The Reluctant Astrologer » U.S.A.

Downgraded!

Dayel — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 20:37:47 +0000

S&P downgrades U.S. credit rating By Charles Riley @CNNMoney August 6, 2011: 8:13 PM ETNEW YORK (CNNMoney) – Credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s on Friday downgraded the credit rating of the United States, stripping the world’s largest economy of its prized AAA status. more

Significant events appear in a number of ways in an astrology chart, repeating the same themes. (See Double Tragedy in Norway)

One of the most important benefits of being aware of current energies is the opportunity to face the difficulties internally. Just like in an individual’s chart, challenges that are not faced internally manifest physically in the outer world.

This is a truly challenging time for the United States and things are not going to return to the way they once were.

Transit: Saturn Return and Pluto opposite Jupiter/Venus (See
USA Debt Crisis)
Solar Return:
- There is a powerful 4 planet configuration in this year’s Solar Return, situated on the all-important angles… Pluto opposite Venus, Square Saturn, Square Uranus. This shows a year of dramatic, life-changing events and surprises. There is an emphasis on financial issues and values but virtually everything will be affected.
- Solar Return Ascendant is 0 degrees Libra, the same degree and sign of the mid-heaven in the natal chart. This again signifies the importance of this year, particularly USA’s place in the world and it’s reputation.
- The Sun is very important in a Solar Return and, in this case, has only a square to Saturn meaning that the efforts of the president and the government will continue to be stymied.
Secondary Progression:
- The points in a Secondary Progression chart move very slowly with the exception of the Moon which acts like a pointer to signify which part of the chart is particularly active. The Secondary Progressed Moon is 5 Libra so it moves right in to also square Jupiter/Venus.
Solar Arc:
- Pluto in the Solar Arc chart is now the same degree as Neptune in the natal chart. Ideals and beliefs are transformed through dramatic events.
- Pluto in the Solar Arc chart is also now squaring Mars in the natal chart which indicates anger and possible violence.
- This blending of Mars, Pluto and Neptune shows a dramatic need for change but Neptune confuses and disguises. Ego issues seem so important but the discourse has to be lifted above personal concerns or nothing can be resolved and the destructive possibilities inherent in the current energies will explode.

Barack Obama is 50!

Dayel — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:46:25 +0000

Barack Obama’s Solar Return is ruled by a twelfth house Neptune directly opposite Mercury (retrograde!), the planet of communcation.

Neptune is that lovely influence that offers spirituality, creativity, idealism…on one level. On a day-to-day, wordly level, Neptune is illusion and confusion. Buried in the 12th house, it is even more elusive.

This is not the Solar Return that I expected to see for the year of what is sure to be a vicious presidential campaign year. Obama will have a difficult time communicating and being understood about practical matters although he may reach new highs in speeches that inspire. Fortunately, the Neptune effects are strongest for the next 5 weeks – which coincides nicely with the holiday period. It is perfect time for lying on the beach and communing with the sea!

Aspects:

Pluto is still in Capricorn, still presenting challenges for all governments. Right now, Pluto is square Uranus and opposite Mars indicating a period of increased stress. The year will be full of dramatic surprises.

Most of the other aspects in the Solar Return show pleasant aspects. Again, not what I was expecting considering the year that Obama is facing.

USA Debt Crisis

Dayel — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 20:02:58 +0000

There are two critical transits affecting the United States right now:

A – Saturn Return – Saturn takes 27 to 20 years to orbit and has, since early 2010, been hovering around Saturn in the USA chart.
Saturn transits, particularly the Saturn return, represent exactly what has been created on the physical plane. This is reality with a capital ‘R’ and the effects will be felt for another month.
A Saturn transit feels heavy and even depressing. It is not possible to lapse into false optimism. The gift of a Saturn transit is that you can see very clearly what needs to be adjusted.

Saturn squares the Sun in the USA ‘birth’ chart so there is almost a doubling of the effect and a dampening effect on everyone, particularly the leadership.

Saturn brings up unresolved issues from the past and presents another opportunity to make corrections.

