Follow us on TwitterFind us on FacebookFind us on Tumblr

Get daily Astro-Logical forecasts delivered to you here.

I have been sitting with the incredible experience of your gift and knowledge and letting it sift down into my understanding and psyche. It was a powerful time for me. I told a friend, "she is the real deal." I don't say that very often!
--Diana S.
New York

I CAN'T WRITE THIS WITHOUT YOU : ) PLEASE support my time and efforts. CONTRIBUTE to my COSMIC TIP JAR using the gold button below. THANK YOU.


Wednesday 9/18/2019: Late Sneak Peek at the Week; Saturn Turns Direct; Jupiter Squares Neptune

It’s Wednesday and the Moon is in Taurus, driving the day with a need to build and maintain material comfort and security. It was in Taurus all day yesterday, starting at 6:31 AM ET. Barring planetary action in your own personal horoscope (consult your astrologer for details), much can be accomplished this week. Today’s Taurus Moon harmonizes with Saturn, Mars and Pluto in another one of those rare Earth Grand Trine formations (imagine an equilateral triangle). Whether it’s true or not, the need is to project an image of material self-sufficiency, as the Federal Reserve of New York did last night when it covered $53 billion in the overnight lending market. Yeah, sure — no problem — we got this.  So why the sudden squeeze?

You might have been feeling a squeeze — or an urge to make an ambitious advance — if you have a planet around 13-14 degrees of Capricorn, Cancer, Aries or Libra. Saturn — planet of structure, ambition and control — has been at 13-14 Capricorn since mid-August. This week it was at a virtual standstill, preparing to end its retrograde period and turn direct. When a planet nears its station (a.k.a. its turning point), it demands focus, not unlike the way a car horn demands focus when a driver leans on it. So when did Saturn’s retrograde period end? Today!! At 4:47 AM ET, in fact. And, as Avid Readers will recall, the U.S. horoscope has its Cancer Sun and Libra Saturn at 13 and 14 degrees, respectively. The last time transiting Saturn made a tough connection to the U.S. Sun-Saturn square was in 2011 — and one squeeze that occurred was the downgrade of the U.S. credit rating.   In the horoscope most commonly used for the U.S., Saturn rules the Second House: our finances, values and self-worth. The Sun rules the Ninth House: foreign affairs, publishing, collective beliefs. How are we feeling on the world stage these days? Squeezed? Diminshed? Controlling?

When Saturn turns direct after being retrograde (since April 29th), projects that have been delayed may now move forward, especially in Capricorn matters such as government/corporate structure and authority. You may find it interesting to read this post from June 2012, when Saturn turned direct in a week with a Jupiter-Neptune square (pushing boundaries in matters of faith and other Neptune concerns). Jupiter will square Neptune on Saturday.  Meanwhile, the Sabian Symbol for Saturn turning direct is 14 Capricorn (“an ancient bas-relief carved in granite). Blain Bovee’s insights on how to apply this symbol can be found here.  Here’s a breakdown for the rest of the week:

  • THURSDAY — the Taurus Moon trines the Virgo Sun and goes void at 9:57 AM ET — not to enter Gemini until 4:58 PM ET. Roll with the flakes and twists and do not freak out over a crisis that may crop up. Specifically, do not lose your head over it — and I say this because the Moon will go void in conjunction with the fixed star Algol. Avid Readers will recall that Algol is associated with losing one’s head — figuratively and literally. It is also associated with women who have been scorned, and as you know, Hell hath no fury, etc. The horoscopes of P45, Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell will be activated. Let’s see how they make headlines tomorrow. Whatever does demand our attention tomorrow will be riding the surge of perfect and correcting action, backed by awesome power and resources. Mars (in perfecting Virgo) will trine Pluto (in Capricorn). Of course we are seeing awesome physical feats in the news, like Sarah Thomas, who just swam the English Channel four times — NON-STOP. And of COURSE this is a BIG story about a WATER sport, because Jupiter square Neptune on Saturday. Astrology is amazing.
  • FRIDAYMoon in Gemini drives the day with a need for news, entertainment and diversity. Boundaries of belief and faith may be pushed around midnight, as the Moon
  • SATURDAY — …opposes Jupiter and squares Neptune, within minutes of 1 AM ET. Anger or assertion crops up around 10 AM ET, as Moon squares Mars. The biggest fish in the planetary pond is the third Jupiter-Neptune square, exact at 12:47 PM ET. Are you marching in the We the People March? Taking a stand for climate change? Otherwise trying to save the world? Moon squares the Sun at 10:41 PM ET –– time to wrap up projects from your New Moon agenda. Moon goes void at 10:41 PM ET and enters Cancer on…
  • SUNDAY — at 12:50 AM ET. Thoughts turn to emotional and home security needs — sobering and disciplined. Why? Because at 12:19 PM ET, Mercury (how we need to think) squares Saturn (controls, authority). But hey — with no Moon void, you can indulge in practical purchases to secure your home and country. Today is the last day of summer — the Autumnal Equinox is on Monday.

