DC Horoscope: Government Shutdown Feb 9, 2018

Update Feb 9, 2018: "Overnight Shutdown"! USAToday provides a Timeline of congressional goings-on last night into today with the House voting 240-186 in favor of the massive funding bill "around 5:30 am ET" which Trump signed into law this morning around 8:30 am give or take (based on his 8:39 am tweet). Rand Paul didn't get support for his grandstanding of the fiscally irresponsible Republican Party, and the Democrats didn't get their way on Dreamers/DACA either. Apparently Mercury conjunct South Node ruled with its 'inability to gain support (votes!) for ideas' (see horoscope, below, penned on top), and rising Jupiter in Scorpio took the cake with help from a sextile to powerful, wealthy manipulator Pluto (at critical-crisis degree of 20Cap). The Jupiter-Pluto sextile is base of a YOD pattern (crisis; turning point) pointing toward Trump's natal Sun-North Node conjunction = political activity and shared success (Ebertin).

Original post follows:

As of February 9, 2018 @12:01 am est, the 115th incapable and incompetent US Congress has shut down the US government again under Trump's watch, egos at its base, money on and under the table, and Trump lurking about the place (rising Jupiter in big-business oriented Scorpio leading the rest of the planets (actors)).

Here's the Trump Shutdown #2 horoscope for February 9, 2018 12:01 am est Capitol Building Washington DC:

My notes are penned on the chart. Someone will be almost certain to call it the Rand Paul Shutdown!

A further note: testy Mars applies to a square aspect with unstable Neptune thus reminding Americans of our national Mars-Neptune square of misguided motives and actions.

We Have to Stop Pretending Our Economy is Working (w/ Guest Richard Wolff)

February 7, 2018: in this segment Thom Hartmann speaks with economist Richard Wolff:

Subscribe to the Thom Hartmann Podcast.

DC Horoscope: US Progressed New Moon 2024

February 5, 2018: If there exists an America in 2024, below is her next Secondary Progressed (SP) New Moon @19Pis26 on March 25, 2024 which symbolically times a new cycle of activity and experience. Of course, year 2021 begins a 'dark of the moon' period when anything can happen so I'm not predicting here, just posting our national SP New Moon chart for those who may wish to view it in early mode! And of course, with an SP or transiting New Moon, things take a while before the proper direction is clear.

Most of my current notes and its basic details are penned messily on the chart so hopefully you can enlarge the image for better viewing. Added are the dates and degrees of our country's Previous SP New Moon in 1994 (19AQ51), and this SP New Moon's Previous SP Full Moon (4Vir10) on or about December 25, 2008 which marked the time when the US had extended into the wider world as far as she could reasonably and naturally go. As you know, Washington DC's preparation for this important karmic condition was to continue indulging in the same old globe-conquering madness, wasteful spending, embezzlement from public coffers and various other financial crimes, weakened systems and agencies of government, lowered standards in international diplomacy, foreign entanglements and conflicts of interest that the Founders warned against, and mayhem and corruption that would horrify the American people if the truth were known. Oh well. One day all will be known!

Around the chart in blue: transits for the SP New Moon's date, time, and location.

America's Progressed New Moon @19Pis26 March 25, 2024 3:22 pm edt Washington DC:

Note that in the transits both Mars (2Pis11) and Pluto (1AQ45) are out-of-bounds and up to who-knows what. And that US SP Jupiter (15Can11) has been retrograde by progression since 1905 which figures directly into the formation of the 'Federal Reserve System of Banking', aka, the transnational central bank take-over of the US government. US SP Jupiter Rx also relates to America's tiresome tendency to over extend and grab what isn't hers--and a major change of direction and disturbing philosophical shifts were also shown by our nation's Jupiter function turning inward @15Cancer--directly upon the natal Ascendant of the money-guzzling Pentagon.

Life Is a Prayer - Max Igan ep 323

With transit Saturn now in its own sign of realistic Capricorn until 2020, authenticity, honesty, accountability, boundaries, and truth are some of Saturn's demands now in the spotlight but suffering from stage fright thanks to an overblown, over-promising promoter of a White House resident with a very loose relationship with truth and reality. Here's Max Igan with a timely message recorded February 2, 2018:

Max Igan Surviving the Matrix episode 323 via American Voice Radio.

