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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 7/6/2011: Obama’s Horoscope July 2011
/in The ForecastRe-read yesterday’s forecast. Moon is void of course, “freefalling” in perfectionist Virgo, countered by a strong, supportive aspect between constructive Saturn and assertive Mars. This can be a highly productive day. Special memo to the US Congress: this is an excellent time to refine your homework assignment on resolving the US debt crunch, in preparation for your big meeting with President Obama on Thursday. Write a three-paragraph essay on the major transformation of perspective/philosophy you are going to have regarding material resources. Thursday’s exact connection between ruthless Pluto and expansive Jupiter demands it.
I’m getting ahead of myself with thoughts on Thursday, but here they are: Moon will be in Libra, sign of “make nice with others”, rational debate and striving to find a balance (while swinging wildly from one side to the other). The need for appreciation (of everyone’s position) will likely rule, even as feelings are knocked around throughout the day, as suggested by the planetary heavies: Pluto, Uranus and Saturn challenging that Libra Moon. I anticipate unusual, innovative — perhaps even shocking — attractions and alliances — not limited to the big powwow at the White House (disruptive Uranus is challenging Venus, planet of love, money and social expression). Perhaps we’ll see something wild or quirky in the financial markets, too.
Warning: ruthless Pluto opposes Venus on Friday night. Could be witchy-bitchy. Ouch.
Of course it doesn’t take an astrologer to appreciate how big the stakes are for Obama this month. But it does take an astrologer to see those stakes clearly confirmed by the planetary patterns in his horoscope. Ruthless Pluto exerting pressure on controlling Saturn in Obama’s horoscope suggests this is a time of intensely hard work, under the threat of great loss (I’ve mentioned this particular pattern in previous forecasts). This pattern is exact on July 26th. Whether you agree with his policies or not, it is highly unlikely that he is slacking off on the job.
And now that I’ve pretty much covered the whole week, perhaps I’ll have time tomorrow to answer a reader’s query about world events in 1848. Yes, there is an obvious similarity in the patterns that were active then compared to the patterns happening now. Stay tuned…
Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 7/5/2011
/in The ForecastTuesday offers the opportunity for an efficient attack on whatever is on your desk. Use the Moon in discerning, perfecting Virgo to organize and refine the more than one big idea that strikes you — or the headlines this morning. But while thinking big, be careful not to overpromise or issue royal edicts, even though an exuberant aspect between Mercury (mind) in regal Leo and expansive Jupiter in stubborn, material Taurus may tempt you to do so. That aspect is exact at 2:09PM ET, followed by potentially snippy communique, suggested by a challenge to Moon from willful Mars.
If you can reach a consensus or ship it today, do so. Moon goes void at 8:19PM ET, not to enter Libra until 11:54PM Wednesday. Countering the normal “freefall” quality of the Moon void is an exceptionally efficient connection between energetic Mars and disciplined Saturn is exact tomorrow at 8:17AM ET. While signing on the dotted line or formally launching any project you wish to be of consequence is not recommended, you can still be quite productive. Just be advised that departures from the normal routine and/or efforts to move in a straight line are more vulnerable to unexpected twists and a higher flake factor than usual. Double check your technology and go with the flow.
Astro-logical Forecast for Sunday-Monday 7/3-4 2011: A Reader Questions the Void
/in The ForecastMoon entered sunny, regal, fiery Leo on Saturday at 5:43PM ET, no doubt looking for a party or other festive activity (it’s a holiday weekend here in the US). How did it fare against the “wet blanket” influence suggested by the challenge from restrictive Saturn to the Sun (at 8:18PM ET). This was the last exact aspect of the potentially disruptive, explosive and otherwise catalyzing Grand Cross that has been active all last week (see prior forecasts for details). Did serious, responsible thoughts about a needed change of status — or reach for ambition — cross your mind yesterday, even as you indulged in another brew or two? Let’s hope the US Senate, which has given up its holiday recess to continue working on the deficit crisis, is successful in its efforts to act responsibly.
An anticipated, we saw serious headlines regarding resources (oil, mines, radiation, banks). A ruptured pipeline dumps oil into the Yellowstone River http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/us/03oilspill.html?hpw, a new era of transparency in the World Bank http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/business/global/03world.html?hpw and a stunning move by two major banks to adjust mortgages http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/business/03loans.html?hp — just to name a few.
Moon goes void today at 12:26PM ET — not to enter the next sign, Virgo, until 9:15PM ET on Monday. It’s a lovely set up for a long holiday weekend, suggesting an opportunity for celebration and relief from the intensity suggested by last week’s patterns. But what if you’re not free to play during the void? A reader writes as follows:
• “With an unusually large amount of void moons coming over the next two weeks – all of which are over 25 hours long – I am at a loss as to how to handle it. I can’t just shut down and very little of my time is routine. Any suggestions? Would it be a good time to do any research or to pursue general knowledge regarding my pursuits, for example?”
First, excellent question. Second, a very wise astrologer once said that the answer to any question is often contained within it. So yes, dear reader, research is one way to make productive use of a Moon void; it falls into the category of “brainstorming”, where you are free to wander off the beaten path without consequence. In such times you may encounter a twist that puts your original project in a whole new light. Go with the flow!
Here’s how my day unfolded last Friday, when the Moon was void of course all day in Cancer. For the past few weeks, I’ve been on assignment at a TV news network. Obviously TV networks don’t shut down to accommodate natural rest periods suggested by the planets. What, then, could I anticipate? First, I anticipated that there would be a change in the work I usually did. In fact, the spot I usually produce was canceled. I was given another project, which initially looked like it was going to require a lot of unnecessary work. Since I was aware of the void, I was confident that this mountain of detail would eventually be reduced to a molehill. And that’s what happened.
