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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 7/10/2013: Still More Rise and Shine
/in The ForecastAnother day driven by the Moon in Leo’s need to shine, fueled by the Cancer Sun’s energy to provide and/or maintain emotional or homeland security. That need to shine is delightfully supported by an easy connection from innovative and unconventional Uranus and further encouraged by an indulgently dramatic hook-up with loving Venus. Think outside the box; consider connecting with someone who is not your usual cup of tea.
Note that aggressive Mars at the end of charming, multi-tasking Gemini is pulling focus for the next week, suggesting acts of will and intelligence that demand our attention. I had been thinking for some months now that we would see significant news about Fukushima right about now, as Sun, Jupiter and now Mars trigger the Aries Point, which is where Uranus (shocks to the system, earthquakes) was when the tsunami occurred in March of 2011. And sure enough, we’ve seen stories about suspected leaks into the ocean — like this one — in the past few weeks. And earlier this week, the plant manager of that reactor passed away.
Meanwhile, yesterday’s chilly Moon-Saturn square did coincide with a provisional approval on the draconian anti-women’s health bill (which aims to close 37 of 42 women’s health care clinics) currently being debated in Texas, but the action on the floor did get nasty — as you’ll see when they hauled a young woman speaker away. Meanwhile, in North Carolina, 64 were arrested at another “Moral Monday” protest — for a total of 700 arrested at the General Assembly in Raleigh since these weekly rallies started over two months ago. As noted in previous forecasts, we can expect the transit of Saturn (patriarchy, control) in Scorpio (sexual energy, death) to keep stories of rape, abortion and other stark consequences of sexual energy in headlines for at least another year — all around the world. In Chile, for example, where abortion is illegal in all cases, an 11 year-old girl who was repeatedly raped by her mother’s consort is now pregnant; the story is generating controversy.
With the Moon in Leo, I was so hoping to find a show-stopping entertainment story to share — other than Elton John’s undiagnosed case of appendicitis (he is “grateful to be alive” — and we are grateful he is, too). You will have to create your own merriment today. With Mercury retrograde and Sun-Mercury in Cancer, suggesting a review of things past, I did find this item touting the benefits of nostalgia — enjoy. Oh — but wait — here’s an odd entertainment item. You remember on Monday how thrilled I was to discover Pride and Prejudice on my iPad? A related story is on the front page of the NYT: Mr. Darcy, in a lake, going on tour…showstopping.
Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 7/9/2013: Rise and Shine
/in The ForecastWhat are the signs Mercury (communication, transportation) might be retrograde (delays and other tech/transport snafus) AND the Moon might be void of course (challenges moving forward in a straight line; unexpected twists and detours)? Well, if you happen to be stuck on the F train (of course it would be the F) for well over an hour, thanks to “heavy traffic volume” and “signal malfunctions”, you might wonder if one or both patterns were in effect. And in fact, both were. Thank God for a copy of Pride and Prejudice on my iPad…and yes, both patterns were also in effect for most of the day on Saturday, as noted in that forecast.
As of 6:48AM ET, Moon enters Leo, where it needs to shine. Make room for the kings and drama queens; they’re sure to put on a jolly good show. We have an exact hook-up between mental Mercury and the Sun at 2:41PM ET, suggesting an idealistic frame of mind. However, at 4:27PM ET, the sunny Leo Moon may howl in regal indignation over some wet blanket or other limitation imposed by a challenge from stern, patriarchal Saturn. Keep an eye on the Texas State Legislature.
Yesterday I think I mentioned that Mars, planet of action, was at the end of Gemini — 26 degrees, to be exact. And this area of the zodiac is a sensitive one in the horoscope of Edward Snowden. So it was interesting that the second part of a videotaped interview was released. One of the topics discussed is privacy (or lack thereof) and Facebook. Also going to press yesterday: this helpful article entitled “If You’ve Ever Posted Anything Embarrassing on Facebook, Now is the Time to Hide It“. Yes, Facebook has a new search function — they told us it was coming months ago — and it is going to make it ever so much easier for everyone you don’t know to find out everything you’ve ever posted in to your community of Facebook friends, neatly catalogued and indexed for their convenience.
