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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.
Friday 3/26/2021 & the Weekend: Full Moon in Libra
/in The ForecastTGIF!
Venus met up with Sun in Aries at 2:57 AM ET, when matters of social expression, women, money and aesthetics may feel burned to a crisp, or as if they are scorching the earth, or otherwise manifesting with fiery and insistent passion. The rest of the day is driven by Moon in Virgo’s mission of making things perfect in every detail. Support may come from unconventional alliances, as Moon trines Uranus at 2:16 PM ET. Note the potential tension that may arise in the evening, as Moon squares Mars at 10:16 PM ET — possibly bringing up an echo of whatever difference of opinion was in your face on Tuesday. Find a productive assertive/physical outlet.
Here’s the Full Moon chart, set in Washington, D.C.:
Observations:
No sleeping in on Monday. The Libra Moon will not be void. Do note your dreams, though, as the meet-up between Mercury and Neptune at 11:23 PM ET will definitely be in effect. Break out your rose-colored glasses.
And now, the news.
Today is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s birthday….and Gloria Steinem’s.…and Elaine Chao’s.
I wasn’t expecting a ginormous ship to get stuck in the narrow passage of the Suez Canal, but the chart for time the Ever Given ran aground is telling (7:40 AM local time on 3/13/2021). Uranus is right on the earthy Taurus Ascendant (surprise!) and Pluto is exactly atop the Capricorn Midheaven (resistance is futile; the system breaks down). Saturn — astrology’s symbol of blockage — is square the Ascendant. Saturn is in Aquarius, a fixed sign, which means it not inclined to budge. And Aquarius refers to circulation, as does Jupiter, which is also in Aquarius, but not connected to any other planet in the chart. Thus Jupiter is running wild in this chart and in the news cycle — demanding attention for being BIG. Hmm.
The ship got stuck just hours before Tuesday’s Mercury-Mars square, so we can see the potential obstacle to travel (Mercury) from bad hombre Mars. Another astrological symbol of being between a rock and a hard place is Mercury squeezed between the North and South Nodes. It’s fascinating to read that the Ever Given was behaving in a rather pushy manner, allegedly cutting ahead of other ships waiting to enter the canal. The chart for the grounding is ruled by Venus in pushy Aries, fried to a crisp by its proximity to the go-go-go, me-me-me first Aries Sun. Venus is in the 12th house, a suggestion of having done itself in. Here is the chart (location is approximate):
Some are saying it may take weeks to clear the channel; others hope it can be done within days. I’m not inclined to put too much energy into speculating, but do note that the end of the week of April 11th looks good for an easy flow of energy that could move mountains (or really big ships).
Speaking of blockages…
Israel held its fourth election in two years on Tuesday — and Benjamin Netanyahu, the indicted prime minister, still did not win enough votes to form a majority government. With transiting Pluto at the bottom of its horoscope until the end of the year, it seems that Israel will continue to struggle to determine what it stands for. Maybe by April of 2022 it will have seen the light. Here’s a write-up of Israel’s horoscope, published a while back in The Mountain Astrologer.
Meanwhile, in Florida, a woman was rescued after being stuck in a sewer. Bizarre.
UPDATE: on Mitt Romney, whose horoscope is performing as anticipated. He’s getting the Profile in Courage Award (courage — the upside potential of Mars!) for reminding us “that our Democracy depends on the courage, character, conscience of our elected officials.” If you read my “Charts in the News” column in the Apr/May issue of Mountain Astrologer, you’re not surprised by the honor and recognition at this time.
Guess who’s not getting a Profile in Courage Award? Governor Brian Kemp (R-GA), who signed a bill yesterday making it a crime to offer food or water to anyone waiting in line to vote. This was only one provision in the 95-page law, which — explains historian Heather Cox Richardson — also puts up all kinds of impediments to voting in Georgia, and “strips power from the Republican secretary of state who stood up to [the former guy’s] demand that he change the 2020 voting results.” Here’s another sobering take from Thom Hartmann, echoing HCR’s concern on how such measures may transform our country into a one-party state, if not checked.
