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--Diana S.
New York

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Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 5/31/2016: Oh Sole Mi-Me-Me-Oh!

Good Morning!

US Avid Readers, I hope you enjoyed the Memorial Day holiday weekend, driven as it was by the Moon in empathetic, soulful Pisces. Moon entered me-me-me Aries at 9:09PM ET on Monday. If you woke from your dreams on Tuesday with a jolt, all fired up about tackling your to-do list for the week, you’re feeling the go-go-go potential of Aries.

Caveat: Aries can be impatient and impulsive. Mars (the ruling planet of Aries) is still retrograde and now in sharpshooting Scorpio. Given a choice between lashing out at others or mastering your inner demons, retrograde Mars favors the latter. This perspective may aid your dealings with others who are not as informed. Hopefully it will help your understanding of what we’re seeing in the headlines.

That’s it for the moment. My to-do list is calling. The rest of the week and the news — lots of it — will be discussed in the next forecast.

Onward!

Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 5/26/2016: Lookie, Wookiee & Oh Yeah, the New York Times, Right on Schedule

The Moon is void in Capricorn until 10:27AM ET, when it enters Aquarius.  East Coasters, that reflects the slow start you may experience on your way to the office. Aquarius is a cerebral sign, ready to help your humanitarian cause or hook you up with a fresh group of contacts, the more unconventional the better. Aquarius can also be quite the stubborn rebel, clinging to an antiquated past or a pushing for a far-out future. Either way, it’s on the fringe.

The biggest planetary news today  is the potentially supercharged shift  in business-as-usual matters, courtesy of a challenge between Jupiter and Saturn, exact at 8:28AM ET.  When these two planets connect, it often involves a need for a sense of purpose and rightness. They also refer to big business and big collective belief systems, such as law and religion. Jupiter is in Virgo, sign of service, health, workers and warm, fuzzy animals. Saturn is in Sagittarius, sign of foreigners and philosopher-clowns, among others.

And now, the news.

From the New York Times yesterday, in a spot-on reflection of the Jupiter-Saturn square and its effort to be expanding and contracting at the same time:

In a bid to continue aggressive digital expansion while controlling costs, The New York Times will offer voluntary buyout packages to members of the newsroom and several business departments at the end of the month, the company announced on Wednesday.

Members of The Times’s executive committee, including Arthur Sulzberger Jr., the newspaper’s publisher, and Dean Baquet, its executive editor, said in a memo to employees that the buyouts were a part of the company’s larger mandate to build a more digitally focused newsroom and to reach its stated goal of doubling digital revenue by the year 2020.

Saturn in Sagittarius also refers to publishing. Jupiter in Virgo refers to downsizing (“small is big”).

OK, that’s it. I’m done for the day.

Meanwhile, an ex-McDonald’s CEO suggested that workers demanding $15/hour wages ought to be replaced with robots.  And yet another ginormous hospital system in Manhattan announced plans to close its ginormous Mount Sinai Beth Israel hospital, replacing the current 856-bed facility with one that has 70 beds. Mount Sinai is the largest private employer in the city. I did not know that. Jupiter (big) in Virgo (small; workers). Small is better. Got that?

But the real news story of the day…nay…of the week…possibly of the whole entire month…is #HappyChewbaccaLady a.k.a. Candace Payne. Her livestreaming Facebook post of  May 19th of her laughing hysterically while wearing a Star Wars Wookiee mask that makes Wookiee sounds has made her a national sensation. Now she has millions of followers, a publicist and public appearances. What’s going on in her horoscope? Well, gosh, I’d rather talk about what’s going on in yours. You are more interesting to me than Chewbacca Mom.

If you are one of the seven people on Earth who has not seen Ms. Payne’s four-minute video, I hope it makes your day. As Ms. Payne says, it’s the simple joys. And she’s right.

Thank you for reading this forecast.

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 5/25/2016: the “Crazy Crash” of the Vegan Virgo

The Capricorn Moon drives the day with enterprising energy, accompanied by power plays, emotional depth and jolts as it makes its weekly clash with the disruptive Uranus-Pluto square at 10:21AM ET and 9:11PM ET. Maintain your focus on climbing that mountain one practical, careful step at a time. With three planets either changing direction (Mercury) or sign (Venus and Mars) this week, patience may be required as we adjust to the energetic shifts.

Humming in the background is the third and final square between Jupiter (expansion) and Saturn (contraction), exact tomorrow at 8:28AM ET. It’s happening at 13 degrees of Virgo and Sagittarius, respectively. Well, which is going to be? Expansion or contraction? And what if it’s a bit of both — at the same time? How bewildering is that? Exactly. If you have a planet around those degrees, you may be feeling a bit like an accordion in some areas of your life: super-inflated one minute and strictly streamlined in the next.

And now, the news.

“The Crazy Crash of NYC’s Hottest Vegan” Have you heard this story? From the NY Post:

Sarma Melngailis had it all: an Ivy League degree, model looks and a hot vegan restaurant, Pure Food and Wine in Gramercy, beloved by Alec Baldwin and Bill Clinton.

Now, she’s got a mug shot, a $350,000 bail and husband Anthony Strangis: an alleged gambling addict with a criminal past and an 11-year-old child he hasn’t seen in over a decade.

How bewildering is that? What a shocking upset to the status quo! What a story of apparently delusional hubris (ego expansion) and karmic smack down!

If you’re a longtime reader of this forecast and/or you have a solid understanding of the language of astrology, you know what planets are active in Sarma Melngailis’s horoscope.

