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The Pisces Moon is void this morning between 9:54 AM ET and 12:35 PM ET. See if you notice how the energy shifts this afternoon — from a need for empathy and ideals to the Aries Moon’s need for me-me-me — not now, but RIGHT NOW. Its action-oriented drive may be tempered by a authoritarian challenge around 5:37 PM ET, when the Moon is squared by Saturn. On WEDNESDAY, the need for initiative charges ahead without interference.
THURSDAY offers a few pushes and shoves, as the Moon squares Pluto at 12:53 AM ET (power play/catharsis time), with more to come around 7 PM ET, as the Aries Moon opposes Venus in Libra (“me” vs. “we”) and squares Mars in Capricorn (“just get it done!”). Chill during a two and a half hour Moon void. Moon enters Taurus at 9:30 PM ET, seeking material comfort and security. That need may be disrupted around 1:50 AM ET on FRIDAY, as the Moon makes its weekly hard aspect to Uranus.
Other than today’s last of three squares between Mercury (mindset, communication) and Jupiter (big!!) at 1:31 AM ET, there are no other exact aspects among the planets, except to the Moon. Anything goes! But please go slowly, as Mars (action, assertion, aggression) has only just turned direct (yesterday at 10:05 AM ET).
Avid Readers may enjoy a Labor Day weekend relatively free from planetary challenges, brought to you mostly by the pleasure-seeking Taurus Moon on Friday and Saturday. On SUNDAY, Moon enters information junkie Gemini at 4:02 AM ET, and will be close to a meet-up with Barack Obama’s Gemini Moon as he eulogizes Senator John McCain. Sweetness and cooperation in communication and social expression is likely to be noticeable as we get closer to the weekend and MONDAY’s harmony between Mercury and Venus, exact at 8:38 AM ET. George W. Bush — who has also been asked to deliver a eulogy — will benefit from the suggested social grace and rose-colored vision.
And now, the news.
“Reaching across the aisle” is one potential of the weekend’s alignment among Sun, Saturn (old guard) and Uranus (avant garde). And this is how some are remembering John McCain, as in this clip from NBC News: “John McCain’s Legacy of Reaching Across the Aisle.” In a letter to America, dictated before he died, McCain encourages us to appreciate what we have in common and place those unifying bonds above all else.
Here is John McCain’s horoscope: perfectionist Virgo Sun driven by a humanitarian/maverick-y Moon in Aquarius. Needs to be seen as empathetic and visionary, suggested by a Pisces Ascendant. Saturn in Pisces is in an obsessive relationship with that Virgo Sun, suggesting a need for obsessive-compulsion in matters of authority, discipline, obligation. Astrologer Michael Lutin once said that Saturn in Pisces needs to turn suffering into an art form. And this is interesting because Saturn in Pisces is right there in the First House — so clearly part of the image he needs to present to the world. Most people know that John McCain survived five years of torture as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. He wrote about that experience in the early ’70s, here. I thought about the planetary patterns he would have had during that anguished period. Probably a conjunction, square or opposition from Pluto to his natal Saturn. And in fact, that’s what he had.
Contrary to the obsessive discipline of his Sun-Saturn relationship, his Aquarius Moon is challenged by rebel Uranus and opposed by intensely potent Pluto. That T-square suggests a need for freedom and for deep dramatic expression. Add more drama courtesy of a regally entitled Mars in Leo (that can get away with murder), in harmony with a boundary-pushing Jupiter in Sagittarius. This Mars-Jupiter alignment suggests strong potential for vitality, with Mars placed in the 6th house of health and “the body politic.” Toss in a bit of streamlined conservatism, suggested by an opposition between Saturn and Venus in hypercritical Virgo.
His T-square among Moon, Uranus and Pluto has been hit more than once by this summer’s Mars-Uranus square. Last week, transiting Mars stationed opposite McCain’s Pluto, suggesting empowering effort in matters of values and self-worth, heard around the world. His final “letter to America” linked above would be one manifestation. As for his visionary/mythic projection, his Venus at 23 Virgo is square to Chiron (the wounded healer) at 22 Gemini. It sits right on top of the Mars-Neptune square in the U.S. horoscope. So his values and social expression are going to grok with the U.S. romance with cowboys and guns. It’s amazing how many who hold powerful government positions in this country have planets in their horoscopes that are connected to that pattern in our national horoscope.
Anyhoo…
Regarding the maple trees. My plea to my friend on the co-op board made an impact. The next day, as I was in full-blown community organizer mode, I received a text that the planned tree removal had been put on hold — to be “revisited.” I was thrilled that the trees had earned at least a temporary reprieve, but did not feel for a minute that my work was done. And it wasn’t. Stay tuned, and I’ll tell you what happened next.
Meanwhile, astrologer Bill Herbst has been on a roll this summer, churning out essay after essay in his own brand of brilliance. Avid Readers may recall that I credit Bill for igniting my passion for mundane astrology — i.e., the study of planetary cycles and how they are reflected in world events. Who turned me on to Bill? Rockie Gardiner, who used to write her Rockie Horoscope for LA Weekly. When Rockie passed away in 2008, I missed her forecast terribly — which prompted me to start writing what you’re reading now.
