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"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!"
Comments, questions, suggestions? Let us know what you think. Email wolfstar@neptunecafe.com
Recent NewsScope columns
Jan 2, 2012 - Obama-Clinton in 2012?, Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Maryl Streep as the Iron Lady
Jan. 9, 2012 - Rick Sant-orum, Eris and the job market, Stephen Hawking's State of the Universe
Jan. 16, 2012 - Corporations are people, Americans Elect hold online nomination, the glamorous Marlene Dietrich
Jan. 23, 2012 - Gingrich wins in SC, the Costa Concordia disaster, Eris and Madonna: Chaos as art
Jan. 30, 2012 - Gingrich's 12th house Mars, top five astro-events for february, and the journey of OR-7
February 6, 2012 - Pluto stimulates the U.S. economy, Israel tempts fate, a UFO in the Baltic Sea
Feb.13, 2012 - Santorum and Super Tuesday, Whitney Houston slips away, Linsanity spreading
Feb. 20, 2012 - Xanax: addictive and profitable; Assad and the Lunar Eclipse; Bobby Brown
Feb. 27, 2012 - Obama's progressed Mars, Top Five Astro-events for March, will Jeb Bush save the GOP?
March 5, 2012 - Obama's Interview, the swing state Ohio, Maria Menounas - something to talk about
Reader feedback
re: Scorpio Rising and house systems - I notice you use the Placidus house system. What are the pros and cons of this system versus the Koch Houses? Your Scorpio Rising chart, plus your ongoing interpretations using this chart, is converting me. Maybe I'll also convert to the Placidus houses. Please elucidate your thinking on this.
A. I'm glad you're seeing the benefits of the U.S. Scorpio Rising chart. It's not really my chart, since it was first rectified by Marc Penfield, but I've done my best to promote it.
As for the Placidus v. Koch house systems, the main thing here is that each rests on the same angles, that is, they have the same Ascendant and Midheaven. The other house cusps are derived by trisecting these angles by space or by time, with the spatial division corresponding to the Placidus system. I've noticed repeatedly that when the house cusps change signs because of these trisection methods, that the Placidus system holds true when interpreting a chart, and not so much in the Koch system. Those who use the Koch system say that's because the temporal division relates more to the spiritual or perhaps psychological side, while the Placidus refers to the material plane. Although the difference is minor, since 80 percent of astrologers use Placidus and I'm communicating with a diverse audience, I prefer the common denominator here.
re: Medicare and Hillary - I'll be 64 on my next birthday -- Nov. 6! -- and have been a freelancer for the last 30 years, always buying my own health insurance. I can't wait till I get to Medicare age and can save all that money I spend on health insurance, and be free of the crazies you get from too much choice. But that's all in jeopardy? Give me some HOPE! What are Hilary's prospects in 2016, or will she even run?
A. Transiting Pluto will trine the Medicare Moon, Uranus and Pluto over the next few years, so I think the benefits will be fine. No, I don't think Hillary will run in 2016.
re: Uranus-Pluto - How long is the uranus-pluto square in effect?
A. There are seven UR-PL squares between June 2012 and March 2015. The current one is the 2nd, and is exact this month (September 2012). The effective range is 4-5 years for the collection of UR-PL squares, but for people with planets at 6-7 degrees of cardinal signs, the influence is on and off for a year, and strongest right now.
re: political bias - It would be really nice if you would admit you are right leaning. Obama will win in 2012 because the libertarians are really angry and they will probably be spoilers for Romney. But Romney has no chance as he has alienated every voting bloc but the old white duffers!
A. It's too bad people use astrology to prove their political point of view. I prefer to use astrology to determine outcomes, not validate my personal politics. My main interest here is to promote the craft of astrology. If you have any astrological reasons why my forecast is in error, please let me know.
re: NewsScope - Thanks once more for your good work, Michael. Nothing in particular about this one, I just appreciate your efforts.
Armstrong - Would you do a bit on Lance Armstrong? love, love, love your column!
re: Iran - I heard from very reliable sources that plans are on the way to attack Iran and possibly just before the election for Obama to win. Any insights on wether this would be possible for Israel and the USA to attack Iran at this time?
A. Yes, this week's Top Five Astro-Events mentions just such a conflict, although without the conspiratorial overtone... Plus, the U.S. progressed Moon-Mars conjunction is shaping up, and could very welll be an indicator for war. Since it takes place in the 12th house, a proxy war like having Israel do the work is a real possibility.
re: Vesta - Hey, did you know that both Putin and Alba have Vesta conjunct their Ascendants? neat...and a tiny bit weird...
re: Romney - I've read many times that a candidate must have a connection with the US Moon at 25 degrees Aquarius in order to be elected. I see that Obama has 3 planets/asteroids at 25 degrees of their respective signs, but I'm not seeing anything in Romney's natal chart. Am I missing something? Progressions, maybe?
