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John Marchesella has been sharing his thoughts, humor, and unique point of view on the topic of astrology for many years, through various publications and internet posts. Here is a collection of some of his favorites.
2025
2024
February 28, 2025
LIVE FROM NEW YORK!
It’s the 50th Anniversary of SNL!
It’s hard to be anywhere in New York or anywhere on commercial TV without hearing that NBC celebrated the 50th anniversary of “Saturday Night Live!” this weekend.
The show originally aired on October 11, 1975, at 11:30 p.m.,in where else, but New York. Chart is presented here. To refresh your memory, New York was almost bankrupt, Gerald Ford told us to drop dead, and the country was still hanging its head from Nixon’s resignation and pardon. And SNL was about to play a small role in the city’s comeback.
There was an exact square between Saturn in Leo and Uranus in Scorpio, which had something to do with that comeback for New York, but it also meant there was about to be a revolution in television entertainment. And what better aspect would describe the irreverence and zaniness of the Not Yet Ready for Prime Time Players!
A cardinal T-square in the angular houses gave the show its punch, drive and youthful energy. It was made of the Sun and Mercury in Libra in the 4th, opposite Jupiter in Aries in the 10th, and the Moon in Capricorn serves as the apex powerfully placed right on the Descendant. The Moon has the additional power of being the ruler of the chart.
The humor came from the Mercury and Jupiter, but the Cancer Ascendant and the Moon made for the “flow” of the show, and such a madcap show that moves with breakneck speed, has to have a flow. The Moon also made for the familiarity between the players as well as the familiarity that the audience made with them.
The same T-square makes for the durability and the endless energy of the show, which is still going strong at 50. The first house placement of Saturn also has to do with longevity.
Some of that energy, especially in the initial days, was fueled by cocaine and other drugs, which is described by the Mars in the 12th house, i.e., self-destruction.
The ability for the show to always bounce back and reinvent itself is also due to having a Scorpio creator, Lorne Michael.
February 27, 2025
GENE HACKMAN
A Great Connection
The eclipse period may be striking slightly sooner than usual. We see this in the recent deaths of some of our "lights." Unfortunately, eclipses often bring about the shocking, untimely and moving deaths of much-loved celebrities and leaders.
Here, we’re speaking about Gene Hackman, a longstanding actor who could morph from a good cop to a bad copy, from drama and intensity to light-hearted comedy, from serious acting to action movies. This is described by his natal planets in the 12th house, a real shape-shifter, as a good actor should be.
More interesting, though, is his natal square between Saturn and Uranus. He was certainly not the typical leading man, but could handle being the lead in a film. Ultimately, what this square describes is his successful reputation (Saturn) in playing offbeat, unusual, unconventional roles (Uranus).
His Jupiter just off the angle of the IC also reminds us of Gauquelin’s study of the horoscopes of actors. This research project from the 70’s/80’s indicated the commonality of Jupiter just off one of the natal angles in the charts of working actors.
Hackman won his first Academy Award for “The French Connection” on April 10, 1972, when transiting Jupiter was conjoined the natal Saturn and square the natal Uranus.
By progression, Venus was moving on to the Cardinal Axis between the release of the film and his Oscar win, making him more prominent in the industry. Progressed Mars moving over his ASC was also giving him recognition. And his progressed MC moved into the opposition of Pluto, giving him some weight in the business too.
The previous eclipses then were at 25 CAP conjoined his Mars, and at 9 LEO, opposite his Sun and Venus.
Obviously, eclipses might play a little more significant role in his life, given he was born on the New Moon that triggered his pre-natal eclipse at 8 SCORPIO.
Eclipses always have to do with “being in the dark” as well as “bringing this to light.” As for the cause of his tragic death along with his wife and dog, we might still be in the dark until further investigation brings things to light.
February 17, 2025
SEVEN
A Meaningful Coincidence
Whenever we, astrologers, hear the number, seven, we should prick up our ears. Chances are something is going to resonate with the symbolism of our seven traditional planets. That might help us see a new perspective on something astrological or at least allow us to enjoy a moment of awe at the synchronicity of the Universe.
Along with our traditional planets, seven refers to the seven colors of the rainbow, the seven notes on the musical scale, the seven seas, the seven continents, the seven sages, the seven sacraments of the Catholic religion, the seven days of Creation, the seven days of each lunar phase, the seven days of the week, the seventh son of the seventh son, the seven deadly sins, the seven virtues, the seven chakras, the seven orifices of the human body, and on and on, including the seven dwarves.
Yes, those dwarves! As in, the fairy tale of Snow White.
Of course, we all know, thanks to Bruno Bettelheim, author of the classic book, “The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales,” that fairy tales are full of symbolism, much more so than we thought in our childhoods. And one of the many purposes that fairy tales serve is to illuminate the relationship between light and shadow, how a weakness can become a strength, that transformation does occur especially for a happily ever after.
For instance, the dwarf, Grumpy, begins the tale being cold and a little suspicious of Snow White, but by the tale’s end, he becomes soft, emotional and caring of her. Each one of the dwarves goes through that kind of transformation through the tale.
When we sort through the dwarves by their characteristics and transformations, some of us might see that Grumpy can be associated with the Moon.
Doc, the leader of the dwarves, correlates with the Sun. Although he is seen as the kingpin of the group, he also can be a fool when he fouls up his words and thoughts, not unlike how the astrological Sun can have a foolishness too.
Mercury is Dopey, ironically, the one who doesn’t speak, but he’s highly communicative with facial expressions and body language, and he’s the youngest of the dwarves.
Venus is Bashful, the quiet, gentle and shy dwarf with a deep romantic crush on Snow White.
Mars is Sneezy, the noisy one.
Guess which planet matches up with Jupiter. Answer: Happy!
Last but not least, Saturn is seen as Sleepy; ironically, he’s the one who brings humor to the tale and is known to make all the others laugh.
The number, 7, of course consists of 3 and 4. There are many symbolic connections with those numbers, but suffice it to say, 3 represents energy and 4 represents form. Together, they create wholeness. They are the coming together of yang and yin. We can see even more meaning when we look at astrology’s triplicity and quadruplicity in our elements and modes.
Of course, these numbers when multiplied give us 12, another important symbol for us astrologers, and a number that resonates with many other themes, i.e., the twelve apostles, the twelve tribes of Israel.
Maybe the Brothers Grimm who originally penned “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” consciously intended to create a moral tale about the Universe and its inhabitants, but it’s much more likely they were unconsciously inspired by the synchronicity in the Universe and out came all of their enchanting stories. In actuality, they simply collected all of their folktales from the peasants of German countryside, who used them as forms of entertainment from generation to generation. Obviously, though, the Brothers were tapping into the Collective Mind, especially since their stories continue to resonant with us and take on so many other forms through the centuries, from Walt Disney’s retelling of the tale to “The Huntsman.”
