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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 Saturday & Sunday 7/21-22/2012: The Week Ahead & Words to Live By
/in The ForecastI had written a brilliant analysis of Friday’s sad and depressing massacre in Colorado, explaining how patterns in the horoscope of the perpetrator were triggered — and are eerily reflected — by the potentially ruthless T-square among aggressive Mars, brutal Pluto and rebel Uranus. Thanks to Mercury retrograde, all my words vaporized when I hit “publish”. Someday I may be motivated to recreate it — but not now. I’d rather quote the wise words spiritual teacher Pema Chodron posted on her Facebook page today, which are so apt for managing the aggressive urges of that T-square:
Here’s all you need to know about the weekend: Moon is in industrious Virgo, seeking to perfect and organize. If you’re not on vacation, you could stand to do some work around the house.” Big picture” ideas may strike you by Sunday, especially if you’re a creative type. The Moon goes void on Sunday at 8:44PM ET…not to enter Libra until 6:38PM ET on MONDAY. Moon goes void on Wednesday at 11:22AM ET…and enters Scorpio at 10:29PM ET. And on Thursday, Moon goes void at 11:38AM ET…not to enter Sagittarius until 1:18AM on SATURDAY. Could the Universe be sending us a message to take a break?
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday & Friday 7/19-20/2012: New Moon in Cancer; A Mars-Pluto-Uranus Adventure
/in The ForecastThe sturm und drang potential of the past two days of action-oriented Mars in Libra clashing with rebel Uranus and “clear the air” Pluto was unleashed with a vengeance Wednesday. Thunderbolts, lightning and intense hailstorms drenched East Coast cities from Washington to Boston, finally breaking triple-digit temperatures. How did the potential for intensity play out in your own personal world? Since my horoscope was directly impacted by this celestial clash (I’m one of those born within a few days of the 30th of March, June September or December), I consciously avoided debates with the hosts at my vacation retreat on any topic where we might disagree, and went along with whatever social agenda had been planned. Where did it lead me?
Yesterday’s agenda included whatever was playing at a local film festival. Meaning that we just went to the festival without knowing what we would see. Turned out to be a recently restored print of a (magnificent) WAR movie, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp — and it was introduced by Thelma Schoonmaker, the Oscar-winning editor of Raging Bull (about a boxer) and The Departed (a crime thriller). Boxing, crime thrillers, war movies — are we detecting an aggressive Mars, ruthless Pluto, status quo-disrupting Uranus theme here? After the movie we spent time in a secondhand bookstore. What jumped out at me (that I finished reading today)? They Can Kill You, But They Can’t Eat You — the autobiography of former studio head Dawn STEEL (Mars rules steel), who had a tough-as-nails reputation as she spearheaded films like Top Gun and Fatal Attraction. Steel, guns, fatal…more Mars, Pluto and Uranus…coincidence or conspiracy? Astrology can work in such mysterious ways…
The New Moon at 26 degrees of Cancer is exact Thursday at 12:24AM ET. Cancer is a water sign, in tune with emotions. It refers to the homeland, patriotism, Mom and apple pie (nurturing). Cancer seeks and provides security in these areas. Overall, it is a dynamic, physical chart for a New Moon, suggested by the Mars-Uranus-Pluto T-square. Anything can happen! Ambition — perhaps driven by a sense of disconnection or loss — is tempered by disciplined, strategic Saturn challenging the sensitive Sun and Moon. Where is your home? What is your foundation? With Mercury retrograde, those answers to Cancerian concerns — which are necessary before moving forward with a carefully crafted strategy, are found by turning inward. Easy flow of energy is supported by smooth connections between optimistic Jupiter and innovative Uranus.Venus in Gemini and Neptune in Pisces are running wild, suggesting a flurry of social interaction and ideals of spirit, fantasy and other escapes are likely to pull focus during this cycle. In a big picture/world event sense, this chart seems like an apt set-up for the Olympics…if they can keep theMercury retrograde traffic jams and stopwatch malfunctions to a minimum.
