A Message for Stars Over Washington Readers: currently yours truly is recuperating from surgery and will return soon. Please keep an eye on Washington for me, ok?

Update August 23, 2017: now home from surgery and rehab, lots of effort lies ahead until I'm tip top, probably until November or early December. Until then, I'll be posting here lightly concerning as much Washington DC politics and Trump antics as I can manage--that is, if Chrome code and other tech changes can be successfully navigated or Stars Over Washington (12 years old in October!) ends up sabotaged and discarded by Google.

My warmest thanks go to all SO'W readers for continued support and for Sharing posts which for now remain timely!

Jude Cowell

ps: My general astrology blog Jude Cowell Astrology will also be updated but less frequently since my typing time must be briefer than usual as I recuperate. Jupiterian-Uranian Donald Trump (Jupiter-Uranus = political conflict; Ebertin), now moving into exact opposition) keeps us all busy, doesn't he? But of course creating distraction and chaos is one of his and his secret backers' primary goals, and the way Trump habitually operates, isn't it? jc

Aug 26, 2017 Update: recovery is going well. Look very soon for a new post written by millennial astrologer Kevin Estes who is helping me out here at SO'W while I'm out of commission. Thanks a bunch, Kevin!

And in light of currently retrograde Mercury exalted in its own sign of Virgo (though backing into Leo and conjoining royal star Regulus, Direct Sept 5 and hitting the August 21 Solar Eclipse degree, here's a piece I wrote for Scottish astrologer Anne Whitaker way back in the olden days of September 2009: Unruly Tricksters of the 12th House--featuring guess-who?

July 30, 2017: Hello there Hong Kong

An unusually high volume of visits from Hong Kong today...what are you up to, Hong Kong?

In the Realms of Jupiter: Anthony Scaramucci

Former Goldman-Sachs agent, investor, and financial empire builder Anthony Scaramucci was born on January 6, 1964 in Long Island New York so apparently he is quite comfortable languishing 'in the realms of Jupiter' since astrologically the planet of largess and expansion is able to play financial roles and now, political ones.

Toss in Jupiter's broadcasting function and we have ourselves a White House Director of Communications and an antic-prone thespian as well although we should note that Jupiter's religious roles are far beyond the scope of this post, applied to this particular Roman Catholic, or not.

We also shall not address here the recent rumor of Mrs. Scaramucci filing for divorce, the filing said to be inspired by her husband's naked ambition to work for the Trump White House. That Scaramucci 'deleted' his past tweets that were anti-Trump seems to support an about-face of his principles for the sake of money and public status so who could blame her for filing if the divorce rumor isn't 'fake news'?

For explanatory notes on this series of Jupiter profiles see Donald Trump: In the Realms of Jupiter.

Astrological Jupiter: January 6, 1964 Long Island, NY

Now Mr. Scaramucci was born when Jupiter was @11Ari17 and in aspect to multiple planets (noon horoscope, no birth time known) which modulate the straightforwardness of his Arien Jupiter. As you know, Mars-ruled Aries is known for many things such as: pioneering, a me-first attitude, impulsiveness, rashness and brashness, initiating but not finishing tasks, fighting in war or in the streets (or from behind a podium), wielding sharp instruments or weapons, and so on. With expansive Jupiter upping the tendencies of Aries we find vigor, magnanimity, and leadership but with potentials for moodiness, a lack of balance, and an urge to prematurely realize plans. Though it may not apply, this reminds me that Scaramucci won't be officially added to the White House payroll until mid-August although he's already been on-air and on-camera (yet laying low this weekend, it seems).

Aries Jupiter vs Libra Jupiter Across the Relationship Axis

The Jupiter of Anthony Scaramucci suggests that he relates to others as a Mars-ruled Aries (as does Donald Trump with Mars rising in royal Leo). Below are the aspects of Scaramucci's natal Jupiter in Aries with a potential opposition by natal Moon which ranged from 9Lib45 to 21Lib56 during the 24-hour period of January 6, 1964. Therefore, Scaramucci's Moon falls somewhere within Mr. Trump's natal Neptune-Chiron-Jupiter trio (5-18 degrees Libra)--a link between them, but not necessarily a stabilizing connection for the always fluctuating Moon. However, Jupiter in Aries tends toward hero worship, a tendency that would fit comfortably with a lunar (emotional) contact to Trump's trio which includes a strong Station Direct Jupiter @17Lib27 in the 2nd house of Money, Values, and Self-Worth. Note that Mr. Trump is in the midst of a Jupiter Return now with the third of three conjunctions coming up on August 4, 2017.

