Kavanaugh SCOTUS Hearing a Jupiter-Neptune affair

September 4, 2018: today as the congressional hearing on the SCOTUS nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh opens at 9:30 am edt, Judge Kavanaugh's natal Neptune @19Sco59 is his first natal planet to rise in the horoscope set for the Capitol Building Washington DC which suggests that a lack of candor will be in play. So far no birth time has been found for Brett Kavanaugh (born February 12, 1965 Washington DC) so 'noon' is used but since Neptune takes about 164 years to circle the Sun and traverse the degrees of the Zodiac, 19Sco59 is accurate enough for this general consideration of today's very important event. Additionally, 19 Scorpio has been traditionally called "the crucial point in the war between the Ego and the Supreme Will" and an "evil degree" (DeVore) which I add for those who credit such things.

So as you know, astrological Jupiter, societal planet that, along with restrictive Saturn, describes the America's checks and balances form of government, also has judgment within its astrological purview, as does Saturn with its demands for accountability and responsibility. I refer to today's SCOTUS hearing's Jupiter @17Sco39 as it nears Kavanaugh's natal Neptune, a transit known for such potentials as pretense, illusion, fanaticism--and for the paranoia engendered by the prospect of an anti-abortion, tie-breaking judge being placed on the SCOTUS bench. Now this post isn't for debating the merits or the immorality of abortion yet I do not think a bunch of old white men have a right to insert themselves between a woman, her doctor, and her family, if involved, in such a difficult private decision. So that's all I shall say here.

But there is another thing I can say astrologically: that today's Jupiter @17Sco39 precisely opposes Kavanaugh's natal Jupiter @17Tau56 ('noon') which indicates a period when impressing others is difficult (probably only Democrats are described here by transit Jupiter) and discouraging comparisons are made against him. The transit also suggests that the judge is feeling discontent with his wealth and level of achievement and intends to improve his social status (which makes sense considering this is a job interview--and pretty much in the bag if Republicans and their billionaire backers have their way). Yet Jupiter in Scorpio in opposition says that if he and his backers are wise they won't push too hard for this nomination or take its eventual success for granted especially since Brett Kavanaugh's recent poll numbers with the ladies amount to less than zero. See The Historically Unpopular Brett Kavanaugh. His past legal work in the Bush White House is chilling enough as it is so it's no wonder that Republicans have hidden as much of Kavanaugh's paper trail as they can.

Now other chart factors apply, of course, for this post is only a brief Jupiter-Neptune consideration of today's Kavanaugh hearing but I'm calling the duo the nomination's cosmic imprint by the planetary pair of speculation, grand or inflated dreams, little sense of reality, get-rich-quick schemes--and with potentials for fraud and/or overblown efforts. And thus will the Brett Kavanaugh nomination to the Supreme Court always be.

Yet powerful hidden forces are determined to shove him onto the SCOTUS bench to overturn laws and otherwise gum up the US legal system so where does such an influence show in the astrological picture? One place is in Kavanaugh's Prenatal Solar Eclipse which repeats on January 6, 2019 in Saturn-ruled Capricorn with its theme of 'joining unusual groups and gaining a great deal from them' (Brady). If you wish, read more in a previous post: Astro-Notes and an Eclipse for Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Public domain photo, above: US Supreme Court Building Washington DC completed in 1935 during the first term of FDR.

Election Day 2020 Voting Mercury Stations Direct

DC Horoscope: Election Day November 3, 2020 Washington DC 12:49:34 pm est, the moment Mercury, the planet of voting and voters, ballots, decisions, news, and communications turns Direct @25Lib55:02. Is this a cosmic picture of voters changing their minds? Or of votes being secretly changed or 'flipped' by hackers and/or other election saboteurs? If the last, we'll be able to identify many of the cheaters via the names of the victors!

Please enlarge the image to read my scribbled notes; Mercury's rounded-up degree of '26 Libra' = "An Eagle and a Large White Dove Turning One Into the Other" which seems to relate to the "turning" of Mercury from retrograde to direct--from Venus (8Libra06) toward the Sun (11Sco46)--or vice versa. Yet Scorpio's symbol is 'the eagle' so Venus must be the dove! Or is she the Oval Office which is a Venusian symbol of The Cosmic Egg which suggests all that Masonic mumbo jumbo and esoteric occultism that America's Founders followed when setting up the Utopian 'New Atlantis' in the New World, aka, America? And has the Great Seal reversed yet?

If so, then it's not very curious that in The Sabian Symbols in Astrology, Marc Edmund Jones gives '26 Libra' a Keyword of: ADEPTNESS. Positive expression: unusually effective self-discipline; negative: unhappy vacillation between ultimate ideals and momentary desires. Well, vacillation and indecision aren't rare within a voting booth on Election Day, of course, and if we consult Adriano Carelli's The 360 Degrees of the Zodiac for guidance on the 26th degree of Venus-ruled Libra, we find mention of "A sturdy, aristocratic physique, very keen senses of sight and hearing; an emotional, perhaps oversensitive temperament; open to danger of jumping to extreme mental attitudes. A two-edged fortune; great chances of victory in the struggle for life, and danger of losing all of one's property."

The Condition of Mercury

Now you see the weighty stellium of karmic Saturn, Pluto, and Jupiter rising in governmental Capricorn--all three destined to meet in Great Conjunctions all through 2020 which is why I listed again their dates, upper right, in order of occurrence. Interesting how voting Mercury squares the trio with its square to Saturn separating (0S28), then a square to Pluto (3A11), and last to Jupiter (4A27). Squares represent obstacles, as you know, so naturally voter suppression tactics come easily to mind, along with potentials for: documents, papers, and/or ballots being mishandled, lost, or otherwise restricted or the count delayed (Mercury-Saturn), impractical campaign promises, inaccurate conclusions, exaggerated information, overblown rhetoric, and erroneous judgments (Mercury-Jupiter), and sarcasm, skepticism, and/or scandal used to manipulate or spotlight the weaknesses or vulnerabilities of others, obsessive thoughts, and/or secret information used to control others for personal gain. In other words, political campaigns and subsequent elections.

