The Forecast

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.

Wednesday 9/28/2022: Brief Sneak Peek at the Week; Moon Void Adventures; Mercury Turns Direct

September 28, 2022/in The Forecast

As you may have read in Beth Owl’s Daughter’s always-in-sync Tarot Card of the Week, I’m under the weather and don’t have the bandwidth to record a video Whether Forecast or write a full Sneak Peek at the Week just yet. As astrologer Rockie Gardiner (whose Rockie Horoscope inspired me to start writing this forecast 13 years ago) used to say, “We are freewheeling.”

As a consolation, may I direct your attention to Episode 16 of Off the Charts: A Stellar Newscast, which dropped on Friday. To Avid Reader Peggy — who took the time to tell us she thought it was our best effort yet — thank you so much for the encouragement and support — and stay tuned for the bonus anecdotes we promised patron subscribers. They’re recorded — I was floored by what Whitney had to share — and will be uploaded soon.

Meanwhile…

…because my sense of responsibility (Capricorn Ascendant) and genuine delight in keeping you informed (Moon in Gemini) just can’t not tell you something about this week’s patterns, know that:

Sunday’s New Moon was in Libra — here is astrologer Blaine Bovee’s take on the Sabian Symbol for this lunation.
There’s been confluence of planetary patterns suggesting a rush of disciplined action, some of it grand and other parts grandly delusional. Did you hear that NASA crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid, in an effort to knock it off course? And that because Mars is in Gemini, fer gawdsake, that of COURSE the asteroid is called Dimorphos, meaning of TWO — count ’em — TWO forms? And that the name of the NASA effort is DART — for Double (!!) Asteroid Redirection Test because “redirection” is the thing to do when Mercury is retrograde?
Venus trined Pluto, met up with Mercury on Monday, the same day Sun opposed Jupiter. See above.
Mercury trined Pluto on Tuesday, digging up investigative dirt.
Mars trined Saturn at 1;48 AM ET on Wednesday morning, suggesting an easy flow of airy energy — the kind you’d expect from a hurricane.
Venus ditches Virgo for Libra on Thursday at 3:49 AM ET. This is an improvement, much better for making decisions about aesthetic choices, and diplomacy. Make the most of it until October 23, when Venus enters Scorpio.
Venus opposes Jupiter on Saturday at 2:11 PM ET, perhaps infusing the weekend with a generous — potentially indulgent — spirit.
Mercury turns direct on Sunday at 5:07 AM ET — at 24 Virgo. Maintain focus — and roll with the schedule snafus and travel delays.

Finally…

Here’s an example of how an understanding of astrology can help you live life better. I was scheduled to fly back to New York on Thursday evening. To get to the airport in Portland, I planned to take a bus from Bangor that afternoon. Once on that bus, I posted this on Facebook:

I knew when I booked my flight (weeks ago) that planetary patterns suggested a higher than average potential for delays, but since my plans were flexible, I booked it anyway. It’s pouring rain in NY, which means the flight departure has been pushed back three times — and might even be canceled. Upside: I’m well-prepared to roll with whatever twists that arise, thanks to my knowledge of astrology.

Later, I added:

Travel update: given my understanding of planetary patterns, I concluded that the potential for my flight being canceled was exceptionally high. So instead of staying on the bus to Portland (and the airport), I got off in Augusta, where my cousin lives. Changed my flight without penalty — will fly back to NYC in a couple of days. An hour after I made those arrangements, tonight’s flight was, in fact, canceled — And I’m hanging with my cousin over wine and pizza instead of scrambling for a hotel in Portland.

Astrology is amazing.

Here’s the 411 on consultations. The next set of eclipses is almost upon us, not to mention a slew of planets changing direction: Pluto (direct), Saturn (direct), and Mars (retrograde). There’s lots to discuss in terms of what it all suggests for you.

May Avid Readers in Hurricane Ian’s path — or in the path of any storm — be safe and sound. Please stay in touch.

Monday 9/19/2022: Sneak Peek at the Week; Autumnal Equinox; A Royal Farewell

September 20, 2022/in The Forecast

eAlllrighty then!

For those who receive alerts when the latest video Whether Gal forecast for the week is posted, you know that today’s planetary patterns aptly supported the event much of the world watched this morning, i.e., the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Here are the planetary highlights for this week:

Venus trines Uranus on Monday
Sun enters Libra on Thursday
Mercury conjunct Sun on Friday
Mercury retrogrades back into Virgo on Friday
Venus opposes Neptune on Saturday
New Moon in Libra on Sunday

It goes like this:

MONDAY: Moon is in Cancer, driving the start of the week with a need to focus on matters of emotional, home/homeland and family security. Note that at 11:57 PM ET on Sunday, the Sun – which refers to heads of state — was trine to Pluto. This is a helpful alignment for all of the heads of state that gathered in London to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth. It also facilitates an easy transfer of power. Also helpful: the Cancer Moon sextiles Venus and Uranus at 4:52 PM ET and 5:43 PM ET, which in turn will be trine at 12:44 AM ET on….
TUESDAY. The Moon-Venus-Uranus harmony reflects the diversity of those attending the funeral – including millions who will be watching the broadcast — with a good chance that everyone will get along. When I tuned into the Washington Post’s coverage on Monday morning, that’s exactly what commentator James Hohmann was talking about. If there’s a power play in store, it might happen around 8:58 AM ET, when Moon makes its weekly clash with Pluto. However, a harmony between the Virgo Sun and Cancer Moon at 11:56 AM ET may restore a bit of balance. Chill during the ensuing Moon void. Moon enters Leo at 4:40 PM ET, now offering an opportunity for us to shine – and help others shine, too. You simply can’t go wrong by paying someone a compliment when the Moon is in Leo — and even with Mercury still retrograde, an easy flow among Mercury, Jupiter and the Moon at 9:51 PM ET and 1:31 AM ET on…
WEDNESDAY: help get the words out.
THURSDAY: may begin with an upset, followed by an effort to maintain control. These patterns reflect the potentially stubborn regal Leo Moon jolted by Uranus at 5:36 AM ET, followed by an opposition to taskmaster Saturn at 7:05 AM ET. Note that the Moon will then be void for almost an entire day! Your coping strategy is to roll with any twists and flakes that disrupt efforts to move forward in a straight line. A crisis that crops up may be much ado about nothing. Stick with routine projects if you’re at the office — or make time to wander if you can. Chill! Meanwhile, at 9:03 PM ET, Sun leaves Virgo and enters Libra. This is the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, and the first day of fall.

