Daily Forecast Archives - Page 101 of 156 - Elisabeth Grace

Astrology for News Junkies

This planetary commentary offers advance notice and analysis on the zeitgeist of the day, with an emphasis on what's happening in the headlines. It is presented as a public service for your information, education and enlightenment. If you have ever wondered "why is this happening NOW," these unique astro-logical insights will transform what you see and read in the news, adding new meaning and understanding. So if you're curious to know why the Impossible Burger is trending now...or why efforts to decriminalize marijuana have been so successful in recent years...or why "Woodrow Wilson, Stud Muffin" was a New York Times headline in December 2013, you will find it here. Use the SEARCH function to find your favorite public figure or world event in over a decade's worth of historical research and reporting. Sign up here to receive this forecast by email (with my compliments).

Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 12/21/2012: The End of the World As We Know It

Since you’re reading this forecast on December 21st, clearly the world did not come to an end. Yes, perhaps the world ending would have solved a lot of problems. But noooo, they’re still here, waiting for you — and everyone else — to tackle them. Which means you’ll be needing some insight on what planetary patterns suggest for you personally in the New Year, so you’ll know how to maximize potential for enlightenment and overall well-being, right? Absolutely! Fortunately, really useful information on consultations can be found here — and whaddaya know — my Special Holiday Promotion is on until January 1st, 2013.

Meanwhile…

The Sun begins its annual trek through Capricorn at 6:12AM ET. In the Northern Hemisphere, days will be getting longer and nights will be getting shorter. Hooray! Here’s what you need to know about the first day of any season from an astrological point of view. The first day of each season (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter) corresponds with the first day (or first degree) of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, respectively. Got that? Good. These four signs are called cardinal signs of the zodiac, with “cardinal” here suggesting (from the Latin root of the word), “that on which something turns or depends.” Cardinal signs take action. They initiate. Nothing happens without action. And action leads to necessary change. As in a change of seasons — suggested by solstices and equinoxes. Clear? The first day of a season is a turning point. In Japan, the first day of each season is a national holiday. How cool is that?

With the Sun at the first degree of Capricorn, we are working with proactive, make-it-happen energy focused on corporate and governmental structures. On this particular Winter Solstice, we find the Moon still charging through the RAMbunctious sign of Aries, needing to get things started in an inspiring, pioneering way. This Moon is in an easy connection with mental Mercury, suggesting we’ll be hearing a lot of inspired and heated opinions today.

Venus (women, social expression, art, finance) also needs to make a big statement — now and over the weekend, suggested by a challenge from expansive Jupiter (exact at 10:50PM ET on Saturday). I am betting that retailers will be verrrrry happy thanks to the generous impulses of last-minute shoppers. Venus-Jupiter contacts suggest plenty of good will for all, never mind that credit card bill in January. Spend it like there’s no tomorrow.

In the Winter Solstice chart, the need for action is echoed by Mars, planet of energy applied, which is still behaving like a loose cannon and calling attention to aggression just about everywhere. Here in the States, attention continues to be focused on guns, which are ruled by Mars. In India, newspapers have been filled with reports of protestors outraged by recent acts of brutal violence against women. This is also Mars — at its worst.

But wait, there’s more. There’s the Yod, a.k.a. the “Finger of God” among stern Saturn, ruthless Pluto and expansive Jupiter, suggesting a pressing need to choose a direction one way or the other; this was discussed earlier this week. There’s the ongoing hugely disruptive square between rebel Uranus and Pluto, which was also discussed yesterday and elsewhere on this site (check the ARTICLES page). And finally, there’s a lovely connection between the Capricorn Sun and nebulous Neptune in Pisces that suggests excellent communication between consciousness and spirit/intuition. Really, that Sun-Neptune connection is a saving grace in this Winter Solstice/End of the World horoscope. Check yesterday’s forecast for more on the spiritual potential of Neptune in Pisces. Looks like an awakening to me. Pretty darn magical, even with all the challenges and inevitable action suggested by the rest of the chart. And you are here on Planet Earth, as an active participant in this exciting story. Imagine that!

It is interesting to note how this chart falls relative to New York and Washington. Mental Mercury is right on the Ascendant; disruptive Uranus is opposing the Midheaven — for the charts in both cities. A shake-up to our foundation, perhaps, and a liberating, illuminating change of direction/public status are suggested, as is a major statement of a “big picture” philosophy right up front. If you were planning on spending 2013 in a some kind of rut, that doesn’t look likely — certainly not in the United States.