Wikipedia states that Ms. Melngailis was born September 10, 1972 in Newton, MA. No birth time given. We don’t need it to see what’s going on. Her Sun is at 18 Virgo, conjoined with Mars at 16 Virgo. The two are squared by Saturn at 20 Gemini. We see the potential for focus and disciplined energy driven to earthly perfection. She is described as a workaholic, and her vegan restaurant was named Pure Food and Wine. Of course it was. We note that transiting Jupiter in Virgo has made contact with those three planets — exact in the late fall 2015 and early spring 2016. Last hit of this potential lucky/expansive/bombastic hit will be end of June through July.  Meanwhile, Saturn (contraction, karma) just barely grazed her Mars in March and April, when it turned retrograde  at 16 Sagittarius. Saturn in touch with Mars suggesting a need for discipline and/or authority imposed on our need for action. Sometimes it feels like hitting a big, brick wall. Can you imagine how frustrated Ms. Melngailis may have been feeling while on the lam over the past few months?

Meanwhile, back in 2015 we see transiting Neptune in Pisces, opposing her natal Mercury at 9 Virgo. Neptune suggests a need for vision or escape. Mercury refers to the way we need to think. When in touch with Neptune, we may find it challenging to think rationally. We may be subject to delusion and deception. See how that potential has been reflected in Ms. Melngailis’s life? Neptune hits her Mercury for the fourth and fifth time October and December. The reality check for a planet under the influence of Neptune can be disappointment, bewilderment or disillusionment, as a cherished dreamy bubble suddenly bursts.

Ms. Melngailis has Moon in people-pleasing, conflict-averse Libra, likely conjunct Uranus around 16 degrees of Libra. Here we see a need for quirky, revolutionary independence — likely evidenced in her choice of partners, for better or for worse. Transiting Uranus is currently at 22 Aries; it may have just opposed her  Libra Moon, reflecting the timing of her flight last fall and now her arrest. Both events are upsets to the status quo, don’t you think?

Do you think Ms. Melngailis consulted with an astrologer a couple of years ago, who could have advised her of the pitfalls of this potentially delusional period in her life? Probably not. What’s going on in your horoscope over the next few years? Why not schedule a consultation to discuss it?

UPDATE: …and speaking of conflict-averse Libra Moons. Paul Ryan. In early March, transiting Mars met up with his 0 Sagittarius Ascendant and Neptune. Who knows what’s really going on underneath that projection of rose-colored fog? But around that time, there was talk of Speaker Ryan being on a “collision course” with the Donald, as well as him being drafted as a potential presidential candidate, which Speaker Ryan denied he would accept. Now on Mars’ 2nd hit, there is talk of him endorsing the Donald. Really, Speaker Ryan? No…wait…stop the presses. Speaker Ryan has just denied those rumors. Do you see an intriguing pattern here? Mars will hit 0 Sagittarius on August 3rd, just after the Republican Convention. Transiting Uranus will be sitting on Speaker Ryan’s 24 Libra Moon starting at the end of June until September 3rd. This is an opportunity to make a disruptive break. What will he decide to do? For the moment, it was also reported today that he has changed a procedural rule in an alleged effort to “thwart Dems.” Perhaps Speaker Ryan rationalizes that he is simply avoiding the possibility for conflict. This is in the wake of a particularly nasty debate that erupted in the House last Thursday, which resulted in the defeat of a bill that included a provision against federal contractors discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

UPDATE: Bill Cosby, whose horoscope we’ve been following since fall of 2014  will stand trial for criminal sexual assault, supporting the continuing drama in his horoscope through 2018 — noted here in subsequent forecasts. The timing of that headline is apt, given yesterday’s exact Venus-Mars face off.

This one is hardly news, but with the impending contraction vs. expansion dilemma of this week’s Jupiter-Saturn square, the timing is apt. Ready? People who quit smoking often gain weight. In other news, karma eventually catches up with entities that promote bombastic lies. Today more evidence that Exxon Mobil, whose credit rating was downgraded last month, actively worked to suppress information on climate science, suggesting that it was well aware of the impact the facts would have on its business operations.

In a related story, for the first time ever, there are more “clean energy” jobs in the U.S. than in oil drilling…

More good news! Under the influence of this ongoing wiggy T-square among Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune, suggesting the potential for boundary-pushing collective beliefs to become a focal point, a Texan who proclaimed that President Obama was a drug-addicted gay prostitute has lost her bid to for a top state education post. She also said Noah’s Ark killed dinosaurs. Way to go, Lone Star State!

Meanwhile, in this current Mars retrograde period, some people are finding temporary relief for pent-up frustration in “rage rooms” around the country.  Low-budget alternative: whacking a pillow with a tennis racket or screaming into a pillow…

Thank you for reading this forecast!

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 5/24/2016: Venus in Gemini Opposing Mars; No Bad News Allowed

All-righty then!

Moon is in Capricorn as of 1:34AM ET, driving the day with a practical need to make things happen. It attempts to climb mountains without interference for the whole day. In your enterprising efforts, do remember that we are still adjusting to Mercury moving direct. Watch for those typos and iPhone autocorrect nightmares before you hit SEND.

At 5:45AM ET, Venus — which refers to women, money, social expression and aesthetics — leaves comfy Taurus for multi-tasking Gemini, where it will seek to be ever-so entertaining as it seduces you with potential double talk. At 10:38PM ET, Venus will be opposed by Mars.  Already you may be feeling a bit of tension — possibly on the juicy/alluring side — in your interpersonal relationships — whomever might be the yin to your yang.  Watch the headlines for gender concerns to pull a polarizing focus.

And now, the news.

I have to share this one from the weekend, as it expresses the aggressive potential of current planetary patterns in a way that made me smile. “Angry Birds Knock Captain America From the Top of the Box Office Pecking Order.”  Isn’t that clever? So very Gemini — playing with words.

Facebook has been getting a lot of flack over allegations that it — shock!! — suppressed a certain flow of information in Ye Olde Newsfeede in ways that have people (conservative, this time) outraged. Remember that stories about the media, censorship and general information/mind/speech control are what we expected would be pulling focus while Saturn journeys through Sagittarius until 2018. “Facebook Admits Rogue Employees May Have Shown Bias Against Conservatives,” squawks the Washington Times in a piece posted three hours ago. But wait — “Facebook Investigation Reveals No Evidence of Bias Against Conservatives, Company Says” retorts the Los Angeles Times, in a bit posted within the past hour.