Anthony Scaramucci's Natal Jupiter Aspects

First, note that all of natal Jupiter's aspects are waning (separating) and thus, unconscious. The only applying aspect involving his natal Jupiter is a possible opposition from the Moon which perfects @11Lib17 at 2:53 am (00A00) so if he was born between 12:00 am and 2:53 am, a Moon-Jupiter opposition applies, otherwise it's waning until the end of the day when a 10-degree orb may be considered too wide to count as an opposition. Implications of a Moon-Jupiter opposition will be listed, below, for chances are, it is within orb.

1. Now his closest Jupiter aspect is actually a square to his Cancer-Capricorn Nodal axis (0S06) which suggests difficulty adjusting to traditional social institutions and disharmony toward current trends and policies of one's culture. As you know, the North Node relates to future direction, public encounters and publicity, and his curse words and other talk have already caused some amount of kerfuffle in those departments. With this square, popularity and public approval may not be quite as glorious as he wishes unless the necessary adjustments are successfully made.

2. Mercury square Jupiter (0S50) suggests many grandiose ideas that too impractical to implement. Wanting to hurriedly achieve great things, this square tends to promise more than it can deliver and though well meaning, a lack of perspective is evident along with mind and feelings being at cross purposes. This is the "fools rush in" aspect which may describe his recent job acquisition into the White House press room. Also denoted is bombast designed to impress others (you've noticed how he often mentions that he spoke to "the president of the United States"--so impressed with himself!), yet this Jupiter aspect suggests that he bites off more than he can chew and thus may not be qualified for the job--he isn't but he "loves" Donald Trump, a man he thinks will be loyal to him! With Mr. Scaramucci, indiscretion is a problem (just as with Trump's Mercury-Neptune square) so they share that unfortunate trait.

3. Jupiter quincunx (inconjunct) Uranus (1S25) also indicates impractical ideas and plans that are far-fetched; personal expectations are high but issues of spilling too much of what he knows supports the above mentioned tendency toward indiscretion. Naturally, such 'spilling' includes leaking to the wrong people, plus, there's his brash talk from the podium and in interviews in which he overreacts and attempts to impress. For best results, self-control is needed but we'll see how it goes.

4. Sun square Jupiter (4S07) is another 'bites off more than he can chew' aspect which leaves him desperately attempting to cope with the consequences as best he can. So determined to succeed he can 'taste it', this square from the expansive planet of relating to the goal-oriented solar orb of ego and pride describes a 'wheeler-dealer' who must be careful to become fully informed before he speaks. (Of course, with the tres impromptu Mr. Trump, this may be impossible.) Not afraid of a good fight, Mr. Scaramucci doesn't mind bending the truth if it helps achieve his (Trump's) objectives and a demand for loyalty may be, as with Trump, a part of his Sun-Jupiter square's expectations.

5. Moon opposite Jupiter (speculative; at noon 4S36) indicates one who appreciates the talents of others and seeks expert advice and reassurance in order to bolster his own sense of competence. Lacking discrimination, his comprehension of what events and situations 'really mean' is a challenge and he prefers to believe what is least painful. Generous and benevolent, Mr. Scaramucci may give more credit than is due to others who don't deserve it for he is susceptible to deception and may be easily misled. If indeed natal Moon in Libra is within orb of opposing Jupiter, direct confrontations with stronger characters who demand that their whims be indulged are best avoided, although I suspect that if not avoided, Trump-watchers can easily guess who will 'win' such a battle.

Now let's close with Adriano Carelli's symbol for Anthony Scaramucci's natal Jupiter degree of '12Aries' but with an additional note on the Sabian Symbol for '11Aries'..."The President of the Country":

An Eagle on Its Nest: It is a degree of "sacred selfishness" in a familiar or national sense. It gives a strong fatherly or motherly instinct, a high conception of one's standing as pater familias or mater familias, a keen sense of one's "I", of personal initiative, of the free individual property; and leads to the attendant danger of clashing against the established order in more or less collectivistic sense, or against the economics of the so-called modern democracies.

