Comments, questions, suggestions? Let us know what you think. Email wolfstar@neptunecafe.com
"The natal chart is like a seed and progressions are the unfolding in time of that into the plant it is to become. Transits, are like a daily weather report. In political astrology, these three factors have to be taken into account!"
Unless otherwise stated, all data is rated A or AA from AstroDataBank
Recent NewsScope Articles
Jan. 5, 2015 - Will Hillary run? Bono's Chiron-Pluto opposition; Angelique Kidjo, Africa's premier diva.
Jan. 12, 2015 - Neptune's anxiety; France under attack; Pope Francis's exciting Venus return.
Jan. 19, 2015 - Court takes up gay marriage; Swiss Bank shocks system; Chris Kyle, American Sniper.
Jan. 26, 2015 - Deflategate: Tom Brady's footballs; February's top 5; Klay Thompson's best quarter.
Feb. 2, 2015 - Greece's Alexis Tsipras; Shake Shack's debut; Katy Perry at the Super Bowl.
Feb. 9, 2015 - Saturn in Sagittarius, Jill Stein's Green New Deal; Elvis meets Nixon.
Feb 16, 2015 - Jeff Jawer, astro-luminary; journalists in transition; Jeff and Scorpio Rising US chart.
Feb. 23, 2015 - Uranus enters the US sixth; Neonicotinoids and bees; Dr. Seuss is back!
March 2, 2015 - The Boris Nemtsov papers; March's top 5; David Tredinnick, the MP favoring astrology.
March 9, 2015 - Ceres into view, AAPL and solar energy; Chai Jing's "Under the Dome" goes viral.
March 16, 2015 - Britain's royal family under the Eclipse; Kate and William; Charles' progressed MC.
March 23, 2015 - Nuclear deal with Iran? April's top 5 astro-events; Krissi Brown remains in a coma.
March 30, 2015 - Andreas Lubitz, unfit for duty; Q&A - Richard III; Bas Lansdorp's Mars One mission.
April 6, 2015 - Obama and the Iran; NJ Senator Menendez indicted; Mad Men's Matthew Weiner.
April 13, 2015 - Hillary makes it official; Bill progressed Venus; Chelsea's prog Mars.
April 20, 2015 - Marco Rubio declares; Hillary and the Inequality bubble; Floyd Mayweather Fight.
April 27, 2015 - "Clinton Cash" and Clinton fatigue; Petrobras scandal; Bruce Jenner is a woman.
May 4, 2015 - Baltimore, a tale of two cities; May's top five astro-events; Marilyn Mosby's meteoric rise.
May 11, 2015 - Scottish independence; Ceres and the food revolution; the Hanneke Wrome.
May 18, 2015 - Rand Paul steps forward; re-thinking the U.S. Moon; Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner.
May 25, 2015 - Ireland votes in favor of same-sex marriage; June's top five; American Pharoah.
June 1, 2015 - The FIFA scandal; Bernie Sanders, the authentic politician; Emma Stone's rising star.
June 8, 2015 - China hacking into American data; Martin O'Malley, the Dark Horse; MVP Stephan Curry.
June 15, 2015 - the Trans-Pacific partnership; Venus and Jupiter; Secretariat, the racing machine.
June 22, 2015 - Lilith and Pope Francis's historic encyclical; July's top five; Eris, the spiritual warrior.
Reader feedback
re: Syria - I always enjoy your weekly column. This week's piece on Syria was particularly of interest. When I changed the time (from Campion at 6 AM) to the Tyl time, I saw all you spoke about. Additionally I looked at the astrocartography map and the local space map. The latter shows the BML line going into the heart of Russia. This is particularly ominous...
re: Cubs - You wouldn't, by any chance, have a Chart for the Chicago Cubs Baseball Team? I can't seem to find any definitive date, except for 1870. I love to root for the Underdog.
re: Hillary - As a long term Hillary fan, I am delighted about her good showing in the recent Democratic debate. Those who dislike Hillary just love to drop those "hints of scandal" in an attempt to derail her campaign. The political pundits and the mainstream media are in for a revelation: Hillary is and has always been a great Presidential candidate!
re: mass murders - I think you have provided very convincing astrological details that confirm the Scorpio rising chart for the United States. It looks as though transiting Uranus will move out of orb to progressed Mars before too long. Do you think this will create a respite from mass murders such as the recent one in Oregon? I know there are other factors involved but taking Martian anger out of the set up looks positive for the future. Do you agree?