A pause, while we discuss the beginning of this new season…a perfect balance between day and night.

The first days of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter correspond with the first day (or first degree) of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, respectively (there are thirty degrees in each sign of the zodiac). Got that? Good.

These four signs are called cardinal signs. Cardinal signs initiate. They come up with the idea and put it into action, which leads to necessary change. “Cardinal” suggests (from the Latin root of the word), “that on which something turns or depends.” So the first day/degree of a Cardinal sign is a turning point. In astrology, the technical term for the first degree of any Cardinal sign is the “Aries Point”, just to confuse people who are not professional astrologers. In other words, the first day of Cancer, Libra, Capricorn and Aries is the Aries Point. The first day of Taurus (and the rest of the signs) is NOT at the Aries Point).

Equinoxes and solstices are also prominent. We make a fuss over them, right? In Japan, the first day of each season is actually a national holiday. How cool is that? Thus, in a horoscope, a planet or angle at the Aries Point needs to be prominent. Off the top of my head, Prince William and William Shatner were born with the Sun at the Aries Point. They’re pretty prominent in everything they do, don’t you think?

Libra is a airy, mental sign, generally concerned with relationships, social graces and with promoting fairness, justice and balance. Its ruling planet is Venus, which can be oh-so-sweet and socially gracious. Libra’s mantra is : I BALANCE. This does not mean Libras are balanced; it means they generally are seeking balance and are quite capable of swinging back and forth wildly as they search for it.

Did you know that Fox News (motto: “fair and balanced”) launched under a Libra Sun? If you’re now thinking “wow, there must be a lot more to a horoscope than just a Sun Sign,” I commend you. And that’s another compelling reason why you should get to know your horoscope. Or have a professional explain it to you.

As sweet as Libra can be, they are not marshmallows. The term “iron fist in a velvet glove” often applies. Jimmy Carter is a Libra and he won a Nobel Peace Prize. So was Margaret Thatcher, who was known as Britain’s “Iron Lady.”

Here is the chart for the Autumnal Equinox, set in Washingon, D.C.:

Observations:

Uranus — planet of change is right on the Ascendant — and squared by Saturn. The tension between the old guard (Saturn) and the avant garde (future) is in the face of the United States for the next three months. Eh…no surprise there.
Pluto is on the Midheaven, just as it is in the horoscope for President Biden’s inauguration chart. Continued transformation and empowerment in the U.S. presidency?
As it was in the chart for the Vernal Equinox, the Moon is in the 5th house — putting yet another focus on creative self-expression and children. This time the Moon is in Leo, possibly roaring without teeth, given that the Moon is void.
Ascendant ruler Venus also rules the 6th house of workers and health — is not at her best. She’s looking for perfection in Virgo — inspired or delusional, depending on who’s talking.
Sun and Mercury at the Aries Point and on the cusp of the 6th draw attention to those 6th house issues: systems of cooperation and process, workers and health concerns. And there is a lot of talking and weighing both sides, given Venus’ relationship with that prominent Mercury. What else do you see?

Back to the forecast:

FRIDAY: Mercury meets up with the Sun at the Aries Point. News from and/or about leaders commands our attention. Moon fiiiiiinally gets focused in Virgo after the long void at 3:53 AM ET, ready to clean up the mess from Moon in Leo’s party. Mercury retrogrades back into Virgo at 8:04 AM ET, and we can all make good use of the increased powers of discernment…but if you can wait until after Mercury turns direct (on October 2) to seal the deal, that would be preferable. Meanwhile, look for an outlet for discerning taste in the world of music, art and other lovely aesthetics. They could serve as a dreamy escape, reflecting the rose-colored opposition between Venus and Neptune at 4:51 AM ET on…
SATURDAY. A square between the Virgo Moon and Mars in Gemini at 1:50 PM ET could be provocative. Innovation and/or unconventional alliance may help to work it all out, reflecting the Moon’s trine to Uranus at 3:16 PM ET. More potentially dreamy escapes may unfold overnight, as the Moon opposes Neptune and meets up with Venus, then trines Pluto…and then won’t stop talking about it on…
SUNDAY: as it meets up with Mercury at 8:49 AM ET. Chill during the four-hour Moon void. By now we are totally in the dark, at the end of the lunar cycle. Thus we may feel listless or restless, sensing something new will be brought to light, but we don’t know what. Moon enters Libra at 12:42 PM ET, but it won’t be officially new until 5:54 PM ET…and I’ll tell you what we can expect in the next forecast.

Here is Beth Owl’s Daughter’s Tarot Card of the Week — always in sync!

And now, the news.

Much of it reflects the Sun-Neptune opposition that was exact on Friday, coupled with the Sun-Pluto trine on Sunday. Sun refers to leaders. Neptune refers to music, spirits of all kinds, healing, refugees, immigration, scandal, magical thinking, viruses, empathy, charity, victims, floods, oceans, water, surrender, fog, lies, oil, the surreal and the totally bonkers. Pluto adds depth, power and potential breakdown.

