Note, Friday we published my extended monthly forecasts for October, covering the astrology I describe in this post for your sign and rising sign. Planet Waves website members have already received them in their inbox. New members will be able to get instant access by signing up. You can do also this by phone — call Chelsea at (877) 453-8265. — efc
Today the big story on cable news, at least here in the United States, is the looming federal government shutdown. That’s supposed to happen Tuesday, they tell us. I am impressed by how nonchalantly the whole thing is being taken, and how a small minority of Republicans in the House of Representatives is managing to run the whole show — apparently, into a wall.
This has happened before, in the 1990s, under the leadership of the aptly-named reptilian Newt Gingrich, a Republican who was speaker of the house. When in doubt, throw a tantrum.
Mercury ingressed Scorpio Sunday, joining the grand water trine. Speaking of Scorpio, the Sun making a square to Pluto (the modern ruler of Scorpio, exact Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 9:27 pm EDT, chart below) and as it does, getting fully involved in the Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto-Typhon configuration (formerly known here as the Uranus-Pluto square).
Also on Tuesday, Mercury enters the shadow phase of its autumn retrograde, which is from Oct. 21 to Nov. 11. Due to the retrograde, Mercury will be in Scorpio for about two months. Then Friday, the New Moon happens in Libra with the Sun and Moon (together, in a conjunction for this event) square Jupiter, opposite Uranus, square Pluto and conjunct Typhon. This is the peak astrology of the year — we are in the big moment, which extends well into November. As we slip into this churning, bubbling whirlpool of intrigue, which has great potential for us as individuals, a few politicians in DC are playing a game of chicken with the federal government.
This can impact the millions who work there and the hundreds of millions of people who depend on it for things like defense (occasionally necessary, and meanwhile the military will not get paid), air traffic control and national parks being open so people who use them can have fun and/or do business (such as guided rafting tours). We covered this in Friday’s POL column, which I will share with you here in case you don’t receive our member mailings — it gives most of the background you need.
Here, I will ask my readers not from the United States for a moment to indulge in my thinking globally and acting locally. I’ll get back into the astrology a few paragraphs down — I think that readers in the States need some background.
One thing to recognize is the faux nature of the crisis. Between the not-so-lunatic-fringe Republicans in the House of Representatives, and the average politician-type Democrats serving there, there are probably enough votes within the House to continue funding the government and avoid a huge, costly mess.
But there is a rule in the House of Representatives that a majority of the ruling party has to approve of something before it can go to the whole floor. What I am not describing here is some cable news spin: minoritarianism, as it’s sometimes called, is a commonly used, very old legislative tactic for one party to block the ability of the other to get something done.
It’s been going on for a while. The federal government in the U.S. has been in gridlock since the midterm elections during Obama’s first term. Voters gave the Republicans a majority in the House, and John Boehner, who seems to be some kind of a demon or cold-blooded ET in a really weird-looking orange human body that cam smoke cigarettes in its sleep, became the allegedly second-most-powerful man in the United States. He also has little control over his conference, which may be the whole point — the stated goal of the Republicans is to fuck up Obama any way they can, even if it means eight years of obstruction and delay. And if the party can blame a small minority of Republicans for doing this, all the better.
The result is that next to nothing is getting done. For most productive and practical purposes, the government has been shut down for a while. Of course, it would be nice if the lack of productivity could get rid of spying on our email and phone calls, drone attacks in our “ally” Pakistan’s territory, the National Defense Authorization Act, which turns the entire United States into a “battlefield” in the war on terrorism, Monsanto being able to do anything it wants, and so on; that all seems to be business as usual. On the really creepy zombie DNA mutation robo murder stuff, they all agree on what matters.
When it comes down to a politician (Obama) getting credit for something potentially useful, (the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare) which was originally an idea of the conservatives (the Heritage Foundation thought it up, as private-sector enriching answer to the Democrat plan for single-payer coverage) and approved by the Supreme Court (which nobody was expecting — the conservative Chief Justice took Obama’s side), that cannot be. Plus, the whole thing is delusional — many provisions of Obamacare are already in effect. The train has left the station.
What is notable is that these things called insurance exchanges go into effect this week — online state-by-state clearing houses where people can shop for health insurance. That is the thing that the ‘Pubs want delayed — the actual, useful access point into health care. So…if this seems like psychosis, it probably is. An ultimatum is the most honest form of communication — but not when you’re demanding that someone do something impossible or self-destructive.
