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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 3/4/2014: Saturn Retrograde

What’s the rush that gets you out of bed on the West Coast — or greets you at the office on the East Coast, as the “I fall down stairs because it’s faster than walking” Aries Moon faces off against warrior Mars at 9:44AM ET? You’re not on a collision course or — gawd forbid — feeling a tad impatient, are you? Chill out on a long West Coast coffee break or East Coast lunch between 12:31PM ET and 2:12PM ET, when the Moon is void of course.

The energy should feel noticeably slower and more grounded in the afternoon, when Moon enters placid Taurus and sets about building material security out of whatever inspiration hit you over the past few days. Healing, spirit (s), music, film and other intangibles grace the evening at 11:53PM ET, as the Moon cozies up to rose-colored Neptune. An evening of indulgence, indeed.

Meanwhile…Saturn turned retrograde on Sunday at 11:19AM ET. What does that suggest? Saturn is the planet of ambition and necessary controls/structure. When retrograde, this can put a damper — or a structural review — on some plans for expansion…at least until July 21st, when Saturn will once again be direct. Those who are likely to feel it the most are those born around the 11th of February, May, August and November…or who have a planet or angle at 23-24 degrees of Aquarius, Taurus, Leo or Scorpio. Whatever squeeze you’ve been feeling since the beginning of 2014 will be back for a second adjustment for the next several week. The resolution of that squeeze will likely make itself known at the end of October.

If you don’t know where your planets and angles are, consider ordering an Astro-Basics Report. For even more juicy details, consider scheduling a personal astro-logical consultations. As one of my clients with Moon in Aries stated in a glowing testimonial, “It was all about ME!”  Well…of course!

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 3/3/2014: Mars Retrograde in Libra; Sneak Peek at the Week

Happy Monday!

The work week begins with a burst of energy, courtesy of the Moon in RAMbunctious Aries, rushing ahead with its me-me-me agenda and totally pumped up by contact with rebel Uranus, ruthless Pluto and expansive Jupiter — all before 9AM ET. Whew! Y’know the Moon was in Aries during last night’s Oscars — and how interesting that a picture of host Ellen DeGeneres & friends was one of the highlights of the night. Ellen has the Moon in Aries, and her Mercury at 13 Capricorn is currently being supercharged by electric Uranus, potent Pluto and expansive Jupiter. What she thinks and says is more likely now to pack a powerful punch. And of course Ellen, being a “who’s yer buddy?” Aquarius with an opinionated Sagittarius rising, would need to share a photo taken with her friends — with the rest of her friends throughout the entire Free World. No wonder her “selfie” crashed Twitter!

Back to today:  a supportive connection between Sun and Pluto today at 2:13PM ET offers the potential for depth of communication that facilitates transformation and regeneration. This is echoed by another supportive connection between the Moon and mental Mercury, exact at 6:28PM ET. News involving power and resources can be expected.

Lots of planetary shifts this week, as noted last week, so be prepared to adjust your speed and direction as required. Mars (action) and Saturn (ambition, structure) just turned retrograde, suggesting certain plans of attack (literally) may be delayed or should be tabled. Venus finally leaves social-climbing Capricorn for freaky Aquarius on Wednesday. Jupiter, planet of expansion turns direct on Thursday.  And it’s all happening against the backdrop of the the fifth of seven exact squares between Uranus and Pluto, which will be exact April 21st — and part of a rare Cardinal Grand Cross. What does it all mean? Let’s break some of it down now; save the rest for later in the week.

Today let’s review Mars in Libra — retrograde.

Mars is the planet of action. Moving backwards is not comfortable. Thus, many people find themselves more irritated, impatient and frustrated than usual when Mars is retrograde. Why aren’t things moving forward fast enough? It feels like a truck spinning its wheels in the mud. Frustration built up can lead to an urge to jump into action — rashly. Resist this urge!

A more appropriate use of Mars retrograde is to treat it as an opportunity to plan an effective strategy. Think of a coach calling a time out on the playing field. Mars retrograde is a good time to huddle — to turn inward — and reflect upon or talk about a strategy for…oh…in this case…partnership, relationship, justice, fairness and whirled peas — all suggested by Mars being in Libra.