In other news, last Friday (when the Moon was in Aquarius and the Sun in harmony with Saturn and Uranus), I went to see Maison du Bonheur, a documentary about Parisian astrologer Juliane Sellam. The filmmaker was also there for a post-screening Q & A, and I can’t tell you how refreshing it was to hear her speak about her subject (Mme. Sellam) in glowing terms, praising her brilliance and generous spirit. It goes against the mainstream stereotype of astrologers as “woo-woo,” etc. That’s Mme. Sellam, pictured below.
Thank you for reading this forecast.
TGIF!
The Moon is in networking junkie Aquarius for the next couple of days. Use it to make innovative connections; hang with your besties; organize your mindset (as it recovers from Mercury’s retrograde) in preparation for action once Mars turns direct, which it will do on MONDAY. Meanwhile, we’ll be seeing plenty of action/assertion in the headlines, with Mars putting its agenda in focus as it prepares to change course.
Moon will be void of course all day on SATURDAY — no impulse shopping. Roll with the twists and flakes that may disrupt your efforts to move forward in a straight line. Chill!
Meanwhile, Saturday’s trines among Sun, Saturn and Uranus suggest a rare cooperative spirit, as opposing parties reach across the aisle. Think hybrids and reaching across the aisles, as in:
With SUNDAY’s Full Moon in watery Pisces, we may be seeing quite a flood (of action), intensely emotional and cathartic (suggested by the Venus-Pluto square noted in the last forecast, also exact on Sunday). Add in the last of three super-charged squares between Mercury and Jupiter on TUESDAY at 1:31 AM ET, and we have potential big news indeed — in publishing, courts and the usual scandals (Jupiter is still in Scorpio).
Structuring and focusing an all-encompassing vision is a theme echoed in the Sabian Symbols for this Full Moon. Don’t know the story of these cryptic Symbols? Here it is. For the Sun at 4 Pisces: “a colored child playing with white children” (remember that these Symbols were channeled in 1925); for the Moon at 4 Virgo: “heavy traffic on a narrow isthmus”. Huzzah for the ever-helpful Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee, who points out that “‘play’ is an activity that blissfully ignores boundaries, rules and narrowly drawn lines of convention and bias”; whilst the latter of the two Symbols suggests “a well-defined sense of procedure that narrows into a bottleneck situation.” We are advised, says Bovee, to apply these Symbols “with a mind to the challenge of being tolerant while following a focused, narrow path to one’s goal; crossing social and ethnic boundaries with childlike ease…bottleneck issues slowing progress…needing to get away…funneling energy towards the key thing.” Bovee offers many other insights too numerous to mention here, but are readily available in his wonderful book.
It is interesting to note that the Full Moon in February 2016 featured these same Sabian Symbols. Here’s what was happening back then.
In other news, happy birthday to all the Virgos in the room. Sun entered your sign at 12:09 AM ET on Thursday. Virgo is an earth sign (as opposed to fire, water or air). It is also a mutable sign, as opposed to cardinal or fixed. What does that mean? Cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn; they need to come up with the idea and take action. Fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius. These signs need to organize and give form to the concepts pitched by cardinal signs. Mutable signs — Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces — get to spread the word about the cool form the fixed signs made. Got it?
More about Virgo: it is ruled by Mercury, which also rules mindset. Virgo is symbolized by a virgin with a shaft of wheat. Its keywords are I ANALYZE. Virgo needs to apply its mental energy to discernment and discrimination, as it separates the wheat from the chaff. In health matters, Virgo rules the intestinal tract and assimilation. If you have planets in Virgo in your horoscope, and they are under a great deal of developmental tension, you may have some issues with your digestive system, especially how your system absorbs nutrition from food.
And now, the news.
Fun stuff, huh? Many of you noticed that Paul Manafort’s conviction on eight charges of chicanery and Michael Cohen’s guilty pleas (also on eight charges) were handed down on the anniversary of last year’s Great American Eclipse. You may recall that the eclipse hit P45’s “l’etat, c’est moi” regal Leo Ascendant. So did the solar eclipse of February 2018. Meanwhile, Mercury was slowly getting back up to speed at 11 Leo, triggering the lunar eclipse on January 31st, which fell on P45’s Pluto. For the first time, WaPo’s Fact Checker, which has logged over 4200 false claims made by P45 since assuming office, called him on a flat-out lie
In Manafort’s horoscope we see transiting Mars exactly conjunct his Jupiter. I suppose the “lucky” potential of a Mars-Jupiter transit is that he was only convicted on 8 counts, not 18. Here’s what I wrote about his horoscope in June. He’ll likely be feeling squeezed when transiting Saturn squares his Mars and Venus later this year, before squelching his Aries Sun in January. Note that transiting Sun was exactly on his Saturn when the verdict came in (same measurement P45 had when he met with Putin); Manafort’s Saturn was totally eclipsed last August, suggesting a need for a major karmic reality check.
Also eclipsed last August: the 28 Leo Sun in Hawaii’s horoscope. Kilauea continues to erupt, changing the landscape forever….and Hurricane Lane is on its way….
Meanwhile, this was an interesting act of cyber (Uranus)-aggression (Mars): “New Russian hacking targeted Republican groups, Microsoft says.”
More fun stuff: “National Enquirer boss and longtime Trump friend David Pecker gets federal immunity in Michael Cohen case” — and with macho Mars now almost at the dead stop, of course we’d be focused on a Pecker. Ooh — and looky here –“Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg, who allegedly helped arrange hush-money reimbursement to Cohen, receives immunity”. What could happen?
