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.

Monday 6/27/2022: Sneak Peek at the Week; New Moon in Cancer; Neptune Goes Retrograde

June 28, 2022/in The Forecast

Allll-righty then!

Moon is in Gemini, buzzing through the day with a need for information and communication. We are in the last days of the lunar cycle, potentially feeling listless or restless as we sense a New Moon is just around the corner, but do not know what it may bring. Other potentials on days with little light reflected by the Moon: meetings behind closed doors and other activities that fly under the radar. Here’s how the week goes:

MONDAY: “Dead moon” listlessness or restlessness notwithstanding, an easy flow between Mars and Saturn – exact at 6:28 PM ET — supports turning Moon-in-Gemini ideas into authoritative action. This potential is echoed around 9:30 PM ET, when the Moon trines Saturn and sextiles Mars. Such action may border on the visionary, foggy or surreal, reflecting 1) not just the Moon-Neptune square at 10:38 PM ET, but also…
TUESDAY: …2) Neptune turning retrograde at 3:54 AM ET until December 3rd. Retrograde planets offer opportunities to turn inward in matters symbolized by that planet. In your own personal world, Neptune may represent your beliefs, vision and faith. Neptune retrograde suggests it’s time to look inward for guidance in these areas — by becoming your own guru or savior instead of looking to an external entity. If you have planets or angles around 26 degrees of Pisces, Virgo, Sagittarius or Gemini, you are more personally affected by this Neptune retrograde. Consult your local astrologer for details.
TUESDAY (CONT): Moon enters Cancer at 7:53 AM ET, after being void for 9 hours and 15 minutes. A Cancer Moon shifts the focus to matters of emotional, home and family security. Are you standing on solid ground? Where is your home? Your family? Your ancestors? How are you being nourished and nurtured? How are you nourishing others? These questions (and actions taken in response) may feel especially BIG, reflecting the square between Sun and cosmic sugar daddy Jupiter, exact at 8:59 PM ET. At 10:43 PM ET, the Cancer Moon follows suit. Is there a jackpot in store for someone tonight? If you have planets around 8 degrees of just about any sign, but especially Aries, Cancer and Gemini, I wouldn’t stop you from buying a couple of lottery tickets. At 10:52 PM ET, the Cancer Moon meets up with the Cancer Sun, and the New Moon officially begins.

Here is the New Moon, set in Washington, D.C.:

Observations:

The New Moon falls in the 5th house of the Washington, DC chart, putting its seed-planting potential in an area related to children, creative play and sexual/self-expression.
Venus (women, money, values, social expression) is at the root of the horoscope, in a nearly exact (at 11:51 PM ET), sextile with Jupiter. This is a rare cooperative alignment between two planets associated with fortune, benefactors and abundance. I’d say it reflects the upside potential of Beth Owl’s Daughter’s Tarot Card of the Week.
Seeds planted now have tremendous force, suggested by the square between warrior Mars in Aries and Pluto (planet of extremes). We’ll see manifestations of the potential for ruthless physicality as we get closer to Friday, when that square will be exact.
Rebel Uranus exactly squares this chart’s 17 Aquarius Ascendant and the Part of Fortune. Sudden changes of fortune — for better or worse, would not be a surprise.
The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon is “rabbits dressed in clothes and on parade.” Astrologer James Burgess writes that these rabbits represent “modelling ourselves on a guide,” which is interesting, given that I just told you that Neptune turning retrograde suggests turning inward for guidance, not outward. Sabian Sage Blain Bovee has a positive take on this image of acting as if — i.e., acting as if what we believe is actually real. This supports the blaring car horn of Neptune (dreams, visions) at a virtual standstill, demanding our focus at this time. It also supports the dominant image of 2022, i.e., Jupiter conjunct Neptune in Pisces, which also affirms the power of make-believe. Finally, it supports the potential of the December 21, 2020 Great Mutation of Jupiter-Saturn in Aquarius, which argues for the power of mind over matter.
Bottom line: get creative this month. If a door is closed, try a window.

Back to the Forecast:

WEDNESDAY: Moon continues its sojourn through Cancer. The only exact aspect is a sextile between Moon and Uranus. Reach across the aisle; be innovative in your use of technology and other networks.
THURSDAY: Moon trines Neptune at 11:27 AM ET, pouring oil on troubled waters and facilitating dreams. The afternoon and evening offer a preview of Friday’s Mars-Pluto square, as the Moon squares Mars at 2:16 PM ET and opposes Pluto at 4:13 PM ET. Choose your battles carefully — then chill during the ensuing 4 1/2 hour void. That means roll with the twists and flakes that may disrupt efforts to move forward in a straight line, and don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. Avoid making important purchases. Moon enters Leo at 8:39 PM ET, ready to take the stage and/or party.
FRIDAY: The Leo Moon’s creative needs are supported by Jupiter in the morning (10:49 AM ET) and by Venus in the afternoon (a sextile is exact at 5:58 PM ET). That’s a nice build-up here in the United States as we head into another long summer holiday weekend. July 4th fireworks may come early, reflecting the explosive potential of the square between Mars and Pluto, exact at 10:13 PM ET. If you are in a crowd or on the road, be mindful of your surroundings. If you’re running a marathon on that day, you’ll likely have access to an abundance of physical energy.
SATURDAY: A surprise or other upset to the status quo is likely, as Moon squares rebel Uranus at 8:21 AM ET. Saturday afternoon offers a challenge for those seeking clear direction, as Mercury – how we need to think – is in a tense pattern with Neptune – planet of vision and fog. This could be a set-up for an authority figure to dissipate clouds and take control, as Moon opposes Saturn at 9:54 PM ET.
SUNDAY: Walking and talking are supported overnight and in the morning, as Mercury sextiles Moon at 12:42 AM ET and Mars trines Moon at 5:58 AM ET. After a 2 1/2 hour void, Moon enters Virgo, ready to put everything back in order.