And now, the news…

…brought to you by the following:

  • Mars (anger, guns, action, desire) opposing Neptune (fog, glamour, viruses, ideals, oil oceans, drugs, magic, film), square Jupiter (big, horses, pancreas, liver, publishing, education, collective beliefs)
  • Mercury and Venus at the Aries Point — suggesting prominence in publishing and women, money, art, values
  • Sun-Mars trine Pluto — easy application of power and prowess; resources
  • Saturn stationing direct

The New York Times was right on schedule. Much as it publicly dismisses astrology because it is not “scientific,” it sure has served astrology well by consistently publishing stories in synch with planetary patterns. I just loved the cover of the NYT Sunday Magazine: a white rabbit being pulled out of hat (magic!) The hat was a mortarboard (worn by academics at graduation ceremonies — education!) The background color was rose (idealism!) What’s on the cover?  “The Hocus-Pocus of College Admissions.”    Gail Bichler, the design director of the cover photo says, “This week’s cover is a comment on the impossible challenge college admissions officials face in trying to achieve diversity and meet the university’s financial needs. The casting of the rabbit, for which we considered everything from fur color to ear shape, was crucial to the end product, a composite several images designed to look like the rabbit is being pulled from the graduation cap.” Dear NYT, you may not believe in astrology, but it clearly believes in you.  Keep up the great work!

Meanwhile…

Finally…although there is so much else we could report…an UPDATE on Israel. Back in May, we wrote:

UPDATE: on exciting news from Israel. You may recall that Israel’s horoscope is ripe for an upset this summer — and we were alerted to this potential before its most recent election. Thus it was disappointing to see the status quo preserved, and Netanyahu re-elected. Ohhhh — but wait! The fat lady has not yet sung in this opera, as Netanyahu has failed to form a government. That means there will be a new election on September 17, and we’re finding this out just a few days after the first disruptive square from Uranus to Israel’s stability-seeking Leo Moon. After September 17, whoever wins will have 42 days to form a government…and on November 3rd, Israel will have the second hit of Uranus square its Moon. Hmmm. Things get even more interesting in January 2020.

Israel’s election was held yesterday…and as of righthisminute, Benny Gantz has a closerthanthis lead over Netanyahu.   Stay tuned, as the fat lady is still waiting for her cue.

Thank you for reading this forecast.

To subscribe to the most excellent NYT, click here.

Concept by Pablo Delcan. Photo illustration by Jamie Chung.

Prop styling by Anna Surbatovich. Astro-logical commentary by Elisabeth Grace.

Astro-logical Forecast for Sunday & Monday 2/28-2/29/2016: Oscar (c) Musings; Sun Conjunct Neptune

Happy Oscar ™ Sunday!

The Moon has been in Scorpio since early Friday morning, ruthlessly seeking emotional depths, intellectual substance and — no doubt — control. No voids over the weekend suggest you are free to shop without worrying that your impulse purchase will later prove of little use.

The dominant pattern over the past few days is the Sun’s annual meet-up with Neptune, both currently floating through dreamy Pisces. It’s been an excellent weekend for vision, healing, music, spirit, art…as well as rose-colored escapes, delusion, fantasy, drugs and deception. It’s also been grand for catching up on all those movies you’ve been meaning to see in preparation for tonight’s Oscars ™.

Here are some stories from my archives that hit the wires on the Sun-Neptune meet-up in 2014. This batch is from 2015, and includes my all-time favorite, “In Overturning Conviction, Supreme Court Says Fish Are Not Always Tangible”.  Coincidence or conspiracy? Neptune refers to fish. And intangibles.

