We’re all looking forward to August’s eclipses, so I posted an article I wrote on Eclipse Weddings. 
Prince Charles and Paul McCartney both had two marriages near eclipses! I also consider J.K. Rowling, Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt, Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger and some regular folks’ weddings near eclipses.
This piece was originally published in the Spring 2016 NY NCGR’s Ingress newsletter. Thanks to Tracy Allen and the NY NCGR for including it.
Capricorn Donald Trump, Jr. is busy with his father’s business, but has admitted he met with a Russian lawyer during the campaign to scope out dirt on Hillary Clinton. The New York Times says he’s already changed his story. With Mercury conjoining Neptune in his birth chart, are we getting the truth? 
Trump, Jr.’s Mercury-Neptune mirrors his father’s Mercury square Neptune. Donald Jr.’s Mercury is further emphasized by being at its station – moving from retrograde to direct, and also falls right on his father’s Sun-Node-Moon opposition (Sr.’s natal eclipse).
Transiting Saturn will station right on Donald Jr.’s Mercury in August as it also conjoins his father’s Moon at the same time. They share any transits to this point and some of the experiences that Saturn is bringing up. There may be substance to this story and we should hear more over the next few months.
Transiting Jupiter in Libra conjoins Jr.’s Pluto this month, suggesting that the truth will come out. But Jupiter will also sextile Mercury by the end of August, and go on to trine his Jupiter and sextile his Saturn and Venus in the fall. These are favorable aspects that should facilitate things for him.
We have no birth time for Donald, Jr. Transiting Neptune may be opposing his Moon, further confusing the situation. Transiting Pluto might also be trining his Moon, which could help him, through powerful family members, avoid any culpability. Pluto, when it trines his Moon, should dredge up his family’s past in many ways. Without a birth time, though, it’s difficult to tell which influence will predominate this year.
When I found the birth data for the Alexandria, Virginia shooter on Ancestry.com (December 12, 1950), I couldn’t be certain if it was correct. The James T. Hodgkinson I found was the same age as the man in the news, with the same name and middle initial, the only one listed in the town of Belleville, Illinois. But one look at the chart convinced me this was the person who had opened fire on Congressman Steve Scalise and other Republicans at an early morning baseball practice. 
Was this someone who could conceive a grandiose scheme? He had the Sun and Venus in Sagittarius along with Jupiter in Pisces, all of which suggest seeing the big picture.
Is this the kind of person who’d think outside the norm and take an extreme stance? He had Mercury Out of Bounds in declination and opposite Uranus, along with the Moon in Aquarius, all of which may incline toward a radical agenda.
Could this person think ahead to plan a crime? Hodgkinson had Mercury in Capricorn and Saturn exalted in Libra, both signifiers of the ability to take things one step at a time and follow through on plans.
Could he carry out a violent act? Mars in Capricorn and the Sun trine Pluto are both indicators of someone who can exercise control, take a calculated risk, and is not afraid of pursuing violence.
The timing of the shooting was also clear. Sudden events and extreme acts come under the rulership of Uranus, and violence is associated with Mars. On the day of the shooting, transiting Uranus squared Hodgkinson’s Mars and trined his Venus (within a half a degree of exact for both).
Transiting Saturn was near the midpoint of Hodgkinson’s Sun and Venus. He may have been feeling down and depressed, unhappy with the status quo, leading him to take his fatal actions.
Of course, we don’t have a time of birth for Hodgkinson, and not everyone born on this day will express the chart with such negativity. For example, the popular Indian actor Rajinikanth was born on the same day. He has gone on hunger strikes to draw attention to issues that were important to him, and has supported anti-corruption and campaigned for eye donations. In June of 2017, the month of the Alexandria shooting, Rajinikanth met with leaders and appears to be considering entering politics. He leans conservative.
The FBI’s wanted list confirms Hodgkinson’s birth data.
Horoscopes continue after the people who lived them have passed on, especially where their personal and professional affairs are concerned. We can clearly see this in the legal proceedings for music superstar Prince’s estate.
By any measure, Prince Rogers Nelson had a remarkable horoscope, reflected in the uniquely multitalented man. He worked out of his home studio, and created, produced, arranged and performed almost all the music in his recordings. With a Scorpio Ascendant, he had tremendous drive, and both rulers are in a tight inconjunct aspect – Mars in Aries conjoining the 5th house of creativity and Pluto in Leo closely conjunct the MC. 
