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April through October 2019: the Sun-Uranus Cycle

by Jude Cowell

April 22, 2019 Easter Egg Roll; The White House from Washington, DC [Public domain]; wikicommons

October 21, 2019: With the Sun in late Libra about to oppose erratic Uranus in early Taurus by transit on October 28th (4:15:10 am edt), a consideration of the Sun-Uranus cycle seems appropriate especially since the fellow now playing the POTUS role, Donald Trump, is a Uranian chaos-creator with his natal 10th house Uranus oriental in Mutable, changeable Gemini behaving as his whimsical, disruptive guiding planet. And of course, Trump is an original, a Sun-Uranus person with only his Gemini North Node snugged between them which partially explains his ability to excite (Sun-Uranus) the public (North Node) with rallies and disrupt with tweets--with Sun representing a leader and his ego thereof.

The Sun-Uranus Cycle in 2019

The cycle began on April 22, 2019 when the Sun and Uranus conjoined energies @2Tau31:40 along with transiting health asteroid, Hygeia (2Tau42) so in this post, we'll take a look at US events on and within a couple of days of April 22, 2019. As you see in the photo, above, the annual White House Easter Egg Roll was held on April 22nd with a costumed Easter Bunny big as life (on the right, not center) in attendance. We can only hope that the fantasy-prone Mr. Trump wasn't fooled into believing that one of his imaginings had come to life like Jimmy Stewart's 6-foot rabbit Harvey. "Six-foot-three-and-a-half-inches--let's stick to the facts," says Stewart's character, Elwood P. Dowd. If only Dowdy Donald would!

Now as you know, all planetary conjunctions are like New Moons which time the beginning of a new phase of activity, and their oppositions, like Full Moons, represent the culmination, awareness, and fulfillment stage. So for the Sun-Uranus cycle of 2019, April 22 to October 28 encompasses the current cycle from 'New to Full'. This indicates that something Solar-Uranian begun in April will come to fruition or end in late October so a search for US and global events of April 2019 would be fruitful for the curious while keeping in mind current events and those over the next few days of October 2019--and until late April 2020 when a new Sun-Uranus cycle begins. (Primarily this post refers to US events which are on-the-boil just now, not that others aren't.)

Another related event occurred on April 22, 2019--the announcement that new cases of measles were reported, amounting to the 2nd worst outbreak in the US in nearly 20 years with 22 states affected. Of course, "nearly 20 years" points toward the Jupiter-Saturn cycle and perhaps the Nodal Cycle of 18.6 years so their involvement could be notable. And as mentioned, health asteroid Hygeia was spotlighted by the April 22nd Sun-Uranus conjunction with astrological Uranus often representing the 'new' or the 'novel' and the goal-oriented Sun activating public announcements and events.

In addition, two other events around April 22nd were: the redacted Mueller Report was released on April 18, 2019, and on April 23rd, it was reported that 156 people across 10 states were hospitalized due to consuming E. Coli in ground beef, another Sun-Uranus-Hygeia event. (I'll mention here that the health of Donald Trump is a constant topic of discussion and a deep concern to us all but you already know this!)

As for Politics or Business, let's consider the willful, unpredictable Sun-Uranus pair within those realms; here are the pair's potentials as quoted from Michael Munkasey's Midpoints: Unleashing the Power of The (Your) Planets which helpfully provides the Hegelian form of analysis:

Thesis: Political changes that shape the quality of all efforts; reforms which initiate changes to authority or power; legislation mandating major reforms in policies; revolutions which bring fundamental changes.

Antithesis: Rebellions designed solely for the removal of an existing leader; the changes which accompany upheavals; rule makers or interpreters battling decision makers; a contrary head of state with unusual habits.

Now I'm not emphasizing any of these potentials as 'what we're now dealing with' in Politics and Business because I'm certain that you, dear reader, can ascertain them for yourself and have opinions of your own. But I will add that in the physical realms, Sun-Uranus relates to 'blood pressure abnormalities' such as an overweight man can trigger within himself while furiously raging against those who stand in his way, who defy him, who testify against him, and/or who inhibit his life-or-death need to follow Putin's agenda to sabotage and collapse the United States of America. (Note that to Sun-Uranus, Ebertin adds, "heart neurosis.") As for the House's current impeachment investigations of Donald Trump, some amount of information in the Mueller Report has been recently mentioned within the public discourse and could certainly come up again as depositions are given to various committees.

Video (6m40s): The phone call that could get Trump impeached.

Now naturally, other planetary factors are in process of influencing conditions and events within the April to October 2019 time frame, either in support of Sun-Uranus potentials, or against them. One obvious cosmic factor of influence is the unpredictable Scorpio New Moon of October 27, 2019 @4Sco25 opposed by erratic 'wild card' planet Uranus Rx--for New Moons can influence events and reveal inconvenient facts in similar fashion to 'wild card' solar eclipses. So this particular Solar-Lunar cycle begins with the seeding of new ideas and plans just as a Sun-Uranus cycle culminates and unpredictable events 'led' by Trump continue to affect and influence the Collective--and the rest of the world--as his authority and integrity are challenged by the powers that be.