One of the other important and symbolic characters in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” is the mirror. It always gives an honest answer to the Evil Queen’s never-ending question.
So, the next time you gaze at your chart to see your astrological reflection, and ask, “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?,” remember the mirror never lies.
January 14, 2025
THE HOROSCOPE OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
There are many logical reasons for the devastating fires in LA, but there are a few astrological ones too.
Those who are familiar with the symbols will recognize these explanations. For those who are not familiar, suffice it to say, these are all symbolic images of fire.
According to AstroDataBank, a reliable source of birth info, the city was incorporated on April 4, 1850. A noon chart is presented here with no birth time.
Eclipses always play a significant role in such disasters. The most recent Solar Eclipse of October 2nd at 10 Libra opposed LA’s Aries Sun and Saturn, and squared its natal Mars in Cancer.
The “hidden aspect” in that Eclipse also involves fiery Mars, the Red Planet. During the Eclipse, Mars was at 15 Cancer in hard aspect to all of the above.
The degree of the Eclipse was “triggered” by the most recent New Moon at 9 Capricorn and the transiting Lunar Node at 0 Aries, an intense degree of a fire sign.
Transiting Mars was recently in opposition to Pluto in Aquarius, the planet of mass destruction in the sign of the winds!
And of course, the astronomical Mars is very visible in the night sky currently and is in very close proximity to earth.
Our thoughts are with the good people of Los Angeles, but please do not forget the animals. A legitimate place to donate is pasadenahumane.org.
January 11, 2025
ANITA BRYANT
A Good Lesson in Uranus
January 3, 2025
PUERTO RICO
Lights Out!
Unfortunately, it is usually the more challenging events that exhibit astrology at work. This was the case for the huge black out in Puerto Rico over the New Year holiday.
There are a few transits here and there that explain it, but it is more apparent in the recent Solar Eclipse of October 2nd, at 10 Libra. It fell very close to the natal Saturn, which in turn conjoins Neptune and is in square to natal Uranus, the planet most associated with electricity.
And both Uranus and eclipses have to do with the unexpected, the unpredictable and the unforeseen as well as not seeing!
Eclipses are especially connected with expressions of blindness, in the dark, and didn’t see this coming. In this case, it was very literal.
But if the Solar Eclipse was three months ago, then why now? Over the holiday, the transiting Sun passed 10 Capricorn, actually as the more potent form of the New Moon.
Also, in the chart of the eclipse, Mars was at 15 Cancer, conjoining the natal Uranus of Puerto Rico. So, the stage was set for this incident. It just needed a trigger and....lights out along with all the other electrical power!
FYI, the Mars-Pluto transiting opposition was moving into aspect to Puerto Rico’s Sun, an indication of an attack on the light.
The station of Saturn was barely lifted from the opposition to the Moon, another combination of shutting out a light.
And the progressed Moon was just about coming up over the horizon into the light, making the black out not too long or severe.
And of course, much of this news story was eclipsed by the tragedies in New Orleans and Las Vegas.
January 2, 2025
THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS
After the terrorist attack just thirteen days ago, all eyes were on the city of New Orleans. And with the Super Bowl just a couple weeks away, all eyes will be on the resilient city again.
AstroDataBank, usually a very reliable source for birth information, posts the incorporation date for NOLA as February 17, 1805, but understandably with no birth time. A noon chart is presented here.
At the time of the attack, there was the infamous Mars-Pluto opposition within minutes of exactitude inching toward NOLA’s Mercury-Venus conjunction in early Aquarius and the city’s NATAL Mars at 2 Leo Rx! Obviously, these are gods of violence hit hard on the innocence of the city’s holiday festivities.
Transiting Venus was conjoining the natal Sun, which perhaps gave some protection in an otherwise tragic experience.
What is known as a “hidden aspect” was the transiting Mars at 15 Cancer on October 2, 2024, during the Solar Eclipse at 10 Libra, which was “triggered” by the Full Moon over the holiday. This Mars was square to the city’s natal Saturn at 15 Libra, also indicating a sneak attack.
Another significant event that is so associated with New Orleans is Hurricane Katrina which took place on August 29, 2005. The striking transit of that time was the conjunction from Uranus in Pisces to natal Pluto, unfortunately very descriptive of the devastation of wind and water then.
Eclipses are often involved with disasters, and sure enough, the previous Lunar Eclipse at 4 Scorpio was “triggered” by the transiting Saturn at 5 Leo.
The Solar Eclipse following Katrina was at 10 Libra on October 3, 2005! In other words, there was a repetition of the eclipse cycle between Katrina and this current terrorist act.
Good thoughts are with NOLA for a recovery from tragedy to celebration.
January 1, 2025
ROD SERLING
The Fifth Dimension….and We Don’t Mean Up, Up and Away
"You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind; your next stop, the Twilight Zone.”
Not only are these the opening words of the old TV show, “The Twilight Zone,” but they also describe how one feels being glued to the SYFY channel every New Year’s holiday for the “Twilight Zone” marathon.
And who else could create such surreal and innovative programming than Rod Serling with his kite formation — a Grand Trine in water with Saturn and the Ascendant in Scorpio, Uranus in Pisces, and Pluto in Cancer, making for the wild imagination, and with the tail formed by Sun, Mercury and Jupiter in Capricorn, making for his success in writing, producing and hosting these iconic shows.
But the real twist of twistedness in “The Twilight Zone” is due to the Saturn square Neptune, especially since these are on the prominent angles with the North Node. When these planets are in hard aspect to each other, they can fuse reality with fantasy, fact with fiction, things that are not quite real and not quite unreal.
Welcome to 2025!
Now back to the marathon!
December 28, 2024
NASA – Part 3
Christa McAuliffe
The natal horoscope of Christa McAuliffe tragically aspects all of the mundane charts and techniques that we might use to understand the astrology of this fateful event. However, we are focusing on the connections with the chart of NASA.
McAuliffe’s MC at 2 Aquarius closes the T-square in NASA’s chart. Her MC is emphasized because it is the apex of her natal Yod with her Moon and Uranus.
Her nodal axis at 6 Taurus also fits onto the NASA’s T-square.
Another nodal connection is between her Mars at 29 Libra on the North Node of NASA.
Her Moon in early Virgo conjoins NASA’s Pluto.
