What a week it was last week, and what another week it will be this week — and the week after that.

Highlights this week are:

• Venus sextiles Uranus on Monday

• Venus trines Neptune on Tuesday

• Venus opposes Pluto on Wednesday

• Chiron enters Taurus on Friday

• Uranus squares Nodes on Saturday

• Sun enters Cancer on Sunday

• First Quarter Moon on Sunday

Beth Owl’s Daughter’s always-in-sync Tarot Card of the Week expects it will be feisty, as the fiery Seven of Wands makes yet another appearance. It was so much fun to see her last week when she came to Maine for vacation.

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It goes like this:

Monday

After a much-ado-about-nothing trivial pursuit, Moon enters Cancer at 8:14 AM ET.

No sleeping in, as the Cancer Moon is well positioned to act on its need for emotional and home/homeland security.

Well...sort of.

The Moon’s only aspect today is a square to Neptune in Aries. Yes, there is plenty of inspiration to be found; we’re just not sure if it’s for real.

On the other hand, a sincerely cooperative alignment between Venus and Uranus could expand the size of your tent — go ahead and reach across the aisle. Venus sextiles Uranus at 6:52 PM ET. Let’s hope this alignment facilitates cooperation and communication at the G7 summit, which begins today in France.

We will be hearing much more in matters of money, women, and the arts as the week progresses — especially around Wednesday, when Venus opposes Power-That-Be Pluto.

Tuesday

Welp. Last night’s cooperative spirit might be dampened this morning, as Moon squares Saturn at 5:23 AM ET. That’s lunchtime at the G7 and note that Saturn exactly squared the US Sun on Monday — the first in a series of three between now and March 2, 2027.

Not only that, but Saturn is opposing the US Saturn within a hairsbreadth through the summer, with one exact hit on the Ides of March 2027.

Translation: the last time transiting Saturn challenged the US Sun-Saturn square was in 2019, and we can refer to Wikipedia for examples of streamlining, cuts, losses — and also authoritative advances. They include the US withdrawing from an international treaty, building a wall along the border, immigration and social safety net restrictions, a proposal to buy Greenland, and an airplane crash at an airport named for George Bush (whose horoscope is also affected by transiting Saturn, as noted last week).

Based on what happened in 2019, we now have clues as to what we can expect through early 2027.

Meanwhile, Cancer Moon travels without interference for most of the business day. Moon meets up with Mercury at 4:11 PM ET, probably coinciding with news on a national security initiative, because that is a Cancer concern. There’s an easy flow of action and assertion, courtesy of Moon’s sextile to Mars, exact at 6:14 PM ET.

It’s all happening against the backdrop of a supercharged Venus and its regal and/or heartening social expression in Leo. If peace has been on the agenda for the past few days, it’s reflecting the trine (easy flow) between Venus and Neptune at 11:40 PM ET. Same goes if we’re talking about the performing arts.

Wednesday

Last night’s easy flow gets an expansive boost, for better or worse. At 3:40 AM ET, Moon meets up with Jupiter and then goes void for the next 4½ hours. If you’re on the East Coast, mind the void — and give yourself permission to take it slow.

At 8:05 AM ET, Moon enters Leo, driving the next two days with a need to shine — and ideally, help others shine, too. Upside: Leo Moon favors creativity, celebration, and heartfelt declarations. Downside: drama kings and queens may seize the day — to lord it over their perceived subjects.

It starts off smoothly enough, perhaps basking in the rosy glow of last night’s Venus-Neptune trine. Collaboration and healing are supported by Moon’s sextile to Uranus at 1:00 PM ET and Moon’s sextile to Neptune at 3:08 PM ET.

What happens next unfolds under the influence of Moon’s conjunction to Venus at 4:28 PM ET. At the same time, Venus opposes Pluto at 4:28 PM ET, followed by Moon opposing Pluto at 4:38 PM ET.

Translation: matters involving regal expression, money, women, and the arts may be pushed to emotional extremes, including power plays and purges. You are more personally affected by this opposition if you have planets around 5 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. Off the top of my head, that includes President Zelenskyy, Stephen Miller, Prince Jackson, and Chief Justice John Roberts.

Thursday

Creative spectacles and performances are supported by a trine between the Leo Moon and Saturn, exact at 6:26 AM ET. Administrative endeavors may carry the day away like a fireball running down a mountain, building to a doggedly passionate release around 10:33 PM ET, when Moon squares Mars.

Watch the 80-year-old in the Oval Office (or Switzerland, if there’s an unconditional surrender to sign), as transiting Mars is now on his Midheaven, putting career status in the spotlight in matters of court opinions, publishing, sports, and foreign affairs. We expect action and assertion/aggression — and this stretch continues all through next week. Transiting Mars is prominent in many charts we’ll be keeping an eye on over the next several days, including Israel, Cuba, Putin, Bibi Netanyahu, Jeffrey Epstein and JD Vance.

It would not surprise me if raging wounded warriors were making news with a sense of urgency, given that this is the last full day of Chiron in Aries — at least for the next few months. More on that in a minute.

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Friday

It’s Juneteenth — now a federal holiday commemorating the announcement in Texas on June 19, 1865, that enslaved Americans were free, as historian Heather Cox Richardson explains.

When Election Day becomes a national holiday, that is when I will break out the champagne.

Nevertheless, as the day dawns, leaders of business and state enter the spotlight. Sun is nearing the end of Gemini — soon to enter Cancer. A new season is a turning point — more on that in a minute.

First, Moon’s sextile to the Sun at 7:30 AM ET suggests a semblance of balance — and then Moon goes void for three hours. I believe that around 7:30 AM ET is when last weekend’s talked-about “peace deal” pertaining to the war against Iran is scheduled to be signed.

Chill during the three-hour void and remember that crises which crop up during voids are usually much ado about nothing. Take it slow if you’re up and about — and roll with any twists or flakes.

Once Moon enters Virgo at 10:36 AM ET, use it to clean up the confetti from the Leo Moon’s party. Organize to your heart’s content — on a quest for a more perfect union. A disruption to the status quo arrives around 4:05 PM ET, as Moon squares chaos agent Uranus.

Then, at 5:20 PM ET, Chiron enters Taurus, for an initial stay until September 17.

For useful background on Chiron in general — and for a reminder of how planets often announce themselves when they enter a new sign — check out this past forecast and this one, written when Chiron entered Aries.

Note that Chiron is associated with ecology, and note that Taurus refers to Mother Earth. After Uranus’s seven-year disruptive trek through Taurus (which only recently ended), we will be given plenty of opportunities to come to terms — and hopefully heal — dysfunctional attitudes and actions involving Taurus concerns, including, but not limited to, possessions, hoarding, money, the body, self-worth, food, and home — especially the ecology of our home planet.

I expect we’ll see a headline within a day or two of Chiron’s ingress into Taurus, delivering a powerful message for us to consider through 2034.

Do we really need more trillionaires? What does it mean to have “enough?”

Chiron retrogrades back into Aries on September 17 and does not fully commit to Taurus until April 14, 2027. Between September 17 and April 14, Chiron will once again bring our attention to matters involving wounded warriors.

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Saturday

A need to sort through details and organize for the sake of getting it right may take center stage. Since yesterday’s surprise encounter with rebel Uranus at 4:05 PM ET, Moon has been traveling through Virgo without interference from the other kids in the cosmic sandbox.

The Sun is now at the very end of Gemini, and leaders are likely to be making more than their usual share of news. Emmanuel Macron, Alexei Navalny, Liz Cheney, King Charles, and Prince William are personally affected.

Meanwhile, while you were sleeping, Uranus squared the North and South Nodes. Watch for news from the fringe, the rebels, the eccentrics, the astrologers, the tech lords, and the mad scientists. Watch for sudden encounters that may be as transformative as a genetic mutation. Some may be shocking; others may arrive as unexpected opportunities, breakthroughs, or overnight successes.

You are more personally affected by the publicity potential of this pattern if you have planets around 3 degrees of Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo, and Pisces. Off the top of my head, that includes Joe Biden and Barack Obama. That makes perfect sense, given that Friday — Juneteenth — is the official opening day of Obama’s presidential library.

Astrology is amazing.

Sunday

At 4:24 AM ET, Sun enters Cancer a/k/a the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Happy birthday to all the Crabs!

Here’s what you need to know about the first day of any season — i.e., equinoxes and solstices — from an astrological point of view. The first days of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter correspond with the first day (or first degree) of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn, respectively (there are thirty degrees in each sign of the zodiac). Got that? Good. This is for the Northern Hemisphere. The Southern Hemisphere has different rules.

These four signs are called cardinal signs. Cardinal signs initiate. They come up with the idea and put it into action, which leads to necessary change. “Cardinal” suggests (from the Latin root of the word), “that on which something turns or depends.”

So the first day/degree of a cardinal sign is a turning point.

In astrology, the technical term for the first degree of any cardinal sign is the Aries Point, just to confuse people who are not professional astrologers. In other words, the first degree of Cancer, Libra, Capricorn, and Aries is at the Aries Point. The first degree of Taurus (and the rest of the signs) is not. Clear?

Equinoxes and solstices are also prominent. We make a fuss over them, right? In Japan, the first day of each season is actually a national holiday. How cool is that?

Thus, in a horoscope, a planet or angle at the Aries Point needs to be prominent.

A person born with the Sun in Cancer is here to create and maintain emotional security. Cancer is ruled by the Moon, which changes signs faster than any other celestial body. Moon refers to emotional response; thus, Cancers have a rep for being moody.

The keywords for Cancer are: I FEEL.

If you are a Cancer born in the first half of the sign, my money says you’ve been feeling a lot this year, especially in matters of responsibility — maybe even loss. Cancers born in the first few days of the sign may be feeling loss — and lost!

How long will this last — and how can you make the most of the opportunities presented? Maybe you’d like to talk about it with your astrologer.

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FYI, ancient astrologers used the horoscopes for these seasonal turning points as guidance for what a particular nation-state could expect during that season. War or peace? Famine or abundance? Stuff like that. In the June 4th Chart Fest/Q&A, we looked at the chart for the Summer Solstice, set in Washington, DC. A replay is available to patron subscribers of Why Now News.

Meanwhile...

If you’re not chilling on this Sunday, the Virgo Moon is ready to help you with any organizational task, especially in the morning.

Moon sextiles Mercury at 5:03 AM ET and trines Mars at 7:05 AM ET — good for walking your talk. Moon sextiles Jupiter at 1:33 PM ET, making for a pleasant indulgence. Chill during the ensuing 3½-hour Moon void. At 4:54 PM ET, Moon enters Libra, now seeking fairness and balance in relationships.

There may be an airing of the grievances over said fairness — or lack thereof — as Moon squares Sun at 5:55 PM ET. This First Quarter Moon affects you more than most if you have planets around 0 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. That includes Prince William — which only makes sense, given that today is his birthday.

The weekend ends with a lovely opportunity to gather with your friends: Moon trines Uranus at 11:01 PM ET.

Monday

Inspiration or uncertainty? Moon opposes Neptune at 1:06 AM ET, suggesting that not everything is as it seems. Maybe have another glass of wine with Sunday’s lingering dinner guests. Moon trines Pluto at 2:25 AM ET, offering an opportunity to get to the bottom of whatever is really going on. The bottom of the glass?

Upon waking, Libra Moon is more interested in finding common ground than picking fights. Cooperation is supported by Moon’s sextile to Venus at 1:15 PM ET. Still, a wet blanket may be dropped around 7:07 PM ET, as Moon opposes Saturn and reality calls. If someone says “no,” they are serious.

The Libra Moon will have all day tomorrow to work it out.

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And now the news.

Last week, there was the much-ballyhooed meet-up of Venus and Jupiter in Cancer, promising joyful abundance or wretched excess, depending on one’s character — or lack thereof.

There was also the deadly serious reality check of a square between Mercury (also in Cancer) and Saturn in “because I said so” Aries.

Let’s start with joyful abundance. How about those KNICKS!!!!!???

• “Knicks give their city something new: impossible joy” — from the NYT, which also said the team “sprinkled magic all over the city.” It will be no surprise to Avid Readers that Knicks MVP Jalen Brunson, who scored a record 45 out of 94 points in Game 5, was personally affected by last week’s potentially abundant Venus-Jupiter conjunction at 25 degrees Cancer. Brunson has Venus-Mars at 23-24 Cancer, opposing mystical, magical Neptune at 25 Capricorn — a recipe for magic indeed. But practical. Brunson is a Virgo with Moon in pioneering Aries, a placement often seen in sportsball team leaders. Here is what we know of the rest of his horoscope — no birth time.

• Speaking of sportsball, a shout-out to Adam Kinzinger for posting a weekly Good News Sunday on his Substack. This week, he shared news of how townspeople in Lawrence, KS and Alexandria, VA extended warm hospitality to soccer players from Algeria and Croatia.

This one is joyful — with a shot of Mercury-Saturn bitters:

• “Workers remove that name from the Kennedy Center.” Let historian Heather Cox Richardson tell you about the petty drama that unfolded on Friday, as only a surreality TV-show runner could imagine it. Talk about a day driven by “I’m not going anywhere” Taurus. Then, Dr. Richardson tell you what happened the next day — despite court orders — and follow that up with the wretched freak show that was staged at the Lincoln Memorial and the White House. Meanwhile, I will tell you that hiding the removal of that name behind a tarp seems fitting for an event taking place on a dead Moon. Even cooler: when that name was being removed from The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, JFK’s horoscope was having a Mars return. Jupiter was at the top of his horoscope. Translation: the Mars return heralds a new two-year cycle of action and assertion, which in JFK’s horoscope refers to significant others, including open enemies. Jupiter at the top of the chart suggests public acclaim; elevated status. The horoscope lives forever — and here is JFK’s.

These next ones are wretchedly excessive.

• “SpaceX jumps after record IPO, making Musk the first trillionaire” — and rumor has it that Musk wanted to launch on the week of the Venus-Jupiter conjunction. We can look at that chart in the next Chart Fest/Q & A — on Wednesday, July 1st — 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT. Upgrade your free subscription to receive a link to join the fun.

• “Paramount - WB/Discovery merger wins approval from DOJ” — we looked at the Ellisons in a Chart Fest/Q & A months ago and noted that David Ellison’s horoscope in particular was going to be supercharged by Pluto right about now — with the story continuing into 2027.

This one is wretchedly excessive — and a hard-nosed reality check:

• “Inside the White House freakout over the Epstein files” — and the effort to cover them up. What’s also interesting about the timing of the article’s publication is that the top-secret cover-up meeting revealed happened on July 17, 2025 — when the Sun was at 25 Cancer and the Moon was at 24 Aries. The astrology of that meeting was activated last week by the Venus-Jupiter conjunction at 25 Cancer. Of course it would be revealed NOW.

In other news…

Avid Readers may recall that there is often an astonishing synchronicity between the horoscopes of people in the obituaries and the planetary patterns at the time of death.

• “Gene Shalit, film critic bristling with hair and puns, dies at 100.” Shalit was an Aries, born on March 25, 1926. in NYC. Ergo, transiting Saturn hit his Sun several weeks ago; transiting Neptune is sitting right on it now. Transiting Saturn is currently on his Mercury in Aries, which in turn is square to his Pluto. Bristling indeed — but oh-so-playful with Moon in love-love-me-do Leo. It’s possible that Leo Moon is on his Neptune and square Saturn. But what’s most fascinating about his passing during this particular week is that Shalit’s horoscope has a Venus-Jupiter conjunction in Aquarius, which is being squared this week by transiting Mars.

I could go on and on…

…but I’ve been writing for ten hours and it’s almost midnight.

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Highlights this week:

Third Quarter Moon on Monday
Venus conjunct Jupiter on Tuesday
Mercury square Saturn on Wednesday
Venus enters Leo on Saturday
New Moon in Gemini on Sunday

Beth O…

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Thanks to all who Zoomed in on Thursday for another enriching Chart Fest Q & A. The next one will be on Wednesday, July 1st — 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT.

We looked at:

• Bari Weiss & Scott Pelley (with a mention of Sen. Andy Kim)

• Cuba & Marco Rubio

• Summer Solstice

• Blue Origin launch

• Bill Pulte & John Bolton

• E. Jean Carroll

A time-coded summary is below the paywall.

These Zoom Q&As are where astrology really comes alive. Paid subscribers receive full access to the REPLAYs, along with invitations to future gatherings. Insights from everyone in our stellar group make the discussion that much richer.

If you can’t see the link to the recording, click on the UPGRADE BUTTON to convert your free subscription to a paid monthly or annual.

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If you’d rather not commit to a subscription, you may purchase the link to watch this one replay for $18. Once I receive your payment, I will email you the link.

ChartFest Replay $18

Warmly,

— Elisabeth

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Just a reminder that next Astrology Q&A/ChartFest is TONIGHT — Thursday, June 4th at 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT.

This exclusive gathering for patron subscribers of Why Now News is where we discover the astro-logic of these interesting times.

Tech talk is translated into plain English for all, whilst students of astrology will appreciate the opportunity to study the charts.

Post your questions and chart suggestions in the comments — or email me. Possibilities include:

• Astrology for June — including the next New Moon and the Summer Solstice chart

• Astrologer Linda Goodman — why is she making news NOW?

• Scott Pelley — who was just fired from 60 Minutes — why NOW?

• Solar returns for the US and the current president

How to attend:

Paid subscribers: your Zoom link is at the bottom of this email — under the chatty coffee cups.

Not a patron yet?

You have two options.

• Upgrade your free subscription:

UPGRADE

• Or join us for this one night only if you’d rather not commit to a subscription. I’ll email you the Zoom and replay links directly:

Yes! I'm in for $18!

Warmly,

Elisabeth

P.S. — I’m teaching a five-week class on Mundane Astrology at Kepler College — starting on June 27th — here are the details!

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The next Astrology Q&A/ChartFest is Thursday, June 4th at 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT.

This exclusive gathering for patron subscribers of Why Now News is where we reveal the astro-logic behind the seemingly random chaos — to help you stay grounded in interesting times.

If you’re a student of astrology, you’ll appreciate the chance to study the charts — with tech talk translated into plain English for everyone else.

Post your questions and chart suggestions in the comments — or email me. Possibilities include:

• Astrology for June — including the next New Moon and the Summer Solstice chart

• Astrologer Linda Goodman — why is she making news NOW?

• Scott Pelley — who was just fired from 60 Minutes — why NOW?

• Solar returns for the US and the current president

How to attend:

Paid subscribers: your Zoom link is at the bottom of this email — under the chatty coffee cups.

Not a patron yet?

You have two options.

• Upgrade your free subscription:

UPGRADE

• Or join us for this one night only if you’d rather not commit to a subscription. I’ll email you the Zoom and replay links directly:

Yes! I'm in for $18!

Warmly,

Elisabeth

Read more

Why do we say this?

Beth Owl’s Daughter explains:

It’s from Old English folk wisdom that says if you say, “Rabbit! Rabbit!” (sometimes it’s “Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit!” or “White hares!” the very first thing on the first day of the month, you will have good luck for the whole month. I learned it from my mom and have been doing it since I was little, but my husband tells me our local news team all said it in unison this morning!

Anyway, if you have not said a word to anyone yet, you’re in luck, if your first words this morning are “Rabbit! Rabbit!”

If not, well, sorry. Maybe next month!

And there you have it.

Highlights this week:

• Mercury enters Cancer on Monday

• Sun sextiles Saturn on Tuesday

• Mercury squares Neptune on Wednesday

It goes like this:

Monday — mind the long void!

Sleep in or flake without consequence -- don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. The mountain could be the metaphorical fireball rolling downhill as the Sagittarius Moon runs wild all day. Prominent news involving homeland security may come courtesy of Mercury’s ingress into Cancer at 7:55 AM ET. We are all going to learn to appreciate the pluses and minuses of thinking intuitively until August 10th. That’s how long it will take before Mercury enters Leo. Why? Because Mercury goes retrograde on June 29th. There will be no whingeing!

