DC Horoscope: Manafort Trial September 17, 2018

Update August 28, 2018: the September 17th trial of Paul Manafort will proceed as scheduled with jury selection, however, opening statements are postponed for one week until September 24th.

Original post begins here:

Uncertain of the precise hour the trial of Paul Manafort opens on September 17, 2018 in a Washington DC courtroom, the following horoscope is set for '8:00 am edt' and as you see, the Midheaven ('MC'), or Goal Point, at the top of the chart @8Can34 shows the natal Mercury of Donald Trump crossing over it at that moment. Fixed star Alhena is there as well with its theme, to have a mission. Might the mission have anything to do with Trump's chatty if duplicitous Mercury? More likely with Mr. Manafort's knowledge of the Mercurial Trump's 2016 campaign.

See Paul Manafort trial in DC to take 3 weeks, probe Ukraine lobbying world. And here's a previous post showing the 1991 independence horoscope of Ukraine if you're curious.

September 17, 2018 The Cosmic Curtain Rises in Judge Jackson's Courtroom

Rising at 8:00 am is 7Lib32 which makes Venus chart-ruler yet she makes no applying aspects at all to clue us in on how things will proceed. Or does she? With no application of the chart-ruler, we must depend on Venus' sign, degree, house placement (2nd h of Money, Values, Possessions), and house ruler-ship to tell the tale. Here, with Venus in brooding Scorpio, sign of corporations, money, big business, and betrayal, we find the Sabian Symbol for Venus' degree instructive: '6Scorpio' = "A Gold Rush"...AMBITION with its negative expression of "a lack of practical discrimination and an irresistible desire for easy money." (Jones). Considering the allegations against unregistered 'foreign lobbyist' and money launderer, Mr. Manafort, this seems clear enough, right? Plus, Venus also rules the corporate 8th house of Finance, Shared Resources, Credit, and Debt via Taurus, the luxury-loving sign of Paul Manafort's natal Moon. Yes, luxury, comfort, money, and possessions are his reigning needs (Moon).

Then there's Mr. Trump's natal Cancerian Mercury at Goal Point--Mercury, planet of communications (ex: tweets), commerce, trade, theft, deals and negotiations--in Cancer, sign of patriotism, shrewd business ability, and self-protection, so we may expect Paul Manafort's knowledge of Mr. Trump's words, plans, deals, and 'patriotism' to be part of the legal proceedings if Trump's name comes up at all. Possibly it will in relation to the events, contacts, and negotiations which took place at RNC 2016 as foreign actors lurked about:

Please enlarge the image to read my scribbles for not all chart factors will be mentioned in this text; besides, the trial date could possibly be changed again or the proceedings could begin at noon or later--at noon, Scorpio rises which would emphasize Mars conjunct POTUS Sun, square Uranus (0A26; danger; explosions, and Mars, here out-of-bounds (OOBs), soon to be conjoined by the transiting South Node of the Moon, aka, The Tail of the Dragon (as will the POTUS Sun 00AQ48, a separative and karmic Saturnian condition--see Tail of the Dragon Smacks POTUS Sun!) in late October 2018. Popularity with the public is not promised by this transit.

So as you see, 8:00 am edt is an Hour of Saturn, perfect for legalities and for holding the innocent-until-proven-guilty to account. Upper right of the chart I penned the ASC 7Lib32 to show that Trump's natal Neptune (5:50 Rx) is rising, then Manafort's natal Neptune (13:52 Rx) about to rise. The Sun-Mercury midpoint (business people) of this chart sits upon America's natal Neptune (23Virgo) which provides a cosmic picture of swindlers and crooks (Ebertin). Homegrown ones, I guess. Anyway, at the Foundation (IC) of the chart, the Moon at a Cardinal World Point) pairs with Saturn conjoins asteroid Orpheus so cue the violins for the emotional heaviness that pervades. Yet the Moon-Saturn duo can also denote ambition and strategy especially here in Capricorn.

This is a first quarter Moon phase (crisis in action) but what really catches my eye is the Locomotive shape of the planets (ruthless success) led by little Mercury @21Virgo--conjunct fixed star Denebola (to go against society). Mercury is oriental (rises just before the Sun) and in the 12th house of Politics, Karma, Self-Undoing, Secret Enemies, and Backroom Deals. And of course, Sun in 12th house denotes unconscious arrogance and with Mercury oriental it's predictably a 'cross the Ts dot the Is' sort of day.

