Mountain Astrologer 2020 4

AUG. / SEPT.
2020 — 3
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Letter from the Editor
Dear Readers:
As I write this letter, the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 has just surpassed
Eileen Mello 100,000 and the #BlackLivesMatter movement is in the national spotlight as
Editor never before. Please know that TMA’s hearts and minds are with each of you
during this profound turning point for our nation and the world. We extend our
heartfelt condolences for the unique losses everyone has endured as the world
around us staggers. We also recognize that you have given us a considerable op-
portunity to continue performing meaningful work on your behalf. Thank you.
Because we understand that our world has been shaken like a souvenir
snow globe, we have brought you empowering feature articles. Leading finan-
cial astrologer Christeen Skinner offers expert advice so that you may more
skillfully navigate the market volatility. The formidable Bill Meridian also joins
us for a global view with special emphasis on the world-point axis and the De-
cember 2020 Jupiter–Saturn conjunction. In “The Astrology of Epidemics and
Pandemics,” European astrologer Ema Kurent highlights the major aspects of
Neptune–Pluto and Neptune–Saturn in longitude, declination, and latitude and
what they portend for our future.
Speaking of — we can all feel that this current time, marked by the con-
junction of Saturn–Pluto, is fraught with peril and fear; that our individual and
collective rebirthing processes will be long and arduous. We’ve sustained “pro-
longed exposure” to the unenviable traits of the so-called great malefics. Yet,
there is good fortune to be mined if we are willing to embrace the challenges
of the times.
Thus, I invite you to consider the benefits of employing a richer, more nu-
anced perspective of these powerful archetypes. Wonder Bright, TMA’s new
columnist, presents “Traditional Astrology in a Modern Practice: Working with
the Malefics” — a humorous, thought-provoking take on Mars and Saturn that
will certainly broaden your outlook.
From my vantage point, Saturn and Pluto are not (only) the harbingers of
this bleak moment, but also the stalwart friends guiding us through the transition
so that we can reach our greatest potential. Perhaps if we embrace a more holis-
tic approach to all the planets — regardless of their malefic or benefic characteri-
zations — we will find ourselves closer to the sustainable future we envision.
Our hope at TMA is that you find a few quiet moments to decompress by
immersing yourself in the expert astrology presented here. I suggest a nice cup
of tea to accompany the delightful dialogue between Wynne Jordan and es-
teemed author and professor Sue Tompkins.
In other news, since joining The Mountain Astrologer team last Decem-
ber, I have exchanged greetings with dozens of our lovely readers. (We are
also pleased that this will be the third issue reaching former Dell Horoscope
subscribers!) Thank you for your encouragement, your feedback, and for
your community. Astrology is one of the great blessings of life, and regard-
less of our individual differences, we find commonality within our pursuit of
its mystical wisdom.
Happy reading and ciao for now.
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 5

Contents
THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER } AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2020 } ISSUE 212
21 } Astrology of Epidemics and Pandemics

by Ema Kurent
40 } A Conversation with Sue Tompkins
by Wynne Jordan
In this history-rich piece, Ema Kurent goes beyond Jordan delivers an engaging interview with celebrated U.K.
zodiacal degree (longitude) to present a case that the rarer astrologer Sue Tompkins, a distinguished professor and
measurements of declination and celestial latitude offer a international best-selling author of Aspects in Astrology and
clear outline for predicting future epidemics and pandemics. The Contemporary Astrologer’s Handbook.
29 } The Pluto Killer and

His Hunt for Planet Nine
46 } Financial Trends
August and September 2020
by Deborah McMahon by Christeen Skinner
McMahon weaves a captivating story about Professor Mike We have all been impacted by 2020’s “Great Financial
Brown — the astronomer who discovered Eris and “demoted” Reset.” That’s why TMA asked preeminent financial
Pluto — and poses important questions about astrology’s astrologer Christeen Skinner to identify potential trends
response to our burgeoning outer solar system. for the next three months, including a stocks
investment overview.
36 } Looking Beyond the Horoscope:

Incorporating Synchronicity into our
Interpretations
52 } Global Scan
by Bill Meridian
by Ray Grasse Upon reader request, we have brought you an article
In this thought-provoking read, Grasse illustrates how from acclaimed mundane astrologer Bill Meridian
the language of synchronicity and specific instances of featuring special emphasis on the phenomena
“meaningful coincidence” can augment our understanding energizing the 0° Cancer–Capricorn axis.
of individual horoscopes.
Student Section Forecasts ®
9 Charts in the News 57 Horoscopes for the

Volume 33, No. 5
commentary by Elisabeth Grace Twelve Signs
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AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 7

Dear TMA: Editors’ Response:
The article, “The Eastern Window: Thanks for writing us with your
Adam Schiff’s Peanut Butter Sandwich,” thoughts. We always appreciate receiv-
in the April/May 2020 issue of The ing reader feedback. The magazine’s
Mountain Astrologer, presents many role is to be a resource and to provide
positive aspects found in Schiff’s chart. a forum for the global astrological com-
However, this is misleading as it does munity. The opinions and philosophies
not present a balanced interpretation. expressed by the authors are not nec-
Ms. Farrow totally disregards the Mars– essarily a reflection of those held by the
Neptune opposition, Jupiter opposite publisher or the staff. Likewise, TMA
Sun and Venus, and Saturn opposite earned its reputation, in part, because
Ascendant. The Mars–Neptune aspect is we scrupulously fact check and do our
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Dear TMA: public office who is expected to uphold untrustworthy sources.
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8 — THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER

Charts in the News
with commentary by Elisabeth Grace
Jacinda Ardern Compliments of:
Astrologer Linda Kaye
Natal Chart 916-730-6805
Jul 26 1980, Sat
12:00 pm NZT -12:00
Hamilton, New Zealand
37°S47' 175°E17'
Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern, July 26, 1980; birth time
Geocentric
Tropical unknown (noon NZT used); Hamilton, New Zealand (37°S47',
Placidus
Mean Node 175°E17'); source: AstroDatabank (https://www.astro.com).
As I write this column on May 27, New Zealand’s prime min-
27° ƒ 04'
ister has plenty to smile about. From today’s news: “New Zealand
07' 05° Discharges Last COVID-19 Patient; No New Cases in Five Days.”1
23°
„ ¸ º ƒ 10'
Under Jacinda “Jaz” Ardern’s formidable leadership, her country’s
É 03° 15°
20° „ ƒ
triumph over COVID-19 has been one of the rare, bright stories in
46'
½ „
56'
09' 44'
» 12° this global catastrophe.
10°
… ¾ …
27'
Œ
10 9 ‚
22°
‚ Like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lucille Ball, and Napoleon, Ardern
23° 05'
28° … 57'
is a Leo (see Chart 1, at left), driven by an enterprising Capricorn
¼ 08° 28' 11 8
† Á 19° 45' † Moon. It’s notable that her Leo Sun is unaspected (or “feral”), sug-
† 10'
gesting that in her earlier years she may have felt like a misfit,
12 7
14°
Chart 1: 54' Ý 17° Â
14° even though she needed to march to the beat of her own drum.2
‡ Ý Leo Sun with Capricorn Moon combines the energy of ego
37' 30'Œ Jacinda Ardern 37'
¿ 21° ‡ 1 6
recognition with a need for practical executive action, as in “no
Ü fooling around.”3 We saw her no-nonsense executive authority in
Œ
2 5 March of 2019, just one week after a lone gunman killed 51 peo-
12° 15' 46'
ˆ 3 4 ple in two Christchurch mosques. Assault weapons were banned.
ˆ 20° Œ ‹
57' À 10' 56' 28° Boom. Just like that. With her Mercury square Pluto, we can ap-
Š
‰
10° 20° preciate how her mindset (Mercury) could be perceived as forceful or
05° ¶ Ê 07'
extreme. With her Mars in Libra, we can see her need to assert herself
‰ 10' 23°
Š as a warrior — for peace. Toss her Capricorn Moon into the mix and
27° ‰ 04' we have a wide t-square, supporting her need to make things happen
— in words and in deeds.
All charts use Placidus houses One year later, on March 14, her response to COVID-19 was
and the Mean Node. equally strict and effective. “We must fight by going hard and by go-
ing early,” she stated.4 This tough-as-nails social expression reflects
her Venus–Saturn square, though Neptune’s opposition to Venus (all
three form another t-square) adds idealism and empathy. New Zea-
land’s lockdown may have been the strictest in the world, but Ardern
made two exceptions quite clear: The Easter Bunny and the Tooth
Fairy were absolutely, positively “essential workers.” Her compassion-
ate handling of the crisis won hearts around the world.5
Ardern’s Leo North Node is squared by Uranus, which makes
a modern psychological astrologer wonder how Ardern’s indepen-
dence may have been usurped in her early home life, likely by a
maternal influence. How will a need for freedom to be her unique
With Ardern’s self play out in her relationships? Ardern is the third woman to be-
Mercury square Pluto, come New Zealand’s prime minister — that’s not unique — though
at age 37, she was the youngest. She was also unmarried and preg-
we can appreciate how nant, becoming only the second elected world leader to give birth
her mindset (Mercury) while in office (the first was former Pakistani Prime Minister Bena-
zir Bhutto; Ardern’s daughter happened to be born on Bhutto’s
could be perceived as birthday). She became engaged to partner Clark Gayford last year
but has no plans to set a wedding date — at least not until after the
forceful or extreme. September election.6 Perhaps she’s still feeling the need for indepen-
dence suggested by the past three squares to her Sun from transiting
Uranus between May 2019 and February 2020.
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 9

Charts in the News Without a confirmed birth time, our forecasting abilities are limited.
New Zealand astrologer Graham Ibell has proposed a rectified birth time
of 1:59 p.m., giving Ardern a 19° Sagittarius Ascendant, with natal
Neptune–Venus almost exactly on the Ascendant–Descendent axis,
squared by natal Saturn. Neptune conjunct a Sagittarius Ascendant cer-
tainly could reflect her dazzling projection of optimism, tempered by the
gravitas of Saturn’s square.
What do you think? What we can see with certainty in the short-term
future is that Solar Arc (SA) Jupiter conjoins Pluto in late October, and
this is in effect now through the rest of the year. This suggests a continu-
Compliments of:
Little Richard
Natal Chart
Dec 5 1932, Mon
ing expansion of power and resources for Prime Minister Ardern.
916-730-6805
2:50 pm EST +5:00
Macon, GA
32°N50'26'' 083°W37'57''
Geocentric Richard Wayne Penniman (aka “Little Richard”), December 5,
Tropical
Placidus 1932; 2:50 p.m. EST; Macon, GA (32°N50', 83°W38'); C: accuracy in
Mean Node
question; statement made by mother in biography.
Dominant patterns in early May included transiting Venus square
16° ‰ 50'
Neptune, transiting Sun sextile Neptune, as well as trines between transit-
57' 24°
11°
Š ¾ ˆ 10' ing Mercury and Jupiter–Pluto. Stories of magic, music, and rose-colored
01° fantasies, along with boundary-pushing thinking, were sure to make news.
Š ¸ In eleven years of blogging about the astonishing synchronicity of plan-
21'
19' 13° º 29°
ˆ 10° etary patterns and the headlines, I’ve noticed that even the obituar-
‹ É 29' ˆ ‡
ies reflect current patterns. “Little Richard, flamboyant rocker who
10 9
14° 12° 48' 33'
‹ Œ
¶ 24° 17'Œ 11 8
fused gospel fervor and R&B sexuality, dies at 87”7 was published
‹
00'
on May 9, with a Sagittarius Moon activating his Mercury–Neptune
10° »
50' ‡
27° ¿ 19° Ü
12 7
27° square. Coincidence or conspiracy?
Ü
40'Œ
Chart 2: † “Little Richard” Penniman was a Sagittarius, driven by an im-
01'
1
Little Richard 6
01' pressionable Pisces Moon. (See Chart 2, at left.) This combination
suggests an immersion in matters of the higher mind, e.g., phi-
12'Œ 33'
25°
Ý
2 5
Œ
17'
…
21° losophy and religion — the bigger and more beautiful, the better!
29° Â 10' …12° ½ 21' “Bigger” is reflected by his Jupiter–Moon opposition; Jupiter needs
45' …
… 10° Ê …
3 4
Ý to expand whatever it touches.
Sir Thomas 33' Moore Œ
09° À 14° Compliments of:
Natal Chart 06' ¼ 916-730-6805 Mars–Neptune–South Node in the 5th house can be a powerful and
Apr 30 1920, Fri
ƒ
12:00 pm BST -1:00
Keighley, England 23°
charismatic performer in all areas of creative expression. It’s supported
53°N52' 001°W54'
Geocentric
Tropical
24°
‚ 10' Á „
57'
by a sextile from Venus in Scorpio, adding depth and substance to the
11°
Placidus
Mean Node
Virgo Mars–Neptune’s need for sublimely perfect action. Mars–Neptune
16° ƒ 50'
squares the boundary-pushing needs of Sun–Mercury in Sagittarius. Mars
in hard aspect to Sun–Mercury is a statement of high energy. Neptune in
22° Ü 53'
42'
Ý
21°
hard aspect to Sun–Mercury could reflect mystery, glamour, illusion, un-
‚ ¸ » º Â ‹ 58' certainty, and/or idealism.
03° Ê
22°16°08°
16°09°
Ü Ü Ü Little Richard made it on to the Billboard charts in the fall of 1955.
Ý Ý
00' 47' 32' 04'19' The song was “Tutti Frutti,” and Billboard called it “a cleverly styled
25' 29°
ƒ Á
Œ
¿ Š novelty with nonsense words.”8 Oh, dear Billboard. With transiting
05° 10 9 05°
13° ƒ
59' 00'
‹ 53' Neptune opposing Little Richard’s Ascendant and all the other Nep-
tune patterns in his natal chart, “Tutti Frutti’s” nonsensical lyrics were
11 8
deliberately unclear. The song was about “raucous sex,”9 with pre-
À 08° „ 46' 12 7
cise details a matter of debate,10 as was Little Richard’s sexuality. At
13°
½ 09° „ 09'
Chart 3: 13°
„ Captain Š one point, he referred to himself as “omnisexual,” attracted to men
13'
1 Sir Tomas Moore 6
13'
29° …
Œ
51'
2 5
25'
Little Richard made it on to the
04°
Billboard charts in the fall of 1955. The
3 4
„ ¾ ‰
53' Œ Œ 13°
55' 00'
song was “Tutti Frutti,” and Billboard

33'
† ‡
†
09° 16°
27°
21°
… 58' ¶ ¼ É
03°
ˆ
42'
called it “a cleverly styled novelty with
‡
22° † 53'
nonsense words.”
10 THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER STUDENT SECTION

and women; at another point, he denounced homosexuality as be extremely fulfilling to his people-pleasing Libra Moon to
“unnatural.”11 be so popular at this time. A Solar Arc between his Sun and
It’s fascinating to see how much of Little Richard’s life ex- the North and South Nodes — exact in October — suggests
perience reflected Neptunian themes. His father sold bootleg strong potential for public recognition. His knighthood is just
whiskey. He sang in gospel churches. He abandoned his rock one of many honors he’s received, including promotion and
and roll career in 1957, becoming an ordained minister and birthday cards from over 150,000 fans.17
traveling evangelist. “For the rest of his life,” says the New What do you have scheduled in your horoscope on your
York Times, “he was torn between the gravity of the pulpit 100th solar return?
and the pull of the stage.” In the 1970s, he battled drugs and
alcohol and became a Bible salesman.12 References and Notes
Add the mask of a pioneering Aries Ascendant, ruled by (All URLs were accessed in June 2020.)
that bedazzled Mars. Consider that Uranus and Pluto square 1. https://www.ibtimes.com/coronavirus-update-new-zealand-discharges-last-
the Midheaven and Ascendant, respectively. Uranus in hard covid-19-patient-no-new-cases-5-days-2983698
aspect to an angle suggests disruption and innovation; Pluto 2. Wikipedia notes that Ardern was raised in a Mormon household; she has
in hard aspect to the angles suggests an irresistible force, for since become an agnostic.
better or worse. Little Richard will always be remembered 3. Noel Tyl, Synthesis and Counseling in Astrology, Llewellyn, 1994, p. 87.
as a “founding father of rock and roll whose fervent shrieks, 4. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/2020/04/what-new-zealand-
flamboyant garb, and joyful, gender-bending persona embod- did-right-in-battling-coronavirus/#close
ied the spirit and sound of that new art form.”13 5. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/04/06/tooth-fairy-
easter-bunny-are-essential-workers-new-zealands-jacinda-ardern-confirms/
Captain Sir Thomas Moore, April 30, 1920; birth time 6. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid
unknown (noon BST used); Keighley, West Riding, York- =12304788
shire, England (31°N07', 81°W33'); source: Wikipedia. 7. https://www.latimes.com/obituaries/story/2020-05-09/little-richard-dead
The endearing story of World War II veteran Captain 8. https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9374829/billboard-
Tom was another bright light in the news. Some weeks be- little-richard-tutti-frutti-review-1955
fore his 100th birthday, he launched a fundraising drive as a 9. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/09/arts/music/little-richard-dead.
show of gratitude for the care he’s received from the most ex- html
cellent National Health Service in the U.K. Vowing to walk 10. https://www.shmoop.com/tutti-frutti-little-richard/lyrics.html
100 laps around his English garden, he figured he’d raise a 11. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/little-richard-
thousand pounds. By April 19, he’d raised over 29 million.14 dead-48505/
One month later, his efforts had generated nearly 40 million 12. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/09/arts/music/little-richard-
and a knighthood.15 Where in the horoscope do we see this dead.html
aptly-timed resource-generating potential? 13. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/little-
richard-dead-48505/
Captain Tom has an empire-building earthy Taurus
Sun in a supercharged square to a grandly philanthropic 14. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-veteran/
captain-tom-99-to-help-open-hospital-after-raising-29-million-idUSKBN
Jupiter–Neptune conjunction in Leo. (See Chart 3, previous
2200PI?il=0
page.) That conjunction is being activated by the rainmaker
15. https://people.com/human-interest/capt-tom-moore-gets-knighthood/
potential of a square from transiting Uranus, which is also
16. Venus is making a square aspect exactly in between (at the midpoint of)
presenting his Taurus Sun with an opportunity to express his
Jupiter and Pluto. Venus is the focal point; Jupiter/Pluto is the midpoint.
individuality without compromise. His Venus (who, what, and Taken together, Venus=Jupiter/Pluto is the midpoint picture. Translation (as
how he needs to love) at 22° Aries was squared in March by Don McBroom explains in his helpful book, Midpoints, Llewellyn, 2007,
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto. With natal Venus in Aries, p. 32): Captain Tom’s Venus accomplishes its social, relationship, and aes-
we surmise that Captain Tom loves a good challenge or cru- thetic needs through all that is symbolized by Jupiter (expansion, confidence,
optimism) and Pluto (power, resources). When any planet is the focal point
sade! Note that he has the midpoint picture Venus=Jupiter/
of a Jupiter/Pluto midpoint, we see potential for personal success.
Pluto,16 suggesting potent creativity and flair.
17. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/04/30/capt-toms-
His Mars (how he needs to execute a plan) is in Libra 100th-birthday-15000-cards-promotion-fundraiser-worth-39-million/
(like Jacinda Ardern’s). At 27° Libra, his Mars is squared in
2020 by three of those four transiting planets (all except
© 2020 Elisabeth Grace – all rights reserved
Pluto). Jupiter was within 1° to 3° of an exact square to
Mars throughout April, and it stationed retrograde within min-
utes of exactitute in mid May. Less than a week later, he was Elisabeth Grace, ISAR-CAP, earned her B.A. in Philosophy from
Wellesley College. She is a consulting (modern psychological) astrologer,
awarded his knighthood. Perhaps he will be able to meet Her an STA-certified horary practitioner, and she is a highest-honors graduate
Majesty the Queen in person in early December, when the of Noel Tyl’s master’s course. Freelancing at WNBC and CNBC inspired
Mars–Jupiter square is exact. her must-read forecast on the astonishing synchronicity of headlines and
Without a birth time, we can’t determine the transits to planetary patterns — get it delivered to your e-mail or book a consultation
his Libra Moon, other than it is out of the range of squares at: http://www.elisabethgrace.com
from Saturn and Pluto (and by now, Jupiter, too). Still, it must
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 11

BW
Dim All The Lights

SOME MUSINGS ON SATURN–PLUTO,
THE MOST FEARED COMBINATION IN ASTROLOGY
by Frank C. Clifford
S
ome of us shudder when we think of Saturn transits … minded of the quote attributed to Gloria Steinem: “Power can
or panic when Pluto inches towards a major area of our be taken, but not given. The process of the taking is empow-
chart. Both planets have dark, fearsome reputations, erment in itself.” 1 And of course, this takes time and maturity
and this year we’ve seen how their conjunction in Capricorn (the Saturn process).
in mid January coincided with the start of a prolonged period Keywords can provide a springboard for astrological
in many societies of personal and economic hardship (Saturn) learning and synthesis, and Saturn–Pluto suggests privacy, en-
amid an atmosphere of fear (Saturn), suspicion, and panic durance, indefatigability, fortress-like defences, deep personal
(Pluto). We’ve witnessed an enforced (Pluto) pause (Saturn) to reserve, and deep reserves in general. Here are some phrases
everyday life — a lockdown (a great Saturn–Pluto word) with and ideas that communicate the message of Saturn and Pluto:
much of the world “temporarily closed for renovation.”
With the pair conjunct this year, it’s the start of a new • Foundations of power; reinforcement of power
era that will culminate in 2036–7 when they oppose each • Demolition and reconstruction of structures/society
other and end with the next conjunction in Pisces in 2053–4. • Compulsion to control
The 22 months around the conjunction (from February 2019 • Mistrust of power bases; paranoia about “The System”
to November 2020) have also been the most extreme time (imposed authority)
of Pluto’s sojourn (January 2008 to November 2024) in • Terror of responsibility; extreme caution; sabotaging
Capricorn. authority
Much has been written by mundane astrologers on the • Fear of power/annihilation/persecution; impotence
current planetary climate and its connection to previous • Transforming personal and collective authority
Saturn–Pluto cycles and international events, but in this article, • Profound life lessons around self-control and self-mastery
I’d like to focus more on the energies of these two planets. • Powerfully committed to the transformation of the self
We astrologers are taught that Saturn is the planet
associated with (among many other things) responsibilities, We’re all witnessing Saturn–Pluto in 2020, but what if
commitments, structures, boundaries, limits, delays, law and we have an aspect between these two planets in our natal
order, and society in general. Pluto has dominion over the chart, too? What’s fascinating is that if we were born under
major social issues and taboos that dominate an era or gen- a planetary combination (particularly one involving the social
eration, as well as anything seismic encountered in the life and outer planets), we are automatically connected to peri-
that feels humbling, non-negotiable, or irreversible. Whereas ods in the future when these two planets aspect one another.
Saturn is linked to fear, finality, and mortality, Pluto is more This has been labelled a “recurrence” or “resonant” transit.
about terror (i.e., extreme fear) and what happens after For instance, if we’re born under the Jupiter–Saturn con-
something or someone in our life has died. Pluto symbolises junction that happens every 20 years, we will find that major
the aftermath of an event, and the processes of rebirth, re- chapters of our life will begin, shift gears, or end when these
juvenation, and reinvention. With Saturn, the road ends. two planets aspect each other during our lifetime.
But with Pluto, the terrain has changed irrevocably — we Using roughly a 5° orb from the first to final hit, here’s
couldn’t have avoided it, and now there’s no turning back. a list of dates when Saturn and Pluto were in aspect (con-
In a birth chart, the combination of Saturn–Pluto sug- junction, square, opposition) with one another. (See Table,
gests issues around control, power, authority, and respect. following page.) The conjunction represents the merging of
At best, it represents expertise, self-mastery, and power ac- the planetary principles and the start of a new cycle; the
cumulated over time and experience — surviving life’s trials square shows challenges to existing structures and obstacles
and tribulations and rites of passage (Saturn). Ideally, surviv- necessary to move things forward; while the opposition (the
ing and thriving. Or “coming into your own personal power,” aspect of relationship) brings the awareness/negotiation of
as the self-help books promise. With Saturn–Pluto, we are re- others’ Saturn–Pluto needs/behaviours into the mix.

Table: Saturn–Pluto Aspect Dates her doctor (Neptune was also conjunct the Ascendant by Solar
Arc direction). (Charts not shown.) While Solar Arc Mars was
Key Saturn–Pluto Dates Aspect conjunct her Virgo Sun, and Solar Arc Chiron conjunct Mars,
October 1946 – June 1948 conjunction Brennan checked in to the Betty Ford Center in late August
February 1955 – November 1956 square 1984 to break the addiction stranglehold. (Some years later,
she fought cancer and also broke her leg falling off stage.)
March 1965 – March 1966 opposition
True to her challenging chart and her ability to survive all
July 1973 – April 1975 square that had been thrown her way, Brennan said in 1999: “I’m
January 1982 – October 1983 conjunction here, aren’t I? What else can they do to me? … Some of us
April 1992 – February 1994 square just have to learn it the hard way.”4
June 2001 – April 2003 opposition
It’s apt astrologically that Eileen Brennan’s accident
occurred in part because the boulevard she crossed that
September 2009 – July 2011 square
night had been darkened by a temporary power outage.
February 2019 – November 2020 conjunction Saturn–Pluto can dim the lights and prompt major introspec-
May 2028 – May 2029 square tion and a reevaluation of our passage. The planetary pairing
“forces” us to pause and reflect on our “living karma”: how
These recurrence/resonant transits can coincide with im- our intentions and actions affect the world around us, our very
pactful times in our life even if the combination doesn’t make perceptions of this world, and our role in it. In Saturn–Pluto
an aspect to our natal chart. But when the new pairing locks style, we can either remain imprisoned by the conditioning
into a sensitive part of our horoscope by degree, it can sug- and habits we’ve created, or we can deconstruct these and re-
gest a time that is significant and deeply personal to us. build our path. But it often takes a demolition of these edifices
Here’s an example of a dramatic event InnerinWheel
the life of the — and numerous inconsequential things — that noOuter longer
Wheel
actress Eileen Brennan, but please do not deduce
Eileen that all ex-
Brennan serve us to prompt such searing self-examination and recon-
Transits
Female Chart struction. Brennan told the Los Angeles Times, Oct 27Event Chart
amples of Saturn–Pluto are anywhere near Sep 3as catastrophic.
1932, Sat 1982, Wed
Brennan was born with a grand cross involving Saturn and
9:12 am +8:00 11:00 pm PDT +7:00
Hollywood, California Venice, California
Pluto (see Chart, inner wheel, below right), tied in with the
34°N05'54'' 118°W19'33'' Everyone hits bottom in their own way. Mine came
33°N59'27'' 118°W27'33''
combustible, provocative, or accident-prone planets Mars and
Geocentric through my accident, which led to my pill addic-Geocentric
Tropical Tropical
Uranus (shared by legendary singer Patsy Equal
Cline, born five days tion, which led to my birth. I say ‘birth’ rather than Equal
later). Brassy and perky, Brennan achieved True
fameNodeby lending True Node
her comedic genius and distinctive, smoky voice to a series 27° ƒ 04'
of supporting roles (The Last Picture Show, The Sting, 04' 27°
and Private Benjamin) of characters who were world- „ ‚ 04'
27°
weary, caustic, gruff, or deeply sardonic.
On the evening of October 27, 1982, in
Venice, California,2 she waved goodbye after
dinner to her Benjamin co-star Goldie Hawn, 04' »Á¼ 27°
crossed the street, and was run down by a … º 25°22°19° Ý
driver. Her legs were snapped, her nose, 27° ½ 22° ƒƒƒ 04'
À
jaw, and bones in her face broken (Sat- ¸10°07°05°… „53' 07'56'24'
urn). At the time, Saturn and Pluto were Ê17° ……50'05' 28°
Â
… 06'57' 10 9 Ý
conjunct at 26–27° Libra, both within a 40'
11 8 Œ
degree of her Ascendant and square to
her natal Saturn. (See Chart, at right.) 27° ¶ 19°† 45' 12 7 27°
It was a non-negotiable, Pluto-type †
¾ 26°† 18'
Ü
trauma enforced upon her that necessi- 04'
Á 27°† 10' 1 6
Œ52' Ü22°
¿ 04'
tated a reconstruction (Saturn–Pluto) of
2 5
her body and life. 16' 06'
‡ 3 4
Brennan fought her injuries with 17° ‹
rage. “Anger is a powerful emotion. It
½ 17°
04'
Œ
47' É
increased my determination not to go 27° ˆ ‰ 04'
03°
under.”3 Healing took a long time, and she ‡ ¿ 28°
‹
became addicted to the pills prescribed by 04' 59' ¾ 27°
ˆ
24°
À
Chart: Bi-wheel. 27° 04'
Inner wheel and house cusps: Eileen Brennan
ˆ 04' 27°
Š
Compliments of:
Outer wheel: Accident by Vehicle Astrologer Linda Kaye 27° ‰ 04' continued on p. 20
916-730-6805
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 13

Astro-Assistance
by Moon Zlotnick
Please feel free to ask Moon for Sometimes a 1st-house Saturn can
astrological perspective (moonrabbit be associated with a difficult childhood
astrology@gmail.com) by sending or early life events forcing you to grow
your question, along with your birth up very quickly, leaving you with an in- The nature of Mars
date, place, an accurate time of birth,
and its source (birth certificate, etc.).
ternalized sense of responsibility for
everything and everyone. With a Cap-
is to act, while Venus
Astrology can help to bring a fresh ricorn Ascendant and Saturn rising, prefers to wait and
point of view but doesn’t replace lis- you can feel like nothing comes easy;
tening to yourself or a professional. rather it has to be earned. Often, there
receive. Sometimes
Q: I’ve had other astrologers tell
is a perfectionistic overtone to both of the square between
these energies, and you can be your
me that Pluto is pretty strong in own worst critic. Focusing exclusively the two leads
my chart, and that’s why I haven’t
gotten what I desire. My Pluto is in
on external goals and achievements can
create frustration because getting where
to acting too soon,
Virgo, but I don’t know what that you’re going always feels like it takes or waiting
really means for me. Can you help? too long. Both of these planetary en-
— “A” ergies are associated with a traditional, too long to act.
conservative, and conventional ap-
A: I see why you’ve gotten the feedback proach to life.
joy and happiness through working with
about having a strong Pluto. (See Chart
Chart 1 In contrast, your Sun and Moon Astrologer Compliments of:
Natal Chart children
916-730-6805 or in the arts. Your Leo Sun is
Linda Kaye
1, below right.) You have Pluto Aug in 19
Virgo
4:37 pm PDT +7:00(how you express your outer and inner
1960, Fri
conjunct Uranus, the most unconven-
conjunct your late-degree Leo Sun, but
Inglewood,
self) are both in Leo, a playful, spon-
California
33°N57'42'' 118°W21'08'' tional, non-traditional of all the planets.
it is an out-of-sign conjunction,Tropical
which
Geocentric
taneous, and creative energy, which So, on the one hand you’re a natural
gives it a slightly different, lessMean
potent
Koch
sometimes leads people to find great
Node
rule breaker, a person who questions
meaning than if it were a same-sign
authority and who is born to live “out-
conjunction. That, along with five plan-
26° † 06' side” the norms, but on the other hand
ets in Pluto’s house (8th), may be part
00' 14° the equally strong Capricorn side of
of why you experience frustration, but ‡ À … 09'
19° your nature wants to fit in. This causes
first I want to address some other is- 06° É
» internal conflict.
sues of not getting what you desire, ‡ 16°
… 12°
Á
38' 05° ¸ You loosely have a “bucket” chart
which is something that comes 01' 26' …
… 26° ¿ 06°
ˆ Œ 58'34' „
„ with nine planets filling the signs
from looking at the entire chart. 10 9
57' „
21° º 22'
12° 46' „15° between your Moon in Leo
You have Capricorn rising ¶
11 8 50'
00° and your Saturn in Capricorn,
with Saturn, the ruling planet 09'
„
½ 23°ˆ while the tenth planet, Mars
of Capricorn, in its own sign 46'Œ
12 7 — the planet of desire —
— or at home — in your 1st 06°
Chart 1: 06°
house conjunct the Ascen- ‰ ƒ is off by itself in Gemini

46' ¾ 12° ‰ 23' Œ “A” 46' creating the “handle” of your
dant. This connects your role 1 6
bucket. This position makes
in daily life with a triple dose
Mars extremely important
of Saturn-like energies. Sat- 2 5 29'
‚ in your chart. Mars is the
urn and Capricorn are both 06° Œ 11° 01'
Š 57' 3 4
¼ ‚ planet of how we both know
associated with the need to be Š Œ
22' 29° 26' 12° and achieve what we want in
productive, to work hard, and of- ‹
Â life. Your Mars in Gemini squares
ten will present obstacles in daily 16°
Ê Pluto, Venus, and your North Node
life as ways to teach you about pa- 14° 00'
‹ 09' Ý — all in Virgo. Mars is different from
tience, endurance, and taking small 19°
20
strategic steps to achieve goals. 26° Ü 06'
Charts use Koch houses and the Mean Node.

every other planet in your chart since Virgo makes grounded, down-to-earth
it’s the only planet in an air sign. plans, so that Leo can get attention,
While your Ascendant is in practical be creative, and make life fun. With
earth, and your Sun and Moon are in
Pluto in any five planets in your 8th house, doing
creative fire, your Mars is in mental and conjunction to research, solving mysteries, studying
changeable air. Gemini is known for psychology, the occult, or what’s hid-
having many different interests, getting the Sun will give den can be a place for you to shine.
bored quite easily, and struggling with
focus. Mars sits right on the cusp (using
you a strong will, Pluto in any conjunction to the Sun
will give you a strong will, deep-seated
Koch houses) between the 5th and deep-seated resourcefulness, and a powerful and
6th house, adding an extra layer of active underworld or unconscious. Be-
complexity, attracting your interests to resourcefulness, cause Chiron in Aquarius opposes your
both creative endeavors (5th house), as and a powerful and Sun, Uranus, and Pluto and is associ-
well as health and service (6th house). ated with healing wounds (oppositions
Weighing more heavily on you is active underworld or most often represent an externalized
the square between Mars — your “de- part of life), seeing a healer or psycho-
sire” nature — and Pluto, the archetype
unconscious. therapist could help you find some
of the Underworld. Pluto spent around helpful resolutions to these issues.
14 years in Virgo, making it a genera-
tional influence in your chart, while the Virgo energies of discernment and dis- Q: As a Capricorn I have always
square with Mars is more deeply per- crimination to break down precisely enjoyed my work. Now at 84 years
sonal. Squares create internal struggles, what you want, you can then take small I would love to find something
so when Mars moves to take an ac- manageable steps to achieving those challenging, helpful, and enjoyable
tion or set something in motion, Pluto goals (Capricorn), and over time you to do. My health is excellent at
will take that energy and push it under- would see yourself making progress. this time. My background was as a
ground where it first must be examined Pluto is also involved with your flight attendant, licensed practical
in great detail (Virgo) for every flaw and Sun by conjunction, but here again you nurse (LPN), divorce mediator, and
possible problem. Pluto in any sign or must combine the differing energies of realtor. Is it too late for me to find
house looks into things very deeply in Leo and Virgo by finding ways for them something worthwhile for myself?
order to not experience a loss of control, to work together. In most conjunctions I feel I have let too many years
and simultaneously can often experience
Chart 2
where the planets are in the same sign, Compliments go byof: since retiring. I like volun-
a feeling of being overwhelmedJan
Natal Chart
or pow-
11 1936, Sat
they can find ways to support each teering; however, it needs to be a
916-730-6805
2:35 am PST +8:00
erless. You can find yourself hesitating
Portland, Oregon other. In your chart Leo always wants challenge. Do you feel this is too
over small decisions and then distracting
Geocentric to be center stage and shine, while
45°N31'25'' 122°W40'30''
much to ask at this time?
Tropical
yourself (Gemini) by going off Mean
in aNode
Koch
new Virgo empties the trash and does the — “B”
direction. Or you can start something, dishes. They can work together when
only to lose steam after a short while. B: Congratulations on your good health
23° „ 30'
The additional squares between and desire to find a worthwhile en-
37' 08°
Mars and Venus and the North Node … ¶ ƒ deavor. You are currently experiencing
19° Á 48'
add extra layers to the complexity À 21°
26°
Ê your Uranus return. (See Chart 2, at
16° „
of getting what you want. The … 05'
ƒ 12° left.) At the same time, transiting Ura-
25' ƒ
nature of Mars is to act, while 53' 38' Œ 22' 08° nus is squaring your Mercury while
Œ Œ
Venus prefers to wait and re- † 10 9 Â ‚ also transiting your Descendant,
15° 11° 26'
ceive. Sometimes the square 11 8 39'
‚ and Saturn–Pluto are conjunct
Œ
between the two leads to your Sun opposing Pluto. These
acting too soon, or waiting important, major life transits
12 7
too long to act. The square 11°
Chart 2: 11° often indicate both inner and
between Mars and the ‡ Ý outer life change.
57' Æ “B”
14° ‡ 52'
57'
nodes suggests other life- 1 6 32' Ý
01°
Uranus returns to its natal
times where fulfilling your ¿ position every 84 years, making
desires has been part of 20' 2 5 it a once-in-a-lifetime experience
ˆ
your soul’s lesson. 08° 09° ˆ48' 53' that can push you toward greater
ˆ » 13°
3 4
All hope is not lost! Œ Ü authenticity and a clearer sense of
26' ½ 22' 15°
There’s a configuration in your ‰
‰
02'
51' 32' 52' self. Transits of Uranus often stimu-
‹
chart that comes to your aid — 12°
20°
Š Š
06°
late new ideas and interests, a desire
Pluto, the North Node, and Venus 08° É¸ 07° 27° 37' to experience something different, and
are all in Virgo trine your Capricorn
‰ 48' º ¼ ¾ 19°‹
continued on p. 64
Ascendant and Saturn. By using the 23° Š 30'
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 15

The Eastern Window
by Penny Farrow
Editor’s Note: Cross ventilation similar way, the astrological effects of hol poisoning after a long battle with
produces a breath of fresh air. It is eclipses on a native or a society can drug and alcohol addictions.
desirable in a house and even in a be gleaned from this myth. Why are the effects of the nodes in
magazine! In this spirit, we are featur- Though dramatic eclipses visible this chart so dramatic? Not only is the
ing a series of short articles designed at the time of birth are obviously quite Rahu–Ketu axis across the 1st–7th house
to make some of the basic building rare, every chart contains, and must axis, Rahu is debilitated and Ketu is ex-
blocks and ideas of Vedic astrology contend with, Rahu and Ketu. Their alted, which exaggerates their effects.
more accessible to all. We anticipate DNA brings themes implicit in the cre- All of the grahas (planets) except for the
that opening the Eastern Window can ation myth into the individual’s destiny Moon are “in the belly of the snake,”
clarify the complementarity between pattern. There are endless permutations a pattern known as Kala Sarpa Yoga
great astrological traditions. and outcomes that Rahu and Ketu can
create in the ecosystem we call a chart.
The Power of Illusion (or is it the Let’s look at a few themes that Rahu
Illusion of Power?): Rahu, Ketu, and Ketu bring forward, or color, in the
and the Wizard of Oz horoscopes of two famous natives.
Eclipse — a most spectacular,
terrifying, hoodwinking, conjuring, Amy Winehouse
phantasmal, astronomical event. The Not only are Rahu and Ketu strad-
disappearance of the Sun, the bloody- dling the 1st–7th house axis (see Chart
ing of the Moon. Reality or illusion? If 1, below), Amy was actually born in a
what you see is what you get, it is both. Ketu dasha (planetary period) and Rahu
The eclipse spectacle shows great in- bhukti (sub-period).4 (See Table 1, be-
vention and innovation, an extensive low right.) The encircling “embrace” of
range of possible presentations, inten- the dragon seemed inevitable — a com-
sity, charisma, and a radically altered pelling portrait of destiny and karma. 9LPVKRWWDUL'DVKDV
view of the cosmos. Amy’s incredible talent was 6WDUW'DWH
$JH 'DVKDV
And the illusionists? Those ambi- evident from the beginning as was her .H 5D
tious tricksters, Rahu and Ketu. They .H -S
maladjustment to societal norms. Un- .H 6D
have no substance, are shadowy out- fortunately, she became a member .H 0H
9H 9H
siders; but yet, there is power in the of the infamous 27 club, a group of 9H 6X
confusion they wreak, in the manipula- young celebrities who passed away at 9H 0R
9H 0D
tion and misconceptions. Yes, illusion 27 years old; Amy succumbed to alco- 9H 5D
is potent, and the purveyors can whip 5DVKL'*HQHUDO 9H -S
9H 6D
up the masses, disguise reality, and be-
come “Oz, the Great and Powerful.”
$V

9H
9H
0H
.H
The creation story of Rahu, 5D

6X
6X
6X
0R
3LV $UL 7DX *HP
Ketu, and the Churning of the Ocean1 6X 0D
6X 5D
conveys these characteristics. Myths 0D 6X -S
embody important realities and even 6X 6D
astronomical principles, enabling Chart 1: 9H 6X 0H

6X .H
$TX Amy &DQ
wisdom to be passed down through 6X 9H
generations. For example, a lovely Winehouse 6X

0R
0R
0R
0D
TED Talk2 speaks to a stunning link 0H

0R
0R
5D
-S
between the Moon’s affinity for Rohini &DS /HR 0R 6D
0R 0H
(one of his 27 wives) and the frequency
with which Rohini (the Sanskrit name .H QRZ 0R .H
0R -S 6D

0R 9H
0R 6X
for the fixed star Aldebaran) is occulted 0D 0D
(covered) by the Moon. Rohini is the 6DJ 6FR /LEU 9LUJ 0D 5D
marking star for the nakshatra (lunar South Indian charts, Lahiri ayanamsha, Table 1: Amy Winehouse’s
constellation) that bears its name.3 In a and the Mean Node Vimshottari Dasha–Bhuktis