Speaking of the Oscars (c)….

No void tonight suggests diminished prospects of surprise upsets by underdogs. A communicative connection between sober Saturn in righteous Sagittarius and Venus in humanitarian Aquarius suggests minimal fluff. So perhaps The Revenant will win Best Picture, given its Scorpionic theme of retribution. Or Spotlight, for daring to dig up the dirt on a suppressed scandal (Neptune) in the Catholic Church. I appreciated Spotlight much more than The Revenant, which I’m pretty sure ran close to five hours.  Dialogue is a big plus in movies, especially if the viewer has Moon in Gemini. But that’s no reason to deprive Leonardo DiCaprio of his Oscar (R), given the current state of his horoscope, which was noted here back in 2014 and again in 2015.

The Big Short also reflects Neptune themes of scandal, smoke and mirrors. Room reflects Neptune themes of victimization and healing. Neptune also reflects rose-colored romance and the American Dream. Brooklyn certainly captured those themes ever-so poignantly — and may be my favorite of this year’s nominees. I hope you get a chance to see it. Yes, I know there are other contenders for Best Picture. No slight intended by not talking about them here.

We do not have birth times for all of the nominated actors and actresses. We do have one for Charlotte Rampling, and it’s no surprise to see transiting Saturn at the top of her horoscope, along with another Saturn measurement at the Aries Point. She needs to be taken seriously as an authority among her peers, and her nomination reflects it. We could see this potential honor coming a mile away — or years ago. Transiting Uranus and Pluto have been supercharging Ms. Rampling’s natal Mars, and this lights up areas in her life relating to performance, personal identity and self worth, with a broad international reach.

We have a birth time for Sylvester Stallone, too. He also has significant measurements happening now at the Aries Point, suggesting significant opportunities for recognition. His 14 degree Cancer Sun was supercharged by Uranus and Pluto in 2014 and 2015.

We do not have a birth time for Jennifer Lawrence, but we can still see that she has an Earth Grand Trine among Mercury, Saturn and Mars. This suggests material self-sufficiency — and some might argue no small amount of luck. Transiting Jupiter has been in contact with this pattern for some months now. Jupiter suggest expansion. Isn’t it interesting that what’s being written about Ms. Lawrence now is how much money she made last year — more than any other actress in Hollywood?

But enough about those Oscar (c) contenders. I’d much rather talk about what’s going on in your horoscope. We will have an excellent discussion about whether you’re at right now and how you can maximize opportunities for growth. If you happen to be in a crisis situation, we’ll be able to put it in perspective by assessing 1) when you were in a similar pattern and how it was resolved and 2) when it is likely to be resolved. This offers much peace of mind! Here’s how to contact me.

No sleeping in on Monday. The Scorpio Moon won’t go void until 2:55PM ET. You can chill out until 6:56PM ET, then lighten up and push boundaries when the Moon enters Sagittarius.

Thank you for reading this forecast. Thank you for all the referrals, too — the highest compliment an astrologer can receive, if you ask me.

Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 10/27/2015: Full Moon in Taurus; Lots of Virgo in the News

Alrighty, then!

The Taurus Moon waxes to its fullness at 8:05AM ET. Like the last two Full Moons before it, this is a SuperMoon, meaning that the Moon is closer to Earth than usual, and will appear to be that much bigger in the sky. Thus emotions are also likely running higher than usual. Or so the theory goes.

By the way, I hope you’ve been looking up at the sky in recent weeks, to appreciate Venus, Jupiter and Mars so close together in Virgo — it’s quite a lovely sight.

A Taurus Moon can be quite resistant to change. It prefers to establish material security firmly in its own comfort zone. A Scorpio Sun is interested in jointly-held or shared resources. It is the conflict between MINE and OURS that we may experience in this lunation. If you remember the seeds planted at the New Moon two weeks ago, you may recall it had to do with startling revelations involving relationship. So…more of the same here, with a focus on establishing security.

This Full Moon happens at 3 degrees of Taurus, which considered a favorable placement. It is opposed by the Sun at 3 degrees of Scorpio. So if you have planets or angles at 3 Taurus, Scorpio — and to a lesser extent — Leo and Aquarius, this Full Moon will impact your life more personally. If you don’t know where your planets are, then consult your local astrologer.

