Sore Loser Republicans, midpoint pictures, and an Ed Schultz video

113th Congress: An Ill-Deserved Summer Vacation

by Jude Cowell

With Congress now on an ill-deserved 5-week recess with its work half done (until September 9th), we're 'treated' to many pundits addressing topics related to Republican obstructionism and their continued dissatisfaction with President Obama and his policies, sore losers that Republicans are.

Perhaps the party's natal *Sun conjunct US natal Sun in Cancer gives the GOP the idea that they're members of the only political party who should ever run the country!

In case you missed his commentary, check out Ed Schultz:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

As you may already know, there's an interesting midpoint picture in the GOP natal horoscope which to my way of thinking, applies closely and basically to their current modus operandi and it involves the 'confused, confusing, or hidden self image' duo of Sun and Neptune:

Sun-Neptune = Uranus: upsets caused by ignoring reality while dreaming; indifference toward others.

Now feel free to disagree with me on this (as always!) but both potentials contained within this midpoint picture when added together under gird much of the anti-governing Republicans' lack of good faith behavior these days and in other days when things don't going their way enough to suit their massive egos.

After all, the party's current progressions show another descriptive midpoint picture: Saturn-Pluto = North Node (future direction): a destiny about holding or abusing power. (Michael Munkasey.) And what the Republican Party with their austerity measures has in mind for the future of the American people is found nestled within this midpoint picture's analysis by Reinhold Ebertin: the misery of the masses.

Recommended reading concerning this topic: Robert Reich's Why Republicans Want Job Growth to Stay Anemic, Stan Collender's Budget Bedlam This Fall, and Al Kamen's Looking for a Lawmaker? Good Luck.

*Horoscope used: Republican Party organized July 6, 1854 5:00 pm LMT Jackson, Michigan; ASC 9Sag47; 8th house Sun 14Can26; Moon 27Sco42 in 12th house of Politics, secretive Behind-the-Scenes deals, Karma, and Self-Undoing; since the date of the party's founding was self-chosen, the synchronicity of Sun conjunct US natal Sun was selected on purpose.

Thomas Jefferson on Newspapers and Despots

“The most effectual engines for [pacifying a nation] are the public papers…[A despotic] government always [keeps] a kind of standing army of newswriters who, without any regard to truth or to what should be like truth, [invent] and put into the papers whatever might serve the ministers. This suffices with the mass of the people who have no means of distinguishing the false from the true paragraphs of a newspaper.” Thomas Jefferson to G. K. van Hogendorp, Oct. 13, 1785.

“The only security of all is in a free press. The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be submitted to. It is necessary, to keep the waters pure.” Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 1823.

“Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. But I should mean that every man should receive those papers and be capable of reading them.” Thomas Jefferson to Edward Carrington, 1787.

Blog Note: The above quotes were originally posted to Jude's Threshold.

August 18 2013: Jupiter Returns to 9/11/01 natal position

In consideration of the current terrorist 'chatter' being reported by the US government, this post is merely a heads-up about my just-published article at Jude's Threshold where I have taken a peek at Jupiter's Return to natal position in the 9/11/01 horoscope in case you're interested.

Planet Jupiter, exalted in Cancer, is very prominent this year as noted by master astrologer John Townley so I hope you'll check out his website's excellent Astrology and the News section (updated daily), plus, don't miss John's in-depth articles concerning a variety of astrological topics!

Saturn and Uranus rule Autumn Equinox 2013

September 22, 2013 = Autumn Equinox, aka, the Libra Ingress

by Jude Cowell

The autumn season begins in this hemisphere on September 22, 2013 at 4:44:09 pm edt with Sun 00Lib00:00 in the 8th house in the horoscope set for Washington DC. In Washington, issues of debt ceilings and government shutdowns are on the agenda and the calendar with September 30th being the end of America's fiscal year, as you know. In 1st house are nebulous Neptune of The Masses and The Media, still traveling near Chiron, the Wounded Healer, who expresses the astrological archetype of Christ. Spiritual opportunities inspired by this duo are still available for those who long to experience and benefit from them. And a 1st house Neptune, with its implications of large events beyond personal control, denote possibilities for loss from floods, storms, contagions, and other damages to ourselves and the environment.

