THE
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 Tuesday 3/12/2013: Pedal to the Metal
/in The ForecastAfter yesterday’s long Moon void, the new lunar cycle gets into gear when the Moon enters Aries at 7:17AM ET and immediately aligns with Mars, which entered Aries at 2:26AM ET. Note the impulse — in you or others — for sharp, quick, impassioned words and actions, driven by the need to be Number One. And while you are driving, I again suggest more awareness than usual, given that Mercury (thought, communication, travel) is still retrograde. As anticipated, headlines noted some unusual accidents and outbursts. In other news, the stock market is still going up, up, up — and breaking record highs. The potential for another jolt or startling revelation arrives by 9:06PM ET, as this highly proactive Moon is challenged by rebel Uranus.
Note that the Moon will be void of course as of 4:01AM ET Wednesday…not to enter Taurus until 3:08PM ET on Thursday. Patience could be your greatest ally during that time. Ship it today…but double check it thrice.
Today’s forecast is brought to you by fire-engine red, and has been approved by the Moon in Aries. Impulses to find out how planetary patterns apply in your own horoscope may be satisfied here.
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 3/11/2013: New Moon in Pisces
/in The ForecastThe New Moon in Pisces officially begins at 3:51PM ET, offering us an opportunity to re-set intentions and goals for the next lunar cycle. Next week will be about planting seeds to turn your intentions into reality. Around the 19th, 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 27th, 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 April 3rd, we can review our achievements, tie up loose ends and get ready to begin another New Moon on April 10th.
A New Moon in Pisces suggests a need — or an opportunity — to access intangibles and share them for the benefit of something greater than the Self. Typical “intangibles” include film, intuition, music, faith and dreams. Pisces is a watery/emotional sign whose wisdom comes from an keen understanding of the longings, joys and sorrows we share in common. Pisces is known for its compassion and sensitivity to human suffering. You can learn a lot about Pisces energy by listening to the “Aquarium” section of Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saens or by just watching the ethereal, unified action in this clip from the Osaka Aquarium.
OK, so this New Moon has seven out of ten planets in a dreamy energetic Pisces flow. What’s in it for you? Well, first of all, it’s happening at 21 degrees of Pisces. So if you were born around the 11th of March, June, September or December…or have an angle or planet around 21 degrees of Pisces, Gemini, Virgo or Sagittarius, you’ll likely feel this New Moon more than most. If you don’t have a planet in any of those degrees, then look to see where 21 Pisces falls in your horoscope; that is the area of your life where a focus on dreams and other intangibles may pull focus.
The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon is “a prophet carrying tablets of the new law is walking down the slopes of Mount Sinai” – and it’s just loaded with helpful hints on what we can expect in this cycle. This is an image of someone who has had a “peak experience” — spiritually and physically — and he or she is bringing back to earth certain tangible guidelines that have been presumably channeled from the Divine. On the plus side, it suggests bringing your actions in line with a higher authority and/or relying on your intuition for guidance. On the down side, Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee notes the potential for “spiritually rationalizing one’s actions and authority” and “to pontificate from an out-of-touch vantage point”. Really, “pontificate”….just as a papal conclave has gathered to choose a new Pope. And they are waiting until after the New Moon officially kicks in (and with Mars at 0 Aries and the Moon in Aries on Tuesday, my sense is that it will not take long for them to make their decision). Think this story will dominate the news in this cycle? Coincidence or conspiracy?
Another important signature of this New Moon is Mars, planet of action at 29 degrees of Pisces — the very last degree of the zodiac. Mars is not a happy warrior in watery Pisces, but things are about to change because Mars enters Aries, the sign it rules, on Tuesday. From 0 to 60 MPH anyone? Mars is very comfortable with the pioneering, headstrong and often rash Aries fire. Not only that, but any planet at the beginning of Aries NEEDS to be prominent!
We should see some daring actions happening as of Tuesday, especially with the Moon in Aries on Tuesday as well. Today we are just on the verge….which is why it is so important that you become a clear channel and set your intentions in alignment with the highest good for ALL. Mars in Aries can be rash, and Mercury is still retrograde. Be careful on the roads, won’t you?
General note for the rest of the month: Mars (assertive, aggressive action) is hot, especially between the 19th and the 31st, as it makes contact with rebel Uranus and ruthless Pluto on either side of the Full Moon on the 27th. On the plus side, we should see some bold moves and breakthroughs — especially with Mercury moving forward on the 17th. On the down side, we may see some spectacular battles, outbursts and startling news from underground.
