Mars will pass through Sagittarius February 9 to March 22. What will we see in the top headlines during this time?
During the entire time, Jupiter and Pluto also will be in Sagittarius. (Saturn left for Capricorn a week or so ago.) We can expect many of the themes that Pluto in Sagittarius have brought for many years and that Saturn in Sag emphasized for the last three, but with a new spin. Among those themes were issues of internationalism (often anti-internatonalism) impact both foreign affairs and immigration; economic and social privilege; extreme class-based economic (earning etc.) disparity; nationalism or extreme patriotism; religion; and similar Sagittarian themes that may touch on philanthropy, benevolence, generosity, pomp & circumstance, aristocracy or royalty, and the courts.
In humans with Mars in Sagittarius at birth, we expect the following character:
Idealist (not necessarily pragmatic). Serious about subjects of interest: sincere, devoted, studious (seems hardworking; it's really love or zeal). Passionate with beliefs; moral courage; persuasive. Innovative, ambitious, strategic. Thrives in classic styles. Many exude air of mystery or fantasy (branding?). Many are identified with ideologies, -ists, & -isms.
LOL, I love it when this stuff works like clockwork...
The first full day after Mars enters Sagittarius, what's the top story of the morning? It's the Academy Awards - but not just Sagittarian because it's the Hollywood elite's favorite dress-up night and an honoring of excellence. No, beyond that, the big winner of the night - best film, director, screenplay, and more - was a foreign film about social inequality and class conflict that uses staircases throughout the film to show vertical separation and movement up and down the social and economic ranking.
It doesn't get much more Sagittarian than that.
Other primary news stories are carry-overs. Whether they will be replaced by new themes or will migrate into Sagittarian versions of the previously Scorpio stories remains to be seen, but I'm not going to start by claiming they're suddenly Sagittarian stories. In order, they are the Wuhan coronavirus, which is spreading at an accelerated rate; the Democratic primaries, still reviewing Iowa while shooting for New Hampshire tomorrow night; President Trump's "Friday night massacre" of his political enemies; and Thailand's mourning of the military base / shopping mall shootings that killed 29 people last week.
New Hampshire's primary today (pre-scheduled) and the coronavirus are the lead articles today - I'm not sure they're Mars in Sagittarius stories - but Story 3 today is Trump's budget proposal that would slash Medicaid, food stamps, and other support programs - intensifying vertical economic separation, perhaps savagely - cutting foreign aid - while pouring liberated funds into military expansion (including NASA). These are all visibly linkable to Mars in Sagittarius.
In general, these won't be part of the budget, which the House has to write, but it does signify the tone of the moment.
I think Bernie's (albeit predictable and unsurprising) win in New Hampshire is another example of "economic inequity" trending as a hot news topic.
If cronyism turns out to be a Mars through Sagittarius theme then William Barr overruling the sentencing request on Roger Stone, resulting to all four prosecutors on the case resigning... that's an example of cronyism.
I think the scandal at the Department of Justice (around Barr's intervention in the Stone sentencing and other matters) may turn out to be the main story of this transit (in the way that we saw inquiry for Virgo, weighing evidence for Libra, and impeachment battle for Scorpio). I don't have the exact form of this sorted out yet, but the Sagittarius theme speaks to it in several ways - I don't want to over-interpret until the story clarifies itself. (Possible direct justice-legalities issues, crony entitlement, or maybe something I'm missing altogether.)
The coronavirus story is shifting but, again, it's premature for me to assert anything on this. Just watching.
A few other stories may be skirting the territory (or clarifying what it should be). For example, Israel's territorial seizures and the operation of predominantly Israeli corporations in those territories is getting scrutiny by the U.N. and deemed illegal. This will be noise for a few days at least,
It's an attack on our judicial system, and more widely an attack on military cultural institutions (a purple heart recipient walked out of the white house (with his brother) for telling the truth = an attack on military honorees and their families.)
