Daily Forecast Archives - Page 85 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 Thursday 8/8/2013

Finally, the Moon is fully in gear — no longer drifting aimlessly — but engaged in Virgo, sign of the organizing perfectionist. Now is the time to launch your New Moon initiatives: make the call; pitch the idea; send the documents. A rosy idealistic glow starts the day, but soon gives way to an easy flow of practical concerns, attended to with depth and detail. Optimistic communication is suggested around 6:30PM ET, just in time for happy hour. This proactive vibe continues until 6:05PM ET Friday, when the Moon goes void with a sigh. Make the most of your time until then.

The other planetary shift today is mental Mercury, ruling mindset and communications, leaving emotional Cancer for prideful, roarin’ Leo. How many royal edicts will be issued between now and August 23rd, when Mercury leaves Leo for Virgo? Never mind; that’s a rhetorical question.

On the heels of yesterday’s face-off between heavyweights Jupiter in Cancer and Pluto in Capricorn, financial heavyweight JPMorgan revealed it is facing criminal and civil inquiries. Let the record show that this configuration directly impacts the horoscope of JPMorgan’s CEO, Jamie Dimon, discussed in prior forecasts (search the archives). It will be very interesting to see what is going on at that company around November 2, when lightning bolt Uranus adds its two cents to the conversation. A disruption of the status quo is suggested.

Last but not least — following up on yesterday’s post about the government of Japan now getting involved with the crisis at Fukushima, it was all I could do not to type in all caps GEEZ LOUISE, WHAT TOOK THEM SO LONG? I could post news of staggering crises every day and chalk them all up to the ongoing Uranus-Pluto square, bemoaning stories like Governor Rick Scott of Florida moving full speed ahead on voter suppression appearing on the same day as this piece about the ecological collapse happening RIGHT NOW in Florida’s inland waters. It can be challenging to maintain balance and optimism during these historic planetary cycles, but we must…even though the fact is — as Edward Snowden has been kind enough to inform us — that we are all connected, whether we like it or not.

How to cope? Levity is an amazing coping strategy. Once upon a time I had a writing teacher who liked to say that drama is inspired by heroes; comedy is sparked by tragedy. Tasteless, ill-timed jokes are efforts to process information and sensory overload. Thus I must conclude that there is a giant SEP field hovering over those Floridian waters…and the SEP field over Fukushima may now be finally lifting (thank you, Uranus-Pluto sqaure). What? You’ve never heard of a SEP field? It is a most ingenious device, written about by Douglas Adams in his breathtakingly wry and observant book Life, the Universe and Everything (the third book in the series that began with The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy). I hope it makes you laugh. If you haven’t read these books, you’re missing out on a real treat.

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 8/7/13: Chillin’ With the Heavies

All dressed up and nowhere to go? Could be a feeling after the surge of energy launched into nothingness by yesterday’s New Moon in Leo, which promptly went void-of-course, suggesting nothing of consequence will be started. This drift continues until 11:57PM ET, when the Moon gets into gear in discerning Virgo. You’ll likely feel the shift of energy immediately, along with a focused awareness of details that need to be sorted, organized and made right.

The big planetary pattern of the day is the first of three oppositions between expansive Jupiter in emotional/homeland security-needing Cancer and empowering, perspicacious Pluto. A shift or power reach or breakdown of collective beliefs about home, family, emotional security? Here’s a story that hit a few days ago about such issues: a county in California considering using eminent domain to seize homes with underwater mortgages and allow the homeowner to stay in the home and refinance the reduced value. As opposed to evicting the homeowners and letting investors buy the homes at the same reduced value. In other news, President Obama made a speech yesterday about getting involved in serious housing finance reform.

As noted yesterday, Jupiter-Pluto connections often reflect stories about power and resources: oil, gas, nuclear — and here’s a cool one about solar power — also out of California. Meanwhile, in Japan, the prime minister has directed the government to get involved with the ongoing crisis at Fukushima, which has been going on now for over two years. According to a story in the NYT, Mr Abe said, “This is not an issue we can let Tepco take complete responsibility of; we must deal with this at the national level.” How fascinating that this statement would be made on the Jupiter-Pluto opposition…

Use the energy of this long Moon void to chill, take care of what is routine and know that crises that crop up are usually much ado about nothing. Enjoy the twists that arise in your efforts to move forward in a straight line.

Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 8/6/2013: New Moon in Leo — A Royal Celebration

The New Moon in Leo officially begins today at 5:51PM ET, offering us an opportunity to re-set intentions and goals for the next lunar cycle. Around the 14th, 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 20th, 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 28th, we can review our achievements, tie up loose ends and get ready to begin another New Moon on September 5th.

This New Moon occurs at 14 degrees of Leo, where its need for drama, love and other forms of recognition will likely find expression in groups, perhaps also through a maternal influence. Freedom of expression is a lingering theme, with an added layer of “healer, heal thyself”. The Sabian Symbol for this lunation suggests plenty of opportunities to pull out all the stops in all matters of creative expression seeking recognition. It is this: “a pageant”. Examples of a pageant, notes Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee, include the outrageous carnival of a Mardi Gras, marked by wretched excess and exultation. Adding to the potential for celebratory overload is a pattern noted yesterday: expansive Jupiter, seeking its reward in whatever fosters homeland and emotional security….opposed by powerful Pluto in the sign of the Established Order. But wait, there’s more — and that would be the windfall opportunity suggested by Jupiter’s upcoming square to Uranus. Sudden disruptions of the status quo, for better or worse, that lead to sweeping change…

You will feel this surge of creative expression and celebration more personally if you have a planet or point at around 14 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Opportunities for transformational expansion are suggested by the Jupiter-Pluto-Uranus square if you have a planet or point around 8-13 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.

I don’t know about you, but everyone around me has been particularly giddy this morning, true to the spirit of the Leo Moon’s need for play. Once the New Moon is exact at 5:51PM ET (light a candle; set your intentions), it then goes void of course until 11:57PM ET — tomorrow night. That’s a looooong rest period. Time for a party or what? But y’know, that’s the spirit of this New Moon — just be careful your backyard BBQ grill does not tip over and set the house on fire. Or explode. You can have too much of a good thing, including creative self-expression, as this timely article on America’s narcissism crisis explains. Once the Moon is in detail-conscious, perfection seeking Virgo on Thursday, then proceed to launch an agenda that is intended to take form, as opposed to just taking the stage.

In the news — following up on yesterday’s note about the Jupiter-Pluto opposition suggesting big news in the publishing world — how fascinating it was to see the Washington Post being bought by Amazon, and just a few days ago the owner of the Boston Red Sox bought the Boston Globe. Jupiter-Pluto-Uranus also suggests resources, including nuclear power, and I am totally bummed to report that the situation in Fukushima continues to worsen — and it does so every time there’s a trigger to the Uranus-Pluto square by a faster-moving planet. Last month it was the Sun and Mars; this month, Jupiter and Venus; the first week in October it’ll be the Sun; the first week in November it’ll be the fourth of seven exacts Uranus-Pluto square.

What else does Jupiter-Pluto suggest? Big news in sports…and everyone is dishing about the doping scandal in Major League Baseball, which includes its highest-paid player, a.k.a. A-Rod of the NY Yankees. We do not have a birth time for A-Rod (known birth data here), but let the record show that his proud Leo Sun was just smacked down by a square from stern Saturn. And while we are on the subject of stern Saturn smackdowns, let the record also show that a frequent subject of this forecast, Dominque Straus-Kahn, was recently charged with pimping after Saturn’s third opposition to DSK’s Taurus Sun.

Wanna see some cool outer space stuff, also suggested by current planetary patterns? Even the Mars Curiosity rover is in a celebratory mood. Here is a video of it singing “Happy Birthday” to itself, presumably not in violation of any copyright laws on the Red Planet. Happy birthday, Curiosity!

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 8/5/2013: Party Zone

East Coasters can ease into the start of the work week, courtesy of the Cancer Moon being void-of-course as of 2:49AM ET until 12:58PM ET. Sleeping late? No problem! Most transgressions can be gotten away with — huzzah! And huzzah it may be again once the Moon enters regal Leo at 12:58PM ET, looking for any opportunity to party on and/or shine. Not until 11:54PM ET might the brakes be put on, thanks to stern Saturn challenging someone’s authority. Spend this day and much of the next wrapping up projects from this lunar cycle. It starts all over again tomorrow at 5:51PM ET — sort of. We’ll have a New Moon at that time, but it goes void until 11:57PM ET Wednesday, suggesting that day will be a bit of a bust. Wait until Thursday to reeeeally launch your brand new bright ideas.