And of course you know that all three Capricorn planets are nearing US natal Pluto (27Cap33 Rx) with the karmic planet of restriction and accountability, Saturn, lurking nearest. This indicates a period when issues of power and control are uppermost and situations are simply too large to handle which may be related to past actions and behavior that were not up to Saturn's exacting standards. And with transit Pluto @22Cap42, Americans can feel our nation's first-ever Pluto Return/s coming soon with The Dictator suggested by the Pluto-in-Capricorn placement (Ebertin). So who was 'The Dictator' in 1776? Is Great Britain still in control of America?

Some say, yes, for certainly, control by a foreign power is indicated if nothing else even as some of us think that it's always been the case (by distant wealth-hoarder Pluto in his ivory tower)--and certainly now considering that huge amounts of money are invested in our politicians and they're controlled from afar and from plutonian shadows. Of the trio, perhaps Jupiter conjunct US Pluto will bring better results but more likely only more egregious plutocratic behavior as the rest of our resources migrate to 'the top'. Unfortunately, the American people have only Democrats to depend on for improving such unbalanced conditions but they're corporate-controlled too. So we must forget labels-- let's vote for candidates who actually uphold decent ideals wherever we find them!

POTUS Sun in Scorpio--Plus, Uranus, Neptune, and Venus

The Sun @11Sco46 (leadership) in 9th house applies only once in the chart--a trine with Neptune in 1st house which suggests large, unmanageable events connected to water, oil, gas, toxins--or possibly to fraud, propaganda, theft, falsehoods and lies (positively, inspiration). Religious figures are also suggested by the trine via evangelicals aspiring to the halls of power and 'helping' a figurehead into the Oval Office by hook or crook, if that's what it takes to install their agenda more completely.

Note on Uranus: there is a separating opposition between Sun and disruptive planet of chaos, Uranus (3S12), so by Election Day 2020 there have been challenges to POTUS leadership as he follows a dangerous course and continues to exhibit unpredictable anti-social behavior. So far, Trump does pretty much what he wants so perhaps the Sun-Uranus opposition here relates to finances, personal activities, and eventually having to pull in his sails. Yet with Uranus involved, we can never be certain, can we? For Uranus acts early, late, or never!

Now I confess that ever since the 2017-into-2018 Neptune Returns of the Republican Party (which freakily morphed into the Trump Party--change of identity or, more likely, the Neptunian mask of racism and totalitarianism comes off) I always think of the GOP (or what passes for it) and various of its members when I see Neptune in its own sign of Pisces in a Mundane Chart. So Neptune trine Election Day 2020 Sun denotes successful publicity and promotions for (Republican?) candidates--and along with America's Venusian Election Cycle suggests that the new president of November 2020 will be the old president, that is, whoever is playing the role at the time (Trump or Pence, one assumes) will be triumphant.

That's because 2020 Venus is in her own sign of Libra so odds are, the same party remains in the White House unlike in 2016 when Venus was in Sagittarius, sign of 'the outsider' when a rival (of Barack Obama) 'won'. Wish I could read the chart differently but it's impossible--although it is possible that election manipulation can occur in favor of a Democrat since the Venus Cycle formula did 'miss' a couple of times in the past. Maybe this time?!?!?

So as you see, the heavy-weight trio rising in the chart warns of a picture of Trump's natal Saturn and Venus in Cancer as the trio of planets take turns opposing them, plus, creating other obstacles for him via squares as 2018, 2019, and 2020 trundle along. This cosmic picture for Trump is an easy enough reason to imagine theocrat Mike Pence (as 'priest-king'? he fancies himself a preacher!) stepping into the presidential role before Election Day 2020, the political role he's been preparing for all his life. Maybe someone should inform Mr. Pence that Jesus Christ speaks to other believers, too, and around here He does not promote a Pence White House that would command people to worship Him under threat of man made laws!

Recommended: a bi-wheel of Election Day 2020 was published here showing 12:00 am est and 11:59 pm est in order to 'cover' the entire day's planetary transits. If you wish to view the post mosey over here at your convenience.

Related: The Mystery of The Great Seal's Eye of Horus Reversed.

Sep 5 2018: Trump SP Moon conj 'The Tower' Eclipse

Please note that the following post with dual horoscopes is offered primarily for timing purposes of current and soon to transpire events yet is not to be taken personally by readers nor is it intended to suggest an exact moment for earthly events to occur, for the Infinite Cosmos has its own timing processes going on, thanks very much! And as you know, there is a time for every purpose under heaven and As Above, So Below will perfect at the moment our Creator is good and ready--even without horoscopes being calculated and studied, and without arrogant men thinking that they can hurry things along for their own sinister reasons.

Even so, perhaps we might consider a synchronicity such as this...

On September 5, 2018 at 5:59 pm edt Washington DC, the Secondary Progressed (SP) Moon of Donald Trump reaches 18Leo41:42 and precisely conjoins the current Solar Eclipse degree in the 2 New North Saros Series which perfected on August 11, 2018 @18Leo41:42, aka, 'The Tower' Solar Eclipse for its theme of 'collapse of structures, lifestyles, and/or plans and the rebuilding that begins once the dust settles' (paraphrasing Brady's Predictive Astrology).

Now as you know, SP Moons are one of the handiest timing devices in Astrology along with transits and other techniques, and although this conjunction may not amount to much in the 'real world' of Mr. Trump (who am I kidding 'real', right?) I thought you might like to view both horoscopes if you haven't: upper right = Trump's SP Moon @18Leo41:42 on September 5, 2018 along with another gander at the August 11, 2018 Solar Eclipse @18Leo41:42 (lower left); please enlarge the image for more chart details for I'd like to keep this post brief:

All Suns and Moons are color-coded orange, both Mercuries @14Leo+ (!) are green, in lavender are Eclipse Mars @00AQ19 Rx conjunct US POTUS Sun (@00AQ48 in 2017 and for four years) and his SP IC (Endings). As you see, Eclipse Uranus @2Tau33 Rx conjoins Eclipse MC (changes, reforms, upsets, or -?-) while Trump's SP Saturn @2Leo53 is in process of crossing his SP MC, a potential hint of a fall from grace, a major relocation, being held to account, or taking on more responsibility.