The Leo Moon was void when the Georgia bill was signed, and that’s good news for those hoping the bill is much ado about nothing. But as the governor was signing the bill — behind closed doors –with a painting of a plantation and six middle-aged white men standing behind him, a warrior woman representing this week’s Sun-Venus conjunction in Aries knocked on the door. State Representative Park Cannon is Georgia’s youngest representative, and I believe she may have a warrior Aries Moon. In any event, she was wearing a red mask and blazer — the perfect fashion statement for the occasion.
While knocking on the door of the governor’s office, Rep. Cannon was arrested, handcuffed and charged with two felonies, and the video of the incident went viral. The Moon void suggests that these charges may go nowhere, but still…. President Biden denounced the Georgia bill, calling it “Jim Crow in the 21st Century.”
We live in interesting times. These particular developments may be disturbing, but should not be surprising, given that we are still in the aftermath of planetary cycles that were hot in the 30s. The question is, “What shall we do about it?”
This just in…
I’m sorry to report that while I’ve been typing, news of beloved children’s author Beverly Cleary — another warrior woman reflecting Sun-Venus in Aries — hit the wires. She has died — at 104. Yes, Cleary is an Aries — and I bet her adorable creation, Ramona Quimby — a.k.a. Ramona the Pest, is too.
On a lighter note…
I did not find in my trusty Book of Rulerships (by astrologer Dr. J. Lee Lehman, Ph.D.), an assigned astrological ruler for cheese. However, cheese storage is ruled by Virgo. Thus, while the Moon is still in Virgo, it is appropriate to share this story:
To find out what’s going on in your horoscope and plan a strategy to maximize opportunities, here’s the 411 on personal consultations. To treat your astrologer to a glass of something festive (or cheese), in honor of her upcoming solar return, here’s the link to the Cosmic Tip Jar. It is my eternal delight to connect with you each week, and I’m delighted you continue to find my musings worthwhile. I am especially grateful to Avid Readers who support these weekly forecasts with Faithful Monthly Expressions of Appreciation.
Thank you for reading this forecast.
Cheers!
Monday 3/22/2021: Late Sneak Peek at the Week
/in The ForecastMoon is in Cancer, driving the day with a need for emotional and home/homeland security. Moon functions well in Cancer, and it travels through the day without interference. I hope you made good use of this proactive energy. I applied it with gusto this morning, in the wake of last night’s trine between Mars (action!) and Saturn (discipline!), combined with the focused fire of the Sun and Venus in Aries. It seemed the perfect time to pull out the (fiery) stove and deep-clean the (Cancer) kitchen floor. Oh, how it sparkles now!
And you? Are you sparkling?
And now, the news.
One look at the headlines (as I type close to 10 PM ET), and I’m hoping some of the piercing intellect of this week’s planetary patterns will involve serious discussion (followed by action) on the subject of gun control. News of yet another mass shooting in the United States (this one in Boulder, CO) reflects the gloopy-thinking Mercury in Pisces square to restless warrior Mars in Gemini, supported (for better or worse) by the high-functioning ambition of Saturn. Consider this headline and look again at the Aries Ingress chart in the last forecast. Mars is at the bottom of the chart — the root of the situation.
On the upside, we see themes discussed in the Aries Ingress chart in this headline: “Biden Team Prepares $3 Trillion in New Spending for the Economy,” starting with infrastructure, as Mars-Saturn word if there ever was one.
Meanwhile…
Another reflection of this week’s “war of words” patterns:
Meanwhile, militant discipline and innovative technology were themes in this article on facial recognition technology (it’s everywhere) in the NYT Sunday magazine.
UPDATE: on Ellen DeGeneres, whose 2020 was mighty disruptive, as transiting Uranus rattled her Aquarius Sun and Venus. Here’s a post about her from last August. Now, with Saturn putting the squeeze on Ellen’s Sun and Venus, the streamlining results of last year’s scandal are coming in. After the first of three squares to Venus, Ellen has apparently lost one million viewers. By this time next year, we would not be surprised by a significant change of direction, as patterns from “change or die” Pluto affect her Sun and Midheaven (career status).
