US forecast Mar 29 - Apr 25, 2019

[Jim Eshelman]

USA Mundane Forecast
for the four weeks beginning MARCH 29, 2019
If you are unfamiliar with the methods and interpretations of Sidereal mundane astrology, please see my free book Sidereal Mundane Astrology. (A link to the current edition can be found near the top of the Publications sub-forum.) For standard interpretations, see Chapter 8 of the current (16th) Edition.

LONG-TERM (Solar Ingress) PATTERNS
For the United States, the 12 months beginning January 15, 2019 are dominated by Uranus on IC square Sun on Eastpoint (aspect 0°08' wide in RA). Sun-Uranus signals startling events, which, historically, have included surprise attacks, sudden changes in leadership, and technology breakthroughs.

URANUS is most angular (2°36' from IC), predicting explosions (literal or metaphorical), sudden rupture or eruption, shock, surprise, overflowing normal bounds, and disclosures and revelations. Uranian events often have profound social impact to the point of defining the character of an era. SUN (EP 1°53') concentrates attention on the government, especially the head of state, with increased government intervention or heightened perception of government’s presence in people’s lives. Sun's aspects to Uranus and Pluto infer rebellion against present leadership and rejection of prevailing political views. Sun-Pluto brings disrespect for the law or those forces that create it and enforce it, which sometimes means removing those in power.

MERCURY CONJOINS SATURN (2°46') in the foreground. Expect restrictions, delays, failures, or calamity relating to transportation and communication. Information flow is interrupted and rationed. Data integrity is doubted: cybersecurity remains a higher priority than cyber-expansion. Economic narrowing and backtracking on economic recovery interrupt commerce: more newspapers go out of business and more retail businesses close their doors.

Reinforcing the message of economic crisis, a MARS-JUPITER square (2°07') exists only mundanely, i.e., is geographically distinctive to Washington. This could be as slight as a few more government shutdowns or as ravaging as a market crash, but probably will be something between. Resources are squandered and stretched past their capacity. Belief-driven aggression accelerates. Bigots have louder voices. In nature, as in human affairs, expect stormy weather.

MERCURY CONJUNCT PLUTO (2°32' in mundo) anticipates major collisions of information, communication, and ideas. This suggests opposing factions in Congress will again engage passionately, unlike the tepid, rigid polarization of recent years. Investigations drill deeply into untapped data to disclose information that changes the prevailing paradigm, reframing how people think. Also, expect cyber attacks, including remote undermining of critical communication and cyber-control networks.

With Saturn in Sagittarius all year, immigration, aviation, elitism, and hierarchical economic separation dominate headlines.

Arisolar (Apr 15)
Due to a dormant Cansolar in July, the Arisolar is the operative Quarter chart for six months, from mid-April until mid-October. It is a chart of great severity. Saturn rises within 0°02' in Washington. Pluto is 2°34' below Ascendant, so that Saturn conjoins Pluto within 2°32' in mundo. Together, Saturn and Pluto are PVP square Moon, with Moon-Saturn partile.

With SATURN RISING so closely, expect loss and deprivation, whether of property or human life. Expect the stock market to falter, the economy to narrow, and banks to be in trouble. Damage from natural disasters increases. Foremost, with Moon-Saturn-Pluto, cruelty rises as hearts harden and sadness spreads like a dark cloud.

Saturn-Pluto brings dramatic hardships, sometimes with an apocalyptic sense of irrevocable loss or separation. Moon-Saturn means sacrifice, loss, and sadness. Moon-Pluto, intensifying the rest, emphasizes separation, alienation, and departures. The emotional impact of genocide matches these aspects, though of course other physical outcomes are possible.


MEDIUM-TERM PATTERNS (The Bridge)
Pluto marks the entire month. For nearly all of it (specifically March 29 to April 22), Jupiter transits Cansolar IC providing a JUPITER-PLUTO zone. Under this dual influence, events assault existing value systems, ideologies, and the political and other power systems that support them. Attempts at political destabilization or overthrow may occur. Jupiter-Pluto can deliver a stunning blow to economic conditions and often foreshadows outlandishly freaky weather.


SHORT-TERM (Lunar Ingress) PATTERNS

Canlunar (Mar 16)
The Canlunar covers March 16 to April 5. Freed from its partnership with last month's now-expired Caplunar, this ingress is not inherently threatening. It has the feel of wheeling and dealing, "doing business," all with drama and showmanship.