The big planetary pattern this week is expansive Jupiter exactly opposing Pluto (power, resources, transformation) on Wednesday at 7:34PM ET. Jupiter rules Sagittarius, the sign that is only too happy to offer its opinion on any subject — whether you want to hear it or not. Jupiter rules collective belief systems, including law, philosophy and religion. It rules group communication systems, too, such as academia, publishing and broadcasting. Pluto refers to power, breakdown, transformation, energy/resources. Look for those themes in the news, as collective belief and outreach systems are challenged and perhaps transformed. Right now for example, there’s a battle going on between Time Warner Cable and CBS, and the latter is no longer available on the former. Fortunately for viewers, there’s Aereo and Netflix — and both are cheaper than TWC. Huzzah!

Meanwhile, a challenge to a collective belief system prevailed in the Czech Republic — with the delightful fringe element of Sunday’s uncompromisingly free and eccentric connection between rebel Uranus and the dramatic Leo Sun. Ever hear of a Pastafarian? You must see the official government ID photo of this fiercely independent Czech citizen, who is also a member of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. It may sound kooky, but there are intriguing potential consequences suggested by his victory, as the accompanying article explains.

Jupiter-Pluto transits often trigger events involving power sources, e.g., the oil, gas and nuclear power industries. Also watch for news from underground, especially as we get closer to August 21st, when Jupiter will square disruptive Uranus.

Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 8/2/2013 & the Weekend: Why the Meek Shall Inherit the Earth

Moon continues its drift in Gemini, needing to think and talk about everything. Gemini is an airy, mental sign that needs to inform and be informed. Just ask anyone with Moon in Gemini how they feel when they do not know something (on the rare occasions when that happens). Answer: insecure. And gawd forbid a Moon in Gemini should ever be perceived as boring. It needs to be seen as terribly clever and entertaining — and intensely so. How many of these smartypants-types will you encounter today?

Today’s only exact aspect is the sextile between “loving Venus and horny Mars,” as astrologer Rockie Gardiner would have said. Sextiles facilitate cooperation in relationships — as noted yesterday — and we’ve had a lot of them all week. The Gemini Moon is highly flexible, so you could use this day to work out a kink in a relationship, assuming you can’t plan a full-day Moon void escape. For inspiration, here’s a provocative new study that argues that selfish people are doomed to extinction; it’s the people who know how to be selfless, communicative and cooperative that will one day rule the world. Scientific proof that “the meek shall inherit the Earth”? Well, whaddaya know! Here is the Cliff Notes version of the article…and here is the paper written by the actual scientists, complete with charts and mind-boggling mathematical equations. Moon in Gemini NEEDS you to have access to ALL of this information!

Supporting that study is another study arguing that selfless people have stronger immune systems than self-indulgent hedonists…while this study argues that emotional experiences and states are passed down genetically, generation to generation. So now you know where your irrational fears might have come from. Great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandma was simply being carried off by a Hun.

Horoscopes, by the way, can reveal much about one’s parents and grandparents, their personalities and the quality of the relationship you likely had with them. One day those scientists will catch up with us astrologers… ; )

There’s enough food for thought in those studies to carry you into the weekend, when the Moon will be in Cancer, shifting the focus to home, family and other core foundations. There are no Moon voids to deter your weekend shopping sprees . It’s all looking pretty lovely, with the usual caveats for upsets and power plays when the Cancer Moon is provoked by contact with the Pluto-Uranus square. That happens at 7:47PM ET Saturday and 1:37AM ET Sunday, respectively….which is when the emotionally-security focused U.S. will be closing its embassies in parts of the world. Sunday is also President Obama’s birthday.

In your own personal world, a brilliant, liberating, independent and playful connection between the Leo Sun and rebel Uranus at 11:05AM ET Sunday puts its stamp on the entire weekend. Aim for new heights…including heights of awareness, consciousness and expression.

Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 8/1/2013: Breakouts, Breakthroughs & the Next Few Days

Buzz, buzz, buzz…the information buzz of a stimulated Gemini Moon continues today. A self-indulgent challenge to Venus (women, money, beauty) and a harmonious connection with the proud Leo Sun are two reasons why you could wake up with a big smile on your face. I don’t know about you, but on my morning commute I noted hardly any horn honking and no jams at all. I hope your travels were equally pleasant.