I’m looking forward to an energetic day filled with phones ringing off the hook, stimulating conversation, good cheer and batches and batches of Christmas cookies to bake. Should be quite an enterprise, with the Capricorn Sun and Aries Moon.

More on the weekend later…with a heads up that if you are shopping on Saturday, the Moon will be void from 7:57AM ET to 1:25PM ET. Wait until after 1:25PM ET to hit the malls…

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Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 12/20/2012: Thoughts on the End of the World

A pioneering, inspiring, impulsive and often impatient Aries Moon sets the tone for the day, as of 2:43AM ET. This dynamic placement carries forward the challenge suggested a few hours earlier by the First Quarter Moon at 28 degrees of Pisces, squaring off against the Sun at 28 Sagittarius. Look for movement or resistance to whatever agenda you set at the time of the New Moon.

Aspects to the Moon are mixed. Uranus adds a buzz, a jolt, an innovation or revelation around 11:34AM ET; Venus and Jupiter lift our spirits at 1:40PM ET and 7:54PM ET, respectively; Pluto chimes in at 7:51PM ET with a demand for a catharsis, a purge or a power play. (Actually, it’s hard to imagine ruthless Pluto “chiming in” about anything. Pluto is much more “resistance is futile”).

Resources may well be a topic of conversation late afternoon and into the evening. Do you have what you need to survive tomorrow’s apocalypse? If not, here’s a handy list, useful for this and nearly any other disaster.

My thoughts on the end of the Mayan calendar. First, what do we usually do when one calendar year is ending and another begins? Throw a massive party, celebrating “out with the old; in with the new”! Planetary patterns do suggest the potential for a New World, though perhaps it won’t start as dramatically with friends from the Pleiades showing up for dinner (and that party). One such pattern is the square between rebel Uranus and ruthless Pluto, which suggests a drastic upheaval of the status quo, especially in regards to government and anything else relating to the Establishment, in effect from 2012 – 2015. As I have written in previous posts, Uranus and Pluto will square off seven times in those three years. We’ve had two exact squares so far; five more to go.

Seven squares are rare; usually planets connect three or five times. What kind of potential is suggested by this many instances of exact contact? Consider this: Pluto and Uranus had nine exact contacts between 1496 and 1500. Can anyone recall what was going on during those years? What had recently been discovered”? What was it called? The New World.

So maybe our friends from the Pleiades will show up sooner, rather than later. Or perhaps the New World we will begin to explore is the realm of the spirit/intangible, rather than the material. In 2012, Neptune began its sojourn in Pisces, the sign it rules. As I have written in earlier posts, the last time nebulous, dreamy, soulful Neptune was in equally dreamy Pisces was in 1848, when it coincided with the birth of Spiritualism in the United States. I expect we will see more and more mainstream interest in spiritual/intangible concepts, including intuition, telepathy and reincarnation. Earlier this year, neurosurgeon Eben Alexander made headlines with a book about his near-death experience. Stay tuned for more on this developing story in the next 14 years, which is how long Neptune will be in Pisces.

Bottom line: I will be writing a forecast for the weekend, and you will be here to read it. Which means you will still be around to take advantage of my Special Holiday Promotion: a one-hour personal astro-logical consultatation at a very reasonable price. Purchase one for yourself or better yet, for a friend. I’ve had so much fun making beautiful gift certificates to send all over the world…

Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 12/19/2012: Action!

Planetary activity is lighter today that is has been in recent days…and will be as we get closer to the end of the month. The Moon continues its sojourn through Pisces, seeking a soulful dream, a union or escape. If you find one, chances are strong that it may not be your usual cup of tea, given a harmonious connection between Venus (social expression/aesthetic sense) and rebel Uranus, which favors the weird and the wacky…in a good, friendly kind of way. Enjoy getting off the beaten path…and watch the headlines for interesting news about art, finance and technology. If you can’t find a dream, a union or an escape, then have a little faith, another Pisces keyword.