(black cobra yoga).5 The lord of the lagna He transformed himself from a Hubbard’s lagna lord is an exalted
(Ascendant) is Venus, which is power- writer of very idiosyncratic science fiction Mars in the 3rd bhava (house) with no
ful because it is retrograde, but heavily into a guru, conferring upon the faith- influence on it other than a tight rela-
afflicted by its yuti (association) with de- ful his spiritual scriptures, the Red and tionship with debilitated Saturn sitting
bilitated Mars and the drishti (aspect) by Green volumes (a collection of his writ- with Rahu in the 6th bhava. Both
exalted Saturn. It is also in the naksha- ings, tapes, etc.). Control was absolute, the 3rd and the 6th bhavas welcome
tra of Ashlesha, whose deity is Sarpa and the organization raked in millions in malefics and provide the native with in-
(the snake). Venus is in the very last de- what has been described as a mafia-like creased courage and even brashness,
gree (29°35') of the water rashi (sign) global racket — complete with intimi- especially when the malefics are in
of Cancer — a perilous no-man’s land dation, lawsuits against any opposers, exaggerated states like exaltation and
between the junction of water and fire corruption, smoke and mirrors, and lies. debilitation. Indeed, it was in May 1950
rashis, where grahas are vulnerable. Eventually, he had to spend his during his Mars–Rahu dasha–bhukti
Amy’s pattern is particularly intense, life at sea to avoid “all the people after period (see Table 2, below left) that
manifesting in her physical appearance, him.”6 After eight years, he went into he published Dianetics: The Mod-
her voice, and persona. She was hyp- hiding in numerous places, moving on ern Science of Mental Health, which
notic, fascinating, compelling, utterly when his whereabouts were disclosed. launched the movement that would later
innovative, and iconic. Her influence His last years (he died in 1986 at age morph into the Church of Scientology.8
pervades the pop scene to this day and 74) were spent in a motorhome on a Jupiter, as the 2nd-house lord of speech,
is especially notable in superstars like ranch, continuing to write and run the is in the 12th house in the Rahu–Ketu
Lady Gaga. church,7 which has carried on unabated axis and aspected by that debilitated
to the present time. Saturn. This can be seen as a signature
L. Ron Hubbard The chart of LRH is fascinating. for deceptive speech bundled in skillful
L. Ron Hubbard (LRH), Dianetics, (See Chart 2, below left.) Let’s start spiritual wrappings.
and the Church of Scientology also with the Scorpio lagna — a rising rashi Though his last ten-plus years were
epitomize these nodal themes. While that is well known for power, secrets, during his Jupiter dasha, he spent the
supporters portray him as a pioneer, magic, and something unsettling. The bulk of his life in the Rahu dasha, ful-
nuclear physicist, philosopher, world rising nakshatra of Jyeshtha furthers filling his destiny as the unstable genius
traveler, and writer — most of the the narrative, as the mighty Indra is the who would unleash one of the most
world, including many governments, deity who becomes drunk with power. controversial, grandiose, out-of-the-
saw his movement as a powerful and A talisman is the symbol for this nak- mainstream movements in modern his-
lucrative cult that gave him uncanny shatra, intimating divine protection tory. It is a life that perfectly reflects
power over his minions. The orga- provided by powerful unseen forces. Rahu’s insatiable desire for power and
9LPVKRWWDUL'DVKDV
nization, it is said, seduced followers immortality. L. Ron Hubbard — the
with the vision of rehabilitating their 6WDUW'DWH
$JH 'DVKDV
Wizard of Oz!
omnipotent and perfect self through 0R 5D
0R -S
techniques and devices invented by 0R 6D Chart Data and Sources
LRH. So, it is not surprising that his 0R 0H (in order of appearance)
0R .H
biographies have titles like: L. Ron 0R 9H Amy Winehouse, September 14, 1983; 10:25
Hubbard: Messiah or Madman? 0R 6X p.m. GDT; Enfield, England (51°N40', 0°W05');
0D 0D
0D 5D A: from memory; Frank Clifford quotes Margaret
5DVKL'*HQHUDO 0D -S Zelinski who obtained the data from Winehouse’s
0D 6D mother via a mutual friend of theirs.
6D

0D
0D
0H
.H
9H 5D

0D
0D
9H
6X
L. Ron Hubbard, March 13, 1911; 2:01 a.m.
3LV $UL 7DX *HP 0D 0R CST; Tilden, NE, USA (42°N03', 97°W50');
5D 5D A: from memory; Sy Scholfield quotes from
6X

5D
5D
-S
6D
Bare-Faced Messiah: The True Story of L. Ron
0H Chart 2:

5D
5D
0H
.H
Hubbard by Russell Miller, Silvertail, 2015, p. 17.
$TX &DQ 5D 9H

L. Ron 5D 6X References and Notes
Hubbard 0R

5D
5D
0R
0D 1. Penny Farrow, “Enter the Dragon: The Story
0D

-S
-S
-S
6D
of Rahu and Ketu,” in The Mountain Astrologer,
June/July 2020, p. 16.
&DS /HR -S 0H
$V -S
-S .H 2. Raj Vedam, “TEDx Talks: Of Ancient Star-Gazers
-S 9H and Story-Spinners,” https://www.youtube.com/
-S 6X
.H

-S
-S
0R
0D
watch?v=Jq__DXtfeXw (accessed May 15, 2020).
6DJ 6FR /LEU 9LUJ 3. Farrow, “Meet the Fascinating Wives of the
Moon,” in TMA, Dec. 2018/Jan. 2019, p. 18.
Table 2: L. Ron Hubbard’s
Vimshottari Dashas–Bhuktis continued on p. 62
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 17

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AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 19
Dim All The Lights Chart Data and Source
Eileen Brennan, September 3, 1932; 9:12 a.m. PST; Los Angeles, Cal-
continued from p. 13 ifornia, USA (34°N03', 118°W15'); AA: birth certificate obtained by FCC;
copy on file.
‘rebirth’ because I feel born new. I reestablished a
spiritual connection that is lost when you are taking References
any kind of drug. Strangely enough I wouldn’t have (All URLs were accessed in June 2020.)
missed my accident. It just knocks me out to say
1. https://womenyoushouldknow.net/empowering-quotes-gloria-steinem/
that, but I mean it.5
2. 11:00 p.m. PDT is the speculative time used for the accident.
“We get addicted to dull the pain of life,” she said in an 3. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/07/31/eileen-brennan-private-
benjamin-goldie-hawn_n_3681208.html
interview with the Ladies Home Journal.6 “But once we
accept that life is tough and painful, we can move on and 4. https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-eileen-brennan-
20130731-story.html
grow and evolve.” Perhaps life doesn’t get easier; we sim-
5. https://people.com/archive/out-of-her-horrid-accident-and-the-drug-addiction-
ply grow into ways of managing it better. And that’s another
that-followed-eileen-brennan-finds-a-prescription-for-life-vol-23-no-16/
Saturn–Pluto lesson.
6. See note 3.
Sometimes Saturn–Pluto (to the natal chart or in the
current planetary climate of 2020) coincides with events
that humble us or strip things back to the bare essentials — © 2020 Frank C. Clifford – all rights reserved
leaving us little comfort or reassurance. These events can
remove an anchor in our life and force us to face stark re- Frank Clifford is the author of The Solar Arc Handbook (2018)
alities, but there is always the invitation to self-heal through as well as Getting to the Heart of Your Chart and Palmistry 4 Today.
Frank’s new online school (teaching astrology, tarot, and palm-
the chaos surrounding us, and to become conscious of and
istry) and many free articles and videos can be found at http://
respect the foremost treasures we have in our life: our life www.londonschoolofastrology.com
spark, talents, and relationships to others and the cosmos.
ASTROLOGERS
SHARPEN YOUR TOOLS!
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precision astrology software™
New version 5 has even more features added for
the professional and student astrologer alike.
Medieval Vedic Calendar Read more or buy it now online at:
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Horary Graphic Ephemerides Interpretations astrology-house.com

THE ASTROLOGY OF
EPIDEMICS AND
PANDEMICS
by Ema Kurent
T
he first question that an astrologer asks in reference son for their condition, and when Neptune moves away, these
to a contagious disease is: What is its planetary ruler, people start to feel good again. Thus, Neptune takes away
or significator? Whereas traditional astrologers may physical strength for reasons difficult to discern. However, ex-
choose Saturn (illness and death in general) or Mars (infec- tremely contagious diseases are another possible expression,
tious disease causing inflammation and fever), my experience in which case, we see a widespread, invisible attack of a quasi-
is that contagious diseases and epidemics are more accurately alive organism (virus) deplete, dissolve, and obliterate human
ruled by Neptune. There are two reasons for this: chemistry immune defenses. An apt signature, indeed.
and (lack of) containment. Based on my reckoning that viruses and epidemics fall un-
First, Neptune rules chemistry and poisons, as well as ev- der Neptune, I have examined the planet’s transits according
erything that is subtle but hurtful or detrimental to our bodies. to three measurements: longitude, declination, and latitude.
Take alcohol or drugs, for example, two classical Neptunian Because not all epidemics could be accounted for by Neptune
entities. They change the chemistry of our bodies and make us transits, I added total and annular solar eclipses, also checking
feel “unreal,” nauseous, or sick. Many medicinal drugs create them against their aspects with Neptune. My results revealed
in us a feeling of being well, when in reality we are not: Aspirin the importance of less commonly used aspects like parallels of
will make a headache go away, but the cause for the headache declination and latitude, which I’ll cover in detail below.
will still exist. Viruses invade our bodies before we are even According to my research, all the worst epidemics and
aware of it and weaken us substantially. They are seemingly in- pandemics in recorded history have manifested in times of
visible, so small that they can be seen only under a microscope, Neptune–Pluto or Neptune–Saturn major aspects in longitude,
though they can be deadly because they reproduce wildly and declination, or latitude; or the involvement of Neptune and ei-
meddle with our bodily chemistry. They have this typical Nep- ther of the two pairs of planets during a major eclipse. Often,
tunian trait of pulling down bodily defenses, and our immune the trigger can be Neptune’s arrival at a critical degree: on the
systems have to put up a fight when faced with the threat equator, the ecliptic, a station, or the degree of its maximum
of their invasion. Diminutive but strong, invisible but highly declination. The involvement of Pluto more often escalates
contagious, and fatal — that is all very Neptunian. an epidemic into a pandemic. Epidemics also tend to develop
Second, Neptune rules everything that cannot be con- into pandemics in the years of minor and major lunar stand-
tained or is very difficult to contain (like gasses); everything that stills (discussed in detail below), and during those months
spills over the top; everything that is a threat simply because it when the lunar maximum declination is 23.5°. While these
cannot be controlled. Viruses are such entities — the most in- lunar phenomena indicate extremes of all kinds (from nat-
determinate form of life, yet all the more dangerous because of ural disasters and mass suffering to major breakthroughs in
their sheer determination to reproduce and invade our bodies. science), in this article I demonstrate how they relate to out-
Transits and progressions of Neptune tend to cause people to breaks of epidemics and pandemics. I will mainly focus on
feel weak, tired, or lethargic. Doctors usually can’t find a rea- declination and celestial latitude only — measurements that
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 21
Epidemics / Pandemics
are less widely known but no less powerful than the more fa-
miliar measurement of celestial longitude (zodiacal degrees).
The force of any planet on the
ecliptic is tripled, and the slower
Declination and Celestial Latitude
Declination is a measurement in the equatorial system the planet, the longer its effect.
whereby we measure the distance of a celestial body above
or below the equator (or north and south of it) in degrees,
minutes, and seconds of arc. Latitude (or celestial latitude) or S). Due to the precession of the plane of the lunar orbit,
is a measurement in the ecliptic system whereby we measure its monthly maximum gradually increases and decreases,
the distance of a celestial body above or below the ecliptic with the whole cycle taking 18.6 years. Starting at 18.1°,
(or north and south of the Sun’s annual, imaginary path) in the Moon’s maximum declination will gradually increase for
degrees, minutes, and seconds of arc. The only aspects that 9.3 consecutive years, reaching the maximum of 28.7°, and
we use with both measurements are referred to as paral- then decrease back to 18.1° through the next 9.3 years.
lels of declination and parallels of latitude or their opposite, The periods (lasting approximately a year) when the Moon’s
known as contraparallels. I have come to the conclusion that maximum monthly declination is about 18° are called minor
a viable orb for a parallel of declination is 1°, and for a paral- lunar standstills, and when its maximum monthly declination
lel of latitude it should be 20 arc minutes, not more. This is is 28.5° these periods are called major lunar standstills. The
because the apparent distances between celestial bodies in lat- measurement 23.5° lies between both values and is critical
itude are tiny; all the planets except Pluto stay relatively close because it is the degree of the Sun’s maximum declination
to the ecliptic at all times. Venus can reach just beyond 8° of (reached twice a year at the solstices).
northern or southern latitude; the Moon has a steady cycle of Let us now look at some of the historical epidemics/pan-
fluctuating between a bit over 5° to the north or south; Pluto demics beginning with the bubonic plague, to see how these
can go as far as 18°, whereas all the other planets — espe- astrological factors present themselves.
cially those from Jupiter onwards — will always stay closer.
The terms major and minor lunar standstills refer to Ecliptic Crossings
the declination cycle of the Moon. During its monthly cy- In my research, I uncovered a correspondence between
cle, the Moon reaches its maximum declination twice, once Neptune crossing the ecliptic and outbreaks of an epidemic/
to the north and once to the south (of the equator). This pandemic nature. The force of any planet on the ecliptic
maximum declination varies between 18.1° and 28.7° (N is tripled, and the slower the planet, the longer its effect.
Due to its slow motion, Neptune crosses the ecliptic every
82 years (approximately). Starting from 1345, the year just
before the devastation of the bubonic plague, the next cross-
ings occurred in 1426, 1509, 1590, 1674, 1755, 1838,
1920, and 2003. (See Figure 1, following page.) Bear in
mind that with celestial latitude, the orb of influence is 20 arc
minutes, which amounts to 10 years in Neptune’s case, so
every Neptune ecliptic crossing spans 10 years.
1345 (1340–50) N/S: Bubonic plague or the “black

death” officially broke out in 1346 and lasted until 1353. (See
Figure 2, following page.) It reached mainland Europe in
1348 and killed between 75 and 200 million people — up to
half of the population of Eurasia — over the next four years. In
1346, Neptune moved 4' of arc. During the seven years that
the plague made its killing march, Neptune moved about half
a degree to the south. Before developing into a pandemic, the
illness took some time to spread, and it was probably there a
year or two before 1346. This was also the year of a minor
lunar standstill.
1426 (1421–31) S/N: Sources are scarce on this period.

“The 1420s brought an epidemic of something like influenza,
and the 1420s and 1430s saw six more outbreaks of plague,”
writes Gilbertus Anglicus in his book Healing and Society in
Female patient with bubonic plague in Karachi, India. Wellcome Trust (CC BY 4.0) Medieval England.1

Figure 1: The path of Neptune in celestial latitude over 800 years (1300–2100)
Figure 2: The path of Neptune in celestial latitude over 200 years (1300–1500)
1509 (1504–14) N/S: 1510 marked the year of the first 1674 (1669–79) N/S: Between 1663–79, there were sev-
chronicled pandemic. Medical historians describe it as in- eral major outbreaks of plague in Europe. Whereas timing
fluenza. It emerged as an acute respiratory disease in Asia is a bit off for the Great Plague of London (1665–66) which
before spreading through North Africa and Europe. Vast claimed about 100,000 lives, plague took another 152,000
swaths of people were affected although the mortality rate lives in France, Spain, Malta, Austria, and the Netherlands
was only 1%. within the said time span.
1590 (1586–96) S/N: From 1592 to 1593, London ex- 1755 (1750–60) S/N: By the mid 18th century, small-
perienced its last major plague outbreak of the 16th century. pox was a major epidemic worldwide. In 18th-century Eu-
At least 21,000 people died of plague within the city and in rope, smallpox was a leading cause of death, killing an
the surrounding parishes. estimated 400,000 Europeans each year. The British used
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 23

Epidemics / Pandemics ingly prescribed for pain management, resulting in a rise in
overall opioid use throughout subsequent years. From 1999
to 2017, more than 399,000 people died from drug over-
doses that involved prescription and illicit opioids.
smallpox as a biological warfare agent at the Siege of Fort
Pitt during the French and Indian Wars (1754–63) against SARS (2002–04): The latest 2003 Neptune ecliptic cross-
France and its Native American allies. ing synchronized with the outbreak of a deadly coronavirus
epidemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The
1838 (1833–43) N/S: The 1837 Great Plains smallpox outbreak was first identified in China in November 2002.
epidemic spanned 1836 through 1840 but reached its height Over 8,000 people from 29 different countries and terri-
after the spring of 1837 when an American steamboat car- tories were infected, and at least 774 died worldwide. The
ried infected people and supplies into the Missouri Valley. World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease con-
More than 17,000 Indigenous people died along the Missouri tained in July 2003; however, several SARS cases were
River alone, with some bands becoming nearly extinct. reported until May 2004.
1920 (1915–25) S/N: Between 1915–26 — precisely Parallels of Declination

within the range of the Neptune ecliptic crossing — a pecu- The Spanish Flu (1918–20)
liar epidemic was spreading across the world, affecting nearly Now, this is the big one! Several astrological signatures
5 million people, a third of whom died in the acute stages. worked synchronously to combine into a true “pandemic
The disease — now close to extinct — was called Encepha- bomb”! From January 1918 to the end of 1920, over a quar-
litis lethargica, also known as “sleeping sickness.” Many of ter of the world’s population (500 million people at the time)
those who survived never returned to their pre-existing “alive- became infected with the Spanish flu. This unusually deadly
ness.” In his book Awakenings, Oliver Sacks writes: strain of influenza caused at least 17 million and perhaps up-
wards of 100 million deaths, making it one of the deadliest
They would be conscious and aware — yet not fully pandemics to ever strike humanity.
awake; they would sit motionless and speechless Three major astrological factors come into prominence:
all day in their chairs, totally lacking energy, impe- Neptune crossing the ecliptic, the Moon’s declination max-
tus, initiative, motive, appetite, affect, or desire; they imum equaling 23.5°, and Neptune being in a rare parallel
registered what went on about them without active declination with Pluto and Saturn. (See Figure 3, below.)
attention, and with profound indifference. They nei- First, when the pandemic started at the beginning of 1918,
ther conveyed nor felt the feeling of life; they were as Neptune was only 0°08' minutes away from the ecliptic.
insubstantial as ghosts, and as passive as zombies.2 In 1920, Neptune finally crossed the ecliptic from south to
north. Considering the orb of 20' in 1918 (and even 1917),
Sounds like a doubly Neptunian pandemic! the Neptunian energy was already strongly present in Earth’s
Three more pandemics raged during this time span. biosphere. Second, in 1918, the Moon’s monthly declination
From 1918–20, the Spanish flu pandemic claimed between maximum was 23.5° — a strong indicator of extremes and
17 and 100 million lives. From 1915–22, typhus infected things getting out of control.
20–30 million, causing several million deaths worldwide — Third, Neptune was in a parallel of declination with Pluto
around three million lives in Russia alone. Finally, on a lesser and Saturn, which became exact in the second half of 1917
scale, the 1916 poliomyelitis (polio) epidemic in the United and during the first months of 1918 when the epidemic of-
States claimed over 7,000 lives. ficially started. A triple parallel between those three planets
is an extremely rare celestial event. Since the year 1000, it
2003 (1998–2008) N/S: An opioid epidemic began in has only occurred in 1127, 1809, 1863, and 1918, and it will
the U.S. in the late 1990s, when these drugs were increas- not happen again until 2212! (By a “triple parallel,” I mean
Figure 3: A triple parallel of declination between Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto in 1917–18, synchronous with the outbreak of Spanish Flu

the three planets actually crossing each other’s path, as viewed Table 1: Epidemics/Pandemics during Neptune’s Sensitive Phases
from Earth, in the course of six months.) The 1863 configu- over 500 years
ration carried extreme power because the three planets also Year Epidemics/Pandemics
conjoined the sensitive celestial plane of the equator. In the
1535 A major plague outbreak in Europe
midst of the American Civil War (1861–65), the fourth cholera
pandemic started (1863), claiming about 600,000 lives until 1576–80 The second Cocoliztli epidemic
its dissipation in 1875. 1616–20 The New England epidemic — a term given to an epidemic
But let us return to the Spanish flu. Its beginnings stem of unknown cause that killed between 30–90% of the
in late 1917 when military pathologists reported the onset of population in southern New England
a new disease with high mortality that they later recognized 1656 The Naples Plague that nearly eradicated the population
as the flu. This concurs with the triple parallel of declina- of Naples, Italy
tion between Neptune, Pluto, and Saturn that formed for the 1698 Probably the first exposure of Cherokees to smallpox;
first time in the second half of 1917 and repeated — in an during the course of that year, a smallpox epidemic mea-
surably diminished their population.
even more condensed and therefore stronger form — in
the first half of 1918. 1739 The Great Plague of 1738 was an outbreak of the bubonic
plague between 1738–40 that affected areas in the
All the slow-moving planets, however, show their great- modern nations of Romania, Hungary, Ukraine, Serbia,
est strength not only when they cross the ecliptic (or the Croatia, and Austria. The epidemic likely killed over
equator), but also when they reach their upper and lower 50,000 people.
maxima; in other words, when they are at a southern or 1775–82 The North American smallpox epidemic devastated the
northern “standstill.” New World of the Western Hemisphere.
1816 The first cholera pandemic (1817–24) began near the
Standstills and Equator Crossings city of Calcutta and spread throughout Southeast Asia to
It appears that whenever a slow-moving planet reaches the Middle East, Eastern Africa, and the Mediterranean
coast, claiming 100,000 lives.
its northern or southern maximum in declination, or when
it crosses the equator as discussed above, it creates excep- 1863–75 The fourth cholera pandemic began in the Bengal region
in 1863 and claimed around 600,000 lives until its dissi-
tionally strong vibrations, just like its station (as measured pation in 1875.
in longitude), only more powerful. Of course, both maxima
1899 The sixth cholera pandemic began in India, where it
are of longer duration — because a planet then seems to
–1923 killed more than 800,000 people before spreading to the
“stand still” — with Neptune, this takes approximately five Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe, and Russia.
years. Figure 4 (below) shows Neptune’s path over 500
1943 While World War II raged and millions of people were
years and the epidemics/pandemics that broke out at any dying via warfare, many also succumbed to various epi-
of its sensitive phases (both maxima and equator crossings). demics that ravaged war-stricken populations. One of the
The last maximum (southern) was reached in 1981 when the most notable was the 1943 typhus and malaria epidemic in
Egypt and the Mediterranean.
HIV/AIDS crisis began.
For a list of all the epidemics/pandemics in chronological 1981 The onset of HIV/AIDS, an infectious disease that has so
order, see Table 1, at right; the year listed in the first place far caused an estimated 32 million deaths worldwide and
is considered an ongoing pandemic.
Figure 4: The path of Neptune in declination from 1500–2000
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 25

Epidemics / Pandemics outbreaks, like Spanish flu (1918) and COVID-19 (2020).
Because those lunar extremes (minor and major standstills
and the 23.5° maxima) happen every 4.5–5 years, other
refers to the exact year of Neptune reaching any of the sensi- signatures are needed to confirm the danger of a major epi-
tive degrees. demic, but they will almost invariably be linked to Neptune.
Around 1545, nearly all eclipses were in a major aspect
Lunar Maximum Monthly Declination (23.5°) with Neptune!
The Cocoliztli Epidemics (1545–48 and 1576–80) When the second Cocoliztli epidemic broke out in 1576,
Present-day Mexico experienced an incalculable loss of Neptune was reaching its maximum declination north — a
life during what became known as the Cocoliztli epidemic strong signature.
in the 16th century. A series of mysterious illnesses collec-
tively called Cocoliztli caused high fevers and bleeding, and Parallels of Latitude
exacted a death toll of 12–15 million, or 80% of the popula- Persian Plague (1772–73)
tion, during the worst outbreak (1545–48). The next major Russian Plague (1770–72)
outbreak, between 1576–80, claimed 2–2.5 million lives This period was packed with epidemics! In 1772, the
(50% of the population).3 worst pandemic of the 18th century began when bubonic
In the second half of 1545, the Moon’s maximum plague struck the Persian Empire, claiming nearly 2 mil-
monthly declination was 23.5°. (See Figure 5, below.) lion lives. Besides the Persian Plague, the Russian Plague
The same signature is operative at other major pandemic of 1770–72 claimed between 52,000 and 100,000 lives in
Moscow alone, and epidemics of both measles and smallpox
struck North America in the early 1770s.
Look at the latitude graph (see Figure 6, following
page). It depicts the paths of Pluto, Neptune, and Saturn,
When the second Cocoliztli

epidemic broke out in 1576,
Neptune was reaching its
maximum declination north
— a strong signature.
16th-century Cocoliztli epidemic. LocalMX
Figure 5: Lunar declination cycle between 1540–55

covering the entire span of the 18th century. Parallels of Asian Flu (1957–58)
latitude are extremely delicate aspects because everything In 1957, a global influenza pandemic, eventually
happens within a relatively narrow band; one degree of arc known as the Asian flu, broke out in Guizhou, China, kill-
is an incredible amount in the vast space! The triple paral- ing anywhere from 1–2 million people worldwide by the
lel between Pluto, Neptune, and Saturn started to form in time it dissipated in 1958. The culprit was an influenza A
1769 and dissipated in 1773, in tandem with the several virus subtype H2N2. The main astrological signature was a
epidemics occurring during that period. parallel of latitude between Saturn and Neptune, exact in
1957–58 (see Figure 7, below). The total solar eclipse of
Great Plague of London (1665–66) October 23, 1957 conjoined Neptune, while the solar annu-
The plague started in April 1665 and spread rapidly lar eclipse on April 19, 1958 opposed it.
through the hot summer months. By the time the plague
ended, about 100,000 people, including 15% of the popula- COVID-19 (2019–ongoing)
tion of London, had died. The main signature was Neptune In December 2019, I predicted a new epidemic for 2020
in a parallel of latitude with Saturn (1665). Another strong based on Neptune being in parallel celestial latitude with Pluto
signature was the Moon’s maximum monthly declination of (see Figure 8, following page), and anticipating the Moon’s
23.5° during the first half of 1666. maximum monthly declination of 23.5° during the first half of
Figure 6: A triple parallel of latitude between Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto in 1769–73, synchronous with the outbreak of several epidemics
Figure 7: The paths of Neptune and Saturn in celestial latitude 1940–70
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 27

Bear in mind that the parallel
2020 (becoming exact in March).4 I hypothesized that it would
break out in the fall; however, I should have known better — between Neptune and Pluto is still
after all, my research has shown that in parallels of latitude, forming — that is, the aspect is
the orb of influence is 20' of arc! As it happens, the disease
broke out around the New Year when the distance between applying, not separating — and this
Neptune and Pluto — the two planets indicative of the onset
of an epidemic — was pretty much exactly 20'!
is worrisome.
That said, my initial hypothesis was not far off: The first
death in Wuhan was reported on January 11, but later in- but will turn retrograde at the end of June 2020. This could
vestigations had revealed that the disease probably started coincide with a major COVID-19 remission, but we must
around the third week of November 2019. The official date bear in mind that the parallel between Neptune and Pluto is
of the outbreak is now December 1, 2019, and within a still forming — that is, the aspect is applying, not separat-
month of the first death, with the number of confirmed cases ing — and this is worrisome. In the fall, the pandemic could
and deaths exponentially rising, WHO declared a COVID-19 escalate anew, or resurge in areas where it was previously
pandemic. suppressed, or even “relocate” to areas where it would have
The prospects? At the end of November 2019 when the caused only minor trouble until that point. Another possibility
disease (supposedly) started, Neptune was stationing direct; is a new virus, a new epidemic.
at the time of this writing (end of April 2020), it is still direct continued on p. 65
Figure 8: The parallel of Neptune and Pluto in celestial latitude, exact in October 2020
Last train of Wuhan metro before authorities lock down the city for the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak
China News Service / (CC BY 3.0)

THE PLUTO KILLER and
HIS HUNT FOR PLANET NINE
by Deborah McMahon
“D
addy, do you know how you can get people to counted for the irregularities of Mercury’s orbit, which were
stop hating you?”1 Ten-year-old Lilah had been initially thought to indicate the presence of a nearby unde-
thinking about the strong reactions many peo- tected planet. And the flyby of Uranus and Neptune by space
ple had to her father’s work and had a solution to offer him. probe Voyager 2 in the 1980s gave us precise measures of
Mike Brown, a professor at the prestigious Caltech Univer- their mass. From this, more accurate modelling of the so-
sity, had been a central figure in the 2006 debate that saw lar system’s combined gravitational effects was made, which
the International Astronomical Union (IAU) reclassify Pluto as showed there was no mysterious ninth planet pulling on the
a dwarf planet, reducing our solar system to only eight full- orbits of the known eight.
sized planets. He was well used to the acrimony his name It was 2014 when Lilah made her suggestion — little
evoked amongst supporters of Pluto, and it’s fair to say he did Brown know at the time, in only a few years, he was to
even played into the animosity — Brown’s Twitter handle is @ have a radical change of heart. He and his research partner,
plutokiller and he wrote a book called How I Killed Pluto and Konstantin Batygin, would find gravitational evidence of an
Why It Had It Coming. These are the hallmarks of a resilient undiscovered planet, orbiting far out in the distant reaches of
man ... or at least one who has the courage of his convictions! the Kuiper belt — that region out past Neptune, filled with
“Gosh no, I don’t. How should I do that?”2 Lilah was of- thousands of tiny icy bodies, including Pluto. They would ob-
fering him a path to redemption he probably didn’t think was serve that distant Kuiper belt objects have their orbits aligned
needed, but Brown was happy to play along. “You should go in particular directions, indicating the presence of a large
find a new planet and then people wouldn’t hate you any- gravity well. And after extensive mathematical modelling, the
more,” she expanded. Brown laughed and explained to his pair would conclude the disturbances could only be caused
young daughter that there were no new planets to be found. by the presence of a sizeable planet orbiting so far out that it
The theory of relativity had long ago put paid to the didn’t even perturb the orbit of Neptune.
hunt for Vulcan, a hypothesised small planet thought to be So, in 2016 “Pluto Killer” would metamorphose into
orbiting close to the Sun. Einstein’s theory adequately ac- “Planet Hunter,” as Brown came to dedicate the majority of
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 29

The Pluto Killer also in recognition that the new finds were all significantly
smaller than the six traditional planets, plus Uranus — smaller
by many magnitudes!
By the early 1850s the term “asteroid belt” was being
his allotted telescope time to the search for Planet Nine. Be- used to describe that part of our solar system. There was no
fore we delve deeper into this rumoured planet, we have the planet-sized object to be found there. It’s now agreed that the
brief history of our outer solar system discovery to explore first. tremendous gravitational effect of Jupiter prevented a planet
from ever forming there out of the early solar system debris.
Discovering the Outer Solar System At around the same time, Uranus had nearly completed
The improvement of new technology and a lucky hap- one full orbit since its discovery. Together with precovery3
penstance led to the discovery of Uranus in 1781. William information, there was now enough data for astronomers to de-
Herschel had constructed his own reflecting telescope and tect irregularities in its path that couldn’t be entirely explained
was conducting a routine survey of the fixed stars when by Newton’s law of universal gravitation. The perturbations
he came across a wanderer. (The word planet comes from could be explained by the presence of another, as yet undiscov-
the (Greek) asteres planetai, meaning wandering star. Ini- ered, large planet whose gravity was pulling on Uranus.
tially, using only the naked eye, our planets could only be In 1846, astronomer and mathematician Urbain Le
discerned against the backdrop of fixed stars because they Verrier calculated the position of Neptune, which was fa-
moved — in all other respects, they looked just like stars.) mously found within an hour’s observation and at less than one
Herschel returned to his fuzzy object a couple of nights degree from its predicted position. An ice giant of an eighth
after his initial sighting. Enough time had passed for him to planet had been discovered, but its position orbiting far out in
recognise that it had moved — causing him to conclude it the solar system broke the Titius-Bode law. Yet this was of little
must be a comet. But it didn’t have all the typical features, practical consequence — the accuracy of Le Verrier’s predic-
and after a couple of months a remarkable suggestion was tion was impressive, and suddenly, orbital perturbations were
made — Herschel’s find was actually a planet. the next hot trail for astronomers to follow.
Uranus was the first “new” planet to be discovered since They quickly started chasing that red herring of the inner
antiquity. Until then, Saturn had been the limit of our solar solar system — the rumoured Vulcan. Perturbations of Mer-
system, wandering at the very edge of the visible sky. With cury’s orbit indicated something was afoot, and because the
the discovery of Uranus, our established order was disrupted predicted planet was thought to be orbiting close to the Sun,
Vulcan was believed to be elusive, hidden by the brilliant solar
light. Several mistaken claims of discovery were made, and
In 2016 “Pluto Killer” would faith in Vulcan’s existence persisted until Einstein’s theory of
relativity became widely accepted.
metamorphose into “Planet Hunter,” In the outer solar system, however, the scent was still
as Brown came to dedicate the warm. Only a few years prior to the publishing of Einstein’s
radical new theory, Percival Lowell postulated there was an-
majority of his allotted telescope other large planet orbiting out past Neptune. By 1905, the
time to the search for Planet Nine. hunt for Planet X had begun, and continued on and off for
25 years, until after Lowell’s death. Incidentally, there’s noth-
ing mysterious or foreshadowing about the “X” in Planet X
and our minds were opened to a broader concept of space — Lowell had used a letter label for all of his predictions.
and possibilities. (Here we can observe the astrological sig- When it came to finding the trans-Neptunian, he had already
nifications of both Saturn and Uranus — limit and structure used letters A through W. X was just the next cab off the
versus disruption, breakthrough, and technology.) rank, so to speak.
A fervour broke out amongst astronomers. It had long Pluto was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh, who
been recognised that our planets were neatly distributed at had been hired by Lowell Observatory to continue the hunt
calculable distances from the Sun, fitting the Titius-Bode law. for Planet X. It was found within 6° of Lowell’s prediction,
Uranus had been found orbiting at just the right distance to and so at the time it unequivocally earned the classification of
miraculously slip into the end of the pattern. But there was planet. After all, Lowell had calculated it to be equivalent to
one obvious gap — according to the law there ought to be 6.6 Earth masses — that’s massive.
a planet circling in between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. As we learned more about Pluto and our solar system, we
Planet-hunting astronomers turned their sights on this part came to understand that our ninth planet was in fact, very, very
of the sky, and by 1801, Ceres was discovered. Pallas, Juno, tiny. To give a sense of scale, Pluto is smaller than Earth’s own
and Vesta were soon to follow, and by 1807, our solar sys- Moon and has only about a fifth of its mass (being composed
tem was thought to consist of eleven planets. mainly of ice). That’s about 30 times less massive than our
However, these trans-Martian objects soon lost their smallest planet, Mercury. What Tombaugh had discovered was
planetary classification after the rapid discovery of many more in fact the first, and largest, of the Kuiper belt objects.
objects in this same region, starting from 1845. Instead, In many respects, the Kuiper belt is analogous to the as-
they were classified as “asteroids.” Perhaps this move was teroid belt. The gravitational effect of nearby Neptune had

Dr. Michael Brown, co-discoverer of the new dwarf planet Eris, answers questions from
the audience regarding the demotion of Pluto from planet to dwarf planet by the Inter-
BW
national Astronomical Union in August 2006. Waifer X (CC BY 2.0).
accumulation of data, but included a global gestalt that was

recognised across cultures and that tapped into deeper, uni-
versal archetypes.
As astrologers, we have relied upon this connection be-
tween name, myth, and astrological meaning. Now here’s
a question that begs asking: Does the mythology associated
with a celestial body, because of the name given to it by a
modern-day astronomer, automatically reveal its astrological
meaning? When Uranus was discovered the Enlightenment was
already upon us. This elevated reason as the primary source
of knowledge, and other means of accessing wisdom were dis-
missed as superstition or, worse still, as the work of charlatans.
It was German astronomer Johann Bode who first sug-
When the discovery of Eris was gested the name Uranus.6 He arrived at the choice through
announced in 2005, it was a reasoned patrilineal extension of the Roman gods, after
whom our classical planets were named. If Mercury and Mars
introduced to the astronomical were fathered by Jupiter, and Jupiter was fathered by Saturn,
then the next planet out ought to be named for Saturn’s fa-
community as the tenth planet by ther, Caelus. But we already had a constellation Caelus, and
none other than Mike Brown. astronomical convention required the names of celestial bod-
ies to be unique in order to avoid any confusion. Fortunately,
the classical era encompassed the cultures of both ancient
made it impossible for a planetary-sized body to ever coalesce Rome and Greece, and so Bode looked to the equivalent
there from the thousands of orbiting fragments. Instead of be- Greek god, Ouranus, as the name for our seventh planet.
ing rocky, like asteroids, the Kuiper belt bodies are comprised Given the happenstance from which Uranus gained its
mainly of ice, and they wander a little further away from the name, we might wonder if Tarnas is correct to counsel cau-
ecliptic, occupying more of a donut region of space rather tion. He suggests the naming of the outer planets may or
than orbiting in a narrow band or belt. A further develop- may not be relevant to the actual meanings of those planets
ment of telescope technology helped us discover the second in astrological terms. He suggests we ought to take our time
of the Kuiper belt objects in 1992 (second after Pluto). Then, in grasping and discerning those meanings. For example, the
over the next 25 years, a few thousand more were identified. mythology of the Greek primal sky god does have something
When the discovery of Eris was announced in 2005, it to do with astronomy and the cosmos and relates in some
was believed to be larger than Pluto and was introduced to small degree to our astrological Uranus.
the astronomical community as the tenth planet by none However, we also understand Uranus to be about re-
other than Mike Brown. If Pluto was a planet, and Eris was bellion, creativity, technology, the impulse for freedom, and
larger than Pluto, Eris must be a planet, right? The logic
didn’t sit well with Brown, and he soon joined the voices call-
ing for a redefining of what a planet is, even if it was to rob Does the mythology associated
him of the honour of being a discoverer of a new world.
The following year, Pluto lost its classification as a planet,
with a celestial body, because of the
and joined the ranks of Eris and Ceres as the first of a new name given to it by a modern-day
category of solar system objects — the dwarf planets.4 We
were once again back to having only eight full-sized planets in astronomer, automatically reveal its
our solar system.
astrological meaning?
What’s in a Name?
When it comes to our understanding of the classical unexpected lightning-like shifts of consciousness or insight.
planets, astrologers have essentially received a legacy from Tarnas advocates that these other meanings of Uranus have
another mode of consciousness, according to archetypal as- more to do with the mythology of Prometheus. Prometheus
trologer Richard Tarnas.5 He observes that Mercury, Venus, is the rebel Titan god who defied his own kind, stealing fire
Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were named by the ancients at a from the gods to give to humanity and thereby bringing us
time when humanity lived in a state of spiritually permeable the means to develop all of our arts and sciences.
consciousness and with a more intimate connection to the Le Verrier, who so precisely predicted the position of
mythic realm. The association of a planet with a deity (and our eighth planet, claimed the right to name it and chose
therefore its mythology) didn’t just come about through an Neptune after the Roman sea god. He wanted a name that
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 31

The Pluto Killer transforms into a contractive, expulsive experience for the
new life being born.
Perhaps astrology’s response to the growing outer solar
acknowledged its bright blue appearance and also to stay system is to remain open to the possibility that the archetypal
within the Greco-Roman pantheon of gods. In this, we can meanings can speak to us through multiple mythologies.
observe some appropriate connection with the ocean, liq- And that perhaps we ought not to unquestioningly accept
uids, the fluid nature of things, or perhaps even the flow of the names given to planets by astronomers as our sole access
consciousness. point to astrological wisdom.
Yet, as Tarnas observes, this tempestuous, somewhat
mean-spirited god is also very unlike the qualities of the Discord, Thy Name Is Eris
Neptune we know astrologically, which include universal When Mike Brown was searching the Kuiper belt look-
compassion, mystical states of unity, or high inspiration. In- ing for an object that could rival Pluto in size, he had a special
stead, he suggests there are more relevant connections to be name kept in reserve for it. He had wanted to redress the gen-
explored with the deities of the Indian pantheon, such as the der balance in planetary names and also retain the “X” for
blue-complexioned Vishnu who dreams the universe into the apocryphal Planet X beyond Neptune. As soon as he
reality or the associated qualities of Brahman or Maya.7 became sure that his new object was real, he affectionately
The now-demoted Pluto was named by the Lowell Ob- nicknamed it Xena, after the lead character in the TV series
servatory after receiving a suggestion from eleven-year-old Xena: Warrior Princess — a fantasy adventure screened in
Venetia Burney.8 She knew her classical mythology and the late 1990s and early 2000s.
noticed that our growing solar system included the siblings Brown’s new find had upset the planetary apple cart, and
Jupiter and Neptune, but lacked their brother Pluto. Not a so for a year it had to continue with only a nickname, whilst
the controversy over just what constitutes a planet played out.
When the verdict came in, Xena was excluded from the ranks
The mythic stories, from both of full-sized planets, and it had taken Pluto down with it! Hav-
ing gained a classification, Xena could finally get a real name.
classical and multicultural sources, The TV series that inspired its nickname may have been a
spin-off of the series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,
ought not be overlooked if we want but it was still a degree too far removed from Greco-Roman
to access deeper veins of mythology. Brown wanted the legitimacy of the classical pan-
theon for his dwarf planet.
archetypal meaning. Trouble was, all the major gods’ and goddesses’ names
were already taken by the many thousands of asteroids that
were discovered since the 1800s. Eventually, after many false
lot is published about the reasons behind the Observatory’s hopes, one of Brown’s team wrote a small computer pro-
recommendation of the name to the IAU. Maybe it’s be- gramme to cross-check the asteroids against all the names
cause the God of the Underworld is an appropriate choice of the Greek and Roman gods, to see what — if anything —
for this most distant world. Or perhaps it was in honour of was left. Brown was unimpressed with the results, describing
Percival Lowell, whose initials are the first two letters of Pluto the options as obscure demigods of long-forgotten activities
and can be deciphered in one of its planetary glyphs. or minor protectors of long-gone professions. There was only
Again, Tarnas suggests the deities of other cultures may one name that grabbed his attention, and later when reflect-
offer us greater access to the Plutonian archetype — for ing in his autobiography, it had him sounding more like a
example, Kali, the Hindu goddess of death, time, and dooms- mystical astrologer than a science-grounded astronomer.
day. She is often associated with sexuality, violence, and is “I wondered … whether or not there was some sort of
also considered a fierce mother figure. Or perhaps the myth cosmic force governing the stars and planets and even the
of Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and fire and the creator of dwarf planets after all. Maybe there was some sort of fate
the Hawaiian Islands, can provide us with an additional way of that had kept this name free until now, the perfect time for it
accessing archetypal Pluto. She is known for her power, pas- to be unveiled.”10 Brown named his dwarf planet Eris, after
sion, jealousy, and capriciousness, and is poetically called
Ka wahine ʻai honua — the woman who devours the land.
The mythic stories of goddesses, from both classical and There was only one name that
multicultural sources, ought not be overlooked if we want to
access deeper veins of archetypal meaning. In relation to as- grabbed his attention, which had
trological Pluto, for example, Tarnas notes its association with him sounding more like a
the coming together of creative and destructive forces, and
observes that whenever this occurs, the feminine is always mystical astrologer than a
close by. He states that the peaceful womb-state is destroyed
during the birthing process, as an illustration of the principle.9
science-grounded astronomer.
During active labour, the once cloistered, nurturing womb

the Greek goddess of discord and strife, which seemed so blessed one whenever it is activated by transit, progression, or
appropriate to the initial chaos its discovery had brought to annual profection.12 With this Gemini stellium, it appears that
astronomers and astrologers alike. Brown has found himself well suited to his professorial role
The most famous mythic story of Eris has her excluded seeking out the new and novel in the cosmos and communicat-
from the celebrations of the wedding of Peleus to the sea ing his findings to academia and the interested public.
nymph Thetis. Eris turns up anyway and wreaks havoc. She Squaring his Gemini planets is Saturn in his 6th house,
tosses the Apple of Discord — a golden apple with the inscrip- suggesting an ability to apply a systematic, disciplined, mature
tion “To the Fairest One” — amongst the guests. Immediately approach to his work. Opposing Saturn and squaring Brown’s
it caused the goddesses there to quarrel and compete. Gemini planets are Mars, Pluto, Uranus, and the Moon in the
Zeus appointed the hapless Paris of Troy to adjudicate, other Mercury-ruled sign of Virgo. These eight planets acting
and he chose Aphrodite as the apple’s recipient, because of together form a dynamic t-square that urges change. Here we
her promise that he would have the love of the most beauti- can see the potential to challenge and transform traditional
ful woman in the world in exchange — Helen. Unfortunately, structures, even if it comes at the cost of some acrimony or
the beautiful Helen was married to Menelaus of Sparta and with some hidden opposition. Whatever is challenged, it’s
so Paris had to steal her away. (According to some accounts likely to be delivered with discernment, fine analysis, and a
she fell in love with him and left willingly.) It was the attempts sense of service.
of Menelaus to reclaim his wife that began the Trojan War. That sounds about right for a man who, in his account
of Pluto’s demotion, passionately lectured on the importance
The Planet Hunter of classifications because, if they’re correct, they can lead
Mike Brown was born on June 5, 1965, in Huntsville, science to asking useful questions about reality. Speaking of
Alabama, in the United States. (See Chart, below.) He re- Pluto, we can see the dwarf planet is making a partile square
ports he’s not 100% certain of his birth time, saying it’s to Brown’s nodal axis, which spans across Gemini and Sag-
probably 2:30 p.m.11 (Every good scientist notes the reliabil- ittarius. From this we might wonder if Brown feels destined
ity of their data!) That gives him a Libra Ascendant, ruled by to clean up outmoded models of our solar system, breaking
a Gemini Venus in the 9th house, indicating a love of growth them down in order to bring through the new.
through exploration. A chart ruler located in the 9th house The partile waning square between Jupiter and Uranus in
orients the native to either quite literal explorations of distant his chart speaks to a crisis-inducing reorientation and a focus
lands or to more abstract explorations, such as the pursuit of on truth. With Jupiter’s association with expansion, and Ura-
higher education or an interest in philosophy or beliefs. nus signifying breakthroughs and technologies, it’s interesting
Michael E. Brown Gemini Sun is also in the 9th house in Compliments of:
Brown’s
Natal Chart Whole
916-730-6805
to see that Brown grew up in the shadow of the United States
Sign houses,
Jun 5 1965, Sat
2:30 pm CST +6:00 along with the Sun’s dispositor, Mercury, which is Space & Rocket Centre in Huntsville, Alabama. His father, an
Huntsville, Alabama
strengthened
34°N43'49'' by having essential dignity in its sign of rulership.
086°W35'10'' engineer at International Business Machines (IBM), had moved
Geocentric
And having both Venus and Jupiter also here makes this part of
Tropical there in order to work on the giant Saturn rocket which
Whole Signs
hisNode
True chart a fortunate experience in his life — and a potentially launched the first astronauts to the Moon, giving humankind
its first foothold in space.
00° ƒ 00'
It’s also interesting that Brown has chosen a career for
00' 00° himself expanding our knowledge of the solar system, using
„ »¸É ‚ 00' advanced telescope technologies and computer programming
00° Ì 29°14°13°
½º
23° ‚ ‚ ‚ 10°07° to discern the movement of tiny specks of distant light amongst
ƒ 22' 56'49' ‚ ‚
11'
a myriad of others. Brown’s Sun is positioned only a degree
00' 07' 41' 00°
Œ
ahead of the Moon’s North Node in his chart. The conjunction
… 10 9 Ý
00° 00' between the Sun and the North Node indicates that he was
¶ 06° 11 8 born into a powerful period between solar and lunar eclipses,
¿ 10°…… 26' signifying beginnings and endings. The total solar eclipse of
Á 13° … 42'
50'
June 1965 occurred only six days prior to his birth, conjunct
Chart:
12 7
00° ¼ 19° … 29' 00°
both Jupiter and the fixed Royal Star of Aldebaran. This star
† Astronomer Ü
can portend great inspiration and success and can bring high
00'
1 Mike Brown 6
00'
48' ‹
16° honours (that could be lost to quarrels).
51' ¾
20°† Given this, it’s curious how often Jupiter narrates the
Ë 2 5
course of Brown’s life. His doctoral thesis was a study of vol-
00° Œ 00'
55' 3 4 canic activity on one of Jupiter’s Moons, and his memoir is full
‡ ‡ ‹
00' 17° Œ 00° of personal moments bookmarked by observations of Jupiter
49'
À ˆ coming together with other planets in the night sky. In his au-
13° tobiography, he shares the moment the planets became real
00° 00'
ˆ 00' Ê Š to him, after spending months at the age of 15 watching Jupi-
00°
00° ‰ 00'
ter come together in a conjunction with Saturn. It dawned on
him then that the planets are not just distant concepts; rather,
Whole Sign houses and the True Node they are bright points of light that move among the stars. His
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 33

