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Thursday-Friday 7/27-28/2017: Icarus Falls and Other Wonders

The Virgo Moon went void at 2:31 AM ET, wandering without focus on its quest for perfection — for better or for worse. A Moon void suggests crises that crop up are likely much ado about nothing. Should I file this morning’s headline about the “Justice” Department’s argument that a federal civil rights law does not protect employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation in this category? Is this yet another distraction from Other Things the PTB Would Prefer We Not Know About?

At 11:37 AM ET, see if you notice the shift as the Moon engages in the next sign, Libra. A Libra Moon seeks balance, fairness and no small amount of people-pleasing. It cruises without interference for the rest of the day, pushing forward its agenda around 9PM ET, suggested by a boost to the Moon from  the Sun (leaders) and Mars (action) in “l’etat, c’est moi” Leo.

More of the same on Friday — smooth sailing for the Moon in the AM and early PM,  building to an expansive burst of optimism or excess around 6:35 PM ET, as the Moon meets up with Jupiter. A power play or emotional catharsis may soon follow, as the Moon makes its weekly clash with ruthless Pluto. Should be an interesting afternoon for end-of-the-workweek headlines.

And now, the news…a.k.a: “oh what fresh hell is this?”

Wednesday morning began with a face-off between the hypercritical/perfection-seeking Virgo Moon and delusional/bewildering Neptune, exact at 6:37AM ET. Add in the planetary pattern of the week — i.e, the meet-up of the Sun and militant Mars in rip roarin’ Leo, and you’ve got an apt backdrop for yet another boondoogle of a tweetstorm from five-time draft-dodger P45. Driving us to distraction this time was a royal proclamation that in order to form a more perfect military, transgendered persons will no longer be permitted to serve. It’s just more efficient, you see — and thrifty, too — especially in terms of health care costs — all  cherished Virgo buzzwords. And never mind that the health care cost of transgendered personnel pales in comparison to the amount spent on treating erectile dysfunction (blasted macho Mars in Leo fried to a crisp by its exact meet-up with the fireball Leo Sun) — $41.6 million on Viagra alone.   Delusional? Surreal? A tad dictatorial? The Defense Department was “blindsided” — never saw it coming, reflecting the potential of Mars (war, military) literally blinded by its exact proximity to the overpowering Sun.

Caitlyn Jenner, clutching her pearls as she processed the shock of realizing what havoc her Election Day vote has wreaked upon the nation, expressed outrage, just as her horoscope suggests she would at this time. Check out the chart and notice how the Sun-Mars meet-up is provoking her Scorpio Sun and Ascendant, while transiting Mercury in Virgo sits on her Mars; transiting Saturn squeezes the life out of her Venus (social expression; values) at 20 Sagittarius; transiting Pluto squaring her natal Mercury motivates her to transform her perspective and express herself persuasively; and finally, transiting Uranus squaring her natal Jupiter shakes up her values and self-worth. Isn’t astrology amazing? Just wait until 2018, when transiting Uranus zaps her Aquarius Moon and intensifies her need to be seen as a humanitarian of social significance. Watch her broaden her reach.

Late-night comics are having a field day, as is NYT columnist Gail Collins, whose usual cheerful demeanor is noticeably subdued once again by the influence of transiting Saturn (sobering) on her Mercury (mindset). Op-ed columnists liberal and conservative — including  Charles Blow ,  Jennifer Rubin and even Ken Starr are also reflecting the potential of the Sabian Symbol for the recent New Moon in Leo: a fit of apoplexy. Told you so.

Meanwhile, Orrin Hatch (R-UT)  surprised many when he stated last night, “Transgender people are people and deserve the best we can do for them.” I’m not surprised. When it was rumored months ago that exposure of corruption in the current Administration and on Capitol Hill would lead to Senator Hatch becoming president, I thought, “well, that seems like a really big stretch, but given the chaotic Mad Hatter Tea Party suggested by pertinent horoscopes, let’s check it out.” Do we see the potential  for exceptional recognition and reward in Orrin Hatch’s horoscope?  Yes — and we do have a birth time for him: 1PM on 3/22/1934 in Homestead Park, PA.

His pioneering Aries Sun at the Aries Point brings energy to lead and inspire, driven by a Moon in Gemini that needs to be the smartest kid in the room. It’s fronted by a Cancer Ascendant, needing to be seen as caring and sensitive, concerned with family and home(land) security.  And oh — looky, he has a Sun-Mars conjunction, too — only in Aries, champion of the underdog (on a really good day).  Those religious hymns he writes? Chalk that up to an opposition between Mercury (mindset. communication) and Neptune (faith, music) placed in the areas of his horoscope related to writing and publishing.

His horoscope has been hot this year — and will continue to be so into 2018.  Like P45, he’s been enjoying the expansive and rewarding potential of Jupiter’s return to its natal placement in the horoscope. It was exact on his March solar return and will hit again on August 23rd.   Transiting Uranus is squaring his Cancer Ascendant, suggesting a potential fresh start or upset; it’s also conjoining his natal Uranus, suggesting a need for independence and freedom, as in not having any more eff’s to give, as the saying goes. The potential for a change of status could apply in personal as well as professional affairs. The first hits of these two series of three emancipating/disruptive Uranus transits happened in May, when that wild presidential rumor hit the headlines. Let’s watch around October and next March, for hits two and three.

But the measurement that really intrigued me – after pondering how events in his life might reflect the potential in his horoscope — is between his Midheaven (career/honor/public status) and his prominent pioneering Aries Sun (technical term, for astrology pros and students, is “solar arc”).  It permeates all of 2017 and it is exact on August 2nd.  It suggests “professional fulfillment; getting what one deserves,” as expressed by astrologer Noel Tyl.  Point is, based on that transit, I’ve been anticipating an opportunity for Senator Hatch to shine in the spotlight right about now, and was thus pleased to see him making news yesterday on such a positive, caring and humanitarian note.

