DC Horoscope: US Mars Return May 22, 2017

Perpetual War Proceeds: please enlarge the horoscope to read my scribbled astro-notes concerning America's upcoming Mars Return which perfects on May 22, 2017 at 2:42:42 pm edt Washington DC (return chart based on natal chart: USA July 4, 1776 5:09 pm LMT Philadelphia, Pennsylvania).

As you see, warrior Mars conjoins Midheaven (MC) for all the world to see (Mr. Trump and his first overseas tour?) while transit Saturn @26Sag10 Rx conjoins the IC and has been opposing US natal Mars off and on since December 2016 and will do so again including a Direct Station @21Sag11 a few days after The Great American Eclipse of August 21, 2017 @29Leo (hitting Mr. Trump's natal Ascendant and royal Regulus and singeing his natal Mars @26Leo), a rare 'cosmic blink' event which will be visible from West Coast to East--and which can be seen here conjunct the 12th cusp of this return chart--the 12th house of karma, self-undoing, politics, large institutions, and backroom deals:

As for aspects to and from Mars (the star of this show) its only applying aspect is the opposition to Saturn, however, the Moon (the public) sextiles activist Mars (2A14) which denotes opportunities for self-reliance, discipline, but also compassion to be shown. Holding back or repressing feelings in order to conform is a possibility as is having the wisdom to avoid conflict. Others are accommodated until the sense of fairness is violated or some other provocation triggers a firm stand and battle is entered.

A very prominent aspect is Tr Saturn opposing natal Mars: resistance, frustration, gridlock. Chart-ruler Mercury @6Tau51 in 8th house of Corporatism makes no applying aspects (or any other) and is out-of-bounds; radical Utopian Uranus continues its lurch through Mars-ruled Aries where it is joined by Venus, the lady traveling with asteroids Isis and Toro, a power asteroid that hints at nuclear power. Bucket handle Jupiter @13Lib41 Rx rises in 1st house offering some measure of protection (as ruler of 4th house, Saturn, and 7th house) while conjoining US natal Saturn (a partial lifting of burdens).

Saturn and Uranus trine one another and, with North Node, form a Fire 'Grand Trine' of protection and connection which suggests those with many plans for the future but who may also demand loyalty from others. (If this sounds like Mr. Trump, it's meant to.) The aspect is a natal echo from America's 1776 Saturn-Uranus trine (then in Air: Libra-Gemini) which is/was compatible with future generations of Americans who can/could easily identify with our original form of authority. Our government's current perpetual war stance? Not so much.

Now a few quick words about Venus @16Ari33 since she's traveling with asteroids Isis and with Toro, a power asteroid that hints of nuclear power potential--in the 7th house of Partners and Open Enemies. Those are the few quick words.

Conscious + Unconscious Energies

Air-Fire Sun Gemini-Moon Aries is a personality blend of a 'beguiling trickster, a natural leader, a great persuader and salesman', and 'an egotist who shows partiality and rides roughshod over others'. (Sun Sign-Moon Sign, Charles and Suzi Harvey). Here is a descriptive quote by Robert Morley who shares this as his natal Sun-Moon blend:

"Show me a man who enjoyed his schooldays and I'll show you a bully and a bore."

Considering the present conditions now embroiling the White House, 'nuff said.

Update 5.17.17: former FBI Director Robert Mueller has been appointed Special Counsel in the Trump-Flynn-Russia situation.

August 23, 2016 Horoscope: Mars-Saturn-Antares conjoin

August 2016 Lunations, a Mutable Grand Cross, and a Triple Conjunction

Well, it's an ugly situation but here it is, the horoscope of Mars conjunct Saturn conjunct royal star Antares at a moment no one but the violent have been waiting for. The chart is set for the White House (to represent our nation as well as our capital city) on August 24, 2016 at 7:26:09 am edt Washington DC. It's an Hour of Mercury posited in its own sign of Virgo in the first house and lined up with North Node, Venus, and Jupiter--aggressive Mars @9Sag52 conjoins Saturn and the IC and is out-of-bounds (OOBs) of the earthly plane. Read on if you dare...(and please pardon my typo in this post's title..if corrected the link won't work!)

First, let's list the August 2016 Lunations:

August 2 New Moon @10Leo57 4:44:30 pm edt White House; New Moon in 8th house trined by a 12th house Saturn Rx (9Sag52); Hour of Venus which is at the end of Leo (26:35, also in 8th house); ASC 17Sag13 makes Jupiter chart-ruler from its own 9th house @22Vir24 conjunct US natal Neptune suggesting inspiration, but negatively hinting at unwise speculation, paranoia, fanaticism, inflation, and scandal. This Jupiter also conjoins the natal Mars of President Obama which can cause overestimation of strength, having a large part to play in proceedings, and/or success if moderation and caution are used. The midpoint of Jupiter and Neptune rise in this chart so the potentials for speculation and lack of realism are increased.

August 18 Full Moon @25AQ51 (conjunct US natal Moon/We the People) 5:26:30 am edt White House; Full Moon in 7th house of Partnerships and Open Enemies so the 1/7 polarity is emphasized between Self and Others with the Sun rising @25Leo51;ASC 13Leo23 conjoins Mr. Obama's natal Sun, and the Virgo line-up is in the 2nd house of the National Treasury, Earning Ability, and Values; Jupiter and Neptune rule the 8th house of Corporatism, Credit, Debt, Shared Resources, Legacies, Transformation, (Death, and the Occult) so there's a money/wealth emphasis across the 2/8 axis--and fraudulent Neptune @10Pis02 Rx is in the 8th house as is Wounded Healer Chiron @24Pis08 Rx (suggesting a mentor or mentors); Neptune and the Saturnian South Node are conjoined (1 degree 41 min orb) in 8th so the implications of loss through fraud or through weather disasters such as floods and storms are increased. Gas, oil, and toxic fumes are also possibilities as are catastrophes related to drugs, poisons, contagion or epidemics, and/or to soil erosion or upheaval (see Antares, below).

