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re: Zimmerman - Love your weekly NewsScope. Have you looked at George Zimmerman's birth chart and current transits? That would make a very interesting article with your interpretations (Saturn return, Pluto squaring natal Sun, etc) Thanks.
A. Many readers asked about Zimmerman's horoscope as well as Trayvon Martin's. I looked at both their charts just after the incident took place. They both have volatile, danger-seeking Mars-Uranus aspects. You can see their charts and read the article here: April 9, 2012
re: Iran - An update of the Iran page to reflect current events would be appreciated.
re: NewsScope - Great column! It's my pipeline to international news (and has been now for more than a decade). I adore it. One suspects that the writer has a strong Mercury :)
re: Gold - I just read your piece on Nixon's August 15, 1971 speech taking the U.S. off the gold standard. The time he supposedly started the speech was 9 PM in Washington, DC. I figured that he took around ten to fifteen minutes to get to the part on the gold standard. Using 9:15 PM, I have a chart with Pisces rising and Sagittarius MC. One of my considerations for using the public speech instead of the private signing of the executive order is that gold is a public commodity whose price everyone can know, therefore a public speech makes more sense to me.
A. I'm considering the time he signed the executive order, which was before the TV appearance, and records indicate "in the evening". I guess the proof of the pudding is when you an use one of these charts to profit from buying and selling gold stocks or futures.... I did notice a preponderance of planets in the 9 degree area at key turning points, tops and bottoms, which is why I placed 9 Scorpio at the MC, and Ceres at the Descendant. Another option is 6:14 pm which makes the Ascendant the same as Nixon's Capricorn Sun.
re: Federer - So happy about your response about Federer!!!!! It should be posted on his Facebook page. We, his crazy fans, were just terrified that we may have reached the end of an era.
re: Monsanto - I just got the latest Mountain Astrologer (Aug/Sept 2013), and read the article on Monsanto. They use a birth date for Monsanto Chemical Works of November 29, 1901; 12:00 PM CST (rectified); Jefferson City, MO. Date from company public relations book, Faith, Hope and $5,000. You used a date of November 30, 1901. The early date puts the Moon at 27 deg. 49 min. Cancer, while yours puts the Moon at 11 deg. 40 min. Leo. Can you tell me what the source of your date is?
A. If you do a google search using the terms "Monsanto November 1901" you'll get a list of sites that show both dates. My understanding was that Monsanto filed the papers on the 29th and was incorporated the next day, the 30th. However, I see now that the 30th was a Saturday, so most likely the 29th is the correct date.
re: Lilith - Thanks as always for your very interesting articles. I find the Black Moon Lilith information especially intriguing.
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: Venus - This week's issue is outstanding. Thanks so much for what you do.
re: Gross National Happiness - I love this piece on Venus!
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!"
July 1, 2013 - The astrology of gold prices, July's top five astro-events, and Paula Deen's fall from grace.
July 8, 2013 - Egypt in chaos; U.S. progressed Moon cycle Part 2; Chris Meledandri,Despicable Me
July 15, 2013 - The season of accidents and disasters, Malala Yousafzai at the UN, Randy Travis's demons.
NewsScope for July 22, 2013
By Michael Wolfstar
The Tech Revolution
Although transiting Uranus has yet to reach its first square to the U.S. Sun, it turned retrograde last Wednesday while within a one-degree orb. A few days later, Mercury turned direct while conjunct the U.S. Sun, essentially completing the connection of the outer planet square. And the news carried a strong Uranian vibe, most notably in the dramatic reactions to the Trayvon Martin verdict.
This tri-wheel section features the natal U.S. horoscope on the inner wheel, with the current progressions and transits on the middle and outer wheels. Transiting Uranus is squaring the U.S. Sun at the same time the progressed Sun is squaring natal Uranus.
A more subtle development concerns Uranus’s association with technology. Lately, the traditional leaders in the telecommunication companies have been collectively seeing some sharp reversals. Microsoft earnings were a major disappointment, and included a $900 million write-off of their Smart tablet, which was not winning public approval. Ad revenues were down over at Google, and Intel’s revenue had also fallen. Apple remains in the dumps.