I know my readers in England and Canada and Oz and France and Scandinavian countries are thinking, “Really? This is about blocking people from going to the doctor?” Sorry to say it but yes.
As for the astrology. In a sense it’s the perfect metaphor for what is going on (that’s the point, right?). However, there are many more creative ways to take it. Said another way, the aspects we’re about to experience have some potent potential. It starts with introspection, and the willingness to work out one’s own inner power struggles (Sun square Pluto). That same aspect could lead a person to act like a dictator, which is one of the things we’re seeing.
Mercury in Scorpio, entering shadow phase, looks to me like the start of an intriguing discussion of sex; note that this happens concurrently with Sun square Pluto (the modern ruler of Scorpio), so the direction of movement, thought and consideration will be specifically inward. But Mercury is saying that the thing to create or welcome is a dialog (of a Scorpio nature). There are going to be some strong currents pulling you down there, and considerable pressure to work out your inner material rather than projecting it into your relationships.
This boundary becomes more meaningful as the week goes on. The thing to remember about Friday’s Libra New Moon is that it’s opposite Uranus, which is astrological shorthand for “full of surprises.” Any astrologer who has been practicing for a few years, and who has been paying attention, knows that a major event like this with Uranus in the picture is entirely unpredictable.
I can tell you at least this much: the more inwardly you direct your focus through the early part of the week, the more fun, productive and creative the astrology will become later in the week.
Note, Friday we published my extended monthly forecasts for October, covering the astrology I describe in this post for your sign and rising sign. Planet Waves website members have already received them in their inbox. New members will be able to get instant access by signing up. You can also do this by phone — call Chelsea at (877) 453-8265. — efc
zerosity, I know where you are coming from re: snark about the sale of Current TV. I’ve never had the opportunity to watch it, but vividly remember the two arrested journalists from Current TV that were “rescued” from North Korea by Bill Clinton. I remember thinking at the time it was pretty stupid to illegally send two females into a country we had no diplomatic connection with. I’m sure a lot of strings were pulled to get them back. That might be part of why I think Gore could be useful to the President; he owes him one.
In the 3rd paragraph of my previous comment I left out a word that could be confusing. The eclipse Mercury in Scorpio DOES trine Jupiter in Cancer but SEXTILES (word left out) Vesta in Virgo. You really need to be looking at a chart of the eclipse in order to follow the jumble of aspects (at least I did). Thanks for your comment.
be
be,
Thank you for the detailed astrology, which will take me a couple of readings to absorb. I do appreciate your attention to details and the weaving of the aspects and symbolism.
As to Al Gore and the sale of Current TV, I was being snarky. I miss the programming and was disappointed that it was sold after a relatively short time on air. There are so few outlets for voices from that side.]
Again, thank you.
JannKinz
zerosity,
I believe he will. In Friday’s new moon Pallas-Athene (12+ Leo) is conjunct Gore’s Pluto and the President’s Sun. Pallas-Athene knows a war when she sees one, and her tactical approach is strategy rather than “might”. She’s not inclined to overpower her opponent with all guns blazing, but more likely to go for the enemy’s weak spot.
Before the lunar eclipse (October 18) transiting Pallas-Athene will conjunct Gore’s Mars (18+ Leo) and Obama’s descendant (18+ Leo) and 5 days after the lunar eclipse transiting Pallas-Athene will trine transiting Eris in Aries (22+ degrees), who is barely past Gore’s MC (21 Aries 52), as well as the lunar eclipse degree at 25 Aries 45 (and within orb of also making a trine to the Galactic Center).
Now it is true that the lunar eclipse Mercury (18+ Scorpio) will square (incentivize) Gore’s Mars, and the President’s descendant at 18+ Leo, but the eclipse Mercury (we know how duplicitous he can be) also trines Jupiter in Cancer and Vesta (what we invest in) in Virgo. Jupiter and Vesta (in the lunar eclipse chart) form a yod with the President’s ascendant at 18+ Aquarius (which is also incentivized (squared) by eclipse Mercury). Cool, right? Not only that, but the President’s ascendant (being opposite his descendant and Gore’s Mars) will bounce that yod energy (Prez ascendant, Jupiter, Vesta) back to Gore’s Mars in Leo (+ Prez. desc.) to turn it into a Boomerang. What goes ’round comes ’round.