As for the horoscope you see here with its Mars-Saturn-Antares flavors at the Ending or HOW? Point of the chart, their conjunction adds to the likelihood of natural disasters, quarrels, suspicion, belligerence, military action, violence, fires, explosions, shipwrecks, tectonic shifts, and/or other natural or man made catastrophes. Not a pretty picture at all, is it? Well, Mars-Saturn is often said to be the 'death axis' in a horoscope and as malevolents, one or both planets tend to be active during times of extremism and violent measures especially when Angular as they are here in Washington DC.

Add Antares (alpha Scorpii; Watcher of the West) to the brew and the negative tendencies of Mars-Saturn with its frustrating stop-go energies can be invigorated toward destruction (including self-destruction), obsessive behavior, and dramatic turns of events. Murder (or worse, mass murder) and executions cannot be ruled out with such a turbulent trio which could very well affect masses of people. Plus, miners and laborers may be in the spotlight since the trio is in the 4th house.

Two Royal Stars in a Mutable Grand Cross

Opposite Antares is royal star Aldebaran (alpha Tauri; Watcher of the West; success through integrity; in Arabian Astrology, 'the one who follows the Pleiades') at the very visible Midheaven would seem to be related to The Goal (the WHY? Point of the chart) so there we have two royal stars completing a Mutable Grand Cross that expresses at the Public angle at MC. Please enlarge the chart for more details such as the actors in the Grand Cross: Mars/Saturn/IC/Antares, Neptune/SN/Descendant, MC/Aldebaran, and the Ascendant/NN conjunction. Also note the Seesaw shape of the planets weighted on the Virgo side which denotes the capability for major achievement while working under contrasting and antagonistic polarities (Jones).

Obviously a few T-Squares are formed via the Grand Cross planets and points and these can be read as midpoint pictures which contain a variety of positive and negative potentials such as: recognition, success, bringing ideas to fruition at all costs, muddled aspirations, corruption, failure, wrong arrangements, peculiar circumstances, disappointment, depression, mayhem, suffering, mourning, a lack of clarity, links to others via unfortunate conditions and...a love of humanity. (I prefer the last potential, don't you?)

Not included in the Grand Cross pattern are an unaspected Sun and Uranus (Rx). Unaspected, each planet tends to work within its own sphere of interests--the Sun in the karmic 12th house of Politics and Back Room Deals, and Uranus, anarchistic in Aries and possibly causing turns of fortune or fate in the 8th house realms already mentioned, above. Other actors (planets) don't moderate or affect the solar and Uranian energies in this chart so that they are expressed without the support or interference of others.

A Moon Exalted in Taurus

Aided by three applying trines, the Moon @22Tau45 is in the 9th house and signifies the populace in a Mundane chart. Practical Earth trines to the Moon coming from the 1st house trio of Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter in Virgo suggest that commodities markets, cyclical ups and downs, and legal matters are involved, and that fluctuations are being planned for. Taurus looks for preservation of values, increased development and growth, comfort, luxury, and possessions and these are the reigning needs of a Taurus Moon. (btw: 22Taurus is just beyond a Lunar Return for former president Bill Clinton whose natal Moon position is @20Taurus+.) Actually, a Taurus Moon in 9th house trined by two money planets (Venus and Jupiter) and the planet of negotiations and trade (Mercury) brings a hint of lawsuits with favorable outcomes to mind.

Also not part of the Mutable Grand Cross is wealthy, powerful manipulative Pluto @15Cap11 Rx which precisely conjoins the 5th cusp, the house of Risk-Taking, Gambling, Speculation, and Creative Ventures. However, Pluto is connected to the Mutable Cross since it is disposited by major player Saturn via Capricorn, planet of structure, authority, control, government, law, and business. Of interest is the fixed star that Pluto conjoins, lovely Vega (alpha Lyrae) which provides such potentials as: good fortune in Politics, wealth via dealing with the government, double dealing, fleeting fame, and mother problems (A. Louis). Hmmm. Seems likely to me it might just as often indicate father problems with Saturn-ruled Capricorn involved!

2016 Solar Eclipses Spotlight the Virgo-Pisces Victim-Savior Axis

Now running in the background in August is the current Solar Eclipse (18 South) which manifested on March 9, 2016 @18Pis55 with its themes of endings, separations, and partings (Brady). Sadly, such themes support rather well the more difficult Mars-Saturn-Antares energies of August, don't they? And we've already seen 18 South manifested in both the Republican and the Democratic campaigns as staffers and officials have been let go or stepped down (ex: DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz). Yet 18 South includes a ray of hope for positive outcomes may result from the new conditions created under the influence of the eclipse.

However, since August 23rd is within 2 weeks of the next Solar Eclipse (September 1st @9Virgo), its 19 North themes may affect the harsh trio conditions as well. Plus, a conjunction on an Angle such as we see here in DC can act disruptively itself in similar fashion to an eclipse or to the planet Uranus. In other words, these are 'wild card' energies being discussed here and the potentials may or may not express at all, one of the qualities of quirky Uranus which can act as a catalyst early, on time, late...or never! Plus, we can never reliably predict what Uranus is up to, can we? Especially when The Isolationist planet is further detached by being unaspected!

The Saturn-Neptune Square Links 2016 with 1989

And yes, the off-on Saturn-Neptune square applies again (1A00) which links back to their last Great Conjunction/s all through 1989--3 times from 10Cap22 (#3) to 11Cap14 and 11:55 where transit Pluto crept for the last few years leading to deep fears of loss and/or a feeling of being downtrodden--which is more than a feeling thanks to draconian measures taken by governments across the globe and to the degradation of moral standards in society (imho). My feeling is that repressive governments with hidden agendas are the main problem, not the people! For without racketeering governments and their enablers, war would not exist. Meanwhile, profiteering 'leaders' provide mere lip service to the cause of peace!

Now perhaps you remember that for the first time since the late 15th century, the year 1989 saw a triple conjunction of Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, thus thickening the planetary plot beyond the scope of this post although we should note that workers' and civil rights and a fair and just society were obvious areas of interest then and are on society's front burner again, often as 'income inequality' issues. You know, lowering the IQ score for entering police academies hasn't improved society at all for it represents degraded standards.