Gahhhh! Who are ya gonna believe? Has snopes covered this yet? Where do you get your news? Hopefully from more than one source.

Meanwhile, Facebook definitely seems to have suppressed one image that lives up to the potential of today’s face-off between Venus (yin, women, beauty) and Mars (men):

Facebook has apologized for banning a photo of a plus-sized model and telling the feminist group that posted the image that it depicts “body parts in an undesirable manner”.

Undesirable, according to WHOM? Sigh. Along with this, fresh off the NYT home page — about Ghostbusters stepping “right into the hostility of gender politics. Grrrrr.

OK, I promised you some GOOD news. Avid Reader Diane inspired these next few stories, enclosing a link and  saying how satisfying it was to read: “Sensing the Inevitable, Companies Adapt to Climate Change”.  Huzzah! Or how about  “New Solar Plants Generate Floating Green Power”  Or “Portugal Runs for Four Days Straight on Renewable Energy Alone.” Wow!  Meanwhile, noted climate change denier Donald Drumpf petitioned Ireland for permission to build a retaining wall against one of his golf courses to protect against…wait for it…rising sea levels expected because of climate change. Permission was denied.  I kept my promise.  Good news!

Gratitude to Avid Reader Beth, who was inspired by my wry description of Jupiter as a “cosmic sugar daddy” — and also my warning that Jupiter’s expansive influence is not always productive. She sent a link to this article about “blessers” — sugar daddies in South Africa whose influence is anything but blessed. Probably file this story under Venus opposing Mars, too. . and  here’s Beth’s Tarot Card of the Week — she really knows her stuff — and it’s always in tune with planetary patterns. Thank you, Beth!

Remember my suggestion in yesterday’s forecast about taking your inner child out for a nice frolic and heart-to-heart? Joe Biden — bless his heart — did just that recently on CBS Morning. In a segment called “Note to Self,” he read a letter he wrote to his 12-year-old self telling him to hang in there, ’cause everything was gonna turn out OK.  Another video going viral with a similar message is this psychic’s presidential prediction, in which she references the end of the Mayan calendar in 2012 as a signal that the feminine would be stepping into its power. Astrologers noted the ingress of the fixed star Regulus into Virgo soon after as a similar good omen for the empowerment of the feminine in our evolutionary progress.  Danielle Egnew is quite a rumpled pixie chatterbox — embodying today’s Mars in Sagittarius (rumpled) – Venus in Gemini (pixie chatterbox)  flair. Ms Egnew has a hopeful, warm and calming perspective…though I would want to ask her about her energetic take on George W. Bush vs. Al Gore vs. Ralph Nader in the snafu’ed Mercury stationary direct- Moon void meltdown election of November 2000. Did we really need to suffer through the next eight years as part of our spiritual growth and development?

That was a rhetorical question. I’d much rather talk about your growth and development, seen through the lens of astrology. What’s going on in your horoscope? How are you handling this Mars retrograde?  Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.

Thank you for reading this forecast.

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 5/23/2016: Sneak Peek at the Week; Full Moon Fallout

Good Morning!

In honor of Mercury turning direct on Sunday, this forecast will reflect the potential for confusion and chaos in communication! Not that the rest of your day has to be a reflection of that potential, so long as you maintain your FOCUS.  Ready? Here goes.

Let’s start with Saturday’s Full Moon, for those who would like some perspective on what the heck you experienced over the weekend. I wrote it on Friday — and meant to post it then — apologies for the delay. I’ve indented this text to make it easier for you to scroll down if you prefer to skip to the forecast for Monday and the rest of the week.

On Saturday, after a Moon void from 7:40AM – 2:48AM ET, the Moon enters rowdy, randy Sagittarius. This Full Moon — exact at 5:14PM ET — may be especially provocative, as action hero/warrior Mars is heavily involved, conjoining the opinionated Sagittarius Moon and opposing the blah blah blah Gemini Sun.  I would not touch an argument about politics with a ten-foot pole. Find a more constructive way to push a boundary — perhaps one you’ve erected around your trapped inner knowing and  divinely creative child. Take that little kid for a walk in the park, already. Have a heart-to-heart with your Big Picture vision and belief system. What’s true? What’s not?

With Mercury at a standstill — about to move forward on Sunday, the potential for flat out wrong facts and miscommunication is high. So is the potential to turn thought into tangible form, suggested by Mercury’s participation in an ongoing Earth Grand Trine, noted in prior forecasts. If you’re an exalted being capable of steady focus without misdirected anger, much illumination and realization is possible during this Full Moon.  It will be exact at 5:14PM ET at 2 degrees of Sagittarius, opposed by the Sun at 2 degrees of Gemini. If you have planets or angles around those degrees, you are more personally affected.

Here is what was going on yesterday (Sunday)…

…in which Mercury turned direct at 9:20AM ET, shortly after action hero Mars opposed the Sun at 7:17AM ET.  This suggests an afternoon of emotions ranging from surreal…to expansive…to a brick wall of hard-nosed opinion. Why? Because the Moon connected with a tense T-Square pattern among Neptune, Jupiter and Saturn. Patience — as our minds make the adjustment over the next few days to Mercury’s change of direction.

Re-reading that bit above helped me appreciate why I was banging my head against the wall for much of Sunday afternoon as I was working on another writing project, which is still not done! Let’s move on to….

…today!! Monday the Sagittarius Moon makes an easy connection with Uranus, facilitating innovation and unconventional connections. Huzzah! It goes void with a sigh at 11:37AM ET…not to enter Capricorn until 1:34AM ET on TUESDAY. Focus on routine concerns and chill this afternoon. Or let the drifting energy of a Moon void in Sagittarius carry you off on an mind-expanding adventure. Do remember that crises which crop up during Moon voids are often much ado about nothing.

