Category Archives: forecasting

Barbara Walters and Saturn

TV journalist Barbara Walters is probably one of the best known women in her field. With the Sun, Mercury, Mars and Ascendant in Libra, she became known not only for presenting the news, but also for her relationships with the great, near-great, famous and infamous people she interviewed. Typically Libra, she projected a cool and classy image that attracted others to her.

On May 16, 2014, Barbara appeared for the final time on her show The View, where she’d had success since 1997. Born on September 29, 1929 at 6:50 AM in Boston, Massachusetts, Walters turned 84 towards the end of 2013 and experienced her Uranus return from 2013 to early 2014, a transit that typically occurs in the 84th year. This transit is a major one for those who live to experience it. For Barbara, with natal Uranus in the 6th house, the return marks the end of a major part of her working life in the Uranian field of television broadcasting.

But it is Saturn, who so reliably marks periods of life change, that pinpoints the timing of Walters’ career transition. Transiting her second house of income and exactly trining her Pluto conjunct the 10th house of status and reputation at her last appearance, Saturn has allowed her to gracefully sign off from a fabulous career.

Evangeline Adams and Pluto

Astrologer Evangeline Adams was often ahead of her time. An Aquarian herself, she spoke about the Age of Aquarius in her public lectures in 1930. In an interview with the Palm Beach Daily News on March 28, 1930, she also talked a little bit about the planet Pluto. Pluto’s discovery had been announced only two weeks before! Adams correctly identified Pluto as a higher octave of Mars, as we still consider it today.

The new planet recently discovered represents martial force on a higher plane, which will usher in new inventions so close to the intelligence of man that they will save instead of destroy him. We are entering into a new phase of consciousness where Reason will prevail. Always at such times a new planet is discovered.

Before the discovery of the modern planets, Mars ruled both Aries and Scorpio. Saturn ruled Capricorn and Aquarius, and Jupiter ruled Sagittarius and Pisces. When Uranus was discovered in the 18th century, astrologers soon gave it rulership over Aquarius. When Neptune was discovered in the 19th century, astrologers realized its affinity for Pisces. Pluto, the god of the underworld, had an obvious correlation with the sign of Scorpio, and thus also related to Mars. Any astrologer could see the connection, but Evangeline seems to have been the first to discuss it publicly.

Adams appears to link Pluto somewhat with the dawn of the Age of Aquarius. Certainly atomic power and the nuclear sciences would soon be developed. Also ruled by Pluto are X-rays, synthetic chemistry, plastics, genetic engineering, psychology and the mass media, all of which had increasing interest at the time.

In hindsight, Adams’ thought that these could “save instead of destroy” is of course debatable. But she was always optimistic.

Retrograde and Void of Course

Mercury retrograde is a time for review, revisions and rethinking. Al H. Morrison felt that the Void of Course Moon was best used for routine activities and feeding your soul. The combination of the two may at times result in petty annoyances and some delay or frustration in day-to-day life. It’s generally not a good time to initiate new projects.

I once received a call from a magazine I’d never worked for to write a feature. The editor discussed what they wanted, I agreed, and she said they were definitely going ahead. She’d get back to me regarding the length of the article and deadline. I was skeptical since I knew that not only was Mercury retrograde but the Moon was also Void of Course that day. Mercury retrograde can create miscommunications and people easily change their minds. And the Void of Course Moon is not promising for beginning new ventures. Not only did the editor not call me back as promised, but I was never even able to reach her!

But life goes on and we must continue through these wacky times. (For his part, Al H. Morrison would often sleep during the VOC Moon – at any time of the day or night.)

Recently, I arrived at my destination early during Mercury retrograde with the VOC Moon. My Metrocard needed refilling, and I thought that I’d accomplish this routine task. The first vending machine was providing no receipts, so I moved on to the next. The second machine informed me that my Metrocard was expiring – Did I want to replace it? I said Yes. I got the card and it gave me a receipt but I was confused. Did they charge me $1 for replacement? It was not clear. I continued to refill my card and the machine requested my zip code. However the keypad would not work and the transaction was aborted.

I moved on to the third machine, which unfortunately was only providing single trip transactions, something I’d never encountered before. I turned to the fourth and final machine, which by this time had several people waiting in line. I’d now be late if I waited, so I left.

I’d gotten a new card, but had been unable to complete my intended task. As Morrison had said, the VOC Moon can take us in unintended directions, with false starts and error. Mercury retrograde revealed machines needing repair and a confusing situation. I’d have to complete things at a later date. Sometimes even routine tasks don’t fare so well under these influences!

The Retrograde Diaries

I was reminded this morning that the effect of Mercury retrograde begins before the exact retrograde phase you see in your ephemeris. It starts when Mercury slows down before moving backward. Mercury retrograde can make us change our minds, change our plans and may create miscommunications or failed functioning. Get ready for the next three weeks!