As for hotheaded Mars, the confrontational warrior planet applies to nebulous Neptune (1A00) in murky Pisces, an aspect that echoes America's natal Mars-Neptune square of misguided or misdirected energies, confused motivations, though occasionally inspired actions. However, we may expect this square to blow the fog of war up our apathetic (noses) as usual. Tragically for humanity, perpetual war is a primary goal of the power elite. And corporate planet Jupiter conjunct starry Denebola in 1st house tells the tale: to go against society.

Okay, I'll hush for now and hope that this downer post serves to inspire moderation, a strengthening of our community spirit, and perhaps thoughts for safety precautions during the month of August 2016 into September. After all, we have the September 1st Solar Eclipse of realism and tackling the truth approaching as we each ruminate upon which of two sub-par presidential candidates we'll vote for on November 8th--so please do not stay home!

~:~

FYI: the last Mars-Saturn conjunction I remember is the one in late August 2014 @17Sco41; there was a Quarter Moon @24Taurus on August 17th reflecting a cycle of rigid, stubborn Fixed energies. jc

Indonesia is Burning and Nobody Knows (or Cares?) - David Pakman reports

~:~

Astro-Note: when we think of fire, blazes, or arson we think of fiery Mars which is now in late Virgo and approaching its 1949 position in the natal horoscope of Indonesia @00Lib28 in the country's 4th house of Domestic Scene and Homeland after passing natal Saturn @19Vir26 (natal IC 11Vir23.) Mars-Saturn is known as the death axis and as David Pakman reports, there have been deaths in Indonesia along with other hardships due to these conflagrations.

For those who may wish to take a look, here is the natal data for Indonesia as given in The World Book of Horoscopes by Nicholas Campion:

Indonesia: December 27, 1949 when "the Dutch gave independence to the United States of Indonesia--"; the horoscope is set for 9:22 am GMT Djakarta, Indonesia (then the new capital) with 11Gem49 rising, MC 11Pis23, and 10Cap11 = 8th cusp where transiting Pluto, planet of wealth, stealth, transformation, and death, has recently entered. Natal Mars @00Lib28 (a Cardinal World Point of Manifestation) opposes natal Moon (the people) in 10th house @6Ari36 (Aries ruled by Mars); the country's 7th house Sun (leadership) @5Cap18 has obviously been transited and transformed by Pluto, a time when the use, misuse, and abuse of power and control are spotlighted.

Max Igan--Press TV: NATO switching to Cold War Style Security Schemes

Remember the NATO Summit in September 2014 the 'power elite' held in Wales? In astrological terms I identified the secretive 'security' planning session as a Moon-Pluto Affair and now that NATO is associated with the specter of the 'Cold War' returning we note that its Saturn (cold)--Mars (war) vibes are being purposefully promoted by a complicit media and by politicians who know which side their bread must be buttered on in order to promote 'The Big Picture'.

Dec 2013--July 2014: Testy Mars in the Sign of Diplomacy

Mars Ruffles Libra from December 7, 2013 until July 25, 2014!

by Jude Cowell

With all the diplomacy going on these days and since Libra is said to be the sign of diplomacy, I've become somewhat fretful over the long drawn-out transit of 'god of war' Mars through the airy Venus-ruled sign of Libra. As you know, the orbit of Mars around the Sun lasts approximately two years, however, the last transit of Mars through Libra occurred from the end of July 2010 until mid-September 2010--so the 2013/14 transit will occur almost three years later. Sheesh! Impatient Mars makes a long slog through a sign in which 'he' tends to be uncomfortable more often than not, thanks to our Solar System's retrograde phenomenon.

See PBS News Hour's photo slideshow of Events of 2010 which includes the BP Deepwater Horizon blowout that sabotaged the Gulf of Mexico and our coastline, the horrific earthquake in Haiti, the trapped Chilean miners' rescue after 69 days, austerity measures forced upon Europe, massive floods in Pakistan, the START Treaty between US and Russia, Iceland's volcanic eruption, the failed Times Square bombing, WikiLeaks leaking of US State Department documents, and, on August 31, the ending of the US combat mission in Iraq (with Mars in Libra!)

And for the upcoming Mars transit, see Carrie Dann's Obama on Iran deal: US 'cannot close the door on diplomacy'.

(Regular readers of Stars Over Washington know that I consider what issues forth from Washington DC to be Political Theater anyway, yet it's good to keep up with whatever storyline the media echo chamber is touting the loudest on any given topic. And perhaps you've noticed that there are few if any differences between the Democratic and Republican parties. They just follow the world government script, sad to say. Plus, if We the People don't interrupt their secret TPP deal America will be bowing to global corporations in the blink of a pyramidal eye with national sovereignty a thing of the past just as international corporatists have long planned, the borry sastards.)

But let's get back to Mars in Libra:

Now on his good days, Mars in Libra doesn't act in a particularly negative manner for he actually wants to associate with others and if he can manage to show some cordiality, friendliness, and teamwork, he can successfully achieve his goals--providing that his emotional moods don't lead to too much frankness so that others are put off. Differences, differences, differences! Can they be put aside?

Approximate dates and degrees pertinent to this long transit are Mars' Retrograde Station around March 2, 2014 @27Lib31 after which he seemingly backs up through Libra until reaching approximately 9Lib01 (conjunct Fixed Star Vindemiatrix--see star info below) around May 20, 2014, then moves forward until reaching his own 'shadow' point (the degree of his Rx Station) on or about July 21, 2014. After Mars reconnoiters the same territory in the Zodiac, whatever actions (military or otherwise) have been on hold can begin to move forward once again. Hopefully, these actions will be something the American people will want to move forward--and not the TPP or the groundwater-destroying Keystone XL Pipeline.

Mars-Saturn

During his long sojourn in Libra, Mars will encounter US natal Saturn (14Lib48) indicating a period full of obstacles littering paths (though the blockages may have been self-placed) although much hurry is expected and annoying rules are imposed. Becoming more structured, organized, and focused are possibilities as well and with careful planning, things may work out in the end in spite of delays.

Mars-Sun

Also during the Mars through Libra transit, Mr. Fussy will square US natal Sun (leadership) in Cancer three to five days prior and after conjoining US natal Saturn due to our nation's Sun-Saturn square. In fact, Mars can perform as an excellent trigger so the energy embedded within our Sun-Saturn square will be activated near the dates given above. However, Mars square natal Sun often denotes frustrated actions, difficulties or separation in alliances, and touchy feelings with egos bruised as authority is questioned or challenged.