Another person with a sensitivity to planets in the end degrees of Gemini is Bradley Manning. No less than four planets in his horoscope — all at the end of Sagittarius — were recently opposed by the Sun, Jupiter and now Mars in late Gemini. Yesterday Mars (action, will) opposed Manning’s natal Uranus (freedom, individuation); and thus began the defense’s case in his trial. But wait, there’s more: Julian Assange’s horoscope is also sensitive to planets transiting the last degrees of Gemini. His Venus and Pluto are currently being provoked by willful Mars, we’ll see what develops as the week progresses.
All three of these men — Assange, Manning and Snowden — have Moon in Scorpio, either currently affected or soon to be affected by Saturn (see yesterday’s forecast for a bit about what we can expect when Saturn makes contact with a planet in a horoscope). In Assange’s case, he also has two planets currently affected by the empowering and/or liberating Uranus-Pluto square. I would not be surprised if his home and public status change by mid-2014.
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 7/8/2013: Mind the Void; New Moon in Cancer
/in The ForecastHappy Monday! Have you noticed that the Moon went void at 7:44AM ET, where it will drift aimlessly until 6:48AM ET Tuesday? If you extended your vacation by one extra day, good for you! Otherwise, take care of what is routine today; enjoy a bit of wandering and do not stress out over any crises that arise. They are likely much ado about nothing. Certainly that was the case for Rick Perry, who had everyone all abuzz for about five minutes when he announced over the weekend that he was making a big announcement…today…during an all-day Moon void. And what was the big news? That he is not running for re-election. Watch this space for further…oh…was that a squirrel I saw out the window? We’ll get this work week started on Tuesday. The only other void you need to plan for is on Thursday from 3:54PM – 6:12PM ET — no big deal.
The New Moon in Cancer officially began today at 3:14AM ET, offering us an opportunity to re-set intentions and goals for the next lunar cycle. Around the 15th, 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 22nd (which is another Supermoon & thus more potent than the usual Full Moon), 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 29th, we can review our achievements, tie up loose ends and get ready to begin another New Moon on August 6th.
This New Moon occurs at 17 degrees of Cancer and it is in a loose, separating alignment with the status quo-disrupting Pluto and Uranus. Moon is generally very happy to be in Cancer, the sign it rules. In Cancer, the Moon seeks to fulfill a need for emotional/homeland security; this month we can expect that need to be challenged by other needs for freedom (Uranus) and/or power (Pluto) that are in the recent past. Got that?
In the New Moon chart, mental Mercury is conjunct the Sun and Moon, suggesting this month will be notable for an intensely emotional/intuitive approach in mindset and communication, marked by idealism. Given that Mercury is retrograde, we can expect plenty of that thinking to be concerned with reviewing issues from the past (a positive potential of Mercury retrograde), or flat-out sloppy and misinformed (a downside potential of Mercury retrograde). An absolutely perfect Mercury retrograde activity was described in this article from the Sunday NYT — about a summer camp for grown-ups: no cell phones or computers of any kind; not even your real name is used on these true “get-away-from-it all” REtreats. I highly recommend you make some serious down time for yourself between now and the end of July — and if I disappear for a day or two this month, now you will know why.
Venus, referring to social expression – arts, women, money — is in a lovely trine to rebel Uranus, encouraging us to play outside of the norm of our usual social haunts. Mars, symbolizing our need for action, is at the tail end of Gemini, fast approaching the Aries Point and expansive Jupiter in Cancer (on the 13th and 21st, respectively); we can expect big, bold moves — of a physical kind and also those that seek to preserve security. By the end of the month, Mars will engage with the Uranus-Pluto square, and this is when we can expect more jarring headlines, likely involving forceful, even violent efforts (the downside) and technological breakthroughs (upside).