“Billionaire no more: Patagonia founder gives away the company” –– in an effort to save the planet. The founder is Yvon Chouinard, and he was born in Maine. Bless his heart.
“Are soul mates real, according to science?”
“The Merge is upon us. Wait, what’s the Merge?” Good question, and it has something to do with imaginary money — a.k.a. cryptocurrency; specifically one called Ethereum. How wonderfully Neptunian.

“Lured, exploited and hoodwinked” is what the sheriff of Bexar County, Texas had to say about opening a criminal investigation into the said luring of 50 migrants from Venezuela who were apparently flown to Martha’s Vineyard a few days ago — via a military base (!!!) in Texas…at the initiative of Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who apparently used $12 million Florida taxpayer dollars to finance this stunt, which included promising them jobs in Boston…somehow getting federal employees at the Department of Homeland Security to give the migrants fake mailing addresses at homeless shelters around the country…and then putting the migrants at risk of deportation by somehow requiring them to appear in court TODAY…and…OMG what a tangled Neptunian web…it’s making my head spin…and y’know, it’s pretty awesome that this idea got cooked up during Mercury retrograde, so it could backfire spectacularly. Here is historian Heather Cox Richardson with what was known about this atrocity a few days ago. And here is Stephen Colbert with the video.
Ken Burns has a new documentary — “The U.S. and the Holocaust” — that should be watched and never forgotten, lest history repeat itself in the same way that planetary patterns between 2011-2016 were a repeat of planetary patterns in the early ’30s
Meanwhile, the former guy got everyone at his latest rally to give him their own special version of something all-too-similar to the Nazi “Sieg Heil” salute. This should not be taken lightly…and Heather Cox Richardson has more.
Hurricane Fiona wreaks havoc in the Caribbean; knocks out all power in Puerto Rico
Supertyphoon hits Japan
President Biden says on 60 Minutes that the Covid pandemic is over.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduces a bill to nationalize a ban on abortion, doing a 180 on past declarations that it should be up to individual states to decide. Anything to turn attention away from his efforts to weasel out of complying with a subpoena in Georgia, perhaps.

In other news…

Mercury retrograde is a fine time for REview of the past — and perhaps a REvision, too. Is that why so many Republican candidates are “walking back” extreme pro-life stances? Because they are. Other extreme stances being walked back include this stunning reversal by Don Bolduc, who won his race to become the Republican challenger for Democrat Maggie Hassan’s U.S. Senate seat. Here is Bolduc on the Fox “News,” (at 3:03 into this interview), blithely confessing that he’s um…er…umm…come to the conclusion…ermmm…. that the 2020 election “wasn’t stolen” (after insisting up until a few weeks ago that it was), and that Joe Biden is the “legitimate president” of the United States. I say Fox “News,” because the headline for this video on the Fox “News” site is “Bolduc shares ‘bottom-up’ campaign approach, slams Dems’ failures: ‘Enough is enough’” — instead of something like “OMG Pigs Have Flown: Election Denier Bolduc Reverses Course; Now Says 2020 Election Wasn’t Stolen.” Right? THAT would be actual news!

And we all have our work cut out for us over the next couple of months, discerning fact from fiction.

As for a Mercury retrograde REview of the past, once again, Stephen Colbert delivers, in a segment called (aptly in the spirit of one potential of the Sun-Neptune opposition), “We Predicted Every Insane, Criminal Step Down Nutball Treason Highway To January 6th”

Oy! These times are so polarizing. On the one hand…and on the other hand…big time. Just like the second opposition of Mercury in Libra and Jupiter in me-me-me Aries might reflect. That happened on Sunday, along with the Sun-Pluto trine. Here’s Dr. Leanna Wen agreeing with President Biden that the pandemic is over...and here’s the entire WaPo editorial board saying it’s not. Whom to believe?

Finally…

The trine between Venus (who, what and how we need to love) and Uranus (quirky) was exact just minutes ago, and in that spirit I’ll close with this:

“Spider cameo and Tindall’s medals: social media reacts to the quirky side of (the Queen’s) funeral coverage.” The spider was truly extraordinary, as anyone who knows their animal totems can tell you:

The spider is a remarkable figure of feminine energy and creativity in the spirit animal kingdom. Spiders are characterized by the skilled weaving of intricate webs and patience in awaiting their prey. By affinity with the spider spirit animal, you may have qualities of high receptivity and creativity. Having the spider as a power animal or totem helps you tune into life’s ebbs and flows and ingeniously weave every step of your destiny.

Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.…and here’s the 411 on the October 22-23 Empowered Astrology Conference — on Zoom — I’m presenting a talk — don’t miss it.

Whitney Fishburn & I will be back with a fresh episode of this Friday.

Thank you for reading this forecast.

Monday 9/12/2022: Sneak Peek at the Week; Catching Up on the News

September 13, 2022/in The Forecast

Alllllll righty then!

Mercury is officially retrograde (as of 11:38PM ET on Friday), so hopefully you are rolling with any delays, strikes and communication snafus you may be encountering. If you’d like to view a brief Mercury Retrograde Survival Guide video, check out this Whether Forecast, posted on Wednesday, September 5th. At the end you can see for yourself how the actual front page of the Sunday New York Times was in perfect sync with planetary patterns. Astrology is amazing!