The Pluto Killer
reminiscences about the significance of this moment of awak-
A swath of sky between the
ening are surprising coming from a man of modern science. constellations of Orion and Taurus
“It’s impossible to know, but it’s always hard not to feel that
in some ways, for me at least, perhaps the earliest astrologers is where Brown and Batygin are
were right: Perhaps my fate actually was determined by the
positions of the planets at the moment of my birth.”13
currently training their telescopes
in hopes of finding Planet Nine.
Profiling Planet Nine
We know a little already about Brown’s hypothesised
planet. Based on the modelling he and Batygin have developed, Planet Nine will spend about 28 years transiting a single
it’s thought to be around the equivalent of five Earth masses degree of the ecliptic or over 800 years travelling through a
(see Table, below), orbiting at an average distance of about single zodiacal sign.
500 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun.14 Saturn, which was If found, this planet will be like no other in astrology —
once thought to be the very limit of the solar system, is located the orbit of Uranus lasts for a person’s lifespan, Neptune
at about ten AUs from the Sun. Uranus and Neptune were dis- doubles this, and Pluto in a sign is said to be the marker of
covered at about 20 and 30 AUs, respectively. With Planet generations. Planet Nine will be the marker of something
Nine orbiting out around 500 AUs, it is way out! akin to epochs. But because of the eccentricity of its orbit,
Its orbital path is inclined by about 20° compared to there will be parts of the ecliptic which Planet Nine will tran-
the plane of the solar system, and its path is highly elliptical. sit through swiftly (relatively speaking) and other parts where
It may come within 300 AUs at its closest approach to the it will linger for a much longer period of time.
Sun and stretch out as far as 650 AUs at the most remote A swath of sky between the constellations of Orion and
reaches of its orbit. It’s believed to take 10,000 years to make Taurus is where Brown and Batygin are currently training
one complete orbit around the zodiac; meaning on average, their telescopes in hopes of finding their predicted planet.
(See Figure, at left.) This location, when translated to
ecliptic longitude, relates to the sign of Gemini in the tropical
Elnath
Pleiades zodiac. Wouldn’t it be fitting, if Brown is ever proven correct,
for Planet Nine to be discovered within that sign so significant
in his personal chart?
The Naming of Planet Nine

TAURUS The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the author-
ity in astronomy for naming celestial bodies. Should Brown
Aldebaran
ever discover his Planet Nine, it will be his right to suggest
a name for it, but it will be the IAU that either approves
his choice or suggests a different name to be used in scien-
Betelgeuse
tific papers. As astrologers, we need not assume too quickly
that science’s adoption of a name is our access into the full ar-
ORION chetypal meaning of the new planet, though we may remain
open to that as a possibility. Brown might name his planet for
Planet Nine apparently rational reasons, but as Richard Tarnas has inti-
Search Area mated, he might also be unconsciously inspired by archetypal
motivations moving through him in an act of synchronicity.
Figure: A star chart showing the search location for the hypothesised As Brown has already observed when reflecting on his
Planet Nine naming of possible dwarf planet Sedna, “I was surprised to
discover that a good name with an interesting story behind it
Planet Nine Characteristics could lead people to have an emotional connection to an un-
Mass 5 Earths seen object in space.”15 Perhaps astrology’s challenge instead
Semi-major axis 500 AU is to marry an openness to mythological truth-finding with
Aphelion 650 AU careful observation. And because of the nature of this planet
Perihelion 300 AU
Orbital eccentricity 0.30 with its 10,000-year orbit, perhaps our response to this chal-
Orbital period 10,000 years lenge ought to include multiple generations of astrologers.
Inclination 20 degrees
Discovered Not yet References and Notes
Deborah McMahon, Astrologer
1. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cZMFyRgx4w, “Mike Brown on

Killing Pluto and Replacing It with Planet 9” (accessed June 2019).
Table: Key astronomical features of the hypothesised Planet Nine

The Astrological
Book of Life
2. Ibid.
3. “Precovery” is the process in astronomy where a newly discovered object
is identified in old or archived records, such as sketches and notes or photo-
graphs. An object can be captured in these records but not recognised for what
it is until after its discovery. The word stands for “pre-discovery recovery.”
4. See https://www.iau.org/public/themes/pluto/, “Pluto and the Develop-
ing Landscape of Our Solar System” (accessed July 2019).
First Copies Available Now
5. Richard Tarnas, “Cosmos and Psyche,” July 25, 2016, in The Astrol-
from The Ness of Astrology
ogy Podcast,
produced by Chris Brennan, podcast, MP3 audio, http://theastrologypodcast. and Wildflower Publishing
com/2016/07/25/richard-tarnas-on-cosmos-and-psyche/ Amherst, Massachusetts
6. Johann Bode suggested Uranus as a name for Herschel’s new planet just a
few years after its discovery, but it took nearly 70 years for it to become glob-
ally accepted. The British editors of the Nautical Almanac continued to refer
to it as Georgium Sidus until 1850 — Herschel had named it such after his
patron, King George the III of Great Britain and Ireland — a name not well
accepted outside of Britain.
This introduction to the
7. Brahman is the ultimate unifying and integration principle of the universe history of astrology takes you
in Hindu philosophy. Maya is the magical power with which the gods can from China to India, Mexico
make humans believe in what turns out to be an illusion.
to Egypt and to points all
8. See https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/podcasting/transcript_pluto_naming over the ancient world.
_podcast.html, “NASA Transcript: The Girl Who Named Pluto” (accessed
July 2019). Author Timothy Ness
9. Richard Tarnas, “What Is the Relationship of Myths to the Planetary weaves mystery with non-
Archetypes?” (lecture, United Astrology Conference, New Orleans, Lou- fiction in this tale of magical
isiana, USA, 2012). characters traveling by train
10. Mike Brown, How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming, Spiegel from Milan to Rome.
& Grau, 2010, p. 237.
11. The birth time was communicated in personal correspondence from
Mike Brown.
12. Annual profection is a technique for determining which part of the chart is
www.NessofAstrology.com
likely to deliver its natal promise in any given year of a native’s life. A house,
its planetary ruler, and any natal planets located in that house are considered
active for a year, and much more sensitive to the influence of transits. The
technique comes from the Hellenistic era of astrology, so a Whole Sign house
system and traditional sign rulers are used.
13. Brown, How I Killed Pluto, p. 17.
14. The distance that the Earth is from the Sun is used as a reference for all
distances in the solar system — we call this an astronomical unit (AU).
15. Brown, How I Killed Pluto, p. 105.
© 2020 Deborah McMahon – all rights reserved
Deborah McMahon studies and writes about astrology in her free

time. She is employed as a research administrator at a New Zea-
land medical university, and also works in project support roles
on a contract basis. She publishes regularly to her Facebook page,
@deborahmcmahonastrologer, and can be messaged through that account
or e-mailed at deborahgmcmahon@gmail.com. Deborah plans to study
more, continue her writing, and build her astrology consulting practice.
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 35

T
hough I first became curious about astrology during
my mid teens, it was only in my early twenties that I
began seriously exploring the deeper workings and
applications of this discipline. As it so happened, it was also
the same time I was first becoming interested in C. G. Jung’s
theory of synchronicity — the concept of “meaningful co-
incidence,” whereby disparate events come together in ways
that seem to defy the normal workings of chance.
In contrast with ordinary cause-and-effect relationship,
such as we see with billiard balls interacting on a pool table,
synchronicities seem to involve “acausal” connections, where
there is no direct, obvious relationship between events other
than that of meaning. For example, you’re looking through
LOOKING
some old photographs in a family album and come across a
picture of a friend you hadn’t seen in 20 years, when sud-
denly the phone rings and it’s that very friend calling up to
say hi. That sort of thing.
BEYOND THE The more I delved into both of these subjects, the more
I began realizing how much overlap there really was between
them, not just in their theoretical foundations but their prac-
HOROSCOPE
tical applications. For example, I saw that astrology could be
viewed as a beautiful example of synchronicity writ large, in
that the patterns of our horoscope illustrate how “meaning-
ful coincidence” permeates every aspect of our lives; every
Incorporating
facet of our daily experience, from the trivial to the profound,
is embedded in a network of acausal connections and cor-
respondences that symbolically relate back to the planets,
aspects, and houses of the horoscope. In a sense, one’s entire
SYNCHRONICITY life is “synchronistic” in that everything co-incides.

On a more practical level, I also saw how specific in-
stances of “meaningful coincidence” could actually augment
into our Interpretations our understanding of individual horoscopes. Consider the
case of my friend who said she’d just met a man she was at-
tracted to while working at the local health food store she
In a sense, one’s
entire life is “synchronistic”
in that everything co-incides.
managed. An odd thing happened during that first encounter,

she explained; literally during that first conversation while
waiting on him at the store’s front counter, a car parked out-
side the front door suddenly burst into flames, prompting the
fire department to show up and douse the flaming vehicle
with water. Not exactly the best possible omen for a new re-
lationship, I thought to myself. As it turned out, she became
romantically involved with the man, and not surprisingly, the
relationship also “went up in flames,” causing her enormous
heartache and anger in the process.
by Ray Grasse Naturally, I was intrigued by this turn of events and set
about erecting a horoscope for the exact time of that first
meeting, which she remembered by heart. Would that di-
sastrous outcome be shown in the planetary configurations

of that day? Lo and behold, it did portend big problems for
the star-crossed lovers: in addition to a nearly exact square
between Mars and Venus, Pluto and Saturn were conjunct
right on the cusp of the 7th house, the segment of the
The chart revealed a considerable
horoscope related to partnerships. The chart revealed a potential for passion in the
considerable potential for passion in the relationship, but
also great potential for conflict and struggle.
relationship, but also great
Anyone with a bit of symbolic discernment could have potential for conflict and struggle.
learned much the same thing just by looking at those omens
during that first encounter. Likewise, the more I paid atten-
tion to such events over time with friends and clients, not to the stories I have heard invariably reflected their horoscopic
mention my own life, the more apparent it became that while patterns in intriguing, sometimes even comical ways.
horoscopes were extremely useful tools, there are in fact many Of course, some astrological purists might argue such
ways of “reading“ what is happening in the world besides events won’t really tell you anything you can’t learn simply
what is offered strictly by horoscopes; there are actually many by examining the horoscope for that same moment in time.
sources of symbolic information in the environment than what But I’d argue that within those environmental images — like
can be found simply in the patterns of the stars and planets. the deer running by at the birth of a child — we find uniquely
Here’s another example. A client showed up for a concise symbols for potentialities only revealed by the horo-
consultation, and during the course of our talk, asked my scope in comparatively abstract form. Yes, the horoscope
thoughts about the outcome of a legal battle she was en- effectively reveals the deeper archetypal dynamics of a situa-
gaged in. At the exact moment she posed that question tion, but when you consider that those archetypal dynamics
to me, I heard the sound of loud cheering from a soccer can unfold in so many different ways, and on so many dif-
competition being held in a nearby sports field. I saw in her ferent levels of symbolism and subtlety, it becomes clear that
horoscope that Jupiter would be trining her Sun around the the very specificity of that manifest event reveals a great deal
time of the trial, but there were other, more challenging ener- about how those archetypes are actually unfolding. Con-
gies at work, too. So, which way would it go? The indicators sider the example of pioneering scientist and inventor Nikola
in the horoscope were decidedly mixed, but that background Tesla who was born in the midst of an electrical storm. That
cheering from the sports field at the moment she asked her fact alone foreshadowed his lifelong involvement with
question gave me some confidence things would turn out electricity perhaps more specifically than anything actually
fairly well for her. As it happened, the court case was even- indicated in his horoscope.
tually settled in her favor — an outcome revealed as much (if
not more) by the omens in the environment during our read- A Synchronistic Approach to Mundane Astrology
ing as by the positions of the stars. Much the same approach can be applied to studying de-
velopments on a more global scale, customarily the province
An Ancient Way of Seeing of mundane astrology, also described as the astrology of world
The notion of looking to sources other than the stars for affairs. For mundane astrologers, the primary method for un-
insight is hardly a novel idea. It’s been a staple of traditional derstanding a historic event is to simply draw up a horoscope
cultures since time immemorial, as “signs” and “symbols” for the moment it occurred or to correlate cultural trends with
have always played a role. When a child is born, contempo- planetary cycles, especially those involving the slower-moving
rary astrologers generally assume the primary way to decode planets. But here as well, we often find important symbols or
the life of that child is by erecting a chart for the moment synchronicities constellated around these events that shed vital
of its birth; but for many traditional societies, it was the cus- light on their significance. Let’s look at a few examples.
tom for the parents to look at what was happening in the im- Very early in 1979, social unrest in Iran caused the
mediate environment for a “sign” related to that child’s life. reigning Shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, to flee the country
For instance, in many Native American tribes, if a deer hap- to avoid being violently deposed by an increasingly angry
pened to be running by at the moment a child was born, the populace. His departure proved to be a pivotal event, which
child might have been named “Running Deer,“ in the belief led not only to the infamous Iranian hostage crisis but the
that the deer somehow represented a living cipher into that ultra conservative Islamic segment of the population taking
child’s character and destiny. control of the nation’s politics and cultural values for decades
We know that the classical world has its own share of to come. What’s interesting is that, within just 60 seconds
such stories. The ancient Greek scholar Plutarch tells the of the Shah’s plane leaving the runway, a major earthquake
story of how Alexander the Great’s father knew of his son’s shook the nation — a coincidental intersection of events that
extraordinary destiny from the various omens that attended told symbolists like myself that Iran was in for an extremely
Alexander’s birth — and there are similar stories surround- “shaky” time ahead. And, that is exactly what happened.
ing the births of other great figures from ancient times, both Astrologically, one could have drawn up a horoscope for the
East and West. In much the same vein, I’ve often asked cli- moment that plane departed, but I doubt it would have con-
ents whether anything unusual or noteworthy of any sort veyed that sense of impending instability quite as concisely
happened around their births, as related by their parents, and as the earthquake.
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 37

Beyond the Horoscope and lead ultimately to the deaths of many American soldiers
and Iraqi citizens. We were assured up front that the entire
undertaking would be swift and likely lead to few Ameri-
It was several months later, in the spring of 1979, that can casualties. That the shuttle disaster took place precisely
media-watchers were treated to an unusual news story in- during the build up to the war — not to mention that it oc-
volving then U.S. President Jimmy Carter. While sitting in a curred over that part of the country where President Bush’s
small boat on a lake in Georgia, the president suddenly found personal home was located — signaled that the Iraqi incur-
himself attacked by a wild rabbit, swimming in a seemingly sion could be considerably less swift and more costly than
threatening way towards his boat, which he then batted away anyone imagined. Here as well, astrology might have pro-
with one of the boat’s oars. The event became a source of vided some advanced insight into the war’s outcome, but that
humor and even ridicule in the media for weeks afterwards, singular tragic image spoke volumes of its own.
but one person I knew saw it as holding symbolic importance. Another instance of the synchronistic approach to cul-
Precisely because it was so unusual, and happened to tural developments can be found in the field of UFO studies.
none other than the president, an early teacher of mine, One way astrologers have approached this subject over the
Shelly Trimmer, predicted in writing that the U.S. could soon years has been to erect horoscopes for key events or encoun-
find itself ”under attack” by a smaller but disproportionately ters described by witnesses. An alternate approach would be
bothersome nation. Shortly thereafter we found ourselves to examine the various events or synchronicities constellated
embroiled in the Iranian hostage crisis. Here as well, it’s con- around those events, or even explore the striking number of
ceivable the hostage crisis could have been foreseen using anomalous phenomena associated throughout history with
conventional astrological methods (although I’m unaware those particular dates.
of any such predictions). That it was indeed foreseen solely As one example, take the singular event commonly cited
through omenological symbolism speaks to the value of as the key turning point in popular consciousness regarding
non-astrological sources in helping us understand, or some- the UFO phenomenon: Kenneth Arnold’s sighting on June
times even predict, historical developments. 24, 1947 while flying his private plane in Washington State.
Humanity’s exploration of outer space has yielded Not only did the famous Roswell incident take place shortly
numerous examples of dramatic synchronicities. When Amer- after, and the Maury Island incident several days before,
icans first landed on the Moon in 1969, astrologers promptly but June 24th is historically the date of St. John’s Day and
drew up horoscopes for the key moments involved — the ini- Midsummer Night’s Eve — a time of the year commonly asso-
tial launch, first touchdown, Neil Armstrong’s first steps on ciated with strange apparitions and the proverbial ”thinning of
the lunar surface, and so on. But as I mentioned in my book the veil” (recall Shakespeare’s tale about midsummer happen-
The Waking Dream (Quest Books, 1999), it’s worth con- ings). That date was also associated in Elizabethan England
sidering what further insights might be had by learning that with fairies and the appearance of little people generally and
the moment we were setting foot on the Moon’s surface, ar- further associated with the legend of the Pied Piper. Connec-
chaeologist Iris Love was uncovering the most important of tions like these not only provide historical context; they can
Aphrodite’s ancient temples in present-day Turkey (also note help illuminate some of the more out-of-the-box theories asso-
that for the ancient Greeks, the worship of Aphrodite was al- ciated with UFO studies like those pioneered by Jacques Val-
ways associated with the Moon); or consider that the same lee, for whom the answer to this mystery resides less in nuts
weekend also witnessed Ted Kennedy’s tragic incident at and bolts explanations involving metallic spaceships and “little
Chappaquiddick — an event replete with “lunar” symbols all green men from outer space” than in humanity’s timeless en-
its own, from water to drinks to women. Approached sym- counter with the mythic and archetypal dimensions of reality.
bolically, if we see the Moon mission as reflecting a collective I’ve long viewed movies as a rich source of symbols and
opening to the archetypal feminine, we could read such syn- synchronicities to be mined in our understanding of his-
chronicities as illuminating various aspects of our collective torical patterns. That’s particularly apparent when we see
relationship to the feminine — with Kennedy’s scandal reveal- several films on the same general theme premiering around
ing the more dysfunctional side of that national connection. the same time, as if to synchronistically underscore a given
In my book Signs of the Times (Hampton Roads, idea or archetypal dynamic in the zeitgeist. In late summer of
2002), I devoted a chapter to the extraordinary set of omens 2006, for example, the high profile films The Illusionist and
and synchronicities that attended the explosion of the space The Prestige were released close to one another, with strik-
shuttle Challenger in January of 1986, all completely apart ingly similar stories about the interplay between reality and
from any conventional horoscopes or classic delineations. illusion, truth versus falsehood. In fact, that dynamic beauti-
Significant omens and synchronicities surrounded the mid air fully illustrated the key planetary pattern in effect at the time
destruction of the space shuttle Columbia in 2003, as well. — Saturn opposing Neptune — but also what had been
Upon its return into the Earth’s atmosphere in early Febru- happening in the culture.
ary, of that year, the shuttle lost pressure and disintegrated That’s because those same themes were percolating
over Texas, killing the entire crew. through the media in various ways, such as in public debates
Significantly, this happened at a time when President by prominent atheists like Sam Harris over the existence of
Bush and his advisors were drawing up plans for an inva- God and discussions about the balance between skepticism
sion of Iraq, which would get underway several weeks later and gullibility. In more political circles, that same period saw

to see if they might offer further clues. To my mind, the most
dramatic of those was that during this period, researchers in a
very different field were announcing the discovery of another
“vast new realm of reality”— one that was largely unknown
until then and likewise supposedly much more extensive than
our ordinary, visible one. I’m talking about the discovery of
the unconscious mind. Then, just two years later in 1899,
Sigmund Freud published a work that would become formally
associated with the discovery of the unconscious. The Inter-
pretation of Dreams suggests that our conscious experience
is only the tip of a far larger iceberg of experience that was
largely hidden from view — and that influences our surface
motivations and behaviors in profound ways.
That these two developments — the discovery of the
subatomic realm, as well as the unconscious — occurred so
close to one another struck me as a fascinating synchronicity
with potentially enormous significance. Simply put, it strongly
suggested that relatively new states of consciousness were
opening up for humans across the world — a development
that corresponded closely with what was happening astrolog-
ically during that decade with the rare alignment of Pluto and
Neptune. Consider that Neptune and Pluto are completely
invisible to the naked eye, and thus symbolize forces deep in
The discovery of the subatomic the human unconscious.
realm, as well as the unconscious As a result, their coming together signaled profound
stirrings in the collective unconscious and, with them, a
occurred so close to one another … host of new possibilities, such as the emergence of cin-
ema, the rise of Depth Psychology, global communications,
a fascinating synchronicity with and even world wars, to name just four. As useful as it is
potentially enormous significance. to know the astrology of that period, those twin develop-
ments heralded by Thomson and Freud provide an especially
graphic symbol for what was occurring at the time in terms
enormous attention focused on the problem of lies told by of humanity’s opening to previously hidden potentials of
our elected leaders and the challenge of distinguishing truth consciousness.
from fiction in political discourse. Of course, configurations
involving Saturn and Neptune can manifest in different ways, Learning from the Symbolic Imagery of Events
but the stories shared by those two films provided us with a This all brings me to an important point — namely, that
fairly concise window into how those energies were express- while the horoscope contains critical clues into the meaning
ing themselves at that time. of historical developments, we shouldn’t overlook the tre-
Let’s look at one final example. One of the most signifi- mendous amount of symbolic information contained within
cant developments in the annals of science was the discovery the imagery and actual forms of historic events themselves.
of the subatomic realm in 1897 by British physicist and No- I can explain this with a simple analogy. Imagine if someone
bel Laureate in Physics, Sir J. J. Thomson. More than any asked you to interpret a dream they had the night before.
other development, Thomson’s discovery of the electron led Would you set about doing that by drawing up an astrologi-
the way to opening up the previously hidden subterranean cal chart for when they had the dream? Or, would you simply
world of the atom and in turn, the subsequent zoo of sub- spend time reflecting on the actual imagery and action of that
atomic particles that we’d come to recognize, like the proton, dream? While the horoscope may indeed hold good clues, I
neutron, lepton, and quark. It was an epochal historic event, think it’s obvious that enormous insight could be had simply
akin to discovering a vast new world at our fingertips much by examining the symbolism of the dream itself, without nec-
larger than the obvious, tangible one we’re normally familiar essarily resorting to anything beyond the dream.
with. How could we possibly approach its broader signifi- In a similar way, horoscopes can reveal much about the
cance as a historic development? The strictly astrological inner dynamics of historical events, yet when you consider
approach would be to look at the planetary dynamics at work that these same archetypal dynamics can unfold in so many
during that period — among other things, it occurred in the different ways, and on so many levels of subtlety, then the
wake of the once-every-500-years conjunction of Pluto and specificity of those manifest events can be enormously in-
Neptune that climaxed several years earlier. sightful as to how those archetypes are actually unfolding.
Another way to grasp its significance would be to carefully
scour other historic events or synchronicities from that period continued on p. 67
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 39

A Conversation with
SUE
TOMPKINS
by Wynne Jordan
S
ue Tompkins is a registered homeopath and one drop. Then I left school at 15 with no qualifications because
of the most experienced astrologers in the United I wanted to leave home. My mother was a bit violent and
Kingdom. She lectures widely at home and abroad. I was unhappy, and I just wanted out. I went into nursing,
Her books, Aspects in Astrology (1989) and The Contem- and somehow around age 18 I ended up with Linda Good-
porary Astrologer’s Handbook (2006) are international man’s Sun Signs. My best friend seemed so typical of her
bestsellers. A fellow of the Faculty of Astrological Studies, sign, Gemini, that I just thought, “This is unbelievable!” I also
Sue has been honoured with various awards, including, in felt fairly typical of my Aquarius Sun. Anyway, I just got ob-
2003, the British Astrological Association’s Charles Harvey sessed with it, thinking “Well, there’s something in this,” and
Award for exceptional service to astrology. Her website is I ended up being in that something in this phase for a num-
www.suetompkins.com. Sue spoke to me from her home in ber of years.
North London on April 10, 2020. I had joined the British Astrological Association and got
their magazine, but it didn’t make any sense to me. I was liv-
Wynne Jordan: Sue, my first encounter with you was at ing in the provincial town of Stafford, and there were no books
Oxford in 1988 at the Faculty of Astrological Studies’ sum- on proper astrology. Then at age 20 I moved to Canada
mer school. It was in our little tutorial group of ten where and started to learn some things, how to set up a chart, etc.
we convened after each lecture, and that day you were our In Toronto, I could buy books, and I just bought everything
tutor and we were talking about Mars. We had copies of all I could, and I was testing it all the time. As you know your-
ten birth charts and were analyzing each other’s Mars place- self, as you begin to more deeply understand the symbolism
ments. I remember one woman couldn’t relate at all to her you realize that it is absolutely jaw-dropping. It was a gradual
Mars position, so I suggested to you that maybe the astrology thing for me, a very slow apprenticeship. As soon as I realized
just didn’t work that time. You replied right away, very em- there was something in it, I couldn’t find out enough. I wasn’t
phatically, “The chart does not lie!” My immediate thought that surprised to discover that astrology worked, but that abso-
was, “Holy cow! This woman really trusts this stuff.” lute conviction you mention would have taken a while.
So my first question is, how did you come to that state
of conviction? I’m wondering about the degree of confidence WJ: Did you study with the Faculty right away?
that you had, and whether it was a long journey for you to
accept astrology, or did it come pretty naturally to you? Also, ST: No, I was vaguely teaching myself for a time, and then
can you describe for us your journey into astrology? when I got back to London, I joined the Mayo School. Jeff
Mayo was my first teacher and I stayed with him until the cer-
Sue Tompkins: I guess the conviction may have taken tificate, which I got at age 25. And then I sort of switched
some time. There are a couple background elements to my to the Faculty — in those days the courses were all by corre-
journey. Firstly, I wasn’t that happy as a child; I was an only spondence. Live classes were just beginning in London, and
child and quite introverted, and I was full of the big ques- Liz Greene was starting to teach at the Centre for Transper-
tions — you know, who is God, why are we here, all those sonal Psychology. I just went to everything and everybody
kinds of things. And I was an observer; I’ve always wanted who was around: Liz Greene, the Faculty, Charles Harvey,
to know what made people tick. So I had that as a back- John Addey. John Addey was researching at the time, so

I did student-y things with him sometimes. I never really com- WJ: And at some point you became Director of Schools for
pleted a Faculty course, but I got my diploma in 1981. the Faculty.
The other thing is, I left school at 15, as I said, and
worked in shops and a factory. With Saturn in my 3rd house, ST: Yes, I think that was in 1985. It was a very different job
(see Chart, below) I had a bit of a hang-up about having no then than it is now because then we had hundreds of stu-
qualifications. So, in the time I was studying for my diploma, dents. We had four beginners’ classes in London every year
I went off and got a degree — in psychology, history of ideas, and a fifth one in Bath, and a whole diploma course as well.
counselling training. I did all that leading up to my Saturn All of that time — the 1980s, early ’90s — was a heyday for
return, very typical of Saturn in the 3rd. I think the Saturn re- astrology, because as well as those Faculty classes, all the lo-
turn starts when you’re about age 24–25; it’s like the kettle is cal authorities [the equivalent of local municipalities in the
switched on then and comes to boiling when you’re 29. U.S.] had classes. You could have no income and still study
astrology with somebody in a local authority, so there were
WJ: I like that image! What about the nursing, then, did you hundreds of people learning astrology at that time and, in
continue with that? the London classes, certainly several hundred. All of that’s
gone now, really.
ST: No, I knew I didn’t want to be a nurse for the rest of my Everything goes in and out of fashion and at that time
life, partly because I wanted to travel and partly because, as astrology was definitely in fashion. I remember having a con-
a young person, there were certain things about nursing I versation with Stephen Arroyo about publishing and he said
found very difficult — scary, even. Also, even then I was al- that at one time you could walk into any publisher in Cal-
ways slightly interested in alternative medicine. ifornia and they would take any book you wanted to write
on astrology, whereas come 2000 that wouldn’t happen.
WJ: At what point did you realize that astrology would be a Astrology will never die out, it’s still doing fine, but that was
major career path for you? a particular heyday and I was very fortunate to be part of it.
ST: Oh, not for ages. I just did it, and I did the diploma for WJ: It must have been quite exciting.
ages and ages because I was fascinated. I mean, nowadays
you get students in the first year saying, “I want to be a pro- SJ: Yes, our little team of Faculty teachers on the London
fessional astrologer.” But it wouldn’t have occurred to me, or classes was good. We had Mike Harding, Lindsay Rader-
to any of my peers either. And then, when I got my diploma, macher, Kim Farley, Christeen Skinner, Babs Kirby, and many
the Faculty was advertising for a teacher and I was given an others. There was a real sense of community. I remember
evening
Sue Tompkinsclass. I had a job at the Citizens Advice Bureau at theof:
Compliments
when the Faculty was celebrating its 70th birthday in 2018, it
Natal Chart
time,
Jan and
30 1954, Sat I went from doing five days a week there to four,
7:05 pm GMT +0:00
916-730-6805
made a little film talking to different people about what the Fac-
thenEngland
Taplow, three, as the astrology increased. That’s what I tell grad-
51°N32' 000°W41'
ulty meant for them, and I was one of a number of people who
Tropical to do now. You couldn’t just jump in and earn a living
uates
Geocentric said it meant family. I don’t know if it’s my Uranus in Cancer
from Nodeastrology — it took a while.
Placidus
Mean in the 11th, but for about ten to 15 years, it was family.
Rating: AA
WJ: Can you tell me a bit about the Oxford summer school?
27° Ý 19'
‚ That was my first introduction to astrology in the U.K., and it
30' 22°
05°
ƒ ½ Ü 57' kind of blew me away. How did that evolve?
16°
¿
‚
ST: The first year we did it was in 1987 at Winchester, a
36'
46' 20° Œ 26° Church of England college. After we did one year there, the
„ ƒ ‹
08°
15'
Œ
10 9
02'
dean of the college cancelled it quite at the last minute; he
11 8 just didn’t want astrology there. So we had a bit of a cri-
sis, and then Jesus College at Oxford had a cancellation and
Á 24°„ 07' put us in. The joke is, the religious college at Winchester re-
Œ 12 7
05° Sue Tompkins 05° jected us because we were astrologers, and we went straight
… ‹ into the arms of Jesus! I taught at Jesus College every year
25' Placidus house system, 25'
1
Mean Node
6
31' Š right up until 2000. And then the summer school moved to
21°
33' Š
10°
º Brasenose, and now they’re at Exeter College.
22'
2 5 Š
10° » Back then you could only teach there if you were a Fac-
26° Œ 42'
10' ‰
¸ 46' ulty diploma holder, but they have changed that and now
3 4
… ‰ 23° Š
02'
Œ
03'
23° Â 08°
they get excellent people from around the world who aren’t
† 05' 21'
41' É Faculty graduates, in addition to the many who are. I still
‡ ˆ
26° ‡
09° 21° think it’s one of the highlights of the astrological calendar.
À 24°
Those buildings alone lift me — Jesus College dates from the
22°
† 57' ¾ ¶ ‰
30'
¼ 05°
ˆ
1500s and Exeter from the 1300s — and at Exeter you quite
27° ‡ 19'
often hear the choir rehearsing. I still teach there sometimes,
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 41

Sue Tompkins WJ: In terms of learning astrology, given your experience
with a number of schools, what would you say are some of
the common issues students have in learning and beginning
and I would go every year if asked. People from all over the to practice?
world attend. It’s just incredible, really.
ST: Of course that varies according to where students are in
WJ: You left the Faculty in 2000 and started your own their studies. One issue, in the early stages, is weighting —
school, the London School of Astrology (LSA). assigning the appropriate weight to factors in the chart. This
means fully amplifying the major factors and not overempha-
ST: Yes, I very much enjoyed the team aspect of the Faculty sizing the minor ones. Giving a throwaway line on a major
under Lindsay Radermacher as president, and I didn’t stay for factor in the chart, such as a rising planet, is just not enough!
that many years after she left — which she had to, as it was Such material needs to be expanded and explored in depth.
a nine-year term only. Then the Faculty went through a bad Using this example of a rising planet (let’s imagine that the
few years, starting around 2000, as transiting Pluto was com- conjunction is tight), how the individual has experienced
ing up to oppose its Sun in Gemini. You could ask a dozen the given planet, and how they manifest it, will be a major
people from the time and they’d give you a dozen different feature in their life and personality.
opinions as to why that was, but it obviously needed some Also, I remember Liz Greene once saying at a confer-
sort of restructuring. There were actually 14 of us who left ence that it was “tantamount to malpractice” for a consultant
then. I left, though in hindsight I think it was a mistake to just astrologer not to have therapy themselves. This caused a fu-
walk away. I did a Jeff Mayo: I left the Faculty and started my ror at the time, but I kind of agree with her. I’ve had students
own school. Now, almost 20 years later, the Faculty really are who, every time they do an interpretation, really it’s their
a very good team again. psyche they are talking about, not the client’s! I think projec-
tion is a major issue, and some people never get past that.
WJ: In starting the LSA, you got to design your own pro- I still love teaching beginners. I love that “Oh my God!”
gram from the beginning. What was that like? moment; it’s just so exciting. It’s nice to be part of that jour-
ney when somebody realizes the world is not quite what they
ST: Of course, I no longer had to teach the Faculty syllabus. thought it was. Because I think the important thing about as-
And I did want to emphasize my kind of holistic thinking, trology is the fact that it works — and given that it works,
“as above, so below” — the whole Hermetic doctrine, really. what does that say about the world we find ourselves in?
That, for me, is what is most profound and meaningful about What does that say about all the more spiritual subjects?
astrology: its philosophical implications and what it can teach That for me is what’s exciting about astrology. It’s not about
us about the world. At the LSA, I could also teach medical as- personality or anything particular, it’s that, “How can this
trology, and I didn’t have to spend so much time on subjects possibly work?”
like history.
WJ: Do you think we just skirt over that question?
WJ: And around 2004 you sold the LSA to Frank Clifford. That we don’t acknowledge enough the, in your words,
Any reason? “jaw-dropping” fact that astrology works? Dennis Elwell was
very good at pointing this out, but there seems to be a real
ST: I wanted to travel, I was a bit tired of running a school, dearth of books exploring what is behind all this.
and my homeopathy was taking more time. I qualified in
homeopathy in 1997, and it’s quite a huge part of my life, ST: I know. That’s why I love Dennis, because he so ab-
but I keep it fairly separate from my astrology. I still do solutely took that on — the philosophical implications of
things for the Faculty when they ask, and also for Wendy astrology — and he was very practical as well, which I also
Stacey at the Mayo School. So, along with clients, I’m very love. His Cosmic Loom is, in my view, one of the best books
busy, actually. ever written. It used to be required reading when I ran LSA.
WJ: You’re also teaching a weeklong residential course WJ: In Aspects in Astrology (p. 64), you write: “There is
in Spain. never a point at which we can say we do understand a chart
or that we have got to the bottom of ourselves; the whole
ST: Yes, ever since I left the Faculty, I have run my own res- thing is an ongoing process.” Do you think, as astrologers,
idential course. For many years I held it in Glastonbury, and there is a tendency to set impossible standards for ourselves
then I went to France for about four years, and when that in how much we can understand a client?
place sold, I found this wonderful venue not far from Girona
in Spain. There are never more than 20 students, and a lot ST: Oh yes, I do think that. I think astrologers are a bit full of
of them come every year. Kim Farley is my partner in crime themselves, really. Because you can have a lovely conversa-
each year and she’s a fantastic cook as well as a fantastic as- tion with somebody, and sometimes when they leave they will
trology teacher. Unfortunately, it may have to get cancelled look at some issue in a new way, and it’s fantastic when that
this year, because of the virus. happens. You’ve done your job, so to speak. Except you have

we each bring to it who we are, so one is not always going
to quite understand someone else’s astrology either. I think
I think astrology is about using the astrology is so accurate, and I just want to use the accurate,
simple language of it. It can work so literally.
exact language of the given planets, Occasionally, one will get a client asking, “What’s my
soul journey?” I don’t tend to answer that. It’s for each of
signs, whatever. This can be hard us to find that out, if it’s possible. One could have a con-
work, but if you can get there, you versation that might help an individual on their journey of
discovery. What I do know is that each of us should do our
will exactly mirror your client. chart. Of course we all do live out and manifest our chart all
the time, but there may be better, perhaps less self-destructive
and more conscious, ways of doing so. The astrologer’s job
to be realistic. And I don’t know about you, but I can be walk- may be in helping the individual to come to that higher and
ing down the road and just realize another manifestation of more conscious purpose. I think that is a goal of practicing
something in my chart for the first time. That’s the beauty of astrology: to increase consciousness.
astrology — you can never fully get to the bottom of anything.
WJ: What are some of your favourite tools when you do
WJ: Well given that, and given that many people only just go consultations?
to an astrologer once, or maybe once every five years, what
can we reasonably expect of ourselves as astrologers in what ST: Just the basic chart. I do use semi-squares and sesqui-
we convey to the client — and expect of the session itself? quadrates. I hardly use trines and sextiles. The whole thing
I don’t think enough is said about the fact that you’ve got is about what the major things in the chart are and to re-
maybe 60 or 90 or 120 minutes to say something that is rel- ally extract a lot out of them and to get the language. As I
evant and meaningful and helpful, given that you have a huge say, I think astrology is about using the exact language of
amount of information and data from the chart itself. How the given planets, signs, whatever. This can be hard work,
much can we reasonably expect to cover in a single session? but if you can get there, you will exactly mirror your client.
If you’re talking about the Moon, you’re talking about needs
ST: I’m not sure what to say to that. It varies from client to or behaviour, or whatever — you absolutely keep to the
client, doesn’t it? I think a goal would be about meaning, quite precise meaning of planets, signs, houses, and aspects.
about somebody being able to look at something in their Whatever it is, just stick to the language.
life in a different way, from a different perspective. When
I’m teaching, I usually offer a story that goes something WJ: A fairly scientific approach?
like this: client comes, very unhappy with their boss, wants
to know whether they should change their job or not. And ST: I’d say my approach is psychological and practical, a
maybe they’ve got natal Pluto in their 10th house and tran- down-to-earthy kind of thing. You could say my astrology was
siting Saturn is sitting on it. Well, you can quite accurately scientific because I never say something unless I’m sure it’s
describe how that might feel. How I would deal with it would true. So I say very little, actually. Conjunctions, hard aspects.
be to ask, “Have you felt like that before?” Then the client I do use the graphic ephemeris a bit. I do use secondary pro-
says, “Oh it’s funny you should say that, that reminds me of gressions. I don’t really use directions that much.
my mother when I was five.” And then you can have that di-
alogue: “Well, when you were five you had no power. Now WJ: Solar returns?
you are faced with this new situation as if it’s the same, and
you are now being offered a new opportunity,” etc. So you ST: No, I don’t like them much. I think they can be mislead-
can have quite profound conversations with people — ing. It’s so easy to think that a solar return is going to provide
sometimes. But you don’t always. an instant and easy snapshot of the year in question. But it
isn’t. One has to use the natal chart in conjunction with it —
WJ: That’s where your counselling skills would come in, too. looking for planets in one chart conjuncting the angles of the
other chart, mostly. I do “play” with returns — not just solar
ST: Yes. I do less and less “reading” the chart now; I know and lunar; Mercury, Venus, and Mars returns too — though
where everything is, I could say something about everything not for clients. They are more fun to look at in retrospect.
if pushed, but I do much more just letting the person talk.
I go more towards a conversation: “I’ve got a map of you, WJ: Looking at your own birthchart (see Chart, p. 41), the
and like any map, I can’t read all of it that well, and I haven’t first thing that jumps out is the strong 6th–house/Virgo
studied it that long, but I have got a map. Let’s have a chat.” theme that is so practical. Is it fair to say that this is the sig-
That kind of thing. nature of a very meat-and-potatoes astrologer?
When I listen to astrologers talk astrology, I often find it
quite disappointing. I don’t think astrology has moved on that ST: Yes, I am a meat-and-potatoes astrologer, even though
much in my time. I suppose we each have our own astrology, as a person I’m not very practical. But that’s exactly what I
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 43

Sue Tompkins been translated into Mandarin and Cantonese and have sold
in huge numbers in China.
I taught their core curriculum once — 63 classes over
would call myself. And I’m like that about everything, really. five terms — and I’m now on the second batch of doing that.
I don’t like too much waffle. I’ve been invited there to teach for a week or two every year
or so. Eventually, as they got to know me, they also asked
WJ: Meat-and-potatoes, and without much earth, interest- me to teach a beginner’s course in homeopathy. I’ve taught
ingly, except for the rising sign. basic first aid homeopathy a few times, and now I’ll be teach-
ing a professional course in homeopathy.
ST: Yes, I have earth on the angles, but I don’t think that I also sometimes teach at Rod and Yvetta Chang’s school,
compensates. It’s just you go to the earth through what the Academy of Astrology, which is mostly based in Taiwan.
you’ve got, so I’m obsessed with health and service.
WJ: With your Chinese students, is there any difference in
WJ: Like you’re approaching that weaker element from an your approach? Are they bringing a different sensibility to
alternative view, in a sense — shedding light on that element their studies?
from a different angle.
ST: I more or less do the same thing, in terms of teaching,
ST: Yes, something like that. I definitely suffer with the lack but this is mostly online teaching. Teaching in a live class-
of earth. Students always laugh at me because I always lose room is very exciting — for students and for the teacher
something, lose the next piece of paper when I’m in the mid- too — and I don’t like teaching online as much, though I’ve
dle of a lecture. learned to manage. As far as the students go, they’re very
conscientious, and they really listen. They’re very sweet
WJ: Getting back to Aspects in Astrology: It’s still in print and respectful.
after 30 years and translated into a number of languages. I remember being in Taiwan and teaching graphic ephem-
What prompted you to write it in the first place? eris; I use an Io (TCR software) printout and get students to
draw in their own planets. When I do this in the West, it takes
ST: It was because when I was a student, I found interpreting about an hour for the penny to drop. In Taiwan, within 15
aspects very difficult. I think delineating aspects is one of the minutes in a class of 30, they all have it, absolutely. They’re
most challenging things to learn. There was a book needed, much better at that, and they’re much more conscientious,
and I had to do the research. but many can’t think psychologically; for example, if I was
looking at someone's chart and asking about their childhood,
WJ: Once you know aspects, you can also interpret transits, they would give me just a sentence.
can’t you? Since they’re essentially moving aspects.
WJ: How do they expect to use the astrology that they’re
ST: Well yes, you’re just putting planets together, really. learning?
I mean, everything in interpretation comes down to being
able to combine planets. ST: Well, a lot of them want to do it professionally.
WJ: Any other books on the horizon? WJ: As we speak, on Good Friday in April 2020, the world
is in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Could you com-
ST: I hope to do a medical astrology book and I have it ment generally on the current transits?
partially done, though I don’t know if I’ve got the energy
to finish it. I have things researched that I don’t think any- ST: Like most of my colleagues and friends, last autumn I
one else has talked about. Of course, as a homeopath, I hear was talking about the impending January 2020 Saturn–Pluto
about people’s health problems all the time. I can actually say conjunction and all the things that it is associated with:
some quite simple but original things. austerity, the very hardest of economic times, feelings of
persecution from various groups of people, and, with the
WJ: Well, I certainly hope you get around to it. Tell us about two planets of death conjunct, potentially massive deaths.
your teaching in China. How did that come about? I remember thinking, well, that can’t possibly happen, can
it? That austerity was what we were recovering from! I just
ST: What happened in China a number of years ago is that didn’t have a clue how this was going to manifest. Perhaps it
Western astrology became legal, and an American astrologer, would be the lessons of that austerity?
David Railey (who is very involved with ISAR) started a school I was kidding myself! It’s a very good example of astrol-
with one Felicia Jiang. The school is called Nodoor, and it’s ogy: you both know and you don’t know. I absolutely didn’t.
the oldest and largest Western school of astrology in China. You can kind of see the virus in the U.K. chart’s transits, and
It’s huge; they’re a big organization. Since then a lot of other in Boris Johnson’s too, in retrospect. I am, of course, familiar
schools have appeared. David asked me if I wanted to teach with the Chinese chart, and I knew China was in for some-
online for Nodoor, perhaps because both my books have thing huge — but I thought it was going to be an earthquake!