The long Moon void ends at 9:19 PM ET, as Moon enters Capricorn -- seeking to Make Things Happen. But first, Moon is opposed by Mercury at 11:31 PM ET, and we are reminded that there is no crying in baseball.

Tuesday

If there’s a election in your state get to the polls. Because if you don’t vote, someone else will -- and then you’ll be sorry. Yes, you may quote me on that.

Moon square Neptune at 5:35 AM ET makes this a morning to note your dreams. Turning those dreams into reality may drive the rest of the day, as the proactive, Powers That Be Capricorn Moon is supported by Mars at 8:02 PM ET. Further support comes from Sun’s sextile to Saturn, at 6:48 PM ET, suggesting cooperation, coordination and communication in matters of leaders of business and state.

Caveat: after the easy flow of action between Moon and Mars, a block, cut, or other necessary control presents itself, as Moon squares Saturn at 10:25 PM ET. I expect more than one heavy loss as the results come in. Get. To. The. Polls.

For those interested in the day-by-day forecast for a Certain Person, we may expect action and aggression in the extreme today, as transiting Mars squares that person’s Pluto. Pluto rules the area of the Certain Person’s horoscope that refers to home, country, and real estate; Mars refers to broadcasting, court opinions, and foreign affairs. This Mars-Pluto square has been building for several days -- now reaching peak intensity. [UPDATE: the square was exact around 5 AM ET on Monday, June 1st].

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Wednesday

Twelve hours later, at 10:37 AM ET, Capricorn Moon’s need for achievement is opposed by Venus -- women, money, values, social graces -- in home/family security-focused Cancer. Keep an eye on the 119th Congress, as this opposition affects its horoscope (which notably has wounded warrior Chiron on its 19 Aries Ascendant). Translation: a governing body with a permanent limp -- and even that may be too kind. Whether that limp reflects injury, sacrifice, dysfunction, resilience, or some combination thereof remains an open question.

Information and communication should be double checked for clarity, as Mercury squares Neptune at 8:18 PM ET. This pattern has been in effect for a few days. Downside: rose-colored spin intended to deceive. Upside: an opportunity to think creatively about intangibles, including music, healing, vision, and spirits. Watch for how these themes show up “like magic” in your own personal world.

As an example, I offer this forecast from November 8, 2010. Some of you saw it last week; most of you haven’t.

Back then, I wrote:

More on color, music and other non-verbal, intangible contemplation. Yesterday (Saturday) featured a strong connection between Mercury (mind, travel) and nebulous Neptune (spirituality, fantasy, sacrifice) often seen in the horoscopes of people with rich imaginations and an aptitude for making music. Is this why the forecast has been delayed (words have failed me) or why I could not stop thinking about a musical episode on the bus ride home from last Sunday’s Rally for Sanity?

Bear with me, this really is going somewhere…eventually about the New Moon.

I asked our eccentric lady bus driver if she’d mind changing the static-ky (stat-icky?) radio station that was poisoning the airwaves, and she said she’d be happy to replace it with a CD, if a passenger had one handy. A CD? How quaint…but darned if a college kid didn’t happen to have one he was excited to share.

“These are bluegrass instrumental arrangements of some songs by the Beatles!”, he says (with a great deal of authority), as we were treated to the opening bars of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” a la banjo . Cheesy? Yes. But darned if those Lennon-McCartney tunes didn’t hold up with every twang — and I found myself marveling at the beauty of each chord progression and wondering WHY — as in, “why do these sounds gathered together in this particular way have so much power to move the soul — why are they so beautiful?”

Fast forward to yesterday (pun obviously intended), in which I persuade a composer friend to break down the chord structures of — you guessed it — “Yesterday”, etc. on a Yamaha baby grand — what exactly am I hearing when the juxtaposition of two chords strikes me as beautiful, and why is this music so timeless?

Composer Friend explains that what I’m hearing is a chord in a major key immediately followed by a chord in the relative minor…blah blah “roots in church music dating from 500-600 AD through the Middle Ages”…blah blah Modal harmony, as in the “Dorian mode”, more church music, Mozart, Bach, etc., which goes back to the music of the Ancient Greeks…and while I’m kicking myself for not taking more music theory in college, am I also appreciating that the reason these Beatles tunes feel timeless is because they are; humans have been responding to the intrinsic beauty of these sounds for who knows how long, and at least as far back as Ancient Greeks…

If you’re wondering how that Mercury-Neptune square was tied to other patterns on that November 2010 day, that full forecast is here.

You are more personally affected by the current Mercury-Neptune square if you have placements around 4 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. Since that applies to me, your local astrologer, you can appreciate why I’m inspired to share sixteen-year-old musings on music and beauty. Neptune refers to memories, too, doncha’ know. This pattern also applies to the natal Mercury-Neptune square in the horoscope of the Certain Person dominating the news, increasing the expression of his own magical thinking, if you ask me.

After the evening’s Mercury-Neptune square perfects (this is the technical term, and it is pronounced “per-FECTS”), notice how the need to Make Things Happen is expressed with exuberance or wretched excess, as Moon opposes Jupiter at 11:04 PM ET. Whatever it is, CHILL for the next eleven hours, as the Capricorn Moon will be void.

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Thursday

You are free to take it slow this morning. Roll with the Moon-void twists and flakes, which may include pouring cold water over coffee beans you forgot to grind (based on a true story). Moon regains focus when it enters Aquarius at 9:45 AM ET, now driving the day with a need to express unique social significance within the context of a group.

Use the easy flow among Moon, Uranus, and Neptune (at 2:18 PM ET and 6:00 PM ET, respectively) for inspired networking and reaching across the aisle in service of a shared vision. Note the potential for a purge, revelation, or other power play around 8:21 PM ET, as Moon meets up with Pluto.

Friday

Take what’s left of last night’s purge and build a better idea, supported by Moon’s sextile to Saturn at 10:50 AM ET.

Yes, there may be a stubborn clash of wills around 11:59 AM ET, as Moon squares Mars in Taurus.

Balance is restored as Moon trines Sun at 3:50 PM ET — and then goes void for the next 29 hours.

Start the weekend early.

Saturday

Mind the nearly all-day Moon void! CHILL and take time to wander if you can.

Avoid major purchases, especially impulse buys, as the conventional wisdom argues that purchases made during Moon voids may not live up to expectations.

But don’t just take it from me. Test the theory for yourself.

At 8:42 PM ET, Moon enters Pisces, now seeking a depth of feeling that may have seemed baffling earlier.

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Sunday

A shocking twist or other disruption is likely, as Moon squares Uranus at 1:21 AM ET.

The only other pattern today is a trine between Moon and Mercury, exact at 3:14 PM ET.

Go with the intuitive flow...

Monday

...which may include an easy flow of action and assertion, as Moon sextiles Mars at 1:16 AM ET.

At 6:00 AM ET, we have the challenge of the Third Quarter Moon, as it squares the Gemini Sun. Be advised that this lunation activates rebel Uranus in the horoscope of a Certain Person.

A lovely evening could be yours as Moon trines Venus and Jupiter at 7:04 PM ET and 8:38 PM ET, respectively.

Do look up at the sky, as Venus and Jupiter are oh-so-close together this week, with an exact meet-up on Tuesday. Somehow, we will see women, money, the arts, and social graces woven into themes of national security, patriotism, and motherhood, for better or worse. You are more personally affected by this meet-up if you have planets around 25 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn.

And if you want to buy a couple of lottery tickets, I won’t stop you. A jackpot of some kind is likely to be in the news.

Meanwhile...

Beth Owl’s Daughter’s always-in-sync Tarot Card of the Week is already tuning in to the creative abundance potential of the Venus-Jupiter conjunction in Cancer. Please welcome.... The Empress.

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And now, the news.

Last week’s Mars-Pluto and Venus-Saturn squares suggested explosive action and harsh cuts and losses. No soup for you!

Though the feared explosion at a chemical plant in Southern California was averted, we did have:

• “Chemical implosion kills multiple people at Washington paper mill”

• “Fire at NYC Penn Station causes injuries, delays, suspended service”

• “Meteor explodes over Massachusetts” -- as the Moon was about to oppose Uranus...surprise, surprise

• “New photos show UFC arena towering over White House” and East Wing rubble. A heartbreaking picture worth innumerable words.

• “’What I witnessed today was shameful,’ says US Senator Andy Kim.” Kim was pepper sprayed (Mars-Pluto) by ICE at Delaney Hall in NJ, where detainees are on a hunger strike (Venus-Saturn). Kim made headlines on January 6, 2021 when he was photographed cleaning up the horrid mess left in Capitol by insurrectionists. The photo was taken with transiting North Node on Kim’s Venus -- a marker for potential publicity.

• “Blue Origin rocket explodes into huge ball of flame on Florida launch pad.” Truly spectacular -- and an apt experience for transiting Saturn making the first of three passes to Jeff Bezos’s Jupiter over the next several months. That’ll clip someone’s wings.

• “Death toll in US boat strikes now at 200”

• “Extremely extreme:’ NC bill would authorize ‘deadly force’ against women seeking abortions” -- they say the bill will go nowhere, but the timing of this story fits planetary patterns.

Not physical explosions and/or deaths, but brutal cuts and controls all the same:

• “Women are not safe around men” -- an essay by lawyer Qasim Rashid, who publishes on Substack. It’s gone viral. Add wounded healer Chiron at the very end of Aries for this one.

• “Hegseth strikes female and Black Navy officers from a promotion list” -- a repeating pattern

• “Graham Platner’s wife calls reporting of spouse’s sexting ‘shameful.” Platner, as some may recall, generated way more excitement than Governor Janet Mills in the race for Susan Collins’s seat in the Senate.

But hey -- Mills is a Capricorn who is having three squares of Saturn to her Sun this year. That is not a warm, fuzzy, exciting thing — and she dropped out of the race because of lack of funds.

Platner, on the other hand is a natural-born Mr. Excitement, with Sun in Virgo square a Mars-Uranus conjunction in Sagittarius. Boundary-pushing recklessness is as natural as breathing -- and his Venus at 0 Libra suggests he can’t help but attract attention for his...social expression. I don’t know what will happen this November, but Platner’s horoscope will be in an excited state starting mid-2027 through 2028.

Random Fun fact: Susan Collins and Gisele Pelicot are astro twins.

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Elsewhere…

More cuts, controls, and reality checks:

• “This isn’t a recession. It’s worse.” Tough news from Blue Amp Media -- have you heard of them?

• “What Exxon told a room full of investors”

• “Total blackout hits St. Thomas and St. John in the US Virgin Islands”

• “A Certain Person’s mail-voting crackdown scheme advances, but there are setbacks for his gerrymandering push.” If you’re not familiar with Marc Elias at Democracy Docket, may I introduce you.

• Civil Discourse by Joyce Vance is another excellent resource for understanding important court cases. Her “Week Ahead” alert is essential.

In other news...

I believe I may have told you that transiting Mercury would be all over a Certain Person’s horoscope on Friday (if I didn’t, it was because I’m tired of writing about him and don’t want to bore you, either. But then stuff happens, as anticipated, and I feel you should know about it because astrology is amazing.

Anyhoo -- lots of cuts and losses for him:

• “‘Cancel it,” says a certain person, after artists drop out of his personal Freedom (sic) 250 state fair thingy”

• “Judge orders certain person’s name removed from Kennedy Center“and blocks planned closing for “renovations.” Don’t get too excited though, ‘cause US Interior Decorating Secretary Doug Burgum is not inclined to follow a judge’s order.

Meanwhile...

Amazing tech breakthroughs are expected during this long stretch of cooperation among the outer planets. Huzzah!!!

• “The household battery revolution that could change energy bills and the world”

• “mRNA is back and it’s fighting melanoma“

• “Revolution’s pancreatic cancer drug doubles survival; improves quality of life”

• “Cancer jab can eradicate tumors, trials show”

• “Groundbreaking genomic tests could spare millions of breast cancer patients from chemotherapy”

Also good news -- as small towns may inspire winning strategies for all:

• “Georgia town’s novel strategy to fight ICE jail impresses legal experts”

Finally...because I always want to leave you on a high note…

My mother and I saw this movie over the weekend:

• “The Sheep Detectives: farmland murder mystery is a shear delight”

And it really is.

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Executive Summary

In the aftermath of the Full Moon in Sagittarius, today’s conversation aptly reflected a search for meaning in a world of Gemini information overload, especially AI.

It went like this:

00:00:00 — Norma — sound healing meditation.

00:00:04 — A philosophical reflection on polarity, consciousness, and the nature of reality itself. Is the binary thinking reflected in both physical life and computer systems perhaps only one layer of a much larger field of awareness? Norma — through her guides — identified a significant time in the future where such questions may be more fully addressed…

00:00:17 …which coincides with the mid-2040s as Pluto enters Pisces and Uranus opposes it. But first, there was a discussion about how Uranus in Gemini is intensifying fragmentation and making it more difficult to categorize entities according to which “side” they are on.

00:00:25 — Intriguing perspectives offered by the group about what AI can and can’t do. Points made included the economic and environmental impact of data centers, and ethical challenges posed by AI’s increasingly autonomous behavior.

00:00:41 — Chiron’s upcoming ingress into Taurus. Chiron currently at the end of Aries, and what that implies.

00:00:49 — Explosions in the news as a reflection of Mars square Pluto.

00:00:54 — Neptune in Pisces, Neptune in Aries, the Summer Solstice chart (especially the placement of Ceres).

00:00:57 — Uranus in Gemini and fear of mind control.

00:01:00 — Author Peter Watt’s novel, Blind Sight — and the notion of evolving consciousness; what AI will never have.

00:01:04 — The power of imagination; Saturn-Neptune in Aries.

00:01:07 — Norma on the consciousness of humanity seeking connection; the consciousness of Earth.

00:01:11 — EG on AI’s seductive pull — not information, but the illusion of genuine connection.

00:01:13 — Uranus squaring the Nodes — and how it was reflected in this afternoon’s discussion! The challenge for North Node in Pisces; South Node in Virgo.

00:01:21 — closing song and thoughts from Norma.

Warmly,

Elisabeth

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If you’re free and feeling spontaneous on Sunday, May 31st at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT, please join sound shaman Norma Gentile and me for an illuminating afternoon chat.

When Norma and I touched base a few days ago, our conversation wandered into AI, a future date that caught both our attention, and what we’re calling the vaporization of duality. Increasingly, many of the lines we draw to define people, ideas, and experiences no longer seem as clear-cut. What happens when reality refuses to fit the story we’ve told about it?

Join us for an exploration of the strange new territory emerging between the binaries.

The Moon will be in Sagittarius — having just waxed to fullness opposite the Gemini Sun. Mercury will be at the very end of Gemini, poised to enter Cancer for a stay until August 9th. It feels like a threshold moment: one last chance to gather information, compare notes, and explore possibilities before the focus shifts from collecting data to digesting it.

I bring the astrology. Norma brings channeled insights from her guides (including Archangel Michael). Her observations about current events continue to be astonishingly in sync with the planetary patterns I track in Why Now News.

As always, Norma will start us off with a sound meditation — with piano, singing bowls, and shruti box.

Bring questions and observations — your participation is part of what makes these conversations come alive.

If you can’t join in person, a replay will be available to patron subscribers.

“Wanted to thank you for an extraordinary evening. The combo of the two of you was fantastic! These quick sessions are spectacular and each time I hear something else that makes the world a lot more sense!”

How to attend:

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Warmly,

Elisabeth

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Hello again from Maine!

First, an invitation….

If you’re free and feeling spontaneous on Sunday, May 31st at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT, please join sound shaman Norma Gentile and me for an illuminating afternoon chat, just in time for the Full Moon in Sagittarius.

I bring the astrology. Norma brings channeled insights from her guides (including Archangel Michael). Her observations about current events continue to be astonishingly in sync with the planetary patterns I track in Why Now News.

As always, Norma will start us off with live healing music and a guided meditation. Then, we will solve all of the world’s problems — or at least put them into a meaningful perspective so you can stay grounded in these interesting times.

Astro-logical highlights this week are:

Mars square Pluto on Tuesday
Sun trine Pluto on Tuesday
Venus square Saturn on Thursday
Full Moon in Sagittarius on Sunday

It goes like this:

Monday

A slow start to the day -- but no matter, if you’re honoring the Memorial Day holiday. Moon enters Libra at 10:34 AM ET, focused on fairness and balance in relationships -- and a willingness to talk about it.

Moon gains support from unconventional alliances, innovative thinking, and technology, as Moon trines Uranus at 1:48 PM ET. Humming in the background is the aforementioned, potentially brutal square between Mars (action, anger) and Pluto (extremes), exact just after midnight ET/9:02 PM PT. Pay attention to your surroundings — and your interactions with others.

You are more affected by this pattern if you have planets around 5 degrees of Aquarius, Taurus, Leo, and Scorpio. That includes President Zelenskyy, Stephen Colbert, Rep. Melanie Stansbury, and Chief Justice John Roberts.

If you have a project that requires physical stamina, use Mars-Pluto to your advantage. Push for clarity in the late afternoon, as Moon opposes Neptune at 6:05 PM ET, arguing for an avoidance of unpleasantness -- or a pipedream.

An action plan executed afterward is supported by an Air Grand Trine among Moon, Sun, and Pluto. Caveat: whoever is executing the plan may not have thought to invite input from others -- and may get away with it. In astrology, Grand Trines are often seen as lucky.

Tuesday — Mars square Pluto — explosive

An opposition between Moon and Saturn -- exact at 9:10 AM ET -- sets the tone for the rest of the day. The Libra Moon seeks avoidance of conflict; Saturn in Aries insists on dealing with boundaries, losses, and responsibilities. An earlier clash (3:08 AM ET) between Moon and Venus suggests strained alliances, domestic disputes, and headlines involving fairness, loyalty, and accountability. After the Saturn face-off, Moon travels without interference for the rest of the day. Translation: the atmosphere may feel oddly suspended. It’s a good time to stop forcing outcomes, keep plans simple, and focus on restoring the equilibrium likely disrupted by the explosive Mars-Pluto square exact at 12:02 AM ET.

Upside: a trine between the Sun (leaders) and Pluto (power and resources) at 11:52 AM ET may help stabilize situations that initially appeared volatile or dangerous. I’m thinking, for example, about the potentially explosive chemical tank in Southern California that may have developed a crack in recent days -- hopefully allowing pressure to be managed before the situation escalates into catastrophe.

UPDATE: fears of an explosion are no more — a relief for the 40,000 who reportedly evacuated the area.

At its best, the Sun-Pluto trine reflects competent stewardship, practical realism, and the ability to responsibly manage powerful forces and precious resources. Add in the weekend’s Sun-Neptune sextile for diffusing tension.

Wednesday — mind the void

A trine between high-functioning Mercury in Gemini and the Moon at 2:10 AM ET helps rational people gather their thoughts. Because Mercury is now sitting on the White House occupant's Gemini Sun, we may expect significant communication. A square between Moon and Jupiter at 7:32 AM ET provides exuberance or over-confidence -- but note that the Moon immediately goes void for the next 13+ hours. With the Moon void in Libra, people may bend over backwards to keep the peace or avoid unpleasantness -- even as plans drift, promises evaporate, or social interactions become strangely inconclusive. You know the Moon void drill: roll with the twists and flakes; avoid impulse shopping; don't make a mountain of crisis over a molehill. This, too, shall pass -- perhaps soon after 8:52 PM ET, when Moon enters Scorpio.

Thursday — a chilly Venus-Saturn square

Scorpio Moon needs to be appreciated for its depth and substance. It also needs to control the narrative. This need may be experienced in the extreme around 7:34 AM ET, as Moon makes its weekly clash with Pluto. Purges, power struggles, and catharses are possible, and further provocation is suggested by Moon’s opposition to Mars in territorial Taurus at 11:15 AM ET. A trine between Moon and Venus at 8:25 PM ET puts the homeland-security instincts of Venus in Cancer to work for the Scorpio Moon’s strategic agenda.