The Sabian Symbols for the Full Moon are — for the Moon — “a rainbow’s pot of gold,” and — for the Sun — “a youth holding a lighted candle”. Don’t those sound dreamy? And in fact, we see in the patterns of the Full Moon chart an alignment between the Sun and dreamy Neptune. Yes, something about the illumination potential of this Full Moon borders on the ideal. But are we not “such stuff as dreams are made on?

Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee suggests we apply these symbols with a mind to “the challenge of the enthusiastic pursuit of reward; balancing dreams that enrich the spirit with appreciating what one already has.” He cautions us against gussying up something of intrinsic value. Isn’t it fine just the way it is? Three planets in Virgo in this Full Moon chart can be so fussy! Hmm…maybe your relationship is just fine, too.

If you like these Symbols and find them fascinating food for thought, get Bovee’s wonderful book.   He has plenty of other things to say about these two Symbols, but space and time do not permit me to list them here.

In the 24 hours following the Full Moon, we’ll see a loose Grand Trine among the Moon, Pluto and Jupiter-Venus-Mars — all in Earth Signs. As noted yesterday, a Grand Earth Trine is a pattern suggesting material self-sufficiency and ease of effort in establishing material security. So apply this practical Earth energy to building your monument to material comfort over the next day or so….seasoned with a liberal dash of dreams.  This pattern would seem to bode well for the alleged efforts going on in Washington to reach a budget accord without having to default. Nice.

And now, the news.

How interesting that yesterday did begin with a jolt, as anticipated. There was a 7.5 quake affecting Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Another jolt was a health study from WHO, advising that processed meats “rank along smoking as cancer causes”. A Moon void much ado about nothing? It’s not like this news has not been published before — it has. But this was how The Guardian presented the study, which was all over social media. Nobody wants to give up their bacon! Later that day, it was fascinating to see how the NYT told the story, with these words in the first paragraph:

But the increase in risk is so slight that experts said most people should not be overly worried about it.

Have you read The China Study yet? It was billed as “the most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted,” and it’s a page-turner. Darn these three planets in Virgo — and especially Jupiter, which suggest the potential for expanded awareness in matters of health, nutrition and food processing.

Last week I noted that with Venus meeting up with Jupiter over the weekend, I wondered if we’d see a story involving diabetes or some other health matter involving sugar. And in fact, we did see one on Monday, dissecting and criticizing (how very Virgo) a study published last month which concluded that honey was no better than high fructose corn syrup and sugar. What the article did not say is who funded the study that dismissed honey.

Meanwhile, women’s hygiene products are also homepage news in more than one paper in more than one country. Venus (women) conjunct Jupiter (expansion; good fortune; excess) in Virgo (health, hygiene)…with probably a little bit of the adjustment suggested by a current tense pattern between Venus and Uranus (revelation; freedom). Wanna hear these stories? Of course you do. “Under Pressure, Feminine Product Manufacturers Disclose Ingredients” is one. A second is this one:

Britain will lobby Brussels for an end to the 5% rate of VAT on tampons after a threatened rebellion in the House of Commons.

Hear that? Rebellion! And while we’re Going Down There, and since we’re also talking about rebellion, check out the innovative tactics that one woman used to  singlehandedly disperse a protest outside her local Planned Parenthood on Sunday.  That’s what happens when you mix the wacky lightning bolt of Sunday’s Mercury-Uranus opposition with a pile-up of chick-friendly planets in Virgo.

Also making news in the world of women (Venus) and abundance (Jupiter): Wellesley College (my alma mater) announced it has received a gift of $50m, the largest in the school’s history. Huzzah! That’s pretty big — and the timing is perfect, given planetary patterns. What’s also perfect is Wellesley’s launch of its biggest fund-raising campaign, too. My money says they will meet their goal of $500m. Go Blue!

Astrology is amazing. What’s going on in your horoscope? I can’t believe you do not want to know. Taking 90 minutes of time to put the significant events in planetary perspective is a worthwhile investment.  Why? Because patterns repeat themselves, and if you’re facing a challenge or an opportunity now, we can see  how you handled events under similar patterns. This inspires clarity and confidence, and it’s much cheaper than therapy. Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.

Thank you for reading this forecast.