At 4:44:09 pm edt, 8AQ00 rises, making Saturn the chart-ruler (and autumn season ruler), along with Aquarius' sub-ruler, Uranus, the Awakener, the Witness, and the Anarchist. Conservative Saturn @9Sco09 rules the 12th house of Politics and Karma but is posited in the 9th house of Foreign Lands, Higher Education, and Philosophy. Meanwhile, quirky Uranus @10Ari57 Rx is in 2nd house of the National Treasury, Values, and Earning Ability where some disruption may be expected in all or some of these areas--not that Uranus ever delivers precisely what is expected. Even monetary improvement cannot be ruled out especially since changeable Mercury rules the 8th house and is posited there @20Lib59, sign of balance.

And yet reluctantly I must mention that chart-rulers Saturn and Uranus are inconjunct (150 degr = adjustment) one another making tweaks necessary if the brilliant, innovative ideas of genius Uranus are to be successfully poured into Saturnian form where they are able to function on the physical plane.

Note: you undoubtedly remember that on Election Day 2008, Saturn and Uranus opposed one another and a big debate then was, is Obama a status quo conservative or a progressive? I think most people now agree that he's more a status quo guy with his natal Saturn in its own sign of Capricorn when it comes to Capitalism--and lo and behold, here's fem-challenged, market-deregulating Larry Summers near the front of the line for the Fedhead job! See Ezra Klein's Do You Trust Larry Summers or Janet Yellen to Police Wall Street? How about neither? Both are agents of foreign banking houses just like most of the compromised politicians in Washington DC! My suspicion is that a mystery board of directors in the City of London will be The Deciders on who America's next chairman of the Fed will be.

The Saturn-Uranus inconjunct (or, quincunx, if you prefer) indicates stress in relationships, tension between 'old vs new', and priorities that are difficult to establish. Plus, new methods brought forth may be resented before they are accepted. Yet attempting to hold on to old concepts will not work very well this autumn and a more positive reaction to change and innovation must prevail for no one--even Republicans--can stop progress entirely, even if the proposed reforms seem to threaten security. Yet somehow we must work toward changes and improvements that increase productivity, which will be one way to ascertain that beneficial progress will result from Autumn 2013's efforts.

The reforms and improvements I mention here remind me of the movement to lessen the wide-ranging collection of Americans' private communications data (Uranus = technology; freedom, Saturn = government; law; control) which, if the US surveillance state will comply with our wishes, can only lead to more productivity for the collectors when it comes to mining data of actual criminals and terrorists (assuming that stopping terrorist attacks is their real goal--though keeping tabs on political opponents must have occurred to them as a bonus, a la Nixon, yes? My years of residency in our nation's capital taught me several things--one, that DC politics as currently practiced does not function without blackmail.)

Well, there's much more info to be gleaned concerning the Autumn Equinox 2013 horoscope, so please stay tuned to SO'W if and as you may!

Presenting, the sovereign state, the City of London, aka, the "Crown":

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:

The Virgo Sun and Leo Moon of Anthony Weiner

Anthony Weiner September 4, 1964: Sun Virgo, Moon Leo

by Jude Cowell

So far I have managed to avoid posting on NY mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner and his apparent cluelessness about his behavior that crosses lines in society. That his campaign manager stepped down on Saturday was predictable after Weiner's new revelations on sexting in which he engaged even after he left the US Congress.

Some have questioned Weiner's seeming inability to give up his mayoral bid in view of what many see as his moral laxity--as if politicians don't always have ego and abuse-of-power issues which are tolerated by the public, overlooked, or hidden from scrutiny. The untenable position that Mr. Weiner has placed his wife in is another good reason to question his judgment so let's take a quick peek at what drives Weiner's massive ego drive toward recognition, fame, and notoriety.