Because Gore’s Mercury at almost 17 Pisces opposes the lunar eclipse Vesta (17+ Virgo) who sextiles both the lunar eclipse Mercury in Scorpio and Jupiter in Cancer, Al Gore’s Mercury is in a grand water trine with the eclipse Mercury and Jupiter. That leads me to suspect that big (Jupiter) investments (Vesta) might be vulnerable to Pallas-Athene’s strategy.
Transiting Mercury will station retrograde at 18+ Scorpio, his lunar eclipse chart degree, on Monday October 21. Not long after that, trans. Pallas-Athene will trine Eris. For added good measure, by the time of the lunar eclipse transiting Arachne, a master weaver in her own right, will be conjunct Gore’s Jupiter at 28+ Sagittarius (as well as the GC). The trap will be set and ready to spring.
What do you want explained about the sale of Current TV?
be
There are times that I feel physically ill when just hearing about what is happening on this planet – and that sensation is not just from eating GMO and other poisonous foods (which, as an aside, I note that the effects of such when I transgress are quicker and more intense. . .gotta wonder if “they” really are trying to kill us off).
Will the people wake up? Not when. . .”IF”? I have said before that the Pubs have never forgiven the Dems (or anyone else for that matter) for Watergate. Watergate, at least superficially, seems so trivial compared to what is happening now. Then was the white boys fighting each other. That was at the tail end of the Uranus-Pluto conjunction in Virgo.
Now we are at the U-P square. The tension is palpably winding tighter and tighter, and yet, there is no real outcry at what is happening. We hear little or nothing about food, air and water and the other resources needed just to exist. Now, the racism and sexism are so blatant, so darkly pronounced yet never mentioned. It is not a pink elephant in the room; it’s an elephant sitting on us, blocking out any light. I am constantly reminded of a comment from a British activist in Michael Moore’s move “Sicko” that people won’t do anything if they are kept in debt and in fear. We certainly are living in an atmosphere of “news reporting” that is intended to keep us in debt and fear, constantly distracted by manufactured fears and diversions.
The mere fact that even with a government shutdown the Congressional politicians still get paid should be enough to incite, well, sedition and treason according to the definitions. What is the distinction between revolution and the high crimes?
be – Al Gore? Hmmm. How do you explain the sale of Current TV network to al Jazeera? I so truly would like to believe that he could and would do something. . .right.
Thank you, Eric – and Jude and the rest – for your thoughtful observations.
JannKinz
I seem to recall Newt Gingrich, prior to 1994 referring to the “civil war” that he and conservatives planned to wage. Doing a bit of Googling … here ’tis:
” Newt Gingrich had an urgent warning for conservatives: Jim Wright, the Democratic speaker of the House, was out to destroy America.
“It was April 1988, a month before Mr. Gingrich, an up-and-coming Republican congressman, shocked colleagues by pressing ethics charges against the powerful Mr. Wright. Now, he was singling out the speaker as a major obstacle in a coming ‘civil war’ with liberals.
“This war has to be fought with a scale and a duration and a savagery that is only true of civil wars,” Mr. Gingrich said, in a speech to the conservative Heritage Foundation.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/27/us/politics/the-long-run-gingrich-stuck-to-caustic-path-in-ethics-battles.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Politicians should be made to be tested for sanity before they can accept any government position. Starting with Reagan.
Yick. I am listening to Teabagging liar on the news right now. I gotta turn it off. I gave a few bucks to Maine’s Chellie Pingree who’s from my county. I don’t know what she’s gonna do with it. But she’s there in Washington, and I am here fuming. Outraged. Enraged.
Thanks for the reporting. Grrrrrrrrr!
speaking historically, a lot of these guys are lucky they don’t get beheaded.
I read on FB that some people are actually saying the President should label each GOP obstructionist, extortionist congress-person a “domestic terrorist committing treason” and have the (soon to be unpaid) military arrest them under NDAA and place them in indefinite detention for their crimes. Others are saying that if the GOP allow the government shut down because of their demands, they will “go the way of Marie Antoinette.” It is getting nasty out there. That’s Scorpio talking right there; vengeful, vigilantism of the people. Not a pretty thing to be reading.
I’ve got this crazy-ass notion that Al Gore could soon show up in the government ranks, you know, in some new position that Pres. Obama creates. Right now transiting Uranus is conjunct his Sun, and well,. . . transiting Eris is on his MC. When I saw him in a taped (from a couple of days ago) C-Span program today I got the impression of a very respected statesman, what with him being totally gray-haired now and so distinguished looking. Eris was conspicuously present as he spoke his mind, especially when talking about how the media is afraid to tell the truth about fossil fuels; comparing it to the tobacco onslaught of faux doctors telling us how smoking wouldn’t hurt us.
