venus in Capricorn, you could be quite adept at knowing how to use relationships to get ahead. You may wait until later in life before realizing that love is more valuable than status. During this Venus retrograde period, we may witness many misguided efforts to achieve status through the acquisition of material things or people considered “trophies”.
So what good can come out of Venus retrograde? Artistic and creative projects you abandoned may be ripe for a second chance at completion. You may REconnect with a past love. You could REview your handling of financial matters; perhaps there is room for some REorganizing and REstructuring. You may find yourself REconsidering the value of all of your relationships between now and January 31st, but there’s likely no need to make an impulsive leap forward or a major break. You may even REconsider the value of what you value, including money — and darned if this eloquent and provocative little video didn’t just show up on my newsfeed as I typed that last sentence. Have you ever heard of Charles Eisenstein, who wrote a book called Sacred Economics? I hadn’t either, but with today’s Moon in Cancer, Venus just about at its station in Capricorn and the never-ending Uranus-Pluto square rumbling in the background, this video feels perfectly timed…enjoy.
Finish your Christmas shopping before Venus turns retrograde! A personal astro-logical consultation would make a lovely gift — for yourself or a special someone on your holiday shopping list. I have festive gift certificates to email or snail mail — here’s the 411.