Category Archives: cycles

Pluto in Capricorn Blues

Pluto in Capricorn has a lot to do with bureaucracy, combining the concepts of control, authority and time. Since late 2008, when Pluto entered Capricorn, dealing with “red tape” and “the system” has gotten a lot more complicated. Capricornian delays seem to haunt me (and I don’t even have a heavy Saturn aspect right now).

I’ve just spent nearly an hour on the phone with my mom’s doctor’s office and health insurance provider, trying to correct her address and facilitate a referral. I feel like I’ve accomplished nothing, but I did discover that her insurance switched her to a lesser plan without contacting us!

Customer service is rarely helpful these days, especially in larger firms, and the representatives on the phone or online have very limited authority, often providing incorrect information. It’s an uphill battle dealing with companies like EmblemHealth, Verizon, Pitney Bowes (probably the worst culprit in my experience) and any number of banks and financial institutions. When I stopped at a local Chase branch to ask a simple question about my mom’s account, it also took me over half an hour. The first clerk seemed to be too insecure to commit to an answer, and the second repeatedly tried to sell me products that I didn’t want.

Management has put down rigid lines of communication and removed themselves from customer satisfaction. The supervisors that I often demand to speak with are also limited in what they can accomplish. Things just seem to take longer to get done – and I have less time to do them in. I’m often too stressed, annoyed and frustrated to even follow through on getting what I need.

It’s reminiscent of a mountain goat trudging endlessly up an escalator in order to avoid being dragged into a bottomless pit. Pluto will be in Capricorn throughout 2023. Got a good set of trudging shoes?

Venus Retrograde on Twitter

I’ve been tracking Venus retrograde on Twitter since March 1 to see how it was reflected in the news and my own life. I couldn’t have been more surprised at the number of major news stories that blatantly relate to Venus retrograde!

Venus rules women, finance and property through its connection with Taurus. But relationships, the law and the courts are also ruled by Venus through its connection with Libra. And Venus is also a general ruler of the arts, luxury goods, contentment and well-being.

The retrograde phenomenon suggests re-evaluation, revision and reversal. We can consider Venus-ruled issues from a different perspective.

When I started, it took a little effort to find the news stories. Two weeks into the process, I have more Venus retrograde news items than I can research and summarize. Venus retrograde is all over the news. The Day Without a Woman protests, the impeachment of South Korea’s first female president, the Marines sharing of nude photos online, Donald Trump’s revisions of his immigration ban and Obamacare are just a few. Other top stories include a Mercedes-Benz recall, the Pope suggesting that possibility of married priests, and Michael Jackson’s ranch returning to the market.

Venus is retrograde until April 15. Follow my coverage on Twitter!

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.

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.

Mercury Retrograde and Recounts

Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein is the force behind the election recounts in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Born on May 14, 1950, she has Mercury retrograde! So a REcount is in her astrological blood.

People with Mercury retrograde in their birth charts do seem to do better when it recurs, most notably at retrograde-like projects like re-doing votes already tabulated. Stein seems to be getting more attention and media coverage now than she did when she ran for president. She raised millions of dollars in an extremely short time to pay for the recounts.

Harvard educated Stein was a practicing physician for many years. One of her research interests is toxins, and she has particularly studied Mercury contamination! She wants to REmove Mercury from the environment. (I once had a dentist with Mercury retrograde who removed the Mercury fillings from people’s teeth – you can’t make this stuff up.)

Jill Stein’s Mercury is closely conjunct her Sun, with both in Taurus, so she is committed to her views. Her intellect, thoughts and opinions are part of her identity. The Sun and Mercury trining Mars and a possible Aries Moon make her a natural activist. Stein also has Uranus Out of Bounds in declination, which seems like appropriate symbolism for a nonconformist, a reformer and someone who, at least in this case, may behave in an unexpected manner.

Hillary Clinton has Mercury exactly stationery turning retrograde and her campaign is providing some support toward a recount, although commentators don’t expect the results of the presidential election to change. As of this writing, a Federal judge has stopped the recount in Michigan.

Roque De La Fuente, born on 10/10/54, who requested a recount in Nevada, was born with Mercury slowing down and well into the shadow of its retrograde period.

Election 2016: Afterthoughts

The election is over and most of us astrologers forecast an incorrect outcome. At least we weren’t alone! Most in the news thought Hillary had an easier path to the presidency.

While the polls showed a very close race, commentators suggested that Trump’s ability to forge a lead in electoral votes was difficult. We are all still under a long-standing influence from Saturn square Neptune, with Neptune stationary at the time of the election. This not only undermines confidence in authority figures, like politicians and police, for example, but it also inhibits our ability to project (Neptune) accurately into the future (Saturn). And the public appears to have become tired (Neptune) of doing things the same old way (Saturn).

I’m leaving all of my Election posts up so readers can follow my thought processes. Some things I may have misjudged include the following:

The birth charts themselves: Trump’s chart promises more possibilities and a better reputation than Hillary’s, who with many squares had to fight harder for her successes in life. And of course we’re not certain of Hillary’s birth time, which could change many things. (We also lacked birth times for Mike Pence and Melania.)

