Some Predictions for 2018

I was recently back on Coast to Coast for their New Year’s prediction show. I only had one hour, rather than my usual 2 hour slot. When you subtract the commercials it was 34 minutes of air time, hardly enough space for me to clear my throat, let alone make connections between my yearly prognostications. So let me put a few of them in order here.

As I’ve been reporting for some time, we are heading towards the Great Capricorn Alignment beginning in late 2019 and lasting for several years. That is the most prominent energy we are facing during the coming years. There will be a conjunct of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto. The Saturn-Pluto combination will be the most intense part of it and last the longest. It implies serious power struggles, manipulation, lying, and a sense of lawlessness that will be shocking and violent.  

Uranus will enter Taurus in May 2018. That will have a huge effect on our financial markets, as well as all of the technological interplay we all engage in on a daily basis. Taurus rules money. Uranus, as many of you know, is the most erratic and unpredictable of planets. It tends to be explosive and unstable. We will have a stock market crash at some point with this planetary placement. The last time Uranus was in this sign was from June 1934-May 1942. I think we can all agree that it was one of the most unsettling periods in human history. The depths of the depression brought unemployment to between 25% - 50% depending on what country you are examining. The Spanish Civil War lasted from 1936-39.The 2^nd World War began in 1939. And so on. Now, this in no way implies that we are going to have a Great Depression and another World War. Each transit of an outer planet takes place within its own time line, and with other transits and progressions occurring. But with the world heading towards that Capricorn transit that will culminate on America’s Pluto we could be facing a showdown of massive proportions. 

Long before he even won the Republican primary I’ve been writing that Trump is a stroke waiting to happen. He was born under a Full Moon eclipse with Uranus conjunct his Gemini Sun. The Sun (Leo) rules the heart and blood as it leaves the heart. The opposite sign of Aquarius and its ruler Uranus rules the blood as it returns to the heart. When there is a conflict between the Sun and Uranus it implies instability in the circulatory system. I have many charts of friends and clients with this configuration who have succumbed to a heart attack, stroke or other aneurism. 

In 2020 Saturn and Pluto will be in opposition to Trump’s Saturn, which rules the 5^th house in his natal chart. That is the house that rules the heart. That will be the most obvious timing for an event. Of course, if he worked out, ate asparagus and arugula, and meditated he could avoid the circumstances. As it is, it’s just a matter of time. But, can our democracy survive this presidency? I’d say it’s 50/50.

Author's Notes: February 2018

All newsletters past and present are available at my website www.mitchastro.com and you can always access them there.

I walk a thin line with this newsletter. Every month I receive emails from readers, some asking me to limit my political perspective, others asking me to increase it. As time goes by I often ask myself: Am I an astrologer or a political pundit. And is it possible to be both? I believe it is, but at a price.

My personal view can dissuade some from following my astrological perspective, no matter how I express it. But I do not believe that astrology is separate from life – it is part of everything we experience and the decisions we make daily. We are living in a most unusual time in America. I have always leaned left in my politics. But I don’t blindly follow any partisan ideology. My opinion is always based on the situation at present. I agree with certain ideas that are seemingly antithetical to my basic core if I believe they have a deeper or logical purpose. I try to view each issue on its own merits. I didn’t care for G.W. Bush’s point of view and felt that his policies threatened our world, especially in the case of Iraq. But even then I thought he truly believed in his perspective. I never thought he was an evil man or wished to destroy our foundation just that he was misinformed and short-sighted. I have many friends whose politics differ from my own, and at times have heated debates, during which hopefully we each learn something. I believe in a back-and-forth tug between opposing ideologies. It helps us each see things we may not otherwise be exposed to. But this is different. The chasm between the parties is unreachable. We are like a married couple who shout at each other across the kitchen table, and neither can hear what the other is saying. 

Donald Trump is not a man of integrity or an ideologist of any sort. He couldn’t care less about any philosophy or human goal. He is a racist, a cheap crook, a conman and ultimately a destroyer. For those familiar with my work you know I’ve analyzed his chart numerous times. He was born on a Full Moon eclipse with Uranus, the most unnerving, caustic and explosive of planets, near his Sun. This alone makes him a dangerous and unpredictable energy with no regard for rules or order. If he were a scientist or a poet this configuration could possible lead to creative innovation or radical philosophy. But it hasn’t. He was raised by Fred Trump, a bigoted close-minded little man, and Donald has never learned the most basic understanding of compassion, or human values. He has Mercury, the planet that rules our thinking and speech, in square to Neptune. This creates a mind that literally doesn’t know truth from fiction. His continued lies and derisive comments are part of his nature. He has never known nor cared what was accurate or hurtful, only what helps his agenda. And that agenda is only about money and power. He will use anyone he can and destroy anyone who dares to stand up to him. One of the greatest indignities and embarrassments is watching career politicians in the Republican Party who have spent their lives working towards ideals they believe in kowtowing to this empty suit of a demigod and destroying the very purpose of their professional lives in exchange for a tinge of power. Sad. Unfortunately a number of them believe in the underlying cause that Trump amplifies. Their desire to dismantle the “safety net” that has become the foundation for America’s growth and world leadership will have devastating effects on the soul of the United States for a long time, as they chip away at all attempts to create an equitable society where all people can rely on the most basic of comforts in which to raise a family and live a life of fulfillment.