Whew! Sounds pretty much like the entire presidency of Barack Obama, doesn't it?

For more information concerning this months-long Mars transit which carries over from 2013 into Summer 2014, you may wish to check out the excellent Matthew Currie's Mars in Libra: I'm Not Your Baggage Handler...I highly recommend it!

~:~

Vindemiatrix (the Grapes Gatherer, or just The Gatherer; aka, Epsilon Virgo) is said to be an evil star (Robson) having the nature of Saturn and Mercury (Ptolemy.) Its influence may include disgrace, theft, and wanton folly and may indicate a loss of partner thus creating widows or widowers (Brady.) However, Ebertin mentions Vindemiatrix as providing mental concentration which aids such people as businessmen and architects.

Its magnitude has dimmed in our days so the star's influence is not as keenly felt as it once was, plus, precession has taken a toll. Still, its role as The Vintager may be pertinent to modern-day horoscopes (along with asteroid Bacchus) and I have seen its degree triggered during times of widowing or of 'reaping what's been sown' which is what this Saturnian astrologer describes as karma. jc

August 2013: Saturn and Pluto in the New Millennium

August 2013: Saturn and Pluto Trigger New Millennium Horoscope

by Jude Cowell

In June 2013, I published the New Millennium Horoscope so that the chart would be available to you and me for future reference--for transits, progressions, etc. Click to view the chart and my original post with brief astro-notes.

Looking at tonight's transits (7.31.13) and with August at our door and the potential for further financial stalemates in Washington DC on the 2013 menu as Republicans continue their campaign to collapse the US government and make a 'new economic order' seem the only remedy (with the enabling of Democrats), I report to you two items:

1. That transit Saturn (austerity, restriction, delay, stoppage, loss) has for some time been conjoining New Millennium Mars (5Sco03) which is posited in the NM 2nd house of America's National Treasury.

This constricting, inhibiting transit denotes a time when taking shortcuts, circumventing rules and regulations, or not following the prescribed course are ill-advised tactics, and much determination is required for future success even if things seem to be progressing very slowly at the moment.

Actually, the stop-go frustration of Saturn-Mars indicates that more focus and organization are needed for this period involves temporary delays (Saturn) of action (Mars). Yet old man Saturn moving through the rest of the 2nd house will eventually oppose NM Saturn (24Tau34 Rx) in 8th house of Corporations, Debt, Credit, etc, when regrets about the past are encountered and must be considered so that what failed won't be retried; Saturn will also oppose NM Jupiter (2Gem10 Rx) when it will be time for the Haves to give back some of what they've gained in the past. And they'll whine and whinge most loudly, no doubt, even over their dishonest gains (Gemini is the sign of duplicity and Jupiter = bankers and money lenders.)

No, this isn't the best transit for financial endeavors with its continued belt-tightening, stop-and-go improvements, and delays, however, our obstructionist-infested America did have a Jupiter Return on July 22, 2013 (see sidebar to order a pdf of the full Report) so, though they may be off-and-on, some rewards are to be expected for new financial and political cycles have begun (ex: President Obama now back on the road and speaking about the economy and the Middle Class, something the GOP dearly wishes he wouldn't do.)

2. Transit Pluto is within orb of NM Sun (10Cap50) and has crossed the IC (Foundation) of the horoscope which signifies a time when total breaks from the past may be triggered. This supports the usual astro-analysis of transformative Pluto through Saturn-ruled Capricorn with its government-toppling ability. (Capricorn is the sign of law, too, so maybe the NRA's unnecessary 'Stand Your Ground' law/s can be toppled at some point!) Renovation, repair, and renewal of our Domestic Scene (4th house) are possible outcomes of this transit (exs: job-creating infrastructure projects funded, manufacturing concerns and urban areas revamped, offshore corporations return to the US.)

Transit Pluto to NM Sun echoes a similar transit during FDR's administration when the New Deal was instituted including jobs programs and other methods to renew our economy and benefit the American people (Pluto has extreme wealth hidden in secret places, y'know.) Pluto conjunct Sun indicates an even more aggressive drive toward power, and the courage needed to deal or cope with current circumstances which motivate our leader/s (Sun) to make a new start. Yet the past closely influences the present with Pluto-to-Sun and the duo's energies when combined denote on one level dangerous situations, yes, but also open potentials for sudden advancement, consolidating one's position, and/or the realization of new ideas.

These 'new ideas' we may hear within the public discourse, or even begin to see implemented, around the time of the November 2013 Solar Eclipse in Big Business Scorpio, the month when the US debt ceiling may be reached--or breached, and sore-loser Republicans threaten yet another shoot-self-in-foot government shutdown.

Look to your own natal chart for the houses where 5/6 Scorpio and 9/20 Capricorn fall--plus, any aspects these degrees and transiting planets make to your planets and chart angles--for clues on how these transits may be personally utilized.

Here's the New Millennium horoscope again so you don't have to click the link above to view the chart if you don't wish to:

July 2013: Mars in Cancer and the Cardinal Square

Planetary Tales of Summer 2013 and Beyond

by Jude Cowell

Over at Celestial Space, Dipali Desai points out that the transit of Mars through Cancer from mid-July to the end of July, 2013 activates the Cardinal Uranus-Pluto square.

So Aries, Cancer, and Capricorn are involved with a Mars-Moon-Saturn signature which underscores America's Secondary Progressions which we discussed recently with the People's SP Moon now between SP Mars and SP Saturn which provides We the People and the public mood with feelings (Moon) about losing something while inducing for many a level of depression that hopefully will lift once SP Moon moves from between SP Mars and Saturn--after November 28, 2013, though around that date there may be a difficult or weakening event as SP Moon 'catches' SP Saturn Rx @3Sco10.

SP Moon symbolically moves about one degree per month.

A glance at the transits of Nov 28, 2013 shows a difficult transiting midpoint picture of Saturn-Neptune = Pluto which supports our Mars-Saturn-Moon condition through its potentials for feeling downtrodden, depressed, and/or fearful of loss...just how plutocrats of the Underworld want us to feel!

