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Astro-logical Forecast for Monday-Friday 12/29/2014-1/2/2015: Sneak Peek at a Rollicking Week

Good morning!

There’s plenty of energy for work or play, courtesy of a proactive Aries Moon that’s always up for something new. Let it carry you through the day with gusto, being careful not to butt heads in a petty disagreement when mental Mercury challenges the Moon at 12:16 PM ET. Keep on truckin’, then chill at 7:46PM ET, when Moon goes void until 5:56AM ET.

Tuesday, Wednesday and part of Thursday are driven by a material security-seeking Moon in Taurus. Slow and steady is the pace of Taurus, compared to the impatient Aries charge.  Use it to temper and structure the power surge suggested by other patterns that will be exact Thursday and through the weekend, but likely felt now (more on those in a minute). Also note that Taurus is a sensual sign that does adore its creature comforts. A New Year’s Eve celebration with extra helpings of caviar, Champagne and music, too? If not quite so luxurious, perhaps an abundance of whatever comforts are available.  Happy, happy!

A Moon void on New Year’s Day between 7:19AM and 12:08PM ET is a perfect excuse to take your time recovering from the prior evening’s indulgence, despite the surge of physicality looking for a release as assertive Mars faces off against expansive Jupiter at 2:49PM ET.  You’ll feel that surge more personally if you have a planet or angle around 21 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius…or if you were born around the 13th of February, May, August or November. In the news, watch for headlines that are over-the-top.

After 12:08PM ET on Thursday there should be much to talk about, as the Moon enters information-junkie Gemini through Saturday night.  Though exact patterns on Friday are almost non-existent, we’re building to a Full Moon (in Cancer) on Sunday and super-charged contacts on Saturday, as the Capricorn Sun is challenged by rebel Uranus at 3:40AM ET and then meets up with ruthless Pluto at 6:32PM ET.

In the sign of Capricorn, Sun and Pluto suggest power plays related to government, corporate and patriarchal structures. Corruption exposed and other forms of news from underground, including oil and gas, seismic and/or explosive shifts in the natural world are also possibilities. Shake-ups, rebellions, revelations and other “change or die” events are added to the mix, especially by quirky individuals perhaps born ahead of their time.  Credit rebel Uranus in Aries for that pioneering spirit, challenging the established Pluto in Capricorn order. These themes can all be found in a lengthy  front-page story just posted about “oil, corruption and death” involving the ousted leader of a Native American tribe in North Dakota. For more shake-ups and revelations, consider this story about how a new approach to genetic mutations — random disruptions & thus ruled by unpredictable Uranus — is “turning genetic research on its head”.

If you were born around the 1st of January, April, July and October, you’re feeling the shake-ups more personally, as well as anyone with a planet or angle around 15 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. But wait — there’s more. You’re still in the hot seat on Sunday, as the Full Moon in Cancer at 11:53PM ET also triggers 15 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. More on the Full Moon in the next forecast.

And now, the news.

Saturn has been in Sagittarius for less than a week and already there’s sobering news about publishing, mass communications and other Sag concerns that we’ll be working through over the next few years. Exhibit A: authors annoyed with Amazon over its alleged continued devaluation of their written words.  This time it’s authors inspired to self-publish (under the influence of the entrepreneurial spirit of Uranus in Aries), who are Not Happy.

The article notes:

Complaints about literary overproduction are ancient. “To write and have something published is less and less something special,” the French critic Sainte-Beuve wrote in 1839. “Why not me, too? everyone asks.”

I read that and thought, “I bet Sainte-Beuve wrote that when Saturn was in Sagittarius.” I looked it up. He did. Yes, we have all been here before. Planetary patterns run in cycles. Good to know about them, especially how they run in your own personal horoscope.

Also making headlines: a list of media companies (and executives) in the hot seat in 2015 — so keep an eye on them. In other news,  Gmail accounts have been blocked in China. North Korea’s internet service was disrupted over the weekend, as well as Sony’s PlayStation service. Speaking of Sony, it changed course and released its controversial film, The Interview, online and in some theaters.

Elsewhere, on Meet the Press, host Chuck Todd copped to a hardcore reality (Saturn) about why mainstream media shows like his (Sagittarius) are so soft on their guests. I see Saturn in Sagittarius in this headline, too: “In Battle to Defang ISIS, U.S. Targets Its Psychology“. Limitation and/or restructuring (Saturn) through collective beliefs (Sagittarius)?

Meanwhile, the departure chart for AirAsia flight 8501 (5:27AM 12/28/2014 in Surabaya, Indonesia), now presumed to be “at the bottom of the sea” does have a few notable similarities to the departure chart of MH370, which disappeared on March 8th.  Coincidence or conspiracy?

And finally, Pope Francis is taking full advantage of his potential for supercharged action and communication now and over the next few years, as Uranus and Pluto make contact with his natal Mars and Mercury. Having facilitated a breakthrough in US-Cuba relations, he’s now focused on saving the rest of the world from climate change with a host of super-amazing initiatives. Look for more daring actions for the sake of world peace, balance and harmony from Pope Francis in 2015.  What have you got planned?