What’s key here is my reaction to the events that were presented. I went with the flow. I didn’t get all crankypants about the original scope of the project; I knew it would sort itself out; it did, and I was able to leave two hours early and get a relaxing pedicure. The unexpected twist to the day was a catered lunch for the whole department (free food when the Moon is in Cancer — oh joy!), made even sweeter because I hadn’t had time to pack a lunch that day, which I usually do.
As reported earlier this week, a Moon void did not go as well for journalist Mark Halperin, who wanted to depart from the normal routine patter on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” He asked if the seven-second delay was on, so he could speak frankly without being broadcast. The producer confirmed that the delay was on. Oops! Unexpected twist!! Here’s what happened http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/06/30/137521564/time-magazines-halperin-calls-obama-a-four-letter-word-on-msnbc
It is pragmatic, if you follow astrological guidelines, to avoid scheduling events you wish to be of consequence during Moon voids. Like being sworn in as President of the United States. Many astrologers have had a field day bemoaning Obama’s inauguration occurring during a void — fretting in the fall of 2008 that his term of office would be plagued by fits and starts, and that he would not be able to accomplish much of significance. What do you think? As for an unexpected twist, you may recall Chief Justice Roberts bungling the Oath of Office http://rawstory.com/news/2008/CNN_Roberts_screwed_up_oath_of_0120.html
But don’t just take it from me. As Yogi Berra once said, “you can observe a lot just by watching.” So do your own research. Watch what happens during Moon voids and decide for yourself if the astrological rules apply.
While the Moon may not be fully engaged over the next two days, other planets are. Brilliance and innovative thinking is encouraged by an easy connection between rebel Uranus and Mercury (mind, communication). Beauty and spirit are suggested by an equally easy connection between rose-colored Neptune and Venus (social expression, love and money). Artists, visionaries and healers — rejoice!
Astro-logical Forecast for Friday & Saturday 7/1-2 2011: New Moon in Cancer
/in The ForecastWe are waking up in the aftermath of an especially potent New Moon/solar eclipse at 10 degrees of Cancer, exact at 4:54AM ET. This is the third eclipse we’ve had within a month; please refer to the June 1st and June 15th forecast for helpful analogies involving baby ducks, traffic cops and Important Films explaining why eclipses are significant (www.graceastrology.com) In a nutshell, eclipses interrupt the usual flow, creating bottlenecks of energy which are later released. The stoppage creates opportunity, especially during a New Moon, for something new to emerge.
For the past two weeks I’ve been writing about the suggested manifestation of the life-giving Sun, now in the early days of Cancer, connecting with the Big T-Square Party among the heavies (ruthless Pluto, disruptive Uranus and controlling Saturn). Now we add the New Moon to the pattern. Picture the Sun and Moon at one corner of a square, opposing Pluto at the opposite corner. Opposing each other in the remaining two corners of the square are Uranus and Saturn. If you can’t wrap your head around the image of a square, imagine the pattern as a cross, which is the technical terms for it: a Grand Cross. This pattern holds tremendous tension and potential for development, especially since the planets involved are in the proactive signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn (technical term for these signs: Cardinal). These signs NEED to start something NEW, by which it therefore follows that whatever is new will replace whatever is old. And therein lies the crisis: because old structures and forms sometimes won’t give up without a fight. Nobody wants to die (or have their cherished forms torn down).
Power, resources, energy, infrastructure, government (especially of the patriarchal kind). Banks, currency and taxes. Systems that are corrupt or decaying — exposed. Ripe for change! We live in interesting times.Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn folks born three to ten days into their respective signs will likely be feeling this configuration the most. If you have a planet at 3-10 degrees of those cardinal signs, especially Moon, Ascendant or Midheaven, you are also likely experiencing an impetus to replace an old structure with something new.
saThe Sabian Symbol for the New Moon of 10 degrees of Cancer is “a diamond in the rough.” Consider the areas of your life related to Cancer: emotional security, homeland security, financial security, nourishment, motherhood, America and apple pie. This is an area of your life that is up for refinement (cutting away at that diamond). What do you need to feel more (emotionally) secure? If big structural systems are in crisis (and they are!), consider what you can create in your own home — in your own family — so that you can “keep calm and carry on” throughout it all. Embrace the concept of necessary change. This is a month for action.
Moon is void of course all day today …until 5PM ET on SATURDAY. Chill, meditate, take care of the routine — don’t fret about starting anything new — just go with the flow.
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 6/30/2011
/in The ForecastNo, the Moon wasn’t void of course yesterday, though some did remark that their day felt like it was going on forever in a free-falling listless way. No exact aspects among the planets and a “dead” moon can reflect a lack of direction, even though the official void doesn’t begin until 3:33AM ET — and ends at 12:33PM ET, when Moon enters Cancer.
What does this mean for you? A slower than usual start to the day or a twist to whatever you expected to land on your plate, perhaps with a dreamy feel to it all, courtesy of a lovely connection between Moon in nostalgic Cancer and escapist Neptune. What escape are you planning for the long holiday weekend? If you’re heading out of Dodge on Thursday, note the potential for a few bumps along the way, even if it’s in the form of the competition you may face from so many others with the same thought and destination.
More tomorrow on Friday’s New Moon/Solar Eclipse — a particularly dynamic cosmic event.