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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: NewsScope - Appreciate your topics -- "Int'l Day of Peace, women, and Ms. Middleton" ... and reading your take on these items of concern and interest. On the International Day of Peace chart: Since Pluto is 25 degrees of Libra in the 8th house, does that mean the United States will be able to "hang in there" and help bring about this sorely needed peace in the "world community" one of these days -- at long last? ... Plus, I've long thought that Ms. Middleton was a sweet young woman -- now it looks like we can see it in her birth chart too. All the best from Alaska (hoping we have no more candidates for POTUS coming out of Alaska for quite some time ...)
re: NewsScope - I have been following you for
some time and I am amazed at your wisdom and balance in this time of chaos and confusion. The astrological community is so polarized at one
end that does not see the light at the other end. They demand to be recognized as the scientist, yet do not understand that you have to prove your are worthy. I stopped going to they conventions since I do not feel I am excepted since I am different. Keep doing good work and be brave being different too !
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.
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
Sept. 17, 2012 - Chaos in the Middle East and Peace Day; women doing well; Kate Middleton's dilemma
Sept. 24, 2012 - Romney's 47 percent video, October's top five astro-events, Lindsay Lohan's attitude
This biwheel segment shows Romney's natal chart on the inside and his progressions to October 30 on the outside.
NewsScope for October 1, 2012
By Michael Wolfstar
Romney’s Black Moon Lilith
When I look at Romney’s progressed chart and consider the traditional aspects and planets, I don’t see how he can lose. His progressed Midheaven, the symbol of his evolving professional status, is entering into a very favorable trine to natal Pluto. Likewise, his progressed Moon is in the same area, and completing an empowering trine to his Pluto in mid-October. That’s a solid formula for success.
"Many women who do not dress modestly... lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which increases earthquakes," said Hojatoleslam Kasem Sedighi - Tehran's leading Friday prayer leader.
However, with the addition of Black Moon Lilith (BML), the picture changes. BML is often associated with resentment, anger and hate. Romney’s natal Lilith is located at 4º Capricorn in the 8th house of other people’s money. BML here represents his reliance on campaign contributions from wealthy benefactors. Naturally, BML has a shadow side, and Romney – loathing his own need to beg for money – belittled the 47 percent of Americans who are “victims” and “dependent upon government”.
Romney’s Black Moon Lilith forms a stressful quincunx to his North Node at 5º Gemini, where it creates a so-called “missing step” in his karmic path. Consciously integrating Lilith into his personality means understanding his own financial dependence, and accepting that others are working out their finances as best they can. On May 17, 2012 when his 47 percent remarks were secretly taped, Romney’s progressed Moon was squaring natal BML.
By secondary progression, BML hasn’t advanced very far: it’s currently at 11º 47’ Capricorn. In this location, it forms a harsh quincunx to his natal Pluto, and picks up a challenging square from Romney’s progressed Midheaven. Romney’s progressed Moon, moving one degree per month, has advanced from the square to natal BML and will square his progressed BML on October 30. This growing influence over the coming month confirms that Romney will be defensively reacting to the enraged 47 percent right through the election.
Iran’s Black Moon Lilith
Is Black Moon Lilith just another asteroid-like object to place in the horoscope, or does it have more important implications? I’m just beginning to explore this intriguing archetype and am discovering its immense relevance. Iran’s horoscope – with Black Moon Lilith sitting right on its Leo Ascendant – makes an ideal case study. BML here shapes Iran’s national image and its interface with the rest of the world.
Iran’s BML is powerfully placed, not only by its angularity, but also due to its close aspects to all three of the outer planets, which helps us understand why Iran is such a mean-spirited, powerful player in the Middle East. Iran, like Black Moon Lilith, gets angry, irrational, and vengeful when it feels mistreated. Most significantly, Black Moon Lilith is associated with the women’s rights movement.
Since the religious patriarchy came to power in 1979, women have been forced back into archaic, subservient roles.* Essentially, Iran is run by a nation of sexually repressed men who vent through external aggression. Women have rebelled: women were the driving force against the fraudulent 2009 election, which took place precisely as Iran’s progressed Mars was trine BML. Since then, tyrannical measures have been imposed to keep women in their place.
On October 21, Iran will have a progressed Moon-BML conjunction. This astro-event may coincide with some significant sword rattling or military incident. Iran’s election in June 2013 features transiting Uranus conjoining its Aries Sun, which will surely re-awaken the feminist movement.
A concurrent progressed Mars-BML aspect warns of increasing conflict in this region. One alternative strategy to managing Iran’s troublemaking tendencies is to support the women’s movement, and let the country revolutionize itself from the inside.
Black Moon Lilith Profiles
By transit, Black Moon Lilith’s entry into Gemini on September 12 picked up a square to Neptune in early Pisces. This astro-event coincided with the eruption of Islamic rage throughout the Middle East over the inflammatory film “The Innocence of Muslims”. BML (rage) square Neptune in Pisces (faith) resulted in two weeks of mayhem that didn’t peter out until this aspect completed itself last week.
The Islamic world wasn’t the only religious group stirred up during this BML-Neptune phase. On September 18, professor Karen King announced the discovery of a 4th-century fragment of papyrus in which Jesus mentions his wife Mary. The Vatican denounced the fragment as a fake, which is natural since it prefers to think of Jesus as celibate, and the role model for all Catholic priests.
A scan of my celebrity files for Sun conjunct Black Moon Lilith (orb < 2º) produced some surprising results. Of the eight celebrities identified, one was Al-Qaeda terrorist Ayman Al-Zawahiri and three were famous entertainers who led tragic and turbulent lives (Robert Walker, Connie Francis, and River Phoenix). Three were well-known film directors. Alfred Hitchcock has a Sun-Lilith conjunction in Leo, and he’s best known for exploring the macabre – an appropriate Lilith subject.
Likewise Steven Spielberg, with his Sagittarius Sun conjunct Lilith, made dramatic films that delved into the most fearsome scenarios (Jaws, Temple of Doom, Schindler’s List). The third director is Drew Barrymore with her Pisces Sun conjunct Lilith. For her film’s subject matter, she prefers drippy romance, but she certainly experienced the dark side of Lilith as a drugged-out teenager. Having confronted her inner demons at an early age, she is now pregnant as transiting Neptune conjoins her Lilith. This aspect makes her hopeful of overcoming her dysfunctional family dynamics.
* See irans-embattled-women/