We woke up to heavy snow – 6 to 8” projected – which they had predicted the day before to begin in the afternoon and total only 2-3”. Yes, the highly respected and well-paid weather forecasters had been incorrect once again. I realized that my appointment would cancel due to weather. I looked at my phone and he had already called — I had just not heard the ring. At that moment he called again. I also had to reschedule my mother’s doctor’s appointment for the next day, the one she had postponed from the previous month.

My husband, who had a severe toothache the morning before (a recurrence of a long-ago issue), had felt much better and hoped to avoid a visit to the dentist. But early this morning it began again. When he called the dentist’s office, they, too, had had a cancellation and told him he could come right in. (Sometimes Mercury retrograde does work in our favor!)

I went to the store. At checkout, there was a delay. The lady ahead of me needed to wait for the manager to complete her transaction. The only cashier had to sign onto another register to help me. This machine, she advised, would not take credit cards. But she also had trouble signing on. She then found that the scanner would not work. By this time the manager was through (and the other customer needed to return later to pick-up her order). We went back to the first register and things proceeded smoothly from there. Mechanical mishegoss is a hallmark of Mercury retrograde, as are incomplete transactions.

I returned home and soon found the elevator repairman at my door. It became obvious that he had only a remedial command of English. However he communicated the following: “Your husband… eight… oil…” Yes! I understood. He’d come back. A few weeks before there had been an oil delivery – eight jugs were left with my husband since the super had gone home (how could I forget them in my hallway?). I sent the repairman to the super and he understood. Sometimes we come back to a previous project after Mercury turns retro, and we may have to work harder at communicating.

This encounter also reflects Venus retrograde (just turning direct yesterday, but still felt since it, too, is moving more slowly than usual as it changes direction). While I don’t have much of a relationship with the elevator repairman, he appears once a month to check things out. I’d considered him rude in the past, but now I had gotten to know him better and realized that he just did not understand the language. Both my mind and my feelings had changed. Watch for these types of things this week as Venus begins to pick up speed and Mercury continues slowing down – a bit of a double whammy.

Chris Christie Inauguration Horoscope

Governor Chris Christie is having a tough year – and it’s only January. He had to cancel his inauguration party due to a snowstorm. But he should have picked a better time to be sworn in if he wanted to avoid a snowstorm of legal issues.

Things can abruptly change when you have Uranus squaring your Mars and opposing your Mercury as Christie does. You don’t really have control over what’s going on around you. Unfortunately, inauguration dates are generally not that flexible and Christie re-upped his governorship on January 21, 2014 at approximately 11:30 AM in Trenton, NJ with a grand cross of Venus-Mars-Jupiter-Uranus and Pluto. Litigious Pluto right up in the 9th house of partisanship and legal issues suggests that Federal lawsuits and State investigations will work their way dramatically through the courts.

The astrology of the situation is unfortunately rather obvious. Yet the Governor is no believer, stating at his State of the State address recently that “Choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” Really?

Christie, however, represented by the Sun in the 10th house trine the Moon in Libra in the inaugural horoscope, should probably retain his position and a good amount of his public popularity. However nothing is certain until after Uranus’ aspects perfect in February.

JFK Redux

The media has been having an orgy, feasting on the 50th anniversary of the death of President John F. Kennedy.  Does astrology show our obsession with him?  Of course. 

Kennedy’s South Node in his 9th house closely conjoins the U.S. Sun.  Judith Hill says in her book, The Lunar Nodes, that the Sun entity (the U.S. in this case) “…may cause you grief or trouble at some point.  Or sometimes they drain you.”  This seems appropriate, if understated, for Kennedy.  Obviously he would not have been killed had he not been president of the U.S.!  Hill also suggests that “It can be a karmic bond.”  For us, the country as a whole, Kennedy as a South Node person seems to be someone that strikes us to the core; we don’t seem to be able to let go of him.  Since the Nodes are diametrically opposed, those who want to know more about his position (North Node) or his at times creepy lifestyle (South Node) are both fascinated. 

The natal connection existed for a long time.  But why is it gaining momentum now?  Not all anniversaries are celebrated.  Transiting Pluto is within a degree of conjoining JFK’s natal North Node in Capricorn, dredging up his past.  To once again quote Judith Hill on this combination, “Pluto brings very deep, intense energy… Some individuals may experience an enhancement of personal powers… Your dharma may be pointed out…”  And Pluto can be obsessive. 

Of course, these are just a few of the many connections between Kennedy’s horoscope, the U.S. chart and current transits.  One symbol that I like is his Mars in Taurus conjunct his 8th house, representing the eternal (Taurus) flame (Mars) at his gravesite (after death – 8th house), being activated now by the transit of Saturn in Scorpio. 