Therefore, we may expect that some measure of fulfillment, full awareness, and/or culmination will occur under the revealing rays of the Taurus Full Moon (19Tau52) of November 12, 2019 which perfects within Trump's 9th house of Foreign Lands and Legalities and, looking ahead, we find that a new Sun-Uranus cycle begins during the last week of April 2020 in the 6-to-7-degree range of Venus-ruled Taurus.

A Related Cosmic Event: 2019 Halloween: Mercury Rx Is King of the Fairies; plus, in review there's Uranus to Taurus: Nature's Revolution.

Oct 27, 2019 Horoscope: New Moon opposes Uranus Rx

Here you see the DC Horoscope of the October 27, 2019 New Moon @4Sco25 in 4th house opposed by erratic Uranus Rx @4Tau36 in the publicly visible 10th house. The 4/10 security axis is activated during this Hour of Mercury (11:38:21 pm edt Washington DC) as is the Taurus-Scorpio polarity which suggests the financial, investment, and corporate matters and issues.

Now the Sun-Moon-Uranus trio forms a midpoint picture of potentials for 'unusual twists of fate' (Munkasey), and/or 'sudden conflicts or upsets', 'separation', and 'an urge to act independently' (Ebertin). 'Sudden developments' may also be expected (Tyl)--not that any of this would be anything new considering recent events in US Politics.

But the thing is, New Moons if prominent can affect events much like solar eclipses which tend to disrupt, cause changes of direction, and uncover inconvenient facts, secrets, or scandals in similar fashion to quirky Uranus. And of course, this is why eclipses are often called 'wild cards of the Universe' and have karmic or fated vibes to them. So after reviewing this New Moon horoscope, I believe that this particular lunation in intense, Big-Business Scorpio (sign of spies and surveillance) is capable of such disruptive influences and directional changes, plus, with its Ascendant ruled by the Moon, fluctuations, changes, and publicity are givens.

So if this is the case, then deep insights that get to the root of problems, and avoidance of expressing the negative traits of forceful Scorpio will aid society's karmic progress within the conditions and problems we now face. As you know, those negative traits are vengeance, cruelty, betrayal, hatred, and retribution and will be much more difficult for some players to avoid expressing than for others. And my suspicion is that things will become even clearer by the light of the next Full Moon on or about November 12, 2018 @19Tau52--in Trump's natal 9th house of Foreign Lands and Legal Affairs--a good place for Luna's revealing rays to shine.

Now admittedly, there's a ridiculous amount of information nestling within this New Moon horoscope but it's simply too late to type it for you now. Even the tempting Grand Cross involving Mars conjunct US natal Saturn and the New Moon's IC, and Saturn snuggling near Pluto (6th house) cannot inspire me to perpetrate more typing at this late hour (1:20 am edt). Suffice to say that harsh conditions surround us.

Yet mention must be made of the 12th house (of Politics, Karma, Self-Undoing, Large Institutions) and the North Node posited therein (future direction; public contacts) for it points directly at the Prenatal Solar Eclipse ('PE') of this New Moon, a solar eclipse which you may remember manifested on July 2, 2019 @10Can37 in the 3 North Saros Series. 3 North is the PE of the 9/11/01 attacks and also of 1929's Black Tuesday and it tends to bring 'news that transforms a situation', 'over-excessive energy', and 'large plans that are undertaken' which is okay if folks 'don't get carried away' (Brady). Of course, as with anything in life or astrology, eclipse energies can influence events positively, negatively, or some mixture of both.

And since we've had a plethora of transformative news of late what with the ongoing impeachment inquiry in Congress, whistle blowers, and diplomats coming forward to testify against Trump, I'll leave the eclipse themes and the Scorpio New Moon horoscope in your capable hands for now, dear reader, for I do trust you implicitly, you know.

Please Share If You Care, and you're welcome to leave your on-topic comments or queries beneath this post as you wish. Just remember--no ads for your website or services for they will not be published. jc

Oct 15, 2019: Russians swamp Stars Over Washington

Just a quick note to say Hello to the multitude of Russian visitors to Stars Over Washington today. I'm not certain what you're up to, if you're actually reading posts out of genuine interest, or what else may have caused such an onslaught but you're seen so Hello just the same. jc

Will Trump Retaliation Against Diplomats Ruffle Regulus?

Well, here's a stinky kettle of fish: White House will retaliate against diplomats who don't cover for Trump during testimony. Naturally, reading this reminded me of Trump's Mars rising in dramatic Leo with royal Regulus and the star's well known Caution: 'success if revenge is avoided; otherwise all that has been gained will be taken away'.