At 5:44PM Moon makes a communicative aspect with action-oriented Mars, which can be helpful for fostering a cooperative effort between opposing sides. Mars has been “running wild” (i.e., like a loose cannon) in Capricorn for most of this month, suggesting no-nonsense, assertive or aggressive action, for better or for worse. Mars also refers to firearms, and is one of the planetary patterns being reflected by the continued domination of guns in the headlines…and it’s not just talk; it’s action! Gun control measures are being introduced. TV shows about guns and Ted Nugent are being cancelled. The private equity firm that owns the country’s largest gun manufacturer is selling the company…after one of its top investors, the California teachers pension fund (oh, the irony), started asking questions. This private equity fund is called Cerberus, which happens to be the name of the ferocious, deadly, totally evil, monstrous, three-headed beast that guards the gates of Hell. Coincidence or conspiracy? If you read any of the articles linked in this forecast, read this one, which lists some of the players involved in Cerberus.

Yesterday I wrote about the so-called “Finger of God” or “Yod” pattern that is in effect over the next week, and this evening I wondered how the horoscope of the United States might be affected. I’ll skip the technical details so civilians reading this forecast do not run screaming down the halls. For students and professionals, I am using the 2:13AM horoscope (the exact birth time of the US is an ongoing debate among astrologers); the point of impact is the Gemini Ascendant conjunct the freedom-loving rebel, Uranus. Here are the keywords for what the US might be experiencing, as suggested by that pattern (with gratitude to master astrologer Noel Tyl for literally writing the book). On the one hand, we are coping with being the public face of “sadness, mourning” and “brutal efforts to start a new order; an attack, regardless of potential losses”. On the other hand, we have a silver lining: “enthusiasm, harmony”; “the big break; boundless optimism”.

What do you think? Do these keywords fit our reality? Stay tuned to this forecast for more on themes that are up for us in this lunar cycle and also the Winter Solstice, which is when, as you all know, the world is scheduled to end.

Well. Maybe not the world, but certainly a world. Hmmm…maybe it’s time to give all your friends and relations a Personal One-Hour Astrological Consultation…my special holiday promotion at a very affordable price. Why not give yourself, one, too, so you know what you can expect in your own personal world in these swiftly-changing times?

Thank you for reading this forecast…from the bottom of my heart.

Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 12/18/2012: Saturn, Pluto & the Finger of God

Moon entered dreamy Pisces at 7:48PM ET on Monday, suggesting a need to go with the flow and consider intangibles such as spirit(s), healing, depths of feeling and maybe even a bit of music. Compassion is a keyword for Pisces, so it seems fitting to see that word in the headlines, as in “Ancient Bones That Tell A Story of Compassion”. It’s a hopeful story that reminds us that while humans may have a zillion-year history of being perfectly horrible to one another, there have been instances of loving kindness and caring in very olden times.

This is another day for big statements and bold actions, some of which broaden the mind and others which push boundaries. In South Carolina, Congressman Tim Scott was appointed by Governor Nikki Haley to replace retiring Senator Jim DeMint. Scott will be the only African-American in the U.S. Senate, and the first one from the South since the 19th Century. At a news conference yesterday, Scott boldly stated:

“I am very thankful to the good Lord and a strong mom who believed that sometimes love has to come at the end of the switch” (…with a smile, pointing to his mother in the audience.) “And she loved me a lot.”

A ten-second glance at planetary patterns on Scott’s birthday (Sept 19, 1965 in Charleston, SC) confirms the strong probability of the father taken out of the picture in the early home life (Scott’s parents divorced when he was seven), with the mother running the household, likely in a way that was experienced as controlling. Strong idealism and charisma are suggested by aspects between mental Mercury, action-oriented Mars and rose-colored Neptune. Scott was born with rebel Uranus conjunct ruthless Pluto, opposed by stern Saturn, suggesting a certain harshness experienced in the early home life, along with the potential for tremendous effort exerted to overcome obstacles (a lot of people born in 1965 have this aspect in their horoscopes, and maybe you are one of them).

Scott also stated:

“Our nation finds itself in a situation where we need some backbone. We need to make very difficult decisions.”

Yeah, that sounds like a horoscope with a strong Saturn-Pluto connection talking, especially in combination with the idealism suggested by Mercury-Neptune (am I the only one concerned that Scott’s love for his constituents may be expressed by beating them with “the end of a switch”)? In any event, as you may recall from last week’s New Moon forecast, the disciplined authority of Saturn combined with the ruthless purging power of Pluto has the potential to work together quite cooperatively right now. Difficult decisions will be made, as will tremendous efforts to deal with the karmic debt we can no longer ignore in our collective reality check.