UPDATE: P45. After the 8/19 measurement (solar arc) between Mercury and Uranus, suggesting disruptive, impulsive thoughts and action, P45’s horoscope is bereft of hard aspects from the outer planets (Mars and beyond). The next super-charged transits happen in mid-October, when transiting Mars finally opposes his 12th house Pluto (a potential self-undoing power trip) and transiting Jupiter (children, creative self-expression, gambles) opposes his Midheaven. We also see a measurement between the Ascendant and the lunar nodes, perhaps bringing to a crest the wave of formerly close associates now turning against him. Let’s watch mid-October.
UPDATE: Mike Pence. I wrote plenty about his horoscope two years ago. This year he’s been juggling the potential fog of transiting Neptune square his Sun, with the reality check/new lease on life of his second Saturn return. Though the fog won’t lift until next year, this October his chart embarks on a disruptive and expansive streak, with transiting Uranus squaring his recently-eclipsed Venus-Mars in Leo. He’ll have a Jupiter return in October, followed by the third hit of Saturn in November….and then we see a need for a declaration of independence, with a separate hit of Uranus to his Sun in January. A pattern between karma cop Saturn and powerbroker Pluto suggests there is much at stake through the rest of the year. The independent streak continues into 2019.
UPDATE: Melania, who is also on an independent and expansive streak, as transiting Uranus squares her Jupiter in 2018….and conjoins her Taurus Sun in 2019. As the NYT’s Frank Bruni reports:
We’ll note that on Aug. 20, 2018, the first lady, again with a pussy bow, publicly chided cyberbullies at the same time that her husband ranted and raged on Twitter, likening Robert Mueller to Joseph McCarthy and demonstrating a grasp of history commensurate with his grip on civility.
We’ll admire the wickedness of her announcement, just hours later, that she’d be making a solo trip — her farthest and flashiest yet as an official ambassador — to Africa, whose nations the president can’t pronounce, let alone respect. She didn’t choose that destination randomly, throwing a dart at a map. She chose it defiantly, throwing shade at her husband.
Is she trolling her husband? I really don’t care…do u? Seriously, though — no idea…but the seemingly rebellious expression is sure to continue.
UPDATE: P45 Jr and Eric, whose horoscopes are not looking expansive or rebellious (though admittedly we do not have birth times). Junior is in the middle of transiting Saturn conjunct his Venus and his 9 Capricorn Sun. A hit to the latter happens in December and then Saturn moves on to Pluto — not easy. Eric’s 15 Capricorn Sun will be eclipsed in January and then hit three times by transiting Saturn through the rest of 2019. I have other reasons to believe 2019 and 2020 will be exceptionally challenging for Junior, but the astrological clues are simply too fascinating to just give them away.
UPDATE: The maple trees — remember them? I am not alone in my love of trees, as email from many Avid Readers will attest. Thank you for your support!
So there I was, listening to my friend (and member of the co-op board) tell me with a straight face that the trees had to come down “because nothing will grow there.” And the idea of a gorgeous moss garden, such as one might see in Japan, apparently hadn’t occurred to them. I told her I appreciated that she cared about making our building a beautiful home; acknowledging she worked long hours on everyone’s behalf. However, the tree-cutting plan was Not the Thing To Do. After laying out a case for the amazing benefits of mature trees: beauty, shade (reducing A/C costs), flood prevention, haven for birds and other critters, air purification, noise reduction and increased property values (at which she scoffed), it seemed she remained unconvinced.
Quietly and deliberately I spoke from the bottom of my heart. “If you cut down those trees on August 13th without asking for input from shareholders, you will never be able to undo it. People in this building. Are going to be. Very. Upset.”
I left her apartment, not knowing if my words had made an impact — and feeling a little shaky inside at how I had challenged her authority. I went home and — bless you, Facebook — posted what I shared with you last week. Such a valuable sounding board!
Several friends encouraged me to take action, which was a daunting thought. Why? Well — let me ask you this: how well do you know your neighbors? Have you had them over for coffee? Could you count on them in a crisis? Do you even know their names?
I live in a building of 155 apartment owners. It is not a social building. We have no common spaces. The shareholders who are board members — most of whom have been in control for close to two decades — have never made communication a priority, even when requested to do so multiple times. They make decisions with our collective pool of maintenance fees without asking for input — and they do this because they can. This is how the by-laws of the co-op are set up. They have broad discretion to do and spend just about anything they want.
Why has this happened? Because we shareholders have allowed them to do it! We have been too busy with our our lives — families, work, health, etc. — to devote time to the governance of our biggest investment: our home! Does this sound familiar? We gave our power away. In order to take it back, we would have to be connected and organized. And someone would have to start somewhere. Does this microcosm of a courtyard mirror the macrocosm of much of the rest of the world?
I could do no work the next morning. No forecast for you. I went downstairs and looked at the trees. I pondered long and hard about what to do….what could I do…me — just one person — in a building of 155+….against a co-op board of seven. The plans for the destruction of the trees had been made. Contracts had been signed. Thousands had already been spent. Men with jackhammers were starting work (without telling anyone in the building). Who was I to think I could do anything to stop it?