Born on September 4, 1964 in NYC (hour unknown so I'm looking at a 'noon' horoscope--just as another sex-challenged politician, Mayor Bob Filner born Sept 4, 1942)--we find that the Moon ('reigning need'--Tyl) remained in dramatic Leo for the 24-hour period of his birth date which gives Mr. Weiner a Sun Vir-Moon Leo *personality blend (Earth-Fire = scorched earth.)

This combination of energies indicates one who is an elitist with a superiority complex and an innate sense that he is, or should be, the 'star of the show'. TV pundits have mentioned his lack of actual effort when he served in Congress yet he displayed obvious opportunism taking center stage whenever he could. On this blog I even posted a video of his dramatic speech on the House floor a few years ago with its populist tone which was, it seems, all for show and attention-grabbing.

Now as you know, when we wish to check out the ego in a horoscope we look to natal Sun and aspects to it. In fact, the closest applying (major) aspect to natal Sun tells us about the essence of the person, and in the case of Anthony Weiner, that would be his Sun-Pluto conjunction (1A47 at noon). Plus, there's an applying sextile between the Virgo Sun and Neptune in sexy Scorpio (3A20.) His willfulness and lack of boundaries may also be seen in a separating (unconscious) conjunction with quirky Uranus @10Vir33 which also happens to conjoin natal Mercury (thinking, planning, communicating) placed @7Vir40 Rx.

The Virgo line-up (Mercury Rx, Uranus, Sun, Pluto) could be counterbalanced, moderated, or stabilized a little by natal Saturn @00Pis51 but stable Saturn in the Mutable (changeable) Water sign of Pisces is problematic and denotes many struggles against opponents, without and within. Closest in orb to opposition with Saturn is Mercury which identifies Mr. Weiner as a schemer and a critic who needs to respect the privacy of others! He may be unaware that others recognize his scheming ways and may take offence!

Sun Conjunct Pluto = the predator

So with Sun conjunct sexy, intense Pluto, we expect Mr. Weiner to be rockin' a powerful ego that has great difficulty acting in moderation. This is an extremist who lusts for power and control for which he doesn't mind using pressure to manipulate others and get his way. Weiner meets challenges directly and temper tantrums may ensue when he is thwarted in the achievement of his goals, plus, Sun-Pluto denotes that with his constant-pursuit mode, he angers other people more often than he realizes. Additionally, a romantic Venus-Mars conjunction in nurturing Cancer signifies a very strong desire nature which adds to a long list of personal desires which are difficult if not impossible to satisfy. A Venus-Mars conjunction also shows that in his eagerness for social contact, Mr. Weiner tends toward a lack of discrimination and is resented for his pushy behavior.

Possible Aspects to a Moon in Dramatic Leo

Having natal Moon in Sun-ruled Leo (sign of the natural, even royal, leader) increases the egoism with a deep need for applause, recognition, and approval. Also, there's a wide-orbed, ambitious yet depressive opposition between Moon and Saturn, and a square between Moon and Jupiter in lusty Taurus, an aspect denoting a tendency to jump to conclusions that may have to be withdrawn later (which causes distrust), a large streak of self-indulgence, and a fickleness which can lose him the support of others for he doesn't seem to care whether they support him or not. This attitude shows in his recent comments to the press about (not) dropping out of the mayoral race--and yet he will resort to bitterness if a public lack of support due to his indifference to their opinions loses him the mayoralty of New York.

And this indifference is added to what some New Yorkers may see as moral laxity and a disregard for boundaries that sharing his junk photos has made obvious to all but clueless, out-of-bounds Anthony.

So if he was born during an hour when the Moon-Jupiter square was in effect, we see great creativity yet one who won't make the necessary efforts to apply it. Taking the easiest route to satisfy desires is very attractive with this aspect and we're probably seeing such a tendency with his tweeting to the world of over-the-line photos of himself (the twig'n'berries of which he seems so proud) which can give any victim of his attentions that more-than-I-need-to-know feeling.

