Capricorn Ingress chart 2016

Mundane astrology is the art of studying the day to day planetary energies. Hundreds of years ago this was the focus of astrologers much more so than individual readings.

One of the tools used in mundane astrology are the ingress charts, particularly the Capricorn and Libra chart. This is used to predict events for various nations. The Sun enters Capricorn December 21, at 5:45 AM, EST, (Washington, DC)  giving us the Capricorn ingress chart which will be good until the Sun enters Aries March 20, 2017. This is also the Winter solstice.

Looking at the chart Mercury is retrograde so we will be backtracking and re-considering many things as a country over the next months. Mercury is conjunct Pluto at 14-16 degrees in Capricorn in the second house of money. Mercury-Pluto transits can be volatile as we saw on December 19, when the Russian Ambassador to Turkey was gunned down and a truck plowed through a Christmas Market in Berlin, killing 9. Mercury-Pluto transits are intense in nature and promote the spread of propaganda, or ideas people want us to believe, good or bad. Mercury-Pluto can often involve young people, the media and strong ideas and opinions. In the second house, the focus will be on money and business.

Mercury is part of a t-square involving Uranus, Jupiter, Mercury and Pluto. A t-square is a difficult configuration pulling us in many different directions. We may wonder how things got to where they did and what we can do to change them.

The ascendant of this chart is 9 degrees of Sagittarius, the sign of ideas and ideals, and ruler of the ninth house of world view. Mars, at 9 degrees of Pisces squares the ascendant creating confusing issues, images and communication. Mars square the ascendant is conflict prone, and rules guns, young men, terrorist attacks, and Mars is in the third house which governs inland transit, communication, roads, disseminating of information, the internet and neighboring nations. Our infrastructure and waterways are at risk through attacks.

In addition to being conflict prone, this shows a continuation of false information, false news, and incorrect information that can include lies and deception. Mars is conjunct Neptune in a wide orb and this is prone to discouragement, false ideas and lack of clarity with a focus on compassion or religion (of all types).

While in the sign Pisces, Mars can relate to religion on many different levels and we will see extremes. We may see extremes relating to the Christianity, ISIS (ISIS consider themselves religious warriors), and any other form of religion. While we will see extremists, we will also be aware of the good in the world and true compassion. Mars here can be a spiritual warrior or a hopeless warrior pushing a hopeless cause.

The Moon lies in the 10th house at 4 degrees of Libra. The Moon rules the common people, and the 10th house rules the government. This shows an unusual interest and uneasiness in the government by the people. No surprise, as this chart covers the inauguration period. But, the Moon squares the Sun, which rules the head of government, or in the US, the President. As the Sun is square the Moon, this shows conflict between the two, but the Sun sextiles Mars, this also shows an energized US President who is supported by males (Mars) more so than females (the Moon).

Many things will be revealed over the next three months with the powerful t-square in Cardinal signs. These revelations will concern money, the government and the people.

Uranus opposes Jupiter in this chart and freedom is a theme. Many unexpected things, good and bad, can occur and in many ways this is considered a gamblers transit, and people will feel this energy.

Jupiter (ruling Republicans) lies in the 10th house of government in opposition to Uranus in the 4th house of the people. The government may take unexpected turns and unexpected actions. This transit can represent impractical idealism, extravagance, and conflict over money, and a desire to do as it pleases with no restraint. It also shows changes in alliances of foreign partners.

Uranus in the 4th house (the people) shows a populace that wants change, sometimes just for the sake of change. Uranus trines Saturn however, and this will give some stability and Jupiter also sextiles Saturn, which is positive as well and the government will be forced to exercise restraint, likely by Democrats (Saturn rules the Democratic party).

In mundane astrology Uranus rules terrorism, rioting and outbreaks of political tension and explosions. It rules the right in terms of political ideas, and as it opposes Jupiter in the 10th shows the potential for major clashes, attacks or riots concerning the government. It also shows the potential for some type of medical or other breakthroughs.