Angular Neptune signals extreme excitement, whether happy or unhappy: the insanity of a crowd, as at a major sports event, or acting as a mob: madness, panic, confusion, uncertainty, disorientation, and a gripping sense of, “So, what happens now?” Causes can be many, from natural disasters to changes in leadership (which stir doubt and uncertainty) or mobs of all types (mindless herd-torrents or waves of people driven by a shared vision).

Mercury square Jupiter makes negotiation a big part of the main event or its aftermath. "Good conversation" often themes this aspect, with topics from trade negotiations to diplomatic missions and important legal or judicial action. Often we see acute win-lose polarization going into the situation. As already mentioned, "deal making" is the mark of the day.

Just outside the foreground zone, Sun squares Saturn 0°08' a mundane aspect unique to the Washington area. This adds a somber, arduous, demanding note: Survival instincts are acute. Sun-Saturn often involves a threat to the head of government or circumstances worsened by government gridlock or lock-down.

The March 29 Caplunar is dormant, bringing only a further, universal Moon-Pluto conjunction (2°01'). Look for unusually happy news somewhere near the Kentucky-Tennessee border (unless the Venus-Jupiter intersection just means enormous rain). Mars strikes an arc through the non-coastal West from Washington to Arizona. New Orleans looks threatened (or at least troublesome) with a triple-angularity of Mercury, Mars, and Neptune. Sun square Ascendant exactly through New York City draws attention to that spot and (with Mercury-Neptune straddling the NYC MC) suggests negative market news for the month.

Quotidian Asc squares Saturn Mar 29-30, then Q angles hit Mars on Mar 31 and Apr 1. CapQ Asc squares transiting Saturn and Pluto Apr 3. CanQ Dsc crosses Saturn Apr 5.

Arilunar (Apr 5)
The Arilunar covers April 5-12. This exceptional chart, with exacting angularity and aspect orbs, boils down to unhappy, conflict-driving, damaging Mercury-themed events.

Mercury is 0°02' before IC and Mars 0°02' before Descendant. They are in 0°00' mundane square. Completing a three-dimensional configuration, Mercury on the meridian and Mars on the horizon square Saturn on the prime vertical. Finally, Neptune is 2° from IC, conjunct Mercury and square Mars. To Mercury, Mars, Saturn, and Neptune, add a Moon-Pluto square.

In broad terms, this shows very negative events with Mercury themes. Unfortunately, that description is quite broad: While the most likely results are deadly transportation accidents, it could be many things involving vehicles or communication such as a damaging document or a deadly act that employs or occurs on a vehicle (such as a car used as a weapon, a car bomb, or a violent attack on a moving vehicle). Mercury-Mars combinations are famous for binding keen tactical planning with aggression as in the launching of war or a tactically crafted mass killing. It is surely much more than someone's fiery, antagonizing speech, though that also would be in the spirit of the aspects.

Although the Mars-Saturn PVP square (1°07') opens the door to diverse severities, perhaps the most threatening aspect is the Mars-Neptune mundane square. This is an aspect of terror, sponsoring panicky, frightening conditions such as natural disasters, crises centered on national leaders, or financial panics. Mercury square Neptune, in contrast, is marked most by confusion and disorientation. (One type of event for which all these factors appear together is the detonation of bombs.)

Mars sets along the entire eastern seaboard, intersecting Mercury and Neptune most closely through Maryland and North Carolina. Mars squares MC roughly along the line of the Mississippi River, making its length (and a hundred miles or so on either side) another threatened region.

Q angles touch transiting Pluto and ingress Saturn Apr 4-5: These are hard days with losses. Q Asc conjoins ingress Uranus Apr 8 and transiting Uranus Apr 10.

Canlunar (Apr 12)
The Canlunar, covering April 12-19, is potentially devastating. Saturn (0°53') and Pluto (2°10') straddle IC, their midpoint 0°38' from the angle. Both square Sun (which squares MC), the Sun-Pluto square being a tight 0°22'.

Saturn-Pluto is harsh and savage, with a characteristic sense of irrevocable loss. With Sun's importance (by angularity and an 0°08' square to Moon) and close Sun-Pluto and Sun-Saturn aspects, this will be a week that deeply damages the presidency of Donald Trump. (Beginning April 15, the Arisolar duplicates the Saturn-Pluto symbolism.)

With Sun so strong, the three most common historic scenarios are: (1) a direct assault on the person and office of the president; (2) a high-impact assault on the United States originating from outside the country, targeting the government; or (3) a natural disaster that requires significant government intervention. Other specific events are possible, of course.