What does your horoscope suggest for you in 2015?  A personal astro-logical consultation would be a brilliant way to start the New Year.

 

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday-Saturday 12/23-27/2014: Saturn in Sagittarius

After an industrious day yesterday (Monday), the Capricorn Moon went void of course with a sigh last night at 10:17PM ET, and it will continue to wander through today until 9:52PM ET. Is that why I found myself drawn to listen to Ayn Rand, who has Moon in Capricorn, being interviewed by journalists Mike Wallace and Phil Donahue? Does she sound all business? You weren’t expecting that in today’s forecast, were you? Me neither.

Regular readers know that Moon voids suggest twists and detours in  efforts to move forward in a straight line. The flake factor is high; energy levels can fizzle; you may sense a lack of focus. The way to handle voids is to roll with the twists and know that crises which turn up are often much ado about nothing. Brainstorm all you like, but avoid initiating important agenda items and/or finalizing plans until the Moon gets bck into gear. Chill and take advantage of this natural rest period if you can. Avoid impulse purchases, as items purchased during voids often prove to be not as useful as you thought.

Other voids for the week are: Thursday Dec 25th from 10:11AM – 11:07PM ET and Saturday from 10:44AM until 1:35AM ET on Sunday.

Yesterday was also the last full day of karma cop Saturn in Scorpio, where it has been since October of 2012. During that time, as I’ve been writing since September 2012, we could expect to get to the nitty-gritty of issues involving sex (creation),  death (transformation), and money (resources), especially debt. We could expect the revelations to be ruthless and sometimes downright horrific. And in fact, they have been, as stories involving rape, domestic violence, abortion and contraception, questionable death penalty practices (including botched executions and convictions overturned after years of incarceration), and debt have been front and center for the past two years.

Well huzzah, huzzah, finally a change, as Saturn enters Sagittarius today at 11:33AM ET. How will headlines reflect that shift over the next two years?

Saturn refers to control, discipline and structure. Sagittarius refers to collective belief systems, including the law, religion, philosophy and academia. Hmm…how about mind control? Or tests of faith?  It also refers to publishing and other mass communication media, as well as sports and entertainment. Expect efforts involving restrictions and/or restructuring. Sagittarius refers to that which is foreign, so issues of border control will likely become hotter. It refers to travel.  So we can expect headlines involving controls in these areas, too.

Righteousness is another Sagittarius buzzword, as is blunt honesty. As its best, the Saturnine restructuring of Sagittarius concerns will stem from righteousness, much as the restructuring of the institution of marriage (Libra) to include same-sex couples evolved when Saturn was in Libra. Fairness is a big Libra buzzword. Got that?

For those born in December 1985- December 1988 and  February 1956 – January 1959, congratulations, you were likely born with Saturn in Sagittarius. You’re about to embark on your first or second Saturn return, which suggests a critical time in your life,  rich with developmental potential. Many of my clients book their first astrological consultations on a Saturn return.

For those born at the very end of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius,  or the very beginning of Gemini, Virgo, Pisces and Sagittarius, these next 12 months are a critical time in your life development, too.  You may need to cut your losses and focus on what’s really important. Saturn transits can inspire your ambition, but they can also be experienced as limiting, isolating and sad. Know that this, too, shall pass. Be brave enough to ask for support if you need it. You are worth it.

Brief detour, courtesy of the Moon void: yesterday’s NYT editorial was a call for the prosecution of “torturers and their bosses,” with the top boss cited being Dick Cheney. It is interesting because the last degrees of Scorpio correspond to an angle in Cheney’s horoscope, and that with Saturn now sitting on that angle, we could expect an urgent need to focus on core personal foundation (and also home/family) issues at this time. That pressure will let up for the first few months of 2015, but will be back (with a vengeance?) for a few months this summer. This is also within the time span that the US horoscope will feel the pressure of transiting Pluto (resistance is futile) to its natal Saturn, suggesting no small amount of anguish. Let’s see what happens.

As for the rest of this week, be advised that mental Mercury will be making contact with the never-ending Uranus-Pluto square on Wednesday and Thursday. This suggests breakthroughs and/or upsets in communication and travel. During the all-day Moon in Aquarius void on Christmas, note that whatever sharp words and other dramas that do crop up are more likely to be mountains made over molehills, so chill, chill, chill!  If you looking for peace, healing, music and mystical pursuits, those are favored on Friday and Saturday, when the Moon will be in Pisces and the Sun will be supported by visionary Neptune. Meanwhile, here are some headlines from July, when Mercury also made contact with Pluto and Uranus.

Warmest wishes to you all for a joyous Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and whatever else you are celebrating. To the fabulous people who have stuffed my stocking with notes of appreciation and other delights, or who share this forecast with others, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

If you’re looking for a last-minute gift for a deserving special someone, gift certificates for a personal astro-logical consultation can be emailed anywhere in the world. The insights are priceless and will last forever. Email me after the Moon void ; )

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 12/22/2014: New Moon in Capricorn; Winter Solstice; Unconventional Women

Happy New Moon! Happy Winter Solstice! Happy Uranus Turning Direct! What should we talk about first?