Libra is a partnership-oriented energy that dislikes conflict. Mars is an ego-oriented energy that thrives in battle — or on a crusade. Thus becoming a “warrior for peace” would be an exalted manifestation of Mars in Libra — especially with Mars retrograde. Think of Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II.

What does it suggest if you happen to have Mars retrograde in your horoscope? Book an appointment for a personal astro-logical consultation and we’ll talk about it. Geez, Louise, I can’t put everything in a daily forecast, as tempting as it is to do so.

During Mars retrograde, it is suggested that one avoid:
Rushing into — or out of —  a love affair or a marriage.
Rushing into a new job or contract.
Buying a car
Hiring a new employee (unless it’s a temp)
Starting a lawsuit
Starting a war!! (which makes the ongoing crisis in the Ukraine even more problematic).

Interesting to see many front page headlines today about reviewing past acts of aggression — too numerous to list them all — but here’s the homepage of one paper as an example.

Moon voids this week: Tuesday 12:31PM ET – 2:12PM ET; Thursday 8:55AM ET – 9:37pm ET — that’s a big chill day.

To be continued…

Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 2/28/2014: All Dressed Up; New Moon in Pisces

Writing this under the influence of a dreamy hook-up between a “dead” Moon and nebulous Neptune in escapist Pisces, exact at 6:17PM ET.  Mental Mercury turned direct at 9AM ET…suggesting our minds might be mushy for a few days, as we adjust to the forward-thinking motion. But if our minds are mush, we can still be enthusiastic about it, suggested by a jolly alignment between the Sun and Jupiter at 11:05PM ET. That could make for a very happy Happy Hour indeed…and a serious hangover tomorrow courtesy of your wretched excess tonight.

The New Moon in Pisces begins at 2:39AM ET, offering us an opportunity to re-set  intentions and goals for the next lunar cycle.  Around March 8th, on the First Quarter Moon, we can expect a challenge to those goals, with appropriate adjustments made. At the time of the Full Moon on the 16th, we can expect illumination on the success or failure of our goals for the cycle. If we succeeded, we can consciously release our success into our reality; if we failed, we let go of whatever did not work. After the Third Quarter Moon on the 22nd, we can review our achievements, tie up loose ends and get ready to begin another New Moon cycle on the 30th.

The Pisces mantra is I BELIEVE. If you know where 10 degrees of Pisces falls in your horoscope, this is the area of your life where you might consider your long-held beliefs and contemplate a new vision. With nebulous Neptune now closely aligned with the Pisces Sun and Moon, a meditation on intangibles: creativity, dreams, spirit, empathy and soulful union would be an excellent part of your intentions this month. Real, unreal or surreal? How interesting that the Sabian Symbol for this New Moon is “men seeking illumination” — a quest that Sabian Symbol guru Blaine Bovee notes is often “motivated by dissatisfaction.” What illuminations motivated by dissatisfaction will we see in the headlines this month, hmmm? What motivates your desire to see the light?

With  Mars (action) turning retrograde and Saturn (strategy, ambition) at a dead stop (it officially turns retrograde on Sunday), this New Moon suggests  an exciting inner journey. Sure, you may feel as if you’re all dressed up with no place to go — and this may be very frustrating — but planetary patterns suggest that turning in will allow you to fine-tune your strategy for advancement.

Conflicts, adjustments, illumination and growth in relationship dynamics are also suggested during this lunar cycle, as Mars (masculine) and Venus (feminine) square off on Sunday at 3:04PM ET.  That can spark juicy passion or fierce fights…or one followed by the other, especially since the Moon will be in feisty me-me-me Aries at 10:40AM ET. Should make for some interesting headlines — and plenty of independent spirits at the Oscars.  You’re personally affected by the Mars-Venus clash if you have an angle or planet at 27 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn. Feeling feisty, are you…or just a wee bit irritable?

Meanwhile, patience is advised over the next few days as communication misfires and delays are resolved. Take it slow. Be kind to yourself and others. Be advised that some things that sounded like the best idea since sliced bread may prove to be not so sound upon careful review in the next few weeks. Oh — and fact-check before freaking out.