Transiting Saturn and ingress Pluto cross CapQ MC together Apr 13-14, then transiting Pluto on Apr 16. Ingress Sun-Uranus cross an angle Apr 17-18.

Liblunar (Apr 19)
The Liblunar covers April 19-25. This week, things get better. If the market was down, it now turns up. If people were sorrowful, their spirits start to lift. Where there was stress, then now is leisure. Where things were hard, they get easier.

All of this comes from a closely angular Jupiter and a more widely angular Venus. However, it falls under a severe Arisolar, so the new wave of comfort is restrained.

Moon squares Pluto closely and opposes Sun somewhat widely. Intensity and a need for self-examination continue, with focus on solar figures or other solar themes. Mundanely (but not ecliptically), Sun squares Saturn and Uranus squares Pluto, so the burdens and costs of governing remain active themes.

Pleasantness kicks off with CanQ MC conjunct transiting Venus Apr 19-21. Various Uranuses cross CapQ angles April 21-22. CanQ Dsc crosses Venus-Saturn and Saturn-Pluto Apr 23-24, the saddest days of the week (possibly centered near Boston).

[Jim Eshelman]

PROGRESSIONS & TRANSITS
With his Saturn-MC progression behind him, President Trump's secondary progressions turn positive on balance. Progressed Mars sextile natal Pluto and progressed Venus conjunct natal Jupiter (with Venus also trine Uranus & progressed Sun aspecting Venus-Jupiter) are the long-term aspects remaining.

However, the current month is one of combat and strains on his health and well-being. Progressed Moon conjoins natal Mars all month, becoming exact April 5. Presidents have declared war under such aspects, but I'm inclined to think that Trump is engaged in other, more personal battles.

Transiting Jupiter opposes natal Sun all month (exact Apr 26). This (like the still-close Sun-Jupiter progressed semi-square) seems at odds with Mr. Trump's current string of lunar returns (below). Normally, such compounded Sun-Jupiter would show success, elevation, heightened esteem, prosperity, and leisure, perhaps offset by an exaggerated sense of self-importance. This surely will bring an easing of problems and greater peace of mind than if it were not here; yet his solunars suggest little peace of mind, so I interpret his Sun-Jupiter mostly as protection stemming from having the right connections. (Additionally, there may be specific, decisive wins amidst the more broadly negative patterns, though the overall tone is hard on him.)

SIDEREAL LUNAR RETURN (Mar 26)
Transiting Sun sets, exactly opposite natal Neptune, an aspect of humiliation, vulnerability, even mortification: His path (and perhaps his fate) is more in others' hands than in his own.

Transiting Sun aspects his natal Mercury-Neptune. Similarly, transiting Mercury and Neptune are in partile conjunction, mundanely square Moon. Mercury-Neptune, therefore, is a major voice in this chart. Themes of reason vs. unreason, enthrallment, and deception swaddle everything. Truth is not a priority. It isn't clear who is deceiving and who is deceived. In the background, Mars squares his Mars, anticipating head-to-head conflict. Venus conjoins natal Descendant: He has the benefit of friends.

The most critical days are March 27 when transiting Mars squares the conjunction of natal Mars and progressed Moon; April 1 when transiting Mars squares his Ascendant; April 3 when the Moon-Mars conjunction crosses SNQ Ascendant; and April 5 when the dual Moon-Mars progressions are exact. These constitute nearly non-stop Mars triggers for over a week during days already cited for heightened conflict and general trouble in Washington.

SIDEREAL DEMI-LUNAR RETURN (Apr 10)
Venus and Neptune are conjunct (0°22') on Demi-Lunar Zenith. This is an impractical aspect at best, giving the reprieve of living a little unrealistically. But we do not expect the best from this aspect: it's only aspect in the Demi-lunar is a mundane square to Saturn, so it is primarily an aspect of social embarrassment and betrayal.

With this aspect, one feels a fool in front of others. None of us likes to be made to look or feel foolish, but Donald Trump hates it. He overreacts. Furthermore, his poor choices in selecting friends or associates come back to haunt him: Those he has trusted are now likely to betray him.

Natal Uranus rises (1°34'). Venus-Neptune squares it. He wants the emotional freedom and relief that come from suddenly changing direction, acting on whimsy, the adventure of following fantasies and dreams. Most people could use this effectively to take a last-minute vacation to a personal fantasy destination as a useful psychological rebalancing and renewal; yet the U.S. president doesn't have the freedom of whimsy. We should watch carefully which way his whimsies take him. He is apt to respond to conditions abruptly, in a daring or reckless way.