Again, these indications of explosiveness should be obvious — the Taurus-Scorpio axis, Uranus, Pluto, Mars. The Nodes, eclipses and the Yod present the element of fate; and fate can be the subject of a post for another day.
And McAuliffe’s Venus in Cancer is square to NASA’s Jupiter. What should have been a celebratory event with lots of good publicity, which was NASA's intention, unfortunately turned into a big broken promise.
December 28, 2024
NASA – Part 2
The Disaster of the Challenger Shuttle
Events that are related to NASA are actually transits to its chart. A tragic example of this is the explosion of the Challenger. Its timed chart is presented here….and wow!
The T-square in NASA’s natal chart conjoins the transiting T-square at the moment of the disaster. This T-square has the Sun, Venus and Mercury in Aquarius at the apex with the legs formed by Pluto in Scorpio on end and the Ascendant on the other. This is also the nodal axis!
It also implies that an earlier eclipse set the stage, so to speak, for the explosion, and indeed the previous Lunar Eclipse took place at 5 Taurus. The astrology of the Shuttle actually “triggered” the volatility of this eclipse in what some might say was a fated event.
Additionally, transiting Uranus was passing over the natal Saturn of NASA.
The indications of explosiveness should be obvious — Aquarius, Scorpio, the Nodes and eclipses, Uranus, Pluto.
What is more poignant is the MC of the disaster conjoins the Moon of the NASA chart, indicating the prominent role of a woman in the story. Of course, we mean Christa McAuliffe, who ironically was a teacher, represented by Capricorn.
There are other significant indications of disaster in the chart of the Shuttle, especially when compared to other mundane charts, but these are the most important points of these two charts together.
December 28, 2024
NASA – Part 1
A Vehicle to a New World
With Pluto firmly in Aquarius now, we can expect more news stories about what’s up in the air, be it suspicious drones, crashing planes, diseased birds, developments with electricity, satellites, outer space and with the air itself! Some of these stories might seem bad; some good; but ultimately, Pluto is about destruction, evolution and re-creation. It’s a process. What might seem very negative in the little picture of time can evolve into something very purposeful. It is not for us to judge, but rather to experience.
Perhaps the main US institution that will evolve is NASA and its horoscope might reveal some clues about that. Its noon chart is presented here, set for July 29, 1958, when President Eisenhower signed it into existence.
What’s pops off the page first is the conjunction between Sun and Uranus in Leo. Uranus is the Lord of Sky and it represents all forms of aviation from birds to space capsules. The Sun in Leo is the star of the show.
Interesting this conjunction is also the apex of a T-square with Neptune in Scorpio and Mars in Taurus. One interpretation might be NASA’s role in the balance between dreams of entering other realms versus human beings being rooted to the ground.
Uranus is further emphasized because it served as a trigger of the previous Lunar Eclipse at 12 Scorpio.
Saturn is in Sagittarius, the sign of adventure and exploring new worlds, not unlike Columbus discovering the New World.
Also interesting that all the earth signs are occupied — Mars in Taurus, Mercury and Pluto in Virgo and the Moon in Capricorn. What goes up must come down? Daedalus’s warning to Icarus to not fly too close to the Sun?
The Moon in Capricorn might be an indication of all the bureaucracy and administration that makes the wheels of NASA move slowly, be that for better or worse.
Students of mundane astrology might want to keep an eye on this chart as Pluto moves through Aquarius and our space program develops. And it might help to look back and heed the lessons of Epimetheus.
December 27, 2024
AMAZON – Part 2
It’s a Jungle Out There!
In recent days, Amazon workers launched a strike demanding better pay and benefits. Even with the support of the Teamsters, the workers failed perhaps because of the retrograde of Mars, which is one of the symbols of the labor force. This retrograde might explain why this attempt at unionization could not move forward and it ended with the declaration, “We’ll be back!"
The failed attempt might also have something to do with the transiting square from Neptune to the natal Mercury and Ceres. Neptune might have diluted the power of the union movement.
Ceres is the asteroid (now dwarf planet) which is connected with strikes because the goddess went on a strike, so to speak, when Persephone disappeared. Mercury, which symbolizes MANY things thanks to its versatility, is labor in addition to the aforementioned marketing and sales. He’s a trickster that Mercury is!
Progressed Ceres is 2 degrees away from a conjunction to Amazon’s Sun, so yes, let’s see when it gets closer in orb in the next year or two.
Note that Amazon just completed its first Saturn Return in the last few weeks. It even received the powerful station in recent weeks. Workers might not deem it fair, but at least at this juncture, Saturn is saying Amazon has the upper hand.
However, the real clincher in the deal (or lack thereof) is Amazon’s progressed Pluto. It’s stationing direct this year, really giving power to the Plutocrats of Amazon and not to the everyman.
So, let’s see what happens when the union indeed is back!
December 27, 2024
AMAZON – Part 1
It’s a Jungle Out There!
There are astrological explanations for the success of Amazon. Its noon chart is presented here.
In the bigger picture, it caught the early wave of the conjunction of Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn, which turned technology into a god including in the corporate world.
It also helped to have a Grand Trine between the Sun in Cancer, Jupiter in Scorpio and Saturn in Pisces. Earth signs have the connection with money and fire signs have the vision of the entrepreneur, but the water signs really know how to ride the waves of life’s financial cycles.
Another big help was the North Node bringing out the best of powerful Pluto in powerful Scorpio.
But maybe most of all was Mercury, the god of marketing and sales, STATIONING DIRECT in its rulership at 29 Gemini, which is also the World Axis, giving it even more prominence in the public eye. Stations always emphasize the meaning and power of planets.
Mercury's position in Gemini along with the Moon and Mars also emphasize the influence of Amazon on how products are promoted and shipped to customers. Does any New Yorker NOT have an Amazon delivery truck outside our front door?
December 26, 2024
KWANZAA
A Holiday for All
It was the tumultuous 60’s and a deadly riot broke out in the Watts section of Los Angeles. Shortly afterwards, Maulana Karenga, the chair of Black Studies at California State University at Long Beach designed the seven-day holiday as a celebration of African American family, community, and culture.
Kwanzaa honors the seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. (And yes, they do correlate to the seven original planets).
The noon chart for the first Kwanzaa is shown here.
Astrologers will immediately recognize the infamous opposition of Saturn and Chiron in Pisces with Uranus and Pluto in Virgo. This configuration accounts for most of the revolutions that took place in the 1960’s.
A Grand Square is formed with the Moon in Gemini and Mercury is Sagittarius.
Grand Squares are indeed stressful, and Kwanzaa was born out of a very stressful circumstance, but they also give form and staying power to the energy.