Venus falls in the second house at 15 degrees of Aquarius and Aquarius rules the collective spirit. This shows us a collective interested in money. Venus here, trines Jupiter in the 10th house (government) and shows us the collective expects the government to deliver the goods relating to jobs and money.

This shows a desire (in the collective) of peaceful resolutions, and we will see high profile relationships and marriages, and high profile artistic endeavors. It is positive for creativity and Venus and Jupiter desire peace (and love).

Mercury retrogrades December 19

Mercury turns retrograde Monday, December 19, at 5:55 AM, EST.

This will be a powerful retrograde as Mercury is conjunct Pluto at 15-16 degrees of Capricorn. This will be especially powerful if you have Cardinal planets (Aries, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn at 14-17 degrees)

Mercury conjunct Pluto means intensified intellectual activity and opinions that can turn vehement at times, and Pluto has an obsessive quality to it. Mercury-Pluto transits can co-inside with finding out additional information as well. At times it can be construed as a 'detective transit,' that is searching for specific answers to a question or problem.

Mercury turns stationary retrograde December 19-20, and then begins its backward motion. On January 5, 2017 it retrogrades back into Sagittarius, where it will turn direct at 28 degrees (of Sagittarius) on January 8.

While 'stationary retrograde,' or even stationary direct, Mercury is at its most frustrating. this is the point where glitches and changes often occur and it may even be hard to think.

Retrograde Mercury is the planet that causes delays, glitches, breakdowns in computers and equipment, relationships, slowdowns and brings hidden factors to the surface. It is however part of a natural cycle, and this period is meant to recess, redo and reconsider plans and situations in our lives.

Plans can be put on hold, miscommunication can occur, relationships can end or change, and cars, computers and other machinery can break down at the most inopportune moment.

When planets retrograde, their effects on humans are different than when in direct motion. Thinking is deeper, situations often appear to go underground for a time, or change altogether, and sometimes our focus shifts. Mercury retrograde is the most talked about retrograde, because it is a fast moving planet that controls our thinking, speech, travel, and cognitive skills.

When Mercury retrogrades, I always tell people, ‘Mercury retrograde is a wild card.” Sometimes, relationships can be fixed and problems brought out into the open if it is worth saving. Sometimes the karma of a relationship will play out as retrograde cycles are karmic in nature.

 Expect delays, changes of plans and try and not have situations set in stone.  In other words, prepare to be flexible.  Mercury retrograde is often a frustrating time to be looking for a job.  Don’t give up though, just keep plugging on and stay on top of all communication. And make sure you are direct and to the point in your communication with others.  If you don’t understand what someone is telling you, by all means ask for clarification.

It is important to understand this process is nothing to fear although it can be maddening.  No is the time to re-access and re-do, not start or buy new things.  This is a natural cycle and more can be gained by going with the flow of it, than by fighting it.

As Mercury is in Capricorn we will be concerned with the basics: business, security, work, home and family, money.

Don't:

-Get married

-Buy a new car

-Buy expensive items or computers

-Paint or re-decorate

-Start new businesses

-Sign documents if it can be avoided

-Start new ventures

DO

-reconnect with those from the past

-Plan and re-access

-reconsider investments, job situations and moves, or anything else

-Clean out closets or anything else

-reconsider alternatives

The time for action will come soon enough after January 8. Then will be the time to put well thought plans into action.

Happy Holidays!

The power and tragedy of fake news stories

This year has seen the rise of fake news stories, disseminated on the internet and through other sources. Many of these stories have appeared on AOL and Facebook, but they are not limited to these sources and can crop up in many places.

The power of lies spread over electronic media was brought to our doorstep with the weekend story of a North Carolina man who opened fire on a Washington, D.C., pizzeria telling police he took to the restaurant with an assault rifle to “self-investigate” Pizzagate — a fake news story about Hillary Clinton that has made its rounds on the Internet.