If this danger is not borne out by other threads in the astrologic pattern, the native's steady effort to rise higher and to improve his condition may bear honor and distinctions in the social and civic fields.

The native's rugged individualism may let his or her generous and lordly nature appear extravagant. (Example: Elizabeth Tudor, queen of England--Moon's degree).

For more details on Anthony Scaramucci (aka, The Mooch, but anciently, "the skirmisher") see the clownish Scaramouche, pictured, below). Plus, you won't want to miss Twilight Starsong's insightful analysis of the skirmisher.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Scaramouche_1891_poster.jpg

Psychiatrists Lift Gag Rule To Allow Doctors to Publicly Discuss Trump’s Mental Decline

For astrologers who've looked at the secondary progressions (SP) of Donald Trump there is little surprise that a deteriorating mental state and obsessions he can't let go of have been in the news ever since Trump announced his bid for the presidency and, more worryingly, since taking office on January 20, 2017. Astrologically this is due in large part to the progressed conjunction of his Mercury (mentality, thought processes, communications) and destroyer Pluto (obsession, fear, danger, morbidity, control, manipulation--especially via words, coping ability, Psychiatry) in Leo, the sign of ego, pride, and leadership. The tyranny of the weak is suggested here and perhaps you've noticed in Trump's tweets a disintegration (Pluto) of his thinking function and communication patterns (see video linked, below).

When Paired, Mercury-Pluto Doesn't Always Know What It's Talking About

The combined energies of Mercury and Pluto relate to secret information, covert intelligence, surveillance (USA = natal Mercury Rx opposite Pluto Rx), gaining more power and control, finances, organizational ability, work methods, and/or cruel speech. And curiously, his SP Mercury-Pluto duo conjoins his SP Psyche, known astrologically to have trust issues. (Note that Mr. Trump also has an SP Mars-Neptune conjunction in Libra which adds elements of psychosis, fantasy, escapist behavior, and an urge to promote the 'Utopian dream' (Pottenger-Dobbyns).

That last urge belies Trump's Nationalism-Americanism themes yet a totalitarian Global Government is the 'Utopian dream'. An erratic Uranian, Mr. Trump is a Global Government agent of chaos no matter what he says or what he promised his gullible supporters!

Now here is The Ring of Fire's Farron Cousins discussing the lifting of the gag rule (the 'Goldwater Rule') so that psychiatrists can openly discuss--and warn us--about the dangerous Donald Trump and his declining mental state:

For balance you may wish to see Slate's recent piece The Goldwater Rule Is Irrelevant by Susan Matthews.

A related video: Trump's Tweets Were Analyzed By Scientists, They Conclude That He Is Not....

In the Realms of Jupiter: Reince Priebus

First, here are a few astro-notes concerning the natal planets of White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus which were posted to SO'W prior to RNC 2016 and its Capricorn Full Moon conjunct US natal Pluto if you care to take a peek.

And here are some explanatory details about this series of posts on the natal Jupiters of Mr. Trump and a few of his White House associates.

Of course, you've heard by now of the 'open war' between Priebus and Trump's new Communications Director Anthony 'The Mooch' Scaramucci over 'mystery' leakers lurking within the White House (one of whom is Donald Trump).

Eek! 5:22 pm edt UPDATE: a few minutes after this was posted, I saw a WaPo headline that Trump will replace Reince Priebus. We'll both want to check into that!

If you need it, ABC News has the Priebus-Scaramucci cat fight. Rraowwrr! And here you can view an accurately timed (RR: AA) natal chart for Reince Priebus showing a Scorpio Ascendant ruled by Mars, co-ruled by Pluto, and a Locomotive shape lead by powerful Pluto.

