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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.
Tuesday 12/26/2023: Neptune All Over the Place; Jupiter Turns Direct; Full Moon in Cancer
/in The ForecastHappy Boxing Day to all who celebrate!
Happy Kwanzaa, too!
After a seven hour Moon void in Gemini, Moon entered Cancer at 10:15 AM ET. From now until Thursday evening ET, the focus is on creating emotional and home/homeland security — big time. I say this because of planetary patterns happening over the next few days, and because the Cancer Moon will be full at 7:33 PM ET.
Highlights during this short holiday week:
So… a lot going on…and here is the chart for the Full Moon, set in Washington, DC:
Observations:
And here is the forecast for the rest of the week:
And now, the news.
Lots of headlines reflecting Neptune themes of fantasy, ships, drugs, viruses, etc. etc. — they’re listed in the forecast above. Note that I have only a limited number of articles in the NYT and WaPo I can gift you, so some of these links may not work if you do not subscribe.
The weird but true history of cereal – from anti-sex campaigns to mind control — sounds right up Neptune’s alley, doesn’t it?
Alcohol misuse and loneliness ‘increase risk of early-onset dementia’
JN.1 Covid variant: WHO charts its rapid global spread
Biden pardons thousands convicted of marijuana possession on federal lands. File this one under “I told you so…years and years ago.“Astrology is amazing!
And finally, two weirdly wonderful stories from outer space:
The Morning After: NASA beamed a cat video from deep space to Earth
Stay tuned to this channel for continued updates…
Here’s the 411 on personal consultations. With the 2024 just around the corner, this is also a time to consider ordering a written report for Your Year Ahead — an excellent accompaniment to a personal consultation.
Thank you for reading this forecast — and sharing it with your friends.
Friday 12/22/2023 & the Weekend: Winter Solstice and More
/in The Forecast…and we’re back, after a festive respite in New Orleans. Oh, how I adore these halcyon days, when every day feels like Saturday — or perhaps no particular day at all.
I believe today is Friday…and yesterday at 10:27 PM ET, the Sun entered Capricorn. From now until January 20, our mission is a practical application of the Sagittarius Sun’s high-flying ideals. What will we build that will materially define our collective philosophy? Capricorn refers to ambition, especially when climbing a corporate ladder. Capricorn is an Earth sign, and understand how to deploy resources like no other. The mantra for Capricorn is “I USE.”
The Sun’s ingress into Capricorn is the first day of Winter in the Northern Hemisphere. From now until the Summer Solstice in June, the days will grow longer; the nights shorter.
Here’s what you need to know about the first day of any season — i.e., equinoxes and solstices — from an astrological point of view. The first days of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter correspond with the first days (or first degree) of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, respectively. 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/degree of a Cardinal sign is a turning point. Thus we can use solstice and equinox charts as tools for anticipating what’s likely to be put into action over the next three months, until we arrive at the next turning point/change of season. Clear?
In the language of astrology, the first degree of any Cardinal sign is also known as the Aries Point. The first degree of any Fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) or Mutable sign (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) is not at the Aries Point.
A planet at the Aries Point suggests potential prominence. People who have planets and angles at the Aries Point in their horoscopes seem to attract a lot of attention. Off the top of my head, people with planets or angles at the Aries Point include Meryl Streep, Elizabeth Warren, Prince William, Ted Cruz, and William Shatner.
Here is the Winter Solstice chart set in Washington DC:
Observations:
And now, the forecast for the next several days.
To be continued….
And now, the news.
In my lengthy take on last month’s Full Moon in Gemini, in which the information-seeking Gemini Moon opposed the high-flying beliefs symbolized by the Sagittarius Sun, I wrote:
The Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on the Winter Solstice of 2020 suggested we were moving into a period where what is accepted as truth may not always be supported by empirical evidence. Another pattern echoing this potential was the April 2022 conjunction of Jupiter-Neptune in Pisces. Here’s a link to an article I wrote about the Great Conjunction, and what it suggests about life on Spaceship Earth over the next 200 years.
