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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 Friday & Saturday 7/19-20/2013: Grand Trine, Uranus Retrograde, Mercury Direct
/in The ForecastMore of the Moon in high-flying Sagittarius, suggesting the focus is on a need to express opinions, however blunt and/or outrageous. This Moon also needs to expand horizons, as in a spirited philosophical debate, an international adventure or a walk in the woods. Sounds like a good time for a good time to me…
Meanwhile, we are still in the middle of the Grand Trine among Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Mars — all in Water signs. Today we’ll see Saturn (structure) exactly trine Neptune (vision) at 9:28AM ET. You’re feeling this potential to turn dreams into reality — driven by emotion/intuition — more personally if you have planets at 4 – 6 degrees of any sign, but especially Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. The U.S. has Jupiter (luck, expansion reward) at 6 degrees of Cancer — and there are the markets, moving higher — as forecast.
Exuberant expansion is one potential of the next few days as action-hero Mars exactly engages with the three outer planets in the Grand Trine pattern. On Saturday, Mars will trine Saturn and Neptune, suggesting a easy flow of discipline, corporate or militant structure (Saturn), sprinkled with a liberal dose of faith, sex appeal, glamor and other forms of pixie dust (Neptune). Water, water everywhere and beautifully reflected in this story about the latest sensation at MOMA. People are waiting for hours to spend a few minutes in an exhibit called “The Rain Room”.
I should mention the subtle shift that occurred on Wednesday at 1:20PM ET, when freedom-loving Uranus turned retrograde, not to turn direct until December 17th. When a planet is retrograde, the energy it represents is best expressed by turning inward, instead of outward. When direct, Uranus tends to rebel against the status quo set by others. When retrograde, Uranus needs to set itself free from limits that are self-imposed.
Uranus turned retrograde at 12 degrees of Aries, and between now and December, it will move back to 8 degrees. So if you have a planet between 8 and 12 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, you can expect an intense second hit of issues you’ve recently experienced involving freedom, independence, being yourself without compromise and sudden upsets of the status quo. You’ll get a third hit in early 2014, when Uranus turns direct and travels from 8 to 12 degrees again. One current newsmaker sure to be affected is George Zimmerman, whose Sun is at 11 degrees of Libra. Let the record show that Pluto turned retrograde at 11 Capricorn on April 12th; it turns direct at 9 Capricorn on September 20th; it’ll be back at 11 Capricorn by the end of December. You can read more about Uranus-Pluto transits in the ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS section of my website.
Last but not least — some notes on Saturday. Mercury turns direct at 2:22PM ET — be aware of the increased potential for communication and transportation snafus. Moon goes void between 11AM and 2:39PM ET — take a break; no impulse shopping. Moon enters enterprising Capricorn at 2:39PM ET, needing to make things happen big time…but keep in mind that Mercury’s change of station may likely muddle the strategy.
TGIF!
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 7/18/2013: The Watery Depths
/in The ForecastAfter a pleasant and likely dramatically self-indulgent challenge from Venus at 5:35AM ET, Moon goes void of course in Scorpio at 7:13AM ET. Strange twists and delays in your morning routine notwithstanding, you may wake up humming. Go with the flow until 1:54PM ET, when the Moon bolts into opinionated Sagittarius, lifting spirits and encouraging us to gamble and/or gambol.
We are in the middle of a rare planetary pattern known as a Grand Trine — discussed in prior forecasts. Four planets — Jupiter, Mars, Saturn and Neptune – are now exactly configured in the shape of a triangle. All are in water signs — as are the Sun and Mercury. So much depth of feeling; so much intuitive potential; so many possibilities to turn a dream into reality.
Do you meditate? This is a serious question. With mental Mercury still retrograde, the suggestion is to turn inward for information. Or better yet, tune in.To your feelings. To your spirit. Pay close attention to your dreams. Do some yoga. Listen to music. Dance. Turn off the noise around you. Be still. Focus. Take advantage of the opportunity for mental rest over the next couple of days. Mercury turns direct on Saturday, and for the rest of the month, it’s likely to be very busy. Put this calm before the storm to good use. Recharge, review, reconnect. Meditate!
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday & Tuesday 7/15-16/2013: It’s Later Than You Think…
/in The ForecastThe work week began with Moon in Libra, suggesting a need for fairness, balance and all manners of equilibrium and social graces in relationship. I don’t know about you, but this morning’s challenge — at 6:38AM ET — between the rational Moon and mental Mercury in emotional Cancer seemed to have everyone yakking about something. I can’t tell you how many animated conversations I overheard — whether I wanted to hear them or not. Mercifully, the buzz settled down after lunch…and as I am typing this now, I look forward to a lovely and indulgent aspect between Venus (beauty, art, women) and the refined Moon to set the scene for a free concert in Central Park.
