Dec 28, 2013: Astrology of Unemployment Benefits Cut Off

Our Derelict Congress and the GOP's 'Hurting Obama' Game

by Jude Cowell

Since unemployment benefits are set to expire on December 28, 2013 for 1.3 million Americans, it's only natural for astrologers to take a look at that date and the condition of its two money planets, Venus and Jupiter, both of which are retrograde. The condition of the astrological Moon as We the People is an important chart factor to consider as well.

Yesterday a list of planetary changes of direction were posted to this blog where we see that Jupiter is Rx until March 6, 2014, and Venus turns Rx on December 21st (this Saturday) while conjoining US natal Pluto in late Capricorn. The Venus-Pluto contact makes for a good time in the US to plan and determine strategy though as a planetary pair, Venus-Pluto can signify bankruptcy, a real hazard for those whose unemployment benefits suddenly are withheld for an extended period of time.

These folks' Christmas shopping will tend to be suppressed with December 28th looming, so retail sales are sure to be lost, thanks to a derelict Congress.

However, Congress will take up the extension of benefits when they return to Capitol Hill in early January (if we can believe them), though even only a week or two without unemployment checks will not only put some families at risk of homelessness and/or food insecurity, but the lack will interfere with filling up car gas tanks for even the most basic errands--plus, it will take the money they would be spending out of the economy--thus hurting the America people along with hurting President Obama's favorability rating.

As for the Moon, Luna conjoins depressive, austere Saturn at 7:58 pm est on the evening of December 28, 2013 @20Sco05..'21Sco' = "A Soldier Derelict in His Duty", a Sabian Symbol which may easily refer to our veterans but makes me think first of our derelict Congress especially since Scorpio is the sign of betrayal (of the public trust and of their oaths of office--governing by not governing doesn't count around here.) This conjunction echos the recent (Nov 28th) conjoining of America's Secondary Progressed Moon and Saturn @ '3Sco' ("A House-Raising"!)

Yet Christmas is an optimistic season, and my Jupiterian hope is that Congress will act to extend unemployment benefits well before the Direct Station of Venus on January 31, 2014 @13Cap34 (opposite US natal Sun, a time when leaders are openly opposed and there may be ostentatious displays of luxury!) so if you are reading this blog (as you seem to be), I suspect that this is your hope, too.

~:~

The Sabian Symbols in Astrology by Marc Edmund Jones.