The Pisces New Moon goes void immediately at 3:51 PM ET today and enters Aries at 7:17 AM ET on Tuesday. Moon will also be void all day on Wednesday until 3:08PM ET on Thursday. Plan accordingly.
PS: In honor of politicians reaching across the aisles on Thursday (as forecast) and actually sharing lunch and dinner together, I meant to include this delightful link of an owl cavorting with a pussycat. No, not the ones in the poem; I’m talking about Fum and Gebra. They are best friends. Enjoy!
***Need help setting your goals and intentions? A personal astro-logical consultation can help. Details are on the Services & FAQs page, or just click here***
Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 3/8/2013 & the Weekend: Dark Side of the Moon
/in The ForecastMoon continues its sojourn through Aquarius, happy to network and mingle with all sort of weirdos until it hits a bit of a wall at 5:08PM ET when stern Saturn challenges the Moon’s need for freedom and independence. Hmmm. We’ll see how that plays out. The dominant aspect today is Saturn in Scorpio in a rare sextile with Pluto in Capricorn, and this cooperative aspect for dealing with whatever simply must be dealt with was covered in depth in yesterday’s forecast. The sextile is exact at 3:03AM ET, and my favorite manifestation so far is that President Obama lunched with Paul Ryan on a day when I suggested reaching across the aisles. And then he had dinner with a whole bunch of Republicans. How cool is that, and where is my bonus check — that’s what I would like to know.
There’s a buzz of big ideas and information likely flying around, courtesy of a waxing square between mental Mercury and expansive Jupiter, exact at 10:38PM ET on Saturday. Take it all with a grain of salt, as 1) Moon goes void on FRIDAY at 5:08PM ET, not to enter Pisces until 1:19AM ET on SUNDAY and 2) Mercury is still retrograde. But what a nice long rest period of socializing you can have between now and then.
We are in the dark side of the moon; the new lunar cycle begins at 3:51PM ET on Monday. This is the time to wrap things up from the last New Moon agenda, and prepare to reset your intentions for the blast of fresh energy that will arrive on Monday. During these “dark” times we may feel restless or listless, sensing there is something just around the corner, if only we knew what it was.
Go with the flow on Sunday; the Moon will be in dreamy Pisces, and well supported by a crew of lovely planets. A productive conversation that broadens the mind is suggested around suppertime ET. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday; Daylight Savings Time begins at 2AM — Spring is almost here. Hooray!
***Mercury is retrograde until March 17th. It is an excellent time for REconnecting and REview. Why not review your life in a personal astro-logical consultation? Details are on the Services & FAQs page, or just click here***
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 3/7/2013: Rand Paul’s Perfect Timing
/in The ForecastSobering thoughts and communication of the most constructive kind are possible today, provided you are brave enough to leave no stone unturned. This applies to projects from the past that may have landed on your desk during this Mercury retrograde, begging for a second chance. Investigate, research, focus — and if you see something, say something.
The enterprising Capricorn Moon carries East Coasters through most of the work day before going void at 4:14 ET on an impassioned and constructive connection with action-oriented Mars. The following six-hour void bodes well for a break or brainstorming possible Plans A, B and C. Don’t be afraid to reach across the aisle to win support, especially when the Moon enters Aquarius at 10:02PM ET. Aquarius likes to network with unconventional types and help out for the sake of being seen as socially significant.
The potential for finding allies in unexpected places is also suggested by the second sextile (a supportive connection) between stern Saturn and ruthless Pluto, exact on Friday at 3:03AM ET. The first sextile occurred during the Christmas holiday, and you may recall it was part of an alignment with expansive Jupiter known as a yod or “Finger of God”. It was this alignment that led me to opine that we would not be jumping off a fiscal cliff at the end of 2012 — and here is some of what I wrote then about Saturn and Pluto:
And here is what I wrote about the addition of Jupiter to the mix, which we’ll be experiencing with greater intensity as we approach the end of March/early April.
Meanwhile, it should come as no surprise that planetary patterns in Rand Paul’s horoscope (1/7/63 in Pittsburgh PA, birth time unknown) are currently under high developmental tension. Sen. Paul (R-KY) is an enterprising Capricorn with Moon in Gemini. OMG, does this Moon need to talk talk talk, and probably still is talking, as I type this — for hours and hours on the Senate floor in a good old-fashioned filibuster. And you might talk, too if you woke up yesterday morning with that idealistic Mercury-Venus hook-up sitting right on top of your compassionate, philosophical Jupiter AND opposing ruthless Pluto. You would be more inclined than usual to fulfill a Moon in Gemini’s need to INFORM the entire Free World by drawing attention to the current Administration’s apparent stance that it is OK to use drones to kill American citizens on American soil without due process if the citizens pose “an imminent threat”, whatever that might mean.