Case in point: a quick glance at the headlines drew my eye to this item: Qantas A380, Boeing 747 Collide at Los Angeles Airport   — and OMG, I am thinking mid-air collision. But no, what actually happened is that one plane that was being towed on a runway clipped the wing of another jet that was parked at a dead stop. Still qualifies as a Mercury retrograde travel snafu, but not the sensational incident the headline might suggest. Those wacky newspaper editors…

Stay tuned…

Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 2/27/2014: Pick Up the Pieces

Two days to go before a new cycle begins. One more day of Mercury retrograde. The supercharged rush of Jupiter’s square to erratic Uranus is behind us (how did your computers do yesterday).

Today the Moon continues in steady, cerebral, “hang out with your friends” Aquarius, seeking to be of social significance and also accepted for being unique. Communication efforts along those lines are favored by a hook-up to the Moon from retrograde Mercury. Got anything on your desk that could use a good REview? There’s a heavy alignment between Moon and stern Saturn at 11:11PM ET that may end day on a serious note….but given a deliciously buoyant connection between the Sun in soulful Pisces and Jupiter in nurturing Cancer tomorrow…this, too shall pass.

And now, the news. Who remembers the themes of this month’s lunar cycle — the one that began on January 30th, with the New Moon in Aquarius? Something about sorting out a new social paradigm and realizing that the membership at your social club had expanded, and there were lots of new faces at the “cool kids’ table” — right?

How interesting, then, to see key headlines about who’s in; who’s out. Exhibit A: the Governor of Arizona vetoes a bill that would have permitted discrimination (specifically aimed at gays and lesbians) on religious grounds. Let Gail Collins explain it all for you. Exhibit B: a federal judge in Texas rules that the state’s ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional. Exhibit C: US Attorney General Eric Holder advises his state counterparts that they do not have to defend such state bans in court.

Finally, a super-cosmic Jupiter-Uranus windfall made headlines yesterday when NASA announced the discovery of 715 planets — “by far the biggest batch of planets ever unveiled at once.”  Cue The B-52s now, please…

Have a cosmic day!

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 2/26/2014: Dark Side of the Moon

East Coasters and super-early risers on the West Coast: remember that the Capricorn Moon is void for four hours this AM, not to become fully engaged in the next sign, Aquarius, until 9:55AM ET. A twist or detour in your morning routine/commute is suggested, as Moon voids often challenge efforts to move forward in a straight line.

The potential for twists and snafus spills over into the next couple of days, exacerbated by the super-charged buoyancy of jolly Jupiter’s contact with electric Uranus and the Sun…combined with the slooooooooow moving drag of FOUR planets about to change direction: Mercury (mind, travel, communication), Mars (action), Jupiter (expansion) and Saturn (contraction).  What was I writing earlier this week about not knowing if we were coming or going? If in doubt, chill out. Corollary (as seen on my Facebook newsfeed): “A wise man once said nothing”.  Word!

We are in the dark side of the Moon, the end of the lunar cycle. Appropriate actions include wrapping up projects from the past few weeks. There are no exact aspects to the Moon during business hours today, even when it does engage in cerebral, detached, “who’s yer buddy?” Aquarius. The lack of input from other planets, along with the dark Moon, can suggest a listless, restless energy. The New Moon happens at 2:59AM ET on Sunday. Patience, patience, patience….

And now, the news.

Pie-in-the-sky stories reflecting the stunning magic of Jupiter (cosmic sugar daddy) squared by Uranus (lightning bolt), as anticipated? You bet. Here’s a quote from one of them:

“I don’t like to say once-in-a-lifetime for anything, but you don’t get an opportunity to handle this kind of material, a treasure like this, ever,” said veteran numismatist Don Kagin, who is representing the finders. “It’s like they found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”

What a nice middle-aged couple in California couple actually found was $10 million in gold coins buried on their property. OMG, don’t you wish?

Here’s another:

By any measure, it is a lightning reversal of events…

…in which the National Enquirer was obligated to establish and fund a generous play writing competition as a settlement for publishing outrageous fiction about a friend of actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Well, in this planetary weather pattern of heavy nebulous Neptune influences and Mercury retrograde muddling of facts, we expected more than one stunning communication misfire — remember?

