Dear Friend and Reader:
News out of the Trump administration has moved this week at the speed of Uranus multiplied by Eris in Aries — the light-speed of the internet. The current cascade of events, peaking yesterday with the naming of a special prosecutor to investigate the various Russia affairs, will likely lead to the end of Trump’s presidency.
This cascade began over the weekend of May 6 and 7, when Mercury, slow and powerful after its recent retrograde, was ending its alignment with Uranus conjunct Eris.
The combination of Mercury, Uranus and Eris is a reminder that everything we see happening, and how it’s happening, is an effect of the internet. This effect is created by a nonstop onslaught of disembodied communication, and developments moving faster than anyone can keep track of or understand.
Trump, with his penchant for tweeting and his addiction to toxic chaos, is only amplifying that effect. But don’t mistake that for his being “internet savvy.” He’s actually a product of television, and his mind is stuck in a TV mentality.
Additionally, there’s been a restructuring, or perhaps de-structuring, of the underlying ground of reality; among other changes, this officious thing previously known as ‘the presidency’ no longer seems to exist. Like many of society’s institutions, from home mortgages to Hollywood, the presidency is being shredded into a slag heap. Whether this serves a positive purpose is a question worth asking.
That’s being described by the ongoing movement of Pluto through Capricorn, which has yet to have its most profound influences . Over the next few years, into the early 2020s, Pluto will make a series of square aspects to Eris, which will combine the effects of Uranus square Pluto and Uranus conjunct Eris.
For a bonbon-sized preview of what’s coming, here are the latest developments in the news.
Tuesday, May 9, Trump fired FBI director James Comey, later admitting that this was to thwart his investigation into Trump’s ties with Russia. Then it came out that the same day, Trump had revealed state secrets to top Russian officials he was meeting with, which had been obtained by the United States from Israel.
Then it came out that in February, weeks after the inauguration, Trump had asked Comey to call off the FBI’s investigation of Michael Flynn, Trump’s short-lived national security advisor, who had been working as an unregistered foreign agent for Turkey, and who also has ties to the Russia situation.
On Wednesday (yesterday, that is), The Washington Post reported that top Republican officials, including Paul Ryan, the speaker of the house, were aware that Trump was allegedly getting payoffs from Putin, though they resolved to keep that information “in the family.”
Initially denying those reports, Republicans who were present at the meeting changed their tune when they found out that Washington Post reporters had a recording of the conversation, at which point they claimed the statements were a joke.
And capping off the week, on Wednesday (again, yesterday), the Department of Justice appointed Robert Mueller III, predecessor to Comey as head of the FBI, to be special prosecutor (properly called special counsel) to investigate connections between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Mueller has an untarnished public reputation and is respected by both parties. He will have broad powers to investigate Trump’s Russia ties and anything else that may come up along the way. Those links are everywhere. His appointment seems to signal that people behind the scenes are ready to pull the plug on Trump. Even if we get a greatly reduced version of reality from Mueller’s investigation, it will likely be enough to force Trump from office.
While a special counsel cannot be fired by the directly president, the president can try to order a subordinate to do so (a famous and self-destructive stunt that Nixon tried to pull). Yet that would be an impeachable offense because Mueller’s job is exclusively to look into potential crimes committed by Trump and his campaign, which have now reached the level of treason. Trump firing the special prosecutor would be tantamount to admitting everything.
There will also be separate congressional investigations into Trump’s ties to Russia.
Mueller’s appointment was made by Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, because Jeff Sessions, currently the attorney general and head of DOJ, has recused himself from all matters involving the Russia investigation.
That’s because Sessions, who worked for the Trump campaign, lied to the Senate during his confirmation hearing (when he was being interviewed as the prospective attorney general) when he denied meeting with Russian officials during the campaign. In fact, he met with them at least twice. So it’s possible or even likely that Mueller’s investigation will extend to the attorney general himself. The last time this happened was under old Dick Nixon. While the attorney general may think he has a phone line to God and is immune from the law, tell that to John Mitchell, who went to jail for crimes he committed on behalf of Nixon.
Many, many people in the Trump campaign have financial and political ties to Russia, including Rex Tillerson, the secretary of state; and Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chairman. So far, it would seem that the only person whose hands are clean from Russian involvement is Michael Pence, the vice president, though that remains to be seen.
Mueller served as director of the FBI between 2001 and 2013. He was famously appointed by George Bush just four days before the Sept. 11 incident, and retained in office by Pres. Obama for three years past the end of his 10-year term.
He had a long career in the Justice Department, rising to the level of assistant U.S. attorney (that is, a federal prosecutor). He quit government employment to go into private practice. But he decided that was too boring, so he returned to the federal government to an entry-level job as a federal homicide prosecutor.
He worked his way back up the ranks and became the U.S. attorney in San Francisco, eventually becoming FBI director.
Mueller, born Aug. 7, 1944, has six planets and points in Leo, including the Sun and Pluto, and five in Virgo, including Jupiter, Mercury, Chiron and Mars. This does not look like the chart of someone who plays politics, and his reputation is specifically that of someone who’s independent of political influence. That said, he would be one among several people who knows exactly what happened on Sept. 11, 2001. That means he also was aware of the false “intelligence” being proffered by Dick Cheney and others, used to start the Iraq war. However, my take is that business was all a lot larger than he was at the time.
Mueller’s appointment amounts to the one credible thing that the Trump administration has actually done — and it could easily spell the end of Trump’s presidency. At the time he was sworn in, I suggested that Trump would serve from eight to 13 months, mostly based on his transits, and on the progressed chart of Michael Pence, the vice president.