So in July 2013, this leaves the Venus-ruled sign of Libra, where US natal Saturn is placed @14Lib48, and it too--the planet of courts and justice (or sometimes, justice denied), evaluations, revenge, diplomacy, relationships, smaller amounts of money, the attraction principle, and ruler of America's natal MC @00Lib+ is being triggered for our Libran Saturn is within orb of activation from an opposition by quirky rebel Uranus, planet of freedom, which may have aided George Zimmerman's Not Guilty verdict last evening and announcing him "free to go".

Actually, a chapter of the Cardinal Square/Grand Cross tale is told in my upcoming US Jupiter Return Report 2013 available soon in PDF format for your printing pleasure. This is a 12-year horoscope and our nation's first Jupiter Return since the three-fer Return/s of 2001-2002. Testy Mars also figures prominently in the July 22, 2013 Jupiter Return so I hope you'll check out the JR 2013 Report which will be listed near the top of this blog's sidebar.

As Dipali mentions, Mars, motivator, activist, and sometime-shootist, also activates the ongoing Water Grand Trine from July 13--16, 2013 so check out her helpful insights concerning Mars in Cancer and his activist role in our affairs!

Saturn Direct Station, Mars-Saturn, and the Conservative War on Women

On Monday July 8, 2013, austere, restrictive, conservative Saturn in Scorpio, sign of Big Business, the occult, sex, and reproduction, stations direct in preparation for moving forward once again. With Republicans in several states already implementing stone-age laws meant to limit health care for women (along with their ridiculous battle to repeal Obamacare) and stymy abortion rights, we find a station of strength for the planet of loss and suppression feeling his oats with more sharia-type legislation to come.

Theocrats in government in the US? Well, yes, and now aligned with neocons, Social Darwinists and obstructionists of the Ayn Rand persuasion, and, considering the perverse schizophrenia of the GOP's alleged obsession with stopping abortions while simultaneously taking food from hungry children and pregnant mothers (Food Stamp cutbacks), we may feel some amount of Saturnian fear about what these power-mad utopians intend for America's future.

Sadly, in a Saturnian word, I'd say they intend to stunt our nation into accepting the 3rd-world status we're well on the way to achieving thanks to the anti-governing forces now infiltrating Washington DC and state and local governments across the land.

Check out Saturn Stations and Conservatives Dig In for more info on this and related astrological themes.

You may also wish to consider the Secondary Progressions of the US natal chart which has for some months a difficult condition for American women (Moon) with SP Mars and Saturn 'embracing' SP Moon in late Libra though the SP Moon will soon enter Scorpio.

Of course, the good news about the SP Mars-Moon-Saturn trio of illness and separation is that it describes temporary conditions for American women (and for the public--US Moon also signifies We the People) once the SP Moon moves beyond SP Saturn a degree or two. (SP Moon moves symbolically approximately one degree per month.) This is in keeping with the adage that the one thing Astrology brings to the analysis table is the element of Time--when will things begin and when will they end? And of course, the astrological Moon is an excellent timer.

But how much damage to our rights and our healthcare choices can Republicans do legislatively before late November when our SP Moon leaves the hardened influences of Mars-Saturn? We must speak up where and when we can!

SP Mars-Saturn = SP Moon

Here's a partial view of America's SP horoscope set for the date (Nov 28, 2013) that SP Moon finally conjoins and crosses over SP Saturn Rx @3Sco10--as you see, SP Mars @18Lib24 in SP 2nd house of Money, Values, and Earning Ability is Rx (since 2006) and thus the warrior planet's energies are now turned inward--and upon the American people via physical violence and crime, attacks upon previous laws and institutions, police violence against peaceful protesters in order to protect corporations, injured vets returning home, rapes (and the GOP 'redefining' of the word 'rape' and of 'abortion'), increased arming of the citizenry and of the government, and more:

Perhaps you also see our SP Pluto @29Cap16, a critical-crisis 29th degree with Pluto one of the planets relating to health, healing, and surgery (abortion.) This Pluto out-of-bounds seems to indicate that foreign puppet masters continue to have a critical say in the proceedings of our nation, as always (Pluto was OOBs at America's founding and remains so by progression which shows evolutionary progress. 'Our' Federal Reserve Banking System serves the City of London and England's House of Rothschild. And extremely wealthy Pluto is a master of hiding great fortunes in secret places.)

Now my suspicion is that an alert personage such as yourself has already felt this restrictive, hard-nosed picture of Mars-Moon-Saturn without any help from Astrology. And you know that the Mars-Saturn duo tends to destroy vitality with its harmful and destructive energies. These days, the duo's self-willedness and endurance may be seen in North Carolina and Texas legislatures, to name but two, where all manner of tricks are used by Republicans to shove through their regressive anti-women agenda.

And yes, I'm pro-choice yet I don't believe that abortion ought to be used as birth control. Actually, politicians should never have stuck their meddling noses into what is a medical issue involving the consciences of those involved. Yet Mars-Saturn does like to force 'honor' upon others and I suppose they pretend to themselves that this is what they're doing--in spite of the fact that no one can legislate morality. Yet the GOP's and Religious Right's extreme interference in women's health issues is plainly paternalistic and was described on a basic level in early June 2012 during Lady Venus' rare transit across the (paternalistic) Sun.

Plus, the drive toward 'smug or strong-armed paternalism' has been intensifying since the Great Conjunction/s of Uranus and Neptune @18Cap (POLITICAL POWER) three times in 1993 with just that negative connotation in its Sabian Symbol (Jones.)

But now Republicans and their Democratic enablers have stepped out from the shadows and are brazenly stomping (Saturn) on the rights of American women who are determined to retain the right to make personal decisions concerning their bodies and families. More than one person has wondered aloud how male politicians and their vaunted egos would react if women decided that men's favorite little erectile disfunction pills were not to be allowed in America!

My favorite anti-abortion and anti-rape method? Men put down those pills and zip your pantaloons back up.

Running in the Background: Solar Eclipse Influences

Curious fact about 1993: the Pre-Natal Eclipse Series for the US SP chart you see a snippet of here (13 South) manifested in real time in 1993, and again in Summer 2011 with its 'constitutional crisis; urge to expand hides somethings sinister; expansion brings loss, separation, inhibition, and frustration' vibes brought to the proceedings. (Brady.)