ST: It’s amazing, isn’t it? Maybe this will change everyone’s
relationship with food. Let’s hope we see more compassion-
ate and sustainable farming practices come out of the virus:
farming and eating and shopping habits that are better for
the planet. In various ways, the virus and the resultant lock-
down can be viewed as nature fighting back. There’s virtually
no air travel, few cars on the road, less pollution, and so on
— all being very good here for wildflowers and birds, etc.
Humans might not like it, but it’s great for nature. Personally,
I applaud that; I am out at six every morning walking the
dog and hearing the birds!
If these times have taught us anything as astrologers,
though, it is that we have to consider all the cycles together.
I was daft to write about Uranus in Taurus in isolation.1
WJ: My final question, Sue: In terms of the state of astrology

today, do you feel hopeful about its future?
ST: I’m not massively optimistic, but neither am I pessimis-

tic. Astrology will go on, it will never die; if it was going to,
Of course, Saturn–Pluto happened big time, and speaking in it would have by now. Schools like the Faculty and the ma-
April, it is clear that it is going to get much, much worse. jor U.S. schools will go on. Astrology will obviously shift in
different ways, partly because of the online world, which just
WJ: You never know exactly how things are going to manifest, shifts everything, and because young people are much more
do you? I remember Dennis Elwell writing about the actual open to a lot of different things. Astrology goes in waves
event being the last thing that gets fixed in. You’ve got the cur- around the globe, just like everything goes through fashions,
rents coming, the transits, but we potentially have some kind but it will continue.
of influence in determining how things might actually show up.
WJ: Sue, I really, really appreciate you doing this. It’s been
ST: Well yes, absolutely. With this virus, people’s lungs are wonderful talking with you.
affected, and lungs are like the trees in the human body, if
you consider the body as a microcosm of the world; they ST: Actually, I think it’s very sweet of you, Wynne, to want
even look like trees. We’ve had all these clues about trees — to do this.
you know, forests getting burned down in the Amazon and
the bush fires in Australia. Pluto can always be associated Chart Data
with fires: taboo fires, fires that shouldn’t happen. Sue Tompkins, January 30, 1954; 7:05 p.m. GMT, Taplow, England
We are experiencing the ingress of Saturn in Aquarius (51°N32', 00°W41'); AA: parents.
big time with social distancing. How are we going to learn to
be close to people again, I wonder? So, Saturn in Aquarius Reference
could be defined as “the lessons of friendship,” and not just 1. Sue Tompkins, “Uranus in Taurus,” The Mountain Astrologer, April/May
between individuals but between countries as well. 2018, pp. 25-29.
The actual virus is Neptune in Pisces, which is manifest-
ing in many ways as hybridisation — for example, hybrid cars, © 2020 Wynne Jordan – all rights reserved
and even hybrid animals. Because of climate change, many
species are interbreeding. For instance, grizzly bears mating Wynne Jordan, MA, D.F.Astrol.S., practices astrology in Nova Scotia,
with polar bears (grolars or pizzlies). Boundaries between Canada and teaches Religious Studies at Saint Mary’s University in Hali-
things are lost. The coronavirus is an example of this, a virus fax. Her e-mail address is: wynne@bellaliant.net
in a wild animal (bats?) jumping to humans — arguably be-
cause of a lack of respect from humans towards wild animals
and the natural world generally. And with Uranus in Taurus,
big changes in the way we shop. With the virus and lockdown,
department stores are dying and there’s a huge rise in online
shopping. It has also brought a large surge in veganism, as
one might predict. There’s also been an unexpected increase
in bread making, baking, and proper cooking.
WJ: Yes, people haven’t been able to buy yeast for three weeks
here because everyone is suddenly interested in baking bread!
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 45

FINANCIAL TRENDS
AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2020
by Christeen Skinner
Author’s Note: To make an astro-financial forecast, tures — suggest difficult days ahead. As forecasted by many
financial astrologers consider the distribution of the planets financial astrologers, 2020 is proving to be the year of the
around the Sun (both geocentrically and heliocentrically). “Great Financial Reset.”
The many indicators leading to this designation can be
S
ince the start of 2020, indices have made dramatic found amongst the solar eclipse on December 26, 2019: The
falls. Older traders and investors have seen this type of presence of the Sun, Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto in
market behaviour before and know that there is even- Capricorn gave rise to speculation that governments and
tual recovery. In relatively recent times, one of the most corporations would be challenged as never before. Financial
dramatic days of trading occurred on August 16, 1974, when astrologers have long been of the opinion that until Pluto com-
the Dow Jones Index fell by over 45%. It took 418 weeks to pletes its transit of Capricorn in 2024, echoes of the Global
make full recovery and 15 weeks after this date before the Financial Crash of 2008 would be heard. The concentra-
final low of that period. Whilst the planetary alignments be- tion of planets in Capricorn in January 2020 did not suggest
tween August 1974 and August 2020 are very different, it an exact repeat of the global crisis, but the high probability
of reevaluation and reset. Cracks and fissures in the market-
place were also apparent from the lunar eclipse on January 10,
August 17 is a Monday and could and the recent eclipse on June 21, 2020 suggested a potential
for events that would shake the world; the social and economic
yet prove to be one of the most consequences would be without precedent.
significant trading days of this Though much of the blame for market turmoil since
March has been laid at the door of the pandemic,1 many
two-month period. traders were already of the opinion that a correction was long
overdue. In analyzing market trends, several cycles have to be
considered, not least of which is the Saturn–Uranus cycle that
is likely that the anniversary of the events in 1974 will be comes to its heliocentric last quarter phase2 on October 19,
acknowledged and that echoes and reverberations of that 2021 at 12° Aquarius–Taurus, and the Chiron–Pluto cycle,
earlier drama will be felt. which will be in contra-parallel latitude3 in April 2022. We
History never repeats exactly — though it is more than are likely to experience considerable trader panic between
a little interesting that Uranus reaches retrograde station now and then. Young traders will surely find this daunting,
on August 15 and that the Sun and Mars reach their trine
on August 16 whilst there is a Sun–Mercury conjunction on
August 17. Sun–Mercury conjunctions often mark crucial The recent eclipse on June 21,
turning points, though not across all markets. When boosted
by other aspects, as in this instance, and taking into account 2020 suggested a potential for
the sign involved (Leo), there can be significant price move-
ment in certain sectors: in this case, probably grains.
events that would shake the
August 17 is a Monday and could yet prove to be one of world; the social and economic
the most important trading days of this two-month period;
a fitting anniversary to the 1974 low, though I doubt that it consequences would be
will mark the low from which history eventually marks re- without precedent.
covery. The alignments and connections of the planets for
the remainder of 2020 — often described as planetary pic-

as they will have insufficient experience on which to draw. urn and Uranus first form this aspect on February 16, 2021
Many will be alarmed and, in this state, prone to decisions at 7° Aquarius and Taurus, respectively, and in June 2021
and moves they will later regret. at 13° of those signs before making their final square at 11°
Whilst 2020 opened with planetary emphasis in Capri- in December 2021. When these two planets have been in so-
corn, it concludes with the Jupiter–Saturn conjunction. The called hard aspect in the past, markets have fallen. Activity
latter is super special: For the last 240 years, the conjunctions around this Full Moon should hint at what is yet to come.
were all in earth signs with the exception of the penultimate It has also been noted that phases of the Saturn–Uranus
of the series in 1981, which was in the air-sign Libra. The cycle correlate with developments in cryptocurrencies. It is
coming conjunction at 0° Aquarius in December 2020 is the entirely possible that a new global cryptocurrency will be
first in the air series and coincides with the winter solstice.
Between these two events, there was the June solar
eclipse at 0° Cancer — a powerful degree because it is a sol-
stice point. Along with 0° Aries, 0° Libra, and 0° Capricorn, It is entirely possible that a new
it is considered to be a point on the World Axis. global cryptocurrency will be
The Venus Factor announced in the coming months
We have 120 years of Dow Jones Index data. Inspec-
tion of this data reveals clearly that gains are most often
and that intimation of this
made when Venus is transiting Gemini. However, an analy- development will come in this first
sis of those years when Venus is retrograde in Gemini tells a
slightly different story. It is not at all uncommon for the Dow week of August.
Jones (and many other indices) to turn negative as Venus ret-
rogrades. There is an eight-year pattern to these retrogrades,
and it is wise for astro-investors and traders to review previ- announced in the coming months and that intimation of
ous Venus in Gemini retrogrades — 2012, 2004, 1996, etc. this development will come in this first week of August. In
During the most recent example in 2012, the Dow Jones any event, Mercury (with asteroid Vesta in close conjunction)
Index fell sharply at the retrograde station and began recov- makes a partile opposition to Saturn at this Full Moon, whilst
ery at the direct station. This was followed by several weeks of Mars is positioned at 19° of a cardinal sign (a common place-
volatility. The situation in 2004 was slightly different, although ment for days of market drama), most likely exaggerating a
the dates of the retrograde and direct stations were also highly negative trend.5
significant. As was expected, the index fell at the retrograde, The next Full Moon is on September 2 in Pisces. (See
but then rose only to fall markedly again at the direct station. Chart, p. 85.) This time it is Venus’s turn to oppose Sat-
Once more, this was followed by several weeks of volatility. In urn whilst the Sun trines Uranus. This lunation also suggests
both 1996 and 1988, similar patterns show a change of trend instability and is, arguably, only trade-worthy for the most
at either station. This being the case, the period under review experienced of investors.
(August–September) will likely be volatile.
Venus’s Cancer ingress on Saturday, August 7, is likely The Mars Effect
to be extremely important in 2020, as it will then be on the You might reasonably expect that indices would rise when
degree of the June eclipse — again emphasizing the World Mars moves through fiery Aries. In fact, analyses of Mars tran-
Axis. On February 16, Mars accented this same axis at 0° sits through Aries during the 120 years of Dow Jones data
Capricorn, drawing attention to the June eclipse when Mars indicate that prices tend to hold steady, but that is unlikely to
joined Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto in earth-sign Capricorn. be the case this year! (‘Steady’ is an unlikely word to be used
As I forecasted, the price of gold rose to almost $1,700.4 for any month of 2020.) If we review another index, the last
We might reasonably expect indications of another rise in 70 years of data from the SPX (S&P 500 Index) shows it has
gold prices in the trading week beginning Monday, August not fared well during the months of August and September,
10, when the Moon moves through the earth-sign Taurus — with least growth as the Sun moves through Virgo.
joining Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto — in the earth-sign Capri- The Sun’s Virgo ingress on August 22 is just hours af-
corn, while Jupiter moves into parallel aspect (both planets ter the Moon reaches perigee (its closest distance to Earth)
at the same degree of declination) with Pluto. Another in- and within days of Mars reaching a first quarter square to
dicator of a rise occurs on August 24 when the Sun and Saturn. If the Sun in Virgo signals downturn, then the per-
Mercury — both then in Virgo — once again accent earth igee Moon is likely to bring exaggerated reaction from traders
signs and the human need to hold tangible treasures. who may then allow the markets to fall until at least the
Mars–Saturn square on August 24. There is little astrological
Full Moons evidence to suggest that this August or September will witness
August opens with a Full Moon on Monday the 3rd at growth in either the Dow or S&P.
11° Aquarius. (See Chart, p. 79.) When Saturn reaches Furthermore, Mars turns retrograde in its own sign of
this degree in December 2021, it will be exactly — as Aries on September 9 — exactly six months from a market
viewed from Earth — square to Uranus at 11° Taurus. Sat- low on March 9. Retrograde Mars occurs every couple of
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 47

Financial Trends
The Venus–Vesta conjunction
years. Since the global crisis of 2008, each Mars retrograde
station has marked the start of a downturn usually lasting apparent in the chart for the
about two weeks. In 2020, a downturn might only last until
Jupiter’s direct station on Saturday, September 12. Recovery
September 2020 equinox is exact
is then possible but may not last much beyond the equinox on Coca-Cola’s Midheaven and
on September 22. Though another low should be antici-
pated, the final low of the present crisis, and from which comes just hours after its
history eventually records recovery, might not be reached Venus return.
even in the last quarter of 2020 — testing the nerves of
many investors.
The Venus–Vesta conjunction apparent in the chart for
The chart for the Sun’s Libra ingress (see p. 91) is often
the September 2020 equinox is exact on the Midheaven and
used to identify potential trends for the next three months.
comes just hours after Coca-Cola’s Venus return. Many may
With Neptune still in contra-parallel to Chiron, it is proba-
feel that the time is right to buy into this stock, confident that
ble that the coronavirus will cast a long shadow. Set for Wall
Coca-Cola may then be one of the first stocks to show signs
Street, this horoscope has the Moon in Sagittarius in the 2nd
of recovery when indices eventually bring their move to the
house, suggesting a turbulent last quarter of 2020. Venus and
positive.
Vesta are conjoined within four minutes and in quincunx to
However, Jupiter and Pluto are within a degree of exact
Neptune, accenting the potential for investors to be drawn to
quincunx in the Coca-Cola first trade chart (see Chart 1, be-
the allure of precious metals or new cryptocurrencies where
low left), indicating the high probability of these shares being
value is not always discernible. If you are tempted into either
sensitive to the current Jupiter–Pluto cycle. These two plan-
area, be sure to obtain advice from an experienced trader.
ets have conjoined twice already in 2020 and will do so again
on November 12. A few days later, on November 18 and just
Stocks Investment Overview
after Mars stations direct (November 13), Mercury arrives at
Finally, we take a quick view of four stocks which might
Coca-Cola’s Ascendant (10° Scorpio). When major aspects
form part of your retirement income portfolio and which are
cluster around an important planetary station, Mercury often
likely to make business news headlines in August and Sep-
acts as the trigger for eventfulness and change of stock price
tember. (Note: All stock data and sources in this article
direction. In this instance, the stock should be ‘in the news’
canCola
Coca be (KO)
found in Bill Meridian’s book Planetary Stock Trad-of:
Compliments Johnson and Johnson Compliments of:
Astrologer Linda Kaye andChartlikely recommended as a ‘buy.’ Transiting Neptune is Kaye
Astrologer Linda
ing —
Natal Chart
III,
Sep 26 1924, Fri Cycles Research, 2002.) 916-730-6805 Natal
Sep 25 1944, Mon
916-730-6805
10:00 am EDT +4:00 within
10:00 am EWT degree of natal Uranus, whilst Saturn will have
a +4:00 6
Wall Street, New York Wall Street, New York
40°N42' 074°W01' stationed
40°N42' 074°W01' retrograde to square itself in May, returning to
Coca-Cola Company® (KO) First Trade, September
Geocentric Geocentric
Tropical this aspect early in 2021: factors likely to suppress the price.
Tropical
26, 1924; 10:00 a.m. EST; Wall Street, New York, NY,
Placidus
True Node
Placidus
True Node
USA (40°N42', 74°W00').
18° „ 38' 17° „ 48'

21' 12° 33' 12°
… ¶ÉÀ» ƒ 53' … Ã Á É ƒ 05'
º½ 03°
21° 20°
º 04°22°21°17° Á 09°
15° … „ „ „ 13°
Â 14°13° … „
25° ¾
23° … … ƒ
¸ …
50'28' 38' 58' ƒ ¸ … 09' 22'
47'
04' ƒ
10°
20' 03° 22' Œ 29' 09° 37' À 02° 56'
06' 05'
08°
† †
‚ † 03° †
11' 10 9 † 22' 10 9 ¿ ‚
18° 18' 17° 55' 13° 36'
11 8
¼ 17° 11 8 06'
‚
† Œ
59'
» 26°†
¾ 01°‡ 21' 42'
Chart 1: Chart 2:
12 7 12 7
10° 10° 09° 09°
‡ Coca-Cola Ý ‡ Johnson and Ý
15'
1 Company 6
15' 36'
1 Johnson 6
36'
43' 2 5 2 5
ˆ Œ
09° 13° Œ 20' 08° 37' 37'
ˆ ½
3 4 3 4 Ü
Œ
58'
‹
Ü ˆ 19'
05° Ü
18' Œ Œ 58' 18° 36' ‰ 17°
07' 28'26' ‹
29° 03° 04' ò
Š Š Š 18° ò ¶ ‰
25°
21°22°25° ¿
12° 21' Charts use 12° Ê 33'
‰ 53' ÃÊ¼ 21°
‹
Placidus houses and
‰ 05' 20°
‹
18° Š 38' 17° Š 48'
the True Node.

In the last 30 years, the share price has gone from less urn makes its way to the IC and the lunar North Node moves
than $2 to $60 — the steepest rise beginning in February through Gemini, while also passing natal 8th-house Uranus.
2019 ($46) to January 2020 ($57). In April, the stock fell to Since JNJ’s Uranus in Gemini squares natal 10th-house Mer-
$48. There may be more shocks and surprises to come with cury in Virgo, commercial shocks seem likely. Bearing in mind
the approaching Saturn–Uranus square at 11° of the fixed that this also coincides with transiting Neptune applying to
signs Aquarius and Taurus on December 24, 2021, accent- the opposition to natal Chiron, it may be that even if JNJ
ing the Descendant axis (10° Taurus). finds and manufactures a vaccine against COVID-19, that
Though KO has long been a hold in terms of retirement they are required to almost give it away, and that rewards to
income stocks, we should note that with Saturn moving to- investors are therefore minimal — at least in 2021.
ward the chart’s IC (18° Aquarius), returns for the next few
years may be disappointing. Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) First Trade, December 2,
1929; 10:00 a.m. EST; Wall Street, New York, NY, USA
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) First Trade, September (40°N42', 74°W00').
25, 1944; 10:00 a.m. EST; Wall Street, New York, NY, In January 2018, Caterpillar’s share price reached $170.
USA (40°N42', 74°W00'). The price declined from the lunar eclipse on the last day
The chart for Johnson & Johnson (see Chart 2, previ- of that month, hitting a low of $90 in March 2020 as mar-
ous page), whose first trade came 20 years after Coca-Cola’s kets tumbled. Recovery in April 2020 was fast, so that by the
(KO) first trade, has a near identical Ascendant and Mid- middle of that month the price was touching $130.
heaven. As with KO, transiting Uranus is headed toward the In the first trade chart, transiting Uranus stations on
Descendant whilst transiting Saturn will come to the IC in August 15 and conjoins Chiron — exactly to the minute
2022. The South Node in this chart is at 25° Capricorn. The — in the 3rd house (see Chart 3, below). Though Chiron
conjunctions of Jupiter and Pluto in 2020 occur
Inner Wheelat or close is often associated with healing, when business matters Outerare
Wheel
to this degree. The share price went aboveCaterpillar, Inc
$148 following Uranus
concerned, it seems to be the planetoid of Retrograde
new practices Station
that
Natal Chart Natal Chart
the Saturn–Pluto conjunction (22°) on January 12.
Dec 2 1929, Mon are driven by an awareness of stagnancy and corresponding
Aug 15 2020, Sat
However, along with many other share 10:00prices,
am EST it +5:00
fell fol- 10:26:28 (Uranus)
growth opportunities in a specific area. Shocking am EDT +4:00
wall street, new york wall street, new york
lowing the Moon’s opposition to this degree
40°N42'a 074°W01'
few days later news could yet affect the share price. 40°N42' 074°W01'
Geocentric Geocentric
(February 7). Recovery began at the spring equinox, and by
Tropical Tropical
the first of the three Jupiter–Pluto conjunctions
Placidus (April 5, June Placidus
True Node True Node
30, and November 12), it was well underway. Demand for
JNJ products and services increased as the fight to conquer 14° ‡ 24'
COVID-19 gained momentum. Johnson & Johnson was 09' 14°
well positioned to ‘fight.’ ˆ × † 48'
07° 13°
Throughout 2017, transiting Pluto squared ‡
natal Mars at 17°59' Capricorn. In 2017, the 14'
share price rose $30 between the start and

close of the year as investors recognized 34'
» Ê 04°
that JNJ’s intensive research was likely ˆ ¸ 24° 12° …
to bring reward. Jupiter arrived at this 27°
Ê27° ¼ ‡ ‡ × 17'
º 10° ˆ 23°¸
09°
08' 00' 00°
same degree on February 21, 2020 as ˆ 44' 12° ˆ Œ „
21° º
†
markets generally were falling. JNJ
Œ ¶ ˆ 09'58' 37'
12'
¾ 00°25°ˆ 47' 46' 10 9

03°
À 03' „ „
bucked this overall trend, as once ‰ 16' 11 8 …
15° Ã
34'
48' „01° Ã
again and this time, investors rec- 54' „
20° 12 7 20°
ognized JNJ’s contribution to the ½ 18°‰ 39'Œ
COVID-19 global research initiative. ‰ Œ16' ƒ19°
Á ƒ
The first trade chart shows the Sun 01'
Á 23°‰ 02'50'ŒŒ 1 6 01'
(2° Libra) conjunct Neptune (3° Li- ¾ 26°‰ 2 5
01'
31'
ƒ08°
¶
bra). Transiting Saturn trines both in ƒ07°
early 2021 — and yes, this does suggest
Š Œ
52' Œ
32'
3 4 Œ
30' Œ44'
»
Ü ŒŒ ‚ ‚27°
consolidation of gains as 2020 gives way 00° Ü 41'
É 34'
00'
07° 11°
to 2021. Yet Pluto moves to square na- 04° ò¿ ÝÝ
Œ
15' ½
tal Venus (ruler of the 7th house) as Sat- ‹ 20°
‹ 10°12°
‚
17'
À
Œ
56' ÂÉ 27°
Ü 50' Œ
08° 30' Œ
41'
Ü Ü
Chart 3: Bi-wheel. Â 23°
24°
Ý
10°
Ü 48' ¼ ò
14° 09'
Inner wheel and house cusps: Caterpillar Inc.
¿ 07°
‚
Outer wheel: Uranus Retrograde Station, August 15,of:2020,
Compliments
Astrologer Linda Kaye 14° Ý 24'
10:26 a.m. EDT 916-730-6805
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 49

Financial Trends high of February 14, when the share price reached $190,
was a few days before the exact trine between transiting
Mars and transiting Uranus. The aspect was effectively ac-
Of course, it is quite wrong to base a forecast on just one tivated a few days before exactitude on February 14 when
transit. Yet, it coincides with the transiting Sun’s conjunc- Mars reached an exact square to natal Mercury.
tion with transiting Mercury — 23° and 21° Leo, respectively The Full Moon on August 3 is at 11° Aquarius and
— at a right angle to Venus’s natal position at 24° Scorpio in aligned with the Midheaven of this chart, whilst Uranus is at
the 10th house. (Recall that Sun–Mercury conjunctions can near exact square to it. It is reasonable to expect this to be
mark significant market changes.) These aspects take place a salutary and perhaps shocking moment for these shares.
within weeks of the solar eclipse (June 21 at 0° Cancer) that Certainly we should anticipate strong movement that day.
opposes Saturn’s natal position. This is no ordinary Saturn Nor will this be the end of the story, as 11° of the fixed
position but part of a t-square involving Eris (0° Aries) and as- signs has been accented beginning with the lunar eclipse on
teroid Poseidon (0° Libra). The t-square becomes a cardinal January 31, 2018. Since then, Mercury (11° Scorpio in No-
cross, by transit, when any planet or eclipse passes 0° Can- vember 2019), Venus (10° Scorpio in October 2018), and
cer. Perhaps, as Venus comes to 0° Cancer on August 7, Mars (9° Aquarius in June 2018) have each stationed within
there will be news that marks the start of considerable vola- 3° and therefore closely in orb to this axis. Mercury will sta-
tility in the share price. tion at 11° Scorpio in October 2020.
Considering that Caterpillar has just concluded its Pluto Perhaps most importantly, Saturn and Uranus arrive at
half return (natal Pluto at 19° Cancer), and with Neptune their last quarter phase with these two planets in 2021.7 The
now in trine to this position, it may be that there is a decision aspect occurs three times, owing to retrogrades, with the
made for a planned overhaul or restructuring of the business. last of these aspects taking place respectively at 11° Aquarius
and Taurus on December 24, 2021. By listening carefully to
Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) First Trade, March the business news at this August Full Moon, we may receive
13, 1986; 9:30 a.m. EST; Wall Street, New York, NY, hints of what is likely to transpire in the first quarter of 2021
USA (40°N42', 74°W00'). and alter our investment strategy in response.
Microsoft’s first trade took place with the Sun at 22° Pi-
sces (see Chart 4, below), in exact square to a Mars–Uranus References and Notes
conjunction at 22° Sagittarius. In June 2020, this chart was 1. I forecasted the pandemic based on my in-depth analysis and taking into
affected by Venus’s direct station at 5° Gemini exact on the consideration the contra-parallel aspect between Neptune and Chiron (exact
Ascendant. From this we may gather a sensitivity to the natal in April 2020). My work suggested that volatility in the marketplace would
Mars–Uranus partile conjunction and the natal Mercury–Venus begin mid February and that a notable date would be March 9: the anniver-
Microsoft First Trade Compliments of:
sary of significant lows for the Dow Jones Index in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018,
conjunction
Natal Chart given that Mercury is the chart ruler. Astrologer Linda Kaye
916-730-6805
Mar 13 1986, Thu and 2019. I suspected that the price of gold would rise starting February 17
9:30 am Analysis
EST +5:00 bears this out: It is not uncommon for a share
Wall Street, New York but would then fall by March 21, as was the case.
price
40°N42' to rise
074°W01'
Geocentric in the days leading into an exact aspect, with de-
2. Like the Sun and Moon, each pairing of planets has a cycle that begins
cline often occurring as soon as the aspect has passed. We
Tropical
Placidus with a conjunction, goes through a first quarter phase when the two planets
True Node
cannot trade on this information alone. For example, the are 90° apart, then reach opposition, and finally, last quarter phase before
the cycle starts again at the next conjunction.
11° Š 57' 3. A contra-parallel aspect takes place when two planets are equidistant from
44' 19° the ecliptic, with one at north declination and the other an equal distance
‹ Ã ‰ 35' to the south.
10°
½ 25°
04° 4. Christeen Skinner, Navigating the Financial Universe, Ibis Press, 2020.
¸ ‹
Š
This forecast was first given at the Astrological Association of Great Britain
º 22° 59'
06'
29°
39'
» 28° ‹ À conference in June 2018.
Ü ò 05° ‹ 43' 05° ˆ
20° 15° Ü
43' 10 9
‰ 5. I explored this in depth in my book Exploring the Financial Universe
Œ
¶ 27° Ü41'32' 11 8
38'
22°
¼ 05' (Nicolas-Hays, Incorporated, 2016), where I showed that at every major mar-
22° ¿
ˆ
Ý É 00°Ý 10'
Ü 22' ket drama in the 20th century, 19° of the cardinal signs was accented.
21'Œ 17' ˆ
6. Ibid.
12
Chart 4: 7
05°
40' ˆ 09° ¾ 05° 7. Saturn makes an exact waning square to Uranus on December 24, 2021.
‚ Microsoft ˆ
53' Â 09° ‚ 39' Corporation 53'
1 6
Œ03'
© 2020 Christeen Skinner – all rights reserved
Œ21' ‡ 07°
‡
00°
Á ‡
2 5
Ê Christeen Skinner D.F.Astrol S., FRSA, is Director of Cityscopes
29° 39' London, which specialises in future-casting. She is a Trustee of the Ura-
3 4
‚ † nia Trust and a Director of the Alexandria I-base Library project. She has
05' 20°
spoken at many major conferences and is author of Exploring the Finan-
cial Universe, The Beginner’s Guide to Financial Astrology, and Navigating
the Financial Universe. In 2019, she was honoured with the prestigious
19° 44'
ƒ 35' … Charles Harvey Award for services to astrology. Christeen is a Fellow of
10°
the Royal Society of Arts. For more on her work, please visit Christeen’s
11° „ 57'
website at: http://www.financialuniverse.co.uk

A Missive
from Mercury!
It is an age-old truth that laughter is the
best medicine. Thus, we appeal to YOU,
dear reader.
Are you (or your sibling, neighbor, or [former] Uber-
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If so, we want to hear from you!

beach
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editorial@mountainastrologer.com.
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and assisting us in traversing 2020’s personal and col-
lective heavens and hells!
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AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 51

GLOBAL SCAN
August & September 2020
by Bill Meridian
Author’s Note: Welcome to the Global Scan. Mundane planetary picture, and eight hypothetical planets to astrol-
astrology can be seen as a two-step process. First, one ogy.2 Planets located at these degrees find expression in the
looks at the longer-term configurations that are in effect. world more easily than planets that are not. So, if a person
The second step is to determine which natal charts and has Mercury at one of these points (an ideal configuration for
areas are affected. a writer), their ideas will find their way into the media quite
From the first perspective, 2020 is rich with major readily. One example is the horoscope of Hillary Clinton.3
planetary activity: (Chart not shown.) Her Moon, Ascendant–Descendant, Juno,
and Mars–Pluto conjunction are either within a degree of the
• Six eclipses, including a solar eclipse on a world points by conjunction or are 45° away as in the case of
world-point axis — 0° Cancer. the latter two planets.4 Hillary Clinton is one of the few peo-
• A Saturn–Pluto conjunction on January 12 at ple on the planet known simply by her first name.
22°46' Capricorn — on one of the zodiac’s Another powerful example occurred on December 11,
power points.1 2008, when Mercury (29° Sagittarius) was conjunct Pluto (0°
• A Jupiter–Saturn conjunction at the winter solstice Capricorn) and news of Bernie Madoff’s arrest for running a
while the Sun is on the 0° Capricorn world point. Ponzi scheme broke.5
And an example of an event that certainly affected the
This is quite a series of developments. I think that the entire world is 9/11. On that day, Mars (1°26' Capricorn)
most important phenomena are those that energize the 0° activated the prior June 21, 2001 solar eclipse point
Cancer–Capricorn world-point axis. The June 20th solar (0°10' Cancer).
eclipse occurred at 0° Cancer on the summer solstice, while the
Sun will be located on the opposite axis at 0° Capricorn — the The Jupiter–Saturn Conjunction:
winter solstice — during the Jupiter–Saturn conjunction. This December 21, 2020
tells us that both the 0° Cancer–Capricorn axis, as well as the Jupiter–Saturn conjunctions are believed to be
0° Aries–Libra axis, will be energized. In addition to 0° cardinal, descriptive of the forthcoming 20 years. In my book, Plan-
15° of fixed signs is also lit up (the world points). etary Economic Forecasting, I outlined evidence that a
The world points concept requires some explanation. Jupiter–Saturn conjunction chart only ruled the period leading
These degrees (0° cardinal and 15° fixed) were determined into the opposition, and that the opposition chart has more
to be important by Alfred Witte and the Hamburg School of relevance over the next decade. The December 21, 2020
Astrology. Witte contributed the 90° dial, the concept of the Jupiter–Saturn conjunction is unique because it occurs on the
winter solstice with the Sun at 0° Capricorn (see Chart, fol-
lowing page). (We must go back to 471 C.E. and 233 C.E. to
find conjunction charts with the Sun at 0° cardinal.) The 0°
Planets located at the Capricorn solar position was already energized by an oppo-
sition from the June 2020 solar eclipse.
world point degrees find expression In addition, the horoscope for the Jupiter–Saturn
in the world more easily than conjunction is essentially the chart for the winter solstice,
making it doubly important. We can safely say that 0°
planets that are not. Cancer–Capricorn will remain energized into 2021. Any-
one with planets in these degrees, such as Hillary, may be
motivated to play an important part on the world stage.

There is an important Uranian planetary picture in this (This requires an explanation from the government!) There
chart too: Neptune=Apollon/Vulcanus.6 The interpretation is a supply and a demand for money. Issuance of too much
taken directly from the book Rules for Planetary Pictures is money over and above the demand will reduce the price of
“epidemic, infection, inflation, destruction of prosperity, great each individual unit of currency, as it would with any prod-
deterioration, spread of corruption.”7 (Note that the first two uct. The value of each dollar decreases; the value of goods
words describe the current pandemic.) As a rule of thumb, does not increase. The clearest manifestation of such inflation
solar eclipses begin to have an effect about 90 days prior to was the real estate boom and crash in 2007–09. Therefore,
their occurrence, although I have seen many cases of eclipses the Jupiter–Saturn horoscope is telling us that there is greater
heating up the zodiac well before the 90-day period. asset inflation on the horizon. The only question is where will
However, I know of no study that has explored when the the excess credit go? My projection is that much of it will flow
effect of Jupiter–Saturn conjunctions begin. I think a year is a into commodities such as precious metals and real estate.
There is more to this chart than I can touch upon here.
Expect breakthroughs in technology. The Jupiter–Saturn con-
junction equals the Uranus/Pluto midpoint on a 90° dial.
The Apollon/Vulcanus=Neptune Uranus and Pluto symbolize sudden changes in financial posi-
planetary picture symbolizes tion, so we are likely in for periodic crises such as the dot-com
bust in 2000 and the 2020 market crash. Expect many new
inflation of currency. breakthrough, disruptive technologies. The Jupiter–Saturn
conjunction falls within the first degree (0°28') of Aquarius,
the sign that is ruled by Uranus, and is only 4° from the
reasonable time period in which the energy of the December asteroid Pallas — the goddess of wisdom. Pallas and the
2020 conjunction chart dissipates and the effect of the new conjunction are squaring Uranus in Taurus and Apollon in
cycle manifests. In addition, keep in mind that the June Scorpio. Pallas’s connection to Apollon by square signifies fu-
eclipse opposed the Sun in the Jupiter–Saturn solstice ture technology that can generate widespread wisdom and the
horoscope. This likely ignited the Jupiter–Saturn chart and development of problem-solving tools. It may symbolize the
epidemic planetary picture early on. I do not think this “Internet of things” — a term used to describe all of the smart
means that we will have 20 years of pandemics, but it will technologies that connect to the Internet. Gartner Group has
likely influence our lives into 2040 when the next Jupiter– estimated that by 2020, there will be over 20 billion8 such
Saturn conjunction occurs. Just as 9/11 had its impact, gadgets (Pallas) connected (Apollon) to the net. Expect great
2020 Jupiter Saturn Conjunction
there
Natal Chartwill be greater concern over health and cleanliness.
Compliments of:
Astrologer Linda Kaye advances in artificial intelligence and in quantum computing.
916-730-6805
Dec 21 2020, Mon
11:14 amTurning
EST +5:00 to economics, the Apollon/Vulcanus=Neptune
I also predict that astrology will enjoy greater acceptance:
New York, New York
planetary
40°N42'51'' picture also symbolizes inflation of currency. This
074°W00'23'' The conjunction is in Aquarius, the sign that connects to as-
Geocentric
is indeed
Tropical true as of this writing in May 2020. The Federal trology. Additionally, Uranus opposes Apollon; both rule
Koch
Reserve
True Node Bank has issued an excess of money and credit. astrology — the science of the future — in the Uranian sys-
tem. There is much more to review, and some of the energies
of the conjunction chart are difficult. One such aspect is the
20° ˆ 58'
12' 25°
Mars–Pluto square from 23° Aries to 24° Capricorn, respec-
‰ Ê ‡ 31' tively. Curiously, the 2040 Jupiter–Saturn conjunction
12° º¸ 19°
»
01°00° ˆ
07°
Á ‰ ‰
52'
ˆ
½ 23° 07'15' 29'
36'
¾ 00° ‰
Œ Ô 22°
Š Ä 00° Š28'51' 10 9 ‡
04° †
08° 04° Š 16' 10'
Š 28'
28' 11 8
Chart 1:
13°
12 Jupiter–Saturn 7
13°
‹ Conjunction …
07' À 18° ‹ 18' Dec. 21, 2020 07'
‹ 48' 1 6
¶ 26° 11:14 a.m. EST,
New York, NY
10' 2 5 Œ
Ü Œ 06'
22° 23° 57' „ 36'
Ü ¼ 02°
Ý 3 4
06° Ö „
10' Œ 08°
¿ 52'
‚
19°
25° 12'
Ý 31' É 12°
ƒ
20° ‚ 58'
Koch houses and True Node
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 53