Meanwhile, Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune — in the water signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces — continue on in a tricky Grand Trine pattern. I say tricky because on the one hand, this “law unto itself” pattern can accomplish a lot. Jupiter and Saturn working well together can be great for business. Throw in nebulous Neptune and you have the potential for dreams to become real (the potential upside). But what kind of dreams? This heavy emphasis on water — including the Sun, Moon, Mercury (and soon, Mars) favors the emotional/intuitive over the rational, as in actions stemming from gut feelings — not the logical mind. And the potential downside of any Neptune influence is a blanket of fog/illusion/delusion. Think about that, before you react emotionally to news or other communication.
The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon at 17 Cancer continues the theme of knowledge we had for last month’s New Moon. Last month, the symbol was “a large archaic volume reveals a traditional wisdom”, which coincided with The Guardian and the Washington Post reporting that private contractors working for US intelligence agencies were capturing communication logs and hacking into computers all over the world, OK’d by a secret surveillance court (FISA) and allegedly in violation of the 4th Amendment of the US Constitution. Who should have access to such a “large volume…of wisdom”? That’s a good question. The symbol for 17 Cancer — this month’s lunation — is “the germ grows into knowledge and life”. Turning once again to Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee for insight, we are advised to consider ideas and projects at a very tender, vulnerable stage — as seedlings. Bovee suggests that a germ of an idea is something to be tended carefully — perhaps with a certain reserve — until it can fully blossom. Certainly many seeds can be planted at this time. You will feel this “germination potential” more than most if you have a point or planet at 17 degrees of Cancer, Libra, Capricorn or Aries.
Another significant pattern of this New Moon is Saturn being stationary direct at 1:12AM ET. What does that mean? Avid readers of this forecast know that Saturn refers to structure, authority, ambition and necessary controls. Projects involving these themes that have been held back during Saturn’s retrograde, which began on February 18, may now begin to move forward…but .slooowly. Why slowly? Because right now Saturn is stationary! It will begin to pick up speed and move forward over the next few weeks. Patience, lest ye be frustrated even further by trickster Mercury retrograde in your haste to move forward. In your own personal world, you are feeling the weight or urgency of Saturn’s move forward if you have a planet around five degrees of Scorpio, Aquarius, Leo and Taurus. Just ask Liz Cheney, now exploring a Senate run in Wyoming, or so this story suggests. Or Eliot Spitzer, the former governor of New York who resigned in 2008 after his association with certain prostitutes was revealed. He’s just announced a run for public office in New York.
Ms. Cheney (7/28/1966 — time unknown) would be feeling Saturn’s push on her idealistic Sun-Mercury conjunction at 5-6 Leo. She has Venus at 8 Cancer and Mars at 11 Cancer; both are being supercharged by the Uranus-Pluto square. We would expect assertive action and social expression that could be empowering, forceful, transformational, liberating and/or a disruption of the status quo. Certainly there would be opportunities to gain prominence. And — lucky Liz — with her natal Jupiter at 18 Cancer and the Sun at 5 Leo, she could anticipate many favorable opportunities for expansion over the next 12 months. Plus, at 46, she’s at an age when — astro-logically speaking — she could be getting serious about a new development in her career. In Spitzer’s case (horoscope here; time unknown), transiting Saturn is right on top of his natal Neptune at 4 Scorpio and square his charismatic Venus-Mars conjunction at 4-5 Leo. Other aspects also suggest a need to go public with an ambition at this time. There’s likely more going on — which we would see if we had birth times…coincidence or conspiracy?
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday-Saturday 7/4-6/2013: State of Independence?
/in The ForecastHappy 4th of July!