Let’s start with Uranus, since its change of station happened before the other two events, on Sunday at 5:45pm ET. Uranus refers to revolutions, rebellion, seismic activity, innovation, genetic mutation, accidents, aviation, space travel, technology, astrology, uranium and genius, to name a few. In Aries, Uranus suggests a need for self-reliance, favoring an entrepreneurial spirit. Watch for movement in the headlines on these areas over the next several days. In your own personal world, consider how your genius insights and notions of freedom can be applied outward. Surely you’ve been feeling an intense buzz about making a break, especially if you have a planet or angle around 15 degrees (halfway through) Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, yes?

Next up, the Winter Solstice  — Sunday at 6:03PM. ET.  Say goodbye to the Sun in Sagittarius and hello to the Sun in Capricorn. In the Northern Hemisphere, days will be getting longer and nights will be getting shorter, as the light pushes back against the dark and prevails. How inspiring! Today, however, we can meditate on this wonderful NYT article about the Winter Solstice, “Why We Need the Dark”.

From an astrological point of view, the first days of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter (the Solstices and Equinoxes), correspond 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. 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. In astrology, the technical term for the first degree of any Cardinal sign is the Aries Point, just to confuse people who are not professional astrologers.

Equinoxes and solstices are also prominent. We make a fuss over them, right? In Japan, the first day of each season is actually a national holiday. How cool is that? Thus, in a horoscope, a planet or angle at the Aries Point needs to be prominent. Off the top of my head, Meryl Streep (a Cancer) and William Shatner (an Aries) were both born with the Sun at the Aries Point. They’re pretty prominent in everything they do, don’t you think? So pay close attention to what’s going on in your own personal world and the headlines at this time. They are important turning points.

With the Sun now in Capricorn, we move from big-picture thinking (Sagittarius) to practical application. What will we build that materially defines our collective philosophy? Think corporations, governments and maybe The Junior League. Think status and ambition. The possibilities are endless.  This enterprising spirit is magnified by the New Moon in  Capricorn, which  officially begins Sunday at  8:36 PM ET.

A New Moon offers us an opportunity to re-set  intentions and goals for the next lunar cycle.  Around the 28th, on the First Quarter Moon, we can expect a challenge to those goals, with appropriate adjustments made. At the time of the Full Moon on January 4th, we can expect illumination on the success or failure of our goals for the cycle. If we succeeded, we can consciously release our success into our reality; if we failed, we let go of whatever did not work. After the Third Quarter Moon on the 13th, we can review our achievements, tie up loose ends and get ready to begin another New Moon on January 26th.

Capricorn is an earthy, enterprising, social-climbing energy which means business like no other sign in the zodiac. Capricorn knows how to use resources (including people) to get what it needs, which is to make things happen and move things forward. This New Moon chart has five planets in Capricorn, with mental Mercury at the midpoint between the Sun and Moon, on the one hand…and Venus and Pluto on the other. This cycle holds potential for  concentrated investigative focus and piercing communications, involving plenty of Uranian themes noted at the top of this forecast.

The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon makes it quite clear what’s at stake:  “an Indian chief demanding recognition”. Need I say more? As Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee notes that a “chief” is not someone who needs to demand recognition, it is suggested that we are talking about an emergent power. Hmmm, well that changes the game a bit, doesn’t it? I can think of a number of examples from the headlines that support that Symbol.

You are likely feeling the emerging power of this New Moon more personally if you were born around the 21st of March, June, September or December…or if you have an angle or planet around 1 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn.  This includes Barack Obama, whose Venus (social expression) is at 1 Cancer, and thus opposed by this New Moon. So we can expect even more initiatives from him during this lunar cycle, in addition to what was previously expected from him, with authoritative Saturn now at the top of his horoscope. I can’t tell you how much fun it’s been to see the awed op-eds marveling at how well the president seems to be doing, given the November midterms. Why? Because I’ve been writing about this surge happening at this time since before the 2012 elections.  It’s fun when what I expect to happen, happens!

And now, more news…so much of it…

The weekend’s action among Venus (women, art, money, social expression), Uranus and Pluto suggested disruptions of the status quo involving those Venusian themes. We could expect headlines involving prominent women — or the prominence of women. One of my favorites happened on Friday, during Obama’s last press conference of the year. Did it involve prominent women and surprise upsets? You bet it did. In a first, the president only called on women reporters. Take a look at the last part of this short clip and observe the faces of some of the men who were likely realizing that Something Had Just Happened.

Elsewhere, it was revealed that Monopoly was based on a game created by a woman. Wow! And yet it seems that writer/inventor/feminist Lizzie Magie received a patent for her invention in 1904, which she called “The Landlord’s Game”.  She hoped that, “In a short time, men and women will discover that they are poor because Carnegie and Rockefeller, maybe, have more than they know what to do with.”