Sun sextiles nebulous Neptune and conjoins Uranus

Weiner's Sun-Neptune sextile provides a chameleon-like quality and adds to his sense of drama as he makes contact with the public, while the Sun's conjunction to electrical Uranus gives magnetism along with an unpredictable willfulness, abrasiveness, and what others consider to be eccentricity. With surprising Uranus the planet of freedom and independence, Mr. Weiner is actually shocked when others try to constrain or limit him! And this planetary duo indicates that his arrogance has developed from his earliest days--perhaps instilled by a very proud mother (Moon in Leo) who was quite dramatic herself.

Yes, little Anthony was difficult to control then and big Anthony is difficult to control now. But goodness knows, the political party bosses in Washington DC can barely control any of their members' behavior even when it's sorely needed by the American people and would promote the common good of the country.

Perhaps the fact that the US government's foreign manipulators don't seem to be controlling him either is a clear sign that the Anthony Weiner 'sex scandal' is little more than a distraction away from what We the People and the US Congress should really be focused upon. For anything that divides the American people conquers them.

Now this post is all I ever hope to say or type concerning this particular mayoral candidate whose behavior is described by the sign of natal Uranus--Virgo--and thus shows "foolish aspirations" and "teamwork made more difficult by misplaced criticism or tactless frankness".

(Uranus in Virgo: The Combinations of Stellar Influences, Reinhold Ebertin.) *For more info on Sun-Moon blends, see Sun Sign-Moon Sign, Charles & Suzi Harvey.

The New and Full Moons of August 2013 spotlight Leo-Aquarius

Leo, Leo, Leo: a Peek at the New Moon of August 6, 2013 conjunct Vesta

by Jude Cowell

Looking at the August 6 New Moon horoscope set for the White House, the transiting *Jupiter-Pluto opposition is on full display with Pluto @9Cap27 Rx rising and Jupiter @9Cap12 setting across the 1/7 Partnership axis. The New Moon @14Leo34 in 8th house conjoins Vesta (on the 8th cusp) which suggests that a new cycle of activity (New Moon phase when seeds are sown) begins now with creative production high and reward or recognition expected by people successful in their work as their positions are consolidated. Any time 8th house matters are energized, such topics and concerns as Corporatism, Credit, Debt, Legacies, Insurance, Transformation, Death, and the Occult may be on the agenda.

(Yet for some, a blocking of goals in 8th house matters may still occur and frustration results. See where 14Leo34 falls in your natal and any aspects the New Moon makes to your planets and/or points, especially squares that block or limit--this New Moon interpretation is based on general mundane matters of the collective in relation to DC politics in particular and is not meant to be read as a personal analysis.)

Plus, sales, promotion (including job promotions--or, the creation of jobs), and speculation are main themes here especially with the 8th house emphasis, with women's issues, health, and sports on the menu as well. When the Moon is involved with Vesta, we hope to merit security through our hard, dedicated work--if we can get it, and health regimens may be in focus along with emotional and family issues.

Now with wealthy Pluto (Mr. Underworld, saboteur among the plutocrats) opposing money planet Jupiter exalted in Cancer and recently returned to natal degree (US Jupiter Return July 22, 2013), we'll experience continuation of stalemates over the budget and the daft, reckless idea of Republicans to again threaten a US credit default and shut down the federal government. No doubt that they will be in discussion all through their summer break which begins soon as they decide on talking points for their media echo chamber against the president.

Yet a top Republicans like John McCain are calling out this inane strategy and reminding Tea Partisans in Congress of the great potential for blow back from voters in 2014--and really, we've all had more than enough of the GOP's grandstand playacting and reckless disregard for reality of paying one's bills that are already racked up, haven't we? The GOP campaign to nullify Obamacare is pathetic--they ask Americans not to sign up for health insurance as if Republican political ideology is more important than being treated for health conditions or illness. Puh! How about a slogan: 'Support Republicans via contagion and disease' that could've been prevented. And maybe sacrifice the health or lives of your children in the process just so the GOP can continue to undermine the presidency of Barack Obama!