And so, one more time (yes, I'm fatigued by the whole thing, too) I ask Will Regulus Assure the Destiny of Donald Trump?. His longed-for fall from grace is not being appreciated by his nibs at all and we've seen how retaliation is an obsession of Trump's with his natal Tisiphone, asteroid of retaliation, @22Sag24 Rx conjunct his South-Node-Moon conjunction (20--22Sag; 4th house) with both Luna and the Saturnian Node relating to unconscious drives and inherited tendencies. Apparently, his deep need for revenge and retaliation is a natural 'talent' so hopefully said diplomats will be able to withstand the onslaught of hatred from this vicious, cornered man who has everything to lose.

2020 Saturn-Pluto in the Roman Empire Horoscope

October 12, 2019: As a sort of follow-up to my October 10th post Are We Waiting for the Empire to End or Witnessing It? here is the Horoscope of the Roman Empire as provided by Nicholas Campion in his classic The Book of World Horoscopes, chart #255; basic chart-notes are scribbled about, as you see, so please enlarge if you wish to read them:

The Roman Empire--"the Birthday of the New Order"--Campion p. 249

ASC 4Tau34 so 10th house Venus is chart-ruler in materialistic Taurus but with no applying aspects which emphasizes her sign and house position; the Venus-Pluto midpoint rises = 'wielding great influence over others' (Ebertin), and as you know, 'goddess' Venus is an archetype of Mary and of other older goddesses such as Inanna, Ishtar, Isis, even Ceres (the mother) which figures prominently in various symbols across Washington DC (Masonic emblems such as wheat shafts, etc, with Virgo the Virgin an obvious identifier). Plus, America's 'Columbia' falls within this panoply. Yet we mustn't forget the ancient Roman Cult of Mithras, the gold-loving 'god' worshiped by Roman soldiers--especially since gilt-edged Trump must admire him, too.

Now the Roman Empire became 'a thing' during a certain Solar Eclipse Saros Series ('PE'), of course, and in 8th house you see highlighted in red its PE @20Sag08 which perfected on December 13, 028 BC (conjunct Trump's natal South-Node-Moon conjunction of awkwardness and emotional deprivation). Unfortunately, my software doesn't go back that far for eclipses so I have no themes to provide here. Yet a few clues may be ascertained by the fact that the eclipse manifested in Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius (opposite the empire's natal Jupiter Rx @20Gem58). Jupiter the General leads a Locomotive shape of the planets and is ruthlessly determined on success. Note that ideal-oriented Jupiter, planet of expansion, adventure, and the crossing of boundaries, rules both 8th and 9th houses--spheres of the occult, death, and of foreign lands and philosophy.

So when a PE is in Sagittarius, negative tendencies can naturally interfere with karmic progress so I shall list the potentials here for your consideration: religious convictions which may or may not be spiritually correct, misguided beliefs, misplaced idealism, and/or false optimism. The development of a spiritual philosophy is a best-results requirement of a Sag Prenatal Eclipse with Jupiter ruling codified religion. Here, Jupiter is retrograde which may suggest the blending of church and state with the state having the stronger role initially and the church as hidden manipulator. Please note that I wasn't there at the time so this is only speculation on my part.

On January 12, 2020 Saturn and Pluto Confer as Karma Occurs!

Now one reason I've taken a closer look at the Horoscope of the Roman Empire and am publishing the chart here for future reference, if needed, is to locate the January 12, 2020 Great Conjunction of Saturn and Pluto. As you see, Saturn-Pluto @22Cap46 will conjunct the empire's Sun @21Cap33 at Midheaven ('MC'), The Goal and Aspiration Point (aka, The Why? Point), toil, sparing no pains in one's work--Ebertin--and will oppose the empire's natal Saturn Rx (16Can56 ) and Pluto (26Can51)--their midpoint @21Can53. Additionally, natal Mercury @26Cap19 is roped in to these difficult, karmic energies as well along with its natal Mercury-Pluto opposition of secret projects, hidden motives, clandestine manipulation, dangerous activities, spies, and a tiresome tendency to interrogate others. This qualifies as transit Saturn and transit Pluto opposing natal Saturn and natal Pluto (abuse of power and authority issues challenged; battles for control engaged).

To say the least, it will be riveting to see what developments take place on an empire-collapsing and/or world government level as 2019 ends and 2020 continues heating up as the American Empire is shaken to its core by a gang of saboteurs and infiltrators with fascist tendencies resulting in a further disintegration of democracy and ultimate collapse of the US government if the hollowing out of our traditional institutions is allowed to continue.

And yet as world history shows, old orders must always give way to the new. But what species of 'new' will be implemented should be the choice of humanity, and not of those who are determined on the destruction of civilization!

A recommended video (8m35s) narrated from A People's History of American Empire by Howard Zinn which opens with the timely question, "Empire or Humanity?