 

 

 

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday & Tuesday 10/19-20/2015: Oh, Canada! Plus, Sneak Peek at the Week

Up and at ’em. The drive of the day is brought to you by the Moon in enterprising Capricorn, looking to make things happen. It is beautifully supported by three planets — Venus, Mars & Jupiter — which are closely aligned in detail-conscious Virgo. Around 3PM we may notice an emotional intensity or focused, resourceful power play, as the Moon meets up with Pluto. A disruption to the status quo may be noted around midnight, as the Moon makes its weekly clash with rebel Uranus at 12:25AM ET early Tuesday morning.

This focused drive continues until 4:31PM ET on Tuesday. Moon goes void at that time on a challenge between the Sun and the Moon. The First Quarter Moon  often brings challenges to the seeds that were planted on projects initiated on the New Moon. Make the required adjustments and then chill until 9:38PM ET Tuesday, when the Moon will be void of course. Regular readers of this forecast understand that Moon voids suggest a higher than average potential for flakes, twists and other upsets in efforts to move forward in a straight line. Avoid making mountains out of molehills. That crisis on your plate is likely much ado about nothing.

Planetary patterns are relatively light this week. On Thursday, just in time for Hillary Clinton to be grilled by Congress on the Benghazi Committee, mental Mercury will make the third in a series of muckraking, take-no-prisoners, mince-no-words squares to potent Pluto.  Pass the popcorn, because the only other non-lunar pattern exact this week is on Friday — and it is an easy alignment between Venus (women, money, art, social expression) and empowering Pluto.

On Friday, the Sun leaves Libra for Scorpio, because when else would we celebrate Halloween?  Bwahahahahahaha! By Friday we should be feeling the buzz and expansive bliss of Sunday’s double-header: 1) a Mercury-Uranus opposition, suggesting revelations in communication and technology; and 2) the third in a series of meet-ups between Venus and Jupiter, a.k.a. Sugar Baby and Cosmic Sugar Daddy. The first two meet-ups happened over the summer in rip roarin’ Leo; this one happens in Virgo and is thus less inclined towards drama and indulgence, more inclined towards refinement. Venus and Jupiter in contact with each other can also refer to diabetes. I wonder if we’ll see a breakthrough on that subject, or any other Venus-ruled health matter, e.g., kidneys and thyroid…or Jupiter-ruled matter, e.g., the liver.

And now, the news.

But first, a reminder about my  world-famous 2016 Really Useful Mercury Retrograde Survival Guide Bookmarks, and this quote from Avid Reader Bonnie:

That bookmark was awesome. I kept it in my datebook and referred to it many, many times during the retrogrades :)

Or this one, from Avid Reader Jane:

I would like to find out how much it would cost to get 10 Mercury retrograde bookmarks – I am so tired of my idiot friends who don’t get it, they just know something is off. To have your bookmark on hand to give them is the best idea ever.

Jane, I couldn’t agree more. And yes, I changed your name, in case your friends are reading this. Your bookmarks are in the mail, along with a handwritten note of thanks.  If anyone else would like one or more,  I will happily send one for $2.88 or three for $4.99 — just click this link and trust that they are beautifully designed and Really Useful. Make sure you include your snail mail address when you make your bookmark donation, as opposed to relying on telepathy.

And now, really the news.

There’s a big election happening today in Canada. I last wrote about our neighbor to the north here. Its horoscope is under pressure for a fresh start and/or a empowered change of identity now and through 2016, as Uranus and Pluto make contact with Canada’s Ascendant. Current Prime Minister Stephen Harper is running for an unprecedented fourth term, and here is  his horoscope — birth time unknown. The lean, mean thinking machine of his Mercury (mindset)-Saturn in Capricorn (conservative)-Mars (action, aggression) T-square is fast-losing the supercharge it’s enjoyed by transiting Uranus and Pluto. Interesting to see Mr. Harper has a Grand Trine among his Taurus Sun, Saturn and Pluto, suggesting a need to project a materially self-sufficient stance that, in politics, could favor the Powers That Be (Saturn in Capricorn – Pluto in Virgo). Interesting also to see his empire-building Taurus Sun opposed natally by dreamy Neptune.

Justin Trudeau, son of former PM Pierre Trudeau, is hoping to upset the Canadian status quo.  He’s a Capricorn whose pioneering, me-first Aries Moon is just getting started with supercharges from Uranus and Pluto. His 3 degree Capricorn Sun was supercharged from 2008 – 2011, and this is when his political career really revved up. With his Moon opposed by Uranus, we would expect him to be a natural-born firebrand, even though he needs to project an image of refined detail and correctness. Yep, Virgo Ascendant, with transiting Venus, Mars and Jupiter now sitting in his 1st House, suggesting opportunities for personal expansion.