Also adding to the cooperative spirit, especially among normally warring factions, is a lovely connection between Venus (women, social expression) and Mars (men, action/aggression), exact on Friday at 4:35PM ET. How fortunate for those of you with dates and other social engagements this weekend, as making love and peace becomes — for a brief moment — more important than making war. Why, even the warring factions in Congress managed to get something done yesterday, when they voted to reset and cap rates on student loans. Meanwhile, a debate on chivalry and other social graces was posted on the NYT homepage….and not a moment too soon.

We are in the balsamic phase of the lunar cycle. This is a time to wrap up projects from your New Moon agenda; the next New Moon happens Tuesday evening (ET). Ship it if you can by 12:48PM ET, when the Moon goes void-of-course until just after midnight on Saturday. Otherwise, be prepared for a restless lull best suited to chilling out, creative brainstorming and drafting (but not signing or sealing) and contemplating the stunning breakthroughs and breakouts we’ve witnessed in the past several days. You really know what I’m talking about in your own personal world if you have a planet or point around 9-13 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn…or if you have a significant planet or point at around 4-7 degrees of Scorpio, Aquarius, Leo and Taurus. Been busy, have you?

With yesterday’s challenge between action-hero Mars and rebel Uranus, exact last night around 11PM ET, we expected breakouts, breakthroughs and a bit of bad (rash, reckless) behavior. How fascinating to wake up this morning and read that Edward Snowden has been granted temporary asylum in Russia, releasing him from the confines of the Moscow airport transit zone. In a related story, details of the XKeystore program were also released. This is the genius bit of technology that allows an entity such as the NSA to collect “nearly everything a user does on the Internet”. Also in technology: a “milestone” is reached by a company that converts waste matter into fuel — potentially way cool. Another breakout making headlines: convicted felon OJ Simpson was granted partial parole — but he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Also going “nowhere”, but still making breakout headlines: in Texas, George Zimmerman was pulled over for speeding — and yes, he had his gun with him (students of astrology will note the position of Saturn and Uranus to the angles of the chart for traffic stop: 12:54PM CT 7/31/13 in Forney, Texas). Reckless behavior headed for a full stop?

Last, but not least — this just in from outer space (also a Mars-Uranus concern) or at least some outer dimension. Sound healer Tom Kenyon posted the latest missive from a group of disembodied entities who call themselves The Hathors. Someone turned me on to Kenyon’s website ten years ago, and what I found fascinating was that whatever the Hathors had to say was always in tune with planetary patterns. What they talk about in terms of climate change, government/institutional breakdowns & breakthroughs — and especially the crisis in spiritual evolution and consciousness that we face collectively on Planet Earth — is mirrored by the ongoing Uranus-Pluto square and other significant alignments, etc., etc. What they als0 offer (via Kenyon) is a number of practical meditation techniques to keep you grounded and clear in these challenging times. That is why I find their posts relevant and helpful. If you decide to check out the The Hathors, I recommend starting with the first posts on Kenyon’s site. Their recent posts explaining how they see the true nature of physical reality and how human souls are connected energetically to that which we do not ordinarily perceive, may be daunting. However, the latest post is pretty self-contained. You’ll have plenty of material to explore and maybe try a meditation over the next two days, during this verrrrrry long Moon-void. Enjoy whatever twists and surprises crop up in your journey…

Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 7/31/2013: The Restless Rest

The Moon is still in Taurus and still void of course, suggesting a languid start to your day, coupled with twists and flakes. And that challenging connection between rebel Uranus and aggressive Mars isn’t exact until 11:08PM, which accounts for the restless buzz or irritability you may be feeling or may witness in others. Reckless outbursts are not uncommon under this pattern, as in the case of a aide on Anthony Weiner’s embattled mayoral campaign who went ballistic in an interview last night…and there it is on the NYT home page this morning. Breakouts and breakthroughs in action and technology can also be expected; here’s an example of the former: a prison break in Pakistan in which hundreds escaped.