That did not happen.  She sold her patent to Parker Brothers in 1935 (during the last Uranus-Pluto square) for $500 and apparently never saw a penny in royalties.  This was the same year Charles Darrow sold his patent for a game called Monopoly to Parker Brothers. Guess who got the money? There’s a whole book about this due in February — check it out here — discussed in an article written for The Smithsonian.

Other disruptive and/or unconventional and/or empowering women now gracing the NYT home page  include a 107-year-old Buffalo Bills fan and the controversial  Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer (cover story of the NYT magazine).  YouTube  head Susan Wojcicki is profiled in the Business Section. Venus-Uranus does have a tech-friendly vibe.  As for unconventional attractions often associated with Venus-Uranus connections, Elton John got married.

For those of you who may be wondering if there is especially strong activity in the horoscopes of Elizabeth Warren and Seth Rogen, given how much press both have received this month, the answer is,  “Are you kidding me?!  Of course those horoscopes are hot!!” Nobody makes headlines unless there’s something going on in the horoscope, and if you’re not paying attention to your own horoscope, you’re missing out on insights that are simply  invaluable. To schedule a personal consultation or give one as a gift for someone special on your list, here’s the 411.

Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday-Saturday 12/16-18/2014: Cuba? No Surprise Here

All fired up at the start of the day, as the intense, knowledge-seeking Moon in Scorpio is challenged by action hero Mars in beyond-the-fringe Aquarius at 5:29AM ET.  You can dig even deeper later this morning, as Moon makes a cooperative connection to regenerative Pluto at 9:39AM ET — and after that, the coast is clear for the rest of the day.

We are in the dark side of the Moon — the balsamic phase — a time to wrap up projects started on the New Moon and think about your wish list for the next lunar cycle, which begins at 8:36PM ET on Sunday. In case I don’t get around to posting a forecast tomorrow, be advised that the Scorpio Moon continues through much of Friday. It goes void of course at 4:11PM ET, giving you a brief break in the action until 4:55PM ET, when the mood lightens up and the Moon engages in high-flying Sagittarius. Given the heavy meet-up between the Moon and Saturn at 4:11PM ET, we’ll welcome that shift in gears.

Meanwhile, the plethora of exact aspects on Saturday can be sensed now and Friday.  What a buzz! As noted on Monday, Venus (money, art, women, social expression) in social-climbing Capricorn will engage with Uranus and Pluto on Saturday. We can expect — as we have in the past — market volatility, intense emotional expression or ruthlessness in relationship and superwomen making headlines — possibly in the obituary section, especially with Sagittarius Sun fast-approaching 0 Capricorn, which regular readers know is the Aries Point, suggesting prominence.

Inspired thinking and innovative action is also suggested, given easy connections between mental Mercury and visionary Neptune, as well as Mars and technogeek Uranus. This makes me think of more discoveries from the Mars Curiosity rover hitting the wires. Check out the latest startling revelations here.

Speaking of technology, the widgetry of WordPress has recorded multiple clicks on the yellow DONATE button on my website, but tragically, no actual donations have materialized. If you happen to be one of those fabulous human beings who makes an effort to appreciate others for the value they bring to your life, and your efforts have been thwarted by a tech snafu, please let me know so my super-fabulous webmaster can investigate. Thank you!

And now, the news.

I can’t tell you how cool it is, two days after the sixth status quo-disrupting Uranus-Pluto square, to see a status quo-disrupting headline as big as the one announcing that the U.S. will restore diplomatic relations with Cuba. Just like that. Instant paradigm shift. As expected. See how easy it is? And the Pope helped!  Marco Rubio may be shocked, shocked, shocked by this news, but you, dear Readers should not be shocked at all. Especially since it’s a major shift tied to actions that took place during the build-up to the Uranus-Pluto conjunction of the mid-60s. The current Uranus-Pluto is the next stage of the cycle.

The horoscope that seems to be favored for Cuba is May 20, 1902 — 12:01p in Havana — this is the date of its declaration of independence from the US. And naturally, that horoscope is hot now, as we’d expect. Instantly we see that Uranus and Pluto is making contact with Cuba’s Venus at 14 degrees of Aries (same degree as Dianne Feinstein’s Ascendant, which we discussed last week). This Venus rules areas of the horoscope referring to public status and mindset — we’d expect a change of perspective! This Venus was hit by October’s lunar eclipse and will be eclipsed again in April. More in store!

Obviously there are other patterns suggesting opportunities for development, especially significant solar arcs involving transformational Pluto, the Midheaven and the Ascendant, as well as the Sun and the Moon. Also significant: transiting Saturn exactly conjunct the IC (also an angle that refers to foundation/homeland concerns). And let us not forget that transiting Saturn is on Barack Obama’s Midheaven (suggesting that he is at the top of his game).

In other world news, the U.S. now seems to believe that North Korea was in fact responsible for hacking into Sony’s computers as a payback for Sony’s planned release of The Interview, an alleged comedy in which the leader of North Korea is assassinated. And it made me think about a seminar discussion with astrologer Noel Tyl, in which he noted that the horoscope of North Korea is driven by a Moon in Sagittarius, which needs needs needs to express its opinions and have those opinions treated with respect (the Moon in Sagittarius also reflects North Korea’s apparent love of all things cinematic and Disney). The Interview doesn’t sound terribly respectful, does it?