On Tuesday Venus — which refers to women, money, social expression and aesthetics — leaves comfy Taurus for multi-tasking Gemini, where it will seek to be ever-so entertaining as it seduces you with potential double talk. At 10:38PM ET, Venus will be opposed by Mars.  Already you may be feeling a bit of tension — possibly on the juicy/alluring side — in your interpersonal relationships — whomever might be the yin to your yang.  Watch the headlines for gender concerns to pull a polarizing focus.

On Wednesday a Capricorn Moon drives the day with enterprising energy, accompanied by power plays, emotional depth and jolts as it makes its weekly clash with the disruptive Uranus-Pluto square at 10:21AM ET and 9:11PM ET. After that,  the Moon goes void until 10:27AM ET on Thursday, when it enters Aquarius.  East Coasters, that reflects the slow start you may experience on your way to the office.

The biggest planetary news on Thursday is the potentially supercharged shift  in business-as-usual matters, courtesy of a challenge between Jupiter and Saturn, exact at 8:28AM ET.  When these two planets connect, it often involves a need for a sense of purpose and rightness. They also refer to big business and big collective belief systems, such as law, religion and media/publishing. Jupiter is in Virgo, sign of service, health, workers and warm, fuzzy animals. Saturn is in Sagittarius, sign of foreigners and philosopher-clowns, among others. Watch the headlines for important stories. One I noticed last week was a Labor Department initiative raising the salary level for workers eligible for overtime. That’s pretty big…if it sticks.

On Friday, the Moon continues in Aquarius with no void and little other interference. Aquarius is a cerebral sign, ready to help your humanitarian cause or hook you up with a fresh group of contacts, the more unconventional the better. Aquarius can also be quite the stubborn rebel, clinging to an antiquated past or a pushing for a far-out future. Either way, it’s on the fringe.

Most notable on Friday is Mars leaving Sagittarius and backing up into Scorpio. Mars — which refers to the energy we apply when we take action —  is one of the rulers of Scorpio, and thus it is well-placed — for better or for worse. Mars in Scorpio can be passionate and magnetic, simmering with an aura of powerful knowing — and wouldn’t you like to know what’s going on deep down inside. It can also be ruthless and vengeful — and it will be make second hits in the horoscopes of a number of political types who where  hot in early March.

GENERAL NOTE: We are almost halfway through the Mars retrograde period that began on April 17th — six more weeks until Mars turns direct on June 30th. One of the “symptoms” of retrograde Mars is energy — often aggressive — that feels frustrated by a perceived lack of forward motion. The unconscious response is to lash out.  If you focus your energy on mastering your own demons, as opposed to attacking others for theirs, the whole planet will thank you. More on that in a minute.

And now, the news.

The Nevada Democratic Convention. Oh what a joy. It was scheduled to start shortly after a clash between Mars (retrograde) in righteously outraged Sagittarius and the Moon in order-order-order rules-rules-rules Virgo — as the forecast for May 14th said:

Saturday is driven by the organizational excellence of the Moon in Virgo. It’s a perfect weekend for making things right. Clean out your closets and files. A tense aspect between the Moon and Mars at 10:28AM ET can give you a needed push — better than finding fault (Virgo Moon) with someone’s slapdash action (Mars in Sag). Put your own house in order.

With Mercury retrograde, the convention start was delayed and it ran four hours longer than anticipated, but not after making headlines for being a hotbed of righteous outrage and  fault-finding at slapdash action. In this article, a reporter tracks down a few Bernie Sanders supporters who left ugly, boundary-pushing messages for Roberta Lange. Does it sound like they regret it? This is a textbook case of the perils of indulging in angry outbursts when Mercury and Mars are retrograde. Don’t let it happen to you. Here’s another textbook case of the perils of believing everything you read in the papers under these planetary conditions. Many respected news outlets — including the NYT — reported that chairs were thrown. Not according to snopes, but the damage has already been done.

Remember last year, when the Democratic candidates were praised for being so civil? With transiting Uranus now conjunct Mars and opposing Venus in Bernie Sanders’ horoscope, we can expect a supercharged intensity in his social expression and action throughout the summer. Transiting Jupiter about to meet up with his Virgo Sun next month (for its third and final time) suggests ego expansion, usually as a reward, but wretched excess is also a potential.

NYT columnist Maureen Dowd penned a column cynically summing up the challenge for the Democratic frontrunner, Hillary Clinton.

She assumed that the fix was in, that she and the D.N.C. had arranged for the coronation that she felt she was robbed of in the tulip craze of 2008.

Everyone just laughed when Sanders, a cranky loner from Vermont with a nondescript Senate record, decided to challenge Queen Hillary…

By “coronation” and “Queen,” Ms. Dowd is of course referring to Mrs. Clinton’s three planets in regal Leo (Mars, Saturn and Pluto). By “cranky loner, “Ms. Dowd is referring to Mr. Sanders’ Moon-Mars conjunction in me-me-me Aries. So who wins? Donald Trump and his stupendously strong horoscope. Divide and conquer. That’s what will happen unless the Democratic candidates can unite their supporters, many of whom now seem indistinguishable from certain Trump supporters, given the slings and arrows they are hurling at each other, in ways that are painful to watch.

Can’t we all get along? See ourselves in each other? If we can do that, it’s a win-win-win.

Deep breath. It’s going to be a long, hot summer.

In other news,  a ton of homepage stories reflecting the fallout of yesterday’s Sun-Mars opposition: a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan appears to have killed a Taliban leader; “Untold Damage: America’s Overlooked Gun Violence”; “It’s No Accident: Advocates Want to Speak of Car ‘Crashes’ Instead” That last one is especially apt for Mars-Mercury retrograde; it’s about REnaming and REthinking — perhaps ultimately changing behavior. How about “Queens Couple Sees the Art in Bulletholes…” — I can’t make this up — it’s all on the NYT right now. This one is PERFECT for a Mars-Mercury retrograde — a plan to REvamp the NYC subway system, including adding a new line called Triboro Rx. “Rx” is the astrological shorthand for “retrograde!”