Note: for more information, a consideration of the Sabian or other Symbols for the various degrees of planets, points, angles, house cusps, plus, the eclipse and other lunation degrees would provide depth. Of course, symbols for Mr. Trump's natal degrees are notable as well and a few of his natal planets are penned around the charts. Also his upcoming SP New Moon @3Vir00:12 perfects on September 16, 2019 as noted in a previous post or two--here conjunct his SP 11th cusp. And note that his current SP 'action' is primarily playing out in the SP 12th house of Politics, Karma, and Back Room Deals, in the Public Status 10th house of Career, and in the corporate and occult 8th house. Yes, a comparison of SP planets with natal houses would be preferable but it would be beyond the scope of this 'brief' post.

Lower left you see a midpoint picture involving both MCs which forms symbolically when we ignore the signs and look to the planets and angles: Saturn-Uranus = MC: provocation; rebellion; separation (Ebertin). The prominent midpoint picture in the Eclipse chart is listed (Mars-Uranus = Neptune) while three SP midpoint pictures for Trump are listed (Moon-Pluto = Mercury; Uranus-Neptune = Mercury; Neptune-NN = Pluto). And note that SP Pluto is no longer unaspected as natal Pluto (10Leo02) is in Mr. Trump's natal chart but Eclipse Pluto is unaspected suggesting a powerful isolationist in an 'ivory tower' who is 'overshadowed by shadows' (Tierney). So unaspected Pluto by transit is, in effect, a 'natal echo' for Mr. Trump as is the transiting Mars-Saturn = Pluto trio of fury, rage, brutality, and death of many people (Ebertin).

Then perhaps it's the ivory tower called the White House with the mob-tied plutonian despot crouching within that is pictured here--and maybe towers with 'TRUMP' plastered on them are not the only structures due for a fall.

Trump Inauguration's Solar Return 2019

Today just a quick posting of the Solar Return 2019 Horoscope of the 2017 Inauguration of Donald Trump (January 20, 2017 noon est Capitol Building Washington DC) with a few chart notes to follow:

The POTUS Sun (or, Oath of Office Sun) returns to its 2017 degree of 00AQ49 on January 20, 2019 at 11:36:15 pm est Washington DC during an Hour of the Moon (fluctuations, changes, publicity) with Moon in 10th house of Career and Public Status and the North Node of the Moon @26Can46 denoting public contacts and future direction. Opposite in 4th house is the POTUS Sun @00AQ49 in what is nearly a Full Moon which suggests awareness, fulfillment, or some sort of culmination for "something has gone full circle and a completion is at hand" (C. Teal).

Yet good fortune for the White House is also suggested by a Full Moon in a Solar Return chart. A Solar Return Moon in Leo denotes potentials for increased vitality, a possible reward or honor, coming under the spotlight (especially in the visible 10th house), and/or finding a new center of attraction or interest. However, critical degrees are at MC and IC (20Can/Cap) so events may be in crisis mode and the POTUS Sun is apex of the Jupiter-Neptune midpoint (see chart, upper right), the speculator pair. This condition is not aided by Saturn and Pluto, both karmic, at the Foundation (IC) of the chart, their midpoint (17Cap30) activating the 1993 Great Conjunction/s of NWO planets, Uranus and Neptune (see chart, lower right). Plus, we naturally think of the harsh Saturn-Pluto conjunction of January 12, 2020 @22Cap46 which will exactly conjunct the natal Vertex of Donald Trump (a point of fated encounters).

Yet the 2019 Solar Return POTUS Sun is afflicted by a square from disruptive Uranus, a time when the actions and decisions of others rule and challenge Trump's goals, plus, the separative South Node (the 'tail of the dragon') on October 27, 2018 will swipe our POTUS Sun thus limiting Trump's power and leadership ability. Of course, the cosmic event of SN to POTUS Sun occurs approximately every 18.6 years, the last time in Spring 2000 when President Bill Clinton visited South Asia. Will Trump leave the continent to forget his troubles a while?

Plus, there is more to the 2019 Solar Return Moon for it acts as the handle of a Bucket shape of planets linking two halves of hemispheres (here, public and private) and shows where a release of intense energies is found. The Moon here acts in similar fashion to the lead planet of a Locomotive shape where an executive urge toward success is the goal. As Bucket handle at MC, allegiances are adapted to where efforts count the most and others are inspired by Luna's unremitting zeal (Jones). And of course, any Mundane Moon represents The People or, the public.

With a Libra Ascendant, chart-ruler Venus in 2nd house @14Sag36 applies only once, to conjunction with Jupiter, also in 2nd house but Scorpio is on the 2nd cusp. Venus also rules the corporate 8th house and her hook-up with Jupiter describes conditions of exaggeration, overindulgence, overstatement, ostentation, a lack of a sense of proportion, and a wasting of good fortune. Of course, Libra is the sign of the Scales of Justice so Trump's ongoing legal battles are suggested and with his natal speculator trio of Neptune, Chiron, and Jupiter rising--his natal 2nd house Jupiter (17Lib27 Station Direct) precisely rising. And we'll surely hear more of Trump's protestations of "it's not fair!," a favorite complaint of a Libran Jupiter.

And there's chaos-lover Uranus in Mars-ruled Aries again (7th house of Partners and Open Enemies) with its tendencies toward fanaticism, blind zeal, violence, reformist urges, anarchy, and violence (Ebertin). Deceptive Neptune @14Pis35 is in 5th house of Gambling and Risk-Taking after completing the fifth and final return to natal position in the founding horoscope of the Republican Party--and still conjoining fixed star Achernar with its crisis at the end of the river and risk of rapid endings themes.

Now more clues may be found in the day's Air-Fire Sun AQ-Moon Leo blend of energies via a fabled leader who was born under the blend's auspices for his famous remark reminds us of Mr. Trump's tiresome despotic tendencies: "My people and I have come to an agreement...they are to say what they please, and I am to do as I please." Of course, Trump cares very much what people say--about him! For his nibs it's all about appearances and 'good' public relations no matter how deceptive the 'good' may be--and the more publicity the better. So maybe the 10th house 2019 Solar Return Moon in Leo will fill that attention-grabbing bottomless pit of his for a while.

