Stars Over Washington's Top 10 Posts of 2023!

As 2023 comes to a close and a new dawn beckons in January 2024, here for your consideration are links counting down Stars Over Washington's Top 10 Posts of 2023 as of December 25, 2023:

10. Astrology: The Bundle of Donald Trump revealing Trump's progressed planets which are now grouped in a concentrated Bundle shape of a dictator - clumped together into his progressed 12th house of Large Institutions such as hospitals and/or prisons. Italy's ill-fated Mussolini was born this way, Trump has "evolved" into it.

9. Social Security, Saturn, and the 118th Congress showing the current Pluto-opposite-Pluto's titanic power struggle now affecting multiple areas of society where power and control are at issue.

8. Astrology of the McKinley Assassination published in September 2023 upon the occasion of the crime's 122nd anniversary - America's third after Lincoln and Garfield - and all heralding a forceful change of direction in US Politics. Purposefully so.

7. 118th Congress: Jupiter and Algol Rise which occurred that morning at 10:00 am est as congress members prepared for 118th's opening session at noon. Furious Algol expanded suggests that tempers must have flared!

6. Jack Smith's 7 North Eclipse in 2023 which has repeated for him this very year with its themes of lust and hidden passion as he investigates and prosecutes the orange insurrectionist for disrupting a constitutionally mandated proceeding that leads to our nation's traditional peaceful transfer of power.

5. 2023 Eclipses yet a bit of Cosmic Relief. Much deserved!

4. May 2023's Fixed Grand Square: Mars-Pluto-Jupiter showing rigid stand-offs within the current democracy vs fascism struggle for domination.

3. Ron DeSantis: Sun Virgo-Moon Aquarius revealing his personality blend to be that of a lost soul with the vibes of an alien! If you've noticed his creepy grimace of a smile, you know what I mean.

2. The Jupiter-Uranus Conjunction of 2024 which forms approximately every 14 years along with a mixture of optimism, scientific and other types of break-throughs, and a potential for zealous one-sided attitudes.

And SO'W's Most Popular Post of 2023 Is:

1. Election Day 2024: What Does the Venus Cycle Say? Because a pivot point has been reached and the entire world is concerned about the society-altering outcome of Election 2024, yes?

The Question Is: Will We the People allow ourselves to be plunged back into the animalism, primal violence, and brutality of 1930s/1940s Nazism, or shall we move forward into a brighter future with Pluto in Aquarius and quirky Uranus, the rebel, soon leaving the intolerant, possessive sign of Taurus and heading toward versatile Gemini in 2025?

And finally, as SO'W approaches 4 million page views, my warm Thanks go to all readers who continue supporting this Open Letter to my friends. Happy New Year to All! Love, Jude Cowell, as always a partisan for democracy and the common good.

8 North Eclipse 2024 vs 6 North of 1986

A Significant Cosmic Time Link from 2024 Back to 1986

by Jude Cowell

Solar Eclipses can disrupt and change the course of events on Earth, and sometimes cosmic time links exist between Solar Eclipses when one occurs at the same degree as a previous eclipse. Such is the case with the Great American Eclipse of April 8, 2024 @19Ari24 in the 8 North Saros Series of visions and vivid dreams (Brady). This cosmic circumstance has them falling into different Saros Series for it's the eclipse degree that's activated, not a repeat of Saros Series (family) so that their themes are melded or blended for those who choose to consider such a 'history rhymes' situation. See the end of this post for a few possibilities.

The Great American Eclipse 8N 2024 vs 6N 1986

Above, is a dual image of the 8 North Eclipse of April 8, 2024 @19Ari24 set for Washington DC (and conjunct Chiron = the healer? or the blindspot? with US 1776 Chiron @20Ari08) and the activating-by-degree 6 North Solar Eclipse of April 9, 1986 @19Ari06. 6 North themes concern 'relationships to authority figures, a need to take responsibility and control, and accepting commitments due to another's inability to carry on via illness or unreliability (Brady).

6 North repeated on April 30, 2022 @10Tau28 conjunct zealous anarchist Uranus in Taurus which suggests 'maga' politicians, their figurehead, and their anti-democratic backers (ex: corporatists). For as you know, intolerance (ex: racism) is one of the more negative traits of Venus-ruled Taurus along with possessiveness and selfish materialism. Notably, manipulative Pluto, planet of extreme wealth, was in Taurus during the Civil War - and the 7 North Eclipse which influenced the Civil War repeated in April 20, 2022 @29Aries - conjunct J6 Mars. Perhaps you watched the events of January 6, 2021 as a Confederate flag was carried into the Capitol Building. The symbolism was impossible to miss especially since sore losers kept yapping about a second "civil war."