Now if I had to guess about 'something sinister' within the conservative movement these days it would be to question the paradox of what they're doing--they want to starve the Welfare State (for the needy, but not the Corporate Welfare State) while making sure more US babies are born not aborted, so my question is: does Eugenics have anything to do with their weird plans? Do they want more white babies to grow up and vote Republican? Or is it simply a large-scale experiment upon the human race meant to usher in gene selection and other invasive DNA horrors?

Now here's a related video, War on the Weak: Eugenics in America:

*My hearty thanks to Laurie Corzett of Emerging Visions for Google Plussing a heads-up on the informative article linked above!

NRA chartered Nov 17, 1871 with Sun in Scorpio

NRA founded by Union General and Colonel to Promote and Encourage "Rifle-Shooting on a Scientific Basis"

by Jude Cowell

After the Civil War, Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate were disappointed over the "lack of marksmanship shown by their troops" so they founded the National Rifle Association for the betterment of shooting guns. Guess not enough Confederates had been maimed or killed to suit them.

The state of New York granted a charter to set up the organization on November 17, 1871 with Sun in Scorpio (Mars-Pluto) and Moon in Capricorn (Saturn) until 6:10 am that morning, Albany NY, then the Moon sailed into Aquarius (Saturn-Uranus.) The following remarks detail both Sun-Moon blends of that day but primarily I'm looking at a noon horoscope with Sun @24Sco56 and Moon just risen at 3AQ28 (the degree of Jupiter in the 2009 Inauguration horoscope, near the presidential Sun and Mercury. Hmm.)

Mars Rules Weapons and Those Who Use Them

A major influence on Nov 17, 1871 is a harsh Mars-Saturn conjunction in Capricorn--7:44 and 7:04, respectively) which transit Pluto has now triggered. Pluto, planet of death and transformation, updates the 1871 chart by midpoint picture: natal Mars-Saturn = tr Pluto: the need to take control; forcing an issue; strong anger. (Tyl.)

NRA natal Mercury (planet of charters, but also of young people) is in the 3--4 degree range of Sagittarius, Mercury's Rx Station position on Election Day 2012--which basically timed a Mercury Return for the NRA as the public re-considers its support of the rifle-loving organization, while Congress' says it's re-viewing the assault weapons ban they neglected to re-new a few years ago under Bush-Cheney (who shotgunned his lawyer friend in the face on a hunting trip. Guess Dick didn't like the advice his lawyer gave him. Yet as you know, gun accidents do happen, don't they?)

In the 1871 noon chart, Mercury @3Sag40 returned to its natal degree on Nov 3, Nov 9 (Rx), and Dec 13, 2012, the day prior to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. As noted, Mercury is the planet of young people and of reporters on the beat.

Yes, coverage is necessary, yet my feeling is that the press is now glorifying the tragedy 24/7 which may encourage other unstable personalities to long for similar publicity and recognition.

Sun Sco-Moon Cap (Water-Earth = pragmatism is a blend of tough and tenacious energies that thrive on public crusading. Impatient with the weaknesses of others, it shows moral and physical courage, a brooding nature, and has two interesting "Images for Integration" (conscious + unconscious) in view of the NRA's political power to sway and control Washington politicians, Hollywood's obvious promotion of our violence-glorifying culture, and the period of national mourning now in effect:

"A general leads his troops to victory...A film director plans each shot to maximize its emotional impact." (My italics, the Harveys' Images from Sun Sign-Moon Sign.)

Here are two quotes which may apply from people who share natally the Sun Sco-Moon Cap blend:

"Puritanism...helps us enjoy our misery while we are inflicting it on others." --Marcel Ophuls

"Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash." --Gen George Patton

The Sun Sco-Moon AQ blend (Water-Air = ethereal mist; tears) reveals a sense of integrity, pride, and passion. It has a 'law unto oneself' attitude and radically independent views with a strong need to achieve; plus, survival instincts are strong. Principled yet intolerant, interested, then indifferent, this blend 'blows hot and cold emotionally', and has a deeply possessive streak with a lack of faith in others that won't give them a fair chance.

"Images for Integration: A hovering hawk surveys the world, at one with nature...A moth emerges from its chrysalis, in perfect form, a specimen of the sublimity of nature's intelligence." (Harveys.) (Does the first Image sound like a sniper poised with a long-range rifle? jc)

Sun Sco-Moon AQ is shared natally by scholary churchman Robert Burton who said, "How much more cruel the pen is than the sword." (Ah, but the gun! jc)

The blend is also shared by Albert Camus who asserted that, "Integrity is in no need of rules," one of those Enlightenment (Uranus-Neptune) sorts of rational statements that leaves out how men without rules easily sink into all kinds of chaos, mischief and sorriness, including violence.

Now isn't it long overdue how Washington politicians are giving lip service to 'doing something' about the horror of violence in the US? How long do you think their attention will last with NRA agents lounging about the Halls of Power? Will mental health issues finally be addressed and funded?

Yes, even Hollywood is having to take notice this time for openings of Tarantino's violent film Django Unchained and Tom Cruises's new Jack Reacher (which opens with a sniper scene--oh goody) are now scaled down, postponed, or canceled out of respect for the families and victims of the Sandy Hook School massacre.

Or did the movie industry make a cynical calculation that audiences would stay away in droves out of their own respect for the victims and a new awareness that violence is not and ought not to be entertainment?

~:~

Being mindful that it's December 2012, you'll find over at Learning Curve on the Ecliptic Twilight's excellent article The Raising of Our Roots concerning Saturnalia, that Saturnian celebration of Roman times which a certain church hierarchy morphed into 'Christ's mass', or 'Christmas', as we've learned to call it through the centuries. One point that's always seemed important to this particular Protestant: lambs are born in the Spring. jc

GOP vs Women and Moon Wobble Aug 22-23 2012

August 2012: A Wobbly Moon and an Unstable Political Platform

by Jude Cowell

The peak period of the August 2012 Moon Wobble is well-explained here plus, on a Mundane Astrology level we may wish to consider the public mood (Mundane Moon = the public) through the signs of Libra (cool, detached, mental), Scorpio (intense, passionate, emotional), and on into Sagittarius (broadening, searching, creative.)

