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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 Monday 1/30/2012: Getting Grounded
/in The ForecastAfter an intense three days at the astro-logical version of Hogwarts, I am exhilarated and exhausted. Moon in high-gear Aries had much to do with it, and now, on Monday, I welcome the shift suggested by Moon entering Taurus at 1:28AM ET. Taurus suggests a need for calm, stability and preserving the status quo…even as spirits are likely lifted by Moon’s connection to jolly Jupiter at 6:29AM ET. Writers and communicators can still find the words they need, suggested by a charge to the Moon from mental Mercury at 11:14AMET…and whatever needs to be expressed can run deep, suggested by an easy connection to the Moon from resourceful Pluto at 6:25PM.
As the day moves into the night, the first challenge to your New Moon agenda may manifest — say around 11:10PM ET, when the First Quarter Moon is exact.
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday – Sunday 1/26-1/29/2012: The Pen Is Mightier…
/in The ForecastMore going with the flow, suggested by Moon in dreamy Pisces. The day gets off on a sweet note, as loving Venus connects with the Moon at 8:12AM ET…and that’s the pattern that carries us through the day, until another potentially passionately expressive connection hits at 11:52PM ET, as Moon goes void of course until 1:28PM ET on Friday.
You know what that Moon void suggests: that moving in a straight line may be a challenge; unexpected twists occur in your usual routine; crises turn out to be much ado about nothing; you can sleep in late or otherwise flake out — usually without consequence.
The mood shifts dramatically on Friday, when Moon enters impulsive Aries after that void, here to stay through the whole weekend. Could be a rollicking — and definitely mentally stimulating — time. While the need to be number one may be subject to bumps, jolts and power plays as of Friday evening into Saturday afternoon, the star of the weekend is Mercury (mind, communication, travel). If you’re a writer, thinker, traveler or communicator, take advantage of the supercharge that disciplined Saturn, expansive Jupiter and inventive Uranus can give your brain cells during this time. More potential for genius is suggested as Mercury leaves Capricorn on Friday at 1:12PM ET — and moves into Aquarius, sign of the rocket scientist.
And — wow! I’ve written the forecast for the whole weekend! And that’s a good thing, because I’m off to Hogwarts — a.k.a. an astrology conference — on Friday and I need a lot of time to pack. So I’ll leave you with one more thought on people born with Mars retrograde (which we were discussing yesterday): if these people were baseball pitchers, they would probably have one of the longest wind-ups in the world. Think about that…and I’ll be back in touch on Monday.
Thanks to all of you who have shared this site with others — over 2000 views in just over two weeks — gratitude!
Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 1/25/2012: Basking in the Afterglow, Except for Mitt
/in The ForecastNote your dreams this AM for signs of a lingering rosy afterglow, suggesting by a sublime connection between nebulous Neptune and the Moon. Enthusiasm for making some of those dreams come true shows up at 7:47AM ET, when jolly Jupiter aligns with the Moon, which entered soulful Pisces at 4:11AM (shortly after that hook-up with Neptune).
Dreams, glamor, empathy, spirit — what else will drive a day when Pisces craves a connection with intangibles? Not to mention oil, fish, drugs and the sea (watch the headlines). Go with the flow…and note the revelations that may turn up toward 7:30PM ET, when Moon connects with Pluto, bringing whatever is hidden into the light.
And speaking of dreams, who was that man at the podium on Capitol Hill last night? http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/us/politics/state-of-the-union-2012.html?hp A feisty State of the Union speech indeed – and so thrilling to witness, given yesterday’s astro-logical forecast. So many initiatives presented — and yet with Mars retrograde (darn it), I regret to say the chances of them materializing in the near future are not promising. But perhaps there will be some who heard the call and will begin to plan a strategy for execution at a later date…
Looking at yesterday’s patterns — with Venus (money) and Pluto (resources, empowerment, news from underground) running wild — I wondered how that might manifest in the headlines. Other than Apple posting stellar earnings at the end of the day and tomorrow’s Fed decision, another story really driving news was Mitt Romney’s tax returns http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/24/inside-the-romney-tax-returns/ Really not a good day for Romney, a Pisces born March 12, 1947 at 9:51AM in Detroit, MI.
For months, Romney has been lost in a cloud, suggested by a loooong challenge to his Moon in “knowledge is power” Scorpio by nebulous Neptune. His Jupiter in “I must have a mission” Scorpio is also affected — suggesting, perhaps, an overblown sense of what the mission might be — or a huge leap of faith. This Neptune-Moon connection also suggests a big blur and/or befuddlement around communication — and a certain amount of anxiety about popularity — odd for a horoscope that otherwise suggests a natural inclination to reach out to the public. It dampens the fires of ambition…and the ambiguity will likely continue as Neptune challenges Romney’s Gemini Ascendent (identity crisis?). This has to be hard to deal with, given other measurements in the chart that suggests the need to be known for having a strong sense of purpose. Note that Rick Perry just went through a Neptune challenge to his Ascendant (yes, that’s what all the confusion was likely about), and Barack Obama was having a Neptune challenge to his Midheaven (public status, authority) early last year (that influence has since left the building — in case you hadn’t noticed).
Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 1/24/2012: Mars Retrograde; State of the Union
/in The ForecastFor all of its reputation for being unconventional and/or just plain “out there” Aquarius, being one of the four Fixed signs (the others are Taurus, Leo and Scorpio), can be mighty stubborn. Moon is in Aquarius today and it’s running wild, suggesting a striking need for independence and social significance. With mental Mercury in a challenging T-square with expansive Jupiter and restrictive Saturn, you may also feel the pain of clashing ideologies…and I’m not just saying that because tonight is the State of the Union address, followed by the Republican response.
Ruthless Pluto is also running wild, suggesting the potential for big power plays and corruption exposed, while loving Venus in Pisces, seeks to soften the edges with a dose of compassion or a soulful escape. There are a lot of generals on the field today and it may be tough to determine whose lead to follow. Pick one, keep calm and carry on!
Some readers have expressed concern about Mars being retrograde, asking if the planet of action appearing to move backwards in the sky means that all actions are doomed. No, it does not mean that at all! But it is wise to honestly consider why you might be driven to take action — again, if it’s an impulse out of frustration, chances are it’s better to wait.
Right now, as I type, hundreds of babies are being born. Clearly they did not get the memo suggesting that Mars retrograde is not an ideal time to launch a new venture. Are they doomed? Not at all, but — those born with retrograde Mars will have an approach to action that is not the “norm” — and learning to assert themselves may pose some challenges. For example, Mars is associated with war and violence. Starting a war — or a lawsuit — during Mars retrograde is not advised. Now consider Martin Luther King, Jr. and Pope John Paul II. Both men have Mars retrograde — and both are known for their vehement, passionate stance against…war and violence. Fascinating. They found a way to channel the aggressive energy of Mars retrograde in a productive way.
Meanwhile, the State of Union is scheduled to begin at 9:06PM ET in Washington, DC. In that event chart, retrograde Mars will be rising in a hypercritical Virgo ascendant — and I can imagine President Obama will have plenty of powerful things to say about how things need to be done more efficiently — with a team spirit — and he will likely be commended for coming on stronger than usual. He’ll likely show much compassion for workers and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s got a dreamy proposal for offering assistance. We’ll likely hear some realistic tough talk about assets — who has them; who doesn’t and what’s fair. An outburst, rebel stance or other surprise may occur around 9:53pM ET. Yeah, we could probably have figured that out without looking at the chart — but isn’t it interesting that the chart reflects it?
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 1/23/2012: New Moon in Aquarius; Mars Retrograde
/in The ForecastToday’s Moon in Aquarius suggests a need to be of social significance — and of course you can’t be socially significant if no one knows you’re there. An energetic connection between Mars (action) in perfectionist Virgo and mental Mercury in practical Capricorn at 6:17AM ET may find you brimming over with constructive ideas in your quest for world domination. Such clarity! Such optimism (it’s a New Moon — and it’s augmented by a exuberant boost from Jupiter, the cosmic sugardaddy AND an innovative connection from rebel Uranus, suggesting the potential for a bit of inspired genius)!
You may well make many contacts and get much out the door today, but as for launching totally new ventures and partnerships, be advised that Mars turns retrograde at 7:54PM ET, as it does every two years. So instead of the usual two-month journey through a sign, we’ve got eight months of Mars, planet of action, in the sign of Virgo, the constant critic. Mars turns direct on April 13th; it finally leaves Virgo on July 4th — Independence Day. What does this suggest? It suggests, as noted in prior forecasts, being mindful of the potential to take on something new on an impulse borne out of frustration. It suggests that this is a great time for a strategy session designed to review operating procedures and get organized! Start with your home and office. What isn’t working? Get rid of the clutter! How about your diet (Virgo rules nutrition and gut instincts)? Does that need to be cleaned up, too? And when was the last time you went to the gym? You’ll need a good physical work out to blow off the steam of any frustration that may build over the next two and a half months, as things that should have happened yesterday may be fraught with procedural delays that seem to stretch on forever, not unlike this sentence. Patience! And what about your daily routine? Can you streamline and simplify your (work) habits? Maybe you’ll be inspired to work out a whole new set of rules how you get things done.
The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon is 3 Aquarius — “a deserter from the navy” — suggests someone who ditches a set of rules that are no longer bearable. Freedom is a huge theme for Aquarius, and with this New Moon supported by rebel Uranus (ruler of Aquarius), currently in pioneering Aries, it is once again a theme for a New Moon cycle. If you look back at the New Moons over the past several months, you’ll definitely see a trend. Start planning your big escape, but you may want to hold off actually jumping ship until late spring. Look for headlines — in the labor sector, for example — of people who may be ditched — or suddenly decide to ditch an unsatisfying scene for something more uplifting.
Other planetary news of note this week: only one void-of-course Moon during working hours to distract you — and that’s on Thursday 11:52PM ET until Friday 1:28PM ET. Tomorrow, however, may FEEL like moving in a straight line is a challenge, because there are no exact aspects among the planets. Again — patience, as we adjust to Mars’ change of station.
Coming up next: Neptune entering Pisces on February 3rd; Saturn (moving a structure forward) turns retrograde on February 7th. Stay tuned to this channel for continuing coverage…