October 15, 2019: Democratic Debate Number 4

October 10, 2019: the upcoming 2020 Democratic Debate is scheduled for Tuesday October 15, 2019 at 8:00 pm edt and will be hosted by CNN's Anderson Cooper and Erin Burnett, plus, the National Editor of the NYT, Marc Lacey. Predictably, this 4th debate is billed as another "showdown" between former VP Joe Biden and Senator Elizabeth Warren with 10 other Democratic candidates flanking them onstage. Whether Biden and Warren will fuss'n'tussle as The Media so desires remains to be seen. Why, you'd think the networks and the press make money off the debate's entertainment value, or something, though I do agree it's primarily a performance of America's Political Theater. However, the cosmic weather of the debate's Sun Libra-Moon Taurus combo of energies, with both signs ruled by Venus, suggests that cooperation between the candidates is more likely to be shown than competitiveness, and we may hear the assertion that everyone has the right to health, wealth, and education.

The full line-up of political performers on October 15th consists of Gabbard, Steyer, Booker, Harris, Sanders, (Biden, Warren), Buttigieg, Yang, O'Rourke, Klobuchar, and Castro and will be held at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio where they 'serve the common good' (then it's my kinda place!).

So with the October 15th debate's North Node of future direction @11Can43 in the 3rd house of Communications (8:00 pm Westerville, OH) we can round up to '12 Cancer' which spotlights a certain Sabian Symbol: "A Chinese Woman Nursing a Baby with a Message". You see my artful depiction of this symbol, above left, but its display is not intended as a shout-out to Chinese interference of any kind!

Meanwhile, Venus @9Sco03 in 6th house with debating planet Mercury is chart-ruler because ascending at 8:00 pm is 19Tau12 with the Moon (the public) rising @16Tau12 (it's a "Swords vs Torches' affair!). Chart ruler Venus makes no Ptolemaic aspects to other debate planets but she does trine the North Node of public contacts and future direction, as noted. Will a female be the Democratic nominee or someone's VP pick? Obviously, there is a beneficial feminine touch to the proceedings yet it's the 6th house Mars @7Lib37 which leads a ruthless Locomotive shape of planets toward success and Mars suggests males or a male, and US military and/or civil service issues (such as whistle blowers?! Trump's troop withdrawals for the sake of Russia's ambitions?).

And as you know, health can also be a factor when the 6th house is involved and we think of Senator Sanders' recent heart procedure which casts doubt upon his continuing stamina. Here's hoping Bernie is feeling fine now with his medical problem taken care of.

Yet perhaps the most obvious planetary stand-out in the October 15th horoscope is the rising Moon in Taurus opposing the setting Mercury in Scorpio which paints an appropriate cosmic picture of the 4th debate itself (Taurus-Scorpio issues) and suggests that someone's progress is blocked or frustrated, conflicts flare, ideas and opinions (Mercury) are confronted (opposition), and things that don't run very smoothly. Any, all, or none of these head vs heart potentials may involve the younger (Mercury) candidates challenging the female (Moon) candidates but may also represent a public (Moon) challenged by the ideas and policies (Mercury) of any or some of the Democratic candidates in this debate. Consequently, indecision can be one of the results of the Moon-Mercury opposition which implicates both economic and domestic issues--and lively debates.

We might also note that 4th debate Mars conjoins powerful asteroid Hidalgo which hints at social climbing and may possibly denote Julian Castro. To close, there are only two midpoint pictures in the 4th debate horoscope and both involve planet of The Masses and the Mass Media, Neptune:

Assertive Uranus-MC = Neptune: expecting recognition, and withdrawal if frustrated; and, the patient, wise, and/or inhibited pair of Saturn-ASC = Neptune: over-making a point, and arguments about strange dimensions or obscure things (Tyl). The topics of Trump's crimes, antics, bad decisions, and unsuitability for office may be included here, plus, Big T appears at other places in the chart.

Now naturally there are several more chart factors of note (ex: debate's Syzygy Moon @20Ari13 = "A Pugilist Entering the Ring" which is the degree of America's natal Chiron--an injured public will be watching the debate!) but to keep this a post not an e-book, I'll stop here and let you, dear reader, ferret out the rest!

And as always, your on-topic comments and kind shares are welcomed and encouraging. Jude

Are We Waiting for the Empire to End or Witnessing It?

"The New Rome - America, the Reluctant Empire

When the annals of the United States are written, its transition from republic to empire is likely to warrant special attention."

So says a page I had lost track of but re-discovered last evening titled, The Empire Never Ended. On the page there are several sections and topics which provide quite an overview of empires (Roman, American, Ottoman, etc), plus, the imperial eagle, the Vatican, the American Revolution, the hill called 'Rome' that Freemason George Washington selected for the site of Washington DC ('Jenkins Heights' by then), Master Mason George and his habitual cornerstone laying, occult doctrines of the Nazis, NATO (more than meets the usual eye), the fall of the USSR, the cuss'ed 'new world order', and much more. Tragically, such topics and events have cycled 'round again as history in the New Millennium rhymes disturbingly with past events which may be viewed through and influenced by eclipses. Meanwhile, socio-pathic, anti-democracy saboteurs and global criminals lurk in the White House and on Capitol Hill, brazenly defying principles, traditions, and the established laws of our nation. It's now use it or lose it time, my fellow Americans.