Highlights for this week are:

Venus in Virgo squares Mars in Gemini on Friday
Sun makes its annual opposition to Neptune on Friday
Mercury retrograde opposes Jupiter (second of three) on Sunday
Sun trines Pluto on Sunday

Here’s how it goes:

MONDAY: Moon in me-me-me Aries drives the day with a need to lead courageously. Structuring initiatives is aided by a trine (harmony) with Saturn, exact at 1:25 PM ET. A power play or catharsis may arise around 12:52 AM ET on...
TUESDAY: …as Moon makes its weekly clash with Pluto. Chill during the ensuing seven-hour Moon void. At 7:39 AM ET, Moon enters Taurus, driving the next couple of days with a need to build and maintain material comfort and security; preserve the status quo.
WEDNESDAY: A happy wake-up call perhaps, as the Taurus Moon trines Venus at 4:41 AM ET. The evening may offer a jolt. followed by a need for control — or a loss, as Moon meets up with Uranus at 6:33 PM ET, then squares Saturn at 8:29 PM ET. Note that this pattern is similar to what we had last Thursday morning, when we learned the upsetting news that Queen Elizabeth II required medical supervision…and then passed away. Note also that because Saturn and Uranus are almost square to one another –and will be in this pattern for several weeks — we are likely to experience more sudden jolts and controls whenever the Moon is around 17-20 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. If you have a planet or angle around those degrees, when was the last time you consulted with your astrologer?
THURSDAY: a sense of balance returns in the wee hours, as Moon trines the Sun at 1:30 AM ET. Note your dreams upon waking, as the Moon sextiles (dreamy!) Neptune — and the Sun is fast-approaching its face-off with Neptune, too. Moon trines Pluto — adding depth — at 8:58 AM ET. If this day has a slow start or wandering focus, it’s reflecting another seven-hour Moon void. Stick to routine; roll with the twists and flakes; possibly take the day off. Conventional astrological wisdom holds that actions taken during Moon voids are often of little consequence — or at the very least, often don’t live up to expectations, for better or worse. I do have plenty of stories of “for better” in my files. Moon shifts gears and enters pixie-chatterbox Gemini at 4:16 PM ET, seeking to be the smartest kid in the room and talk up a storm.
FRIDAY: There’s a lot to talk about, and the challenge may be to separate fact from fiction…or find a dreamy/spiritual retreat. The day starts off pleasantly, with harmony among the Moon, Mercury and Jupiter. At 2:48 PM ET, Venus — which refers to who, what and how we need to love – squares Mars. Venus is in Virgo, demanding perfection in every detail. Mars – which refers to action and desire — is in Gemini, possibility using words as a coping strategy, a weapon or a call to arms — but in ways that may be entertaining or diverse. Sparks may fly! A few hours later, Sun opposes Neptune. Sun refers to ego expression and leaders; Neptune refers to smoke and mirrors, spirits of all kinds, forgiveness, surrender, music, oil, poison, oceans, drugs, etc. etc — so watch for those themes in the news. More sparks as the evening progresses, as Moon meets up with Mars and squares Venus, as 8:51 PM ET and 9:18 PM ET, respectively.
SATURDAY: A trine between Moon and Saturn at 7:03 AM ET may feel as if everything is under control. A bit of wigginess may weigh in between 4 PM and 6 PM ET, as Moon squares Neptune (double check the directions) and squares the Virgo Sun. This Third Quarter Moon challenges us verbally and mentally — echoing what I said about Friday, i.e., separating fact from fiction/fantasy. Chill during the ten hour Moon void that starts at 5:51 PM ET.
SUNDAY: Moon enters Cancer at 3:59 AM ET, now focused on emotional and home/homeland security. Big news and big ideas push boundaries of emotional comfort zones, as Moon square Jupiter at 1:37 PM ET and squares Mercury at 1:56 PM ET. Mercury in Libra — seeking fairness and justice — opposes Jupiter in me-me-me-first Aries for the second time at 6:33 PM ET. Look back to what was polarizing on September 2nd. What were the big deals in publishing, courts, sports, media, travel; those issues may be back for a second look. At 11:57 PM ET, Sun (leaders) trines Pluto (breakdown, transformation, power)...which will be close to dawn in the UK, as the world prepares to bid a final farewell to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

And now, the news.

Welp. Last week’s Sneak Peek was spot-on, as was Beth Owl’s Daughter’s Tarot Card of the Week:

But the lack of contact among the planets doesn’t mean a lack of action here on Earth. In my experience, several days of no exact aspects among the planets (except to the Moon) reflects a potential release or collapse, not unlike an ice shelf suddenly collapsing into the sea. Maybe we didn’t notice the cracks in the ice shelf’s structure before (created by a build-up of tension, which is what exact aspects among the planets suggest). Without the tension, there may be a long exhale…or sigh…or an “other shoe” dropping, and…there you have it.

[I wrote that paragraph 12 hours ago; now it’s 9:30 PM — and here’s an article about a glacier the size of Florida that’s ‘rapidly disintegrating.’]

It’s fascinating that Beth Owl’s Daughter’s always-in-sync Tarot Card of the Week begins with this quote:

The weight of the world is a trifle, if we all put our two fingers under it and try to lift together.
Vera Nazarian

And let the record show that Beth’s interpretation of this week’s card — The World — has to do with culmination and completion.

Queen Elizabeth II took her last breath during Thursday’s long Moon void in Aquarius, shortly after the Moon met up with Saturn at 8:02 AM ET, which was right on her Mars. “Queen under medical supervision in Balmoral” was posted on WaPo at 8:33 AM ET. Not long after…just like that…the end of an era. Avid Readers can find numerous posts about Her Majesty’s horoscope in the archives of this Forecast — here’s one from 2016 — a lifetime ago. Hers was affected by the lunar eclipses of last November and this past May, both of which were activated by transiting Mars around August 13th. And obviously, the horoscopes of the rest of the Royal Family were affected, too – -because that is what happens in the horoscopes of families. A major life event in the horoscope of a parent is nearly always reflected in the horoscope of the child.

If you haven’t seen this brief account of the Queen’s encounter with two American hikers near Balmoral, you simply, simply must, because it will make you smile. And it simply can not be a coincidence that after her passing, a double rainbow appeared over Buckingham Palace…and later over NATO, where flags had been lowered to half-staff.

