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Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 5/18/2015: New Moon in Taurus; Mercury in Retrograde

Good Morning!

Moon entered Gemini at 5:27AM ET. A new day, a new week — and five hours earlier, a New Moon. More on that in a minute.  High-flying ambition and action designed to tell the world about it are in play, as Moon is challenged by Saturn at 8:49AM ET, followed by a meet-up with warrior Mars at 1:26PM ET.

Hmm. I wrote that line last night, and the headline dominating the home page of the NYT is this: “Obama to Limit Military-Style Equipment for Police Forces”. Excellent, Mr. President. Now when are you going to back off this TPP (doubtful).

Be aware that mental Mercury is at at standstill (from our Earthbound perspective) and will turn retrograde at 9:53PM ET. You can be quite productive during this period of mental review, so no whinging, please.

Did you back up your computers and other electronic gizmos? Good. Will you promise to triple check written communications before you hit “send”? Excellent. Do you swear you will call the restaurant before you meet that important client, just to confirm that it is still there and/or not closed for private party? Awesome. And will you promise to slow down enough to make sure that what you say and what you hear are accurately understood? Great! You’re going to be just fine.

I meant to post this forecast last night, but my computer “mysteriously” froze. I did not get upset. I read an inspiring book and then went to sleep. This morning the computer is functioning as designed.

Contrary to popular belief, Mercury retrogrades are no reason to freak out. Mercury retrograde gets a bad rap because we are geared, in this crazy modern age, to always be thinking, doing, moving FORWARD. Ya know what that gets you? BURN OUT. We need our down times, and Mercury retrograde is a perfect time to give our minds a rest. Why else would your computer, phone and/or car choose THIS time to malfunction? Because you are supposed to be slowing down…and tuning IN. And as you slow down and tune inward, it is vitally important that you re-adjust your FOCUS.

When Mercury is retrograde through June 11th, be prepared for travel delays, scheduling screw-ups, mechanical breakdowns, computer crashes, having to repeat what you’ve just said, misunderstandings, projects from the past coming back for a second look, surprise reunions and having to repeat what you just said.

Adopt a playful attitude of flexibility to whatever twists you encounter, as with void-of-course Moons. Avoid making major purchases (especially mechanical ones). Avoid gossiping and believing everything you hear or read in the papers. Most important, avoid losing patience. Make friends with your inner Zen Buddha instead.

Mercury turns retrograde at 13 degrees of Gemini. If you have a planet or an angle around that degree, you’ll be more personally affected than most. If you know where 13 degrees Gemini falls in your horoscope, that’s the area of your life that will be most stimulated by Mercury’s apparent backward motion.

Do plan on RElaxing, REviewing, REsearching, REorganizing, REgenerating, REconnecting and REcreating. Mercury retrogrades are excellent times to REview your life with your astrologer.

The NYT published a superb article about Mercury retrograde back in January. So encouraging to see a Serious Newspaper run a serious, smart article about astrology. In February, the Washington Post also ran a piece about Mercury retrograde, but with a sensationalist headline. Mercury retrograde “madness”? Give me a break. For potential “madness,” wait until Memorial Day. That’s when we’ll have a fanatical/delusional/starstuck challenge between Neptune and Mars and a challenge in which rebel Uranus shakes up Venus (women, social expression, art, money). But I’m getting ahead of myself.

About this New Moon…

The New Moon in Taurus happened at 12:13AM ET, offering us an opportunity to re-set  intentions and goals for the next lunar cycle.  Make a list, light a candle, say a prayer. Around May 25th, 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 June 2nd, 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 9th, we can review our achievements, tie up loose ends and get ready to begin another New Moon cycle on  June 16th.

New Moon in Taurus needs to build material stability and security. So what do you want to have? What do you value? How creative can you get when it comes to acquiring what you want?

There is a dynamic action potential in this New Moon chart, for better or for worse. The Sun and Moon are applying to warrior Mars and controlling/ambitious Saturn. The Sun and Moon are also conjunct the fixed star Algol, which you may remember was prominent in the departure chart of that ill-fated Germanwings flight.

Algol suggests losing one’s head. The word “alcohol” comes from “Algol” — isn’t that interesting? Algol also suggests “immense female passion and power,” as you’ll read in this fascinating piece by UK astrologer Nick Kollerstrom.

The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon at 27 Taurus echoes this overwrought feminine theme: “a squaw selling beads”. “Squaw” is a controversial word. Some say it is derogatory because it means vagina. This is also a point of controversy. But with two powerful symbols of feminine energy that is seen through a distorted lens and is thus feared, I’m curious to see how this will manifest in the headlines.