The New Moon immediately goes void at 12:24AM ET and enters playful Leo at 6:13AM ET. Exuberant aspects kick in around 9:22PM ET…and on Friday, the Leo Moon is bolstered by delightful input from loving Venus. Play is what I will be doing over the next couple of days and I hope you will, too. When in doubt, use the physical energy of the New Moon to work it out — literally — of your mind and body. Meditation, yoga, hiking anyone?
Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 7/17 & Wednesday 7/18/2012: Volatile & Intense
/in The ForecastBe aware of the potential for two days of high energy and intensity, as a slew of volatile patterns are exact Tuesday and Wednesday. Some of you may have been feeling the build up beginning several days ago, especially if you have key points or planets at 6-10 days or degrees into the signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. To the reader who wrote to ask if there were any aspects indicating “violence or thievery” because more than one person she knows was robbed yesterday, and there were so many fights on the street, the answer is YES. The planets reflecting the potential for explosive energy are aggressive Mars challenging ruthless Pluto (exact Tuesday at 4:23PM ET) AND rebel Uranus (exact at 10:56 PM ET).
Here’s the blow by blow: an exuberant connection between Mars and expansive Jupiter suggests we have energy to burn, big time. Drop and give me 50 — that would be a constructive release, as would a long walk in the park. Launching an initiative would not be on my plate today, given that we are in the dark side of the Moon. This is a time to be wrapping up loose ends from this lunar cycle and preparing for the New Moon at 12:24AM ET on Thursday.
With this “dead” Moon in sensitive, moody Cancer, emotional security is the reigning need of the day — and that need could be sorely challenged. An emotionally volatile, power-oriented exchange may be heard around 11:34AM ET, as Moon is squared by Mars…followed by an opposition from Pluto at 11:48AM ET…AND a challenge from disruptive Uranus at 1:12PM ET. How to handle it? Bite your tongue. Refrain from making intentionally provocative statements at this time — the reaction could be unpredictable. Be especially aware of your surroundings and take evasive action if necessary. Play it safe — unless you’re channeling energy into a creative project or a psychotherapy session. Those are instances where you could experience major breakthroughs.
On Wednesday, Moon continues her journey through Cancer…where it connects with restrictive Saturn at 5:24PM ET (what limits or discipline will be placed on your plans)…and faces off against Uranus (surprise!) at 10:56PM ET. In the headlines, we may see more than the usual share of “if it bleeds, it leads” stories…as well as accidents and outbursts — including unpredictable shocks from Mother Nature. I’ve already seen the biggest anti-nuclear protest yet in Japan, fast cars on the home page of the New York Times and a creepy story about needles found in turkey sandwiches on a recent Delta Airlines flight. I’m not going to link that last one. Suffice it to say that it was on the AOL homepage — apparently the world’s leading source of news items containing the words “horrifying”, “horrible” or “horrific” in the headline.
Add all these patterns up; throw in yesterday’s void-of-course Moon AND Mercury retrograde, and you get an Olympic-sized traffic jam. As Suze Orman always says, “Now you stay safe!”
Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 7/13 – Monday 7/16/2012: How to Handle Mercury Retrograde
/in The ForecastA subtle shift this morning: freedom-loving Uranus turns retrograde 5:49AM ET, not to turn direct until December 14th. 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. That is your subtle mission over the next few months, guided by the Sabian Symbol for 8 degrees of Aries: “a crystal gazer”.
Someone who looks into a crystal ball is intending to see a vision of the future. So what limits do you need to release internally in order to see that vision clearly — and have a real shot at making that vision come true? Those born with planets between 3 and 10 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn will be feeling the need for freedom more than most. Don’t know where your planets are? Consider booking a consultation with your local astrologer.
Friday is relatively quiet. The weekend begins early when Moon goes void of course at 3:46PM…not to enter Gemini until 8:26 AM ET on Saturday. Friday should be another great night for music and other charms to soothe a savage…beast, including a pair of rose-colored glasses.
That rosy outlook continues into Saturday, as Mercury and Venus make an idealistic connection at 6:42PM ET. That suggests a need to confirm what you hear, given that mental Mercury turns retrograde at 10:16PM ET. It turns direct on August 8th. What can we expect?