In early December transiting Saturn will oppose his Moon.  Hard aspects between Saturn-Moon aspects can suggest ambition/advance realized out of a sense of lack or loss.  The gravitas continues in January, as transiting Saturn squares his Aries Sun, suggesting heavy responsibility and/or streamlining —  with an extra dose of prominence in public and personal status. We shall see.

Meanwhile, yesterday’s Sun-Mars in Leo meet-up also involved the asteroid Icarus. In mythology, Icarus was given wings made of feathers and wax which were to be used to escape imprisonment in labyrinth.   Ignoring his father’s wise advice, Icarus flew high — way up to the Sun — where his wings of wax melted and he fell into the sea and died. Moral of the story: hubris will destroy you. Add that mythological element into your reading of yesterday’s news.

Meanwhile…Leo refers to entertainment and fun parks. Here’s a headline from WaPo — posted soon after that Sun-Mars-Icarus conjunction in Leo: “Aggressive Thrill Ride Snaps in Mid-Air, Killing One and Injuring Seven.” What’s the name of the “thrill ride”. THE FIREBALL. Still not convinced by the astonishing synchronicity of headline news and planetary patterns? I don’t know what to tell you then, because I can’t do any better than that! Feel free to chip in to my Cosmic Tip Jar — I’ve fixed the link — fingers crossed — if you tried it before and couldn’t follow through on your appreciative (and much appreciated) impulse. Gratitude.

Other Mars-Sun (and arguably Icarus, too) headlines:

Thank you for reading this forecast. To learn how current planetary patterns are being reflected in your own personal world, why not schedule a personal consultation — in plain English, with no astrological jargon.

 

Monday 7/24/2017: Sneak Peek at the Week

And it’s off to the races we go!

The work week begins with the Moon in love-love-me do Leo, driving the day with all-new energy to shine, shine, shine. If you’re feeling frustrated because no one is singing your praises, you may be feeling the potential downside of this morning’s face-off between Saturn (limitation, control, authority) and Venus (social expression, money, women, aesthetics), exact at 10:53 AM ET.  That’s especially true for you if you have a planet or angle around 20-21 degrees of Sagittarius, Pisces, Gemini and Virgo.

Public figures affected include, but are not limited to P45 (Gemini Sun, Sag Moon), P45 Jr (Mercury in Sagittarius), President Obama (Virgo Mars), Hillary Clinton (Pisces Moon), Mitt Romney (Pisces Sun), the United States (Mars and Neptune), James Comey (Sun, Pluto), Mike Pence (Gemini Mercury), Stephen Bannon (Gemini Jupiter).  Upside potential: out of a sense of lack of loss, formulate a plan for advance.  Or get out of your funk and take a moment to pay a compliment to someone else. In other words, become that which you wish to attract.

Add  the innovative spin on thoughts and communication suggested by today’s exact harmony between Mercury (thoughts, communication) and Uranus (innovation, rebellion) at 12:32PM ET, and we have an apt backdrop for the initiative launched today by the Democratic Party. It was announced in op-eds in the NYT and WaPo, touted as “A Better Deal.” What’s in it for you? Chuck Schumer explains.  Let’s add the willful action potential of WEDNESDAY’s meet-up between Mars and the Sun in regal Leo (at 8:57 PM ET) to the Dem’s deal-making potential.

Also of note this week: Mercury — planet of commerce, mindset, travel, gizmos and communication — leaves Leo for Virgo on TUESDAY at 7:41 PM ET. Wanna buy a computer? Run a brilliant analysis? Mercury in Virgo is happy to be of service — and fortunately performs with high efficiency in one of the signs it rules (the other sign is Gemini). However, do be advised that Mercury will turn RETROGRADE on August 12th. BACK UP YOUR COMPUTERS AND GIZMOS BEFORE AUGUST 12TH!!!

Mercury will turn direct on September 5th. Will offer more details as we get closer to the 12th, but meanwhile, if you’d like to have a few Really Useful Mercury Retrograde Survival Guide Bookmarks, drop $5.99 into my Cosmic Tip Jar and I will happily send you three. Your friends will love the other two!

Your Moon voids this week — natural rest periods where a focus on routine concerns is apropos — are as follows:  TUESDAY 5:22AM ET – 6:32 AM ET; THURSDAY 2:31 AM ET – 11:37 AM ET; SATURDAY 5:30 PM ET – 8:23 PM ET. So really, not many twists and flakes to disrupt your efforts to move forward in a straight line this week. Onward!!

And now, the news.

Tough stories about tough women — suggested by streamlining Saturn opposing Venus — include this homepage item about President Michelle Batchelet of Chile. She’s the only woman head of state in the Americas, and in a few months, she’ll be gone.  Score one for the patriarchy (Saturn). Also streamlined (and directly affected by the Saturn-Venus opposition):  “The IMF cuts its U.S. growth forecast, citing Trump’s unfulfilled promises.”   Also facing possible cuts: Russia, whose horoscope is directly affected by transiting Saturn. Tomorrow, Congress will  vote on proposed new sanctions.

This one is also tough, but reflects planetary patterns, including Neptune (film, drugs, alcohol) running wild; Sun meeting with Mars in Leo (willful and dramatic action — to the downside); innovative technology (Mercury trine Uranus), with harsh consequences involving women (Venus opposing Saturn): “‘Man, we about to die’: Teen driver arrested after live-streaming crash that killed her sister.    She might also be nominated for a Darwin Award. In other news, innovative technology gets a reality check: while Mark Zuckerberg travels the world to “learn about people’s hopes and challenges,” a woman who works in the Facebook cafeteria suggests he look in his own backyard.

