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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 Tuesday 8/9/2011: Rick Perry

Moon in Sagittarius continues to push boundaries* today, as the challenge to Mars (action) from disruptive Uranus becomes exact at 12:34PM. From yesterday. More of the same from yesterday: “watch the headlines for breakthroughs, jolts and  upheavals”. Would a 600 point drop in the Dow be considered an upheaval? http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/business/global/daily-stock-market-activity.html?hp  We are likely to see more volatility and shocks to the system today, along with news from underground (mines, radiation, corruption, seismic activity) and power plays, some of which could be classified as brutal. The latter is suggested by ruthless Pluto’s challenge to aggressive Mars, exact at 1:12AM ET on Thursday.

In your own personal world, inspiration and communication are likely to flow freely. Perhaps too freely. Remember the Mercury retrograde of avoiding gossip.

In other news, Governor Rick Perry of Texas is allegedly mulling a run for higher office. Born March 4, 1950 in Paint Creek TX (birth time unknown), Perry is a soulful, sensitive Pisces with Moon in perfectionist Virgo. A strong need for independence, to defy convention, to disrupt the status quo is suggested by Uranus running wild in the horoscope.  Interesting to note that Barack Obama and John Boehner also have this pattern. Apparently American voters like renegades. Currently, an interesting pattern between nebulous Neptune and transformational Pluto suggests a strong potential for “intensification of the sensory; possible loss of frame of reality; subterfuge and/or possible drug or alcohol dysfunctionality,” (as defined by astrologer Noel Tyl). This pattern was exact in Perry’s horoscope in mid-July. In June, as you may have heard, he declared August 6, 2011 a day of prayer and fasting http://governor.state.tx.us/news/proclamation/16247/  Unconventional? Perhaps, but the event does dovetail with the patterns suggested by Neptune’s recent ingress into Pisces: spiritualism on the rise. More anon.

*this just in: man breaks barrier/pushes boundary http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/sports/amputee-oscar-pistorius-will-run-at-world-championships.html?hp

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 8/8/2011: Saturn and the US Horoscope

Talk to your Libra friends born around October 3-8. Ask them how they’re feeling squeezed, confined or otherwise pressured to streamline and focus their energy with a sense of urgency, especially if they were born in 1981. Your Cancer, Capricorn and Aries friends born two weeks into those signs likely have similar stories to share. The squeeze and pressure they are feeling comes courtesy of transiting Saturn, planet of discipline and control, making a challenging connection to the Sun (life force). In the case of your Libra friends born in 1981, they have the added pressure of a once-every 28-30 years Saturn return.

All through the month of July and August, Saturn is exerting a similar pressure on the horoscope of the United States. Saturn has been squaring the US Sun at 12 Cancer and sitting right on top of the US Saturn at 14 Libra. Add this to the pressure on United States resources (banking & finances) suggested by ruthless, corruption-exposing Pluto and disruptive Uranus, and it is no surprise to see the Friday’s headline about Standard and Poor downgrading the US credit rating. Squeezed! Some say the downgrade will have no impact, but I anticipate a volatile week in the markets, as everyone tries to figure out what it all means. Certainly there was plenty of outrage over the $2 trillion dollar error in S & P’s calculations. Here it is, straight from the US Treasury Dept: http://www.treasury.gov/connect/blog/Pages/Just-the-Facts-SPs-2-Trillion-Mistake.aspx Mercury retrograde strikes again? Well, strikes are another likely manifestation during a Mercury retrograde, and over the weekend, workers in the telecommunication industry (Verizon), did just that: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/08/business/in-verizon-strike-landlines-and-fios.html?scp=2&sq=verizon%20strike&st=cse

Figuring out what it means continues to be a challenge, as Mercury is still retrograde and still under the magical, mystical, diffusing, confusing (pick whichever adjective applies in your own personal world) influence of nebulous Neptune. We get another exact hit of that aspect today, as Mercury moves backwards into the sign of Leo. The shift in tone? You may notice more regal posturing in analysis and communication, less of a focus on the discriminating, perfectionist analysis of Virgo, which is where this Mercury retrograde started.

Today’s Moon in Sagittarius sets a buoyant, optimistic, if a bit opinionated tone. And look, the word “buoys” is right on the front page of the New York Times: “European Intervention Buoys Italy and Spain” http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/business/global/daily-stock-market-activity.html?hp  Amazing! Any undertaking to broaden your horizons is likely to be rewarding. Think outside the box, but don’t sign a contract just yet. Watch the headlines for breakthroughs, jolts and  upheavals as rebel Uranus approaches its exact challenge to aggressive Mars on Tuesday.

Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 8/5: Mars, the Big T-Square Party & the US

No break today. Moon left the sign of Libra at 7:57AM ET and entered moody bastard Scorpio at 7:58AM ET, where it will strive to obtain knowledge to gain power and control, well-supported by a number of planets. Scorpio is a resilient, stubborn energy that runs deep and insists on being taken seriously. Add to that seriousness a cooperative, conservative connection between Sun (life force) and disciplined Saturn. Add to that the after effects of yesterday’s challenge between expansive Jupiter and Venus (money, among other things), suggesting the potential for wretched excess or over-indulgence.  Is a 500 point drop in the Dow a wretched excess? And let’s not forget the confusion added by Mercury retrograde (mind not thinking clearly) opposed by nebulous Neptune all this week and into next.

Let’s talk about Mars in Cancer (re-read Wednesday’s forecast). Mars refers to  action. Cancer refers to  emotional security — also relating to resources (money). The first two degrees of Cancer are part of the Aries Point. Regular readers of this forecast will recall that planets at the Aries Point (zero degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra & Capricorn) demand attention — sometimes to the point of fame. So we have ACTION to preserve EMOTIONAL SECURITY getting MAJOR ATTENTION hitting the headlines yesterday — and today. Got it?

How does Mars in Cancer fit in with other patterns? We already talked about the excess of Jupiter-Venus. We also need to talk about how Mars is now making contact with the BIG T-SQUARE PARTY AMONG THE HEAVIES ruthless Pluto, disruptive Uranus and controlling Saturn, suggesting a pattern of upheaval, shocks to the system and news from underground — the aspects will be exact next week, so there’s your preview. Don’t freak out. Cool things like technological breakthroughs are also suggested. Did you hear yesterday that there is evidence of water (Cancer is a water sign) on Mars? http://www.smh.com.au/travel/blots-on-the-southern-landscape-point-to-life-on-mars-20110805-1iffv.html

Finally, we ask — but why do we see this action to achieve security happening in certain countries, like the US, Greece, Italy, Germany, the UK, etc. My take (and other astrologers’ takes): the horoscopes of these countries have planets aligned with the Aries Point and the Big T-Square Party (which is becoming less of a controlled party, now that Saturn is moving out of the picture, leaving disruptive Uranus and Pluto free to turn things upside down, as they did in the 30s and the 60s.)

In the horoscope of the US, Venus (money) is at 2 Cancer. Jupiter (also related to resources) is at 5 Cancer. Both planets are in the second house, which relates to money/resources/value/worth. Right now, Mars is at 2 Cancer, activating Venus issues in the US. Uranus is at 4 Aries; Pluto is at 5 Capricorn; both are challenging the material abundance (Venus together with Jupiter) suggested by  the US chart). Follow me?

Wednesday on CNBC, a guest explained how economic cycles were connected to numbers. A year ending in 5 was good; a year ending in 0 or 1 was bad. That was their theory. And they were invited to tell the world about it on CNBC. I look forward to the day when astrologers are invited to present their theories in a bigger arena, above and beyond the fluff of “I’m a Cancer. Should I date a Pisces”? There’s so much more to it than that. And we have the charts to prove it.

In your own personal world, keep your grounding cord down and double check everything before you ship it. I failed to follow my own advice and corrected the typos in this forecast an hour after it was posted. You can enjoy the emotional depth and indulgence suggested by planetary patterns later tonight. Use the power of the Scorpio Moon to look beneath the surface and understand what’s really going on. More anon.

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 8/3/2011: Mars in Cancer

Writing this while Moon is still void and Mercury is now retrograde, opposed by nebulous Neptune. How many typos will appear in today’s forecast? Let me count the ways. Or something.

Moon enters people-pleasing Libra at 6:04AM ET, seeking popularity and appreciation for its charms. Would a bit of sweet talk get you going this morning? A bit of transcendental magic could be made with a partner…

Bumps and grinds of another sort (as in grinding to halt thanks to a jolt or mechanical breakdown) may add intrigue to the day, shortly after lunch on the East Coast and shortly before on the West. That would be the Moon making contact with rebel Uranus and transformational Pluto, combined with Mercury (mind, travel, communication) now retrograde. Sometimes a slow down is there for a reason. Maybe you really do need a break and this is the Universe’s way of showing you.