The 2012 Wobble began in July and reached a critical period between August 13--20 as the flap over Rep. Todd Akin's antiquated remarks about rape and pregnancy broke into the 24/7 news cycle (apparently you cannot have been raped if you find yourself pregnant because women are said to possess an ability to "secrete secretions" which 'prevent pregnancy', an old husband's tale repackaged.) The influence of the Moon Wobble peaks between August 21 and August 23, 2012 and you see a dual image below of both charts--lower left = August 21, 2012 12:00 am edt set for Washington DC; upper right horoscope is for August 23 11:59:59 pm edt; Moon ranges from 13 Libra 35 to 25 Scorpio 58 and will enter Mutable (unstable, changing) Sagittarius as Luna's Wobble begins to steady the last week of August:

Now I don't know if you can read my scribbles written on and around the chart but if so, you'll find several notations not covered in the text of this post; click image to enlarge.

Moon Wobble periods are times of irritability and unstable conditions when achievements on behlaf of The People may be reversed--or at least, the GOP is now more open during this election year in their attempts to destroy decades of societal progress for women and for others while pretending to care so very much about unborn babies. If they have their way about repealing legal abortion in the US, will state orphanges also be featured in their grand schemes?

You will discover many on your own, yet there are a few chart details I wish to cover in particular in this post for they relate to the reputed War on Women (Mars-Moon) which the Republican Party is, in my opinion, waging as they attempt to repeal our rights including the right to a safe abortion when necessary, and the right to vote in our alleged 'democracy' (you know--like the much-touted purple fingers of Afghanistan.) May I be honest with you about a very sensitive subject? Abortions are performed way too often in America but bossy old men don't belong in the doctor's consultation room. (What about "smaller government", GOP? It would be a ridiculously big job to impose control over every single pregnancy in this country! Are you daft?)

My deepest feeling about the unfortunate circumstance in our nation where the smallest being among us, a fetus, is not safe from dire threat is that instead of inventing erection-enhancing drugs, someone in charge should have been encouraging and teaching men how to keep their pants zipped. As usual with misogynists and political opportunists, the culpability of the men involved is rarely if ever mentioned much less honestly addressed or corrected.

Okay, now take a look at the charts as Earth's Moon Wobbles, unstable circumstances fluctuate, and people become even more irritated than they were before! And note that the Republican Party's *natal North Node 00Gem33 Stationary was 'hit' by the May 20, 2012 Solar Eclipse 00Gem20 showing that they actually think the 'time has come' for their obsessive ideas to finally be accepted!

On August 21 at 12:00 am edt Washington D.C., Luna sailed over 13Lib36 (about to enter the via combusta degrees, if you use such an antique astrological factor within the Tropical Zodiac. So an unstable, wobbling Moon enters her peak zone as she approaches US natal Saturn 14Lib48 with any or all of the implications a Moon-Saturn combination denotes: seriousness, hard feelings, restrictions on women--I'm lookin' at You, Republican mysoginists), depression, hard work...yet also direction, strategy, and ambition. Also, the Moon rises with lovely Arcturus (a different approach which women need now if we're to put these evolutionary cavemen with delusions of Theocracy in their place: the 18th century.)

A great study if you have a chance is to read the Sabian Symbols for each degree of the Moon Wobble in all phases, but here we shall discuss only the peak period with a bit about the end at...er, the end, for it involves none other than the 2012 Republican Convention--in fact, recent events concerning the definition of rape, controlling, fear-inducing, power-grabbing Pluto's province, abortion concerns (Pluto = surgery) and the restriction of women's rights is precisely what Moon (women) Wobble (going back on previous meanings, definitions, laws, concepts, amount of control, etc) which the GOP plans to establish in order to force the American people to behave like it's pre-1900.

The Moon Wobble horoscopes contain certain planetary pairs with great influence such as: Sun-Neptune (opposition of August 23 across the Virgo-Pisces axis of victimization, with its potentials for over-promising, secrets and mysteries, betrayals and suspicions, false images and masks, and what must first be present: self-delusion); Saturn-Pluto = NN: misery of the masses (I think of Ryan's 'budget plan' for misery is its goal--this midpoint picture is found in both charts and also brings in war since '1Sag' = "A Grand Army of the Republic Campfire." However, it seems to me that Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney, and crew consider themselves to be 'warriors on a mission' of some quixotic kind.

Plus, whenever war is involved (and even when it's not), we should admit that rape and unplanned pregnancies must be constant concerns of our female soldiers serving in the US military. Such brazen men ought to be ashamed but it seems that our military hierarchy's emphasis upon 'honor' only applies from men to men for many of them, including officers. My suspicion is that sub-standard applications were accepted for use as canon fodder and perhaps some number of them were rapists before they joined the military. Sorry to say it, but there it is. (As always, feel free to disagree!)

And Then There's Testy Mars-Saturn

So as you see between August 21 to August 23, the Moon translates light from restrictive Saturn (here, signifying Republicans, it seems) to testosterone-driven Mars, both in the closing degrees of Libra, a sign of war and of balance.

As the Moon unsteadily wobbles up to the Mars-Saturn duo (harmful or destructive energy; inhibited or destroyed vitality--Ebertin), there are three midpoint pictures which form as Luna translates while reflecting the frustrating stop-go energies of Mars-Saturn, aka, the controlling male...any, all, or none may apply:

Moon-Mars = Saturn: suppressed feelings; dissatisfaction; controlled passion (were that the case--jc); quarrels; a separated or suffering wife (Ebertin); maternal panic; taking responsibility for correcting uncertain activities; obligations when caring for others (Munkasey.)

Mars-Saturn = Moon: a weak will; depressive moods; lack of courage; illness; separation or death of females (Ebertin) (reminds me of an old method used in desperate, unfortunate situations, coat-hanger abortions--jc); anger over restrictions; fluctuating energy (Munkasey.)

Moon-Saturn = Mars:feeling inferior; self-control to the point of torment; lack of determination; soul conflicts (Ebertin); rushing into activities in order to protect the family (or, The Family which is one name for the Global Syndicate of imperial bankers, politicians, Vulcans of War, and religious figures--jc); breaking family bonds (Munkasey)...as utopian globalists are determined to do--jc.