Anyhoo, a week after posting last month’s Full Moon forecast, I was delighted when historian Heather Cox Richardson reported on a few examples from real life:
So…court cases now being made only upon belief, not information and belief. Where is Dragnet’s Joe “just the facts, ma’am” Friday when you need him? Existing only in someone’s imagination, it seems…because Joe Friday never actually said those words, at least not on TV. And yet, many believe that he did.
I invite you to read HCR’s entire post from December 4th, linked above.
Meanwhile…
It’s now Saturday, December 23rd.
Planetary patterns reflected in the headlines are a mix of comforting stability and flashes of surprising insights in the material world. The comforting stability is symbolized by Jupiter, planet of good cheer and expansion, as it slows to a virtual stop and prepares to turn direct next week. Jupiter is in Taurus, and therefore we expect expansion to have a Taurus expression, i.e., it may be comforting, cool, and stable. It may also be experienced as overindulgent, especially in matters of food and drink.
The flashes of surprising insight are symbolized by Thursday’s opposition between Venus (money, art, women, values) and disruptive Uranus. Friday’s Sun-Mercury conjunction at the Aries Point reflects the prominence of certain news bulletins.
Examples:
UPDATE: on Jeffrey Epstein, whose horoscope continues to function as anticipated, even though he’s dead: “Federal judge orders 150 Jeffrey Epstein names unsealed” — that’ll happen in January, “coinciding” with transiting Pluto on Epstein’s Sun. This is the same pattern Nikki Haley is experiencing, and thus it’s no surprise to see her polling within four points of the former guy in New Hampshire. If TFG is not on the ballot in November, Haley would be his likely replacement, fulfilling the potential of her horoscope noted here several years ago.
UPDATE: on the former guy, whose horoscope has been mightily provoked this week, starting with transiting Mars opposing his natal Uranus on the 19th, then making hard contacts to his Nodes, Moon, and Sun between then and Christmas. Translation: boundary-pushing aggression, especially in all areas related to the 9th house (media, collective beliefs, courts, etc.), because the 9th house is ruled by Mars in TFG’s horoscope.
In closing…(because we can’t end on stink bomb)…
I live in NYC and I’d never heard of this:
Stephen Colbert has footage of the latest volcano eruption in Iceland (and news of Rudy Giuliani’s anticipated wipe-out, which will continue for the next two years).
…and here, in honor of Mercury now at the verrry end of Sagittarius, possibly pushing the boundaries of good taste, are SNL’s Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che with their annual Christmas Joke Swap.
Here’s the 411 on personal consultations. I am available from the 27th onward, and if you are a returning client, you can book a follow-up consultation through the end of January, using this link. Astrologers are like dentists, doncha’ know. It’s good to check in with us every six months to a year. If you’re a new client, I have two options for initial consultations. Please email me here, and I’ll send you a scheduling link for the consultation of your choice.
Thank you for reading this forecast — and sharing with friends.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Saturday 12/16/2024: Weekend Update; Sneak Peek at Next Week; Adventures IRL
/in The ForecastAllllllrighty then!
I’m posting a Sneak Peek for half of next week now, because I’m traveling over the next several days. Here’s where we are as of Saturday, December 16th:
My plan is to write about the Winter Solstice when I return from my travels on Thursday. Astrologers can use Solstice and Equinox charts as tools for anticipating world event over the course of that season.
Before I get to the astonishing synchronicity of the news and planetary patterns…
Yes, it’s still possible to order consultation gift certificates for everyone on your list! And yes, you can still order the AstroCoins — but hurry up if you want to make sure they arrive by Christmas.
And ooh! The 2024 Mercury Rx Bookmarks are in!! If you’ve been nice enough to become a Faithful Monthly Supporter of this forecast, bookmarks are on the way to you right now, with my deepest thanks for finding my work of value. On the back of the bookmark are the dates for the 2024 Mercury retrogrades, with helpful coping strategies.
Super-special shout-out #1: to Avid Reader Laura of Specialized Printing in Marietta, GA — for printing and shipping bookmarks!
If you’d like 10 bookmarks for you and all your friends, I will happily send them for $18, which includes the cost of shipping via USPS priority mail. Toss that in my Cosmic Tip Jar, at the bottom of this page — and make sure I have your snailmail address.