It was fitting that tributes to the Queen’s “wicked sense of humor” were posted when the Sun (kings/queens) was trine zany Uranus, inventor of wicked humor.

Meanwhile, her horoscope lives forever…which is why we can expect dramatic changes in her home/family and/or homeland in the summer of 2024…continuing into 2025.

Here is Beth Owl’s Daughter’s Tarot Card for this week.

In other news…

“Ukraine retakes territory in Kharkiv region as Russian front crumbles”…like an ice shelf falling into the sea, perhaps? Heather Cox Richardson’s latest Letter from an American (posted just after 11:59 PM ET on Monday) has details — and an update on how tides are turning in Europe and in the United States, too.
Also the end of an era: “CNN’s first anchor Bernard Shaw dead at 82″. If you don’t believe it’s the end of an era for CNN, consider this in-depth profile on John Malone, CNN’s new owner.

Last week’s trine between Sun (leaders) and Uranus (technology; innovation; weird; astrology) could be seen here:

“President Joe Biden speaks after groundbreaking for Intel’s $20 billion semi-conductor plant“
Apple introduced its new iPhone
A 2016 photo of King Charles III with noted astrologer Dr. Nick Campion made the rounds on Twitter
“A chimpanzee who ran away from a Ukrainian zoo was talked into returning after zookeepers offered her a raincoat, a hug and a bike ride”
Heather Cox Richardson shared a photo of a blue lobster on in Friday’s Letter From an American — with a note about a “crazy, rare find.” Saturday’s Letter was her wedding photo –– a fitting and lovely surprise.
“California leaders credit cellphone alert for sudden energy conservation” — or as podcaster Joe Wiesenthal tweeted, “Wow, look at the timing of the text…and the moment energy consumption started to drop…” and so naturally I ran the chart for the tweet and could see immediately why the tweet was so effective.

These two factor in the surreal potential of the Jupiter/Neptune midpoint at the Aries Point:

UPDATE: on Barack Obama, who returned to the White House last week with Michelle Obama for the unveiling of their official portraits. I hadn’t looked at Barack Obama’s horoscope in a while, and it occurs to me now that a period of extreme pressure is behind him, and that he should have good reason to be happy in November.

Finally…

Some Avid Readers have expressed an interest in learning more about astrology, especially as it was taught to me by my mentor, Noel Tyl. If you’re that kind of Avid Reader, mark your calendar and plan to attend the next Empowered Astrology Conference — happening on October 22-23 — on Zoom. I’m teaching a class called TURBO ASTROLOGY — which will feature Tyl’s “indispensable keys” to analyzing a horoscope. Astrologers and fellow Tyl graduates Kathy Rose, Catherine Goshen, Matthew Ouimet, Hiroki Niizato, Pam Gregory and John Marani will be teaching invaluable lessons, too. Holler if you have questions.

Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.

Thank you for reading this forecast — and sharing it with friends.

Tuesday 9/6/2022: Late Sneak Peek at a Short Work Week; Mercury Retrograde Survival Guide; Full Moon in Pisces

September 7, 2022/in The Forecast

Alllllllllll righty then!

I hope you enjoyed a lovely long weekend. Here’s how this short work week goes:

Mercury turns retrograde on Friday night. BACK UP YOUR COMPUTERS BEFORE MERCURY TURNS RETROGRADE.
Full Moon in Pisces on Saturday morning.
Sun trines Uranus on Sunday morning.

That’s it.

But the lack of contact among the planets doesn’t mean a lack of action here on Earth. In my experience, several days of no exact aspects among the planets (except to the Moon) reflects a potential release or collapse, not unlike an ice shelf suddenly collapsing into the sea. Maybe we didn’t notice the cracks in the ice shelf’s structure before (created by a build-up of tension, which is what exact aspects among the planets suggest). Without the tension, there may be a long exhale…or sigh…or an “other shoe” dropping, and…there you have it.

[I wrote that paragraph 12 hours ago; now it’s 9:30 PM — and here’s an article about a glacier the size of Florida that’s ‘rapidly disintegrating.’]

It’s fascinating that Beth Owl’s Daughter’s always-in-sync Tarot Card of the Week begins with this quote:

The weight of the world is a trifle, if we all put our two fingers under it and try to lift together.
Vera Nazarian

And let the record show that Beth’s interpretation of this week’s card — The World — has to do with culmination and completion.

Here’s how it goes:

TUESDAY: Moon in Capricorn drives the day with a need to take care of business, supported by the innovative potential of a trine to Uranus at 5:23 AM ET. Tap into the powers of imagination for the rest of the day, reflecting the Moon’s sextile to Neptune at 2:21 PM ET, followed by a conjunction to Pluto at 5:42 PM ET. Chill during the six-hour Moon void. No impulse shopping; roll with the twists and flakes; don’t make a mountain of crisis out of a molehill. Moon enters Aquarius at 11:41 PM ET, seeking to be appreciated for its social significance. Do you know where your friends are? Get in touch; they’d love to hear from you.
WEDNESDAY: Moon flows easily through the day, sextile Jupiter at 9:44 AM ET, trine to Mercury and Mars around 2 PM and 4 PM ET. Note that Mercury and Mars are both in their “shadow phases,” in preparation for their respective retrogrades. This suggests that ideas and actions taken now may be subject to review later, and we would be wise to manage expectations accordingly. Mercury (how we need to think and communicate) is especially in focus now, slowing to a virtual standstill from our perspective on Spaceship Earth.
THURSDAY: A surprise revelation, followed by a necessary control (imposed by the nearest authority figure, perhaps), as Moon squares Uranus at 6:25 AM ET and meets up with Saturn at 8:33 AM ET. Chill, chill, CHILL during the ensuing 16 hour Moon void.
FRIDAY: Moon enters Pisces at 12:42 AM ET, driving the next two days with a more emotional/intuitive approach, as opposed to the Aquarius Moon’s detached objectivity. A clash exposing a conflict of values greets us at 9:39 AM ET, as Moon opposes Venus in (never satisfied, unless it’s perfect) Virgo. If you’d like to fight further — in a war of words, perhaps, Moon’s square to Mars at 7:07 PM ET provides ample opportunity. If there is a spat, illumination and release may present themselves on SATURDAY morning, as the Full Moon in Pisces opposes the Virgo Sun. But FIRST, at 11:38 PM ET…

