US forecast Feb 9 - Mar 8, 2021

[Jim Eshelman]

USA Mundane Forecast
for the four weeks beginning FEBRUARY 9, 2021
If you are unfamiliar with the methods and interpretations of Sidereal mundane astrology, please see my free book Sidereal Mundane Astrology. (A link can be found near the top of the Publications sub-forum.) For standard interpretations, see Chapter 8 of the current (17th) Edition.

LONG-TERM (Solar Ingresses)
For the United States, the 12 months beginning January 14, 2021 are more severe than 2020. A striking difference is that 2021 will be a year of action, whereas 2020 was more a year of paralysis. Therefore, 2021's threats will be more actively violent and conflictual. Saturn in Capricorn continues to define the time. Pluto enters Capricorn until 2039. Autonomous survival and solitary self-sufficiency are hallmarks of the post-COVID world ahead of us.

In the 2021 Capsolar, two partile aspects have the loudest voices.

MARS squares SATURN (0°34') with Mars 0°29' and Saturn 0°18' from an angle. Harsh, hateful, hurtful, and destructive, Mars-Saturn incites many forms of destruction and hardship: Deadly violence, fires and explosions, and financial crises are among the kinds of event it accompanies. In an annual chart, its psychological impact is worse: Mars-Saturn fosters hate and the conflict that arises from feeling powerless, shamed, and diminished. In the United States, 2021 will feel like our nation is filled with primitives competing for basic survival amidst widespread hardship.

Nearly as close (but not as closely angular) is JUPITER square URANUS (0°42'). This aspect does not usually occur for disasters (except for floods). Jupiter-Uranus is 2021's aspect of recovery and salvation through scientific advances and social revolution. This broadly, boldly liberal combination suggests that we have either a new broadly liberal government or a renewal of liberal political activism in the streets.

Jupiter-Uranus means ideological rebellion (both peaceful and violent) and remapping the larger social contract in which liberal social and political agendas demand wider horizons, expanded opportunities, civil liberties, and enhanced diversity. Inventiveness, new technology and tech vision, futurism, and “good science” engage popular imagination. At its best, it signifies collective optimism and anticipation of good change amidst terrible conditions.

These two dynamics (Mars-Saturn and Jupiter-Uranus) compete throughout 2021, but not in mutually neutralizing ways: 2021 will be a year of activity and activism, though rarely gentle or well-behaved. Mars conjoins Uranus: For the U.S., they are foreground and Moon squares Uranus and Mars mundanely. Mars-Uranus is explosive: If physical bombs aren't detonating then psychological "bombshells" are exploding. It means surprise attack and sudden action, the "lightning war" of blitzkrieg. Moon-Uranus promises swiftly changing circumstances that require rapid adaptation and response. Moon-Mars is most worrisome: Besides its broad sense of emergency and typical Mars expressions of violence, fire, disaster, and damage, it is an aspect of assassination and other severe crises for a nation's leaders. The new president faces unusually severe challenges.

Mars square Jupiter (2°13') suggests economic crisis, especially from aggressive spending. In fact, Jupiter aspects to Mars and Saturn threaten markets just as Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter in Capricorn show shifting conditions in banking and institutional economic management. This may not be terrible: We surely need to consume significant resources for economic recovery. Also, this year of action includes spinning up the wheels of industry once more: Mars-Jupiter is consistent with economic expansion (greater industry and productivity), as Jupiter-Saturn is consistent with structural investment. Rebuilding infrastructure at many levels is a priority.

Mars-Jupiter is stormy (including destructive weather), but its essential momentum is forward and expansive with an enterprising spirit. I expect it to be useful to recovery. Post-pandemic, I anticipate an era of opportunity for new entrepreneurs and a renewal of entrepreneurial spirit in the country (after so many businesses have collapsed to create a vacuum, and their former principals have lost so heavily: capital investment in new business will be readily available). If that does not occur in 2021, at least the cultural and economic reorganization making it possible will be underway. (A wide Mercury-Jupiter mundane conjunction is optimistic in this regard.)