Super-special shout-out #2: to my webmaster Mark Marshall of InterAge, who made my site look great and up-to-date…and who made my design concept for the bookmarks a reality.
Fun fact: Mark is also a musician, and he’s been receiving a potent transit of Pluto to the Sun. Translation: a potential ego empowerment and transformation in the extreme! Thus I was delighted by his annual holiday greetings video — his version of Santa Claus is Back in Town — in which he plays every instrument in the arrangement. Astrology is amazing!
And now…the news.
Neptune went retrograde on December 6th. We anticipated a focus on all things Neptune, like the blaring of a car horn when leaned on by the driver. Neptune refers to fog, deception, fantasies, scandal, visionaries, conspiracy, healing, victims, drugs, ideals, and intangibles. It dissolves whatever it touches.
So…on December 6th, right on schedule:
But we shouldn’t be surprised by MAGA Mike’s empowered new self-image, given his horoscope’s recent encounter with Pluto, and these basic observations, posted at the end of October:
Now then. How might Neptune turning direct be reflected in one’s own personal world? Here’s an example:
I received an email on December 6 from the Casa de Dom Inacio in Abadiana, Brazil. I hadn’t heard from them in a really long time, and I’d forgotten why. It was a chatty email, offering deals on products, with a questionnaire asking whether I ever intended to visit the Casa again, and if so, when.
I was at the Casa by happenstance at least 20 years ago, it seems. I was in Brazil with a boyfriend, and our original plan was to go to the Amazon from Brasilia, and then fly south to Iguacu Falls. But my boyfriend had a friend who was an Olympic champion with a health issue, and she had gone to visit “John of God” — a proclaimed channel for disembodied entities with healing powers. And she raved about it. So instead of flying to Manaus, we traveled to Abadiana by bus (I think), and instead of staying for a few days, we stayed for a week.
It was such a peaceful experience to spend hours of time in quiet meditation, enjoying the beauty of nature, simple food, and the company of travelers from all over the world. Since my motive for being there was idle curiosity, I had no expectations of being healed, and had little reason to be disappointed. And I recall the visit being pretty darn astonishing, but I’d have to review my journal to remember the details. Fun fact: I was there during a lunar eclipse, visible at night, against the backdrop of the Southern Cross.
So…suddenly hearing from the Casa was fitting for a day with Neptune in the spotlight, right? I didn’t feel a need to respond to the email (sent from two people we’ll call Sam and Larry), but I was curious to know how the Casa had been thriving over the past 20 years. And Professor Google told me that it hasn’t been thriving at all. Why? Because the medium — John of God — now 81, I believe — was convicted on charges of sexual abuse and more in the late 20-teens (on the level of a Jeffery Epstein, I kid you not), and was sentenced to a zillion million years in prison. Scandal! The shadow side of Neptune!
But wait…there’s more! Several hours later, I received another email, apologizing for the first email, as it was misrepresenting “Sam and Larry,” who were no longer associated with the Casa. And it was signed (presumably) by the real Sam and Larry. And then…on the following day, there was yet another email from the actual Sam and Larry, explaining in ever greater detail what they were doing and how they weren’t connected to the Casa.
So…no headlines here…but we see how planetary patterns are reflected in real life. How was your day with Neptune turning direct?
Here’s an example for Mercury turning retrograde on December 13:
I had appointments in the city that day, and naturally, in the course of my travels, I forgot that only the F train stops at 14th Street, not the B or the D. I also completely lost focus at the post office, where I was mailing AstroCoins and a holiday care package to a friend. The postal clerk asked me if there were any liquids in the package or anything made of glass. She asked me twice, mind you — and I said yes — and then I said no, because I really wasn’t focused on what she was asking. But in fact, there were jars and liquids in the package, and I sure hope they didn’t get smashed on the way to my friend’s house!
Anyhoo…
A few more headlines and updates, and then I must prepare to fly!
Venus opposed Jupiter last weekend, and then sextiled Mercury last Monday. Money, women, worth — big time.
Have you heard about the US stock market’s new all-time high (after the Fed signaled it will cut interest rates in 2024)?
UPDATE: on Kamala Harris. Avid Readers know her horoscope has been gathering steam this year, and we expected her authority to be recognized. Also, with Moon in Aries, she’s going to be first in everything she does.