Is there going to be a dismantling of the para-military police institutions that allow police to get away with pretty much anything (like shooting black people through windows and beating up their wives with no repercussions and threatening their neighbors)
Today's story is that the Boy Scouts of America have filed for bankruptcy. (This is accelerated by sex-themed lawsuits over many years, but it's hardly a surprise and was widely expected.) - In numerous ways, the BSA is a Sagittarian institution, so the fact that the news is breaking with Mars in Sagittarius seems quite themed to the time.
Also, India's supreme court ordered its military to begin granting women the same ranks, pay, and standing as men.
Other lead news stories are reiterating background themes we've been seeing for a while. A few of them, for example, have a strong theme of wealth and privilege, without that being the main story.
I resist the temptation to insist that the news on the main news on the Wuhan virus (besides the fact that it is galloping along at an accelerated spread rate) is that infected Americans have been lifted off a Princess cruise ship, despite the evident aristocracy theme.
Mostly, today, it's the Boy Scouts and India's supreme court.
They're here. Covid-19 in Omaha in the ward they set up for Ebola. Confirmed positive people. A lot of people were allowed to leave one of the other cruise ships, with no testing. Some americans stayed on the ship rather than get on planes with people they don't know if they were positive or not.
Today's news toppers with Mars in Sagittarius themes:
Number 1 story: Yesterday, Pres. Trump issued a stream of 11 pardons and sentence commutations that reek of Mars in Sagittarius, whether you consider them an assault on the court and justice system or simply cronyism (or, more gently, favoritism) - because his friends benefitted and, I think, it sent signals to others of his friends that help may be available for them, too. More Mars in Sagittarius is that these were all white collar criminals. There are so many Sagittarius (especially Mars in Sag) themes here, it is hard to disentangle it (but this should be useful when the transit is done for having a richer summary). Crimes like bribery, tax fraud, lying to officials, junk bond fraud, and trying to sell a U.S. Senate seat appointment. "Crimes by the elite" is not an overstatement.
Bloomberg will be in the Democratic debate tonight, for the first time, in advance of Nevada, with all sort of law enforcement, big money, and general elitism themes swirling in the hall.
Meanwhile, a group of federal judges will meet today to discuss growing concerns about Department of Justice impartiality in politically sensitive cases - a seeming assault on the American justice system. (And Barr is privately discussing resigning as AG, while Trump publicly expressed total confidence in Barr - the usual signal that someone is about to be shown the door.) Over the weekend, a bipartisan list of more than 2,000 former DOJ officials called for Barr's resignation.
Then, though not in today's "Top 5" list (it will be on tomorrow's list, I'm sure), the immigration hammer is falling in Britain. The British government announced that, post-Brexit, it will start slamming the gate on many immigrations, especially targeting people who neither speak English nor have significant skills. On the new points system, 70% of EU citizens currently legally in Britain with jobs would not make the "significant skills" cut,
In second-string news, per Queen Elizabeth, Harry and Megan may not use the brand name "Sussex Royal" they developed because it has "royal" in it and they are no longer royal. A man was awarded over $150,000 in court because he was denied a license plate reading "IM GOD." And what reads to me more as a leftover of Mars in Scorpio, someone keeps dropping pillowcases full of snakes outside a British fire station.
Jim Eshelman wrote: Wed Feb 19, 2020 8:08 am
Number 1 story: Yesterday, Pres. Trump issued a stream of 11 pardons and sentence commutations that reek of Mars in Sagittarius, whether you consider them an assault on the court and justice system or simply cronyism....
A lawyer for Julian Assange said in court as part of his defence, that in 2017, Trump, through Congressman Dana Rorbacher, offered to pardon Julian Assange if Assange would say the theft of Democratic emails during the 2016 campaign was not carried out by Russia. Rorbacher said he made that offer.
Tomorrow Roger Stone will be sentenced. I think Trump will pardon him right away.
Last night's Nevada debate was "pile on Bloomberg" night, holding him accountable for all sorts of Sagittarian behaviors. Interestingly, the strongest combatant to Bloomberg and things Sagittarian was Gemini Elizabeth Warren, the real anti-Sag of the mix.
Yesterday's mass shooting in Germany was indeed ethnic-racist inspired, so it's an example of violence on behalf of nationalism and racial-cultural-religious purity.