These influences are not especially conducive to warm and fuzzy feelings. A square between Venus and Saturn -- exact at 11:02 PM ET -- suggests headlines involving women who mean business (upside), as well as cuts, controls, and losses involving women, the arts, values, and money. In your own world, it may be time for a realistic assessment of responsibility, commitment, and emotional reciprocity in relationships.

Coupled with Tuesday’s Sun-Pluto trine, it is fascinating that Beth Owl’s Daughter’s Tarot Card of the Week is the Queen of Pentacles, reminding us that real strength is measured not merely by force or control, but by what we are able to preserve, cultivate, and sustain over time.

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And speaking of sustaining the earth, it can’t possibly be a coincidence that Al Gore is personally affected by this Venus-Saturn square, as Saturn now sits on his Aries Sun. Here he is, in the news:

• “20 years after ‘An Inconvenient Truth,’ Al Gore tweaks the climate shift”

Friday

Scorpio Moon travels without interference all day. In the aftermath of last night’s chilly Venus-Saturn square, the Scorpio Moon supports emotional honesty, deep conversations, research, and/or quiet absorption. Moon’s trine to Jupiter at 8:04 PM ET may bring a welcome sense of emotional ease -- and then the Moon goes void for the next 12+ hours. What’s done is done. There’s no need to push. Chill, wander, rest, and let things unfold in their own time.

Saturday

Moon shifts gears and enters Sagittarius at 8:44 AM ET. You are now free to move about the country, as it were. Moon in Sagittarius needs to broaden horizons and voice its righteous opinion. It’s not about being knowledgeable; it’s about being respected -- and thus being of influence. Now is the time to take a gambol or a gamble; entertain a perspective that is not your own; consider the Big Picture. Midday brings an upset or revelation, as Moon opposes Uranus at 12:44 PM ET. The rest of the day goes swimmingly, as Moon trines Neptune at 4:52 PM ET and sextiles Pluto at 7:34 PM ET. Emotions are on the rise as the Moon waxes to fullness on...

Sunday — Full Moon in Sagittarius

The Full Moon in Sagittarius is exact at 4:45 AM ET. Here is that chart, set in Washington, DC. We can use it to anticipate action in the US over the next couple of weeks.

Observations:

• It’s a Blue Moon -- meaning that it is the second Full Moon in a calendar month. So what, big deal. Seriously.

• A Full Moon in Sagittarius illuminates the relationship between facts and meaning, information and wisdom, the local story and the larger truth. Working through the curious, conversational, and fast-moving lens of a Gemini Sun, this lunation encourages questions, debate, learning, publishing, travel, and the sharing of ideas -- with a caveat against exaggeration, propaganda, and the temptation to mistake certainty for understanding. Sagittarius can be so righteous in its convictions, doncha’ know.

• This Full Moon illuminates the 7th house -- matters of allies and open adversaries. That’s the focus for the United States; your mileage may vary. Neighboring countries, postal systems, and transportation systems may also be significant concerns, given that Moon rules the 3rd house in this chart. This is also where we find chart ruler Venus -- in the 3rd, recovering from her get-real, miserly (perhaps) encounter with Saturn, and now fixated on the US public image and/or so-called leader.... which is frankly in terrible shape, and possibly on retreat.

• It is important to note that Chiron, the Wounded Healer, is at the verrrry end of Aries, where it will be until June 19th -- Juneteenth. Chiron in Aries may be thought of as a Wounded Warrior, and I expect plenty of actions with this theme over the next few weeks. With Chiron squaring the Midheaven, visible signs of systemic weakness, injury, or malfunction may be difficult to ignore -- projecting an image of an engine leaking oil all over the place.

• We should also note Mercury (how we need to think and communicate) at the end of Gemini -- commanding attention as it seeks to gather all the facts before plunging into silent Cancer (when have you ever heard a crab talk?). The facts involve money and worth, with Mercury in the 2nd house of this horoscope.

• The Sabian Symbol for this Full Moon is “a golden-haired goddess of opportunity,” suggesting success, for better or for worse. Moon is conjunct the Fixed Star Antares -- associated with military campaigns and strategic plans for advance and/or conquest. Hmmm. This Sabian Symbol last showed up on the Mars-Saturn conjunction of August 2016.

• The corresponding Sabian Symbol for the Gemini Sun in this Full Moon polarity is “an aeroplane falling.” Presumably this plane is falling because of gravity, and “gravity” echoes the sobriety of this week’s Venus-Saturn square. I suppose aeroplanes usually defy gravity, but the one in this Symbol doesn’t — though it’s not clear whether the plane is falling because the pilot is not in control or because the descent is deliberate. Hmmm. Astrologer James Burgess assumes the former but offers an optimistic take on how we can overcome the fear of death that such a free fall suggests: take the controls and soar upward. The last time I wrote about this Symbol was on the New Moon in Gemini of 2022.

• Utterly random segue about the possibly “descending plane.” I was today years old when I learned that the name Jared means “a man descending.” There are a number of Jareds in the news these days…Polis, Kushner, Golden. If they are descending, what’s their destination?

• The Gemini Sun is conjunct the Fixed Star Aldebaran, which is said to be fortunate -- but grants honors only through combat. Hmm. The US Uranus conjunct Aldebaran, and the US begins its Uranus Return soon.

• You are more personally affected by this Full Moon if you have planets around 10 degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Pisces. Off the top of my head that includes the United States, Rudy Giuliani, Viktor Orban, Robert DeNiro, Brooke Shields, Prince William, and George W. Bush.

• Moon’s next aspect is a trine to Saturn, exact at 9:20 AM ET. The Big Picture belief systems embodied by this Moon in Sagittarius are off to a supportive start....

• BUT...after Moon makes this connection, it will be void for the next 36 hours. CHILL.

Monday — mind the long void!

Sleep in or flake without consequence -- don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. The mountain could be the metaphorical fireball rolling down a mountain as the Sagittarius Moon runs wild all day. Prominent news involving homeland security may come courtesy of Mercury’s ingress into Cancer at 7:55 AM ET. We are all going to learn to appreciate the pluses and minuses of thinking intuitively until August 10th. That’s how long it will take before Mercury enters Leo. Why? Because Mercury goes retrograde on June 29th. There will be no whingeing!

The long Moon void ends at 9:19 PM ET, as Moon enters Capricorn -- seeking to Make Things Happen. But first, Moon is opposed by Mercury at 11:31 PM ET, and we are reminded that there is no crying in baseball.

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And now, the news.

Patterns driving the action last week included:

• Sun conjunct Uranus

• Venus square Neptune

• Sun sextile Neptune

• Mars square Pluto

The latter was — and still is — expected to generate explosive headlines, including the aforementioned fears of a chemical tank explosion in Southern California, and:

• “China coal mine explosion leaves 82 people dead”

• “Suspect killed after opening fire on Secret Service outside White House.” The Sun-Neptune sextile (and the Venus-Neptune square) were reflected by the suspect’s belief that he was the Messiah, apparently.

• Why Montreal sex workers chose F1’s Canadian GP to strike: ‘We don’t want to pay to work anymore’ — romantic fantasy Venus-Neptune melds with Mars (cars, desire) in the extreme (Pluto). The strike is the rebellious Sun-Uranus conjunction.

• “Pope Leo XIV makes historic apology for Vatican’s role in legitimizing slavery” — Sun-Neptune patterns suggest forgiveness and healing

• “US and Iran inch closer to peace deal as Trump faces criticism from GOP hawks” — check back with us in two weeks.

• US charges Cuba’s Raúl Castro with murder over 1996 downing of two planes —Sun-Uranus suggests stories involving aviation. We don’t have a birth time for Castro (June 3, 1931), but it’s fascinating to see his Mars at…26 Leo, right on the 26 Leo Mars of Mr. Ballroom and Bibi Netanyahu. We should keep an eye on these horoscopes when Mars approaches 26 Taurus after the Summer Solstice.

• In this horoscope for Cuba, we may marvel at how Uranus sits on Mr. B’s Sag Moon; Mercury and Pluto sit on Mr. B’s Sun, Nodes, and Uranus. A disruptive, karmic connection for sure…and note also how transiting Pluto is squaring Cuba’s Scorpio Moon and Nodes, pushing the country to emotional extremes. Not only that, but transiting Saturn is putting the squeeze on Cuba’s Venus in Aries — and that will continue through the summer.

• The entire NYT Magazine is a reflection of the weekend’s patterns — I hope it’s not paywalled. Testosterone on the cover; a “militancy vs. motherhood” story — and more.

On a more positive note…

• “One and done heart disease prevention? Scientists show it may be possible.” What an exciting headline reflecting Sun (the heart) in touch with Uranus (innovation) and Neptune (healing, vision). Let’s hope Jupiter’s upcoming transit through Leo coincides with more joyful news about hearts.

• “Americans are losing patience with data centers”

Sun-Uranus upsets involving alleged leaders in the US included Tulsi Gabbard “resigning,” Rep. Thomas Massie and Sen. Bill Cassidy losing their primaries — thanks to pressure from the Party Leader — and Governor Jared Polis (D-CO) letting Tina Peters out of jail.

UPDATE: on Heather Cox Richardson. Her horoscope is under extreme pressure this year. In addition to another pattern suggesting bewilderment and/or inspiration, last August, transiting Jupiter made the first of three squares to her Libra Sun. This expansive pattern continued through this Spring. Pluto has just turned retrograde on her natal Saturn-South Node in Aquarius. Translation: hard, hard work with high, high stakes — and a likely thrust into public visibility. Today, transiting Mars squared this pattern, and thus we’d expect action on an authoritative humanitarian initiative.

Last night, she wrote:

For a while now, I’ve been hinting that my team was up to something. And tonight, at last, I have an announcement.

Last August, during one of my Politics Chat webcasts, at a time when those trying to impose white nationalism, Christian nationalism, or authoritarianism on our country insisted they were embracing American values, I urged people instead to see those who care about the preservation of democracy and who have worked to expand its values as the people who truly represent America….

So, to honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we decided to launch a series of one-minute videos that highlight the people, places, and events that have helped to move us toward a more perfect Union…

They are primarily “everyday people”— true to potential values of someone with Saturn in Aquarius.

Astrology is amazing.

I hope you read her wonderful letters about

• the history of Memorial Day

• President Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” initiative, launched in the mid-60’s — the time of the revolutionary Uranus-Pluto conjunction in perfection-seeking Virgo.

Also affected by Pluto turning retrograde and squared by Mars — told you to keep an eye on these guys in the news:

• “President Zelenskyy invited to NATO summit”

• “Stephen Miller gives bonkers defense of $1.776 slush fund” — I’m just tickled that the word “bonkers” is in the news, as anticipated in last forecast.

• Judge tosses Kilmar Abrego Garcia charges, calls Trump administration prosecution ‘vindictive’. As noted last year, Pluto’s opposition to his Leo Sun continues into next March.

Finally…

Stephen Colbert’s last broadcast from the Ed Sullivan Theater fulfilled the promise of love and joy suggested by planetary patterns, especially the Leo Moon and the Venus-Neptune square. We don’t have a birth time for Colbert, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a Sagittarius Ascendant — one I associate with people whose first impression reminds me of bouncy Tigger from Winnie-the-Pooh.

It should surprise no one that Colbert’s final guest was Paul McCartney — who has a Mars-Pluto conjunction in early Leo, currently activated by the current Mars-Pluto square. He’s a Gemini, with the Sun on the MC, squared by Neptune on his Virgo Ascendant. Sun is with Jupiter at 1 Cancer, just activated by transiting Venus. His Moon is in “love, love me do” Leo — obviously.

I thought I’d written about McCartney’s horoscope before, but if I did, I can’t find it. I did find a wondrous synchronicity in a post from November 2010. I took a bus from NYC to DC to attend The Daily Show’s Rally for Sanity — hosted by Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. I returned with a delightful story involving a generational gap and the Lennon-McCartney archives — you can read it here — and I hope you do.

Here’s the link to the Colbert finale…

…and here’s the link to his surprise — Sun conjunct Uranus — turn as the fill-in host for Only in Monroe, a production of Monroe, Michigan’s public access channel. It’s on Colbert’s just-launched YouTube channel.

He’s not going anywhere but up.

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Tip Jar with Benefits

Hello again from Maine, where today’s late post is sponsored in part by my mother’s desire to plant geraniums. Mission accomplished on this bright and sunny day. How’s by you?

Highlights this week:

Mars enters Taurus on Monday
Venus enters Cancer on Monday
All-day Moon void on Monday
Mercury sextiles Neptune on Tuesday

Venus sextiles Mars on Tuesday
Mercury trines Pluto on Tuesday
Sun enters Gemini on Wednesday
All-day Moon void on Friday
Sun conjunct Uranus on Friday
Venus square Neptune on Friday
Mercury sextiles Saturn on Friday
First Quarter Moon on Saturday
Sun sextiles Neptune on Sunday

It goes like this:

Monday -- mind the void!

Feel like taking the day off? The long Moon void has your back. It’s been void since 3:35 PM ET on Sunday. If you are new to this forecast (welcome!), and unfamiliar with the term “Moon void” or “void of course Moon,” here’s a primer -- most of it was written in 2011.

Here’s a visual: think of a pinball game. At 10:22 PM ET on Saturday (5/16/2026), Moon entered the sign of Gemini (imagine the Moon as the pinball being launched into that sign). As the Moon travels through a sign, it makes aspects to other planets (imagine the pinball making contact with all the bumpers and stuff in the game; think of the dynamic way the pinball/Moon moves after it makes contact). The LAST aspect the Moon makes before entering the next sign (this happened at 3:35 PM ET on Sunday, 5/17/2026, when the Moon sextiled Saturn) is the moment when the Moon goes VOID.

Think of what happens to the pinball after it makes contact with the last bumper before falling back down the board to be re-launched — it kinda loses steam, right? This is the kind of energy we have during the void, especially long ones (several hours or more). Sensitive types will notice a “floaty” feeling; it can be challenging to travel in a straight line during a void, and we are more likely to encounter curve balls and other twists. Clients call with crises that later turn out to be nothing. Lines of communication get crossed. Your waiter says, “Good Morning!” and it’s four in the afternoon. You pour water over whole bean coffee — oops! You pick up the phone and it’s someone you’ve been trying to avoid. Details fall through the cracks; you get the idea.

Moon voids are good for a nap, sleeping in late, leaving work early, a creative brainstorm, writing music, meditating, doing yoga, or doing things that are considered routine. I’ve tested this rule many times by breaking it, so now I avoid buying things (even on sale, because I find I just don’t use them), and I try to schedule important meetings and calls when the Moon is NOT void.

There’s a higher “flake factor” during voids, too – people don’t show up for planned events. Other “twists” include upsets in sports matches (it’s a good time to bet on the underdog) and elections (the classic example is the presidential election on Nov. 7, 2000 — Bush v. Gore — which happened during a Moon void AND when Mercury was stationary direct — talk about a set-up for errors and confusion). Astrologer Rockie Gardiner (who inspired this forecast) advised her readers to avoid making big purchases during voids. Returning unwanted items, however, was A-OK.

Moon voids often “coincide” with crises that run away with the day...and turn out to be much ado about nothing once the Moon shifts gears and enters the next sign. Thus, you are advised to avoid making a mountain out of a molehill when the Moon is void.

And there you have it -- probably way TMI on Moon voids -- but an appropriate reflection of today’s Moon void in... information junkie Gemini!

Meanwhile... countering the CHILL opportunity of the Moon void is action hero Mars -- screaming through the last degree of “do something!” Aries.

Mars doesn’t enter Taurus until 6:25 PM ET.

While the energy of Mars may be frustrated by the Taurus need for patience, planning, and solid ground, Mars in Taurus has staying power and is determined to create structure and form no matter how long it takes. Mars will stay in Taurus until June 28th.

At 9:05 PM ET, Venus leaves Gemini and enters Cancer, now seeking comfort and caring in social expression, as opposed to newsy chatter.

Moon enters Cancer at 9:46 PM ET, joining Venus in its mission to build and maintain emotional security in the family and in the home/homeland. Moon and Venus will both sextile Mars at 9:49 PM ET and 9:58 PM ET, respectively. For better or worse, we are likely to see remarkable cooperation and communication in Cancerian concerns — and probably relationship dynamics, too.

Tuesday

The remarkable cooperation and communication are a reflection of the rare harmony -- a sextile -- between Venus and Mars, exact at 1:37 AM ET. If it’s news involving women, money, values, the arts, and social graces, it’s likely to be exceptionally attention-grabbing. You’re more personally affected if you have planets around 0 degrees of just about any sign, but especially Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. Off the top of my head, that includes Barack Obama, Stephen Colbert, and the United States.

These patterns may be seen as inspirational, idealistic, or delusional, reflecting the sextile between Mercury (how we need to think) and Neptune, exact at 12:04 AM ET. Rose-colored fog is supported by Moon’s square to Neptune at 3:48 AM ET. All in all, the past several hours could have felt like an enchanted evening in your own personal world -- make the most of these simple pleasures, whatever is nourishing for you -- and take note of your dreams.

Perhaps it is these remarkable patterns that Beth Owl’s Daughter’s always-in-sync Tarot Card of the Week picked up on. In Tarot Land — as well as Astrology Land — a focus on building material comfort and security in the best of all possible worlds continues from last week. Literally, it’s the same card: the Seven of Pentacles!

A reality check arrives around 3:40 PM ET, as Moon squares “because I said so” Saturn in Aries. Not the time to seek favors from authorities, if you ask me. By now we are likely privy to an exceptional depth of information and communication, as high-functioning Mercury in Gemini trines Pluto in Aquarius at 6:52 PM ET.

Wednesday — Happy Birthday, Gemini!

In contrast to yesterday afternoon’s sobering note, today begins on one of exuberance -- for better or worse. Kudos to you if you worked through a temporary brick wall. Moon meets up with Jupiter at 9:26 AM ET -- and then goes void for 13+ hours. You know the Moon void drill -- and note that during this one, the Sun is now at the very end of Taurus. Translation: leaders of business and state are working overtime to consolidate a mine-mine-mine agenda.

Let’s indulge Mercury in Gemini’s need for double meaning and consider that as the Sun travels through these last degrees of Taurus, it connects with the decapitating landmine known as the Fixed Star Algol. Avid Readers know that Algol represents the head of the Gorgon known as Medusa -- chopped off by Perseus because Medusa’s gaze turned men to stone. And since the myth was likely recorded by men (there’s a reason they call it “history,” not “herstory”), we’ll never know if those men deserved it. Algol has long been associated with extremes of intensity, rage, danger, and “losing one’s head” — but perhaps also with the enraged feminine: Medusa herself, unfairly demonized and decapitated, refusing to remain silent.

At 8:36 PM ET, Sun enters Gemini, sign of the Twins. Gemini is an Air Sign. Clever communication of boatloads of information is what Gemini is designed to do — often while doing several other things at once (to keep from being bored or boring). If Taurus gives form to Aries’s initiating spark, Gemini sells what Taurus builds and takes a commission. The current POTUS is a Gemini, as are his current Secretaries of State and Defense.

If you are a Gemini born early in the sign, you may be feeling more restless than ever -- based on a pressing need to stand out from the rest of the pack, however disruptive that might be. Ask your buddies born at the very end of Taurus to tell you how that need was felt in their lives over the past couple of years, as transiting Uranus met up with their Taurus Suns.

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Meanwhile...

At 10:47 PM ET, Moon enters drama-rama Leo, looking for a way to shine -- and help others shine, too. Leo functions at its best when it comes from the heart, confident that the love it has to give the world will be well received. In your own personal world, experiment with giving compliments -- and notice how you feel -- and respond -- when someone gives one to you. Fabulous, I would hope -- because you deserve to be loved and appreciated. So it is for everyone, but especially for those with Moon in Leo.