Since we get lunatic people elected to congress by ignorant people who vote, maybe a plain-speaking Tennessee boy could talk some sense into those voters who are so afraid of Obama and government in general. This Libra New Moon is exactly conjunct his natal Neptune (11 Libra 38) which sextiles his natal Pluto (12 Leo 40) which the NM Pallas-Athene exactly conjuncts. Also, the NM Venus at 26+ Scorpio is exactly opposite his natal Venus at 26+ Taurus in his 10th house, and very close to the NM ascendant (for Washington DC) of 23 Taurus 50. His own chart’s ascendant at 4+ Leo is quite close to the U.S. Sibly chart’s north node at 6+ Leo, which is squared by the Scorpio Mercury in this NM chart. There’s more but I won’t bore you with the numbers now; just plant a little seed of possibilities as to how the bought-and-paid-for reps could be out-maneuvered by someone who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is.
be
He is actually crazy — just acting like a politician, so it’s harder to notice.
He added that heart disease, emphysema, and diabetes were among a laundry list of conditions that would be “patriotic to avoid for a year.”
“If you delay getting any of these things for the next twelve months, together we will win this fight,” he said.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/borowitzreport/2013/09/boehner-advises-americans-to-delay-getting-cancer-for-a-year.html
Grand water trine and a grand cross with Typhon mixed in you say? Here in the NW we’re at the tail end of one of the worst soakings I ever remember in my almost 40 years inhabiting this region, and absolutely the worst ever at this time of year. All the politicians are doing is making smokescreens while the world burns and drowns. How about federal subsidies for people riding bikes and living in tiny houses? Got some friends who are ready to help me build something that won’t collapse, drip, and sag in a rain storm right now, just need a place to put it. Living a low carbon lifestyle is often illegal. Sorry, but I consider politics to be nothing but noise with this planetary catastrophe going on. The role of politician needs to go extinct before it takes everyone else down with it.
My reaction as well, E, but to show how far we’ve come from reality (and investigative journalism) Gregory is being praised for hitting Cruz so hard — asking for facts, not argument, twice, or so. I guess that’s the limit these daze … and then you have to move on. Disgust is exactly the right word … with all of it!
And, by the way, I was a little kid when McCarthy showed up on our grainy black/white TV screen but I DO recognize that same oily insincerity and ego-puff in this guy, they even kinda look alike. That needs to be exposed quickly before we spend untold time and money trying to keep this ass out of the White House!
I have to say I was disgusted by Cruz’s presentation on Meet the Press and more disgusted by David Gregory.
I was listening to Cruz spin his pristine bullshit, on and on…why the hell was he given so much time…running in circles, saying nothing, lying five times per sentence, offering no examples and no substantiation and no data and making it sound like he knows everything…disgusted that anyone would believe this, and people will…and then the conversation pauses for a second and Gregory asks, “What legislator do you respect the most?”
Agreed, Chief Niwots Son. This really IS about sedition. To quote Andrew Sullivan, “This is not about Obamacare. It is not even about politics. It is about a form of revolt against the very country they live in.”
Historians are looking at this and saying they haven’t seen this particular brand of rebellion since the pre-Civil War congress. And more, it’s a kind of delusional fugue state — the Pubs seem absolutely assured (as they were during the election) that they’ll win this skirmish, that the public is with them and that Obama will take the heat if it goes badly.
The performance of Ted Cruz on Meet The Press, Sunday, sealed it, essentially telling the nation that Obama is reprehensible for allowing them to continue to put a gun to America’s head when all he has to do is give up his signature legislation and the good of millions. I was watching when Newt had his temper tantrum; this is something much deeper and darker. Mercury’s lengthy visit in Scorpio seems appropriate, since most American’s haven’t dug deeply into either the facts of the matter or their feelings about this. Maybe on the other side, the public will shake off the lethargy and move!
“Sedition: Conduct or language inciting rebellion against the authority of a state.”
“Treason: Violation of allegiance toward one’s country or sovereign, especially the betrayal of one’s country by waging war against it or by consciously and purposely acting to aid its enemies.”
The republican party has done more harm to the US than al Qaeda. Do you feel they should face consequences for their actions?