Sabian Symbol guru Blaine Bovee suggests that “a squaw selling beads” is a image of someone having to take on a job that is beneath her dignity. Is she selling herself short? Why does she have to “sell out”? Bovee also notes that Manhattan was sold for a handful of beads.  How interesting to be faced with this Symbol as the aforementioned  Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement gains traction in the news.

On the plus side, Bovee suggests this Symbol implores us to consider being true to ourselves. How we can not “sell out”? How can we not throw our precious pearls (beads?) before swine?

And on that note, I’ll close…so I can post this by 10AM ET. Apologies for any typos left uncorrected as a result…

To be continued…

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 3/15/2013 & the Weekend: Habemus Papam; Mercury Turns Direct

…and the dust is settling for most of us, courtesy of the Moon moving into the grounded (as in “earth”) sign of Taurus on Thursday at 3:08PM ET. Those who are still feeling supercharged, crazed or cranky likely have planets around 3 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn…or were born around the 23rd of March, June, September or December. For those born in the last five or six days of those months, you’re still in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime ride, with much more in store.

Aspects to the comfort-seeking Taurus Moon are light through Saturday, with the exception of a potential wet blanket or ambitious reach from stern Saturn at 12:27PM ET. And you know how much I love a weekend with Moon in Taurus; it’s a fine time for staying put, eating well and other sensory/sensual pleasures. Moon goes void on Saturday at 7:11PM ET, adding to the potential for a nice little chill.

Moon enters information junkie Gemini at 2:09AM ET, creating more than the usual buzz. First, it’s St. Patrick’s Day and the green beer may start flowing especially early, given the Moon’s square to nebulous Neptune at 9:39AM ET. Lively discourse — with some facts being more relative than others — is a distinct possibility as Mercury turns direct at 4:03PM ET. With Mercury moving forward,  focus in all matters of communication and travel is suggested. Sunday evening is marked by friendly and expansive aspects to the chatty Moon from innovative Uranus and expansive Jupiter.

So…the papal conclave, as promised. My sense, given that it started with Moon and Mars in impulsive, get-it-done-yesterday Aries (among other proactive patterns), was that a decision would be made quickly — and it was. But really, choosing a pope when Mercury is retrograde and the Moon is void of course? Oy vey! Regular readers of this forecast know that contests during voids often favor the underdog and upsets, which certainly applies to Pope Francis. Actions initiated during voids often prove to be of no consequence; i.e., they do not live up to expectations. Perhaps the most famous Moon void/Mercury retrograde election in recent history was the US election of 2000. Surprising upset? Underdog favored? Didn’t quite live up to expectation? Point is, Pope Francis will likely continue to make a surprising impact  — for better or for worse.

We do not have a birth time yet for Pope Francis; here is the noon chart. He is a Sagittarius with Moon in humanitarian Aquarius. The Sag Sun (which is peregrine & thus running wild) brings boatloads of energy for opining on big picture subjects: law, philosophy, world travel, religion/theosophy. The Aquarius Moon needs to be of unique social significance. Venus (love, women, money, art) is probably conjunct the Moon and both are challenged by rebel Uranus (which rules Aquarius). This is a suggestion of popularity; a friendly social expression; and unconventional approaches to relationship which require freedom and independence, as in “I love you, but don’t take it personally”. This horoscope is well-equipped to relate to the masses, pun obviously intended — and it is likely easier for it to function as a man of the people as opposed to one intimate partner, with stubbornly quaint ideas about how relationship should be conducted. Isn’t that interesting?

Saturn, which refers to the father/authority/ambition is opposed by nebulous Neptune, suggesting that issues related to the father, etc. may be intangible, spiritual, bewildering and/or escapist. Saturn is in Pisces. Astrologer Michael Lutin says that Saturn in Pisces “turns its suffering into an art form”. And anyone I know with Saturn in Pisces knows what I’m talking about. It is amazing how these people can turn emotional lemons into creative lemonade.

Pope Francis’ Mercury, which refers to mindset, is in patriarchal, proactive Capricorn and also in an obsessive-compulsive aspect with potent natal Pluto. This suggests a powerful intellect, and it is fascinating to note that on March 14th, this Mercury was exactly supercharged by transiting Pluto. Really, it is as if this horoscope suddenly became “an idea whose time had come”! Pope Francis was allegedly the runner-up in 2005. Not in 2013.

Elsewhere in the horoscope we find Mars — running wild — but in the conflict-averse sign of Libra. A warrior for peace? Jupiter, which is where the horoscope finds its reward, is in Capricorn.  Hmmm…a philosopher/theologian who needs to help people, whose reward is making things happen and finding its place in the established order — most likely at the top.