The evening ends on a balanced note, as Moon harmonizes (sextiles) with the Gemini Sun. How do you feel? Would you like to talk about it? Gemini would be delighted.

Thursday

Leo Moon’s need to put on a show last night was driven by provocative patterns exact this AM ET. Moon sextiles Uranus at 1:12 AM ET and then squares stubborn Mars in territorial Taurus at 1:42 AM ET. More than the usual headlines involving drones would be one astro-logical manifestation. Choose your battles carefully.

While an easy flow between Moon and Neptune -- exact at 5:15 AM ET -- suggests noting your dreams, the opposition between Moon and Pluto -- exact at 8:01 AM ET -- suggests an emotional catharsis upon waking. Whatever unfolds over these 12 hours may be a sneak peek of the explosive square between Mars and Pluto, exact late Monday/early Tuesday, depending on your time zone.

After the morning’s intensity, ship it today rather than tomorrow.

Moon sextiles Mercury at 2:42 PM ET and trines Saturn at 6:05 PM ET. These favor communication and strategic planning -- and I’ll have more to say on that in a minute. Just know that after 6 PM ET, the Leo Moon goes void for the next 33 hours...time to CHILL.

I imagine that the final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will tape while the Moon is not void, and however it ends, it will be heartfelt, fantabulous, rebellious -- and perhaps a reminder that silencing comedians has always been part of the authoritarian’s playbook. Under the long-range influence of the 2020 Great Mutation — a/k/a the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in Aquarius and this new era of Uranus in Gemini, the battle for power is no longer simply about who controls material resources, but who controls communication, perception, and the story people believe. Words themselves become revolutionary tools.

When I wrote about the Great Mutation several years ago, I understood the concept, but not the reality. It’s a bit like knowing your parents will someday die -- intellectually, you understand the fact long before it happens, but not the specific reality of how that loss will unfold. So it is with this escalating effort to control speech and networks. The same is true of the larger patterns unfolding in the horoscope of the United States, whose manifestations have been mind-blowing.

Astrology sees the sense in it.

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Friday

Picture a snowball tumbling down a mountain, growing in size and strength -- but made of fire. That’s the Leo Moon running wild in the void.

An overnight buzz -- probably with dazzling spin in matters of money, the arts, women, and the nation -- comes courtesy of two patterns. First, at 2:31 AM ET, Venus (money, women, etc.) squares Neptune (escape, spirits, music, drugs, lies, healing). Can this be for real?

At 10:26 AM ET, the Gemini Sun meets up with Uranus, suggesting a shock or other upset involving leaders, rebellion, aviation, and technology. Sun-Uranus patterns may be seismic, so that’s something to watch for, too. Because this conjunction is happening in Gemini, watch for news involving freedom of speech. You are more personally affected by this meet-up if you have planets around 1 degree of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. Off the top of my head, that includes Mitch McConnell, Ivana Trump, the Andrew formerly known as Prince, Steve Bannon, and Stephen Miller.

As the day progresses -- still in the Moon void -- information-sharing is stabilized by Mercury’s sextile to Saturn, exact at 2:02 PM ET. And on and on the Leo Moon goes, until it crosses over the Leo Mars and Leo Ascendant of the White House occupant, just as it did on April 25th, the night of the WHCA dinner. Avid Readers may recall that the spotlight was effectively pulled away from the press and redirected toward someone else.

Astrology suggests the possibility for another scene-stealer.

Saturday

At 2:56 AM ET, Moon finally enters Virgo, determined to put things back in order. But first, it must deal with the upset of Moon’s square to Uranus at 5:45 AM ET. Then come the challenges of getting things exactly right, as Moon squares Sun at 7:10 AM ET. This challenge is also known as the First Quarter Moon, and Kamala Harris’ horoscope will be nudged, as transiting Uranus pressures her Midheaven (public status) until early June.

Whatever adjustments you must make -- probably related to last week’s New Moon agenda -- the Virgo Moon now receives support from Mars and Venus at 9:12 AM ET and 1 PM ET, respectively. It’s a fine weekend for any sorting and organizing task.

Sunday

Virgo Moon squares Mercury at 6:05 AM ET, seeking to separate the wheat from the chaff in a multitude of fascinating facts. Once that’s done, Moon travels without interference for most of the day, perhaps resting on laurels of accomplishment, as Moon sextiles Jupiter at 8:54 PM ET. Take the rest of the night off, as Moon will be void (again!) for the next 13+ hours.

Humming in the background all weekend -- and exact at 10:22 PM ET -- is an easy sextile between the Sun and Neptune. On a personal level, this pattern favors more of the arts, including healing ones -- and perhaps a push to connect with and contemplate the divine spark within.

On a mundane level, we are likely to see news involving leaders and Neptune matters of oil and drugs...

Of shoes and ships and sealing wax
Of cabbages and kings
And why the sea is boiling hot
And whether pigs have wings.

Yes -- all of that -- or none of it -- and some of it may be simply bonkers.

Monday

A slow start to the day -- but no matter, if you’re honoring the Memorial Day holiday. Moon enters Libra at 10:34 AM ET, focused on fairness and balance in relationships -- and a willingness to talk about it.

Moon gains support from unconventional alliances, innovative thinking, and technology, as Moon trines Uranus at 1:48 PM ET. Humming in the background is the aforementioned, potentially brutal square between Mars (action, anger) and Pluto (extremes), exact just after midnight ET/9:02 PM PT. Pay attention to your surroundings — and your interactions with others.

You are more affected by this pattern if you have planets around 5 degrees of Aquarius, Taurus, Leo, and Scorpio. That includes President Zelenskyy, Stephen Colbert, Rep. Melanie Stansbury and Chief Justice John Roberts.

If you have a project that requires physical stamina, use Mars-Pluto to your advantage. Push for clarity in the late afternoon, as Moon opposes Neptune at 6:05 PM ET, arguing for an avoidance of unpleasantness -- or a pipedream.

An action plan executed afterward is supported by an Air Grand Trine among Moon, Sun, and Pluto. Caveat: whoever is executing the plan may not have thought to invite input from others -- and may get away with it. In astrology, Grand Trines are often seen as lucky.

And now, the news.

I could not pull these stories together in a form worthy of shipping last night, though the draft was written. Was it the TMI of yesterday’s Moon-void in Gemini? Did Mars entering Taurus “coincide” with a need to slow down and/or experience a block? I don’t know, but I appreciated Heather Cox Richardson’s latest post:

I have been traveling and tonight have hit the wall as I tried to write, so at this hour am opting for bed rather than trying to grind out today’s letter.

In Saturday’s letter, HCR explains the events leading up to — and after — the 1965 Voting Rights Act, now gutted by Chief Justice John Roberts, Inc. in 2026. On Saturday, thousands marched across Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge — in the dark of the New Moon — and it seems the media barely noticed. (FWIW, Avid Readers will recall that the 1965 VRA coincided with a series of disruptive Uranus-Pluto conjunctions in 1965-66.)

In Sunday’s letter, HCR reports on the “Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving” — sponsored by Exxon, MasterCard and United Airlines, among others. This is another news item this astrologer could see coming a couple of years ago but still can’t believe is real.

Sunday’s Mercury-Uranus conjunction suggested upsets in matters of transportation, technology, aviation, and speech. Saturday’s Mars-Chiron conjunction at the end of Aries carried a distinct “wounded warrior” quality.

• “US Navy fighter jets collide in Idaho air show”

• “Long Island Railroad strike creates manic Monday commute” -- but hey! turns out the crisis was much ado about nothing, because as of 9:15 PM ET on Monday, the strike is over. What a lovely reflection of Monday’s cooperative sextile between Venus and Mars.

• “NYC hotel housekeepers will earn over $100,000 under new contract” -- reflecting a deal announced with Venus and Mars entering Cancer and Taurus -- two signs associated with the comforts of home.

In another deal announced today, we see exalted Jupiter in Cancer meeting up with the CF’s Venus-Saturn conjunction. Not everyone with a Venus-Saturn conjunction in family-focused Cancer would be compared to a mafia boss, but the CF has — and with Jupiter amplifying this pattern, we can appreciate how la famiglia — i.e., loyal associates — might be rewarded with a $1.776 billion slush fund financed with taxpayer dollars. The $1.776 figure is a perverted expression of Jupiter in Cancer’s exalted patriotism, and it is remarkable how many media outlets rounded it up to $1.8 billion. Why is that I wonder.

I'm seeing Mars at the end of warrior Aries in most of yesterday’s top stories from the Guardian's home page — guns, cops, fire, war. File the booing of Eric Schmidt under the disruptive Mercury-Uranus conjunction.

Meanwhile, I saw Mars conjunct Chiron — the Wounded Warrior — all over the place:

• SNL’s Colin Jost and Michael Che’s end-of-the-season Joke Swap was expected to be a shocker, and this time seemed unusually obsessed with male anatomy and anxiety

• Weekend Update included RFK Jr’s obsession with teen sperm count

• Stephen Colbert reported on a new trend called “ballmaxxing”

• “The penile implant specialist leading the US hantavirus response”

• “The testosterone moment is here. And men may never look the same. “-- from the NYT Magazine

• Oscar-Winner Javier Bardem Blasts Trump, Putin, Netanyahu, Says Toxic Masculinity Is “Creating Thousands of Dead People”. Here is Bardem’s horoscope. See how transiting Jupiter is squaring Bardem’s Venus-Saturn conjunction in Aries, whilst transiting Uranus opposes his Mars in boundary-pushing Sagittarius?

In other news…

I told ya we’d hear from Nancy Pelosi…

“Nancy Pelosi breaks silence to endorse San Francisco supervisor as successor”

…and to keep an eye on Rep. Melanie Stansbury, whose Mercury-Jupiter opposition is currently being pressured by Pluto.

• “Melanie Stansbury’s Press Office Finally Got Back to Me About John J. Kelly & Jeffrey Epstein. Here’s What They Said.” — from Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez. Stansbury’s Mercury is right on Epstein’s Midheaven. Astrology is amazing.

Finally…

…And because astrology should help us thrive — not merely survive the headlines — I leave you with friend and fellow astrologer Diotima Mantineia’s wise words on making the most of this lunar cycle — and coping in general in these interesting times.

• “Love what you love: New Moon in Taurus”

It works beautifully with the painting below.

The next ChartFest/Q & A for patron subscribers is on Thursday, June 4th — 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT. Drop topic suggestions in the comments — or email me.

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I’m up here for few weeks to help my mom take care of Things That Need to Be Done. Thus, I have the good fortune to experience two spring seasons this year. The flowers in New York are past their peak, but my dad’s daffodils are doing quite well — just in time for Mothers’ Day.

Highlights this week:

• Long Moon void on Tuesday

• Mercury sextile Jupiter on Wednesday

• Mercury conjunct Sun in Taurus on Thursday

• New Moon in Taurus on Saturday

• Mercury enters Gemini on Sunday

• Mercury conjunct Uranus on Sunday

Beth Owl’s Daughter’s always-in-sync Tarot Card of the Week captures the earthy potential of Taurus nicely. Say hello to the Seven of Pentacles.

Meanwhile, in Astrology Land, the week goes like this:

Monday — Go with the Flow

A respite — and for some, a continued basking in the glow of Sunday’s luscious harmony between the earthy Taurus Sun and optimistic Jupiter in homeland Cancer. Pisces Moon travels without interference all day, delivering a comforting message around 11:42 PM ET, when it sextiles Mercury.

Tuesday — mind the void

The easy flow continues into the wee hours, as Moon trines Jupiter and sextiles Sun at 3:29 AM ET and 5:22 AM ET, respectively. An adjustment in matters of money and worth may be required around 6:04 AM ET, as the sensitive Pisces Moon squares Venus in Gemini, trying to have it both ways.

This entire business day in the Americas may be of little consequence, as the Moon will be void for the next 14 hours. Roll with the twists and flakes; don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. There’s plenty of energy to apply to travels in your mind — including research and creative brainstorming, as Mercury (how we need to think) and Jupiter (beyond horizons), form a cooperative sextile at 9:43 PM PT / 12:43 AM ET.

Storming through anything may become a driving force after 8:03 PM ET, when Moon charges into Aries. Given the Mercury-Jupiter sextile, keep an eye on the press and the courts. Issues involving academia and religion may boldly go where no one has gone before.

Wednesday

Moon meets up with Neptune at 2:20 AM ET. Night owls could put imagination to good use. Moon’s sextile to Pluto at 5:34 AM ET digs deep — pay attention to your dreams upon waking.

The only other pattern today is Moon’s meet-up with Saturn at 2:10 PM ET. This is a reality check on last night’s Moon-Neptune vision. What may feel heavy or isolating may be used to plan a strategy based on what you now realize is lacking.

Thursday — Mercury cazimi

Moon squares Jupiter at 7:40 AM ET. Yesterday’s Moon-Saturn sobriety is replaced by Moon-Jupiter exuberance.

At 10:23 AM ET, Mercury plunges into the heart of the Taurus Sun — from our perspective on Spaceship Earth. The technical term for any planet in an exact conjunction with the Sun is “cazimi.” It is Plutonian in its experience, as the planet is metaphorically burned to a crisp by such close contact. This is what happens to the Moon at every New Moon, by the way — and we all understand that a New Moon represents a new cycle, right?

So today, as Mercury meets up with the Sun, it represents the beginning of a new cycle of mindset and communication. And since the cazimi is happening in Taurus, the new cycle needs to focus on building a monument of material comfort and stability.

Note that this Mercury cazimi is on the Midheavens of the White House Occupant and JD Vance, as well as the Taurus Suns of Israel and Mark Zuckerberg. The former begins a visit to China today — that will certainly put what he thinks in the spotlight. Brett Kavanaugh is also affected.

Whatever the news, it’s sweetened by a tap-dancing sextile between Moon and Venus at 2:06 PM ET. Fiery action follows later, as Moon meets up with Mars at 5:32 PM ET, squaring the US Pluto, and landing on Elon Musk’s MC, as well as Kamala Harris’ 27 Aries Moon, opposing her Libra Sun. Did you know that Musk and other tech CEOs were invited to join the CF on today’s visit to China?

Chill for the next five hours, as the Moon will be void.

At 10:31 PM ET, Moon enters Taurus, seeking peace and calm after all the Aries noise.

Friday

The only exact aspect is Moon’s square to Pluto at 7:24 AM ET. The earth moves — metaphorically — accompanied by a purge or emotional catharsis.

We are now at the end of the lunar cycle — with no light to guide us. If you’re feeling listless or restless, sensing something new is just around the corner, you’re in sync with the “dead” Moon. Now is an apt time for meetings in backrooms — or any activity you’d rather remain unseen. Otherwise, a weekend driven by Moon in Taurus supports your indulgence in simple pleasures. Raise a glass; get thee to the spa.

Saturday — New Moon in Taurus

A sextile between Moon and Jupiter at 8:39 AM ET keeps the good vibes going. If there’s a downside today, it may reflect the meet-up of Mars and Chiron, exact at 3:34 PM ET.

Chiron is the Wounded Healer, and in Aries, the wound it needs to heal involves the Self — and chances are that Self is a Warrior. In sum, we have a Wounded Warrior.

Both Mars and Chiron are at the verrrry end of Aries, so there is an urgency involving combat, cars, courage, pioneers, and men — especially fightin’ men.

You are more personally affected by this Mars-Chiron conjunction if you have planets close to 28 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn. That includes the United States, the 119th Congress, Elon Musk, Kamala Harris, and the 2025 Inauguration.

This Mars-Chiron conjunction is the set-up for the New Moon in Taurus, which officially begins at 4 PM ET. Here is that chart, set in Washington, DC. We can use it to anticipate events in the US during this lunar cycle.

Observations:

• A New Moon in Taurus needs to establish and maintain material comfort and security. The keywords for Taurus are I HAVE. Moon in Taurus people are more likely than others to be tactile. Famous people with Moon in Taurus include Adam Driver, Elizabeth Warren, Mick Jagger, Meryl Streep, Amma (the Hugging Saint), Bill Clinton, and Joe Biden (also known for hugging).

• This New Moon falls in the 8th house — taxes, debt, joint investments, occult matters and death. Seems apt, given the recent announcement that the US debt is now equal to 100% of the US economy for the first time since 1946.

• Adding to the 8th house anxiety/overkill is the New Moon’s conjunction with Algol, the Fixed Star associated with decapitation. Not only that, but the Mars-Chiron conjunction is on the cusp (border) of the 8th house, suggesting urgent action and/or attacks in 8th house concerns.

• Mercury is at the verrrry end of Taurus, close to an exact meet-up with chaos agent Uranus. These two are on the cusp of the 9th house — foreign affairs, the media, legal opinions, religious dogma. We can expect shocking developments in these areas. Uranus refers to aviation, innovation, technology, and mad scientists. Maybe the tech CEOs who are in China today will have something to say today — or on Sunday, when Mercury and Uranus meet up. We may hear news about the WHCA dinner drama, because Mercury is right about where Uranus was that night...and this is yet another activation of the horoscopes of the White House Occupant, Tucker Carlson, Barack Obama, Israel, Netanyahu — all of the people whose charts were hot back then.

• Neptune and Saturn are on the cusp of the 7th house — not helpful placements in matters of allies and adversaries. It’s interesting that Neptune is the modern ruler of the 6th house — workers, the military, and disease. When we discussed this New Moon chart in last week’s Zoom ChartFest, the hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship wasn’t news. But since Neptune refers to oceans, ships, viruses, and toxins — the hantavirus story may be one to watch. I haven’t looked at the astrology of the outbreak yet, so “may” is definitely the operative word.

• Chart ruler Venus is in the 9th house on its way to a sextile with Mars. But as noted before, this connection isn’t going to happen with the planets in their current state. Venus will morph into Cancer — prominently focused on national security and family concerns. Mars will lose its dignity and its impulsive drive when it morphs into mine-mine-mine Taurus — the sign of its Detriment. If Mars in Aries is the irresistible force, Mars in Taurus represents dogged perseverance.

• The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon is “a Spaniard serenading his senorita.” I’m struck by the fact that a serenade is a seductive song, and yes, Venus (women) and Mars (men) are absolutely currently flirting with each other in this chart — in Gemini and Aries, respectively. And they will be in more committed signs when they eventually connect.

Of this Sabian Symbol, astrologer Blain Bovee writes, “when a Spaniard serenades his senorita, he is attempting to win her favor through soft, alluring songs of love, to win a home in her heart.”

Can these songs of love be trusted? With Neptune on the Descendant of this chart, things may not be as they seem.

With or without Neptune, this serenading Spaniard invites us to consider (says Bovee) notions of “serenity and calm for the joys of an evening after a long day; home-is-where-the-heart-is sentiments; settling into new territory; uplifting influences either by intention or foolish good fortune; willing to be a fool for love, for one’s sense of being at home.”

• You are more personally affected by the seed-planting potential of this New Moon if you have planets around 26 Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius. That includes Jon Ossoff, Xavier Becerra, Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh, Nancy Pelosi, and many others called out above.

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Back to the forecast for Saturday

At 9:02 PM ET, Moon meets up with Mercury at the verrry end of Taurus, delivering an urgent message about comfort and security.

After a Moon void of one hour and twenty minutes, Moon enters Gemini at 10:22 PM ET, now seeking to be the cleverest, chattiest kid in the room.

A surprising revelation or wacky upset may be reflected in SNL’s sketches tonight — assuming there is a show. That’s a reflection of Moon’s meet-up with rebel Uranus at 12:16 AM ET on Sunday.

Sunday

Yet another invitation to note your dreams this week, as Moon sextiles Neptune at 9:02 AM ET. Deep insights are supported by Moon’s trine to Pluto at 7 AM ET. Serious talk and strategy are supported by Moon’s sextile to Saturn, exact at 3:35 PM ET, after which Moon goes void...for the next 30 hours.