And now, the news.

Welp. I told you that last week was not only a turning point – marked by the Summer Solstice – but also a potential tipping point – not unlike the collapse of an ice shelf into the ocean…just like that. In Afghanistan, it was a 5.9 earthquake…which, despite its relatively small magnitude, was devastating nonetheless — and Scientific American explains why.

Here in the United States, a majority of justices on the Supreme Court threw stare decisis out the window and declared that the freedom women have had for the past 50 years to make reproductive health care choices for themselves is no longer protected by the Constitution. This is the first time SCOTUS has ever taken away a right it has previously granted — and if one takes Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion seriously, it is just getting started. As Heather Cox Richardson explains (her full post is here):

The Dobbs decision marks the end of an era: the period in American history stretching from 1933 to 1981, the era in which the U.S. government worked to promote democracy. It tried to level the economic playing field between the rich and the poor by regulating business and working conditions. It provided a basic social safety net through programs like Social Security and Medicare and, later, through food and housing security programs. It promoted infrastructure like electricity and highways, and clean air and water, to try to maintain a basic standard of living for Americans. And it protected civil rights by using the Fourteenth Amendment, added to the U.S. Constitution in 1868, to stop states from denying their citizens the equal protection of the laws.

1933 to 1981 is interesting astrologically. Around 1933 is when transiting Pluto was in Cancer, conjunct the U.S. Mercury (how we need to think) and close to an opposition with Pluto. Around 1981 is when transiting Pluto was close to a square to the U.S. Mercury-Pluto opposition. Now we have transiting Pluto conjunct the U.S. Pluto — aka the U.S. Pluto Return. See a pattern here? Big swing in one direction (U.S. government worked to promote democracy) after 1933; big swing in the opposite direction (Reaganomics and drowning the government in a bathtub) after 1981. Here we are in 2022, a couple of weeks away from the second of three hits of the U.S. Pluto Return (the third one is in December), and we are poised to swing again. Will we swing left or even farther right, hmm? That is the big question. And by the way, 1868 was another big Pluto phase in the U.S. horoscope, as I explain in this post from January.

Meanwhile…

I need to stop writing and ship this forecast now — because I’m serving as a poll worker in a primary election here in New York. My call time is 5 AM, and it’s a 17 hour shift. I’ve learned so much and It’s so much fun to help people be part of the democratic process — and make them feel good about doing it. Every vote counts!

Thank you for reading this forecast.

Stay tuned for continuing updates on the astonishing synchronicity of planetary patterns and the news. Astrology is amazing.

Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.

Monday 6/20/2022: Sneak Peek at a Short Work Week; Happy Summer Solstice!

June 21, 2022/in The Forecast

Alllllrighty then!

Greetings from the Maine woods, where I’ve escaped for the week. An unintended consequence of my effort to unplug from the internet for a few days is that I completely forgot that today is a federal holiday, honoring (one day later, which is why I forgot), Juneteenth, “the celebration of the announcement on June 19th, 1865, in Texas that enslaved Americans were free,” as historian Heather Cox Richardson explains. Therefore, my observations in Sunday’s Whether Forecast re: a possible SCOTUS ruling on Roe v. Wade today (Monday) were clearly not going to become reality, no matter how activated the horoscope for the 1973 landmark decision happened to be (today’s Third Quarter Moon at 29 Pisces is right on the chart’s 29 Pisces Ascendant).

Here’s how the week goes:

MONDAY: Third Quarter Moon at 29 Pisces at 11:10 PM ET. Chill for 26 minutes, and then hold onto your horses (suggests Beth Owl’s Daughter’s Tarot Card of the Week), as the Moon zooms into Aries at 11:37 PM ET. Moon in Aries needs to lead – courageously – and often impulsively – and always passionately, as fire signs are wont to do. Emotional depth and power plays (possibly involving women, values, arts and money) may manifest on…
TUESDAY: …reflecting the 4:23 AM ET trine between Venus — close to the verrrrry end of Taurus — and Pluto in Establishment Capricorn. Meanwhile, news involving leaders of heads of state and business may also demand our attention, reflecting the Sun’s ingress into Cancer. Happy Summer Solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere)! Happy birthday to all your favorite crabs!

Here’s what you need to know about equinoxes and solstices — from an astrological point of view. In the Northern Hemisphere, the first day of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter corresponds with the start of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, respectively. 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 of a Cardinal sign — which is also the first day of a season — is a turning point. Pay attention!

If you were born with the Sun in Cancer, you’re here to create and maintain emotional security. Cancer is ruled by the Moon, which changes signs faster than any other celestial body. Moon refers to emotional response. The keywords for Cancer are: I FEEL. If you are a Cancer born between July 17^th – 21^st my money says you’ve been feeling a lot these days – and some of it may be cathartic and transforming. Maybe you’d like to talk about it with your astrologer?

Here is what the Summer Solstice looks like, set in Washington, D.C.