The prominence of the mutable signs in this Grand Square make for the cultural influence of the celebration. Mutable signs are about culture, education and community.
They also “harvest" the functions of the previous signs, cardinal and fixed. This is most literal in the mutable sign, Virgo, which begins the harvesting of the land, and it culminates in the next earth sign, Capricorn. Hence, Kwanzaa is celebrated at the time of the cornucopia.
Happy Kwanzaa!
December 24, 2024
RYAN REYNOLDS – Part 3
Watching His Words?
The other celebrity in this story is Ryan Reynolds, who is born on a Solar Eclipse in Scorpio conjoined Uranus, giving him is likable and charming persona as well as his amazing luck.
These planets conjoin Lively’s IC, making for a deep soulful connection between them, and her stellium in Virgo sits above his Ascendant, making for their compatibility.
Transiting Pluto is in square to his Sun and Moon, explaining why he’s a part of the current scandal. However, transiting Saturn is sitting tight just below his horizon until next April when we might hear more from him about it.
December 24, 2024
BLAKE LIVELY – Part 2
Speaking Out
With four planets in Virgo, Blake Lively lives up to the myth of Persephone. Not only is she married to a Plutonian man, namely Ryan Reynolds with four planets in Scorpio, but her current headlines have her speaking out against Julian Baldoni’s sexual behavior and retaliation against her. Baldoni has four planets in Scorpio too.
In addition to the underworld themes that are associated with these signs, Lively has natal Pluto, Lord of the Underworld, at her nadir which is bound to affect her MC at some point in her life. Whatever lies at the bottom of the chart is certain to affect the top of the chart and what the world sees about us.
Transiting Saturn is passing through her 8th house, and that is often a time when the “secrets” of the Underworld come to light.
Similarly, natal Jupiter, which is the singleton of her bucket chart and the only planet above the horizon, just recently received the square of transiting Pluto’s station.
That Jupiter is at 29 Aries in her 9th house, which indicates Lively is sure to speak her own mind for her truth.
December 24, 2024
JUSTIN BALDONI – Part 1
Actions Speak Louder than Words?
If you haven’t heard about the scandal involving Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, then you must be living on the North Pole or swamped in your holiday shopping!
Whether Baldoni is guilty or not, his horoscope lends itself to the kind of scandal and accusations he is on the receiving end of.
Four planets, count ‘em, FOUR planets in Scorpio — Moon, Mars, Saturn and Pluto! Any one of them could get someone caught in a situation like this, not to mention their square to his individualistic Aquarius Sun.
Transiting Pluto is beginning its long slog in aspect to all those planets.
His natal Venus is 29 Sagittarius and it’s conjoined Neptune and Jupiter in early Capricorn. In and of themselves, those placements are not scandalous….unless Neptune is starting to square them, beginning with that Venus.
His birth time is questionable, but IF it is correct, then the recent station of transiting Saturn is activating his angles at 14/15 degrees of the mutable signs. And Saturn is infamous for “shattering illusions,” as the old time astrologers used to say.
Also, if the birth time is correct, all the planets are under the horizon, making for the assumption that one’s behaviors are unseen….unless the South Node and Uranus oppose the MC!
Astrologically speaking, it’s hard to believe Baldoni is not guilty of crossing sexual boundaries and retaliating against Lively, but also let’s remember we live in a country where we are innocent until proven guilty. Also, astrology is not legal proof of anything and symbols are operate on many levels.
December 18, 2024
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
Hitting a Home Run
Cody Bellinger was just traded to the New York Yankees like his father, Clay, was in 1999.
The noon chart is presented here for Cody. He has a somewhat unusual chart formation, a Baby’s Cradle. That’s five sextiles, which bring good opportunity, but when a transit or progression fills in that sixth sextile and the formation becomes a Grand Sextile a/k/a Star of David, then it’s a home run….pun intended!
And lo and behold, Uranus is transiting right in that spot in late Taurus and the trade took place.
We cannot ignore Cody is on the brink of his Saturn Return too. Hence, like father, like son.
So, the good luck of all the sextiles can bring the opportunity, but Saturn will show us what he can make of it.
And of course, a Cancer is going to keep it all in the family.
December 18, 2024
IT’S A BIRD! IT’S A PLANE!
It’s the Official National Bird….the Bald Eagle!
Aquarius is the sign of the sky and all things up there. So, just the initial degrees of Pluto in Aquarius have already brought mysterious drones, the humiliation of Boeing and a few billionaires in space. We also saw the bird flu in cows, but that was facilitated by Aquarius’s ruler, Uranus, in the sign of Taurus a/k/a cows.
And if you’re like the rest of us, you probably thought the bald eagle was the national bird. But not so!
Congress is only getting around to officiating the bestowed title on the high flyer now even though it first appeared on the seal of the US on June 20, 1782, when….wait for it….Pluto was also in the early degrees of Aquarius! So, yes, the bald eagle is a having a Pluto Return of sorts.
By the way, the planet Uranus was discovered shortly before this on March 13, 1781. Perhaps our forefathers were waiting for this discovery to design the US seal.
Whether we use the Gemini Rising chart for the US or the Sibley chart with a Sagittarius Ascendant, Uranus forms a close aspect to the US Ascendant, which is one’s identity, be it for an individual or a country.
And a good thing for it because Ben Franklin wanted the national bird to be the wild turkey!
December 12, 2024
CHUCK SCARBOROUGH – Part II
Chuck & Sue
Whatever praise we might pour on Chuck Scarborough for his stellar career in news, he should really be remembered for being the straight man for Sue Simmons, the smart, sassy, light-heartened and foul-mouthed personable part of the news team. From 1980 until 2012, the two of them were the familiar faces and voices for the news for so many New Yorkers….before she was unfairly canned, but that’s a post for a different day.
Sue was born on May 27, 1942 (time unknown), just days before the retrograde station of Mercury in Gemini conjoined with Jupiter. Of course, the Sun was in Gemini and it was conjoined with Saturn and Uranus! With all of her air, no wonder she was such a success in news too, and she shared so many airy conjunction with Chuck, making for a long term team. Her Venus in Aries made for that sass.
Her infamous hot-mike comment to Chuck, “What the fxxk are you doing?” was made when transiting Uranus squared her natal Mercury (oops!), transiting Saturn was square her natal Saturn (oh, well), and Jupiter was stationing retrograde in Capricorn (TMI). She quickly caught it after the commercial break and apologized, but the comment was far more memorable and endearing than the apology.
Not quite Chuck’s 50 years in the same chair, but a nice run all the same. Thanks for the memories!