As we continue through the nightmare of the Trump presidency I watch with increased horror as this person deconstructs everything our nation and the world has worked so hard for generations to secure. He has no knowledge of science, art, literature, medicine, or the environment, the very things the president of The United States is meant to protect. He embraces dictators and denounces democracies throughout the world. He is tearing apart the foundation of our system and it will take a generation to overcome the damage he is creating. His attacks on the free press, his disregard for normal decency, his embracing of a violent, bigoted side of the political spectrum have all empowered the most radical close-minded in our nation. And his stacking of the courts with ultra-conservative judges will affect us for generations.

We do need many changes in our society to continue to grow: including tax reform, revised immigration laws, and other issues that should be addressed in a bipartisan government. But they have been clouded and corrupted by this administration and this congress. Change is never easy; it always has the potential to be painful and upsetting. But tearing apart the foundation that we all stand upon is never the solution. And Donald Trump has no idea what he’s doing, only that he is disrupting the status quo with no plans to rebuild it in a better or more secure structure.

Whether you agree or disagree with my political point of view I hope you understand that it is my love of America and my hopes for a better future for our children, animals and the very fate of humanity that motivates my perspective and my outrage.

This month we will see a lot of Uranian energy being emitted. Venus, the Sun and Mercury will enter Uranus-ruled Aquarius, and they will each aspect Uranus. The Full Moon on January 31^st will be at 11 degrees 37 minutes of Leo with the Sun at the same degree of Aquarius, and it’s a Lunar Eclipse. After a month when so many planets were traveling through restrictive Capricorn we will see many alterations happen over the next 4 weeks. Uranus wants radical and sudden change. It demands freedom and can create upsetting circumstances to ensure change and an unfettered environment.

Because we are at a point in our political history when the nation stands at as important a crossroads as we’ve ever seen, each time the astrological energy shifts there is the potential for upsetting and difficult decisions. This is a time when we will all be asked to make a stand, and the results of our collective choices will aim America on a path it will take a generation to complete. That makes it so very important that we each question exactly what kind of America we want to live in. The question seems to be: will American democracy survive the Trump presidency? Can we still believe that time and history will pull us back into the center and away from the right-wing edge that we are close to falling off?

A century ago, on each Election Day, the political bosses would send their associates to the polling places to hand out cigars and five dollar bills, ensuring that their party received enough votes to remain in power. We have worked strenuously for a hundred years through legislation and grass-roots movements to alter that egregious manipulation and to guarantee to some extent an honest election based on the needs and desires of the populous.

Well, as the French say: the more things change, the more they stay the same. A number of corporations including Walmart’s have announced that they will be handing out bonuses to their workers, citing the recent Tax Bill as the cause of their largess. The price has gone up, but the concept has remained the same. A hundred years ago a full meal in a local restaurant cost about sixty-five cents. Today it’s about $40. So essentially we are being given a cigar and five dollars and being told how to vote. It would be a crime against democracy if this ploy works. These corporations will receive billions and billions of dollars as a result of the shifting of wealth in this country to the top percentile. So they will hand out a few millions of those ill-gotten gains to placate their workers and help lean them towards voting Republican in the next election. The transparency of this act is astounding, but unfortunately it could work, at least to some degree. People vote with their wallets. Often they vote against their best interests either because of an underlying issue that motivates them, or because they are hoodwinked into believing that it in fact is in their best interests, only to find the truth further down the road. 

My astrological analysis tells me that there is, in fact, going to be a blue sweep across our land in November 2018. I’ve analyzed an enormous number of charts, including America’s the NYSE, Trump, Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Russia, and too many to name here. I hope to put out a video powerpoint presentation soon so you can all see what I have. And despite the best efforts to thwart this shift of power, I believe it will come to pass. But that doesn’t mean that we are suddenly living in a Frank Capra movie where congress unexpectedly finds its soul and they all work together towards creating a greater world. By 2020 we will see the chasm between the “tribes” grow to a point where violence and militaristic intervention is a real possibility.