Current patterns in North Korea’s horoscope show heavy action among Neptune (subterfuge, deception, film, intangibles), Uranus (technology, shocks to the system) and its Sagittarius Moon. Too bad Sony didn’t consult with an astrologer before greenlighting The Interview, which is now not going to be released on Christmas, as once planned…if ever. Really, Sony…what were you thinking? Do you have more respect for North Korea now?

In other news, Russia.

To be continued….

Need some inspiration for your holiday gift list? How about an empowering astro-logical consultation? Nothing says “it’s all about you” more than an in-depth 90 minute conversation full of insights last will last a lifetime. Pot of lovely tea served at no extra charge. Clients consulted by phone must provide own refreshment, but will feel no less cared for. Guaranteed. Here’s the 411.

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 12/15/2014: Revolution Earth

With the Moon in Libra as of 11:05p Sunday, its need for social graces, peace, fairness and balance is sorely challenged by fallout from the early AM’s (1:14AM ET) square between rebel Uranus and ruthless Pluto. On the plus side, there’s no Moon void to toss a wrench into your efforts to move forward in a straight line. In the late hours of the evening, note the potential for turbulence as the Moon makes its weekly clash with Uranus and Pluto just after midnight ET.

General planetary patterns of note this week include mental Mercury’s shift from open-mouth-insert-foot Sagittarius into practical, earthbound Capricorn just before midnight on Tuesday. So perhaps we’ll speak no more of that dreadful yet utterly unsurprising batch of  Sony emails that were released to the Free World last month, suggesting that racism, sexism and other crass behavior are alive and well among people whose PR machines might prefer we believe are admirable role models. (It seems that nothing has changed in Hollywood since I started my career there eons ago).  Then again, given that Venus (social expression, women, money, art) will clash with the Uranus-Pluto square on Saturday, we’re likely to see more upsets and witchy-bitchiness in the headlines, along with stories of unconventional attractions.

Sunday features a New Moon, the Winter Solstice and rebel Uranus turning direct.

Your Moon voids for the week  are: Wednesday 12:40AM until 9:52AM ET; a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it break on Friday at 4:11 -4:55PM ET, and a nearly all-day chill time on Sunday, which will end just before the New Moon at 8:36PM ET. Said New Moon occurs at 0 Capricorn — on the Aries Point and thus portends a new lunar cycle of exceptional prominence.

If you’re still looking for an exceptional gift for that special someone, may I suggest a gift certificate for a personal astro-logical consultation. The insights are priceless and will last forever. Here’s the 411.

And now, the news.

Writing this as a hostage drama  in Sydney continues to dominate headlines around the world. It started several hours before the sixth exact Uranus-Pluto square, at a time in Sydney when aggressive “rebel with a cause” Mars was on an angle. For dominant headlines on the fifth Uranus-Pluto square in April, look here.

You may recall one April headline about a Princeton study formally declaring that the U.S. is now officially an oligarchy. So it should surprise no one to see in the 1500+ page trillion dollar spending bill that no member of Congress likely read in full (but passed anyway), that key priorities included 1) upping the permissible  amount of campaign contributions that can be made by individuals tenfold — to $1.5 million dollars, and 2) rolling back financial regulations that protected taxpayers from assuming the risks of investments made by potentially punch-drunk investment bankers. The “rollback” item, as this article explains, was introduced by Representative Kevin Yoder, Republican of Kansas (the state that also brings you the Koch Brothers), but it was actually  drafted by Citigroup.

Are you OK with that? If you are, perhaps you’ve never read The Big Short by Michael Lewis?  It’s a riveting book.

Another priority:  for the first time in 40 years, middle-class retirees in certain “multi-employer” pension plans may now see their benefits severely cut. Here are a few other “achievements” from the monster spending bill.

Clashes between Uranus and Pluto suggest uprising, and thousands continue to take to the streets around the globe, protesting police brutality against African-Americans here in the U.S.  Here’s one from Harvard Medical School. In a related story, the NYT published a report on how disciplinary measures against schoolgirls differ radically depending on race and hue.

Police brutality (Plutonian control vs. Uranian freedom) is pulling focus in other countries, too: Brazil and Mexico, for starters. And in Belgium, the whole country  ground to a halt today, paralyzed by strikes — not over police brutality, but over other issues of disparity.

In other news, a mild huzzah is in order in Lima, as that climate change conference I mentioned earlier this month did produce a “breakthrough” agreement “committing every country in the world to reducing the fossil fuel emissions” — as anticipated. Unfortunately, the delegates at that conference are not the people currently serving in the U.S. Congress, whose aforementioned monster spending bill included provisions like this:

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association scored several victories that require the government to keep its regulatory hands off farms and ranches.