A. Yes, transiting Uranus will soon be out of range of activating the U.S. progressed Mars, but that definitely does not end the escalating trend of mass murders. Next come transiting Pluto, and also progressed Lilith will be joining progressed Mars in the U.S. 12th house. Progressed Lilith is just entering the U.S. 12th house now and will conjoin progressed Mars in January 2023, with both opposing progressed Chiron in the 6th house of health. This is an extremely dangerous set-up regarding violence as a health issue, and will be periodically activated by numerous outer planet transits between now and 2023.
re: guns - Given that the gun lobby is huge and powerful and that stupid amendment is, like, scripture to people, do you, also given this chart configuration, ever see anything ever being done to mitigate this stupidity? I refer you to Australia taking away everyone's guns after a particularly horrific mass killing. Since that nation-wide confiscation, no more mass killings. Imagine. Surprising how no guns can result in no killings.) I know that this is unlikely to happen to the Australian degree. But do you see gun enthusiasts giving an inch ever anywhere at all? Ever?
A. The Australian government didn't do a nation-wide confiscation of guns, but offered to buyback guns. The program was genius and inspirational, but would Americans follow suit? Unlikely any time soon, to my dismay.
re: NewsScope - I really love Neptune Café. I think NewsScope is the best astrology blog on the net.
re: NewsScope - Thank you, as always, for a column that I check first thing in the morning on Mondays!
re: European Union - Since the refugee crisis, much talk has centered around the difficulties of taking in such a mass of peoples whose cultures are so very different from those of Europe. I do hear more about the urgency of dealing with migrants that are huge in number and in many ways demanding, rather than desiring of fitting in wherever there opens a door. Most recently there's the opinion that this large-scale migration may well signal the end of the European Union. Some even are considering conspiracy theories of how such a movement was initiated, is perpetuated, and who it helps (i.e. Russia, the US and their oil interests). What do you see in the stars for the EU's future?
A. Sorting out the conspiracy theories from what's happening on the ground and the shifting policies of the various nations involved makes this a complex issue. The chart I use for the European Union, set for November 1, 1993, currently has transiting Uranus squaring the natal Uranus-Neptune conjunction, which fits the disrupting influence caused by the flood of immigrants. Beyond that, I can't say how this will work itself out. What happens in Syria is, of course, relevant, and there we have a state of constant flux, not to mention the numerous surrounding players vying for control. How Russia and the U.S. come to terms (or not) with the Middle East is another unknown vector. In short, there are too many variables to make any definitive statement on the effects to the Eurozone. However, I will study the EU chart some more and see if any internally directed effort can be mustered to resolve the crisis.
re: Saturn-Neptune - As you pointed out in your (5) astrological events for November 2015, the Saturn/Neptune square on 11/26/2015 is prominent. You showed in the European Union chart that natal Neptune is being squared by transiting Uranus. I would like to point out that transiting Neptune in the Scorpio Rising USA chart is also squaring natal Uranus in the 8th house.
So Uranus in the US chart has Neptune square to it while Neptune in the EU chart has a Uranus square in effect now. While Saturn afflicts both. Coincidence? I think all this shows the difficulty of maintaining our free Internet(Uranus) while Neptune is showing the downside of a border-free world.