In closing, we know that the Full Moon hinted at here actually perfects on January 21, 2019 @00Leo52 as a Lunar Eclipse, the second eclipse of 2019 after the Solar Eclipse of January 6, 2019 @15Capricorn in the 2 South Saros Series and of course, both eclipses add additional karmic implications and 'wild card' Uranian energies to the Solar Return 2019 of Donald Trump's White House tenure. And if the alleged 'good fortune' comes to pass may it relate to a return to his previous life in New York for Mr. Trump even though the idea of a theocratic Pence presidency is more frightening and anti-American than many of us can now fully realize.

A Related Post:The Natal Horoscope of Donald Trump with Mike Pence's Planets.

For more Return details see Celeste Teal's Identifying Planetary Triggers.

Sept 24, 2018 Paul Manafort Trial Washington DC

August 29, 2018: When last we discussed the second trial of convicted felon Paul Manafort set for September 17, 2018, I published an 8:00 am edt horoscope for the trial but expressed misgivings about whether the date would hold. Basically it didn't so later a post update was added to reflect that jury selection will proceed on September 17th but the attorneys' opening statements are postponed a week until September 24th. The following post is a meager attempt to update the second Manafort trial's planets but without displaying a second horoscope.

However, today my comments will be based on a chart set for September 24, 2018 '8:00 am edt' in Washington DC (aka the 'new trial') and hopefully the date will be the final re-set by Judge Jackson although other disruptions could occur (plea deals, illness, -?-). Authoritative Saturn @2Cap48 is in the 3rd house of Communications so a witness may be inhibited, prevented, or delayed from testifying, or perhaps a lawyer will come down with strep throat or be smooched by a dangerous kissing bug--who can say since this trial involves the unpredictable world of Donald Trump! Plus, kissing bugs never ask permission, they just smooch.

Now as we would expect, the fastest moving body from September 17th to the 24th is the Moon which reaches 24Pis14 conjunct fixed star Markab, the star of sorrow with themes of legal problems, emotional issues, tragedies to loved ones, and/or accidents (A. Louis). Luna's September 17th conjunction with Saturn Rx is left behind, plus, the Moon will have sailed beyond the net of deceptive Neptune (@14Pis37 and still in process of the Republican Party's first-ever Neptune Return/s with the the final of five conjunctions coming on December 29, 2018). Fixed star Achernar (risk of rapid endings; crisis at the end of the river) remains ensnared within Neptune's gauzy veils during this period of the GOP's identity and core values morphing into those of the bigoted 'Trump Party'. That transit Neptune now floats through its own watery realms of Pisces only makes things more confused, weakened, undermined, paranoid, fearful, and conspiratorial.

See 'The Conspiracy Party' and Its Neptune in Pisces (December 29, 2018 horoscope shown).

So the Sun @1Lib23 on September 24th has passed its Libra Ingress degree and topped the natal Midheaven (Goal Point) of the Sagittarius Rising natal chart of America (12Sag ASC; MC 00Lib47--a Cardinal World Point of Manifestation and Renown). This blend of conscious-unconscious energies provides a different cosmic weather for the day and trial: Sun Libra-Moon Pisces (Air-Water = ethereal, misty)--different from September 17th's earthy, pragmatic Sun Virgo-Moon Capricorn. Actually the new trial Moon @24Pis14 forms a Full Moon of sorts with the September 17th Sun (24Vir33) signifying a culmination or fulfillment of some sort.

The new trial's Sun Libra-Moon Pisces combination suggests actors, detectives, psychologists, and/or those with perceptive intellects and a potential for "vacillation at crucial crossroads." Hmm...could this describe Mr. Manafort (Sun) plus the jurors (Moon) on this day? Mercury @4Lib12 in 12th house is likely to signify those who testify and we should note that Mercury is no longer the oriental planet of the chart and trial (last to rise before the Sun)--now the oriental planet is way across the chart--quirky Uranus @1Tau41 Rx in 7th house. Curiously, Mr. Trump is a Uranus oriental figure leading the country in his disruptive, unpredictable, chaotic style.

Now a factor in an 8:00 am edt chart set for September 24th which was not true at 8:00 am edt on September 17th is that 13Lib05 rises which precisely brings up the natal Neptune Rx of Paul Manafort (13:52) along with fixed star Algorab with its Mars-Saturn influences and its difficult themes of loss, lies, greed, injury ('in' jury), accidents, and/or a potential for suicide (A. Louis). Manipulator Pluto @18Cap46 Rx stalks the IC, or Foundation of the chart and trial, while acting again as apex planet of the Mars-Saturn midpoint = 'rage, fury, brutality, intervention of a higher power, bodily injury or harm, murder, death of many people'--Ebertin). And as noted in previous posts, this particular midpoint picture belongs to the natal chart of Donald Trump so by transit it's a 'natal echo'. So it seems that Mr. Trump is at the basis of the matter although no one needs Astrology to confirm this for we hear his underworld 12th house Pluto threats every day (which are attended by his 12th house Mars).

At Midheaven (14Can57) are two major stars of the firmament: 'Dog Star' Sirius (ambition, fame, pride, occult interests, dog bites) which is aka, The Scorcher. Nearby in degrees is Canopus, the star of old age and signifying potentials for scandals, a quick temper, and violence (A. Louis). No longer is Trump's natal Mercury (8Can51) precisely on the 8:00 am Midheaven for all to see as it was on September 17th!

On September 24th 'The Tower Eclipse' of August 11, 2018 @18Leo41 remains the 'collapsing' Prenatal Solar Eclipse of the trial as on September 17th along with the same Syzygy Moon (last lunation) which is the New Moon of September 9th @17Virgo, ruled by Mercury, now moved into Venus-ruled Libra. This sign for communicating Mercury indicates a sense of justice, teamwork, and tactful mediation (Ebertin), plus, Mercury will have left its September 17th conjunction with fixed star Denebola (21Virgo; to go against society--and conjunct US natal Neptune).

The Jupiterian North Node @4Leo27 (public contact; future direction) is in the very public 10th house so of course media coverage will dominate to whatever extent it can yet its opposite, the Saturnian 'Tail of the Dragon' South Node @4AQ27 is closer to transit Mars than the week before for Mars is now posited @3AQ34 in 4th house which presents a picture of a loner who disregards the opinions of others when making decisions. Out of harmony with society, Mars-SN can also describe law enforcers and/or someone who tends to antagonize others by lashing out in anger or frustration. Wonder who Mars could be?