KEEP YOUR EYES ON RUSSIA THIS YEAR. Moscow's ingresses have been vague for several years: This year, Moscow has the same two aspects most closely foreground as Washington. However, Jupiter-Uranus is closer, Mars-Saturn second closest. If we find ourselves in direct competition or conflict, Moscow has the advantage over Washington and may be part of the "surprise attack" threat Washington's Capsolar shows.

MEDIUM-TERM (The Bridge)

Feb 9-13: Neptune Jupiter Mars. Continuing from last month: Neptune squares CanQ Moon, Jupiter crosses Capsolar Descendant, Mars squares Capsolar or CapQ Moon. These planets portray great restlessness, stormy weather (meteorologically and psychologically), and poor judgment. Neptune shows unrealistic, disproportionate reactions; Jupiter stirs the feeling that life-conditions are improving; and Mars brings harm and widespread risk as we enter another phase of hasty, premature confidence and unreasoned optimism that circumstances are safe. Excess causes new problems. Genuine threats are immoderately ignored. Ideological evangelism runs strong. Courts and legal issues stir raging emotions. People leverage collective action with their social idealism. Market speculation runs a little wild.

Feb 14-19: Neptune Jupiter. Continuing: Neptune square CanQ Moon and Jupiter crossing Capsolar Descendant. Unrealistic, disproportionate reactions mix with a feeling that conditions are improving. Immediate threats have backed off, encouraging unrealistic optimism. People need hope and faith that things will get better: This week lets them feel this way. Other Jupiter-Neptune themes prevail, including social and collective action, belief-driven decisions, unreasoned speculation, immoderation, and entertainment.

Feb 20-26: Neptune. Continuing: Neptune squares CanQ Moon. Heightened optimism backs off for a week. Uncertainty, insecurity, and trepidation increase. Extreme waves of emotional reaction continue worldwide and the herd-mind is aroused. Panic may prevail. People who over-stretched on the stock market may take this week to doubt their judgement and back out.

Feb 27 to Mar 8. Neptune Jupiter. Jupiter squares Capsolar Moon. Continuing: Neptune squares CanQ Moon. Conditions will be similar to February 14-19 but worldwide instead of U.S.-centered, with events reflecting the peculiar characteristics of Moon-Jupiter rather than the more general Jupiter angular conditions of earlier in the month: A period of growing prosperity and pride, diplomacy and dignity prevailing, a sense of well-being for family and community, but possible intensification of national pride stretching to nationalism. Perhaps a positive breakthrough regarding the pandemic inspires worldwide hope.

Mars is in Aries through 2/23 then enters Taurus. Based on earlier passes, the main headlines during Mars in Aries periods center on fires, combat, authoritarianism, protests against continuing police violence, and enhanced polarization. We've gathered no historic records on Mars in Taurus but suspect that conditions will turn from conflict to peace, with greater focus on life, comfort, and Eros. Perhaps minds around the world turn more to anticipation of life and fruitfulness. -- Summaries of longer-term trends from outer planet sign transits are here.

SHORT-TERM (Lunar Ingresses)

Caplunar (Feb 9)
Effective February 9 to March 8, especially the first week, February 9-16. In most respects, this is a good, positive, upbeat period: Venus (MC 2°41') and Uranus (square MC 1°53') are most angular, with Venus conjunct Jupiter (1°58'). Celebrations, victories, festivities, happiness, love, and world-witnessed weddings and births set the tone, with unusual protection against tragedy. Markets thrive (Jupiter on MC through NYC). With these celebrations come mourning and remembrances (Venus-Saturn conjunction, their midpoint on MC; Moon-Pluto conjunct 0°27').

Within this fundamentally positive time, political polarization and tension between safety vs. freedom intensifies (Saturn-Uranus square 0°43'), demanding a pragmatic response to harsh reality. Deals are struck, tradeoffs of costs vs. gains (especially in politics and economics - Jupiter/Saturn on MC 0°40' - but perhaps widely across the social fabric).

Extreme, disruptive conditions exist for the longitude of New Orleans, with a risk of severe violence where Moon-Pluto intersects Mars near Dubuque, IA.

