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Reader feedback
re: USA Moon - Do you consider the Moon in the USA chart to be Void of Course? I hadn't noticed this until I read this blog where the writer uses the Sibly chart, but the same would be true (by most traditional rules) in the Scorpio chart, too.
A. This is a common argument to justify using some other date for the national horoscope. No, I don't consider the Moon to be void of course, and for several reasons: 1) the v/c rule is meant to be applied to horary charts, not geopolitical or national horoscopes. 2) So using traditional aspects, the Moon is trine Mars. Using the so-called minor aspects, the Moon is also quincunx Mercury and Neptune, and these connections form a Yod. When considering the 8th harmonic aspects, the Moon is also part of a Fist of God formation, meaning its trioctile (sesquiquadrate or 135 degree aspect) both the Sun and Saturn. This is a very dynamic formation, and can be said to dominate the chart. 3) When considering the main four asteroids, the Moon is trine Juno, square Vesta, and applying to a conjunction with Pallas in Aquarius, a very powerful connection that reinforces democratic principles. And the Moon is sextile Chiron. So you see it has a network of aspects around the chart, including being the focal point of two major configurations.
re: Newcomers - I want to thank you for your "Newcomers" page. I've been introducing some friends to astrology and this page will be very helpful to them. I'm pleased, too, that my library includes several of the recommended books. I may pick them up and re-read them as a good review!
re: Kellie Pickler - I read the article you wrote about her winning DWTS. You were so right on your descriptions. I thought you might like to know her birth time. It is 2:27 AM. I have just listed it on Astrodatabank. Asc. 4 Taurus 14, Moon 27 Pisces 16, MC 20 Capricorn 54.
re: Paula Deen - What about her Neptune at 12 degrees Libra? Surely that plays a role
A. Yes, her Neptune is at 10 degrees Libra and being squared by transiting Pluto. Neptune, the planet associated with scandal, is being activated by the UR-PL square, which has led to so many breakdowns and in so many diverse ways.
re: Federer - What happened to Feddy ( Roger Federer) at Wimbledon? That beautiful soul was DESTROYED and as I watched him fumble, and miss "easy for him" shots a little bit of me also lost confidence and buoyancy. Does his loss mean he's finished? Kudos tho' to his young opponent Stakhovsky who played well. But is this on-going?
A. A number of icons have recently collapsed due to the Uranus-Pluto square. Consider Paula Deen and the price of gold as other examples. As for Federer, looks like it's also a clear case of Mercury turning retrograde. You'll notice that he wasn't the only top seed to lose to a much lower seed. Merc was (still is) squaring Federer's Pluto, making him second-guess everything, a mental disorder. The wet grounds may have shook him and other favorites. Also transiting Saturn is squaring Fed's progressed Mars which no doubt throws his timing off, and can be very frustrating. He'll get over it...
re: Paula Deen - I've so often enjoyed your work . I wanted to touch base about this out of control energy/revolt over Paula Deen's fall from grace. Having glanced at her chart she isn’t a light weight but I've grown concerned with the unending battle/attack over all this that has spread to companies dropping her & her products. Any looks into her future? Will she just regroup & move on like Martha Stewart or will there be a complete over all redirect down the road. Why is all this happening now from your point of view?
re: U.S. Scorpio Rising - Your belief (which I share) that the United States has a Scorpio ascendent is being vindicated by all the secrecy being uncovered. Before it used to be all conjecture and stories concerning the secret happenings within the government. Michael, what is the progression chart of the United States and would it show the bright light sifting through the cracks and exposing hidden agendas? Isn't Pluto coming full circle in the near future? Would you say that a new Phoenix is about to rise? I am so excited and pumped. Because as the USA goes, so goes the rest of the world. Could you comment?
re: Snowden - If not for the insidious Boston Marathon terrorist attack, I sould be congratulating Snowden. However, neither Julian Assange nor Edward Snowden seem to care that there are forces in this world that would delight in destroying the very freedoms they claim to be upholding. I think both men are hungry for attention and power. Score Pluto 1/ Uranus 0.
re: Lilith - Brilliant story choices, analyses and connections, Michael!
re: Lilith - I wonder how you figure out where and if Black Moon Lilith is in your chart.