As for Jupiter, he'll have moved off '19Scorpio', the 'accursed degree of the accursed sign whose malefic influence never weakens' (A. Louis) and on to 20Sco53 in the trial's 2nd house of Money and Values. Next degree is '21Scorpio', a critical or crisis degree. Perhaps Jupiter's rounded-up SAbian Symbol is helpful here: "21Scorpio" = A Soldier Derelict in His Duty"...DEVIATION. Positive expression: "effective responsibility to the inner stirrings of self and a willingness to face the consequence of true self-assertion; negative: complete faithlessness to the common welfare" (Jones). Thing is, Venus in Scorpio is at a critical degree as well and both planets are 'money planets'.

Valuable Vengeful Venus @8Sco33 in 1st house Also Rules the Corporate 8th

Now I've saved for last chart-ruler Venus (same as on September 17th) which will apply once--to a pleasant trine aspect with deceptive if creative Neptune (6A04). This is the aspect of a master of disguise! A chameleon, as it were and one fond of charades and other game-playing which this trial could turn out to be--especially if Donald 'thespian' Trump dabbles in it. For after all, Mr. Trump's natal Jupiter-Neptune planets and their midpoint rise with his wounded Chiron in the 8:00 am chart on September 24th which suggests great hopes and speculation by one who lives in an unreal world and acts according to an emotionally rationalized agenda.

Okay, dear reader, that's it for me on the second trial of Paul Manafort. If the court schedule changes yet again or the trial is moved from DC, send me a link because it'll be your turn!

Recommended for further details: The Combination of Stellar Influences by Reinhold Ebertin, Predictive Astrology by Bernadette Brady, Horary Astrology Plain & Simple by Anthony Louis, Solar Arcs by Noel Tyl, The Sabian Symbols in Astrology by Marc Edmund Jones, and Sun Sign-Moon Sign by Charles and Suzi Harvey. The above Tarot card 'The Moon' is from Amy Zerner's The Enchanted Tarot deck. Perhaps you recall that we came across 'The Moon' card recently when we consulted the Tarot with a question regarding Mr. Trump and Mr. Mueller!

DC Horoscope: NAFTA takes effect, Trump tinkers

DC Horoscope: NAFTA takes effect January 1, 1994 12:01 am est Washington DC; Hour of Saturn; ASC 7Lib09 with Donald Trump's natal Neptune rising and natal Mercury at MC (Trump natals are marked around the chart in green); NAFTA Mercury @8Cap59 conjunct IC opposing Trump's natal Mercury (diverse opinions, changing minds).

Chart-ruler Venu$ @6Cap45 conjunct IC makes two applying Ptolemaic aspects: 1. conjunct Mars (2A28) = desire for luxury and possessions; 2. sextile Jupiter (3A02) = creation of fortunate opportunities; success with advertising, broadcasting; beneficial political activities. Venus also rules the corporate 8th house of Big Money and Banking.

Asteroid MIDA$ conjuncts the Saturnian South Node in 8th house of Corporations, Credit, Debt, and Shared Resources which suggests that king Midas has done such mischief before.

Syzygy Moon (last lunation) @7Can14 conjunct MC; Prenatal Solar Eclipse ('PE') @21Sco31 in 2nd house of the National Treasury and Values in the 14 North Saros Series; eclipse themes: a peculiar turn of events; despair; confusion; a draining of energy; too much delusion to make clear judgments (Brady); last manifestation of a 14 North Eclipse: November 25, 2011 @2Sag37 (conjunct NAFTA's North Node 2Sag24!) as what I termed at the time the sinister 'Sequestration Eclipse' (during the 'Super Congress' charade when all those across-the-board budget cuts were supposed to rescue the US economy; as you know, the 2011 military cuts didn't last).

Around the Foundation of the NAFTA agreement (IC) are a stellium of planets in business-and-government-oriented Capricorn, ruled by Saturn which squares Pluto (harshness, cruelty; destruction of the established order--Oken) in the corporate sign of betrayal, Scorpio, both planets at 27 degrees (karmic). The New World Order (global government) pair, Uranus and Neptune are just parting from their three conjunctions of 1993 @18Capricorn ("POLITICAL POWER") where transit Pluto has hit off and on of late (on at the moment) with its 'Big Picture must be followed' command issued by manipulator Pluto, the saboteur and wealth-hoarder. Plus, NAFTA Pluto conjunct North Node is the 'tiger by the tail' pairing of power.

Two fixed stars are prominent: Alhena at MC, the Goal Point; the star's theme: to have a mission. At IC and conjunct Mercury is Facies (ruthlessness or the victim). Ruthless is how the trade agreement was handled by its promoters and enablers, victimized is how most of We The People felt at its passing and implementation. And who can forget presidential candidate Ross Perot's much ridiculed remark at the time that passing NAFTA would result in the "giant sucking sound" of US jobs leaving the country and the economy. Ridiculed because it was true.

Then (bottom right) is NAFTA Saturn conjunct US natal Moon denoting feelings of deprivation and anxiety, and the T-Square between the Moon-Saturn opposition pointing toward Pluto = the threat of loss; needs repressed (Tyl); elimination of support for families (Munkasey) which, if memory serves, describes the mood of the times when NAFTA was passed by Congress against most Americans' better judgments and our sense of betrayal. But Congress didn't listen to the American people then any more than it listens now and our feeling of betrayal continues.

So now Mr. Trump (who may remember 1993/1994 himself) knows that NAFTA wasn't popular with the American people back in the day nor with him apparently (Mercury-Mercury opposition) but unfortunately for our nation and the other nations involved, his particular style of tinkering under hoods promises chaos, superficiality, and fluff more than actual improvement. Awkward!

Related from 2016, here's a Thom Hartmann segment asking How Do We End the So-Called "Free" Trade Deals?

DC Horoscope: Manafort Trial September 17, 2018

Update August 28, 2018: the September 17th trial of Paul Manafort will proceed as scheduled with jury selection, however, opening statements are postponed for one week until September 24th.