As of 5:22AM ET, Moon entered information junkie Gemini, suggesting a driving need for communication, diversification and entertainment over the next few days. Exact planetary patterns are relatively light; we are at the end of the lunar cycle; Mercury is very much retrograde. It’s a perfect time to relax and review the progress you made on your New Moon intentions. Wrap things up and contemplate your To-Do List for the next New Moon, which occurs at 3:14 AM ET on Monday — in Cancer. The next lunar cycle begins on the day that Saturn — planet of structure and discipline — turns direct after almost five months of being retrograde; that is significant (stay tuned).
Today we are processing the fallout of the exact square between the Sun and rebel Uranus at 2:22AM ET. A challenge between the clever Moon and nebulous Neptune at 3:50PM ET, followed by a communicative and pleasant connection between Moon and loving Venus (in drama queen Leo) just before midnight suggests a day of dreamy buzz. Artists, healers and visionaries — especially those near a podium — could really dig it.
Friday’s patterns are even lighter. The need for information continues, supported in the early AM by flash of insight, courtesy of technogeek Uranus. And…that’s it. Moon goes void of course on Saturday at 8:30AM on a provocative verbal hook-up with aggressive Mars. Be mindful of that aspect if you are considering getting into an argument or behind the wheel of a car. The ten-hour Moon void, combined with Mercury retrograde, increases the probability for communication and transportation snafus.
At 6:14PM ET on Saturday, Moon enters Cancer, suggesting a need to focus on home, family, Mom and whatever makes us feel emotionally secure. Indulgence and exuberance is a strong potential for the evening, courtesy of a hook-up between Moon and Jupiter at 11:21PM ET. Consider socializing outside your usual haunts for the next couple of days. An easy connection between Venus (arts, women, money) and unconventional Uranus (exact Sunday around 8PM) suggests profit and enjoyment can be found off the beaten path.
And now, the news…in astro-logical perspective. But first, a re-cap of two planetary patterns pulling big focus right now:
1) the on-going square between rebel Uranus in me-me-me firebrand Aries and transformational Pluto in “the Establishment” Capricorn. This brings back themes of revolution that were hot in the mid-60s and the mid-30s. We can expect battles for equality and freedom, as well as an exposure of what is rotten and decayed in our infrastructure. When Uranus and Pluto clash, history shows we can expect the status quo to be disrupted and/or overturned. This pattern is in effect until early 2016.
2) a Grand Trine among Jupiter (expansion, reward, beliefs of the masses) in Cancer (homeland), Saturn (necessary controls, business, patriarchy) in Scorpio (shared resources, including sexual energy and its consequences; debt — karmic and/or financial; death), Neptune (diffusion, delusion, dissolution; the dream) in Pisces (empathy, at-one-ment). So what’s a Grand Trine, other than a pattern that looks like an equilateral triangle? As I learned from Noel Tyl, in an individual horoscope, a Grand Trine suggests a defensive patterns of self-containment. It doesn’t need anything from anybody; abundance is likely easy to manifest or act “as if”. I’ve read many times that Grand Trines are considered “lucky”; I’ve also read that they are often seen in the horoscope of serial killers. Perhaps the luck of a Grand Trine entity happens because it refuses to be bound by the constraints of law; it does what it wants and assumes it will be successful. It operates as “a law unto itself”.
Which brings me to Egypt. As you may have heard, with the Sun engaged with the Uranus-Pluto square, Egypt’s president was arrested and deposed, and the Constitution was suspended. But despite millions of Egyptians protesting in the streets, the president was not dragged out of his home by a mob of average citizens. He was deposed by the military. And in light of the “law unto itself” Grand Trine, it was intriguing to see this op-ed on the Egyptian military’s agenda in this morning’s paper. Which led me to wonder about other organizations in other nations that may have power, influence and privilege, but no accountability or visibility as governing authorities. Here’s another op-ed by an average citizen, defending the military’s actions. Might we expect more power plays as July continues?