Nepturn refers to all things aquatic. Michael Phelps is an Olympic gold medal-winner swimmer — well nothing says gold like the Sun and Mars in Leo. Over the weekend he lost a race against a great white shark – sort of. It wasn’t a real shark (Neptune rules fraud). Viewers weren’t happy. Life can be a bitch (Saturn opposing Venus). Oh well.

Meanwhile, Jared Kushner has been dealt a reality check, as transiting Saturn meets up with his idealistic vision (Neptune). Today he testified behind closed doors to Congress about Russia, asserting that he “did not collude,” etc.. Meanwhile, The Guardian reports that his company sealed a real estatedeal  with a Russian-born oligarch “cited in a money-laundering case.”  Transiting Saturn will meet up with his Venus at the end of the year, suggesting another reality check or streamlining in store. Mr. Kushner is a Capricorn, born January 10, 1981 in NYC — no birth time known. He was quite the rock star last year and earlier this year, as transiting Uranus challenged his Sun. Next year, as transiting Pluto meets up with his Sun, prospects may be even more empowering — or — to the potential downside — simply transforming, as what no longer serves is exposed and taken away. With Pluto transits, resistance is futile.

What’s going on in your horoscope? Will Pluto soon be dancing on your Mars? How about your Moon? Where is your Moon, anyway? What does it all mean? Book a personal consultation and I will explain it all — in plain English, with no technical jargon. You will find it validating and enlightening.

Tomorrow I head back to the Big Apple. I’ve met so many wonderful people in NC — but oddly enough, none were actually born here; all are transplants from someplace else. That changed last night, when I met Charlie:

Thank you for reading this forecast.

 

Saturday & Sunday 7/22-23/2017: New Moon in Leo; Shake, Rattle & Roll

Greetings from Durham, NC!

It’s just like LA, only with 5000% humidity and no palm trees. Yes, surely I jest. It is hot — like most everywhere else this week — but lush and green and beautiful. The local market is a foodie’s paradise, offering delicacies such as local cheese made from water buffalo milk among the five varieties of grits. I don’t think I’d find any water buffalo cheese in the little brick store sporting “TOBACCO” in big black letters against a bright yellow background. Not “Joe’s Tobacco Shoppe,” just TOBACCO. Also in black and yellow:  fabric signs on manicured lawns  reading “Thank  you, Jesus.”  Haven’t seen those in Manhattan or Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, in the stars…

Driving the day with a need for emotional/homeland security is the Moon in Cancer, where it has been since early Friday morning. Are you staying close to home? Calling Mom? It’s a dead Moon — the last day of the lunar cycle. This would account for any sense of listlessness or restlessness felt over the past couple of days, as if you’re waiting for something new to begin, but you’re not sure what. Between now and the New Moon on Sunday at 5:46 AM ET, the Cancer need for emotional comfort will be challenged by the Moon’s weekly clash with powerplayer Pluto and rebel Uranus, at 8:49 AM ET today and 2:05 AM ET on SUNDAY.

As I was typing that paragraph just after 8:49AM ET, a friend posted an article from Scientific American on my Facebook timeline, stating that babies used to be born spontaneously throughout the day and night, but now with so many scheduled C-sections and induced labors, 8AM on Monday has become the most popular birth time in the U.S.  That’s a power play involving Cancerian motherhood concerns, right? “How does this affect natal charts,” my friend wanted to know.  Answer: babies born around 8AM will most likely have the Sun in the 12th house , which suggests a greater need for privacy than most; an ability to work behind the scenes with an insider’s perspective; and a possible strong connection to “the other side,” too. Intuitively I have always felt that a 12th house Sun may have some resistance to being born (!!!) — and being literally dragged out into the world kicking and screaming in a delivery scheduled for the convenience of Mom or a doctor would reflect that potential!

At 11:16 AM ET, the Sun enters Leo. God save the kings and queens! Creative self-expression, a sense of play and romantic love are Leo trademarks. So are royal entitlement and ego aggrandizement. Leo is born to rule; there’s no need to prove its case, and the sooner everyone in the room recognizes and honors it, the happier everyone will be. Why is that so hard for non-Leos to understand?

The New Moon will be exact at 5:46 AM ET, when the Sun and Moon conjoin at 0-ish degrees of Leo. Make a list; light a candle. A New Moon offers us an opportunity to re-set  intentions and goals for the next lunar cycle.  Around July 30th, 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 August 7th — which is also an eclipse — 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 14th, we can review our achievements, tie up loose ends and get ready to begin another New Moon on August 21st.

New Moon in Leo 2017

In this New Moon chart, the need of the Leo Sun and Moon to shine shine shine  is energized by its close conjunction with action hero Mars, also in rip-roarin’ Leo. What does Mars in Leo do best? Get away with murder with that Leonine royal entitlement. Let the record show that when we set this New Moon chart in Washington DC, the Leo Sun, Moon and Mars are strongly placed for all the world to see in the First House AND on the Ascendant. I expect we’ll have more than the usual share of regal edicts and other drives for ego assertion and recognition making waves and headlines in the U.S. during this cycle.