Saturn and Pluto are currently configured with expansive Jupiter in a rare pattern called a Yod or “Finger of God”. To me this echoes the need for adjustment in our efforts to expand, curtailed by considerations of structure and resources. Astrologer Noel Tyl offers these keywords for Jupiter in configuration with Saturn/Pluto: “trouble with authority; adoption of the austere; staying out of trouble; trying to save what’s left”. It is interesting that this Yod will be exact on December 21st a.k.a. the Winter Solstice, which always suggests a turning point.

Some astrologers have argued that this strong connection between Saturn and Pluto suggests that globally we will be embracing more conservative values, and by this they mean we will be moving more to the right than the left. I am not sure about this. Dennis Kucinich has a strong Saturn-Pluto pattern in his horoscope, squared by aggressive Mars. He had an extremely challenging childhood in the school, and boy is he a fighter, as we would expect. Yet his politics are on the far left, not the right. I am not convinced Saturn-Pluto patterns have anything to do with being right-wing or left-wing.

My sense of “conservative” suggested by Saturn-Pluto is that we will be willing to do whatever it takes to conserve what we deem most valuable. But what is most valuable? That will likely be the big argument. Here’s a story about dirty laundry (suggested by the Sabian Symbol for last week’s New Moon) that illustrates one battle over what is worth conserving.

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Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 12/17/2012: Reflections on Sandy Hook

The work week begins with Moon in Aquarius, a helpful, humanitarian placement that favors making connections of all kinds, no matter how unconventional. Soulful unity and a need for beauty is also suggested, courtesy of the lingering effects of yesterday’s challenge between loving Venus and rose-colored Neptune. Sharing opinions that broaden horizons is also favored, suggested by an opposition between Mercury (mindset) and Jupiter (expansion).

East Coasters, note that the Moon goes void-of-course at 1:11PM ET…not to enter empathic, dreamy Pisces until 7:48PM ET. Get it off your desk before the void, if you can. West Coasters, your entire work day may be best applied to projects involving creative brainstorming, as efforts to move forward in a straight line have a much higher potential for delays, detours and other sudden twists. Writers may find this particular Moon void especially productive, thanks to the supercharged communication power of the aforementioned Mercury-Jupiter opposition. If you are new to the forecast and want more information on Moon voids, you will find it here. Welcome!

I hesitate to write much about the heartbreaking news that broke on Friday, which continues to dominate the headlines. Suffice it to say that if you read the forecasts posted on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, you would note that the planetary patterns described were reflected in a horribly destructive way in Newtown, Connecticut…and in too many other U.S. cities to link here. Violence in China also made headlines.

With rebel Uranus turning direct on last Thursday’s New Moon, we anticipated a seismic shock to the system. With Mars (action!) running wild in “make-it-happen” Capricorn (i.e., like a loose cannon), we anticipated that acts of aggression might pull focus. Last week, the horoscope of Adam Lanza (April 22, 1992 in Kingston, NH — time not confirmed), was clearly triggered by transiting Uranus and Mars (and I suspect by a couple of other major astrological measurements) — no surprises there. Maybe someday it will become a matter of course for all people to become aware of the patterns in their horoscopes, to help them make choices that are constructive, rather than destructive, especially during periods of stress, which would be identified before they happen.

As an astrologer, I am constantly identifying patterns in order to make sense of this world. As a writer, I can’t help but notice patterns in words, too. Last month we had Hurricane Sandy. Friday’s tragedy happened at a school named Sandy Hook. What’s with the word “Sandy” making headlines? Coincidence or conspiracy?

As I do not believe in coincidence, I must have a theory. Here it is (cue Anne Elk now). But seriously, folks. This is my theory. Sand is an irritant. An oyster reacts to an irritating grain of sand by creating a pearl. The pearl protects the oyster; it is a defense system. Would you believe that the name “Sandy” means “defender of men?” Pearls made me think of the expression “pearls of wisdom”. It’s time for us to wake up, wise up — and take action.

As suggested by the patterns in last Thursday’s New Moon, we are presented with an opportunity to do what must be done in order to create a better world. There is tremendous potential for action that brings positive results, if that is what we choose to create. Who’s in?

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Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 12/14/2012 & The Weekend: A Happening Scene!

Oh, the joy of a Neptune fog lifting! Oh, the joy of New Moon energy waxing! Oh, cue the “Ode to Joy” flash mob now (you’ll be glad you did)! Plus, it’s Friday!

