Author Archives: admin

Big T-square Time

My life has felt chaotic lately and people around me seem to be having the same experience. The wild and woolly T-square of Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto certainly has something to do with it, and Mars in Aries will activate the pattern (while conjoining Uranus) from mid-February through the 1st week of March. Jupiter opposes Uranus exactly at the same time and goes on to square Pluto in early April. Eclipses on February 10 and 26 only heighten the charged astrological atmosphere. Mars, Jupiter and Uranus are also close in declination, further accentuating their connection.

The last gasp of the long-term Uranus-Pluto square has been bumped up a few notches with the addition of Jupiter and Mars. This creates an unsettled feeling, leading to fast-moving events, sudden developments that are then drawn out, people over-reacting, or the necessity to think and act quickly.

Only thing is, while Pluto trined my Moon last month, the rest of these planets aren’t particularly close to hitting anything in my chart. It doesn’t matter. With so many planets involved, this T-square is out there and we’ll all experience it one way or another: directly, through those close to us, or through events in the environment that touch our lives. Those whose horoscopes are more closely hit by these planets will experience much more dynamic change in their lives.

New York City and Uranus

In January, New York City announced wireless access on all subway platforms, and the new Second Avenue subway line opened. These sound like Uranian innovations, and transiting Uranus is beginning to heat up the City’s Moon, closely conjoining it from April 2017 through early 2018. What can we expect? Let’s see what happened last time.

Uranus previously conjoined the NYC Moon at 26 Aries 40 from mid-1933 to early 1934. Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, a Republican supporter of FDR’s New Deal, was elected on a reform ticket as the City finally broke away from the Tammany Hall political machine. This seems appropriate since Uranus conjoining the Moon suggests a definitive turning point and new ways of doing things. Similarly, Federal Prohibition was repealed on 12/5/33 and the corruption that accompanied it also began to be driven out of the City.

The Moon also relates to the home and property, as well as larger-scale projects for entities like cities. There were important developments in housing and transportation in ’33-’34. Public works projects were begun, such as Knickerbocker Village, the first Federally funded apartment complex for low to middle income people. The Uranian principles of modernization, reorganization, circulation and electrification combined as NYC transit also expanded at that time; additional subway lines to Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens were opened.

Looking ahead, it appears that developments in transportation will continue. There’s also been some progress made in affordable housing recently (see this New York Times article). Uranus’ influence suggests that innovative programs might continue to help. Mayor Bill deBlasio has made affordable housing a priority of his administration. He is up for re-election in November of 2017.

Uranus is often unpredictable. As we approach its exact conjunctions with the NYC Moon, other surprising innovations should develop.

Greater New York came into being on January 1, 1898 at 12:01 AM.

NCGR Geocosmic Review

Scott Silverman spun an essay on Evangeline Adams, and 1920s astrology and mysteries from his review of my book, The Precious Pachyderm, in the Winter issue of NCGR’s Geocosmic Journal. (This is a great issue edited by Leigh Westin, and includes articles by Bill Meridian, Christeen Skinner, David Perloff and Meira Epstein, among many others.)

“Christino’s mystery novel is engaging, well plotted and paced, with dialogue that feels true to the time. I didn’t stumble across a single anachronistic historical detail, although, non-spoiler alert, EA does stumble across her fair share of shady operators, elephant aficionados and hard boiled detectives. After all, it’s a mystery.

High society matrons, condescending cops, delightful dog-walkers, and enigmatic emissaries of eastern mysticism are all present and accounted for as compelling secondary characters.”

More about The Precious Pachyderm here

Buy Kindle version — The Precious Pachyderm (An Evangeline Adams Mystery Book 1)
Buy print version — The Precious Pachyderm (An Evangeline Adams Mystery) (Volume 1)

Horoscope Guide Review

Ken Irving wrote an upbeat and positive review of my book The Precious Pachyderm: An Evangeline Adams Mystery in the March, 2017 issue of Horoscope Guide (see below). (The magazine also includes Jackie Sleven’s forecast, Tomorrow’s News and an article on Venus retrograde.)