At 11:42AM ET the energy shifts noticeably as the Moon engages in Gemini, needing to inform and be informed. This swirling airy mental sign quickens the pace and the exchange of ideas. As the evening progresses and the Mars-Uranus challenge approaches, such ideas may have a decidedly rose-colored hue, courtesy of nebulous Neptune squaring the Moon at 9:04PM ET. On the plus side, the potential for spiritual and/or artistic revelations. On the downside, the potential for rash behavior based on delusion. Get it off your desk between 11:42AM ET today and 12:48PM ET tomorrow, if you can. Moon goes void again…not to engage in the next sign, Cancer, until 12:30AM ET on SATURDAY. But that doesn’t mean Friday can’t be very, very pleasant. More on that tomorrow…

In the news, the judge’s ruling in the case of Bradley Manning was delivered yesterday at 1PM, during the Taurus Moon void. It was a small victory for the underdog in that in the most serious charge against him — that of aiding and abetting the enemy — Manning was found not guilty. It could also be argued that the ruling was of no real consequence, as Manning was found guilty of most of the 22 charges against him. We don’t have an exact birth time for Manning, so analysis of the horoscope is limited, but it is interesting to note that the ruling is coming down with transiting Jupiter (law, groupthink, religion) exactly opposing his natal Neptune (vision, dream, sacrifice, faith). This suggests an extremely idealistic period in one’s life, as noted by those who see him as a martyr for the cause of truth, as well as those who see him as a traitor to his country. He has become larger than life. Whatever sentence is handed down, it will be interesting to compare Manning’s fate with others who have been court-martialled for offenses such as murder and multiple acts of abuse and torture. Here’s a list of such cases — note that most sentences given were well under a year.

Also during yesterday’s void, an unexpected twist for readers of the Chicago Tribune appeared in the form of a fluffy grey kitten on the paper’s home page. This molehill of an event was quickly turned into a mountain, including a formal interview with the editors of the Chicago Tribune, in which they explained how this could happen. Meanwhile, I regret the delay in reporting a story that happened on Sunday’s oh-so-sweet connection between Venus (desserts) and expansive Jupiter. I’m sure the editors had no idea how in tune they were with planetary patterns when they published The Jupiter Cakewalk — coincidence or conspiracy?

Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 7/30/2013: War & Peace

I trust this forecast finds you all getting wherever you need to go without traffic snarls or other upsets. After posting yesterday’s forecast, my walk to the subway was marked by more than the usual horn honking by impatient drivers. This morning’s commute included a driver almost buying the farm a few hundred feet away from me; I still have the scent of burning rubber in my nostrils. So much for that immovable Taurus Moon seeking stability. Last Saturday’s potentially murderous Pluto-Mars opposition, combined with the nervous tension and disruptive potential of Wednesday’s Mars-Uranus square is clearly pulling focus.

Depth of passion and resources is also in focus today, courtesy of a harmonious connection between Venus (money, art, women, beauty) and Pluto (power, transformation, news from underground), exact at 8:50AM ET. Venus also rules copper, and here’s a story posted this AM about how theft of copper has become an epidemic. Coincidence or conspiracy? You’ll have plenty of time to talk and think about it as of 11:58AM ET as Moon sextiles (you should have learned that word in yesterday’s forecast) mental Mercury and then goes void….with a long sigh….until 11:42AM ET tomorrow (Wednesday).

You know the drill with voids: take care of routine tasks, but be prepared to roll with whatever twists arise in your efforts to move forward in a straight line. There may be a total “meh” feeling to the rest of the day, or it may feel like people are not really focused on the task at hand. Crises that crop up are often much ado about nothing…and with added tension, combustion and “wild card” flavor of tomorrow’s Mars-Uranus challenge, there is greater potential for flying off the handle over a molehill. Yes, Moon in Taurus is patience personified, but have you ever heard the expression “bull in a china shop”? Those most affected by the Mars-Uranus tension are those with a point or planet at around 12 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.

Stories of resources and rebellion continue. Fast-food workers in NY are on a one-day strike, demanding a liveable wage. You did see the recent controversy over the McDonalds website, offering helpful financial planning advice to its workers, didn’t you? Sample helpful advice: “Get a second job”. Food service workers are striking in other cities, too. Meanwhile, unpaid interns are also suing for wages and benefits — and they are winning their cases. A report released a few days ago notes that 80% percent of all Americans are likely to struggle with joblessness and/or poverty at some point in their lives. Even President Obama is starting to talk about how income inequality is “fraying the social fabric”; today he offered to reduce the corporate tax rate if Congress would do something proactive about jobs. Meanwhile, in bankrupt Detroit, a greenlight has been given on the construction of a $650 million hockey arena, half of which will be paid for with public funds. WTF? JP Morgan is agreeing to pay a 410 million dollar fine to “settle” allegations that it manipulated the electricity markets in Michigan and California. Halliburton is paying $200,000 for destroying evidence regarding the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. And so it goes.

