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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 9/7/2012 & the Weekend: Thinking Big
/in The ForecastRead yesterday’s forecast for specifics on why this week was predicted to end on a high note…if not from genuine optimism, then from a hugely inflated egos running on so much hot air. Hopefully you are experiencing the former…and hey, the markets are at a four-year high. Enjoy it while it lasts. I would be surprised if we did not see some volatility by the end of the month…even though the ECB did throw another life raft into the ocean today to keep Spain and Italy afloat. See? People are thinking positively!
The Moon entered information junkie Gemini at 12:10AM ET…can you feel the buzz? Note your dreams upon awakening, thanks to the dreamy challenge between the busy Moon and nebulous Neptune, exact at 2:58AM ET, followed by the expansive square between Sun and jolly Jupiter (exact at 6:15AM ET), that was discussed yesterday. This fast-paced day challenges you to keep track of the facts and your wits, while pitching your Big Idea that will work for the greater good, i.e., the good of all. That esprit de corps carries you into the evening.
More buzz on Saturday…along with some potentially heated conversations, as well as a challenge to the agenda you drafted on the last New Moon (Aug 17th). Whatever it is, it’ll keep your brain engaged and entertained. Sunday, the Moon is void between 6:59AM and 12:49PM ET — that’s the time to avoid yard sales, lest ye be tempted to make a useless purchase or two. The rest of the day features Moon in Cancer, happily focused on issues of home security, Mom and apple pie. Perfect for a Sunday dinner at home with friends or family.
Meanwhile, as forecast, a big story about publications hit the wires yesterday; specifically, a judge’s decision may start an e-book price war. Ooh — and Apple just announced a web radio challenge to Pandora. In other news, as the final speaker at this year’s DNC, Barack Obama honored the reigning need of the evening’s Taurus Moon by asking for more time and patience in his efforts to build and maintain material security.
We’ve looked at Barack Obama‘s horoscope in prior forecasts, but here’s a brief 411 on why our President is all that. Born on August 4, 1961 at 7:24PM in Honolulu, HI, Obama, like Bill Clinton, is a royal Leo. That’s a fire sign, and that’s what Clinton was talking about when he described Obama as “cool on the outside, but who burns for America on the inside”. So what’s the cool on the outside? That would be detached, cerebral Aquarius on the Ascendent, suggesting an unconventional, scientific, organized and humanitarian filter through which he is seen…and through which he sees the world. Aquarius is a Air sign. Driving the horoscope is Moon in Gemini, another mental Air sign. This Gemini Moon needs to be the smartest kid in the room, and it never tires of being informed and keeping you informed…hopefully in a clever, entertaining, albeit intense way. This Moon also has a need to concern itself with issues of homeland and emotional security, in service to other people.
Oh there is so much more I could write about Obama, including his own issues with nebulous Neptune in the horoscope. Neptune squares his Leo Sun, and whatever Neptune touches it tends to dissolve. So this suggests a bewildered and/or unclear sense of self that developed in his younger days, with others also not quite sure what he was all about. Inspiring or bewildering? Neptune can go either way, depending upon the actual human being who brings that horoscope to life. That Obama’s father was not around to give him guidance is also clear in the horoscope, as is the fact that his mother was fiercely independent and unconventional…and that women likely ran the show in his early home life. His 7th house, which describes his likely mate, is packed with planetary heavies: warrior Mars, potent Pluto, rebel Uranus — these are not marshmallows and neither is Michelle Obama.
Looking at his horoscope, and where it is suggested he will be in two years (at the top of his game), it is hard to imagine that Obama would be anywhere other than the White House. That’s my take on it. I also think scheduling an election on a day (Nov 6) when Mercury goes retrograde increases the potential for confusion and logistical nightmares, and we may see a bit of that on Election Day. I think the week before the election we may see a repeat of the emotional volatility we saw during the week of August 13th, and I do not know if it will be related to this never-ending political campaign.
I also think those nifty new electronic voting machines — the ones that ingest your paper ballot and give you no confirmation whatsoever that your vote has been recorded and will be counted — are a democracy’s worst nightmare. Last March, the technogeniuses at the University of Michigan released an account of how they hacked an election and got Bender (a robot on the animation series, Futurama) elected to the school board in Washington DC. Finally, I am ever mindful that as long as the Mother of All Squares (ruthless Pluto squaring rebel Uranus) is in effect (through 2015 and into 2016, thank you very much), suggesting we can expect the unexpected. Still, I am putting my fifty cents on Obama, along with the other astrologers who made election day predictions at an international astrology conference in May.