But enough already!  Let’s put this guy to rest. 

There have been a lot of books lately on the Nodes.  I haven’t read them all, but I highly recommend Judith Hill’s excellent book, The Lunar Nodes (Stellium Press, 2009).  It describes eastern, western and contemporary approaches, natal placements and transits.  She really speaks from her own and client’s experiences.  It has a great Table of Contents and Bibliography though unfortunately no Index.  Buy it at Amazon.com:  The Lunar Nodes: Your Key to Excellent Chart Interpretation

Pluto trine Pluto

Pluto trine Pluto represents a major astrological cycle occurring around age 50-53 for the present generation.  Pluto in Capricorn is currently trining Pluto in the birth charts of those born with Pluto in Virgo, both earth signs.  This is a flowing aspect and may be subtle since it’s slow moving and can last for over a year.  It represents a transition in the Capricorn themes of responsibility and authority and the Virgo themes of wellness and purposefulness.

Pluto can help us draw on all of our resources, both those within and outside of ourselves, for health and well-being.  Our will power is more effective without being overbearing.  It feels natural to be more assertive and resist those who’d try to control or influence us. Pluto helps empower us to look out for our own best interests and stand up for our rights.  This gradual transition makes it easier to move onto the next phase of our lives and capitalize on current trends.  We instinctively become better able to prioritize, reorganize and restructure things.  We gain in maturity and a sense of authority as some of the past falls away.

Research can help us make effective decisions about career, finances, healthcare and estate planning.  We can take advantage of opportunities, overcome the obstacles of the past and gain insight into the future. 

This is a phase in which we may also have the ability to address health concerns in a more purposeful way, managing our bodies with a better diet, exercise, medical treatments or even surgery.  Scans and tests can expose additional information. 

Pluto is the muckraker of the planets, and while the trine is generally a positive flowing aspect, Pluto will nevertheless dredge out what’s hidden and may reveal the unpleasant.  It could intensify an issue as it clears things out.  Office politics can become disruptive before a move, surgery will make you feel worse before you get better, and you’ll have major expenses in buying a home, for example.

We may also realize when it’s time to move on from an unfulfilling situation and reinvent ourselves.  In the end, though, we should be able to better connect with our life purpose and move meaningfully ahead.

2013 Election Winners

Both Bill deBlasio and Chris Christie enjoyed landslide victories in this week’s elections.  It can be challenging to choose the winners, but astrology always helps us figure out exactly what happened.

Bill deBlasio was born on May 8, 1961 at 7:03 PM in New York, NY (his campaign manager gave the data to astrologer Shelley Ackerman).  The new NYC mayor is a very idealistic guy, with Neptune on his Scorpio Ascendant squaring Jupiter and opposing his Sun.  Transit Saturn in Scorpio was conjoining his Neptune and Ascendant in the last months of his campaign, an aspect that can help clarify ideals and may bring unusual career developments.  It also holds the possibility for publicity, which was immensely helpful to him.  DeBlasio’s campaign heated up this summer, when his son Dante appeared in TV ads.  Broadening Jupiter combined with the Saturn-Neptune pattern at that time to popularize the candidate’s message, and the momentum continued.

Saturn transiting the first house will bring up significant developments in deBlasio’s life and career as it makes major aspects in early 2014, when he begins his new duties.  This influence often indicates a turning point in life.  DeBlasio will be taking on important responsibilities (Saturn opposite his Sun) and is moving in a new direction (Saturn square his Uranus).  Saturn repeats a cycle that began in 1984 when he first began his career with a job for the NYC Department of Juvenile Justice.

Chris Christie was born on September 6, 1962 and was re-elected as Governor of NJ with over 50% of the vote.  Transiting Saturn was helping him, too, as it sextiled his Sun almost exactly at the time of the election.  This aspect is not as powerful as deBlasio’s Saturn-Sun aspect, but Christie will not have such a major change in his life.  Saturn sextile the Sun usually gives us some career movement, often just what we can expect based on past experience, but not a significant change.  So Governor Christie is continuing what he began four years ago. 

Christie had lap-band weight-loss surgery in February of 2013 and already appears to have dropped from his speculated 300-lb. weight.  Transiting Pluto was exactly square his Mercury, which often coincides with important decisions and transformation in a particular area of experience.  And with the Sun conjunct Pluto in Virgo in his birth chart, he certainly has the ability to reinvent himself and take control of his life and habits.  At the time of the surgery, the Saturn transit stationed in a near-exact conjunction with his Neptune (the same aspect deBlasio had at the time of the election), and this, too, was an unusual life development that gained publicity.  It certainly influenced his career as well, as his health should improve and he’ll be a more appealing candidate for the future if he continues dropping pounds.