Observations:

For those familiar with midpoint pictures, it’s fascinating to see the Cancer Sun at the Jupiter/Neptune midpoint (Sun = Jupiter/Neptune is the astrological notation). Avid Readers will recall that one of the dominant patterns of 2022 is the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in Pisces, which happened on April 12th. For the next three months, we can expect Jupiter-Neptune themes to become even more prominent, especially with respect to leaders. Here’s the 411 on Jupiter-Neptune in Pisces — and what was going on in mid-April.
Moon, Mars and Jupiter in Aries suggest fiery crusades, especially with warrior Mars running wild in the cosmic sandbox. For that matter, rebel Uranus is also running wild. Have you heard about the Texas Republican Party’s new platform? Let Heather Cox Richardson explain.
Moon rules the 2nd house — of money, worth and values — from its position in the 11th house — of rewards, benefactors and love received. Who’s going to make the cut?

Back to the Forecast:

TUESDAY (cont.): Exuberance, expansion and plenty of chatter are suggested by the Aries Moon’s meeting with Jupiter at 11:36 AM ET, followed by a cooperative connection to Mercury at 2:34 PM ET.
WEDNESDAY: An assertive focus can be yours around 2:58 PM ET, as Moon meets up with Mars in Aries. Meanwhile, at 8:34 PM ET, Venus – which refers to who, what and how we need to love – leaves Taurus and enters Gemini, where it will be until July 17^th. Venus in Gemini may have difficulty choosing between two or more things it loves — and needs to talk up a storm in the process. But at least the talk is entertaining — although it may have a twinge of gravitas around 10:18 PM ET, as the Moon sextiles Saturn.
THURSDAY: Night owls in the Americas may experience a power play or a catharsis, as the Aries Moon squares Pluto at 4:02 AM ET — and then goes void for four hours. At 7:57 PM ET, Moon enters Taurus. A Taurus Moon seeks to preserve the status quo whilst enjoying a few simple sensual delights. A sextile between the Cancer Sun and Taurus Moon at 12:11 PM ET strives for balance, nourishment and emotional support. The steady, earthy pace continues into…
FRIDAY: …with no exact aspects to the Moon until 6:14 PM ET, when Moon meets up with rebel Uranus. Surprise?
SATURDAY: Adjustments may be required — to whatever authoritative structures and/or wet blankets landed overnight, reflecting the Moon’s square to Saturn at 9:01 AM ET. The mood softens over the next hour, as Moon sextiles Neptune — and maybe inspires a bit more sleep. The rest of the afternoon facilitates calling on power and resources for the sake of material comfort and security, as the Moon trines Pluto at 3:02 PM ET. Chill during the ensuing four-hour void — and no impulse shopping, if you please. At 7:13 PM ET, Moon enters Gemini, seeking to be the smartest kid in the room, armed with a double batch of convincing sweet-talk as it approaches Venus at 3:02 AM ET on…
SUNDAY. This day is pleasant enough, as Moon sextiles Jupiter at 9:26 AM ET and buzzes through the rest of the day. Humming in the background are a several noteworthy patterns that are exact next week. First, on Monday, Mars sextiles Saturn — and this practical constructive flow of energy can support your equally practical Moon-in-Taurus/Sun-in-Cancer weekend home improvement projects. Second, Tuesday offers a bonanza, as Jupiter squares the Sun and sextiles Venus. Expansive and/or expensive — but what a potentially delightful indulgence. Third, Neptune will turn retrograde just before the New Moon in Cancer. Avid Readers will recall that when a planet changes direction (from our perspective on planet Earth), whatever it symbolizes may blare for several days, as if a driver is leaning on the horn of their car. Neptune symbolizes refugees, music, spirits of all kind, oil, victims, fantasies, dreams (note yours all this week!), drugs, delusions, oceans, glamour, scandal, etc. etc.

Finally, not only is this week a turning point – marked by the Summer Solstice – but it may be another tipping point. I say this because as you can see, after the Solstice there are no exact aspects among the planets for the rest of the week — other than to the Moon. I don’t know why these apparent breaks in the planetary action coincide with events that seem like the collapse of an ice shelf into the ocean, but that’s what I’ve observed over the years. We live in such interesting times!

And now, the news.

Last week’s headlines reflected the Sun (leaders) and Venus (women, social expression, money) as they connected with Saturn (reality, streamlining, controls) and Neptune (bewilderment, victims, wipeout, illusion, conspiracies). Last Monday’s Full Moon suggested illumination involving the former guy and his VP, Mike Pence. How interesting that Thursday’s J6 hearing (which was NOT scheduled to start at a time with Uranus squaring the Ascendant & thus actually happened as scheduled) was all about…Mike Pence, as Heather Cox Richardson reports.

We also expected illuminating news involving Governor Gavin Newsom, and we were not disappointed:

“Gavin Newsom joins Truth Social to ‘call out Republican lies;’ perceived ‘red-state murder problem”

Meanwhile….

“Alexei Navalny reportedly moved to high-security prison in Russia,” but his official status is unknown. He’s “disappeared.”
Dom Phillips, a former music journalist who was a “leading chronicler of deforestation in the Amazon,” went missing — and was later found murdered, along with indigenous advocate Bruno Pereira. They were found in an area of Brazil where “illegal fishing and poaching has become rife…is also a well-known trafficking route for cocaine.”
“WTO strikes major trade deal” that includes “commitments on fish.”
Record flooding and mudslides force closures in Yellowstone Park
“Biden sends letter warning oil companies on historically high refinery profits”
Dr. Fauci tests positive for Covid.