This “making waves” potential is echoed by the Washington DC New Moon chart’s Ascendant of 26 degrees of Cancer. You’ll note it is squared by Uranus at 28 Aries. A Cancer Ascendant needs to be seen as being nurturing, caring and sensitive; such needs are likely to be either a) disrupted or b) expressed in a way that is experienced as disruptive, eccentric, fringe and/or innovative. That disruption will also be for all the world to see, as Uranus is in the 10th house — referring to leaders and government/corporate institutions. The innovative and groundbreaking potential is echoed by a harmony between tech-savvy Uranus and Mercury (how we need to think and communicate), exact on MONDAY at 12:32 PM ET. Mercury is also in regal Leo — and we could argue that there’s a loose Grand Trine among Mercury, Saturn and Uranus, suggesting a subconscious projection of self-sufficency, i.e., who needs to ask for input from anyone else? I got this!

Note also that this New Moon chart is dominated by Fire Signs — suggesting an improvisional flair to the monthly agenda. You won’t find that agenda written anywhere; it’s make it up as you go along.

Meanwhile, there’s a harshness suggested that is likely to recall issues that were on the table in the cold, cruel month of April. –  That’s when Venus (women, money, social graces) was challenged by Saturn (patriarchy, control, ambition) in opinionated Sagittarius twice in one month. Peruse the archives of this blog to refresh your memory of that tough time.  Note that the first Venus-Saturn challenge in that harsh cycle began around the last week of January. On MONDAY at 10:53 AM ET, Venus and Saturn will oppose each other, illuminating and releasing the challenges posed during these three Venus-Saturn squares.  Venus-Saturn transits can be isolating and stark…but the silver lining is that out of the sense of lack or loss, a plan for advance may emerge. 

Also of note in this New Moon chart: power and resources to the max, suggested by the third and final of a series of squares between expansive Jupiter in Libra (law, fairness, diplomacy) and Pluto (power, news from underground) in Capricorn (Powers That Be). Follow the preceding link to a write-up on this pattern posted last December.  This third hit will be exact on August 4th. Last, but not least, nebulous Neptune, planet of the surreal, is running wild in the New Moon chart. That’s your context for the “curiouser and curiouser” events we’re likely to see in the headlines.

The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon is 1 Leo:  “a case of apoplexy” — I kid you not!  And once again, Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee’s wonderful book offers a meaningful interpretation. Given the volatility suggested by this week’s planetary patterns, the “case of apoplexy” is remarkable. “To be apoplectic refers to any effusion of blood into an organ or tissue…sudden fits of rage or embarrassment.” We last had this Symbol activated in the Full Moon in July of 2013, accompanied by tense patterns among Mars-Uranus-Pluto — not unlike those we experienced during the last two weeks. During this new lunar cycle,  Bovee advises us to watch for “focused enthusiasm eager to broadcast self-evident, universal truths…an intense desire to burst out of the mold; dramatic outsets of fever, feverish expression or fervent belief…watch especially for creating circumstances in which the unexpected can strike.”

You’ll see this theme manifest  more personally for you if you have a planet or angle around 1 degree of Leo, Scorpio, Taurus or Aquarius…or if you were born around the 22nd of July, April, October or January.

And now, the news….

…which is pretty much a series of “I told  you so.”  Here’s the forecast for P45’s 2017 posted last November.

Meanwhile, in Donald Trump’s horoscope, we see the first of three hits to his Moon, Sun and relationship point from transiting Saturn on 12/30, 1/6 and 1/14, respectively. Thus begins an ambitious agenda (upside) or a feeling of restrictive focus, control or loss. This pattern hits again in July, September and October. The Moon is only exactly hit once, but will still be under pressure in July. The restrictive influence of Saturn suggests he will not be able to have everything he wants — bringing to life the reality of the song he kept playing at rallies, despite objections from the artists.

These limitations are countered by expansion — in the form of three hits of transiting Jupiter to his Jupiter, ruler of the area of his horoscope which refers to creative self-expression, children and speculative ventures. Saturn co-rules that area of his horoscope, so it may be six of one; half dozen of the other. Expansion of power and resources is suggested by an extraordinary double whammy of  Pluto — also to his Jupiter — now and through 2017.

A need for innovation and excitement that disrupts his mindset, communication and professional status is also at work in 2017, suggested by transiting Uranus squaring his Venus. When I think of Venus with Uranus, I think “I love you, but don’t take it personally.” I think of unconventional attractions and surprises involving women, values, money and aesthetics. OMG I am just realizing that Venus will be retrograde in brash Aries from March 4 through April 15th. What an inauspicious time to be redecorating the White House.

Back to the president-elect…

Chiron the Wounded Healer is still in play now and next year, continuing to expose toxic patterns and relationships going back years. This week, a month from now and January-February are active for Chiron, as are June, July and August. Of special interest: the total eclipse that will fall across all of the continental United States on August 21st. This hits two points in Trump’s horoscope: Mars and his Leo Ascendant, at a time when Mars (action, aggression) will be more easily provoked. The eclipse will be triggered on September 3rd by Mars and all that week by Mercury (this applies to anyone with a point or planet at 29 Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio). Fun fact: Mitt Romney’s Ascendant was eclipsed in May of 2012. Jeb Bush’s Ascendant was eclipsed in September of 2015. A change of status? The truth comes out? Mark your calendars.

Well?

Right now, the second big Saturn squeeze noted in November is putting pressure on P45’s opinionated Sagittarius Moon and his Gemini Sun. Saturn is at 22 Sagittarius, exactly conjoining his Moon on August 20th. Saturn opposed his Sun on July 7th and will do so again on October 11th. Even his relationships are feeling squeezed, with exact hits on July 22nd and September 27th.  If your Moon is around 20-22 degrees of Gemini, Sag, Pisces or Virgo, my money says you are also feeling squeezed, e.g., isolated, alienated, desperate to make an advance — even as your resources are feeling streamlined and controlled. Same for your Sun. When Saturn is in hard aspect to your Sun (life force), the squeeze and focus on your resources may include health/vitality concerns for you and/or a member of your family (often a parent).