Astro-Notes on Devin Nunes (R-CA)

As you may have noticed, Wikipedia provides details on the life and career of Devin Nunes (R-CA), Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, memo-writer, former Trump transition team member, and seeming lapdog of kingpin-in-chief Donald Trump. Devin Gerald Nunes was born in Tulare, California on October 1, 1973 so let's have a brief peek at his natal planets (no birth hour known, 'noon' is used though the Moon remained in Sagittarius for the entire 24 hours) and any current transits affecting them.

First, a Sun Libra-Moon Sag (Air-Fire) personality combo of the 'live wire' suggests one who is idealistic, intelligent, enthusiastic, and has a sense of 'missionary zeal'. He may see himself as a 'mouthpiece for the grand vision' but may over estimate his capacities. This blend has a 'flair for persuasion and publicity'. Personal problems may be hidden by workaholism and a lack of introspection is supported by what may be a fantasy-prone Moon-Neptune conjunction and a problematic Mercury-Jupiter square of grandiose ideas, aspect of The Exaggerator (A. Oken). Blindness to his own deeper motives can affect the obsessive, single-minded pursuit of his goals--and he's highly susceptible to sales pitches from unreliable types such as Donald Trump.

Natal Sun Libra-Moon Sag is shared by humorist-journalist-writer Art Buchwald and one of his most famous quotes may apply to our subject, "I explained to him that I had simple tastes and didn't want anything ostentatious, no matter what it cost me."

His Mars-Jupiter square (Mars Rx in Taurus) denotes unreliability in group obligations which sounds much like the behavior the semi-recused Nunes has exhibited as Chair of the House Intelligence Committee. 'Fighting holy crusades' (Sakoian) are part of his Mars-Jupiter tendencies along with wasting other people's money, extremism, and glorifying war. Fanatical social or religious beliefs and involvement in controversial political issues are indicated as is hypocrisy.

Sun-Pluto, an Unaspected Venus, and Mercury-Uranus

Another important feature of Devin Nunes's chart is that natal Venus in Scorpio is unaspected (and in mutual reception with Pluto in Libra which conjoins his natal Libran Sun adding to his tendency toward obsession with power and certain personal compulsions). Unaspected Venus denotes a social 'wallflower' whose sociable instincts and perspectives are under-developed. Sporadic or compulsive actions may be noticed for he is less driven to reflect or deliberate before taking such action. Typically, little moderation or restraint are shown and a one-pointed focus is supported by an unaspected Venus in Scorpio, a sign obsessive and brooding enough all by itself. Additionally, a jealous or vindictive nature may also be a problem with Venus in Scorpio.

Also notable is a wide conjunction between Mercury and Uranus denoting an inventive and opinionated mind which may border on genius of some kind, or simple contrariness. Plus, in support of his unaspected 'wallflower' Venus, Jupiter in Aquarius means he relates to other people in a detached or aloof way although societal concerns (AQ) are evident as well. Broad interests are denoted (supported by Jupiter in AQ) and may include Technology, occult topics, and/or Astrology. Perhaps like many politicians, Devin Nunes may be a Freemason!

As for current transits to his natals, there are at least three major ones:

1. Transit Mercury conjunct natal Jupiter 2AQ18 (stimulating his Mercury-Jupiter square); 2. transit Mars conjunct natal Neptune 5Sag13; and 3. transit Jupiter conjunct natal Venus 21Sco22:

1. ideas and activities involve politics, writing (of memos?), and publishing. Legal decisions may be prominent and international communications may play a role. 2. a period of unwise decisions and actions, confusion, misunderstandings, and secret motives that may come to light; who did what and why is difficult to ascertain. 3. benefits are possible via alliances and associations, but overindulgence or extravagance may occur. Overestimation of relationships causes them to seem more promising than they really are (beware Trump!) and the compromising of principles is a potential to avoid; prudence and moderation are needed (though they must be gleaned from natal planets other than his unaspected Venus).