In other news, reflecting Venus square Saturn’s joyless potential:

Markets were down (as anticipated), as the Fed increased interest rates (biggest increase since 1994)
“Saudis ban rainbow-colored toys in crackdown on homosexuality” (shall we file this under delusional Neptune, too?)
Seven members of a production crew for The Late Show w/Stephen Colbert were arrested and charged with unlawful entry while filming a segment (with Triumph the Insult Dog) in the U.S. Capitol
Elon Musk’s transgender daughter seeks name change to sever ties with father
Brittney Griner’s wife says U.S. Embassy failed to patch through call from the detained WNBA star on the couple’s 4th anniversary

On the other hand, Venus-Saturn patterns could simply reflect a mature woman, and with Venus in Taurus, her focus might be on simple pleasures. Toss in a little Neptune for fantasy and healing, and it adds up to an apt time for the release…of Emma Thompson’s latest film, “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande,” now streaming on Hulu.

What’s going on in your horoscope? Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.

If consultations aren’t your thing, but you find this forecast worthwhile, here’s the link to the Cosmic Tip Jar, with gratitude.

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

A view from Maine.

Artist: R.G. Goldstone

Monday 6/13/2022: Sneak Peek at the Week; Full Moon in Sagittarius; Mercury in Gemini; Sun & Venus Dance with Saturn & Neptune

June 14, 2022/in The Forecast

Alllll righty then!

First, Episode 9 of Off the Charts: A Stellar Newscast is up and running, and I gotta say, my co-host Whitney Fishburn writes the best synopses of our bi-weekly astro-logical podcasts. Do have a look — and then have a listen. Comments always welcome! We’ll be back with more in mid-July.

I am riveted by Episode 2 of the J6 Committee’s televised hearings, which was supposed to begin at 10 AM ET. Looking at the chart for that time and place, do you think they started on time, with Venus-Uranus square the Leo Ascendant? A disruption would be anticipated, and as it turns out, a witness had to back out of testifying in person, because his wife (Venus) had gone into labor (Sag Moon trine Jupiter at 3:25 AM ET). Surprise! (Venus-Uranus).

Could an astrologer find a likely time for the actual start? Sure. Fast forward to 10:46 AM ET, with Saturn (authority) opposing the Ascendant; Venus on the Midheaven. At 10:45 AM ET, the committee members entered the hearing room, and Rep. Bennie Thompson smacked the gavel, formally starting the hearing at……10:46 AM ET. Astrology is amazing.

Here’s how the week goes:

MONDAY: No sleeping in. There is no Moon void, and the Sagittarius Moon is cruising through the cosmos, supported by Jupiter (big!) at 3:25 AM ET and by Mars (action!) at 6:05 PM ET. At 11:26 AM ET, Mercury — now back up to speed after its retrograde period — returns to its home sign of Gemini, buzzing with facts and figures until July 5th. These next few weeks are excellent times time for negotiation, communication and closing deals. Moon in Sagittarius needs to push boundaries and command respect for its righteous opinion. Take a walk in the woods; catch a foreign film; expand your mind and broaden your horizons. Emotions are running high today as the Sag Moon waxes to fullness on…
TUESDAY at 7:51 AM ET. Here’s what that looks like, set in Washington, D.C.:

Observations:

Sun and Moon are in contact with Saturn and Neptune. Moon sextiles Saturn at 10:37 AM ET, and then squares Neptune minutes later. Watch for themes of structure, law & reality, followed by fog, deception, conspiracies, healing and/or vision. This pattern repeats on Thursday, as the Sun trines Saturn and squares Neptune. We are going to be dealing with simultaneous offerings from Saturn (real) and Neptune (unreal) until February 2023, so get used to it.
Venus (women, money, art, social expression) is in a square to Saturn and a sextile to Neptune. Women who mean business would be an upside potential, and we are seeing plenty of those in the J6 hearings. A downside potential of Venus square Saturn would be controls imposed on women by would-be authoritarians or simple scarcity (e.g., a tampon shortage). Keep that in mind if SCOTUS makes news. Venus-Neptune seeks sweet music and other random acts of kindness and senseless beauty.
Sun and Moon are in the 12th and 6th houses, respectively. This shines light on hidden enemies, confinement, hospitals and the self-undoing…and also workers, enslavement and health concerns.
This Full Moon at 23 Sagittarius activates the solar eclipse of December 14, 2020 — here’s what was going on back then, including the vote of the Electoral College, affirming Joe Biden’s victory over the Defeated Former Guy.
The Sabian Symbols for this Full Moon are “a bluebird standing at the door of the house” (for the Sagittarius Moon) and “children skating on ice” (for the Gemini Sun). Sabian Sage Blain Bovee describes the bluebird as an “image of beginnings that bode happiness, and fortunate possibilities just outside the door.” Watch for news that reflects the challenge of stepping out into a new world; optimistic outlooks; being in the right place at the right time. Consider all things blue (says Bovee): “the blues, nostalgia, blue skies, blue blood, blue babies, lavender, blue-collar workers, blue-hair, blue moon, blue movies, out of the blue good fortune”…and of course, blue states. Astrologer James Burgess opines that the “children skating” represent something new and daring, along with a vow to remain undefeated, as in “raging against the dying of the light.” It should surprise no one that this Full Moon falls close to the DFG’s Gemini Sun and Sagittarius Moon, suggesting he is more personally affected than most.
Mars is at 15 Aries — prominently placed in the 10th house of leaders. Mars is conjunct Chiron. The phrase “wounded warrior” comes to mind. Maybe that reflects the tepid gun control legislation that actually might pass in Congress…for the first time in decades. It also reflects this story of justice abused…and finally served…for a protagonist who’s an ex-Green Beret.
You are more personally affected by this Full Moon if you have planets or angles around 23 Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces. Off the top of my head, that includes VP Kamala Harris and Governor Gavin Newsom of California and Mike Pence.