The 'Pizzagate' lie was promoted by Michael Flynn (Michael Flynn is Donald Trump's pick for National Security Advisor), due to his tweet and Flynn's son over the weekend, which allegedly led to the 'self investigation' of the North Carolina man who entered the pizzeria with a gun to investigate. Thanks to the work of local law enforcement an even greater tragedy was averted, and for this we can be grateful.

To many of us these fake news stories and conspiracies seem incredulous, and it is hard to believe anyone would think they are real. Some of the stories that have crossed the internet have partial truths and some have no truth whatsoever. While the 'Pizzagate' lie has come to national attention, there have been many more fake stories that are equally bad that continue to be spread.

Astrologically this is related to the Saturn-Neptune square that dominated the skies last year and the greater part of this year. While this transit is separating, the affects of a major transit like this will pay out for months and possibly years to come.

Neptune is very powerful in Pisces. Neptune is the planet of illusion, delusion and confusion. It's square to Saturn has been depressing and confusing and typical manifestations of this transit include lies, propaganda, mistruths and confusion.

While fake news stories may exist for some time to come, it is up to us as thinking individuals to debunk them as opposed to believing in baseless conspiracy theories that generate, lies, confusion, fear and events like we saw this past weekend at Comet Ping Pong Pizza in Washington, DC. 

The next time could be so much worse than this. We have been forewarned.

What can you do to combat fake news stories and the fear and lies they generate?

Use snopes or one of the many other de-bunking sites on the internet, and write or call the sources/outlets of the incorrect story. If they get enough emails, they will listen.

Think rationally at all times as opposed to reactionary. You are an educated individual and all education does not come through higher education. Common sense is at a premium these days.

Realize that because it is a politician or public figure who is spreading or promoting conspiracy theories that does not make it right or true. Individuals who spread these stories often have their own personal agenda. Question any politician or public figure who spreads baseless conspiracy theories and check out their facts yourself. We are not in a time, astrologically speaking where we can afford to blindly follow anyone. And remember, the last time we had a mutable t-square, (as we did this summer) Hitler mislead the German people (and the world) and rose to power in the mid 1930's, as I have written about many times.

Do not become part of the problem by spreading lies or untruths, or unsubstantiated stories on Facebook or any other source. Check your facts and then double check them.

Live an honorable and forthright life yourself, most of all. Enough lies, propaganda and mis-information can endanger the very bedrock of Democracy we hold dear.

Full Moon in Gemini: beyond the veil

Our next full Moon occurs Tuesday, December 13th, at  7:05 EST, and falls at 22 degrees of Gemini. The energy of a full moon starts about a week before the lunar event.

Even though this Moon falls in Gemini (ruled by Mercury) this will not be a light full moon as it will oppose Saturn in Sagittarius at 19 degrees, and square Neptune.

This moon creates a t-square between itself (the moon), Saturn and Neptune. T-squares are difficult aspects that often pull us in more than one direction.

Moon-Saturn transits deal with reality based situations, hard work, depression (at times) and often we must look to the bottom line, or the reality of a personal situation. This 'reality' may come through some type of communication with another individual.

At the same time, this Moon will square Neptune in Pisces. Squares to Neptune frequently bring out new information, or previously unknown information, thus the veil of secrecy can drop.

While this may sound negative, the truth will always set you free. With a Moon like this, illusions may be shattered, but illusions are not based on the truth or reality, which is the only thing that will stand the test of time and lead to positive growth.

Here is an example of how this Moon may work: a woman has begun dating a man she feels is perfect for her. She has known him for a month, and at times he seems to disappear or be unavailable, but always has a reason. As this full moon occurs she finds out through mutual friends he has been dating someone else for the past several years.

Now, the above is only an example. New information may be revealed in many different areas of your life, depending on where this full Moon falls.

Our job is to deal with the truth whatever it may be and move on from there. Don't construe this moon as negative- Only the truth will set us free.

 For some, things won't be as dramatic as the above example, and the situation may be smaller. Personal truths may be revealed on many different levels.

As Jupiter will soon sextile Saturn we will be soon coming into a period of time where we can experience stability and growth and many things we have been working on will have an opportunity to come together.