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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 4/22/2013: Sneak Peek at the Week
/in The ForecastAs reported on Friday, the perfection-seeking Virgo Moon will be void-of-course as of 2:02AM ET on Monday, not to enter Libra until 3:25AM ET on Tuesday.Take care of what is routine, chill, meditate, cogitate — but refrain from shipping if you can. Roll with whatever twists may disrupt your efforts to move forward in a straight line; exercise patience even though it may feel like the day is not in gear. And note the voids for the rest of the week: Wednesday 8:12AM ET until Thursday 6:25AM ET; Friday 4:56AM ET until Saturday at 7:32AM ET. Apparently the cosmos thinks we all need these long breaks after last week’s intensity — and certainly we may need one after Thursday’s Full Moon/Eclipse in moody bastard Scorpio. Well, I did say the shift of planets from fiery Aries to earthy Taurus would likely slow things down.
That being said, there are a few lovely aspects this week to facilitate creative inspiration, soulful healing and music to soothe the savage breast, courtesy of a communicative connection between mental Mercury and jolly Jupiter on Tuesday, as well as two hits to the Taurus Sun and Mars (also in Taurus) from rose-colored Neptune on Wednesday and Friday, respectively. More on those as the week progresses. Meanwhile, there’s a lot of news to discuss…
First, a number of stories reflecting ruthless power plays involving information, suggested by Sunday’s square between mental Mercury and potent Pluto. The Koch brothers are allegedly exploring the acquisition of eight regional newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune. Meanwhile, a 28-year-old grad student shakes the “intellectual foundation of the global austerity movement” when he discovers the data used by said proponents is, um…like…faulty. Even so, in Denmark, the Danes are now rethinking “a welfare state that is ample to a fault”. Yet the number of people living in near poverty in New York City now appears to be 46%. Maybe we should house them all in residential internet cafes like the ones in Tokyo.
You may recall that last week’s volatile hook-up between Sun and Mars in Aries was likely to have a strong impact on anyone with a planet around 27 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. It should come as no surprise to learn that two brothers who wreaked such havoc on Boston fall into this category. The older brother (deceased) was reportedly born on October 21, 1986 — Sun at 27 Libra; the young brother (arrested, alive) was born on July 22, 1993 — Sun at 29 Cancer. As you might imagine, the planetary patterns on both dates were rather complicated.
In the case of the older brother, an immediate red flag is suggested by an idealistic conjunction of Mercury and Venus in Scorpio. So there’s a need here for mindset and social expression that needs power and control, along with depth and substance. Scorpio is a particularly challenging placement for Venus, and an emotional short-circuit is further suggested by Venus being retrograde. This is the brother who said he had no American friends because he didn’t “understand Americans”. Not understanding something or someone had to be difficult for a man apparently born with Moon in Gemini, which needs to be informed, intense and clever.
Another red flag for potential violence: aggressive Mars in “rebel with a cause” Aquarius, challenged by ruthless Pluto in Scorpio This young man was an accomplished boxer, which would be a more positive channel for Mars-Pluto energy. Transiting Saturn is currently in contact with that forceful Mars-Pluto aspect; this is a transit that can be very tough to manage. Adding to the potential for anti-social or loner behavior is a probable T-square involving stern Saturn opposing the restless Moon in Gemini and squaring a sometimes bombastic Jupiter. Also tough to manage in this chart: the Libra Sun, righteous Jupiter, rebel Uranus, visionary/fanatic Neptune all apparently running wild, demanding attention as separate needs in the persona — and not integrated with anything else. The horoscope for this brother’s death at 1:35AM on April 19th in Cambridge, MA is shows a power-packed 3rd house (the younger brother apparently ran him over); stern Saturn and ruthless Pluto are on the angles of the chart.
And what of the surviving brother? The Virgo Moon needs perfection. He’s also an idealist, with mental Mercury retrograde and opposed by a tight Uranus-Neptune conjunction. The Uranus factor suggests innovative thinking (this brother won a scholarship); the Neptune factor suggests a need for a dream, a vision, an escape (he is known among his friends as a “pothead’). This chart also has a number of planets running wild, reinforcing a sense of not fitting in. One is Saturn, which was under a foggy influence by transiting Neptune during 2011 and part of 2012; another is expansive Jupiter at 8 Libra, which was hit by the Uranus-Pluto square last year and this year, too. Such a shame, as the potential for positive accomplishment in life-affirming persona is so great. This transit often suggests a windfall or other lucky break, and perhaps it is lucky for him that he was not killed. If you know anything about midpoints, run a chart for this date and check them out.