Note your thoughts upon waking, as a harmonious connection between mental Mercury and innovative Uranus favors genius at 6:25AM ET. Five minutes later, a potentially cathartic connection between ruthless Pluto and the Moon in Capricorn can help intensely clarify whatever it is you need to do today to make things happen. This proactive, enterprising, status-seeking energy propels us through the day…

…and all the way through much of Saturday, with only a 45 minute Moon-void starting at 4:15PM ET. Get out your to-do list and see how easily you can accomplish your goals. If you’re holiday shopping in the morning, chances are you’ll be buying practical things with a certain level of status. When the Moon enters Aquarius, tastes run to the technological, the unconventional and dare I say the astro-logical. You’ll also be looking for refined beauty or an artistic experience, suggested by a charged connection between loving Venus and soulful Neptune, exact at 1:25PM ET on Sunday….which is about when I’m thinking of seeing a screening of Dr. Strangelove, and no, I can’t believe I’ve never seen the film in its entirety, either. I hear it’s weird, wacky and Peter Sellers was a genius and so ahead of his time. Perfect for a day with Moon in Aquarius and an artistic Venus-Neptune happening.

Other planetary shifts of note: Venus will be sooooooo relieved to ditch possessive Scorpio for a nice little gambol in Sagittarius at 11:38PM ET on Saturday. This need to broaden horizons in social expression, combined with the Aquarius Moon’s need whatever is on the fringe can make gatherings of all kinds very stimulating. Throw in an opposition between mental Mercury (in high-flying Sagittarius) and expansive Jupiter (in information-junkie Gemini) and we are going to be hearing some stories and opinions expressed that that are way over-the-top. This opposition is exact on Monday, but we’ll be seeing it reflected all weekend long. Watch the headlines…

And speaking of headlines, you may recall that in Tuesday’s forecast I advised you to keep an eye on whatever legislation was passed this week, because chances were strong that critical details may not have been thought out. I was specifically thinking of the deceptively-named Right-to-Work bill that was signed into law in Michigan on Tuesday, during a void-of-course Moon and the foggy Mercury-Neptune square. Now the Democrats in the Michigan State Senate have issued a press release asserting that the law is “flawed” and certain provisions conflict with Michigan’s constitution. Not surprisingly, Michigan’s Attorney General (a Republican) disagrees. Meanwhile, at least one lawsuit has been filed. Stay tuned…

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Thank you for reading the daily astro-logical forecast. Have a fabulous weekend!

Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 12/13/2012: New Moon in Sagittarius

So yesterday we were talking about the potential downside of Mars (action-oriented) energy running wild in the heavens. But how is that going to impact the New Moon at 21 Sagittarius, exact as of 3:42AM ET? Happily, this New Moon offers superb potential for broadening your horizons and breaking down barriers, provided your high-flying ideals have a solid, practical game plan to support them. And that “Mars-running-wild” energy can be applied to support your New Moon game plan. Before we get into the New Moon chart, you should know that the Moon will be void of course between 3:42AM ET and 4:43PM ET…potentially throwing a wrench into your plans to charge ahead in a straight line. When the Moon enters Capricorn at 4:43PM ET, that is when you can consider taking action.

Back to the New Moon chart:

Two other aspects dominate this month’s New Moon. First, a constructive connection between Saturn in Scorpio and Pluto in Capricorn — and it is rare to see such a cooperative aspect between the planet of structure and the planet of transformation. This connection is especially significant because Saturn rules the sign of Capricorn and Pluto rules the sign of Scorpio…and thus, the two planets are said to be in “mutual reception”. “Mutual reception” is an astro-logical technogeek term for “really constructive connection”…but for doing what? How about…moving forward on doing what needs to be done when the writing is on the wall…without whingeing about it? As in tighten your belts and put on your big girl panties. Deal with it — no more kicking the can down the road. This is your challenge– whether it is dealing with a ginormous budget deficit, or taking your own impossible dream to the next level. Whatever you need to do, DO IT. You may find yourself surprised at the positive results!