Well, there are many other curious factors in the New Moon chart of August 6, but no time to type all of them out. However, something must be mentioned about the Jupiter-Pluto opposition which forms a T-Square of dynamic energy with Uranus @12Ari21 Rx (a critical-crisis degree) at apex in 3rd house of Communications, Neighborhoods, Primary Schools, Travel, and the Lower Mind through its Gemini association. Thereby, a midpoint picture results with tones of fanatical striving for improvements, exploitation of every situation, new circumstances, and fast developments (Ebertin), any, none, or all of which may manifest. (You never know with quirky Uranus.)

And at 12Ari21, Uranus is in Nodal degree, a karmic or fated condition, with North Node (NN: contacts and fruitful encounters) in 10th house of Public Status and Career which also contains austere, conservative Saturn @5Sco11. Uranus separates from a helpful trine aspect with the New Moon, and old man Saturn is out of the loop. Yet with deceptive, veiling Neptune in secretive Pisces and in the 2nd house of the National Treasury, nothing is as it appears to be in the financial departments of American life.

Another chart factor is Pluto rising (ASC 5Cap22) so we know that events too big to handle may occur at or just after the New Moon of August 6, 2013, and they will culminate (or, be fulfilled) around the time of the Full Moon of August 20, 2013 @28AQ10, a degree which shows that America has just experienced another monthly Lunar Return (27AQ10) at 8:05:16 pm edt. And nebulous Neptune conjoins the Full Moon and opposes the Sun, a condition certain to bring illusion, lies, fraud, confusion, and scandals into the light of the Full Moon's rays, if not a little inspiration.

But toss all of this aside for it's Friday! So why not check out Saturday's and Sunday's cosmic weather with Julie Demboski's A Little Astro-Essence for the weekend just ahead!

~:~

*On this blog and elsewhere, I have also used the Jupiter-Pluto pair of combined energies to signify the Federal Reserve Bank, Big Banks in general, and those worldly wheeler-dealers who organize, promote, and implement Large Group Projects. As you know, the last Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Pluto took place @28Sag24 and their current opposition is part of that cycle--the halfway mark; six years ago, Fedhead Ben Bernanke made one of his official statements on the US economy within minutes of their conjunction on December 11, 2007. jc

7.24.13: US Jupiter Return inspires Obama speech on Economy

Obama's Speech on the economy begins with a Void-of-Course Moon

by Jude Cowell

Today at 12:55 pm edt, or 1:00 pm cdt, depending on the source (and probably not beginning on time but the official time seems to be 12:55 pm) at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, President Obama speaks about the US economy in a effort to refocus attention on finances and jobs.

At 12:55 pm cdt, we find 24Lib28 rising which makes evaluating Venus chart-ruler during this Hour of the Sun (the president.) The speech's Sun @1Leo59 will soon cross the Midheaven (MC) of Goals and Aspirations with MC @28Can51. The president's natal Saturn Rx in Capricorn conjoins the IC (Foundation of the Matter; The Drain) along with America's natal Pluto Rx which, when the energies are taken together, show concerns about rising from difficult situations and the hard work and privation the rising involves. The VOC Moon denotes that today's event will proceed without interference, or, that nothing turns out as expected--unless he speaks until the Moon enters Pisces.

Still, there are adjustments (inconjunct) to be made between leadership (Sun) and the people (Moon) for an inconjunct between the luminaries denotes his attempt to win approval from the public (and thus pressure Republicans to cooperate), along with the expression of an altered perspective that can provide many advantages if successfully utilized and directed. Yes, generous, advantageous, investing, monied Jupiter is well-represented here.