These stories are what we would expect to see, given the upheaval and exposure of corruption in hallowed institutions, suggested by planetary patterns. That is why I bring them to your attention. Astrologers who have been blogging long before me have been writing about the tremendous shifts likely to happen in this decade. It is fascinating to see these shifts occurring, as anticipated. We are halfway through the Uranus-Pluto square; the next exact hit happens the first week of November. Issues of income inequality were front and center during the last Uranus-Pluto square, which occurred in the early 30s. Does anyone remember what was going on then, not just in the U.S., but all around the world? Do we have to repeat the choices made back then? Of course not. As my teacher loves to say, “Planets don’t do anything. People do.”

So let’s look at some good news. Pope Francis made a stunning statement yesterday regarding gay priests, “Who am I to judge”? That’s a disruption of the status quo, is it not? Currently on the NYT home page is another story of a maverick who appears to actually be getting things done. Patricia DiMango is a NY State Supreme Court Justice on temporary assignment in the Bronx, where she is striving to clear up a scandalous backlog of cases. Her style embodies the independent, unsettling, unpredictable, but ultimately liberating energy of tomorrow’s Mars-Uranus square — and it’s not the first time she’s made headlines — here’s another story. Can you imagine her on a Congressional committee?

More good news: reflecting the “hopeful union” potential of yesterday’s Grand Sextile, Israel-Palestinian peace talks are set to begin again. And would you believe the Swedes are so good at recycling, that they’ve run out of garbage? It’s all here on the Good News Network — another bookmark page to add to your collection.

Thank you for reading this forecast — now please chill, meditate and find a beautiful, sensual way to enjoy this Moon in Taurus day (with a little lightning bolt from Mars & Uranus).

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 7/29/2013: Carpe Diem; The Grand Sextile

After another loooong void period (Saturday 10:19PM ET – Monday 12:43PM ET), during which you should have taken an equally long break, Moon is now firmly planted in Taurus, needing to build and maintain material comfort and security. This day is jam-packed with planetary patterns that may well support your plans for world domination, especially if you have significant planets and/or angles at 4- 11 degrees of just about any sign.

First, we’ve got the Grand Water Trine among Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune. This is the pattern talked about throughout July. The planets are moving out of the Grand Trine (the technical term is “separating”), but the influence is still there. It suggests emotional self-sufficiency and dreams made real. Late this afternoon and early evening we’ll have another Grand Trine in effect — this one among the Taurus Moon, Venus in Virgo and Pluto in Capricorn — all Earth signs. A Grand Earth Trine suggests self-sufficiency and/or a projected aura of abundance in material resources. Let the record show that the markets have been doing very well this month…and they also did well in March of 2012, under another Grand Earth Trine.

Drawn on a piece of paper, the two Grand Trines look like a Star of David, and the technical term for this configuration is “Grand Sextile”. The distance between each planet in the configuration is 60 degrees — a sextile. Planets in a sextile relationship with one another communicate very well. On its own, the Grand Sextile suggests a stellar opportunity, balance and harmony — and at the very least, a meditation, however brief, on world peace. And isn’t it amazing that today at 5:30AM ET, the New York Times has posted an obituary for Garry Davis, a peace activist who renounced his American citizenship and declared himself a world citizen. He believed, reads the obit, “that if there were no nation-states, there would be no wars.”

“The nation-state is a political fiction which perpetuates anarchy and is the breeding ground of war,” he told The Daily Yomiuri, an English-language newspaper in Japan, in 1990. “Allegiance to a nation is a collective suicide pact.”

He had a fascinating life, well worth reading about, starting with his birth in Bar Harbor, Maine. According to the Times, last month he sent a world passport to Edward Snowden, whose U.S. passport was revoked. Cue John Lennon singing “Imagine” now.

But wait, there’s more. Countering the need for stability suggested by this Grand Sextile are two T-squares. This is a pattern that is inherently unstable, challenging us to take action. First, there is the volatile T-square among aggressive Mars, rebel Uranus and power mongering Pluto, exact last Saturday through this Wednesday. This suggests technological breakthroughs, accidents, increased violence and continued awareness of the breakdown of the structures of the world as we know it.

