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I am a reporter with a unique beat. I use my understanding of planetary cycles to provide advance notice and analysis on the Zeitgeist of the day. If you have ever wondered “why is this happening now,” my insights will transform your experience of the headlines, adding new meaning and understanding. Call it Astrology for News Junkies. If you’re curious to know why the Impossible Burger is trending…or why the outcome of the 2019 Israeli elections was likely to be a shocker …or why “Woodrow Wilson, Stud Muffin” was a New York Times headline in December 2013, you will find it here, in over a decade’s worth of historical research and reporting.
Note that I do use astrological jargon in The Forecast in my effort to show how the planetary patterns are reflected in mundane events. I explain what the jargon symbolizes, so that all who want to understand the connections between astrology and the news may do so. However, I do not use astrological jargon in personal consultations, just plain English.
Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 2/15/2012: No Clever Subtitle Today
/in The ForecastMoon continues in high-flying Sagittarius today, needing to broaden horizons and tell the entire Free World exactly what it thinks. I say exactly, because Mars, planet of action, is in perfectionist Virgo and makes an obsessive aspect with mental Mercury. Coupled with the exact challenge between ruthless Pluto and Venus (love, money, art, women, social expression), you may find yourself voicing or hearing some deeply felt beliefs without much care for the consequences. Add to this mix rebel Uranus, running wild and thus demanding attention for what is innovative, freedom-loving, entrepreneurial and/or risky.
Speaking of Uranus, yesterday this disruptor of the status quo made an exact square to Venus in the horoscope of the United States. With Venus ruling money, I’ve been expecting something disruptive in the markets, in spite of other aspects mentioned in earlier forecasts that suggest optimism and a need to preserve stability in this area of the US chart. And yet the optimism and stability (to the upside) persists. That’s why I was delighted to see this feature — presented in parts throughout the day — on CNBC: WALL STREET DISRUPTED http://www.cnbc.com/id/46371911 According to the video, things on Wall Street will never be the same…
Astro-logical Forecast for 2/14/2012: Day of Wine and Roses
/in The ForecastInteresting mix today. Note your dreams this morning as we process the inspiring and/or delusional potential of nebulous Neptune’s hookup with mental Mercury at 1:48AM ET. Despite a probable desire for emotional depth and control in the early AM, when the Moon goes void (with a sigh) in moody Scorpio from 12:04PM to 7:56PM ET, you may be subjected to a few twists, flakes and/or space cadets. If you’re intending to send flowers to your Valentine — or anything else that needs to move in a straight line — be advised there is a higher probability of delivery snafus during v/c Moons.
The Moon void is launched by a challenging square from the Sun, bringing up issues regarding the intentions you set at the beginning of the lunar cycle, which you can mull over throughout most of the day. The lunar vibe lightens at 7:56PM ET, when Moon moves into Sagittarius, seeking adventure — still with a rosy glow. A foreign film, restaurant or outdoor stroll on this Valentines Day would fit the bill. The inspiring and/or delusional haze so helpful in romance will likely linger, courtesy of a challenge between Moon and Neptune. One caveat: be advised we are also operating under the influence of a challenge between ruthless Pluto (resources, news from underground and other things that run deep) and Venus (women, money, beauty). Could be juicy and deep — or impulsively witchy-bitchy.
One other caveat: Mars is still running wild in perfectionist Virgo and it is retrograde. Remember that if you’re feeling frustrated because things aren’t moving at a fast enough pace — or if you sense others feeling that way. I’ve gotten a few queries from readers wondering what the tension they are sensing is all about. Part of it is retrograde Mars — people often fight the need to slow down and develop a new game plan at this time, sort of like that “Halftime in America” Super Bowl spot http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PE5V4Uzobc Note that it’s a new game plan; the other tension being felt is the approach of the first of a series of seven exact challenges between ruthless Pluto in “corporations & governments” Capricorn and rebel Uranus in “me-me-me” Aries. This first square happens on June 24th and it will take few years to hit all seven. This series of squares is all about change. When Uranus and Pluto challenge each other, it clears the way for new structures and forms. You’ll feel it more personally this year if you’ve got planets or points in the early degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn — or if you live in a country with those degrees highlighted in your country’s horoscope.
To writers, artists, healers — and others whose craft depends on inspirational channels that may take tangible form — make the most of this week. With Mercury and Neptune pulling focus, you could come up with something sublime.
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 2/13/2012: The Day Before Valentines Day
/in The ForecastMoon in Scorpio continues from yesterday, seeking knowledge for the sake of power and control and needing to be seen as a person of substance. Add to that substance a productive connection between disciplined Saturn (the reach for ambition) and mental Mercury, (exact at 1:44PM ET), and what goes through your mind today may actually have some gravitas. Draft your proposal, research your case, ask those serious questions. This aspect can allow you to soberly process whatever surge of feeling you noted Sunday night, when expansive Jupiter challenged that deep well of feeling suggested by the Scorpio Moon.