Venus-Neptune: unrealistic dreams

As for chart-ruler Venus' two applying Ptolemaic (major) aspects, we find that the planet of money and attraction first opposes Neptune (4Pis48 Rx--the masses; the media) which hints that once trust has been shattered as it has, it will be difficult for Washington politicians to gain it back, and that some of them follow an idealism which is based on a clouded vision. I would ascribe this to the Global Government-NWO crowd of faithless politicians and their financial backers but maybe that's just me. At any rate, few can deny that America is being collapsed in a methodical way particularly since the 1980s and the deregulation of Wall Street firms made Global Corporatism our government's 'god'. Their anti-sovereign campaign is doing quite well against the 'old-fashioned' nation-state that citizens of nation-states prefer to live in, thanks very much.

Now on Monday July 22, 2013, America's natal Jupiter @5Can56 returned to natal position in the 'Sibly' chart (July 4, 1776 5:10 pm LMT Philadelphia, PA) marking a new round of Jupiterian activities for our nation. This includes finances but also denotes expansion, investment, broadening of vistas, Jupiter the General's war and conquest efforts, religion, philosophy, and broadcasting from the Bully Pulpit such as President Obama does today--concerning economic issues.

However, he begins today's speech (assuming it starts on time or thereabouts) with austere Saturn rising @5Sco02 and North Node (a Jupiterian point) @13Sco17 also in 1st house. This Nodal position hits the US Inaugural Descendant (partnerships; open enemies) so transiting SN of the Moon now languishes upon the Ascendant of the Presidential Oath-Taking. 'Outstanding in his field', separation, or some mixture of both? Saturn in 1st house indicates stoppages or at least, delays, while NN in 1st provides an indication of good fortune.

the only midpoint picture is the ongoing Neptune/NN = Pluto where perspectives are difficult to blend with that of others. Plus, the Neptune/NN combo indicates a lack of community spirit, something powerful, manipulative Pluto now uses for his propagandistic purposes that keep the American people divided (and thus, conquered.)

Activist Mars, god of war and drone strikes. is out-of-bounds (OOBs) @7Can31 conjunct Mirzam, a star of The Announcer and of one who has something to say or express. Orating Mercury @14Can06 conjoins US natal Sun and Dog Star, Sirius (the mundane becomes sacred) which supports the 'announcement' theme of the speech's horoscope. Plus, Mars by degree joins in with the closed circuit of energies and urge for security and protection seen in the Water Grand Trine between Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune so perhaps Mrs will trigger action on the level of Social Responsibility.

The Moon's entry into Pisces will allow her to join in the Grand Trine as well, yet it's doubtful that such triggering will affect the GOP considering the party's recent progressed opposition of SP Moon and SP Neptune by which delusions, confusion, lies, fraud, and deception were handed to Americans who are felt by Republicans to be social burdens and parasites.

Apparently the Rs think that using US taxpayers' funds to invest at home for our sakes interferes with their next misadventure abroad when there are new territories to conquer, more natural resources to plunder, and a Global Government to set up as their ideology demands from atop the heights of Jupiter's expansive realms.

Pluto Opposes from Controlling Capricorn

Meanwhile, transit Pluto @9Cap44 Rx in the speech's 3rd house of Communications continues to firmly oppose US natal planets in Cancer--today Mr. Underworld is between exact opposition to US natal Jupiter (5Can56) and US n Sun (13Can19) so Mr. Obama's titanic struggles with global internationalists continue to mar America's future prospects even though austerity measures both here and abroad have proven themselves to be fruitless for growth, development, and economic improvement, but are a requirement for those Utopians and neocons determined to collapse governments and ruin economies so that a 'new economic order' will be accepted by the people as 'the only remedy'.

A Venus-Saturn contact

Chart-ruler Venus then goes on to sextile Saturn (2A@@) which signifies those with good investment and business sense, interests in future growth and development, and good communications skills. And with the speech's Sun @1Leo59 conjunct President Obama's natal Mercury (2Leo20), we may expect that today's speech will be bracing and thoughtful yet taken as antagonistic in the ears of his Republican opponents who are determined that his will be a 'failed presidency'.