The Prenatal Solar Eclipse (PE) of Devin Nunes--and Donald Trump

Prior to his birth, on June 30, 1973, a Solar Eclipse manifested in the 11 South Saros Series @8Can31 a degree which precisely conjoins the natal Mercury of Donald Trump! Trump, born on June 14, 1946, would have experienced this eclipse of his natal Mercury and if one had the time one could look back at Trump in June 1973 and see what he was up to at age 27 (if one cared!) Mr. Trump's Solar Return horoscope of 1973 should include the 11 South eclipse but also the one before, the 11 North @14Capricorn (and of course, at age 27, the Mercurial Uranian Trump's Saturn Return around that time would provide a fuller cosmic picture; you've noticed Trump's trouble with taking responsibility for his actions and with being authentic and reliable--his Saturn in Cancer = discontent and hypersensitivity--Ebertin; neurosis and emotional scars--Sakoian).

11 South themes: old ideas or methods fail, new systems and sudden reforms are needed to deal with events under an 11 South eclipse; any blocks could be violently or tragically removed. (Predictive Astrology, Bernadette Brady). The last 11 South was on July 22. 2009 @29Cancer26; the next 11 South will be on August 2, 2027 @10Leo (conjunct Trump's natal Pluto). Hmm-m-m...has Trump got Nunes under his intimidating thumb? Or is it pay-offs and bribes?

The initial 11 South eclipse occurred on June 14, 1360 @00Can48 (OS), one of the four Cardinal World Points of Manifestation so the PE of Devin Nunes should be viewed through a double Cancerian lens of Fame, Recognition, Fortune--and the shrewd sideways scuttling of Cancer the Crab...scuttling toward secret contacts at the White House in the middle of the night!

Well, there's my quick peek at Devin Nunes, agree or disagree. Plenty more chart factors are worth noting so I encourage you to take a look at his chart yourself. And why not watch expert astrologer Maxine Taylor as she compares the solar natal chart of Devin Nunes with those of Donald Trump and Sally Yates. Maxine's video was posted on March 29, 2017.

For more personality blend info, see Sun Sign-Moon Sign, Charles and Suzi Harvey.

Above image is the official portrait of Congressman Devin Nunes.

US Constitution Teeters w/ Trump as a New Moon Rises

Under the norm-defying, disruptive, unpredictable influence of kingpin Donald Trump, the US Constitution and a "constitutional crisis" are in the news and within reach these days as the attacks against our checks'n'balances system continue, the US government is hollowed out, and an evil authoritarianism rises here and across the globe.

As you know, the quirky Uranian Mr. Trump aligns himself with Nationalism and implies that he's against Globalism which must include global government, yet he'd be fine with a form of Globalism as long as it mimics Hitler's or Mussolini's old fascist regimes (who thought they could rule the world, too) or regimes of other world class pea-brained dictators who stifle/d the press of their day and work/ed to undermine the laws and morals of their societies. In our day, we have a Regulus-rising kingpin attempting to impose his capricious will upon us now.

So in honor of one of the Enlightened documents my ancestors sacrificed, fought, and died for, here is a link to both the Natal and Secondary Progressed New Moon (SP Moon) horoscopes of the US Constitution, posted here for either one of you curious readers.

Please share if you care!

And if you dare, check out Chris Hedges addressing The Fall of America.

2018 Trump SOTU aftermath

During last evening's Trump SOTU Address, the PolitiFact server crashed as Americans fact checked Mr. Trump's remarks. His SOTU wasn't as depressing a speech as his Inaugural Address of January 20, 2017 but a 69% 'mostly false or pants-on-fire' rating in the truth department gives a majority of us little to crow over concerning last night's SOTU, the policies Trump touted, or the credit he erroneously assumed as his own (better economic and jobs numbers belong to Barack Obama).

