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Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 11/15/2012: A Penny For Your Thoughts

It’s a day that light on exact planetary patterns, driven by Moon in Sagittarius and its need for passionate opinions, which may become more intense into the late evening hours. Said opinions may be accompanied by dynamic action, as Mars (action!) is also in Sagittarius and fast approaching the Aries Point (exact on Friday at 9:36PM ET). Watch those slings and arrows (duck!), especially if you are in any kind of strike zone, whether the strike be military or by the common man. If you are not in any line of fire, then do what you can to broaden your horizons and/or expand your mind.

On Tuesday,  you may recall that nebulous Neptune squared mental Mercury, suggesting themes of illusion and delusion. This was the second time we’ve had this square in recent weeks; the first one was exact on October 29th. We’ll have another on December 11th, when Mercury has turned direct. Why am I mentioning this Mercury-Neptune square? Because of the timing of the events in this headline, “Dying Boy Who United Town, Ends Up Being a Hoax”. Isn’t that interesting?

In other news, China “unveiled” its new leadership, exactly when we anticipated a big change of perspective and empowerment. Why? Because ruthless Pluto, now at 7 degrees of Capricorn, is exactly squaring China’s Sun at 7 Libra. If you’re new to the forecast and don’t know much about the Mother of All Squares that will be in effect from 2011-2015, check out my piece on Uranus and Pluto — you’ll find it in the Articles section of the website.

 

 

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 11/14/2012: Secrets & Lies

More murky, muddled depths perhaps…at least through the wee hours of Wednesday morning. After a very brief Moon-void at 5:39AM ET, Moon escapes the clutches of heavy Scorpio and blasts off into Sagittarius at 5:52AM ET, where it quickly crashes into nebulous Neptune. Note your dreams upon waking…clear the cobwebs from your head with a little caffeine and embrace the expansive, optimistic potential a Sag Moon holds. And if you don’t know what that looks like, here is a picture of someone I am sure has a Sagittarius Ascendant.**

Caveats: be advised that while you were sleeping, Mercury backed into Scorpio at 2:43AM ET. This adds more of the usual “wobble” we can experience when planets move from one sign into the next. We already have Mercury retrograde challenging our patience and our mental focus. We’ve got bottlenecked energy from yesterday’s solar eclipse that hasn’t found its release (look for a hit of it when Mercury reaches 22 Scorpio on the 20th). I can’t say this enough: double check your facts before you hit “send”. Make sure the restaurant you’re going to is actually open. And if you’re free to wander a bit over the next few days, then by all means indulge. But whatever you do, don’t wander into this restaurant, if you happen to be in New York. You can, however, enjoy the scathing review (see the preceding link) as a fine example of “Sagittarian blunt opinionation meets scathing Scorpionic thermonuclear destruction.”

Meanwhile, the dirt digging continues.  The General Petraeus kerfuffle gets weirder by the hour, prompting some to wonder if we’ve dug up too much. There are 2260 comments (so far) posted on that linked New York Times article — which seems like a record. And I wonder how many comments would be posted on an article like this. More dirt: comedienne Janeane Garofalo is stunned to discover that she was married for 20 years — seriously! And finally —  a big NEVER MIND on those allegations about Elmo’s puppeteer that broke on Monday. Absolutely, positively not true — the accuser has recanted. Good thing Monday’s forecast warned you not to believe those bedazzling rumors…

**P.S. — for those who checked out the personification of a Sagittarius Ascendant at the end of the first paragraph: Astrid Lindgren, the Swedish author who created Pippi Longstocking, was born on this date in 1907. She was 94 when she passed away. RIP and thank you, Ms. Lindgren, for everything!

Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 11/13/2012: New Moon in Scorpio

That restless, listless feeling of anticipation is the last several hours of a “dead” Moon in Scorpio, waiting to be reborn at 5:08PM ET, along with a total solar eclipse. Those (choose one or more) spacy, visionary, dreamy, delusional, surreal thoughts and communications you may be having  are courtesy of mental Mercury being challenged by nebulous Neptune. And underscoring it all is the potential for deep research into some subjects that may be unsavory, like the continued outpouring of detail on the Petraeus affair or this fascinating piece on new technology that is shedding light on homicide cases that have been cold for decades. Some may find this depth intriguing; others may find it unsettling.