I very much hope that all this is the "irritant" that produces the "pearl" of gained wisdom as you so aptly state in your Newscope article. Sadly, I just do not know if the pearl is wishful thinking or what. People of good will know what this future world might look like but the way there is not at all clear.
re: Mog - Think they'll make Mog, the movie? I think it'd be great fun... love Emma Thompson... Thanks for the "heads up" video---hadn't seen this elsewhere...
re: EU - The last few days have shown a willingness to fight back against the terrorists that certainly does not reflect any "stunned paralysis" in the European Union. France and Russia are now cooperating in air strikes against ISIS in Syria and if the US would get off its duff maybe, just maybe some real progress could be made in defeating these monsters called ISIS. On another note even the hacking group Anonymous has finally realized ISIS is a greater threat than any western government to their vaunted freedom of ideas. All this to say, I do not think your interpretation of the EU chart is telling the real story
A. French president Hollande attempted to get the U.S. and Russia on the same page, but the two external powers do not agree on the fate of Syrian president Assad. But perhaps "stunned paralysis" is not the right interpretation of the progressed Midheaven to the EU's Mars-Pluto square Saturn. The Saturn-Pluto combination is known for its intense nationalism and conservative or tightening policies. Individually, the EU nations are closing their borders and ratcheting up security measures, which is in accord with the activation of the EU's Mars-Pluto conjunction in Scorpio. But it doesn't bode well for the EU as a larger geopolitical entity, which we might say is in a state of paralysis.
re: NewsScope - Around 3 years ago I was having problems with saving your NewsScope web pages and subsequently opening them in readable form in one of my three web browsers. I made no progress with having you getting Homestead to fix this.
On a whim I tried doing it again several days ago. I now can open most of your NewsScope issues with either no or very few rendering issues. I can also easily save the pages as PDF files in Opera. This makes using your articles for research very easy.
I have gone back and made PDF files for all of 2009 and 2010. Unfortunately the link for July 11, 2011 is incorrect. I get the NewsScope for November 7, 2011, Jon Corzine Resigns. If you could correct this I would appreciate it. I will wait to see if you can do it so I can keep my files in chronological order.
A. The software used to build NeptuneCafe's pages was originally designed to be pc-compatible. Those using apple products had some rendering issues, until the host (Homestead) moved the site designer platform into the cloud. It made pages viewable in both pc and apple products. The problem is that due to the hundreds of pages in NeptuneCafe, webpage designing takes much longer to do, and some mis-labling issues may crop up. If the July 11, 2011 page is the only one that got lost since 2009, then that's a decent track record. Readers who want a copy of the July 11, 2011 issue can get an emailed copy upon request.
re: NewsScope - I honestly think you are so incredibly gifted in the astrological world. I love trying to learn from what you write. I wish I had your ability. I've got more knowledge than most people who just dabble, but a Vulcan mind meld would be amazing to have the understanding.......
re: Trump - When will he be gone? I was watching a biography of him last night. Mostly I was rolling my eyes and sighing. What the hell IS that? He so rubs me the wrong way. He is so horribly FULL of himself. That's Mars in Leo, isn't it?
A. Mars in Leo is found in more presidents charts - by far - than any other placement. It shows leadership, decisive opinions, and confidence. Trump's ego is inflated through Jupiter's placement, plus currently his progressed Sun near his Leo Ascendant, which conjoins the royal star Regulus. Most likely, he will be on the national scene through the campaign season since this progressed Sun is still 1/2 degree away from this important conjunction.
re: Zuckerberg rectification - Wow. Really, wow. Do you use any software to aid rectification?
A. I use SolarFire for my calculations, but none that suggest any birth times, such as Jigsaw.
re: Insane Violence - Thank you for the warnings for what's up ahead re: The Insane Violence Configuration --- and for the December 2015 report. Like many, I'm glad to be aware of when the more stressful days might be during the "holiday" season & when to be more mindful of when my own stress is in danger of blowing off too much steam, or when family gatherings might be a bit more testy...yes---a good time of year to remember the peace, love and joy inspirations...
re: NewsScope subscription - Thanks for sending the current NewsScope. Maybe charging a fee for your weekly subscription will be a way for you to monetize your creativity. I've sent you $50/year for the past few years. Happy to pay more. People can pay. You do the work. We pay you. That works beautifully.
Nice to give it away to those in need on your website, but nicer still to receive it on a weekly basis in my mailbox. I think having people pay is important--for you and for them. You are really talented. I love reading your write ups.