With great love and hope for our nation and the world.

Mitch.

On Sunday March 6^th at 1:04 A.M. EST this dreary aspect will compete. This isn’t a very easy transit, and a lot of us may feel the pressure and limitations of Saturn, especially if that planet is heavily aspected in your natal chart or you’re going through a severe Saturn transit at the moment. This is a day to focus on what’s most important. You must look at things from a realistic perspective and get your work done. This completes early in the morning, so its effects will be felt Saturday night. But it will set up the energy for Sunday as well. Even though the aspect will be waning, its energy will continue to be felt early in the day. But because the Sun will be sextile to Pluto Sunday night, that aspect will take over and change the feelings a bit. Don’t waste your time on frivolous issues. Try to complete anything that is hanging over your head. I wouldn’t plan an important date or other social activity for Saturday. The energy will be limited and not very affable.

JUPITER SQUARES URANUS & OPPOSES PLUTO:4/20

On Sunday April 20^th at 3:25 A.M. & 7:05 P.M. EDT we come to the beginning of completion to this Grand Cross. This energy has been building up for months. We’ve seen some of the reactions in the world, including the situation in Crimea, Syria, and on Wall Street. Jupiter blows thing out of proportion, so we should expect the problems to be exacerbated over the next few weeks. This pass of the Uranus square Pluto completes tomorrow, although its effects have been felt for some time and will continue to be felt for a long while.

DARK OF THE MOON

The next New Moon falls on Thursday January 30^th at 4:38 P.M. EST at 10 degrees Aquarius 56 minutes. The day or two leading up to it will be a particularly low energy period. If you tend to be emotional this may be a very trying time each month. I have found that people with prominent moons or a Cancer Sun, Moon or ascendant respond to the cycles of the moon more intensely than others. Spend this time finishing up anything that is incomplete, don’t try to initiate new projects on a waning moon, it just won’t work out. Once the New Moon hits you begin new projects or attempt a new approach to an existing problem. If you have been living in a situation or involved in a relationship that is intolerable or has outlived its usefulness this would be the proper time to move on with your life. If you have been working on a project that is almost complete but you seem to lack the energy for the finality, you must push during these low energy days to end the matter once and for all. If you don’t, when the New Moon arrives it will bring this “dead” energy along with it and conflict with the newer force being presented. Each month we are offered a chance to clean house, so to speak.

THE SUN & MOON CONJUNCT PLUTO:

On Wednesday January 1^st at 1:54 P.M. EST the Sun and New Moon conjunct this most stressful non-planet. When there is an aspect close to a New Moon it represents that energy that lunar cycle will display. With Pluto in close proximity we can expect some more stressful times ahead. This month will be about power struggles and hidden agendas. You can expect to uncover some secrets which will have to be dealt with directly. Pluto in Capricorn will release a lot of things buried in the unconscious. Pluto is in conflict with Saturn (ruler of Capricorn) during many difficult world events. They were in square in 1940 as the Second World War was starting to heat up. They were in opposition when the World Trade Center was destroyed. At the moment they are in mutual receptivity with Saturn in Scorpio, which is helping us cope with the mess we’ve been in for the last few years. With Pluto conjunct the New Moon in Capricorn we can expect to see some manifestations of the repressive energy of Capricorn coupled with the deep and probing power of Pluto.

THE SUN CONJUNCTS MERCURY:

On Sunday December 29^th at 1:28 A.M. EST we will all be a bit willful. Because this conjunct happens in Capricorn it will be a little restrained, but the underlying attitude will be arrogant and demanding. If you have something to say you will say it now, so try to phrase things in an honest but non-aggressive manner. With Mercury in square to Uranus now as well (see below) it will be easy to overstate your case or just lose your control altogether.

MERCURY SQUARES URANUS:

Also on Sunday December 29^th at 3:48 P.M. EST Mercury will also square Uranus. This is a very dangerous and excitable transit that demands our attention. Communications and travel will be especially disruptive and we should all pay attention to the here and now. It’s very easy to be distracted by Uranus. People may fly off the handle or say things they will regret later on. Try to use caution in your speech. Some brilliant ideas may come to some, and if you can control the urge to leap before you look, you will be able to institute some of them. With Mars just past the opposition, and the Sun about to square Uranus as well (see below) this could be an explosive holiday week.