But if not me, then who would?
What would you have done?
So…when neighbors walked through lobby — most of whom I did not know — I screwed up my courage and approached them. It is surprising to have a neighbor speak to you after years of walking past them without even saying hello. I could tell by their reactions. I asked my neighbors if they knew about the trees being cut down. I held my breath. What if they did not care?
Thankfully, most everyone I spoke with was horrified. But y’know — a couple were not. They were rushing out the door…they had places to be…as long as there was something green being put back in the garden, they didn’t really care. Besides, they didn’t even go to shareholder meetings.
I asked for their names, emails and phone numbers — even from people who didn’t have time to talk. I planned to follow up with them later. Based on my conversations with my new-found friends (and neighbors), it was resolved that we should write a petition to stop the planned TreeAsco. And by “we,” of course — that meant “me.” So again — apologies — no forecasts for you.
Stay tuned…and I’ll tell you what happened next.
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….and…we’re back.
The Sag Moon was void this morning until 11:59 AM. Actually, that’s totally untrue. But that’s what it says in my Jim Maynard Celestial Calendar. The Sag Moon is actually void between 7:47 PM and 11:59 PM ET tonight. Can you tell that Mercury just turned direct on Sunday at 12:25 AM ET? Hope you are taking it slow, double checking it thrice. Once the Moon is fully engaged in Capricorn, the drive is to take care of business — though at 5:53 AM ET on TUESDAY, that business may have more than the usual gravitas when it meets up with controlling/authoritative Saturn. Moon continues in Capricorn until THURSDAY at 12:56 PM ET.
Adding to the proactive vibe is Mars, now moving back through Capricorn with high efficiency….if only it weren’t retrograde. That’s a caveat that whatever is accomplished with ease and innovation now may not satisfy once Mars turns direct, which it will do NEXT MONDAY.
Notable planetary patterns this week include:
- Moon’s weekly contact with Pluto on WEDNESDAY at 2:45 PM ET, suggests power plays and catharses
- Sun leaves Leo for Virgo on THURSDAY at 12:09 AM ET, replacing heat, drama and rigidity with cooler heads and discerning minds;
- Moon will be void on THURSDAY between 10:19 AM and 12:56 PM ET before entering “who’s yer buddy?” Aquarius
- Moon will be void nearly all day on SATURDAY — from 12:39 AM thru 1:32 AM ET on SUNDAY
- As we get closer to the weekend, we will notice a rare synchronicity among the Sun (leaders, vitality), Saturn (structure, old guard) and Uranus (change, innovation). The Sun will trine Saturn and Uranus within hours of each other on SATURDAY; Saturn and Uranus will almost make an exact trine (harmonious connection)…but won’t. Why? Because Saturn will turn direct on September 6th, pulling away from Uranus. We had three exact Saturn-Uranus trines in 2017, and here’s what I wrote about that potential. The fact that this trine comes oh-so-close….but just-not-quite makes me wonder if there might be some revelation of an unusual coalition that aims to unite on a critical concern…but is somehow thwarted. And here I would be thinking of the August 1st issue of the NYT Sunday magazine, which consisted of only one in-depth story, “The Decade We Almost Stopped Climate Change.” My sense is that whatever is looking hunky-dory around now may be in for a rude awakening when Saturn and Uranus finally do make a connection: a series of super-charged squares starting in 2021. I’ve been thinking about this square for years, ever since I read The Big Short, by Michael Lewis. I wrote about it last August — and even earlier. I thought about the square when I read George Will’s recent WaPo op-ed, “Another Epic Economic Collapse is Coming.” Perhaps Mr. Will is on to something…and as I’m typing, the S&P is less than 1% away from a record high...
- How wonderful to read Tarot Diva Beth Owl’s Daughter’s wonderful Card of the Week, having written the paragraph above – check it out!
Anyhoo…
- By the time we get to the weekend, emotions are likely to be on the rise. SUNDAY we’ll have a Full Moon in Pisces, facilitating empathy (an upside), on a day when Venus (money, women, social expression, values) is super-charged by ruthless Pluto. A charged connection between Venus and Pluto facilitates emotional overkill (downside); depth and intensity (upside); and purges (depends on which side you’re on). On that day, Mars (energy, assertion, aggression) will be at a standstill — and thus in high focus — as it prepares to move forward (finally!) next MONDAY AM.
And now, the news.
UPDATE: on Kevin Spacey, whose horoscope was last discussed in November 2017. Back then, I anticipated that transiting Pluto’s square to his Aries Midheaven would likely reflect a dramatic change in public status, for better or for worse. That may have happened on August 11th. Not only that, but his Leo Sun and Ascendant were affected by July’s total lunar eclipse. Witness this headline, announcing the weekend box office for his new film — Billionaire Boys’ Club. Total take: $618. Ouch.
UPDATE: on Jimmy Carter, who is feeling the love of transiting Jupiter on his Scorpio Moon — and last week, transiting Venus conjunct his Libra Sun…and transiting Sun conjunct his Leo Venus-Neptune. Here’s a total feel-good piece about modesty, humility and grace — all part of the simple life he and his wife Rosalyn enjoy in Plains, Georgia. He may be the richest ex-president ever.