UPDATE: On Terry Gilliam, subject of one of my favorite posts of all time. With transiting Neptune making the first exact hits to his Ascendant next month, a creative vision or a bewildering quagmire might pull focus. Last week at Cannes he announced he was moving ahead with a film that has been floundering for almost 18 years. What’s it about? Oh you will love this:  Don Quixote! Cue “The Impossible Dream” now, please. The Saturn transit noted in that prior Gilliam post seems to have been reflected in the publishing of an autobiography. That would be an apt product of transiting Saturn at the bottom of the horoscope, needing to focus on home/family concerns.

In other news, much gratitude to Avid Reader Vanessa, who sent me this bit from across the Pond about “astrological food.” What?! Otherwise known as “planting by the Moon,” a practice which you could read about in any Old Farmers’ Almanac or — a few hundred years ago — in Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack.  But how cool is it for planetary cycles to become hip again in the mainstream! Thank you, Jupiter in Virgo. And Vanessa.

On that “Jupiter in Virgo” link you’ll find a forecast written some months ago about what we can expect during Jupiter’s year long trek through the sign of the Virgin. Virgo refers to animals — usually ones that are smaller than a horse.  Jupiter can be a cosmic sugar daddy. Last week, when all hell seemed to be breaking loose (as reported in the media), a baby otter named Toby was REunited with its family in Singapore…and humans helped. Roll tape…and bask in the warm and fuzzies…

Thank you for reading this forecast and sharing it with others. To find out what’s going on in your own horoscope, consider booking a personal consultation. We will have a fine discussion together!

Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 5/13/2016 & the Following Week: A Clown Car of News

TGIF.

A rip roarin’ Leo Moon went void at 1:02PM ET. Moon has been in Leo since  5:32PM ET on Wednesday, driving the past two days with its need to seize the stage and issue regal edicts (a potential downside), or (upside) shower the people it loves with love, facilitating all creative and playful spirits. Cue James Taylor now, please.

Wasn’t that a warm and fuzzy serenade, deeply felt — if a tad idealistic? Today at 3:11PM ET, mental Mercury meets up with Venus in sensual Taurus — an obvious potential for idealism in a horoscope. The depth is suggested by Pluto’s alignment with Mercury and Venus — exact late last night for the former and at 10:18PM ET for the latter. That depth might also include a truckload of dirt revealed, as Pluto does refer to news from underground.

Today’s Moon void happened on a stubborn square to the Taurus Sun. Re-read the first two paragraphs of this forecast and you’ll appreciate this item that just hit the NYT:  “Offer of Free Hugs Turns Violent in Times Square.” Also known as the First Quarter Moon, the square suggests a challenge to the agenda you set on last Friday’s New Moon in Taurus. Your marching orders were to review past progress and FOCUS energy on how you can make your dreams of material comfort and security a reality. How’s that going? Are you reconnecting and reorganizing, while still finding time for Mercury retrograde relaxation and recreation? Yes, I know there have been some outrageous distractions and frustrations — suggested by Mars (action) and Saturn (ambition; control) both retrograde in Sagittarius. Righteous fiery opinions are a Sagittarian trademark, often pushing the boundaries of good taste. I’ll list a few in a moment.

But as you’re reading this now, the Moon being void of course until 1:52AM ET Saturday suggests an opportunity to chill. If a regal drama ties you to your desk this afternoon, roll with its twists and know that crises which crop up during voids are often much ado about nothing.  If you are new to the forecast and do not understand the term “void of course Moon,” look here. If you can skip out early on this Friday, go for it.

Saturday is driven by the organizational excellence of the Moon in Virgo. It’s a perfect weekend for making things right. Clean out your closets and files. A tense aspect between the Moon and Mars at 10:28AM ET can give you a needed push — better than finding fault (Virgo Moon) with someone’s slapdash action (Mars in Sag). Put your own house in order.  The Virgo Moon gathers steam all through Sunday, giving you an opportunity for success.

On Monday, you can be forgiven for sleeping in, as the Virgo Moon will be void from 5:20AM ET until 1:33PM ET. After that, the energy of the day is driven by Moon in Libra, seeking balance and harmony in social graces and relationships. Tuesday is smooth sailing, except for the pitfalls of retrograde Mercury and Mars messing with your mind and computers.  That, and the background noise of a reality-bending T-square among Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune. On Wednesday, the Libra Moon goes void at 11:23AM ET on a potential jolt from Uranus, disruptor of the status quo — not so smooth. Moon will be void until 2:30AM ET on THURSDAY.

There are no exact aspects among the planets on Thursday. Moon will be in Scorpio, seeking to be of depth and substance in its plans for world domination. A need for control — building in emotional intensity — carries into Friday,when the Sun enters Gemini at 10:37AM ET. On Saturday, after a Moon void from 7:40AM – 2:48AM ET, the Moon waxes to its fullness in rowdy, randy Sagittarius at 5:14PM ET. This Full Moon may be especially provocative, as action hero/warrior Mars is heavily involved, conjoining the Moon and opposing the Sun.  This spark will likely be reflected in the lives of some people whose horoscopes were hot in early to mid-March.

Mercury turns direct on Sunday, May 22th at 9:20AM ET.

I’m telling you this now because I am officially declaring a week off from writing this forecast – unless something happens in the news that requires commentary. I need a mental break from the information flow. There are other things I need to write that will help me expand my reach and perhaps increase my material comfort and security. I will still be available for personal consultations next week, and I would love love love to help you understand why you are the way you are, why things are happening now, and what opportunities are likely to arise in the future so you can duly seize the day. Here’s how to make that discussion happen.

And now, the news.

Mercury retrograde. Why else would 3000 bags be stranded as a result of a  TSA computer glitch at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport? Or this footage of the insanely long security lines at Chicago’s Midway Airport be going viral?  Why would Delta text me a boarding pass for a flight to BOS from LGA that wasn’t mine? I hadn’t even bought a ticket! Should I?  And why else would 40,000 homes in Seattle lose power thanks to the efforts of a hapless raccoon? I feel very, very sorry for that raccoon.