UPDATE: on Liz Cheney, whose horoscope is hot hot hot and functioning as designed, as Avid Readers were advised months ago. Her book is out and she’s on tour. Here she is being interviewed a few days ago by Stephen Colbert.
UPDATE: on Matthew Perry. We now have a conclusive cause of death. Remember that…
Even though there was no evidence of drug use initially, I was not surprised to see this headline yesterday:
Headlines reflecting Mercury retrograde reviews and delays (trine Jupiter), as well as the bewildering wipe-out potential of the Sun square Neptune:
And finally…
Society ‘disappears’ ageing women. So I harnessed that cloak of invisibility to do all sorts of ‘inappropriate’ things
Whew! Did we cover everything? I think we covered a lot. Apologies for any Mercury Rx typos.
Here’s the 411 on personal consultations (and gift certificates!).
Thank you for reading — and sharing — this forecast. You are AWESOME!
Monday 12/11/2023: Sneak Peek at the Week; New Moon in Sagittarius; Mercury Goes Retrograde!
/in The ForecastHappy holidaze!
It’s another week of action, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Just as the fog from Neptune turning direct (last week) began to briefly subside of the weekend, another delirious wave is scheduled. Mercury is about to turn retrograde, challenging communication and supply chains. Sun squares Neptune at the end of the week — color it all rose.
We are still at the end of the lunar cycle, in the dark about what’s just around the corner. Feelings of listlessness or restlessness would not be uncommon. Mental processes may also be slowing down, as Mercury slows to its next virtual standstill and prepares to turn retrograde on Wednesday. BACK UP YOUR COMPUTERS NOW.
Highlights:
It goes like this:
A pause, while we discuss this New Moon, set in Washington, D.C.:
Observations:
Back to the forecast:
A pause, while we discuss how to handle this Mercury retrograde:
In the language of astrology, Mercury refers to how we need to think and communicate. It refers to all methods of transmitting information (letters, computers, speech, etc.), and transportation (postal routes, highways, etc.). In Roman times, Mercury was associated with commerce (mercantile, merchants, merchandise), and thus in the language of astrology, Mercury refers to the negotiation and signing of contracts.
Mercury turns retrograde at 2:09 AM ET on December 13th. It turns direct at 10:07 PM ET on January 1st, 2024.
When Mercury turns retrograde, it will appear to move backwards in the sky. It’s not really moving backwards, but that is how it looks from our perspective here on Spaceship Earth.
General coping strategies for Mercury retrogrades:
Mercury turns retrograde at 8 degrees of Capricorn, which is where it turned direct on January 18th! Sounds like the Sabian Symbol for this degree would be good to know about, as it is clearly demanding our focus twice in one year! It is “an angel carrying a harp.” Astrologer James Burgess opines that this Symbol calls our attention to being attuned. What channel are you listening to — or watching? A heavenly angel or a rapacious harpy? Who’s stringing us along, defining what’s what, hmm? Astrologer Blain Bovee advises us to be aware of the challenge of “innocently reaching into realms of powerful potentials; of discriminating between sublime messages and pointed barbs.”
Look back to what was going on around January 18, 2023, and see how themes of tuning in may be recalled now…and again around January 30, 2024 (when Mercury will be back at 8 Capricorn). You are more personally affected by this Mercury retrograde if you have planets or angles around 8 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn.
Beth Owl’s Daughter’s Tarot Card of the Week is spot on for current planetary patterns: mystical, magical, intangible…hard to know what to believe…but driven — especially by the Moon in Capricorn midweek — to get to the top of the mountain…or tell it on the mountain, as it were.
To be continued….
Yes, the AstroCoins are still available…order them now, if you need them by Christmas!
Here’s the 411 on gift certificates and consultations.
Thank you for reading this forecast.
Close up detail of gilded winged Mercury atop the Bastille Column in Paris France
Monday 12/4/2023: Sneak Peek at the Week; Neptune Turns Direct
/in The Forecast‘Tis the season, and there’s magic in the air…
Highlights for this week:
It goes like this:
A pause, while we discuss Neptune turning direct.