December 12, 2024
CHUCK SCARBOROUGH – Part I
A Long Time at the Fair
The movie, “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” has to thank the legend of Chuck Scarborough, the real life rigid, self-serious anchorman. He is retiring from NBC local news today after serving for 50 years on the job, not just a job in broadcasting, but being THE anchorman at the news desk for 50 years!
Oh, yes, he has the staying power of a Scorpio, and whether he has a Capricorn Moon or an Aquarius Moon, that also adds to the ability to hold down the fort for such along time. His birth hour is unknown, but his noon chart is presented here. The news shows up through three planets in Gemini — Mars, Saturn and Uranus . The square from Saturn to Venus in Virgo might make for the rigidity and self-serious tones. That Venus also made him a perfectionist and known for being very conscience. The conjunction of Mercury with his Sun adds to his passion for the job.
However, the planets of his start date on the job really tell the story of his longevity. It was March 25, 1974, and he was the last hit of his first Saturn Return! It was also the start of his Mars cycle with a transiting Grand Trine in air — Mars and Saturn in Gemini, Uranus and Pluto in Libra, Venus in Aquarius. Air is news, broadcasting, media, information, communications, etc. And he started the job a day after a propitious New Moon in Aries.
November 28, 2024
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
And the Giving of Thanks!
Of course, the very first Thanksgiving celebration dates back to 1621. Lincoln formalized the holiday in 1863 and FDR set the official celebration on the last Thursday of November in 1942.
However, it was first proclaimed a holiday by Washington for November 26, 1789, in the then-capital of the US, New York. (Noon horoscope show here).
The most interesting factor in this chart is the ingress of Jupiter to Virgo on this day of thanks.
We think of Jupiter as winning the lottery, but it actually has more to do with grace, generosity, inclusion, bounty and blessings. And most of all, Jupiter is gratitude.
Virgo is the sign of the harvest. It is also the sign of service.
Put that all together and you’ve got Thanksgiving as we know it. Jupiter is the Big Guy, i.e., the turkey, and Virgo is all the trimmings.
And more important, follow Jupiter’s beacon of light and give thanks for all you care about, express your gratitude for your blessings, remember to share, and pass the sweet potatoes please.
November 27, 2024
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VERRAZANO
Uh, Verrazzano
The bridge that connects Staten Island with the rest of New York via Brooklyn saw its 60th birthday last week.
It had its first plans as far back as the 1920’s but was set back, canceled and challenged until finally none other than power broker, Robert Moses, drove it to construction. (He who did not even know how to drive, but that’s a post for another day).
According to the New York Times, when the bridge officially opened to traffic at about 3 p.m. George Scarpelli, a 22-year-old employee of the Parks Department, who drove a pale blue Cadillac convertible packed with friends in tuxedos, was the first to cross the bridge and pay the 50-cent toll.
And that was on November 21, 1964.
Since Venus rules bridges, we would expect to see it prominent in the chart, and indeed, it is in Libra opposing the Aries ASC….Aries, the sign of cars.
The prominent Jupiter in the first house and in a Grand Trine with the Capricorn MC and Uranus-Pluto in Virgo accounts for its superlatives, i.e., the longest suspension bridge in the world, which was quite a feat back in the day.
And perhaps the reason why it was “meant” to be is the Yod between the Aries ASC and the Moon in Gemini (the sign of driving) with the apex as the Sun in Scorpio.
That tricky Moon in Gemini might also be responsible for the misspelling of the bridge’s name. The original contacts read Verrazano, when it should have been double RR and double ZZ!
In June 2018, legal moves began to rectify the error. Transiting Uranus, the Great Awakener, was in the process of crossing the ASC, the part of our horoscopes that represents our identities or…..names!
And when transiting Jupiter conjoined the MC and Grand Trine, road signs were first installed.
Happy birthday, Giovanni!
November 25, 2024
RIDLEY SCOTT
One Great Gladiator….or Two
In all transparency, I’ve only seen one film directed by Ridley Scott. That was “Thelma and Louise,” which is probably the least “Scottian” of all his movies. His other more known titles include “Alien,” “Black Hawk Down” and “Gladiator.” And last week brought “Gladiator II,” no real rival for “Wicked,” but threatening to create this season’s “Glicked.”
I have no criticism of his filmmaking; I just don’t prefer his genres. Nevertheless, the director is 87 years old. So, what keeps the director going? His noon chart is shown here; houses are unknown.
Might it is his visionary Sun in Sagittarius increased in strength by the conjunction to the North Node? Or is it the relentless Moon in Scorpio?
Maybe it’s never-ending natal Pluto at the anorectic degree of Cancer, which was just transited by the station of Pluto at 29 Capricorn.
Natal Pluto is also opposed by natal Jupiter, giving him some boundless power and some bounce.
He’s certainly a determined fellow, given his T-square in the fixed signs, namely, Moon in Scorpio in opposition to Uranus in Taurus, and both are square to Mars in Aquarius, the sign of innovation and breaking some rules, as is the style in his movies.
Of course, let’s not forget that Grand Trine in water with Venus in Scorpio, Pluto in Cancer and Saturn in Pisces. Talk about bounce!
And yes, that does mean that he recently completed his third, yes, third, Saturn Return.
Then again, everything is relative. Clint Eastwood is 93 and still making movies!
It’s not about age. It’s about passion.
And it's really all of the above. Nothing is ever one thing in a chart.
November 24, 2024
LUCY & RICKY & SONNY & CHER
When Sonny left Cher flat broke except for only a bunch of dresses and a car, she called Lucy Ball, the only other woman she knew in Hollywood who went through such a nasty end of marriage and business partnership.
And Lucy advised her with a fast answer that begins with F and ends with HIM.
Little did either woman know how similar and well matched their horoscopes were.
Lucy had early Capricorn Rising. Cher has early Cancer Rising.
Lucy’s Moon is in Capricorn in the first house. Cher’s Moon is in Capricorn and it rules her first house.
Lucy has a conjunction between Mars and Saturn in Taurus. Cher is a Taurus.
Lucy has Uranus in the first house. Cher has her Sun in the 11th house.
Lucy has Pluto at 28 Gemini and Cher’s North Node is at 22 Gemini. Who better to advise Cher on power and the money of other people but Lucy!
Talk about good advice on careers, reputations and women making it in a man’s world!
Ricky and Sonny might not have fared as well, but hail the mighty Moon!
November 23, 2024
MALCOLM X
Part I
The other day, the daughters of Black resistance leader, Malcolm X, filed a lawsuit against the NYPD and FBI for the wrongful death of their father.