Contrasting the squeeze of Saturn is the boundary-pushing expansion suggested by P45’s third hit of Jupiter conjunct Jupiter — and you’ll see some of that potential in the next two paragraphs. Bombast and luck?

Another chart to keep in mind is the one for P45’s inauguration. Here it is again — with the prognosis — posted  on January 25th.  Transiting Mars and the Sun just crossed the IC — the foundation — of the inaugural chart; Mars also opposed the Sun and today the Leo Sun opposes the Aquarius Sun of the inauguration. With this chart and P45’s chart, it’s no coincidence to see shake-ups in the Administration, including one involving his “ambassadors,” the recently-departed press secretary Sean Spicer and Attorney General Jeff Sessions.  “Spicer’s Abrupt Departure Rattles A White House on Edge.”   “Citing Recusal, Trump Says He Wouldn’t Have Hired Sessions,” who, by the way, totally talked with the Russians about things he said he never talked about, according to recent revelations in WaPo.   Given what we know of Mr. Sessions horoscope — posted in March — that’s no surprise.

Other (saber) rattling news included P45 warning Robert Mueller to keep his investigation far, far away from his family finances, for obvious reasons summed up in Esquire. That, along with rumblings that P45 may be looking for ways to pardon himself and his associates for any wrongdoing, tweeting this morning that “all agree the US president has the complete power to pardon.” You may recall I noted in the last forecast that we’d be seeing more and more of  “because I said so” offered as a rationale for action, now that Mars has entered Leo! Does this one fit the bill?  Vladimir Putin may or may not have been joking when he said this week that he hadn’t decided whether he would ever leave the presidency, a presumably elected  post he’s had now for 17 years.

In other news, last Thursday evening’s Sun-Uranus square was a pattern suggesting accidents and seismic activity might capture our attention.  What did I see on the news in my brief stop in New York? Planes (crashing), trains (derailing) and automobiles (also crashing — during a 120 mph Venus trine Jupiter “joyride”). For seismic activity, Greece and Turkey obliged.  Meanwhile, on the tundra, “all hell breaks loose.”

Freedom is another Sun-Uranus keyword, and this week O.J. Simpson was granted parole, a few weeks after his third hit of transiting Jupiter square his Cancer Sun. That can be expansive, for better or for worse.  He will be released in October after nine years in prison. In November he will have a hit to his Pisces Moon from transiting Saturn, along with a potentially heavy solar arc to his Sun from Saturn. That suggests a squeeze – or other serious restriction imposed. If a health issue makes news, I would not be surprised.

What’s going on in your horoscope? Aren’t you dying to know how all of these planetary patterns apply to you personally? Let’s talk about it in a personal consultation — by phone on in-person. I’m in Raleigh-Durham until Tuesday — then back in the Big Apple. Here’s how to contact me — and here’s a link to my Cosmic Tip Jar if you find these forecast informative and entertaining, with gratitude.

Thank you for reading this forecast..

 

 

Tuesday 7/18/2017: Sneak Peek in the Middle of the Week; The Right to Bare Arms & Other Venus-Mars-Uranus-Neptune Phenomena

Alll-righty then!

(Apologies to subscribers for the late post. MailChimp changed its delivery system — I thought this shipped yesterday, but nooooooo. Onward!)

It’s my last day in LA. Next stop: Raleigh-Durham, NC!!  Will be there until July 25th. If you live in the Tarheel State and are itching for an in-person consultation, do get in touch. Yes, I am still available for consultations by phone.

The work week began with the Moon in stability-focused Taurus, where it will be until 3:31 AM ET on WEDNESDAY. A generous indulgence of the senses is suggested by a harmony between Venus (social expression, arts, women, money) and Jupiter (expansion, for better or worse). If you have a planet or point around 14 degrees of any sign — and especially Aquarius, let me know if you win anything on a lottery ticket you purchased before 4:08PM ET. As they say in New York, “hey, ya never know.”

On WEDNESDAY, the information junkie needs of the Moon in Gemini are structured and advanced by an easy flow between Mercury (mindset) and Saturn, exact at 3:16 PM ET. Make that outline; finish that draft.  If your pitch is designed to disrupt the status quo, it’ll fit right in with the innovative, game-changing potential suggested by THURSDAY’s challenge between the emotional/homeland security-seeking Sun and rebel technogeek Uranus. How curious that Beth Owls Daughter’s Tarot Card this week is The Fool. A great leap forward, perhaps — especially if you have a planet or point around 28 degrees of Capricorn, Cancer, Aries or Libra. My money says you’ve been feeling the pressure to make a break in whatever area of your life symbolized by that planet. Would you like to talk about it?

The Sun in a challenging aspect to Uranus suggests disruptive news involving heads of state. As I type, WaPo reports that P45 met with Vladimir Putin not once at the G20 summit, but twice.  Surprise! Also surprise: visitor logs from Mar-A-Lago are slated to be released after September 8th. That’s fascinating because that is the week that Mars and Mercury will trigger the August 21st total eclipse of the Sun, which falls directly on P45’s 29 Leo Ascendant. Secrets often come out in the aftermath of an eclipse.

This week, two planets leave Cancer for Leo. Mars goes first. As of 8:20 AM ET on THURSDAY,  the planet symbolizing action and aggression shifts its focus from emotional/nurturing concerns (Cancer) to one of simply lording it over everyone with drama, showmanship and other regal efforts to shine. Mars in Leo needs to act  with entertaining flair, even as it blithely gets away with murder. Travel with a friend who has Mars in Leo if you want to up your chances of complimentary upgrades and other perks.