Cosmic Time Links via Eclipses

Truth is, we've discussed cosmic time links between eclipses previously in a September 2023 post: October 2024 Eclipse Activates Another! from 2024 back to 2005 and representing a continuation from the eclipse links discussed in this post: from April 2024 to October 2024 and into 2025 until middle to the end of March when a 9 New North Eclipse in Aries takes the stage.

But for clues in this 2024-to-1986 consideration we look to prominent Events of 1986 to see if or how they relate to potential events and issues in 2024. The foremost event of 1986 which occurred within the 6 North Series has to be the Chernobyl Meltdown of April 26, 1986 (11:38 am BADT -4:00 Chernobyl, Ukraine). Naturally this links to Putin's Invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. However, the Invasion of 2022 falls within the 5 New South Series with its theme of 'peak events' (Brady).

And curiously enough, the tragic Challenger Explosion of January 28, 1986 also occurred under the influence of the 5 New South Eclipse which manifested on November 12, 1985 - both events = negative "peak experiences," as we may agree).

If you may wish, review the Wikpedia page of the Capture of Chernobyl by Russian Armed Forces at the start of Putin's War on Ukraine, February 24, 2022.

As for blending the cosmic time links, themes, and events from 2024 to 1986, I'd suggest connections involving nuclear plants due to Chernobyl, war due to Ukraine, and America's 1776 Chiron ("21Aries" = "A Pugilist Entering the Ring" shown by the US Chiron Return/s of April 20, 2024, November 8, 2024 (near Election 2024), and February 18, 2025; these return dates issue from our July 4, 1776 Horoscope and will differ somewhat depending on the US founding horoscope used. Political and financial matters are potentials.

Now the Sabian Symbol for America's 4th house Chiron may suggest war, yes, but it also spotlights the 2024 Presidential Election which, more than ever before, will determine the future of our nation. Plus, America's three-fer Chiron Return of 2024/2025 hints at some sort of a replay of events from 1776 as well with freedom and independence simmering on the hob again as Fascism knocks at our door, longing to destroy democracy and take control. This is not acceptable!

So the two eclipes link Election 2024 with the Presidential (re) Election of Ronald Reagan in November 1986 and suggests to me his administration's financial manipulations, and Reaganomics (trickle down economics), the misguided neoliberalism which is well passed its expiration date, and has been shown to be a huge scam perpetrated by the global financial system upon the 99%. This has been in the news as you may have noticed. In fact, Thom Hartmann asserts that Reagan's Neoliberalism Destroyed the Middle Class. I tend to agree.

And finally, you'll certainly think of other connections to 1986 events which may cycle 'round again for further dealing in 2024, but do check the upper right corner for a note about the 2nd house natal Jupiter of Trump opposing the degrees of the eclipses, as our orange albatross continues interfering and meddling in all he touches - and disrupts the US legal and electional systems, as instructed by his backers, both foreign and domestic. Tiresomely, Big Donnie's financial woes and shady way of doing business will continue to be spotlighted in the news and in court. Personally, I remain suspicious that off-shore accounts are hidden away (he hopes--and he's an escape hatch kind of guy).

Then to close this dreary post, perhaps you can read my note penned on the image about the potential blending of 8N and 6N themes which could transpire despite the presence of the wounded healer Chiron 'the key' which, in Mars-ruled Aries, symbolizes optimism and the freedom to do and know more (M. Pottenger).

Now there are positive indications worth hoping and fighting for!

A Related Video Segment: Chris Hayes on Why Putin didn't Invade Ukraine During the Trump "Presidency" (my quotation marks -jc). And here, in case you need it, is a list of Solar and Lunar Eclipses from January 2024 to December 2026.

Plus, there's a crazily related topic from 1986: As proof that he's not a racist, right-wingers have widely circulated a photograph of Trump with Muhammed Ali, Rosa Parks, and others taken upon the occasion of the receipt of an Ellis Island Award for "patriotism, tolerance, brotherhood, and diversity"! Or did Big Donnie just photo-bomb the ceremony?