Of course in Astrology, falsehoods (aka, lies) are the province of nebulous Neptune and with America's natal Neptune @23Virgo rising last evening at 9:00 pm est, a 69% rating for lack of accuracy can be no surprise. Even the US natal Mars, which problematically squares US Neptune, at Midheaven is in the dual and duplicity sign of Gemini and is conjoined by Donald Trump's natal Sun, also at SOTU Midheaven as he began his address. This put Trump's natal Moon-South Node conjunction at the IC of the SOTU chart along with starry Ras Alhague as you can see here. Note that the 29-degree chart-and-speech ruler Mercury applies to no other planets so Trump's 2018 SOTU address is likely to have little if any substantial impact. Perhaps the Neptune rising effect has something to do with it for the nebulous speech had no details, only wishful touting and, of course, the usual Trump boasting (propaganda).

All in all, last evening's SOTU with US Neptune rising square US Mars at MC served to place on the world stage Washington's warmongering and our national tendencies toward self-delusion, unreliability, and misdirected action. Am I crowing yet?

Nope I am not. And in retrospect, it seems that America's natal Neptune square Trump's Sun-Moon opposition was always going to be an unstable, illusory connection full of deception and unreliability. In Mundane Astrology, the Sun-Moon duo can represent such concepts as: pessimism flowing through the population, reading the attitude of the people while making public policy, national will forcefully imposed by leadership, and/or a loss of face in international politics. Well, Mr. Trump has not been shy about achieving that last one for it seems to be one of his primary goals.

So let's close by turning to Michael Munkasey's Midpoints: Unleashing the Power of the Planets for information on this planetary picture of America + Trump:

Trump natal Sun-Moon = US natal Neptune: delusions about what you can do or how hard you will work to do it. To which Noel Tyl adds: deception and discontent--and Ebertin's potentials: misunderstandings, illusions, deceptions, becoming easily upset, shared suffering, self-torment, the undermining of associations, and mistakes.

Jan 26, 2018: The Future Is a Choice - Max Igan

January 26, 2018: Max Igan's The Future Is a Choice, Surviving the Matrix episode 322 via American Voice Radio:

DC Horoscope: Spring Equinox 2018 w Neptune at MC

Spring Equinox 2018: Kassandra Rising, Sun conjunct Nemesis, and Neptune at Midheaven

by Jude Cowell

March 14, 2018 Update: additional astro-notes are now posted regarding the Sun-Moon cosmic weather of Spring EQ 2018 if you're curious! Original post begins here:

In a December 10, 2017 post I published a dual image of the Spring Equinox 2017 and Spring Equinox 2018 horoscopes for the sake of comparison and I labeled planet Neptune the "star of the show" for its angular prominence in both charts. As you know, the 164-year-old Republican Party is in process of a Neptune Return and this can be related to their current nebulous control of the three branches of government, plus, a conservative majority on the Supreme Court of the United States. Neptunian back room meetings are prominent on Capitol Hill as always but perhaps more so these days, thanks to Mr. Trump and the GOP.

And we should note that Neptune in its own sign of murky Pisces indicates potentials for pathological leanings and inclinations, mysticism, cravings, and pessimism (Ebertin); to this I would add such things as paranoia, fear, propaganda, instability, secretiveness, contagion, and shady activities. You may disagree, but there it is.

Below is a stand-alone horoscope of Spring Equinox 2018 (aka, the Aries Ingress) set for Washington DC. You see the 10th house Neptune @14Pis32 conjunct Midheaven (the Goal-Public Status-World Stage angle) and most visible spot in any horoscope. Neptune here suggests people on a spiritual mission--or public disgrace and since we're talking Politics (and considering all that's going on in DC), I must expect the latter, plus, some form or forms of dissolution as more congressmen step down or vow not to run again). Hidden motivations are also suggested by Neptune-MC, and written above the MC is "GOP natal Neptune 14Pis01" so they are the party most heavily affected as the GOP's Neptune Return trundles on through 2018 with disappointment, disillusion, delusion, dishonesty, instability, and perhaps inspiration in tow. As for a spiritual mission, the furthering of America's Secret (Neptune) Destiny may be referenced here. In the chart, the 2nd house North Node of future destiny is in Leo, sign of leadership, so America's next Nodal Return occurs this summer.