Mercury retrograde gets such a bad rap because we are geared, in this crazy modern age, to always be thinking, doing, moving FORWARD. Ya know what that gets you? BURN OUT. We need our down times, and Mercury retrogrades are a perfect time to sloooooooow down. We see this reflected in the curious increase in gizmo crashes (computers and phones), communication and transportation delays and other snafus. We may also find ourselves having to repeat what we’ve just said, running into people we haven’t seen in years and having to repeat what we’ve just said.
Getting through Mercury retrograde periods requires FOCUS and PATIENCE. During this time, avoid signing contracts, double check details a zillion times, avoid making major purchases (especially mechanical ones) and don’t believe everything you see in the headlines. With Mercury retrograde, chances are high that there’s more to the story. Gossip is to be avoided, too.
Do plan on RElaxing, REviewing, REsearching, REorganizing, REgenerating, REconnecting and REcreating. Clean out those closets. Organize those files. Get back in touch with people. Turn off your cell phone — or your computer — for a while. Take a trip — yes, really — or any break from your normal routine. Is that why we so often see people going on strike during Mercury retrograde? When in doubt, practice the art of SILENCE.
This Mercury retrograde kicks off at 12 degrees of Leo. The Sabian Symbol for this degree is “a old sea captain rocking”…and it’s a nice complement to “a crystal gazer”. Of the sea captain, my go-to Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee writes that we should keep in mind “maintaining poise while reading how the tides change; knowing what is coming by sensing the prevailing mood. Watch for forecasting trends…” in all areas of life. Hmmm…sounds like a time for FOCUS.
In Leo, Mercury retrograde suggests REviewing or REconnecting with our sense of play, passion and noble honor. Potential pitfalls are stubborn pride and/or delusions of grandeur. Watch the headlines. And look to see where 1 to 12 degrees of Leo falls in your horoscope, as that is the area where the influence of Mercury retrograde will be experienced in your own personal world.
Also influencing the weekend: stern Saturn challenging the Sun, exact at 12:14AM ET on Sunday. Watch the headlines as fearless leaders may need to make tough choices. The rest of Sunday is light and gabby…and if you’re taking a long weekend, lucky you. Because on Monday, Moon will be void of course from 6:56AM ET until 8:31PM ET — perfect for a day off.
Yesterday I shared a few headlines expressing the symbolism of Neptune in Pisces: drugs, deception, infections, oil, oceans. Not the most upbeat of topics, I know. So to make it up to you — here is Neptune referring to music, spirit and blissful communion. I guarantee it will make you smile — put on your rose-colored glasses, your dancing shoes and enjoy!
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 7/12/2012: Taurus Has a Dark Side
/in The ForecastMoon in Taurus needs to keep things as they are — or as they should be — for the ultimate goal of preserving material security. This is a day to take comfort in food, sweet music and snuggles — assuming said snuggles are available. It is also a day when you — or others around you — may be digging in their heels or stamping their feet like a terrible two year-old and simply refusing to budge…likely over some idealistic perspective that simply can not be discussed in rational terms.
Emotions may run deep and high around 11:34 AM ET, when Moon cozies up to transformational Pluto…and a dramatic clash of mood vs. mind may occur around 8:35PM ET, when the stubborn Moon squares off against mental Mercury in royal Leo. These are potentials, mind you. Hopefully in your own personal world, you’ll apply the steady determination and organizational skills of a Taurus Moon constructively — without the stubborn drama.
Meanwhile, I am already hearing reports of computers and other communication devices and systems on the fritz. That’s your friendly reminder to back up your computers and iPhones in preparation for Mercury turning retrograde on July 14th.
In other news, I was thrilled to hear from the reader who clicked on a recent link posted in this forecast that takes you to a website that tells you if one of the 50 states — and parts of Canada — might be holding money you didn’t even know was owed you. This reader just got a check for $125 — how cool is that?
Headlines that have caught my eye include yesterday’s void-of-course Moon vote in the House of Representatives to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The general rule on events occurring during a void is that they are likely to be of no consequence. We shall see…
General note on the headlines: with Neptune now firmly in the early part of Pisces, it is interesting to see all of these stories of mysterious infections, drugs, oceans, and oil on the NYT homepage as I type. I expect more of the same over the next thirteen years.