Global Scan
horoscope will also have the Mars–Pluto square. There is a Note that the June solar eclipse
potential for violent loss of human life in both charts. We will
look more closely at this in future columns.
path shadows China, keeping this
country in the spotlight
The Hot Spots
Note: All national horoscope data is from Nicholas Cam- through 2020.
pion’s The Book of World Horoscopes, The Wessex Astrolo-
ger, 2004, unless otherwise stated.
India (August 15, 1947) and Pakistan (same date) are news is that the Pluto transits will end in September and Oc-
two nations that were separated and granted independence tober, and the stress in China is due to lessen.
during the last Saturn–Pluto conjunction in 1947. They have
fought four wars largely over control of Kashmir. (And India References and Notes
went to war with China once in 1962.) Both countries had 1. The zodiac power points are the heliocentric nodes of the planets. The helio-
the June solar eclipse on natal Mars and conjunct Uranus and centric north node of Saturn is 23°50' Capricorn, and the helio south node
Vesta. This grouping can be described as a sudden clash over of Pluto is at 20°34' Capricorn, so this part of the zodiac has a harsh flavor.
vested interests or turf. The turf is Kashmir. Further, the re- 2. The Uranian System, or the Hamburg School of Astrology, was founded
gion of Kashmir was established on the June 13, 1984 lunar in Hamburg, Germany and motivated by the research and teachings of Alfred
Witte. The term “Hamburg School” was conceived in 1923 at the Second
eclipse.9 Resolving a political dispute by partitioning an area
German Astrological Congress in Leipzig, Germany. I have been employ-
on the day of an eclipse is not advisable because matters ing the Uranian techniques in mundane forecasting for more than 30 years.
commenced on such days rarely work out as planned. The 3. October 26, 1947; 8:00 p.m., Chicago, Illinois, USA (41°N51', 87°W39').
simmering contention over this region proves that point. The time for Hillary’s birth was received directly from Joyce Levine during
Pluto’s transit over 22°21' Sagittarius — the last decanate a conversation. I have used it for 30 years and forecast her loss in the 2016
of Sagittarius — coincided with a power struggle between election based upon the directed Midheaven.
India and Pakistan over Kashmir. 4. I use an orb of 1–1.5°.
The upcoming December solar eclipse at 23° Sagittarius 5. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madoff_investment_scandal, “Madoff
will be on Kashmir’s Moon and opposite its Sun. Eclipses be- investment scandal,” (accessed May 15, 2020).
gin to have an effect about 90 days in advance, so this crisis is 6. Apollon and Vulcanus are hypothetical planets that were developed
due to start brewing. Add to this mix the fact that the Astro* by Alfred Witte and Friederich Sieggren. The Neptune=Apollon/Vulcanus
planetary picture symbolizes epidemics and widespread fraud.
Carto*Graphy® (ACG) map of the September 9 Mars station
7. Hans Niggeman, Rules for Planetary Pictures, self-published, 1939.
8. See https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2017-02-07-
gartner-says-8-billion-connected-things-will-be-in-use-in-2017-up-31-percent-
from-2016 (accessed May 15, 2020).
Resolving a political dispute by 9. Note that Kashmir is listed as Khalistan in Campion’s The Book of World
Horoscopes, p. 177.
partitioning an area on the day of
an eclipse is not advisable because © 2020 Bill Meridian – all rights reserved
matters commenced on such days Bill Meridian has been in the investment and astrology fields since
rarely work out as planned. 1972 and specializes in mundane and financial astrology. He studied
core-energetic therapy with Dr. John Pierrakos. He is a member of the
Kenos Circle, a Vienna-based futurist society. He has authored four books.
In 2002 and in 2016, he was ranked the number one stock market timer
in the U.S. by Timer Digest. He wrote the mundane column for Dell Horo-
will be on the Midheaven line along the western border of scope from 1990 through 2020. In April 2020, he was elected to the board
of the new Foundation for the Study of Cycles. E-mail: bill@cyclesresearch.
the country, increasing tension near that line of demarcation.
com; website: http://billmeridan.com
Likewise, the June solar eclipse path runs through this region
— a planetary powder keg that is likely to create a crisis be-
fore year end!
China’s chart was singled out in early 2019 as difficult
because Pluto transited over its natal Jupiter five times. I ex-
pected economic stress there that would affect the globe just
as Pluto transiting over natal Jupiter sent New York City into
bankruptcy in the early 1970s. (I never thought of a pan-
demic.) Note that the June solar eclipse path shadows China,
keeping this country in the spotlight through 2020. The good

The FirsT sTep-by-sTep TuTorial
Evaluating Astro*Carto*Graphy® Maps
by Elliot Jay Tanzer
With 1-hour DVD demonstrating the step-by-step instructions how to prep and evaluate a map.
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ith this ACG Step by Step PIn addition to my 45 years as
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Saturnian undercurrents. the planets as personality types, attitudes,
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original suggested measurement of 250 P How to determine what health problems relations committee for
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AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 55

HOROSCOPES
FOR THE TWELVE SIGNS
by Jenn Zahrt
ARIES TAURUS
As August kicks off, many forms You erupt into ebullience,
of support come under review. You sending ripples into your domes-
get jolted by a curveball in your per- tic sphere as August begins. The
sonal finances that threatens to wave of excitement stems from
thwart — or even throttle — your your newfound devil-may-care
recreational plans. Then, the Aquar- attitude. The typical routes of
ius Full Moon puts the spotlight feathering your nest no lon-
on your audience, your friends, ger adhere; you must innovate
and your networks of association. You typically have no and inject a bit of worldly ambition into a space normally
problems expressing yourself, in fact it’s where you shine. reserved for rest and recuperation. The longer you hold
Others weigh in on your output now, and some even pro- out on blending these worlds, the more the lure of status in-
vide you with crucial feedback, should you be open to hear- tensifies. A graceful solution is found through tacit, effective
ing it. As The Beatles put it, “the love you take is equal to nudges to those in your immediate environment. Your words
the love you make.” carry soft power. Use it.
Mid month, your message gets amplified, causing more That said, keep on alert around September 9, when
potential shock waves. Authenticity is key. You eschew Mars goes retrograde in your 12th house of hidden enemies
anything that does not resonate with your core purpose. until mid November. You’ll want to watch for people who ex-
As you adopt an increasingly coherent rhythm, acknowl- press loyalty to your face and act otherwise when they think
edge that others around you need time to adjust. Your you aren’t looking. This is a classic moment to discover who
lightning-quick reflexes can be scary for people who take stands faithfully by your side and who has less noble inten-
longer to process change. tions. Gird your loins, and look out for what is normally hid-
In late August, the minutiae of routine grabs your full at- den from view.
tention. You find momentum in modifying your daily habits to Possible frenemies aside, September is also an excellent
suit your new needs. On September 1, the Pisces Full Moon month to make sure you are not inciting discord through
shines light on your blind spots, so be alert. If you exercise vig- any actions of your own. The 12th house also represents
ilance, what you learn suggests some lucrative ramifications for self-undoing. Misdirected anger could catch you off guard.
your work life. Your ruling planet, Mars, turns retrograde on With Uranus moving through your 1st house of Self, your
September 9 (until mid November). Use this time to recalibrate reliable steady nature gives way to your newfound capac-
yourself, applying wisdom from any challenges you’ve faced ity to flip the table on end and be alarmingly spontaneous.
thus far. A weathered vine produces the most complex fruits. You may even surprise yourself. Examine and defend your
Toward the end of September, your shadow diplomat boundaries with care.
emerges. A stymied professional situation suddenly gains The month of September ends with a re-evaluation of
new traction. However, you are asked to put yourself in your values. Dreams of distant shores and possible futures
someone else’s shoes. Loathe as you may be to do so, you finally get some foothold in reality, with tangible action
stand to benefit from briefly stepping outside your comfort items you can put to work. Your usual suspicion of hurdles is
zone, to anticipate your opponent’s next moves. The best proven true as you attempt to gather speed. Stay the course
defense is a good offense. and you will witness the world unfold before you.
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 57

GEMINI situation comes to a head, or its full development. By then
Connections in your social net- you should know where everything stands. You can make in-
works blossom anew this August. formed choices from that point forward. Mars, the planet of
However, some boundaries be- decisive action, turns retrograde in your 11th house of aspi-
tween you and others blur, and rations. Activate your innate powers of oscillation to review
the lack of clarity results in a pos- your hopes and dreams. Resist any urgency to act; taking
sible nebulous friction with certain time to reflect will serve you more than proceeding without
friends and colleagues. You may truly inquiring whether you actually buy in to the plan. Keep
spend a greater part of the month your cards close to your chest.
sorting out what belongs to whom in terms of tasks or
trinkets.by Deborah
Issues arisingMcMahon
now may stem from incidents that CANCER
took place in late May or early June, and, if so, hopefully You stand in the midst of a
they will find resolution. If you act blindly, you may run labyrinth with seemingly impen-
the risk of getting in your own way. Turn your attention etrable borders. You exert major
toward your innermost private sphere, try to relax, and efforts to ferret your way out of
let your mind wander. Downtime gives you reprieve to the maze, only to run up against
regroup and face the world with a fresh perspective. a new bend ahead. If you narrow
The Leo New Moon on August 18 encourages you to your focus from the outer lim-
refresh your relationship to your local environs. If quaran- its to your inner self, you will be able to get clear on how to
tines are still in place, you may need to operate through move forward. You cannot control the direction of the road
virtual networks, yet the focus will remain heavy on the lo- ahead, but you can control your actions on it. As a Cancer,
cal, and not necessarily the global. The subsequent ingress your expert skill lies in finding unconventional (read: side-
of the Sun into Virgo doubles down on your focus on your ways) approaches to problems most people tackle head on.
immediate home life and nest. A desire to spruce up your Trust your instincts. If you feel you need to move, answer that
pad takes hold, with some surprising results. Beware of impulse. Do not wait for consensus or approval. You are ulti-
outspending yourself in pursuit of the goal. mately in command, even if the situation seems to trap you.
The Pisces Full Moon at the start of September signals Your financial picture comes under increased scrutiny
some ripe fruit in your professional sphere. A longstanding with the Leo New Moon on August 18. You may feel an

eagerness to spend rather than save. If savings are paramount, VIRGO
try to meditate on whether this new widget or experience is Overlooked sources of support
worth the cost. You could be trying to buy self-esteem through seek to make themselves known.
the expenditure, and if that’s the case, perhaps you can work While you busy yourself with more
on the direct issue, and leave your money in the bank. Some- overt streams of income and as-
times what you own ends up owning you. sistance, smaller, hidden sources
When the Sun enters Virgo in mid August, you find emerge. Before diving in to accept
solace in your chosen cohort, whether that is a group of any offers, ask yourself whether
friends or people you know through an extracurricular activ- you need them, or if they might
ity. You do not need to get too up close and personal. You cause more trouble than they’re worth. The Leo New Moon
simply need to be reminded of who is out there, and who illuminates facets of the bigger picture that you have not in-
has your back. tegrated. You may choose to keep looking the other way, or
On September 9, Mars turns retrograde in your 10th face the momentary discomfort to integrate them.
house of vocation, enabling you to combat any mission drift. As the Sun enters your sign on August 22, you turn
Probe whether your actions match your own set of goals or your gaze to yourself. It is your birthday month, after all.
if you are living out someone else’s script. Consider severing What transpires now carries implications for the next so-
ties with anything that deviates from your core mission. If you lar year. Note any omens that appear around your birthday;
are not clear what your mission is, this retrograde is the per- they carry potent messages for you. You can channel your
fect time to craft a fresh one. desires into some serious fun — emphasis on serious. With
the stellium of planets in Capricorn (Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto)
LEO still in your 5th house of diversion and play, you treat recre-
At the start of August, a sud- ation like a job. Good thing you tend to excel at any job you
den shift in status confronts you. agree to take on. In this instance, going forth and conquer-
Your central relationships may ex- ing carries many pleasurable benefits.
perience some temporary confusion Speaking of which, commitments to others are high-
as you adjust to this turn of events. lighted during the Pisces Full Moon on September 1. Press
A significant person in your life may pause on your own desires, and inquire into the Other.
dig in their heels to establish bal- Are your partners (in romance, or even in business) satis-
ance, and their recalcitrance carries fied with the status quo? If not, what needs to change? As
more aftershocks for you. By mid August, with the New Mars turns retrograde in your 8th house of joint ventures
Moon in your sign conjunct Mercury, you should be back on from September 9 into mid November, you may discover
track, bestowing generous affection simply just because. Even that expected rules of engagement take an unexpected
so, you still may not be able to help yourself from speaking course. Prepare yourself by agreeing to any terms before-
up about some strangeness in your professional sphere. hand, so you are well equipped to handle any turbulence
On August 22, as the Sun enters Virgo, you turn your that may arise from this momentary disruption. Ultimately,
attention to nurturing and ensuring that you and those everything happens in the conversation. For best results,
around you are well cared for. Unbeknownst to you, a be- be the instigator.
nevolent figure, possibly female, works alongside you to
ensure that your plans stay both spicy and effective. And yet, LIBRA
you may find a hole burning in your pocket. Make sure you In August you may find
keep your receipts. yourself in the proverbial eye of
By the beginning of September, enmeshments sur- a social storm. It seems nearly
face with the Pisces Full Moon. In your efforts to sustain everyone you know is coming to
your personal ecosystem, you may have overlooked a crit- you for counsel and sharing their
ical gap. Someone is either not involved enough or too perspectives on some tough sit-
involved. In order to shore up any rifts, put some effort into uations. You gain multidimensional awareness and have to
analyzing the small, repetitive tasks that build up into larger guard your tongue, lest anyone find out something that they
patterns of behavior. You may thus nip some stressors in should not be privy to. Social harmony rests on the balance
the bud. If you have spent too many resources on a proj- of scales. Answer the call to action and enjoy being the piv-
ect that appears to be heading nowhere, stop chasing bad otal player this month.
money with good time. Cutting your losses may hurt, but it As the Sun enters Virgo, you find out who has been
can also help you. acting with best intentions and who hasn’t. Keep your head
The equinox on September 22 highlights your acquain- above the fray and simply take notes. With the cards finally
tances and your responsibilities to your local scene. You revealing themselves, tune in to what you truly value and re-
are in demand, and this activates your charisma something invest in key relationships.
fierce. Even with social distancing perhaps still in play, you As September begins, a domestic situation may block
finesse your way to measured glory while meeting your im- you from doing desired work. If quarantines are still in
mediate needs. place, try to at least jot down a plan so that when you get
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 59
some leeway, you can jump straight to it. By the end of the SAGITTARIUS
month, you’ll be able to flex your professional muscles with The month of August tickles
the freedom you need. your spirit of play, and you cavort
Mars enters apparent backwards motion on September as much as possible in your pre-
9, marking a time for you to reconfigure partnerships. Re- ferred areas of avocation. Travel
set the terms of any agreements. Hesitation will only let the may still be restricted, or you may
water keep boiling, so before things get too hot, craft a plan already be away, unable to return
for peace while bracing yourself for battle. The Other may home. The Aquarius Full Moon on
not be as willing as you are by nature to make compromises. August 3 weds you to places both
Now is not the time to play coy. Ensure your needs get near and far, with a clear inabil-
met. A true compromise requires sacrifice and reward for ity to be both places at once. Thankfully the mind can always
both sides. wander, and you can use technology to bridge any barriers,
The equinox — the ingress of the Sun into your sign if an actual trip isn’t possible. New chances to get your pass-
— amplifies your sense of self, which in some cases can be port stamped could open by the Leo New Moon on August
intimately tied to those you admire and emulate. Remember 18. Even if travel is altogether not for you, a series of tan-
that the mix of influences in your life is unique to you. Revel talizing intellectual delights parades across your screen this
in your capacity to celebrate others, and allow them to re- month, altering your perceptions of reality and expanding
turn the favor! your horizons in delicious ways.
As the Sun moves into Virgo on August 22, your diver-
SCORPIO sions drop away, and you return with all seriousness to your
You walk a tightrope between vocational calling. The Pisces Full Moon throws light onto your
your home and professional life foundations as you aim your arrows to new heights. Reminding
this August. Answering the call of yourself of your roots allows you to properly preen your wings.
duty in either place creates a ten- On September 12, your ruling planet, Jupiter, turns di-
sion that tugs you in the opposite rect after a long summer treading old ground in Capricorn.
direction. You may feel powerless Momentum picks up even as some hard edges of reality rub
to speak your mind, letting your up against your usual enthusiasm. Turn the challenge into an
opinions fester while your nose adventure and allow any adversity to reawaken your inner
hits the grindstone. With the Leo New Moon mid month, fire. Heroes who have it easy are hardly celebrated. Tough
relief appears as contacts, domestic and foreign, emerge battles won command the most attention.
and entertain you out of any doldrums. Your labors will not By September 29, right when some of your ideas
go unheeded as long as you lay your weapons to the side begin to take hold, you could face a dilemma around fi-
and, hard as it may be, let any grudges go. Resentment will nancing. Tuck away some extra bounty for this rainy day,
actively block the recognition you seek. This New Moon car- which hits when Saturn in your 2nd house of resources pits
ries the promise of accolades, if you diligently put yourself itself squarely against Mars. Your future self will be glad
in position to receive them. The month rounds itself out that you thought ahead. Jupiter in austere Capricorn helps
with sweet intensity. you to achieve this uncharacteristic feat.
The Pisces Full Moon on the first day of September em-
phasizes the axis of the love you make and the love you take CAPRICORN
— the 5th and 11th houses, respectively. You have an open Slow and steady wins the race.
invitation to get your hands dirty and make a longstanding August carries a constant and yet
creative pursuit come alive. Unleash your genius and see comforting tune that suits your need for
what bounces back. a reliable rhythm. However, a product
That said, when Mars, your traditional ruling planet, of your creation — a child or an inven-
enters apparent backward motion on September 9, you tion, perhaps? — arrives at loggerheads
may feel at once compelled to indulge in overwork since with the legacy you’ve been crafting.
your efforts to advance seem to go nowhere. Rather than Rather than cover up and hide, if you soften your gaze and re-
tire yourself, consider things from a higher vantage point. alize that this wild hare situation stems directly from your own
Ask what your aims are and whether this mode of working ingenuity, you can integrate the message and widen the scope
will actually get you there. You may discover more efficient of possibility for how others appreciate you and your work.
means to achieve the goal. Along with that, habits and health The impasse presents an opportunity to rebrand.
are two sides of a coin. By streamlining your approach, you The Sun’s ingress into Virgo ushers in a month-long fo-
also cultivate well-being. cus on recreation and higher aspirations. Now that the world
When the Sun ingresses into Libra, a desire for retreat knows a bit more about your zany side, let your inner in-
becomes hard to ignore. The astrological month before your ventor loose. Your mind expands and your hands set about
birthday is always a good time to lay low and reflect. Grab realizing these visions. The Pisces Full Moon on September
provisions for your cave and nest up. 1 presents you with a chance to reveal some of what you’ve
been working on to people in your immediate vicinity. Take
their critiques to heart and try to apply their input to your speech. Remember, a well-functioning Mars always fights for
next iterations. something and not against it. Before pressing send, or seal-
On September 9 the planet of discord, Mars, backs up ing that envelope, give the text a once-over to make sure you
in your domestic sphere until mid November. True rest will are promoting a mission and not acting defensively. The im-
be elusive as you manage all sorts of reconstruction in your pulse to set everything ablaze may be difficult to resist. This
home. Barring actual renovations, something in your private influence lasts into mid November.
world begs for change. Another arena may be calling you: The Virgo New Moon on September 17 activates your
your deep past. Consider finding out more about your ances- 8th house of joint ventures and unknowable knowledge. If
tors and your heritage. Treasure comes to those who seek. you are engaged in a research project, September is an ex-
The equinox plants you firmly back in your director’s chair cellent month to get to the bottom of a question that has
after a seemingly interminable hiatus. Watch out for a possible been stirring your imagination for some time. That said, the
land mine on September 29. Retrograde Mars in Aries squares month could also be taken up with going over any debts or
off with newly direct Saturn. Once you finally get in gear to gaps in joint ventures. Or both!
make progress, you could encounter a major irritation. Use this By the end of September, your traditional ruler, Saturn,
to your benefit: Plan your work and work your plan! finally goes direct, tipping your Aquarian jug so the wa-
ter starts to flow. The Sun also moves into your visionary
AQUARIUS 9th house, bringing some needed levity as autumn begins.
You are center stage, for once. Breathe and let your ideas run rampant!
The Aquarius Full Moon at the start
of August suggests that a significant PISCES
partner may need to take a back August unfurls with you unearthing
seat while you reset your course long-forgotten relics in your inner attic.
and deal with any domestic shock- It takes extra energy to face things you
waves stemming from Uranus transiting your 4th house. Your normally prefer to leave out of sight.
concern with the wellbeing of the collective dims momentarily A small dose of attention coupled with
as you focus on your immediate needs and those of your cho- an injection of imagination can set
sen or biological family. By mid month, the Leo New Moon you free of previously unconscious burdens. The resulting
has you back to prioritizing others, or, rather, they prioritize liberation recharges your capacity to withstand mundane
themselves around you. chores; by mid month, the stale world of routine morphs into
A fortunate brainstorm befalls you toward the end of a site for iterative expansion.
August. Before you get too carried away by the incredible One-on-one connections also start to take up major
insights, make sure they stand up to the test of reality. By Au- bandwidth in mid August. A special person in your life could
gust 31, a test run could reveal any faults in the plan. team up with your circle of friends, creating a tight-knit so-
On September 9, as Mars makes a turnabout in your cial scene. This may have you feeling left out, so make sure to
communication sector, you may find some extra fire in your chime in and participate. Communication clears up the fog.
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 61

Horoscopes Eastern Window
The Full Moon in your sign at the start of September fur- continued from p. 17
ther stimulates your social connections: a quirky acquaintance,
perhaps a neighbor, appears out of the woodwork to your aid, 4. Farrow, “Cosmic Duets: Enthralling Harmonies or Yowling Cats,” in TMA,
June/July 2018, p. 18
just as friends who normally help come up short. Sometimes,
you have to accept assistance where it is given and how, and 5. The Kala Sarpa Yoga is a pattern where all the remaining seven grahas are
between Rahu and Ketu. There are variant formations, and some patterns
free yourself from expected sources or methods.
that are not exact can be described as “Kala Sarpa Yoga-like.”
This message gets emphasized on September 9, as Mars
6. Russell Miller, Bare-faced Messiah: The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard,
turns up the heat in your 2nd house, going retrograde un- M. Joseph, 1987, p. 11.
til mid November. The 2nd house concerns all systems that
7. Mark Brown, “Creston provided quiet retreat for controversial church
support you, financial as well as dietary. Consider what truly leader,” in The County Telegram-Tribune, January 30, 1986, pp. 1A/5A.
nourishes you and pursue that. Interestingly, your profes- 8. Jon Atack, A Piece of Blue Sky: Scientology, Dianetics and L. Ron Hub-
sional world also adopts new systems to sustain you. bard Exposed, Lyle Stuart, 1990, p. 107.
The Virgo New Moon mid month hands the mic to signif-
icant others again, and by the end of the month, a group you © 2020 Penny Farrow – all rights reserved
are involved in finally gets back into gear after a summer-long
hiatus. However, you may find that your own needs have
Penny Farrow has an M.S. degree from Cornell University and has had
shifted enough that you question whether you belong. If you an extensive career as a teacher, researcher, and businesswoman. She has
brace yourself for a momentary impasse, you could reset the been involved in the Vedic tradition since 1971. She has studied Jyoti-
vibe and establish a fruitful compromise for all involved. sha intensively since 1991, primarily under the personal tutelage of Hart
deFouw, and taught Jyotisha and Sanskrit at Vedic Vidya Institute in San
Rafael, California for eight years. She now resides in Florida, practic-
© 2020 Jenn Zahrt – all rights reserved
ing and teaching Jyotisha and Sanskrit full time, including a new online
option. Telephone: (415) 497-2014; e-mail: info@vedicchart.com; website:
Jenn Zahrt, PhD, is an author, publisher, and teacher of cultural astron- http://www.vedicchart.com
omy and astrology who has been practicing astrology since 1998. She
researches the many forms of astrology emergent across human cultures
past and present, with a special focus on early 20th-century German cul-
ture. She is the founder of Revelore Press, creative director of Sophia
Centre Press, and The Catapult Zone online learning community. She has
taught and lectured domestically and internationally (Canada, the UK,
Germany). Jenn specializes in a mix of traditional and modern techniques
and locational astrology. She is currently based out of Seattle, WA. You
can find her online at www.celestialspark.com

The Elegant Mandala MODERN DAY
of You
MYSTERY SCHOOL
Many cultures believe the mandala to represent Hermetic Tradition
different aspects of the universe – “as above, so
below” – a visual meditation guide of geometric
patterns that lead towards the center. The Astrological for more information call 505 247-1338 or
birth chart, or you as mandala, is a pathway towards email churchoflight@light.org
your center of self-understanding and how you relate
to the world you live in.
I offer life overview with transit interpretations where
we examine the major sectors of life; relationship, OFFERING
home, life-passion and work. Interpreting charts since
1987, I have a deep love for this sacred art and the online classes - home study courses
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astrological discussion groups
in a casual atmosphere
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Albuquerque
2119 Gold Avenue SE (near UNM campus)
www.light.org
www.churchoflight.tv
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 63

Astro-Assistance grets, frustrations, and areas of your life where you felt invis-
ible or unempowered. Pluto takes us to the hidden depths of
continued from p. 15 our psyche in order to cast off what no longer serves us and
make way for something new. In concert with Uranus, you
move us outside the boundaries of our comfort zone. In are at a turning point in your life, indicating changes in your
light of that, I don’t think you would be happy going back thinking, identity, and sense of purpose.
to anything you’ve already done, but you might think of us- Natally, Pluto in Cancer in the 9th house is opposing
ing this coming year to explore new and exciting options. your Sun in Capricorn in the 3rd and rules your Scorpio As-
Without the coronavirus, these planets would be very favor- cendant. Along with work and productivity giving you a sense
able for volunteer opportunities, but given the unknown tra- of purpose, you want to be involved in changing the status
jectory of the COVID-19 pandemic, your options may be quo, whether in a one-on-one situation or something larger,
more limited. either with your neighborhood or in the field of education
The more difficult side to Uranus transits can be deal- because of the emphasis on the 3rd and 9th houses. Both
ing with life’s unpredictability, which is more true than ever Capricorn and Pluto are extremely resourceful and strategic,
now, for you and everyone. It’s hard to know what to expect so I think you have two ways of moving forward. One would
during the coming months, and how to plan for the future. be to find a new field of study, something that would speak
Uranus teaches us to practice detachment and stay in the to your elevated Leo Moon so close to the Midheaven. Some-
present moment as much as possible. If we can find peace in times it’s hard for pragmatic Capricorn and internal Scorpio
each moment, we can endure anything. Because of Uranus’s to accept the artsy, fun-loving, and playful side of Leo, the
transit through your 6th house, you may be having a harder side that loves performance and being visible. Yet, your Moon
time finding a good daily routine, but you could also feel a opposes Mars in Aquarius, suggesting an innovative and orig-
lot of freedom to try alternatives to the habits you’ve estab- inal capacity for action and even leadership. Have you ever
lished. Capricorns tend to need structure, order, and plans, tried volunteering at an arts organization or doing theater
but Aries on the cusp of the 6th house suggests you peri- improvisation?
odically get bored with repetition. Transiting Uranus making The other path would be to use your long work history,
mostly working with people, and find a volunteer organiza-
tion where your administrative skills (Capricorn) and abilities
to see and solve problems (Scorpio) could be put to use. The
asteroid Ceres in Scorpio is rising, and this suggests an inter-
Capricorns tend to need est in agriculture, the land, possibly including finding solutions
structure, order, and plans, but to food deserts, feeding the hungry, or working with families
and children. Ceres sextiles both your North Node in Capri-
Aries on the cusp of the 6th house corn and your Neptune in Virgo, adding a note of grounded,
practical ability that works in harmony with the Scorpio
suggests you periodically capacity to find hidden solutions to systemic problems.
get bored with repetition. In January and February 2021, both Jupiter, an indi-
cation of growth and opportunity, along with Saturn, the
capacity to bring things down to earth, will transit over
your natal 3rd-house Mercury. Because Mercury has to do
a square to Mercury in Aquarius in your 3rd house suggests with not only our thinking but also our ability to share our
an openness to new ideas and original ways of thinking about thoughts with others, February seems like an opportune
health, habits, and even work. As Uranus moves to within 1° month for you to get excited, do some networking, and
of your 7th house — starting in July 2020 and lasting until begin something new.
February 2022 — you will be drawn into unconventional re-
lationships and possibly activities that bring you more out into Chart Data are confidential, but the sources of both charts are birth certificates.
the public. You can expect that your close personal relation-
ships will be changing in unforeseen ways during this same © 2020 Moon Zlotnick – all rights reserved
period of time due to the unpredictable nature of Uranus.
Pluto opposing Pluto is also a once-in-a-lifetime tran- Moon Zlotnick began practicing astrology in 1975 and received for-
sit and harkens back to when Pluto squared your natal Pluto mal training in 1979 with Zipporah Dobyns through her Los Ange-
in 1982–83. Whatever deep-seated changes you realized les school CCRS. Since then, Moon has worked with clients full-time,
then are now coming to a point of being externalized in your taught astrology to beginners and seasoned students alike, and partic-
life. These Pluto transits create a desire to unfetter ourselves ipated on the boards of ProSig, OPA, and STARS. She has been certi-
fied through OPA and currently leads Peer Group Trainings. Her book,
from old, unfinished business, along with raising profound
Looking to the Stars — a hybrid of astrology and memoir — will soon
questions about our life purpose. This is additionally true for be published. Website: https://astrologybymoonrabbit.com
you since Pluto is just finishing a three-year transit to your
Sun, your sense of self and life purpose. Over the last three
years, you may have been pulled inward, looking at past re-

continued from p. 28
Looking over the next 50 years, let us see when another

major epidemic/pandemic could take place. (See Table 2,
below.) We must bear in mind, of course, that nearly every
year, minor, localized epidemics happen; however, I am not
referring to those. My aim is to point to periods that are likely
to bring about a major, or novel — and therefore dangerous
— epidemic/pandemic.
The intensity of the planetary contacts listed below var-
ies. My research suggests that we could be in for another
Parallels of latitude are extremely

delicate aspects because
everything happens within a
relatively narrow band; one degree References
of arc is an incredible amount in (Wikipedia was consulted for much of the historical pandemic information
in this article. All URLs were accessed in May 2020.)
the vast space! 1. Gilbertus Anglicus, Compendium Medicinae Gilbertus, reprinted in Heal-
ing and Society in Medieval England, University of Wisconsin Press, 1991,
p. xxv.
pandemic in 2025–26 (possibly starting in late 2024) and 2. Oliver Sacks, Awakenings, Duckworth & Co., 1973, p. 14.
between 2061–65. The other periods will almost certainly 3. John Harrington and Thomas C. Frohlich, “Worst Outbreaks of All Time,”
bring a major epidemic, but it would not likely develop into a 24/7 Wall St., https://247wallst.com/special-report/2020/01/31/worst-
pandemic. outbreaks-of-all-time/4/ (accessed May 14, 2020).
4. Ema Kurent, “The 2020 Forecast,” https://www.emakurent.com/en/
2019/12/31/2020/; Ema Kurent, “COVID-19 and Possible Future Pandem-
Future Projections
ics,” https://www.emakurent.com/en/2020/03/12/covid-19-and-possible-
The future is uncertain, they say, but astrology gives us future-pandemics/
invaluable tools to research the cosmic laws and predict the
possibilities and probabilities — even when it comes to the
© 2020 Ema Kurent – all rights reserved
most elusive of all planets, Neptune. Hopefully this article has
helped the reader to better understand its subtle workings and
Ema Kurent (DFAstrolS, QHP, CMA, ISAR CAP), from Slove-
to prepare for what it might bring in the future. (Adding, of
nia, is a professional astrological consultant, teacher, writer, researcher,
course, that I am so happy that the future is actually almost and publisher. She specializes in traditional and predictive astrology
never completely certain!) and is an avid researcher of declinations and eclipses. She runs Astro-
logical Academy Stella (ISAR affiliated) and has authored the books
Table 2: Related upcoming planetary events Sonce in Luna (The Sun and the Moon, 2008), Lunin vodnik (Moon Guide,
a yearly publication since 2005), Horarna astrologija (2015), Horary
Dates Relevant Astrological Factors Astrology (2019), and nine student textbooks. She has lectured in
Slovenia, England, Poland, USA, South Africa, India, and Serbia.
2022 Neptune–Saturn parallel of latitude
Neptune equator crossing and a parallel of declination

with Saturn (in 2026); could start already in 2025 due to
2025–
a “Neptunian” total lunar eclipse, and Neptune entering
2026
Aries; this epidemic/pandemic could involve a novel virus
or even the use of a virus as a weapon (biological war)
2031 Neptune–Saturn parallel of latitude
2037–38 Neptune–Saturn parallel of declination
2052–53 Neptune–Saturn parallel of latitude
2061–63 Neptune–Saturn parallel of declination in 2061–63, plus

or ’65 a Neptune/Pluto square forming between 2061–65
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 65

SoftStar Muse
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR ASTROLOGY SOFTWARE
by Hank Friedman
Author’s Note: Underlined words in the article are links to Lilith, Pars Fortunae, and any of the four major asteroids,
graphics that you can see at: https://www.soulhealing.com/ as well as the dispositor of any planet or angle and the
tma.htm ruler of any house.
I think the designers of the page were brilliant in provid-
Astrodatabank Research ing the option to select several points and then use the All
by Alois Treindl Objects function to choose whether you require all of the ob-
https://www.astro.com/adb-search jects to meet your search criteria or any two or three (or up
$11/year for full access to ten) objects. That’s incredibly helpful when you want to
free partial access find, for example, the athletes who have at least four points
in the fixed signs. And the supplied placements include sign
It was a big loss to astrologers when the phenomenal and degree ranges (e.g., between 10° Aries and 20° Taurus),
astrological research program AstroDatabank became ob- Retrograde or Stationary, the four major dignities, the signs,
solete. Fortunately, Alois Treindl revived it and created the the elements, the qualities (cardinal, fixed, and/or mutable),
AstroDatabank (ADB) chart collection site (which is con- the houses, and houses and signs ruled by specific planets.
tinually updated). Now he is providing astrologers with a You can also search for major, minor, or declination aspects
research tool for astrology: the powerful Astrodatabank between two or more points.
Research web page. And because the entire database is pre-computed (all
Since Astrodatabank Research is web-based, it can be positional calculations have already been done), searches
visited via any computer, tablet, or even smartphone, and it are lightning fast.
provides an exceptional set of search capabilities for Modern The search results web page displays a summary of your
and Traditional Western astrologers. search conditions and a concise listing or expanded listing of
On its main screen you can select the population of those who met your criteria. The expanded listing can show
charts to search, choosing gender, accuracy of birth time, the some biographical material and/or the categories that each
house system, and aspect orbs specified individually for each person fits in. There are also two icons that you can click on:
aspect (e.g., 8° orb for conjunctions and 1° orb for parallels, The Links icon takes you to the AstroDatabank page for that
etc.). You can use just the ADB data or your own data (that person, complete with birth data, biography, relationships,
you’ve saved to their website) or both. events, source notes, categories, and a small chart. Clicking
You can confine births to a particular range of dates, use on the other icon, which looks like the Sun glyph, takes you
the True or Mean Node, allow or disallow Out-of-Sign aspects to a larger chart for the person. You can save the chart as a
and Intercepted Signs as House Rulers, and decide between PDF file, and choose your default chart settings.
the day or day/night Pars Fortunae and Traditional or Mod- Astrologers are given many options on the Extended
ern sign rulerships (or use both). Chart Selection screen. You can pick from dozens of chart
And like the original AstroDatabank software, you can wheel styles (including sky maps), many house systems, Tropi-
also specify only people who fall into particular categories, cal/Sidereal/Draconic Zodiacs, and Geocentric/Heliocentric/
such as Body, Mind, and Personality Traits (e.g., appearance, topocentric reference frames, and you can add many other
fiery personality, etc.); Diagnoses, Family themes (including points and objects (e.g., the Vertex, prenatal eclipses, Fixed
childhood issues), Lifestyle, Passions, Personal, Vocation, No- Stars, transplutonian bodies, etc.). There are also several Tra-
table, and Mundane. For example, you could constrain the ditional Astrology options, including showing decans, terms,
search to only Oscar winners, or alcoholics, or philanthropists, and Zodiacal Releasing.
or baseball players. These research capabilities are priceless! Astrodatabank Research is a truly valuable tool for all
The bottom half of the web page lets you set what astrologers. Its range of functions, versatility, and data set
points to use, including the planets, angles, the North Node, are unparalleled, and these enable astrologers to learn, test
their theories, and deepen their understanding of astrology.
Thank you, Alois, for giving this to us.
Beyond the Horoscope
continued from p. 39
Weblog News
The latest articles in my online blog at https://www.
soulhealing.com/softstar.htm include my new tutorials “The For instance, take the blockbuster movie The Joker, which
Meaning of the Modes in astrology” and “Levels of Analysis came out during the exact peak of a Pluto station in early
— How to approach a Vedic chart,” updates of two major October 2019, when that planet’s influence was especially
articles, my shelter-in-place astrology software sale, A Gigan- strong. The film’s story exemplifies Plutonian themes to a
tic Magnetic Bubble around Uranus, and more. remarkable degree, with its tale of buried secrets and old
© 2020 Hank Friedman – all rights reserved

It’s tempting to believe
Hank Friedman is a professional Vedic and Western astrologer, author,
astrology is somehow sufficient
and teacher. Visit his http://www.soulhealing.com website for astrology
software guidance and his http://www.learnastrologyfree.com website for
unto itself, requiring no other
more than 150 free in-depth astrology tutorials. You may contact him
at stars@soulhealing.com for help in choosing the right astrology soft-
methods or systems to
ware for your needs. enhance its efficacy.
wounds coming to light. Of course, there are many ways Pluto

energies can manifest — an archaeological discovery, volcanic
eruption, hazardous toxic spill, political power struggle, acts of
mob violence, and so on. However, the film gave expression
to one manifestation which seemed particularly active at that
time, and which I also saw reflected in the lives of friends and
clients, in terms of buried secrets and old wounds coming to
light for them, too. As I said at the outset, within the manifest
event for a given horoscopic moment, we find a uniquely con-
cise symbol for potentialities that are only abstractly suggested
by the chart. As a result, instead of using the chart to explain
the event, it can be useful sometimes to work “backward” by
using the event to better understand the chart!
Conclusion
It’s tempting to believe astrology is somehow sufficient
unto itself, requiring no other methods or systems to enhance
its efficacy. I’m reminded of the astrologer I once knew who
— when asked whether she thought studying subjects like psy-
chology, the I-Ching, palmistry, or Tarot might help her own
astrological practice — replied, ”There’s no need. Astrology
covers all the bases.” Well, not really. In this essay, I’ve tried to
show that knowing different symbolic systems can provide us
with different perspectives into a given situation not available
through any one system. Understanding the language of syn-
chronicity and “meaningful coincidences” offers us one such
avenue and should rightly be part of any truly holistic approach
to astrology, whether we’re focused more on personal inter-
pretations or on world events unfolding across the global stage.
© 2020 Ray Grasse – all rights reserved
Ray Grasse is associate editor of The Mountain Astrologer and author

of several books, including The Waking Dream, An Infinity of Gods,
Under a Sacred Sky, Signs of the Times, and Urban Mystic. His website
Image source: The zodiac man. Watercolour painting by a is www.raygrasse.com
Persian artist. Credit: Wellcome Collection.
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 67

TMA’s AstroSoftware Marketplace

TRADITIONAL ASTROLOGY
IN A MODERN PRACTICE
WORKING WITH THE MALEFICS
by Wonder Bright
T
raditional astrology is rife with phrases the modern ing was destructive but never rushed me through the process.
mind finds objectionable. After a century’s worth of Slowly, over time, she helped me pull apart the pattern my
neuroscience and psychological advances, terms like chart described and get to where it was rooted in my actual
“bad houses,” “detriment,” and “malefic” seem out-of-step at life. With her, I learned to observe what Rob Hand calls the
best. Many people quite naturally find such phrases unneces- “reality game” and to scry the world lying just below the sur-
sarily dark and demoralizing, and it’s certainly reasonable to face of my story about it. All along, the traditional techniques
ask how such terms could ever be considered useful, let alone that dictated the focus of my chart pulled our conversation
helpful inside the sort of counseling practice modern astrolo- forward and me with it.
gers tend to adopt. At the heart of it, the fatalistic nature of As my abject grief faded, I began chafing at the framing
traditional astrology conflicts with modern belief in free will of a system developed before a queer feminist woman like my-
and progress. So why are so many people turning to ancient self would ever have been allowed near it. But I never got over
methods to describe modern lives? the relief of techniques that named my grief without telling me
If I had been at a different point in my life when I first to transcend or transform it. I never got over the experience
learned these phrases, I might have balked at them too. But of being in a dark place and being given words for it. In those
when I first encountered them, I was reeling from a terri- techniques, the struggles of my life came into sharp focus, and
ble breakup and wasn’t in an especially optimistic frame of I could no longer paper over them. Once I stopped resisting
mind. Instead, I was listening to Johnny Cash’s cover of Nine the darker difficulties of my life, I could begin working with the
Inch Nail’s “Hurt” on repeat, rewatching Buffy the Vampire actual material of my soul. I could stop trying to be something
Slayer (season five twice) and making some epically awful I wasn’t and become more of what I actually was. Accept-
rebound dating choices. I may have resented the new astro- ing what I was took longer than learning the techniques, but
logical techniques I had for describing the way my romantic it wouldn’t have happened without them. Modern astrology
life was consistently in the toilet, but it was beyond me to promised me wisdom and revelation, but never actually de-
deny the power of the truths they indicated. livered it. Not like this. How could it, when it lacked the teeth
It would be fair to say that I steeped myself in dark pre- to describe the dragons I had to fight to achieve it?
dictions the same way I listened to Johnny Cash’s cover of Still, a question began to plague me. We have many
“Hurt.” Everything was on repeat. I wasn’t trying to recover more tools to use against those dragons than the ancients
from the breakup as much as soak myself in it. My poor who first identified them. How could I use traditional tech-
mother got so sick of me complaining about my 7th house niques to understand and describe the human condition in the
that she started heading me off at the pass with comments 21st century?
like, “Doesn’t your chart say anything about when you’ll be I’ve spent 16 years asking that question and my obses-
happy again?” Or, pressing her luck, “Isn’t there more to life sion remains unabated. The contradiction between fatalistic
than astrology?” traditional techniques and my incurably optimistic modern
LOL, Mom. As if. mind has taken me on a journey that has been unexpected
Fortunately, my therapist had more latitude for my and confronting, but ultimately illuminating. It’s time now to
dark navel gazing. She took advantage of my sudden and share what I’ve discovered, and this column will be devoted
overwhelming need to identify the ways my romantic pattern- to doing just that. In each installment we will dive into the
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 69