A. First, Lilith is in everyone’s chart, so if you have an astrology calculation program, it’s just a matter of enabling her as a displayed point. Second, it’s important to know that there are two Liliths, a mean and true position. I use the mean position, as do most Europeans who tend to use Lilith more than Chiron (especially the French). The most referenced site is astrodienst, where you can find your mean Lilith. Just click on the year that you’re interested in.
re: NSA - I have another chart for the NSA: 11/4/52 at 12:00:01 AM in Washington, DC. This could be when the agency officially became an entity, I don't know. Anyway the 11/4 chart has Pluto conjunct the Leo Ascendant... which appeals to me more. What are your thoughts?
A. Yes, Nov 4, 1952 is also a good date to use for NSA. It's when it officially first began operation, as opposed to when Truman signed the order to create it. In the Oct 24, 1952 10:45 am chart, Pluto trines the Ascendant, which in turn is aligned with the U.S. Mars. Also, Saturn in the 10th describes the NSA as a powerful bureaucracy, while in the Nov 4 chart, the most elevated planet is Jupiter in Taurus - not particularly descriptive of the spy agency. I've compared the two charts to historical events, especially the most recent revelations, and the Oct 24 looks more accurate to me.
re: Obama's dilemma - I really think what Saturn is trying to show us may be that our country has a "systems" problem. The President's political adversaries do like to paint these three "scandals" as symptoms of his "failures." But I think they could all be fixed by fixing the "broken" system in Washington D.C. Maybe that Saturn hit in September is also a signal that we need to change our broken political system. (The debt ceiling "crisis," etc.?) Maybe if politicians weren't run by their powerful "1%" backers Congress could start true bi-partisan work and work with our President again. I have enjoyed reading what we have in store for us in regard to the planets.
re: Congressman Darryl Issa - Did you ever cover him? Just curious...
re: Venus - This week's issue is outstanding. Thanks so much for what you do.
re: Progressed Moon - I like the way you tie the US progressed moon to past military shows of force. I just hope you are wrong. Looking at Iraq and Afghanistan, our track record in spreading our notion of governance is profoundly disappointing and wasteful of human lives.
re: Gross National Happiness - I love this piece on Venus!
re: Gwyneth Paltrow - I love Gwyneth Paltrow. You did not mentioned her Mars Pluto conjunction. I am a Scorpion married to a Libran, who has Mars Pluto conjunction at Leo, at midheaven. People, find a place to hide when Mars and Pluto explode beneath the Venus facade. Expect to see Gwyneth at more violent / action movies. Venus is more beautiful when Mars the beast is channelled positively.
A. Thanks for your feedback. I have profiled her several times previously and did discuss her Mars-Pluto-Sun triple conjunction and its dangerous side. I didn't want to repeat themes I've already described since at some point I might put these profiles together. You can read the Mars-Pluto version here: stariq.com/P0001897. And then I wrote another profile about her during her Saturn return, which is here: stariq.com/P0003816. Here's when she announced her engagement to Chris Martin: stariq.com/P0004990. Here's when she signed up to do the first Iron Man film with Robert Downey Jr: stariq.com/P0008710.
re: Gwyneth Paltrow - Like that cheeky write up about Gwyneth Paltrow! I just saw "Beyond the Plains" and wondered about a write up of Ryan Gosling and girlfriend Eva Mendez, the latter someone people seem to resent, yet their romance "gels." Please consider doing an astrological commentary on them. And then there's always Reese Whitherspoon's meltdown... As always am enjoying your column...
re: NewsScope - Your NewsScopes are very insightful and it is enjoyable to read astrology politically.
re: Boston bombings - I read with interest your profile of the older brother, and hope you will do one for the younger brother. I love your column and find it very insightful.
re: Monsanto - Senator Tester has proposed an amendment that would delete the Monsanto rider.