A. Thanks for asking. Looks like the link to the Romney page was broken, but it's fixed now. Yes, several progressions, especially his Sun. From NeptuneCafe's Romney page: "On Election Day – November 6, 2012 – Romney’s progressed Sun will be only 0º03’ from squaring the U.S. Moon. This gives him a clear emotional connection with the American people, making him a potential winner."
Re: Biden - I wondered, just to have all sides of the matter inspected, whether or not Joe Biden's horoscope was also favorably (or unfavorably) aspected to be the next VP (re) elect. You've done Obama, and Romney, and now Ryan. I know that you have done Joe Biden's horoscope in the past, but you haven't covered it up through this coming election. He's the last one of the key players needing to be looked at for the next three months.
re: the candidates' solar returns - Have you compared Romney's and Obama's Solar Return Charts for 2012? Wouldn't this give a more accurate prediction for who will win the election than their transits on Inauguration day?
A. I don't think the technique of using Solar Returns has evolved to the point where it provides accurate, reliable information. The problem is that there is no agreement among astrologers about which location to use, whether that should be the birth place, current residence, or wherever one happens to be at the time of the return. Some astrologers also consider precession, which leaves six possible solar return charts to intepret. I may have what I think is a reliable technique, but it will only convince those who use the same technique. I recommend reading Lee Lehman's new book Classical Solar Returns for a critical look at the confusing mess the astrological community is in regarding the use of solar returns. This is why I rely on transits and secondary progressions since we have near unanimous agreement on the validity of these techniques.
March 12, 2012 - Billionaire Sara Blakely, Rush Limbaugh and the feminazis, yoga teacher Kristin McGee
March 19, 2012 - the Goldman Sachs elite, journalist Chris Hedges, George Clooney arrested
March 26, 2012 - Afghan War chart, April's top five astro-events, Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence
April 9, 2012 - Ann Romney and Gender Gap, Trayvon Martin and George Zimmer-man, Matt Damon's guru
April 9, 2012 - Ann Romney and Gender Gap, Trayvon Martin and George Zimmer-
man, Matt Damon's guru
April 16, 2012 - The Chiron-Pluto Generation, Bobby Petrino's issues, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
April 23, 2012 - The Secret Service scandal, May's top five astro-events, and the Titanic 100 years later
April 30, 2012 - China's Uranus cycle, France's next president Francois Hollande, DWTS' Katherine Jenkins
May 7, 2012 - Romney blames Obama, Michelle Obama's rectified birth chart, writer-director Joss Whedon
May 14, 2012 - Same-sex marriage, Venus and the financial markets, and Tom Gabel's transformation
May 21, 2012 - FB's IPO, Will Greece leave the Eurozone?, Wis. Governor Scott Walker's recall
May 28, 2012 - Mohamed Morsi - Egypt's next president, June's astro-events, Jupiter and the SE
June 4, 2012 - Obama or Romney? Spain's financial T-square, cyberwarfare's General James Cartwright.
June 11, 2012 - Part Two of Who will win - Obama or Romney? A deeper look at each candidate's chart
June 18, 2012 - Pluto and the billionaries; Putin and the patriarchs, and the NBA finals with Kevin Durant
June 25, 2012 - The Vatican's protector of predator priests, July's top five, Larry Ellison buys Lanai
July 2, 2012 - Roberts and Obamacare, European leaders reach accord, Katie Holmes files for divorce
July 9, 2012 - Michelle Obama and Ann Romney on Election day, Henry Higgs and the UR-PL cycle
July 16, 2012 - Ceres and commodity prices, Condi Rice rumors, Woody Guthrie, dustbowl troubadour
July 23, 2012 - Black Moon Lilith Rising, James Holmes' split personality, celebrity CEO Marissa Mayer
July 30, 2012 - Romney's gaffe at the Olympics, August's top five events, Kristen Stewart's love life
Aug 6, 2012 - The Dawn Mission, Oscar Pistolius the blade runner, and James Holme's timed chart
Aug 13, 2012 - Paul Ryan wins the Veepstakes, the U.S. progressed Moon-Mars,Angelina wedding day
Aug 20, 2012 - The activated Uranus-Pluto, Russia's Black Moon, Jessica Alba's busy life.
Aug 27, 2012 - Romney's victory and the fiscal cliff, September's top five, Lance Armstrong's career dives.
Sept. 3, 2012 - The clash over Medicare, Clint East-wood talks with a chair, Mariah Carey's horoscope.
NewsScope for September 10, 2012
By Michael Wolfstar
The Astrology of Quantitative Easing
While politicians and economists argue about the pros and cons of Quantitative Easing* (QE), astrologers have a unique perspective: the horoscope for the Federal Reserve System (December 23, 1913; 6:02 pm; Washington, DC). Applying the expansionism associated with Jupiter and the contraction principle of Saturn, QE1 and QE2 seem more fated than a thoughtful plan to bail out the banks.