This morning, Katherine Johnson died at age 101. The passing of this landmark pioneer in aerospace may be a Mars in Sagittarius event.
In other aviation news, the stock markets drop of about 1,000 points at opening is partly the result of airlines shutting down many international flights in response to the Wuhan coronavirus spread. (Notice how the same story - the virus - "mutates" its themes as Mars changes signs. I've started to see this more than a little: The story remains the same except the most active themes and subplots of the story evolve.)
Lesser stories that probably reflect themes of Mars in Sagittarius: Trump is in India meeting with PM Modi about security, trade, and their shared love of nationalism. The late Kobe Bryant is being honored by the city of LA today. Bernie Sanders is on a role with his usual anti-Sagittarian campaign themes. Chuck Schumer's secret vice is splurging thousands of dollars on cheesecake.
It's fascinating how nearly every main story manages to find the exact angle that makes it a Sagittarius story. Most of them deal with issues of elitism, and most of those deal with wounding it.
Today's top headlines: Harvey Weinstein was found guilt on two counts of sexual crimes yesterday (Oh, how the mighty have fallen). Today's Wuhan coronavirus story today is both is exorbitant speed of expansion, increased international travel warnings and shutdowns, and that conditions where you live definitely affect mortality rates. In election news, Bernie Sanders has succeeded so well in the primaries to date that he is the new target opponents are turning to take down. Malaysia's PM resigned but probably will turn around and run the country again with a new coalition excluding his reputed successor. In Hong Kong, a bookseller has been imprisoned on charges that, in reality, boil down to publishing embarrassing, gossipy stories about China's ruling elite.
Katherine Johnson's death made the news officially this morning.
While the intertwined stories of the stock market plunge and the Wuhan coronavirus remain the dominant stories (and I don't think they're primarily Mars in Sagittarius stories, though they keep finding ways to express themselves in Sagittarian theme), the next biggest stories of this morning are:
1. A possible Taliban deal, with a couple of dozen Republican law makers not trusting how the administration might handle this, writing to WH and DOD with demands and concerns.
2. Immigration continues in the news as the admin wants to dramatically increase the costs of legal processes that support and defend those desiring to immigrate or not be removed. Also, a legal decision decision in Washington blocking the redirection of military base funds to build the wall.
Super Tuesday had much political enthusiasm nationwide, with turnouts as much as 60% increased over four years ago. (In case it's relevant, more traditional Democratic candidates flourished far batter than new, youthful, enthusiastic waves that never manifested.)
Supreme Court yesterday heard the challenge to a restrictive abortion bill in Louisiana and the news media thinks they will swing to the right on this one; but the answer won't hit until July (probably with Mars in Pisces).
Ukraine has its third Prime Minister within a short period - the president replaced another one.
A judge questioned AG Barr's handling of the Mueller Report, questioning whether Barr's actions were intended to distort public perception of the report to the political advantage of President Trump. There will be a review.
Today's news centers primarily on market drops. I doubt the 7-8% in world markets (including U.S.) is related to Mars in Sagittarius even though we could interpret this as a Mars transit to the world's Jupiter. (But it just doesn't feel right.) What I do think is related is one of the triggers of today's drops: Over the weekend, crude oil prices dropped plunged in the deepest, steepest one-day drop in over 30 years due to oil price wars between Russia and Saudi Arabia. Tis economic war has a distinctive Mars in Sag feel to me.
In other news, airlines are continuing to suffer from COVID-19 lockouts and shutdowns. Sec. of State Pompeo is in the news for his commission on "unalienable rights" that is expected to gut U.S. protections of human rights in foreign policy decisions; an immigration conflict exists at the Greek-Turk border; and election endorsements are flying.
Besides the election, the economy (the market made a record drop yesterday), and the coronavirus, today's main headlines include British royals (Harry and Meagan are on their last lap of appearances as royals before they transition out, beginning in a few days) and - not sure if this is Mars in Sagittarius, but it sounds interesting enough - a scandal in horse racing: 27 prominent horse trainers, vets, and pharma reps have been indicted for doping champion horses (many of whom died) and conspiring to quietly dispose of the corpses.