Paul Manafort's natal Mercury at Aries Point (00:04) is in process of being visited by transit Chiron (the wounded healer, the wound, the blind spot) suggesting him as a conduit of some sort for sending messages. Then his natal Venus @7Ari42 is setting for the vengeful-when-scorned planet sits precisely on the Descendant at 8:00 am--with his natal Mars @8Ari21. With this pair, are love affairs or other liaisons indicated? Or merely irritability, exaggeration, and possibly a lack of tact? (Ebertin).

Now striding across the chart is a Grand Cross if we allow the Nodal axis to take part. Otherwise, it's a double T-Square between the Venus-Uranus opposition that points toward Mars @1AQ28--and US POTUS Sun (in 2017, Sun @00AQ48 = Trump) on one end, and Venus-Uranus = North NOde on the other. Quick responses and intense feelings are suggested. Plus, someone is 'ready to go' and 'proud' (POTUS Sun). Of course, another picture is shown--Mars-NN = Uranus which denotes potentials for upsets and sudden experiences, but also for active cooperation. Then Venus opposite Uranus adds collaboration to the Mars-Nodal picture. But surely not the flipping of Paul Manafort! Probably just the legal teams involved in the investigations and the trial.

And naturally, there's a notation at the bottom of the horoscope with saboteur and wealth-hoarder Pluto @18Cap48 Rx again intensifying the 1993 Uranus-Neptune conjunction/s (18Cap) which forms a midpoint picture of 'the big picture must be followed; very little option to do otherwise' (Tyl). Sounds like an offer someone can't refuse. The Sabian Symbol for this degree describes POLITICAL POWER and, negatively, 'strong-armed paternalism' at its 'best' (by which I mean worst) and here in 4th house, the Basis of the whole shebang.

And we mustn't neglect to mention the Jupiter-Pluto sextile (plutocrats; big wheeler-dealers--2nd h of Money, 4th h of Real Estate) which forms a temporary YOD (crisis; turning point) with Trump's natal Uranus-NN-Sun trio which is marked in orange in the 8th house. As a midpoint picture, this suggests Mr. Trump's tendencies for quick exploitation of every situation, far-reaching associations, possible adjustment to new circumstances, fanatical striving for improvement, and political activities (Ebertin). As a YOD the pattern can act as a timer for major adjustments which must be made so that a complete change of direction is facilitated. If the energies are poorly handled, results will be negative for Mr. Trump.

Well, there are many more cosmic clues in the chart and in later charts of the day but since I try to avoid typing too much about a horoscope for which I have no exact hour, I'll leave you with this spotty analysis until and unless the hour the trial begins is discovered causing the different house cusps to change to a large extent so that any of the portents mentioned in today's post don't hold. Or if there's a delay in the court calendar.

2018 Saturn and Pluto to Inauguration 2017 Planets

Below is the Inauguration 2017 Horoscope previously published here with my messy chart notes intact:

First, let's note the all-alone Sun (POTUS) in Career 10th house (conjunct asteroid Icarus) which has turned out to be prophetic given the high number of resignations and firings from the service of Donald Trump's White House--and in the brief time of his under-fire administration. Obviously, many stressful situations and separations have been self-created no less so than by Mr. Trump himself through his attempt to remake America in his distorted Klan-esque image.

Of course, it is no secret that this particular Southerner has never believed the man is up to the task of playing US president because I value the office more highly than his personal flaws can possibly reach. Many of my fellow astrologers criticize me for this bias yet I have also stated here and elsewhere that as any POTUS goes, so goes America and for this reason my hope as a Child of the Revolution has been that Donald Trump would do well in the job on behalf of the American people, and by extension, the rest of the world. Unfortunately, this so far seems an empty wish on my part and yet hope does, and must, spring eternal.

And so with trepidation, the following is my consideration of a few of the upcoming 2018/2019 transits to the Trump Inauguration chart of 2017. No beneficial transits will be listed which is due to my anxiety over the fate of our nation under Trump's quixotic Uranian leadership (see the 'whimsical' link at the end of this post). If this bothers you, dear reader, you are invited to discount this post and mosey on to something that echoes your adoration of Mr. Trump as 'dear leader' for you'll find no such adoration here!

Note that in the Inauguration 2017 chart, the rebellious Uranus-Pluto square is featured (3A09) and so...