At 8:38PM ET, Mercury leaves cerebral Aquarius for watery Pisces, suggesting more empathy and intuition in our thought patterns. As mentioned yesterday, a hook-up between Mercury (mind, communication, travel) and nebulous Neptune (intangibles, spirit, escape, ideals) is exact at 1:48AM ET, likely to color Valentines Day with a rosy glow. And if not rose-colored glasses, why not beer goggles? Hey, it could happen. Don’t have a Valentine? How about a Virtual Boyfriend — http://www.amazon.com/Virtual-Boyfriend/dp/B0056BHJWA — not only is he man enough to tell a woman what she’d like to hear, but he actually means it. And so reasonably priced!
Get it off your desk today if you can — Moon will be void Tuesday from 12:04PM = 7:56PM ET. This is the only void-of-course Moon impacting your work week.
Happy Monday!
Astro-logical Forecast for 2/12/2012: Whitney Houston, RIP
/in The ForecastFrom Saturday through Wednesday we build to a potential outpouring of emotion and inspired thinking that can be delusional, practical and/or transcendental. The emotions are suggested by Wednesday’s challenge between ruthless and oh-so-deep Pluto and Venus (love, women and money); the thinking is suggested by Tuesday’s exact hook-up between mental Mercury and nebulous/inspired Neptune and Monday’s easy connection between Mercury and disciplined, sober Saturn. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to conclude that these patterns seem perfectly aligned with the outpouring of emotion expressed by the public after Whitney Houston’s sudden passing at age 48 on Saturday afternoon. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/arts/music/whitney-houston-dies.html?hp I’d say 85% of the posts on Facebook right now are tributes to Whitney Houston. The other headline I’m seeing right now is that Catholic bishops are rejecting Obama’s compromise on contraception, which could be seen as another possible manifestation of a Pluto (ruthless, resources) challenge to Venus (women, money) and Neptune (fantasy, illusion, intangible) connected to Mercury (mind, communication) http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/us/catholic-bishops-criticize-new-contraception-proposal.html?hp
In your own personal world, Sunday may well begin on a balanced note, with an ease of communication courtesy of a trine between Moon in cerebral Libra and mental Mercury in equally cerebral Aquarius. As the day progresses, sober Saturn weighs in, either dampening spirits or providing needed structure to your plans for world domination. This Saturn-Moon hook-up is exact at 4:09PM ET, followed by an hour long void; Moon enters moody bastard Scorpio at 5:01PM ET, promptly co-mingles with nebulous, glamorous Neptune and sets the tone for the nebulous, glamorous celebration of music (an intangible), known as the Grammys.
Whitney Houston was born August 9, 1963 at 8:55PM in Newark, NJ. Sun in regal Leo, with Moon-Jupiter conjunction in Aries. The prime directive of this horoscope is a huge need to be seen as inspiring, pioneering and Number One (if you have Moon in Aries, or if you are in a relationship with someone with Moon in Aries, now you know what they need). With Moon and Jupiter in the first house, we’d expect her to be an entrepreneur — someone who needs to do her own thing in her vocation. All together, these planets are in a pattern that suggests tremendous projection of an aura of self-sufficiency and a defensive posture that interferes with relationship.
Contrasting that need for self-expression and affirmation is a heavy emphasis on planets in the Western hemisphere, suggesting Houston gave herself away to others at the expense of developing her own strengths. An emotionally sensitive, downright watery Pisces ascendant would add to that vulnerability…and Mars, running wild in the area of the horoscope related to partnership, suggests tremendous energy applied to relationships and/or the general public for the sake of self-worth (or lack thereof).
Houston’s Sun (life force) and Venus (social expression, aesthetic sense) together in Leo suggest a sunny idealism; both are squared by Neptune, which likely reinforced an idealized or bewildered sense of self. Artistic talent and charismatic appeal would be another potential…and a need for a rose-colored outlook on life. How far does someone go to keep those rose-colored glasses on? Drugs? Well, drugs are one possible avenue for a horoscope with a strong Neptune under high tension.
Meanwhile, an intense hook-up between mental Mercury and ruthless Pluto in Virgo (the eternal perfectionist/critic) is a sure sign of sharp verbal communication (vocal perfection?) — and in Houston’s case, likely experienced in one-on-one relationships (the two planets are in Houston’s 7th house). Rebel Uranus adds nerves, excitement, genius and risk — again likely played out in partnership — and in the body. Other aspects suggest a huge influence on the part of the mother; a remote or overly strict relationship with the father (the latter relationship likely created anxiety over her ability to be loved). Another connection involving Jupiter, Pluto and the Aries Point is nearly always a sign of fame — or at least association with — the rich and famous. Which is likely why everyone in the Free World is posting tributes on facebook…and I’m writing this forecast instead of the one I planned to write about Clint Eastwood, the perfect timing of his”Halftime in America” Super Bowl commercial (given that Mars is retrograde), and what the heck is going on in Greece.
As one would expect, there are patterns of dynamic stress active in Houston’s horoscope at this time.* Ruthless Pluto, for example, is exactly square that runaway Mars, suggesting tremendous force and a potential for accidents. Stressful patterns or not, 48 seems way too young to exit, stage right. Rest in peace, Ms. Houston. Right now, you are Number One in our thoughts and prayers.