Concerned readers can call the White House @ (202) 456-1111. Live people actually answer this line. Of course, people can also email the White House and call and email their representatives in the House and Senate.
Recent NewsScope Articles
Jan. 14, 2013 - Chuck Hagel, John Howard's gun control program, Paul Salopek begins his journey.
Jan. 21, 2013 - A brilliant Moon-Jupiter occultation; Natalie Wood's case re-opened; Chelsea Clinton.
Jan. 28, 2013 - Mary Jo White to head SEC, February's Top Five, Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Feb. 4, 2013 - The Dow hits 14,000, immigration reform coming up, Kevin Spacey stars in the House of Cards.
Feb.11, 2013 - CIA nominee John Brennan, Apple shifting gears, and the search for cop killer Chris Dorner.
Feb.18, 2013 - Sequester is coming, the Blade Runner and Beauty Queen, Steve Martin becomes a father.
Feb. 25, 2013 - Lilith upsets the Vatican, March's top five astro-events, racing pioneer Danica Patrick's rising star.
March 4, 2013 - Seven planets in Pisces, the Keystone XL project, Dorothy Hamill joins DWTS
March 11, 2013 - Energy independence and global warming, Kim Jong Un's Saturn return, Bernadette
March 18, 2013 - Mars activates four outer planets, Pope Francis, Ryan Sea-crest and Julianne Hough
March 25, 2013 - Pope Francis, an accurate birth chart; April's top five astro-events, Zendaya on DWTS
April 1, 2013 - The New Moon's uncharted territory, the Monsanto Protection Act, Amanda Knox's Venus
April 8, 2013 - The coming Lunar Eclipse, North Korea: serious threat?, Jay Leno leaves "The Tonight Show"
April 15, 2013 - politicians make progress, CitiGroup returns to profitablity, Guan Liantang at the Masters.
April 22, 2013 - The Sun-Mars-Pluto dynamic; terrorist Tameran Tsarnaev; Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez.
April 29, 2013 - Syria's crosses the "red line", May's Top five astro-events, and Gwyneth Paltrow 's beauty.
May 6, 2013 - The U.S. progressed Moon cycle, Venus and GNH, Warren Buffett on prosperity.
May 13, 2013 - Hillary Clinton as a GOP target; Bangladesh's garment industry, the Great Gatsby.
May 20, 2013 - Jupiter and Big Government, Jupiter and market tops, Jupiter and Angelina Jolie's life.
May 27, 2013 - The UR-PL square, the astrology of Tornado Alley, Kellie Pickler's breakthru dance.
June 3, 2013 - Obama's dilemma, June's top five, super-athlete Rich Roll was a couch potato.
June 10, 2013 - Black Moon Lilith news items, NSA's chart, Sweden's Princess Madeleine weds.
June 17, 2013 - Lilith in the Age of Aquarius, Edward Snowden - traitor or hero?, Superman - Man of Steel
June 24, 2013 - The Water Grand Trine, Edward Snowden update, the Queen Anne's Revenge
July 1, 2013 - The astrology of gold prices, July's top five astro-events, and Paula Deen's fall from grace.
"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!"
NewsScope for July 8, 2013
By Michael Wolfstar
Egypt in Chaos
Last week’s ouster of Egypt’s President Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood has brought an interim leader and growing civil unrest, as the military command oversees the political chaos with promises of a new constitution and an election. Egypt’s national horoscope (March 15, 1922; 10:00 am; Cairo) reveals intense natal conflicts, describes the current instability, and foreshadows what we can expect in the coming months.
Mars is the most angular planet and indicates the dominant role the military plays in the nation’s affairs. Since Mars squares Uranus, abrupt, often unexpected surges by military factions have often changed the course of Egypt’s history. Mars gains ultimate power by its quincunx to autocratic Pluto, which itself is empowered by its network of aspects. Egypt’s popular revolution began on January 26, 2011 as transiting Pluto in Capricorn opposed Egypt’s natal Pluto.