Meanwhile, is it a coincidence or conspiracy that when Jupiter was engaged with the Uranus-Pluto square in August 2013, Elon Musk, the man behind the Tesla electric car and other “the future is now” productions, was making headlines? And now today, with Jupiter square Uranus again, Tesla’s stock is soaring

From yesterday: Alec Baldwin was the talk of the town when he penned a lengthy piece in New York Magazine stating that he was retiring from public life. Mr. Baldwin has the Sun at 13 degrees of me-me-me Aries, which will soon (in April) be supercharged by the Cardinal Grand Cross, suggesting a need for emancipation and empowerment.   I suspect that Cross has also been rattling his Libra Moon, which truly needs peace, balance and appreciation from others. This is in spite of a defensive “I do not need anything material from you” posture suggested by a natal Grand Trine among mental Mercury, Saturn and Pluto. Well, horoscopes with seemingly contradictory patterns do make the most fascinating people. Mr. Baldwin’s horoscope suggests he is verrry resourceful, with a mind and communication style that demands and presents substance, is highly imaginative, potentially earthy, bombastic and likely somewhat bewildering (Mercury in Taurus opposing Jupiter-Neptune). A hair-trigger temper is suggested by a volatile Mars-Uranus opposition. Not to mention a need for unconventional social expression that can be way over the top (Venus in humanitarian Aquarius opposing ruthless Pluto).  Cue the Animals, now please

Finally, not at all pleased to note actor/writer/director Harold Ramis passed away yesterday. Three planets in Mr. Ramis’ horoscope have been under pressure from the Uranus-Pluto square, and one of those planets is his natal Saturn. That can be heavy, especially when transiting Saturn is also active. Mr. Ramis starred in Ghostbusters and he directed Groundhog Day, an absolutely must-see film. It’s just so darn witty and wise, and if you pay close attention, you’ll remember exactly what to do in order to have a happy, fulfilling, meaningful life. Seriously.

If that doesn’t work, consider consulting your local astrologer…

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 2/25/2014: Jupiter Square Uranus

Plenty of planetary excitement in the wee hours this morning — at least in the Americas — as the enterprising Capricorn Moon makes contact with the disruptive Uranus-Pluto square. Make that a T-square, actually….with rebel Uranus supercharged by ruthless Pluto on one side and expansive Jupiter on the other. We’re looking at weeks of big headlines about energy, power, resources, the Establishment, rebellion, technology, aviation, etc., etc., as that’s how long this T-square will be hanging around. Here’s a big headline: “Pope Revolutionizes Vatican by Opening Finances to Scrutiny”.  And check this out — as of minutes ago, “Apparent Theft at Mt. Gox Shakes Bitcoin World” Whoa!

Jupiter and Uranus will make an exact connection at 2:33AM ET on Wednesday; you’re personally affected if you were born around the 1st of January, April, July and October…or if you have a planet or angle at around 10-11 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. The effects of this transit can be quite spectacular. If you don’t know what degrees your planets are at, consider getting this nifty Astro-Basics Report.

After 6:20AM ET is when the Moon starts to settle down…and continues its proactive journey without interference, aided only very late in the day (11:20PM ET) by a grounded connection from stern Saturn. Ship it today or wait until after 10AM ET on Wednesday, as the Moon will be void of course for four hours starting at 5:51AM ET.

I’d love to write about Alec Baldwin and Harold Ramis, both of whom made headlines yesterday. Of course there is plenty going on in both horoscopes. If I can, I’ll post something later today on the website…

Astro-logical Forecast for 2/24/2014: Sun-Neptune in the News; Sneak Peek at the Week

This week brings an interesting mix of startling revelations and upsets, against a cosmic backdrop that may not be sure if it’s coming or going.  Monday offers lingering effects from Sunday’s bewildering, bedazzling Sun-Neptune hook-up, which translates into a need for a rose-colored vision or escape. But once the Moon enters earthy Capricorn — engaged as of 8:50AM ET — it demands practical application of all those dreams. And fortunately, cooperative connections from the Sun, Mars, (action) and Neptune (vision, intuition) are only too happy to oblige. Meanwhile, a cooperative connection between Venus (money, women, art, social expression) and disciplined Saturn (patriarchy and other corporate structures)  at 11:50PM ET affords you an opportunity to productively get down to business. Work it out!