Traditional Astrology is where a modern understanding of trauma and its impact
on our brains becomes so important, because from a modern
point of view, creating and maintaining healthy boundar-
thorny thicket where traditional techniques and modern un- ies is a vital component of creating happiness. People who
derstanding meet, with the intention of pushing forward into have had their boundaries crossed from early ages often have
the new territories I’ve come to believe are promised. a lot of work to do before they are able to set and maintain
In this piece we will look at two of the biggest dragons of healthy separations between themselves and others.
traditional astrology: the malefics Mars and Saturn. We will Mars describes personal boundaries, the boundaries that
parse out the ways in which their ancient significations still reflect the sect of the Moon1 and the world of emotions, the
carry weight in the modern age, and what advantages mod- body, and our desire nature. Demetra George describes Mars
ern thinking might give us in terms of helping our clients and as the planet signifying our ability to act on what we desire.
ourselves deal with difficult circumstances.
The Essential Boundaries Described

by the Malefics As we mature into adults ourselves,
One of the great advantages of traditional astrology is that
it is based on observational astronomy. This grants a coher-
we need to learn to become the
ence in the techniques that always relates what we see in the authority, in addition to developing
skies to what we experience on the ground. We won’t be cov-
ering those ancient astronomical models here; however, it’s healthy relationships to authority
important to understand this relational dynamic. We will use figures in our lives.
it as a measuring stick to guide us when it comes to thinking
about the traditional techniques, knowing what we know, now
that we have seen beyond the realm of Earth. While a helio- Difficulties described in a chart as related to Mars, therefore,
centric model will be used in the following discussion, it should have to do with where our own desires are either ignored and
not be understood to supersede ancient teachings, which trespassed, or where we are the one ignoring other people’s
rightly placed earthly concerns at the center of our cosmos. personal boundaries and trespassing them in order to get our
When you put the seven traditional planets in order, with own desires met. While a therapist might not describe such
the Sun at the center and Saturn at the edge, you can see activities as “evil” to their clients, they would certainly be at
that the malefics, namely Mars and Saturn, define bound- pains to dissuade them from habits formed around such cir-
aries in our solar system. Saturn, the “greater malefic,” cumstances and behaviors.
describes the most obvious boundary, as it is the farthest Saturn, in turn, describes boundaries we encounter in our
visible planet to the naked eye (apparently, Uranus is tech- external worlds, the worlds of the sect of the Sun (see note
nically visible for those of us with very keen eyesight, but one), the public worlds in which we want to shine and make
no ancient ever recorded it). Mars, “the lesser malefic,” a mark. As the farthest visible planet from Earth, Saturn de-
scribes where we end and the rest of the universe begins, and
hence where we meet the ultimate boundary and the limits of
our authority. As children, of course, the limits of our author-
All along, the traditional techniques ity lie in that of the adults around us, so Saturn in a chart will
that dictated the focus of my chart always describe the circumstances within which authority was
delivered to us as children, as well as how we continue to
pulled our conversation forward experience authority figures in our lives as we grow into adult-
and me with it. hood. However, as we mature into adults ourselves, we need
to learn to become the authority, in addition to developing
healthy relationships to authority figures in our lives.
also describes a boundary, as it is the first planet beyond the Our ability to exercise authority rather than living in re-
orbit of Earth, and is therefore the planet between us and action to it is a hallmark of maturing to adulthood. The way
the rest of the known universe. Mars can be either a sentry/ that Saturn is configured in a chart describes the difficulties or
keeping guard, or an explorer/seeking farther afield. Either ease someone might face along that journey. Saturn’s job in
way, the Red Planet occupies a liminal range between what is anyone’s chart is to grant them access to their own authority,
ours and what lies beyond. This distinction would have been even when — and maybe especially when — that access is
lost on ancient astrologers, as they commonly believed Earth thwarted by those who seek to block it.
to be at the center of the solar system. It is fascinating to It may seem that working with clients on issues around
note that the significations that fell to Mars inside the ancient their boundaries, whether they are being trespassed or tres-
schema might still be reflected within the contemporary one. passing, is a loaded subject even before one begins throwing
So what is the significance of a malefic as a bound- around words like “malefic.” Yet, something interesting occurs
ary planet, and how can we understand the importance of when we use the terms to describe both what the ancients saw
boundaries through describing the planets in this way? This and how we might think of such things these days. A client

who was sexually abused doesn’t need to be told how malefic our new realities. The questions we might be asking ourselves
their stars are; they already know. However, when we describe now have less to do with changing our fates and more to do
the basic astronomy in support of the malefics as boundar- with how we might learn to live with them. Applying the an-
ies, people gain immediate access to the impact in their lives cient methods to modern understanding is incredibly useful
in ways that remove the onus of guilt and grant them a con- for that. I look forward to sharing with you the things I’ve dis-
text from which they might begin to exert more agency. covered in the past 16 years of looking at this topic in depth.
It is beyond the scope of this column to dive in to how I hope you’ll join me on the journey.
an astrologer might use this framing in practice, and it’s rec-
ommended that without a counseling pedigree we do not Note
probe into client histories. Hopefully, I have provided enough 1. Sect is a Hellenistic technique that makes distinctions in a chart based on
material to provoke interest in exploring the ways that tra- whether someone is born by day or night and will be discussed in more detail
ditional systems are complementary to modern thinking. In in future installments of this column.
future installments I will explore how sect, at its core, power-
fully frames the impact of being mortal, a condition that the © 2020 Wonder Bright – all rights reserved
modern mind stubbornly persists in denying. I will also look
at how this ancient technique, which on the one hand seems Wonder Bright is an astrologer living in Portland, Oregon. She works
to inscribe the binary, simultaneously gives us the tools to with her clients to help them use whatever sliver of free will they pos-
describe gradient within it, providing much needed nuance sess to embrace their fates and step more fully into their lives. She uses
to the discussion. I will also speak on what the “bad houses” traditional techniques to arrive at wholly modern conclusions, and this
column is devoted to describing how. For more, you can find her at www.
teach us about the fundamental struggle of being human and starsofwonder.com.
much, much more.
We are living through a time unprecedented in the mod-
ern era, a moment when humanity is collectively reeling from
the dawning revelation that we are extremely vulnerable to
circumstances well beyond our control. This “revelation” was
never news to the ancients. Traditional methods describe the
impact mortality has on mortals better than modern meth-
ods, thus they could prove helpful to us in terms of facing
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 71

If you have astrology news or
events of interest to the astrological
community that you would like to
share with TMA readers, please send
the information directly to:
Gloria Star, P.O. Box 311,
Clinton, CT 06413
or: Gloria@GloriaStar.com
Astrology News
by Gloria Star
Astrologers Become Socially Distant At the time I am writing this column, Northwest Astro-
As the focus of our lives over the past few months has logical Conference (NORWAC) will be initiating its first-ever
been “all COVID-19 all the time,” the world of astrology has all-digital conference in Seattle, Wasthington. The Astrolog-
also been significantly impacted. One of the most notable ical Association of Great Britain (AAGB) has just announced
manifestations has involved the much-beloved astrology con- that it will go online for its June 2020 conference, utilizing
ference. Whether or not you enjoy gathering with other astrol- webinar format for the entire event. Details are available on
ogers and like-minded individuals, those meetings have now their website (see below listing). We send our best wishes as
been halted in the wake of stay-at-home lockdown orders. this grand experiment gets underway.
From meetings and classes hosted by local groups or organiza- The ISAR Conference, slated to take place in Westmin-
tions to larger regional and international conferences, leaders ster, Colorado, will soon be announcing their decision about
in the astrological community have been scrambling to main- whether or not to hold it, postpone, or cancel. They intend
tain connections while revising schedules, venues, and options to make that decision by July 25. By the time this issue of
for these events. You’ll see some of these influences as you TMA goes to press, they will have learned about govern-
peruse the Astrology Conference Calendar in this column. mental guidelines regarding an assembly of that size. ISAR
Astrology classes and full courses of study have been announced in April 2020 that they will not attempt an online
available online for years. For example, the International conference at this time.
Academy of Astrology (IAA) has successfully hosted sev- The future of UAC 2022 also hangs in the balance and
eral international conferences utilizing webinar-type formats. will be powerfully influenced by the alterations from our cur-
However, the huge, dynamic gatherings like International rent experiments as we reframe the possibilities of gathering
Study for Astrological Research (ISAR) or United Astrology and sharing with one another. We astrologers are an adaptable
Conference (UAC) have not yet been available as a 100% vir- and visionary breed. We have a grand opportunity to reinvent
tual experience — until now. As you know, astrologers are the ways we will continue to share knowledge and be part of
unique, with their particular viewpoints bringing almost any the evolution for the new practice and profession of astrology.
subject into a different focus. There’s a lovely brilliance dis-
played by this diverse body of individuals, and being together Share Your Thoughts
can be truly life-changing. For the next several months at I’ve heard from many of our TMA readers concerned
least, these events are curtailed. Many are taking on the chal- about these changes. I would like to invite you to share your
lenge to utilize the wonders of our current technology to meet thoughts or experiences until we once again have access to
via webinar and other connections like Zoom. While sharing more opportunities to be together personally.
and learning via digital screens might be an excellent oppor- Have you attended a conference that was reset in a digital
tunity, it’s a completely different experience from sitting format? Did you find this to be a positive experience? What
together in person. did you like or dislike? How do you think the loss of opportu-
Plus, the marvelous trade shows and marketplaces nity to gather in large groups might impact astrology?
mounted at conferences provide an opportunity for show- Please send your comments regarding any of these new
casing new books, software, and creative, metaphysical directions to me via e-mail at: Gloria@GloriaStar.com, and I’ll
merchandise. Those who rely on conventions to market their share a summary with TMA readers in a future installment of
goods will be limited for a while, although online shopping “Astrology News.” Thank you!
is likely to be featured at the larger virtual summits. Some
form of social distancing may become the new normal, quite In Brief
possibly well into the future. While the large-scale astrology Thanks to TMA reader, M. Murphy, for sending along an
conference and pop-up markets have been evolving over the interesting article about the links between medieval astrology
past decade, COVID-19 has accelerated changes. and epidemiology. Appearing in The Conversation (https://

the conversation.com/before-epidemiologists-began-modelling September 10–14: ISAR 2020 Conference: Reimagining
-disease-it-was-the-job-of-astrologers-137895), author Mi- the Future, Westminster, Colorado, U.S. A determination
chelle Pfeffer presents a fascinating tale of astrology’s place will be made on July 25 about the status of the event.
in human history related to global events, like pandemics. FOR INFO: https://www.isar2020.org
October 2–4: Northern Stars Astrology Conference, Hali-

fax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Astrology Conference Calendar 2020 FOR INFO: https://northern-stars.CA
(updated May 2020)
November 6–8: Breaking Down the Borders: IAA Confer-
June 26–28: The 52nd Annual Conference of the ence. Online only!
Astrological Association of Great Britain, Wyboston Lakes, FOR INFO: https://astrologyconference.org
Bedfordshire, U.K. will be held virtually.
FOR INFO: https://www.astrologicalassociation.com November 19–23: Sedona Vedic Astrology Conference,
Sedona, Arizona, U.S.
July 9–13: Great Lakes Astrology Conference: Renewing FOR INFO: https://sedonavedicastrology.com or con-
Our Faith, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. will be held virtually. tact Dennis Harness at: +1 (928) 282-6595 or
FOR INFO: https://www.greatlakesastrology.com dennis@dennisharness.com.
July 11–12 (postponed): 18th Annual Sophia Centre December 14–19: Institute of Vedic Culture 30th Interna-
Conference, “Stories of the Sky,” Lampater, Wales, U.K. tional Astrology Conference: Building Bridges Between East
is postponed until 2021. and West, Kolkata, India.
FOR INFO: http://sophia-project.net/conferences/ FOR INFO: http://ivcconference.com
conference2020/index.php
Save the Date:
August 21–28 (canceled): Faculty of Astrological Studies September 2021: Canadian Astrology Conference. Details
Summer School, Exeter College, Oxford, U.K. A message from to be announced.
the organizers: “In order to maintain the connectivity of the
unique community spirit that Summer School engenders, we will
© 2020 Gloria Star – all rights reserved
be offering an alternative event online, The Summer Gather-
ing, which will take place over the weekend of 21–23 August.” Gloria Star is a professional astrologer, author, and teacher. You can learn
FOR INFO: https://www.astrology.org.uk/summer-school more about her and her services at http://www.GloriaStar.com
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 73

Sky Watch
August & September 2020
by Julene Louis
T
hroughout August and September, Mars is visible the ENE around 4:15 a.m. and can be located slightly above
nearly all night long. Jupiter and Saturn are visible in and to the right of Regulus, the star marking the heart of
the evening and set before dawn. Venus is visible Leo the Lion.
in the morning. At the beginning of August, Mercury is also
visible in the morning. In September, Mercury becomes an The Evening Sky
evening planet that travels very low to the horizon, making it As sunset darkens the sky on August 1, locate the Moon
difficult to locate. One of the brightest meteor showers, the in the southeast. Jupiter will pop into view above the
Perseids, peaks in August. Moon, followed by Saturn to the left (east) of the Moon.
The following evening, the Moon will be below and to the
The Morning Sky east of both planets. Jupiter is traveling through the later
At the beginning of August, Venus rises shortly after (eastern) portion of the constellation Sagittarius, and Saturn
3:00 a.m. in the ENE in the constellation Taurus. (All times is between the stars marking Sagittarius and Capricorn. Ju-
are in Local Daylight Time, unless otherwise noted.) On the piter will be visible until it sets around 4:30 a.m., followed by
morning of August 3, Venus will be below Zeta Tauri, the Saturn around 5:00 a.m.
star marking the lower horn of the Bull. At the beginning of August, Mars rises around 11:45
Mercury rises in the ENE around 5:00 a.m. in the space p.m. amid the dim stars of the constellation Pisces, and can
between the constellations Gemini and Cancer. On the be located high in the southern sky at dawn. On August 9,
morning of August 5, Mercury will be below Castor and Pol- locate Mars slightly to the left of the Moon. The following
lux, the stars marking the heads of the Twins. Mercury travels night, Mars will be above and to the right (west) of the Moon.
quickly toward superior conjunction with the Sun and moves On August 28, Jupiter will once again pop into view
about 2° per day through the constellation Cancer. This above the Moon as sunset darkens the sky — this time, in the
causes the planet to rise about ten minutes earlier each day. SSE. Saturn will be to their left. The following evening, both
By August 11, Mercury rises around 6:00 a.m. and will no planets will be to the right of the Moon. At the end of August
longer be visible in the morning sky. and beginning of September, Jupiter sets around 2:30 a.m.,
Venus continues to grace the morning sky with her and Saturn sets around 3:00 a.m.
presence and enters the constellation Gemini as Mercury dis- Mars rises around 10:15 p.m. at the end of August and
appears from view. On August 15, locate Venus below the beginning of September, and can be located in the SSW at
Moon and between Tejat and Alhena, the stars marking dawn. On the evening of September 5, the Moon passes in
the feet of the Twins. At the end of August and beginning of front of Mars, blocking the planet from view. The midpoint
September, Venus rises around 3:15 a.m. of the Moon’s occultation of Mars occurs around 11:45
On September 9, Venus passes below Castor and Pollux p.m. Eastern Time and 10:45 p.m. Central Time. An oc-
at about twice the distance from them as the stars are from culted Mars will rise for those in the Mountain and Pacific
each other. The ecliptic climbs steeply out of the eastern hori- time zones.
zon in the morning at this time of year, and Venus will be in Mercury becomes an evening planet in mid September.
the space between the constellations Gemini and Cancer. However, at this time of year, the ecliptic lies very low to the
On the morning of September 13, Venus can be located western horizon at night. Mercury will not gain much height
below the Moon. The following morning, Venus will be to the above the horizon as it increases its distance eastward from
right (west) of the Moon. On September 30, Venus rises in the Sun. Mercury will set around 8:00 p.m., with the ending

Calendar of Celestial Events August 2020 September 2020
Aug. 3 at 8:00 a.m. EDT: Sept. 6 at 2:31 a.m. EDT:
Mars at perihelion1 Moon at apogee (405,606 km / 252,032 mi)
Aug. 6 at 12:00 a.m. EDT: Sept. 9 at 6:22 p.m. EDT:

Mercury at perihelion Mars stations retrograde
Aug. 9 at 9:51 a.m. EDT: Sept. 12 at 8:40 p.m. EDT:

Moon at apogee2 (404,658 km / 251,443 mi) Jupiter stations direct
Aug. 11–12 (night):

Sept. 18 at 9:44 a.m. EDT:
Perseid meteor shower peaks
Moon at perigee (359,081 km / 223,123 mi)
(parent comet: 109P/Swift-Tuttle)
Aug. 12 at 9:00 p.m. EDT: Sept. 18 at 11:00 p.m. EDT:

Venus at greatest western elongation (45.8°) Mercury at aphelion4
Aug. 17 at 11:07 a.m. EDT: Sept. 22 at 9:30 a.m. EDT:

Mercury at superior conjunction autumnal equinox
(direct, Sun between Mercury & Earth) (Sun at 0° south declination)
1. Perihelion is a planet’s closest distance to Sun.

Aug 21. at 6:59 a.m. EDT: 2. Apogee is the Moon’s farthest distance from Earth.
Moon at perigee3 (363,513 km / 225,877 mi) 3. Perigee is the Moon’s closest distance to Earth.
4. Aphelion is a planet’s farthest distance from Sun.
light of sunset still upon the horizon. This will make Mercury Perseid Meteor Shower
almost impossible to locate. If you want to try, find Spica, the The Perseids are active from July 17 through August 26.
bright alpha star of Virgo. Mercury will pass close to this star. This is a fun shower to observe, because it provides a lot of
If Spica does not appear through the sunset in your location, bright meteors that quickly streak across the sky at 37 miles
then neither will Mercury. per second. The radiant (apparent origin point) of the shower
It will be easier to start locating Spica at the beginning of is near the head of Perseus. Perseus rises in the north around
September, when the star is slightly higher above the west- sunset and is highest in the eastern sky around dawn. Thus,
ern horizon after sunset than it will be later in the month these meteors are visible all night long, with greater numbers
when joined by Mercury. To get your bearings, the very occurring in the last few hours before sunrise.
bright star in the west will be Arcturus of the constellation This shower peaks on night of August 11–12, when 50
Boötes. Spica will be along the horizon below and to the left to 75 meteors are expected per hour. On the peak night,
(east) of Arcturus. Note how Spica appears a bit lower to the the Last Quarter Moon rises shortly after midnight. For most
horizon each night as September progresses. On the eve- showers, this would considerably deplete the number of visi-
ning of September 21, Mercury will seem to touch the right ble meteors. However, the Perseids are bright enough that
(west) side of Spica. On September 22, Mercury will appear many will shine through the moonlight. Sometimes a few
at the upper left edge of Spica. Both Mercury and Spica set Perseids appear after sunrise because they are so bright and
around 7:45 p.m. amid the residual glow of the setting Sun the radiant is so high.
on these evenings. Both objects will be difficult to locate at
this time. If you spot only one object, it will likely be Mercury, For visual aids that help you to locate the planets, visit
since the planet will be a bit brighter than the star on those “The Mountain Astrologer Sky Maps” tab at Julene’s web-
dates. Spica has a bluish tint, and Mercury appears yellow in site: http://julenelouis.com
comparison.
The Moon joins Jupiter and Saturn once again at the © 2020 Julene Louis – all rights reserved
end of September. On the 24th, the Moon will be below and
to the right of Jupiter. On the 25th, the Moon will be below
Julene Louis, ISAR-CAP, Jyotish Visharada-CVA, is a co-founder of
and to the left of Saturn. the Sky Astrology Conference (http://skyastrologyconference.com) and a
At the end of September, Jupiter and Saturn become vis- full-time consulting and teaching astrologer. She lectures at conferences and
ible in the south at sunset; Jupiter sets around 12:15 a.m., local groups throughout North America. Julene is available for consultation,
followed by Saturn around 12:45 a.m. Mars rises around group lectures, and tutoring toward CVA Jyotish Visharada certification.
She can be reached via her website or e-mail: julene.louis@gmail.com
10:00 p.m. and is visible in the west at dawn.
AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 75

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PHASES OF THE MOON (START-POINTS)

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76
Forecast Calendar
by Pam Younghans
All times given are in Pacific Daylight Time.
For Eastern Time, add 3 hours; Central Time, add 2 hours; Mountain Time, add 1 hour;
Greenwich Mean Time, add 7 hours.
Overview for August and September Jupiter completes its four-month retrograde phase when it sta-
No matter our hemisphere of residence — whether we’re enjoy- tions direct at 17°24' Capricorn on September 12. Conscious use of
ing the warmth of the summer sun on bare skin or are bundled up to this retrograde time has strengthened our faith and brought us deeper
protect ourselves from a cold winter’s wind — the heat is on high in insights into what we truly believe, so our faith is more capable of
August. Throughout the month, Pluto hovers within one degree of the sustaining us in challenging times. Idealistic visions can become even
Jupiter/Saturn midpoint, intensifying current social, economic, and stronger in mid September when the Giant Planet stations within
political unrest. While some are determined to maintain order, the one degree of the fixed star Rukbat, which is known for enhancing
upheaval cannot be contained. Pluto was also at the Jupiter/Saturn “strength of mind, the width and depth of the powers of perception,
midpoint in late February/early March of this year, when the COVID-19 and the ability to communicate all this.” (Kidston, The Magic of the
crisis began to peak; we will no doubt see a clear link between issues Stars, pp. 420–421)
that arose then and developments in August. The last week of September may be particularly pivotal, due to
As the curtain rises on the month, the Moon is in heavy-handed Saturn’s station direct on September 28, less than 24 hours before the
Capricorn, setting up emotionally complex conjunctions with Jupiter second Mars–Saturn square perfects on September 29. Throughout
and Pluto on August 1 and with Saturn on August 2. Although an ob- August and September, Saturn has been like the lid on the Martian
jective perspective would be helpful now, we’re not adept at dealing pressure cooker, trying to contain the steam being created inside.
with problems without becoming defensive; Mercury is in sensitive That pressure is extreme with Saturn stationing within only a few
Cancer and forming oppositions to dominating Pluto on August 1 arc minutes of being exactly square Mars.
and oppressive Saturn on August 3. Concurrently, three potentially Also of note is that Saturn is within one degree of the fiery
seismic planetary events occur: The Leo Sun exactly squares revolu- fixed star Terebellum at the time of its station at 25°20' Capricorn.
tionary Uranus in Taurus on August 2; the progressive Aquarius Full This alignment brings that star’s qualities of passion, drama, and
Moon on August 3 (11°45' Aquarius–Leo) is also tightly square Uranus; determination into focus. Terebellum’s intensity can be channeled
and feisty Mars is precisely square Jupiter (19°44' Aries–Capricorn) productively through devotion to a cause, as it did in the dedicated
on August 4. Whatever occurs, we’ll likely be dealing with the after- lives of humanitarian Albert Schweitzer and civil rights activist Martin
effects for several weeks, since Mars is already in its pre-retrograde Luther King, Jr., both of whom have natal Sun conjunct Terebellum.
shadow phase, anticipating its biennial retrograde period beginning With Terebellum acting as the midwife for Saturn’s return to forward
on September 9. motion, and with the Mars–Saturn square tension soon easing, we
Adding to the unpredictability of the first half of August, all of are encouraged to rise above oppressive circumstances and renew
this planetary activity is staged against the backdrop of concentrated our dedication to achieving our higher aspirations.
Uranian energies, as the sideways-spinning planet stations retrograde
on August 15 (10°41' Taurus). At the time of its station, Uranus is con- Saturday, August 1 – Sunday, August 2: If we are not careful, words
junct the fixed star Achird, which Roderick Kidston calls “one of the true could cut like a knife on Saturday. The first day of August is book-
power stars, ablaze with the shakti of the Divine Mother.” (Kidston, ended by challenging aspects to communicator Mercury, currently
The Magic of the Stars: How the Stars of Astrology Enrich Your Life, in sensitive Cancer: An early-morning opposition (180°) between the
2017, p. 87) This star adds another level of power, drama, and pas- Messenger Planet and Pluto in authoritative Capricorn (3:52 a.m.)
sion to the potential upheaval for which Uranus is already famous. puts everyone on the defensive, and Mercury’s square (90°) to dis-
Volatility throughout the third week of August is also heightened due gruntled Eris at 8:39 p.m. (24°32' Cancer–Aries) fans any sparks of
to the conjunction between warrior Mars and vengeful dwarf planet discord into full flame. Further tension is provided in the afternoon as
Eris (24°29' Aries) on August 17, when both are tightly square the the Capricorn Moon previews the effects of Tuesday’s Mars–Jupiter
Saturn/Pluto midpoint (24°51' Capricorn). square: When individuals express frustration or anger (Moon–Mars
But there are consequences to any overtly defiant actions. Mars square, 2:23 p.m.), authority figures respond by tightening controls
has its performance review when it squares disciplinarian Saturn the (Moon–Jupiter conjunction, 4:57 p.m.). Those in power seem even
following week, on August 24. This is not a short-term reprimand; more dictatorial later tonight when Luna conjoins Pluto (10:57 p.m.).
Mars continues to be frustrated by Saturn’s authoritative stance for Rebellion against restraint follows quickly, with the Sun square
several weeks, since the two planets remain within three degrees of Uranus at 4:18 a.m. on Sunday (10°37' Leo–Taurus). A cautious
being exactly square until early October. Moon–Saturn conjunction at 7:00 a.m. slows the pace momentarily
Tensions at the end of August are further elevated by retrograde but may simply indicate a short withdrawal to re-strategize. Alliances
Pluto’s return to the exact degree of January’s Saturn–Pluto conjunc- are far from stable with a Venus–Uranus semi-square (45°) also in
tion (22°46' Capricorn) on August 29. The seeds of structural decay effect, leading some to take action based on the belief that it’s “ev-
that were planted on January 12 experience a growth spurt, creat- eryone for themselves.” That stance is further supported when Luna
ing more cracks and crevices in political and societal infrastructures enters individualistic Aquarius at 11:11 a.m. Tonight’s meeting of
worldwide. Pluto activates this sensitive degree one more time on Mercury and dedicated Vesta in Cancer may help us to strengthen
November 7, just four days after Election Day in the United States. our bonds with our loved ones.
77
TMA FORECAST CALENDAR
Monday, August 3 – Wednesday, August 5: Unexpected and Sunday, August 9 – Tuesday, August 11: We might stumble if we try to get
potentially stressful twists and turns are possible on Monday, as the out of bed too quickly on Sunday morning, with an abrasive Moon–Pluto
Sun and Moon form a tight t-square with Uranus at the time of the square (4:38 a.m.) in effect. There’s another crisis of confidence awaiting,
Full Moon (8:58 a.m.). And yet, with a pessimistic Mercury–Saturn as Luna then moves on to square Saturn at 12:50 p.m. But the medics are
opposition (27°37' Cancer–Capricorn) also in effect, we may feel nearby, ready to apply salve to wounded egos with Mercury trine healer
anxious about moving beyond old boundaries, or fearful of reper- Chiron, exact at 11:02 a.m. (9°05' Leo–Aries). Unfortunately, some may
cussions if we verbalize our feelings. Frustrations are on the rise prefer to play the victim rather than focus on creative solutions, as Mer-
this evening, since tomorrow’s Mars–Jupiter square is building in cury is also quincunx sacrificial Ceres in Pisces (4:16 p.m.). The Moon enters
strength. The desire for self-determination is magnified by this as- Taurus at 6:28 p.m., encouraging us to spend the evening quietly, allowing
pect, but since Jupiter is in authoritative Capricorn, those who hold our senses to relax and our pulses to slow down.
higher-level positions are calling all the shots.
Tuesday starts off with a resounding thud as the Mars–Jupiter
square (19°44' Aries–Capricorn) perfects at 6:06 a.m. The harder
we push for what we want, the bigger the obstacles seem to grow
in response. We may feel some temporary easing of tension this Geocentric Aspects,
afternoon, thanks to a supportive trine (120°) between the Aquarius Ingresses, and Stations
Moon and Venus in Gemini (2:46 p.m.), but we can’t shake the un- Pacific Daylight
derlying suspicion that our expectations are not going to be fully
satisfied, since Venus is exactly quincunx (150°) demanding Saturn
just 20 minutes later. This evening sees two planetary shifts, helping
us to leave behind the tension of the day: Luna enters soothing Pisces
at 7:28 p.m., and fleet-footed Mercury begins its short two-week
passage through playful Leo an hour later.
Relationships seem to be on a more positive track on
Wednesday with Venus conjunct the (True) North Node at 9:05
a.m. (28°13' Gemini). We realize that communication is key and
are willing to listen as well as share. But conversations may be cut
short; Saturn’s opposition to dedicated Vesta at 10:47 a.m. (27°29'
Capricorn–Cancer) suggests that we’ll feel a push–pull between the
call of career and the commitment to home and family. The Pisces
Moon begs us to reconsider our priorities this afternoon, opening
our hearts through a conjunction with caring Ceres (3:13 p.m.) and
inspiring more authentic choices through a sextile (60°) to rebel-
lious Uranus (4:01 p.m.).
Thursday, August 6 – Saturday, August 8: Luna continues to softly