Lunar Eclipse 11/28/12

FULL MOON:

This month’s lunar peak occurs on Wednesday November 28^th at 9:46 A.M. EST at 06 degrees Gemini 47 minutes, and it is a Lunar Eclipse. This eclipse is in Gemini, and communication will be at the center of any difficulties it brings. Eclipses block out the light and it is hard to see what is actually happening. Conversations will take on a heavier tone and you may not hear all that is being said. This month is a lot about uncovering things and the release of hidden pressures. The effects of an eclipse can last for months, and whatever occurs now will have longer lasting effects than you may realize. Try to be clear and finish up what you start. If not, the incomplete projects or relationships will linger for about 6 months.

Saturday September 29th!

THE SUN OPPOSES URANUS AND SQUARES PLUTO:

On Saturday September 29^th at 3:16 A.M. and 1:54 P.M. EST these two forceful transits will complete. Because the Full Moon also completes today (see below) the Moon will conjunct Uranus and square Pluto. This could be a very powerful moment in the lives of individuals or the collective. Explosive and compulsive are the two words that first come to mind. For a few days preceding this and following the Full Moon I would advise caution and restraint. It will be difficult to follow your normal path, and you may be quite distracted. Difficult world events are very possible and it may be hard to avoid explosive situations. Remember, the collective is more powerful than the individual. Keep your eyes open and expect the unexpected.

FULL MOON:

This month’s lunar peak occurs on Saturday September 29^th at 11:19 P.M. EST at 07 degrees Aries 22 minutes. Because of the aspects mentioned above this Full Moon demands our attention and respect. This is an Aries Full Moon to, which transmits a great deal of energy to begin with. Add the force of Uranus square Pluto exactly on the Sun and Moon and we have the makings of an exciting and possibly bizarre few days. Personal relationships could take a bad hit, especially if this sets off your chart just right. You may wish to think twice before making that midnight phone call. But if you do, you will probably hear the truth. In some ways both Uranus and Pluto demand the unveiling of all things hidden. Combining the two just exacerbates the exposure.

THE SUN ENTERS LIBRA

On Saturday September 22^nd at 10:49 A.M. EST we enter autumn. As always, I remind you that each of the 4 seasons coincide with the Sun entering each of the cardinal signs. Libra is interested in balance. Certainly it is relationship oriented, and coupling is on most people’s minds. Autumn is often when new love affairs begin, I believe as we unconsciously prepare for the long and lonely winter. But even if you aren’t in an ongoing relationship or are lucky enough to find a winter lover, this is still a time of partnerships and learning how we best relate to others. And it’s a good time to start a new connection no matter what the definition.

MERCURY OPPOSES URANUS AND SQUARES PLUTO:

On Thursday September 20^th at 6:24 P.M. and 7:19 P.M. EST this pair of powerful transits completes. Because we have an exact Uranus-Pluto square this month the quicker moving planets that hit 7 degrees will set that square off. In this case we have Mercury, ruler of thoughts, speech, and travel in opposition to Uranus. This will make us all a little jumpy and irritable. Ideas will come quickly, perhaps too much so, and it may be difficult to handle. Any combination of Mercury and Uranus can represent a form of genius, or just unusual thoughts and concepts. If it can be used in a positive way you can find some different ways of looking at your situations. Because this is an opposition, it will have a greater effect on our relationships with others. You can expect some impulsive conversations, outbursts, and an unusual perspective regarding your partner.

The square to Pluto will add the compulsiveness one would expect from this heavenly body. It will be difficult to let go of an idea or problem. This combination will be most effective while this is in orb, but its effects will be felt throughout this month.

The Second in the Series

September/October 2012

Uranus will square Pluto this month on September 19th. While that in itself is sufficient news to warrant some concern, this square will be set off by the Aries Full Moon on September 29th. We are already seeing the energy manifest – the attacks on American embassies in the Middle East, and bomb threats on 2 American campuses. This is only the beginning of the trouble. It is not a month to travel much, especially internationally. I suggest a close to home attitude. This energy will affect us locally, and nationally, so keep your eyes open. This stress is not going away any time soon. We can expect some more world events, including terrorist attacks and continued demonstrations escalating into that Full Moon.

Remember, Uranus – square Pluto won’t complete until 2016. We are in a period of continued unrest and erratic behavior that will repeatedly flair up. This will affect us as individuals and as a collective. This instability will define this era politically, financially and personally.

Pluto begins its direct motion this month on September 18th. While the change of direction of any planet holds a certain amount of power over the individual and the collective, because of the ongoing Uranus-Pluto square that we are dealing with, this turnaround of Pluto will have a greater effect than usual. Pluto rules all things held jointly. It’s the ruler of the nature 8th house, along with Mars. (Yes, I still give some authority to the ancient rulers.) Mars has much to do with Scorpio’s energy for the individual, while Pluto certainly has domain over its effects on the collective.