But Pluto is also part of a T-square with focal point Mercury in Gemini in the 7th and the Moon in Pisces conjunct the 4th house cusp. Prince reached a wide audience, but also had relationship issues, going so far as to change his identity for a period of time due to contractual disagreements. Prince’s Neptune in the 12th was also the focal point of a yod with Mercury and Mars, showing his wonderful imagination and how he was able to direct it into creative projects.
He died on April 21, 2016 from an accidental drug overdose. He was 58 at the time and had not left a Will. Traditionally, the 4th house shows the “end of the matter.” In an individual’s chart, it also indicates one’s home, property or land – what we might call his estate. This is where we look to see what happens to the stuff we leave on earth.
The Pisces Moon on the 4th house cusp shows Prince’s vast, multitudinous properties, born of his creative imagination – estimated at $200 million. The star had two marriages which both ended earlier in his life, and he had no children. So his estate is divided among his closest relatives – six siblings. Siblings are ruled by both Mercury and Gemini, and these family members have now become has partners, all trying to look out for their own interests and determine how best to proceed.
The patterns that made Prince such a dynamic artist also challenge the resolution of his estate. As one might imagine with the Moon opposite Pluto and so much property at stake, 45 parties came forward with claims. The judge has rejected most of them, but some have appealed his decision. The estate could easily take many years to resolve.
Prince is experiencing his Saturn return throughout 2017, which should help move things forward and confirm the judge’s order. But transiting Neptune squaring his 8th house Sun from the 4th seems to be the significator for the complicated estate proceedings, which have been both numerous and costly. The Neptune transit won’t be complete until early 2020, when the court should get beyond much of the confusion.
Uranus will trine Prince’s Midheaven during 2018 to early 2019, which could bring some surprising developments. The estate is already planning on releasing new albums and concert films.
Prince was born on June 7, 1958 at 6:17 PM according to his birth record on Astrodatabank.
I recently wrote about Edgar Cayce’s psychic readings on the Fixed Star Arcturus, and heard that astrologer Michael Munkasey had done independent research on this star. His work appears in Exploring Consciousness in the Horoscope (Llewellyn, 1993).
Munkasey tested Arcturus (now at approximately 24½ Libra) in stock market forecasting and studied its major aspects with planets in newspaper headlines and natal charts. His 2+ years of study included inspiration, dogged research, group feedback and surprising coincidences. Munkasey found meaningful correlations with the myths of the Greek goddess Psyche, so much so that he rechristened Arcturus as “the planet Psyche” (not to be confused with the asteroid). 
Edgar Cayce’s readings related Arcturus to enlightenment, transcendence and spiritual development. Michael similarly found Psyche/Arcturus to align with the evolution of consciousness and self-realization. Its path may include issues of cooperation and fairness, addressing differing viewpoints, the need to ask for help, innocence, beauty, loss in love and female conflicts. On some level it appears to epitomize Libra and Venus themes. But Psyche also suggests discipline in relationships (perhaps somehow related to Saturn’s exaltation in Libra).
Munkasey describes cycles of Uranus with Psyche in world events and includes numerous capsule descriptions of Psyche in natal charts. His research is top-notch and he’s boiled the subject down to its essence, making it easily accessible. The 25-page chapter provides a fascinating and comprehensive overview and includes an ephemeris for Psyche.
Michael Munkasey’s excellent article is highly recommended, especially for those interested in the Fixed Stars, relationships, Evolutionary astrology, feminine archetypes, consciousness and divine inspiration. Exploring Consciousness in the Horoscope is out-of-print, but available second-hand online. Edited by Noel Tyl, the book also includes chapters by Ed Steinbrecher, Steven Forrest, Tad Mann and others. Buy at Amazon.com: Exploring Consciousness In the Horoscope
Former Congressman Anthony Weiner pled guilty to Federal obscenity charges on Friday, May 18, 2017 for sexting an underage girl in 2016. 
Weiner was born on September 4, 1964 in Brooklyn according to Wikipedia
(no time available). His Virgo Sun is conjunct Pluto and Uranus, showing his obsession (Pluto) with technology (Uranus). This is also a signature that may indicate ups and downs in the career as well as a need for periodic re-invention. 
Weiner’s retrograde Mercury in Virgo is the final dispositor of his chart, giving him intelligence and pragmatism, but it also opposes Saturn (as does his Sun). Wendell C. Perry on GoodGollyAstrology looked at Weiner’s horoscope and the role transiting Saturn played in his personal and professional problems. Perry accurately forecast a significant turning point for Weiner in October of 2016, when he would “feel the full weight of his past actions” as Saturn squared his Sun and Pluto. At that time, it was revealed that the FBI was investigating Weiner, and had seized computer (leading to the re-opening of their look at Hillary Clinton’s e-mails).