On SATURDAY at 11:16 AM ET, Sun enters Leo, the sign it rules. Wish your favorite drama king/queen a happy birthday between then and August 22nd, or there will be hell to pay.  ON SUNDAY at 5:46 AM ET, we’ll have a New Moon in Leo — time to plant seeds that will enable you to shine, shine, shine. We are likely to see a few spectacular assertions of will between that New Moon and next Wednesday’s meet-up between the Leo Sun and Leo Mars.

And now, the news.

I don’t know about you, but once the Moon charged into me-me-me Aries last Friday at 7:52 PM ET, I noticed the energetic shift immediately. A faster pace and more heated exchanges  — even among friends. What’s the Aries motto, according to fellow Aries astrologer Rick Levine? “Ready. Fire. Aim!” Ramping up the potential for hair-trigger tempers and other impulsive actions was the challenging square between that cranky Mars in Cancer and eccentric Uranus, exact at 9:35 PM on Monday (yesterday). Uranus suggests the unusual or unconventional. Add to that yesterday’s soulful challenge between Venus and Neptune, and we see the potential for feminine ideals, healing, spiritual concerns to make news in ways that disrupt the status quo.

So what was one of the big stories yesterday? An Australian woman shot dead by police in Minneapolis. Justine Damond was a meditation teacher, life coach and a bride-to-be who recently posted on Facebook how she rescued eight  baby ducks. Samaritan that she was, she called 911 “after hearing a possible sexual assault taking place in an alley behind her Minneapolis home”.  And somehow this unarmed, pajama-clad woman ended up being killed by a police officer. Reflecting the unconventional potential of Mars in contact with Uranus, turns out the police officer is Somali-American.   Reflecting the fog suggested by Neptune in touch with Venus, details of this event are — at the moment — shrouded in mystery.  You may recall Minneapolis made news not too long ago when the police officer who killed driver Philando Castile during a traffic stop was acquitted. One of these days we may have to look at the horoscope of Minneapolis.

Here’s a list of other stories in line with planetary patterns — anticipated in the last forecast:

In other news, efforts to repeal and replace — and then just simply replace — the Affordable Care Act have been disrupted, thanks to the compassion of three women Senators: Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Shelley Moore Capito. Although, perhaps not being included in the whole drafting process might have had something to do with it, too. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned? Venus-Neptune (sensitive feminine) with Mars-Uranus (rebel) is everywhere this week.

Meanwhile, the whole P45 Jr. Russian Swamp Thing keeps on going and going and going. We’re up to eight people being present  in the meeting that was set up with the Russian lady lawyer for the purpose of obtaining dirt on Hillary Clinton. The eighth is a Russian-American businessman accused of money laundering. Nothing to see here, including tax returns. Right?

Rumor has it that it’s a good time to be a criminal defense lawyer in Washington…which is probably why the third most popular article on the WaPo homepage is about a video of a dog saving a drowning baby deer. Hey WaPo — they’re called fawns. You’re welcome :D

Words. Use ’em or lose ’em. That serious thought is brought to you by tomorrow’s Moon in Gemini on a day with  Mercury trine Saturn.

Thank you for reading this forecast. Gotta fly!

 

 

Tuesday 7/11/2017: Sneak Peek at the Rest of the Week; Full Moon in Capricorn Gets Your Goat

Greetings from Los Angeles!

…where I’m filling my calendar up with delightful Avid Readers — so much fun to meet in person! I have a few appointments available until July 18th. Then I’m off to Raleigh, NC.

The work week began with the Moon in super-friendly Aquarius, looking to network, network, network  — and be appreciated for its unique social significance. It travels without much static all day TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY. Such a relief, comparing the jolts we experienced on Sunday, when the Moon clashed with Pluto, Uranus and Mars. More on that in a minute.

Moon will be void on WEDNESDAY at 8:40 AM ET; it glides into intuitive Pisces at 11:51 AM ET. Thus, on the East Coast, you can get away with sleeping in or flaking out. Not so in LaLaLand.  On THURSDAY the Pisces Moon meets up with Neptune at 2:28 PM ET, suggesting a dreamy start to the day. Upside: the potential for inspiration and vision, especially as we roll into FRIDAY afternoon, when expansive thoughts in the courts and in the media are likely to pull focus. This is courtesy of a cooperative connection between Mercury and Jupiter, which expands whatever it touches. Downside: communication may be muddled or overly idealistic on Thursday.  When in doubt, push for clarity.

The Pisces Moon goes void on FRIDAY at 1PM ET, and wanders without much direction until 7:52 PM ET. Yes, start the weekend early, though there is bound to be some late-breaking piece of news during the void that causes a perceived “crisis”. The general rule about Moon voids — when the Moon is drifting along with as much energy as an exhausted pinball — is that crises which crop up during voids are much ado about nothing — without consequence. Thus, ye are advised to chill!

Once the Moon enters Aries at 7:52 PM ET on FRIDAY, the pace picks up noticeably with its me-me-me-first drive. Saturday is fine for impulsive shopping. Sunday is likely to be as rollicking as last Sunday, thanks to the Moon’s weekly clash with Mars, Uranus and Pluto.

No sleeping in on MONDAY.