“Move over, Miss Marple! There’s a new detective in the neighborhood and her name is…Evangeline Adams. Yes, really, the famous American astrologer finds herself embroiled in a case involving a dead businessman, a valuable item gone walkabout, and herself as the prime suspect. Though Adams is not alone in trying to work out the problem of who (her two assistants do a lot of the legwork), she is thinking astrologically all the way along. In fact, given the problems to be worked out, at times we can feel a little sorry for Ms. Adams living in the era she did, as it would have been nice for her to have a PC or a smart-phone app rather than an ephemeris and a supply of pencils, pens, and horoscope blanks. No matter, as our intrepid astrologer digs in and saves the day. This fun tale is, by the way, written by the author of the definitive biography of the real-life astrologer, What Evangeline Adams Knew. Grab a copy and settle in for a good read.”

More about The Precious Pachyderm here

Buy Kindle version — The Precious Pachyderm (An Evangeline Adams Mystery Book 1)
Buy print version — The Precious Pachyderm (An Evangeline Adams Mystery) (Volume 1)

Baldwin as Trump

Alec Baldwin is the new face of Donald Trump. How do their horoscopes compare?

Baldwin has a ring of sextiles in his chart – Pluto to Jupiter to Saturn to Venus to Mercury and back to Pluto with a trine, completing the circuit. This near-Star of David pattern has given him success over the years, and Donald Trump’s Ascendant and rising Mars fall right on top of it. Most significantly, Baldwin’s Saturn conjoins Trump’s Moon and trines his Ascendant and Mars. These aspects from Saturn are classic connections that are often seen in long-term partnerships.

In addition, Baldwin’s Pluto conjoins Trump’s Ascendant and Mars, so he’s transforming him and manipulating his image (which makes Trump angry, of course!) Another telling combination is Trump’s Neptune closely conjoining Baldwin’s Moon in his 3^rd house. Donald Trump inspires him and he eerily mimics his speech patterns in his uncanny imitation.

Alec Baldwin will experience his Saturn return this year, stabilizing his career and heightening his connections with Trump. In addition, he’ll have his Jupiter return this fall, also activating his major sextile pattern and increasing his exposure. It’s a good bet that he’ll keep appearing in the role of Donald Trump.

Alec Baldwin was born on April 4, 1958 in Amityville, New York, according to Wikipedia.

Goodreads Giveaway!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Your Wedding Astrologer

by Karen Christino

Giveaway ends January 28, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

NY’s Second Avenue Subway

What’s the horoscope of a subway look like? Manhattan’s Second Avenue subway left 57th Street and 7th Avenue for the first time at 12:01 PM on New Year’s Day, 2017, according to AM New York. The train extends service in the Upper East Side to 96th Street.

Mercury retrograde in the 9th house already provided a broken elevator at 86th Street, a locked women’s room, and a recording announcing delays from “train traffic ahead.” But as Mercury also sextiles Mars and Neptune, the ride was completed successfully.

The Moon conjoins and exactly parallel’s Venus in Aquarius in the 11th house, with both trining Jupiter in Libra. Jupiter indicates large-scale transit, and conjoins the 7th house cusp, insuring popularity. Real estate commentators expect prices in the surrounding neighborhoods to rise. As Venus rules the 2nd house of money and the Moon rules the 4th of property, their trine to Jupiter confirms this obvious assessment. The Sun in Capricorn at the Midheaven and conjoining Pluto also suggests an important business transformation.

The most dynamic configuration in the chart is a close angular T-square of Uranus rising opposite Jupiter on the Descendant, with both squaring Pluto in the 10th house. Astrologically it appears that this extension is both notable and innovative. Pluto in Capricorn’s influence echoes the fact that it’s taken over 70 years to replace the Second Avenue elevated train that was demolished in the 1940s. The MTA promises more efficient travel times for many, but it appears that there may be some significant issues to resolve before that becomes a reality.

The next planned phase will extend the line to Harlem.

What is it About Jackie?

The Kennedy saga continues as we now have a major motion picture focusing on Jackie. Why is her legacy so enduring?

Jackie had the Sun in Leo, the sign of royalty, high in the sky in the 9th house. The Sun closely trines Uranus and both sextile Jupiter in the 7th house of the public and partnerships. This is a dynamic combination that easily attracts attention, and she was best known for her two prominent marriages.

