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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 8/12/2013: Sneak Peek at the Week
/in The ForecastAs with last week, the start of the work week presents us with a void-of -course Moon, suggesting the usual twists in your efforts to move forward in a straight line and perhaps a double shot of espresso to get your going. It has been wandering aimlessly since 9:29PM ET on Sunday. The Moon is in Libra, a relationship-oriented energy that challenges us to find balance and harmony in our interactions with others. Go with the flow today; remember that crises that crop up during Moon voids are often much ado about nothing. The flake factor is higher during Moon voids; don’t take it personally.
At 4:18PM ET, Moon slithers into Scorpio with no fanfare at all, though you may notice a shift as rational debate is replaced by a need for emotional depth and substance. Not until after midnight on Tuesday does the Moon interact with any other planets. Meanwhile, if you have nothing else on your plate, the Perseids are back tonight with a vengeance. More info on this annual meteor shower can be found here.
For those wondering what went down over the weekend (as I did not post a forecast), Saturday’s Moon in Libra was fairly quiet; Sunday’s Moon was batted around by the disruptive Uranus-Pluto square in the early morning hours, ET. The main aspect of the weekend was a stern challenge between mental Mercury and wet blanket Saturn. On the plus side, an opportunity to do some serious — and I do mean serious — brainstorming. On the downside, the potential for heavy, heavy thoughts and overwhelming responsibility. Blergh.
Overall, planetary patterns are light this week. Those heavy thoughts may be replaced by an innovative brainstorm in the days leading up to Wednesday’s easy connection between Mercury and rocket scientist Uranus. Further breakthroughs and sudden changes of fortune can be anticipated (by those directly affected) as we get closer to expansive Jupiter’s square to rebel Uranus on the 21st. You’re affected if you have a planet or angle around 12 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
Moon voids for the rest of the week — Wednesday 5:30pm – 9:04PM ET; Friday 1:32PM ET – 11:25pm ET. Another Friday to leave work early….
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 8/8/2013
/in The ForecastFinally, the Moon is fully in gear — no longer drifting aimlessly — but engaged in Virgo, sign of the organizing perfectionist. Now is the time to launch your New Moon initiatives: make the call; pitch the idea; send the documents. A rosy idealistic glow starts the day, but soon gives way to an easy flow of practical concerns, attended to with depth and detail. Optimistic communication is suggested around 6:30PM ET, just in time for happy hour. This proactive vibe continues until 6:05PM ET Friday, when the Moon goes void with a sigh. Make the most of your time until then.
The other planetary shift today is mental Mercury, ruling mindset and communications, leaving emotional Cancer for prideful, roarin’ Leo. How many royal edicts will be issued between now and August 23rd, when Mercury leaves Leo for Virgo? Never mind; that’s a rhetorical question.
On the heels of yesterday’s face-off between heavyweights Jupiter in Cancer and Pluto in Capricorn, financial heavyweight JPMorgan revealed it is facing criminal and civil inquiries. Let the record show that this configuration directly impacts the horoscope of JPMorgan’s CEO, Jamie Dimon, discussed in prior forecasts (search the archives). It will be very interesting to see what is going on at that company around November 2, when lightning bolt Uranus adds its two cents to the conversation. A disruption of the status quo is suggested.
Last but not least — following up on yesterday’s post about the government of Japan now getting involved with the crisis at Fukushima, it was all I could do not to type in all caps GEEZ LOUISE, WHAT TOOK THEM SO LONG? I could post news of staggering crises every day and chalk them all up to the ongoing Uranus-Pluto square, bemoaning stories like Governor Rick Scott of Florida moving full speed ahead on voter suppression appearing on the same day as this piece about the ecological collapse happening RIGHT NOW in Florida’s inland waters. It can be challenging to maintain balance and optimism during these historic planetary cycles, but we must…even though the fact is — as Edward Snowden has been kind enough to inform us — that we are all connected, whether we like it or not.