Trump’s progressed Moon Out-of-Bounds: This is a powerful progression, but I limited its interpretation in Trump’s chart in response to Hillary’s inability to gain the presidential nomination in 2008, when she had her own Moon beginning to progress OOB.

The transit of Uranus in Trump’s 9^th house exactly trining his Moon less than two weeks after the election should have been emphasized over Saturn – it characterized what many called a stunning victory. I also may have over-emphasized the negativity of Saturn’s oppositions in December and January. There is always the question of whether taking on a major position is the result of a flowing or challenging aspect from Saturn, making the outcome difficult to call. But the next few months will no doubt be tough on Trump.

I’m curious to see what becomes of Tim Kaine. With his Saturn return in 2017 and Pluto transiting his 10^th house Mars in Capricorn, it seemed obvious to me that he would take a big step forward in his career. The Pluto aspect is exact for the final time in December. Something about this election has fundamentally changed things for him and they will continue to develop next year.

I may not have followed my own advice to avoid bias and the influence of the polls as much as I should have. Over the weeks I studied the charts, the evidence seemed to be piling up for Hillary. But Bill Clinton’s transit Saturn chasing his progressed Moon didn’t promise a big victory. I thought this reflected a back-seat role in the White House. But once again we return to the question of whether Saturn brings responsibilities or a lack of opportunity.

I misinterpreted the past Saturn cycle for both of the Clinton’s – when Saturn was in the same place Bill was Governor of Arkansas and declined to run again. While Hillary had independent appointments at that time, the decision limited both of their movement forward toward their ultimate goals – which parallels 2016.

The delineation of progressions was challenging. For example, Trump’s progressed Ascendant conjoined the US progressed Midheaven, but it was nearly 2 degrees past. The US progressed MC also conjoined Trump’s progressed Jupiter, but it, too, was moving away. And I felt Hillary’s progressed MC trining US progressed Jupiter more significant. While the outcome may support my use of a Gemini rising chart for the US, we can never rely on public birth times to be exact.

Hillary Clinton had a new Solar Return two weeks before the election, and I overlooked it – considering her Solar for the campaign year instead. The correct Solar Return is not great.

In writing posts every week or so, I also addressed the charts of the candidates in more of a linear fashion than I usually do, which perhaps also detracted from my judgment.

In the final analysis, we need to remember that astrology is not an exact science. I feel that after forecasting six presidential elections correctly (two for Clinton, two for Bush, two for Obama), I may have become overconfident. Still, 6 out of 7 correct is pretty good – over 85% – and many astrologers have the same record of accuracy.

Election 2016: Transits

While transits give us much information, it can be challenging to forecast outcomes with them. But with transits, timing is everything. Do Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton’s transits give us insight into the presidential election?

Donald Trump has transiting Jupiter in his 2nd house over 2-1/2 degrees past a sextile to Pluto on Election Day, November 8, 2016. While nice, it has already passed its peak, and Jupiter transits don’t last that long.

Uranus conjunct his 9^th house of wide reception will be only 22’ from a trine to his Moon in the 4^th, which is another matter. Uranus stations in late December and will trine his Moon again on February 6, framing the Election and Inauguration dates. But while Uranus is really shaking up his Moon with new experiences, the 4^th house more particularly relates to his home and family, not a position.

Saturn transits Donald’s 4^th house and sextiles Jupiter in late November, a stabilizing aspect. Once again, though, it’s over 2 degrees away on Election Day – this time a little too late. Saturn’s more significant aspects, opposite Uranus, conjunct the Moon and opposite the Sun, are in December and January, when the election is past. Opposition aspects are, to me, more separative than anything else. He’s entering a new phase of life, but it probably won’t be exactly as he had hoped.

In late January and February 2017, Uranus trines Donald’s Moon, Jupiter trines his Sun and Saturn trines his Mars. If these were all operating on Election Day, it’d be terrific. But they’re not. However some significant opportunities should turn up for Donald Trump by February.

Hillary Clinton has transiting Jupiter in her 11^th house, approaching a sextile to Mars in the 9^th, peaking just a week after the election. This is better timing and nice for popularity and getting out the vote. But a more significant transit is Saturn in her 1^st house trine Pluto in the 9^th (exact 11/5), a powerhouse combination, especially since these planets are conjunct in her birth chart. Her hard work should reap larger rewards and her past experiences help her leverage the vote.

Transiting Uranus in the 5^th will also approach (by only ¼ degree) a trine to Hillary’s Saturn in the 9^th house. Uranus and the 5^th show a gamble that can pay off in a big way, and it’s certainly a lucky transit as well as one of release. I do feel that Hillary’s transits are stronger on Election Day and that she’ll be the winner, especially in light of all of the other astrological techniques pointing in the same direction.

When transiting Jupiter conjoined Donald Trump’s natal Neptune in the 2^nd, his “boys’ talk” video was revealed. Jupiter to Neptune can expand publicity, but there’s no telling how. Since Hillary and Donald are close to the same age, she also has Jupiter conjoining her Neptune – exact on November 1^st – a week before Election Day. This seems to correlate with the FBI’s revisiting the e-mail issue. But it’s also at the same time that Hillary continues her popularity and gains help from key Democrats. In her 11^th house of the “Good Daemon,” Jupiter should work in her favor.