Major planetary patterns this week include the spectacular windfall potential of expansive Jupiter squaring rebel Uranus, exact on Wednesday at 2:33AM ET and another buoyant expansion potential with Jupiter trining the Sun late Friday night. Sunday features a potentially juicy or cranky clash between Mars (men) and Venus (women), which colors all relationships a few days in advance. But wait — there’s more: mental Mercury turns direct on Friday;  Mars (action!) and Saturn (structure, ambition, contraction) turn retrograde on Saturday and Sunday; Jupiter (expansion) turns direct on March 6th — next Thursday. OK, so — like I said — a cosmic backdrop that’s not sure if it’s coming or going, but quite certain it’s ripe for change. Oh, and there’s a New Moon on Saturday, too. Change!

Moon voids this week — schedule your rest periods during these times, not events you wish to be of consequence: Monday 4:25AM ET – 8:50AM ET; Wednesday 5:51AM ET – 9:55AM ET; Friday 5:55AM ET – 9:53AM ET…not too much interference with regular business hours, at least in the Americas.

And now, the news.

Check out the lede on this AP story that hit the wires on Saturday evening:

KIEV, Ukraine — In a stunning reversal of fortune, Ukrainian opposition icon Yulia Tymoshenko left imprisonment Saturday and spoke to a massive, adoring crowd, while her arch-foe President Viktor Yanukovych decamped to eastern Ukraine and vowed he would remain in power.

“Stunning reversal of fortune”…what an apt reflection of patterns involving Jupiter and rebel Uranus, triggering a release of greater tensions built up in the never-ending revolutionary Uranus-Pluto square. If you haven’t been following the drama that’s been unfolding in the Ukraine in recent weeks, the New York Times explains it all succinctly right here. Meanwhile, the surreal magical mystery tour of the Saturday’s Sun-Neptune hook-up was added to the mix when “street fighters” entered Yanukovych’s residential compound — peacefully, mind you — and discovered its “bizarre vision of opulence” (noted added subtext: corruption exposed, courtesy of Pluto in Capricorn).

In another stunning reversal of fortune, also tinged with Sun-Neptune themes, this one involving drugs: the “world’s most wanted man,” Mexican drug kingpin Joaquín Guzmán Loera (El Chapo), was arrested — apparently also peacefully — in his home state.

More Sun-Neptune: the “sometimes elegant, sometimes flashy, sometimes bewildering” closing ceremony of the Olympic Games at Sochi received a rhapsodic, rose-colored review. A story about “asylum, (immigration) fraud and an industry of lies” in New York’s Chinatown was on yesterday’s NYT homepage. So was this piece about redemption: men exonerated — released from prison — after serving time for crimes they did not commit. And then there’s this man in New Jersey who was falsely accused by police of resisting arrest…until a videotape of the incident that had apparently been withheld by the law enforcers proved otherwise.  With Neptune, often things are not as they seem.

Oil and water  are also Neptune themes, especially with Neptune in watery Pisces…and here’s a story about an oil spill that impacted water supplies around New Orleans. And finally — Neptune refers to themes of empathy and healing. Here’s George W. Bush, in an interview with ABC’s Martha Raddatz talking about how he’s working to help veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 2/21/2014 & the Weekend: Eight Miles High?

More of the same Moon in Scorpio intense emotional energy today, which can be efficiently applied to tasks involving depth-seeking, organization and control. Note the potential for a need to speak out around 1PM ET, when Mercury is squared by the Moon. A lighter social vibe is suggested after lunch (ET), though the close of the work week may end on a serious focus, as the Moon aligns with stern Saturn at 5:10PM ET and then goes void with a deep sigh  until 5:12AM ET on Saturday. West Coasters: perhaps you can start your weekend early, as Moon voids suggest natural breaks in the action. Take the evening off to chill.

Saturday and Sunday feature an intriguing combination. Moon will be in high-flying Sagittarius, needing to tell everyone and their dog what they think in very righteous terms. Sag is an optimistic, big picture-oriented energy that loves a good gamble or gambol. Broaden your mind; get out in nature; treat yourself to a foreign movie or some other culture that is not your own.