Leo also falls on the Midheaven, which closely conjoins Neptune in Virgo, inspiring fantasies. Jackie is remembered for her glamorous image, fashion consciousness and breathy uber-feminine voice – all part of the allure of Neptune and its placement in the 10th house of reputation and status. These characteristics came naturally, since Neptune forms a grand trine with Saturn in Sagittarius and the Moon in Aries. Saturn’s trines also give her staying power.

Jackie’s Scorpio Ascendant increased her mystique, particularly since it closely trines Pluto on the 9th house cusp. Known for her dignity and fortitude in times of misfortune, she would have found it difficult to express any weakness in public.

The country’s obsession with Jackie is illuminated by declination. Her Sun, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Pluto are all parallel within about 3 degrees, and most are also parallel the U.S. Uranus, planet of fascination. And her Moon progresses Out of Bounds in declination, which can reveal high points in prominence (Donald Trump was experiencing this progression during his presidential campaign and the election; Hillary Clinton had it during her first presidential run and her first years as Secretary of State).

Jackie’s Moon had progressed OOB in the north for much of her time as First Lady. It was once again well OOB (27 North) when her biopic premiered. Her Moon continues OOB through 2018, so we should be hearing more about her. She’ll also experience her third Saturn return in 2017, further consolidating her renown.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis was born on July 28, 1929 at 2:30 PM in Southampton, New York, rated A on Astrodatabank.

The Star of the Magi

Courtney Roberts’ provocative and well-researched book, The Star of the Magi, takes a critical look at the Bible story in Matthew. Roberts reviews the previous work on this topic and concludes that most writers have sought a literal star, using a rather narrow focus. None were astrologers. Her perspective is much broader and she has added insight from studying a wide array of historical, religious and astrological texts to reach her conclusions.

To put Matthew’s statement about the star in the context of its time and place, Roberts begins by reviewing the history and politics of Judea and especially the Magi and their beliefs. Her overview of Zoroastrianism, Persian astrology, the great conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn and the traditions of messianic prophecy is fascinating. While the author often disagrees with previous writers on the subject, her intent is not to cut down others’ contributions, but rather to correct common misconceptions.

Courtney Roberts’ analysis is illuminating and sensible, and she makes it clear that we in the west have a particular bias and that these events happened a very long time ago. The Star of the Magi is a scholarly work and deserves serious study by anyone interested in the history of astrology, world ages and the Christmas star.

Buy on Amazon: The Star of the Magi: The Mystery That Heralded the Coming of Christ

Saturn and the Ancestors

With Saturn closely parallel my Midheaven and trine my Ascendant, I’ve always felt drawn toward my family’s past. Saturn represents both yesteryear and authority figures. It also rules old structures as well as the grave. So it’s obvious why Saturn also rules our ancestors and the study of genealogy.

My grandfather died when I was a little girl, but he had a tremendous influence on me (his Moon conjoins my Ascendant). He was a pianist who played by ear. When he passed, his piano came to me and became my focus. I learned how to play step-by-step though, in a more typical Saturn manner. (Once I began studying astrology in earnest, my musical studies faded out.)

When I moved back to Brooklyn it felt like coming home, as it brought back memories of my childhood visits to my grandparents. And I now live within a few miles of their homes, as well as the cemetery and family lots where many of my ancestors, including my dad, are all buried.

My office is within walking distance of where my grandfather lived with his family as a young man, after they crossed the Manhattan Bridge from Little Italy into Brooklyn over 100 years ago.

In studying any family genealogy, you’ll find unusual astrological correspondences. One of my Italian great-grandfathers, who I first discovered through his Will filed at the Brooklyn Surrogate’s Court in 1932, has his Jupiter closely conjunct my Sun; he led me on a journey into my family’s past. My great-grandmother’s Sun is closely conjunct my Moon. These people have resonance for me, although I’ve never met them. My grandfather’s Venus closely conjoins my Jupiter, showing our musical connection. His Jupiter in Virgo exactly conjoins my Pluto, which might suggest why his influence on me deepened and played out for many years after his death.

I share numerous close aspects with all of my parents and grandparents; so many planets are involved. But I think it’s ultimately the bones of Saturn that continue to draw them to me and keep them all nearby.

(Photo courtesy of NYPL.)