Last but not least — today is Earth Day! Give a hoot; don’t pollute — and appreciate the beauty of our home planet here.
Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 4/19/2013 & the Weekend: The Buzz in the Air
/in The ForecastWaking up to a buzz in the air, perhaps, as the roarin’ Leo Moon trines rebel Uranus….that’s how I started writing the forecast last night, and then put it aside in favor of serious REM time. Let the record reflect that Uranus is now almost exactly conjunct mental Mercury (travel, mindset, transportation), and this aspect has been pulling serious focus this week. We are all waking up to a dramatic buzz, with news that all public transportation in Massachusetts is shut down and stores in much of Boston closed as law enforcement searches for the second suspect in Monday’s Boston Marathon bombing, with one suspect dead after violent clashes last night.
On the fly, I am noting how strongly this Mercury-Uranus pattern seems to be playing out in this crisis, noting how it was in the 8th house (death) of the chart of Monday’s bombing & now reflecting the identified suspects: two brothers — young men (Mercury) of an unexpected foreign origin (Uranus). At the time of the beginning of last night’s shootout drama — 10:30PM ET in Cambridge, MA, Mercury and Uranus were in an obsessive aspect (quindecile) to the Midheaven (public prominence) of the horoscope. Prayers and white light to all in Massachusetts, until the second young man is stopped. In your own personal world, the Mercury-Uranus buzz may be experienced as unconventional and innovative thinking and communications. Note your creative ideas today.
There are no exact aspects for the rest of the day, save for an easy connection between the dramatic, partying Leo Moon and jolly Jupiter in newsjunkie Gemini at 5:06PM ET. That Moon goes void until 9:08PM ET on Saturday, giving us a well-deserved rest from the intensity of this week. Finally, a chance to slow down, as suggested by two other important planetary shifts: the Sun’s ingress into earthy Taurus at 6:03PM ET, followed by Mars early tomorrow morning — 7:48AM. Though Mars and the Sun may prefer the fiery mode of Aries to sometimes pokey Taurus, the rest of us may appreciate the relief, as proactive efforts can now be channeled into preserving the security of the material world, as opposed to setting the world on fire.
With the long Moon void on Saturday, avoid yard sales and impulse purchases. Make time to play. When Moon enters Virgo at 9:08pm ET, its need for perfection and analysis is well-supported by the Sun and Moon. And there’s no doubt that the truth will come out, as mental Mercury next approaches a square to ruthless Pluto Sunday at 7:45AM ET. And what we find may not be pleasant or peaceful. Watch for especially sharp — and yes, explosive — communication and possible power plays. This Mercury-Pluto challenge occurs in tandem with a potentially chilly or downright heartless connection between loving Venus (money, women, art, social expression) and stern Saturn, which is exact at 3:43AM Monday. Cut your losses, perhaps and consolidate.
In the news, reflecting the potential of mental Mercury and innovative Uranus in pioneering Aries, I offer these tidbits. First, as you may already know, a computer glitch grounded all flights at American Airlines earlier this week. Today, a possible fix for those Dreamliner woes may be approved by the FAA. Meanwhile, two possible brave new worlds have been discovered in a far-out place — possibly the most Earth-like planets yet.
Have a fabulous weekend — be aware that the Moon will be void of course all day on Monday. Enjoy!
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 4/18/2013: Current Events & the US Horoscope
/in The ForecastWell, planetary patterns did suggest this would be an action-packed week. How is yours going? Patterns suggest there’s more to process in the early morning hours, as Moon, still in home/homeland security-focused Cancer is squared by aggressive Mars at 8:16AM ET and then by the Sun at 8:31AM ET. This First Quarter Moon brings a challenge or crisis to the intentions set on last week’s New Moon in Aries. Did you forget what those intentions are? Here’s the New Moon forecast again; note the connotations of the Sabian Symbol for the lunation, “a pugilist entering a ring”.
Moon goes void at 8:31AM ET and takes a break until 11:13AM ET. East Coasters, you may experience a twist in your efforts this morning to move forward in a straight line. The Moon void rules still apply: go with the flow; take care of what is routine; avoid initiating or shipping projects you wish to be of consequence. The energy of the Moon just isn’t terribly focused, so crises that arise are often “all for naught” or “much ado about nothing”.
At 11:13AM ET the Leo Moon offers the potential to lift our spirits with its natural inclination to shine! Perhaps we will also find something to celebrate, too, despite the other Leo Moon potential for drama queens and kings to issue royal edicts like they are going out of style. A good strategy for dealing with those types: diffuse the tension by reminding them how much they are loved and adored — because that is what they need.