Meanwhile, the way we need to think and communicate shifts into a new gear.

At 6:26 AM ET, Mercury enters Gemini, one of the signs it rules. From now until June 1st, the Messenger Planet functions with high efficiency — a master at Trivial Pursuit.

Stories involving blindness may be on the radar as Mercury connects with the Fixed Star Alcyone, which is associated with blindness. We may also see a recall of stories that were hot on April 25th, when Uranus entered Gemini.

Humming in the background is the urgent battle cry of Mars in its last-gasp trek through Aries. For more immediate provocation, the 8:10 PM ET Mercury-Uranus conjunction — during the Moon void — suggests shocks involving technology, aviation, rebels, and astrology.

Monday — mind the void — again!

Feel like taking the day off? The long Moon void has your back. But Mars screaming through the last degree of “do something!” Aries may have other plans.

Mars doesn’t enter Taurus until 6:25 PM ET.

While the energy of Mars may be frustrated by the Taurus need for patience, planning, and solid ground, Mars in Taurus has staying power and is determined to create structure and form no matter how long it takes. Mars will stay in Taurus until June 28th.

People with Mars in Taurus include John Lewis, Nancy Pelosi, and Mitch McConnell.

Fun fact: Mars won’t return to Aries until March 20, 2028 — the Aries Ingress. To me, this is significant, especially since the conjunction of the Aries Sun and Mars will activate the surreal February 20, 2026 conjunction of Saturn and Neptune at 0 Aries This would be a provocative discussion topic for the next Astrology Q & A ChartFest — Thursday, June 4th, 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT.

Meanwhile, at 9:05 PM ET, Venus ditches Gemini for Cancer, now seeking comfort and caring in social expression, as opposed to newsy chatter.

Moon enters Cancer at 9:46 PM ET, and both Moon and Venus will sextile Mars over the next several hours. For better or worse, we are likely to see remarkable cooperation and communication in matters involving material comfort and national security — and probably relationship dynamics between the sexes, too.

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And now, the news.

It’s been mind-boggling here in the US. In her May 8th Letter, historian Heather Cox Richardson listed several absolutely bonkers stories that weren’t even the most bonkers story of all on that day, which was

that after voters in Virginia turned out in record numbers to approve a new temporary congressional district map on April 21 to garner four more seats for Democrats, the Virginia state supreme court struck down the referendum.

Turning to astrology for some explanation of why this is happening now, we must remember that with Saturn and Neptune together in Aries, authority figures (Saturn) may be bewildering (Neptune), and with both planets in Aries, the expected reasoning for issuing controls is “because I said so.”

In the horoscope of the United States, Saturn and Neptune at the bottom of the chart translates to a nation with a dissolving foundation. In other words, a collapse.

In last week’s ChartFest discussion, we noted that Neptune is now squaring the US Venus-Jupiter conjunction in Cancer, and that Venus is the ruler of the US Midheaven — its leaders and public status. Venus also refers to money, women, and values. Jupiter refers to expansion, legal theories, and religious dogma.

Neptune will be within range of Venus and Jupiter through 2026 and into 2027. The last time Neptune challenged the US MC, Venus, and Jupiter was between 1984 and 1988 — most of Ronald Reagan’s second term. Things that were hot back then may be up for a revisit now, especially if they involved Neptunian matters of faith, fog, oil, drugs, and scandal. The Iran-Contra scandal, perhaps? It feels like I’ve seen many references to that lately.

In other news…

Elections were held in the UK last week, and the results were an apt reflection of what was expected with Uranus in Gemini: fracturing and fragmentation, as in:

• “Election results show politics in the UK has fragmented”

So — it’s not just in the United States.

Elsewhere…

Another example of a horoscope with planets in the early degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn, hit hard this year by transiting Saturn (loss, discipline) and Neptune (wipe-out, healing):

• “Martin Short gets candid about tragic loss of daughter”. We don’t have a birth time, but Short is an Aries with Moon in Cancer — five planets in Cardinal signs — plus the Nodes. Here is his horoscope.

Meanwhile…

Last week I noted how Kentucky Derby winners may serve as harbingers that are oddly in sync with planetary patterns, and that this year’s winner — Golden Tempo — suggested stories involving gold:

• Pastor leads wild dedication ceremony for Trump’s giant gold statue at his own golf course.

• The Trump-branded gold-plated phone that was supposed to be delivered to consumers last August was Heather Cox Richardson’s lead story last night.

On to more uplifting topics…

Sunday’s sextile between Venus and Jupiter just had to bring us news of a jackpot of sorts:

• “He sold his company for $1.7 billion — then handed $240 million to the 540 workers who stuck with him”

• “Hungarian politician’s dance at Peter Magyar’s inauguration goes viral”

Magyar’s inauguration happened on Saturday — Heather Cox Richardson has details on that, as well as another “celebration” in Russia. The latter was not the usual pomp and circumstance, and if the birth data for Vladimir Putin is correct (it’s not AA rated), we can see the likelihood for breakdowns and upsets in his horoscope right about now. Transiting Pluto squares his proposed Scorpio Ascendant, and transiting Uranus squares his Gemini Moon.

In other news…

Here’s a fun interactive piece from the NYT — reflecting a Pluto in Aquarius transformation of our understanding of circulation and other networks in the human body, with support from Uranus (disruption) in Gemini:

• “The astounding discovery that may link Eastern and Western medicine” I know my 93-year-old acupuncturist wouldn’t be surprised.

And finally…

Just to prove (again!) that astrology is amazing, “Tucker Carlson” made another appearance on SNL’s Weekend Update, this time to critique last week’s Met Gala. Transiting Uranus is all over his Sun-Neptune opposition at the very end of Taurus-Scorpio, and Uranus is the cosmic banana peel. We often see Moon-Uranus or Mercury-Uranus in the horoscopes of comedians (thought that doesn’t apply in this case).

I never thought about how much Carlson sounds like Dana Carvey’s “Church Lady” until now.

To be continued…

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Dear Avid Reader/Watcher:

Thanks to all who Zoomed in last night for another enriching Q & A. The next one will be on Thursday, June 4th — 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT.

Tonight’s topics included:

• California gubernatorial candidates

• Outlook for May, including the New Moon in Taurus

• US horoscope

• July “basket” pattern

A time-coded summary is below the paywall.

These Zoom Q&As are where astrology really comes alive. Paid subscribers receive full access to the REPLAYs, along with invitations to future gatherings. Insights from everyone in our stellar group make the discussion that much richer.

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Warmly,

— Elisabeth

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The next Astrology Q&A/ChartFest is TONIGHT — Wednesday, May 6th at 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT — hope to see you there.

This exclusive gathering for patron subscribers of Why Now News is where we reveal the astro-logic driving the apparent chaos. If you tuned in to past ChartFests, you weren’t surprised by recent headlines.

If you’re a student of astrology, you’ll appreciate the chance to study the charts — with tech talk translated into plain English for everyone else.

Tonight’s agenda — whatever we can cover in 90 minutes — feel free to post suggestions in the comments — or email me:

• Review of predictions made last year for the week of April 19th — wow!

• The charts for the WHCA dinners of 2011 and 2026, taken together, are fascinating.

• Xavier Becerra & others in the California governor’s race — by request

• Outlook for May and through the rest of the year.

• A request was made to talk about Mercury and how it’s expressed in each sign. I won’t have time to pull 12 examples, but we can pay special attention to Mercury in the charts we study tonight.

These monthly Zooms are intimate by design — a place for real exchange, not just listening in.

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Warmly,

Elisabeth

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Ready for another week of everything hitting at once? This week builds on last week’s pressure points—with more assertion, revelations, and power plays, especially in systems and networks. Thank goodness for astrology.

The next live Astrology Q&A/ChartFest is Wednesday, May 6th at 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT—an exclusive gathering for patron subscribers of Why Now News. This is where we look at the horoscopes behind the headlines and marvel. Nothing is random. Headlines happen right on time. If you’re a student of astrology, you’ll appreciate the tech talk—which is translated into plain English for everyone else.

May the 4th be with you!

Highlights this week:

• Mars squares Jupiter on Monday

• Mercury squares Pluto on Tuesday

• Pluto goes retrograde on Wednesday

• Sun sextiles Jupiter on Saturday

• Third Quarter Moon on Saturday

It goes like this:

Monday — Hurry Up and Wait

Moon opposes Venus at 3:16 AM ET. The Sagittarius Moon needs to be righteous, while Venus in Gemini prefers charm, flexibility, and keeping options open.

Once that tension resolves, there’s a window for action as Moon trines Mars at 5:33 PM ET. After that, the Moon goes void for the next 21 hours.

Keep the void in mind with respect to whatever big push hits the wires—especially around media, the courts, and foreign affairs—as Mars squares Jupiter (in national security–focused Cancer) at 10:08 PM ET.

Mars refers to action, desire, and all things male. Jupiter expands whatever it touches. And while astrology may have no moral compass, it does seem to have a biting sense of humor:

• “Giant phallus-shaped iceberg floating in Conception Bay surprises residents of Dildo, Canada,” reported Live Science on May 2 — the all-day void Moon in Scorpio.

True to the nature of the void, the iceberg later collapsed.

Astrology is amazing.

You’re more personally affected by this “big push” potential if you are the 119th Congress or JD Vance (just “snubbed” by Pope Leo, in a big push — away, reportedly).

Tuesday — mind the void!

Moon void in Sagittarius suggests a slow start or a twist in your usual routine. Upside: you may accidentally sleep through your alarm without consequence. Roll with the twists and flakes, and don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. Crises that crop up during voids are often much ado about nothing, as my experience working in a newsroom will attest:

When I wrote and produced promos at CNBC, I can’t tell you how many times I’d get an assignment during a Moon void that was an absolute top priority — until suddenly it wasn’t (once the void was over). Meanwhile, my editor and I would be encountering any number of snafus in our efforts to get the spot done.

At 3:06 PM ET, Moon enters Capricorn — not void — and determined to take care of business. A square between Mercury and Pluto at 6:08 PM ET suggests cut-to-the-quick communications, including purges and corruption exposed. A square between Moon and Neptune at 10 PM ET, tries to spin it both ways. Fortunately, a trine between Moon and Mercury in earthy Taurus helps sort fact from fiction, exact at 3:36 AM ET on...

Wednesday — Resistance is Futile

Moon squares Saturn at 10:51 AM ET, getting the day off to a sobering start. Watch for cuts, losses, and ambitious plans in the news.

At 11:34 AM ET, Pluto turns retrograde.

Pluto has been slowing to a virtual stop for days now, commanding attention like a blaring car horn. The sudden collapse of Spirit Airlines is one example of Pluto’s focus in Aquarius (which rules aviation). Another example is the massive crowdfunding campaign to make Spirit a publicly held company. It’s raised $88 million so far — power to the people!

When a planet is retrograde, it offers an opportunity to turn our focus inward in whatever that planet represents. Pluto refers to power, purges, break downs and transformation — in the extreme.

Translation: when Pluto is retrograde, stop trying to control the external environment. Work on transforming your own responses, your own patterns, your own relationship to power. Purge whatever no longer serves. When Pluto turns direct, you’ll be primed to then direct your renovated power to the outside world. The outer world will reflect whatever you’re actually running inside.

If you need a visceral image for Pluto, here’s one from Beth Owl’s Daughter:

Gaaaah! Pluto retrograde! It’s like you’ve already been run over by a car once — and then the car backs up to make sure it got you—and then it runs over you again when it turns direct.

Pretty much.

A Scorpio Moon minces no words.

Another image for Pluto’s need to break down what is corrupt and rotten — mentioned before — is compost. Stinky food scraps are naturally transformed into something sweet-smelling that nourishes new growth. Ultimately, this is good and necessary, right?

Pluto fully committed to its trek through Aquarius in November 2024, where it remains until 2043. Thus, we expect break downs, transformation, and empowerment in matters of circulation, information and communication networks (with an emphasis on technology), as well as networks, the masses, friendship, freedom, revolution, eccentrics, power grids, aviation, astrology, groups, and administrative bodies. Here are other keywords for Aquarius.

This Pluto retrograde will back over developments that have been unfolding since mid-January. Between now and mid-October, matters associated with Aquarius are likely to be reworked and — where necessary — broken down. When Pluto turns direct on October 15th, the revised structures impose themselves on the outer world — just in time for the midterms. Then, we’ll see how well we like what was revised as Pluto travels over the same territory for the third time. Pluto covers new ground in mid-March, when it finally returns to the place it is right now.

Pluto’s last transit through Aquarius coincided with the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the French Revolution, but those didn’t happen until after Pluto was halfway through Aquarius. That happens this time in 2032. In my experience, it takes that long — halfway through the sign — to see what direction an outer planet is taking us — for better or for worse?

Upside potential for Pluto in Aquarius: ideally, it’s power to the people — i.e., systems that are less hierarchical, with power evenly distributed, like the Knights of the Round Table or Occupy Wall Street, which had no centralized top-down command structure. Or, more simply: my favorite fable about stone soup, where everyone contributes their own unique ingredient to create a rich and tasty meal for the whole community.

Downside potential: “You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile. We are the Borg.” We are seeing that dark side rise right now — through the theft of personal data by DOGE and its exploitation through web surveillance by government contractors such as Palantir. When power (Pluto) is concentrated in technology networks (Aquarius), those who control information, data, and communication, can influence how the masses can think and speak.

I still believe in the Pluto in Aquarius potential of liberté, fraternité, égalité. But it’s clear that we’re in for a fight. In the monthly Zoom Q & A’s we have assessed when that fight is likely to begin. In the horoscope of the United States, Pluto is currently approaching its South Node, associated with toxic release.

The Sabian Symbol for Pluto stationing retrograde at 6 Aquarius is “a performance of a mystery play.” Translation: Things are being staged. Messages are being conveyed. And not everything is exactly what it seems.

You are more personally affected by this Pluto retrograde if you have planets or angles between 3 and 6 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and especially Aquarius. Off the top of my head, that includes President Zelensky, Rudy Giuliani, George W. Bush, Stephen Miller, California, Stephen Colbert, James Comey, Chief Justice John Roberts, Mitch McConnell, Bill Richardson, Heather Cox Richardson, Sarah Ferguson, Liz Cheney, Governor Mikie Sherrill (NJ), Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM), and Melania Trump.

During this Pluto retrograde — soon to be followed by other retrogrades this summer and into fall — focus on personal regeneration. Strengthen community ties (think small) and consider what unique ingredient you may contribute to a delicious community cauldron of stone soup.

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Thursday — mind the void — again!

Moon trines Sun at 12:44 AM ET. If you worked late last night, you could have put together a practical plan.

A boost of confidence arrives with Moon opposite Jupiter at 7:11 AM ET—for better or worse.

Find a constructive way to channel the provocative push building toward 10:18 AM ET, as Moon squares Mars.

And then… whatever the provocation, CHILL for the next 17 hours, as the Moon goes void.

Translation: act early, then stand down.

Friday

Moon enters Aquarius at 3:27 AM ET and sextiles Neptune at 10:22 AM ET. Reach out to your networks for inspiration. The Aquarius Moon’s need to be appreciated for its unique social significance runs deep, especially around 2:21 PM ET, when Moon meets up with Pluto. Whatever is planted may be granted support from the local authorities, courtesy of Moon’s sextile to Saturn at 11:16 PM ET.

Saturday

Moon squares Mercury at 4:07 AM ET. Steady, practical thinking may be challenged by a detached emotional response. Still, most of this day flows easily. There’s no Moon void to discourage your impulsive yard sale bargains. A trine between Moon and Venus (in Gemini) at 4:39 PM ET supports good times and chit-chat. Yes, there may be tension in the hours up to 5:10 PM ET, when the Third Quarter Moon remembers what cropped up 12 hours earlier. Upside: it’s a fine backdrop for a lively potluck, especially with a sextile between Moon and Mars, exact at 1:08 AM ET on Sunday.

Sunday -- Happy Mothers’ Day

Another Moon void morning — this one lasts until 1:39 PM ET, when Moon enters Pisces. The mood may be subdued or spacey until then, if you’re taking Mom out for brunch on Mothers’ Day. Pisces Moon encourages adaptability, which may be useful if the 3:13 PM ET square to Uranus delivers an upset. Still, celebrating your maternal lineage is an apt way to honor the rare sextile between the Taurus Sun and Jupiter (in Cancer), exact at 10:13 PM ET. Some of you may even get lucky.

Monday -- Go with the Flow

A respite. Pisces Moon travels without interference all day, delivering a comforting message around 11:42 PM ET, when it sextiles Mercury.

But wait…there’s more!

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Beth Owl’s Daughter’s always-in-sync Tarot Card of the Week smashed it out of the park last week with The Chariot. What could she pull to top that this week? How about a move to...Substack! Here’s the link to her second home -- and this week’s Card -- the Knight of Swords. How apt for a day with Mars in Aries square Jupiter.

And now, the news.

Once it was simple to scan the news and present a list of isolated headlines reflecting planetary patterns (e.g., the iceberg story noted earlier). Since mid-2025, patterns have argued for a full systems collapse -- the end of a world -- with everything happening all at once.

Last week’s headlines tracked the fallout from:

• the Sun-Pluto square (power plays)

• Venus (money, values, women) in the spotlight

• Uranus setting the tone for its seven-year trek through Gemini

• “Mine vs. Ours” Full Moon in Scorpio

• power broker Pluto slowing to a virtual stop in techbro Aquarius

First up:

• “US supreme court ‘demolishes’ Voting Rights Act, gutting provision that prevented racial discrimination” If you tuned in to the Zoom Q & A’s in April 2025 and/or last October, you were prepared for last week’s upheaval. The pressure was clear in the chart —timed to late April/May—and also reflected in the horoscopes of SCOTUS and Chief Justice John Roberts.

• “Breaking down the redistricting arms race following the Supreme Court’s VRA ruling” -- posted today -- captures the “big push” of the Mars-Jupiter square, the retooling of Pluto’s station, and the fracturing of what seemed solid, per Uranus in Gemini. There are no boots on the ground, but the war has arguably begun.

• “Robot dogs with Musk and Zuckerberg heads roam gallery in new Beeple art exhibit” in Berlin — a fun one for Venus (the arts) in the spotlight!

• Hawaii is poised to become the first state to use its long-dormant legal authority to drain corporate money from its elections Montana is working on a similar project, as Pete Buttigieg explained.

• Charlotte Clymer posted a clip from last week’s debate among would-be governors in the Maine’s Democratic primary race. She called out Secretary of State Shenna Bellows for emphasizing collaboration over conflict -- with respect to her fellow contenders. Every one of them could have a place at her table -- said Bellows. No insults. No harsh words. See if you find it refreshing.

• Bellows is an Aries driven by Moon in Leo. Her Sun is conjunct Jupiter -- so we can appreciate how she could be seen as a big inspiration -- and the Sun-Jupiter conjunction opposes Pluto. Her Venus is in Taurus, now squared by Pluto, empowering her social expression and values this year in the extreme. Mars is in Aquarius -- there’s her humanitarian action plan, which seeks to find unique social significance within the construct of a group.

• James Comey was indicted (again!) -- this time because he took a photo of an arrangement of seashells he saw on a beach in North Carolina while on vacation. The arrangement spelled out “86 47.” If you’ve ever worked in a restaurant (raises hand), you know “86” means “this item is no longer available on the menu -- stop selling it to customers.” You also know this indictment is bananas. Like Bellows, Comey’s Venus is also driven to extremes by Pluto.

• “Jerome Powell says he’ll remain on U.S. Federal Reserve board, denying Trump a chance to name his own appointee.”

Meanwhile…

Random items in the news, as patterns in their horoscopes would suggest:

• “Mission accomplished at Charles’ speech to Congress goes down a storm” When I wrote that “we could expect persuasive speech and power plays in matters of partners and adversaries” for King Charles last week, I’d forgotten about his state visit to the US.