First, note that whenever a planet changes direction, it pulls focus in the headlines several days before and after. With Neptune, we expect an uptick in stories of music, drugs, oil, deception, oceans and spirits of all kinds. Here’s what was happening in the news on a past Neptune change of direction.
As Neptune begins to move forward, perhaps we begin to project our renewed ideals into the world…or give serious consideration to ideals projected by others. But we may need time to get back up to speed. Neptune often dissolves whatever it touches, including vim and verve. Neptune may refer to rizz, but it also refers to “meh,” as in this headline from today’s NYT”:
You’ll feel the effects of Neptune’s change of station more personally if you have a planet or angle at 24-27 degrees of Pisces, Gemini, Virgo, and Sagittarius. What kind of effects? Oh…perhaps you are feeling somewhat bewildered…or less inclined to be in Type A personality mode (if you are normally a Type A personality). You may find yourself needing to express your creativity — even if you have never thought of yourself as a “creative” person.
Reminder: if you’re looking for a fun stocking stuffers or Hanukkah gelt, these zodiac coins, complete with a handcrafted 2024 Sun Sign Forecast are still available:
And now, the news…
…which I was not able to get to last night because another writing project required attention.
Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, we had the sobering, militant discipline potential of Saturn square Sun-Mars, a status-quo preserving Taurus Moon and a potentially healing square between Mercury and Neptune. In Gaza, a temporary cease fire was negotiated:
Meanwhile…
Neptune turns direct at 24 Pisces. The Sabian Symbol is “a purging of the priesthood.” How interesting that Pope Francis made news last week for doing just that. Neptune has been on this degree since November 18, and will remain there until Christmas Day. Add its symbolism to the wake of last month’s Sun-Saturn square (always an alert for cuts and losses, especially involving leaders of state and business), and we see in the headlines the exits of several significant senior citizens who made an impact on the world, for better or for worse.
Not that old, but essentially purged:
In other news…
Let’s follow up on predictions made in last week’s forecast. Who made headlines, just as astrology anticipated?
Exhibit A: “Jailed Putin critic Alexei Navalny faces news charges.”
Exhibit B: Liz Cheney is everywhere. Her horoscope is in an especially expansive phase, and though I didn’t know that she was writing a book, it’s no surprise that she did. It’s out this week — just in time for Jupiter to cross her Taurus Ascendant and square her Leo Sun (which it will do again in January), with sneak peeks and press junkets starting last week (as Mercury at the Aries Point activated her Moon and Saturn). Of particular interest: “‘Bait and switch’: Liz Cheney book tears into [MAGA] Mike Johnson over dishonest pro-TFG January 6 legal brief.” Remember, MAGA Mike was unanimously elected Speaker of the House by his fellow Republicans, and it’s too bad Cheney’s book wasn’t released before that happened.
Exhibit C: it is rumored that ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy may leave Congress altogether “in the coming weeks,” and if he does, it will be in sync with the third pass of transiting Saturn to his t-square among apex Saturn, Gemini Ascendant, and Sagittarius Moon. On his second Saturn return, we’d expect a new lease on life. Here is his horoscope.
Meanwhile…
Patterns driving the news over the weekend included a reality-based sextile between Mercury and Saturn, and a square between Venus and Pluto. The latter suggested extremes involving women, art, values, and money. Pluto refers to transformation and empowerment.
I’m not quite sure what sparked WaPo and the NYT to start taking the threat of a potential second TFG presidential term more seriously. Was it…
In any case, this op-ed by neoconservative RobertKagan was published in the Washington Post:
And over at the NYT, a pundit-packed podcast posits, “Are we all authoritarians at heart?”
Elsewhere…
These headlines are sponsored by Neptune’s dreamy, sometimes fabricated, escapes:
“The Isleworth Mona Lisa: have Leonardo da Vinci fans worshipped the wrong portrait for centuries?”
Wonka review – Timothée Chalamet’s Chocolate Factory prequel is a superbly sweet treat
So, like that.
Here’s the 411 on personal consultations. Yes, gift certificates are available for all of your friends and relations….merry, merry…
Thank you for reading this forecast and sharing it with friends.
Neptune fountain in winter town park