Astrologically, transiting Uranus square the U.S. Sun resonates with the U.S. progressed Sun square natal Uranus, a major astro-event which is in effect now and will be exact in late October. This doubled message indicates an important trend shaping up in the technology industry, since in the U.S. horoscope, Uranus is located in the 8th house of corporations. Leadership within the industry is shifting seismically, and we can expect American corporate leadership in technology to similarly shift within the global community.
A major clue to where these changes are taking place can be seen in Yahoo’s contrarian good fortune, which last week saw its price rise to a five-year high. Yahoo’s First Trade chart (April 12, 1996, 9:30 am; New York, NY) shows the sudden spike as Uranus stations right on YHOO’s Fortuna. The spontaneous windfall was not due to any new products being introduced by the popular CEO Marissa Mayer, but to Yahoo’s part ownership of Alibaba, a giant Chinese ecommerce firm worth some $101 billion.
Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s New President
Last week, Iran’s president-elect criticized his predecessor for mismanaging the economy and severely under-estimating the inflation rate. The moderate cleric Hassan Rouhani was declared the winner on June 15 despite a Washington Post editorial that claimed “he will not be allowed to win.” To get the economy going, he will have to negotiate an end to international sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program.
Like Ahmadinejad, Rouhani was born with his Scorpio Sun in close aspect to Pluto (November 12, 1948; Semnan, Iran; time unknown), a relentless combination that seeks absolute power. In contrast to Ahmadinejad’s flakey Mercury-Neptune conjunction, Rouhani’s Mercury is very well aspected in deep-thinking Scorpio. His Mercury sextiles a pragmatic Saturn in Virgo, and is given progressive views by a trine to Uranus. Rouhani is a clear thinker, unburdened by illusions and fantasies.
Mercury is undoubtedly a prominent planet in Rouhani’s horoscope, perhaps near the Midheaven or Ascendant, or is the chart ruler. This is evidenced by its activation when he was elected: transiting Saturn conjoined his Mercury, while his progressed Venus was precisely sextile to it. Also progressed Mercury was trine natal Venus, making
a double Mercury-Venus theme: the people liked what he had to say. He spoke of building bridges between reformists and conservatives in order to improve the economy.
Rouhani will be inaugurated on August 3 when his government officially replaces Ahmadinejad’s. His main objective of improving the economy is astrologically verified by his progressed Venus applying to a trine to natal Saturn, an aspect which also indicates definite improvement. However, undoing western economic sanctions means working with Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The external and internal power struggles will likely reach a critical phase as transiting Saturn enters Rouhani’s Sun-Pluto square between November 2013 and October 2014.
Cory Monteith’s Other Woman
Among the latest sudden collapses associated with the ongoing Uranus-Pluto square was the unexpected death of Glee star Cory Monteith. Behind the glossy image of the singing quarterback that he played in the hit Fox TV series, Monteith held a dark secret: a drug habit he couldn’t shake despite just spending a month in rehab. His girlfriend and co-star Lea Michele was inconsolable.
Cory Monteith was born with a Sun-Chiron conjunction in Taurus (May 11, 1982; Calgary, Canada; time unknown), a combination which carries a feeling of being wounded in some deep, personal way. The Sun-Chiron opposes Ceres, the parenting asteroid, a configuration that reflects his parents’ divorce when he was seven. The Moon-Neptune-Black Moon Lilith triple conjunction suggests the hidden influence of drugs on his emotional well-being.
Natally, his Juno at 9º Capricorn indicates a traditional approach to committed relationships and the institution of marriage. Juno squares Venus at 8º Aries, which tends to express spontaneous affections that may challenge an ongoing partnership. This was exactly the plot device used
in Glee since his character is attracted to both the head cheerleader and the glee club star singer. These story lines unfolded as the transiting Uranus-Pluto square aligned with his Venus-Juno square.
In the real world, the “other woman” was his secret affair with heroin. Transiting Pluto had been conjunct his Juno, and we can imagine his girlfriend Lea giving him an ultimatum: it’s either me or “her”. On March 31 he admitted himself into rehab when transiting Uranus was conjunct his Venus. However, the liberating influence of this aspect didn’t last. His conflicted emotional state was evident on the day he died: transiting Mars had just entered Cancer and was exactly squaring his natal Mars in the partnership sign of Libra.