The ruler of his chart is Saturn and it sits in Scorpio in the 10th house, so he is a figure who does not easily rest in peace. With all due respect, he will come back from his grave many times, and this is a good example of how horoscopes continue to work after the death of the native. His natal chart is shown here.
His current transits include the recent station of Uranus on his Sun, perhaps awakening him from his grave, surprising the public. A more recent station, Pluto at 29 Capricorn, sat in square to his natal Moon in Aries as well as his MC/IC axis, giving a similar interpretation. And the Lunar Eclipse from last September was conjoined his Uranus, the planet of assassination.
The eclipses in the coming year will take place in his 8th house, corroborating the theme of awakening the dead, and surely this lawsuit will go on for a long time.
In his progressions, we see Mercury moving retrograde from 0 Virgo back into 29 Leo in the natal 8th house. And his progressed Venus is in square to his natal Mars, the ruler of the 4th house, end of life.
He was assassinated on February 21, 1965, on a station of Neptune in Scorpio. So, the events of that day were mysterious, maybe hidden and vague. It might take many attempts to determine the complete story of his death.
November 23, 2024
MALCOLM X
Part II
It was the height of the Cultural Revolution when Malcolm X was assassinated, February 21, 1965. Uranus, Pluto and Mars were conjoined in Virgo and opposed to Saturn in Pisces.
This implies his death just saw its second Saturn Return and the recent station of Saturn was opposite the Uranus and Pluto. Perhaps Saturn is trying to bring some clarity to the matter.
The aforementioned chart ruler, Saturn in Scorpio in the 10th house, made him a leader. Mars and Pluto in the 7th house certainly gave him plenty of powerful enemies, but their mutual reception with the Moon in Aries also made him a formidable fighter.
Interesting that the Moon also represents his wife, Betty Shabazz, who fought with him and continued his battle after his death. The Moon conjoins Chiron, emphasizing his leadership as a mentor to younger generations; and it was void of course, so all of it might have come as a surprise to him.
At the time of his death, his progressed Sun conjoined that natal Mars in Cancer, ruler of the IC, end of life. And more significantly, progressed Uranus turned retrograde at his death. All stations make the planet more powerful in meaning. Uranus is most associated with assassination.
By the way, please do not go looking for similar progressions and transits to discover your time of death. As this exercise shows us, our bodies die, but our stories do not.
November 18, 2024
JUST A MATTER OF TIME….LITERALLY
Capricorn is the sign of time, and Pluto really killed it off. From the end of the old 9 to 5 work schedule (thanks to COVID and ZOOM), to all kinds of techniques to reverse the aging process, to kids not bothering to learn history and older people not remembering it, Pluto has transformed how we experience time.
Ironically, in His last full day in Capricorn, we also celebrate the anniversary of the uniformity of time zones in the US. Largely in an effort to organize railroad schedules and better unite the United States, the four time zones of the continental US were formed and put into effect on November 18, 1883, starting at noon Eastern Time. (Chart is cast for the easternmost part of the country).
The two most interesting factors in the chart are the ASC in early Aquarius and Pluto at 0 Gemini.
Everything that Capricorn is, Aquarius restructures, including moving from Local Mean Time to uniformed time zones. Furthermore, that ASC is ruled by Uranus in the 8th house in Virgo, i.e., transformation through organizational systems and promptness.
Gemini is the sign of railroads and ground transportation. Pluto’s ingress to Gemini back then set the stage for a huge expansion in the rail system. Pluto’s ingress also took place in the time of the conjunction phase with transiting Saturn, a/k/a Father Time.
Now, if we can just get the New York City subway system to work on time!
November 14, 2024
JOHN KRASINSKI
The Sexiest Man Alive, Really?
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then perhaps sexiness is too.
John Krasinski was never promoted as a sex symbol, but as of yesterday, “People” thinks he is because he just got voted Sexiest Man Alive, joining the ranks of Brad Pitt, George Clooney and David Beckham.
Maybe that new moon in Libra conjoined Pluto gives him a sweet sex appeal. And it’s in the 5th house of romance. The Gemini ASC lends him his boyish charm. And that Mars in Leo can be playfully sexy. But the Sexiest Man Alive?! Well, Mars is square to Venus and Uranus in Scorpio as well as his chart ruler, Mercury. And the Mars is on the World Axis at 15 Leo.
But it’s really in the Secondary Progressions and Solar Arcs. When the timing is right, anything can happen.
Progressed Mars is just entering the orb of a conjunction with the North Node in Virgo in the 4th house, implying an opposition to his South Node in Pisces in the 10th. So, he’s getting lots of public attention for his masculine energy, especially in photographs.
Similarly, his progressed MC is trine to his natal Mars in Leo.
And the place where we really see it is in that magical 45 degree Solar Arc when everything in the chart hits everything in the chart by a hard aspect and sparks fly! The peak of the midlife crisis! A swan song to youth! Last chance for gas before the tunnel!
There may be no accounting for taste or maybe no accounting for exaggerations, but perhaps there’s something to be said for puppy dog eyes.
November 13, 2024
SAKS 5TH AVENUE
Bah Humbug!
The iconic department store is celebrating its 100th season this year….but not with its traditional light show that has become part of the yearly holiday festivities across the street from the city’s Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center, down the street from St. Patrick’s Cathedral and good ol’ Atlas, and of course, just down the block from holiday show at Radio City Music Hall with the just-as-iconic Rockettes!
Although the store’s management announced it wants to show off its great architecture and facade for the big anniversary, it is pretty well known the profits of Saks have been dwindling since the financial crisis of 2008. Even before then, competitive internet sales did not help their coffers either.
Maybe this is yet another fall of an Old Man with Pluto’s last breaths in Capricorn, but we can see a little more in the actual chart of Saks 5th Avenue shown here.
POW! The store opened on the first day of Saturn in Scorpio, suggesting that iconic status over the years, its reputation for fine goods, and its influence over customers' shopping habits. It also represents the store’s ability to survive the many ups and downs of the world’s financial fluctuations, and its stalwart style. Talk about being a symbol of the Old Man!
Of course, Saturn’s position on the ASC emphasizes the institutional theme. Venus at the MC further explains the elite status of the store. And the Virgo Sun is the fine quality of its goods. Virgo may be humble, but it also knows fine quality. The store was historically known for its salesgirls too, as the staff was called back in the day, and Virgo is the sign of the little people.
What greatly helped the store survive over the decades was its Grand Trine in fire — Moon in competitive Aries, Neptune in royal Leo, Jupiter in worldly Sagittarius.
But leave it to Pluto to bring down the show. The transit is in square to natal Saturn and the ASC, the store's very structure and identity.