Our culture is dealing with Pluto and its purposes in a very important and intense way. Ever since the deplanetization of Pluto the tug-of-war between the haves and the have-nots has, as we all know grown to extreme proportions. Now with the square from Uranus in exactitude this month as well, the collective recognizes this battle as Black & White (Scorpio’s favorite colors). The battle will become more open and obvious, and continue to escalate.

Many partnerships and joint financial ventures that have been delayed will begin to move forward once again. The direct motion of Pluto will bring a lot of things out of the unconscious and force us to deal with many issues that have been pushed into the shadows. This isn’t a bad thing; in fact the reversal of the planets demands that we internalize the energy for a while, and then externalize the changes we have incorporated during that retrograde period. Just be prepared to hear things that you may have been just as glad to keep hidden. Don’t be afraid. Tis better to know the truth than fall upon it unexpectedly.

The Sun and Mercury will each set off the Uranus-Pluto square this month. It will be most effective while these transits are in orb, but its energy will be felt all month. The Full Moon on the 29th will hit this square exactly. This is the most explosive Full Moon we have witnessed in quite some time. Its effects will be felt in a number of areas. There is a strong possibility of a major hurricane, or other explosive natural disaster around this time. There is also a strong possibility of a man-made disaster. Pluto rules vengeance and hidden agendas and it tends to greatly increase any emotional reaction when it is activated. Uranus rules sudden events, explosive situations, and erratic or unpredictable thoughts and behavior. This is an Aries Full Moon to begin with, which often carries a great deal more energy than many of the others. So this will be a few days when caution is certainly called for.

Jupiter retrogrades this month as well. This is a time of regrouping and patience. Many things that have been expanding will begin to slow down. This is the time to expand on the inside – enlarge your perspective, and be as open and honest in your inner conversation as possible. This is a chance to make changes in your inner self that will be reflected through your work, creativity, and relationships. Once Jupiter goes direct again on January 30th 2013 it will be easier to express those changes in the outside world. The reversal of Jupiter often coincides with the reversal of the stock markets. I believe this is a top. Take your profits off the table, or short the market, if you know how to trade.

Saturn enters Scorpio on October 5th. This is a powerful transit that will take 2 ½ years to complete. Saturn and Pluto (ruler of Scorpio) do not work that well together. The repressive energy of Saturn doesn’t sit well with Pluto’s need to make deep and transformative changes. It also tends to repress sexual expression and can be very restrictive to personal relationships. But, as with most planetary combinations, if you can learn to use them in tandem you can accomplish a great deal. By accepting the limitations and restrictions associated with Saturn you can mold Pluto’s force into a more useful and directed energy. It is the personal reaction one has to this combination that often causes troubles. But this is a very stressful and at times debilitating aspect. Remember, Saturn was in opposition to Pluto very near America’s ascendant-descendant on 9/11. Please go to October 5th in this newsletter for more thoughts on this transit.

 As my regular readers know, for 6 months I have been predicting Obama’s reelection. I think he will win the popular vote by a strong margin. Election Day will be another mess. Mercury is stationary that day and retrogrades at 6:04 P.M. Eastern Time. The last time we had an Rx Mercury on Election Day was in 2000. You all remember how much fun that was? Florida, hanging chafes, the Supreme Court, and G.W. Bush. Expect many problems, including disputes, reversals, surprises, and a number of challenges to the new voter’s laws being pushed into battle ground states by the Republicans.

We may also see some violence right around the election. Mars will oppose America’s Mars while Uranus squares Jupiter, ruler of the chart. We are heading for a few months of very dangerous and volatile energy. A terrorist attack that week is most definitely possible.

So, here we are, less than 60 days before the election. What is this really all about? As I see it this is a battle as old as the union itself about state’s rights vs. a strong federal government. This was a major issue in the Civil War and continues to be an unresolved dispute.

Let me say off the bat that I am not a fan of big business, big government, or an intrusive society. But the truth is that no matter who wins this thing or what direction our political culture goes we are all in this together. We have become very much a collective and there is no turning back the clock. If you remove the security and safety that Roosevelt put into place you will leave the individual at the mercy of friends, charities, or religious groups, making them more dependant than ever on others. We all deserve the basic rights to some income, health insurance, and a somewhat gentle old age after a lifetime of service to society. The Republican point of view is that you should be able to make yourself rich. If not, it’s not the responsibility of the collective. Many of us are not focused solely on money matters, but add much to the collective. How much does a banker or commodities broker add as oppose to an artist, health care worker, or any of a thousand careers that will never result in great financial rewards? And should we have to choose? The Democrats feel that these rights are the least we can do to protect the dignity of citizens as they age or in their time of crisis. The Tea Party (let’s face it, this isn’t the Republican Party any more) are very upfront about their intent to dismantle the New Deal, followed by a major dismantling of our federal government. Then you will be at the mercy of state and local officials. Do you really believe that they will be better able to protect you, or that they will even give a damn?