However, we know that there are larger forces at work and it seems our nation has come down to Norvus Ordo Seclorum 1776 -- __?__. Well, perhaps one cosmic timing shall appear via another Great American Eclipse in 2024. Or not. You decide. If you can. Because I'd rather not. If it's all the same.

Yet be that as it may or may not be, the page cites two books long inhabiting my bookcase, and I find much of the information on 'The Empire Never Ended' page intriguing although you may choose to disagree. Even so, I want to give both hapless and on-purpose readers of SO'W (newbies! regulars!) a heads-up on some very interesting information for the curious reader who dares check out such a page of thought-provoking content. And remember--I don't personally have to agree with other people's content (or not with all of it) in order to pass the content on to you for your consideration.

And in case you're wondering, the two books cited on the page are David Ovason's The Secret Architecture of Our Nation's Capital and Michael Howard's The Occult Conspiracy, both classics of the genre.

Now here's a closely related post from August 2010 (when we were both much younger), Washington DC a 'New Rome'? Altair the Eagle says, Yes which includes a dual image of two horoscopes showing a cosmic picture of a major change to America's presidential inaugurations established by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt - between his 1st 1933 Inauguration with Sun (POTUS) @13Pis41 (conjunct Achernar: risk of rapid endings; crisis) and his 2nd 1937 Inauguration with Sun (POTUS) @00AQ15 (conjunct Altair the Eagle: boldness--and symbol of imperial empires, as we were discussing). Plus, on March 4, 1933 in Washington DC, 00Can26 arose at noon est (a Cardinal World Point of manifestation, recognition, fame, and fortune--ruled by the Moon: We The People) but on January 20, 1937, 13Tau19 (materialistic money sign, Taurus) peeked over the horizon as the Oath of Office was taken by Freemason FDR and apparently pagan goddess Venus took over the Venusian Oval Office and the US presidency--if she hadn't had an all-access pass already.

And in case you're curious, radical Uranus in the 1937 horoscope clocked in @5Tau38 so we know that with transit Uranus now in early Taurus, we've had two recent Uranus Returns to that degree, horoscope, and presidency--with a final one to go:

1. June 23, 2019; 2. October 1, 2019; and 3. April 9, 2020.

So yes, many Trumpish things have been groan-worthy enough this year with negative reforms forced upon and against us by a variety of predators but it's that last return we must watch out for now particularly considering that its Syzygy Moon, a Full Moon @18Lib43 on April 7, 2020, conjoins and spotlights the greedy, trouble-making, boundary-breaking natal Jupiter of Donald Trump (@18Lib27). And for background vibes, the third return's Prenatal Solar Eclipse is the December 26th 'Christmas Eclipse' of 2019 @4Cap04 in the 3 South Saros Series with its themes of 'traumatic transformation' and 'sudden endings' (Brady). There we are assured that certain conditions and events will proceed from 2019 into 2020; meanwhile, a majority of Americans and decent people everywhere fervently desire to be rid of the bad rubbish in one way or another that is the faithless mobster inhabiting the White House.

And rounding up 18Lib27 to '19Libra' we have his Jupiter's Sabian Symbol: "A Gang of Robbers in Hiding" with the negative expression of, "abnormal distrust of everything worthwhile" (Jones).

Yes, Trump works and tweets hard attempting to infect everyone with his distrust but let's not let him. Shall we not?

Halloween 2019 Mercury Rx is King of the Fairies

Image: Spooky Fairy Night by Jude Cowell

On October 31, 2019 at 11:41:19 am edt, speedy Mercury, planet of messages, negotiations, diplomacy, commerce, trade, lies, and tweets performs a Direct Station @27Sco38:16 in preparation for a retrograde ('Rx') phase until November 20, 2019 @11Sco35:11 ('12Sco' = "An Embassy Ball"). Transit Mercury stations on Halloween 2019 in the natal 4th house of Donald Trump (IC 24Sco18) along with transit Venus @28Sco30.

Rounding up Mercury's Halloween 2019 degree we have '28 Scorpio": "The King of the Fairies Approaching His Domain"; "Keyword: ALLEGIANCE--positive expression: a special competence of inward vision and a consequent outward perspective of high effectiveness; negative expression: capricious self-indulgence" (Jones). Is Trump "the king of the fairies"? Well, he seems to believe he's a king, as we know, and since bullies are always cowards at heart, some might say that his nibs is fairy-like.

And naturally, Mercury's 2019 path through Mars/Pluto-ruled Scorpio relates to current events and scandals in the news which include whistle blowers, memes, phone calls, transcripts, letters, meetings of various kinds, and testimonies--for Trump, in relation to the 4/10 security axis (Career and Home), and later, in relation to his natal 3/9 axis of lower and higher mind, plus, with dozens of legal battles thrown in and ongoing (9th house). And significantly, this Mercury station activates the very degree of the May 18, 2019 Scorpio Full Moon when May 18th Mercury conjoined the natal Midheaven ('MC') of Donald Trump so that enraged star Algol was also activated! Curiously, transit Mercury was also @25Taurus conjunct Trump's natal MC the day Don Jr, Kushner, and the rest of the conspirators met with the Kremlin lawyer in Trump Tower (June 9, 2016, if memory serves).