Dec 2023 Transits to the Washington DC Horoscope

by Jude Cowell

With 2024 fast approaching, let's say Farewell to 2023 by considering the bi-wheel of horoscopes, below, to close out this year of Stars Over Washington posts. Through this year and previously, multiple 'forewarned is forearmed' efforts have been made here by yours truly due to current events and to objectionable rhetoric disenterred from old-timey Aryans of yore by orator Mango Mussolini, as some have understandable labeled him.

His parroting of certain phrases from the past are intended to activate within us fear, paranoia, and a feeling of inevitability to the development of dystopian conditions which are not at all inevitable in America's future. After all, a majority of the American people have seen and fought this kind of brutal onslaught before, or are descended from those who did - and we're good, thanks. If there was ever a been-there-done-that caution, 1930s and 1940s events in Europe is it.

Because even though the Fascism Rising and the Nazis Rise to Power Solar Eclipses have repeated in our day (2022 and 2023), and because historical cycles rhyme with eclipse cycles, We the People are Not going to accept Fascism or Nazism in America.

Shown above, are two horoscopes: the May 3, 1802 Horoscope of Washington DC (center), which may be viewed by its lonesome at astro.com (RR: X because no exact hour is known, therefore no houses--12:00 pm is used), and the Winter Solstice 2023 Horoscope (outer), operating as a transit chart for December 21, 2023. Planetary contacts are circled for you, plus, a few other factors are noted.

Previously on SO'W: DC Horoscopes of Autumn Equinox 2023 and Winter Solstice 2023. Also related: Nazism Then and Now: The Threat Is Real.

So, dear reader, unless an unusual event sparks a new post prior to 2024, I'm wishing All who celebrate, a Very Merry Holiday and a Happy New Year 2024! Jude

Moon-Pluto: Raw Russian Intel gone with Trump

Trump's Theft and President Biden's Early Oath-Taking

by Jude Cowell, partisan for democracy

On January 20, 2021, in the final chaotic minutes of the Trump White House, chief of staff Mark Meadows rushed to the DOJ to "hand-deliver a redacted copy" (of the "binder" of raw Russian intel) "for a last review"."

Is this why Joe Biden took the 2021 Oath of Office at 11:15 am instead of the traditional noon hour? (Horoscope shown, below.)

Well, so far, the most comprehensive details concerning the missing intelligence "binder" (stack) of raw Russian intelligence that I've found is The mystery of the missing binder: How a collection of raw Russian intelligence disappeared under Trump, a joint reporting effort by CNN.

Now there are multiple horoscopes involved with this intelligence failure and if a mere post could be an e-book, I'd publish them and we'd discuss at length. However, briefness is a virtue in the blogging sphere so let's consider a previously discussed post from way back in 2015 because I figured it would be a big deal in the world of secrets and Trump collusion with Russia, Horoscope of the RNC Full Moon Conjunct US 1776 Pluto. This Full Moon in July 2016 became exact during the RNC, and cast a lunar spotlight upon, not just America's Pluto (27Cap33), but upon our national Mercury-Pluto opposition of surveillance and secrets, those withheld, leaked, and shared by and against our intelligence agencies. After all, knowledge is power, as 'they' always say, and our Mercury-oppo-Pluto wants total control of it all.

So here's a newer version of the RNC 2016 Full Moon Horoscope snugged as a transit chart around America's Powell Horoscope ("first vote," as championed by historian-astrologer Gary Lorentzen), showing that, among other cosmic factors, this now-revealed - though still mysterious - intelligence theft by Trump, aka, agent orange - is very much a Moon-Pluto affair:

Curiously, the planet of chaos, rebellion, and assault, radical reactionary Uranus, conjuncts the IC (Foundation) of the July 2016 Full Moon Horoscope with an intriguing Sabian Symbol word picture: "A Double Promise Reveals Its inner and Outer Meaning." My suspicion is that the disappearing binder of secrets revelation of December 2023 is one clump of secrets now in process of being revealed.