We are on the cusp of a new age – as you know. My UAC lecture was about the metamorphosis of society into the Aquarian Age. Aquarius rules groups; it is less interested in the personal accomplishments than what the collective can accomplish. The problem is that corporations are groups not individuals (no matter what the Supreme Court decided in terms of election finances), and the role of big business is expanding rapidly as we cross from Pisces to Aquarius. It is the loss of the individual represented by Leo, the opposite sign of Aquarius that is the greatest fear. We see the continued demise of mom & pop stores in favor of CVS, McDonalds’s, Starbuck’s, and so many other multinational corporations. Amazon is eating up humanity without the slightest indigestion. It can leave the individual with a sense of helplessness in the face of such adversity. Take away the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter, health care, etc. and we will see a massive depression that would cripple our society and collapse the fragile foundation upon which many of our citizens stand.

PLUTO GOES DIRECT

On Tuesday September 18th at 1:05 A.M. EST this dark and mysterious un-planet changes direction. Many issues that involve joint finances or other people’s resources that have been delayed or bottled up should shake loose now. It will be easier to manifest these issues in the material world. But remember that what our society is going through with Uranus in square to Pluto makes all partnerships and business arrangements erratic and difficult to solidify. Make sure that any new partnership or financial arrangement is clearly understood and can withstand the testing that this square will continue until its completion in 2016.

MERCURY ENTERS LIBRA

On Sunday September 16th at 7:22 P.M. EST the planet of communication and short journeys enters this Venus ruled sign. There will be a great deal of pleasure in all Mercurial actions and events. Speech and other forms of communication will take on a more genteel attitude. Take a long walk or a drive in the country. You will enjoy it, and your thoughts will be freer and able to roam through areas of thought you may not usually allow yourself. Libra rules one-on-one relationships, so there will certainly be a lot of talking in your romantic and business partnerships.

NEW MOON: 9/16/2012

The New Moon falls on Saturday September 15th at 10:11 P.M. EST at 23 degrees Virgo 37 minutes. This is the sign of the auditor, and things in our lives will be scrutinized and checked for details and mistakes. This will include financial, career, and relationships. They will all be examined and dissected to see if things are in order and if the direction of the entity is still valid. There is a tendency to pick things apart and find only the faults. Try to avoid being overly critical. Remember, we are all just human, a not terribly bright species, so take pity.

Last month’s Full Moon in Pisces brought up health issues for many people. This New Moon is about nursing yourself back to health. Pisces rules doctors, and Virgo rules nurses. The polarity of the two signs is quite obvious and remarkable.

Saturday September 1st

MERCURY OPPOSES NEPTUNE:

On Saturday September 1^st at 5:17 P.M. EST this most confusing transit completes. Information will be distorted and there will be many distractions and misunderstandings. This is not a day for important conversations or for negotiating business deals. Use extra caution while traveling and double check your plans.

Friday August 31st

FULL MOON:

This month’s lunar peak occurs on Friday August 31^st at 9:58 A.M. EST at 08 degrees Pisces 34 minutes. This is the last sign of the zodiac and completions will be in order of the day. Any project, relationship, or other issue that has been left unfinished will require some sort of resolution. Matters of a spiritual nature will be intense and demand our attention. Pisces isn’t interested in this plane of existence, and seems to work outside our realm of consciousness. As such we often misunderstand its motivations and ultimate goals. This is a moment to let go of our preconceived notions and put some trust in our faith. Follow your instincts more than your intellect. Because Pisces rules all drugs – legal or illegal, some caution is called for now regarding the ingestion of substances.

MERCURY ENTERS VIRGO:

Also on Friday August 31^st at 10:32 P.M. EST Mercury enters one of the signs it rules. This is the most critical and detail oriented of the signs, and for a few weeks we will all tend to be a bit more nit-picky. Try not to get lost in the details or you could miss the bigger picture. Virgo rules the auditor and anything that should be scrutinized will be. It’s an opportunity to put your paperwork and finances in order.