The New Moon and a potent total solar eclipse is very exciting if you live in Australia, where there hasn’t been a total eclipse seen in over a decade. Conventional wisdom holds that wherever the eclipse is visible is where the greatest effects can be expected, lasting the number of years that the eclipse is long in hours. This particular eclipse will last just over three hours, so we can expect its effects to last just over three years. Just keep an eye on 22 degrees of Scorpio….and note where that degree falls in your horoscope. And keep an eye on Australia, “ground zero” of this month’s eclipse.

Eclipses act as “bottlenecks” of energy. Light flowing from the Sun or Moon is temporarily interrupted, focusing attention on the interrupted point and allowing something new and possibly fragile to enter the picture and grow. And here I would be thinking of Michael, the kindhearted policeman in the storybook Make Way for Ducklings, who stopped the flow of traffic on Beacon Street so Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their brood of eight could safely make their way to the Boston Public Garden.

Of course while traffic is stopped, it’s also backing up…which causes frustration. And when it flows again, it’s possible that some drivers may hit the gas a little too hard — and wham! — there’s a sudden release of the bottlenecked energy.  If you have a planet or point at the degree of an exceptionally potent eclipse, you are more susceptible. And here I would be thinking of Rupert Murdoch, Rebekah Brooks and (former) Congressman Anthony Weiner, who all have a major point or planet at 11 degrees of Virgo, Pisces, Gemini and/or Sagittarius, which was impacted by the June 2011 eclipse at 11 Gemini. Or Mitt Romney, whose 1 Gemini Ascendant was conjoined by the solar eclipse in May 2012.  Might they have been feeling a bit “eclipsed” in the past year or so?

The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon at 22 Scorpio is “hunters starting out for ducks”…and as always, we turn to Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee for inspiration and interpretation. Hunters, Bovee notes, are on a mission…tracking down their quarry…usually camouflaged, but ready to kill. While the goal is focused, the execution may be a little broad, for unlike other rifle-slinging predators, duck hunters are not known for their precision. Much better to throw a bunch of stuff up at the wall and see what sticks. Whatever works!

For better or for worse, we may see some extremely crafty schemes planted and/or brought to light in this lunar cycle…and when 22 degrees of Scorpio is triggered over the course of the next few years. In your own personal world, this is a challenge to to develop your own crafty scheme by taking the high road, not the low road. It is also a challenge to hunt down something that is real, not a delusion.  Remember Scorpio’s potential for honor and integrity, act accordingly and aim high. Additionally, Bovee advises us to watch out for “troubleshooters; a willingness to get in the line of fire and help the helpless; hunting for new ways to deal with situations.”

Speaking of new approaches, I noted two in recent days, and both of which involve Occupy Wall Street. They’ve been rather camouflaged in the last year, but perhaps no less focused on their goals. Hmmm. Anyway, here in New York, OWS has morphed into Occupy Sandy, providing effective relief to those struggling to recover from this month’s devastating hurricane. Turns out that the weeks spent camping in an urban plaza in a loosely organized community provided OWS with excellent training for thinking outside the box and getting things done.

OWS also has a new, creative approach to managing debt. With Saturn in Scorpio, debt is one of the Big Things that Must Be Addressed in the next two and half years. No more kicking the can down the road — just take a look at what’s going on in Europe, not to mention this talk of “going off a fiscal cliff” here in the United States. So what is this creative OWS approach? It’s called Rolling Jubilee. As an experiment, it bought $14,000 worth of debt for a measly $500. Then, instead of going after the debtors to collect more than $500 (and get a return on its investment), OWS forgave the debt. Poof!

Debt problem solved? I don’t know, but the project is running full speed ahead. It made me think of that $5 million in pocket change Donald Trump “offered” to give to charity…or the $6 billion that was allegedly spent on elections last year. What if that money were used to forgive 28 times as much debt? I wrote an email to economist Paul Krugman, asking for his opinion. I haven’t heard back, but as usual, someone at The Guardian has weighed in…and he thinks it’s a brilliant idea.

Your New Moon mission, should you choose to accept, is to have a mission that is focused, inspired and creatively executed. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 11/12/2012: Scorpio Ups and Downs

Today’s Moon in Scorpio seeks knowledge for the sake of power and control. Add Mercury retrograde in opinionated Sagittarius…challenged by nebulous Neptune (now moving direct as of Sunday), and the quest for “who knew what and when did they know it” could produce bewildering or visionary results. If you’re reviewing old projects and trying to get the bugs out, it could be visionary. If it’s gossip or a rumor you’re chasing, it’s probably bedazzling. If it’s a really big new idea you want to ship this very minute — well, double check those facts first — and fergawdssake wait until after the New Moon, which is exact Tuesday at 5:08PM ET (unless your big idea is a brainstorm to clear up something unfinished). If you’re an artist, healer or some other creative type, you’ll thrive in this rose-colored world this week into next.