Playful indulgence is suggested this evening as Moon is squared by Venus in sensual, comfort-seeking Taurus at 8:16PM ET. The night ends on a sweet connection between Venus and rose-colored Neptune, suggesting a need for beauty, art, healing and music.
And now the news. Do you recall yesterday’s forecast in which it was noted that people with planets at 27 degrees of Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn would feel the impact of the Sun-Mars conjunction at 27 Aries more than most? Guess who has a planet at 27 Capricorn? The United States of America, thank you very much…and that planet would be ruthless Pluto ruling the sixth house of the 2:13AM US horoscope, referring to cooperation and the body politic. Mars rules the 12th house (hidden enemies; self-undoing); the Sun rules the 4th house (homeland security). Sun and Mars making contact with Pluto suggest explosive outbursts, brute force, violence, issues of power and suppression/control and yes, guns. So in all the chaos and carnage of the Boston Marathon, we find our fearless leaders (note use of sarcasm here) in the Senate killing an important gun control bill. Yup, killed it — and here’s Gabrielle Giffords with some deeply moving words about it. And here is Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s Facebook page, crowing about killing this bill as if it were the noblest achievement of a lifetime. How did your senators vote? I’d tell you, but when I type “senate roll call vote gun control” into google, I can’t find the chart showing the breakdown of the vote, even though I saw it online yesterday. Bad Google. Bad! (a Reader has since sent in this link to the roll call vote — thanks, Reader!)
In other news, a man who is suspected of sending letters laced with poison to three lawmakers, including the President, was arrested yesterday. And as if there wasn’t enough shit hitting the fan, last night at 7:50PM CT, there was a huge explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas. Now this explosion happened just 30 minutes after the exact Sun-Mars conjunction, and it is fascinating — but not at all surprising — to see the Sun and Mars exactly on an angle (in this case, the cusp of the 7th house) in the chart for the explosion. Planets on angle pack a powerful punch. Remember how the chart for the explosion in Boston had nebulous, bewildering Neptune on an angle, too?
Do you get the feeling that the United States is oh-so-close to making some big changes on big issues like gun control, energy resources, climate change, the whole way Things Are Done, etc.? Like you can see it coming and almost touch it, but it’s just out of reach and ever so frustrating? Let’s talk about the current Uranus-Pluto square. Pluto is now at 11 Capricorn — retrograde. Uranus is at 9 Aries. The US horoscope has Sun at 12 degrees of Cancer. Uranus and Pluto are soooooo close to the US Sun, suggesting tremendous potential for revolution and transformation. We can feel the intense buzz, but chances are the full force of this potential will not hit us until Uranus and Pluto get to 12 degrees of Aries and Capricorn, respectively. And that won’t happen until the end of 2014 — which is just after the next election in November. Brace yourselves. Think it might be time to clean the House…and the Senate?
I leave you with a powerful reflection on beauty — specifically how women see it in themselves vs. how others see it in them. It’s a great campaign from the folks at Dove that’s been getting a lot of well-deserved attention. Happy rose-colored Venus sextile Neptune, with Venus in “get real” Taurus.
Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 4/17/2013: And…action!
/in The ForecastToday the Moon continues its journey in Cancer, needing sensitivity, nurturing and the security of home and family. More of Mom, apple pie and the ties that bind us — there’s your comfort zone today. The only exact aspect is the conjunction of the Sun and aggressive Mars in equally aggressive Aries at 8:20PM ET — as discussed in earlier forecasts. The urge to act is strong; if you don’t make a move today, then at least hit the gym and release that energy lest it be released on you tomorrow morning when Mars squares the reactive Moon. You will feel this aspect more than most if you have a planet or angle at 27 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, or if you were born around the 17th of April, July, October and January. Here’s a story to inspire you — a study on what really motivates us to exercise.
Other patterns of influence that will be exact soon include a sweet connection between loving Venus and nebulous Neptune (exact Thursday night), which encourages healing, artistic expression and efforts to see the world in the best possible light. Also in effect is an inventive though perhaps disruptive conjunction between mental Mercury and rebel Uranus, exact on Saturday morning. Pitch your bright ideas, already –and watch for especially sharp communications from people with a planet at 9 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn…or were born around the 30th of March, June, September or December.
Would love to write more, but I must run. It’s likely to be that kind of day!