Meanwhile, Mars, planet of energy applied leaves chatty Gemini for the sign of Cancer at 5:22AM ET, adding another wobble to the mix. While Mars in Gemini might blow off steam with a sharp word or two, Mars in moody Cancer tends to hold it in and simmer. Real agendas may not be discovered until Mercury turns direct and Mars moves into regal Leo in September…around the time Congress comes back from its well-timed Mercury retrograde vacation. Coincidence or conspiracy? Figures the one thing they would have neglected to address before departing is the current suspended status of the FAA (travel!!) and 4000 of its furloughed employees http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-faa-shutdown-20110803,0,5449960.story

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 8/1/2011

On a day with Uranus (the space program) in pioneering Aries and Jupiter both making prominent connections, how cool is it to see this headline: “Juno to Circle Jupiter for Planetary Recipe” http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110801/world/Juno-to-circle-Jupiter-for-planetary-recipe-.378267

A busy start to the work week began with a harmonious connection between humanitarian, unconventional Uranus and loving Venus. Can we all be friends? The weirder, the better. That’s the Uranus connection. At 10:43 AM ET Jupiter challenges the Sun, suggesting the potential for the expensive and the expansive, a wildly optimistic idea, general good cheer or ego-aggrandizement and royal pains. You choose!

Moon in perfectionist Virgo will have its plate full sorting out all the details, trying to make everything exactly correct. And this on a day with Mercury, the ruling planet of Virgo, stationary retrograde, suggesting that whatever grand plan is signed, sealed and delivered may have a few glitches upon further review. That’s my take on this debt ceiling agreement, allegedly being presented today.

But getting back to the general good cheer, Mercury retrograde notwithstanding. This week does hold potential for visionary, charismatic types, as suggested by a harmonious connection to Mars from nebulous Neptune. The aggressive nature of Mars is softened by Neptune, which may well aid you in whatever New Moon project you’re launching. It can be downright magical.  It can also tempt you to buy into a con man’s scheme, so do your due diligence if you stumble across something that seems too good to be true.

Moon goes void at 7:38PM ET, not to enter Libra until 6:04AM Wednesday. On Tuesday Mercury officially goes retrograde at 11:50PM ET. Take it slow. Double check for accuracy. Note the probability for twists, flakes, red herrings and communication snafus is increased. When in doubt, chill out.

Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 7/29/2011 & the Weekend: New Moon in Leo

Moon is void of course all day Friday in Cancer, a water sign.  Already I’m dreaming of cutting out early and heading to the seashore. I’m dreaming thanks to a charge from nebulous Neptune to Mercury (mind, travel, communication). And that’s about all I’ve got on my plate today. Nothing else of consequence!

A playful or prideful Leo Moon kicks in at 2:16AM ET Saturday, carrying us through the weekend. The New Moon at 8 Leo is exact at 2:40PM ET. Sun and Moon in Leo is about the heart, creativity, passion and doing what you love. Play with it! With Mercury retrograde from August 2-26 your New Moon agenda is to research, discover and declare your passion. Wherever 8 Leo falls in your horoscope is where you can consider integrating the spirit of play into your desire for reward. Sounds like fun in your own personal world. How might it play out in the headlines? Playful or prideful!

The Sabian Symbol for 8 Leo is “a Bolshevik propagandist”. Fascinating. Astrologer Blain Bovee writes, “to be a Bolshevik means to draw on power by virtue of belonging to the majority, bolshe, meaning ‘greater,’ through ideas shaped by a small elite. A “propagandist” is one who publicizes highly selective information and ideas.” Hmmm. With Mercury retrograde during most of the lunar cycle, information that sounds too good to be true often is. Keep that is mind before getting too carried away. When this Sabian Symbol is prominent, Bovee suggests, “look for hotheads, pushovers, Madison Avenue smarts, hidden social agendas; political self-righteousness in disguise.”

Other than that, in your own personal world, the rest of the weekend looks like a party. You may be inclined to overindulge, especially if it’s expansive or expensive. You might also enjoy it. A lot.

Follow-ups from forecasts posted earlier:
From Wednesday:  “The highlight of the day is whatever lightning bolt of brilliance strikes you (or the headlines) before 4PM ET, when the Sun in Leo makes a smooth connection to rebel Uranus, and comes up with a fresh approach — or break for freedom — in issues of the heart and creative self-expression.”   Note that the Sun (life force) – Uranus (genetic mutation) aspect that prompted that prediction was in effect for a day or so before and after. I was pretty thrilled to see this headline in the Times yesterday morning — lightning in a bottle? “It’s Alive! It’s Alive! Maybe Here on Earth”  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/28/science/28life.html?hpw Coincidence or conspiracy?