From Astrological Musings! by Lynn Hayes:
The last US Saturn Return occurred in 1981-1982. Ronald Reagan was president, and his hardline posturing (Saturn) in the world (tenth house) created new alliances (Libra) with the new Russian leader Gorbachev. Although he had signed the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, reality (Saturn) set in under the US Saturn return in 1982 and he was forced to admit that the nation was in a recession, and that balancing the budget was “not possible.” As transiting Saturn made an exactly conjunction to the US Saturn, unemployment reached a six-year high and Reagan’s promises of a balanced budget were deemed by his own Budget Director to be a “rosy scenario.”

B – Pluto Opposite Venus/Jupiter:
Pluto’s orbit is approximately 250 years. Its effect on any point in a chart lasts for a period from one to three years and represents a ‘death and rebirth’ process that eliminates structures that are no longer working and plants the seeds for dynamic new growth.
Pluto transits, particularly the opposition, involve power struggles and a period of severe testing. Pain is caused by trying to maintain old patterns instead of harnessing the powerful energies that are currently available to make exciting transformations.
The Venus/Jupiter part of the opposition shows what areas will be affected. Venus represents what you love, value and possess. Pluto opposite Venus is often a time of dramatic changes to financial conditions. Pluto opposite Jupiter is often a period of legal struggles.

Reprint: Anderson Cooper (from July, 2010)

Dayel — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:14:40 +0000

I first looked at AC’s chart when he was covering the oil spill in the Gulf and I worried about his personal health. Now again, and in the period covered by the same Solar Return, he is in a perilous situation with the possible nuclear fallout problems in Japan.

Anderson Cooper is a Gemini. He is endlessly curious and a great communicator. The fine-boned, youthful appearance, often associated with Gemini, works very well on television.

Mercury (the planet that rules Gemini) is in Cancer. It is impossible for AC to separate heart from head which makes him such a soulful communicator.

Mercury sits in the Ninth house, which rules those things that expand the mind — other countries, nationalities, religions, higher education — and indicates a perpetual student and explorer. (full chart)

AC’s ascendant is in Libra so he approaches new situations with a desire to be pleasant and diplomatic.

The question raised in the last blog was whether Anderson Cooper is in danger now because of the time spent near the gulf where airborn pollutants are reported to be at dangerous levels.

These pollutants would be represented by Neptune and Pluto.

Neptune, in AC’s Solar return, is conjunct the ascendant and opposite Mars, which is an indication of possible threat. It is six house/twelfth house so it involves that-which-is-hidden and work and health issues.
His secondary progressed Moon is conjunct his natal Neptune. This is a time of extreme sensitivity; both emotionally and to everything in the environment.
His Solar Arc Neptune is opposite his Mercury — a creative, sensitive, inspirational time that may also be confusing.
Solar Arc Saturn opposite his Neptune represents physical reality vs. dreams and illusions.
AC also has Pluto opposite Mercury. In most people, Pluto opposite Mercury in a period of time when what you think and communicate is strongly challenged, often forcing a whole new direction in interests. With AC, it is that and, because Mercury rules his Gemini Sun, it is also a personal challenge. (Any Pluto transit demands that you become stronger than you ever thought you wanted to be!)

All of these current influences are once-in-a-lifetime (except secondary progressed Moon which is once in approximately 30 years). All of them are potentially life-changing and all of them indicate this is a period of vulnerability.

Happy Birthday Mr. Obama

Dayel — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 22:36:09 +0000

It is going to be a challenging year.

By the numbers:

Obama is in the Seventh year of a Nine Year Cycle. This means that he is gearing up for a year of challenge for those things that he began seven years ago.

The year-to-year influence changes on the birthday and Obama’s changes from an Eight (power) to a One (leadership). With the quiet first half of a Seven Year over, he will undoubtedly take a more active role in promoting those things he wants to do.

Barack Obama has a Two Destiny which means he wants to work with others rather than charge ahead on his own.

BTW: In a study of all the US presidents, I was surprised to find that the most common numbers in either Destiny or Personality were the Two (co-operation) and the Nine (altruism) rather than the One (leadership) or the Eight (power).