Astro-logical Forecast for Tueday 4/16/2013: Free Will & Consciousness
/in The ForecastAs of 10:49PM ET last night, Moon entered the watery depths of Cancer, a sign known for its emotional sensitivity, nurturing ability, and its need to establish a solid family/homeland foundation. It is the power of Mom and apple pie, and our collective soul could use a dose of it.
A dreamy connection between Moon and empathic Neptune at 8:18AM ET sets the tone for much of the business day in time zones Eastern thru Pacific, softening the sharp edges of so many other planets — Sun, Mercury, Mars and Uranus — in fiery Aries. It suggests a need for inspiration and intuitive action, coupled with the drive and passion that facilitates success. Temper your initiatives with sensitivity and you can accomplishment much today.
As the day progresses, the Cancer Moon is given further gravitas by a strong connection to steady, sobering Saturn at 5:14PM ET, which is about when we may experience a jolt, revelation , power play and/or catharsis, as the sensitive Moon is challenged by rebel Uranus at 6:12PM ET and then by ruthless Pluto at 10:18PM ET (we just had a 7.8 quake in Iran). Be vigilant and be prepared (which just happens to be in synch with the advice of Beth Owlsdaughter’s wonderful Tarot Card of the Week). These lunar challenges will be happening as the Sun in warrior-hero Aries and Mars (the warrior planet which rules Aries), approach an exact conjunction Wednesday at 8:20PM ET, as noted in previous forecasts. The potential manifestations of this power focus of self-centered will and action are, at its best, fearless, inspiring feats of heroism; bold actions that take us into new frontiers. At its worst, Sun-Mars in Aries can be dangerously self-absorbed, angry, destructive and yes, explosive — especially when the disruptive Uranus-Pluto square is added to the mix.
If you recall the forecast for the last week’s New Moon in Aries, you will remember the potential for destructive action was discussed, as — for example — Kim Jong-un was rattling sabers and raising concerns. But two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon? Utterly bewildering, which is exactly what we see in the horoscope for the first explosion at 2:50PM ET in Boston: foggy, bewildering Neptune on an angle, i.e., the cusp of the 7th house, which represents the public. And the public is bewildered. Who could do such a thing? (Neptune suggests a fanatic). In the online astrology forums, astrologers are analyzing charts, looking for patterns that reflect — and would portend the potential for this awful reality. Like, how interesting it is to see 2 degrees of Aries on the Ascendant for last week’s New Moon chart calculated for Boston. And that yesterday, mental Mercury was at 2 degrees of Aries, triggering the New Moon chart and suggesting an aggressive idea might gain prominence. And that in the chart for the first explosion we see mental Mercury in the house associated with death, approaching a conjunction with rebel Uranus (surprising, explosive). And that Eris, a cosmic body specifically referring to war, is at zero degrees of Aries — the Aries Point — conjunct mental Mercury!
There are plenty of other patterns suggesting the potential for explosive action (including a challenging square in the horoscope of the US from transiting Mars to Pluto) — that could be used for a horrible purpose — or a higher, heroic one. It is fascinating to see a meme circulating on Facebook last night, featuring a quote by Fred Rogers, who had a TV show that was comforting and beloved by children everywhere (Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood): “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” And indeed, there were plenty of helping heroes in yesterday’s chaos.
Astrology can identify the potential for great good or evil suggested by a planetary pattern. We can surmise reasons why someone with a disconnected consciousness might choose evil over good. What astrology doesn’t do is answer the bewildering question of WHY anyone who allegedly has a soul and consciousness, as all humans presumably do, has the option of inflicting such damage and pain. Why is there evil in the world?
As it turns out, over the weekend I happened to read Proof of Heaven by Dr. Eben Alexander. Dr. Alexander was in a coma for seven days and had an amazing out-of-body experience that transformed his life — and just might transform yours, should you read the book. And in the book the question of why there is evil in the world was addressed. And the answer was something like this. Evil exists in places where beings with souls and consciousness are learning the lessons of free will. Earth is one such place. If evil were not an option, we would not be able to make choices and thus learn the lessons required in the laboratory called Planet Earth. There is relatively little evil in the Universe compared to the amount of good, and this is very, very good. And there is probably far more good on this planet than evil — though there have been times where one wonders…
Use the sensitive, dynamic, proactive energy suggested by today’s planetary patterns to go out and do good things today. Exercise your free will to be a hero, the highest form of Aries — as opposed to a destructive jerk , which is the alternative. The choice is yours.
And when in doubt, count your blessings — always empowering.
Peace out.