Back to the Forecast:

TUESDAY: Moon goes void on that real/unreal contact with Neptune at 10:58 AM ET. Stick with routine concerns; roll with the twists and flake that may disrupt efforts to move forward in a straight line. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill, as crises that crop up during Moon voids are usually much ado about nothing. Chill! At 6:13 PM ET, see if you notice the shift in focus as the Moon enters Capricorn, determined to Make Something Happen, possibly pushing boundaries as Moon squares Jupiter at 3:21 AM ET on…
WEDNESDAY. Sparks may fly around 7:49 PM ET, as Moon squares Mars in Aries. Humming in the background — and exact on…
THURSDAY: morning — are the two aforementioned patterns involving the Sun, Saturn, and Neptune. Sun refers to leaders of business and state; we’ve already defined Saturn and Neptune. Together, leaders have potential to come to an agreement on a plan involving healing and vision. That would be an upside. A downside would be an effective denial/block designed to poison the waters…or…demand a sacrifice…or…fog up the facts. As if on cue, here is Rudy Giuliani, who has transiting Mercury on his Venus, exact on Monday, when this article was published: “Still poisoning the airwaves with vicious Jan. 6 lies”. In other news, we learned in today’s J6 hearing that Giuliani was drunk on Election Night 2020, an apt potential for someone born with Neptune on the Ascendant, and Saturn conjunct the Midheaven. Gosh, he appears to be the adult in the room…but…maybe things aren’t as they seem. Sun trines Saturn at 3:13 AM ET; Sun squares Neptune at 9:41 AM ET. Note your dreams upon waking, note the potential for a catharsis or power play around 2:41 PM ET, as Moon makes its weekly clash with Pluto. Chill during the three-hour void, and then prepare to innovate and collaborate after 5:44 PM ET, when Moon enters Aquarius. Get the word out before 10:29 PM ET, when Moon trines high-functioning Mercury in Gemini.
FRIDAY: Moon squares Uranus at 9:36 PM ET — surprise, surprise. Could be a disruptive Friday night news dump, with action taken pronto, as Mars sextiles Moon at 10:35 AM ET.
SATURDAY: Moon squares Venus at 10:09 AM ET and meets up with Saturn at 10:46 AM ET. That’s a sobering way to start the day, though there’s an effort to find a balance around 2:50 PM ET, as Sun trines Moon. In the ensuing four-hour Moon void, a chilling control may present itself (if it hasn’t already), as Venus squares Saturn at 5:31 PM ET. Did the markets end the week with a thud (they’re down today — Monday)? In your own personal world, a Venus-Saturn square cools the flames of desire, so keep that in mind if you’ve got a hot date. Social expression may demand gravitas. Oh — but wait — Moon enters Pisces at 7:01 PM ET, seeking empathy, accommodation, and quite possibly a beautiful escape. A longing for sweetness reflects the potential of a sextile between Venus and Neptune, exact at 12:06 AM ET on…
SUNDAY. It’s all so confusing. Is all forgiven? Maybe not in the early morning, as Pisces Moon squares Mercury in Gemini, and is challenged to face the facts. With Mercury sextiling Jupiter early Monday morning, I expect there will be big news in matters of court opinions, travel, sports and collective belief systems we will be asked to process over the weekend.

And now, the news.

We expected a “letting loose” of action in the first ten days of June, reflecting the lack of exact contact among the planets, other than to the Moon. Here in the U.S., stories that reflected that feeling were of the stunning increase in mass shootings. But we’ve also seen a surge of resolve among those wanting to restrict access to these weapons of mass destruction, with many saying that the Uvalde massacre was “another turning point.”

Planetary patterns were aptly reflected in Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebration in the first week of June. Remember that Saturn was turning retrograde whilst squaring Her Majesty’s Saturn and Midheaven? A necessary control affecting her public status and authority would not be unexpected, and at this stage in life (she is 96), she couldn’t attend all of the pomp and circumstance. Family members stepped up to the plate, and her subjects waved to a hologram “sitting” inside her golden coach, instead of Her Actual Royal Highness. She did find time to have a spot of tea with Paddington Bear — and here it is on video, ICYMI.

Meanwhile, her great-grandson Prince Louis of Cambridge was having a no-good horrible day, with transiting Mars and Pluto all over his horoscope would lead us to expect. If Will and Kate are smart, they’ll enroll him in a course of martial arts that offers a zen perspective. Understanding a child’s needs through the potential suggested in the horoscope is an awesome way to use astrology to live life better.

Another horoscope activated by Saturn stationing retrograde, square Mercury stationing direct is Matthew McConaughey’s. His 25 Aquarius Midheaven is receiving a visit from transiting Saturn, and this transit often coincides with being seen as an authority in whatever pond you happening to swim in. His Neptune is 27 Scorpio, and it was opposed by transiting Mercury last week, when he gave a talk to reporters in the White House Press Room about his visit to Uvalde, Texas — which is where he was born. Here is the video, which begins, “To make the lives of those lost…matter…” McConaughey described in excruciating detail the terrible carnage emergency responders faced when they finally arrived in the classroom, and since then, we’ve seen op-eds arguing that maybe the public needs to get real (reflecting the gravitas of last week’s tension between Mercury and Saturn) and actually see these images…before any meaningful action will be taken to stop the proliferation of these weapons.