UPDATE: on Tucker Carlson, whose 2020 was mighty empowering. A few years ago, when there was talk of Carlson tossing his hat into a presidential ring, we could see in his horoscope how he was likely to become more prominent. Thanks to the pile-up of planets in Capricorn supercharging his self-image and beginning a climb to the top of his chart, Carlson’s influence has expanded so much that last week, John Oliver felt compelled to make Carlson the focus of his entire show — with good reason.
What’s going on in your horoscope? Are you due for a rise or a raise? A split or a summer fling? Here’s the 411 on personal consultations. We will have a fun and productive discussion together.
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Saturday & Sunday 3/20-21/2021: Sun in Aries; Happy Astrological New Year!
/in The ForecastHappy Vernal Equinox!
At 5:37 AM ET on SATURDAY, the Sun enters Aries, and the astrological new year begins! Courage, self-reliance, inspiration and a pioneering spirit are keywords for the Sun in Aries, sign of the ram — and the lamb. In the Northern hemisphere (the birthplace of Western astrology), it is a time of renewal and rebirth — a chance to let go of old patterns and make a fresh start.
Here’s what you need to know about the first day of any season from an astrological point of view. The first day of each season (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter) corresponds with the first day (or first DEGREE) of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, respectively. Got that? Good. These four signs are called CARDINAL signs of the zodiac, with “cardinal” here suggesting (from the Latin root of the word), “that on which something turns or depends.” Cardinal signs take ACTION. They INITIATE. Nothing happens without ACTION. And action leads to NECESSARY CHANGE. As in a change of seasons — suggested by solstices and equinoxes. Clear?
The first day of a season is prominent in our culture, right? We make a big deal over it — yes? In astrology, we observe that PLANETS that are at the first degree of a cardinal sign (Aries, Cancer, Libra & Capricorn), tend to pack a more powerful, prominent punch. They suggest ACTION which leads to CHANGE — prominently! The first degree of the cardinal signs is known as the ARIES POINT. Got that?
If you have a planet or angle at the Aries Point, you can expect that the energy of that planet will demand prominent expression in your life. Your friends and family — and perhaps the entire free world — will notice it. William Shatner was born with the Sun at 0 Aries. “To boldly go where no man has gone before”? I should think so — and the whole world knows him for playing that role. Prince William, Meryl Streep, Elizabeth Warren and Ted Cruz are others born with the Sun on the Aries Point — and they can’t help but stick out like a sore thumb.
Here is the chart for the Aries Ingress, set in Washington D.C.:
Observations:
SUNDAY. The Gemini Moon goes void for just 15 minutes this morning, entering Cancer at 8:17 AM ET. Now is the time to focus on the comforts of home and family — whatever builds your sense of emotional security. Venus leaves Pisces for warrior Aries at 10:16 AM ET, which gives you a clue about social expression and values between now and April 14th. Aries is the sign of not now, but RIGHT NOW, and Venus in Aries is known for being a consummate flirt. Venus is almost conjunct the Sun, which most astrologers agree is an attractive pattern to have in a birth chart. If it has a downside, it’s that its attractiveness may function as if it has blinders on — or that it is blinded by the light of the Sun.
At 10:40 AM ET, the Aries Sun squares the Cancer Moon, activating the horoscopes of people with planets at the Aries Point, including Elizabeth Warren, Ted Cruz and Prince William. Meanwhile, two patterns that have been driving the action all week will be exact. At 7:34 PM ET, Mercury sextiles Uranus, suggesting intuitive innovation in communication and technology, or changes made based on fuzzy thinking and/or math. At 10:34 PM ET, Mars trines Saturn– i.e, the aforementioned easy flow of militant discipline, leading to accomplishment — for better or for worse.