Election 2016: Spouses II

Last time I analyzed Melania Trump’s chances of becoming First Lady in November and January. Let’s see what Bill Clinton’s astrological situation is. We have a consistent birth time for Clinton that was used by astrologers throughout his presidential term.

His progressed Sun in Scorpio is only a little over a degree from trining his Midheaven, lighting up his career sector. His progressed Venus in Sagittarius is less than half a degree past trining natal Saturn in the 10^th, reiterating the themes of status and position. It’s also is less than a degree from conjoining his progressed Ascendant, echoing his natal characteristics (with Venus in Libra in the first) and showcasing his genial personality and the importance of relationships in his life. The progressed Ascendant approaches a sextile to the natal Ascendant.

Bill’s progressed Moon is also in Sagittarius and close to conjoining his South Node on Election Day. It will also quincunx his natal Moon and oppose natal Uranus in early 2017. These aspects are not great, but they do seem to suggest a change. And for a Leo who’s been president, the Moon conjoining the South Node appears appropriate for taking a back seat and emphasizing altruism and supportive activities.

With transiting Saturn at the same place in 1987, Clinton, as Governor of Arkansas and Chair of the National Governor’s Association, announced that he would not be running for president that year. Saturn was (and is) moving downwards in his chart, what Grant Lewi called an “obscure period,” that once again I believe would be in keeping with a secondary role at the White House.

Most significant, however, is the fact that Bill Clinton is in the midst of his progressed Moon conjoining transiting Saturn – known as “Saturn chasing the Moon.” Because the progressed Moon and transit cycles of Saturn are so close, the conjunction began for him around 2009 and will last through at least 2019. This can represent an extended period of hard work, obligations, few rewards, frustration and even hardship and depressed feelings. For Bill, it’s coincided with milestones involving the women in his life – Hillary’s appointment as Secretary of State and her bid for the White House, and Chelsea’s marriage and the birth of her kids. Yet it also included the attacks on the Benghazi Consulate, and Hillary’s concussion. His own significant life events during this time have been work with the Clinton Foundation; an appointment as UN Special Envoy to Haiti and criticism of his role; a heart incident, stent surgery and switching to a vegan diet; publication of a book on the economy called Back to Work; receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama and public reminders of his past infidelities.

This pattern is difficult to evaluate as it’s inconsistent in length but often lasts a long time. I suspect it’s easier to address at a mature age, when we have more experience of life, though Bill Clinton has obviously not enjoyed the same prominence during this cycle as in his years as Governor and President. But his natal Moon, exalted in Taurus, and Saturn in his 10^th house, are both very strong, which are a plus. Though the reality of returning to the White House as the spouse of the president will probably be quite different than he once imagined.

Transiting Saturn will sextile Bill’s Jupiter in January and trine his Sun in February, perhaps easing up some of the negatives. It’s interesting that Tim Kaine has a significant Saturn cycle as well. These are all in keeping with taking on responsibilities. I do once again feel that Bill Clinton’s forecast is more in keeping with beginning a new position than Melania’s.

Election 2016: Spouses

An additional way to consider the outcome of the election is to take a look at the horoscopes of the candidates’ spouses, who will certainly have important life changes if a partner is elected president. What do the charts of Melania Trump and Bill Clinton tell us?

Unfortunately, we don’t have a birth time for Melania Trump, born on April 26, 1970 in Sevnica, Slovenia. She is a very grounded person, with the Sun in Taurus, Moon in Capricorn, and a total of six planets in earth signs.

Melania’s progressed Venus is less than a degree from sextiling natal Pluto, an aspect that should help her address the public while still maintaining some privacy. Progressed Mercury is less than half a degree from conjoining natal Venus, which helps her dialogue with the public in a nice way. Progressed Mars is about half a degree past sextiling her Sun, showing increased activity, ambitions and status. The progressed Moon is in Virgo, forming a grand trine with her Moon, Sun and other Taurus planets, but without a birth time we don’t know how close any of these aspects may be.

I find that transits are almost always active at times of significant life developments. Transiting Jupiter conjoined Melania’s Uranus exactly on 10/5/16, a few days before her husband’s “locker room talk” audio was revealed. But Jupiter moves quickly, and by Election Day it will be out of orb of Uranus – the excitement it generates having worn off.

Transiting Neptune exactly conjoins Melania Trump’s North Node in January, the time of the Inauguration, and will sextile natal Saturn in February. These seem like wonderful aspects for her image and personal satisfaction, but are not really in keeping with taking on a major public role.

Transiting Saturn on Election Day will be at the same place as the fall of 1987 when Melania was first accepted at a fashion course for models. She was only 17 at the time and pursuing a goal, but didn’t come before the outside world in a position at that time.

While Melania Trump has many nice aspects, they don’t seem powerful enough to add up to becoming First Lady. Next time I’ll look at Bill Clinton’s forecast astrologically.

Karen Christino

Astrologer and Writer