Scorpio energy is emotionally deep and intense. At its highest form, it is honor and integrity personified. A serious meet-up between the Scorpio Moon and stern Saturn at 1:28PM ET is an appropriate aspect for those who are remembering and honoring the service of military veterans, on this Veterans Day in the United States. I’ll light a rose-colored candle for my ancestor who fought in the Civil War. Then I’ll pray that by the year 2100, the only veterans we will need to remember are dead ones, because wars will have been made obsolete years before, and thus no one alive will have fought in one…and that somehow we will still be free. (bonus  for history buffs: a significant Civil War discovery was dug up last week — 150 years after a “ferocious battle” Fredricksburg, Virginia.

Two veterans who might prefer you not remember them right now are David Petraeus and Paula Broadwell. The disclosure of their extramarital affair resulted in General Petraeus resigning as director of the CIA last week. Bedazzling details are still pouring in, but one detail you may not see in the mainstream media is that Petraeus and Broadwell were born on November 7 (1952) and November 9 (1972), respectively. Yes, that’s right — last week! Two Scorpios…who, as astrologer Linda Goodman once wrote, “build all the way up to Heaven or all the way down to Hell.” Which is what makes Scorpio so…”interesting.”

Even without exact birth times, it is easy to see this strong attraction — arguably of a fated kind — suggested by numerous connections from his horoscope to hers, and vice versa. But having a mutual attraction does not “mean” it has to be acted upon, right? Of course…but when we look at the horoscope of General Petraeus to see where he was at in his life development from 2011 to 2012, we note a measurement between Venus and Mars that often coincides with a new passion. A strong measurement between Neptune and Pluto suggests an “out of this world” experience. There are other measurements, but you get the idea. Petraeus was also going through his second Saturn return, a critical time in life development when priorities are reassessed and a life strategy for the next 28-30 should be put in place. (Note: the first Saturn return happens around age 29, and usually coincides with a serious, urgent focus on establishing oneself in the material world: getting married, buying a house, changing careers).

Measurements in Ms. Broadwell’s horoscope in late 2010-2012 also suggest the potential for upheaval (rebel Uranus meets resistance-is-futile Pluto); a serious focus and/or separation in love matters (Venus in a challenging aspect with stern Saturn); and a burst of personal magnetism (passionate Mars meets bedazzling Neptune). Again, these are just a few alerts to the potential for the situation that would later develop. Bottom line: even though they met in 2006, it makes sense that their affair did not begin until a few years later. I wonder how things might have turned out if General Petraeus had consulted with an astrologer beforehand…

This week, there are no Moon voids to toss a wrench in your plans to move forward in a straight line. There is only Mercury retrograde…for another two weeks. How many people from your past have you encountered since last Tuesday, hmmm?

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 11/9/2012 & The Weekend: Why Not Delightful?

More of the same sorting, perfecting, correcting energy from yesterday, blessed by the afterglow of an exact trine between loving Venus and generous Jupiter at 2:26AM ET. This aspect can bring out the best in people; it can also tend to be a bit lazy and indulgent — but in a joyful, relaxed way. Hey, it’s Friday. Hooray! Let that mood carry you until 7:27PM ET, when Moon goes void on an opinionated, supercharged connection from aggressive Mars. A clash of wills about details — or a surge of passion seeking release. Which will it be?

Chill through the evening. Moon enters people-pleasing Libra at 4:35AM, encouraging social connections. Wanna shop? Indulge in something that makes you feel beautiful. Be advised of the potential for surprises and flashes of insights around 1:08PM ET, as Moon is opposed by rebel Uranus…followed by a challenge from potent Pluto at 5:33PM ET, which may heighten emotions for a few hours.

Sunday is notable for nebulous Neptune turning direct at 2:53AM ET. If you’ve been turning inward over the past few months searching for vision and spiritual guidance, all the wisdom you have discovered may now be directed outward. You will feel this shift more than most if you have a planet or angle around 0 degrees of Pisces, Gemini, Virgo and Sagittarius….or if you were born on the first day of those signs. If you are in this category, you’ll be happy to know that the weird, spacy, foggy feelings you’ve been struggling with will soon be lifted. If you’ve been channeling that spaciness into art, healing, spirit or selfless service, you’re probably feeling less frustrated than others who have trying to bluster and fight to get ahead.