Meanwhile, below is another bi-wheel of horoscopes which might interest a reader or two since the above "final chaotic minutes" of the Trump White House on Inauguration Day 2021 could have been a factor in why Joe Biden actually took the Oath of Office a few minutes prior to the usual noon time especially since Trump's term didn't officially end until noon. Perhaps the Biden team thought there could be legal or practical reasons why an early Oath-Taking was a good idea. We may never know, but here's the bi-wheel where we find Inaugural Venus @15Cap04 conjunct Inaugural Midheaven ('MC") and conjunct RNC 2016 Pluto, a transit suggesting that Joe Biden took control of the situation; a few other contacts are notated as well:

Edit 12/16/23: Note that 11:47 am est is the time of Joe Biden's Oath of Office; 11:15 am shown here is the VP Oath of Kamala Harris; even so, Venus remains @15Capricorn+ conjunct our 1776 Pluto! jc

On a related topic, here's this from 2018: Homeland Security to Compile Database of Journalists, Bloggers with the "sentiment" of coverage noted. Well, fussy as some of my posts may be, my own "sentiment of coverage" always leans toward democracy and the common good, and are my small way of paying tribute to Revolutionary War ancestors who sacrificed, fought, and died to help establish our nation! And I firmly believe that allowing fascism in America was no part of their sentiments.

Women, the GOP, and the Comstock Act

by Jude Cowell, partisan for the common good

Seal: The New York Society for the Suppression of Vice

Perhaps you've read the Wikipedia page detailing the Comstock laws which tells of anti-vice crusader and Post Master General Anthony Comstock (March 7, 1844--September 21 1915) and the Comstock Act of 1873 which was passed by Congress on March 3, 1873. Naughty items sent through the mail became illegal, and certain books were burned, as shown in the above image. Sound familiar much?

Because now in 2023, biological and/or ideological spawn of Mr. Comstock and his fellow crusaders of 1873 are acting to conflate "vice" issues of their day with American women's healthcare in the realms of childbirth, birth control, sexual activity, and other private matters that are none of misogynist politicians' and SCOTUS justices' business.

Feeling control slipping away, strong-armed paternalists are desperate to rule the roost again as they propagandize and divide society with "cancel culture" and other 'culture war' tactics which, if nothing else, muddy public waters, waste time and money, and interfere with clear thinking concerning these important matters. Solutions remain unsought by the non-governing Republican Party, as with every other issue that We the People need addressed. Besides: ripping apart our social fabric and collapsing US society is the GOP's game. They're paid well for their sabotaging efforts, and no doubt, glowing promises have been made. Failing financial manipulation, threats can keep them in line.

Can Astrology uncover factors describing the current turmoil between genders?

Well, the fact that US 1776 Mars turned retrograde by progression in 2006 is one such factor running in the background of society and the change of direction has been noted in previous posts. Still, it is significant that US Mars has symbolically progressed into Libra rather than staying in Gemini as in 1776 when men were 'ready for action' and easily able to accomplish two or more things at once. Perhaps we can agree that overstraining the US military in the Middle East is involved along with disabled soldiers returning home, but the topic is beyond the scope of today's post. Even so, with the warrior planet in Venus-ruled Libra, Mars loves teamwork but tends to be on the moody side, and its Rx condition suggests US Mars turning its aggressive energies upon US society (and women) by many of our male population - but thankfully not all! Then as you know, the Rx condition of US Mars doesn't 'cause' the changes, but it does help symbolize, time, and describe them.

Past Can Inform Present and Future

And an astrological lens is a great magnifier for any investigation:

Dual Charts: The Pilgrim Fathers of 1620 (lower left; Campion #362) and the 1620 Pilgrim Fathers' Solar Return ('SR') of 2023 (upper right):

Of note is transit Pluto (the rapist; the puppet master) in 2017, the year of Trump, reaching the Uranus-Neptune Conjunction degree of 1993 of (18 Capricorn: 'POLITICAL POWER; strong-armed paternalism'--Jones) with the potential of: "The big picture demands a certain course of action which must be followed; little option to do otherwise" (N. Tyl). For me this brings in the fake issue of "wokeness" (Uranus-Neptune), plus, the wealthy financiers and ideological meddlers who control US politicians such as Trump. His power potential is completely dependent upon their continued support propping him up, with mobsters and thugs coming along to do the dirty work - via Pluto of the Underworld, with a bit of bone s*w ass*ssin in the mix.

Is Religion Still the Opiate of the Masses?

Then of much significance concerning the suppression of US women of child-bearing age is the religious extremism of the Christian Nationalists and Dominionists (evangelicals) who now bedevil America and oppress American women, for their beliefs uncannily resemble a group of early immigrants to our shores known as the Pilgrim Fathers, as shown above. Actually, this post is intended as a small astro-check-up concerning their current condition via the 1620 group's Solar Return 2023 which perfects on December 22, 2023 based on the Sun's return to its 1620 position of 00Cap08, a Cardinal World Point of Manifestation.