• Britney Spears pleads guilty to reckless driving -- and with Neptune hitting all the angles of her horoscope for the first of three passes over the next year, we appreciate that it was a DUI. “Recklessness” comes courtesy of transiting Uranus opposing her natal Uranus -- a midlife crisis.

• “Palantir tops estimates on 85% revenue growth, fastest expansion since market debut in 2020” -- we looked at this chart in the last ChartFest on Zoom -- and expected the company to surge in growth over the next two years.

Three interesting items about Jeffrey Epstein, whose 6 Scorpio MC is affected by Pluto’s virtual standstill:

• Pulitzer Board awards Miami Herald reporter Julie K. Brown special citation for her ground-breaking work that “exposed Epstein’s systemic abuse of young women” and girls. Finally — and in only took 1/4 of a Saturn cycle — 7 years — for that to happen.

• Laura Dern will portray Julie K. Brown in a new series about the Epstein investigation.

Several Avid Readers have asked me for thoughts on the 13 scientists who have either died or vanished under disturbing circumstances. Independent journalist Alisa Valdes Rodriguez just reported on the disappearance of a 14th -- and offers a theory on how and why these 14 scientists may be connected.

Elsewhere...(for those who did not see this Note on Substack):

Names in the news often line up with astrology. Once recognized, you can’t unsee it.

Last year’s Derby winner was Sovereignty. It was an astonishing reflection of Saturn and Neptune moving into Aries. Translation: authority’s justification for action is “because I said so” — with no other reason given. Meanwhile, Journalism came in second to Sovereignty — an apt reflection of real life.

Yesterday, Golden Tempo won.

On July 1, Jupiter enters Leo. Jupiter refers to expansion and reward, for better or worse. Leo rules gold. Tempo speaks to timing. We can expect a “golden moment” to make news. It doesn’t matter if the moment is real. It will be declared.

As Jupiter moves into Leo, it energizes a larger pattern among the outer planets — one that supports a smooth, fast pace, especially for those in the driver’s seat.

FWIW, Renegade came in second. Make of this what you will.

And yes, the fact that a horse trained by a woman won the Derby for the first time ever is an apt reflection of the “women mean business” potential of the weekend’s sextile between Venus and Saturn.

Finally...

A useful coping strategy for these interesting times:

• “Physicist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein urges curiosity and joy as tools to confront fascism and break imposed limits.”

See you on at the ChartFest on Wednesday!

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Astrology continues to bat 1.000. The patterns that strongly suggested riveting headlines in Washington on Saturday manifested as anticipated, and there was plenty to talk about in yesterday’s chat with sound shaman Norma Gentile. I’m glad we put it on the calendar last Friday -- thanks to all who attended and contributed to the discussion. Here’s how you can listen to the replay, if you are not already a patron subscriber.

The next ChartFest/Zoom Q & A for patron subscribers will be on Wednesday, May 6th — 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT.

Venus is driving much of the action this week, meaning plenty of buzz about money, aesthetics, worth, women -- with themes of power and control. Further illumination comes on Friday, with the Full Moon in “ours vs. mine” Scorpio. Humming in the background is Pluto, slowing to a virtual stop (from our perspective). Translation: power and resources involving networks and technology command attention like a blaring car horn.

Highlights:

• All-day Moon void on Monday

• Venus trine Pluto on Tuesday

• Venus sextile Saturn on Friday

• Full Moon in Scorpio on Friday

• Mercury enters Taurus on Saturday

It goes like this:

Monday — Mind the Void

Moon sextile Jupiter at 7:11 AM ET — how pleasant indeed.

And then…as with last Monday and Saturday…another long Moon void.

With the Moon in Virgo, organizing something routine would be a fine project. If there’s a “crisis” in the news, it might crop up around 2:52 PM ET, when the Moon hits 22 Virgo and connects with the U.S. Mars–Neptune square.

Your coping strategy is to not make a mountain out of a molehill—and CHILL.

Tuesday — Charming…with a Chill in the Air

Moon regains its focus when it enters diplomatic Libra at 5:02 AM ET. A Libra Moon is more inclined to avoid conflict and unpleasantness. Now the need is for peace, fairness, and yes—people-pleasing.

Calling on your networks—alliances and/or technology—to accomplish the mission is supported by Moon trine Uranus at 5:17 AM ET. Double-check communications in the morning, as Moon opposes Neptune at 11:06 AM ET. Neptune often can’t help but present things as they would like to be seen, but not as they are. If you’re on the West Coast, note your dreams upon waking.

Big news involving the consolidation of money and other resources is anticipated, as Venus trines Pluto at 12:39 PM ET. On a personal level, whatever is chatty and charming may be especially persuasive—and empowered.

Deep thoughts may function as a law unto themselves this afternoon, as Libra Moon forms an Air Grand Trine with Pluto and Venus at 3:31 PM ET and 3:50 PM ET.

A block or loss—or an authoritarian advance—reflects the chilly opposition between Moon and Saturn, exact at 10:07 PM ET. Parties affected include John Roberts, Canada, Karoline Leavitt, the CF—and anyone else with planets around 8 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn.

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Wednesday — Choose Your Battles

For some, the response to last night’s block becomes a cause for provocation. Mind the potential for rash action as Moon opposes Mars at 10:24 AM ET. Upside potential: who needs caffeine when a prod from Mars gets you out of bed?

Libra Moon continues its quest for balance until 5:06 PM ET, when a burst of optimism—or wretched excess—carries us into evening, courtesy of Moon square Jupiter.

Thursday — Mind the Void — again!

Communication that demands a place at the table—or else. That’s the vibe overnight, as Libra Moon opposes Mercury (how we need to think) and Eris (burn it to the ground) in Aries at 4:51 AM ET. Think: we-we-we meets me-me-me…with attitude.

Whatever it is, CHILL, as Moon promptly goes void for the next ten hours. Yes, you may sleep in without consequence and/or flake out. Roll with any twist that disrupts efforts to move forward in a straight line. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.

At 3:01 PM ET, Moon regains its focus and enters Scorpio, where it goes quiet—and strategic. The need now is to control the narrative, for the sake of power and control.

Friday — Full Moon in Scorpio: Mine vs. Ours

Scorpio Moon’s need for control clashes with Pluto at 1:50 AM ET. Whatever the purge, let it go. Resistance is futile, though emotions are on the rise. Why? Because at 1:23 PM ET, Moon opposes Sun in Taurus.

Here is the chart for the Full Moon in Scorpio, set in Washington, DC.

Observations:

• Moon in Scorpio needs depth and substance. I could flippantly say that Scorpio wrote the book on intimacy—the kind that draws people in like a magnet or sends more skittish and scattered types running screaming down the halls. Got a planet in Scorpio? Whatever it rules in your horoscope can take you all the way down to hell or all the way to heaven…but oh, the depth of knowledge you’ll gain as a result.

• Taurus Sun and Scorpio Moon are both concerned with values and assets. Taurus focuses on the values of the individual; Scorpio refers to shared resources. It is here that we may find the illumination suggested by a Full Moon: what is MINE vs. what is OURS. Check the houses in your horoscope ruled by Taurus and Scorpio to assess what areas of your life may be “lit up.”

• Moon is on the IC—the root of the chart. Sun is on the MC—the most elevated position. Moon refers to the people. Their need to claim what is ours—including the land itself—opposes the mine-mine-mine energy of the Taurus Sun, which is one of the planets referring to leaders of the country.

• Venus is in a close sextile with Saturn—a “good for business” pattern, suggesting an easy flow between money/values/possessions and authority figures. This sextile is exact at 2:45 PM ET.

• Mars is in a close square with Jupiter. The energy of action, aggression, and assertion is expressed in matters of media, foreign affairs, and court opinion. It also energizes expansive initiatives related to creativity, children, ambassadors, and gambling.

• Mercury is also in the 9th house, conjunct Chiron, the Wounded Healer. This conjunction squares the U.S. Pluto, suggesting news involving difficult truths about our nation’s powers that be. This pattern also affects the horoscope of Kamala Harris.

• Pluto is slowing to a virtual standstill, officially turning retrograde on May 6th at 11:34 AM ET. It’s in the 6th house in this chart, emitting radioactive “resistance is futile” vibes around armed forces, workers, diseases, and systems of process. Modern astrologers see Pluto as the ruler of the 4th house and would add real estate to the mix. Whose land is it? Your land and my land, as the song goes?

• The Sabian Symbols for this Full Moon are jaw-droppingly in sync with current headlines. I don’t know if the WHCA dinner drama was staged by humans—but perhaps a higher power, enjoying the role of showrunner on the world’s most exhausting surreality TV series, had a hand in it.

  Ready?

  — “An embassy ball” — for the Scorpio Moon…yes, really. Get a ballroom, already.
  — “Window shoppers” — for the Taurus Sun.

• “An embassy ball,” per Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee, is an “exclusive gathering of the elite, gathered mostly for their mutual benefit. When positive, integrity and excellence shine; when not, elitism, disdain, and specious superiority show forth.” We can expect stories of elite gatherings to make headlines—for better or worse.

• This Symbol was the focal point of the New Moon/Eclipse in Scorpio of November 2013, and earlier in February 2013, when we noted an elite gathering electing a new Pope and certain elite members of the Supreme Court poised to take a sledgehammer to voting rights.

• The “window shoppers” of the Taurus Sun represent “people on the outside looking in…never buying into what is sold.” Another apt Symbol for this week’s news, where few are buying the WHCA dinner drama spin.

• Bovee suggests we manage the polarity of these Symbols with awareness of “glass barriers and ceilings; transparent manipulation; flattering displays. Consider having a ball regardless of social barriers; being happy with the simple life; not being overly obligated by one’s social position.”

• You are more personally affected by this Full Moon if you have planets around 12 degrees of Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius, or Leo. Off the top of my head, that includes Hakeem Jeffries, JD Vance, the CF, Bette Midler, Tim Cook, Charles Koch, and Judy Collins.

Saturday — Go with the Flow

Another day to chill and roll with the flakes and the twists. Moon trine Jupiter at 4:47 AM ET offers a reason to dive into the comforts of home and family.

Conventional wisdom says to avoid major impulse purchases when Moon is void, as they may not live up to expectations.

At 10:56 PM ET, Mercury enters Taurus. From now until May 17th, thoughts and communication need to be cool, calm, and practical. This may reduce the number of loose cannons in the news—and in your own personal world.

Sunday — Spark, Shock — and a Steady Burn

Moon enters Sagittarius at 2:33 AM ET — gosh, it feels like I just wrote that line yesterday.

A Sagittarius Moon needs to be respected for its righteous opinion—no matter how well informed (or not). And with Uranus now in the early degrees of Gemini, every time Moon enters Sagittarius, Pisces, Virgo, or Gemini, it’s likely to be accompanied by a shock to the system. Moon opposes Uranus at 3:21 AM ET — surprise, surprise.

Deep dreams come courtesy of Moon trine Neptune at 9:15 AM ET and sextile Pluto at 1:37 PM ET.

A trine between Moon and Saturn at 9:38 PM ET offers structure for Moon’s need to push boundaries, take a gamble (or a gambol), and otherwise broaden horizons. This structure can support big, expansive action planned for a launch over the next few days.

Monday — Hurry Up and Wait

Moon opposes Venus at 3:16 AM ET. Sagittarius Moon wants to Tell it like it T-I-IS (cue the B-52s now, please); Venus in Gemini prefers charm and flexible options—keeping things clever rather than committed.

Once the opposing forces are resolved, they’re ready for action, supported by Moon trine Mars at 5:33 PM ET. After that, Moon goes void for the next 21 hours.

Keep the void in mind with respect to whatever expansive action hits the wires—involving media, the courts, and foreign affairs—as Mars squares Jupiter (in national security–focused Cancer) at 10:08 PM ET. You are more personally affected by this push for expansion if you are the 119th Congress.

Beth Owl’s Daughter’s always-in-sync Tarot Card of the Week embodies the big action potential of these planetary patterns. The Chariot has not appeared since the end of September 2024, when Powers That Be Pluto was at the verrrry end of Capricorn.

I remember feeling quite concerned—a year beforehand—that the short return of Pluto to those final degrees would “coincide” with a massive, last-gasp power grab by the old guard, crushing the hopes of those seeking a more equitable, community-driven sharing of resources.

I had hopes, too.
Pluto has moved on.

So does the story.

And now, the news

We covered much of this in yesterday’s chat with Norma—please check out the replay for details.

Here are the most-anticipated patterns, who was affected, and how they showed up in the headlines.

Mars–Saturn-Mercury in Aries

The Aries New Moon of April 17th carried these seeds:

• Mercury sextile Pluto (April 18)

• Mars conjunct Saturn (April 19)

• Mercury conjunct Mars and Saturn (April 20)

Translation:

militantly disciplined ideas and/or pioneering initiatives

We saw it clearly in the tech world, where I stumbled across this in-sync story on Substack, reported by Dean Blundell:

• “Peter Thiel’s Palantir -- the company that owns the Trump regime -- just posted their 22-point manifesto for America…“It calls for the reinstatement of the draft and rejects democracy and “inclusivity.” Critics said it seems like something a comic book supervillain would write, which adds in the surreal potential of Neptune in Aries -- which may idealize warriors and crusades. Given the timing of this manifesto and the action in the horoscopes of Thiel and Palantir’s CEO Alex Karp (more in a minute), this is one to watch, much as Project 2025 was one to ignore at one’s peril. FWIW, Palantir was first mentioned by Heather Cox Richardson in July 2020.

• Speaking of Neptune, soon after the Saturn-Neptune conjunction on February 20th, Palantir made news with: “Forget granola bars. Palantir is providing nicotine products as a workplace perk.” Maintaining control (Saturn) through substance abuse (Neptune) is something Norma and I spoke about at length yesterday. Drug use in places of power and industry, and the US vulnerability to these addictions, reflects the US Mars-Neptune square. Norma had other insights to share.

Meanwhile, on the warfront:

• Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the subsequent US Naval blockade are textbook expressions of Mars–Saturn patterns.

In other news…

…this is one is tough…but the astrology is fascinating.

• Exposing a global ‘online ra*e academy’ that is teaching men how to abuse women.”

CNN published this on March 26, as the Aries Sun met up with Saturn, both sextile Pluto. Venus was conjunct Chiron and dwarf planet Eris that day, with Moon in Cancer.

The platform reportedly hosting this content—motherless dot com—is a breathtaking reflection of Venus sandwiched between Chiron (the wound) and Eris (burn it all down) in Aries—a profound image of the feminine principle injured and rejected.

The abuse arguably reflects something else: men acting out the “do whatever I want” potential suggested by the Sun–Saturn conjunction in Aries, amplified to extremes by Pluto. We all know what Pluto did to his wife, Persephone. We grew up with these myths. Why is that?

The CNN story didn’t gain traction immediately. But three weeks later, on the day Mars met up with Saturn:

• “What Happens When the World Is Motherless“

Substack writer Elayne Kalila’s essay hit a nerve -- and went viral.

Why now?

The original CNN story reflects Venus conjunct Chiron and Eris—a wound, a violation.
The essay response reflects Mars in Aries, confronting a potentially dysfunctional Saturn.

The latter is the same pattern that coincided with the approval of Viagra—as noted last week.

Mars, dignified in Aries, refers to desire—and also to courage and anger.

In Kalila’s essay, the potency is rage.

In fact, I’ve noticed an uptick in the number of writers asserting that people are not angry enough about the current state of affairs. This, too, reflects current planetary patterns. We are going to be working with this Aries potential for quite some time.

In some places, that anger is already being expressed — productively.

People in Hungary were clearly angry. Their experience of the Mars–Saturn–Mercury pile-up included headlines like this:

• “Peter Magyar unveils cabinet line-up, demands Orban-era officials resign by May“ “He said decree-based governance and legislation serving oligarchic interests will be abolished.” Magyar has vowed to abolish the state media propaganda machine.

Here in New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani met Barack Obama -- reportedly for the first time -- on April 18th. Mamdani’s Aquarius Moon falls on Obama’s Ascendant -- usually a marker for an instant personal connection.

Together, the two men read books and sang songs with schoolchildren (the mayor has declared funding for pre-school education a priority). Moon was in comforting Taurus, sextile Jupiter in caring Cancer. Humming in the background was that militant Mars-Saturn meet-up.

Could we see Mars here as an inspiring expression of masculinity breathing life into an old paradigm? What do you think? Mars-Saturn patterns are not fearsome in and of themselves. People choose how to express them. Mamdani has a ruthlessly effective Mars in Scorpio square to a high-functioning Saturn in humanitarian Aquarius. He could put that to very good use.

People whose horoscopes were hit by the Saturn-Mars-Mercury pile-up include:

• Peter Thiel and Alex Karp, who are both having their second Saturn returns. Karp’s Saturn opposes his 8 Libra Sun, so it is even more motivating for him. We anticipate a sense of urgency for both about a new lease on life -- in which accomplishments must fulfill emotional and spiritual needs -- not the material ones that may have dominated 29 years ago.

• Sean Hannity. Sun at 8 Capricorn; Venus and Mars are also in early Capricorn. His Mercury at 17 Capricorn is opposed by Jupiter, pushing him to broadcast his thoughts, perhaps. Last week he announced he’s split from the Catholic Church. Saturn transits may “coincide” with separations. Here is Hannity’s horoscope.

• Chief Justice John Roberts. He has Mars at 8 Aries. On April 18th, the New York Times published “The inside story of five days that remade the Supreme Court,” which included the actual “Shadow Docket Papers,”. Roberts is revealed to be the driving force behind the highly irregular 2016 decision to issue a “cryptic, one-paragraph ruling that sent both climate policy and the court itself spinning in new directions.” Now, with Saturn in “because I said so” Aries, rulings without reasoning have increased.

• Canada. Sun and Uranus at 8 Cancer exactly oppose its 8 Capricorn MC. “Canada launches its first sovereign wealth fund”

Sun square Pluto

Sun-Pluto refers to leaders, power and resources, and purges. Pluto is in Aquarius -- so add in themes of aviation and technology.

• “Trump fires board members of group that oversees US science funding”

• Could the Trump administration bail out Spirit Airlines?

• Elon Musk and Sam Altman duke it out in court over the founding of OpenAI

• “King Charles to meet Trump off camera over fears of Zelenskyy-style clash.” This square affects the King’s horoscope, as Pluto sits on his Descendant and squares his Mercury. We would expect persuasive speech and power plays in matters of partners and adversaries.

Venus-Uranus at the end of Taurus...into Gemini

Whenever an outer planet enters a new sign, we expect to immediately see an event that reflects its potential. Uranus represents disruption and fracture. Gemini refers to the mind and to the news. At the disrupted WHCA dinner on Saturday, a mentalist was hired to perform instead of the usual comedian. Instead of the spotlight being on the press -- which Heather Cox Richardson observed was the purpose of the event -- the spotlight was on the man who had the void-of-course 29 Leo Moon right on his Ascendant, squared by chaos agent Uranus. The press has been fractured.

For the record, the security breach seems to have happened at 8:36 PM ET. Uranus entered Gemini at 8:50 PM ET. Moon entered Virgo at 9:04 PM ET, to put everything back in order.

One more for the “told ya”File:

Told ya to watch for surprising twists from Tucker Carlson, whose 29 degrees Taurus Moon was hit by Uranus last week:

• Tucker Carlson Apologizes for ‘Misleading People’ About Donald Trump: I Will Be ‘Tormented by It for a Long Time’

Astrology is amazing.

Finally...

Add Woody Guthrie to the list of people who had a planet eclipsed on February 17th, triggered this month by Uranus at the verrry end of Taurus. Guthrie has Mars at 28 Leo -- here’s his horoscope. He died in 1967, but one of his songs has been brought back to life by Bette Midler, as reported in Rolling Stone:

“I was talking to Jane Fonda the other day, and she said, ‘We need an anthem.’ So, I looked back at [some] catalogs and an old Woody Guthrie song stuck in my head.”