Meanwhile…

The January 6th Committee’s opening night on Thursday delivered the goods, as Heather Cox Richardson explains. The Mercury-Pluto trine exact the following night suggested persuasive investigative reporting. 20 million people tuned in to watch on network and cable television, which doesn’t include viewers like me who watched it on a streaming service or newspaper’s website. If you’re a regular reader of HCR’s daily Letter from an American, much of what was presented on Thursday wasn’t new (though I’m amazed at how many people were hearing about certain things for the very first time). What was remarkable was how clearly the committee laid out a case — with evidence — that The Former Guy was in fact the driving force behind it all. Here’s the recap from Stephen Colbert — from Thursday night, right after the first televised hearing — complete with an intro borrowed from The Muppets, bless his heart.

If you watched the hearing today (Monday), you’ll note how the story line is developing in sync with planetary patterns. In the first hour of the hearing we learned about “the red mirage” — something not as it seems! Later we were presented with evidence that TFG knew the election wasn’t stolen, but that didn’t stop him Team TFG from bombarding supporters with requests for donations for the “Election Defense Fund.” Turns out that fund didn’t exist. The money raised — $250,000,000 — went elsewhere, e.g., to Kim Guilfoyle, who was paid $60,000 for her two minute “speech” at the “rally” on January 6th. Shades of Sun square Neptune — as in leaders who may have committed wire fraud.

In other news, you may recall that planetary patterns over the weekend (Scorpio Moon; Venus-Uranus in Taurus; Mercury trine Pluto) suggested a bonanza for investigative reporters; a caution for those marching in the streets; unconventional attractions; disruptions in social expression, aesthetics, woman, money, technology, food supply – to name a few.

“31 Patriot Front members arrested near Idaho pride event” — keep an eye on this developing story.
Business Insider interviews Sophia, the world’s first robot citizen
“Google engineer put on leave after saying AI chatbot has become sentient” — just wait until Pluto enters Aquarius & Uranus enters Gemini
“Group of men storm Drag Queen Story Hour in California in possible hate crime”
Nancy Pelosi makes a guest appearance on “RuPaul’s Drag Race”
Australian actor Rebel Wilson announces she’s dating a woman; apparently because a local paper was going to do a story about the relationship before it was publicly announced.
TFG’s Air Force One paint scheme scrapped by President Biden
“The race against time to breed a wheat that can survive the climate crisis”
Corporate accountability –– surprise, surprise. Which corporations pledged to stop donating to politicians who supported the January 6 attempted coup? Which ones kept their promise?

Finally…Good grief! Britney Spears’ first husband (Jason Alexander) was arrested while trying to crash her wedding to Sam Asghari. Britney and Jason were married for all of 55 hours in 2004, and I use that wedding event chart in a class I teach about using astrology to choose a favorable time for a significant event. It’s a prime example of Planetary Patterns to Avoid when choosing a time to get married — or do much of anything, frankly. And wouldn’t you know it, the Moon was at 27 Taurus on that ill-fated day in 2004, and thus recently eclipsed…and triggered by Mercury last week! There are other patterns in that 2004 chart that are being activated by current patterns. I’m not surprised at all by Alexander’s “shocking” behavior. Astrology. Is. Amazing!

Here is Beth Owl’s Daughter’s Tarot Card of the Week. — always in sync with planetary patterns.

Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.

Here’s the link to the fabulous Cosmic Tip Jar, which keeps this website up and running, with gratitude to you for your support.

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

Full Moon in Sagittarius over golf course.

Monday 6/6/2022: Sneak Peek at the Week

June 7, 2022/in The Forecast

Allll righty then!

Remember, if you need a video sneak peek of the written Sneak Peek at the Week (which I usually post on Monday), check out the Whether Forecast, posted on Sundays. You’ll find a link to that — and other fun podcasts and videos — right here on the brand spanking new PODCASTS & MORE section of my website.

Here’s how the week goes:

MONDAY: Moon in Virgo is ready to put things back in order after the Leo Moon’s weekend party. Now is the time for sorting, organizing, and selling your vision for making things right.
TUESDAY: Unconventional alliances are favored in the wee hours, as the Moon trines Venus at 12:05 AM ET, with more to come in the morning, as Moon trines Uranus at 10:48 AM ET. Minutes later, at 10:48 AM ET, the First Quarter Moon pits the Virgo Moon’s need for exacting detail against the multitasking energy of the Gemini Sun. Pick the most efficient option go with it. Separate the wheat from the chaff.
WEDNESDAY: Night owls may find divine inspiration from Moon’s opposition to Neptune at 2:44 AM ET. Some of it may be worth writing down upon waking, as Moon trines Mercury at 5:55 AM ET and then trines Pluto at 8:08 AM ET. If your morning gets off to a slow start, note that the Virgo Moon will be void until 11:22 AM ET. Roll with the twists and flakes, and don’t make a mountain out of a molehill of crisis. Once the Moon enters Libra, our focus may shift to talking it out – calmly, rationally, and unemotionally….at least until a few hours before 8:25 PM ET, when Moon opposes Jupiter and expands on its demand for fairness in relationship.
THURSDAY: A dispassionate approach may be challenged again around 8:15 AM ET, as the Libra Moon faces off against fighting-mad Mars in Aries. Balance could return by evening, as Moon trines Sun at 9:56 PM ET. Note the when the January 6^th Committee is scheduled to begin its televised presentation of the findings of its almost-year-long investigation. Tune in at 8 PM ET.
FRIDAY: Whatever came out on Thursday night may start the day off on a sober note, reflecting the trine between the Libra Moon and Saturn. Tension may build to a catharsis or power play around 1:36 PM ET, when Moon makes its weekly clash with Pluto. Chill during the three-hour Moon void…and if you’re on the East Coast, maybe start the weekend early. At 4:41 PM ET, Moon enters Scorpio, driving the weekend with a need to plumb emotional depths for the sake of consolidating power and control. Humming in the background all week is the last of three trines between Mercury – information – and Pluto, exact at 5:21 PM ET. That pattern bodes well for investigative journalists and other persuasive types.
SATURDAY: Also humming in the background, and exact at 6:57 PM ET is a conjunction of Venus and Uranus in Taurus. Translation: be prepared for disruptions in matters of money, art, food production, women and social expression. More shocks to the system arise in the hours before 9:05 PM ET and 9:15 PM ET, when Moon opposes Uranus and Venus, respectively. Be mindful if you’re marching in the streets for our lives…again.
SUNDAY: Heavy news in the morning, perhaps — reflecting the square between Moon and Saturn, exact at 10:44 AM ET. Fifteen minutes later, Moon trines Neptune, adding to Saturn’s seriousness a layer of sensitivity and the surreal. The relationship between Saturn and Neptune is has been interesting in recent weeks. They are roughly 30 degrees apart, and positioned in a way that any planet that makes contact with Saturn is also engaged with Neptune. It’s going to be like this until early 2023, when Saturn wraps up its stay in Aquarius and enters Pisces. Then, in mid-2025, Saturn and Neptune will be almost conjunct in Aries — at the Aries Point — echoing last month’s Mars-Jupiter conjunction. Saturn and Neptune will continue this dance — with an exact conjunction in February 2026. This seems significant for the most popular chart for the United States, because the Midheaven is 1 Libra and the IC — the root of the horoscope — is 1 Aries. Meanwhile, today is the last day with Mercury in Taurus, so we may be experiencing an urgency about thinking in matters of material comfort and security. Moon goes void on an opposition to Mercury at 5:39 PM ET (I wonder if we’ll hear news about someone’s control of a supply chain). Moon soars into Sagittarius with a sigh of relief at 6:31 PM ET. No doubt everyone will have an opinion to share.