Living by Starlight 06/09

On Wednesday May 27th at 4:12 P.M. EST Jupiter and Neptune conjunct. This energy coincides with the recent swine flu hysteria. As this aspect completes and these two planets separate the incidences of outbreaks will lesson and the fears will subside. However they will conjoin once more on December 21st 2009 and that may be when we see the true severity of this illness. Jupiter will exacerbate whatever it comes in contact with, and Neptune rules infectious diseases. This is also why we are having one of the worst allergy seasons in recent memory. In 2010 Neptune will dance across America’s Moon three times. The Moon in America’s rectified chart rules the 8th house of death and joint financial holdings. It is also the house that rules the banking industry. We may be in for some serious, confusing and possibly debilitating situations. I am not at all convinced that our banks are secure, and with Neptune coming along, a great deal of misdirection and underlying festering infection may be uncovered.

Neptune is also the great illusionist. The combination of Jupiter and Neptune is also creating a pie-in-the-sky attitude in the financial markets and has led to the recent roaring bear market rally. The consumer confidence number, (Jupiter – Neptune can create a false sense of hope) which in itself is a joke, was so much higher than expected that it set off a 200 point rally in the DOW. But with unemployment continuing to rise, and the dollar moaning its death rattle, most of that confidence is of the Neptunian kind – more faith than fodder.

Jupiter will retrograde on June 15th. Historically this is usually a bearish signal in the stocks. When they are rallying, the turn around of Jupiter usually (about 80% of the time) represents a change in direction for the markets. If they are already heading downward, this indicates a more severe drop. Remember, Jupiter overdoes everything, good or bad. With Saturn moving towards its next opposition to Uranus you can expect continued instability and a return of fears, both rational and irrational. This rally is coming to a close. The completion of the Jupiter – Neptune conjunct, the retrograde of Jupiter, and the coming Saturn aspects are all pointing down.

Saturn has ended its retrograde motion and is moving forward once more. It will reach 18 degrees Virgo the week of July 18th where it was when the markets crashed last fall, and again in early March 2009 when they crashed the 2nd time. Mars in the NYSE chart is 18 degrees Virgo, and July will once again be a time of testing for the stocks. As Saturn continues to move forward through the summer it will once again apply to the opposition to Uranus, which completes next in September. This opposition has completed twice so far, on November 4th 2008, and February 5th 2009. Each conjunction has led to a stock market crash. There is no reason to believe the three more passes of this aspect will have any different reaction. The continued instability in our financial markets is a result of real fundamental problems. We still face the potential collapse of the commercial real estate markets, and the personal credit card crunch that has yet to make itself fully known. The dollar’s continued weakness is a catastrophe waiting to happen. If our bonds do not sell at auction, (a whisper of which has already taken place) then there is no way we will be able to continue to spend our way out of this recession-depression and our status as the currency of safety will be lost, possibly forever.

The shrinking of America 1 – 2 – 3.

In the days before Pearl Harbor, those in the Japanese high command who were conscious of America’s industrial might, warned their superiors not to attack. They understood the strength and magnitude of the enemy they would face and recognized its endless potential. Once war began and our factories turned in earnest to the war effort it was just a matter of time before we wore out the German and Japanese industrial potential. After the war we held the position of the only financially secure nation in the world. Today, after decades of stripping away the heart and soul of this country, shipping industries and jobs wherever we could to have our blue jeans made cheaper, we are a shadow of our former glory and may lack the strength and impetus to regain that position. The next world war will be fought in the trading pits. And right now China is the powerhouse not to be underestimated.

In July 2010 there will be a configuration of great force. That is the last pass of Saturn opposite Uranus, and it will fall at 1 degree Aries – Libra, known as the World Point. It is the beginning of the zodiac and has great implications throughout the world. Pluto will be in square to that opposition, and this all falls right on America’s Venus. This intense and complicated aspect is gaining the attention of astrologers all over the world. The last time these planets were is a similar configuration was in 1930 - 31, when Saturn opposed Pluto and squared Uranus. But even then these three planets didn’t create this close a t-square.

In late July 2010 Mars will conjunct Saturn in opposition to Uranus. Jupiter will square Pluto, which will be in opposition to America’s Venus. This all takes place within several degrees. At the same time Neptune will be conjunct America’s Moon, ruler of our 8th house of banking and joint resources. This will be an explosive moment in the universe of humankind that may have long-lasting effects. We will try to make useful predictions as far in advance as possible. For now all I can say is: don’t build your castle on quicksand. The foundation is unstable, so act accordingly.

