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*Mercury and Venus Enter Libra, Then a Virgo New Moon
*It’s Obama/Biden vs McCain/Palin
*Hurricane Gustav-a Timely Reminder of 2005 Katrina-Bush Fiasco
[From my 'Shimmering Stars' column in The Westchester Guardian, © 2008]
SHELLEY ACKERMAN
Photo: Rich Press
Democratic Convention: A Glittering Home Run…
After an astrologically shaky opening chart on August 25th, the Dems quickly recovered with a cavalcade of winning presentations by Caroline and Ted Kennedy, Michelle Obama (perfect, but for too many “Y’see’s” in her speech), Montana’s Governor Brian Schweitzer, Hillary and Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, and Joe Biden, all of whom were spectacularly inspiring. Stevie Wonder’s performance added soul, spirit, and even more good will to the rousing celebration which was attended by 84,000. Thursday night culminated in Barack Obama’ historic and powerful acceptance speech. By most accounts he and it couldn’t have been better.
But they could have gone further in their condemnation of what has gone wrong in the past eight years: Presidential candidate Rep Dennis Kucinich, who spoke on Tuesday night, had a very wonderful and biting line deleted from his speech by the Obama Campaign. Democracy Now reported this from The Hill:
Obama Campaign Redacted Kucinich Line on Jailing GOPers: In other campaign news, The Hill newspaper has revealed the Obama campaign removed one line from Congress member Dennis Kucinich’s fiery speech before the convention earlier this week. Kucinich’s wide-ranging address criticized war profiteering, the oil giants, Wall Street, pharmaceutical companies and, most of all, the Bush administration, which he said invaded Iraq for oil. But Obama staffers redacted one line suggesting Republicans should be jailed. The line read, “They’re asking for another four years—in a just world, they’d get ten to twenty.”
McCain’s Choice: Sarah’s Palin by Comparison:
Pardon the pun, but I was thrown but underwhelmed by John McCain’s shocking selection of Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska. Born on the dark of the Moon on Feb. 11, 1964 in Idaho, Sarah Palin is a conservative under-experienced mother of five who is completely pro-life even in the case of rape and incest. Alaska is the most incest-intensive state I’m told. What is McCain thinking? Palin has the Sun, Mars and Saturn conjunct in Aquarius. Her Moon is either in late Capricorn or early Aquarius and with no birth time, we haven’t a clue as to what her ascendant might be. She has Venus at 1 Aries, which squares Obama’s Venus at 1 degree Cancer. Both are being squared by transiting Pluto. It would be easy to dismiss this choice as a death wish. But we cannot ignore the fact that Jupiter and Chiron will be all over her chart (and the US' Moon) next year and the nod came with transiting Saturn to her Uranus (ruler of her Aquarian planets). Saturday's New Moon at 7+ Virgo was a day and a degree away.
We will watch this bizarre story unfold with bated breath.
Labor Intensive- Gustav to hit New Orleans
It’s such a tickle to astrologically-minded folk, professionals and fans alike, that so many of our man-made holidays coincide perfectly with their corresponding astrological signs. Virgo is the sign of work, health, and routine, so it comes as no surprise that Labor Day is honored during Virgo month? Virgo also rules integrity, synthesis, and connective tissue in and out of our bodies. With Saturn in Virgo (on and off through mid 2010) it is imperative to get our individual work and health trips, and our collective environmental issues in order. Health and Labor issues will continue to be the focus in this election season.
When Hurricane Katrina hit and devastated New Orleans three years ago, Saturn was in early Leo. This time it’s an election year and Saturn is in Virgo. Early on Friday the National Guard rolled into town in preparation. The Bush clan wouldn’t dare mess this one up, and there’s talk of postponing next week’s convention.
Mercury and Venus both enter relationship-oriented Libra this week. Mercury will remain in the justice-seeking air sign through 11:00 AM on Election Day. Yes, similar to 2000, Mercury (the trickster- tabulator) will go from 29 Libra to zero degrees of Scorpio on the day of a close Presidential Election. Heaven help us.
Chart: Virgo New Moon
Click for larger view
Aug 28: Moon in Leo, Mercury enters Libra @ 10:50 pm
Aug 29: Venus Square Pluto @ 5:50 am, Moon V/C @ 11:44 pm
Aug 30: Moon enters Virgo @ 2:18 pm, Venus enters Libra @ 10:41 am,
New Moon @ 7Virgo48 @ 3:58 pm
Sept 1: Moon V/C @ 5:01 am, Moon enters Libra @ 7:44 am
Sept 3: Moon V/C @ 1:09 pm, Moon enters Scorpio @ 4:02 pm,
Sun conj Saturn @ 10 AM
*Moon v/c = ‘void of course’, Best for spiritual not earthly pursuits
ARIES: Some times the best solution to a problem can be found within the problem itself. Sounds tricky? Not exactly: The next two months presents an intricate balancing act between work, your social life, and your significant other or BFF. The key to navigating said conundrum may be supplied by the love and wisdom from that significant other. Do not eliminate him or her from the equation. And no, you won’t lose your autonomy and independence, you will enhance it.