Mercury goes retrograde at 8 degrees 55 minutes of Libra. Here is what you need to know:

Contrary to popular belief, Mercury retrograde is no reason to freak out. Mercury retrograde gets a bad rap because we are geared, in this crazy modern age, to always be thinking, doing, moving FORWARD. You know what that gets you? BURN OUT. We need our down times, and Mercury retrograde is a perfect time to give our minds a rest. Why else would your computer, phone and/or car choose THIS time to malfunction? Because you are supposed to be slowing down. And as you slow down, it is vitally important that you FOCUS.

When Mercury is retrograde, be prepared for travel delays, scheduling screw-ups, mechanical breakdowns, computer crashes, having to repeat what you’ve just said, misunderstandings, the past coming back for a second look, surprise reunions and having to repeat what you just said. Use your FOCUS and double-check important details, like whether the restaurant you’ve chosen for a meet-up is still in business. Or whether it is booked for a commercial shoot or a private party — all of which has happened to me during Mercury retrogrades.

If you are looking for a job, Mercury retrogrades are a perfect time to reach out to people from your past. Mine your address book and trust that your contacts will be happy to hear from you. However, do not be frustrated if your target is away on vacation or keeps rescheduling meetings. Also, triple-check your emails and resumes before you hit “send,” as there is a higher probability of typos and other sloppy snafus.

In your business, you’ll need to make sure all communications have been received and are clearly understood. Be mindful of the higher potential for communications equipment to go on the fritz. MAKE SURE YOUR FILES ARE BACKED UP. Also be aware of a higher than average probability for delays in shipping and travel arrangements. For this you will need an extra dose of patience.

You may also find it profitable to REview a project from the past. Maybe you shelved it then, but now is the time to REconsider. However, be advised that a spontaneously, “out-of-the-blue” idea for advancement may not be so sound when Mercury turns direct. This is why the conventional wisdom advises against finalizing and/or signing contracts on deals during Mercury retrograde. An exception might be supported if you are REnegotiating or RElocating. If you absolutely must close a deal, triple check everything. The key is not to RUSH.

This is a good time to schedule a corporate REtreat. Any activity that affords the opportunity to REview past performance is encouraged. REsearch on a new strategy is also favored.

Mercury retrogrades are not favored for launching a new website or a new communications systems. There is a higher than average probability of technical glitches and confusion. REvisions, however, are A-OK.

In general, adopt a playful attitude of flexibility to whatever twists you encounter. Avoid making major purchases (especially electronic ones), unless your A/C unit has died and there’s a heat wave. Sometimes you just have to buy an appliance, Mercury retrograde or not. This is life. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Don’t believe everything you hear or read in the papers when Mercury is retrograde. Rumors have a higher probability of spreading. Avoid losing patience — that’s a big one.

When in doubt, be silent!

Do plan on RElaxing, REviewing, REsearching, REorganizing, REgenerating, REconnecting and REcreating….and REviewing your life with your astrologer.

Mercury will travel backward in Libra until September 23rd, when it will re-enter Virgo. Mercury turns direct at 24 degrees of Virgo on October 2nd. Mercury won’t cover new ground until October 17th, when it returns to 8 Libra. Mercury retrograde in Libra suggests a ton of “on the one hand…but on the other hand” discussions in a quest for balance. The operative word is is QUEST, as Mercury in Libra swings from side-to-side…BIG TIME. I say “big” because during this Mercury retrograde period (including Mercury’s shadow period), Mercury opposes Jupiter (expansion) three times. The first opposition was on September 2nd; the next two are on September 18th and October 12th. What comes out on that last one may be a boondoggle, as it will coincide with the first square between Mars in Gemini (a war of/on words) and Neptune (idealism; lies; scandal). Mercury is also in a series of trines with Pluto, suggesting that ideas and information being weighed during this period have depth, possibly in the extreme. Mercury-Pluto contacts generally bode well for investigative reporters. The Mercury-Pluto trines were/are on August 22nd, September 27th, and October 6th.

The Sabian Symbol for this Mercury retrograde is “three old masters hanging in an art gallery,” which Sabian Sage Guru Blain Bovee interprets as a level of excellence that may not be appreciated in its own time. Perhaps this doesn’t matter, hmm? Be excellent anyway. Whaddaya think? With respect to our mindset during this Mercury retrograde, we are advised to reflect on “finding a home where one’s creative visions can be hung; admiring a past in order to project a future.” Somehow we’re likely to see these themes in the news.

SATURDAY: Full Moon in Pisces demands illumination and release in matters of boundless faith and feeling vs. sorting and discernment. The Sabian Symbol for this Full Moon is
“a gigantic tent,” suggesting a gathering place of like-minded souls. And with the next stop for the Moon and Sun being a contact with Uranus (inventor of unconventional alliances), we may see headlines of innovation and coalition — in technology and leadership. The Sabian Symbol for the Sun is “a ouija board,” and I invite you to read this post for the 2018 New Moon in Virgo for more on that and how astrologers can use repeating patterns to anticipate future events. Moon meets up with dreamy/befuddled Neptune at 4:55 PM ET and then goes void on a sextile to Pluto at 8:28 PM ET. Chill during the six hour Moon void.
SUNDAY: Moon zooms into Aries at 2:47 AM ET, picking up the pace. Moon’s meet-up with Jupiter at 12:30 PM ET is inclined to expand with abandon. A harmony (trine) between Sun and Uranus at 9:09 AM ET suggests an easy flow of cooperation among leaders and innovation.