Obama’s Method of Approach — which is how he uses his Destiny and Personality numbers — is the Three. Not surprisingly, the Three is the number of communication and charisma.

By astrology:

Obama’s Solar Return has 22 degrees Virgo on the Ascendant which is the same degree as his Natal Mars — a sign that he has to be physically careful in the year ahead.

The Sun rules the Solar Return and this year the Sun has no aspects. It is more difficult to connect with others this year.

Mercury, the ruler of the Solar Return, is buried in the Twelfth house so Obama’s communication skills may not work as well for him at this time. There may also be a lot going on behind the scenes, even secret challengers.

Pluto, the most powerful planet, is square Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and is inconjunct the Moon. Everything is challenged and everything changes.

The surprising thing about Obama’s current aspects and progressions is that there is a lot of stress regarding his marriage.

In the Solar Return (Jupiter, Uranus in the marriage house opposite Venus, Saturn, Mars and square Pluto, North Node.)
Secondary Progression (the chart wherein the Moon is most significant) has the Moon opposite Pluto and the Moon represents emotional matters and women.
Solar Arc Progression – has the fifth degree of Cancer on the Descendant, a point very significant regarding important others especially marriage partners. The Sabian Symbol for this degree is “At A Railroad Crossing, An Automobile is Wrecked By A Train” . Over the years, I have noted this degree many times when are uninvited changes.
Transit – Uranus/Jupiter opposite Saturn/Mars, all square Venus, the traditional ruler of love and relationship and ruler of Obama’s marriage house.

Anderson Cooper

Dayel — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:57:01 +0000

Anderson Cooper is a Gemini. He is endlessly curious and a great communicator. The fine-boned, youthful appearance, often associated with Gemini, works very well on television.

Mercury (the planet that rules Gemini) is in Cancer. It is impossible for AC to separate heart from head which makes him such a soulful communicator.

AC’s ascendant is in Libra so he approaches new situations with a desire to be pleasant and diplomatic.

The question raised in the last blog was whether Anderson Cooper is in danger now because of the time spent near the gulf where airborn pollutants are reported to be at dangerous levels.

These pollutants would be represented by Neptune and Pluto.

Neptune, in AC’s Solar return, is conjunct the ascendant and opposite Mars, which is an indication of possible threat. It is six house/twelfth house so it involves that-which-is-hidden and work and health issues.
His secondary progressed Moon is conjunct his natal Neptune. This is a time of extreme sensitivity; both emotionally and to everything in the environment.
His Solar Arc Neptune is opposite his Mercury — a creative, sensitive, inspirational time that may also be confusing.
Solar Arc Saturn opposite his Neptune represents physical reality vs. dreams and illusions.
AC also has Pluto opposite Mercury. In most people, Pluto opposite Mercury in a period of time when what you think and communicate is strongly challenged, often forcing and whole new direction in interests. With AC, it is that and, because Mercury rules his Gemini Sun, it is also a personal challenge. (Any Pluto transit demands that you become stronger than you ever thought you wanted to be!)

The Dangers in the Gulf —or Sometimes the Wrong Chart Will Give You the Right Information

Dayel — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:46:07 +0000

I was listening to a discussion on Coast to Coast between George Noory and Richard C. Hoaland on the situation in the gulf and how perilous it has become:

Dangerous chemicals being released into the air
Danger of a catastrophic methane explosion which could result in massive tsunamis.

The problem is that reliable, timely, data is not being released.

Naturally, I turned to astrology.

Sometimes the wrong chart…

There have been a very small handful of times in the past 30+ years that the wrong chart has produced the right answer.

The first time it happened was back in the days when preparing a chart took an hour or so of math. One evening, I remember wondering about some issue and preparing a chart for clarification. The result was crystal clear and everything fell into place even though it was very clear the next morning that I had made an obvious math mistake and the chart was just simply wrong.

The next time it happened wasn`t my mistake but a client bringing me the wrong time re her birth data. We did a full consultation which seemed to go well. The following week she called me back to say that she realized we had used the wrong time and she wanted to come back to see the few things that would change with the slight change in time.