Then there’s the confusion in Brazil. First they were going to impeach President Dilma Rousseff –– then they weren’t — then they did. She’s out. Dear Avid Readers, what action do you think we’d see in her horoscope that might reflect this upset in her life? Perhaps Uranus — and yes, in this (unconfirmed birth time) horoscope we do see transiting Uranus hitting the Midheaven, suggesting an upset in status/career. Maybe a bit of aggressive/attacking Mars, too…as we see transiting Mars about to exactly square her natal 3 Virgo Mars for the second time since March. Or ruthless Pluto exactly conjunct her Venus, suggesting extremes and power plays in social expression? Or how about transiting Saturn imposing its control? She’ll have second hits of Saturn’s heavy meet-up with her Mercury (mind) and Jupiter this summer; transiting Saturn squeezes her Sun at the end of December.

FYI: transiting Saturn will oppose Donald Trump’s Gemini Sun and conjoin his Sagittarius Moon at the end of December, too. We can anticipate a hard-hitting control…or an ambitious advance. Still too soon to call — at least for this astrologer.

Mars retrograde in Sagittarius. Aggressively pushing boundaries. Today’s poster child would be George Zimmerman, who infamously took the life of  Trayvon Martin and got away with it. This week, transiting Mars met up with Zimmerman’s wildly speculative (and unfortunately  — for the rest of humankind — all too fortunate) natal Jupiter-Uranus conjunction. Seriously, there can be no pie higher than Jupiter and Uranus in Sagittarius. Triggered — literally — by transiting Mars, which will soon square his natal Mars at 3 Virgo and his Venus at 29 Leo (at the end of the month),  Zimmerman put the gun he used to kill Trayvon Martin up for public auction, advertising it as” a piece (pun perhaps not obviously intended) of American history.” One can only hope that his Mars retrograde action will backfire when Mars turns direct. Let’s keep an eye on August.

In another fascinating synchronicity with Mars, let the record show that back in March, the NYT ran an extensive profile on Anthony Peter Senecal, who was Donald Trump’s personal butler for many years. He now gives tours of Trump’s estate in Florida as its “unofficial historian.” In the interview, Mr. Senecal came across pretty much as expected, so I did not bother to link it here. When the article ran on March 15, Mars was at 3 Virgo. Mars is now back at 4 Virgo — and will hit 3 Virgo on May 16th. Yesterday Mother Jones dug deeper than the NYT and published Mr. Senecal’s Facebook rants, calling for the death of President Obama. The Secret Service is now investigating. Transiting Mars will be back at 3 Virgo on August 10th. Let’s see what happens.

Here’s a fun piece from Monday, when Venus (women, beauty) in Taurus (long-lasting) was in a lovely alignment with Neptune (fantasy, illusion): “Second Skin May Reduce Eyebags, Wrinkles, Scientists Say.”   Also long-lasting and beautiful, but ready to transition — suggested by today’s Venus-Pluto alignment — is Susannah Mushatt Jones, the world’s oldest living person — until she passed away this week in Brooklyn. RIP. What was her secret?

Reflecting the materially abundant, earthly pleasures and self-sufficiency of this week’s ongoing Grand Earth Trine, let the record show that a New Jersey woman with seven children has just won the 6th largest Powerball jackpot. Earlier this week, a 15-year-old Canadian boy used Mayan astronomy and satellite maps to discover a lost city — how super cool is that? Maybe not so super cool, given that Mercury is currently retrograde, suggesting we take what is heard with a grain of salt. Now, skeptics have stepped up to debunk the story, along with the boy’s theory that constellations had anything to do with where the Mayans built their cities. What a bunch of wet blankets they are. You decide if they are right. Meanwhile, a sanctuary in New York’s Central Park that hasn’t been open to the public since the 1930s now has regular business hours.

Speaking of rumors, the internets are abuzz in certain sectors over an assertion by Someone Who Claims to Know These Things that Caitlyn Jenner is thinking about transitioning back to being a man. Really? That “Someone” has been denounced as “a moron” by a rep for Ms. Jenner — perhaps deservedly so.  Astrologically, if there were any fresh starts or changes of direction to be had, they would be more likely to happen in 2019 and 2020. Stay tuned.

OK, that’s it for the clown car of news. See you again online in a week or so….but please know I am still here for you by Skype or phone if you would like to discuss how you can live your life better with your horoscope as a guide. I’m still smiling over the consultation I had with a client last fall. Her horoscope clearly suggested career recognition in the early part of 2016. Was there a course or certificate she could take, I wondered? There was, but my client did not have the funds nor would her employer pay for the course — he’d refused her request every year for three years. Still, I  encouraged her to consider how she could make that happen. I heard from her a few months later. Turns out there was a scholarship — and she applied — and she GOT IT! She took the course — and she earned her certificate with flying colors. She writes:

When I was stressed with computer issues and the final online test deadline looming….I remembered your words regarding educational pursuits during this time…and knew I had the stars and destiny on my side! Yes, I would be delighted and honored for you to reference my forecast reading and the value it brought into my life.

Yup, still smiling over that one.

Thank you for reading this forecast. Take it away, Fastball (an anthem for another week of Mars and Mercury retrograde)…

 

 

 

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 5/9/2016: New Moon in Taurus; Transit of Mercury; Jupiter Direct; Sneak Peek at the Week

An information junkie Moon-in-Gemini has been driving whatever buzz you may be feeling since 12:34PM ET on Saturday. At 12:15Am ET on Monday, that Moon will go void with a sigh, not to enter Cancer until 1:24PM ET. There’s your explanation for any foggy morning false start, or if the barista at your local coffee emporium cheerfully greets you with “Good Afternoon!” instead of “Good Morning!”  She would be cheerful — and perhaps a  bit dreamily-spaced out.  At 8:41Am ET, Venus and Neptune form an easy alliance, suggesting an artsy or musical spin  — or something healing, charitable or spiritual. Whatever it is, it’s likely to reflect a need for a beautiful ideal, along with a bit of indulgent idealism, as Venus is also in harmony with expansive Jupiter — exact Tuesday at 3PM ET.