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 9/6/2012: More Razzle-Dazzlers
/in The ForecastAnother full work day (in the US) of Moon void-of-course in Taurus. Steady as you go…and go with the flow. Venus leaves watery Cancer for fiery Leo today at 10:48AM, suggesting social interactions may involve less sensitivity and nurturing; more luxury, play, drama and love love love.
Remember what I said about spirits lifting by the end of the week? Those optimistic patterns are now in effect as we approach an exact square between the Sun and jolly, expansive Jupiter at 6:15AM ET Friday. In a horoscope, this suggests someone who needs to live LARGE — as excessive, indulgent, wildly generous or simply inflated. In the world around you, see if you notice the buoyancy — and join in!
Also waxing rhapsodic is mental Mercury squaring Jupiter on Saturday at 8:14PM ET, suggesting big ideas are up for consideration or publication. In conjunction with the profound coordination among Mars (energy), Mercury (mind) and Pluto (resources) that started off the work week, those big ideas could change the world! Here is one that made headlines yesterday: a super big amazing piece of the human DNA puzzle is solved, in a federally-funded study that provides stunning insights that will help us combat disease.
In other news, Bill Clinton rocked the house at the Democratic National Convention. Look up “charisma” in a dictionary and there oughta be a picture of Bill. He is a Leo (king of the jungle) with people-pleasing Libra on the Ascendant. His reigning need is symbolized by a steadfast, sensual, stubborn Taurus Moon that needs to build and maintain material security. And you wonder why there was a surplus in the federal budget when he was in office? With the Moon actually in Taurus last night, of course Clinton was completely in his element. But the planetary source of his razzle and dazzle owes much to nebulous Neptune (fantasy! glamor! illusion! vision!), energetic Mars, AND loving Venus piled up like a multiple car accident – right on his charming Libra Ascendant. And just like that car wreck, you can’t take your eyes off him for a minute. Admit it. Add to this mix expansive Jupiter, also in the Ascendant. Translation: this is a horoscope that makes a big, dazzling first impression — and can’t help but go over allotted time limits in any situation, including national political conventions.
As for Clinton’s intense, pragmatic and formidable intellect, look to another pile-up among Mercury (mind), stern Saturn and ruthless Pluto — all in royal Leo…and all working cooperatively with those magnetic Libran social graces. The man is a master of persuasion.
Lots more that could be written about Bill Clinton, but let’s quickly mention another person who probably has nebulous Neptune on the Ascendant who also dazzled a crowd this week. No, not Paul Ryan…but Michelle Obama. While astrologers have yet to get their hands on an official birth certificate, astrologer Isaac Starkman has done a convincing rectification of Mrs. Obama’s horoscope, which shows Neptune conjunct a Scorpio Ascendant. Hmm…Jackie Kennedy had Scorpio rising, but she was a fiery Leo, not an earthy Capricorn like Michelle Obama. But both women do have a magnetism and mystery that is extremely alluring…(a rectification involves calculating the birth time of a horoscope based on when important events in a person’s life happened).
Starkman’s rectification shows Moon and Saturn together in Aquarius, suggesting a profound need to help people. Also in conjunction with the Moon (and softening the stern disciplinarian of the Moon-Saturn alliance) is loving Venus in watery Pisces. The horoscope suggests physical stamina, too — with Mars in a wide conjunction with the practical Capricorn Sun. Her Mercury (mind) is also in Capricorn, a placement that Noel Tyl says “needs to hear the grass grow”. In Michelle Obama’s case, she needs to hear an entire garden.
Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 9/5/2012: More Moooooooon in Taurus
/in The ForecastForward. Not back.
Now that’s a catchy slogan, and since it is in synch with planetary patterns, it’s going in today’s forecast. If it takes longer than you thought, be patient and stay the course. Those are your marching orders as the Moon continues its steady sojourn through Taurus. Thoughts, actions, communication and resources are in a lovely coordinated flow this week, as noted yesterday.
At 2:54PM ET the Taurus Moon goes void of course for a looooong time — it doesn’t enter Gemini until 12:10AM ET on Friday. Use this time for practical brainstorming and creative organization of structures that support your daily routine. Avoid impulse purchases, as things bought during a void are often nowhere as useful as you thought they would be. Break this rule a few times and test it for yourself, if you must.
Go with the flow of whatever twists you encounter, and remember that crises that turn up during a void are often much ado about nothing. If you are a new subscriber to this forecast, welcome! If you want to know more about Moon voids, click here.
Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 9/4/2012: Return to Earth
/in The ForecastFor those who are not self-employed, your holiday weekend is over. Back to work — but take your time easing into it, as the impulsive Aries Moon will be void from 7:06AM until 11:41AM ET, when it enters good ol’ earthy Taurus. See if you notice any twists in your efforts to move in a straight line this morning.