The other significant aspect in this New Moon is rebel Uranus, turning direct after being retrograde since July 13th. You will feel this release more strongly if you were born around the 25th of December, March, June and September….or if you have a planet or angle around 4 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. This suggests a feeling of release…in the spirit of independence, rebellion, originality and revelation. Pay attention to the buzz around you over the next few days as we adjust to this “shock to the system” planet moving forward again. Look for potential “news from underground” in the form of seismic shocks…and also for technological breakthroughs and news from outer space. Wherever 4 degrees of Aries falls in your horoscope is where you will likely experience this push forward. Consult your local astrologer for details.

The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon seems puzzling, given the high-flying optimism presented at the start of this lunar cycle. It is “a Chinese laundry”. Keep in mind that these symbols were divined almost 100 years ago. A Chinese laundry refers to the entrepreneurial efforts of an immigrant trying to gain a foothold in a strange new world. A Chinese immigrant could be a rocket scientist, but if she isn’t fluent in English, she may have to start at the very bottom of the economic ladder…literally doing the dirty work of other people, e.g., airing out their dirty laundry. I confess I am not sure how this symbol will play out. Maybe we will uncover more secrets — dirty laundry — of those who currently are at the top of the food chain. Maybe it’s a suggestion that we all could stand to “clean up our act” in order to meet the challenge of the high-flying optimism suggested by the New Moon in Sagittarius. What do you think?

What I do know is that this week’s Mercury-Neptune square is still dominating the news. All over Facebook, people are tuning in to a charity (Neptune) concert (Neptune) happening at Madison Square Garden. That, and music legend Ravi Shankar passed away….RIP. And you would not believe the stories of spaciness and missed connections I have been hearing from friends, clients and colleagues over the past two days. Yesterday’s forecast, for example, was riddled with typos — and I thought I had proofed it thoroughly! My apologies. I promise you by Friday things will be feeling much more invigorated and down to earth.

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Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 12/12/2012: When Mars Runs Wild

Moon in aim-for-the-stars Sagittarius gets a double dose of enthusiasm from expansive/expensive Jupiter at 9:12AM ET. And that pretty much sets the tone for the whole day. Where is all that energy going to take you? Good question — because the New Moon doesn’t happen until 3:42AM Thursday morning. Your mission today is to be merry and bright, and hold off on your next crusade until Friday. After the New Moon tomorrow morning, Moon goes void of course until 4:43PM ET, suggesting nothing of consequence should be initiated. Sure you can write a first draft, but I would hold off on pitching it until the Moon is fully engaged…and that rose-colored fog from today’s Neptune-Mercury square has dissipated.

As I type, Mars in Capricorn is running wild in the heavens. In other words, the aggressive need to make things happen is not connected to any other planet. Mars is currently isolated, like an island. Modern astrologer Noel Tyl calls these isolated planets “peregrine” (for the record, traditional astrologers define “peregrine” differently), and what he observes is that peregrine planets can’t help but pull focus in a horoscope, often running away with the whole persona. And I see Mr. Tyl’s observation proven time and time again with my clients.

OK, so…with Mars currently running wild, what might we expect in the headlines? North Korea launching a missile? Another shooting by a masked gunman at yet another shopping mall? How about a “brazen”assassination in broad daylight, on a heavily trafficked sidewalk near Columbus Circle in Manhattan?

The chart for the missile launch — which appears to be just before 10AM local time on Wednesday — has runaway Mars exactly on the Ascendant and stern Saturn close to the Midheaven. That’s a strong portrait of a warrior needing to be seen as an authority. Regular readers of this forecast have learned Midheaven and Ascendant are the angles of the chart. When planets make contact with angles, things happen! I was fascinated to see in the chart for the Manhattan murder (Dec 10 2012 at 2PM) that Mars and Saturn are also on the angles. There are 360 degrees in a horoscope, and only four of them can be angles (give or take a couple of degrees on either side). What are the chances that two acts of aggression taking place at different times and different places would have two planets suggesting aggression on those angles? Coincidence or conspiracy?

Right now Mars is at 19 degrees of Capricorn and Saturn is at 7 Scorpio. If your Ascendant and/or Midheaven are within a few degrees of these planets, you are likely feeling more riled up (Mars) than usual or more disciplined, focused or needing to be seen as an authority (Saturn).