Now as you know, transit Mercury entered brooding, intense, big-business-oriented Scorpio during the first week of October 2019 and won't leave the Halloween-esque sign to enter Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius (a happier place) until approximately December 10, 2019. This means that Mercury and his/her magic wand will hit '30 Scorpio' on or about December 9th which is the "A Halloween Jester" degree containing a "contempt for established values" vibe (Jones). And of course we think of the new film Joker and expect that its popularity will remain in force since many people attend theatrical movies during the holidays. And isn't it timely how Trump's recent shout-out to China about investigating the Bidens was soon 'walked back' by Trump and his defenders as being only "a joke"? Even so, I suspect that the Chinese government was in on the joke, don't you?

Eclipse Note: in the October 31, 2019 chart of Mercury Rx, transit North Node @10Can19 in 7th house (Washington DC) points toward the 3 North Solar Eclipse of July 2, 2019 (10Can37) with 3N themes of 'worry, obsession, news that transforms a situation and/or involves young people', and with a caution 'not to get carried away with large plans' (Brady). Signs Cancer and Capricorn are intercepted in the Mercury Rx chart suggesting karmic conditions that need addressing, and of course eclipses are 'wild cards' of a disruptive Uranian nature which tend to contain a fated undertone as well. Late Sagittarius rises in the October 31st chart yet Capricorn holds the aligning Saturn (@15Cap24 conjunct the 2 South January 5, 2019 Solar Eclipse of 'joining unusual groups and gaining a great deal' of the 116th Congress), and Pluto at a critical degree (20Cap)--both rising with the separative South Node denoting difficult conditions for this Mercury Rx period. After all, Saturn, Pluto, and the Nodal axis are karmic as well (reaping what's been sown) so we can expect long-forming conditions to culminate soon in one way or another and with a sense of energy draining from situations and events (SN).

However, a bright spot appears in the Mercury Rx chart for there simpers the happy feelings pair of Moon conjunct Jupiter @23Sag+ rising in hidden 12th house near the natal Moon-SN conjunction (20--22Sag) of Donald Trump so his avoidance of facing his true condition and difficult predicament may continue awhile longer. But the three-fer exact conjunctions of transit Jupiter to his natal Moon conclude the first week of November, and significantly, the degree of Moon-Jupiter on Halloween 2019 pre-sages the upcoming 4 South Solar Eclipse @23Sag on December 4, 2020 with its difficult themes of 'blocked emotions, frustration over money and/or relationships, and potentially a sudden desire to end unions or alliances' (paraphrasing Brady's Predictive Astrology).

And so for now, let's wind down this fussy post with a quote from Reinhold Ebertin describing general potentials for Mercury in Scorpio:

"Sharp criticism, fanaticism, endurance and perseverance in the pursuit of difficult problems and in the solution of arduous tasks, practical ability. Sarcasm, skepticism, cunning and craft. Lively disputes, arguments, fights." (The Combination of Stellar Influences, R.E.).

Well, that's Halloween 2019 Mercury for us with its Scorpionic potentials which sound to me a lot like a day spent in or around the general vicinity of the fantasy world of Donald Trump.

Crimea, Scheat, and the 2020 Saturn-Pluto Conjunction

Misfortune and Danger for the Crimean Moon

by Jude Cowell

October 4, 2019: In Nicholas Campion's The Book of World Horoscopes is a founding chart for Crimea #67 and since I've been reviewing the horoscopes of various nations to see where the January 12, 2020 Saturn-Pluto Conjunction falls and whether or not this difficult, karmic, pressurizing pair of heavyweights will conjoin an angle or a planet or two in national charts, I can say that for Crimea (Ukrainian Republic) the 2020 Saturn-Pluto Conjunction @22Cap46 perfects within the nation's 3rd house between Neptune Rx (18Cap54) and Saturn (18AQ04) with Neptune 'roping in' Uranus Rx (17Cap56, both in 3rd house) as they align for their Great Conjunction/s of 1993 (the 'NWO' pair), and authoritative Saturn which conjuncts natal IC from the 4th house side.

Therefore, the 2020 Saturn-Pluto Conjunction hits nearest Crimea's natal Neptune (orb 3:46)--perhaps not close enough to affect its 3rd house Neptune unduly yet the midpoint picture formed by the transit-to-natal trio is not comforting for it suggests such things as: "instability, fraud, lies, immorality, shattered nerves, and danger" via the Neptunian realms of "water, poison, or gas" (Ebertin). Noel Tyl adds: "being doubted; not being seen for who one is; unstable life situation because of the inexplicable, because of fear" (Solar Arcs). Interesting since Crimea has been often described as suffering from an identity crisis.