Living by Starlight 05/09

Mercury will retrograde on May 7th. Besides the usual mess this creates we may uncover some previously buried information. The usual words of advice are perhaps more important than usual. There are many things brewing in our culture that could come to light during this period. As always, expect serious delays and problems with travel and communications. Take it all in stride and try not to get angry. If you use the energy that the universe is emitting at any given moment you will enjoy our life more and achieve a higher percentage of your goals. That is what astrology is all about.

On May 27th Jupiter will conjunct Neptune for the first time. Because Jupiter retrogrades on June 15th this conjunction stays within orb for about 7 weeks until the middle of July. Last month I wrote: Because Neptune rules infectious diseases, and Jupiter will expand and enlarge anything it comes in contact with, there is some chance that this transit could result in some sort of medical problem involving an infectious agent. There has recently been an outbreak of a new strain of influenza that reports say is a mixture of bird flu, human flu and a mutation of swine flu, previously only contracted by direct contact with hogs. Now it apparently can be passed from human to human. Mexico City is under a state of emergency, and this super-flu has spread to the western U.S. This is an example of the potential this combination of planets can produce. Jupiter expands whatever it comes in contact with. Neptune rules infectious diseases; ergo a small pandemic would fit nicely with the astrology. I would be less concerned if there weren’t so many difficult transits completing this year, including Saturn opposite Uranus, Saturn square Pluto, etc. I strenuously suggest extra caution this spring and summer, especially if this Jupiter – Neptune conjunct sets of your chart. Avoid infected people, and if you do get sick make sure you deal with it. Although this Jupiter – Neptune conjunct may produce some wonderful results, it can also create a devastating health issue. With so many uninsured Americans, if this thing actually does develop into a pandemic we will see some horrific situations with the sick lining up outside hospitals begging for help, the rapid spread of the infection and limited social services to provide comfort and security. Universal health care is not charity. It is for the protection of everyone.

Of course there is also a beautiful, creative and generous side to this aspect as well. Our society will be tested, personally and collectively. Our humanity will be shown repeatedly. It is always that way in a depression. But this configuration will increase the flow of compassion and charity. Will it be enough?

Saturn will retrograde back to 18 degrees Virgo exactly conjunct Mars in the NYSE chart, the 2nd week of July. This is the degree it was at in late October early November 2008, and again early March when the markets tanked. Expect one of two results. Either the stocks will continue to decline, in which case this date will represent a bottom and could signal a turn around, or the stocks will rally, as I expect, and crash in the middle of July. Either way we are far from a recovery. We may even test the lows in the S&P’s either in July or September. The banks, despite receiving unprecedented amounts of money in taxpayer’s bailouts refuse to lend that money back to the public. Unemployment will continue to rise throughout this year and into 2010. If there is any major health issue it would be the icing on the cake. At least we would see first hand what an underinsured populous would do in such a crisis.

A few of you have asked what Obama’s void of course inauguration will mean. When the Moon is void of course it has completed the last aspect in the sign it is in. The energy is unattached and things do not go as planned. This doesn’t mean that everything will be a failure, only that you can expect some sudden changes in direction and difficulty bringing things to fruition. I have great faith in this president. I am quite impressed with his rhetoric and persona, and his refusal to back down from the many controversial changes he is trying to install. His audacity could only come from a Leo, god bless them. And only someone with his strength of ego could even imagine the enormous changes he has proposed. But a void of course presidency has the chance of ending with a sense of incompletion. This could happen as a result of any number of situations. It is only through great attention to detail and a sharp and critical eye that one can avoid the potential missteps of a project begun in a V.C.

Saturn will square Pluto for the first of three passes on November 15th 2009. This will be a moment of great stress in out society that will demand our attention. It will complete several times over the year. Remember, Saturn was close to the opposition to Pluto when the World Trade Center was hit.

In last month’s newsletter I made a comment about the need to redistribute the collective wealth necessitating a strong oversight. Several of my readers misinterpreted this to assume that I was in favor of big government controlling the business world. This is not the case. I was simply responding to my frustration with the inequities in our society and my continued belief that corporations and banks have no soul, no regard for the human element, and no interest in anything unrelated to profits. There must be some way to protect the individual and balance this problem in a logical and compassionate manner. I don’t know what that solution is. With Saturn in the 10th house in Libra in square to America’s Sun we are basically a centralist nation with a strong desire for fairness. Yet we are a two party system, each with its very different agenda.  Perhaps if we could compose a citizen’s review board unattached to government or any outside influence whose purpose would be to examine the fairness of deals and acquisitions it would be a step in the right direction. But with the current economic mess, the escalating infighting between the two parties and a depression circling us like we are an isolated wagon train, we are too concerned with survival to see past next week.