And transiting Saturn is conjoining the natal Uranus in the 5th house in Pisces (creativity with colorful lights).
Well, at least the light show went out with a bang last year when it was a fabulous display of the zodiac. An astrologer’s dream!
November 11, 2024
ARMISTICE DAY
On the morning of November 11th in Compiegne, France, an armistice was reached between the Allies and Germany, declaring a cessation to hostilities on the western front effective the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
In the chart shown here, we see some obvious astrological indications of peace….and some lurking indications of war.
Venus, the planet most associated with peace was conjoined the Sun and the highest elevated planet in the chart.
Neptune, the higher octave of Venus, is also an indication of peace on the world stage, and it was stationed retrograde on this day, making it very powerful.
And the Moon was in the humanitarian sign of Aquarius.
Of course, the peace did not last long. The ruler of the chart, Saturn, was lurking in the shadows of the 8th house, a house of mergers….and separations.
Similarly, war would be inevitable again given that this celebration took place in Scorpio, also a sign of mergers….until it’s not.
And Mars, although exalted just moments into the sign of Capricorn AND on the World Axis, was hiding in the 12th house, waiting to explode out.
The war god, Pluto, was staring in the face of the Ascendant too.
Much can be said in these days about freedom and rights, but for this day, let’s say, peace, and thanks to all those who serve and continue to do so.
November 11, 2024
MICHAEL LUTIN
The One and Only!
Although the astrology community has lost one of its brightest stars, his star will still shine bright through all that he left behind. His wonderful books and lectures. His crazy paintings. His outrageous posts. But more important, how he touched our lives with wisdom, wit and humor like no other astrologer ever did. His generosity to his students and colleagues and to the community was immeasurable. His uptown apartment was party central for NCGR and his downtown office was the hub for our library and meetings. We’ll have memories of his UAC performances, his astrological insights into the world and our inner worlds, and of course, those Elizabeth Taylor eyes! . Mikey would have wanted to go out with a bang, so so long as he must go, let be in the final moments of Pluto in Capricorn! Safe journey home, my friend. JM
November 5, 2024
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LADY LIBERTY!
Last week, the Statue of Liberty turned 148 years old right here on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, and considering their synastry, it’s no wonder She has such a deep connection with the US. (Her noon chart is posted here).
She has a block of planets in Libra, the sign of liberty, with Saturn in Cancer, the sign of those looking for a home.
No wonder too why Emma Lazarus’s poem, “The New Colossus,” that Lady Liberty holds, is so apt.
The most noteworthy of those Libra planets is its ruler, Venus. Humanitarian Uranus and Jupiter with His convictions are close runners up too.
Conversely, the US has a block of planets in Cancer with Saturn in Libra. Liberty-loving Venus is one of them and Jupiter is another.
In the astrology of food (and we’re talking about Cancer here), Cancer is the sign of stews as in the melting pot!
And how ironic that She is made of copper, the metal ruled by Venus, the planet most associated with liberty. Did Her designer, Eiffel, know something we didn’t know back then?
November 4, 2024
PLUTO IN CAPRICORN
A Few Last Gasps
Capricorn is the sign of the Old Man. When Pluto went into Capricorn, we saw the deaths of many iconic old men, such as Paul Newman, Walter Conkrite, Merce Cunningham, John Updike and many more. The Oscar winner for Best Picture of that year was “No Country for Old Men.” We also saw the deaths of iconic brands, and not just in the financial industry. GM shut down Pontiac, ironically, the car most associated with young sporty men back in the day. Just as ironic was the shut down of the automaker, Saturn.
And here we are in the last few breaths of Pluto in Capricorn and we see the passage of Quincy Jones; that’s certainly a sad loss for us. However, another “interesting” twist is the bankruptcy of another major American brand, Tupperware.
What makes this a little “interesting” is its founder and inventor, Earl Tupper, sold the company in 1958 when Pluto was at 29 Leo. He died in October 1983 when Pluto was at 29 Libra. And now, Earl is long gone, but the popular company is filing for bankruptcy with Pluto is at 29 Capricorn.
If he was born in the first half of the day, his Mercury would be at 29 Cancer, emphasizing how his mind worked creatively and "creatively."
Although the idea of selling Tupperware through parties hosted by suburban housewives a la the early 1950’s was the brainchild of Brownie Wise, it benefited Earl who was a Leo (the sign of parties) with lots of planets in the sign of Cancer. Shall we say that’s the sign of the housewife? At least back in the 50’s? Maybe it was even a first move toward independence for them, given that Uranus was transiting through Cancer when the marketing idea was launched.
Earl’s noon chart is show here. By the way, when he sold the company in 1958 for $16M, he also divorced his wife and avoided paying taxes by relocating to his own island off Costa Rica! Talk about a Moon in Pisces conjoined Saturn!
November 4, 2024
QUINCY JONES
A Thriller of a Musician!
Quincy Jones collaborated with numerous legendary singers and musicians from Leslie Gore to Frank Sinatra, but none more iconic than Michael Jackson. And no wonder! Their synastry is like a hand in glove. A glitter glove that is!
Just a glance of their synastry shows us the following:
Q’s Venus is on MJs Moon in Pisces, the sign most associated with music.
Q’s Mars is conjoined MJ’s Sun in Virgo, the sign of perfectionism and getting the job done.
Q’s ASC is conjoined MJ’s South Node and Jupiter in Libra, indicating that hand-in-glove experience that often feels like a holdover from a past life.
Q’s natal opposition between Jupiter in Virgo and Venus in Pisces is squared by MJ’s Saturn in Sagittarius, making for the manifestation of talent despite any differences.
Q’s MC is exactly square MJ’s Neptune, indicating the manifestation of creativity in music.
Q’s Mars is conjoined MJ’s Pluto in Virgo, again perfectionism in getting the job done.
And on and on.
Oh, hell, who cares about their synastry. Go listen to the “Thriller” album. If that does not move you to move your body, no greater synastry ever will!
October 31, 2024
HAPPY HALLOWEEN, NEW YORK CITY!
October 30, 2024
FAST FOOD AT MCDONALD’S?
Not So Fast!
McDonald’s has been having a hard time these days, but maybe not as bad as dozens of its customers who ate those E. Coli infused Quarter Pounders.
The noon chart for the founding of Mickey D’s is presented here, and we see transiting Uranus conjoining its Sun. In fact, it includes the Uranus Return. This is making for sudden and unexpected headlines for the fast food giant; but it also indicates the recent “deals” that so many fast food brands are having to offer to keep the customers coming in.
Transiting Neptune is squaring the company’s natal Mars in Gemini. Well, that looks like something fishy is in these burgers!