How to cope? Levity is an amazing coping strategy. Once upon a time I had a writing teacher who liked to say that drama is inspired by heroes; comedy is sparked by tragedy. Tasteless, ill-timed jokes are efforts to process information and sensory overload. Thus I must conclude that there is a giant SEP field hovering over those Floridian waters…and the SEP field over Fukushima may now be finally lifting (thank you, Uranus-Pluto sqaure). What? You’ve never heard of a SEP field? It is a most ingenious device, written about by Douglas Adams in his breathtakingly wry and observant book Life, the Universe and Everything (the third book in the series that began with The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy). I hope it makes you laugh. If you haven’t read these books, you’re missing out on a real treat.
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 8/7/13: Chillin’ With the Heavies
/in The ForecastAll dressed up and nowhere to go? Could be a feeling after the surge of energy launched into nothingness by yesterday’s New Moon in Leo, which promptly went void-of-course, suggesting nothing of consequence will be started. This drift continues until 11:57PM ET, when the Moon gets into gear in discerning Virgo. You’ll likely feel the shift of energy immediately, along with a focused awareness of details that need to be sorted, organized and made right.
The big planetary pattern of the day is the first of three oppositions between expansive Jupiter in emotional/homeland security-needing Cancer and empowering, perspicacious Pluto. A shift or power reach or breakdown of collective beliefs about home, family, emotional security? Here’s a story that hit a few days ago about such issues: a county in California considering using eminent domain to seize homes with underwater mortgages and allow the homeowner to stay in the home and refinance the reduced value. As opposed to evicting the homeowners and letting investors buy the homes at the same reduced value. In other news, President Obama made a speech yesterday about getting involved in serious housing finance reform.
As noted yesterday, Jupiter-Pluto connections often reflect stories about power and resources: oil, gas, nuclear — and here’s a cool one about solar power — also out of California. Meanwhile, in Japan, the prime minister has directed the government to get involved with the ongoing crisis at Fukushima, which has been going on now for over two years. According to a story in the NYT, Mr Abe said, “This is not an issue we can let Tepco take complete responsibility of; we must deal with this at the national level.” How fascinating that this statement would be made on the Jupiter-Pluto opposition…
Use the energy of this long Moon void to chill, take care of what is routine and know that crises that crop up are usually much ado about nothing. Enjoy the twists that arise in your efforts to move forward in a straight line.
Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 8/6/2013: New Moon in Leo — A Royal Celebration
/in The ForecastThe New Moon in Leo officially begins today at 5:51PM ET, offering us an opportunity to re-set intentions and goals for the next lunar cycle. Around the 14th, 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 20th, 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 28th, we can review our achievements, tie up loose ends and get ready to begin another New Moon on September 5th.
This New Moon occurs at 14 degrees of Leo, where its need for drama, love and other forms of recognition will likely find expression in groups, perhaps also through a maternal influence. Freedom of expression is a lingering theme, with an added layer of “healer, heal thyself”. The Sabian Symbol for this lunation suggests plenty of opportunities to pull out all the stops in all matters of creative expression seeking recognition. It is this: “a pageant”. Examples of a pageant, notes Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee, include the outrageous carnival of a Mardi Gras, marked by wretched excess and exultation. Adding to the potential for celebratory overload is a pattern noted yesterday: expansive Jupiter, seeking its reward in whatever fosters homeland and emotional security….opposed by powerful Pluto in the sign of the Established Order. But wait, there’s more — and that would be the windfall opportunity suggested by Jupiter’s upcoming square to Uranus. Sudden disruptions of the status quo, for better or worse, that lead to sweeping change…
You will feel this surge of creative expression and celebration more personally if you have a planet or point at around 14 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Opportunities for transformational expansion are suggested by the Jupiter-Pluto-Uranus square if you have a planet or point around 8-13 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
I don’t know about you, but everyone around me has been particularly giddy this morning, true to the spirit of the Leo Moon’s need for play. Once the New Moon is exact at 5:51PM ET (light a candle; set your intentions), it then goes void of course until 11:57PM ET — tomorrow night. That’s a looooong rest period. Time for a party or what? But y’know, that’s the spirit of this New Moon — just be careful your backyard BBQ grill does not tip over and set the house on fire. Or explode. You can have too much of a good thing, including creative self-expression, as this timely article on America’s narcissism crisis explains. Once the Moon is in detail-conscious, perfection seeking Virgo on Thursday, then proceed to launch an agenda that is intended to take form, as opposed to just taking the stage.