Original post begins here:

Uncertain of the precise hour the trial of Paul Manafort opens on September 17, 2018 in a Washington DC courtroom, the following horoscope is set for '8:00 am edt' and as you see, the Midheaven ('MC'), or Goal Point, at the top of the chart @8Can34 shows the natal Mercury of Donald Trump crossing over it at that moment. Fixed star Alhena is there as well with its theme, to have a mission. Might the mission have anything to do with Trump's chatty if duplicitous Mercury? More likely with Mr. Manafort's knowledge of the Mercurial Trump's 2016 campaign.

See Paul Manafort trial in DC to take 3 weeks, probe Ukraine lobbying world. And here's a previous post showing the 1991 independence horoscope of Ukraine if you're curious.

September 17, 2018 The Cosmic Curtain Rises in Judge Jackson's Courtroom

Rising at 8:00 am is 7Lib32 which makes Venus chart-ruler yet she makes no applying aspects at all to clue us in on how things will proceed. Or does she? With no application of the chart-ruler, we must depend on Venus' sign, degree, house placement (2nd h of Money, Values, Possessions), and house ruler-ship to tell the tale. Here, with Venus in brooding Scorpio, sign of corporations, money, big business, and betrayal, we find the Sabian Symbol for Venus' degree instructive: '6Scorpio' = "A Gold Rush"...AMBITION with its negative expression of "a lack of practical discrimination and an irresistible desire for easy money." (Jones). Considering the allegations against unregistered 'foreign lobbyist' and money launderer, Mr. Manafort, this seems clear enough, right? Plus, Venus also rules the corporate 8th house of Finance, Shared Resources, Credit, and Debt via Taurus, the luxury-loving sign of Paul Manafort's natal Moon. Yes, luxury, comfort, money, and possessions are his reigning needs (Moon).

Then there's Mr. Trump's natal Cancerian Mercury at Goal Point--Mercury, planet of communications (ex: tweets), commerce, trade, theft, deals and negotiations--in Cancer, sign of patriotism, shrewd business ability, and self-protection, so we may expect Paul Manafort's knowledge of Mr. Trump's words, plans, deals, and 'patriotism' to be part of the legal proceedings if Trump's name comes up at all. Possibly it will in relation to the events, contacts, and negotiations which took place at RNC 2016 as foreign actors lurked about:

Please enlarge the image to read my scribbles for not all chart factors will be mentioned in this text; besides, the trial date could possibly be changed again or the proceedings could begin at noon or later--at noon, Scorpio rises which would emphasize Mars conjunct POTUS Sun, square Uranus (0A26; danger; explosions, and Mars, here out-of-bounds (OOBs), soon to be conjoined by the transiting South Node of the Moon, aka, The Tail of the Dragon (as will the POTUS Sun 00AQ48, a separative and karmic Saturnian condition--see Tail of the Dragon Smacks POTUS Sun!) in late October 2018. Popularity with the public is not promised by this transit.

So as you see, 8:00 am edt is an Hour of Saturn, perfect for legalities and for holding the innocent-until-proven-guilty to account. Upper right of the chart I penned the ASC 7Lib32 to show that Trump's natal Neptune (5:50 Rx) is rising, then Manafort's natal Neptune (13:52 Rx) about to rise. The Sun-Mercury midpoint (business people) of this chart sits upon America's natal Neptune (23Virgo) which provides a cosmic picture of swindlers and crooks (Ebertin). Homegrown ones, I guess. Anyway, at the Foundation (IC) of the chart, the Moon at a Cardinal World Point) pairs with Saturn conjoins asteroid Orpheus so cue the violins for the emotional heaviness that pervades. Yet the Moon-Saturn duo can also denote ambition and strategy especially here in Capricorn.

This is a first quarter Moon phase (crisis in action) but what really catches my eye is the Locomotive shape of the planets (ruthless success) led by little Mercury @21Virgo--conjunct fixed star Denebola (to go against society). Mercury is oriental (rises just before the Sun) and in the 12th house of Politics, Karma, Self-Undoing, Secret Enemies, and Backroom Deals. And of course, Sun in 12th house denotes unconscious arrogance and with Mercury oriental it's predictably a 'cross the Ts dot the Is' sort of day.

Paul Manafort's natal Mercury at Aries Point (00:04) is in process of being visited by transit Chiron (the wounded healer, the wound, the blind spot) suggesting him as a conduit of some sort for sending messages. Then his natal Venus @7Ari42 is setting for the vengeful-when-scorned planet sits precisely on the Descendant at 8:00 am--with his natal Mars @8Ari21. With this pair, are love affairs or other liaisons indicated? Or merely irritability, exaggeration, and possibly a lack of tact? (Ebertin).

Now striding across the chart is a Grand Cross if we allow the Nodal axis to take part. Otherwise, it's a double T-Square between the Venus-Uranus opposition that points toward Mars @1AQ28--and US POTUS Sun (in 2017, Sun @00AQ48 = Trump) on one end, and Venus-Uranus = North NOde on the other. Quick responses and intense feelings are suggested. Plus, someone is 'ready to go' and 'proud' (POTUS Sun). Of course, another picture is shown--Mars-NN = Uranus which denotes potentials for upsets and sudden experiences, but also for active cooperation. Then Venus opposite Uranus adds collaboration to the Mars-Nodal picture. But surely not the flipping of Paul Manafort! Probably just the legal teams involved in the investigations and the trial.

And naturally, there's a notation at the bottom of the horoscope with saboteur and wealth-hoarder Pluto @18Cap48 Rx again intensifying the 1993 Uranus-Neptune conjunction/s (18Cap) which forms a midpoint picture of 'the big picture must be followed; very little option to do otherwise' (Tyl). Sounds like an offer someone can't refuse. The Sabian Symbol for this degree describes POLITICAL POWER and, negatively, 'strong-armed paternalism' at its 'best' (by which I mean worst) and here in 4th house, the Basis of the whole shebang.