Transit Pluto Square Inaugural Uranus 2018 into 2019

In the chart you see Inaugural Ascendant @14Tau07 which brought Trump's natal 9th house of legalities, foreign lands, philosophy and religion to the fore from the start and for the duration of his tenure. Inaugural Pluto in 9th house will make a series of squares to Inaugural Uranus (12th house of Politics, Karma, Self-Undoing, and Large Institutions) beginning on March 7, 2018--still a 9th-to-12th house situation. This occurs with both transiting planets at critical-crisis degrees (Aries-Capricorn 20:46). This is the Cardinal Square reasserting its difficult energies for Mr. Trump and our nation. The second exact square occurs on June 9, 2018, the third on January 6, 2019, the fourth on September 9, 2019, and the last on October 26, 2019 so the entire period is one of higher powers threatening or imposing restrictions on political and economic systems and on the radical reforms (Uranus is Aries = Utopian anarchists and blind zealots--Ebertin) of Mr. Trump and his conspiring Republicans.

Transit Saturn 2018 Conjunct Inaugural Mercury @6Cap45

As you know, astrological Mercury represents multiple things on various levels with plans, communications, and commerce being only three of them. In 2018 there are three conjunctions to 9th house Mercury (6Cap45) from transiting Saturn, karmic planet of limitation, delay, loss, judgments, courts, laws, lawmakers, government, and business. Of course, Saturn is strong in his own sign of Capricorn and is slowly gearing up for his Great Conjunction with powerful Pluto on January 12, 2020 (DC horoscope shown). But for now, the old devil hits Inaugural Mercury in the legal 9th house three times in 2018 on: February 21, June 14, and November 20. This creates a period of increased responsibilities, circumstances that require a broadening of skills and knowledge, serious meetings (testimonies?) occurring, soberness that pervades the environment, and schedules, ideas, and plans that are restricted, delayed, or denied--and may a military parade be one of them!

Of interest as well is March 8, 2018's Jupiter Station Retrograde @23Sco13, the same spot in the Zodiac where transit Mars Stationed Direct during the 2016 Campaign on June 29, 2016--conjunct Mr. Trump's natal IC. On March 8, Jupiter will again be leading a BOWL pattern as Mr. Moneybags (and Jupiter the General) has done of late. Perhaps this cosmic condition relates to dictator-idolizing Trump's dream of a military parade through the streets of Washington DC which would show Trump's and America's weakness rather than the projection of power that he imagines.

Another curious transit to the Inauguration 2017 horoscope is the transiting South Node of the Moon (the 'tail of the dragon') swiping US Inaugural Sun (00AQ49 = POTUS) exact on October 27, 2018. This karmic transit suggests ego concerns (as always for Trump), leadership differences, and the potential for physical interactions. A major separation from POTUS--perhaps of the public or his 'base'--is also a possibility around this time.

Year 2018 ends with transit Jupiter square Inaugural Neptune (10Pis16 in 11th house of Hopes, Wishes, and Group Associations) on December 24, a time when Mr. Trump's need to live in a fantasy world increases, his judgment becomes cloudier than usual, and he yearns for greener pastures. Well, one thing we know--that for a majority of Americans, the current kingpin-in-chief can't graze to greener pastures soon enough.

Related post include: Trump Inauguration 2017's 2018 Solar Return, The Whimsical Sun (POTUS) of Inauguration 2017, and 2018 Saturn to Trump's Natal Mercury-Neptune Square (reality to his delusions?)

Manly P Hall: Reap What You Sow (video)

Know Thyself

As a Saturnian astrologer I read in horoscopes South Nodes, the Moon, the Unconscious 12th house of karma and self-undoing, the Vertex and Anti-Vertex, and other karmic points and indicators as reaping-what's-been-sown rather than as past-life-reincarnation information. For me, past-life karmic material means genetic inheritance and I adhere to the theory that certain chart factors such as YOD patterns alert us to issues, circumstances, and behaviors that were not successfully or positively handled or resolved by our ancestors and which must now play out in the current life and be dealt with--hopefully with awareness and skill. The over-used word 'closure' comes to mind.

Astrology is not a belief system. Yet I do believe that the revelation of one's inherited tendencies is one of the better reasons to know and understand one's natal chart and thus to know thyself which includes unconscious motivations!

Yet on the other palm...

Though quite the Uranian, astrologer, author, lecturer, genius, showman, and pioneer Manly Palmer Hall remains a valuable source for Astrology studies and was a fascinating, complex character as well. See what you think about this excerpt from one of his talks on the topic of the natural law: Reap What You Sow...

Obama speaks on Libya 3.28.11 w Mercury at loose ends

Horoscopes set for Monday night, March 28, 2011, on the occasion of President Obama addressing the nation about the US-NATO-Arab-Allies mission in Libya, don't look so much unpromising for the globalists' usual war propaganda purposes as they look...well, ignored by the general public. We have, after all, heard this sorry tune too many times before.