Uranus-Pluto and the Moon at a 29th degree

Naturally, the tiresome, rebellious Uranus-Pluto square energies under gird all issues (until 2015)--here 2S45, and the Moon (We the People; the public; publicity; emotional moods/trends) @29AQ43, a critical-crisis degree, in 4th house of Real Estate and Domestic Scene is anxious to move into mystical if confused Pisces which Luna does at 1:23 pm edt. America had a Lunar Return today--27AQ10--at 9:43:34 am edt, White House, in Return 6th house of Military and Police Service, Work and Employment, Health Concerns, and Daily Rounds so We the People remain acutely aware that job creation is the key to our lagging if slowly improving economy. Now if only Washington kept our dwindling social conditions in mind long enough to accomplish worthwhile changes and implement the investments our nation needs.

One more note about the speech horoscope--it has a splay pattern of planets which denotes an intensity that can't be limited to a single point of application (M.E. Jones) so that we may expect several ideas for solving economic woes to be offered by President Obama as he kicks off today a series of speeches on the US economy--and then by the Saturnian austerians on the rise in 1st house in corporate-minded Scorpio, sign of spies and betrayals. The Leo Sun (the president) is squared (blocked) by Saturn (3A03) @'6Scorpio' = "A Gold Rush" (Jones) so Republican obstructionism toward the policies put forth by the president remain suspect in the eyes of those who would cause this administration's Saturnian downfall as this difficult transiting aspect echoes America's natal Sun-Saturn square.#

And since Jupiter's realm also includes ideology, we find the concepts of expansion/investment v restriction/austerity at the base of the stalemate in Washington economically, politically, and otherwise.

For a broader view of America's Jupiter Return of July 22, 2013 with the Return horoscope shown and notated by yours truly (as seen through a common good lens), you may wish to order the 19-page printable Stars Over Washington Report on Jupiter 2013 (PDF format) from the sidebar of this blog. Our recent Solar Return 2013 is also available. Thanks! jc

Great reading is Gary P. Caton's recent TMA article The 79-Year Cycle of Mercury and Mars in the USA Horoscope with the Mercury-Mars duo a signature for political opinions and arguments.

7.26.13: notable in the president's speech is his "get back to basics" theme which tallies with our national Jupiter 'getting back' to its natal degree!

July 22 2013 Aquarius Full Moon a 'supermoon'

Yes, today at 2:16 pm edt, a Full Moon perfects @00AQ05 and is, in fact, a 'supermoon', a phenomenon labeled as such by master astrologer Richard Nolle.

Perhaps you'd like more information on tonight's 'supermoon' with its degree conjoining the US presidential Sun, as noted previously in a recent post.

Plus, today marks America's Jupiter Return (or, Jupiter Reward Cycle, a la Noel Tyl!), a 12-year occurrence that last manifested in 2001/2002, and you know how our National Treasury was spent for waging war, creating the financial boondoggle that is Homeland 'Security', and other such quixotic notions and misadventures of the Bush-Cheney administration.

But now we have President Obama to preside over US Jupiter Return 2013. And since astrological Jupiter provides anyone who wishes it hope, enthusiasm, and optimism, a new cycle of uplifting possibilities begins this very today for our nation!

Perhaps Senator Elizabeth Warren's proposal for a return to the Glass-Steagall Act is perfectly timed by our fresh Jupiterian cycle which would be super, imho. Some say the Act was never a foolproof remedy for our national infestation of banking crooks, mobsters, and foolish risk-takers of Wall Street, and perhaps not. But it did keep the worst of their financial fraud tamped down for decades by the separation of banks' commercial and investment branches and kept the FDIC guarantee for use as it was intended--not for Corporate Welfare--but on behalf of We The People.