The bill says the government cannot require farmers to report “greenhouse gas emissions from manure management systems.” Nor can it require ranchers to obtain greenhouse gas permits for “methane emissions” produced by bovine flatulence or belching. The Environmental Protection Agency says on its website that “globally, the agriculture sector is the primary source” of methane emissions.

Let’s end on a positive note. It’s the holidays, and there are plenty of acts of random kindness and senseless beauty happening, too. Here’s a list of a few recent generous deeds to inspire your day. There really is enough to go around, if we can all play nice and share our toys.

Thank you for reading this forecast. To find out how planetary patterns are impacting your own personal world, why not schedule a consultation. It’s a great way to start the New Year.

Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 12/12/14 & The Weekend

Early risers on the East Coast may feel the exuberance of an easy alignment between mental Mercury and expansive Jupiter building to a release at 6:24AM ET. Wake up with a big idea?  How ambitious you really feel about it may be challenged by a potentially stern clash between Saturn and the Leo Moon, as the Moon then goes void until 10:19A ET.  A slow start, a twist or other detour may be part of your morning commute, as efforts to move forward in a straight line are potentially thwarted by the void.

The rest of the day is driven by the Moon in Virgo, seeking to fine tune the details or clean up the mess that emerged in the past 48 hours by regal Moon in Leo decree. Will the Senate pass the trillion-dollar spending bill that weaseled its way through the House last night without trying to make it right? Schedule an intoxicating escape around 8:29PM ET, when the Moon is challenged by dreamy Neptune.

The only exact planetary pattern of note on Saturday is a deep and regenerative alignment between the Moon and potent Pluto. Let that drive your efforts to clean out what is no longer needed in your closets and file cabinets, including the ones you have in your mind. An urge to purge may continue through Sunday in a big way for some. Others may simply be indulging in big ways, suggested by an easy connection between the high-flying Sagittarius Sun and expansive Jupiter. How lucky for those on your holiday gift list if you happen to be shopping today. Why not consider a gift certificate for a personal astro-logical consultation? You’d be purchasing it at a time that is ripe for perfection and transformation. Those born around the 14th of December, April and August may be feeling the love more than most. Enjoy!

Sunday’s 3rd Quarter Moon suggests another adjustment to your New Moon agenda, as you determine if plans laid a few weeks ago will bear fruit.  In contrast to the high-voltage current driving the 6th exact Pluto-Uranus square (Monday at 1:14AM ET), a cooperative connection between artsy Venus and Neptune supports random acts of kindness and senseless beauty in your own personal world.

No sleeping in on Monday.

Will post news later.

Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 12/10/2014: The Perfect Timing of Dianne Feinstein

Light patterns among the personal planets, including a playful Moon in Leo today and tomorrow are well-suited for good times and efforts to shine. Way to go Malala, claim that Nobel Peace Prize! Heavy patterns between the outer planets, i.e. the building tension between Uranus and Pluto that will be exact on Monday, suggest plenty of upsets, breakthroughs and power plays, especially if they are making contact with your unique horoscope.

To find out how the disruptive yet potentially empowering Uranus-Pluto square is impacting your horoscope, I invite you to schedule a personal astro-logical consultation. Or consider giving a consultation as a gift to a special someone. The insights to be gained are priceless and will last forever.

Take Dianne Feinstein, for example. Her crusading, fight-for-the-underdog Aries Ascendant is at 14 degrees, and thus directly supercharged not only by Uranus and Pluto (all this year and into next), but by recent and upcoming eclipses. When she learned that computers in Congress had been hacked by US intelligence agencies seeking to undermine efforts to investigate allegations of torture (paid for by US taxpayers), she led the charge, as Chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, to bring the truth of her Committee’s five-year investigation to light before a new regime in January could squelch it.  Some might raise an eyebrow at that choice, given that:

“She notably called Edward J. Snowden’s leaks of classified information about U.S. intelligence “an act of treason”. And she infuriated liberals with her backing of the NSA’s broad-reaching and covert effort to collect data from the telephone calls of Americans. She felt compelled to do so out of a sense of obligation to “keep this country safe,” she told the New York Times in a 2013 interview, “So put that in your pipe and smoke it.”

Of course she would feel obligated to keep this country safe — prominently so — with her Sun at 0 degrees of homeland security-focused Cancer. But her apparent dramatic change of direction and perspective on the wisdom of releasing such damning information at this time is screamingly obvious by Uranus and Pluto making contact with that 14 Aries Ascendant.  Also credit her information-junkie Moon in Gemini, which derives its emotional security and satisfaction by keeping people informed, and  for digging up the facts, even if only 500 of 6000 pages of the report have been made available to the public.  One shudders to think what those 5500 still-classified pages contain. Read the rest of the CNN article quoted above and you will experience, by the reporter’s choice of words, exactly what is going on in Feinstein’s horoscope.

The angles of Bill Cosby’s horoscope — Aries Ascendant and Capricorn — are under similar pressure from Uranus and Pluto now and into 2015-16. Big changes or direction and prominence in his life, too. Coincidence or conspiracy?