However, the most significant factor would seem to be the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse in Leo, the shadow of which will be cast from sea to shining sea. That eclipse comes within one degree of Trump’s ascendant. I’ll have more to say about that in a focused article planned for next week’s lead.
I’m aware there will be claims that this is all merely political theater, and that the game is rigged. Even if that’s true, the game seems to be rigged in the direction of getting rid of Trump.
If the astrology tells us anything, this is going to be quite a summer politically. While Washington is burning and the president’s men are shooting at one another, I make a motion to throw in a little of that Summer of Love spirit.
Your friendly neighborhood astrologer,
Weekly Horoscope for May 18, 2017 #1152 | By Amy Elliott
Aries (March 20-April 19) — Everything would seem to be in place for you to make an ambition reality. But which one? What should you prioritize? To a certain extent, this is a trick question; though there is something to be said for looking into why you have this apparent clash of ideas. If you’re really stuck, the key probably involves examination of your deeper motivations. Somewhere, a desire may have been stifled or set aside. If a hierarchy is required at all, that might be at the top. — by Amy Elliott.
Taurus (April 19-May 20) — In recent weeks, by necessity, you’ve become better acquainted with the subconscious region of your mind. The next phase of operations likely involves bringing what you’ve learned out into the open. Yet there may also still be some learning to do. Get clear on where you are still unsure, listen out for clues, and dismiss nothing until it’s sufficiently disproved. Be wary of any line of thought that has the effect of draining your self-esteem. The truth is a lot kinder.— by Amy Elliott.
Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You probably need to take some steps to care for your emotional wellbeing, which may be as simple as ensuring you have leisure time and space. Everyone needs this, regardless of how busy you think you ought to be. Keeping an eye on any sentiment that involves an ‘ought’ or a ‘should’ is a useful rule of thumb; this is especially true for you, right now. Aside from considerations of ethics or contractual obligations, give yourself the freedom to do as you please. — by Amy Elliott.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) — This week, you might take as your motto that there is no such thing as knowing too much. True, you’ve recently explored a wide section of your emotions and desires, and how they relate to the past. Yet you still have some unmapped regions to visit. This may be especially the case regarding certain feelings you’ve encountered, possibly sexual, that part of you would rather shrink from. If you go toward them instead, you’ll likely find there was no need for reticence. — by Amy Elliott.
Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — The present social, technological and political environment is designed to polarize everyone. Seeing all sides of a complex issue is out of fashion. Yet this is precisely what you’re now being called on to do. Very few situations are as simple as they appear. Make it a point of honor to be diligent in seeking out the truth and communicating clearly; also, keep judgment to a minimum. Know in which situations you hold the conductor’s baton; this is also where you must lead by example. — by Amy Elliott.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Your relationships (of all kinds) would benefit a good deal if you open up about what you’re feeling and experiencing. In part, this is true because you seem to be holding back more than usual. If your tendency to self-criticism is running high, consider cutting yourself a generous amount of slack. The tenser you feel, the more you need to relax and to express what you’ve been keeping contained. People care about you, and they need to hear the whole truth. — by Amy Elliott.
Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Whatever our relative means, we all have the capacity to offer generosity in our individual interactions. Those you love best may currently need a share of yours: perhaps they need some space, or perhaps some comfort. If you live together, you could consider the home itself as a potential place of safety. I don’t suggest you should allow anyone to take you for granted. Compassion need not be injudicious. This is simply about opening your heart in ways that will help everyone. — by Amy Elliott.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — You’re likely to be pretty switched on and experiencing a creative peak. You’ve tapped into some sort of well, sourced from deep within your imaginative spring. How you use it is up to you; however, it’s likely that you’ll get the best results when your ultimate aim serves the general good. It’s worth setting the intention now of sharing your prosperity. Not only will you receive a lot of goodwill from this; you’ll also find your subjective view of life manifestly enriched.— by Amy Elliott.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — There are a good many reasonable things that can be said in favor of emotional self-sufficiency. It supports independence. It lessens the risk of disappointment. The problem is this: we’re social animals really, and with rare exceptions can take detachment only so far. Self-respect is one thing; retreating from human warmth is entirely another. Allow for some intimacy in your life; cultivate mutual trust and share the healing power of affection and physical contact. There’s really nothing like it. — by Amy Elliott.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Some hard work appears to have paid off, and the recognition you’re receiving now is no more than what you’ve thoroughly merited. Your next project is to accept it. If you’re finding that difficult, it’s likely because you’re afraid of what might happen. You’ve gained confidence! How ghastly! What dreadful thing will you do next?! I strongly suggest you not worry, and that you savor the respect you’ve earned. Let it fill you with sunshine. You’ll still be you. — by Amy Elliott.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Though your sign is not usually known for its introspective tendencies, you’re just beginning a process in which you’re likely to be looking within much more for insights, and getting to know and love yourself better as a result. At present, you may be feeling the first impulses toward that. Pay close attention to your emotions, and try to understand where they might be leading. Let things flow naturally; don’t rush yourself. This phase of your life needs to be gentle and steady. — by Amy Elliott.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — A source of pressure on your relationships has recently been lifted. You’ll probably need a little time before you can feel the full atmosphere of relief; but you’re starting to sense it now. I suggest you take each day as it comes and don’t rush to fill the gap with burdens of equal weight. Make sure you’re aware of all the different paths before setting off in a new direction. Light and friendly social interactions, or spending time in your community, could be of considerable help. — by Amy Elliott.