In your own personal world, if you have a planet or angle around 4-7 degrees of any sign, it’s making contact with this Grand Water Trine. Wherever that point falls in your horoscope is where you may make strong advancements, or download a treasure trove of information and insight, courtesy of your supercharged intuition. If the affected point is in Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius, the pressure for advancement, stemming from a feeling of lack, may be especially strong.
Back to the news. In Bolivia, President Evo Morales has returned home after his unplanned layover in Vienna, allegedly because his plane was denied access to airspace over France, Spain and Portugal. Why? Because it was rumored that Edward Snowden was on board — and naturally all of this meshuga happened in a void of course Moon and Mercury retrograde. Rumors do tend to fly under these conditions; really, dear Readers, do not take everything you hear at face value. Dig for details. Also be advised that efforts to move forward in a straight line are often subject to unexpected twists and delays. I rest my case.
Meanwhile, Jupiter (liver) at the Aries Point (prominence) was reflected in yet another headline which offers hope for those who may one day need a transplant. Last, but not least — a bit of news from this week’s T-square among Uranus (revelation; outer space) square Pluto (Pluto) square Sun (identity): two of Pluto’s moons have now been named. Huzzah!
Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 7/2/2013: Mooooooon in Taurus & Saturn Square Venus in the News
/in The ForecastI don’t know about you, but as soon as the Moon entered Taurus yesterday at 5:43PM ET, it was as if the clutch finally engaged. No more listless drifting; suddenly, tangible projects with real deadlines landed on my plate, and that has been the focus for the past 16 hours. You? The Moon functions well in Taurus, where it seeks to build or preserve material comfort and security. The Moon is calmer in Taurus; there is less impetus to change. At 1:52PM ET, an easy connection to Moon from Pluto adds depth and perspective to the tasks at hand, supported by a balancing support from the emotional security-preserving Cancer Sun. A productive conversation reviewing the past or with someone from the past? Certainly said conversation ought to be centered around good food, wine and other physical pleasures.
Get it off your desk today; the Moon will be void of course at 11:51AM ET…not to enter Gemini until Thursday at 5:22AM ET. This Wednesday void may be especially restless, given rebel Uranus about to challenge the sensitive Cancer Sun at 2:22AM on Thursday. Be prepared for an eccentric individual to challenge the security of home and family. What do we want? Freedom! When do we want it? Now! So…like that. I hope you will be free to wander through the day on Wednesday — being at work will likely feel like a literal drag…
And now, the news. I have no shortage of headlines to share reflecting yesterday’s especially potent square between stern, patriarchal, wet blanket Saturn in Scorpio to Venus (social expression, women, art, money) in sunny Leo. Women and cold, hard cash were the subject of this New York Times op-ed about the new economy of prostitution. Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton is been slapped with a lawsuit allegedly theft of intellectual property by an irate NYT photographer. Meanwhile, the good folks at CNBC reported the buzz about a curious state of being known as the “bitchy resting face”. Because this news is important in the world of finance, doncha know.
In other news, someone finally got around to cutting off the disability benefits paid to about 600 retired NY transportation at a cost of $2 million/month — this was a fraud scheme uncovered some years ago; the retirees are not disabled. Also getting cut off: US soldiers in the Middle East can no longer read The Guardian, the UK paper that broke the Edward Snowden story, and New York ‘art groups’ are anxious about losing valuable support when zillionaire Mayor Mike Bloomberg leaves office this fall. And let’s not forget the unemployed, Paul Krugman reminds us, referring to a particularly stingy situation in North Carolina.
In Kentucky, Democrat Alison Grimes (November 23 1978 in Maysville, KY) announced she would run against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2014; she declared her ambition with transiting Saturn on her natal Venus in Scorpio. She probably has Moon and Saturn conjunct in Virgo (same pattern as Governor Rick Perry — how intriguing) which are both square Mars — definitely “Women of Steel” material…as are the three women justices on the US Supreme Court; here’s a profile that just hit the NYT homepage.
Coincidence or conspiracy?