Sunday is also notable for two sweet connections to the Moon from Jupiter and Venus, a loving vibe that can carry you through the day. Enjoy the break in the action. We are in the dark side of the Moon, a time to wrap up whatever amazing insight you got from the “wake-up call” that began this lunar cycle. Moon goes void at 12:13AM ET on Monday…and enters Scorpio at 6:10AM ET. Tuesday marks the New Moon at 5:08PM ET — and it’s a doozy of a solar eclipse.

I am observing the indulgent Venus-Jupiter trine and Mercury retrograde by taking a break from the headlines. Have I looked at the Inauguration Day chart to see what the next four years may bring? Of course. And we’ll get to it later. Meanwhile, I have been sifting and sorting through boxes of letters and diaries from dearly departed grandmothers. One happy discovery was the name of the town in Italy where one set of great-grandparents were born. It is so small that years ago, I couldn’t even find it on a map. But now, with the internet, this town of 995 inhabitants has its own website. And this is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Mercury retrogrades are wonderful opportunities for REconnection…and REmembrance of things past…

Have a great weekend!

Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 11/8/2012: Adventures in Retrograde

Typing this with the Moon now fully engaged in earthy Virgo, a sign well-suited for detail-oriented work designed to correct or perfect. If you are focused, much can be accomplished in projects requiring research, discernment and concentration. The evening looks promising for indulgence, as Moon is squared by expansive Jupiter at 1:23AM ET on Thursday, followed by a generous, feel-good trine between loving Venus and Jupiter at 2:26AM ET. The Venus-Jupiter connection has been in effect all week, doing its best to soften ragged edges and calm troubled waters.

And speaking of correcting and perfecting, let me give you more details on the little Mercury retrograde story I shared with you yesterday. This was the item about George W. Bush’s most excellent adventure at the polls on Tuesday, but as it turns out, it was absolutely, positively not true. Although the hypothetical scenario of confusion and communication snafus described in the anecdote are absolutely typical of things that can happen when Mercury is retrograde, which was my original reason for putting in the forecast.

HOWEVER… after I had uploaded the forecast to be distributed by the good folks at Mailchimp, there was a nagging doubt in the back of my mind. “I better double check this story,” I thought — which is an excellent mantra for surviving Mercury retrogrades unscathed. And — just like the story of the Omaha man vowing to run naked through the streets no matter who won the election, the W. story was apparently a fabrication. And I thought, “this will REALLY be a good teaching tool for explaining the potential reflections of Mercury Rx” (“Rx” is the abbreviation for “retrograde”)!!

I rushed to add a postscript to the forecast — but — d’oh! Too late — the forecast had already shipped!  So I wrote a separate email, scheduled it to ship one hour later, and guess what? The postscript posted to my website, as I discovered yesterday afternoon, but it did not go out via email. Double d’oh!!!

Moral of the story: during Mercury Rx, our brains do not always function with their usual alacrity. This applies to all humans, including astrologers. A big challenge of Mercury Rx is to slow down and stay FOCUSED. What would the New York Times say in a situation like this? How about:

We sincerely regret the error, and hope you will learn from our Mercury Rx misteak.”

P.S. — An Exercise in Focus…

…because that little Mercury retrograde story was a hoax.

Double check every fact during this retrograde period (from now until the 26th)…and don’t believe everything you read or hear : )

Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 11/7/2012: Yes, It’s Party Time!

Here in the U.S., the partying mood continues throughout the day — at least for half the country — brought to you by the Moon in sunny Leo and the re-election of Barack Obama (also a Leo). For the other half, the mood may be one of royal indignation expressed by drama kings and queens — using the same Moon in Leo energy to attract attention.

For those of you who are focusing on other concerns now that this campaign season is finally over (I’ll feel so much better in December when the Electoral College makes it official), note that the Moon goes void at 10:27PM ET…not to enter Virgo until 11:35PM ET. Y’know, a party might not be such a bad thing to continue during that void. There’s a lovely trine between Venus (queen of social graces) and jolly Jupiter that could prompt even the sulkiest of beasts to blissfully count their blessings. Or retire to their caves for a peaceful retreat.

Oh — and here’s a fun little Mercury retrograde story for you.

Remember to stay focused…

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 11/6/2012: Party Time?