On Sunday, as noted in a prior forecast, the Sun makes its annual hook up with nebulous Neptune at 1:11PM ET.  It’s an excellent weekend for vision, healing, music, spirit, art…as well as rose-colored escapes, delusion, fantasy, drugs, deception and maybe a story about oil and water — watch the news and the weather. Maybe catch up on all those movies you’ve been meaning to see in preparation for the upcoming Oscars, too…

Noting a couple of Sun-Neptune themed stories in the headlines, combined with the “windfall” potential of next week’s Jupiter-Uranus square (discussed earlier this week). Exhibit A: a story about a billionaire philanthropist and how he’s fixing things our government can not afford, y’know, like repairing national monuments. Neptune refers to to charity and salvation. Exhibit B: Colorado,  which has legalized pot,  is expecting windfall tax revenues from this mostly all-cash business (read the article to find out why it is all-cash); it’s fascinating. Neptune refers to drugs; Jupiter-Uranus refers to windfalls. Exhibit C: Neptune refers to charitable institutions and spirituality; Jupiter refers to religion (collective belief systems) and no small dose of pomp. Thus in New Jersey, we find an aging archbishop who is adding a 3000 square foot addition to his existing 4500 square foot vacation home…after closing a school two years ago that served a “working-class city” because of an alleged lack of funds. Quite a Jupiter-Uranus windfall for the archbishop, perhaps; while others may find it rather Sun-Neptune bewildering (Neptune can have a bewildering effect). Maybe if the Church started selling pot…

Monday morning features a Moon void between 4:25AM and 8:50AM ET — adding a potential twist to your commute if you live on the East Coast. After that, no slacking off, as the Moon will be in “make it happen” Capricorn. Why not make things happen in your own personal world and schedule an appointment for a personal astro-logical consultation. Or forward this forecast to five of your dearest friends, with gratitude…

P.S. the subject heading of today’s forecast is brought to you by the revolutionary Uranus-Pluto conjunction of 1965-66,inspired by the current heady mix of planetary patterns and performed by The Byrds. Cue “Eight Miles High” now, please…

Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 2/20/2014: Good Stuff & Mark Zuckerberg’s Perfect Timing

Note your dreams upon waking, along with any flashes of insight captured by your conscious mind. The Moon in substance-seeking Scorpio is easily supported by an easy connection to intuitive Neptune at 7:43AM ET, followed by an equally easy connection from expansive Jupiter in nurturing Cancer at 6:27PM ET. Blast through your to-do list, especially if it involves organization and getting to the heart of a matter. I don’t know yet if there was a winner in Wednesday night’s ginormous Powerball drawing, but next week’s planetary patterns do suggest the potential for a big payout.

On Sunday at 1:11PM ET, the Sun and nebulous Neptune meet up in dreamy Pisces, suggesting themes of fantasy, dreams, drugs, spirits, music, film and other intangible escapes. On Wednesday we’ll see Jupiter, the cosmic sugar daddy, in a challenging square to rebel Uranus. Big news in technology, revolutions, aerospace, investments and sudden changes of fortune are suggested, as well as potential seismic shake-ups and news from the cosmos. The latter pattern involves slower-moving planets; experience suggests that events often manifest before the pattern is exact.

One big item in technology and investments that hit yesterday was the acquisition of the messaging start-up What’s App by Facebook for a cool $16 billion. I was particularly delighted to see this, because when I looked at Mark Zuckerberg’s horoscope at the time of Facebook’s dismal IPO, I noted that in 2013 and 2014, his Jupiter (expansion; often material) would be supercharged by the never-ending Uranus-Pluto square. This suggested that Zuckerberg would likely be feeling very resourceful and expansive. Earlier this year he made headlines as America’s top philanthropist. Coincidence or conspiracy? Also noted in Zuckerberg’s chart: disciplined Saturn is now exactly opposing his Taurus Sun, suggesting an ambitious reach; transiting Jupiter is opposing his natal Jupiter, adding to the potential largesse.

One of the themes of the never-ending Uranus-Pluto square is nuclear energy, as in uranium and plutonium.  The ongoing situation at Fukushima reflects that theme.  As noted in prior posts, with Jupiter almost exactly engaged with Uranus, we can expect a significant headline about Fukushima — and here it is, as of minutes ago: another big leak of highly radioactive water, “the largest since last August,” when both Jupiter (expansion) and Mars (action) were engaged with Uranus and Pluto. Wow. We’ll see what develops in mid-April, when all four of those planets will be in an exact Cardinal Grand Cross.

