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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: election - Your article about using the Inaugeration Day chart instead of the Election Day chart was very interesting. My personal feeling about the election is that it doesn't matter who wins. My concern is-- will the person elected bring forth the changes to strengthen our country? What do the next 4 years look like in the US chart? Have you written any articles on the future of our country, regarding China, the Middle East or our economy?
A. I haven't written any articles yet, but have mentioned the ongoing Uranus-Pluto square that aligns with the U.S. Sun-Saturn in 2014 and 2015. This looks like trouble and whoever is president will certainly have their hands full maintaining a vibrant economy and smooth relations in foreign policy.
re: LeAnn Rimes - What suggested the connection between them, LeAnn Rimes and Patsy Cline?
re: LeAnn Rimes - I never heard that LeAnn Rimes was purported to be the reincarnation of Pasty Cline until i read your article. Is this common knowledge? Does she say this???
A. No, it's my speculation that LeAnn Rimes and Patsy Cline are the same soul. LeAnn's first hit Blue was actually written for Patsy Cline, but she died in a 1963 plane crash before she could record it. Then LeAnn Rimes arrived in 1982, connected with Patsy Cline's manager, and he gave her that song. LeAnn's and Patsy's voices sound very similar, almost indistinguishable from each other. LeeAn went on to sing all Patsy's top hits.
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: 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.
Sept. 10, 2012 - the astrology of QE3, Black Moon in Israel's chart, Leann Rimes and Patsy Cline
NewsScope for September 17, 2012
By Michael Wolfstar
Be the Peace
Violent anti-American protests expanded to over a dozen Arab nations last week in response to an incendiary, anti-Islamic film made in the U.S. with a 12-minute segment available on youtube. The outlines of this upheaval were clearly forecast in this month’s Top Five Astro-Events (re-read #1, #2, and #4), which also indicate that the madness will continue through this week and beyond.
Item #1 was about Mars in Scorpio’s stressful aspects, and included the critical dates 16th-20th without further elaboration. Although Mars makes no hard aspects to any other planet during this interval, it is squaring the U.S. Midheaven at 16º Leo. Historically, whenever Mars forms a conjunction, square or opposition to this point, one generally sees an uptick of newsworthy violence. This current passage became an international uproar due to the simultaneous Uranus-Pluto square.
This coming Friday (September 21), Venus in Leo will conjoin the U.S. Midheaven, offering a day of peace and reconciliation. Coincidentally, September 21 is the International Day of Peace*, as originally declared by the United Nations on November 30, 1981 (noon, New York, NY). A chart set for the IDP shows peace-loving Venus in Capricorn, which suggests an institutionalization of the concept of peace.
Venus is conjunct the South Node, indicating an old idea being reinvigorated by the UN, which is devoted to peaceful co-existence. Venus is harmoniously trine Mars, but squares a conservative or entrenched Saturn-Pluto conjunction which tends to block progress. A Mercury-Uranus conjunction in early Sagittarius describes an exciting idea or belief. This coming weekend, transiting Neptune squares the IDP Mercury-Uranus, providing an opportunity to shift the current chaos with coordinated, collective acts of good will. Be the peace.
The Turning Point, Women on Top
According to the most recent jobs report, the percentage of working men reached an all-time low of 80 percent. In 1954, 96 percent of men between the ages of 25 and 54 were working. Women, on the other hand, are doing quite well. Women in their 20s out-earn men in their 20s, and 12 out of the 15 fastest growing professions are dominated by women.*
Astrologically, the national trend is apparent when considering the U.S. horoscope. Mars is men’s representative and Venus stands for women, with progressed Mars and progressed Venus signifying their current status. The progressed U.S. Mars is not well placed now, since it’s in the 12th house of solitude and self-undoing and turned retrograde in September 2006. Mars in this condition is not looking forward, but considering the past.
In contrast, the progressed U.S. Venus is in energetic Aries in the 6th house of work. She’s advancing through this house at a good clip, and picking up supporting aspects along the way. Venus in Aries describes today’s women as aggressive, smart, and independent. And the advancement of the progressed U.S. Venus continues unabated well into the future. Meanwhile, the U.S. progressed Mars remains retrograde through 2086 which is when we can expect men to collectively understand their changing role.
Of course Venus as the sole representative of women is an over-simplification. Adding the Moon doesn’t help, especially in a national chart where the Moon symbolizes the people and their security needs. Astrologers who want to fill out the multi-faceted nature of the feminine psyche will find that deploying Ceres, Juno, Pallas, and Vesta will illuminate the various roles, conflicts and interests that shape today’s women. And men too, at least those who aren’t attached to the macho characters of the past.
Kate Middleton’s Dilemma
Last week, after the French tabloid Closer published pictures of Kate Middleton sunbathing topless, the royal family expressed their “anger and disbelief” over the invasion of privacy. Prince William initiated a lawsuit against Closer, insisting that Kate not be hounded by the paparazzi as they harassed his mother Princess Diana. However, this coming week, the Italian tabloid Chi will publish more photos.
Kate’s Saturn squares her Capricorn Sun and Cancer Moon, giving her an innate sense of responsibility and decorum that goes with her position. This side of her psyche has set expectations about public behavior and tends to be cautious and inhibited. The Saturn configuration plays by the rules and feels offended when boundaries are crossed. Then, in contrast, she has a free-spirited Venus in Aquarius.
Venus here is trine Mars, giving her a carefree, natural sexuality. Venus is handed a dose of recklessness by the square to Jupiter, an expansive combination which allows Kate to enjoy recognition for her beauty and charm. This side of her is immodest and even an exhibitionist, which creates quite the dilemma for a proper royal marriage. Transiting Uranus was perfectly sextile her Venus when the photos were published.
By secondary progression, Kate’s Venus is located at 23º Capricorn where it picks up an oppressive square to her natal Saturn. Progressed Venus will turn direct in 2014, indicating a renewed sense of duty and a squelching of her personal freedom. Simultaneously, her progressed Juno-Neptune conjunction will pass, which might be read as the glitter coming off her marriage. One wonders if she’ll put up with being a reclusive celebrity when transiting Uranus awakens her Sun-Moon-Saturn complex in 2015.
* According to New York Times columnist David Brooks, women have become open slates, having abandoned the feminist and prefeminist preconceptions. Read his column for details on this growing trend: brooks-why-men-fail