There was only one thing that changed significantly and that was Mars moving into the Fourth house which, when badly aspected as this was, may be a sign of childhood abuse in the home. It turned out that, in the week between readings, the client had admitted to herself for the first time that she had been abused as a child.

I mention these two situations because every time I have tried in the past couple of days to produce my usual natal and solar return chart for the USA for this article, last year`s solar return would pop up somehow. (Once, instead of USA chart and 2010 solar return, I got two 2009 returns.) At first, I blamed it on the heat and the heavy Neptune influence I am experiencing but I eventually decided that it keeps popping up because it is still very significant.

Last year`s SR clearly showed the danger with the ruler of the chart, Mars, square Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter. This year`s SR has stresses and danger points but they are not as obvious with the ruler of the chart, the Moon, trine Venus — a very pleasant aspect. The people are happy.

It was clear that I shouldn`t rely on the Solar return as much as I have come to do with other matters — so I looked further:

Current transits – Jupiter squaring Pluto and both of them forming a t-square with USA Venus affecting wealth etc. but also (because of placement and rulerships etc) America`s appearance and position in the world.
Secondary progression – Moon (always the influence to watch as it moves quickly – a degree per month) conjunct Neptune in the natal chart. Neptune rules the ocean as well as oil and gases. It also rules fantasy, deceit and deception.
Solar Arc progression – another t-square as the Pluto-Vertex opposition in the natal chart has moved to square Mars, a volatile influence.

Back to the top…
Anderson Cooper`s name came up several times in the radio conversation that started this train of thought — as in`Anderson Cooper is risking his life by being there and breathing in that stuff`—so the next blog will be about AC …

Al and Tipper Gore – Going their separate ways after forty years

Dayel — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 19:26:40 +0000

How does a couple that has been married for over forty years decide to divorce?

THE BIRTH CHARTS

Both of the Gores are currently experiencing dramatic transits that affect their relationship:

Al Gore has Pluto conjunct his Moon, an influence that occurs once in 248 years. This is a powerful period of emotional rebirth and, since the Moon represents all we are at a core level, many things in Al Gore’s life will change, particularly his relationship with women, his home, and what he needs for emotional comfort.
Tipper Gore’s Seventh or relationship house is ruled by Saturn. This means that there were karmic conditions connected to her choice of marriage partner. Neptune is now opposite Saturn in her chart, a once-in-84-year influence that ‘dissolves’ these conditions. This is ultimately freeing but can be very disorienting as Saturn feels like our realty .

THE RELATIONSHIP

The relationship chart is the chart created for the mid-point in time and space between the two natal charts and can be used for timing events, just as each individual chart can be used.

Before going retrograde, Pluto had moved to oppose Mercury in the relationship. In this case, Mercury not only represents communication, but both rules and occupies the Seventh or relationship house.
The Solar Return for the relationship has Pluto on the Nadir, squaring the ascendant/descendant and opposing the mid-heaven, indicating a transformation of literally everything in the relationship.
Just in case there is any doubt, Uranus, the planet that also represents dramatic transformation is on the descendant of the Solar return, square the mid-heaven/nadir and opposite the ascendant, again changing literally everything in the relationship.
A point of interest that perhaps only astrologers will find fascinating is that the ascendant, descendant, mid-heaven and nadir are all ’0′ degrees of a cardinal sign. It truly is time for new beginnings!

The relationship that the Gore’s have experienced to this point is over. It needs to re-form, encapsulating all of the new energies in each of them and in the relationship itself.

Two Disasters

Dayel — Tue, 25 May 2010 21:38:10 +0000

The oil rig explosion, fire and sinking is part of Pluto opposite Venus and Jupiter in the USA chart. (see below)

How do I know for sure? In 1989, when the Exxon Valdez spilled millions of gallons of crude oil, Uranus was 5 degrees Capricorn and, in 2010, when the Louisianna off-shore rig exploded, killing 11 men and opening a crude oil geyser that may never be capped, Pluto was the same 5 degrees Capricorn.