When Fiery Mars the Warrior Meets Scheat, Star of Misfortune

Based on the date that the Crimean Parliament approved an act of independence from Ukraine, Crimea's horoscope #67 is set for May 5, 1992 16:00 GMT Simferopol, USSR (ASC 6Scorpio but my software gives ASC 10Scoo2) with a 7th house Sun @15Tau24 (the Oxen Point) and an 8th house Moon @22Gem53; as you see, the Crimean Moon conjoins Trump's natal Sun (a third of his 10th house Gemini trio) and exactly conjuncts US natal Mars. In 5th house, Crimea's natal Mars, the warrior planet of males, weaponry and strife, @29Pis49 forms an unfortunate conjunction with fixed star Scheat, known primarily for its negative potentials of misfortune, suffering, suicide, murder, imprisonment, and/or "malevolence of a sublime scope" (A. Louis). However, on a positive level, Scheat can bestow artistic and literary talents although Crimea's misfortune to be annexed by Russia in 2014 reveals the more negative expressions of the star as the people suffer human rights abuses and false accusations are leveled at innocent targets in order to stifle dissent against Russia and Putin.

As we see, Scheat's potentials for imprisonment and sublime malevolence afflict the land and the Crimean people and are made worse by the star's conjunction with fiery Mars. Meanwhile, the international community haggles over whether Crimea belongs with Ukraine or Russia. To me the answer seems obvious!

Now from 2018, here is a brief time-lapse video New bridge cements Russia's hold on Crimea, and although I don't care to admit it, the bridge linking Crimea to Russia is quite an impressive feat of engineering.

Above image: portrait of Planet Mars by NASA

Trump 2019 Mars Return and a Whistleblower Complaint!

Image: Mars from Hubble; NASA

The contentious, combative, hot-headed Mars rising of Donald Trump began a new 2-year cycle of activity for him recently when transit Mars returned to natal position (26Leo46) in Trump's birth horoscope (June 14, 1946 10:54 am est Queens, NY) on August 12, 2019. Curiously, August 12, 2019 is the very day the whistle blower complaint was submitted through the proper legal channels and an official impeachment inquiry was subsequently activated in the House of Representatives. As you know, Martian Trump, a master of resentment and revenge, depends on having enemies. And in similar fashion to America's habit, Big T will make them when and if there are none. And as we've seen, a cornered Trump is a dangerous Trump.

Plus, it's been reported that in March of this year, Trump proposed the craven idea of shooting migrants in the legs to slow them down when crossing the border, a tragically fitting expression of his Mars rising in its malevolent role with Mars the ruler of guns, snipers, knives and other weapons. This must be one of those 'be careful what you wish for' for other people because in one form or another, the natural law of karma (reaping what's been sown) will eventually boomerang it back on you.

So if you're curious, here's a previous post concerning the 2019 Mars Return of Donald Trump. And, rounding up his Mars degree to "27 Leo" here is a bit of Sabian Symbol info from Dane Rudhyar:

"The Luminescence of Dawn in the Eastern Sky"; Keynote: The exalting challenge of new opportunities at the threshold of a new cycle. {} Keyword: ILLUMINATION."

2020 Electoral College votes on December 14, 2020

Election Day: November 3, 2020 but the Real Deal Is Sealed on December 14th

As it now stands, the 2020 Electors will vote for a new president and vice president or will re-elect the incumbents on December 14, 2020. And as synchronicity would have it, a Total Solar Eclipse perfects @23Sag08 on that very day at 11:16:26 am est so the horoscope below is set for that date, hour, and the Capitol Building Washington DC in lieu of an accurate time and location for the Electoral College vote; please enlarge the image if you wish to read my scribbled notes:

As you see from the title on the above image, this chart shows the Prenatal Eclipse ('PE') of Inauguration 2021 which falls within the 4 South Saros Series; however, it is not the PE of Election 2020 (that would be the 4 North in June 2020). Themes of 4 South are on the difficult side: 'strong emotional feelings concerning money and/or relationships; sense of fatedness in relationships or of being caught up in events beyond personal control; a sudden desire to end relationships; emotions may be blocked or checked causing a great deal of frustration; there may be anger or lust, and for best results, rash action should be avoided until issues settle down' (paraphrasing Brady's Predictive Astrology). The last 4 South eclipse occurred in 2002 @11Sag54; the initial eclipse in this series manifested on March 19, 1624 @29Pisces; therefore, for more depth of information the Sagittarian energies of the December 2020 eclipse can be viewed or filtered through a Pisces (Jupiter/Neptune) lens--double Jupiter which suggests the possibility of staged or feigned performances (Munkasey). Personally I tend to call such performances 'politics'.