Round about midnight we can expect a challenge to whatever agenda was set at last Monday’s New Moon, as the Sun is squared by the Moon. You may recall the Sabian Symbol offered us the image of a seedling or a germinating idea. Do we like what we have planted? And here I would be thinking of the story that is currently dominating the news — at least in the US — which is the verdict that came down on Saturday, finding would-be law enforcement officer George Zimmerman not guilty of murder — or even manslaughter — despite Zimmerman clearly and deliberately firing the gun which put a bullet into the heart of Trayvon Martin.
With regard to the verdict — note that it was reached on a void-of-course Moon in perfection-seeking, hair-splitting Virgo. Unexpected twists and upsets favoring the underdog are more likely during voids. So are actions taken that don’t go much of anywhere. Note that Mercury is still retrograde, suggesting the potential for flawed thinking based on incomplete or inaccurate information that will have to be corrected once Mercury turns direct. It was interesting to see this article alleging that the jury was given very specific instructions — and limited information — about the “Stand Your Ground” law under which Zimmerman was able to be acquitted. Keep in mind, however, the general rule for Mercury retrograde and the news: take what you hear with a grain of salt; double check everything, as suggested by this item alleging certain reporters and police officials in Los Angeles falsely reported that rowdy protestors damaged a hotel.
With the Moon’s ingress into Libra on Sunday, there was indeed much outrage over the verdict’s unfairness. Comparisons were made to another Florida case in 2012 where an African-American woman was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Her crime? Firing warning shots into the air in an effort to defend herself against an abusive husband. Yet the “Stand Your Ground” law apparently did not apply to her. Says Libra Moon: IT’S NOT FAIR!.
Meanwhile, another stark illustration of inequality and unfairness in relationship began making the rounds on Facebook. It’s a jaw-dropping, absolutely must-see four minute “candid camera” video showing how a certain class of people reacted to three apparent bicycle thieves. Seriously. Watch it — and pass it on — it’ll give you something to talk about. I wish everyone in the country would take the time to watch — and then spend three hours discussing it.
Note that the Moon goes void of course at 11:18PM ET on Monday night….not to enter Scorpio until Tuesday at 10:24AM ET. You know what that means. An evening to chill. A slow start to your day or twist in your efforts to move forward in a straight line on Tuesday morning. On the plus side, you can usually sleep in and get away with it. Your other Moon void for the week happens between 7:13AM ET and 1:54PM ET on Thursday. No launches, important meetings or contract signings during that period if you please.
Once the Moon enters Scorpio on Tuesday at 10:24AM, rationalizations may be abandoned in order to fulfill a need for greater depth, substance and passion. An easy connection to Moon from Mars at 2:14PM ET fuels action, perhaps of a passive-aggressive or subversive kind. The hours leading up to 7PM ET offer a mixed message: jolly Jupiter offers an enthusiastic boost to the Moon’s need for depth, followed by a serious reality check from stern Saturn, which may be shrugged off entirely by a dose of dreamy fog from nebulous Neptune. For now, the need is for containment and control, suggested partly by the super-cool, Ray-ban sporting Scorpio Moon. The other part is suggested by the emotionally self-sufficient Grand Water Trine among Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune that will be exact tomorrow. Good for business, good for faith; good for business based on faith.
Astro-logical Forecast for Saturday & Sunday 7/13-14/2013: Mars in Cancer, Edward Snowden and More…
/in The ForecastThe Moon has been in perfectionist, analytical Virgo since Thursday evening ET. Combined with Mercury’s retrograde, it offers a superb opportunity for sorting through that closet or box of papers you’ve been carting around since 1987. You could also use this time to review a project you abandoned; perhaps a second look will inspire you to bring it to completion.
Let yourself rest, chill and/or wander as of 11:26AM ET Saturday, when the Moon goes void on a communicative connection with the Cancer Sun. Voids offer natural breaks in our efforts to move forward in a straight line. Picture a car engine idling in neutral. When the Moon enters the next sign — in this case it will be Libra, at 3:41AM ET on Sunday — that’s when the clutch engages and the car can move forward without voidy twists and detours. I have said this before; I’ll say it again: be especially mindful while in transit, given that 1) Mercury is also retrograde and 2) Mars is in an especially willful and potentially over-the-top condition, as in “exuberant action”.
When the Moon does enter Libra, its quest for peace, balance and social graces may be disrupted by that willful Mars at 4:42AM ET. Arguments and other outbursts that upset our equilibrium are likely. Seven hours later, a likely dose of excess (down side) or good cheer (up side), is suggested by Moon’s challenge from expansive Jupiter. Another potential for upsets, breakthroughs and power plays is suggested on Sunday evening/early Monday when the Libra Moon is jarred by rebel Uranus and ruthless Pluto. Random fun fact: the great English novelist Jane Austen has Moon in Libra, and if you’ve read any of her books you’ll get immediately how the Libra Moon’s need to be concerned with relationship, manners, being socially accepted, etc. manifested in her work.