*the horoscope never dies; it is not unusual for posthumous tributes and/or a resurgence in popularity to coincide with planetary patterns…amazing, isn’t it?
Astro-logical Forecast for Friday & Saturday 2/10-11/2012: What is a Void of Course Moon?
/in The ForecastMoon went void at 12:11AM…not to enter Libra until 2:54PM ET. See if you notice any twists in your normal routine. Will your alarm clock not go off? Will a traffic jam cause you to take another route to work? Will you be running late for a bus, not have time to eat breakfast — only to find two happy-faced Wendy’s employees giving away free coffee and cinnamon buns right at your bus stop (that happened to me last month). For the benefit of new subscribers to this forecast, I’m posting an updated explanation of Moon voids (and how to manage them) below.
As for the energy of the day after 2:54PM ET, with the Moon in people-pleasing Libra, relationships and issues of fairness, justice and equality may pull focus. Staying balanced, however, may be a challenge, as Moon is opposed by Venus (suggesting self-indulgence or other excess) and also by Uranus (suggesting a surprise or a breakthrough). Perhaps more of whatever you’re experiencing along with yesterday’s hook-up between Venus and Uranus?
Moon continues in Libra until 5:09PM ET on Sunday. I’ll write more about Sunday in another post…but please note that Mars, planet of action and aggression is running wild in perfectionist Virgo all weekend (including Friday). Keep that in mind if you find yourself being overly critical — or if you’re subjected to someone’s nitpicky jabs. Instead, try to find a productive channel for all that energy that is dying to get something organized or plan a perfect strategy. Peace out.
WHAT IS A VOID-OF-COURSE MOON?
Here’s a visual for you: think of a pinball game. On Wednesday at 12:32PM ET, Moon entered the sign of Virgo. Now imagine the Moon as the pinball being launched into that sign. As the Moon travels through a sign, it makes aspects to other planets, like a pinball making contact with all the bumpers and gizmos in the game. Think of the dynamic way the pinball bounces off those bumpers and gizmos; it moves with purpose and clear direction, usually in a straight line, right? A Moon that is not void-of-course tends to move like this.
But what happens to the pinball after it hits the last bumper and falls to the bottom of the pinball machine, before it is relaunched into the game? It loses steam, right? Sometimes the pinball just hangs for a while…before finally dropping…like a sigh. This is often how we experience the energy of the Moon when it is void-of-course. The void — or v/c or VOC — is the time between the Moon’s LAST connection to a planet in one sign…and the time it enters the next sign.
When the Moon is void of course for a few minutes, we may not even notice it. When the Moon is void for a few hours or more, many of us definitely notice the difference. Especially sensitive types may notice a floaty feeling — or may have difficulty focusing on a task at hand. I like to say that when the Moon is void of course, it can be challenging to travel in a straight line. We are more likely to encounter curve balls, detours and other twists along the way. Ordinary tasks sometimes take FOREVER — or so it seems. Clients call with crises that later turn out to be nothing. Lines of communication get crossed. Your waiter says “Good Morning!” and it’s four in the afternoon. You pour hot water over whole bean coffee — oops — you forgot to grind it before putting it in the coffee maker. You answer the phone and it’s someone you’ve been trying to avoid. During voids, details can fall through the cracks; it’s important to double check everything — you get the idea.
Moon voids are good for a nap, sleeping in late, leaving work early, a creative brainstorm, writing music, meditating, doing yoga or other activities that are considered routine or “going with the flow”. Moon voids are not ideal for buying things on impulse, especially if they are costly. I’ve tested this rule many times by breaking it, so now I avoid buying anything (even on sale) because I find I just don’t use them. The exception to this rule is when you find you NEED to buy something — like the time I had to buy a shawl because I was wearing a summer dress in fall weather, and I couldn’t go home and change. I do get a lot of use out of that shawl.
Activities initiated during Moon voids often have no consequence…and sometimes that is a good thing. Let’s say you want to return something to a store; voids are a good time to do that. Traveling during voids can bring unexpected rewards, like a $400 travel certificate because your flight is overbooked (that’s going with the flow!). On the other hand, when you want your event to have consequence — like an important business meeting — try to schedule that when the Moon is NOT void. I would never recommend signing a contract during a void.
There’s a higher “flake factor” during voids – people don’t show up for planned events. Other “twists” include upsets in sports matches (it’s a good time to bet on the underdog). The classic example of a Moon void during an election is the presidential election on Nov 7, 2000 — Bush v. Gore — which happened during a Moon void AND when Mercury was stationary direct — talk about a set-up for errors and confusion!
During a void you can likely get away with sleeping in. This is a natural cosmic rest period, so try to take it easy until the Moon moves into the next sign. Of course there will be times when you’ve got some big thing scheduled during a Moon void — that’s just life. The key then is to be AWARE of the void and BE FLEXIBLE in response to whatever twist comes up. I promise you this awareness will save you hours of frustration…