That is a pretty big ‘coincidence’ since the Uranus cycle is about 84 years and the Pluto cycle about 248 years.

What does it mean? Uranus is shake-up and Pluto is transformation. Both were in America’s Second (money) house and opposed Jupiter and Venus. America has to decide what she really values and insure her laws and resources reflect those values.

Pluto and the Recession (originally posted in February, 2009

Dayel — Thu, 06 May 2010 22:33:52 +0000

(I am reposting this article now as Pluto is once again opposite America’s Venus and Jupiter, indicating major financial transformation through chaos.)

Pluto is in Capricorn until 2024 and, in that time, many things that we thought were permanent will be transformed.

THE US
Pluto is opposite America’s Venus and Jupiter until late 2011. This means that those things ruled by Venus and Jupiter will go through a dramatic transformation.

Venus — women’s issues, marriage, the arts, peace, diplomacy, what we value and possess.
Jupiter — religion, law, national justice system, national inquests, nation’s wealth, banks and bankers.

Pluto has been travelling through the First house of America’s birth chart since September 11, 2001 and will be until 2016. The First House represents the ‘personality’ and America has already gone through a few personal transformations. To intensify this, Jupiter is America’s ‘ruling planet’. So, Pluto is in the House that represents the personality of the country and is opposite the planet that also represents personality.

Part of the US personality going through a major transformation is the part that is free enterprise, unbridled capitalism and profit-centered.

CANADA

Like the US, Canada is a Cancer nation and Pluto, in the opposite sign of Capricorn, indicates huge changes are in store.

So far, Canada’s banking system has not been as badly hit by the recession as the American banks. Yesterday, the Royal Bank reported earnings of $1 billion for the quarter, a slide of 15 % but still a profit.

The planets hit by Pluto in Canada’s chart for the next couple of years are:

Moon — the people
Uranus — freedom issues, rebellion, separation, individualism
Sun — the Prime minister, national leaders and heroes

Right now, Pluto’s current location shows the powerful effect of the US. (Pluto in Third house)

For the next several years, land, land changes, territorial issues, natural resources will be major transformative issues for Canada.

Pluto moves into Capricorn on November 26 (published November 24, 2008)
The transit of Pluto from one sign to another is very significant. Pluto is the planet that brings dramatic transformation to the areas that it ‘rules’.

Individuals born with Pluto in each sign grow up to continue the transformation process:

Pluto in Leo: 1939 to 1956

children – inner child, child abuse, children’s rights

individual – civil rights, women’s liberation

ego – paradigm shift from ‘you’re getting too big for your britches’ to ‘be all that you can be’.

teenagers

Pluto in Virgo: 1956 to 1972

analytical ability – computers

health and healing – health foods, new age healing, drugs

Common market, free market

‘Nanny state’, ‘for your own good’

Pluto in Libra: 1972 to 1984

relationships – focus away from the individual to shared goals, responsibities and methods of relatin

marriage and divorce

paradgm shift from ‘living in sin’ to ‘common-law’

Pluto in Scorpio: 1984 to 1995

Looking Back at Pluto in Scorpio

Pluto in Sagittarius: 1995 to 2008

Pluto, 911 and the USA

Pluto and Sports

Pluto and Truth

Pluto in Capricorn (first published December, 2007)

…..On January 25, 2008, Pluto enters Capricorn for the first time in 245 years. It will slip back into Sagittarius from June to November, 2008 and then remain in Capricorn until 2024.

…..Capricorn represents the physical manifestation of the dreams, philosophies, creativity, and ambitions of the other 11 signs.

…..Capricorn represents structure, those things that appear permanent and what we understand our physical world to be.

…..Capricorn is mountains, concrete, land masses, national governments, monuments, large corporations, banks, prisons, economic systems.

…..The last Capricorn in Pluto period (1762 – 1778) included the American Revolution, the beginning of the Industrial revolution, the perfection of the steam engine,the discovery that air consists mainly of oxygen and nitrogen and the *discovery* of Tahiti, Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia by James Cook.