UPDATE: speaking of ex-presidents, Barack Obama’s Mercury (how he needs to think and communicate) has been supercharged all summer, with exact hits from innovative Uranus and persuasive Pluto exact in July, August and September. Here’s his summer reading list, filled with “empathy, understanding and ‘factfulness'”. Looks like he’s up for an expansive, active next few months.
UPDATE: “Elon Musk Details ‘Excruciating Personal Toll’ of Tesla Turmoil” File that under “I told you so.”
The weekend’s third trine between Jupiter (expansive) and Neptune (faith, scandal, oceans, healing, et.al.) was reflected in these big headlines:
And now, a few words about the situation that landed on my plate two weeks ago, demanding attention at the expense of all else — including writing this forecast and other articles;: reminding cherished clients that they’re due for an annual check-up; revamping my outdated website; drafting outlines for the classes I plan to teach; thanking an Avid Reader for her generous contribution to my Cosmic Tip Jar (a thank you note will arrive soon), yadda yadda yadda.
It’s about trees.
And as I mentioned last week, it’s a microcosm of the macrocosm we live in. I’ll start by sharing my Facebook post from August 7th (written during a Moon void, while hoping that the crisis would fizzle out):
Oh dear FB friends….you know how much I am in love with the beautiful six-story tall elm tree outside my window. It was well below eye-level when I bought this apt years ago, and has been for the last several years a daily blessing in every season. From every window in my apt, I look out into cool, soothing green in spring and summer. Brilliant hues of red and orange in fall….snow-covered branches in the winter. Crows camp at eye level when the temperature drops below freezing. It has been humbling to watch their daily routines, as they return year after year. There are squirrels and sparrows…and other birds you rarely see on the ground: cardinals, red finches, blue jays, woodpeckers…sometimes a red-tailed hawk and often, mourning doves. Yesterday I was captivated by a dragonfly — a first. The tree offers shade, beauty and privacy. Instead of looking into the windows of neighbors in the harsh, sterile red brick building across the street, I am surrounded by lush greenery. Every day I give thanks for the bounty of these twin elm trees — and as far as I know, they are safe.
Now then.
There is ANOTHER courtyard in our building — an interior one, sorely in need of TLC. Once there was a grand fountain with multi-level pools cascading down a slope. That has been filled in with dirt — years ago. Still, there are at least a dozen soaring maple trees — touching the sky above the roof of the building. It is like a rain forest canopy — not much sunlight, but the shade is soothing — and squirrels and more birds make their homes in the branches. It has been my wish that our building would take the initiative to clean up the courtyard — put in some plants that can thrive with little sunlight — maybe cover the ground with moss, like you see in gardens in Japan. Add some benches; repair the crumbling walls in the back; cover the chainlink fence with bamboo. Let it be a cherished nature refuge all residents may enjoy. Right now residents “aren’t allowed” in the courtyard.
So guess what “management” is doing instead? They are planning to “renovate” the courtyard, though it is not clear if the plan includes access for residents (!). The plan — kept only to themselves — is to destroy most of the maple trees. They have marked them with splotches of red paint. — for death — supposedly the execution happens on Monday. I found this out last night — and have been sick to my stomach and sick at heart ever since.
I am weary weary weary of reading every day in the papers about how the P45 administration is trashing the environment — and feeling so powerless to do anything about it.
This hurts even more because it is literally happening in my backyard — a place I like to think of as “safe.” What foolish, wishful thinking — and what a teachable moment, hmm? No place is safe — especially if we (and in this case, specifically me) are not vigilant. Our coop board is as transparent as Scott Pruitt’s $43K soundproof booth — and that’s way they like it. It seems to be easier to maintain power and control, than any other alternative (e.g., soliciting input from the other 148 owners in this 155-unit building) — so can you blame them?
Shareholders/Residents have not been told the specifics of the plan….only a mention that “some trees” in the courtyard would be removed at the shareholders meeting in May (which I could not attend because I was out of town — my total bad). NOTHING has been sent to shareholders in writing. Our board does not send out minutes from shareholder meetings…they run as a slate year after year, unchallenged. To effect a change would require energy and focus that I have been pouring into Other Obvious Things (like work — both professional and volunteer) — and even if I had the energy, I could not effect change all by myself.
Now I am beating myself up for not making the effort years ago…and feeling already beaten down by the insanity of destroying a dozen healthy, towering, decades-old, irreplaceable maple trees (along with every other horrific headline on today’s front page). Surely there must be another way to “renovate” a courtyard in ways that are less destructive.
I have considered the possibility that I may be overreacting…and may not be aware of all of the facts that would require consideration, but this seems to me an unconscionable plan. This is the courtyard now — stripped of shrubbery — with the maple trees now on death row. Also pictured: the “offending” towering canopy.
In other news, don’t let this happen to you! Have you checked your voter registration status lately? If you do not vote in every election, do not assume you are still on the roster. Check your status and/or register here https://www.vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote/ We must be resolved to have a say in the process!
This concludes my longest-ever Facebook rant — on a moon-void and a Mercury retrograde (why I consider the possibility that I may be missing a few key facts). Thanks for “listening.” I just feel so sad about these beautiful trees…and the birds and other creatures who will be displaced by their senseless destruction. Not to mention courtyard residents who will miss the shade as the seasons get hotter and hotter in the coming years. Cue Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” now, please… 
Facebook can be a wonderful sounding board, and within an hour I received validation and empathy from caring souls. I also received encouragement: “Call the management company!” “Rally your neighbors!” “Sign a petition!” Which is frankly what I would advise any other friend or client facing a similar challenge. But it’s daunting…y’know…especially when it feels like you have to do it alone.