A. OK, thank-you. That's something to think about.
Note to Readers – I’ve been writing NewsScope virtually every week since August 1997, making it the longest running weekly astrology blog on the internet. If you’re enjoying, learning, and appreciating NewsScope’s weekly commentaries, you can help ensure its quality and continuity by making a suggested donation of $25 to $120/year.
Contributions can be sent via Paypal to wolfstar3@aol.com, or by check or money order to Michael O’Reilly;
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June 29, 2015 - Obama secures his legacy; Minnesota top biz state; New Horizons nears Pluto.
July 6, 2015 - Greece and the New Moon; Donald Trump's remarks; fighting spirit of Eva Longoria.
July 13, 2015 - Mercury-Mars-Pluto alignment; China's bubble; Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
July 20, 2015 - Loretta Young date raped by Clark Gable? Wat happened in filming Call of the Wild?
July 27, 2015 - Uber and the "sharing economy; August's top five; SETI gets a $100 million donation.
Aug. 3, 2015 - Scott Walker and the plutocracy; Donald Trump and Rand Paul; JFK and Gene Tierney.
August 17, 2015 - Will Hillary win? Will Biden? The progressed Part of Fortune . Jen and Justin marry.
Aug. 24, 2015 - Pluto opposes the U.S. Sun; Jerry Brown, dark horse. Megan Fox files for divorce.
Aug. 31, 2015 - China-U.S. trade relations grow; Sept's top five; Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook.
Sept. 7, 2015 - The U.S. Pluto return; China and U.S. power plays; The Force Awakens, part 2
Sept. 14, 2015 - Joe Biden running?; Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood; Stephen Colbert, rectified
Sept. 21, 2015 - Carly Fiorina wins debate; Bernie Sanders's vision; the Pope goes to Washington.
Sept. 28, 2015 - Xi and Obama agree; October's top 5 astro-events; Emissions scandal at Volkswagen.
Oct. 5, 2015 - Bernie Sanders and the Debate; the Oregon shooter; Richard Tarnas and Jupiter.
Oct. 12, 2015 - Paul Ryan, next House speaker? Bernie Sanders rectified; Matt Damon as The Martian.
Oct. 19, 2015 - Syria's proxy wars; verifying Hillary's birth time; Erin Andrews sues.
Oct. 26, 2015 - UN summit on climate change; November's top 5; Adele returns with "25".
Nov. 2, 2015 - Barack Obama's Mars Return, other celebrities' Mars Returns at 22º Virgo, Britney Spears.
Nov. 9, 2015 - Ben Carson under fire, Marco Rubio's tax plan, Supergirl star Melissa Benoist.
Nov. 16, 2015 - European Union in Crisis; Donald Trump's Iowa speech; Emma Thompson
Nov. 23, 2015 - Immigration and Saturn-Neptune; the ISIS horoscope; Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman.
Nov. 30, 2015 - The insane violence configuration; Dec.'s top five; the Force Awakens the Millennials.
Dec 7, 2015 - Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik; Mark Zuckerberg's $45 billion donation.
Dec 14, 2015 - The Uranus-Eris cycle; Paul Ryan for president? Frank Sinatra centennial.
Dec 20, 2015 - UN forced into action; Martin Shkreli versus the FBI; Ronday Rousey"s UFC title.
Dec 28, 2015 - Russian economic surges; January's top 5; Daisy Ridley of The Force Awakens.
NewsScope for January 4, 2016
By Michael Wolfstar
2016 Kicks off with Mercury Retrograde
For most of January, Mercury will be retrograde, a phase that brings intense anxiety to many astrology fans. Yes, communications can break down, equipment can go haywire, and travel plans may run into unexpected delays. However, Mercury retrograde has a positive side, especially if one is open to change, intuitive insights, and creative impulses. Analyze less, and go with the flow more.
Mercury retrograde periods are a good time to take care of unfinished business, to go back and find solutions to problems that have been on the shelf for too long. President Obama set
Currently, Mercury is all over Obama’s chart: Mercury turns retrograde at 1º Aquarius while opposing his natal Mercury at 2º Leo, and with both squaring his progressed Mercury at 1º Scorpio. That makes a T-square involving the three major Mercury positions. All these get activated this week as transiting Mars passes over his progressed Mercury. We can be sure people will be discussing and debating his proposed action. Obama wants to do something positive since Mercury is stationing right on his Jupiter.