Here is the chart for Saturday’s Full Moon in Pisces, set in Washington, DC.

And now the news — briefly.

Artemis did not launch last week. As you know from last week’s Forecast, the chart for the planned launch on Monday had Neptune in contact with the angles of the chart — a potential dissolving of boundaries, reflected by a mysterious engine leak. NASA thought about launching on Friday, with Moon in Scorpio on a Scorpio Ascendant, which did not look promising, in my humble opinion. The third effort was on Saturday, starting at 2:17 PM ET — with Moon in Sagittarius (better for a lift-off) on the Sagittarius Ascendant. However, Neptune was at the root of the chart — and as it turned out, the leak was still causing problems! I’d be stunned if NASA is using astrology to pick these dates/times, but it’s interesting that all three of these launch possibilities had the Moon rising in the East. Anyhoo, the launch has been postponed until later this month or next.

In the chart for Friday launch, it is interesting to see that Mercury and Mars are in an approaching trine…BUT…because Mercury is about to turn retrograde, this trine isn’t going to happen. Remember when I wrote last week (commenting on the patterns among Mercury, Mars and Jupiter suggesting BIG ACTION and BIG THINKING) and added:

“So we have a rush of energy to process, & some of it may go nowhere, fast.”

In other words, no Artemis launch…and oh, by the way, that TFG-appointed, loose Cannon of a judge whose confirmation was rammed through the Senate AFTER the former guy lost the election, is throwing wrenches in the DOJ’s efforts to hold TFG accountable for his theft of top secret documents belonging to the U.S. government. Former U.S. Attorney General/TFG enabler Bill Barr declared Judge Cannon’s recent rulings “wrong” and “deeply flawed.” We don’t have a birth time for Barr, but I was wondering what sort of heavy, disruptive thought patterns he’d be dealing with as transiting Saturn and Uranus connect with his persuasive Mercury-Pluto square. Now we know.

Random headlines reflecting BIG news:

Finally…

“Liz Truss meets Queen Elizabeth; becomes UK’s new prime minister”.

We don’t have a birth time for Truss, but she is a Leo driven by Moon in Pisces, with the Moon potentially square to Neptune. Translation: a keenly sensitive soul, for better or for worse. It’s interesting that her natal Mars (how she needs to execute an action plan) has been under the intensely innovative/disruptive influence of transiting Uranus, and she’ll have two more transiting of Uranus on her Mars over the next several months. Her action plan is likely to be innovative, daring and possibly reckless. Both her Sun and Mars will be affected by the next two eclipses, and I’ll write more about that potential as eclipse season approaches. Meanwhile, transiting Pluto has been opposing her natal Mercury (how she needs to think), suggesting that her communication and mindset are in a period of persuasive power. There’s more, but that’s it for now.

Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.

Thank you for reading this forecast.

Aerial view on Statue Of Mercury in Lviv, Ukraine

Friday 9/2/2022 & the Long Holiday Weekend: Venus Enters Virgo; Catching Up on Big News

September 2, 2022/in The Forecast

TGIF!

The Moon is in Sagittarius, driving the weekend with a need to expand your horizons and express your righteous opinion, boundary-pushing as it may be. It’s OK to feel as if you’re a little bit outside your comfort zone as you broaden your mind. Moon enters Capricorn at 10:02 PM ET on SUNDAY, inviting you to take care of business — on Labor Day, no less. Meh!

Five minutes after midnight on MONDAY, Venus exits Leo for Virgo, where she will stay until September 29th. Venus refers to who, what, and how we need to love. Virgo can be in a constant quest for perfection. It’s the “quest” part that led to the conventional astrological wisdom that cosmetic surgery is ill-advised when Venus is in Virgo. How can it ever be satisfied, when it’s so keenly aware of every little “fault?” You can use the discerning needs of any planet in Virgo for organizing, analyzing and sorting. If that planet is Venus, focus on your values, your money, your aesthetics and your social expression.

No sleeping in on TUESDAY. The Capricorn Moon will not be void.

And now, the news.

This week’s headlines sure as heck are in sync with astrology, as you may recall from Monday’s forecast:

Mars in Gemini sextiles Jupiter in Aries on Thursday morning
Mercury opposes Jupiter on Friday night

Both of these patterns suggest BIG, as in BIG action/assertion re: Mars...and BIG ideas/communication re: Mercury, especially in sports, courts, travel and publishing:

Billions and billions of investment in clean energy and new manufacturing initiatives here in the United States, as Heather Cox Richardson reports.
$1 billion in federal economic grants headed coast-to-coast
The BIG economic news should have been Tuesday’s top story, but it was overshadowed by the release of the DOJ’s timeline of its efforts to recover classified documents unlawfully taken by TFG and squirreled away at Mar-a-Lago. The DOJ’s filing was accompanied by a photo of some of the classified documents found (in his office, where he frequently entertained guests, according to a statement made on live television by one of his lawyers). I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a security clearance and thus had never seen a classified document. Thus I found the photo helpful, as I could now accurately visualize what was being talked about. Here is a link to a gifted article from the Washington Post, in which they explain everything we can see in the photo.
Today, DOJ released an inventory of all that was recovered, and this detailed list notes that classified documents were commingled with articles of clothing, news clippings going back over a decade and nearly 50 EMPTY folders marked “CLASSIFIED“…all of which drives home — just as the image in Beth Owlsdaughter’s Tarot Card of the Week drives home — the irrefutable, undeniable evidence that TFG is and always has been a threat to our national security and our American democracy. AND — and this is key, because this forecast is about astrology — the threat TFG poses to our democracy aptly reflects patterns in the horoscope of the United States (e.g., U.S. Pluto return), and the authoritarianism vs. democracy battle suggested by recent major planetary cycles, including the Uranus-Pluto square of 2011-2016, the Saturn-Pluto conjunction of 2020, the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction of 2021, the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction of 2022, and the current Saturn-Uranus square of 2021, the latter of which is back for a final round through this fall.
Elsewhere in “overkill,” Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the 77-year-old former leader of Myanmar, was sentenced to another three years of prison, but this time with hard labor. Her party “crushed” the military-backed opposition party in what international observers deemed a free and fair 2020 election, and the losing party retaliated by staging a coup. ICYMI, a fitness instructor unintentionally captured part of that coup on camera.
Also in “overkill,” an Ohio man stung 20,000 times by bees is expected to recover.

