Week of June 29

Review and Preview

Last week’s New Moon in opposition to Pluto was filled with classical issues related to the principles of Mundane and Financial Astrology. In these studies, Pluto pertains to debt, financial crisis, scandals, death, and the threat of removal. The New Moon was conjunct the USA Venus (loved ones), and with transiting Pluto in opposition, the country grieves over the death of two of its most famous entertainers of the past 30 years: Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. In politics, South Carolina Governor—and former 2012 GOP Presidential hopeful—Mark Sanford disappeared for several days, only to reemerge with a confession of an affair with a woman from Argentina. And the financial world experienced a jolt when the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (how’s that for a Plutonian title?) took the venerable Federal Reserve Board chair to task for his alleged cover-up and abuse of power in the handling of the financial crisis where Bank of America “took over” Merrill Lynch, supposedly against B of A’s will (but because of the strong arm tactics of Ben Bernanke and then Treasury Secretary Hank Paulsen).

Yet all of these profound and disturbing events did little to roil the equity markets of the world as they continued to behave as if relaxing in a floatation tank, gently gliding up and down in the soft breeze of the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction. “What me worry?” Most of these markets fell to new two-three week lows last Tuesday or Wednesday, which was well within three trading days of the June 19 three-star geocosmic critical reversal date. But these declines were not steep enough to fulfill the usual price targets for primary cycle lows. By the end of the week, most indices were near their weekly highs. Crude Oil and precious metals followed the same course, bottoming early in the week, and then rallying modestly into the end of that same week. It is classical Jupiter-Neptune: “big fog,” wondering when the landscape will become clear. Talk about “climate control.” Two more weeks, as the second passage will be completed on July 10. The big question is what the social, financial, and political landscape will really look like after that fog lifts. The realization is sinking in that this is not the same world we once knew, for better or worse. We are already realizing that the “green shoots” of economic recovery don’t seem to be continuing. Was it all a mirage and “wishful thinking?” Jupiter and Neptune.

Short-Term Geocosmics

The peak of the Jupiter-Neptune experience may be most evident in the next two weeks—not that anything involving Neptune is ever too evident. Well, let me correct that. The feeling of “love” may be evident. But it is not likely to be real, except insomuch as one “feels” it. Neptune rules infatuation, not necessarily the “real deal.” And with Jupiter involved, infatuation with something may be way over the top, for these two in combination is not considered a dynamic of good judgment. For this week, we find Venus making a waxing square to the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction on July 1, followed by Mars doing the same on July 6. The second Jupiter-Neptune conjunction itself takes place on July 10. So the first ten days of July are a lot of Jupiter and Neptune, or exaggeration of dreams and tears. There are going to be at least two high profile funerals. And with Uranus changing directions in Pisces also on July 1, there may be another sudden shock to the world during this period. Uranus rules high winds, tornadoes, and earthquakes. But taken within the context of Jupiter and Neptune, the symbolism is more like a tsunami. It may be way off from land as it starts. People may not be aware of the power that is about to be unleashed. But by the time it ends (say the second half of the month, or even second half of this year), the force of a tidal wave may be too great to ignore. For now, we can only observe the decisions being made and hope that they are well-thought out and wise.

Longer-Term Thoughts

Last week’s New Moon was in opposition to Pluto. It was on the natal Venus in the U.S.A. chart (July 2, 1776) and natal Pluto of the Federal Reserve Board (December 23, 1913). As stated in last week’s column, “The theme of this New Moon, therefore, will be the transformation of the role and power—and even survival—of the entity (Federal Reserve Board) itself.”

So what happened last week? The headlines of Friday’s Wall Street Journal blared out: “Bernanke Blasted in House: Political Heat Mounts on Fed as Grilling over B of A Shows Ire at Its Interventions.” On Thursday, FED Chairman Ben Bernanke was interrogated intensely by Congressmen who were highly critical of his role in the handling the of financial crisis last September and the subsequent reshaping of the banking system, which attempts to grant the Federal Reserve (and Bernanke) more powers. This development is not a surprise to readers of this column or those familiar with the Forecast 2008 and 2009 books, or even the recent webcast given on May 2 about this very issue. Pluto is crossing the Federal Reserve Board’s Sun now—at 1 degree of Capricorn, and opposite its own natal Pluto at 0 degrees of Cancer. This past week’s New Moon at 1 Cancer touched off this configuration. Venus in the USA chart rules its currency and net worth.

FED Chairman Ben Bernanke was born December 13, 1953, Augusta, GA, time unknown. As stated in the Forecast 2008 (written November 2007, one year before the crisis began)—and repeated in the 2009—book, “In 2008-2009, the Saturn-Uranus opposition will make a Grand Square to Mr. Bernanke’s natal Sun-Jupiter opposition (possibly involving his natal Moon too). In any event, such a planetary configuration implies a period in his life where everything may seem to come apart. With Uranus, things do not go as planned. With Jupiter too, things can spin wildly out of control…. With Uranus and Saturn T-squaring it, his status suddenly comes under questioning. This can become a very troubling time, leading to impulsive decisions and