Like Mr. Harper, Mr. Trudeau also has a T-square — a pattern of high developmental tension — among Mars (action), Pluto (perspective; resources) and his Capricorn Sun. The planets in this configuration are all at the Aries Point, suggesting he needs to — and is likely to — be noticed! Mr. Trudeau has  a Grand Trine, too — in Air Signs — among Venus (values, social expression)…and Saturn and Pluto. The Air element suggests a self-sufficiency in matters of intellect. He doesn’t need your opinion. He’s got everything figured out fine, thanks very much.

Mr. Trudeau’s 0 degree Gemini Saturn sits at the top of his horoscope, transmitting (potentially) the public status of executive authority. It’s being challenged by transiting Saturn sitting at the bottom of his horoscope at 1 Sagittarius. We could imagine that initiatives taken 14 and 7 years ago would be up for serious review…and that last year, domestic concerns may have been foremost on his agenda. It is a fascinating horoscope — I could write much more, but there’s no time…no time!

No idea who will win the election, but I am rooting for an upset…

UPDATE:  …and apparently so is John Oliver. It’s against the law in Canada for an outsider to tell a Canadian how to vote, but Mr. Oliver did it anyway. I wish I’d seen his informative and highly entertaining take on the three — yes, there are three — contenders in the Canadian election, before I posted today. Watch and laugh uproariously…and experience the bewildering fog so notable in Canada’s horoscope (Neptune conjunct Ascendant), Stephen Harper’s(Sun opposite Neptune) and Justin Trudeau’s (Neptune opposing Saturn  — both square Ascendant). What a weird (Neptune), wacky (Canada’s Sun is conjunct Uranus). fiercely independent country it is, astro-logically speaking…

John Oliver will also tell you about whatshisname, the other candidate in today’s election.

In other news…

The current trio of planets in Virgo suggests an energetic  focus on systems and processes in detail. Venus opposing Neptune — which happened over the weekend — suggests a need for beauty, peace, healing and artsy idealism. I was fascinated to see these themes explored in a lengthy NYT piece that took over a year to write. The reporter’s quest began last summer, when Saturn was smack dab in the middle of its Scorpionic obsession with matters of life and death. The reporter wondered what happens to people who die alone in New York. The result was this: “The Lonely Death of George Bell” — I highly recommend it.

Here’s another NYT piece about systems and processes, this one with a Venusian (feminine) spin: “Supers Who Break the Glass Ceiling”.  Systems and processes include diet and other issues involving metabolism. Oprah Winfrey just bought a big stake in Weight Watchers; the stock is soaring. Meanwhile, probiotics are making news in a positive way.

Venus-Neptune aspects can suggest selflessness and charity, as well as ideal love. In California, a couple called off their $35,000 wedding — and the bride’s parents invited almost 100 homeless people to enjoy what would have been the couple’s wedding feast. What random acts of kindness and senseless beauty have you committed lately? Have you shared this warm and fuzzy video of Koko the Gorilla getting a box of kittens for her 44th birthday (July 4th — supercharged by transiting Pluto)?

Thank you for reading this forecast. Here’s that link again to order your Mercury retrograde bookmarks….and here is the 411 on personal consultations. After I’ve posted that bookmark link five times, I will share with you the most valuable piece of information I ever received as a student at Wellesley College.

 

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 11/3/2014: Sneak Peek at the Week; Bill Cosby

Happy Monday!

Focus on routine tasks in the early part of the day, as the Moon is void-of-course in Pisces until 1:53PM ET.  What is a Moon void, some of you new to this forecast may wonder. Have you ever played on an old-fashioned pinball machine? The ball bounces off those rubber bumpers with force and direction, lighting up the board and scoring points. Eventually the ball stops making contact with the bumpers and rolls down to the bottom of the machine. If you imagine that the Moon is the pinball and those bumpers are planets, the last contact the pinball makes with a bumper is equivalent to the last contact the Moon makes with a planet while it is in a particular sign, such as Pisces. The time it takes for the pinball to fall back down to the bottom of the machine and be relaunched (into the next sign, such as Aries), is like a Moon void.  The pinball rolls back down without much force, and sometimes there is a delay, as the pinball gets stuck on the side of the machine. So it can be with a void-of-course Moon. Got that?