guide us on Thursday, pleased to be helping us become more
heart-centered. The Pisces Moon sextiles Jupiter (9:21 a.m.) and
conjoins Neptune (11:12 a.m.) to further enhance our sense of
connection with others and with the cosmos. An empowering
Moon–Pluto sextile this afternoon (4:38 p.m.) provides us with an
opportunity to use compassion in more intentional ways.
Relationships could be out of sync early Friday morning when
the reclusive Pisces Moon and expressive Venus in Gemini square off
at 5:54 a.m., just before both of these planets change signs. The two
are still at odds after Luna enters energizing Aries at 6:05 a.m., and
Venus enters sensitive Cancer at 8:21 a.m., but the Moon’s rapid mo-
tion eases the tension after a few hours. The primary influence of the
day, a foggy Mercury–Neptune sesquiquadrate (135°), exact at 3:30
p.m., adds another layer of misty confusion to any conversations or
plans. We’re better able to convey our feelings around dinnertime
with the help of a communicative Moon–Mercury trine (5:13 p.m.).
We’ll have to rely on the Aries Moon to motivate us on Sat-
urday, given very little planetary activity on the schedule. The first
lunar aspect doesn’t perfect until late afternoon, when a fiery trine
to the Sun inspires us to take a quick jog or find another outlet
for our sudden burst of energy. But we’ll need to be careful not
to overextend ourselves this evening, as Luna squares expansive
Jupiter at 8:45 p.m.
78
Aquarius Full Moon — August 3
by Diana McMahon Collis
The lunations charts in this issue are all set on the is desperately at stake. Such groups have been urgently try-
natural wheel with 0° Aries rising. ing to awaken less concerned segments of the public, and
may now deliver fresh lightning bolts that disrupt everyday
Whatever is set in motion around a New Moon de- activities. In terms of how we personally experience Uranus
velops and comes under the spotlight with the following in Taurus, this could range from being the person calling
Full Moon. The Moon has passed through several phases out the message from the top of a commuter train, to be-
of a cycle from 0° to 180° where it has now reached a ing the recipient of the journalist’s story about it, which
crisis point, with the original New Moon issue somehow re- perhaps disrupts a cosy mealtime with the dramatic scene
flected back at us. This Full Moon in Aquarius conveys both fleeting by on the news.
a sense of social responsibility and the need for a breather, We ought not ignore Saturn’s involvement, though.
according to its co-dispositing planets, Saturn and Uranus. With Saturn retrograde, clear boundaries may not be
The former is duty bound and keen on establishing rules strong enough, or so stringent as to be suffocating, since
and borders, with the latter more inclined towards breaking there is often no happy medium with a retrograde planet
rules and making a bid for freedom. acting “out of sorts.” Saturn in Capricorn forms an apply-
This lunation also forms a t-square to Uranus in Tau- ing conjunction with Pluto, which is conjunct separating
rus, giving Uranus the edge, if not the upper hand. The Jupiter. Far from being merely grouped together, these
apex planet in a t-square tends to add a compulsive energy, retrogradations show haphazard “comings and goings,”
which can work to drive a situation forward — for better indicating how affiliations and developments may be
or worse. Like it or not, Uranus is playing a big, disruptive changing. A project that had expansion or distance asso-
role, which may seem slightly ironic given that the planet ciated with it could need reining in. Many relationships are
is in Taurus, with its associations of being peaceful until subject to U-turns.
pushed too far. We now have the potential transition from Notably, all three of these planets — Saturn, Jupiter,
placid grazer to raging bull, where the animal has been Aquac-FM 820-1 and Pluto — are retrograde. So, although a review and ad-
Natal Chart
tively provoked. Depending on which side of this scenarioAug 3 2020, Monjustment may be necessary by all involved, an overall plan
8:58 am PDT +7:00
we sit — metaphorically speaking — it could be thatFresno, we CA need not be lost forever. However, some characters may
36°N44'52'' 119°W46'17''
suddenly experience some sort of imminent backlash; or
Geocentric disappear and changes may merit a serious rethink based
that we act out ourselves, turning to face an aggressor Tropical
and
0° Aries
on new values.
preparing to charge. True Node
With outer planets, we are not always so directly in- 00° ‰ 00'
volved, but we see some fallout around us. So, alternatively, Š
00'
Ä Ê
00°
ˆ 00'
½
¾Á 19°15° 28°
there may just be a bit of weird energy around, with ran- 00°
dom events that unsettle us. We are encouraged to 27°
23° ‰ ˆ
¶ ‰ ‰
embrace the unexpected, because there’s nothing else ‰
17'50' 44' 28'
00' 11° 38' ŒŒ Œ 00°
we can really do. Whatever happens, this t-square Š ŒŒ
‹ 45' ‡
occurs in fixed signs, which makes a particular fate 00°
10 9
00'
feel fixed, or at least gives it a “long-term” quality. 11 8
That said, note that Uranus will turn to apparent Æ 10°‹ ‘
‘
36'Œ
’
’ á 15° Å
retrograde motion on August 15, so whatever this 57' †
weird force may be, and however it presents, it very
À 20° ‹ 31'
Œ
12 ‘‘ 7
00° 00°
well could turn out to be simply “of the moment” Ü ‘
–– à
à –
†
— something temporary, with a peculiar appropri- 00' 12' Œ ’ 00'
ateness about it. With Taurus emphasised, it will Â 09° ÜÜ 22' 1 6
á
almost certainly be related to security issues, and may ¼ 19° 12'
21°Ü 32'Œ
tie in with concerns about money, possessions, and Ù 24°Ü 2
‘
5
employment. The Aquarian focus also underlines fair- 00° ò 38' 00'
Ý 3 4 45'
ness. From a societal perspective, this could indicate a Ý 10° „ …
move towards equalization between socioeconomic
00' ¿ Œ 35'
14' 11° 00°
26' 28' ƒ
classes, with ordinary people securing more rights ‚ ‚
ƒ
27° ¸
26°
Ãº 00'
26°28°
typically reserved for the privileged. 00°
The strong Uranus/Aquarius signature in the t-square ‚ 00' »É 00°
„
signals a concern with global and environmental issues, 00° ƒ 00'
such as climate change — and the activities of related
groups, such as “Extinction Rebellion,” who have felt a August 3, 2020 — 8:58 a.m. PDT
need to point out how the ongoing security of planet Earth August 3, 2020 — 3:58 p.m. GMT
79
Aug 4 2020 8:31p º ß „ 00°„00' Þ 00°„00' Þ
Aug 4 2020 9:48p Å ˜ Æ 16°†21' Þ 10°‹21' Œ
Aug 4 2020 10:56p ¸ “ É 13°„16' Þ 28°‚16' Œ
Aug 5 2020 9:05a » ß É 28°‚13' Þ 28°‚13' Œ
TMA FORECAST CALENDAR Aug 5 2020 10:47a ¾ à Ã 27°‰29' Œ 27°ƒ29' Þ
Aug 6 2020 0:30a ¼ • À 20°Ü28' Þ 20°‹28' Œ
An impatient Mercury–Uranus square (10°40' Leo–Taurus) Aug 6 2020fluctuates
Our mood 3:03aon Sunday.
Ã §The ÆCancer +21°14' -21°14' at
Moon trines Neptune
Aug 6 2020
at 5:51 a.m. on Monday kicks us into high gear before we even daybreak (5:30 a.m.) 4:42a
to ease us ¸ ˜ À
into the day, but14°„27'
it’s hardÞ 20°‹27' Œ
to hear the dulcet
Aug 6 2020 4:42p Ã • É 28°ƒ02' Þ 28°‚02' Œ
know what direction to take. Surprises and perhaps some “Aha!” tonesAug
of an6 oboe
2020 above the
7:32p clash of
¸ – Äcymbals and a trumpet
15°„03' Þ blare; a nervous
15°‰03' Œ
moments continue throughout the day, reaching another high point Mercury–Pluto
Aug 6 2020 quincunx at 6:38ºa.m.˜(23°01'
10:22p Æ Leo–Capricorn)
04°„01' Þ fills our minds
10°‹01' Œ
late afternoon, when the Moon reactivates the day’s themes by with Aug
discomforting
7 2020 fears,
8:21a and an » impulsive
ß ƒ Sun–Mars
00°ƒ00' trineÞ at 7:01 a.m.
00°ƒ00' Þ
conjoining Uranus (4:06 p.m.) and squaring Mercury (6:13 p.m.). (24°09'
AugLeo–Aries)
7 2020 sends us charging
10:29a º —outÅthe door 05°„01'to slay
Þ the 17°†01'
dragon, tooÞ
Emotions flip-flop throughout the evening, with an overly dramatic keyedAug
up to stop for breakfast.
7 2020 3:30p Luna
º soon ” À climbs05°„26'
on boardÞthe overreaction
20°‹26' Œ
Sun–Jupiter quincunx also in effect, exact at 11:34 p.m. (19°03' train,Aug 8 2020
as she opposes2:52a
passionate º Pluto¦ (10:24
» +19°49'
a.m.), +19°49'
squares touchy Mars
Aug 9 2020 9:44a ¸ ’ Å 17°„32' Þ 17°†32' Þ
Leo–Capricorn). (12:33 p.m.), and then opposes demanding Saturn (4:59 p.m.). Meanwhile,
Aug 9 2020 11:02a º á Â 09°„05' Þ 09°Ü05' Œ
The Taurus Moon finds a few moments of longed-for seren- Mercury has more challenges
Aug 9 2020 3:10p
to»deal›with,
¿
being sesquiquadrate
02°ƒ06' Þ
Chiron in
10°Ý40' Þ
ity early Tuesday morning, feeling stabilized by a trine to Jupiter Aug 9 2020 4:16p º – Æ 09°„31' Þ 09°‹31' Œ
in Capricorn at 8:53 a.m. But the Last Quarter phase of the Moon Aug 9 2020 5:03p Æ “ ò 09°‹31' Œ 24°Ü31' Œ
begins at 9:44 a.m., challenging us to be more spontaneous. There’s Aug 9 2020 8:07p ¼ § À +04°49' -04°49'
a subtle relaxation of tension as the morning unfolds, thanks to Aug 9 2020 Geocentric
11:02p ¾ § Ã Aspects-20°58', +20°58'
Luna’s sextile to soothing Neptune at 11:33 a.m. By late afternoon, Aug 10 2020 5:51a º ‘ ¿ 10°„40' Þ 10°Ý40' Þ
I ngresses
Aug 10 2020 11:34p ¸ – ½
, and S tations
19°„03' Þ 19°‰03' Œ
an empowering Moon–Pluto trine (5:04 p.m.) enables us to feel a
Pacific
Aug Daylight
11 2020 1:53a ¸ › É 19°„08' Þ 27°‚43' Œ
stronger sense of purpose. Aug 11 2020 4:14a Ã ß „ 00°„00' Þ 00°„00' Þ
Aug 11 2020 5:44a º “ É 12°„42' Þ 27°‚42' Œ
Wednesday, August 12 – Friday, August 14: The Moon steps into Aug 11 2020 9:52a É SÞ 27°‚42' Þ
sociable Gemini at 6:46 a.m. on Wednesday morning, in search Aug 11 2020 10:41p º – Ä 14°„09' Þ 14°‰09' Œ
of interesting conversation — but with no lunar aspects on the Aug 12 2020 0:43a º ˜ À 14°„20' Þ 20°‹20' Œ
agenda, Luna must find company in a good book today. Our atten- Aug 12 2020 2:41a ¸ ˜ Ä 20°„08' Þ 14°‰08' Œ
tion span is not primed for heavy reading, however, since a dreamy Jan
Aug23 122019
2020 7:32a ¸ – À 20°„19' Þ Solar
20°‹19'FireŒv8.1.2
Aug 12 2020 9:46a Â • Æ 09°Ü00' Œ 09°‹00' Œ
Sun–Neptune quincunx is also in effect at 7:32 a.m. As the day Sco
Aug FM 419-4 -3:42p
12 2020 Natal Chart » — ¼ 04°ƒ57' Þ 22°Ü57' Þ
progresses, the influence of a volatile square between Mars and Aug 12 2020 4:49p ¸ ¦ ¿ +14°35' +14°35'
Pluto (23°05' Aries–Capricorn) gains momentum. Perfecting just Date
Aug 12 2020 Time 8:47p P1
¾ Asp — P2
Â Pos1
26°‰59' Œ Pos2
08°Ü59' Œ
after midnight tonight (12:13 a.m. on Thursday), this aspect peels Aug 12 2020 10:22p ½ ¦ Á -22°29' -22°29'
Geocentric Aspects ,
back another layer of the power struggle between individual rights Aug 13 2020 0:13a ¼ ‘ Á 23°Ü05' Þ 23°‰05' Œ
and the force of authority. Aug 13 2020 I11:13pngresses ½ ,‘and Å S tations
18°‰46' Œ 18°†46' Þ
It’s a quiet day astrologically on Thursday, but we could be far Aug 14 2020 4:28a º – ½ 18°„45' Þ 18°‰45' Œ
Pacific Daylight
Aug 14 2020 5:32a º ’ Å 18°„51' Þ 18°†51' Þ
from relaxed, since last night’s clash between Mars and Pluto is still
Aug 14 2020 6:14a » — ò 06°ƒ30' Þ 24°Ü30' Œ
resounding in our ears. We may finally feel a bit more interactive Aug 14 2020 8:41a º ¦ Ä +16°42' +16°42'
around dinnertime, when the Moon sextiles Mercury (5:34 p.m.). Aug 14 2020 9:25a º › É 19°„10' Þ 27°‚45' Þ
Later, though, the square between Jupiter and wifely Juno (18°46' Aug 14 2020 12:26p É SŒ 27°‚45' Œ
Capricorn–Libra) aggravates discord between partners, and a con- Aug 14 2020 12:40p ¼ “ Æ 23°Ü35' Þ 08°‹35' Œ
fusing square between the Gemini Moon and Neptune (10:17 p.m.) Aug 14 2020 4:09p º ˜ Ä 19°„45' Þ 13°‰45' Œ
might send us to bed without having cleared the air. Aug 14 2020 10:13p º – À 20°„16' Þ 20°‹16' Œ
Aug 15 2020 3:12a ¸ – Á 23°„02' Þ 23°‰02' Œ
Mercury sits at the apex of a yod configuration with Jupiter
Aug 15 2020 7:26a ¿ SŒ 10°Ý41' Œ
and Neptune on Friday, inspiring us to seek the higher meanings Aug 16 2020 1:00a ¸ ” Â 23°„54' Þ 08°Ü54' Œ
of events, but not providing the focus needed to actually arrange Aug 16 2020 1:53a » á Æ 08°ƒ16' Þ 08°‹16' Œ
the puzzle pieces into a recognizable image. A semi-square be- Aug 16 2020 6:38a º – Á 23°„01' Þ 23°‰01' Œ
tween assertive Mars and compassionate Ceres (12:40 p.m.) adds Aug 16 2020 7:01a ¸ á ¼ 24°„09' Þ 24°Ü09' Þ
to our discomfort, since we’re not sure how to best navigate the Aug 16 2020 7:03a Ã ˜ Æ 02°„13' Þ 08°‹13' Œ
conflict between personal needs and family obligations. Perhaps Aug 16 2020 3:31p ¸ á ò 24°„29' Þ 24°Ü29' Œ
Aug 16 2020 4:48p ¸ ˜ ½ 24°„32' Þ 18°‰32' Œ
the Moon’s ingress into sensitive Cancer at 4:36 p.m. can help us
Aug 16 2020 4:58p » ‘ Â 08°ƒ53' Þ 08°Ü53' Œ
start to empathize with the emotional concerns of others. However, Aug 16 2020 5:02p º ” Â 23°„53' Þ 08°Ü53' Œ
a Sun–Pluto quincunx that perfects early tomorrow morning (3:12 Aug 16 2020 5:05p º “ » 23°„53' Þ 08°ƒ53' Þ
a.m. on Saturday) leaves us feeling unappreciated tonight, in spite Aug 16 2020 10:28p º á ¼ 24°„21' Þ 24°Ü21' Þ
of a loved one’s best intentions. Aug 17 2020 0:10a º á ò 24°„29' Þ 24°Ü29' Œ
Aug 17 2020 0:29a º ˜ ½ 24°„31' Þ 18°‰31' Œ
Saturday, August 15 – Sunday, August 16: The planet Uranus stations Aug 17 2020 0:58a Á ¦ Æ -22°30' -22°30'
retrograde (10°41' Taurus) at 7:26 a.m. on Saturday, its unpredict- Aug 17 2020 8:07a ¸ ß º 25°„09' Þ 25°„09' Þ
Aug 17 2020 9:21a ½ ¦ Æ -22°32' -22°32'
able energies running through our lives like a crack streaking across Aug 17 2020 9:39a ¼ ß ò 24°Ü29' Þ 24°Ü29' Œ
a plate glass window. The Cancer Moon does its best to help us Aug 17 2020 10:29a Á “ Æ 22°‰59' Œ 07°‹59' Œ
feel comforted and safe through its conjunction with loving Venus Aug 17 2020 3:19p º ¦ ¿ +14°35' +14°35'
(6:28 a.m.) and its trine to sympathetic Ceres (8:11 a.m.). Even the Aug 18 2020 2:16a º – ¾ 26°„40' Þ 26°‰40' Œ
Moon–Chiron square at 9:06 a.m. has our emotional healing in its Aug 18 2020 12:01p º ’ É 27°„29' Þ 27°‚29' Œ
sights, although usually it must first expose the wound to the air. Aug 18 2020 12:27p » ’ ¿ 10°ƒ41' Þ 10°Ý41' Œ
The last aspect of the day, Luna’s sextile to Uranus at 12:19 p.m., Aug 18 2020 8:48p ¸ – ¾ 26°„37' Þ 26°‰37' Œ
Aug 18 2020 8:50p º ” Ä 28°„13' Þ 13°‰13' Œ
encourages us to trust the process of change that is under way.
Aug 18 2020 10:57p À – Å 20°‹10' Œ 20°†10' Þ
80 Aug 19 2020 3:57a º › Å 28°„48' Þ 20°†13' Þ
Aug 19 2020 5:50a º ˜ Á 28°„57' Þ 22°‰57' Œ
Aug 19 2020 2:08p ¸ ’ É 27°„19' Þ 27°‚19' Œ
Aug 19 2020 6:29p º ß … 00°…00' Þ 00°…00' Þ
Aug 15 2020 7:26a ¿ SŒ 10°Ý41' Œ
Aug 16 2020 1:00a ¸ ” Â 23°„54' Þ 08°Ü54' Œ
Aug 16 2020 1:53a » á Æ 08°ƒ16' Þ 08°‹16' Œ
Aug 16 2020 6:38a º – Á 23°„01' Þ 23°‰01' Œ
Aug 16 2020 7:01a ¸ á ¼ 24°„09' Þ 24°Ü09' Þ
Aug 16 2020 7:03a Ã ˜ Æ 02°„13' Þ 08°‹13' Œ
Aug 16 2020 3:31p ¸ á ò 24°„29' Þ 24°Ü29' Œ
Aries at 5:02 p.m. and semi-square Venus in Cancer a few minutes later. Mother Ceres in Pisces, some or all of the forces gathered today
Aug 16 2020 4:48p ¸ ˜ ½ 24°„32' Þ 18°‰32' Œ
This means, of
Aug 16 2020 4:58pcourse, that Venus
» ‘ Â is square Chiron
08°ƒ53' Þ(8°53' Cancer–Aries),
08°Ü53' Œ so may be protesting in support of the environment or against the lack
everyone is feeling
Aug 16 2020 somewhat
5:02p º insecure
” Â and23°„53'
hypersensitive.
Þ Luna enters
08°Ü53' Œ Leo of sustainable food supplies. An unsettling Moon–Uranus square at
at 10:38
Aug p.m., taking
16 2020 5:05poff her
º apron
“ and» donning
23°„53'a clown’s
Þ nose to lighten
08°ƒ53' Þ 5:02 p.m. adds yet another layer of restlessness to a very compli-
the
Augmood before10:28p
16 2020 bedtime.º á ¼ 24°„21' Þ 24°Ü21' Þ cated day. We could also be experiencing a sense of futility, given
Aug 17 2020 0:10a º á ò 24°„29' Þ 24°Ü29' Œ the effects of a Mercury–Saturn quincunx building throughout the
Monday, August0:29a
Aug 17 2020 17 – Wednesday,
º ˜ ½ August 19: There’s
24°„31' Þ no 18°‰31'
holdingŒback evening (exact at 2:16 a.m. on Tuesday).
Aug 17 2020 0:58a Á ¦ Æ -22°30' -22°30'
the tide on Monday morning; a Sun–Mercury conjunction in Leo at 8:07
Aug 17 2020 8:07a ¸ ß º 25°„09' Þ 25°„09' Þ
A Venus–Uranus sextile (10°41' Cancer–Taurus) perfects at
a.m. inspires passionate speech,
Aug 17 2020 9:21a ½ ¦ Æ
and a Mars–Eris
-22°32'
conjunction at 9:39 a.m.
-22°32' 12:27 p.m. on Tuesday, opening the door to support from unex-
(24°29' Aries) could
Aug 17 2020 9:39a spark a full-blown
¼ ß ò riot. With Pluto
24°Ü29' Þ semi-square
24°Ü29' ŒEarth pected sources. The Leo Moon is also energized through a trine to
Aug 17 2020 10:29a Á “ Æ 22°‰59' Œ 07°‹59' Œ Mars (4:52 p.m.) that encourages creative action, in preparation for
Aug 17 2020 3:19p º ¦ ¿ +14°35' +14°35' the New Moon that peaks at 7:41 p.m. (26°35' Leo). Still, despite our
Aug 18 2020 2:16a º – ¾ 26°„40' Þ 26°‰40' Œ hopes for a carefree new beginning, the Sun, Moon, and Mercury
Aug 18 2020 12:01p Geocentricº ’ É Aspects
27°„29' , Þ 27°‚29' Œ are all tightly quincunx Saturn at the lunation, suggesting that this
Aug 18 2020 I12:27p
ngresses » ,’ and ¿ S tations
10°ƒ41' Þ 10°Ý41' Œ
new lunar cycle will call us to be mature adults and to rethink our
Aug 18 2020 8:48p ¸ – ¾ 26°„37' Þ 26°‰37' Œ
Pacific
Aug Daylight
18 2020 8:50p º ” Ä 28°„13' Þ 13°‰13' Œ childish ways. Conversations about current events carry on late into
Aug 18 2020 10:57p À – Å 20°‹10' Œ 20°†10' Þ the evening, due to a Moon–Mercury conjunction at 10:39 p.m.
Aug 19 2020 3:57a º › Å 28°„48' Þ 20°†13' Þ Eager to make a difference, Luna dons practical orthopedic
Aug 19 2020 5:50a º ˜ Á 28°„57' Þ 22°‰57' Œ shoes on Wednesday, having entered serviceable Virgo overnight
Aug 19 2020 2:08p ¸ ’ É 27°„19' Þ 27°‚19' Œ (1:21 a.m.). As a Moon–Ceres opposition nears perfection at 1:45
Aug 19 2020 6:29p º ß … 00°…00' Þ 00°…00' Þ p.m., we struggle with the urge to rescue those who are in need,
Aug 20 2020 8:18a ¸ ” Ä 28°„03' Þ 13°‰03' Œ
while knowing that each person can only save themselves. Early
Aug 20 2020 7:56p » à Ä 13°ƒ00' Þ 13°‰00' Œ
Aug 21 2020 1:14a º ˜ ¾ 02°…30' Þ 26°‰30' Œ
this evening, Mercury helps us to further analyze the situation with
Aug 21 2020 4:21a º ˜ Â 02°…45' Þ 08°Ü45' Œ its ingress into Virgo (6:29 p.m.), and practical solutions suddenly
Aug 21 2020 5:54a ¸ ˜ Á 28°„55' Þ 22°‰55' Œ appear as Luna trines Uranus (6:53 p.m.). Later on, an emotionally
Aug 21 2020 9:44a º ” ½ 03°…11' Þ 18°‰11' Œ stabilizing Moon–Venus sextile (9:05 p.m.) offers us a soothing cup
Aug 21 2020 4:20p ¸ ¦ º +11°42' +11°42' of chamomile tea to prepare us for sleep.
Aug 21 2020 10:49p ¸ › Å 29°„36' Þ 21°†01' Þ
Aug 22 2020 0:01a ¼ ¦ Â +06°02' +06°02' Thursday, August 20 – Saturday, August 22: We’re inspired to do
Aug 22 2020 6:03a º • Ã 04°…49' Þ 04°„49' Þ
Aug 22 2020 6:36a » ¦ Ã +20°02' +20°02'
necessary tasks Thursday morning with a practical but hopeful
Aug 22 2020 8:44a ¸ ß … 00°…00' Þ 00°…00' Þ Moon–Jupiter trine in effect at 7:14 a.m. But the Virgo Moon soon
Aug 22 2020 8:04p À ” Ã 20°‹04' Œ 05°„04' Þ opposes Neptune (10:16 a.m.), leaving us wondering if our humble
Aug 23 2020 1:15a º “ Å 06°…20' Þ 21°†20' Þ efforts will really make a difference. We may feel more empowered
Aug 23 2020 6:12a º à Æ 06°…44' Þ 06°‹44' Œ this afternoon when the Moon–Pluto trine is in effect (2:48 p.m.) and
Aug23
Jan 232019
2020 10:36a º › » 07°…05' Þ 15°ƒ39'
Solar FireÞv8.1.2 again this evening when Luna trines Saturn (8:37 p.m.).
Page 25 Underlying
Aug 23 2020 8:36p º ” Á 07°…52' Þ 22°‰52' Œ all of our efforts today, an opposition between sensitive Venus in
Aug FM
Sco 23 2020
419-4 -9:49p Å ” Æ
Natal Chart 21°†35' Þ 06°‹35' Œ
Aug 24 2020 6:35a º – Â 08°…39' Þ 08°Ü39' Œ
Cancer and strategic Pallas Athene in Capricorn requires us to find
Aug
Date24 2020 8:30a Time º Asp
P1 — P2 É 08°…48' Þ
Pos1 26°‚48' Œ
Pos2 a better balance between taking care of business and attending to
Aug 24 2020 11:19a ¼ ‘ ¾ 26°Ü19' Þ 26°‰19' Œ our personal needs.
Aug 24 2020 4:49p º ” ò 09°…27' Þ 24°Ü27' Œ Speeches go overlong and orators are reluctant to relinquish
Aug 24 2020 6:06p ¸ ˜ ¾ 02°…18' Þ 26°‰18' Œ the spotlight on Friday, with Mercury in theatrical Leo sesquiquad-
Aug 25 2020 2:09a ¸ ˜ Â 02°…37' Þ 08°Ü37' Œ rate Jupiter (9:44 a.m.). The only other aspect of note today is an
Aug 25 2020 5:52a Æ § É -23°23' +23°23' opposition between the Libra Moon and Chiron in Aries (4:28 p.m.)
Aug 25 2020 6:12a ¿ ¦ Ä +14°34' +14°34'
that threatens to expose fragile egos.
Aug 25 2020 8:17a º á ¿ 10°…38' Þ 10°Ý38' Œ
Aug 25 2020 9:53a ¸ ” ½ 02°…56' Þ 17°‰56' Œ The need for harmony works to our detriment when Luna
Aug 25 2020 10:44a É SÞ 26°‚47' Þ squares Jupiter on Saturday morning (7:46 a.m.); decisions we
Aug 25 2020 12:36p Ã – Æ 06°„14' Þ 06°‹14' Œ make under this influence may come back to haunt us. Once
Aug 25 2020 3:25p » à ½ 17°ƒ55' Þ 17°‰55' Œ the Sun enters analytical Virgo an hour later, we find it easier to
Aug 25 2020 4:11p º ” ¾ 11°…15' Þ 26°‰15' Œ see situations realistically, but we’ll need to be wary of fatalism.
Aug 25 2020 8:48p º ” ¼ 11°…36' Þ 26°Ü36' Þ Our efforts to maintain emotional balance may prove futile this
Aug 26 2020 8:59a º á Ä 12°…32' Þ 12°‰32' Œ
afternoon and evening, as the Libra Moon squares demanding
Aug 26 2020 7:55p ¼ ’ É 26°Ü47' Þ 26°‚47' Þ
Aug 27 2020 4:56a É SŒ 26°‚47' Œ
Pluto at 3:34 p.m., opposes forceful Mars at 8:36 p.m., and squares
Aug 27 2020 2:12p » á À 19°ƒ57' Þ 19°‹57' Œ oppressive Saturn at 9:19 p.m.
Aug 27 2020 3:33p Å ¦ ò -01°25' -01°25'
Aug 28 2020 0:15a Á ‘ Å 22°‰48' Œ 22°†48' Þ Sunday, August 23 – Monday, August 24: Objective Mercury in Virgo
Aug 28 2020 5:07a ¸ à Æ 05°…38' Þ 05°‹38' Œ has problems picking up on subtle messages from loved ones when
Aug 28 2020 5:53a » ” Æ 20°ƒ38' Þ 05°‹38' Œ the Messenger Planet opposes intuitive Ceres (6°44' Virgo–Pisces)
Aug 28 2020 6:34a ¼ › Æ 27°Ü03' Þ 05°‹37' Œ on Sunday morning at 6:12 a.m. However, with the Moon now in
Aug 28 2020 12:33p º ¦ ¼ +06°28' +06°28'
Aug 28 2020 4:46p ¸ “ » 06°…06' Þ 21°ƒ06' Þ
truth-seeking Scorpio, there is support for greater intimacy in our
Aug 29 2020 4:56a º ¦ Â +05°57' +05°57' relationships, especially this afternoon when Luna trines Ceres (2:20
Aug 29 2020 6:27a º á ½ 17°…44' Þ 17°‰44' Œ 81
Aug 29 2020 3:45p º ˜ ò 18°…25' Þ 24°Ü25' Œ
Aug 30 2020 2:42a » — ¿ 22°ƒ36' Þ 10°Ý36' Œ
Aug 30 2020 6:30a » à Á 22°ƒ46' Þ 22°‰46' Œ
p.m.) and sextiles Mercury (3:42 p.m.). Verbal debates intensify during Luna is given clear orders for the day when she meets with Pluto before
the evening hours, however, with a Mercury–Pluto sesquiquadrate dawn (4:12 a.m.) on Saturday. The Moon’s rendezvous with Saturn (10:19
in effect (perfecting at 8:36 p.m.), and emotions become erratic due a.m.) is also on the agenda, keeping us on task throughout the morning.
to Luna’s opposition to Uranus at exactly 9:00 p.m. But a cautiously optimistic Mercury–Jupiter trine (17°44' Virgo–Capricorn)
We are easily frustrated on Monday, the day that Mars and isJan
the23
strongest
2019 influence of the day, advancing our hopesSolar that solutions
Fire v8.1.2
Saturn are precisely square (26°19' Aries–Capricorn) at 11:19 a.m. to our problems will be found and that reason will ultimately prevail. Tem-
An early-morning Mercury–Chiron quincunx further complicates pers
Scocould flare briefly
FM 419-4 - Natalduring
Chartthe noon hour, due to a Moon–Mars square
any attempts to find a meeting of the minds. From Luna’s vantage at 12:30 p.m. But by the time of Luna’s ingress into Aquarius (5:36 p.m.),
point in Scorpio, she does her best to provide a cushion for any Datemore than ready
we’re Time to takeP1 a break
Asp P2fromPos1
the burdens ofPos2
responsibility.
falls; a Moon–Venus trine (6:52 a.m.) helps us to trust that friends Aug 24 2020 11:19a ¼ ‘ ¾ 26°Ü19' Þ 26°‰19' Œ
Aug 24 2020 4:49p º ” ò 09°…27' Þ 24°Ü27' Œ
will be there to support us, and a Moon–Jupiter sextile (9:21 a.m.) Sunday,
Aug 24August
2020 30 – Monday,
6:06p ¸ August
˜ ¾31: Relationships
02°…18' Þ and finances
26°‰18' Œ are
offers faint hope that all will be well. The trail of harmonious lunar under pressure
Aug 25 2020 during
2:09athe last
¸ two˜ daysÂ of August.
02°…37'The Þ heat is already
08°Ü37' Œ on
aspects continues after lunch, with a trine to Neptune (12:47 p.m.) high
AugSunday
25 2020morning,
5:52a when Venus
Æ §in protective
É Cancer opposes
-23°23' Pluto (6:30
+23°23'
that helps us to let go of lingering resentments, a sextile to Pluto a.m.),
Aug raising
25 2020 walls6:12a
of defensiveness
¿ ¦ and Ä sparking resentment+14°34'
+14°34' and distrust.
(5:36 p.m.) that increases our capacity for emotional honesty, and The
AugVirgo Sun is also
25 2020 8:17ain hardºaspect
á to¿Pluto10°…38'
today; aÞsesquiquadrate
10°Ý38' Œthat
a sextile to Saturn (11:27 p.m.) that provides some much-needed Aug 25at2020
perfects 9:53a
9:52 a.m. ¸ ante
raises the ” on ½any power
02°…56' Þ
struggles17°‰56' Œ
that are under
emotional stability. Aug 25 2020 10:44a É SÞ 26°‚47' Þ
way. With a Mercury–Neptune opposition also in effect (exact at 11:43 a.m.),
Aug 25 2020 12:36p Ã – Æ 06°„14' Þ 06°‹14' Œ
weAug
may25feel confused about»
2020 3:25p
whatàroad ½
to take, unsure which
17°ƒ55' Þ
one will lead
17°‰55' Œ
Tuesday, August 25 – Thursday, August 27: The skies seem a bit toAug
the 25
best2020
solution. But
4:11p the Aquarius
º ” ¾ Moon, already
11°…15' Þ naturally primed
26°‰15' Œ for
brighter on Tuesday morning, now that the Moon is in optimistic change,
Aug 25inspires
2020 us to take aºleap”of faith
8:48p ¼ when it squares
11°…36' Þ Uranus atÞ1:32
26°Ü36'
Sagittarius. New ideas may help us to resolve current problems, with p.m.
AugTonight,
26 2020 the influence
8:59a ofºa Sun–Chiron
á Ä quincunx 12°…32' (exact
Þ at 1:54 a.m.
12°‰32' Œ on
Mercury in practical Virgo trine inventive Uranus in Taurus (8:17 a.m.), Monday)
Aug 26 weighs
2020 heavily,
7:55p reviving
¼ ’ old insecurities
É thatÞ
26°Ü47' remain to be healed.
26°‚47' Þ
but a Sun–Jupiter sesquiquadrate at 9:53 a.m. and a Venus–Jupiter Aug 27 2020 4:56a É SŒ 26°‚47' Œ
opposition at 3:25 p.m. (17°55' Cancer–Capricorn) could cause us Aug 27 2020 2:12p » á À 19°ƒ57' Þ 19°‹57' Œ
Aug 27 2020 3:33p Å ¦ ò -01°25' -01°25'
to overestimate our abilities. A big “Caution” sign in the road slows
Aug 28 2020 0:15a Á ‘ Å 22°‰48' Œ 22°†48' Þ
us down this afternoon, with a pessimistic Mercury–Saturn sesqui- Aug 28 2020 5:07a ¸ à Æ 05°…38' Þ 05°‹38' Œ
quadrate in effect (exact at 4:11 p.m.). We’ll need to guard against a Aug 28 2020 5:53aG eocentric » ” Æ A20°ƒ38' spects Þ, 05°‹38' Œ
tendency to project our disappointments onto others this evening, Aug 28 2020 6:34a Ingresses¼ › , and Æ Stations
27°Ü03' Þ 05°‹37' Œ
as Mercury also sesquiquadrates Mars at 8:48 p.m. Aug 28 2020Daylight
Pacific 12:33p º ¦ ¼ +06°28' +06°28'
Our thoughts are pragmatic but also inspired on Wednesday. Aug 28 2020 4:46p ¸ “ » 06°…06' Þ 21°ƒ06' Þ
Mercury trines wise Pallas Athene at 8:59 a.m. (12°32' Aug 29 2020 4:56a º ¦ Â +05°57' +05°57'
Aug 29 2020 6:27a º á ½ 17°…44' Þ 17°‰44' Œ
Virgo–Capricorn), a liaison that encourages clear communication
Aug 29 2020 3:45p º ˜ ò 18°…25' Þ 24°Ü25' Œ
and solution-oriented thinking. With Pallas currently retrograde, Aug 30 2020 2:42a » — ¿ 22°ƒ36' Þ 10°Ý36' Œ
the ideas that come forward now may have their seeds in the past. Aug 30 2020 6:30a » à Á 22°ƒ46' Þ 22°‰46' Œ
An idealistic Moon–Neptune square at 4:43 p.m. sets us adrift this Aug 30 2020 9:25a º § À +05°01' -05°01'
afternoon, since we are more than ready to forget the problems Aug 30 2020 9:52a ¸ ” Á 07°…46' Þ 22°‰46' Œ
we’ve been toiling over lately. Aug 30 2020 11:43a º à À 19°…52' Þ 19°‹52' Œ
We’re ready for new adventures on Thursday morning, with the Aug 30 2020 2:25p Â á Ã 08°Ü25' Œ 08°„25' Þ
Aug 31 2020 1:54a ¸ – Â 08°…24' Þ 08°Ü24' Œ
Sagittarius Moon trine Mars at 5:00 a.m. Even though Luna enters
Aug 31 2020 4:33a ¸ — É 08°…31' Þ 26°‚31' Œ
businesslike Capricorn at 10:36 a.m., we’re more likely to daydream Aug 31 2020 4:58a » ‘ Å 23°ƒ45' Þ 23°†45' Þ
than focus on tangible goals today; a romantic Venus–Neptune trine Aug 31 2020 10:47a º ˜ ¼ 21°…32' Þ 27°Ü32' Þ
(19°57' Cancer–Pisces) is the main planetary event, inspiring us to Aug 31 2020 11:54a ¸ • Ã 08°…48' Þ 08°„48' Þ
follow our hearts wherever they might lead us. Tonight’s earthy Aug 31 2020 1:03p ¸ “ Å 08°…51' Þ 23°†51' Þ
Sun–Moon trine (8:09 p.m.) connects us with the “real world” once Aug 31 2020 7:35p » ‘ ò 24°ƒ24' Þ 24°Ü24' Œ
again, but with the feeling that it just might be possible to have our
cake and eat it, too. Sep 1 2020 2:33a ¸ ” ò 09°…24' Þ 24°Ü24' Œ
Sep 1 2020 3:41a º á Á 22°…44' Þ 22°‰44' Œ
Sep 2 2020 2:14a º • Å 24°…19' Þ 24°†19' Þ
Friday, August 28 – Saturday, August 29: We’re concerned about Sep 2 2020 3:12a º – ò 24°…23' Þ 24°Ü23' Œ
how to balance work duties with the needs of home and family on Sep 2 2020 5:17a » à ¾ 25°ƒ54' Þ 25°‰54' Œ
Friday morning, with the Sun in opposition to domestic Ceres at 5:07 Sep 2 2020 5:30a º “ Ã 24°…33' Þ 09°„33' Þ
a.m. (5°38' Virgo–Pisces). Making things even more complicated, Ve- Sep 2 2020 7:08a ¸ á ¿ 10°…33' Þ 10°Ý33' Œ
nus is also in sesquiquadrate aspect to Ceres, so loved ones outside Sep 2 2020 7:31a Å à ò 24°†23' Þ 24°Ü23' Œ
the family circle are calling for our attention, too. The semi-square Sep 2 2020 9:25a » • É 26°ƒ05' Þ 26°‚05' Œ
Sep 2 2020 3:21p ¸ ” ¾ 10°…53' Þ 25°‰53' Œ
between the Sun and Venus perfects at 4:46 p.m., reinforcing this
Sep 2 2020 7:42p º ” ¿ 25°…33' Þ 10°Ý33' Œ
dilemma of being pulled in several different directions. We begin to Sep 3 2020 0:22a º á ¾ 25°…52' Þ 25°‰52' Œ
feel more centered as day turns to night, with the Capricorn Moon Sep 3 2020 1:23a º ‘ É 25°…56' Þ 25°‚56' Œ
trine sensible Mercury (5:05 p.m.) and conjunct tolerant Jupiter (6:56 Sep 3 2020 3:41a º § Å +02°08' -02°08'
p.m.). A relaxing late-night Moon–Neptune sextile (10:55 p.m.) helps Sep 3 2020 11:12a ¾ – É 25°‰51' Œ 25°‚51' Œ
to ease us into dreamtime. Sep 4 2020 0:14a ¸ á Ä 12°…13' Þ 12°‰13' Œ
Sep 4 2020 1:26a º § ò +01°26' -01°26'
Sep 4 2020 2:12a » ‘ ¼ 27°ƒ55' Þ 27°Ü55' Þ
82 Sep 4 2020 6:05a » ˜ Æ 28°ƒ05' Þ 04°‹05' Œ
Sep 4 2020 6:15a º – ¼ 27°…55' Þ 27°Ü55' Þ
Sep 4 2020 11:30a ¿ ‘ Ã 10°Ý31' Œ 10°„31' Þ
Leo New Moon — August 18–19
Uranus’s move to retrograde motion (appearing to Venus is in a separating sextile and Jupiter a wide sep-
travel backwards against other planets in “direct” motion) on arating trine from Uranus (a jot beyond the typical 6° orb).
August 15 may have put any rebellious, revolutionary spirit Social and also career moves seem to be towards wider
that some people had started to embrace on the backburner. horizons and broader affiliations. With Venus in Cancer,
To be fair, there are mixed opinions amongst astrologers as some of our stronger family connections may be somewhat
to how planets in retrograde operate. Personally, I find it weakened, difficult, or even lost. But Jupiter, the planet of
helpful to clarify the precise quality of any particular retro- hope, represents a stronger link with the world at large,
grade with a tarot consultation — and have found a parallel perhaps getting involved in a global mission, digging deeper
with the Hanged Man (card XII of the Major Arcana — or into a spiritual practice, or finding a greater sense of mean-
“major secrets” of the tarot). This tends to signify backing ing to life.
off from a situation, pausing and reflecting, usually because The Leo Moon also trines Mars in Aries, providing the
it simply doesn’t make sense to try to plough on ahead. The impetus to get things going. The two signs linked together
task at hand probably requires more thought, or someone can bring out a bossy side, yet maybe that is what is needed
has acted in a way that makes us feel unsafe to proceed. — clear leadership and vision. With planets in fire signs,
With strong, outer-planet representations, we often face sit- someone is lighting a fire, is “on fire” with a passion or
uations that are out of our hands, where external control is project, or is in a relationship with sparky momentum!
the greater force. All of this and more may apply under the The Moon, disposited by the Sun in Leo, still retains
current lunation. It could even be that something previously some creative power, providing opportunities for improve-
offered is now retracted, due to unexpected developments. ments or embellishments. This favourable context may
With all the outermost planets retrograde (i.e., Ura- relate to knowing someone special, or to realising more of
nus, Neptune, and Pluto), along with Jupiter and Saturn,
Leo NM 820-2 one’s own, personal talents. Perhaps we simply become
Natal Chart
we may face decidedly personal issues that require reflec-
Aug 18 2020, Tue more comfy in our own skin and more in tune with our
7:41:20 pm PDT +7:00
tion and regrouping more than ever before. With Uranus Fresno, CA own tastes — especially if we have forgotten how to fully
36°N44'52'' 119°W46'17''
in Taurus, our sense of security has likely been rocked and
Geocentric consider our own needs and desires.
Tropical
we are feeling destabilized at all levels. In our interactions
0° Aries
with others, there could be quick, strong reactionsTrue which
Node
we (and even they) subsequently wonder about. There could 00° ‰ 00'
be temporary confusion as we try to come to terms with a 00' 00°

Š ½ Ä Ê ˆ 00'
world so different than we expected. 00° Á
¾ 18°13° 27°
The Leo New Moon embraces the dignity of the 26°
22° ‰ ˆ
‰ ‰
Sun in that sign, and is conjunct Mercury, planet of ‰
58'22'13' 26'
00' 38' ŒŒ Œ 00°
thought. However, Mercury is effectively combust ŒŒ
‹ 10 9 ‡
— with little power — so close to the Sun. Practi- 00° 00'
cal considerations possibly take precedence over Æ 07° 11 8
whatever provides a sense of decorum or pro- ‹ ‘‘ 20° Å

42'Œ 08' †
priety. We may have to fill in the gaps and deal
À 20° ‹ 10'Œ 12 ‘‘ á – 7
with the consequences of necessary but difficult 00° á – á 00°
actions. We can remember that people likely had Ü – à à †
a good and principled rationale behind their ac- 00'
08° Ü 49'
Œ 00'
tions, but choices were limited. Â Ü 56' 1 6
The New Moon’s Mercury conjunction has Ù 22° 29'Œ

24°Ü 54'
á
a decidedly friendly face. Someone may soon be ò 24°Ü 2

’
’ ’ 5 07'
Œ
issuing party invitations in whatever social format 00° ¼ 41' 35' „28°
35' „
00'
„ 26° º …
Ý 3 4
gatherings are possible! There is a certain warmth Ý 10° 19' 26° ¸ 00°
that follows Leo around, drawing people in as to a
00' ¿ Œ „
26' 59' 03° ¶
sunny park on a sunny summer’s day. The fixity of ‚ ƒ
Ã
27° 10°
the sign also points towards more definite plans than 00° 00'
may have been possible before. We may be at the stage of ‚ 00' É » 00°
„
following something through, after the seed idea, or pick- 00° ƒ 00'
ing up where we left off, from quite a while ago. With Leo,
there can be a matter of pride in managing to complete a August 18, 2020 — 7:41 p.m. PDT
mission, after all! August 19, 2020 — 2:41 a.m. GMT
83
Aug 27 2020 3:33p Å ¦ ò -01°25' -01°25'
Aug 28 2020 0:15a Á ‘ Å 22°‰48' Œ 22°†48' Þ
Aug 28 2020 5:07a ¸ à Æ 05°…38' Þ 05°‹38' Œ
Aug 28 2020 5:53a » ” Æ 20°ƒ38' Þ 05°‹38' Œ
TMA FORECAST CALENDAR Aug 28 2020 6:34a
Aug 28 2020 12:33p º ¦ ¼
¼ › Æ 27°Ü03' Þ
+06°28'
05°‹37' Œ
+06°28'
Aug 28 2020 4:46p ¸ “ » 06°…06' Þ 21°ƒ06' Þ
Still feeling off-balance from yesterday’s opposition to Pluto, ifyingAug
our29need
2020for autonomy.
4:56a ºWith¦Mercury
Â quincunx
+05°57' Mars at 6:15 a.m.
+05°57'
Venus in Cancer is again in the hot seat on Monday, sitting at the (27°55'
AugVirgo–Aries),
29 2020 6:27a it’s difficult
º toáexpress
½ ourselves
17°…44' Þ without resorting
17°‰44' Œ
apex of a cardinal t-square with fair-minded Juno in Libra and Aug 29 2020
to criticism, but the 3:45p
Mercury–Venusº ˜sextileò at18°…25'
1:31 p.m.Þshould24°Ü25'
help usŒto
Aug 30 2020 2:42a » — ¿ 22°ƒ36' Þ 10°Ý36' Œ
discontented Eris in Aries. The action starts early, since the exact untangle the lines of communication. We’re not entirely out of the woods,
Aug 30 2020 6:30a » à Á 22°ƒ46' Þ 22°‰46' Œ
Venus–Juno square at 4:58 a.m. (23°45' Cancer–Libra) reveals however;
Aug 30the2020
Sun is 9:25a
sesquiquadrate
º §Mars Àtonight (6:54 p.m.), -05°01'
+05°01' reviving the
how well our emotional and mental needs are being met in close irritation we2020
Aug 30 were feeling
9:52a earlier¸ in ”the day.
Á 07°…46' Þ 22°‰46' Œ
partnerships. The Venus–Eris square perfects at the other end Reactions
Aug 30 2020 are extreme
11:43a onº Saturday
à Àmorning due toÞthe Aries
19°…52' Moon’s
19°‹52' Œ
of the day (7:35 p.m.), activating our inner warrior in response squareAugto30
Pluto
2020at 10:55
2:25pa.m. We Â haveá aÃbetter08°Ü25'
chance ofŒseeing both sides
08°„25' Þ
to perceived slights. Taken as a whole, this t-square shows us of the issue
Aug once Mercury
31 2020 1:54a makes ¸ ingress
– Âinto08°…24'
Libra at 12:46
Þ p.m. Dinner-
08°Ü24' Œ
where we may go to extremes in our relationships — whether we timeAug 31be
could 2020 4:33a
uncomfortable, ¸ — É
if a Moon–Saturn 08°…31'
squareÞ (5:10 26°‚31' Œ
p.m.) makes
Aug 31 2020 4:58a » ‘ Å 23°ƒ45' Þ 23°†45' Þ
over-accommodate, or are too self-focused, or are afraid to be us feel like a child who has been told to sit quietly and not interrupt the
Aug 31 2020 10:47a º ˜ ¼ 21°…32' Þ 27°Ü32' Þ
vulnerable. A slight shift of mood is possible this evening, around adults.
AugBut
31 by the time
2020 of Luna’s
11:54a ¸ rendezvous
• Ã with MarsÞat 9:45
08°…48' p.m., the
08°„48' Þ
the time of an energizing Moon–Mars sextile (9:56 p.m.) that helps restraints have eased,
Aug 31 2020 1:03p and we are
¸ “ Åmore free to express
08°…51' Þ ourselves openly.
23°†51' Þ
us to know and express our true needs. Aug 31 2020 7:35p » ‘ ò 24°ƒ24' Þ 24°Ü24' Œ
Sunday, September 6 – Tuesday, September 8: The sunrise seems more
Tuesday, September 1 – Wednesday, September 2: We feel more cer- precious Sunday,2:33a
Sep 1on2020 as the Moon
¸ has
” entered
ò nature-loving
09°…24' Þ Taurus over-
24°Ü24' Œ
tain of our plans when we awaken on Tuesday, thanks to the lingering nightSep 1 2020
— and 3:41a
yet, with º ináimpatient
Venus now Á 22°…44' Þ reflection
Leo, quiet 22°‰44' Œ
is not
Sep 2 2020
effects of a pragmatic Mercury–Pluto trine (22°44' Virgo–Capricorn) enough to fully satisfy2:14a
us. A playº
date• Å
in the park24°…19' Þ
with friends 24°†19' Þ
might be a good
Sep 2 2020 3:12a º – ò 24°…23' Þ 24°Ü23' Œ
that perfected at 3:41 a.m. The Moon, now in selfless Pisces, finds activity
Septhis morning,5:17a
2 2020 but Saturn’s
» square
à ¾to fair-minded
25°ƒ54' ÞJuno25°‰54'
at 4:24 p.m.
Œ
an ally in sympathetic Ceres when the two meet for tea at 11:40 (25°44'
SepCapricorn–Libra)
2 2020 5:30amakesºit hard
“ for Ãpartners to find
24°…33' Þ agreement
09°„33'later
Þ
a.m. This friendly support bolsters Luna’s radiance, enabling her to in the day.
Sep The evening
2 2020 7:08ahours bring
¸ á surprises,
¿ since Luna
10°…33' Þhas 10°Ý33'
her monthly
Œ
shine all the more brightly tonight; the lunar cycle reaches its Full rendezvous with eccentric
Sep 2 2020 7:31a UranusÅ atà11:01ò p.m. 24°†23' Þ 24°Ü23' Œ
Moon climax at 10:21 p.m. Sep 2 2020 9:25a » • É 26°ƒ05' Þ 26°‚05' Œ
Our outlook on Wednesday morning depends on which door Sep 2 2020 3:21p ¸ ” ¾ 10°…53' Þ 25°‰53' Œ
we choose to open. Behind door number one is a responsible Sep 2 2020 7:42p º ” ¿ 25°…33' Þ 10°Ý33' Œ
Sep 3 2020 0:22a º á ¾ 25°…52' Þ 25°‰52' Œ
Venus–Saturn opposition at 5:17 a.m. (25°54' Cancer–Capricorn)
that tests our ability to be both sensitive and strong. If we open
Sep 3 2020 Geocentric
1:23a º ‘ É A spects
25°…56' ,Þ 25°‚56' Œ
Sep 3 2020 3:41a º § Å +02°08' -02°08'
door number two, we are greeted by the enlivening energies of a Sep 3 2020
I ngresses
11:12a ¾ – É
, and S tations
25°‰51' Œ 25°‚51' Œ
Sun–Uranus trine at 7:08 a.m. (10°33' Virgo–Taurus) that inspires SepP4 2020Daylight
acific 0:14a ¸ á Ä 12°…13' Þ 12°‰13' Œ
us to leave behind anything that feels too limiting. But later in the Sep 4 2020 1:26a º § ò +01°26' -01°26'
day, a Sun–Saturn sesquiquadrate (3:21 p.m.) dampens our en- Sep23
Jan 4 2020
2019 2:12a » ‘ ¼ 27°ƒ55' Þ 27°Ü55'
Solar FireÞv8.1.2
thusiasm, sapping our energy. As a welcome break from reality, Sep 4 2020 6:05a » ˜ Æ 28°ƒ05' Þ 04°‹05' Œ
Sep FM
Sco 4 2020
419-4 -6:15a º – ¼
Natal Chart 27°…55' Þ 27°Ü55' Þ
the Moon–Neptune alignment in Pisces at 5:10 p.m. encourages a
Sep 4 2020 11:30a ¿ ‘ Ã 10°Ý31' Œ 10°„31' Þ
fantasy or two — or perhaps a moment of divine inspiration. Our Sep 4 2020
Date 1:31p
Time º Asp
P1 ’ P2
» 28°…25' Þ
Pos1 28°ƒ25' Þ
Pos2
thoughts are unsettled tonight with a Mercury–Uranus sesquiquad- Sep 4 2020 1:55p ¸ ¦ ¼ +06°45' +06°45'
rate in effect at 7:42 p.m. We feel ready to step into a new world, Sep 4 2020 4:12p Ã “ É 10°„36' Þ 25°‚36' Œ
and yet we’re uncertain how that reinvented reality will function. Sep 4 2020 6:54p ¸ ” ¼ 12°…58' Þ 27°Ü58' Þ
A reassuring Mercury–Saturn trine (25°52' Virgo–Capricorn), which Sep 5 2020 3:00a » ¦ Ã +18°48' +18°48'
perfects just after midnight (12:22 a.m. on Thursday), helps us begin Sep 5 2020 4:53a ¿ “ É 10°Ý30' Œ 25°‚30' Œ
Sep 5 2020 12:46p º ß † 00°†00' Þ 00°†00' Þ
to put the pieces together.
Sep 5 2020 4:48p Å á É 25°†26' Þ 25°‚26' Œ
Sep 5 2020 6:06p Ä SÞ 12°‰12' Þ
Thursday, September 3 – Saturday, September 5: An early- Sep 6 2020 0:21a » ß „ 00°„00' Þ 00°„00' Þ
morning sextile between the Pisces Moon and Saturn in Capricorn Sep 6 2020 9:05a Ä › Æ 12°‰12' Þ 03°‹38' Œ
on Thursday (5:11 a.m.) establishes a creative link between the Sep 6 2020 12:22p À ˜ Å 19°‹41' Œ 25°†41' Þ
imagination and the will to manifest. However, with Luna also in Sep 6 2020 4:24p ¾ ‘ Å 25°‰44' Œ 25°†44' Þ
opposition to Mercury in Virgo (5:58 a.m.), we’re unsure how to Sep 7 2020 3:08a ¸ ¦ Â +05°48' +05°48'
turn our mystical visions into tangible reality. A Moon–Venus trine Sep 7 2020 2:14p º › Ã 03°†17' Þ 11°„51' Þ
Sep 7 2020 3:32p º – Æ 03°†22' Þ 03°‹22' Œ
is next on the docket (7:34 a.m.), indicating that a loved one can Sep 7 2020 10:31p º ¦ ò -01°27' -01°27'
provide the caring support we need to ease us into the day. Luna, Sep 8 2020 8:11a º ˜ ¿ 04°†27' Þ 10°Ý27' Œ
wandering void of course for the next six hours, finally moves into Sep 8 2020 11:15a Ã – Ä 12°„13' Þ 12°‰13' Þ
forthright Aries at 1:22 p.m., inspiring us to take action toward ful- Sep 8 2020 8:51p » – Æ 03°„06' Þ 03°‹06' Œ
filling our dreams. A trine between the Virgo Sun and strategic Pallas Sep 8 2020 10:25p ¸ § À +05°08' -05°08'
Athene in Capricorn, which perfects just after midnight (12:14 a.m. Sep 9 2020 9:03a ¸ á ½ 17°…25' Þ 17°‰25' Œ
on Friday), is our strongest influence tonight, providing a practical Sep 9 2020 3:22p ¼ SŒ 28°Ü08' Œ
Sep 9 2020 8:37p Æ › ò 02°‹54' Œ 24°Ü20' Œ
approach to current dilemmas.
Sep 9 2020 9:02p º ¦ Å -02°52' -02°52'
It’s a battle of archetypes on Friday morning, when Venus in Sep 10 2020 4:52a » ” À 04°„35' Þ 19°‹35' Œ
feminine Cancer squares Mars in masculine Aries (2:12 a.m.). We Sep 10 2020 7:37a ¸ ˜ ò 18°…20' Þ 24°Ü20' Œ
may find ourselves in conflict with a loved one, or we may struggle Sep 10 2020 3:23p º à Â 07°†59' Þ 07°Ü59' Œ
internally with how to satisfy our nurturing instinct while still grat- Sep 11 2020 2:05a º ˜ Æ 08°†39' Þ 02°‹39' Œ
Sep 11 2020 1:25p ¸ à À 19°…32' Þ 19°‹32' Œ
84 Sep 11 2020 1:30p À ˜ Ã 19°‹32' Œ 13°„32' Þ
Sep 11 2020 2:44p ¸ § º +04°07' -04°07'
Sep 12 2020 5:34a º – ¿ 10°†22' Þ 10°Ý22' Œ
Sep 12 2020 9:30a ½ “ Æ 17°‰24' Þ 02°‹24' Œ
Pisces Full Moon — September 1–2
The Full Moon in Pisces spotlights issues of belief, personal differences from those around us by acknowledg-
faith, trust, and confidence. Pisces isn’t always sure if what ing the value of holding alternative views or expressing
is sensed is real or lasting, yet it often taps into important varying levels of feeling. The positive edge of the sextile to
information, as witnessed in the emotional nature of the Uranus makes any sudden inspiration significant, particu-
sign. Water can move fast, creating sudden turbulence, pro- larly if we capture it and take action. We might suddenly
ducing rapid, or very high waves that present real dangers have our best or most profound ideas in unexpected places
in the moment, but which may be prone to change fairly and moments, such as in the shower or doing something
quickly. Suddenly, a problematic situation and apparent mundane like the ironing or washing up; or in being cre-
danger no longer exist. In a gentler setting, it takes both ative with cooking, handiwork, or crafts. Ideally, we should
rain and the Sun for a rainbow to appear; yet, if we try to then make note of our thoughts or otherwise move into
take a photograph of that beautiful stream of colour, we specific activity that supports these insights.
may find it faded or almost completely missing in the cap- Uranus retrograde means that reflection continues
tured image. The rainbow nonetheless has a strong place to be important, with a view to take tangible action later.
in the human psyche as a positive symbol. Spiritually, it has Meanwhile, we can still act to anchor reflections — mak-
been linked with the union and balance of the chakras — ing notes in a journal, or having a conversation to help
the body’s energy centres — connecting mind, body, and ideas and plans develop into something with lasting po-
spirit in a system that defines health. From this framework, tential. We can further draw on the meaningful quality of
we can notice any difficult feelings or symptoms in a par- these reflections with self-inquiry. With Uranus in Taurus,
ticular area of the body and begin to understand it at other it is a beneficial time to assess whether our plans will en-
levels and work on a healing process. dure and maintain their value. Where will our efforts be
Even in everyday life, we could say that water has Pisces
mag- FM 820-3
most worthwhile? We may have answers straight away or
Natal Chart
ical qualities; in feeding plants, it turns what was onceSepthe later — consider that “when” is perhaps less important
1 2020, Tue
10:21:30 pm PDT +7:00
tiny matter of a seed into something vital and sustaining.
Fresno, CA than the knowing that we will eventually do something
36°N44'52'' 119°W46'17''
Yet, if the general conditions for growth do not support Geocentric certain to back up our convictions.
Tropical
it, or when our plant has very specific characteristics that
0° Aries
True Node
make it sensitive to too much or too little water, it may
00° ‰ 00'
not thrive. We need to pay a lot of attention to the precise
00' 00°
state and conditions of that plant! The fluctuating energy
00°
Š
Á ½Ä Ê ˆ 00'
around water can sometimes be baffling and frustrating, ¾ 17°12° 26°
22°
and we may struggle to control how it works in our lives — 25°
‰ ‰
‰ ˆ
‰ 35'15' 11'
which extends into the further, astrological connection of 00' 43' Œ 00°
55' ŒŒ
the water element with the realm of human emotions. ŒŒ
‹ 10 9 ‡
The Full Moon is a notoriously more emotional time, 00° 00'
so we have a double whammy effect in play during Æ 04° 11 8 Å
24°
this lunation. ¶ 10° ‹ 35'Œ ’ ‘ ’
‘ 16'
†
‹ 12'
On the plus side, with Moon in Pisces, we are á ‘
À 19° ‹ 48'Œ 12 ‘‘ á á
á
á 7
‘
more in touch with our intuitive abilities; with fewer 00° á 00°
–
boundaries in place, we can cross the bridge further Ü – à à †
’ 03' … 24°
into the spiritual world. However, Pisces is also the 00'
Â Ü 24'Œ
08° Ü 20'Œ 1 – –
á ‘ 6 º 00'
empath — the person who is super-sensitive, sens- á á