You would also have plenty of stamina to hold court indefinitely, given supercharged and resourceful contacts between expansive Jupiter and potent Pluto. And you’d have no problem with the “holding court” part, because you’d have aggressive Mars in royal Leo and were naturally inclined to “get away with murder” (as pioneering astrologer Grant Lewi liked to say). And with transiting Saturn at 11 Scorpio squaring your natal Saturn at 10 Aquarius, we could expect an ambitious reach from you at this time. And guess what? Given current planetary patterns described earlier in the forecast, people who usually dismissed you as “nuts” might actually agree with you, like NYT columnist Gail Collins , for instance, who has an entertaining and provocative take, as usual.
Speaking of politics and Kentucky, there has been some talk about actress Ashley Judd running for the U.S. Senate in 2014 — against current Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. With Venus, the ruler of her MC (house of career/public status) and the 3rd house (communication) supercharged by the Uranus-Pluto square through 2014, you can see why a potential change of direction in career and an empowered social status is being suggested. Her horoscope is linked above.
Today’s Moon in Capricorn favors dark blue, black and making things happen in a personal consultation with your local astrologer.
Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 3/6/2013: Make It Happen
/in The ForecastUp and at ’em — perhaps with a jolt or revelation, courtesy of rebel Uranus challenging the enterprising Capricorn Moon at 7:28AM ET. This is a fine day to make things happen! During this 24 hour period, Moon will connect with 7 planets in ways that foster communication and cooperation — really, a most excellent day for advancement with surprisingly little resistance.
Enterprising energy is well-supported — of a practical, structural nature — especially in areas ruled by Venus, which include finance, women, affection and aesthetics. Why? Because after Monday’s exuberant connection between Venus and expansive Jupiter (how about that record high in the stock market), disciplined Saturn and resourceful Pluto now favor high-flying ideas turned into tangible form as both connect with Venus around 10PM ET and 9PM ET, respectively. If you have planets or angles between 7 and 12 degrees of ANY sign, you’re more likely to be feeling the boost reflected in current planetary patterns. Just do it.
Tonight ends with an idealistic hook-up between mental Mercury and Venus shortly before midnight, reinforcing whatever sharp focus hit you on Monday. This issue may return for a recap/resolution the week of April 8th, when Mercury and Venus are aligned again, only Mercury will then be moving forward. See yesterday’s forecast for thoughts on the potential pitfalls of idealism. Mercury and Venus connections in a horoscope suggest idealism, as do connections involving either of these planets with the Sun.
As for the potential upside, I looked no further than my Facebook feed and found an update about an extremely idealistic young boy who refused to let go of a dream. Have you heard about Caine’s Arcade? Briefly: 9 year-old boy spends summer in dad’s auto parts store in East LA; builds game arcade out of cardboard boxes, hoping he’ll have paying customers. All summer, he waits. Until finally, one customer shows up. Who happens to be a filmmaker. And a rainmaker. So often it only takes a connection with ONE person to kickstart a dream into reality. Yesterday it was announced that he signed with a major talent agency.
In another uplifting update, it appears that Billy Ray Harris, a homeless man who made headlines last month for returning a diamond engagement ring to the charitable young woman who accidentally dropped it into his cup, will soon have a home of his own. The young woman and her fiance were so grateful that they started a fundraising effort for Mr. Harris, and as of this week, $175,000 had been collected. He now has a job, has reconnected with his family (after 16 years) and plans to buy a house. Talk about dreams coming true.
I chose these stories for today’s forecast not only as illustrations of the idealism and wish fulfillment reflected in current patterns, but as a counterpoint to the startling, “get real” video about wealth distribution in the US that was posted yesterday. Here it is again, if you missed it. While it may be true that 40% of the wealth is in the hands of 1% of the population, with a meager 7% of the wealth shared among the bottom 80%, it is also true that fortunes can change suddenly and dramatically when enough people become aware of a situation and decide to do something about it. And sudden awareness followed by action are what we can anticipate during this 33-month long square between freedom-loving Uranus and power-loving Pluto. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. I’m an idealist.
Speaking of Uranus and Pluto, here is the latest on the search for the elusive Higgs boson particle— a big piece that explains everything, and just posted yesterday. Physicists theorized the existence of the Higgs boson (also called “the God particle”) in the mid-60s, when Uranus and Pluto were conjunct. I bet they’ll find conclusive evidence of its existence during this 33-month long Uranus-Pluto square. That gives them until the end of 2015…
Today’s Moon in Capricorn favors dark blue, black and making things happen in a personal consultation with your local astrologer.