And if We The People play our cards right, perhaps karmic progress can be made especially since the Equinox's Prenatal Eclipse (PE) @27AQ07 on February 15, 2018 (here in 9th house) conjoined (or eclipsed) the US natal Moon of July 4, 1776 in the 1 South Saros Series with its themes of: flooded with ideas and options (Brady). Actually, Solar Eclipses in Aquarius, sign of humanitarianism, suggest just that--karmic progress is made when the past is used as a guide to future development rather than being seen as a burden (Rose Lineman). Open-mindedness is a must so obviously, Trump-style bigotry, misogyny, and zealotry must be overcome--and now is our opportunity to do so once and for all--if a majority of us take it advantage of it.

Now as you see, rising is 4Can54 which brings up asteroid Kassandra (the prophetess who tells the truth no one believes), plus, US natal Venus, Jupiter, and Sun (POTUS) and hints that US currency evaluation issues are rising (as they are) along with budgets and funding (as usual). The chart-ruler Moon @8Tau035 is in the 11th house of Groups and Organizations with Taurus a money sign further indicating financial concerns of the public (Moon) and suggesting the lunar tendency toward publicity. However, as chart-ruler, the Moon makes no major applying aspects to other planets though there are waning trines to both Mars and Saturn snugged 'round the Descendant angle of Partnerships. (See the above link for additional Solar-Lunar info.) Plus, austere, conservative Saturn conjoins fixed star Facies (key phrase: ruthlessness or the victim).

All this bodes ill for partnerships and alliances with Washington (Trump), and also points toward the ill will between Mr. Trump and his many opponents. Note that Trump's first natal planet/s to rise in this chart are his 11th house Venus and Saturn in Cancer (partnership break-up/s?); his natal Ascendant is in 3rd house so no doubt we'll hear and read much about and from the put-upon Mr. Trump. Meanwhile, we must attempt to keep up as best we can with what the government is doing behind our backs while the distracting turmoil is going on for the Trump Distraction is very useful for saboteurs, foreign agents, and the current crop of coup-mongers in our government. Yet the Moon is apex of a midpoint picture with ASC-MC denoting feelings and intuition in the lead, plus, attitudes toward the feminine sex in general. This picture is emphasized along with the Moon's sign and house position. Plus, there's Luna's ruler-ship of both the 1st house (Spring season) and 2nd house (National Treasury; Values, Earning Ability; Issues of Self-Worth).

In addition, Sun reaches Aries Point during a Moon Hour so fluctuations and changes are in store within various realms, financial included (US natal Pluto is in the corporate 8th house of Credit, Debt, Insurance, Death, and Transformation). Note also that unmarked on the chart is the Moon conjoining two fixed stars: Hamal, the alpha star of Aries (to follow one's own path) and Schedir, the Queen. News of change for Elizabeth II? Perhaps. She will turn 92 years young on April 21st this year and the transiting North Node will very soon point toward her natal Leo Moon.

Now on the evening of March 20th, Luna does go on to sextile Neptune at 10:42 pm EST which denotes a need to guard against delusion, deception, fraud, and falsehood. But since we're talking Politics here, I know you're continually aware of such a need! For after all, astrological Neptune is planet of the masses, and also of the media whose mission of spouting propaganda at We The People on behalf of the power elite seems never-ending. This may be part of the Neptune-at-MC picture, I suspect, along with the dissolution of various government agencies now ongoing.

And although I neglected to enter it on the chart, 'dog star' Sirius @14Cancer (The Scorcher) rises in 1st house and can represent many concepts: the goddess, goddess worship, renown, dog bites, and, according to Nicholas Devore, denotes great dignity when rising. But whose dignity I cannot say! Can you? Special Counsel Robert Mueller's dignity perhaps?