Meanwhile…

Twitter is finally adding an edit button — so typos in tweets can be corrected!
The battle of the epic TV series is on: Rings of Power vs. House of Dragon — which one are you w
The U.S. Department of Transportation announces its Airline Customer Service Dashboard, with actual improved customer service. For example, 8 out of 9 airlines now waive rebooking fees and provide vouchers for meals and hotel stays if a flight is delayed or canceled because of mechanical or staffing snafus.
The Department of Veterans Affairs will now provide pregnant veterans with expanded reproductive health care services in cases of rape, incest or when the health of the pregnant veteran is threatened.
Big news in sports: Serena Williams’ upset win at the U.S. Open — and she’s still going strong!
Mary Peltola defeats Sarah Palin in a special election to become first Native Alaskan elected to Congress and more. Peltola is another apt example of the tension reflected by the Saturn (old guard) – Uranus (avant garde) square. In Peltola’s case, she’s a staunch Democrat with a reputation for kindness, and she maintains friendly ties with those who may not share her political party affiliation. If you’ve never heard of ranked-choice voting, which was approved by Alaska’s voters in an initiative in 2020, Alaska’s state website explains it all for you.
Mikhail Gorbachev, last leader of the former Soviet Union, has died.
Jackson, Mississippi — the state capital — has no running water after recent heavy rain and flooding. The state has no money to pay for the infrastructure repair. Governor Tate Reeves (R-MS) has asked the federal government for financial assistance, which President Biden immediately approved. Mississippi has two senators and four congressmen in Washington. Of those six, Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) voted in favor of the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; the other elected representatives — all Republicans — voted against it.
“Ravil Maganov: Russian oil chief dies in (alleged) ‘fall’ from hospital window.” The oil chief had been critical of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Finally…

President Biden gave a widely-publicized speech in Philadelphia last night. It was so widely publicized, I thought I might watch it live on the TeeVee. Imagine my surprise when none of the Big Four U.S. networks carried it, apparently because it was deemed a political speech, as opposed to an announcement on U.S. government policy. In the speech (with a blood-red backdrop that looked like something you’d see on a night with Moon in Scorpio), President Biden addressed the elephant in the room, calling out MAGA extremists and their leader, Donald Trump, as a peril to our democracy for their willingness to “fan the flames” of political violence for the sake of power at any cost.

Astro-logically, this “newly aggressive line of attack Biden has unleashed” (reports the Guardian) makes perfect sense. Avid Readers will recall that Biden’s Scorpio Sun was recently activated by transiting Mars in that aftermath of two lunar eclipses, and we expected a genie to jump out of a bottle or a curtain to fall. This is what is happening now, right? As another op-ed opines, Biden’s “rose-colored glasses are off” (an astrologer might argue that transiting Neptune is no longer opposing his Midheaven, as it was from 2019-2021). Or, as Bard College professor Joseph O’Neill tweeted, “Perhaps the most powerful element of Biden’s speech is the unspoken message to the Republican Party that the era of Democratic cowering is over. That is a very important step in the termination of an abusive relationship.” Can’t stop thinking of that Tarot Card of the Week image. Stick a fork in it, already.

The former guy’s horoscope was triggered by transiting Mars (as you may recall), and his surge of assertive energy included a vow to pardon anyone who participated in the January 6th attempted coup, should he prevail in 2024. Not only that, but in the Sibley horoscope for the United States, note that the U.S. Moon at 27 Aquarius was also activated by recent eclipses and transiting Mars. Thus, we expect a surge of bottlenecked energy affecting the entire country. Astrology supports America now finding itself at a crossroads, with a critical midterm election on the horizon, and a choice to be made (though astro-logically, we have a few years to go before we can see how it will all work out). Democracy or authoritarianism. What will it be? (And yes, perhaps in a few years, a third option will have emerged).

This isn’t a new dilemma. In November 2015, I posted a lengthy bit on potential fascism in the United States, suggested by planetary patterns. Here is one from 2011, noting that events that happened in the 30s are up for a potential revisit. Astrology is amazing.

I’m thinking I’ll take Monday — Labor Day — off. Look for the next Sneak Peek at the Week on Tuesday. I will create a video Whether Forecast on Sunday — sign up here to have it delivered to you via email. And Whitney and I will soon be back at our mics, recording Episode 15 of “Off the Charts: A Stellar Newscast.” That will drop next Friday.

To schedule a personal consultation, here’s the 411.

Thank you for reading this Forecast — and sharing it with your friends.

This wall relief of Aphrodite (Venus) and Hephaestus (Vulcan) is hopefully still intact in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Vulcan is the blacksmith of the gods, and Ancient Greeks thought he was the true ruler of Virgo — not Hermes/Mercury.

I thought it was an apt image for the ingress of Venus into Virgo on Monday.

THE
FORECAST