Natal Sun, Moon, and Mars are also foreground, arranged so that his natal Moon-Sun opposition is in mundane square (1-2°) to natal Mars. His actions and, especially, his reactions are spontaneous and explosive. One needn't have additional Mars aspects to predict martial behavior from this Mars-rising president, but these temporary Moon-Sun-Mars natal aspects would seem to make him scrappier than usual.

He has protection. That is, he is likely to feel deeply wounded right now but not actually be badly wounded. He has especial advantage in combat that wins him respect. Foreground transiting Jupiter opposes his Sun (0°24'), conjoins his Moon (2°08'), and mundanely squares his Mars (0°34'). Though further shoes will drop in his future (notice the 0°12' Sun-Saturn square in the deep background), they won't drop now. This fortnight is for licking his wounds.

SIDEREAL LUNAR RETURN (Apr 23)
Mars-Neptune dominates this Lunar Return. More than the social embarrassment and feeling betrayed from the now-expired Demi-Lunar, this chart brings real threat and outright betrayal. Threats are at least psychological and might be physical: For example, Mars-Neptune dominated Richard Nixon's SLR for his resignation. It also could adversely affect health, especially through toxins or poisons.

Natal Uranus exactly conjoins IC, conjoined by Mars and squared by Neptune. Events are stressful and abrupt. His response is the surprise aggression of a man who feels he has nothing to lose. In fact, his foreground natal planets are primed for stress, aggression, and combat: A natal Mars-Pluto conjunction forms mundanely and is mundanely square transiting Mars. (The Mars-Mars transit is 2°51' on one side and Mars-Pluto 2°05' on the other. t Ma = r Ma/Pl is 0°28' wide.)

By comparison, protection seems slim. Transiting Jupiter is 0°08' from opposite his Sun. Another partile middleground solar aspect, the transiting Sun-Uranus conjunction, promises plenty of surprises and disclosures.

On April 27, the transiting Mars-Neptune square is exact, exactly on Trump's SNQ angles.

[Jim Eshelman]

t Mars sq. Capsolar Neptune Apr 20-23 (exact 4/21)
t Mars op. Capsolar Jupiter Apr 20-23 (exact 4/22)

Transiting Mars now squares Capsolar Jupiter-Neptune for a few days. We should see appropriate events (e.g., aggressive evangelism, violence related to things like religion or entertainment, ferociously indulged pleasures) in parts of the world where these are on the Capsolar or CapQ angles. Keep an eye on the news for events.

In the United States, Jupiter-Neptune are angular on a curve from about El Paso to north of Minneapolis and along the line of longitude of Boise, which also crosses about the middle of California's southern border. Given the aspect theme, I find it interesting that two southern border areas targeted by Trump are included.

For the world, other Jupiter-Neptune lines: The longitude of Sydney. Just off the eastern side of Japan. Far-eastern Europe including right through Minsk and Kiev, perhaps putting pressure on Ukraine, then continuing through eastern Turkey. Iraq, Saudi Arabia (oh, Mars-Jupiter-Neptune for Saudi Arabia sounds interesting!).

And then there are just as many lines for the CapQ angles.

[Jim Eshelman]

t Mars sq. Capsolar Neptune Apr 20-23 (exact 4/21)
t Mars op. Capsolar Jupiter Apr 20-23 (exact 4/22)

Transiting Mars now squares Capsolar Jupiter-Neptune for a few days. We should see appropriate events (e.g., aggressive evangelism, violence related to things like religion or entertainment, ferociously indulged pleasures) in parts of the world where these are on the Capsolar or CapQ angles. Keep an eye on the news for events.

Sri Lanka Eastern morning bombings! This would have been a strikingky accurate, precise prediction except that Sri Lanka doesn't have these angular in the Capsolar or CapQ.

It did have it exactly angular for the event itself, though: Mars was rising when the first six bombs went off. This is good symbolism, but wouldn't have let us do something useful like, say, alert the Sri Lankan government of the risks.

[Jim Eshelman]

Moon enters Capricorn before today is over. It's a good time to look back assess how the forecast went. Please feel free to offer your assessment.

Without having yet looked back too carefully, think there are several things that that came to nothing, or we don't know what they came to. For example, I really don't understand the Jupiter this week. Watching the news, nothing seems really to have changed this week form last week.I'm inclined to think that since the Liblunar doesn't duplicate the symbolism of any other chart in the stack, it didn't have much room to do much. (Were there diplomatic gains this week I missed? The market was up a bit overall, but nothing huge.)

And then we're off to a new month (already in Trump's Mars-Neptune based SLR).