Let's close with two other midpoint pictures in play during the peak period of the August 2012 Moon Wobble. One involves an apex Saturn, the other (Aug 23) ropes in the Moon-Mars conjunction @29Lib07 of August 22: the conjunction's Saturn/ASC which relates to 'curtailment of programs for the disadvantaged' (Munkasey)--thing is, what sort of morals (Saturn) does it take to sleep at night while you further and grievously disadvantage the disadvantaged? Sheesh! Preying on the weak among us is so...Pluto-Chiron of them.

What a bunch of Dickens-era jack**ses...

Mercury-Pluto = Saturn: quarrels and nagging; increased ruthlessness when locating sources of rumors or information; annoyance that secrets have leaked; demands that info be used as planned (Munkasey); exposure to heavy and bitter attacks aggressiveness and persistence in quests for sexual power, control, and domination.

You'll note that it's Mercury-Pluto (obsessed with power) content found in the initial solar eclipse of the May 20, 2012 Solar Eclipse Series which now infuses these social wedge topics and issues--and Election 2012 rhetoric. Yet with these weighty concerns and extreme amounts of media attention and hyperbole they divert us too much, suspiciously so! Wonder what's going on behind the curtain over there, the one we're not supposed to notice?

After Akin: RNC 2012's Extreme Platform

At the end of August comes a political convention where Mitt Romney, the Mormon candidate, will apparently be nominated for the presidency (unless a brokered convention breaks out! Big money and fraud are all that can save Mittens now.) The Moon Wobble will be a dissipating influence on RNC 2012 by then and we've been warned to expect a mysoginistic platform to be put forth (or, where the sun don't shine) by the GOP as it hurries to devolve itself further and hold high the Confederate Constitution. Freaky.

In mid-2010, a YOD pattern (special task; crisis; turning point) in the Republican Party's Secondary Progressions pointed at SP ASC with SP Mercury and SP Jupiter at its base. If memory serves, SP Mercury and Jupiter (grand plans and schemes) are both retrograde in the SP chart--like the GOP's old-fashioned policies and to be announced platform of austerity, withdrawal, and restriction--aka, Saturnian themes and demands. But with even fewer restrictions on the wealthy!

And yes, I do hear the background noise from the June 5, 2012 Venus Transit (paternalism on display in high relief) accompanying our current political condition with its threats of dire and devised social ills, this post is meant to be little more than an updated if wobbly word picture of the media-dubbed War on Women and the Republican Party, a political faction of dominating ol' cusses and rapists-by-proxy, as they seem to be purposefully styling themselves as such, I do declare.

Why, the extreme backwardness of the GOP's regressive, odd, and perverted ideas about women and the world in general is enough to plum give me the vapors.

~:~

Republican Party July 6, 1854 5:00 pm LMT Jackson, Michigan; ASC 9Sag47; MC 29Vir32 conjunct contentious Mars 28Vir45; Sun 14Can26 conjunct 8th cusp of Corporatism and Wealth; Moon 27Sco49 in the 12th house of Politics, Backdoor Deals, and Karma--conjunct Mitt Romney's natal Moon-Jupiter conjunction, all of which conjoin President Obama's natal MC; GOP natal Saturn 10Gem22 at DESC is now being transited by Jupiter in Gemini, a time when certain restrictions and burdens may be eased if not all together removed, and advancement may result. Additionally, the next Solar Eclipse @ 21Sco56 (the PE of Election Day 2012 and of Inauguration Day 2013: 'joy through commitment'--Brady) conjoins the GOP's natal 12th cusp, and the word 'commitment' nearly contains the name of Mit(t) whose natal planets and points are also linked to the Moon Wobble horoscopes of August 2012.

Bush's term: credit crisis and loss for America

Credit Crisis Triggers Unprecedented Response

Worst debt turmoil since Depression sparks government action

By David Cho and Neil Irwin

Since the credit crisis erupted a year ago, the Bush administration has presided over one of the broadest expansions of the government into private lending in US history, risking public money to prop up financial firms both large and small.

Read article at ICH #

~;~

Currently George Bush's natal Mars 9Vir18 is being squelched by transiting Saturn...well, for most of us this transit would be a squelching by old man Saturn, planet of grim reality, of our action and energy. That Bush's cushy life will feel the effects of Saturn's authority and his tendency to bring things to account is debateable.

Ordinarily this would be a transit of head colds, loss, and other restrictions yet Bush is livin' large in Beijing and schmoozin' with Vladdie and the boys - while elsewhere on the planet aggression causes loss to others.

If anything, perhaps the outbreak of aggression (authority) between Georgia and Russia may be considered somehow part of the Saturn-to-Mars transit of Bush whose Mars has certainly made itself apparent on the world stage and who now plays a part due to US backing of Georgia.

Firm determination to succeed no matter what is right up Dubya's alley and may be enough to use this transit to accomplish goals, along with more focus (uh oh - the raptor's gaze) and better organization is needed now as well.

Saturn to n Mars may indicate difficulties within male relationships which may be broken off at this time. Seriousness permeates the air around Bush, but that's nothing new for a man accustomed to sending people to their deaths and following along with NWO plans to dominate the world.

And with Bush's elite connections, who always pull his bacon out of the fire when he messes up, perhaps a tooth ache (quite common with Saturn's visit to Mars) may be too much to expect for a man who loves to authoritate all over the place.

This is a good example of Astrology's ability to describe life on many levels - and that Bush obviously has other transits and chart factors softening the effects of what would be a difficult transit of loss and restriction for anyone else.

Come to think of it, this transit of our learless feader seems to manifest more as restrictions on cash and credit-strapped Americans than for him and is a fairly good example of the Bush/US natal Suns being conjunct...where he goes, we as a nation go. For eight long years.

Hopefully the situation with Russia and Georgia will not tempt Bush and the hawks into another war now that "Georgia's territorial integrity" is said to be on the table.

But for this crowd, it all returns to Politics, doesn't it? So if they can, the unfortunate conflagration abroad will be used by neocons to bolster the flacid, lackluster candidacy of John McBush.

Let's wait and see if it does.