Even earlier on Monday — at 8:16AM ET, Jupiter turns direct at 13 Virgo, where it’s been hanging since April 17th. If you know what area of your horoscope is ruled by Jupiter (hint: it’s the house with Sagittarius on the cusp), it may feel like you’ve been in a holding pattern in the areas related to that house since January 7th, when Jupiter turned retrograde. A horoscope with Jupiter ruling the second house of finances and self worth, for example, may have experienced a delay regarding those issues over the past five months.  With Jupiter turning direct, forward motion can now be expected.

But wait — there’s more! Mercury — which refers to information, mindset and communication makes a rare conjunction with the Sun at 11:12AM ET. Why is it rare? Because the Messenger Planet will pass in front of the Sun and this Transit of Mercury will thus be visible in various parts of the world. These transits  only happen a dozen or so times in a century. The last Transit of Mercury happened back in 2006; the next one will happen in 2019. What can we expect?

First, see where 20 degrees of Taurus falls in your horoscope. This is the degree of Monday’s Sun-Mercury conjunction. Look back to 19 April, when Mercury was last at 20 degrees of Taurus. Note June 3rd on your calendar, which is when Mercury will hit 20 degrees Taurus again, once it turns direct on May 22nd. Consider that Mercury in Taurus refers to thoughts and communication about  material comfort and security; values, banking, money, sensual pleasures — just to name a few. So wherever 20 Taurus falls in your horoscope, this is the area of your life which may be receiving information about these material concerns you simply can’t miss. I find it fascinating that May 9th is when we can expect the next information dump from the Panama Papers, in the form of “the largest ever release of data on secret offshore companies and the people behind them.” Coincidence or conspiracy?

I also find it fascinating that the Sabian Symbol for 20 Taurus is “wind,  clouds and haste,” suggesting, as Blain Bovee points out in his wonderful book, “an image of accelerated ideas that create a stir, excitement or massive confusion…extremes of revelation and being heavily covered; shedding light on something previously hidden.” Extremes? We’ll see how that plays out over the next few weeks.

Once the Moon enter Cancer at 1:24PM ET, we can expect the next few days (and the headlines) to reflect a focus on building and maintaining emotional/family and home/homeland security. The Moon will be void again on Wednesday between 3:34AM ET and 5:32PM ET, after which it enters Leo, looking for a party or a ginormous stage. A cluster of alignments among Mercury, Venus and Pluto on Thursday and Friday suggest depth in communication and social expression, with more potential for revelation. Moon goes void on Friday at 1:02PM ET — sounds like a fine time to skip out of town early.

Speaking of which, I skipped out of town last Friday — heading to Philadelphia in the dark of the Moon with two artsy friends. Our mission: to see a special exhibit at the Museum of Art. Thus I did not post a forecast for the New Moon in Taurus, which occurred at 3:29PM ET on Friday, at 17 degrees of Taurus. Let’s talk about it now.

A New Moon in Taurus suggests a focus on values, finance and other material concerns.  It needs to build material comfort and security — preferably meant to last. One major pattern in the New Moon chart is an Earth Grand Trine among love/money/beauty Venus, the Sun and Moon, Jupiter and Pluto. This suggests a projection of material self-sufficiency — big time. And there I was in a big ginormous museum, stuffed to the gills with treasure. I was so happy to be spending the day in (five planets retrograde) contemplation, wandering the galleries and taking in the art on display. It was a relief to gaze upon images that weren’t moving. I was grateful for the chance to pause and focus on these static moments in time. It was humbling to think of how many hours had been invested in creating them — and how many hundreds of years had passed since then.

One painting’s monochromatic glow stood out from the others in the gallery. I was intrigued by the artist’s combined use of ink and oil. It’s called   Sine Cerere et Libero freget Venus (Without Ceres and Bacchus, Venus Would Freeze).  There is no love without food and drink. How apt for a Taurus New Moon, with patterns suggesting contemplaytion — the typo is intentional — on simple core values.

Another major pattern in the New Moon chart is this ongoing loose T-square among Jupiter — opposed by Neptune and squared by Saturn. Here’s what I wrote about it back in September of last year:

I can see how that theme could tie into escalating delusional fears about foreigners and borders, as Saturn (control) progresses through Sagittarius (foreigners) and squares Neptune in Pisces and Jupiter in Virgo now and into 2016. No, I am not suggesting we will have a repeat of the 1930s & 1940s. I am suggesting that I can appreciate why similar issues might be up for consideration over the next few years, given the repeat of planetary patterns.

After a lovely grey, rainy day gazing at art, we headed to the Greyhound bus terminal to catch our pumpkin coach back to New York. There were just over 50  of us waiting to board the bus, and in front of me stood a serene, small-sized dumpling of a woman wearing a bright pink and green hijab. She was number 50 in line, and she was asked by the ticket taker for identification. As she fumbled in her big, black purse for her papers, her little suitcase on wheels tipped over. I picked it up and held it upright while she searched her purse. The ticket-taker — not a security officer, mind you — almost pulled her out of line — for what? Questioning? I have no memory of the ticket-taker asking anyone else in line for ID. The woman managed to produce her “papers” just in time.  She had  a U.S. passport.

This episode of “security theater” — in the words of Artsy Friend #1 — has been bothering me all weekend.

The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon at 17 Taurus is “a battle between the swords and the torches.” It was one of the two Symbols in the Full Moon in Scorpio back in May of 2012 — how time flies. Blaine Bovee is the go-to guy for further explanation:  “strife between powers of the mind and powers of spirit and passion…of that which cuts apart and that which twines together. ” Possible manifestations include “matters of spirit over ideas…Gothic romances where passions collide with social and political realities; campaigns to supplant cold technology with agrarian simplicity…choosing between cutting away from or twisting together.”

And now, the news.