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Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 12/11/2012: Make the Pi Higher

Last night at 8:40PM ET, Mercury, which refers to mindset, communication and travel, entered Sagittarius, sign of the (very opinionated) philosopher-clown. What WON’T be expressed over the next few weeks, hmm? Oddly enough, Mercury in Sagittarius is not considered to be especially well-placed. That’s because while Mercury suggests excellent energy for sorting out details, Sagittarius is much more concerned with the Big Picture. And this is another reason to be wary of signing on the dotted line when this ‘pie in the sky’ placement squares off with ‘make the pie higher!’ Neptune (in dreamy Pisces). Those Really Useful Details may not have been sorted out (keep an eye on whatever legislation is passed this week).

The Moon in Scorpio, which can be quite the moody bastard if so inclined, goes void-of-course at 8:08AM ET, on a conjunction with Venus, also in Scorpio. Your social interactions may be intense, but there’s no reason they can’t be enjoyable. Go with the flow and note how the mood shifts at 5:22PM ET, when Moon enters high-flying Sagittarius. We may see some weird, wild stuff in the air during the early evening hours, as the Moon amplifies the Mercury-Neptune square. Moon squares Neptune at 6:22PM ET; Moon conjoins Mercury at 7:21PM ET. See how that works?

And now, the news. Would you believe a thoughtful piece on the front page of the New York Times called “The God Glut”? Holy Mercury square Neptune, Batman! Does columnist Frank Bruni realize how hip he is to planetary patterns? Probably not. But that’s what is so interesting about astrology. It works whether you are aware of it or not. I suspect the same could be said about God.

: )

And all of this thinking about pie makes me also think that a fabulous cinematic escape such as The Life of Pi would also be in synch with planetary patterns.

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Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 12/10/2012: Perks and Perils of Mercury Square Neptune

How time flies! Once again, we are in the dark side of the Moon, where the focus should be on tying up loose ends from projects that were initiated at the time of the New Moon on November 13th. We may feel a sense of restlessness or listlessness at the end of the cycle. We sense something is about to begin, but we don’t know what. It can be very Waiting For Godot. The next New Moon happens on Thursday, December 13th, at 3:42AM ET. More on that later this week.

Moon in Scorpio needs information for the sake of power and control. It also needs depth and substance. The challenge for the next couple of days is presented by nebulous Neptune squaring mental Mercury at 7:58AM ET on Tuesday, suggesting an idealized or confused mindset, communication exchange or travel adventure. You may recall this aspect was in effect all last week, too. Think twice before signing on the dotted line today, as things may not be as they seem. This is especially true for Tuesday, when the Moon will be void from 8:08AM – 5:22PM ET. Moon will also be void on Thursday from 3:42AM ET until 4:43PM ET.

This Mercury-Neptune square can be terrific for creative types: artists, spiritualists and healers. There is a caveat, however, and here I would be thinking of the Australian DJs who — last week, on a day with the Moon in playful, regal Leo — thought it would be so fun and fantastic to pretend to be the Queen of England and ring up the hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated for severe morning sickness. Unfortunately, their ruse was so successful that it allegedly resulted in the suicide of the nurse who thought the deception was real.

Then there is this tragic story of Jenni Rivera, a singer (Neptune) whose plane (Mercury) crashed shortly after take off yesterday. In other news, I almost fell out of my chair when I read the 4th paragraph of columnist David Brooks’s last effort — this is Mercury/Neptune idealism in spades; a beautiful, beautiful dream….but where is the real game plan? (That would be Saturn — and yes, I know, all politicians in the U.S. wax rhapsodic about the American Dream; it is part of our collective consciousness, as suggested by the Neptune-Mars square in the U.S. horoscope). Anyway. To counter David Brooks, here’s Paul Krugman to tell you why record corporate profits are not what they seem to be. On a more uplifting and healing note, here’s an amazing story of how a 7-year-old girl beat leukemia (diseases of the blood are usually ruled by Neptune).

I’ll close with this op-ed piece that seeks to expose all of the sneaky tactics retailers employ in order to get shoppers to open their wallets. On the one hand, it seems to argue that the more disoriented the consumer is by the experience, the more money she is likely to spend. On the other hand, the research studies presented appear to contradict each other, making them perfectly in synch with the expectations of a Mercury-Neptune square! Have I mentioned that from now until January 1st, 2013, I am offering a Special One-Hour Consultation at a very reasonable price, and that it’s the perfect gift for everyone on your list, including yourself? But don’t take it from me, take it from a recent client:

“Thank you for a REALLY helpful session today!”

No confusion there. I am delighted to be of service. Now if I can just figure out how to make your computer screen smell like a pina colada…

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