The transiting Uranus-Pluto square continues to activate Egypt’s Pluto through January 2014. This factor alone tells us that complete social breakdown is entirely possible. However, Egypt’s Mercury is also being activated, and this provides the counterpoint that can bring order to this troubled land. With Gemini Rising, Mercury is the ruler of this chart. It’s the most elevated planet, and located in the constitutionally-minded, democratic sign of Aquarius.
Egypt’s Ceres at 9º Scorpio also plays a key role, since it trines natal Pluto and enables the military regime. Egypt’s Ceres also conjoins the U.S. Scorpio Ascendant, revealing the importance of U.S. military aid to the tune of $1.3 billion annually. By secondary progression, Ceres turned direct just as the 2011 uprising began. It’s now heading into a trine to Egypt’s Mercury. This suggests that the U.S. has leverage over Egypt’s military agenda, and can urge them to form an acceptable constitution before holding elections, rather than the other way around, as Morsi did.
U.S. Progressed Moon Cycle, Part 2
Following up on Part 1’s discussion of the U.S. progressed Moon cycle, it should now be apparent what historical development coincides with this major astro-event. The U.S. progressed Moon is halfway into its two-year passage through the 12th house, but currently in an extraordinarily dynamic position by squaring the natal Mercury-Pluto opposition. Mercury-Pluto is all about the need to know, the gathering of information.
The news about NSA’s blanket surveillance operations now includes spying on America’s closest European allies, including France, Germany and Italy. When Scorpio is on the Ascendant, Pluto becomes the nation’s ruling planet. On July 20, 2013, the progressed Moon will square Pluto from the 12th house, when the Edward Snowden case may reach a dramatic turning point.
The influence of this progressed Moon-to-Pluto aspect grows in intensity between now and then, as the U.S. government takes unusually imperious measures to corral Snowden, but all behind the scenes, as suggested by the activation of the 12th house. July 20 is an important date for another reason: that’s when transiting Mercury turns direct while conjoining the U.S. Sun (orb: 0º09’). In Snowden’s chart, the transiting Sun will conjoin his progressed Sun on July 20 (in the third house of travel).
Perhaps he will be en route to Venezuela or some other country that has offered him political asylum at that time. The closest aspect in Snowden’s chart right now is his progressed Lilith in the 9th house of foreign countries sextile his natal Juno, located in the 11th house of friends. Under this aspect he will find plenty of friends willing to help him. Meanwhile, transiting Pluto opposing his progressed Ascendant indicates he will continue to be hunted no matter where he is.
Chris Meledandri, the Genius Behind Despicable Me 2
The Lone Ranger, the $220 million blockbuster film starring Jonny Depp, took in only $50 million during its debut week, making it an unmitigated disaster. In contrast, the animated film Despicable Me 2 earned some $150 million over the weekend, yet cost only $76 million. Despicable Me 2 was produced by Illumination Entertainment, which is run by animated film genius Chris Meledrandi.
Meledandri was born with a Sun-Lilith conjunction in Taurus (May 15, 1959; New York, NY; time unknown), a combination shared by Jay Leno. It signifies a good sense of humor, a penchant for tradition, and a good head for business. In Meledandri’s chart, the Sun opposes a Ceres-Jupiter conjunction in Scorpio, which gives the CEO a deep belief in a core set of sustaining values: “authenticity, empathy, vulnerability, curiosity, and good humor”.
The Sun also squares Chiron in the networking sign of Aquarius. This configuration has pushed him out of his Taurus comfort zone (along with his Mercury in Taurus square Uranus), and encouraged him to find talented artists, writers, and CGI animators from around our global village, not just in the United States. Similarly, he aims to create film characters that are “culturally agnostic” and would appeal to audiences everywhere.
Venus and Mars are in the family-values sign of Cancer, adding to his interest in making family-friendly films. Venus is in a close opposition to Saturn, which naturally prefers to have a tight budget. Uranus holds a prominent place in his chart by its favorable aspect to the Lunar Nodes. Uranus and Chiron in Aquarius help him succeed by the use of cutting edge technology and a de-centralized production team. Meledandri is building a healthy corporate model for the Age of Aquarius.