For today, add (as variations of themes already identified):
Power politics: The Russian legislature is amending their constitution to allow Putin another two 6-year terms in office, a change Putin made clear he finds agreeable. (Their reasoning is that his continuing in power will be a stabilizing factor for the country.)
Court battles: An appellate panel said the House is entitled to review the fully unredacted Mueller report.
Vertical separation, wealth inequity: Hunger is again on a sharp rise, specifically due to climate change. (I think this is more of a Saturn in Capricorn issue, as forecast under that placement, but it touches on a familiar Sagittarius theme.)
Meanwhile, Harvey Weinstein will be sentenced today. File that under, "Oh, how the great have fallen."
Mars in Sagittarius does not mean surging, run-away idealism as other Sagittarius transits have in the past, based on the fact that Bernie Sanders' campaign is eroding and can't stand the momentum of the Biden campaign.
Among today's top headlines (aka yesterday's news), the virus named after a crown was officially labelled a pandemic by the WHO yesterday. Lots of stories about this topic, of course (clearly the main story of the time), with ongoing Sagittarius themes such as Trump blocking travel from Europe to the U.S. for 30 days (impacts airfares, increases anti-internationalism, probably rests on a xenophobic and germophobic foundation), the State Department has raised its worldwide travel advisory to Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), and - gosh o'golly! - basketball games are getting cancelled for the rest of the season or (at the college level) being played with no fans admitted.
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its oil trade war, and planning to push pretty hard on it.
Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison in NY and is being extradited to LA for his next trials.
There is an old tradition that Sagittarius is related to physicians. A couple of moderate-sized early studies seemed to support Sun in Sagittarius for physicians, though two classic Gleadow and Firebrace studies had Gemini and Aries high (with secondary Leo effect), so this may have been a wrong path.
Nonetheless, thinking about impact on doctors per se, I'm making a note to consider in the future (if other factors support it) that part of Mars in Sagittarius is enormous demand and strain on medical professionals.
Based on observed primary headlines for the recent transit of Mars through Sagittarius, here is my current interpretation of it going forward.
Elitism, privilege, & patronage are primary themes (elegance, excellence, celebration; the leveraging of wealth, aristocracy, power, or other privilege, including cronyism and crimes by the elite; and attacks on or wounding of the advantaged or uplifted, "how the mighty have fallen"). Reward/punishment of political friends/enemies.
Internationalism (often anti-internationalism) including themes of immigration (xenophobia), imperialism or hegemony, diplomatic impact on international community. (Adverse to aviation.)
Economic & class disparity (increased vertical separation, economic inequity, social inequality, class conflict).
Controversy, conflict, or assaults on the courts, law enforcement, & the justice system.
Other Sagittarian themes, including nationalism or extreme patriotism, cultural purity, power politics, religion, ethnic and other intolerance.
Attacks/threats to other Sagittarian institutions.
May touch on philanthropy, benevolence, generosity, pomp and circumstance, aristocracy or royalty, and the courts.
Does not mean surging, run-away idealism (more pragmatic, opportunistic).
Elitism, privilege, & patronage are primary themes (elegance, excellence, celebration; the leveraging of wealth, aristocracy, power, or other privilege, including cronyism and crimes by the elite; and attacks on or wounding of the advantaged or uplifted, "how the mighty have fallen"). Reward/punishment of political friends/enemies.
Internationalism (often anti-internationalism) including themes of immigration (xenophobia), imperialism or hegemony, diplomatic impact on international community. (Adverse to aviation.)
Economic & class disparity (increased vertical separation, economic inequity, social inequality, class conflict).
Controversy, conflict, or assaults on the courts, law enforcement, & the justice system.
Other Sagittarian themes, including nationalism or extreme patriotism, cultural purity, power politics, religion, ethnic and other intolerance.
Attacks/threats to other Sagittarian institutions.
May touch on philanthropy, benevolence, generosity, pomp and circumstance, aristocracy or royalty, and the courts.
Does not mean surging, run-away idealism (more pragmatic, opportunistic).