Beth Owl’s Daughter’s Tarot Card of the Week reflects the potency of the Mercury-Pluto trine. That’s the first pattern we’ve had between two planets that don’t involve the Moon since the explosive rush of assertive energy of the Mars-Jupiter conjunction on May 29th. Since then, planetary patterns suggested we might feel as if we were in a “free fall” — or, alternatively — as if things had been “let loose” (perhaps reflecting the loose connections among the planets). Not only that, but as Mercury gets back up to speed (after turning direct last Friday), it continues to trigger the lunar eclipses of November 19th, 2021 and May 16th, and also connect with Algol, that fixed star associated with losing one’s head.

Meanwhile, I don’t know where this day went, but it’s after midnight. I’d rather post this Sneak Peek now, and write up the list of news items after I’ve gotten a bit of sleep. I leave you with a link to an adorable photo of Lillibet, named for her great-grandmother, Elizabeth II.

Stay tuned — and thank you for reading this forecast.

Tuesday 5/31/2022: Sneak Peek at a Short Work Week; Mercury Direct; Saturn Retrograde

May 31, 2022/in The Forecast

Alll-righty then!

On Sunday, I shipped a forecast about Monday’s New Moon in Gemini — here it is, ICYMI. Remember, there are no exact aspects among the planets except those involving a planet and the Moon. What comes to mind is the expression “let loose,” and I imagine we’ll see that reflected in the headlines from now until June 10th, when two planets other than the Moon will finally connect. The June 10th connection is the third in a series of trines between Mercury-Algol and Pluto, suggesting a field day for investigative reporters, especially in matters of power and resources (including gas and oil). The next connection is a conjunction between Venus and Uranus, exact on June 11th. Moon will be in Scorpio and millions may gather around the United States for another March for Our Lives.

Meanwhile, we do have two significant shifts this week: Mercury turns direct on June 3rd and Saturn turns retrograde on June 4th. It’s interesting that the two planets are verrrrrrrry close to an exact square all week, reflecting a certain gravitas in our thinking. Mercury is in Taurus, reflecting a need to think about material security. Saturn is in Aquarius, reflecting a need for structure, authority and necessary controls, as they apply in a helpful way to humanity. That would be the upside. Any planet in Aquarius can reflect a certain rebelliousness that may be on the fringe. Not only that, but as I said in the New Moon forecast, Mercury is sitting at a virtual standstill on the Fixed Star Algol, associated with decapitation and other forms of losing one’s head. Algol is associated with the head of the Medusa, and if you know your Greek mythology, you know that Medusa was a priestess of Athena who was cursed by the goddess for allegedly having an affair with Poseidon (Neptune). Some accounts say that the alleged affair was not consensual, and that if anyone was going to be punished, it should have been Neptune.

You are more personally affected by the weighty potential of the Mercury-Algol square to Saturn if you have planets around 26 degrees of Taurus, Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius. This includes Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, who both have Venus conjunct Algol in their horoscopes, hit by the long lunar eclipses of November 2021 and May 2022. With respect to who, what and how they need to love, the genie is really out of the bottle now, isn’t it? Depp’s Mercury is also conjunct Algol, whereas Heard’s Mercury is at 6 Aries, about to be expanded by transiting Jupiter next week. Plaintiff and defendant rested their cases on Friday; the matter is in the hands of the jury. Verdict: it seems that all the money and success in the world can’t buy love and happiness, and Monica Lewinsky has a few astute observations.

Queen Elizabeth is also personally affected by this week’s Mercury-Saturn tension, as they connect with Her Majesty’s Saturn and Midheaven (authority; public status). She’s certainly seriously in the public eye this week, and plastered all over Stonehenge, as an historic Platinum Jubilee celebration continues through the weekend.

