Alll-righty then!

This week features an easy flow of innovation in exacting detail, as three planets in perfectionist, workaholic Virgo will all trine technogeek/rebel Uranus. By the time we get to the New Moon in Virgo on Friday morning, the Virgo trio — Venus, Mars and Sun —  will be in range of another trine (harmony) with Saturn and Pluto, both in Capricorn. Add the Virgo New Moon and the sum total is a remarkable pattern called an  Earth Grand Trine, suggesting material self-sufficiency and no small amount of luck. It’s an Earth Grand Trine because the planets involved are all in Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.

We had a remarkable Earth Grand Trine back in March 2012 — and another one at the end of September 2015. Both of those coincided with upswings in the stock markets, so we’ll see. During the first two weeks of September, there will be more big big big practically everything, as the Virgo Trio — joined by Mercury — will square Jupiter and oppose Neptune.  So even though this week’s Moon is at the end of its cycle, get out your vision board and dream away — imagining all your ducks in a row — with laser-beam precision.

The week goes like this:

• MONDAY — driven by the Moon in Cancer, seeking emotional and home/family security. Was there a wet blanket or authoritative reach around 6 PM ET? That was the Moon confronting patriarchal Saturn. Meanwhile, the first planet in the Virgo Trio — Venus — was trine (harmonizing with) Uranus at 11:37 AM ET. Did you find friends in strange places — or online?
• TUESDAY — the Cancer Moon goes void at 4:55 AM ET on a face-off with powerbroker Pluto. Chill chill chill — over whatever crisis may crop up, as it is likely much ado about nothing. The Cancer Moon is void until 7:53 PM ET — for the whole work day on both coasts — but it might not be a total bust. Traditional astrologers argue that the Moon is so deliciously happy in Cancer that it can still be somewhat functional, even while wandering a bit off-course. Plus, you may profit from the easy flow of the second planet in the Virgo Trio — Mars — which will be trine to Uranus on….
• WEDNESDAY — at 6:53 AM ET. Meanwhile, the Moon will have left Cancer for Leo the night before, prowling for a party in which to reign or shine. The day is likely to begin with a jolt around 6:29 AM ET, as the Moon squares Uranus. Moon goes void at 8:07 PM ET, taking the wind out of the Leo Moon’s sails.
• THURSDAY — Roll with the twists and flakes that may interfere with your efforts to move forward in a straight line. Avoid impulse shopping. The Moon is void — and also dead — so if you’re feeling listless or restless, you can say that’s what your astrologer told you. If you have a top secret meeting on your agenda — or otherwise wish to fly under the radar, this is a day to do it. Meanwhile, Mercury (how we need to think and communicate) leaves Leo for Virgo at 3:48 AM ET. Honor and reputation may be a big part of the morning’s headlines, as Mercury is not only 1) super high-functioning in Virgo (one of the signs its rules), but 2) will be conjunct the Fixed Star Regulus, which is all about honor and reputation. Mercury will only be in Virgo until September 14th — make the most of it in your contract negotiations and editing efforts. Finally, the third planet in the Virgo Trio — the Sun — trines Uranus at 11:13 PM ET. Aviation, astrology, uranium, artificial intelligence, mavericks — I expect to see a flurry of these in the headlines.*** Moon enters Virgo at 7:57 PM ET to put Leo’s big party back in order.

***UPDATE: NYT has since published not one, but TWO articles about astrology. On Thursday, August 29th: “Now Therapists Have to Figure Out Astrology, Tarot and Psychedelics”  (like this is a bad thing?) — with the comments section disabled. On Sunday, September 1st, as Mercury — now in Virgo — trines Uranus: “Like A Virgo: How the Times Covers Astrology.” — and here, the comments section has been enabled. As of Monday 9/2, only one comment has been published (slamming astrology). And yes, the NYT apparently is a Virgo, first published on September 18, 1851. Driven by an info junkie Gemini Moon, we can now appreciate the aptness of its advertising slogan: “All the news (GEMINI MOON) that’s fit to print (discerning VIRGO SUN — and perhaps a Virgo Ascendant, too — ruled by  Mercury retrograde prominently placed in people-pleasing Libra at the Aries Point). While the Times may sniff dismissively at astrology’s merit because it does not see astrology as “scientific,” this in no way proves that astrology is not accurate. And if an NYT editor happens to stumble across this paragraph, let me just say that when I decided to see if knowledge of planetary patterns could be used to anticipate daily headlines — and specifically the NYT as “the paper of record,” I did not know if it would work. Ten years later, I continue to be astonished that it does. Here’s to another ten years, with apologies in advance for typos, dear Virgo NYT. Perhaps you can connect me with an excellent editor.