The study notes penned on both horoscopes include a few intricate factors for the curious reader with the Vatican making a small cameo appearance. However, a previous post displays the 1620 Horoscope unmarked and suitable for printing, if you prefer.

Now a major factor is the 1620 Jupiter-Pluto Conjunction in Taurus, sign of intolerance, which cues us to the authoritarianism, bossy paternalism, and the objective of Plutocrats determined to grasp power, traits which current-day Republicans now exhibit against the fairer sex, no matter the tragic consequences for women, girls, their families, and society in general. Apparently, conflating these legitimate societal concerns with olden views of 'vice' means that scarlet letters are being embroidered as I type - and prison cells are being prepared.

And so if any of this information and commentary identifies certain strong-armed politicians as the 'spawn' and inheritors of the Pilgrim Fathers' paternalism, extremist religiosity, zealotry, and misogyny, so be it: for my work here is done.

Year 2023 ends with a Cancer Full Moon!

Last Lunation of 2023: A Bright and Cold Full Moon

by Jude Cowell, partisan for democracy

The final lunation of 2023 is the Cancer Full Moon of December 26, 2023 @4Can58:11 with both Moon and Mars out-of-bounds of the Earthly plane. If you're familiar with the planets on July 4, 1776, you know that this lunation falls within America's Cancer trio of planets: Venus, Jupiter, and Sun (3--14 Cancer). Therefore, with money planets Venus and Jupiter in the spotlight, a culmination of some kind in relation to financial matters may be involved. Perhaps a diplomatic help will be generous Jupiter, not as strong as it could be due to retrogradation, yet in money sign Taurus, is acting as a Thales Planet for the Sun-Moon oposition, aka, a saving grace.

Then thankfully, Jupiter turns Direct on December 30, 2023 @5Tau34:51 at 9:40:15 pm EST, and will pick up steam as the Great Benefic moseys on through January 2024, reaching 7Tau10 at month's end. Notably, transit Jupiter enters Mercury-ruled Gemini the last week of May 2024, a cosmic signal for change.

Now the December 2023 Full Moon times the culmination phase issuing from the New Moon of December 12, 2023 @20Sag40; in between comes the Quarter Moon of December 19, 2023 @27Pisces conjunct the gaslighting planet of fraud and deception, Neptune, influential in its own sign of Pisces. Also notable is that Venu$ @26Sco34 in 4th house (Real Estate; Domestic Scene; Mining) leads all the Full Moon planets as the engine of a Locomotive shape, determined on success.

Now here's the DC Horoscope of the December 26, 2023 Full Moon with quite a few of my study notes squooshed upon it:

In general, Cancer Full Moons tend to activate emotional extremes and overblown reactions, patriotism, nationalism, tribalism, and may also highlight criminal activities. But on a more positive level, the sign of Cancer relates to family matters, openly expressed feelings of sensitivity, imagination, publicity, and genealogical interests.

Dec 2023: Leona occults Betelgeuse!

Rising: The Constellations in the Sky

by Jude Cowell

On December 11, 2023, a rare celestial event occurred when asteroid Leona (#319), discovered on October 8, 1891 at the Nice Observatory in France, occulted starry Betelgeuse in the right shoulder of constellation Orion. Perhaps you caught the story in or on Scientific American published December 11th. An Eastern Time of 8:17 pm is cited in the article for the seconds-long occultation, with December 12th the date the path crossed Southern Europe, Turkey, Greece, and Sicily.

Setting a December 11th horoscope for Washington DC for 8:17 pm EST shows America's 1776 North Node rising with Midheaven @23Ari30 conjunct the transiting North Node @23Ari28 although other times and locations of the occultation would naturally vary, and you'll see sprinklings about Trump on the chart, plus, with asteroid Leona, you know that Supreme Court whisperer Leonard Leo must be lurking about somewhere.

Well, here's a quickly marked-up horoscope for your consideration which may also be used as merely a transit chart for December 11, 2023:

Keywords for Betelgeuse: Fame, success, good fortune, determined, shrewd, a rebel, rash, inventive, fevers, acute illness (A. Louis). Note that there are indications of someone's nervousness and/or neuroses on the chart (see lower right corner's New Moon) although admittedly, this could describe many people in light of current events. The occultation's Vertex ('VX' of fated encounters) conjuncts Trump's natal Moon-South Node of fluctuating popularity and emotional estrangement.