But those trees! And the pain I was certain my neighbors would feel if they were cut down….
I took a deep breath…and called a neighbor who is on our co-op board. Thankfully she is also a friend. Later, in her apartment I asked her why the trees were being cut down. “Because nothing will grow back there!” she said, with utmost sincerity.
I do not recall replying that the 60-year-old trees apparently did not receive that memo — but certainly I was thinking it.
To be continued…
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Yes, it’s another late start to the sneak peek at the week, as I am still preoccupied with the special project I absolutely, positively had to deal with — stay tuned.
Guess what kind of week this is? A week with no exact aspects among the planets except to the Moon. Not until SATURDAY morning will we have an exact aspect among any other planet — a harmony between Mercury and Venus, which suggests a need for rose-colored glasses, especially since it is followed by the pattern I wrote about in the last forecast: SUNDAY’s third and final harmony between expansive Jupiter and — dare I say it — soulful Neptune. And here I would be thinking about the sad news that Aretha Franklin, “Queen of Soul,” is “gravely ill,” and that a prayer vigil is planned for her on Wednesday.
Sigh.
I’ve found that these planetary lulls are often deceptive. Like I said back in July, it’s like looking at a giant ice shelf on the most sparkling sunny day ever…and then, for no apparent reason, half the shelf crumbles into the ocean. Or you wake up to the news that a motorway bridge in Genoa has suddenly collapsed. So if an “other shoe” drops in the headlines, e.g.,FBI agent Peter Strzok is suddenly fired, despite the “bureau’s Office of Professional Responsibility [recommending] that Mr. Strzok should be suspended for 60 days and demoted,” I will not be surprised, and neither should you.
However, I also sense that more than a few surprises we witness in the next two weeks will be happy ones. It’s not always doom and gloom, and we ourselves can create plenty of simple joys in our daily lives. Let’s do it!
Yesterday’s Moon was in perfection-seeking Virgo, facilitating a need for practical analysis. After a 20-minute void no one noticed, the Moon entered Libra at 12:57 AM ET, driving the next two days with a need for people-pleasing, fairness, balance and perhaps a few airy-fairy ideas. Note the potential for a power play or emotional catharsis around 10 AM ET on WEDNESDAY, as the Moon squares Pluto.
The wee hours on THURSDAY feature another Moon void, but this one happens on a potentially assertive/combative square between the Moon and Mars at 3:56 AM ET. Moon enters depth and power-seeking Scorpio at 4:54 AM ET, perhaps presenting you with a surprise or air-clearing revelation upon waking, as the Moon is opposed by rebel Uranus at 9:27 AM ET. Work it all out on Thursday and FRIDAY, as the Moon traverses the sky without too many bumps.
SATURDAY begins with the First Quarter Moon at 3:48 AM ET, offering a challenge or an advance to your New Moon agenda. After a brief Moon void between 11:07 AM and 12:45 PM ET (no impulse shopping!), Moon soars into Sagittarius, pushing boundaries and lifting spirits (probably all the way to Heaven). On SUNDAY, note that MERCURY WILL TURN DIRECT — so please adjust your travel plans accordingly — and no whinging about potential delays, as it says right here in this aptly-timed article from last Sunday’s NYT, “Don’t Let Trip Advisor Kill Adventure.”
Meanwhile…
I am hearing plenty of reports that “this Mercury retrograde” feels especially cranky. Well, yes…reflecting the fact that Mars (action, anger, assertion) is also retrograde, suggesting a potential for frustrated energy to feel a need to blow off steam. Plus, as Avid Readers know, Mars has been in a tense pattern with disruptive Uranus since April, increasing the potential for volatility.
Avid Readers also know that an apt way of handling Mars retrogrades is to get a handle on the anger/demons that spring from within, as opposed to striking out at others. Last week my Facebook friend Nancy Tierney posted a useful video on this very subject, aptly arguing that when we feel angry it is because we are saying “NO” to our heart’s desire (“desire” is another Mars keyword). Therefore, use the rest of this month, when Mars and Mercury are REtrograde to REview the blocks you may be imposing on yourself, and be REsolved to REmove them. We’re not talking about a major launch of a project — e.g., suddenly quitting your job, running off with the cute accountant you just met in a bar, etc. — at this time. We’re talking about a heart-centered REview of what you truly desire — and making a practical plan to align yourself with your heart’s desire, as opposed to the alternative.
Can’t get to the rest of the news just yet — have consultations to joyfully prepare. Would you like to have a discussion about your horoscope that leaves you feeling confident that your life is not a random series of events? That when you become aware of the cycles to which all living things respond, you will have greater understanding and make more fulfilling choices? Then why not seize the day so we can have that discussion about why you are the way you are, why things happen when they do, and what you need in order to be happy, as suggested by your horoscope. Here is how to contact me.
Thank you for reading this forecast.
Alll-righty then!
I’ve been writing this forecast since Thursday. It started like this:
Sometimes you just have to drop everything and tend to your own personal garden. More on that in a minute.