• FRIDAY — Busy, busy, busy — in the dark. New Moon in Virgo officially begins at 6:37 AM ET — and spends the day touching base with five other planets. Will write more on the New Moon in a later forecast.
• SATURDAY — Moon goes void at 4:46 AM ET — not to enter Libra until 7:08 PM ET. Chil, chill, chill — on this long Labor Day weekend.
• SUNDAY — The Libra Moon seeks pleasure in faciliating relationships and rational debate. What innovative argument can you construct as Mercury trines Uranus at 10:10 AM ET? Fussbudget plans involving who, how and what we love may materialize as Venus harmonizes with Saturn at 2:48 PM ET. Sober and serious goes the rest of the afternoon, as the Moon squares Saturn at 5:40 PM ET. A precise action plan may be launched over then next twelve hours, as…
• MONDAY — Moon squares Pluto at 4:33 AM ET and goes void until 7:35 PM ET. Meanwhile, the Virgo Sun meets up with Mars at 6:43 AM ET, and Venus square Jupiter at 12:26 PM ET. This is not a typical Moon-void day. Action that is exuberant and indulgent — or wretchedly excessive — would not be surprising.

And now, the news…

…which I confess I did my best to avoid last week, as I made an escape to Shelter Island. It’s a lovely little sanctuary between the North and South Forks of  Long Island, accessible only by ferry. Three days of salt air and sandy beaches; starry nights in a quaint old inn with no TV — I could have stayed for a month. The third night featured a thunderstorm that downed trees and power lines. That and watching ospreys dive for fish provided plenty enough drama.

Still, some news items did manage to pierce my bubble of light summer reading (The Assault on Reason)  and rounds of golf (walking the course, carrying my own clubs). Last week, on the heels of transiting Mars, the Sun crossed the 29 Leo Ascendant of P45. If you know the degree of your Ascendant. make a note of the day the Sun crosses over it. Why? Because that transit is often energizing, symbolizing a new cycle of development. Astrologer Rob Hand writes in Planets in Transit that this is a time when “you will be able to project yourself with vigor and energy, impressing others with the force of your personality.”  If you don’t know the degree of your Ascendant, consider ordering one of my Astro-Basics Reports.

Anyhoo…the Sun crossed P45’s regal Leo Ascendant on August 23rd, and on that day he issued a royal edict to American companies that they were “hereby ordered” to find alternatives to doing business in in China.  Two days earlier, Venus crossed his Ascendant. This transit suggests strong potential for receiving love and affection. For P45, it came from a radio host who said (according to P45’s Twitter feed), “And the Jewish people in Israel love him… like he’s the King of Israel. They love him like he is the second coming of God.” But wait, there’s more! Later that day, when asked about his raging trade war with China, P45 told reporters,  “I am the chosen one. Somebody had to do it, so I’m taking on China.” Transiting Mercury will cross P45’s Ascendant on Wednesday, so we can expect he’ll have some other headline-grabbing regal thing to say. Astrology is amazing.

In other news, the horoscope of former Congressman and current radio host Joe Walsh is reflecting the manifestation potential of this week’s Earth Grand Trine. Born on December 27, 1961 in North Barrington, Illinois, he has the Sun and Mars in early Capricorn, trining natal Uranus, Pluto and possibly the Moon in the first ten degrees of Virgo. All of the planets that have left — or are about to leave — Leo for Virgo will activate his 0 degree Uranus. Translation: activation of an intense need for assertive independence. This week he announced he is running for president —  challenging P45 for the Republican nomination. His campaign slogan is “Be Brave” — and fits the high-functioning executive potential we see in what we know of his horoscope. It’s too soon to tell if he will de-throne P45, but 2020 is a significant year for him, as Walsh faces his second Saturn return, a Jupiter return and other patterns suggesting access to power and resources, coupled with a major life change as next year progresses.  So far, he’s had to eat many of his words, as he is no stranger to controversy. He’s apparently just lost his radio show, too.

Meanwhile, since I was reading  The Assault on Reason, I was prompted to look at the horoscope of its author, Al Gore. He really should be making waves now and over the next several months, as the energy of a 10,000 volt cattleprod opposes his 4 degree regal Leo Ascendant in the form of transiting rebel Uranus. A fresh start or a break in a personal relationship? A geographic relocation? Pluto and Saturn are also activating points in the horoscope that refer to professional status and family of origin, suggesting transformation and streamlining for the sake of empowerment. Jupiter is active, too; as it has been in touch with his natal Jupiter and Uranus this year, we see the potential for a fortuitous return on an investment. How fascinating that the most recent news article in a quick Google search is about the success of his investment firm. Who knew?

While we contemplate the complexities and challenges of life on Spaceship Earth, Salon reports that astronomers have now seen “a black hole eat a neutron star,” in the first sighting of its kind.

In other news:

• “Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay $572 Million for Role in in Oklahoma’s Opioid Crisis”
• “How big pharma is targeting India’s booming opioid market”  — both are apt for Jupiter (big, court, opinions) square Neptune in Pisces (drugs, victims)

Also big — and involving travel, oceans, healing and visions: 16 year-old climate change activist Greta Thunberg is due to arrive in New York tomorrow. She’ll be in town into September– and it only took a couple of weeks for her to sail across the Atlantic, so she could speak at two UN climate change summit events on — wait for it — September 21st and September 23rd. September 21st is the date of the third Jupiter-Neptune square. Greta is a Capricorn, driven by a Moon in Capricorn. If she can’t make things happen, no one can.

What’s going on in your horoscope?

Thank you for reading this forecast.