If you are a student of astrology or a practicing astrologer and thus have no intention or need to schedule a personal consultation, I invite you to express your appreciation and holiday giving spirit right here, with gratitude. Make the most of this Leo Moon, which delights in shining and letting others know that they shine, too.

Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 12/9/2014

Only one planetary pattern of note today: a stable connection between the emotional security-seeking Cancer Moon and structuring Saturn, exact at 7:14PM ET. Heed your nurturing instincts and feather your nest. Feel free to use that as a metaphor for projects you’re working on outside the home. Moon goes void for a three-hour break and enters party-hearty Leo at 10:14PM ET. Break out the holiday grog.

And now, the news — a veritable backlog of topics worth noting, some from last week, too.

So yesterday we were talking about the harsh reality check the U.S. continues to wrestle as the disruptive Uranus-Pluto square puts pressure on the Sun-Saturn square in the U.S. horoscope. If you wonder why the U.S. has such a strong Puritan work ethic, start with the need for heavy responsibility (and the energy to do something about it), start with that square. Saturn is a stern taskmaster. Nothing is free. Earn your keep. Yadda, yadda. Our role as the responsible “heavy” is what is likely to be uncomfortably challenged, shaken and/or transformed as we get further into 2015. One item on that agenda may well be a contentious “torture report” about to be released today. (and since I started writing, the report is out — “contentious” is an understatement).

Meanwhile, we’re also experiencing some trends that feel quite positive. Last week we had another stellar jobs report, with one notable hiring increase in the health care sector credited to the Affordable Care Act. The markets continue to soar. We’ve become the world’s biggest oil producer.  And renewable energy production continues to accelerate. So in some ways, you could argue that the U.S. is in a period of empowerment and independence– thank you, transiting Uranus-Pluto to the U.S. Sun.

Canada went through a similar empowering transit a couple of years ago, which we’ve seen reflected in a middle class standard of living that has surpassed the United States. It’s also been reflected in its drive to become an even more empowered exporter of energy resources by building the Keystone XL Pipeline through the U.S. The oil that would travel through that proposed pipeline would be Canadian oil destined for sale to countries which are not the United States. After a proposed two-year building phase, it has been estimated that the hypothetical pipeline would create 50 permanent jobs in the U.S.  Canada may be in for a startling change of direction in 2015-2017, however, considering the horoscope for its birth on July 1, 1867.

More on Uranus and Pluto. The two together suggest a disruption of the status quo in matters of news from underground, power and resources. Put oil in that category and it’s a handy backdrop for the current (surprising) downward trend in oil prices, which has coincided with a 40% drop in permits for oil and gas drilling in the U.S. Oil prices, however, have a global impact that is not good news for everyone.  Tying this pattern back to the U.S. horoscope, and it’s also a backdrop for the exposure of corruption, as the NYT reported last week on the “secretive alliances” between many state attorneys general (whose job descriptions mandate that they serve the public) and oil corporations.  Other tidbits: an oil deal reached between the Iraqi government and the Kurds; a massive oil spill in Israel and a plea from the Philippines (which just got slammed by yet another hurricane) for the rest of the world to reduce carbon emissions.

Meanwhile, from outer space (Uranus), the latest super-fascinating report from the Curiosity explorer on Mars, which continues to disrupt our perspective (Pluto) on the Red Planet. Also fascinating and timely, given planetary patterns: an in-depth report on the woman who discovered the radioactive element francium was featured in last Sunday’s NYT Magazine, and everything you need to know about the electric (Uranus) eel.

Finally, an update on President Obama’s horoscope. He was certainly  — as anticipated — on top of his game last night as the guest du soir on The Colbert Report — clips can be seen here.    Also as anticipated in prior forecasts was the potential for a health concern right about now. And in fact, the president did see a doctor last week and was diagnosed with acid reflux (caused by stress, no doubt), as the Times of India reports with its own unique spin.

Put a unique spin on your holiday gift giving and gift a special someone with a personal astro-logical consultation. The insights to be gained are priceless and will last forever. Testimonials may be read here.

 

 

 

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 12/8/2014: Jupiter Retrograde; Sneak Peek at the Week

High-flying idealism and a righteous mindset, driven by a need for emotional and/or home security opens the work week. The Sun and Mercury (mind communication) are together in opinionated Sagittarius and the Moon is still in motherhood and apple pie Cancer. That need for security is likely to be rattled in the early morning, especially around 12PM – 12:30PM ET, as the Moon makes its weekly clash with the never-ending Uranus-Pluto square. Choose your battles. Must you engage?

Meanwhile, Jupiter, planet of reward and expansion, turns retrograde at 3:41PM ET. In your own personal world, Jupiter retrograde can put a hold on expansion. In Leo, which refers to the energy of ego recognition and creative self-expression, it suggests you turn inward and reconsider plans for growth, making sure they are in synch with your need and/or ability to shine. As Jupiter turns retrograde at 22 degrees of Leo, you’ll feel this shift more personally if you have a planet or angle at 22 degrees of Leo, Taurus, Aquarius and Scorpio.  Jupiter will turn direct on April 9th at 12 degrees of Leo.