Now voting planet Mercury @20Sag05 conjuncts South Node (see edit, below) and accompanies the eclipse in 10th house of Goals, Career, and Public Standing, and the Moon-Sun-Mercury trio ropes in Trump's natal Moon-South-Node conjunction, as noted. And as you know, a Moon-SN conjunction suggests a person with bad timing who has trouble doing things in the right way, and who tends to alienate others. It reveals a karmic condition due to the past mishandling of wealth, position, and popularity. Trump's opposing Sun-North-Node conjunction helps to uplift the depressive qualities of his 'estranged from mama' Moon-SN but who really knows how often his nibs sobs when he's all alone.

Actually, the planets form a BOWL shape with the 9th house Venus in Scorpio leading the tilt and denoting 'advocacy of a cause' or the 'furtherance of a mission' (Jones). If Venus leading the other planets could signify a lady candidate in Big Business Scorpio, perhaps Senator Elizabeth Warren is suggested.

As for the Electoral College, I can't say how they'll be persuaded to vote but I can say that there's an awful lot of Trump planets linked to this horoscope, some of which are penned around the chart. There's no space to pen on his speculative, overblown Neptune-Chiron-Jupiter trio (5--18 Libra) but it snugs around the 8th cu$p of Corporatism and Debt. Plus, you see the 1st house Neptune @18Pis13 rising yet intercepted which is apex of two midpoint pictures penned on the chart and highlighted in green. Now interceptions are somewhat controversial and some astrologers don't use them at all (using a different house system sometimes removes them all together). But I think of them as indicating karmic conditions and/or something hidden which must be dealt with and in this case, it relates to victim-savior issues (Virgo-Pisces axis) with karmic Neptune strong in its own sign of Pisces and apex planet of multiple T-squares which place much pressure on the nebulous planet of fraud, deception, dissolution, disappointment, loss, glamour, and/or spirituality. Neptune also represents propaganda, the masses and mass media as well and a 1st house Neptune supports the eclipse theme of 'caught up in events beyond personal control' as noted, above. Of course, water, gas, oil, or other liquids or toxins may be involved with large events (exs: storms or floods).

Politically speaking even a very large Blue Wave may be represented by an active Neptune which could hopefully make it more difficult for the Electoral College to vote against the popular candidate as they did in 2016. Of course, much depends on how well Republican cheating tactics work this time around and many things can happen between now (September 30, 2019) and December 14, 2020, even impeachment but I'm not counting my chickens on that score, partially because too many rats would have to scurry into the spotlight if the Trump yacht sank.

Now another negative factor in the horoscope is that social and religious fanaticism is suggested by a midpoint picture conjunct the 12th cusp of Politics and Karma: Saturn-Pluto = Jupiter, ruler of the eclipse bwo Sagittarius. And when a solar eclipse is in Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius it's important for best results that energies be focused, not scattered, a search for truth is engaged upon, and motivations are aboveboard. Karmic progress cannot be made if misplaced idealism and/or erroneous beliefs are the guides under the influence of a Sagittarian eclipse (Lineman). These are often the very sorts of things that 'wild card' eclipses tend to uncover whenever society sorely needs a change of direction.

Then as you see, ascending in the chart is Trump's natal Descendant @29AQ (Partnerships) and he's in the midst of a Nodal Return when new alliances tend to form and fortunate contacts may be made. At Midheaven ('MC'; @12Sag22) is what many astrologers use for America's natal Ascendant, and with North Node in 4th house (US natal 7th house), we may expect an emphasis on the Homeland, Domestic Scene, Family Members as Partners, and/or Roots. Real Estate and/or the Mining Industry may also be in focus and opposite, there's potential for someone prominent (10th house) to lose (SN) their social position or career (MC).

And yes, there are several other cosmic links to Trump's natal planets but I have no wish to spotlight all of them because it's making me feel fussy just looking at the chart. Yet mention must be made that the 4 South eclipse perfects quite near Trump's natal Moon-South-Node conjunction so that secrets from his past may be illuminated as eclipses will do (tiresomely, I know, since there have been so many revelations already) via leaks, reporting, investigations, lawsuits, or, as it turns out, whistleblowing.

And of course this is a South Node eclipse so energies tend to drain from conditions and events possibly suggesting the exhaustion we all feel after years of resisting Trump-style destruction and his Geminian duplicity and constant tweeting.

Oct 20, 2019 edit: I neglected to add that Mercury conjunct South Node suggests persons or people who are mentally alone and cannot gain support for their ideas or plans, one who speaks out at the wrong time or in the wrong place, is not listened to, has ideas ahead or behind the times, may have ideas or plans stolen or plagiarized, and/or is able to escape the "pitfalls of popular opinion" (Sakaoian and Acker); positively Mercury-SN may denote an independent person with original ideas.

Yet there's one thing we know for certain for those with ears to hear: that truth will always have its own ring!

Looking ahead here are the Inauguration 2021 Midpoint Pictures. Glancing back to 2016, the Electors voted on December 19th for con artist Donald Trump. Didn't they know he's a gangster? And here's a nostalgic post concerning the cosmic conditions on that December day in 2016 when we were all much younger and sooo naive.