Uranus also refers to aviation, and it is currently being challenged by ruthless Pluto (which also refers to revenue in the form of taxation), suggesting a shocking disruption of the status quo. This item isn’t making the big headlines one would think it should. Did you know the FAA was put in limbo last weekend and 4000 employees (the ones who maintain our runways & build control towers) were furloughed?   http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/28/opinion/28thu2.html?scp=1&sq=small%20government&st=cse Did you know that a 7.5% excise tax on airline tickets (200 million dollars a week in revenue) is no longer being collected? Did you know that most all of the airlines (except for Spirit Airlines) raised their fares 7.5% in response? Our elected representatives seem too preoccupied with making media appearances to have noticed…and consumers aren’t reading the papers…

Have a great weekend!

Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 7/28/2011: Chock Full ‘o Nuts

Review Monday’s forecast for an overview of the week and next, especially with regard to the alleged debt ceiling negotiations.
Moon left chatty Gemini (which needs to KNOW) and moved into Cancer (which needs to be emotionally secure) Wednesday at 9:11PM, destined to be energized (a potential positive manifestation) or bitch-slapped (a potential “negative” manifestation) by the heavies in the Big T-Square Party all day today: disruptive/illuminating Uranus at 5:15AM ET; ruthless/transformational Pluto at 7:08AM ET and controlling/disciplined/wet blanket Saturn at 7:03PM ET, after which it goes void of course until 2:16AM ET on Saturday. This suggests a major chill tonight and tomorrow — and a reminder not to get thrown by whatever strange twist may come your way.

Adding to this potential roller coaster are the “wobbles” of adjustment required by two planets changing signs. Venus (love, money, beauty) leaves clingy Cancer for regal Leo; Mercury (mind, communication) leaves regal Leo for perfectionist Virgo. Look for a few weeks of increased drama, playfulness and/or extravagance in social expression and at least a week of trying to get all the numbers to add up correctly in our thought process and communication. I say “trying” because we’re also feeling the influence of nebulous Neptune challenging Mercury (“this is your brain on drugs”), which is slowing down in preparation for the retrograde period of Aug 2- 26.  Feeling a bit fried? Need an escape? A bit of vision/inspiration? How about a vodka tonic — and/or a weekend that starts a day early.

But wait — there’s more! We’re in the dark side of the Moon, a time to be wrapping up your New Moon agenda and preparing for the new cycle, which begins on Saturday at 2:40PM ET. Readers of this forecast will recall that this is often a time of anticipation and listlessness. We know something is around the corner, but we don’t know what. So add that energy to what’s already flying around the headlines coming out of Washington. Remember that you have total control over your reaction to people and events around you. Stay grounded and attentive to what brings you security in your own personal world. An evening at home  or wherever feels like home — far from the madding crowd — may remind you of what’s really important.

If you are far, far, FAR from said madding crowd, look up in the sky at the Delta Aquarids Meteors http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/187676/20110728/meteor-shower-tonight-2011-perseid-delta-aquarid-shooting-star.htm

Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 7/27/2011: Anders Behring Breivik

Read the second paragraph of yesterday’s forecast for an overview of the flow of the next several days.
Today Moon continues the buzz in chatterbox Gemini, contributing to your information overload. The highlight of the day is whatever lightning bolt of brilliance strikes you (or the headlines) before 4PM ET, when the Sun in Leo makes a smooth connection to rebel Uranus, and comes up with a fresh approach — or break for freedom — in issues of the heart and creative self-expression.

Anders Behring Breivik, the man responsible for last week’s massacre in Norway, is an Aquarius with Moon in Virgo, capable of shocking emotional detachment and intellectual rationalization, driven by a need for perfection. He was born on February 13, 1979 — birth time unknown — in London.  The chart immediately suggests a tightness of affection between the parents (carried forward into his adult life); a father who was taken out of the picture during Breivik’s childhood, and a mother who alternatively may have controlled him — or confused him — to the point of himself being vulnerable to drugs, alcohol or other fantasy-inducing stimulant. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/anders-behring-breivik-should-have-turned-the-gun-on-himself-says-father-16027964.html Certainly the horoscope suggests the capacity for obsessive, meticulous long-term planning, with a need for a cause to promote, based on a grandiose philosophy that runs wild.  This horoscope is likely to be known for harshness, fantasy and emotional power struggles and/or overkill. It is driven by the need to prove a point that likely disrupts the status quo, with a “devil may care attitude”.  We could talk for an hour about the midpoint pictures alone…

A key planet in Breivik’s horoscope  — Saturn (and possibly the Moon, too) — was triggered by the potent eclipse of June 1st, joining Rupert Murdoch, Rebekah Brooks, James (Whitey) Bulger and others recent newsmakers. Fascinating.

Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 7/26/2011: The US in July & August

Today’s multi-tasking Gemini Moon is stabilized by a supportive connection to disciplined Saturn, suggesting an opportunity to bring tangible form to rational ideas. Are you listening, debt ceiling “negotiators”? Yes, it’s tough, and the horoscope of the United States is certainly going through some challenging transits right now. Here are just a few:  Saturn, planet of necessary control is squeezing the life force of the Sun in Cancer, suggesting difficulty and a fear — a fear, mind you — of loss. We’re weeks away from the third and final hit of the US Saturn return, suggesting an urgency about changing our strategy to reflect a necessary shift in values  and ambition (this happens every 28-30 years). What ambitions did the US launch 28-30 years ago? Yes, the space shuttle program was one thing. How about trickle-down economics? Could this also be up for review?  What needs to be let go, must be let go. The horoscope of the US is also experiencing a potent, forceful connection between ruthless Pluto and aggressive Mars (this is separate from the Mars-Pluto connection mentioned in the past few days). It all adds up to an extraordinary opportunity. What is likely to happen?

First, recognize that you have a say in this whole process. Yes, YOU. The energies represented by Mars and Pluto do not care if they are experienced as “good” or “bad” — they just need to be expressed. The “how” is up to us — you have a say in this — we all do. Why not write or call your elected officials and give them a piece of your mind. I’d like to believe that somehow they’ll seize the innovative potential of Wednesday’s lovely connection between innovative Uranus and the Sun and come up with a proposal that serves a humanitarian purpose by then. Thursday looks action-packed, but bumpy; nothing of consequence is likely to be produced on Friday, especially during the dark side of the Moon. The New Moon on the 1st offers big promises for expansive action (stay tuned for details), but on Tuesday, August 2nd, Moon is void of course all day AND Mercury is stationary retrograde (the US election of 2000 took place under those conditions). The general astrological rule for events initiated on a Moon void is that they will likely be of no consequence (like your vote in the aforementioned US election). The Mercury retrograde adds confusion.  I find it significant that such a day of “no consequence” was determined to be the day when Things Must Be Done Or Else It Gets Really Really Bad. It makes me wonder if there isn’t a more consequential agenda we should be focusing on. This guy certainly seems to think so:  http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=251883  What do you think?

In your own personal world, be mindful of Mercury’s upcoming retrograde from Aug 2-23. Get your documents drafted and signed; back up your computer; make your travel plans. Peace out.

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 7/25/2011

Monday morning begins as last Friday ended: with Moon void-of-course, suggesting that whatever crisis crops up during that time may well be “sound and fury, signifying nothing”. Keep that in mind should some drama — or news thereof — cross your desk. Alternatively, you may find your work week getting off to a slower start than usual — with no consequences at all for missing meetings or being stuck in rush hour traffic. The void is between 9:12AM and 12:34PM ET. (Recall that last Friday EOD, talks to raise the debt ceiling ground to halt with separate press conferences held by an annoyed Barack Obama and a recalcitrant John Boehner. And much saber-rattling was had by all).

After the void, Moon enters chatty Gemini, which frankly, should lighten the news wires. It may get a bit fuzzy in the hours before and after 1:05PM, courtesy of a challenge to Moon from nebulous Neptune, but it may also get you on track for a day ripe with creative potential. Aspects in the later part of the day suggest balance and innovation.

Gone are last week’s obsessive-compulsive aspects from ruthless Pluto to Venus and Mars, which suggested, on the downside, a trigger for emotional overkill and/or brute force bubbling up — or exploding — from the underground. Mars (energy applied) – Pluto (transformation) combinations, when expressed negatively (and remember PEOPLE decide how to apply the energy of the planetary patterns) can result in a number of “if it bleeds, it leads” headlines, as we saw in Friday and Saturday’s shooting rampages in Norway  and Texas http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2015720135_skateshooting25.html  Add the sad passing of Amy Winehouse to the category of “emotional overkill”. Humming in the background of these disturbing events is that Big T-Square Party among the heavies: Saturn (control), Uranus (shock to the system) and Pluto (resistance is futile).
What good can come of this intensity? Game-changing events involving resources and energy, including sexual energy. How about scientific advances on a male birth control pill http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/health/research/24contraception.html?scp=1&sq=male%20birth%20control&st=cse? Or a study that concludes that it would be good for the public health if insurance companies were required to cover contraceptives (I am sure they’ll have no trouble passing that one if birth control pills for men ever hit the market) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/20/health/policy/20health.html?scp=1&sq=insurance%20converage%20for%20contraception&st=cse