On Wednesday, Venus leaves Sagittarius for social-climbing Capricorn, putting an enterprising spin on social interactions for the next few weeks. If you were born with Venus in Capricorn, you could be quite adept at knowing how to use relationships to get ahead. You may wait until later in life before realizing that love is more valuable than status.

If it weren’t for the sixth exact square between disruptive Uranus and ruthless Pluto happening on the 15th, patterns would suggest a week of optimism and abundance. Instead we have a deep rumbling of discontent breaking through to the surface, especially in the U.S., whose horoscope is and will continue to be profoundly affected by Uranus and Pluto well into 2015. The issues of contention are directly related to seeds planted during the mid-60s, when Uranus and Pluto were conjunct, i.e., began a new cycle of potential liberation and transformation.

Yea verily, it is somewhat tiresome to read so many civilian journalists and pundits note the odd similarity between current social issues (e.g., civil rights, women’s rights, etc.) that are hot now and were hot then. I say tiresome — actually it’s a bit frustrating — to read and hear so many opinions that accurately point out the similarity without the added perspective of planetary cycles. Last week, for example, there was an article in the NYT about the astonishing and noticeable “tipping point” that has happened in cases of rape and other sexual assault. OK, so…why is this tipping point happening now? No answer. It was posted on Thursday, two days after a post in this forecast noted the same phenomenon occurring as anticipated, reflected by Saturn nearing the end of its two-year journey in Scorpio (with added help from The Planetary Pattern Everyone Should Be Talking About).

But I digress. One big issue of contention would be  the public protests in the U.S. and elsewhere over the failure of grand juries in Staten Island, Missouri and Ohio to indict the police officers who took the lives of certain unarmed citizens who were also African-American. Jon Stewart wasn’t the only one gobsmacked by the latest ruling  — this one last week involving the homicide of Eric Garner, whose death by a totally-against-police-regulations choke hold was captured on video. It’s another tipping point about to be reached, perhaps, suggested by the harsh reality check of Uranus-Pluto to the U.S. Sun-Saturn square.  Hillary Clinton, quoted in this NYT article about how even some conservatives disagreed with the grand jury findings, concluded:

“Each of us has to grapple with some hard truths about race and justice in America,” she said, speaking at a conference in Boston. “Because despite of all the progress we’ve made together, African-Americans, most particularly African-American men, are still more likely to be stopped and searched by police, charged with crimes and sentenced to longer prison terms.”

Exactly. While the seeds of racial equality may have been planted in the mid-60s, as embodied in landmark legislation, we are at a point in time where we are going to discover if those seeds will flower or if they will die. And by “discover,” this is likely to be experienced with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer.  Here is a quote from a lawmaker who applauded the grand jury’s decision in the case of Eric Garner. Take it away, Rep. Peter T. King:

“If he had not had asthma and a heart condition and was so obese, almost definitely he would not have died for this.”

Man, that is harsh. It’s all I can do to restrain myself from typing,  “If he had only been able to magically sprout gills, he would have survived being tied to an anchor and thrown overboard.” How much would you like to bet there is 1) a chilly connection between Venus and Saturn and 2) a bewildering Neptune pattern in Mr. King’s horoscope (April 5, 1944 — NY NY — time unknown)? Similar patterns can be found in the chart of Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso (Sept 20, 1940, Iisuka, Japan) who made headlines today for scolding “people who don’t give birth” and urging seniors to “hurry up and die”.

Finally, on a more uplifting note: on Friday, just after Mars entered space cadet Aquarius and aligned with the mobile Gemini Moon AND the Sun aligned with technogeek Uranus, the Orion spacecraft  got off the ground. This is a prototype of a craft that will eventually embark on manned missions to Mars…fingers crossed.

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 12/5/2014 & the Weekend: Gemini Buzz

Talking up a storm perhaps, as the Moon enters chatterbox Gemini at 5:28AM ET and aligns with energetic Mars, now in far-out Aquarius moments later. Your imagination may be working overtime around 2:21PM ET, when Moon is challenged by visionary Neptune, but innovative thinking can carry the day, thanks to an easy connection between mental Mercury and rocket scientist Uranus at 10:44PM ET.

Saturday at 7:27AM ET, the Moon will be Full at 14 degrees of Gemini, illuminating whatever projects you launched on the New Moon two weeks ago and elevating the demand for information, communication, clever entertainment, multi-tasking and general buzz. Get out and about and take care of your chores; there’s no Moon void to dissuade your shopping endeavors.

Chill out on Sunday morning, when the Moon will be void from 4:52AM until 12:34PM ET. Moon voids are excellent for catching extra zzzzs, tuning in to your intuition and being willing to wander. After the void, Moon enters homebody Cancer, facilitating a need to tend to domestic and family obligations, and feed your soul with a dinner made from scratch. Rose-colored glasses are suitable for your evening wear, given an easy alignment between the Moon and visionary Neptune, along with an idealistic meet-up between the high-flying Sun and Mercury in Sagittarius that will be exact early on Monday. How perfect for seeing your family in an ideal light.