On any other day with planetary patterns like these, it would be a great day for a party. Moon is in fun-loving Leo, boosted by easy aspects to Venus in people-pleasing Libra, and both Moon and Venus are buoyed by indulgent connections from jolly Jupiter. So whose party is it? Will we vote to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems, Inc., run by Red Lectroids posing as members of the Party of Styrofoam? Or will we vote for the candidate most likely to make a place at the table for Henri the Existential Cat (who offers his Election Day mewsings here) — and the rest of the 99%?

Vote early in the day, to avoid 1) the increased chances of confusion suggested by Mercury turning retrograde at 6:04PM ET; and 2) the challenge presented by the 3rd Quarter Moon to your New Moon agenda around 7:32PM ET. Anyone remember the Sabian Symbol for the current lunar cycle — the one that started on October 15th? Here it is: 23 Libra — “a chanticleer” — i.e., a wake-up call; the dawn of a new day. How has this theme played out in your own personal world?

In order to cast an event chart for this election, we need a start time — maybe July 1965 would work. Sure feels like it.  And I am only half-kidding. Regular readers of this forecast will recall that the mid-60s marked the beginning of the Uranus-Pluto cycle, when these two “resistance is futile” planets met up in Virgo. As with a New Moon, seeds were planted. What kind of seeds? Seeds for a major upheaval of the status quo, ideally leading to  freedom and empowerment. During the 60s in the United States. we saw the civil rights movement, Medicare, Vietnam War protests, the New Age, organic farming, environmentalism, space exploration (the birth of Star Trek!), demands for women’s equality and reproductive freedoms, alternative lifestyles, sex, drugs and rock and roll — all challenging The Establishment. Where are we now?

On a First Quarter Moon of the lunar cycle, we see a challenge to what was planted at the New Moon. You understand that concept, yes? So now, 50 years after the Uranus-Pluto conjunction, we have the Uranus-Pluto square (90 degrees). The energy is like that of the First Quarter Moon. And isn’t it interesting that many of the “hot button” issues in this election are ones many of us thought had been resolved fifty years ago! Could this be a reflection of Uranus and Pluto bringing them to our attention once again? Is it a coincidence that last week a message went viral, reminding people to turn their clocks back an hour on Sunday, and not turn the country back 50 years on Tuesday…?

Doors officially opened for this election at midnight in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire. In the chart for that moment in time, I can’t help but notice  a 29 Leo Ascendant, which seasoned astrologers will immediately note corresponds to Regulus, a Fixed Star in the constellation Leo.  Regulus suggests a sterling reputation, and anyone with this star prominent in the horoscope is generally blessed with  integrity and success, so long as the integrity is not compromised. Opposing the Ascendant is of this chart is….wait for it…nebulous Neptune, suggesting a fog of confusion/illusion/fantasy. Well, that’s in line with planetary patterns for the rest of the month.

As we are about to go to press, the Dixville Notch results are now in, and it’s a tie. Could be a while before we see the light at the end of this tunnel…

Don’t just sit there. Your vote matters. DO something. Vote! Because if you don’t vote, someone else will. And get your friends to vote, too. Especially if you don’t like Styrofoam.

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 11/5/2012: Mercury Retrograde & Election Day

The work week begins with the Moon still void of course, suggesting yet another day of slow starts and other twists in your efforts to move forward in a straight line. The same recommendations for handling voids still apply: if you are in an environment where you can allow  things to wander, then go with the creative flow. This does not suggest you are sitting around doing nothing! If you are in a situation where you have strict deadlines to meet, then patience is advised when dealing with delays and crises that will likely turn out to be much ado about nothing.

Moon officially changes gears at 2:39PM ET, when it moves into sunny, regal Leo. See if you notice a shift in energy in the hour or so afterward. Feeling more focused now? The usually playful Leo Moon may have a  serious edge as the afternoon progresses into evening, courtesy of a challenge from stern Saturn at 9:58PM ET. If you haven’t backed up your computer and other gizmos in preparation for Mercury’s retrograde on Tuesday, do it when the Moon is not void, ‘mmmkay?

Mercury, which refers to mind, communication and travel, turns retrograde at 6:04PM ET, meaning that it will appear to move backward in the sky 5 degrees into Sagittarius. It will continue backtracking until November 26th, before finally moving forward at 18 degrees of Scorpio. That’s the area of your horoscope that will be highlighted during this retrograde period; book an appointment for more info on how this will affect you personally.