The World War II-era song in question, “All You Fascists,” released in 1940, decried the poll tax, Jim Crow, and race hatred in the U.S. Now, Midler is debuting a 2026 revamp...

You can watch the official music video here.

Midler is a Sagittarius, driven by the Moon in Scorpio. She has an Aries Ascendant -- we appreciate her need to be seen as a crusading leader. Just watch her in the video. Like Guthrie, she has Mars in regal Leo, too -- but in the early part of the sign, where it is currently being empowered by Pluto. Here is her horoscope.

The song is catchy.

Fox hates it.

Thank you for your restacks and comments.

The next ChartFest/Zoom Q & A for patron subscribers will be on Wednesday, May 6th — 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT.

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Sound shaman Norma Gentile and I had a feeling on Friday that we’d have plenty to talk about on Sunday. Thanks to all who joined today’s spontaneous conversation — and to all who listen to the replay.

The audio recording is below the Listen photo.

A link to the video recording is there, too — if you prefer to watch.

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Executive Summary:

As always, Norma opened with music and guided meditation and offered her perspective on the emotional and energetic undercurrents behind current events — along with practical ways to stay grounded.

One theme that emerged was how the dynamics we see on the world stage often mirror patterns in our own lives — sometimes in subtler but no less meaningful way.

Other topics included — but were not limited to:

• Mercury-Mars-Saturn pile-up in Aries, how it made news, and who was most affected

• WHCA dinner drama — why it was no surprise at all

• Outlook for May and into the winter holidays

• Several noteworthy newsmakers, including Pete Buttigieg, Palantir, Jon Ossoff, and the Usual Suspects

If you’re curious to hear how it all came together, check out the replay below.

Warmly,

Elisabeth

The next astrology-only Zoom Q & A is Wednesday, May 6th — 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT. If there’s a horoscope you’d like to look at, drop it in the comments or send me an email.

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If you’re free and feeling spontaneous on Sunday, April 26th at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT, please join sound shaman Norma Gentile and me for an illuminating afternoon chat.

We noted months ago that the week starting April 19th would be exceptionally intense, and so far, it has delivered. The final day — Saturday — still carries weight, as the Sun squares Pluto and Uranus ditches Taurus for Gemini (where it will be for the next 7 years).

The Moon will be in Virgo (discernment, analysis), while Venus sextile Neptune supports music and meditation. Mercury square Jupiter suggests big ideas — and possibly big headlines.

Whatever unfolds, Norma and I felt it would be helpful to put it in perspective — with insight and practical ways to stay steady in the midst of it all.

I bring the astrology. Norma brings channeled insights from her guides (including Archangel Michael). Her observations about current events continue to be astonishingly in sync with the planetary patterns I track in Why Now News.

As always, Norma will start us off with live healing music — with piano, singing bowls, and shruti box.

Bring your questions and observations — your participation is part of what makes these conversations come alive.

If you can’t join in person, a replay will be available to patron subscribers.

“Wanted to thank you for an extraordinary evening. The combo of the two of you was fantastic! These quick sessions are spectacular and each time I hear something else that makes the world a lot more sense!”

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$15 EG & Norma on 9/1

Warmly,

Elisabeth

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I am blessed to have many friends in the Tar Heel State, and am grateful to be visiting one of them for a few days. If you are ever in need of an animal communicator to help you better understand your furry or feathered companion -- or heal from their trek over the Rainbow Bridge, call my friend Diane. She’s so gifted -- and she even wrote a book about her work with animals. I have referred many happy clients to her over the years -- tell her I sent you.

Being blessed means getting to experience more of the luscious potential of last weekend’s patterns, less of the heavy-hitting, noisy Aries stuff that is also making news, as anticipated. This image --- including one of Diane’s five resident felines -- is sponsored by Saturday’s Moon in Taurus as it traveled from Jupiter in Cancer to a meet-up with Venus.

Not a care in the world -- sans souci — which is in fact the name of Diane’s mountain perch.

I encourage you to seek out moments of senseless beauty.

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I head back to the Big Apple tomorrow.

Meanwhile...

Astrology continues to bat 1.000. This week builds on last week’s intensity and consequence, as the pile-up of planets in Aries pushes action, while Uranus — now at the verrrrry end of Taurus — makes its last-gasp effort to shake up what we thought was secure. Decisions may be quick under pressure, and without full understanding of consequences, true to the Aries spirit (says fellow Aries astrologer Rick Levine), of “Ready! Fire! Aim!”

Translation: act if you must — but recognize that the story is just beginning....

Highlights this week -- loaded!

Mercury conjunct Saturn on Monday
Mercury conjunct Mars on Monday
First Quarter Moon on Thursday
Venus conjunct Uranus on Thursday
Venus enters Gemini on Friday
Sun squares Pluto on Saturday
Uranus enters Gemini on Saturday
Venus sextile Neptune on Sunday
Mercury squares Jupiter on Sunday

I don’t know how Beth Owl’s Daughter’s Tarot Card of the Week will reflect the astrology of this week, but you know it will, because it always does. Check her website after sunset.

It goes like this:

Monday — mind the void!

You could sleep in without consequence. The Gemini Moon was busy around midnight last night, coordinating clever plans involving authority figures, the military, and assorted macho types.

Translation: the Moon made a series of sextiles (cooperative patterns) to Mercury, Saturn, and Mars at 12:18 AM ET, 12:29 AM ET, and 1:17 AM ET — and then went void…for almost the next 36 hours.

This is a long time to CHILL and not make a mountain out of a molehill of crisis. Still, whatever apparent crisis comes up is likely to feel weighty and provocative. Why? Because Mercury meets up with Saturn at 7:22 AM ET, and Mercury meets up with Mars at 5:44 PM ET.

Fun fact: the first essay that popped up on my Substack feed this morning was about what happens when we die. Executive summary: we don’t go anywhere. Death (Saturn) is simply a shift in consciousness (Mercury).

Mercury’s meet-up with Mars and Saturn engage the horoscope of the convicted felon (CF) in the White House — which is on the verge of receiving the third in a series of disruptive hits (squares) from chaos agent Uranus, exact on Friday the 24th. During today’s long void, the Gemini Moon will meet up with his Sun, Nodes, and oppose his righteous Sagittarius Moon. This is personal.

The first hit of Uranus to the CF’s ASC was last July, described in detail here — and here is an excerpt:

July 5th, 2025 -- Transiting Uranus squares the Ascendant. Ancient astrologers considered the ASC to be one of the health centers of the chart. We see the potential for disruption. This square was the first of three that will happen between now and April 2026. These squares are coming on the heels of a series of three hits to his Midheaven and his Mars last year and through this Spring.

The 7th refers to partnerships., spouses, and open enemies. The 6th refers to working conditions and diseases. Aquarius refers to circulation and ankles.

At the risk of repetition, if you’ve been reading these forecasts over the past year — even better if you’ve joined spontaneous conversations with sound shaman Norma Gentile — or watched the replays of the Zoom Q & A/ChartFests — you likely put these last two full weeks of April on your calendar as a probable crescendo for significant power players, including the CF, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Tucker Carlson, Barack Obama (his new library opens soon), and many more.

Bottom line: pay attention today — but the Moon void advises a detached perspective.

Tuesday — mind the void again!

You could sleep in without consequence, as the Gemini Moon void doesn’t end until 1 PM ET, when it enters Cancer. The Moon is high functioning in the sign it rules, where it needs to focus on building emotional, home, and homeland security.

Avid Readers will recall that the U.S. Congress has a higher-than-average probability of getting something done under a Cancer Moon. You can, too — and easily this afternoon, as the Moon sextiles the Taurus Sun at 3:50 PM ET.

Just be aware that things may not be as they seem, dreamy as they may appear. Moon squares Neptune at 5:53 PM ET, upping the odds that we’ll be hearing about sexy scandals, crises of faith, and matters of oil, drugs, oceans, and wipe-outs — some of which will include warriors and other macho men.

UPDATE: speaking of crises of faith, yesterday the CF announced he would read from the Bible whilst sitting in the Oval Office -- as part of a national call to prayer day or something. Yes, it’s bonkers -- and yet completely in line with expectations mapped out over a year ago. Avid Readers may recall that humming in background all last year and this year are two solar arcs (another way astrologers measure time) of Neptune to his Moon (last year) and his Sun (this year, exact around Christmas). Translation: Neptune dissolves whatever it touches, and refers to ideals, faith, saviors, wipe-outs, and delusions. Neptune on the Sun suggests a mythical state of being and/or a meltdown. This particular solar arc reinforces other previously noted patterns that reflect his altared state, typo obviously intended.

ICYMI, the “national call to prayer” reflects patterns in the horoscope of the United States -- also observed over a year ago. Those patterns are Saturn and Neptune now sitting at the bottom of the US horoscope, joined last week by transiting Mercury and Mars. Thank goodness for astrology to help us make sense of it all.

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Wednesday — edgy morning

Tuesday night’s dream gets a sobering reality check — or a block — around 2:30 AM ET, as Moon squares Saturn. Someone may want to fight about it around 5:11 AM ET, as Moon squares Mars. Next up: plenty of noise about national security, as Moon squares Mercury at 7:29 AM ET.

The Cancer Moon then travels without interference for the rest of the day, ending on a high note of optimism at 6:51 PM ET, when Moon meets up with Jupiter.

Keep an eye on the CF for more reckless, bonkers bombast.

Thursday - now or never

Get creative with last night’s optimism.

There is a sense of urgency in matters of money, values, women, and social expression, with Venus at the verrry end of material comfort-seeking Taurus. Moon at the verrry end of Cancer this afternoon adds to the sense of “now or never.”

Upside: Moon is supported by the urgent Venus and the equally urgent rebel Uranus, now at the end of Taurus. Moon sextiles Venus at 2:52 PM ET and Moon sextiles Uranus at 3:28 PM ET.

Up next: Moon enters Leo at 3:40 PM ET, adding more fuel to the fiery pile-up of planets in Aries. Leo Moon needs a stage upon which to shine, which is why paying someone a compliment on a Leo Moon is such an excellent strategy. Now is the time to seek applause for creativity. Less enlightened souls will be seeking an outlet for regal edicts, throwing tantrums instead of parties.

A trine between Moon and Neptune at 8:56 PM ET facilitates inspiration or a charade — which is fine, if that’s the party game you’re playing.

Meanwhile, a surprise revelation arrives around 9:58 PM ET, as Venus meets up with Uranus. Disruption in the markets, housing, and/or food supply is likely. Upside: an innovative approach and/or an unconventional attraction involving women, art, money, technology, aviation, astrology — or perhaps an eccentric friend.

It’s a big deal that this conjunction is happening at the verrry end of Taurus. It ups the odds of an upset that can’t be taken back, as Venus and Uranus will soon be moving on to the next sign, Gemini.

It’s also a big deal that Venus and Uranus are on the fixed star Alcyone. “Love and eminence” are associated with the brightest star in the Pleiades. So is blindness. Alcyone dazzles — but it doesn’t promise clarity.

Fun fact: House Speaker Mike Johnson has Saturn conjunct Alcyone. Saturn refers to authority. Is that why he’s never aware of the things the CF — his presumed authority figure — says and does? Because he’s blinded by -- or blind to -- authority? Anyway, a shake-up of some kind would be expected for Johnson at the time. One disruption so far is yesterday’s tragic loss of the lives of eight children in Shreveport, LA -- Johnson’s district.

Friday — mind over matter

At 12:03 AM ET, Venus leaves Taurus and enters Gemini, for a stay until May 18th.

Any planet in Gemini needs to be clever, chatty, and entertaining. Since Gemini is the sign of the Twins, watch for an uptick in double-talk and double-dealing in matters of money, women, and values. Expect shifts in relationships, messaging, and money — not necessarily because anything fundamental has changed, but because perception has.

Keep in mind: Venus has just met up with Uranus at the very end of Taurus. The surprise twist from that encounter won’t disappear. It will be talked about — with intensity.

Watch for a late-night emotional catharsis or purge, as Moon opposes Pluto at 1:12 AM ET, affecting the horoscope of President Zelensky.

Moon is next supported by that pile-up of planets in Aries. At 6:19 AM ET, Moon trines Saturn. At 11:49 AM ET, Moon trines Mars. At 6:20 PM ET, Moon trines Mercury. Translation: an easy flow among planets that represent ambition, action (walking), and messaging (talking). It’s fiery, impulsive, and power-packed.

Ideally, you will ship it before 6:20 PM ET, when Moon goes void with a sigh for the next 27 hours…

Saturday — Uranus enters Gemini

You know the Moon void drill. Roll with the twists and flakes, and don’t make a mountain out of a molehill of perceived crisis. Avoid launching anything of consequence — conventional wisdom says it won’t amount to much. Avoid major purchases, as there’s a higher-than-average chance of disappointment.

What can be done during a Moon void? CHILL! Stick to routine concerns. Wander a bit if you are able. I find Moon voids great for writing and other creative forays. Astrologer Rockie Gardiner thought Moon voids were great times to return unwanted items. Agreed.

That being said, humming in the background all week is a pattern “coinciding” with the power plays we’ve seen all week: the Sun’s square to Pluto at 12:32 PM ET.

Sun = leaders of business and state. Pluto = power and resources. This is the second of four supercharged contacts they’ll make this year. The last one was the Sun-Pluto conjunction in Aquarius on January 23rd. Aquarius refers to networks, aviation, technology, revolution, and freedom with a humanitarian angle. Whatever power plays involving these themes that were seeded back then, friction shows up now.

What was going on around January 23rd? Here’s the forecast for that week. Headlines from past Sun–Pluto squares are here and here.

You are more personally affected by this Sun–Pluto square if you have planets around 6 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. Off the top of my head, that includes President Zelensky, Melania, King Charles, Chief Justice Roberts, and Jeffrey Epstein.

But wait, there’s more!

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At 8:50 PM ET, Uranus enters Gemini — for a stay until 2033.

A pause, while we discuss this significant paradigm shift.

Whatever sign Uranus is in, it disrupts whatever that sign is about, for better or for worse. For the past seven years, Uranus has been in Taurus, disrupting our experience of possessions, money, housing, retail outlets, and actual beef. Uranus in Taurus brought us the Impossible Burger, a preference for online shopping over brick-and-mortar stores, and cryptocurrency instability. Just yesterday, someone on BlueSky was bemoaning the inability to own anything anymore — and by “anything” she meant her word processing software which she now has to license every year. She could no longer own it. She has to rent it. This is Uranus in Taurus.

Seven years of Uranus in Aries produced the selfie stick and the gig economy. It was the beginning of a trend — which we are continuing now with Saturn and Neptune in Aries — towards a certain level of self-sufficiency.

What will be disrupted with Uranus in Gemini? Now the shake-ups will shift from what we have — to how we think and communicate. Expect rapid innovation in communication, media, education, sales and marketing.

The speed will obviously be aided and abetted by technology — and also by the easy flow among the outer planets: Pluto in Aquarius, Saturn-Neptune in Aries, and now, Uranus in Gemini. These planets are not in Earth signs that may be interested in tangible forms and material security. Aquarius and Gemini are Air signs; Aries is Fire. Since Gemini is a Mutable sign (translation: highly adaptable), the speed at which innovation become “the new normal” will be enough to make your head spin. But adapt we shall.

Uranus in an Air sign puts the airwaves in play — literally and digitally. Communication networks, data systems, aviation — all subject to sudden turbulence, breakdowns and breakthroughs.

We’ve been getting a sneak peek of what Gemini has to teach us for several years. If you know where Gemini is in your horoscope, consider that part as you review this sequence of events.

First, we had eight months of Mars in Gemini in 2022-2023. We saw an escalation of conflict in communication—a war of words, reflected in the rise of defamation lawsuits and battles over what can and cannot be said. Elon Musk conquered Twitter.

Jupiter’s transit through Gemini in 2024–2025 expanded this landscape, amplifying the number of voices, platforms, and narratives in circulation. Reporters left established outlets to publish independently. The result is an information ecosystem that is freer (for individual reporters) but fractured (for readers). Jupiter is not at its best in Gemini, frankly. It is a fact that having 57 brands of mustard to choose from does not make people happy.

And now, here we are.

Uranus in Gemini will electrify what Mars and Jupiter in Gemini have already done.

Media platforms will continue to fracture, as people are literally not on the same channel.

And it doesn’t stop there. Power players will attempt to expand the use of surveillance tools and AI to monitor prospective customers and tailor a sales pitch (and price point) the message to the individual. What you see may not be what someone else sees at all. Shared reality becomes optional.

In general, watch for the word “fracture” in the headlines. It will likely apply to much more than information.

For the United States, this begins the lead-up to its third Uranus return. The first coincided with the Civil War. The second with World War II. The next builds through 2027–2028. If you tuned in to a Zoom Q & A last summer, you may remember looking at the chart for the next US Uranus return, which suggests we will have reason to fight the good fight. It may involve a defining conflict over what the nation is — and who gets to say so. It wasn’t clear if the fight will be against an external adversary or between forces within. But fight we likely shall.

The ingress of Uranus into Gemini will immediately affect horoscopes with planets or angles around 1 degree of Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo, and Pisces. Off the top of my head that includes the 119th Congress, Stephen Miller, Steve Bannon, Mitch McConnell, George Washington, Lisa Murkowski, the Andrew formerly known as Prince, Ghislaine Maxwell and Ivana Trump. Watch the headlines.

Meanwhile...

At 9:04 PM ET — fourteen minutes after Uranus enters Gemini — Moon enters Virgo with a broom and dustpan, trying to clean up after Leo Moon’s party. Except — not so fast — Moon squares Uranus immediately.

Surprise?

Sunday — color it rose

An adjustment of values, as Moon squares Venus at 1:40 AM ET. Virgo needs perfection; Venus in Gemini craves cleverness. Who will win?

Balance is restored by the time you wake up, as earthy Moon trines earthy Taurus Sun at 8:37 AM ET — and a practical solution may be found. Work out the details with efficiency, as the Moon travels without interference for the rest of the day.

Whatever happened during the work week, a sextile between Venus and Neptune at 1:42 PM ET supports seeing things in the best possible light. If the arts are on your calendar today, lovely. If you’re a healer or a would-be peacemaker, even better.

A square between Mercury and Jupiter at 2:33 PM ET suggests one or more Big Announcements involving national security, the media, foreign affairs, court or church opinions — and maybe even sports.

Monday — mind the void — yet again!

Moon sextiles Jupiter at 7:11 AM ET -- how pleasant indeed. And then...as with last Monday and Saturday...another long Moon void. With the Moon in Virgo, organizing something routine would be a fine project. If there’s a “crisis” in the news, it might crop up around 2:52 PM ET, when the Moon hits 22 Virgo and connects with the US Mars-Neptune square and the CF’s Sun-Moon opposition.

Moon regains its focus when it enters diplomatic Libra at 5:02 AM ET on Tuesday.

A news round-up will be posted in a separate forecast, given that we are now at 3000 words. But just for fun, here is a wonderful illustration of last week’s Mars-Saturn conjunction in Aries: various SUVs barreling over 80 speedbumps at 120 MPH. Guess how well the Tesla cybertruck did? But seriously — why is this video showing up NOW?

Astrology is amazing!

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Beth Owl’s Daughter’s always-in-sync Tarot Card of the Week is the Knight of Wands — all fire, all action, all the time — and that is exactly what we have in the sky this week.

Mercury enters Aries on Tuesday, joining the Sun, Mars, Saturn, Neptune, Chiron, and Eris (the celestial body otherwise known as “burn it all to the ground”). Then, on Wednesday, the Moon enters Aries, driving the next two days with a need to inspire and initiate.

Did someone say “fiery crusade”? Moon in Aries is there for it.

On Friday, the Aries Moon meets up with the Aries Sun, and a new lunar cycle begins. Planting seeds for a new world order requires militant discipline and courage — stand up for yourself, because no one is coming to save you.