But the real culprit is Pluto. Even the all-American McDonald Quarter Pounders are not immune from Pluto’s last stand in Capricorn. It’s in opposition to the company’s natal Pluto at 0 Leo and in square to the publicity-hungry Jupiter at 29 Aries.
This isn’t McDonald’s first experience with infected food and it probably won’t be the last, but it’s “interesting” that it coincides with Pluto’s current strangle hold on classic institutions.
To be fair, the real culprit is the onions. But onions are ruled by Pluto!
The solution? Go to Burger King and have it your way! And hold the onions.
October 13, 2024
ETHEL KENNEDY
An Accidental Extrovert
Ethel Kennedy passed away this week after a life of great achievements, great tragedies, and as urban legend has it, not always an easy personality.
However, the striking quality of her horoscope is the conflict between being extremely private and extremely public. In other words, she’s an introverted personality with an extroverted life.
All of her personal planets, with the exception of the Moon, are in the first quadrant, that part of the horoscope that is most private, introverted and under the surface.
The South Node and Saturn, though, are at the MC in Sagittarius. The South Node indicates she’s going to have a broad and public reputation, whether she likes it or not….and she probably won’t.
Similarly, Saturn in so high a position in the horoscope can indicate a responsibility to carry a high status in life, the weight of visibility, and a duty to the public, all of which was true as the wife of RFK and marrying into the Kennedy clan.
These three placements in fiery Sagittarius increase the degree of being “in the public light,” her philanthropy and her work in human rights advocacy.
Who knows what goes on behind the closed doors of the renowned, but with an Aries Sun, which wants so much to be "the captain of its own ship, the master of its own destiny," it could not have been easy to have such a heavy responsibility to public service.
And what is the Moon doing in the 10th house? Answer: 11 children, two of whom died tragically, some of whom had addiction issues, and one of whom was born after her husband’s assassination.
A little privacy is well-deserved.
October 13, 2024
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
Lebron and Bronny James
Last week, for the first time in NBA history, there was a father-son team playing on the same team on the same court together!
And if that was not enough, it was the son’s birthday!
We’re talking about Lebron James and his son, Bronny. (Lebron’s accurate chart is shown here with only a noon chart for Bronny).
Have a feast for yourself with all the synastry ties, but the most interesting one, especially as teammates, is the Grand Square formed by their Suns and Moons!
Lebron has a square between his Capricorn Sun and Aries Moon, while Bronny has a square between his Sun in Libra and his Cancer Moon. And altogether, they form a Grand Square.
Obviously, there could not have been much peace and quiet between father and son during the growing up years, but at least they have a prominent basketball court to express their competitive natures as well as their competitive relationship.
Maybe the trine between their watery Saturns can bring a little harmony, at least where work is concerned.
The only thing that could have been better last week is if they won. Alas, not.
October 9, 2024
WHAT GOES UP…
Razing the Stakes in Vegas
The Tropicana Casino Hotel opened on the Las Vegas Strip on April 4, 1957. (See noon chart here). In its heyday, it was one of the most glamorous resorts on the Strip for the likes of Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor.
Today, it was razed in order to make way for a new sports stadium.
Pluto is currently stationing in Capricorn, so we might see the toppling of a few iconic structures and institutions during these few weeks of its last stand in that sign.
The station is specifically in exact square to the Trop’s Mercury at 29 Aries, but it is within a narrow orb of forming a Grand Square with natal Uranus and Neptune too. Talk about implosions!
Neptune is often associated with Vegas because of its uber-glamour, over-the-top excess, smoke and mirrors, illusion and fantasy, glitter and feathers. Interesting that we see progressed Neptune in its last minutes of Scorpio before retrograding back into Libra. A good and unusual example of the importance of a progressed outer planet.
Saturn’s nearing its station in Pisces perhaps shattering some of those Vegas illusions too especially since it is so close to the square with the Trop’s natal Saturn in Sagittarius, one of the gambling signs.
In turn, Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter; the recent Lunar Eclipse in Pisces fell opposite to it, doing what eclipses do, namely, snuffing out what little life is left.
Another end of an era, one of many, as Pluto digs its heels into Capricorn over the next few weeks.
October 1, 2024
LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY!
The Current Eclipses
In case you’ve been living under a rock, which could be the case since we are in the midst of an eclipse period, the headlines during this period have been very eclipse-ish — Helene and the devastation in its path, the chemical plant explosion near Atlanta making the area toxic, the bombing of Lebanon, the indictments of Sean “Diddy” Combs and Eric Adams, the dock workers strike, and the deaths of Maggie Smith, Kris Kristofferson and Pete Rose among other treasures of great talent.
And we have another 24 hours before the Solar Eclipse occurs with maybe another week or two after then for the stress or calamity to subside! Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
Yes, eclipses make for natural disasters as well as acts against nature. They also make for scandals in the entertainment world and the political; sometimes in our own personal worlds too. They snuff out our “lights,” meaning our favored and dearest stars. They complicate things with unexpected twists and turns; maybe a more apt word is unforeseen, given that eclipses are so much about darkness and not being able to see.
Eclipses can create havoc, heightened pressure and make for over-reactions and impulsiveness. This is true for all of us, not just world figures. So the best thing to do during an eclipse period is wait and see. Get it? Wait….and see.
And by the way, when we're looking to rectify natal charts, as some astrologers might want to for Combs and Adams (whose birth times are not known), eclipse events should always be high on the list of birth time indicators.
September 28, 2024
ATTENTION KMART SHOPPERS!
Kmart is closing the last of its full scale stores next month. Given Kmart caters to a middle income customer who is looking for sales and Blue Light Specials with general products of all kinds, that last store is in the upscale area of Bridgehampton on the east end of Long Island, NY.
Kmart was born out of the Kresge Retail Corporation on January 25, 1962. Noon chart is shown here; opening time is unknown.
Its Aquarius planets (Everyman) as well as a Virgo Moon (affordable and practical) made for its appeal to that customer with department store style, but it could not come back after the fall of the economy in 2008 as well as its late start to online shopping phenomenon even years before then.
It’s plain to see the closing of the last of the large scale stores is due to Pluto’s last stand in Capricorn, i.e., the fall of traditions, and more specifically, the transit of Pluto over Kmart’s natal Saturn (structure).
The announcement came during an eclipse period which often signifies the snuffing out of what has little life left.
Nevertheless, the Kmart brand will still be around, just not the stores. Well, let’s see how long that lasts. The chart indicates a long line of Pluto transits over the Aquarius stellium.
So, make a run for those close-out sales!