When Anthony Weiner pled guilty, transiting Saturn was exactly quincunx his natal Venus, forming a yod with his Venus-Mars-Jupiter sextile. Ed Dearborn, in his excellent article on yods in The Mountain Astrologer, felt that the yod created by transits to the natal chart “…provides a challenge to an individual and an opportunity to exert energies ‘against the current.’ This allows the chart to show where one can make progress and lend assistance to those who wish to see injustices righted or new paths forged in our daily lives.”
Saturn and the authorities have forced Weiner to admit to his crimes and accept the penalties. It may now be easier for him to be able to get some help for his mental and emotional problems.
New York City’s Penn Station experienced two train derailments in less than two weeks – a New Jersey Transit slow-speed derailment on April 3 and an Amtrak partial derailment on 3/24/17. In addition, there was a Long Island Railroad service train derailment on 2/8, and a LIRR morning commuter train crashed into Atlantic Terminal on 1/4. What’s going on?
The horoscope for Greater New York has Venus conjunct Mars in Sagittarius in its 3rd house of transportation, which trines the Moon in the 7th in Aries. These planets in fire signs show the importance of transit to New York and the many different railroad, bus and subway systems that speed through the City each day.
But with Saturn in Sagittarius stationing near both Venus and Mars this month, transit has been snarled. Saturn takes its time, and may create delays. As it stationed, Saturn remained less than a degree and a half from conjoining Mars. This is one of those aspects that tends to have a definitive effect. It can cause damages, equipment failure and human error. On the plus side, new ferry service from Queens and Brooklyn to Manhattan begins this spring.
New York experienced its Saturn return, also in the 3rd house, in late 2015. The new Hudson River tunnel plan and Penn Station train hall on Eighth Avenue both appear to be stalled. This is the nature of Saturn, which can bring growing pains. When the 3rd house aspects are finished late this year, hopefully plans will be adjusted or solidified. Governors Cuomo and Christie have asked for a review of Penn Station’s infrastructure.
In the meantime, on Good Friday, 4/15, over a thousand New Jersey Transit commuters were trapped in an overheated train for several hours due to a power problem, and frightened crowds surged as a police Taser went off in Penn Station (Mercury retrograde aggravating the situation). Saturn backs away from NYC’s Venus and Mars in April, but will return to complete the aspects in December of 2017. Be cautious. And as the MTA often advises, allow additional travel time.
Greater New York was created on January 1, 1898 at 12:01 AM, New York, NY.
My article, Understanding Arcturus: the Gateway to Higher Realms, appears in the April-June issue of Venture Inward. My research into the psychic Edgar Cayce’s readings on this star was illuminating and surprising. 
Cayce’s reports that Arcturus is a gateway to higher levels of consciousness and other dimensions are reiterated in many ways. The challenge in coming to an astrological interpretation based on Cayce’s material is that we are stuck here on three-dimensional Earth!
Below is an excerpt from my article. (Venture Inward magazine is available through membership in the A.R.E.)
Edgar Cayce mentioned the Star Arcturus in more than 30 of his psychic readings, beginning in 1928. New Age enthusiasts have championed Arcturus as a “gateway” to higher realms of consciousness that can have a profound effect on people’s lives. But what is Arcturus really all about? Why is it important? We have only to turn to the readings themselves to learn the answers to these questions.
In understanding Arcturus, it’s important to consider the readings’ repeated descriptions of the soul’s dwelling in other planetary spheres between earthly incarnations. Cayce in his trance state often spoke about astrology, and Cayce’s readings asserted that astrological aspects provide tendencies or inclinations only – the will or personal determination may surpass them. But the readings added a further dimension – the influence of the individual’s environment, including previous incarnations on the earth, as well as planetary sojourns. A planet’s theme may be accentuated in a person’s consciousness due to the fact that the soul had a past experience – an incarnation or sojourn – in that planetary sphere. (Reading 5733-3 gives a good overview of these concepts.)
Arcturus is a star and well outside of our planetary system, yet it somehow functions as a center for our sun and planets. As Cayce said in a reading,
Arcturus is that junction between the spheres of activity as related to cosmic force, and is that about which this particular environ or sphere of activity rotates… (263-15)
(To read about membership in Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E. or download an earlier issue of Venture Inward maggazine, click here.)
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?
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 3rd 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.