Those are the marching orders of the New Moon chart, with its much-ballyhooed triple conjunction of Mercury, Mars, and Saturn in Aries — not seen in decades. The last time these three were oh-so-close (not quite exact, but close enough), was in March 1998, “coinciding” with the launch of the Teletubbies and the FDA approval of…Viagra.

Highlights this week:

• Mars conjunct Neptune on Monday

• Venus sextiles Jupiter on Monday

• Mercury sextiles Uranus on Tuesday

• Mercury enters Aries on Tuesday

• Mars sextiles Pluto on Thursday

• Mercury conjunct Neptune on Thursday

• New Moon in Aries on Friday

• Mercury sextiles Pluto on Saturday

• Mars conjunct Saturn on Saturday

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Monday — charmers and crusaders

No sleeping in. Perhaps your dreams were infused by the surreal potential of the Mars–Neptune meet-up, exact at 1:30 AM ET. Or maybe your sense of stability was rattled by the square between the Moon and rebel Uranus — exact at 3:42 AM ET.

Mine was waking up around that time with indigestion — I kid you not.

Or maybe you’re feeling — quietly or exuberantly — joyful and blessed, thanks to a rare and luscious sextile between Venus and Jupiter, in effect all weekend and exact at 4:20 AM ET. These planets are known as the Lesser and Greater Benefics, and both are high functioning in Taurus and Cancer, respectively. Last week, I opined that we may have something tangible offered for the sake of domestic tranquility or national security. I’d argue there was — in Hungary, where 77% of registered voters turned out and a majority replaced their authoritarian prime minister with a new leader promising to clean up corruption. Heather Cox Richardson has more on that story at the end of last night’s must-read Letter.

I also anticipated that with Jupiter activating Jupiter in the horoscope of the CF in the Oval Office, he would be pushing boundaries — and he did exactly that. First, he attacked the pope. Then he tweeted an illustration depicting him as Jesus Christ healing a presumably sick person. The illustration was stuffed with Jupiter-in-Cancer excess — wretchedly overblown patriotic symbols. Avid Readers who tuned in for the Zoom ChartFests in recent months are likely not surprised. We laid out the action — with charts — in last week’s discussion.

Anyhoo, we’re starting the work week with the Moon in Pisces, as of 4:55 AM ET. Go with the intuitive flow — and find ways to fulfill the Moon’s need to work with ideals, impressions, and empathy.

Tuesday — intuition ignites

Moon’s trine to Jupiter at 11:22 AM ET gets the day off to a good start. Yes, some people will probably be pushing their luck, but you can make productive use of the optimistic, can-do vibe.

Mercury is now at the very end of Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac. Mercury refers to mindset, so we see the potential for headlines reflecting themes of surrender and the end of the world. Messages conveying a sense of urgency about collective beliefs — especially faith — along with empathy, refugees, victims, suicide, and sacrifice may command our attention. If some messages include aviation, technology, or humanitarianism, I won’t be surprised, as Mercury sextiles Uranus at 1:10 PM ET.

In your own personal world, an intuitive spark — perhaps even a breakthrough — is possible. Collaborate with others; think outside the box. Moon’s sextile to Venus at 2:10 PM ET favors pleasantries and appreciation for beauty in all forms.

At 11:21 PM ET, Mercury enters Aries, where it promptly offers solutions to problems you didn’t even know existed. Since our collective brains have been wallowing in the watery depths of Pisces since February 6th, it may take a day or two to get used to Mercury in Aries and its need for speed. If you have Mercury in Aries, my money says you may often feel out of sync with the rest of the group, because you need to be a trailblazer.

“I see a lot of people ahead of me who have followed in my footsteps” was absolutely, positively said by a person with Mercury in Aries.

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Blaze away until May 2nd, when Mercury settles down in Taurus.

Wednesday — ignition meets resistance

Moon sextiles Uranus at 9:07 AM ET, and it’s the last time a Pisces Moon will ever sextile Uranus in Taurus in your lifetime. Look to your dreams for insights about your connection with Mother Earth and material comforts. Maybe write them down.

The pace picks up at 10:03 AM ET, as the Moon enters Aries. That’s eight planets — Sun, Moon, Mercury, Neptune, Mars, Saturn, Chiron, and Eris — all on a fiery crusade.

Moon’s calendar is jam-packed. At 11:15 AM ET, it meets up with Mercury for an attention-grabbing declaration. Could be inspiring or delusional, given Mercury’s next stop: a meet-up with Neptune at 2:44 PM ET.

Action and assertion — courage, even combat — may be required in the late afternoon/evening, as the Moon meets up with Mars at 6:08 PM ET. Whatever it is, a deployment of resources and power is involved, as the Moon sextiles Pluto at 7:15 PM ET.

Finally, those marching orders may hit a wall around 10:37 PM ET, as the Moon meets up with Saturn.

Basically, the action and assertion unfolding today are a sneak peek of more to come over the next several days, culminating on April 19th and 20th. Pay attention.

Thursday — power in the dark

After last night’s meet-up with Saturn, the Aries Moon travels without interference on its me-me-me-first agenda. At 2:53 PM ET, it squares Jupiter in “national security” Cancer.

Again, keep an eye on the man Substack writer Bryan C. Del Monte has dubbed “Fat Nixon.” FWIW, Del Monte has worked in government and media, and I’ve been enjoying his informed, no-nonsense — and often snarky — perspective. Today, I’m momentarily borrowing his moniker for the CF. For reasons that may be obvious, many writers choose not to mention the CF/Fat Nixon by name. Plus, my Gemini Moon enjoys the variety — at least for several paragraphs.

That being said, Jupiter is squaring Fat Nixon’s very own Jupiter in Libra. Once you remember that Libra refers to peace, you can understand why he has been so keen to expand (Jupiter) his image as a peacemaker, bonkers as it may be. Fake Nobel Peace Prize, fake Board of Peace, and as of last night, the self-proclaimed Prince of Peace.

Thank goodness we have astrology to make sense of it all.

Meanwhile….

We are now at the end of the lunar cycle, with no light to guide us. This is a favorable time for flying under the radar. Otherwise, note the potential for listlessness or restlessness (maybe the latter, with so many planets in Aries), as we wait for Something New to begin.

Three minutes after the Moon–Jupiter overblown action at 2:53 PM ET, Mars sextiles Pluto. Translation: highly effective action is supported by an easy flow of power and resources, for better or worse — and it’s been in effect for several days, likely culminating now. I say “for better or worse” because astrology has no moral compass.

Also in effect all week, culminating now: a meet-up of Mercury and Neptune.

Mercury–Neptune themes suggest drugs, the surreal, bewilderment, fantasy, fish, oceans, floods, illusion, escapism, scandals, and conspiracy (webs of deceit?). You are more personally affected by this conjunction if you have planets around 2–3 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn. Off the top of my head, that includes Pam Bondi, Kristi Noem, Prince William, Adam Schiff, Elizabeth Warren, Russia, and the United States.

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Friday — New Moon in Aries

At 7:51 AM ET, the Aries Moon meets up with the Aries Sun, and a new lunar cycle begins.

Observations:

• No squares or oppositions in this chart reinforce other patterns suggesting that the power to get what we want is in our hands. There is no “other” to argue with. If it doesn’t get done, it’s more likely due to a lack of will. Hmm.

• Having said that, the preponderance of conjunctions and sextiles suggests that getting what we want requires a collective effort, focused on the practical application of energy.

• The New Moon is part of a stellium involving Chiron and Eris (not pictured, but right next to Chiron). The Sun and Moon are separating from their encounter with the Wounded Healer Chiron and “burn it all to the ground” Eris. Whatever was learned from a realization of wounds that need to be healed — and the sacrifice required — must inform this new venture.

• The New Moon is in the 12th house (from the perspective of the United States). The focus is on big institutions (hospitals, prisons, convents) — wherever people may be confined. The 12th house also refers to hidden enemies and self-sabotage.

• Pluto is on the Midheaven (MC). Power, purges, breakdowns, and transformation may color whatever happens to the leader of the nation and our public status. Fun fact: the 4° Aquarius MC (along with Pluto) connects with the MCs of Stephen Miller, Dan Rather, and Hitler.

• Jupiter is in an obsessive-compulsive relationship with the MC. In Cancer, the focus is… national security. Ya think? Jupiter is in the 3rd house — information and neighboring countries. Stay tuned…

• The stellium of Neptune, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn in Aries is in the 11th house — of administrative bodies (e.g., Congress), other federal agencies, friends, benefactors, and groups of like-minded souls. All of these planets are striving to work cooperatively with Pluto (power and resources) and the status of the office of the nation’s leader. At the same time, the militantly disciplined focus is on building a structure based on something new — and then walking the talk. Courage.

• Chart ruler is Venus — strong in Taurus — with a focus on material comfort and security. Venus also rules the 6th house — our armed forces, labor, food chains, disease, and other systems of process. Venus gets attention by being on the Ascendant but otherwise has little support.

• The 24° Taurus Ascendant is Fat Nixon’s 24° Taurus MC. 24° Taurus is conjunct the Fixed Star Capulus — associated with male sexual energy, often of a predatory nature. We’ll likely be hearing more about that kind of energy over the next four weeks.

• The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon was last seen on the Full Moon in Aries in October 2021: “a large disappointed audience.” Hmm. How can we productively apply this image? Rather than placing faith in someone on a pedestal to deliver the goods, rewards may come to those who demonstrate an uncompromising sense of self. No one is coming to save us in these all-too-interesting times.

• Astrologer James Burgess makes sure that we understand that the “disappointed audience” confronts the entertainer who did not measure up to expectations. Look to the people of Hungary for an example of confronting the comedian bombing on stage — and becoming the one you’ve been looking for. After 16 years under a corrupt prime minister who sought to dismantle Hungary’s nascent democracy, 77% of voters showed up, and a majority voted him — and his party — out of power.

• You are more personally affected by this New Moon if you have planets around 27 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn. Off the top of my head, that includes Kamala Harris and the United States.

After the Moon and Sun meet up, the Aries Moon goes void for the next four hours. Roll with the twists and flakes that may disrupt efforts to walk in a straight line. Chances are that crises are much ado about nothing. CHILL!

At 11:57 AM ET, the Moon enters Taurus, looking to build something earthy and comforting out of all that Aries fire. The first challenge happens around 8:46 PM ET, when the Moon squares Pluto, planet of power plays and purges. Whatever goes, goes… and then the Moon travels without interference for roughly 20 hours.

Use this time to build, build, build — and hopefully better. But maybe not Build Back Better — ’cause those days are gone, as Rebecca Solnit explains in an op-ed entitled, “The United States is destroying itself.”

Saturday — the proof is in the pudding

A weekend driven by the Moon in Taurus supports your desire for sensual delights. Enjoy — but don’t be a dictator about it. Today’s mood is brightened by a sextile to Jupiter at 4:01 PM ET. If you are Fat Nixon, you are likely still on a delusional rampage.

Meanwhile, it’s a good weekend for investigative reporters, reflecting the dirt-digging, highly convincing potential of Mercury’s sextile to Pluto, exact at 4:34 PM ET. If there are responsible adults in the room, and they can be persuasive, good for us.

Sunday — happy birthday, Taurus!

Good vibes from last night’s date are sponsored by the Taurus Moon’s meet-up with Venus at 2:43 AM ET. Nine hours later — surprise! — the Moon meets up with Uranus at the verrrry end of Taurus. How will that affect your comfort zone? Like an upset stomach or a breath of fresh air?

After a 33-minute Moon void, the Moon enters Gemini, now seeking all the news that’s fit to print — and let’s talk about it cleverly, too, shall we? The Moon sextiles Neptune at 4:56 PM ET and trines Pluto at 9:03 PM ET. Neptune refers to faith and deception; Pluto refers to extremes of power. Both refer to oil. Together, they may point to a bewildering underworld that holds a lot of power. Hmm.

How will those themes color the focused, militantly disciplined action suggested by the meet-up of Mars and Saturn at 6:43 PM ET? Possibly as an attack coming from — or directed at — Fat Nixon’s way of thinking. You are more personally affected by this Mars–Saturn meet-up if you have planets around 7–8 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn. That includes Fat Nixon, Karoline Leavitt, Jared Kushner, Peter Magyar, and Tulsi Gabbard.

Matters involving the me-me-me willpower of leaders of business and state may be reported with a sense of urgency, as the Sun occupies the last degree of Aries. At 9:39 PM ET, the Sun enters Taurus, slowing down the pace and turning down the heat. Aries is a fire sign; Taurus is an earth sign, and Taurus is here to build something beautiful, comfortable, and stable out of the sparks that fly during Aries season.

The keyword for Taurus is: I HAVE.

That being said, if you’re a Taurus born in the last few days of the sign, stability may have been challenging in the first four months of 2026. That period is about to end. If you are a Taurus born in the early days of the sign, another form of change — leading to empowerment — may be demanded.

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Monday — mind the void!

You could sleep in without consequence. The Gemini Moon was busy around midnight last night, coordinating clever plans involving authority figures, the military, and assorted macho types.

Translation: the Moon made a series of sextiles (cooperative patterns) to Mercury, Saturn, and Mars at 12:18 AM ET, 12:29 AM ET, and 1:17 AM ET — and then went void…for almost the next 36 hours.

This is a long time to CHILL, and not make a mountain out of a molehill of crisis. Still, whatever apparent crisis comes up is likely to feel weighty and provocative. Why? Because Mercury meets up with Saturn at 7:22 AM ET and meets up with Mars at 5:44 PM ET.

These two patterns engage the horoscope of Fat Nixon — which is on the verge of receiving the third in a series of disruptive hits from chaos agent Uranus, exact on the 24th. During the void, the Gemini Moon will meet up with his Sun, Nodes, and opposes his righteous Sagittarius Moon. This is personal.

At the risk of repetition, if you’ve been reading these forecasts over the past year — even better if you’ve joined spontaneous conversations with sound shaman Norma Gentile — or watched the replays of the Zoom Q & A/ChartFests — you likely put this week on your calendar as a probable crescendo for significant power players, including Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Tucker Carlson, Barack Obama (his new library opens soon), and many more.

Pay attention — but the void Moon advises a detached perspective.

Meanwhile, please note that at the end of next week, that the Sun will square Pluto and Uranus will enter Gemini. Keeping an eye on the Andrew formerly known as Prince, President Zelensky, and the 119th Congress.

And now, the news.

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Dear Avid Reader, I really wanted to offer a truckload of items, but if I do not wrap this up soon, it may not ship at all tonight. Yes, I’ve been tracking the astro-logic of last week’s ups, downs, and out-of-the-blues.

File these under Mars conjunct Neptune in Aries — with a dose of Saturn, too:

• “A quest to solve bitcoin’s biggest mystery” — i.e., who is the REAL Satoshi Nakamoto?

• “In Houston, one person’s trashed car becomes everyone’s treasure”

• “Never been closer. Fascinated by Trump and Vance’s UFO obsession”

• “US appeals court declares 158-year-old home distilling ban unconstitutional”

• Italian PM Giorgia Meloni condemns ally Donald Trump over “unacceptable criticism of Pope Leo”

Neptune: spirits, the surreal, confusion. Mars: crusades, machines, heat.

We can add Pope Leo to our list for the next ChartFest/Q & A on Zoom — TBD. The synastry between what we know of his horoscope and that of the man who would be his savior is…fascinating.

With respect to the escalating conflict with Iran, if you followed the day-by-day forecast last week, you knew that after the CF dangled the entire world over a cliff with his threat to destroy an entire civilization at 8 PM last Tuesday, the astro-logic pointed to an adjustment in thought and communication.

The adjustment happened: the CF backed down and did not launch a nuclear weapon.

But you also knew from the forecast that attacks would be in the news by the next morning — and in fact, Israel made headlines by blowing up entire towns in Lebanon. Israel’s horoscope is currently in a reckless period — similar to the CF.

Meanwhile…

The Artemis astronauts and their splashdown showcased the best potential of current planetary patterns: inspiring, pioneering, and humanitarian.

UPDATES — on newsmakers we’ve been tracking

Viktor Orban:
In August 2021, my jaw hit the floor when Tucker Carlson went to Hungary to interview Orban during the Summer Olympics. I didn’t know much about him, but I had a bad feeling — so I researched his horoscope and wrote about it for The Mountain Astrologer.

Over the past two years, his chart has been hit continuously by eclipses. I suspected (fingers crossed) that this might coincide with a change in fortune at the polls. I mentioned it in a recent Zoom with Norma — and lo and behold, that’s exactly what happened on Sunday.

Eric Swalwell:
Another sex scandal — right on schedule.

Swalwell reminds me of Michael Avenatti — the lawyer who championed Stormy Daniels, won fans for daring to challenge Donald Trump — and then went to jail for ripping off his own clients. What a jerk — and lesson learned for those kneejerk fans. Avenatti’s Sun at 27 Aquarius was eclipsed on February 17th — and now he’s out of prison. Time flies.

Swalwell is a Scorpio with the Sun conjunct Uranus — a classic maverick who keeps things under wraps. That conjunction has also been eclipsed multiple times, including February 17th.

He also has a Mars–Neptune conjunction in Sagittarius — fiery charisma that pushes boundaries, sometimes inappropriately. And here he is, in the news under a Mars–Neptune conjunction. That happens a lot.

Also in play: a Venus–Pluto conjunction, suggesting extremes in social expression — right on cue after this month’s Venus–Pluto square.

Why now?

Even without a birth time (11/16/1980, Sac City, IA), the timing is clear:

• Transiting Pluto squares his Mercury — extreme exposure in communication

• Chiron square the Nodes — a personal wound tied to public identity. This configuration is the real attention-getter, as it has moved to the Aries Point. Translation: caught with his pants down.

Swalwell has suspended his gubernatorial campaign and is resigning from Congress — with more consequences likely to follow. It remains to be seen what will happen with the other transgressors in his former place of employment.

Melania:
Another chart — without a birth time — but still eclipsed on February 17th and activated this month by chaos agent Uranus. It’s no surprise she gave a surprise press conference — in notably mangled English — denying any relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell or Jeffrey Epstein.

We can expect more surprises once Uranus enters Gemini and meets up with her Mars (which opposes Neptune, by the way). Already, her Taurus Sun is under pressure from transiting Pluto — and by the time that transit completes, she may seem like a different person.

Her presser is just one of several surreal sex scandals in the news — classic Mars–Neptune.

Finally…

Ever hear of Roland Orzabal? He’s a musician and co-founding member of Tears for Fears, and he’s just published An Astrological Memoir: Life, Death, and Tears for Fears.

Here’s an excerpt from the publisher’s blurb:

Astrology is a lifelong passion, and here Roland uses it as a narrative tool to underpin the storytelling — teaching readers the power of the stars and how his life has been shaped by his chart.

And here is his horoscope.

Note the 29° Leo Sun conjunct Uranus — eclipsed on February 17th and triggered this month by transiting Uranus. This is the same maverick pattern Swalwell has, remember?

For Orzabal, the transit of Uranus is an opportunity for even greater independence. And how cool that Uranus is the modern ruler of astrology.

This story popped up last week, when Mars was sextile Uranus. Of course, astrology would be in the news.

Astrology is amazing.

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Thanks to all who Zoomed in last night for another enriching Q & A.

These Zoom Q&As are where astrology really comes alive. Paid subscribers receive full access to the REPLAYs, along with invitations to future gatherings. Insights from everyone in our stellar group make the discussion that much richer.

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Topics covered in this April 7th discussion:

• The man who would be king — a deep dive. We talked about transits, solar arcs, midpoints, and eclipses — how are they operating in this horoscope and what can we expect in April, day-by-day.

• New Moon in Aries — on April 17th — horoscopes affected

• Pete Hegseth

• JD Vance - rising star?

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Warmly,

— Elisabeth

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