TAURUS: Though it’s illogical, for the next two months or so, partying is harder and takes more out of you than work! So spruce up your cubicle (or home office as the case may be), and settle in- you’ll be spending many pleasant hour there and with luck, you will accomplish much more than you thought possible this Fall. Approach a hobby in a new way: Through the beginning of November, all creative projects need calm and the right setting in order to flourish. A romantic partner and/or your kids may need some tough love.
GEMINI: I have three words for you: Do your duty. Your ruling planet, mercury, moves into social, relationship-py, and high-minded Libra through November 4th, and rather than chase your tail about where a romance is or isn’t going, focus on getting your tasks done at home and on the job. Wasting time is no longer a healthy option for you. The strange thing is, that paying attention and committing to what you thought would be boring, ends up bringing you peace.
CANCER: Sweet times at home base gives way to a serious discussion about a neighborhood issue-or one with a sibling- that must culminate with a commitment to fix once and for all. As Mercury goes forward and backwards (during the retro in late Sept-mid Oct), and then forward again, details and strategies may shift. Do not allow yourself to get frustrated with as plans A, B, and C pop up. Your flexibility with family members is crucial this Fall. Passing this test will feel so good when it’s all over.
LEO: The entrance of Mercury and Libra in your third house of communications and siblings adds to your already impressive profile as “Town Crier”. But before you start spreading any news, make sure that you have your facts straight: Circumstances will change and things will go back and forth through the beginning of November. The New Moon in your second house of income serves to help you continue on your commitment to economic sobriety. This stringent diet, though necessary now, won’t have to last forever.
VIRGO: Your ruling planet, Mercury, enters your second house of finance with its pal Venus, and the two are set to indulge their shop-till-you-drop selves like nobody’s business. But cooler and more conservative heads know better and will prevail, right? The New Moon in Virgo close to parental Saturn must oversee all that you do for now. Truth be told, many of the things you love and want will not look so good in another month or so. Wait it out.
LIBRA: What fun! Your ruling planet Venus enters your sign for a 25 day stint, and as is always the case with Venus in Libra, you will look ravishing and be a magnet to all. But looks are deceiving and only you know the depth of your worries. Try to not let the Sun/Moon/Saturn build up in your hidden 12th house keep you up at night. If ever you needed help from the other side to lift your karmic load it’s now. Ask the universe to heal any concerns from past lives and be willing to do what you can to ease the burdens of others.
SCORPIO: The best advice for this back to school week for you Scorp, is “the majority rules” The New Moon in your 11th house with stern Saturn reminds that though sometimes being a team player is a royal pain, but you have little choice but to be democratic for now. As a matter of fact, the less said the better. You will be in a much better and stronger position in a few weeks, closer to your birthday, at which time people will be begging you for input.
SAGITTARIUS: Sometimes when you get what you want, it’s a mixed bag, at work especially: There are rules, personalities, and all kinds of baloney to deal with. That’s how it is with Saturn at the top of your chart. But the New Moon up there pretty much guarantees that playing by the rules and keeping mum more than usual will pay off. People who you meet on the job may not show their true colors for a while: Best to remain in observation mode (and don’t get too close to any newbies) until further notice.
CAPRICORN: The New Moon with your ruler Saturn in the 9th house of laws and beliefs totally revisits and restructures a core philosophy of yours, and it’s about time. Rigidity has it’s place but at this point an old MO of yours has seen better days. The good news is that your career house is alive and well, and teaming with new and stimulating prospects and possibilities. Their may be some back and forths, so no commitments for the time being. Tell those who push for one, that you’re waiting till after the elections.
AQUARIUS: No one knows the trouble you’ve seen because for the most part you’re very mindful about keeping your problems to yourself. While that’s commendable, do not do so if it means destroying your digestive system. There may be an excellent counselor, teacher, or spiritual adviser who strikes your fancy. If so, it may be wise to open up a dialogue. If a bank or lender treats you unfairly, expose them (to a media outlet?) and look for another to give your business to.
PISCES: If a partner needs tough love, don’t crumble. And by the same token, be willing to step up to the plate and be accountable when and if they call you on your own stuff. It’s time to be a grown-up and that means being responsible to those you care about and totally present when it comes to financial decisions. Doing right by yourself and others is how to insure getting (or keeping) a piece of property or a high-ticket item that you adore. A banker or lender will meet you half way, hang in there.