Under conditions which must certainly be obvious even to our bubble-wrapped White House and Capitol Hill denizens, the American people are wumped out and few there be who are interested in hearing about another overly expensive (aka, bottomless pit in the money department) war and possible occupation. Mission Accomplished so soon? We'll see if NATO operations fill the expansionists' bill for domination in the region and if one objective is to get the American people more acclimated to acting in accord with with NATO and eventually, the UN. (Less national sovereignty for us that way.)

Moon and South Node of the Moon

As you know, the Moon in a mundane chart represents the people or populace, the general public, and Democracy. Women, children, and family are particularly associated with the Moon whether in a radix (natal) horoscope or a mundane one (events, inaugurations, coronations, speeches, politicians, elections, etc - whatever has a beginning has an inception chart, even pitifully crooked politicians.)

The thing about this Monday evening at such an hour as the President might read his remarks on the topic (8 pm or 9 pm?), the Moon is in the 6 - 7 degree range of Aquarius which conjoins US natal South Node of the Moon, not the most auspicious marker for anything expecting publicity, or for a speech you want to be well-received by a fickle public.

Speak to Me Only with Thy Mercury

In warring Aries, Mercury (planet of young persons, orators, negotiators, planners, scribes, reporters, bloggers, traders, and jugglers, among a myriad of other things) makes no applying aspect to any planet in the chart/s at 8 pm or 9 pm edt in Washington DC, an indication that the speech may make little difference 'on the board'.

So though he's at loose ends planetarily, Mr. Speedy does apply to a lovely trine with the NN (and thus sextiles SN) so reporters will be listening (it's their jobs, plus, zealous ideologues must pay attention because they can't exist without Politics to promote their causes - perhaps if no one claps their hands, they'll all go pouf! and leave us be.) Hopefully, mercurial young people will be listening, too, or watching it later on YouTube for they tend most often to supply the Pentagon's war fodder, and their futures are intimately connected to the rhythm the White House plays when beating its drums of war.

So it seems in his speech that President Obama may be falling back on past (SN) emotional appeals (Moon) to our better natures (AQ) and of course we'll hear political talking points parroted on both sides in the news before Tuesday and for the rest of the week unless another topic knocks it off the ticker.

Well, the way things are going these days, that's pretty much a given, isn't it?

And since a disciplined GOP desperately craves the White House in 2012, we know that just after Mr. Obama completes his remarks the yapping will begin and spread into the week, revealing the gist or essence of the Libyan conflict's required government propaganda modulated to suit the public mood, and embroidered with all the subtle nuances big money can pay journalists and talking heads to spout as the week plows on and Japan's leaked radiation heads this way. Now there's a leak meant to be taken seriously yet it's more politically correct to downplay it.

Meanwhile, Mr. Obama prepares an oration for our edification and Politico's headline is President Obama faces a hard Libya sell so perhaps we may consider his speech's Moon/SN contact as: "exit strategy" (what we-the-people want to have and hear about, thanks), bad timing (coffers now empty - US tax payers can't afford to act as the world's police force anymore, we're all tapped out, cheers), more 'terrorism' propaganda (6/7 AQ = Moon = US n SN = Neptune's position at Islam's Founding), or simply that the public (Moon) has negative escapist behavior it wishes to resort to (SN) and would rather not be bothered on a Monday night to listen to...ugh, crafty Politics.

With SN (aka, Tail of the Dragon) having a Saturnian flavor of separation or loss, the Moon nearby can give a Moon/Saturn vibe which includes: separation from females, depression or melancholy, emotional inhibitions, or more positively, ambition, direction, strategy. (Tyl.)

Now you'll easily think of other connotations for Moon/SN and other chart factors in the President's speech horoscope for the evening of March 28, 2011, I know, so your opinions and remarks are being awaited momentarily.

How about: Moon/SN = talk to the hand...?

Midas and the London subway workers strike

Most of London's subway shuts down Monday evening at about 6:00 pm, with Saturn as chart-ruler and applying to transiting South Node, a separative point.

The Tube will be sorely missed until it meets its workers once again. And the Saturn-SN flavor shows the extreme discomfort the strike is causing the city of London and how it will inconvenience...other workers.

MC = "30Sco"..."The Halloween jester" and Moon is out-of-bounds and conj Pan, a trickster element.

Midas, grubber of gold, is hanging out around "8Gem" these days which is the "An industrial strike" *degree. Guess it's about mo' money. And it probably should be. Hope it works out for them and their families.

Give some up, Midas!



*Sabian Symbols in Astrology, Dr. Marc Edmund Jones.