And we mustn't neglect to mention the Jupiter-Pluto sextile (plutocrats; big wheeler-dealers--2nd h of Money, 4th h of Real Estate) which forms a temporary YOD (crisis; turning point) with Trump's natal Uranus-NN-Sun trio which is marked in orange in the 8th house. As a midpoint picture, this suggests Mr. Trump's tendencies for quick exploitation of every situation, far-reaching associations, possible adjustment to new circumstances, fanatical striving for improvement, and political activities (Ebertin). As a YOD the pattern can act as a timer for major adjustments which must be made so that a complete change of direction is facilitated. If the energies are poorly handled, results will be negative for Mr. Trump.

Well, there are many more cosmic clues in the chart and in later charts of the day but since I try to avoid typing too much about a horoscope for which I have no exact hour, I'll leave you with this spotty analysis until and unless the hour the trial begins is discovered causing the different house cusps to change to a large extent so that any of the portents mentioned in today's post don't hold. Or if there's a delay in the court calendar.

Senator John McCain and a Flag at Half-Mast

August 26, 2018: As our nation mourns the loss of Republican Senator John McCain, the Capitol Building lowers the US flag to half-mast in honor of our fallen senator and Vietnam war veteran.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_McCain_official_photo_portrait.JPG

Astrologers can compare transits for last evening with Senator McCain's natal horoscope and although I glanced at them myself, I haven't the umph for typing them here. However, there is a Sabian Symbol, a word picture, which seems appropriate to quote in full, not just in honor of the senator and his sad passing, but also for the symbol's meaning as a description of such a man as John McCain:

"25 Virgo: 'A Flag at Half Mast'. This is a symbol of the inevitable judgment which life must pronounce on itself, and of the sure rewards that stand ready for whatever proves of worth in the course of effort. The highest of everyday values for the common man are created in a public service which has its first compensation in the individual's self-fulfillment, and its ultimate justification in some measure of immortal contribution to history. Reputation is the subtle coin by which personality creates an enduring wealth for everyone, to be preserved no less in death than in life. The keyword is RESPECT. When positive, the degree is achievement in a full transcendence of selfhood, and when negative, superficial self-dramatization.

To me it seems obvious that we can correctly leave off the negative expression for Senator McCain or apply it to a certain Gemini who now strides over Washington DC.

John McCain (1936--2018) He did his duty. May he R.I.P.

A Political Puppet Show For a World Police State - Max Igan

For years here on Stars Over Washington the Political Theater performances produced by Washington DC and America's overextended role as global cop on behalf of corporate syndicates have been criticized and often ridiculed. On such topics, here's the latest episode 346 in Max Igan's Surviving The Matrix series of broadcasts:

Support the independent work of Max Igan at patreon and visit The Crowhouse for more of Max's broadcasts, interviews, and presentations.

DC Horoscope: Saturn Direct Station September 6, 2018

August 22, 2018: In my last post we made note of yesterday's legal matters in the Manafort and Cohen cases and the fact that August 21, 2018 was the day of the first Solar Return to the horoscope of The Great American Eclipse of 2017 @29Leo which 'eclipsed' the natal Ascendant of Donald Trump. And of course, eclipses that conjoin fixed stars tend to activate the gifts or cautions of said star--in this case, royal Regulus which rises in Trump's natal chart. In a sense, he is Regulus.

So on the day that transit Saturn, authority and legal eagle that he is, turns direct and begins moving forward, transit Mercury @00Vir38 conjoins Regulus in the 12th house of Politics, Back Room Deals, Secret Enemies, and Karma, as you see in the following DC Horoscope:

Legal matters should move ahead once Saturn turns Direct yet the karmic planet won't reach his shadow degree where he turned Rx on April 17, 2018 (9Cap08:55) until December 12, 2018 (see chart, lower left). Two days prior (December 10, 2018), transit Saturn makes his third of three oppositions to Mr. Trump's natal Mercury (8Can51) as notated on the chart, lower right and upper right, in blue. Unfortunately, loss-bringer Saturn, when in his own sign of Capricorn, isn't positive for finances or the economy so there could be forward movement in those departments as well with negativity suggested.

These Saturnian oppositions to Trump's natal Mercury began on March 30, 2018 with the second exact opposition May 6, 2018 as listed, chart right. Therefore, Saturn is in process of winding up review mode during which he's been getting his facts lined up (on both sides--Trump's and Mueller's) yet we may not see major developments in the RussiaGate inquiry until December 12, 2018 or just before or after. That's unless Saturn's case is strong enough and helpful witnesses have cooperated to fill in the gaps in the case/s so that the report from Mr. Mueller that we're all waiting for can be finalized around September 6, 2018 or during the month (pre-Midterms 2018!) then perhaps the report will be publicly revealed by December 2018 whether Mr. Trump's 'interview' with Mr. Mueller is accomplished or not. If Trump is deposed, there's no telling how matters will develop...or how they will blow up in his red face.

Actually, transit Saturn opposing Trump's natal Mercury is only part of his ongoing Saturnian troubles because he was born with a fact-challenged Mercury-Neptune square. Here's a previous post with a list of Saturn's affects on both planets in the square and the dates of exactitude when influences are strongest.

As for chart-ruler Mercury in its own sign of Virgo (also ruler of the MC, The Goal Point), two applying Ptolemaic aspects are shown: Mercury trine Uranus in Taurus (1A34; organized groups, beneficial info arrives, larger social and/or tech issues on the menu) and Mercury trine Saturn (1A54; support from authority figures, practical solutions are found). As you see, these three form an Earth Grand Trine, a soothing indicator of protection, stability, persistence, and endurance, yet negatively, 'stuck in a rut' may also describe this conservative, common-sense, routine-loving pattern which tends to shrewdly evaluate matters before making important moves.

Mr. Mueller and his staff come to mind. Mr. Trump and his staff do not.

Now there are multiple factors worth noting in the chart other than the ones noted, above, such as Denebola rising (to go against society), planetary patterns (2 YODs, a Grand Cross), house ruler-ships, a Syzygy Moon in early Pisces (August 26th Full Moon), the Solar Eclipse in force ('The Tower' @18Leo41), the stressed out Sun-Neptune opposition square MC with royal Rigel upon it (to bring knowledge to others), and more. Please enlarge the image to read a few basic notes, aka, my messy scribbles. jc

Very Much Related: Will Regulus Assure the Destiny of Donald Trump?