While we perceive Mercury moving backward from our unique vantage point here on Planet Earth; in “reality”, it is doing no such thing. Here is a good visual explanation of retrograde motion. Please disregard the gobbledygook about Mercury retrograde bringing “bad luck”.

Mercury retrograde gets such a bad rap because we are geared, in this crazy modern age, to always be thinking, doing, moving forward. You know what that gets you? Burn out! We need our down times, and Mercury retrogrades are a perfect time to sloooooooow down.  We see this reflected in the curious increase in gizmo crashes (computers and phones), communication and transportation delays and other snafus (like power outages).  We may also find ourselves having to repeat what we’ve just said, running into people we haven’t seen in years and having to repeat what we’ve just said.

Getting through Mercury retrograde periods requires FOCUS and PATIENCE. In fact, most all of the snafus that do occur during a Mercury retrograde could be avoided if the parties involved heeded that one simple advisory. But because focus and patience are likely to be lacking, the general advisory is  to avoid signing contracts, double check details a zillion times, avoid making major purchases (especially mechanical ones) and don’t believe everything you see in the headlines. With Mercury retrograde, chances are high that there’s more to the story. Gossip is to be avoided, too.

Do plan on RElaxing, REviewing, REsearching, REorganizing, REgenerating, REconnecting and REcreating. Clean out those closets. Organize those files. Get back in touch with people you haven’t seen in years; chances are they will be getting in touch with you. Take a look at projects that didn’t get off the ground in the past; now is a great time to reassess their potential. Turn off your cell phone — or your computer — for a while. Take a trip — yes, really — or any break from your normal routine.  Is that why we so often see people going on strike during Mercury retrograde?

When in doubt,  practice the art of SILENCE.

Holding a national election during Mercury retrograde, especially on a day when it changes direction, is a colossally bad idea, and it has apparently only happened once before. When? Surely you remember the disastrous US election of 2000, which occurred on a day when Mercury was turning direct. At that time, Mercury (mind, communication) was also challenged by a square from nebulous Neptune, suggesting more confusion in any effort to process information, including correctly reading — and counting —  a ballot. Guess what? Nebulous Neptune is currently squaring Mercury right now; the square was exact on October 29th. Mercury and Neptune are changing direction within the next seven days; thus they will form another exact square on November 13th, which also happens to be the next New Moon & a potent solar eclipse. So we’ve got a pattern of potentials that include: visions, dreams,  rarefied spiritual/mental states, weirdness, confusion, delusion and deception, to name just a few — happening all month.

The 2000 election chart also had a square to the Sun from disruptive Uranus. This time we have the potential for surprise upheaval suggested by the square between rebel Uranus and ruthless Pluto. And — though this may not be reflected in anything related to tomorrow’s election —  just a heads up that aggressive Mars will once again engage that challenging Uranus-Pluto square as we get closer to the end of the month, with Thanksgiving weekend being strongly affected. Look back to the week of July 16th for a recap of the volatility we experienced then. If you don’t remember what you experienced in July, yesterday’s Doonesbury comic strip was written just for you.

My take on who will mostly likely be sitting in the White House on January 21, 2013 has not changed since I first looked at the patterns over a year ago. Barack Obama should be re-elected, and I remain reasonably convinced that he will be…UNLESS the election is compromised by the confusion, communication failure, theft and fraud suggested by the patterns outlined above. Communication failure and confusion obviously include the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Sandy. If your neighborhood was affected by Sandy, you will need extra timing to figure out if your polling place has been moved. Theft includes 1) voter disenfranchisement that prevents likely Obama supporters from voting (here’s an example — or just google “voter disenfranchisement 2012” for the latest and greatest); and 2) tampering with the ballots, as University of Michigan researchers easily demonstrated by getting a drunken cartoon robot elected to the school board in Washington DC. Don’t get me started on electronic voting machines. Most, if not all, are owned by private corporations, and the software that runs them is proprietary. We have them in New York, and every time I go to the polls, I leave with no confidence that my vote was tabulated correctly — but without a paper receipt or even an on-screen confirmation of the choice I made, who would really know?

That being said, cast your ballot in the morning to best avoid the increased confusion likely to creep in as we approach the Mercury retrograde at 6:04PM ET. Why bother, you say – if the outcome is already written in the stars? Because as my mentor, Noel Tyl, is fond of saying, astrology shows us what can be, not what will be. “Planets don’t do anything. People do.” Use your knowledge of astrology as a guide for understanding which way the wind is blowing. Then go do something.