Today (Thursday) is driven by the Moon in Cancer, a sign focused on building and maintaining emotional/family/home security. It went void at 7:20 AM ET, not to enter the next sign — Leo — until 12:18 AM ET on FRIDAY. Note your dreams and the potential for an emotionally intense start to the morning, as the Moon was opposed by power broker Pluto when it went void. At 9:34 PM ET, Venus will be squared by Saturn, suggesting an opportunity to structure values (financial and aesthetic). Will the structure be felt as an advance or a cut? Saturn can go either way. Past Venus-Saturn contacts have featured no-nonsense stories of women, art, money and social expression. Remember the “resting bitch face”? It jumped into the news a few years ago on a hard aspect between Venus and Saturn. Coincidence or conspiracy?
On FRIDAY, the Leo Moon facilitates a need to party on, dude. Moon squares Uranus at 4:21 AM ET, suggesting a disruptive flash to the start of the day. Big ideas — regally pronounced and possibly half-baked — may infest the headlines, as Mercury (how we need to think) and Jupiter (expansion) square off at 2:32 AM ET. This is the second of a series of three Mercury-Jupiter squares. The first was on July 9th; the third happens on August 28th, when Mercury will be direct and likely demanding a rethink.
We are in the balsamic phase of the Moon, an apt time for wrapping up projects started at the beginning of the cycle. This would also be a time to fly under the radar, if it suits your purpose. During these “dead Moons” we may feel listless or restless, sensing that something new is around the corner, but we don’t know what it will be.
At 5:58 AM ET on SATURDAY we’ll have a New Moon in Leo, along with a partial solar eclipse — the final one of the summer eclipse season. This happens at 18 degrees of Leo, which happens to fall exactly on Barack Obama‘s Descendant, activating significant others and his relationship with the public. I expect we’ll see him pull focus in the headlines soon, especially when transiting Mars hits his 18 Aquarius Ascendant around October 26th. Other famous people whose horoscopes are affected: Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Beth Henley, Billy Joel, Candice Bergen, Mark Knopfler. You are personally affected if you have a planet or angle around 18 degrees of Leo, Aquarius, Taurus or Scorpio. Consult your local astrologer for details.
The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon is “a houseboat party.” It’s fascinating to note that its opposing Symbol is “a forest fire quenched” — which would be a true relief in many parts of the world. Sabian Symbol guru Blaine Bovee has written that we are wise to consider the opposition when considering a particular Symbol. So mote be….and so mote was on the Full Moon of August 2014.
Bovee observes that a houseboat is a place for social gatherings. It does not have a keel and is thus challenging to navigate in turbulent waters. “Forest,” he notes, is “derived from the word ‘foreign’ — meaning outside one’s own country; a forest fire is a wild, uncontrollable conflagration…imagine a flaming left-wing liberal finding himself at a conservative right-wing party on a houseboat. It’s a difficult situation, calling for diplomacy and delicate matters so as not to rock the boat.” Yep, he really wrote that, and this book was published in 2004.
Bovee also wrote that we should apply this pair of Symbols “with a mind to the challenge of controlling the burning passions of belief in light social circumstances divided along party lines; stewarding combustible situations; keeping an even keel in potentially interesting times.” Here is the link to his wonderful book.
So far, so good. Right?
This New Moon is more potent because it is also an eclipse. What does that mean?
A Solar Eclipse can act like a “bottleneck” of energy. Light flowing from the Sun is temporarily interrupted, focusing attention on that interrupted point, allowing something new and possibly fragile to enter the picture and grow. And here I would be thinking of Michael, the kindhearted policeman in the storybook Make Way for Ducklings, who stopped the flow of traffic on Beacon Street so Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their brood of eight could safely make their way to the Boston Public Garden. Got that?
Sometimes what is brought into focus is a secret suddenly brought to light. Once out, there’s no going back. In this eclipse set in Washington DC, Mercury retrograde in Leo and right on the Ascendant, squared by bigly Jupiter. I expect a lot of big news to erupt in this lunar cycle, and the fact checkers should have a field day. Some of the fog and magical thinking will reflect the last of three trines (a harmonious pattern) between Jupiter and Neptune, exact on August 19th.
Jupiter-Neptune contacts suggest: blood, charity, empathy, film, photography, suffering, oceans. refugees, drugs, oil, scandal, spirits of all kinds, faith. The contact with Jupiter suggests expansion. Have you heard about Tallequah, the grieving killer whale, who has been carrying her stillborn calf through the waters off the coast of Washington state for the past EIGHTEEN DAYS? Big. Ocean. Empathy. Suffering. When we will ever learn? The first Jupiter-Neptune trine happened in December 2017; the second was on May 25th. You’re affected if you have a planet or angle around 14 degrees of Leo, Aquarius, Taurus or Scorpio.
Bringing us up to today….
…where the Leo Moon goes void immediately after the eclipse…not to enter Virgo until 11:59 PM ET. No impulse shopping during the void! On SUNDAY, the urge to sort and prune sails free and clear…taking on an even more earthy, “get down to business” drive at 10:13 PM ET, when Mars moves back into Capricorn. More of the same is scheduled for Monday — no sleeping in.