Was there any news  over the past several days? Surely I jest. Ted Cruz and John Kasich abruptly dropped out of the Republican race for president, perhaps in a fit of Mars retrograde frustration. If you are tempted to impulsively toss in the towel between now and June 30th, the conventional wisdom suggests you carefully reconsider. On the part of Cruz, it’s a textbook case of the likely fizzle/backfire of impulsive alliances formed under Mars Rx conditions. Carly Fiorina lasted nine days as Cruz’s would-be VP.

Which leaves only Donald Trump standing — ready to claim his official nomination at the Republican convention in July. You, dear Avid Reader, are not at all surprised. Nor are you surprised that House Speaker Paul Ryan did is reserving his endorsement at the moment. Trump is not pleased — not pleased at all –– but you read here several weeks ago that Speaker Ryan’s horoscope is building to a release in mid-July.  You expected a bit of drama.

You’re also not surprised that Bernie Sanders won Indiana last week, even if the rest of the media was “shocked.” With his second Saturn-Sun square behind him, Sanders can now look forward to an expansive period into June. After that, we’ll see. Meanwhile, with transiting Uranus moving into closer contact with his Venus and Mars, you won’t be surprised to see the words “erratic” and “Sanders” in the same sentence.

The United States isn’t the only country whose political process and voter preferences are bewildering. The Philippines seems set to elect a president who is definitely not of the Establishment. Austria’s Chancellor has suddenly resigned after a nearly eight-year run.   There’s a ton of other news to discuss — stay tuned for the next forecast. And if you’d like to find out what all of these patterns suggest for you personally, consider scheduling a consultation.  We will have an excellent discussion together!

Thank you for reading this forecast.

venus at the museum

 

 

 

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 5/3/2016: Expansive Bliss?

Go with the flow of any twists that may interfere with your efforts to move forward in a straight line, as the Pisces Moon is void between 1:08AM ET and 1:04PM ET. Aries drives the Moon for the rest of the day with its need to inspire and lead its fiery charge. With Mercury and Mars both retrograde, rushing ahead impulsively has its risks. Patience and focus can be your best friends. Don’t let this happen to you!

Yesterday I mentioned that the Taurus Sun would make a harmonious connection (a trine) to Jupiter, currently retrograde in Virgo. Planets in Taurus are known to stubbornly hold their positions. They need to build and maintain material comfort and security. Change is to be resisted at all costs!

Jupiter is the planet of expansion. Virgo refers to metabolic and digestive processes. Virgo seeks perfection. With Jupiter retrograde, we could expect an expansive process — or a reward — coming up for REview.

A trine between the Sun and Jupiter suggests a expansion of material comfort and security. Is this good or bad? Ask the Chinese farmer — and check out this article that hit the NYT home page yesterday morning: “After the ‘Biggest Loser,’ Their Bodies Fought to Regain Weight.”  Researchers kept in touch with many of the weight losers who had streamlined themselves so successfully on that reality TV show. Seems like all of them have gained some weight back — but why? And therein lies the surprise. What an apt reflection of an earthy Taurus Sun resisting change, enabled by an expansive (Jupiter) flow!

In other news, a Mercury Rx travel advisory: “Catching a Flight? Budget Hours, Not Minutes, For Security”.  Other delays making headlines: Malia Obama, the president’s eldest daughter, graduates high school this year. She’s been accepted at Harvard, but won’t start classes until September of 2017. Taking a “gap year” is now a growing trend…

Thank you for reading this forecast.

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 5/2/2016: Sneak Peek at the Week; Quarks, Snark & Sark

Good Morning!

Tune in and go with the flow of a sensitive Pisces Moon. The work week gets off to a potentially dreamy start, courtesy of a 6AM meet-up with Neptune. The whole day may feel expansive, given that the material comfort-building Taurus Sun is in harmony with Jupiter, the cosmic sugar daddy. That aspect will be exact in the wee hours on Tuesday (3:58AM ET). Whee!

Around 9:23AM ET, your idealistic quest may get a boost when Jupiter opposes the Moon. At 12:38PM ET, Saturn shows up to either structure or streamline. A deeper perspective may be yours around 4:16PM ET, courtesy of Pluto. Moon goes void at 1:08AM ET on Tuesday…. not to enter the next sign — Aries — until 1:04PM ET. Chill overnight and tomorrow morning, hopefully enjoying a bit of expansive bliss during the Moon void. Remember that crises that crop up during voids are usually much ado about nothing….and with 37 planets now retrograde, a glitch or delay would not be unusual. Just look what some weasel did to the Large Hadron Collider last week — shut the whole thing down. Humans plan. Planets laugh. Bwahahahahahaha!

Once the Moon races into me-me-me Aries on Tuesday, the pace picks up noticeably. Moon goes void early Thursday — 12:17AM ET until 1:10PM ET.  By the time the Moon enters Taurus, we’ll be in the dark side of the Moon, methodically wrapping up projects from the last New Moon agenda. The New Moon begins on Friday at 3:29PM ET…goes void at 10:10PM ET Friday night…and enters info-junkie Gemini at 12:34PM ET on Saturday.

Also on Saturday: a trine between the Sun and Pluto at 9AM ET may empower whatever abundant bliss you picked up on Tuesday’s trine between the Sun and Jupiter. You’ll feel that more personally if you have a planet or angle around 13 – 17 degrees of Capricorn, Taurus and especially Virgo.  Jupiter will be at 13 degrees of Virgo all month — check your horoscope and see how its expansive potential may apply — or consult your local astrologer.

And now, the news.

The news is that there is no news today, just a photo essay entitled “Soaking Up Starlight on Sark.” Sark is one of the Channel Islands. There are no cars and no streetlights, which makes it perfect for star-gazing. Sounds like a lovely place for a Mercury REtrograde REtreat — enjoy the view — or  take a cue from Radiohead and just disappear….

Thank you for reading this forecast and sharing it with the rest of the Free World. Welcome to any new Avid Readers! To find out what’s going on in your own personal horoscope, consider scheduling a consultation. We will have a fine discussion together.