And now, the news…

…which I didn’t pay much attention to over the weekend, as my focus was on a joyful wedding and a college mini-reunion. Still, the intensity of the Full Moon in Capricorn, supercharged by the aforementioned Mars, Uranus and Pluto, was felt even without looking at the headlines. Here is a scene from the reception…

…which was perfect and lovely, nonetheless, even if the ceremony was disrupted once by an Emergency Evacuation Alert going off on a cell phone. Turns out fires were all over the place — in six states and in Canada. As for the college gathering, I was a bit apprehensive about scheduling it on a day that would begin with a tense aspect between the Moon and Mars. Sure enough, there were cancellations. Some were worried about the wildfires (pictured above); another actually sprained her ankle. But those who persevered enjoyed a wine-tasting and picnic lunch at Demetria Estate in Los Olivos, just down the road from Fess Parker — made famous in the movie Sideways (a must-see).  The day ended with a surprise visit to the just-opened Leashless Brewing in Ventura. It was a surprise to the owners,  who did not know for sure if I would be able to drop by — true to the spirit of the afternoon’s  proactive Capricorn Moon’s square from Uranus. Surprise! And what says “leashless” — i.e., FREE — like the Moon in touch with Uranus?

Meanwhile, in the actual headlines….

A full Moon in Capricorn is an apt pattern for an article about how goats are going to steal our jobs. Capricorn is the sign of the Goat, doncha know. In other news, the Sun-Pluto conjunction in January was accompanied by a ton of stories about the Russian involvement in the November elections, as you will recall from the last post. The Full Moon suggested further illumination on this topic. What did we get? P45 Jr., appearng to admit  for all intents and purposes that he took a meeting with a Russian lawyer last year, hoping she would provide him with dirt on his father’s opponent.

We do not have an exact birth time for Mr. P45 Jr., but let the record show that he is a Capricorn with Moon in Virgo, seeking to be appreciated for the exacting perfection he brings to his enterprising efforts. Is that why he keeps updating his recollection of that meeting?  Like his father, P45 Jr has a Mercury-Neptune connection, suggesting a need for idealism, vision or rose-colored fog in matters of communcation and mindset. His Mercury (how he needs to think) is in high-flying, righteously opinionated Sagittarius, almost at a dead stop (Mercury had just turned direct).  It is possible that his natal Neptune is in a tense connection with the Moon, reinforcing a need for those rose-colored glasses.

Also like his father: Mars (how he needs to act) is in regal Leo, a placement which some astrologers say can get away with murder in its show-stopping, entitled action. It’s interesting to note that transiting Mercury met up with P45 Jr’s Mars over the weekend, suggesting dramatic communication and assertion. It’s also interesting to see transiting Saturn about to meet up with his 21  degree Sagittarius Mercury — that’ll happen next month; the first hit was in January.  Add him to the truckload of players who have planets around 22 degrees of Sag, Gemini, Virgo and Pisces — all tied in to the U.S. Mars-Neptune square.  When Saturn hits your Mercury by transit, it suggests a need for a reality check in matters of thought and communication that may be weighty, cutting or depressing. If P45 Jr was born in the late afternoon/evening on Jan 1, 1977, transiting Saturn will add its gravitas to P45 Jr.’s Virgo Moon. Life gets serious.

Here’s the latest — posted minutes ago at The Guardian:

The emails show music promoter Rob Goldstone telling the future US president’s son that “the crown prosecutor of Russia” had offered “to provide the Trump campaign with some official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary and her dealings with Russia and would be very useful to your father”.

Goldstone adds: “This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr Trump.”

Trump Jr replies 17 minutes later and welcomes the offer. “If it’s what you say, I love it, especially later in the summer.”

To be continued.

The next notable day of planetary action is Monday, July 17, when  action hero Mars will be challenged by rebel Uranus…AND…Venus will be challenged by Neptune. Watch for upsets, accidents and innovation in matters of action, leaders, aviation, technology and gender concerns, coupled with idealism about the feminine, aesthetics and healing. I wonder if we’ll be hearing more about the oppressive dress code enforced last week in the Speaker’s Lobby on Capitol Hill. A journalist from Across the Pond offers this rant on the women journalists who were ordered off the premises for the crime of wearing….a sleeveless dress. No, there is nothing specific in the dress code that prohibits the wearing of sleeveless dresses.

Thank you for reading this forecast — and sharing it with your friends.

Friday 7/7/2017 & the Weekend: Full Moon in Capricorn; Mars Mash-Up Makes News

Greetings from Los Angeles! Yes, I still have appointments available after July 13th  if you would like to meet in-person and you live in the Southland.

Moon has been in Sagittarius since 1:08AM ET on WEDNESDAY — fulfilling its need to push boundaries in matters of opinion — and hopefully lift spirits after the controlling moodiness of the Moon’s sojourn through Scorpio on July 2-4.  Moon went void at 10:12 AM ET, suggesting an opportunity to focus on routine concerns, rolling with twists and flakes that upset your efforts to move forward in a straight line. What kind of twist? Oh, I dunno…maybe your meeting with Vladimir Putin goes on way longer than expected.

At 9:19AM ET, Mercury (mindset) and Venus (social expression) were in harmony, suggesting an idealistic and cooperative communication effort that started the day. Lo and behold, there was no apparent wrestling match in the alleged first handshake of the alleged first meeting of P45 and Vladimir Putin. Coincidence or conspiracy?

FYI, Mercury and Venus  recently changed signs. Venus left Taurus for double-talking Gemini at 8:12 PM ET on TUESDAY, seeking flexibility and diversity in social engagement. Double-booked this month, perhaps? Mercury left Cancer for regal Leo at 8:20 PM ET on WEDNESDAY, ditching its prior thinking in terms of homeland security for a much simpler “because I said so.”

Meanwhile, Moon enters  Capricorn at 1:45 PM ET, and takes on a get down to business drive that carries us through the weekend, with no voids to discourage your impulse shopping splurges. On SATURDAY, emotions are likely to be running high, building to a release on the Full Moon at 12:07AM ET on SUNDAY.  Fallout from Sunday’s Full Moon may be volatile, as the Moon makes its weekly clash with Pluto and Uranus, at 2:05 AM ET and 10:12 PM ET, respectively. Oh — and around noon ET, Mars opposes the Moon. Thus, do be  careful on the roads and around sharp objects, including wit.