Finally, an odd item on the home page — at least for the New York Times — but perhaps not-so-odd, given the aforementioned upcoming hook-up between the Sun and Hollywood-loving Neptune. Actor James Franco wrote an op-ed about another actor, Shia LaBeouf, whom most New York Times readers apparently would not recognize if they fell into his lap at an Oscar party (read the comments on the Op-Ed).  Franco notes that his fellow thespian has been behaving “erratically” in public and was also accused of plagiarism. Is this a sign of a nervous breakdown? Immediately I am thinking we will see stresses in LaBeouf’s horoscope involving mental Mercury, rebel Uranus, potent Pluto and probably nebulous Neptune. This would suggest supercharged communication and thinking needs, and possible issues with escapism vs. reality.  And in fact, we do see these stresses.

Natally, LaBeouf’s Gemini Sun is challenged by Uranus; his Mercury (mindset) is challenged by nebulous Neptune. That Mercury is currently being supercharged by the Uranus-Pluto square, just as Catherine Zeta-Jones’ very strong Mercury was being supercharged last April when she checked herself into a mental hospital (for help with her bipolar disorder). Point is, if Mercury is undergoing a Uranus-Pluto transit, it likely will generate a tremendous mental buzz needing a release, for better or for worse. And if you know about such a transit in advance, you can plan a strategy to use the buzz for the former, not the latter.

May you manifest the potential good times suggested by today’s planetary patterns…

Mercury retrograde is an excellent time to REview your life with your astrologer — and find out if your own Mercury is being supercharged.  Here’s the 411 on scheduling a personal consultation…I look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 2/19/2014: Mercury Square Saturn in the News

A good morning for innovative (RE)thinking and (RE)connecting, courtesy of the people-pleasing Libra Moon in a harmonious connection with Mercury retrograde in wonky-yet-friendly Aquarius. Get it off your desk before 4:52PM ET, when the Libra Moon goes void of course on an impassioned hook-up with willful Mars. Chill out, don’t panic and just roll with whatever detours crop up in your efforts to move forward in a straight line until 10:33PM ET. That’s when the Moon plunges into the murky depths of Scorpio, demanding substance to support those airy ideas…

…and it just might get the substance it seeks in a feel-good way. On Thursday, the Scorpio Moon is easily supported by harmonious connections from the soft-hearted Pisces Sun, rose-colored Neptune and expansive Jupiter in nurturing Cancer. Note your dreams upon waking. Buy some lottery tickets and wish upon a star.

And now, the news…

The sobering focus of the challenge between Mercury and stern Saturn (exact yesterday AM, but in effect a few days beforehand) was reflected in this newsflash: loneliness is killing more people than obesity. Mercury-Saturn connections can be terribly depressing…and isolating. What are we going to do about forming meaningful connections among us, hmmm?

Meanwhile, just because Saturn in Scorpio can be paranoid, doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you. Reporter Glenn Greenwald posted an item documenting US and UK surveillance of Wikileaks, including the revelation that the IP addresses of visitors to that site may well have been captured and stored. Heavy. In other news, a former reporter at The Washington Post now makes his living breaking stories about other people who may be tracking you: the cybercriminals who hack into the computers of retail stores like Target, so they can steal credit card data. Also heavy. But wait — there’s more: a retired CIA analyst-turned-activist has sued the State Department for putting him on a watch list.  And Sister Megan Rice, the 84-year-old nun-turned-peace activist mentioned in a December forecast, was sentenced to three years in prison. She (and two men) broke into a defense facility in Tennessee and spray-painted peace slogans on the walls. Ouch.

This last item reflects longer term patterns which I have mentioned in other posts, but it does involve a hidden camera, it’s sobering and it did break yesterday. Here’s the headline: “1% Jokes and Plutocrats in Drag: What I Saw When I Crashed a Wall Street Secret Society”

Back to you in the studio…

Mercury retrograde is an excellent time to REview your life with your astrologer. Here’s the 411 on scheduling a personal consultation…I look forward to hearing from you.