ò 24° 30'
24°Ü 42'
‘ ’ 12' …
10°
ing so much at once as to often feel overwhelmed. ‘
‘ ‘ ¸
Ù 27°Ü 2
’
5
A sponge effect is in play, with feelings, atmo- Œ
00° ¼ 33' 00'
spheres, and qualities potentially creating a sense Ý 3 4
Ý 10° 25' …
of emotional, mental, and even physical overload. If 00' ¿ Œ 35'
„
00°
09°
things feel like “too much,” though, we can remember 11' ƒ
to give ourselves the permission and opportunity to take ‚ 25° Ã
26°
needed space from whatever seems overwhelming. 00° » 00'
Although the Moon is in wide aspect to dispositors ‚ 00' É 00°
„
Neptune (conjunct) and Jupiter (sextile), it is also in par- 00° ƒ 00'
tile aspect to Uranus (sextile), making that planet a clearer
source of support. This could help provide breathing space, September 1, 2020 — 10:21 p.m. PDT
via isolation, or even by just encouraging acceptance of September 2, 2020 — 5:21 a.m. GMT
85
Jan 23 2019 Solar Fire v8.1.2
An earthy trine between the Taurus Moon and the Sun in Virgo with loved ones, even allowing us to laugh at past disagreements. Eager to
on Monday morning (9:09 a.m.) enables us to feel more substantial, joinSco
in the
FMgame,
419-4 Luna enters
- Natal lively Leo at 8:33 a.m., but a Mercury–Pallas
Chart
despite continuing uncertainties and changes. This theme continues Athene square (2:24 p.m.) gives a serious tone to the afternoon, as we strug-
through the day, as Luna trines magnanimous Jupiter in Capricorn Datewhether to Time
gle with acquiesce toP1theAsp P2 Pos1
opinions Pos2our own
of others or to trust
this afternoon (1:09 p.m.) and then trines empowering Pluto late Sep 4The
wisdom. 2020 1:55p partners
gulf between ¸ ¦ ¼
can seem +06°45' wide tonight
especially +06°45'when
Sep 4 2020 4:12p Ã “ É 10°„36' Þ 25°‚36' Œ
tonight (11:40 p.m.). The one hitch in the day is a somewhat frus- independent
Sep 4 2020
Mars opposes
6:54p
cooperative
¸ ” ¼
Juno (28°00' Aries–Libra),
12°…58' Þ
perfecting
27°Ü58' Þ
trating quincunx between objective Mercury and empathic Ceres at 10:28
Sep 5p.m. — and3:00a
2020 even though
» a¦Moon–Venus
Ã alignment at+18°48'
+18°48' 11:54 p.m.
(3°22' Libra–Pisces), which makes it hard to know whether to use would
Sep normally
5 2020bring4:53a
loved ones¿together,
“ Éa feeling of distance
10°Ý30' Œ is more likely
25°‚30' Œ
reason or compassion to resolve our differences. withSep
Tuesday’s
5 2020Venus–Uranus
12:46p square
º ßalready† in00°†00'
orb. Þ 00°†00' Þ
An early-morning Moon–Saturn trine at 5:47 a.m. provides a Sep 5 2020 4:48p Å á É 25°†26' Þ 25°‚26' Œ
rhythmic pulse to ground us as we start the day on Tuesday. Luna Monday,
Sep 5September
2020 14 – Wednesday,
6:06p Ä SÞSeptember 16: The
12°‰12' Þ Leo Moon starts
is then void of course until entering Gemini at 2:28 p.m., when she Sep 6 2020 0:21a » ß „ 00°„00'
off Monday in sextile to Mercury (7:54 a.m.), improving Þ our00°„00'
capacityÞto
Sep 6 2020 9:05a Ä › Æ 12°‰12' Þ 03°‹38' Œ
trades that sense of earthy stability for open-minded curiosity. To- thinkSep
creatively.
6 2020
But the Sun’s
12:22p À ˜ Å
trine to Pluto (22°34' Virgo–Capricorn)
19°‹41' Œ 25°†41' Þ
is the
night, Venus in Leo is quincunx Ceres (exact at 8:51 p.m.); a playful mostSeppowerful
6 2020 influence
4:24p today, supporting
¾ ‘ Å a focus on
25°‰44' Œ practical concerns
25°†44' Þ
approach to relationships could fall flat, if others consider our ef- and Sep
driving tangible3:08a
7 2020 accomplishments.
¸ ¦ We Â may+05°48'
be particularly+05°48'
focused on
forts to be superficial. personal
Sep 7fulfillment
2020 now, especially
2:14p º › withÃtomorrow’s
03°†17'independent-minded
Þ 11°„51' Þ
Venus–Uranus
Sep 7 2020square 3:32pstarting º
to build
– in Æeffect.
03°†22' Þ 03°‹22' Œ
Wednesday, September 9 – Friday, September 11: It’s a high-energy The7freedom-loving
Sep 2020 10:31p squareºbetween
¦ òthe Goddess
-01°27' of Love -01°27'
and the God
day on Wednesday, starting with an optimistic Sun–Jupiter trine Sep 8(10°18'
of Chaos 2020 Leo–Taurus)
8:11a º ˜ at
perfects ¿ 8:2904°†27'
a.m. onÞ 10°Ý27'
Tuesday. Œ
It’s time
Sep 8 2020 11:15a Ã – Ä 12°„13' Þ 12°‰13' Þ
at 9:03 a.m. (17°25' Virgo–Capricorn) that opens the door to new to give everyone in our lives the same latitude that we ourselves wish to
Sep 8 2020 8:51p » – Æ 03°„06' Þ 03°‹06' Œ
adventures. Heightened Mars energy increases our excitability, as have, so that
Sep all of us10:25p
8 2020 can feel the
¸ thrill
§ ofÀliving+05°08'
more authentically. If we’re
-05°08'
the Red Planet comes to a standstill at 28°08' Aries (3:22 p.m.). This not able
Sep to be flexible
9 2020 in this way,
9:03a ¸ theá Venus–Uranus
½ 17°…25'square
Þ can cause rifts
17°‰25' Œ
marks the beginning of Mars’s two-month retrograde phase, which Sep 9 2020 3:22p ¼ SŒ 28°Ü08' Œ
will culminate at the degree it first occupied back on July 25. Sep 9 2020 8:37p Æ › ò 02°‹54' Œ 24°Ü20' Œ
We might struggle to fully awaken on Thursday morning; Sep 9 2020 9:02p º ¦ Å -02°52' -02°52'
dreamy Neptune is activated by a sesquiquadrate to Venus (4:52 Sep 10 2020 4:52a Geocentric
» ” ÀA spects
04°„35',Þ 19°‹35' Œ
a.m.) and a square to the Moon (5:17 a.m.), two aspects that tend Ingresses
Sep 10 2020 7:37a ¸ ˜, and
ò S tations
18°…20' Þ 24°Ü20' Œ
Sep 10 2020 3:23p º à Â 07°†59' Þ 07°Ü59' Œ
to blur our perceptions. This lack of clarity continues for much of SepPacific
11 2020Daylight
2:05a º ˜ Æ 08°†39' Þ 02°‹39' Œ
the day, kept active by a Mercury–Chiron opposition at 3:23 p.m. Sep 11 2020 1:25p ¸ à À 19°…32' Þ 19°‹32' Œ
(7°59' Libra–Aries) that causes us to second-guess our choices. We Sep 11 2020 1:30p À ˜ Ã 19°‹32' Œ 13°„32' Þ
may feel a bit more focused this evening, when the Gemini Moon Sep 11 2020 2:44p ¸ § º +04°07' -04°07'
sextiles Mars at 9:48 p.m. Sep 12 2020 5:34a º – ¿ 10°†22' Þ 10°Ý22' Œ
A foggy mist drifts in from the ocean again on Friday, lasting for Sep 12 2020 9:30a ½ “ Æ 17°‰24' Þ 02°‹24' Œ
Sep 12 2020 5:40p ½ SÞ 17°‰24' Þ
most of the day. An opposition between the Virgo Sun and Neptune
Sep 13 2020 3:07a º ¦ À -05°10' -05°10'
(1:25 p.m.) makes it hard to discern between the solutions that are Sep 13 2020 4:24a » á Â 07°„53' Þ 07°Ü53' Œ
credible and those that are merely the product of wishful thinking. Sep 13 2020 2:24p º ‘ Ä 12°†23' Þ 12°‰23' Þ
A moody Cancer Moon further complicates our perspective in the Sep 13 2020 6:08p ¸ § Å +03°17' -03°17'
late afternoon and evening, first through a square to insecure Chi- Sep 13 2020 9:10p º § Â -05°42' +05°42'
ron in Aries (4:25 p.m.) and then a square to indecisive Mercury in Sep 13 2020 10:28p ¼ à Å 28°Ü00' Œ 28°†00' Þ
Libra (7:49 p.m.). Sep 14 2020 1:48a ¸ ˜ ¼ 21°…59' Þ 27°Ü59' Œ
Sep 14 2020 4:09p ¸ á Á 22°…34' Þ 22°‰34' Œ
Sep 14 2020 11:50p » “ É 09°„54' Þ 24°‚54' Œ
Saturday, September 12 – Sunday, September 13: We feel a bit rattled Sep 15 2020 8:29a » ‘ ¿ 10°„18' Þ 10°Ý18' Œ
on Saturday morning, although we may not fully understand why. Sep 15 2020 12:58p º § ¼ -06°49' +06°49'
Mercury is quincunx Uranus at 5:34 a.m. (10°22' Libra–Taurus), bring- Sep 15 2020 2:07p º ’ Ã 15°†14' Þ 15°„14' Þ
ing ideas in from left field that threaten to undermine our already Sep 16 2020 10:13a ¸ – ò 24°…17' Þ 24°Ü17' Œ
tentative sense of balance. The Moon–Jupiter opposition at 9:55 Sep 16 2020 1:31p º ” Æ 16°†37' Þ 01°‹37' Œ
a.m. leaves us more emotional than expected; Jupiter’s expansive Sep 16 2020 5:52p ¸ ‘ É 24°…35' Þ 24°‚35' Œ
energy has even greater impact today, as the Giant Planet comes Sep 17 2020 3:34a º ‘ ½ 17°†26' Þ 17°‰26' Þ
Sep 17 2020 5:17a Ã › É 15°„56' Þ 24°‚30' Œ
to a standstill and turns direct at 5:40 p.m. (17°24' Capricorn). We Sep 17 2020 9:37a » – Ä 12°„36' Þ 12°‰36' Þ
feel somewhat more secure this afternoon, with the Cancer Moon Sep 17 2020 10:00a ¸ ” ¿ 25°…15' Þ 10°Ý15' Œ
trine Neptune (1:46 p.m.) and sextile the Sun (3:45 p.m.). But to- Sep 17 2020 2:36p ¸ á ¾ 25°…26' Þ 25°‰26' Œ
night, Luna opposes Pluto (7:20 p.m.), and a sense of vulnerability Sep 18 2020 1:51a » ˜ À 13°„22' Þ 19°‹22' Œ
returns as we consider how deeply these transformative times Sep 18 2020 10:10a ¸ § ò +01°29' -01°29'
are affecting us. The Moon–Saturn opposition, which perfects just Sep 18 2020 12:41p É ’ ò 24°‚16' Œ 24°Ü16' Œ
after midnight (12:37 a.m. on Sunday), helps us to grieve the past Sep 18 2020 1:05p º – À 19°†21' Þ 19°‹21' Œ
Sep 19 2020 2:54p ¸ – ¼ 27°…24' Þ 27°Ü24' Œ
we are leaving behind.
Sep 19 2020 4:26p º § Ä -09°30' +09°30'
Once we get past a contentious Moon–Mars square early Sunday Sep 19 2020 11:05p » › É 15°„29' Þ 24°‚04' Œ
morning (5:04 a.m.), we can take advantage of the more influen- Sep 20 2020 4:19a Å ß ‡ 00°‡00' Þ 00°‡00' Þ
tial Venus–Chiron trine (7°53' Leo–Aries) that helps us to reconnect Sep 20 2020 10:21p º ‘ Á 22°†31' Þ 22°‰31' Œ
86
Virgo New Moon — September 17
The New Moon in Virgo opens the curtain on a quietly beginnings, not endings. Neptune is retrograde, so we
entertaining, versatile drama. The over-emotionality of the may need to accept limitations around a dream, rein in a
Pisces Full Moon has given way to a cool-headed, if rather bigger plan, and focus on one or two smaller projects or
fidgety, and nervy Virgoan need for both variety and order. steps. Yet Saturn’s structure helps us, ensuring we avoid
We may be more grateful for bookshelves filled with a mix Neptunian traps like being too scattered and ethereal (os-
of useful nonfiction, fascinating and amusing novels, and cillating through many impressions but initiating nothing
inspiring poetry. We’re inclined to appreciate the order definite). The flitting, butterfly aspect of the mind alights
and variety of pharmacy shelves holding a plethora of rem- long enough to grasp sufficient, sustaining nectar to feed
edies with promises of improved health. Within the healing a more definitive course of action.
realms, we may reach for more of the adaptogenic medicines The New Moon, in tight trine to Saturn–Pluto, means
that have the ability to adjust to our state and needs. With there is every chance of concrete answers arising, provid-
the Moon disposited by Mercury, we have a touch of magic, ing us with the clarity to take definitive action that feels
along with learning and cleverness. important.
Despite all this — and despite an attention to detail and
intricate knowledge — Virgo is, nonetheless, a sign marked © 2020 Diana Collis – all rights reserved
by self-doubt. Will the story satisfy the reader? Will all the
learned systems really support the great work to be done? British writer Diana McMahon Collis studied traditional and
Will the medicine cure the problem? Will people be pleased modern astrology at the Company of Astrologers in Blooms-
with the results? bury, London, practicing professionally since 1990. In 2001, she
Anxious, nervous energy may abound during this luna- co-founded Tarot Association of the British Isles. She has a BA
Honours degree in Film, Drama, and English from Reading Uni-
tion. At an individual level, the Moon trining Saturn means
versity and has written many columns and features. She works as
that firm resolve and structure help us find the confidence to
Virgo NM 820-4
an editor and mentor in mind, body, and spirit nonfiction with
Natal Chart
try to launch plans and attempt new things. Goals benefit
Sep 17from
2020, ThuOxford-based https://jerichowriters.com; see also http://mindbliss.
4:00 am PDT +7:00
being broken down into small segments, so we merely need
Fresno, CA co.uk and https://celestialspot.blogspot.com
36°N44'52'' 119°W46'17''
to take the next step to make progress. We truly canGeocentric
trust
Tropical
life and ourselves, even if we can tend to be cynical! Mercury
0° Aries
True Node
reminds us that we all possess skills. Meditating on the image
00° ‰ 00'
of the Mercury-ruled Magician from the tarot can be useful to
00' 00°
the psyche — we can see him with all the tools on his table Ê
00°
Š
Á ½Ä ˆ 00'
at his disposal, knowing that he (and we) can use them. ¾ 17°12° 24°
This lunation finds Mercury in Libra, suggesting 22° ‰ ˆ
25°
‰ ‰
a fine, alchemical balance. We benefit from a lit- ‰
33'26'35' 31'
Œ
00' 27' 00°
tle pinch of this and that; by trusting our senses ‹ ŒŒ
‡
10 9
to find the right tastes, flavours, fragrance notes, 00° 00'
blends, and shades. Careful balance applies in
Æ 01° 11 8 29°
Å
‹ †
30' 01'
the physical world, but also in both personal and 17° º
Œ ’ ‘
professional relationships. Does our situation
á
á ‘ 27' †
À 19° ‹ 23'Œ 12 á
7
fling us out of control, causing us to scream 00° ‘ á – 00°
––
“stop!” and hold on tighter, or do we swing in Ü –– à †
harmony? We can identify where to go further, 00' Ü 42' Œ
00' … 25°
¸ 00'
Â 07° 16'Œ 1 – 6
00' … 25°
¶
or when to realise we are overdoing things, or Ü
haven’t thought a plan through well enough yet. ò 24° 12'
26°Ü 43'Œ
‘
This attention to balance matters under the New Ù 27°

Ü 2 5
Œ
Moon insofar as we are trying to lay the ground- 00° ¼ 15' 54' 00'
Ý 3 4 20' „
work for new plans. If we hesitate, we may miss Ý 10° „ 15° …
00' ¿ Œ 12° Ã 00°
the chance to do something definite and positive. 31'
»
But if we get carried away, we may put someone off. ‚
24°
So we must access some courage and feel our way, to 00° 00'
judge the best direction forward. If we do slip up, we can ‚ 00' É 00°
„
possibly still retrieve the situation because Libra usually al- 00° ƒ 00'
lows for constant rebalancing.
An opposition to Neptune makes this New Moon oddly
September 17, 2020 — 4:00 a.m. PDT
a bit more like a Full Moon. However, this period is about September 17, 2020 — 11:00 a.m. GMT
87
or even breakups. Since Venus also rules the financial world, this On Monday morning, even though the Moon is still in ardent Scorpio,
is another arena where there may be some surprises today. Luna we feel a bit more stable emotionally, with Luna sextile two planets in earth
helps to stabilize emotions when she enters Virgo at 11:37 a.m., but signs: Saturn in Capricorn (4:51 a.m.) and the Sun in Virgo (11:13 a.m.).
we’re likely at odds with family expectations this afternoon, repre- The atmosphere lightens considerably when the Moon makes ingress into
sented by an opposition between the Moon and motherly Ceres cheerful Sagittarius at 12:32 p.m. In our enthusiasm about being released
(2:35 p.m.). from the deep psychotherapeutic realms of the past couple of days, we’ll
The discomfort with an overly doting influence in our lives need to be careful not to overcompensate; a Venus–Jupiter quincunx this
continues on Wednesday. Mercury is sesquiquadrate Ceres (1:31 evening at 6:12 p.m. (17°32' Leo–Capricorn) reminds us that no one appre-
p.m.), indicating frustrations and disagreements on the home ciates being told to “lighten up.”
front. The Virgo Moon may help us to gain a more reasoned per- Even well-intentioned words are likely to aggravate us on Tuesday,
spective when it trines farsighted Jupiter at 3:54 p.m., but the with Mercury in opposition to easily offended Eris at 6:09 a.m. (24°14'
Moon–Neptune opposition at 7:04 p.m. pulls a gauzy filter down Libra–Aries). A seasonal shift occurs when the Sun enters Libra at 6:30 a.m.,
over our eyes. In the meantime, the Sun squares the lunar nodal
axis today, challenging us to move beyond old beliefs and open our
minds to new options. Debates over these issues heat up tonight,
as the influence of a Mercury–Jupiter square gains strength (exact
at 3:34 a.m. on Thursday). Jan 23 2019 Geocentric Aspects, Solar Fire v8.1.2
Ingresses, and Stations
Sco FM 419-4 - Natal Chart
Thursday, September 17 – Saturday, September 19: We’re ready Pacific Daylight
to start anew on Thursday morning, with the Virgo New Moon Date Time P1 Asp P2 Pos1 Pos2
anchoring the day at 4:00 a.m. Already providing a reliable founda- Sep 20 2020 11:40p ½ – Ã 17°‰30' Þ 17°„30' Þ
tion, this lunation is also trine Saturn, supplying us with the patience Sep 21 2020 6:12p » – ½ 17°„32' Þ 17°‰32' Þ
needed for the long road ahead. For the best outcome, we’ll need Sep 22 2020 0:34a º á É 23°†56' Þ 23°‚56' Œ
to shake off our preconceived ideas of what the “perfect future” Sep 22 2020 4:12a » ß Ã 18°„00' Þ 18°„00' Þ
Sep 22 2020 6:09a º à ò 24°†14' Þ 24°Ü14' Œ
looks like, since the Sun and Moon are also sesquiquadrate radical Sep 22 2020 6:10a Å á Æ 00°‡40' Þ 00°‹40' Œ
Uranus. Luna puts on her judge’s robes and picks up a gavel when Sep 22 2020 6:30a ¸ ß † 00°†00' Þ 00°†00' Þ
she enters Libra at 11:55 a.m., ready to mediate any disputes about Sep 22 2020 8:42p ¸ – Æ 00°†34' Þ 00°‹34' Œ
which options will best ensure success. Sep 22 2020 10:48p » — Å 18°„53' Þ 00°‡53' Þ
The primary influence on Friday is a confusing Mercury–Neptune Sep 23 2020 1:05a º ˜ À 25°†13' Þ 19°‹13' Œ
quincunx (19°21' Libra–Pisces) that perfects at 1:05 p.m. No doubt, Sep 23 2020 2:29a » ˜ Ä 19°„04' Þ 13°‰04' Þ
Mercury was already equivocating over what decisions to make; Sep 23 2020 3:37a º ‘ ¾ 25°†21' Þ 25°‰21' Œ
Sep 23 2020 5:45a » – À 19°„13' Þ 19°‹13' Œ
this aspect will make the alternatives even less clear. When the
Sep 23 2020 7:17a ¸ • Å 01°†00' Þ 01°‡00' Þ
Moon squares Jupiter this afternoon (3:36 p.m.), we’ll need to Sep 23 2020 3:44p Ä — Å 13°‰07' Þ 01°‡07' Þ
beware of choosing an option out of sheer frustration. Perhaps the Sep 24 2020 3:52a º à ¼ 26°†36' Þ 26°Ü36' Œ
Moon–Mercury conjunction at 7:08 p.m. will help us to find a solu- Sep 24 2020 6:39p » ¦ ¿ +14°22' +14°22'
tion that will please most of the people involved, but the Moon–Pluto Sep 24 2020 11:36p À – Ã 19°‹10' Œ 19°„10' Þ
square (11:40 p.m.) reveals dissatisfaction among the ranks, no mat- Sep 25 2020 5:55a Ã ˜ Ä 19°„17' Þ 13°‰17' Þ
ter what choice we finally make. Sep 25 2020 8:39a ¾ — Â 25°‰20' Œ 07°Ü20' Œ
Sep 25 2020 10:34p » ” Â 22°„19' Þ 07°Ü19' Œ
Last night’s disagreements resurface first thing on Saturday
Sep 26 2020 2:22a » – Á 22°„30' Þ 22°‰30' Œ
morning, with the Moon opposing assertive Mars in Aries at Sep 26 2020 4:19a ¸ ¦ ò -01°31' -01°31'
7:29 a.m. This combativeness is likely to last all day, thanks to a Sep 26 2020 8:34a ¸ ˜ ¿ 04°†00' Þ 10°Ý00' Œ
disagreeable Sun–Mars quincunx that perfects at 2:54 p.m. (27°24' Sep 27 2020 0:17a º § » -13°41' +13°41'
Virgo–Aries); one person’s idea of the most efficient and effec- Sep 27 2020 0:20a Æ ß Š 00°‹00' Œ 00°‹00' Þ
tive strategy may feel like an infringement on another’s individual Sep 27 2020 0:38a º á Æ 29°†59' Þ 29°Š59' Œ
rights. It’s at least easier to be honest about our feelings once the Sep 27 2020 0:40a º ß ‡ 00°‡00' Þ 00°‡00' Þ
Sep 27 2020 4:12a » ˜ ½ 23°„44' Þ 17°‰44' Þ
Moon leaves accommodating Libra and enters truth-seeking Scorpio
Sep 27 2020 4:51a » ’ É 23°„46' Þ 23°‚46' Œ
at 11:32 a.m. Sep 27 2020 1:29p » á ò 24°„11' Þ 24°Ü11' Œ
Sep 27 2020 4:04p ¸ “ Ã 05°†17' Þ 20°„17' Þ
Sunday, September 20 – Tuesday, September 22: If we’re lucky, Sep 28 2020 5:41a ¸ ˜ Æ 05°†50' Þ 29°Š50' Œ
we’ve slept through the turbulent Moon–Uranus opposition that was Sep 28 2020 7:53a º § ¿ -14°20' +14°20'
exact at 3:56 a.m. on Sunday. Even so, we may feel some residual Sep 28 2020 12:35p º — Ä 01°‡39' Þ 13°‰39' Þ
irritation when we awaken. It’s a day of deep emotions and intense Sep 28 2020 1:22p » – ¾ 25°„20' Þ 25°‰20' Œ
conversations, with the Moon in moody Scorpio and a Mercury–Pluto Sep 28 2020 6:01p » á ¼ 25°„33' Þ 25°Ü33' Œ
Sep 28 2020 10:11p ¾ SÞ 25°‰20' Þ
square in effect (22°31' Libra–Capricorn, 10:21 p.m.). We’re likely to Sep 29 2020 10:15a Ã — Å 21°„00' Þ 03°‡00' Þ
feel especially reactive around the time of the Moon–Venus square Sep 29 2020 1:43p ¸ à Â 07°†09' Þ 07°Ü09' Œ
at 1:42 p.m.; Venus in Leo does not respond well to being caged Sep 29 2020 2:49p ¼ ‘ ¾ 25°Ü20' Œ 25°‰20' Þ
or poked. There may be a slight easing of tensions when the Moon Sep 29 2020 11:05p º ß Å 03°‡11' Þ 03°‡11' Þ
sextiles Jupiter (3:52 p.m.) and trines Neptune (6:47 p.m.), but we Sep 30 2020 0:45a º — Ã 03°‡15' Þ 21°„15' Þ
should be ready to face some tough issues tonight. Sep 30 2020 6:54p º ” À 04°‡01' Þ 19°‹01' Œ
Oct 1 2020 6:38a » ˜ Á 28°„29' Þ 22°‰29' Œ

88 Oct 1 2020 2:00p À § Â -05°22' +05°22'
Oct 1 2020 7:00p » ” Ä 29°„05' Þ 14°‰05' Þ
Oct 1 2020 11:03p Â ” Ã 07°Ü02' Œ 22°„02' Þ
welcoming either the fall or the spring, depending on your hemisphere. is appropriately disengaged for much of the day as it quietly wends its
The equinox chart shows a tight quincunx between the Sun and Earth way through objective Aquarius; Luna finally verbalizes her needs for
goddess Ceres (exact at 8:42 p.m.), indicating a strain on food sup- more space when she opposes Venus late tonight (10:06 p.m.).
plies or disruption in the environment for the next three months. The The air may feel very still and even somewhat dense on Monday.
Sagittarius Moon is quiet until evening, but makes up for lost time with The Moon enters meditative Pisces at 8:34 a.m., setting up a trine to Mer-
an exuberant trine to playful Venus at 8:34 p.m. It’s possible that we’ll cury in Scorpio (11:45 a.m.) that increases our intuitive or even psychic
misread a loved one’s signals, however, with a Moon–Neptune square awareness. Venus in Leo receives mixed messages today: While the
also in effect (9:21 p.m.). And a Mercury–Saturn square that perfects Goddess of Love feels invigorated by a trine to Mars at 6:01 p.m. (25°33'
early tomorrow morning (3:37 a.m. on Wednesday) is also strong this Leo–Aries), her creative fire is dampened by the earlier quincunx
evening, making it difficult to converse about issues that arise, even if to Saturn (1:22 p.m.). This latter aspect is particularly strong, given that
we do realize the need to chat. Saturn stations direct tonight at 10:11 p.m. (25°20' Capricorn); it is un-
likely that we will feel the deep level of fulfillment that we would nor-
Wednesday, September 23 – Friday, September 25: We’re still at mally expect when a harmonious Venus–Mars aspect is in effect.
a loss about how best to meet a loved one’s needs on Wednesday,
with Venus quincunx Neptune (5:45 a.m.). The Sagittarius Moon can Tuesday, September 29 – Wednesday, September 30: Personal chal-
help to lighten the mood in the morning hours through a pleasant lenges demand our attention on Tuesday. As the Libra Sun opposes
sextile to Mercury in Libra (8:32 a.m.) and a spirited trine to Mars in Chiron in Aries (1:43 p.m.), it reveals codependent tendencies that keep
Aries (10:31 a.m.). We rein in our optimism when Luna enters serious us off-balance. This opposition reminds us that healthy relationships
Capricorn at 4:16 p.m., setting the stage for the First Quarter Moon require us to take the time to really know and honor our own heart’s
(6:54 p.m.) that tests our ability to keep our balance when the pres- path. At the same time, with Mars square stationary Saturn at 2:49 p.m.
sure is on. It’s another tough night for settling disagreements; battle (25°20' Aries–Capricorn), we are acutely aware of restrictions that limit
lines are clearly drawn, with Mercury nearing its opposition to Mars our individual fulfillment. The tension eases slightly this evening, as the
(exact at 3:52 a.m. on Thursday). Pisces Moon sextiles optimistic Jupiter (7:42 p.m.) and conjoins adapt-
We’re still in the clutches of the Mercury–Mars opposition (26°36' able Neptune (10:01 p.m.).
Libra–Aries) on Thursday morning, but we’re better able to roll with Moments of inspiration guide our steps on Wednesday morning,
the punches, thanks to the Capricorn Moon’s trine to flexible Uranus the last day of September. A predawn lunar sextile to Pluto (4:50 a.m.)
(10:21 a.m.). Otherwise, it’s a quiet day astrologically; Luna’s rendez- lends power to our ideals, and a mid-morning sextile to Saturn (10:30
vous with clever Pallas Athene at 4:07 p.m. is the only other significant a.m.) encourages us to implement those visions. But it may be hard to
aspect in effect. This alignment, though a subtle influence, can help us get much accomplished today; even though Mercury is in determined
to see how to harness our emotional energies in strategic ways. Scorpio, its sesquiquadrate to Neptune (6:54 p.m.) disassociates our
Self-care is a strong theme on Friday, a day that is bookended minds from projects we may try to focus on. This ensures that we
by Chiron aspects. Saturn is in quintile (72°) aspect to the Wounded don’t get too caught up in continuing dramas, but can be frustrating
Healer in the morning (8:39 a.m.), providing creative options for han- if we’re on a deadline. Breaking through the fog, Luna exits Pisces at
dling old insecurities. Using these insights, we can plan ahead for how 7:47 p.m., leaping into Aries and helping us gather courage to face
to best navigate tonight’s Venus–Chiron sesquiquadrate (10:34 p.m.), October and beyond.
which reawakens issues of not feeling loved for who we really are. The
Capricorn Moon is quite active today, forming hard aspects to four © 2020 Pam Younghans – all rights reserved
planets in the third decan of cardinal signs. Luna’s first encounter is
with Pluto at 9:10 a.m.; this conjunction is like an emotionally charged
Pam Younghans is a professional astrologer, writer, and editor living in the
board of directors meeting that focuses our attention on what needs to Pacific Northwest. She offers personal and relationship readings by phone or on
be done. A sense of deep responsibility is reinforced when the Moon Skype. Pam also writes a weekly astrology e-forecast, the NorthPoint Journal,
conjoins Saturn at 2:27 p.m., but we may soon feel impatient with our offered free by subscription. Visit http://www.northpointastrology.com to learn
burdens, due to a Moon–Mars square at 4:13 p.m. Resistance carries more about Pam’s work or to subscribe to the journal. To schedule a reading,
into the evening hours, with an argumentative Moon–Mercury square e-mail pam@northpointastrology.com or leave a message at (425) 445-3775.
perfecting at 8:36 p.m. We may finally feel an emotional release once
Luna enters Aquarius at 11:08 p.m., but Venus is nearing a quincunx
to Pluto (2:22 a.m. on Saturday), activating our longing for something
or someone we fear we cannot have.
Saturday, September 26 – Monday, September 28: We still feel an

underlying anxiety on Saturday; the aftereffects of last night’s jealous
Venus–Pluto quincunx linger for much of the day. The Aquarius Moon
provides a welcome emotional lift, when it trines the Sun at 6:32 a.m.,
and offers a space for healing when it sextiles Chiron at 12:55 p.m.
However, there are some uncomfortable moments at the dinner table;
a Moon–Uranus square (6:02 p.m.) triggers the urge for freedom, so
we strongly resist any attempts to limit our independence. It should
be easier to talk calmly later tonight, with Mercury trine understand-
ing Ceres in Aquarius (exact at 12:38 a.m. on Sunday).
We’re drawn to delve more deeply into tender issues on Sunday,
since Mercury has moved into therapeutic Scorpio overnight. The Moon
89
    
EPHEMERIS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020           
                      
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
  
     
         
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

                      
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
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             
             
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         
             
                             
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
         
Event of Sep 22 2020 Compliments of:

Event Chart 916-730-6805
Sep 22 2020, Tue
9:31 am EDT +4:00
Washington, DC
38°N53'42'' 077°W02'12''
Geocentric
Tropical
Libra Equinox — September 22, 2020

Porphyry
True Node
05° „ 13'
33' 03°
… ƒ 33'
03° »Ã
18°18°
„ „ É
07'03' 23°
52'
‚ 01°
† ¸ 10 9
56' ‚
Œ
01° 00° 52'
†
00' 11 8
Libra Equinox
12
September 22, 2020
7
Œ07' Ý
10° ¿
Copyright ©2009 Matrix Software
00° º 24° † 15' Copyright ©2009 Matrix Software
00°
‡ 9:31 a.m. EDT Ý
12'
Å 00° ‡ 40' Washington, D.C.
Œ58' Ü 26°
Œ14' Ü
¼ 12'
24°
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Porphyry houses,
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01° ˆ Œ 15' 52'
10° 3 4 ‹
ˆ 56' Œ Ü
52' ¶ ˆ
59'33' Œ Œ
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19°
01°
23°
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31' 22' ‹ À
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‰ ‰ 00°
17°22°25°
03° Ä½ Æ 33'
‰ 33' Á¾ 03°
‹
05° Š 13'
91
Letters to Editor Seltzer’s description of Eris as “female
warrior energy.” Warriors are trained to
Viruses and bacteria associated
with plagues and epidemics like Ebola,
continued from p. 8 fight, which means hurting opponents. AIDS, and the Black Death seem to ap-
Is this where Seltzer is going with his pear suddenly but have, in fact, existed
one, would love to see them available formulation? Perhaps “activist” is a for centuries in animals and insects.
to subscribers. I am so enjoying all the more appropriate word than “warrior”? Environmental devastation, combined
available digital back issues and am Or does Seltzer really see violence as with increased population density
hoping for eventual access to those fundamental to the Eris archetype? If and mobility, has created new path-
first ten years. Thank you for all your so, I will have to disagree. ways and opportunities for pathogens
amazing work! I was born with Eris conjunct my to travel to humans and spread. Bats,
— Steven Sprung Sun and square my Moon. I will suggest symbolic agents of the Dark Mother, a
that the Eris archetype relates to acting feminine aspect of Pluto, are believed
Editors’ Response: against injustice, which often stirs up by some scientists to have been the or-
Thanks so much for reaching out that tired stereotype, “discord.” igin not only of coronavirus, but also of
to us here at TMA! In fact, we do have — John Schmeeckle the related SARS virus.
the first ten years of back issues in our Saturn (the structure of civiliza-
California office, and we are already Dear TMA: tion) and Pluto (transformation and
underway scanning them for digital I was a loyal Dell customer for regeneration) transiting through Capri-
sales. We’re so happy to hear that we years, but I have to admit, I love your corn have portended the death of old
have readers interested in purchasing magazine layout better! I've already read ways of thinking and being. In March
them! It is a laborious process and we my entire issue and the articles; sections of 2020, Mars and Jupiter aligned
expect it to take quite a few months, and information were easier to see, and in a close conjunction with Pluto and
but we hope to have them for sale it was easier to go back to previous sec- Saturn, triggering and magnifying their
about the time that Saturn ingresses tions to recheck information and make influence. Saturn forces us to give up
into Aquarius for its long haul — near comparisons! I’ve been a professional our illusions and can bring deprivation,
the close of 2020. astrologer for many moons … and I be- restriction, and a loss of security. Mars,
lieve one always should be open to new together with Saturn, can increase frus-
Dear TMA: ideas, new methods, and new avenues, tration as millions of people worldwide
Heart greetings to you all, with while maintaining respect for the tried were forced into quarantine and isola-
both congratulations and condolences and true. You did it all, and that was tion. The meeting of Jupiter and Pluto
for your many changes. I’m a long-time only one issue! can be viewed as a silver lining encour-
subscriber to both Dell Horoscope and I truly am impressed with your aging us to transcend outmoded belief
The Mountain Astrologer. The depth publication and look forward to many systems, potentially planting seeds for a
of content keeps me engaged with issues to come. Be well! new phase in human evolution.
TMA, and I enjoy your consistent pos- — Alison Cuff The advent of the coronavirus has
itivity. Your writers are thoughtful with compelled us to grasp a stark reality,
wisdom and vision, have excellent vo- Dear TMA: not only of the fragility of the Earth’s
cabulary skills, and the selection of Pluto entered Capricorn in late Jan- environment under the influence of hu-
subjects is entertaining and complex. uary of 2008, ushering in an era marked man agency, but also the instability and
Mostly, I appreciate the integrity by a rise in totalitarianism, increased fragility of the complex and contrived
and love that goes into publishing power and greed at the expense of the construct of our entire civilization. De-
TMA. Please keep your strong women environment, and the dredging up and spite our insistence on the superiority
presence, current news, and interna- exposure of corruption from the shadow and supremacy of a human-centered
tional articles. And please continue realms. When Saturn entered Capricorn world, nature reminds us that we are
to enjoy what you’re doing in the best in December of 2017, the dark side of not separate from our environment.
of health and humor. May the incon- the patriarchy (Capricorn) and its myr- The Capricorn planetary alignment
spicuous rewards of your intent fill iad of dysfunctional beliefs predicated on may be a fulcrum, a turning point that
you with immense joy as you stay safe dominator values began to be further allows us to grasp the extreme contrast
and protected. unveiled as the effects of climate change of this moment in time, presenting an
— Sue Zipp became increasingly evident. Pluto rules opportunity to shape a new path ahead
forces that appear to erupt with sudden for the human journey, one that allows
Dear TMA: force but have, in actuality, been smol- us to evolve a lifeway in balance and
I am writing in response to Henry dering for some time below the surface. harmony with nature and to restore a
Seltzer’s article, “New Planetary Ar- In what may have been the grand finale deeper, more sustainable relationship
chetypes in Western Astrology: Eris, of Pluto’s transit through Capricorn, with the Earth.
Haumea and Makemake,” in your recent the novel coronavirus erupted suddenly — Risa Campbell
April/May 2020 issue of The Mountain and spread like wildfire throughout
Astrologer. I have reservations about the planet.

CORRECTION
We extend our apologies to
Shawn Nygaard for publish-
ing an incorrect headshot
in the biography of his arti-
cle, “Saturn in Aquarius: The
Difference Between Us,” in the
June/July issue of The Mountain
Astrologer. The correct photo is
printed here.
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AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 93

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AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 95

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AUG. / SEPT.

Let us help them find you.

AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 5

21 } Astrology of Epidemics and Pandemics

29 } The Pluto Killer and

36 } Looking Beyond the Horoscope:

9 Charts in the News 57 Horoscopes for the

Departments Media Assistant

SUBSCRIPTIONS: You can order by mail, or call in with your

66 SoftStar Muse ADDRESS CHANGES: Since we bulk-mail early, we need 4 weeks’

by Gloria Star ADVERTISING: Information, including prices, deadlines, and

NOTE: The opinions and philosophies expressed by the writers

AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 7

8 — THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER

AUG. / SEPT. 2020 9

song was “Tutti Frutti,” and Billboard

10 THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER STUDENT SECTION

AUG. / SEPT. 2020 11

Dim All The Lights

12 THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER STUDENT SECTION

AUG. / SEPT. 2020 13

house conjunct the Ascen- ‰ ƒ is off by itself in Gemini

14 THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER STUDENT SECTION

AUG. / SEPT. 2020 15

astronomical principles, enabling Chart 1: 9H      6X 0H

generations. For example, a lovely Winehouse 6X    

0R -S  6D

16 THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER STUDENT SECTION

$TX &DQ     5D 9H

AUG. / SEPT. 2020 17

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Now living in California

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20 — THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER

1345 (1340–50) N/S: Bubonic plague or the “black

1426 (1421–31) S/N: Sources are scarce on this period.

22 — THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER

AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 23

1920 (1915–25) S/N: Between 1915–26 — precisely Parallels of Declination

24 — THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER

Figure 4: The path of Neptune in declination from 1500–2000

AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 25

When the second Cocoliztli

Figure 5: Lunar declination cycle between 1540–55

26 — THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER

Figure 7: The paths of Neptune and Saturn in celestial latitude 1940–70

AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 27

28 — THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER

AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 29

30 — THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER

accumulation of data, but included a global gestalt that was

AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 31

32 — THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER

AUG. / SEPT. 2020 — 33

The Naming of Planet Nine

1. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cZMFyRgx4w, “Mike Brown on

34 — THE MOUNTAIN ASTROLOGER

© 2020 Deborah McMahon – all rights reserved

astronomical principles, enabling Chart 1: 9H 6X 0H

generations. For example, a lovely Winehouse 6X

0R -S 6D

$TX &DQ 5D 9H