Aug 21, 2018 Sun and Saturn affect Trump legal matters

As Above, So Below for Donald Trump

August 21, 2018: Today in Alexandria, Virginia, jurors found Paul Manafort guilty of 8 out of 18 counts of felonious activities while Trump fixer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty in his many-faceted case and pointed a finger at Donald Trump ('candidate') as the co-conspirator who directed him to pay Trump amours Karen MacDougal and Stephanie Clifford in order to protect Trump's 2016 campaign for the presidency. Campaign finance violations may attach.

But predictably, GOP lawmakers try to distance Trump from Manafort and Cohen as democrats pounce what with the 2018 midterms upon us and Mr. Trump's legal exposure from these outcomes remains to be seen in the coming days and weeks.

That was on Earth. Overhead in the starry firmament, today's Sun returned to its degree at last summer's Great American Eclipse (28Leo52) which precisely conjoined the natal Ascendant of Mr. Trump (remember he took off his safety glasses to stare directly at the eclipsed orb?)--and perfected not far from his rising Mars @27Leo. Rounded up to 29Leo, the eclipsed Sun's degree one year ago today and therefore, today's Sun position, are at a critical-crisis 29th degree.

Even starker is that royal 'kingmaker' star Regulus is in the solar mix and rises in the natal chart of Mr. Trump as we recently discussed. All the Royal Stars of Persia contain great gifts but include serious cautions which, if neglected or ignored, are not so forgiving. In fact, this sounds a bit like karmic Saturn who rewards only those who honestly deserve it. He will not be trifled with!

Yet there's another factor in the 2017 eclipse chart that tells a difficult tale in line with today's legal events--that 2017 Saturn @21Sag11 precisely conjoined the sensitive natal Moon of Donald Trump and very soon went on to oppose his natal Sun (22Gemini), either of which condition represents sobering times. His having the Nodes involved with his natal Sun-Moon opposition only adds more karmic flavor to these transits and spotlights the legal events that, as of today, will begin to threaten Mr. Trump in earnest.

Because we know that Saturn's realm includes the legal system, lawyers, judges, karmic decisions, restrictions, limits, scrutiny, and--perhaps most importantly--accountability, something Mr. Trump has already attempted to distance himself from (today's Manafort convictions "have nothing to do with me," he says). To natal Moon, harsh Saturn tends to bring feelings of emotional deprivation and turmoil and can even herald a forced change of residence if other factors agree. The family isn't faring very well either. Opposing natal Sun, one's ego and sense of pride are affected negatively by authoritative Saturn so that goals are delayed, hindered, or blocked while failure to accept responsibilities will not satisfy the rightful demands of taskmaster Saturn. Leadership, integrity, and honesty are challenged and if one has broken (Saturnian) rules or laws in the past, it can mean the eventual loss of something even more valuable. Such difficulties and worries might also signal a health breakdown approaching especially if the recipient of Saturn's rays has reached a ripe old age, or if chronic conditions exist.

Astro-Notes on the Natal Mercury of Donald Trump

The Objective Truth and Mr. Trump

by Jude Cowell

To my March 2018 post concerning the natal Mercury of Donald Trump and its position of '8 Cancer' in Carelli's Degrees (which is spot-on if you haven't read it), here are some basic facts about Mercury in Moon-ruled Cancer which seem to me to particularly apply to Donald Trump who continues to tease about sitting down for an 'interview' with Special Counsel Robert Mueller in the ongoing RussiaGate inquiry. For as you know, astrological Mercury, our mutable and changeable 'tofu planet', rules many things...among them: the mind, thinking processes, teaching and learning, speech, hearing and all the senses, interviews, testimonies, perjury, negotiations, oaths, decisions, news, gossip, tweets and communications of all sorts along with commerce, trade, travel, and theft:

Mercury in Cancer indicates a mind that is influenced by deep-seated emotional patterns and desires which cause one to look at some facts while ignoring others. This allows bias, prejudice, a lack of objectivity, and incorrect judgments to result. A good memory may be denoted due to the emotional intensity associated with various thoughts and learning often occurs through osmosis rather than by traditional teaching methods. The osmosis accounts in part for his tendency to 'listen to the last thing he heard someone say' and then to spout it as his own thought which can change in a flash due to high susceptibility to the thoughts, opinions, and attitudes of those in his environment (ex: FOX News). Emotional appeals hold particular sway over Mercury in Cancer's thinking with patriotism on the top of the list (Cancer = home, homeland, family, mother, women, real estate, nurturing such as food, comfort, familiar surroundings). As you must have noticed, Mr. Trump exhibits 24/7 the Mercury in Cancer trait of believing that whatever is done or spoken within his environment is directed expressly or exclusively toward him.

Supremely subjective (and with me-first Mars rising), Trump also suffers from being stuck in the past with slights and injuries forever remembered (or imagined) although they may have blossomed beyond recognition into worse than was ever intended; meanwhile, present reality becomes distorted to the point of neurosis and a morbid imagination may be one of the outcomes.

If Mercury in Cancer is negatively afflicted as is his by a square from natal Neptune in Libra, untruthfulness, deceit, and a self-created fantasy world are prevalent such as we see through Trump's Mercury afflicted (squared) by nebulous Neptune, planet of lies, falsehoods, deceit, fraud, loss, misconception, fantasy, tall tales, self-deception, gas lighting, and confusion. These Neptunian effects are made stronger due to the fact that the square from Neptune is his Mercury's only planetary aspect so no other planet adds what could have been a speck of objectivity to his thinking via 'tofu planet' Mercury which soaks up whatever it touches. For Mr. Trump, it only soaks up watery urge-to-merge Neptune!

And as astrologer Alan Oken aptly terms it, a Mercury-Neptune square is an aspect of "The Sneaky Mind" and whether the secretive Mr. Trump tells lies unconsciously or not, Hillary Clinton's natal Mercury-Saturn square in the White House would have been more serious, studious, and fact-based than the morass of deceit, betrayal, and disappointment America stews in now as stirred by Donald Trump--these days always operating in pearl-clutching mode because he can't keep up with all the lies he's told and is afraid to be challenged over his many tall tales.

Recommended Reading: The Astrologer's Handbook by Sakoian and Acker.

Above photo: speedy little Mercury (NASA)