Also in the public 10th house are wounded-wounding Chiron @28Pis24, Sun @00Ari00:00 conjunct transiting asteroid of divine retribution, Nemesis (POTUS vs The Establishment, the 'unbeatable foe'?), and Mercury @16Ari32 conjunct Venus @16Ari59, the Kabbalistic Shekinah pair with its 'divine presence' and 'sacred feminine' vibes. So considering the currently touted 'rise of the feminine' in America, perhaps Sabian Symbols for '16Aries' (the 'karmic confrontation' degree) and '17Aries' will be revealing:

"16Aries": "Brownies Dancing in the Setting Sun" = INVIGORATION: positive: simple good fortune together with unlimited opportunity as the direct fruitage of effort; negative (unconscious/shadow side): delusions of adequacy with a complete inability to act in real self-interest.

"17Aries": "Two Prim Spinsters" = DIVORCEMENT: positive: utter fidelity to self and all its special idealizations of its own capacities; negative: an increasing exaltation of shallow interests and a witless pretense of distinction and great virtue." (The Sabian Symbols in Astrology, Marc Edmund Jones).

Well, that's all I have to say for today about Spring Equinox 2018 in Washington DC. You may certainly find more chart factors worth noting in your own opinion and I hope you will!

Evaluating Venus-related News: Trump vs Mnuchin: Strong vs Weak Dollar.

Related Posts include: GOP's March 6, 2018 Neptune Return (#3 of 5) chart if you're curious; other Return dates are listed in the post. Also see Solar Eclipse of the 2018 Midterms, aka, 'The (structure-collapsing) Tower Eclipse'.

Now here are some 'Kassandra Blessings" for us all:

Stars Over Washington Tops 2 Million Page Views!

January 25, 2018: during the wee hours of this morning Stars Over Washington reached and topped 2 million page views. Of course, it only took 12 years to do so but I'm chuffed and sending out Warm Thanks to every reader who ever wandered in for a spell but especially to regular readers, followers, and FB friends!

And although it's an oldie but moldy, here's a link to SO'W's All Time Most Viewed Post for you:

Horoscope: March 20, 2015 Solar Eclipse in Pisces--Sneaks, Leaks, and Veils concerning the Spring Equinox 2015 Eclipse @29Pis27 in the 17 South Saros Series which conjoined the Aries Point and activated the difficult star of misfortune, Scheat. This was, of course, the Prenatal Eclipse of Mr. Trump's 2015 presidential bid announcement timed that morning with a New Moon @25Gemini...

'25Gemini' = "A Man Trimming Palms" which sounds like the rented audience members Trump paid $50 a head to so that someone would show up for his announcement at Trump Tower (you remember the escalator gliding slowly down with Donald and Melania--down from his gilded penthouse).

Rounded up we have '30 Pisces' for which I attempted a pencil illustration a few years back inspired by its Sabian Symbol. Here's the drawing, Temple of the Great Stone Face and, below, an excerpt from the post:

Here I quote from Marc Edmund Jones' version of the Symbols for '30 Pisces' which ends the full cycle/circle of the zodiac and butts against the Aries Point of Prominence (00Aries00):

'The Great Stone Face'...a symbol of human responsibility as an immortality of the soul, and of a way of living which has become a continual manifestation of its ideal and so a constant dramatization of its self-discovery to others as an encouragement to them in their own alignment to eternal reality.

Each individual selects the image within himself to which he would shape himself outwardly, and this he comes to resemble as in Nathaniel Hawthorne's tale. Destiny is character as it most persistently constitutes itself.

Keyword: DISCERNMENT...

positive expression: self-integrity in its irresistible impact on the course of events;

negative (unconscious/shadow side): wholly inarticulate and ineffectual self-realization.

The Sabian Symbols in Astrology by Dr. Marc Edmund Jones.

In addition, here's a curious detail from my notes concerning the Spring EQ 2015 Eclipse 17 South is the Prenatal Solar Eclipse of some weighty characters and entities: Iran, the German Empire, Rachel Carson, Newt Gingrich, Princess Diana, Ayn Rand, and Adolf Hitler. And the 2015 prez bid announcement of Donald J. Trump which links to Scheat via activation by the Spring EQ 2015 Solar Eclipse.

Now it's on to 3 million!