No sleeping in on Monday. The Cancer Moon will not be void.
And now, the news.
The story dominating the headlines was a downside potential of last week’s patterns, described in Tuesday’s forecast:
…coupled with…
and…
Less than four hours after that forecast was posted on Tuesday, seven women and one man were killed at three separate massage parlors by a man who purchased his weapon on that very same day (“easy flow of militant discipline,” which also applies to the police to who arrested him after a car [Mars!] chase hours later). Fun fact: it’s easier to buy a gun in Georgia than it is to vote.
I nearly fell out of my chair when I read what Cherokee County Sheriff’s Capt. Jay Baker had to say about the murder suspect (appearing to imply that it was all the victims’ fault):
Heather Cox Richardson has more on this story. So does Samantha Bee, whose segment also includes Sarah Everard, a British woman murdered by a cop earlier this month. When thousands of women gathered in public to mourn Sarah’s death (even the Duchess of Cambridge attended a vigil), some were arrested and/or manhandled by law enforcement. Outrage ensued.
In Australia, thousands of women have taken to the streets as “allegations of rape have rocked Australia’s Parliament” over the past few weeks.
Meanwhile, back in the United States…
The NYT has an entire section on its website called “Andrew Cuomo’s Scandals.” NY’s Attorney General is conducting one of two investigations of alleged sexual harassment against the Governor of New York. While those investigations continue, more women are going public with their stories — and today’s latest was from a current staffer, not a former employee. We do not have a birth time for Cuomo, though two astrologers have proposed December 6, 1957, at around 8:36 AM ET in Queens, NY. That time would give him a Capricorn Ascendant to mask his Sun in Sagittarius, driven by the Moon in chatterbox Gemini. He’d have Mercury sitting right on his Ascendant, adding more yadda yadda yadda yakety-yak yak to the mix. He needs to be the smartest kid in the room, not to mention clever and entertaining — and with Moon potentially ruling his 7th house of significant others, he needs an audience. He also needs to be seen as the Man In Charge.
The proposed birth time would give Cuomo a 27 Libra Midheaven, which would be under pressure this year and next by transiting Pluto. That pressure would be reflected in a potential teardown or regeneration of his public status, for better or for worse. It would also reflect the potential for attacks since the beginning of March, as transiting Mars in early Gemini met up with his Moon. Coincidence or conspiracy?
Elsewhere…
…the Violence Against Women Act (authored by then-Senator Joe Biden in the 90s) was finally renewed by the House, with 172 Republicans voting against it (because they object to a “provision that expands the criminal threshold to bar an individual from buying a gun to include misdemeanor convictions of domestic abuse or stalking. It would also close the so-called boyfriend loophole to expand the definition of who is affected by existing gun prohibitions to include dating partners,” according to NPR). On a similar theme (reflecting current planetary patterns), the government of Turkey withdrew from an international pact designed to protect women from violence (despite violence against women in Turkey now on the rise).
Meanwhile, House Democrats — joined by four — count ’em –four — Republicans — voted to remove the deadline on the Equal Rights Amendment — a.k.a. the ERA. If Senate can vote on it, maybe it will finally become law — and maybe that vote will happen with Venus in “warrior woman” Aries, not now…but RIGHT NOW, if you please.
What’s going on in your horoscope? When are you due for a promotion or a move across the country? Is it time for you to change careers? Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.
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Happy Sun in Aries!
Tuesday 3/16/2021: Late Sneak Peek at the Week; Endings & Such
/in The ForecastAlllll-righty then!
Apologies for the late forecast. The weekend’s Empowered Astrology Conference was all-consuming and a great success! This is an annual event, so if you missed it this year, you can catch it next year (with a whole new slate of lectures). We’ll be gathering in person on February 17-21, 2022, just outside Washington, DC. Stay tuned for further details.