* For a basic explanation of Quantitative Easing, see simplifyreality.com/qe
QE1 began on November 24, 2008 just as transiting Pluto was entering Capricorn, where it conjoined the Fed Sun. Pluto empowered the Fed to end the most severe financial crisis since the Great Depression by creating money and buying up toxic assets. At the time, the Fed’s progressed Jupiter was forming an exact square to the natal Moon (orb: 0º01’), the ruler of the Fed’s chart. This action initiated the expansionist policy now known as Quantitative Easing.
The Fed’s Venus, associated with monetary policy, is in Jupiter’s sign, Sagittarius, so it too is expansionist. As QE1 began, transiting Uranus turned direct while squaring the Fed Venus. Over the next 16 months, progressed Venus would trine its natal place, delineating the entire phase of QE1. It ended on March 31, 2010 as progressed Venus’ influence faded, and transiting Saturn entered Libra to square the Fed’s Capricorn Sun.
QE2 began on November 3, 2010 when the Fed’s progressed Moon and transiting Jupiter were favorably aspecting natal Jupiter. It ended on June 30, 2011 when progressed Mercury squared natal Saturn (orb: 0º03’). At the conclusion of the Fed meeting this coming Thursday, the astrological signals are unusually expansive: transiting Jupiter and progressed Venus are both closely aspecting progressed Jupiter. We expect QE3 to be announced as the Fed adds to the $2 trillion already injected into the economy.
Black Moon Lilith in Israel’s Chart
In esoteric Hebrew lore, Lilith was Adam’s first wife. Lilith claimed to be the equal of Adam, and wouldn’t submit to his authority. So she was banished to the Red Sea where she consorted with evil spirits. Adam finds solace with Eve, who was created from his rib. Astrologer Kelley Hunter* notes that Lilith “places a curse on anyone who would deny her presence and her validity.”
The myth resonates strongly with Israel’s chart (May 14, 1948; 4:37 pm; Tel Aviv), where Black Moon Lilith is located at 22º Aquarius in the 4th house of the home. From this placement alone, we can get a feel for Israel’s unequivocal demand for an equal place among the Middle East nations, even though it’s surrounded by enemies. BML forms a tight square to Israel’s Taurus Sun, making the symbolic essence of Lilith an intrinsic part of the Israeli character.
Astronomically, BML is an invisible point within the Moon’s orbit (its apogee). Similarly, her metaphysical essence is always felt but never seen. Lilith’s themes of autonomy, exile, extremism, denial, regret and betrayal live with Israeli politics on a daily basis, especially regarding its relationship with Iran which has threatened its very
existence. Israel’s BML opposes Mars and Saturn and squares Chiron, deeply intensifying the potential for violent interactions.
On September 19, Uranus and Pluto make their second of seven squares at 7º Aries and Capricorn. While Israel has no planets in this degree, Black Moon Lilith is located at the exact midpoint of this square, so it will be activated in a major way. Simultaneously, progressed Pluto squaring the Lunar Node axis (orb: 0º04’) is being activated by transiting Mars. Lilith’s symbolism suggests escalating tension between Iran and Israel over the coming week.
LeAnn Rimes and Patsy Cline
The day after her 30th birthday, country singer LeAnn Rimes checked herself into rehab to deal with anxiety and stress. Over the weekend she fulfilled her commitment to a fall concert tour, but with a new edginess in her voice. Is LeAnn Rimes (August 28, 1982; 5:45 pm; Jackson, MS) the reincarnation of Patsy Cline (September 8, 1932; 11:15 pm; Winchester, VA)?
Astrologically, they have many similar placements and intra-aspects, beginning with the fact that they both have Sun in Virgo, Moon in Capricorn, and Venus in the diva sign of Leo. They were born exactly one Chiron cycle apart, and in each case, Chiron is adversely aspected to the ruler of the chart. They were both born with Black Moon Lilith on the cusp of the 12th house.
Black Moon Lilith is associated with the deepest, most primal desires of the soul. In the 12th house, it’s as if they were channeling a universally felt emotion which is expressed through their powerful voices. Should an astrologer include BML in the charts? We know that the 12th house placements signify a need for privacy and time to regenerate one’s batteries. LeAnn unexpectedly entered rehab when transiting Uranus was precisely squaring her 12th house Black Moon Lilith.
The BML influence over their lives carried tremendous resentment and bitterness when they weren’t treated equally in a man’s world. Patsy Cline divorced her first husband when he demanded that she be a wife and not a career woman. LeAnn Rimes sued her father and manager when she discovered that they were stealing her royalties. Patsy Cline died in a plane crash when she was 30 years old. Now that LeAnn is 30, perhaps she’s sensing the anxiety of her accidental death.
* See p. 142 of Living Lilith by Kelley Hunter.
NewsScope previously reviewed Israel’s Pluto-Lunar Node square last February