Meanwhile, here are the patterns that made the past week extra special:
Venus entered Libra on Monday evening, at the exact same moment as a big, bold outburst between the Leo Sun and expansive Jupiter. Venus functions with great efficiency in Libra, sign of sweetness, balance, diplomacy and partnership. On Tuesday Venus was trine Mars, offering an opportunity to soften the cranky edginess of Mars being retrograde (i.e., frustrating desires and delaying action), and arrive at an accord. Also on Tuesday, Uranus turned retrograde, suggesting we tune in and connect with our inner rebel. Are the chains that bind you self-created? How can you set yourself free? Idealism — or being blinded by the light — was suggested by Wednesday’s meet-up between the Leo Sun and retrograde Mercury.
And now, the news…reflecting the patterns above:
As predicted, airplanes are making big news (with added confusion/changes of course courtesy of Mars/Mercury retrograde):
In other news:
Because this post is so jam-packed, I will wait until the next forecast to tell you about my “garden adventure.” As Beth Owl’s Daughter observed when I posted about it on my personal Facebook page , it’s an apt microcosm of our current macrocosm, with many teachable moments I hope you will find helpful and inspiring.
Meanwhile, I would love to provide you with insights about your own personal horoscope. Here is the 411 on consultations.
Thank you for reading this forecast.
TGIF!!
The me-me-me Aries Moon has been void since 10:52 PM ET last night…not to enter Taurus until 3:51 PM ET. You know how much I love a weekend driven by the Taurus Moon’s need for material comfort and security. Raise a glass; get thee to the spa; indulge in sensual pleasures with your sweetie….and yes, some may go overboard over the next few days. Why? Because on Monday, the Leo Sun squares Jupiter, planet of wretched excess. If you liked February 9th and May 8th, you’ll love August 6th. Watch the headlines for bloated consumption and bombastic egos. That’s the downside. The upside would be a jolly good time. Cheers!
Meanwhile, women, art, money and social expression will become prominent in the headlines. Why? Because Venus is fast approaching the Aries Point as it traverses the last couple of degrees of Virgo and hits 0 Libra — also on Monday. Ooh — and look at this: Venus hits the Aries Point and Jupiter squares the Sun at exactly the same time — 7:28 PM ET. Hmm. An excuse to buy a few lottery tickets, perhaps? Ya never know….especially if you have a planet or angle around 14 degrees of Scorpio, Leo, Aquarius or Taurus. Don’t know if that’s you? Well, good heavens, book an appointment with your astrologer and find out. That’s what I’m here for. Sheesh!
Oh, but I got ahead of myself.
There is no void on Saturday to deter your shopping sprees. On Sunday, the Moon will be void for only two hours — between 7:46 PM ET and 9:32 PM ET — no biggie. Then it enters Gemini, looking to be witty and clever with the latest rumor. I say “rumor” because Mercury is still retrograde. Don’t believe everything you hear! When in doubt, be silent!
No sleeping in on Monday. There is no Moon void to use as an excuse, and blaming it on Mercury retrograde is a tired cliche. In addition to the big story the Sun-Jupiter square suggests we’ll be reading about, we’ll have the buzzzzzzz of rebel Uranus at a standstill, about to turn retrograde on TUESDAY at 12:49 PM ET. Watch for more stories of aviation, technology, innovation, geniuses, madmen, rebels, seismic activity and other shocks to the status quo.
Astrologers are like dentists. It’s good to check in with one every six months to a year. Plus, Mercury retrogrades are excellent times for REviewing your life with your astrologer. Here’s the 411 on consultations.
And now, the news.
The pattern of the week — Mars in Aquarius square Uranus in Taurus — is everywhere in the headlines. Fires, firearms, tech breakthroughs, reckless actions, cars, airplanes, even an astrology story or two:
Reflecting the extravagance of the upcoming Sun-Jupiter square: details of Paul Manafort’s spending habits, as his trial gets underway. Here’s another: “At P45’s hotel in New York, revenue went up this spring — thanks to a visit from big-spending Saudis”
Also big — and adding the prominence of Venus (art) approaching the Aries Point, with the REcovery potential of Mercury retrograde: “A small-town couple left behind a stolen painting worth over $100 million — and a big mystery,” reports WaPo….although the story of the recovered De Kooning in question was reported way back in the fall of 2017. Meanwhile,
UPDATE: on P45. Just in time for a measurement exact on August 19th between Mercury (mindset) and Uranus (disruption), Omarosa Manigault’s tell-all tome will be released on August 14th. The title: “Unhinged” — an apt reflection of the downside potential of Mercury-Uranus connections. Why else would P45 tell an audience (last night), that he was 15 minutes early for tea with Queen Elizabeth…when all the world saw it live on tape that he was the one who kept Her Majesty waiting? When was the last time you read George Orwell’s 1984?
UPDATE: Marianne Williamson, whose horoscope I haven’t written about since 2012. She’s apparently “exploring a run for president in 2020.” With transiting Uranus supercharging her Capricorn Moon this year, we can appreciate why she’d be fired up about making something happen — whatever it takes. Ms. Williamson was certainly on to something in her open letter to Hillary Clinton, published before Mrs. Clinton announced her presidential run. And we see other patterns in her horoscope reflecting a need to expand on a vision and get the message out there in 2019. We also see patterns requiring no small amount of discipline and focus.
Well? What pleasantries will you allow yourself to indulge in this weekend, hmm?
Thank you for reading this forecast.
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