The second T-square is comprised of an ambitious/controlling Saturn opposition to the Moon (10:41 AM ET), squared by the Leo Sun (1:43PM ET). Having stern Saturn strongly connected to the 3rd Quarter Moon suggesting a serious move on the New Moon agenda set three weeks ago — either a major strategic reach or restriction.

Make the most of this day of extraordinary potential. And get it off your desk before the Moon goes void tomorrow — Tuesday — at 11:58AM ET for almost 24 hours until Wednesday at 11:42AM ET. On Thursday, Moon will be void again as of 12:48PM ET…until just after midnight on Saturday. Start the weekend early!

And now, a few headlines reflecting planetary patterns worth sharing.

Mick Jagger turned 70 on Friday, just before Saturn (Father Time) square the Sun (it’s later than you think). Here’s a piece by Gail Collins about Mr. Jagger and other aging rock stars from the 60s, marveling that they are still performing. Of course they are still performing; they all have Pluto in Leo, and this is a generation of perpetual teenagers. They will never grow old.

For war, with a decidedly tech spin — suggested by aggressive Mars triggering Uranus and Pluto — here’s a piece about a film commissioned by the Imperial War Museum, featuring U.S. drone operators. These are the guys who sit in front of video screens in Nevada and kill people living thousands of miles away — at least 4700 real live people so far, according to Senator Lindsay Graham.

For tech breakthroughs and expanding consciousness, as we realize the world is much more than we imagine it, here’s a piece expounding on the statistic that one out of seven stars in the universe probably has a planet similar in size to Earth. And here’s a recent picture of Earth and the Moon as seen from Saturn — with thanks to NASA and our tax dollars.

Enjoy this glorious day!

Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 7/26/2013 and the Weekend: Escape the Madness

Note your waking thoughts this morning, as dreams and longings for beautiful escapes are suggested. Perhaps you will see a bit of that longing made real by the mid-afternoon.

We are still in the middle of a long rest period suggested by the soulful Pisces Moon being void-of-course; i.e., traveling through the cosmos with all of the energy and focus of a pinball that has made its last hit to a bumper and is now falling to the bottom of the pinball machine. When the Moon enters Aries at 5:29PM ET, we should notice an immediate boost in energy, speed and focus. Until then, roll with the twists and try to enjoy the unexpected detours in your journey from point A to point B. If you can’t enjoy them, at least have patience. Don’t turn molehills into mountains. If you work in an field with constant deadlines — such as television, and especially news — you’ll notice the effects of the void more than most.

Saturday is volatile. A fiery Moon in me-me-me Aries is prone to impulsive, headstrong warrior action. Be very mindful of the potential for angry outbursts as you go about your business. The Aries Moon will be sorely challenged all day by hard contacts with aggressive Mars, Pluto and rebel Uranus. Intense physical efforts and power plays that may turn violent are suggested by Mars opposing ruthless Pluto at 6:47PM ET. Keep an eye on any demonstrations that may happen this weekend. The Moon goes void again at 10:19AM ET…not to enter Taurus until 12:43AM ET on Monday.

Also exact Saturday: chilly Saturn (discipline, patriarchy, ambition) in Scorpio (debt, karma) squares the sunny regal Leo Sun (life force, will) at 9:06PM ET. This can be harsh; we’ve seen headlines reflecting cuts and restrictions all week. If you read yesterday’s forecast, you will remember that Huma Abedin is currently experiencing Saturn square Sun (and Saturn, too!) in her horoscope, and you are too, if you were born around July 28th or January 28th.

Should be an interesting weekend for sports matches, especially on Sunday during the all-day Moon void. Get to the gym if you need to blow off some steam.

I will post a news round-up later. There’s a lot to report. I’ll leave you with a beautiful escape that perfectly reflects the need for beauty suggested by today’s Venus (art, love, women, beauty) opposed by rose-colored Neptune..and the Moon in Pisces. A reader sent it in — thanks to Leila for sharing — here it is:

I just saw this in the metro newspaper today: http://www.happier.com/ – a social media site dedicated to allowing everyone to share a bit of their own happiness with the world… How’s that for being in line with today’s energy – compassion for humanity? :)

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