In the news — following up on yesterday’s note about the Jupiter-Pluto opposition suggesting big news in the publishing world — how fascinating it was to see the Washington Post being bought by Amazon, and just a few days ago the owner of the Boston Red Sox bought the Boston Globe. Jupiter-Pluto-Uranus also suggests resources, including nuclear power, and I am totally bummed to report that the situation in Fukushima continues to worsen — and it does so every time there’s a trigger to the Uranus-Pluto square by a faster-moving planet. Last month it was the Sun and Mars; this month, Jupiter and Venus; the first week in October it’ll be the Sun; the first week in November it’ll be the fourth of seven exacts Uranus-Pluto square.
What else does Jupiter-Pluto suggest? Big news in sports…and everyone is dishing about the doping scandal in Major League Baseball, which includes its highest-paid player, a.k.a. A-Rod of the NY Yankees. We do not have a birth time for A-Rod (known birth data here), but let the record show that his proud Leo Sun was just smacked down by a square from stern Saturn. And while we are on the subject of stern Saturn smackdowns, let the record also show that a frequent subject of this forecast, Dominque Straus-Kahn, was recently charged with pimping after Saturn’s third opposition to DSK’s Taurus Sun.
Wanna see some cool outer space stuff, also suggested by current planetary patterns? Even the Mars Curiosity rover is in a celebratory mood. Here is a video of it singing “Happy Birthday” to itself, presumably not in violation of any copyright laws on the Red Planet. Happy birthday, Curiosity!
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 8/5/2013: Party Zone
/in The ForecastEast Coasters can ease into the start of the work week, courtesy of the Cancer Moon being void-of-course as of 2:49AM ET until 12:58PM ET. Sleeping late? No problem! Most transgressions can be gotten away with — huzzah! And huzzah it may be again once the Moon enters regal Leo at 12:58PM ET, looking for any opportunity to party on and/or shine. Not until 11:54PM ET might the brakes be put on, thanks to stern Saturn challenging someone’s authority. Spend this day and much of the next wrapping up projects from this lunar cycle. It starts all over again tomorrow at 5:51PM ET — sort of. We’ll have a New Moon at that time, but it goes void until 11:57PM ET Wednesday, suggesting that day will be a bit of a bust. Wait until Thursday to reeeeally launch your brand new bright ideas.
The big planetary pattern this week is expansive Jupiter exactly opposing Pluto (power, resources, transformation) on Wednesday at 7:34PM ET. Jupiter rules Sagittarius, the sign that is only too happy to offer its opinion on any subject — whether you want to hear it or not. Jupiter rules collective belief systems, including law, philosophy and religion. It rules group communication systems, too, such as academia, publishing and broadcasting. Pluto refers to power, breakdown, transformation, energy/resources. Look for those themes in the news, as collective belief and outreach systems are challenged and perhaps transformed. Right now for example, there’s a battle going on between Time Warner Cable and CBS, and the latter is no longer available on the former. Fortunately for viewers, there’s Aereo and Netflix — and both are cheaper than TWC. Huzzah!
Meanwhile, a challenge to a collective belief system prevailed in the Czech Republic — with the delightful fringe element of Sunday’s uncompromisingly free and eccentric connection between rebel Uranus and the dramatic Leo Sun. Ever hear of a Pastafarian? You must see the official government ID photo of this fiercely independent Czech citizen, who is also a member of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. It may sound kooky, but there are intriguing potential consequences suggested by his victory, as the accompanying article explains.
Jupiter-Pluto transits often trigger events involving power sources, e.g., the oil, gas and nuclear power industries. Also watch for news from underground, especially as we get closer to August 21st, when Jupiter will square disruptive Uranus.