Known for being both patient and stubborn, Taurus is concerned with tactile sensual things and preserving material security. It has a well-deserved reputation for its resistance to change. Isn’t it interesting that Moon in Taurus will carry us through all three days of the Democratic National Convention, where we are sure to hear many speeches made for why we should not make major changes now (at least in the White House), but at the same time work toward making things “the way they should be”? We will also likely hear many reasons why we should be grateful for what we already have — and how we can hang on to it. And they are right: we should be grateful for what we have, no matter how small it may seem. Any statement of gratitude is empowering, as it instantly makes us feel like a “have” instead of a “have-not”. Gratitude is also one of the more effective remedies for depression. As is singing — another favorite Taurus activity, believe or not. Try it, you’ll like it!
Tremendous resources are available to you all week in your efforts to turn ideas into purposeful, powerful action, presented persuasively. That’s suggested by a favorable alignment among Mercury (mind), Mars (action) and Pluto (transformation and resources). Don’t waste this opportunity. Seize the day! I promise by the end of the week, your spirits will be soaring higher than they may be now. Yesterday’s serious square between strict Saturn (authority, structure) and Venus (women, money) was a downer for many. But by Friday — huzzah! Venus will be in playful Leo and jolly Jupiter will be encouraging good vibrations everywhere.
Your Moon voids for the week, in addition to today: Wednesday 2:54PM ET…until 12:10AM FRIDAY. Plan accordingly.
In other news, last week I received a lovely email from a reader (no pun intended, as you will see), marveling at the synchronicity of planetary patterns with the Tarot cards she pulls for insights into the week ahead. Last week it was all about nebulous Neptune — from the sublime to the ridiculous. The card she pulled for last week was The Moon. This week planetary patterns are much more down to earth, and the card she pulled was the Page of Pentacles — the suit that corresponds to the Earth element in astrology. Coincidence or conspiracy? Hardly a conspiracy; truth is expressed in all symbolic languages, which is what Tarot and astrology are: languages. Please “emeet” Tarot card reader Beth Owl’s Daughter and learn more about the Page of Pentacles on her fascinating and practical blog. You can read about The Moon there, too.
Astro-logical Forecast for Saturday – Monday 9/1 – 9/3/2012: From Surreal to Real
/in The ForecastAs you go with the flow of today’s Moon in dreamy Pisces, note the inspired (or surreal) potential of the exact opposition between nebulous Neptune and Mercury (mindset, communication, travel), exact at 5:17PM ET. This could be some fantastic escape you’re on, as you chill through the evening hours on a Moon void-of-course that begins at 4:37PM ET and ends at 1:37AM ET on Sunday, when the Moon moves into RAMbunctious Aries. Get outside and do something physical with all that energy, will ya? But do note the potential for upsets, power plays and other disruptions of the status quo when the impulsive Aries Moon is challenged by ruthless Pluto and rebel Uranus between 3-4PM ET. Translation: the potential for reckless behavior, including accidents, goes up — be mindful!
During last week’s Republican convention, the anti-war group Code Pink made two appearances that were not on the official schedule. Around 10:47PM ET on Thursday, they interrupted Mitt Romney’s speech and around the same time the night before, they interrupted Paul Ryan. Pressuring the midheaven (public status) of the charts at those times it is interesting to see restrictive Saturn (structure, authority), in fair-minded Libra challenged by Venus (women, money) in nurturing Cancer. Code Pink was founded by women, some of whom have worn vagina costumes in recent protest events. Point is, the square between Saturn and Venus, exact on Monday at 3:46A ET, suggests a serious focus and reality check on issues concerning women. And look what’s on the cover of this Sunday’s New York Times Magazine: “Who Wears the Pants in This Economy? When Jobs Go Away, Husbands & Wives Make A New Deal.” Coincidence or conspiracy?
In your own personal world, this weekend may inspire you to get real or practical about a relationship. Or you may find yourself facing a stern reality check on your finances. Monday is a holiday in the US, but if you are one of the millions now cheerfully self-employed (and self-reliant, courtesy of Uranus in Aries), consider getting some work done as the potential for accomplishment is high. You’ll be supported by easy connections among action-oriented Mars, resourceful Pluto and mental Mercury. You can chill on Thursday, when the Moon will be void-of-course all day in Taurus.
PS: I almost put a bit in the forecast that went out to subscribers just minutes ago that when President Obama gives his speech Thursday night, he will no doubt argue we should stay the course and keep things the way they are. Which is right in line with the needs of that night’s Taurus Moon (Taurus does not like change). This just came over the wires: “Obama to Make Case for Voters to Stick With Him”