We have a few long Moon voids this week, during which your efforts to move forward in a straight line may feel like you’re herding cats. Roll with whatever twists and flakes crop up and resist the temptation to make mountains out of molehills. Avoid impulse shopping and finalizing plans. Otherwise, chill out. Here are the voids, in addition to today: Wednesday 8:25AM ET – 4:33PM ET; Friday 11:17AM ET – 8:45PM ET.

It’s full speed ahead once the Moon charges into Aries at 1:53PM ET, ready to get something started with fiery conviction. Never mind those pesky details; just jump! Upsets and/or revelations, as well as power plays — for better or for worse — are likely tomorrow morning, as the Moon makes its weekly clash with the never-ending Uranus-Pluto square at 9:07AM and 12:29PM ET. But first, be aware of another charged clash between the Moon and action hero Mars at 12:52AM ET, suggesting you pay close attention behind the wheel and avoid ego-driven confrontations. Better to apply this brief power surge to a creative project or something productively physical.

Other patterns of note this week include the Full Moon in Taurus on Thursday and Mercury entering Scorpio on Saturday. Humming in the background is a fast-approaching challenge between an extremely effective Mars in Capricorn to Uranus and Pluto, which will be exact next Monday and Wednesday. What kind of events can we expect? Here’s what happened in April; here’s what happened in June.

And now, the news, brought to you in part by Saturn in nitty-gritty things we might prefer not to face in matters of sex and death.

First, Brittany Maynard passed away on Saturday at age 29. Ms. Maynard was diagnosed some months ago with terminal brain cancer and made a decision to end her life “on her own terms,” rather than let the disease run its course. She moved to Oregon and made headlines as the poster child for those advocating the right to die with dignity (as one can in Oregon). It is interesting to note her passing on a day with Moon in Pisces (endings), Mars (action) in a cooperative connection with Neptune (drugs, spirit, surrender), along with other exact patterns noted in prior forecasts.

Second, comedian Bill Cosby is making headlines again. Back in September I noted the release of a new biography about the iconic comedian, which was reflective of general planetary patterns. But obviously something suggesting prominence would have been going on in his horoscope, especially since the reason Mr. Cosby is making headlines this month is because a male comedian (Hannibal Buress) called him a rapist several weeks ago in his stand-up act.  And in fact, Mr. Cosby was accused of sexual assault/abuse almost a decade ago, and thirteen women were going to testify against him…until the case was settled out of court.

These allegations were raised again back in February by Salon, but the article did not generate much traction. Now, within a few days, we have Burress’s shout-out going viral and a lengthy account by Barbara Bowman, a woman who did not settle, now detailing  the whole sordid, OMG-must-we-know-all-these-awful-things, tale. (Yes, we must. With Saturn in Scorpio, we can’t look away. Even though we were able to back in 2006).

So what’s going on in Bill Cosby’s horoscope? How about ruthless Pluto turning direct and making contact with the top of his horoscope for the FIFTH and final time since 2013? That’ll get you prominence: a new biography, a new sitcom and — oh yeah, those sexual assault allegations you thought were buried. Not with Pluto.

Next year Uranus will be making contact with Cosby’s me-me-me Aries Ascendant and his emotional security-seeking Cancer Sun. Other patterns reinforce the suggestion of a break-out and an overturning of the status quo. I am intrigued by a measurement to his perfection-driven Virgo Moon suggesting a trauma up for healing, especially since the Moon is part of a pattern in his horoscope called a Grand Trine. I learned from Noel Tyl how Grand Trines, traditionally viewed as “lucky”, also function as defensive structures, which allow the native to act as if the laws others must follow do not apply to him or her. We shall see.

Meanwhile, headlines in Canada are currently focused on allegations of serial sexual assault that resulted in the firing of media personality Jian Ghomeshi. Sign of the times.

And speaking of the Times, the New York Times would like you to know  — in a pithy article — that Bill Cosby and Hannibal Buress will be performing in the New York Comedy Festival this weekend. But not on the same stage.

What’s going on in your horoscope? That nagging need to make a change will likely be affirmed by planetary patterns, so you can move forward with confidence. Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.