Now, while Priebus is still yoked to Trump, let's consider the natal Jupiter of Reince Priebus born March 18, 1972 in Dover, New Jersey. Natal Jupiter, the planet whose natal sign reveals how we relate to others, is at 6Cap13 and is unaspected--unless we choose to count Jupiter's waning square to Pluto (5S30) which we will consider, below. In earthy Saturn-ruled Capricorn (the authority) is usually uplifted and uplifting but may exhibit a certain lack of bouyancy. And since there are no major aspects to or from sociable Jupiter, its sign and position function quite purely although an 'ivory tower' tendency may be prominent and a detached or disconnected air noticed in his personality (Tierney).

Additionally, Priebus' natal Jupiter is not involved in any midpoint pictures which would have helped attach to some degree the planet and its relational abilities into his psyche via aspected planets. However, a hefty amount of idealism is a primary feature of an unaspected Jupiter and a certain 'far-awayness' aura may be noticed. Yet in Earth signs, Jupiter most often shows good judgment (well measured in Capricorn), reliability, and much interest and talent in financial realms--especially since his natal Jupiter is posited in his 2nd house of Earning Ability, Self-Worth, and Possessions. And although Jupiter rules his 2nd house (cusp 28Sag53), sign Capricorn and Jupiter itself are intercepted (Placidus) which tends to delay or interfere with the ease of the planet's functioning (as does ruler Saturn) and may denote karmic conditions from the past which haunt finances or other realms of Jupiter. These may be due to an ancestral situation or family myth, or perhaps from a natal tendency of his own.

Now if we wish to consider him as having a Jupiter-Pluto square (separating and thus unconscious, and half a degree beyond 5 degrees so not as strong an influence as it would be if closer) we may see Mr. Priebus as a wheeler-dealer engaged in large-scale projects and, being mired in Politics (that 'organized system of hatreds') and having lucrative financial involvements, perhaps he is just that. Expert astrologer Alan Oken gives this aspect as 'misuse of knowledge' and 'an often frustrating drive for power', and says it describes one who is 'rarely satisfied with their place in life and consistently trying to better themselves, often at the expense of others'. Oken labels Jupiter square Pluto as, The False Prophet but I must leave it to others who know Reince Priebus to determine how closely this may or may not describe the man. Whether such misuse of knowledge includes leaking information from the White House I cannot not know.

Natal Jupiter @7Capricorn

The Sabian Symbol for Jupiter at '7Capricorn' = "A Veiled Prophet of Power"...SUPREMACY; positive expression: unerring insight into the motives of men and a consequent gift for organizing their efforts along any given line of accomplishment (yes! as Chairman of the RNC--jc); negative/unconscious/shadow side: inability to distinguish true values from false. Oh my goodness, is Priebus as bad at distinguishing true from false as Donald Trump?!?

So perhaps we should consult the esoteric degrees of Adriano Carelli for '7Capricorn' to gain more insight...

The Sphinx. The whole of the sign Capricorn is a labyrinth, of which this degree especially stresses such scientific and engineering skill as to be really worhty of Daedalus, and drives to the utmost its defects of puzzling and selfish secretiveness.

A labyrinth: will the native be its maker or its victim? Or, like Daedalus, both at the same time? A Sphinx: is the riddle in the native's self, or waylaying him at a bend of the road he is to travel? And will the riddle be of material, intellectual or spiritual nature? Will there be political, or feminine, intrigue?

The Sphinx would rather not be asked questions. She is to ask them herself. As usual, the whole of the nativity will have t help formulate the answer.

{}

Should the native be a man. and he be involved in political intrigue, there is sure to be a woman somewhere. The native may fly high or land in jail, may be exiled or die a tragic death. It is the end that counts. (My italics.)

As you know, in Greek Mythology, Daedalus built the labyrinth, and one of his sons was...Icarus.

Well, those are all the notes I have on the natal Jupiter of Reince Priebus for now but I want to add here a note about his natal asteroid, Icarus (whose wings melted when he flew too close to the Sun): the August 7, 2017 Lunar Eclipse conjoins his natal Icarus @15AQ so more leaks may drip out or secrets may be inconveniently revealed, thanks to the Lunar Eclipse (followed by the Total Solar Eclipse of August 21, 2017), and it will be interesting to watch as the eclipses approach to see if Mr. Priebus holds onto his White House position, crashes and burns like Icarus...or simply manages to fly away.

Follow Reince Priebus @Reince

'7Cap' info from The Sabian Symbols in Astrology, Marc Edmund Jones; 'The Sphinx' details from The 360 Degrees of the Zodiac, Adriano Carelli.