The big astro-news for the weekend happens at 9:22AM ET Saturday, when Mars enters Cancer. Weepy, watery emotional security-needing Cancer and fiery, physical, trail-blazing Mars make a challenging combination. We can expect more headlines about actions taken for the sake of family/homeland security over the next few weeks. Whereas Mars in Gemini is more likely to take action based on an idea; Mars in Cancer takes action based on feelings — and it is not always direct. In two weeks, when Mars will square Uranus and oppose Pluto, we can expect some explosive actions driven by said feelings. If you have a planet or angle between 8 and 13 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, you’ll be more affected by the volatility than most.
And now the news…
First, had I posted a forecast on Friday, I would have written that we could expect to hear from Edward Snowden. Why? Because transiting Mars was at 29 Gemini, conjunct his Sun at the prominent Aries Point. Mars had just hit his natal Mars (will, action) and North Node (meetings, the public) and opposed his Neptune (the dream). And there he was Friday morning, right on schedule, having a press conference and making a formal request for asylum. He also made a statement explaining his decision to tell the entire free world how much it is under surveillance by its government and corporate institutions — and this is what he said.
Second, reflecting the Moon in Virgo’s need for exacting detail, critical analysis and uncompromising perfection, you gotta love California Congressman Mark Takano. He has Moon in Virgo with Sun in opinionated Sagittarius. He also has a razor-sharp square betwen mental Mercury and ruthless Pluto. Mercury-Pluto aspects do not mince words. Takano taught high school for many years, so when a few of his Congressional colleagues asked him to sign a letter to Speaker John Boehner about an upcoming immigration bill, he marked up the letter as if it were submitted by one of his students , questioning its flawed logic and compositional structure. Then he posted it on his supercool Tumblr blog with a big, red “F”. Did I mention Takano also has Mars in Cancer (actions based on feelings; perhaps indirect) in a militant and disciplined opposition to Saturn? You better mind your Ps and Qs around Rep. Takano.
Third, a classic Mercury retrograde cautionary tale about the need to double check everything before you hit “send”, as well as not believe everything you hear in the news. It’s an epic fail by KTVU in San Francisco, reporting this story about the pilots on board Asiana Airlines 214. Do not watch this video whilst drinking coffee — you have been warned.
Fourth, you may recall a few weeks ago, when the stock market had its worst day of 2013, some were freaking out, wondering if markets would fall further. I noted that from an astro-logical perspective, it seemed highly unlikely that this would happen in the US in the immediate future, given that the US horoscope was about to experience a Jupiter transit that usually is accompanied by luck and expansion, often of a material kind. That, and a couple of other relevant planetary patterns. Let the record show that the US markets hit record highs on Thursday and Friday. Let the record also show that Jupiter was last in Cancer from July 2001 to early September 2002 — and boy, did the US have the support of just about everyone back then. Coincidence or conspiracy?
Finally, as you may be subjected to frustrating headlines about various power plays over the weekend, here are a few stories of people who faced horrific bullying efforts and came back swinging. In Norway, 27 of the survivors of a politically-motivated shooting rampage that killed 69 people are...running for office. These political candidates are young! Sixteen year-old Malala Yousafzai, who survived an assassin’s effort to silence her campaign for the education of girls in Afghanistan, spoke at the United Nations yesterday, and it was awesome. In Washington, the DC Council passed a “living wage” bill despite an ultimatum from WalMart threatening dire consequences….not to mention billionaire Charles Koch declaring that eliminating the minimum wage will “help the poor” (one day we’ll look at his horoscope). Ironically, the story about Charles Koch came out the same day as this item about a Saudi princess living in California arrested for holding her Kenyan maidservant (paid $220/month) hostage in her home. Comedian Chris Rock has a few choice words about minimum wage…and work is such a Moon in Virgo concern, doncha’ know…
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 7/11/2013: Pride & Joy
/in The ForecastThis just in…an audio recording of a recent radio chat with host Shannon Devereaux Sanford. You can listen to the half hour interview here — it was a lot of fun!
Another day with Moon in sunny, regal Leo — until 6:12PM ET, to be exact. And you had better be exact at that time because that’s when Moon enters perfectionist Virgo, determined to put the house back in order after the party’s over. Until then, the day is yours to enjoy — perhaps even with a bit of creative pride and passion. Note a brief Moon void — this is a natural rest period — between 3:54 and 6:12PM ET. Chill out; take a break for tea, a siesta — or if you are on the West Coast, a long lunch. But no shopping sprees, if you please. This rest will put you in a better frame of mind for the organizing and Mercury retrograde REorganizing you can do in the evening, fueled by a cooperative aspect from action-hero Mars.
Finally, a friendly reminder to be mindful while in transit. Delays and snafus are more likely when Mercury is retrograde; I’ve been hearing all kinds of crazy stories, and I’ve experienced a few snafus myself. And for those who are weary of news stories detailing all the volumes of data being collected by private contractors at the behest of government agencies, while shuddering to think how much taxpayers are being charged for the collection of said data, here’s an item about a search engine with a cute name that claims it can’t be bothered to track anything searched by anyone. Traffic to this site has been on the rise in recent weeks. And that’s your PSA for the day.