Last but not least, it is interesting to note that transiting Saturn, now at 10 Scorpio —  will definitely be challenging Pope Francis’ Venus in the next month or so…and may be challenged or will soon challenge the Aquarius Moon. Feelings of isolation and heavy responsibility and/or ambition are not uncommon with this particular transit, which applies through the summer. Well, that sounds reasonable. It can be lonely at the top. Cue Joan Osborne singing fabulous song now…and get your Pope Francis I cookies right here, baked with love from the Bronx.

Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 7/6/2011: Obama’s Horoscope July 2011

Re-read yesterday’s forecast. Moon is void of course, “freefalling” in perfectionist Virgo, countered by a strong, supportive aspect between constructive Saturn and assertive Mars. This can be a highly productive day. Special memo to the US Congress: this is an excellent time to refine your homework assignment  on resolving the US debt crunch, in preparation for your big meeting with President Obama on Thursday. Write a three-paragraph essay on the major transformation of perspective/philosophy you are going to have regarding material resources. Thursday’s exact connection between ruthless Pluto and expansive Jupiter demands it.
I’m getting ahead of myself with thoughts on Thursday, but here they are:  Moon will be in Libra, sign of “make nice with others”, rational debate and striving to find a balance (while swinging wildly from one side to the other). The need for appreciation (of everyone’s position) will likely rule, even as feelings are knocked around throughout the day, as suggested by the planetary heavies: Pluto, Uranus and Saturn challenging that Libra Moon. I anticipate unusual, innovative — perhaps even shocking — attractions and alliances — not limited to the big powwow at the White House (disruptive Uranus is challenging Venus, planet of love, money and social expression). Perhaps we’ll see something wild or quirky in the financial markets, too.

Warning: ruthless Pluto opposes Venus on Friday night.  Could be witchy-bitchy. Ouch.

Of course it doesn’t take an astrologer to appreciate how big the stakes are for Obama this month. But it does take an astrologer to see those stakes clearly confirmed by the planetary patterns in his horoscope. Ruthless Pluto exerting pressure on controlling Saturn in Obama’s horoscope suggests this is a time of intensely hard work, under the threat of great loss (I’ve mentioned this particular pattern in previous forecasts).  This pattern is exact on July 26th. Whether you agree with his policies or not, it is highly unlikely that he is slacking off on the job.

And now that I’ve pretty much covered the whole week, perhaps I’ll have time tomorrow to answer a reader’s query about world events in 1848. Yes, there is an obvious similarity in the patterns that were active then compared to the patterns happening now. Stay tuned…

Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 2/2/2011: New Moon in Aquarius

Another intriguing aspect in effect yesterday and today — and setting the tone for the New Moon in Aquarius is erratic, freedom-loving, unconventional Uranus challenging Venus, planet of love, beauty and money…while whispering cooperatively in the ear of Mercury, planet of mind and communication. Add to that mix nebulous Neptune also caressing Venus…(is this prose the right shade of purple yet?)…and we have a perfect scenario for a few surprising social encounters, ranging from the refreshingly sublime to the simply ridiculous. Any sudden breaks, free spirits or weirdos in your life today? How about a New Best Friend? Wait a day or so before starting anything with any of these characters — we’re still in the dark side of the Moon — and you’ve got the entire work day to continue wrapping up old projects and start contemplating your agenda for the next cycle.

The New Moon — the moment we’ve all been waiting for — is exact at 9:31PM NY/6:31PM LA at 14 degrees of Aquarius. The Sabian Symbol for this degree is “A train entering a tunnel”. Astrologer Blain Bovee offers these keywords and phrases for possible manifestations of this New Moon energy (I’m listing a few; his book on Sabian Symbols is a most worthy addition to your shelf): “an efficient means of pressing forward through an opening or a passageway; having tunnel vision; the light at the end of the tunnel; a determined focus; an inadvertent disregard for others; following in the train of a powerful natural force; entering into a breakthrough situation”.

Remember when we were kids, how we — or at least some of us —  tried to dig a hole to China? That would have been some shortcut, wouldn’t it? What quantum leaps of consciousness and/or efficiency are within your potential this month? What other “great leaps forward” will we see in the headlines? Think humanitarian, socially significant, rebellion, freedom, technology and whatever else disrupts the status quo. Dare to be boring (the word “boring” has been corrupted; it means to pierce through), with your New Moon agenda, and push through to the light on the other side. Some of your best friends — old and new — may even want to come along.

If you’re not quite sure what to put on your New Moon agenda, but you really do want to further your evolution, you could do worse than rent the movie Groundhog Day, which suggests that in order to attract your one true love, you need to become that which you hope to attract. It’s also a top-notch romantic comedy, in addition to being spiritually profound. Take notes and enjoy the laughs.