Beth Owl’s Daughter’s always-in-sync Tarot Card of the Week captures the wish-fulfillment potential of having thoughts that matter.

Here’s how the week goes:

TUESDAY: Moon is in Gemini, getting the word out. Dreamy idealism or fogginess involving authority and structure may be notable around 4 PM ET, as the Moon squares Neptune and trines Saturn. Chill during the 9-hour Moon void, meaning 1) roll with the twists and flakes that may disrupt efforts to move forward; and 2) don’t make a mountain out of a molehill of perceived crisis. Also, avoid impulse purchases of non-routine items during the Moon void.
WEDNESDAY: Moon enters Cancer at 1:48 AM ET, reflecting a need to focus on matters of home, homeland and emotional security. If you’re bouncing out of bed this morning, you’re picking up on the exuberant square between the Moon and Jupiter, exact at 9:34 AM ET. Note the potential for provocation around 1:30 PM ET, when Moon squares Mars.
THURSDAY: The only exact aspect is a sextile (cooperative contact) between the Moon and Uranus at 11:04 AM ET. Reach across the aisle; invite everyone over for tea — the weirder, the better. Double check everything thrice, including travel plans, electronic gizmos and your tongue, in anticipation of Mercury turning DIRECT on…..
FRIDAY: at 4 AM ET. We’re still in a review period, however, as Mercury won’t arrive at its original retrograde turning point — 4 Gemini — until June 18th. Inspiration and communication light up the morning, as Moon trines Neptune and sextiles Mercury at 5:04 AM ET and 6:43 AM ET, respectively. At 11;14 AM ET, Moon makes its weekly clash with Pluto, suggesting a catharsis or power play. Chill during the 3 1/2 hour Moon void, and then get ready to party on at 2:37 PM ET, when the Moon enters Leo for the whole weekend. How fitting for the Platinum Jubilee! A Moon Leo brings out drama kings and queens who are all-too ready to take the stage or issue a royal edict. A good way to use Moon in Leo potential is to shine — and help others shine, too — even if it’s just paying someone a compliment, or plastering their image on a national historic monument.
SATURDAY: Interesting fireworks in the early morning, perhaps as Moon trines high-functioning Mars in Aries, but squares Venus in stubborn Taurus. Go and stop? Stop and go? Saturn is definitely at a stop today, turning retrograde at 5:46 PM ET.

A pause while we discuss Saturn retrograde. Saturn, is a symbol of authority, karma, structure, and necessary controls. . In Aquarius, Saturn’s controls are easily expressed in matters related to technology, humanitarianism, and networks. Maybe we’ll see a bit about astrology, too. A retrograde planet is an opportunity to look within for whatever the retrograde planet symbolizes. With Saturn, it is authority and response-ability. Now is the time to stop looking to outside authorities to solve problems. Now is the time to consider how you — yes — YOU — can become a more effective authority in your own personal world…and thus more response-able. When Saturn turns direct on October 24th, you’ll have an opportunity to demonstrate your newly-realized authority. One definite opportunity will occur on November 8th, which is Election Day. Here’s how to check your voter registration status. Meanwhile, note that ambitious projects are subject to review when Saturn is retrograde, and thus may be delayed. Plan accordingly, and for more insight, here’s James Burgess with thoughts on the Sabian Symbol for this Saturn retrograde: a hydrometer.

SATURDAY (CONT): Note the potential disruption of the status quo around 11:46 PM ET, when Moon squares rebel Uranus.
SUNDAY: Pomp and circumstance continue through this Moon-in-Leo day, with a potential wet blanket or authoritarian control dropped on someone’s parade around 5:03 PM ET, as Moon opposes Saturn. Moon goes void on a square to Mercury, giving us seven hours to chill over whatever information came down. Monday is clean-up time, as the Moon enters Virgo to sweep up the party confetti.

And now, the news.

Thanks to Avid Reader Penny for making sure I didn’t forget to mention that the sequel to Top Gun is smashing box office records, and not just because it reflects macho Mars in warrior Aries, expanded by Jupiter in Aries at the Aries Point.…AND…fighter pilots in death-defying maneuvers aptly reflect the death-defying free fall of the “aeroplane falling” that is the Sabian Symbol of yesterday’s New Moon in Gemini. It should surprise absolutely no one that Tom Cruise has Mars at 26 Taurus — conjunct Algol — and square Uranus in Leo. It makes perfect sense that we’d see a sudden surge in matters of derring-do and aviation, right? He also has a precise square between Saturn (real; authority) and Neptune (surreal; spirituality), eclipsed on April 30th. Translation: keep an eye on Cruise for notable news around July 20th and mid-August.

Meanwhile…

It’s possible that the Moon was within range of Algol when a man disguised as a woman smeared the glass case surrounding the Mona Lisa with cake. The man was sent for psychiatric evaluation. And yes, we can see the potential for this brazen attack in Leonardo DaVinci’s horoscope.

Angels in a Brooklyn church were not as fortunate. Despite multiple security systems in place, callous thieves beheaded statues of angels on either side of a priceless tabernacle, which they stole. If that story is enough to make you want to crawl under the covers for a nice long nap, you may enjoy this Mars-Jupiter in Aries story about how sleep helps your brain detox and resist aging — with the help of a nifty bit of headgear that can nudge you into slumber. Aries rules the head, doncha’ know….

What’s going on in your horoscope? Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.

If you’d like me to present a talk about astrology to your colleagues at the office or other group of like-minded souls, that can be arranged. Email me!

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

Statue of Mercury – standing on a building facade in Lviv, Ukraine

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