Meanwhile…
This is the last week of the Sun in Pisces, i.e., the end of the astrological year. On Saturday a new cycle begins when the Sun leaves Pisces for Aries. Some people may experience the last days of Pisces as if it really is THE END — and thus conclude that this is Not A Good Thing. Sun in Pisces feels so darn much, and all that wallowing in empathy and suffering may seem overwhelming and hopeless. We are likely to see a few headlines this week of some who failed to pass the test of the Pisces upside, which is faith. Without faith, it is impossible to believe that there’s a new dawn just around the corner. But there is.
As it says in the Messiah’s Handbook,
It is appropriate for some things to end at this time. Yes, that means you, oil and gas industry lobbyists, who may be freaking out over Deb Haaland’s confirmation as Secretary of the Interior (and the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet Secretary). Resistance is futile — and hey — life might be even better with wings!
This week’s planetary patterns mark the end…and also the beginning.
In other news…
Yesterday at 6:26 PM ET, Mercury (how we need to think and communicate) left Aquarius, where it’s been since January 9th. The airy, mental mindset has been replaced by Mercury is in Pisces, suggesting that how we need to think and communicate may be more intuitive, less rational — and sometimes even non-verbal. Watch the headlines for reports of people going with the flow. We’ll hear stories that spark empathy and an awareness of suffering, with words expressed and actions taken — not because it was rational or scientific, but because it felt like the right thing to do. This can be a productive period for creative types seeking inspiration. Mercury will be in Pisces until April 3rd.
As for the week:
And now, the news.
Wow, did last week’s conjunction between the Sun and Neptune in Pisces spell relief in the headlines? It should have, as Neptune can certainly represent a savior, a healer and a visionary. Mix those two with Venus, and it was a dream come true for millions (or, in some of these, for just one or two):
…and that’s a wrap for now.
What’s going on in your horoscope? Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.
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Monday 3/8/2021: Sneak Peek at a Sweet Week; Sun-Venus Conjunct Neptune; New Moon in Pisces
/in The ForecastThe start of the work week is driven by the Moon in Capricorn, where it’s been since 9:20 PM ET on Saturday. Arise, go forth and make your dream happen. Moon travels without interference through the business day, but note a build-up to a focus on power plays and/or purges, as the Moon meets up with Pluto at 7:52 PM ET — and then goes void until 2:40 AM the next day. Should be quite a potent discussion at beginning of my local book club tonight — which will then wander off-course with a sigh. We’ll be talking about Shopgirl — apt for today’s Moon in Capricorn and other planetary patterns.
Meanwhile, the dream to be realized this week is sponsored by the only two exact patterns that do not involve the Moon: the conjunctions of the Pisces Sun and Venus to (dreamy) Neptune. My dream includes putting the finishing touches on my presentations for this weekend’s Empowered Astrology Conference, where I will be teaching in most excellent company. Let me know if you’re planning to attend — there are still spots available.
The week goes like this:
And now, the news.
Reflecting the big humanitarian relief potential of current planetary patterns (planets piled up in Aquarius, Democrats in the Senate voted — and passed — their amended version of the American Relief Plan. I expect President Biden will sign it under the influence of this week’s savior Sun-Neptune conjunction, after House Democrats vote to approve what the Senate agreed to.
Before the vote, we saw prime examples of Mars (aggression) at the verrrry end of Taurus (obstruction), as Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) demanded that Senate clerks spend hours reading the bill aloud to a deserted empty floor. We understand why he would be the one to do this at this time, given that his own Mars is at…the verrrry end of Taurus. Astrology is amazing.
Also in the news:
Sneak peek at this week’s Sun-Venus-Neptune in Pisces:
Not a fairy-tale — but more of a bubble popping, amid patterns in the horoscopes of the Royal Family involving Pluto (power; corruption exposed) and Saturn (streamlining; reality checks): people are still talking about Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex “bombshell” interview with Oprah Winfrey last night. The heavy patterns in the Royal Family horoscopes will continue in the near-term future.
Finally, a random and inspiring piece from the Washington Post on how to maintain a fulfilling career in your 80s and beyond...in case the idea of retiring does not appeal to you.
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Thank you for reading this forecast.