Adding to the potency of Sunday’s Full Moon is the annual opposition between the Sun (life force; leaders) and  Pluto (power, corruption exposed). That pattern will be exact on MONDAY at 12:07 AM ET.  What seeds were planted around January 7th, when the Sun and Pluto were conjoined?  Here’s the post for that day to refresh your memory.  How will they be illuminated now?   You are more personally affected by the Sun-Pluto opposition if you have a planet or point around 18 degrees of Cancer, Capricorn, Libra and Aries…consult your local astrologer for details.

The Sabian Symbols for this Full Moon are “the Union Jack” (for the Capricorn Moon) and “a hen scratching for her chicks” (for the Cancer Sun). Instantly we see a typical tension between Cancer’s priority on  family vs. Capricorn’s priority on a government/state. Cancer needs to put food on the table. Capricorn needs structure and status — ooh, look, there’s a glorious flag! Sabian Symbol Guru Blain Bovee notes another intriguing tension between these two symbols: uncovering vs. covering.

In terms of human behavior, watch for the tendency to cover oneself in a general disguise of group identity as if one is just too shy or careful to reveal too much of oneself too quickly.

Let’s watch to see how these themes play out in the headlines next week.

And now, the news.

On Wednesday the Cancer Sun got an expansive hit — for better or for worse — from Jupiter. Two hours earlier, at 8:47PM ET, the Sun harmonized with Neptune. Hmm….an overblown (Jupiter) reaction to a visionary ideal (Neptune), perhaps — likely involving home/homeland concerns?  Add the sudden jolt suggested in matters of communication, as Mercury was challenged by eccentric Uranus the night before. Thus, on the U.S. Independence Day, papers around the country might be compelled to print  headlines like this:  NPR tweets the Declaration of Independence, and people freak out about a ‘revolution’. Would you recognize the Declaration of Indepence if it flashed across your Twitter feed? How about the Constitution? Over the weekend, the NYT ran a piece in which people described what it was like to handwrite the latter, with intriguing observations.

This story reflects the scandal/deception/spirituality potential of the Sun’s contact with Jupiter and Neptune:  “Hobby Lobby Fined Overr $3 Million Over Smuggled  Iraqi Artifacts.”

Meanwhile, while many were distracted by P45’s malicious Mika tweets, in the wake of last week’s ruthless, information-grabbing Mercury-Pluto opposition, letters were sent to all states from a White House panel “investigating” bogus allegations of voter fraud. The request: give Kris Kobach all “publicly available” information on state  voter rolls, including  names, addresses, birthdates, political party (if recorded), last four digits of the voter’s Social Security Number and which elections the voter has participated in since 2006, for every registered voter in the country.   Kris Kobach is the Secretary of State in Kansas. He is credited with the creation of an interstate database called Crosscheck, which has been used by Kansas and over a dozen other states to deny citizens their right to vote. What does this have to do with astrology? Looking ahead a few years we see planetary patterns suggesting strong potential for governments to become even more authoritarian. How did your state respond to Kobach’s request? Mississippi’ s Republican Secretary of State told the commission to go jump in the Gulf of Mexico, while Missouri’s thinks OK, this is fine.

In other news,  I’d say the weekend’s headlines lived up to the wretched potential of Saturday’s face-off between Mars and Pluto. Exhibit A:  On July 4th, North Korea appears to have successfully tested a long-range missile — one not seen before.  I believe I’ve mentioned before that the Mars line on P45’s horoscope runs through Washington DC and Pyongyang. When you have a Mars line running through a geographical location, this is where you are likely to encounter or expression aggression. Jim Lewis, an astrologer who wrote the book on this subject, has observed that numerous past U.S. presidents have literally gone to war along a Mars line. I believe I have also mentioned that North Korea’s Saturn is at 28 Leo, on P45’s Leo Ascendant and Leo Mars. This suggests a potentially militant connection — frustrating, at the very least. Keep an eye on this relationship in the aftermath of the August 21st eclipse, especially the first week of September. The eclipse will be at 28 Leo, and Mars and Mercury will hit that degree of Leo in early September.

Exhibit B: P45’s toxic tweet of a mash-up of him pummeling a man with a pixilated CNN logo covering his entire head. Inspired no doubt by Tuesday’s quirky Mercury-Uranus square, the good folks at Australian TV station SBS produced a CNN “response.”  Because comedy is a coping mechanism for pain. No wonder comics are doing so well these days, including New York’s own Randy Rainbow.    Exhibit C: Even news about the Red Planet was toxic: “Mars covered in toxic chemicals that can wipe out living organisms, tests reveal”

Meanwhile, in the category of Plutonian “news from underground,” some are saying that  an old photograph found buried in the National Archives is of Amelia Earhart, the aviator who famously disappeared in 1937, while attempting to fly around the world. Does this photo mean Ms. Earhart survived a crash landing in the Pacific? I don’t know, but we see transiting Pluto right at the top of her horoscope into 2018. This suggests her public status will become prominent and possibly empowered — and at the very least, transformed. It doesn’t matter that Ms. Earhart is no longer among the living. The horoscope lives forever, as I wrote in an article published last year in The Mountain Astrologer. I’m pleased to report that I’ve written another piece for TMA and you can find it in the Aug/Sep issue — available now at Barnes & Noble. The article is called “Stop Talking About the Planets!” I hope you will enjoy it.

Thank you for reading this forecast.