"I warned them that this would happen" Trans Rights Under Attack by Trump

In this July 26th segment Thom sympathizes with a very upset caller:

Are We in the Decline of the American Empire? (w/ guest Charles Sauer)

Do you feel it in the air? Wealthy classes are retracting themselves from American society 2017, a process particularly noticeable since the Reagan era.

Here's a segment from The Thom Hartmann Show:

~:~

'Thanks', hypocrite Ayn Rand. Up yours, Buchanan and Koch.

In the Realms of Jupiter: Jared Kushner

On the day that son-in-law-in-chief Jared Kushner was born, January 10, 1981, expansive Jupiter @10Lib04 conjoined restrictive Saturn (9Lib43). His Jupiter-Saturn conjunction (0A20 at noon) is a strong indicator in a natal horoscope but of what? Without an accurate birth time our Jupiter profile must be somewhat out of focus but let's proceed since, as I type, Mr. Kushner is behind closed doors having a chat with politicians whose integrity, I say sorrowfully, is not a given in most cases. Witch hunt, Whitewash, all around the town!

For brief details on why we're looking at astrological Jupiter in relation to Washington DC's current crop of infesting creatures see this.

And here's a video of Jared Kushner delivering a quite brief statement after today's testimony.

Now it is my surmise that a Jupiter-Saturn conjunction denotes the need to temper whatever traits and inclinations natal Jupiter may have in its sign--here, Jupiter relates to others through Venus-ruled Libra, the sign of Justice ("that's not fair!"--same sign as Mr. Trump's natal Jupiter), diplomacy, relationships, values, perspectives, art, good looks, and elegance. And one interesting factor of interest is that Kushner's chart is shaped like a BOWL with the planets following Saturn who tips said BOWL. However, without a birth time we cannot discern the hemispheric focus (he's somehow lacking in the signs opposite the BOWL) but perhaps the BOWL tips toward Career and Public Status unless what appears to be a very private individual (who speaks rarely in public--shy? or sly?) is more about home and family than career ambitions. Hmm.

As for Kushner's natal Jupiter, via conjunction it takes part in the leadership function or tipping of the BOWL and considering how close the conjunction, I would have to credit Jupiter as a focus here, leading the rest along with cautious Saturn although Saturn is slightly dominant. Advocacy of a cause or having a mission to fulfill are suggested, and "his orientation to the world arises from division." (Jones, The Guide to Horoscope Interpretation). Well, that echoes his Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in Libra so it seems his relationships are affected on a deep level by this restriction-vs-expansion team of planets.

Jared Kushner's serious minded Jupiter-Saturn conjunction (one of two aspects of Jupiter to other planets and there's than a nice sextile to North Node) indicates a retentive memory (not a talent he's touting today!), fortitude and stamina, and a need to assert himself in the world (opening his mouth and sharing is a good start). A reader of informative books, Kushner is actually quite good at helping others solve their problems thanks to Jupiter-Saturn allowing him a measure of hope blended with realism.

This is supported by the themes of his Prenatal Solar Eclipse series, the 19 North with its vibes of realism, tackling the truth, and seeing old situations for what they really are. You remember that a 19 North Solar Eclipse last and very recently manifested @9Virgo on September 1, 2016 and is, in fact, the PE of Election 2016 and Inauguration 2017. Inconveniently, transit Neptune directly opposed the eclipse degree adding elements of fakery, corruption, fanaticism, bait-and-switch methods, paranoia, deceitful political spin, propaganda, and scandals to the realism so badly needed in our society. Do you think that this strong 19N eclipse influence remains in effect with the Trump administration's ongoing Russia Gate scandal/s? Then I agree with you.

The second aspect to Kushner's natal Jupiter is a trine from energetic Mars @8AQ28 (1A36, at noon) which suggests expanded ambitions, idealism, a liking for travel, and the possibility of a positive home life. This is a 'lucky' aspect and may provide its owner with success gained with only a minimum of effort. Of course, due to his blended Jupiter-Saturn duo, Mars also trines Saturn which suggests that he does not intend to waste his time (as he said about the June 2016 meeting with Trump Jr and the Russians--he left the meeting once he realized it was a waste of his time--no dirt on Hillary). With the Mars-Saturn trine, efficiently directing all energies toward productive enterprises is all important in similar fashion to Mars exalted in Saturn-ruled Capricorn.