In making New Year’s resolutions, taking care of unfinished business is a good plan. One option is to address any health issues that you’ve been procrastinating about. Mercury retrograde allows us to slow down the fast pace of life and do some research into what may be behind health problems. Find solutions and take action. And be willing to change course, especially regarding family or business obligations that may distract from improving your overall well-being.
the tone for New Year’s resolutions when he vowed to move forward on some unfinished business. “That’s especially true for one piece of unfinished business, that’s our epidemic of gun violence,” he said.
Bernie Sanders’ Celestial Assets
Technically, the last of seven squares between Uranus and Pluto is now behind us, but they remain very close over the next month. Uranus turned direct at 16º Aries, and Pluto is at 15º Capricorn through most of January, hitting 16º Capricorn on February 1 when Iowa voters shape the national election. This Uranus-Pluto dynamic is particularly influential in the Democrats’ contest.
One measure of how instrumental the Uranus-Pluto square is can be seen in how it contacts the candidates’ individual charts. Of the three remaining candidates, it’s not hitting anything in Martin O’Malley’s chart, and coincidentally, he’s not a factor in this race. In Hillary’s chart, her progressed Jupiter at 15º Sagittarius and her natal Venus at 16º Scorpio are both being dramatically lit up by Uranus and Pluto, keeping plenty of excitement around her.
If the speculative time for Bernie Sanders is correct, or even close (see NewsScope, Oct 12, 2015), then he has a spectacular triple conjunction shaping up over the coming month: his progressed Ceres-Venus conjunction at 16º Capricorn will be joined by the faster-moving progressed Moon. And in February when the primaries begin, transiting Pluto will get to the same degree (16º Capricorn) and empower this popularity-enhancing triple conjunction.
Over the coming month, transiting Uranus at 16º Aries is generating a lot of electricity around the Sanders camp* as it squares his progressed planets in Capricorn. Other factors enhance the likelihood that Sanders will do surprising well in Iowa. Most significantly, a transiting Jupiter-North Node conjunction lands right on his natal North Node. That’s a huge celestial asset.
* See ABC's video coverage here
The Unforgettable Natalie Cole
Growing up in an affluent neighborhood, Natalie Cole referred to her famous family as “the black Kennedys” and mingled freely with numerous R&B, soul and jazz celebrities. Natalie became an instant star with the 1975 release of “This Will Be”, but faltered under the influence of hard drugs. After six months of rehab in 1973, she eventually attained her greatest success with the 1991 hit “Unforgettable”.
Natalie was born with a Sun-Jupiter conjunction in independent Aquarius (February 6, 1950; 6:07 pm; Los Angeles, CA), an outgoing, expansive and lucky combination that is much enhanced by trines to the Moon, Mars and Neptune in Libra. Her Sun also opposes Pluto in the 12th house of self-undoing, creating an obsessive, deeply introspective side – especially concerning her legendary father since Pluto rules the 4th house of family roots.
Natalie majored in Child Psychology while studying at Amherst, which initiated a constructive attempt to understand her 12th house Pluto. But her inner demons got the best of her, nearly destroying her career. When she entered rehab in 1983, a transiting Saturn-Pluto conjunction was sextile her Leo Ascendant and trine her progressed Midheaven, marking a serious attempt to restructure her life and get a handle on her addictions.
Through some innovative technological magic, she recorded the haunting duet “Unforgettable” with her deceased father, Nat King Cole. The album was released on June 11, 1991 and went on to sell seven million copies and earn her seven Grammies. At the time, transiting Pluto was squaring her natal Sun-Pluto polarity, showing how she had effectively navigated the family psychology. She was assisted by a magnificent astrological signature: her progressed Venus (ruling her Midheaven) was exactly conjunct natal Jupiter (orb: 0º00’). Also, her progressed Ascendant was conjunct Juno, the partnership asteroid.