With a Mars-Saturn trine (and natal Saturn direct), we see that Mr. Kushner has no trouble getting along with senior people in charge, and his judgment is valued by those who rely on him for advice and encouragement. Now that surely must be a description of his in-legal-jeopardy father-in-law and it will be interesting to see results from Jared Kushner's testimony today and how much side-scuttling he must do in order to protect Donald Trump and his White House misadventure that they all must careen through for Trump's sake while everything is at America's expense.

Curiously, Jared Kushner shares the Sun Capricorn-Moon Pisces blend of conscious-unconscious energies with The First American, Benjamin Franklin, who so aptly for today's Kushner post observed that,

"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of."

~:~

Note that another description of a Jupiter-Saturn conjunction can be codified religion (Jupiter) meets orthodox Jewish religion (Saturn).

July 24, 2017 Kushner spills a few beans just before closed-door testimony

Today Trumpman Jared Kushner testifies behind closed doors on Capitol Hill (which sports quite a few closed doors and the meetings within) and before going in this morning to give his 'testimony' (not under oath as first promised but it's still illegal to lie before Congress--under oath or not) son-in-law Kushner revealed Russian meddling through an event that occurred just before the November 2016 election.

~:~

Wanted to record the above tidbit here on SO'W and note that a post in the series In the Realms of Jupiter will soon be published here. Today the profile is about the natal Jupiter of Jared Kushner so stay tuned if ye may! jc

Like Mr. Kushner's testimony today, here is a Hidden Garden.

The GOP Health Care Bill: Why Health Care Should Be Singlepayer

Here's the latest post by millennial astrologer Kevin Estes which first appeared on his Left Wing Astrology blog:

The GOP Health Care Bill - Why Health Care Should Be Singlepayer

One of the main focuses this summer has been the attempted repeal of Obamacare by the GOP. The current bill would leave millions of people uninsured if it passes, but the biggest eye opener is that Congress would be exempt from the bill if it passes. In what way is Congress making laws that don't apply to them acceptable? While I've been critical of Obamacare in the past, mainly because it's a ponzi scheme to make health care providers richer through a mandate and increased prices, uninsuring millions of Americans is not the answer, as it is only a return to the outdated status quo.

The Answer? Single Payer Healthcare

As I have mentioned before, the country and everyone in it has been under the influence of Neptune in Pisces since April 2011 (the kids born with Neptune in Pisces will have this influence for the rest of their lives). This is significant since Neptune is in its own sign, and both Neptune and the sign of Pisces rule compassion and sacrifice. Therefore, it is no coincidence that since 2011, there's been a push for our elected officials to be more compassionate, and sacrificing their own status (which will be a fight, as many congress members and president Donald Trump have Pluto in Leo, the sign that rules status and royalty) for the betterment of all.

After all, it doesn't make sense to have to pay money to be healthy, as that should be a right when you think about it long and hard. Single payer health care, through a Medicare expansion, would have everyone in the country insured. So why is it such a bad idea to the GOP? Because it's "socialist"? The current system, designed to make the rich richer and the country dependent on warfare, has the country trillions of dollars in debt and another economic collapse will likely happen in the next few years. With the middle class declining rapidly and the country being close to another revolution (the US Pluto return will happen in March 2022), change is needed that will ensure a better quality of life for all Americans without being enslaved to the system, and single payer health care (along with Universal Basic Income) will be a change that will provide that.

The better question is: WHY are we so scared of that? Change is good sometimes, and this time it's necessary considering the current Pluto in Capricorn (which rules government, institutions, and big business) and Neptune in Pisces transits, as well as the Uranus in Taurus (which rules money and material possessions) transit that will start next year. With the transformer (Pluto) and the planet of unexpected change and rebellion (Uranus) in the two most materialistic signs, and Neptune, the planet of compassion and sacrifice, in its own sign, the outdated status quo that is not in humanity's best interests cannot continue, and the sooner it changes, the less chaotic it will be.

NASA image: Neptune