Arilunar (Feb 16)
Effective February 16-23. Anxiety spikes this week. Worldwide, Moon squares Pluto (0°40'). For Washington, Moon also squares Saturn (0°28' mundo) and Neptune squares Ascendant (0°51'), aspects of grief, and mournful wailing distinctive to the United States. With Sun moderately angular (MC 3°47'), national leadership is at the center of these conditions - the president, another national centerpiece, or leadership per se - either as the object of concern or where the spotlight is turned for solutions.

Southwestern Texas seems to get the worst conditions for the week, with a focus near Houston.

Canlunar (Feb 23)
Effective February 23 to March 8. Saturn-Uranus is the strongest voice of the week (square 0°31', Uranus WP 1°21', Saturn IC 4°), accompanied by Mercury themes. Its most likely expressions are the tension between freedom and containment (e.g., an intensification of freedom vs. safety COVID-19 restlessness), political polarization (liberal-conservative, change vs. status quo), and the confrontation of new, unhappy truths. Leadership needs to think outside of stereotypes. Technology seems not to be our friend. The strongest aspects are consistent with transportation disasters or crises, especially involving air travel.

Saturn on IC near New York City looks like a bad week for the stock market.

Liblunar (Mar 2)
The Liblunar is dormant. South central Utah seems to get the worst of it this week. Breakout tech news or significant scientific discovery emerges from the San Francisco Bay area with echoes in Portland and Seattle.

[Jim Eshelman]

SIDEREAL LUNAR RETURN (Feb 17)
Effective Feb 16 to Mar 16. Provided President Biden is in Washington, this is one of his most frustrating months. In both the SLR and Demi-SLR are marks of weakness, frustration, and perhaps convalescence. In the SLR no transiting planets are foreground; among natal planets, he has Neptune (MC -2°17') and Saturn (Dsc +3°15') providing nearly all information for the month. These effects are deepened by transiting Saturn square Moon within 1° mundanely.

He has better SLRs in the spring, but this one is demoralizing. Under natal Saturn-Neptune, mental and emotional states become dark and troubling. Worry, anxiety, fear, dread, grief, depression, and distrust are common expressions. One may withdraw into seclusion or asylum. Draining (even disabling) health conditions can sap strength and undercut will. Inner demons have their day.

While this diminishment is forefront for the month, partile background patterns are mostly positive. Transiting Sun squares natal Sun-Venus, transiting Jupiter squares natal Mars, and transiting Pluto opposes natal Jupiter while, in mundo, Jupiter opposes natal Pluto. Only Mars opposite natal Mercury (0°27' mundo) seems unpleasant, probably making him the target of criticism and attacks. Generally, therefore, continuing objective backdrop circumstances seem positive despite the fact that the immediate headlines of his life are dark and troubling.

SIDEREAL DEMI-LUNAR RETURN (Mar 2)
Effective Mar 1-16. Natal Neptune is 6°08' before Ascendant; transiting Neptune is 5°39' past Descendant; and their midpoint is 0°15' from the horizon. That's it. The demi-lunar, especially in the context of the full SLR, shows weakness, attack, and possible convalescence. If his reported birthtime is exactly right, then this is also the time that transiting Neptune crosses natal IC.

Background partile aspects are more difficult than in the full SLR. Pluto still opposes his Jupiter (0°09'), which signifies a great shift in his status and usually is for the better; but transiting Mars opposes his Sun-Venus suggesting attack and strained relationships. The transiting Saturn-Uranus square aspects natal Pluto, suggesting struggles against great difficulties and perhaps deciding to break with precedent to overcome them.

Coming out the other side of this, he will be greeted by the March 16 SLR with Jupiter on Midheaven.

[Jupiter Sets at Dawn]

The second impeachment trial for Trump began at 1:02 PM, Feb 9, 2021. (Supposed to start at Noon, by law, but some people had trouble getting situated.)

[Jupiter Sets at Dawn]

It's ten below zero outside right now. It's going to be 25 below tonight, if not lower. People's pipes are freezing, a slight wind snaps frozen power lines and the utilities are asking people to lower their thermostats, hoping to stave off rolling blackouts. There've been more than 80 road accidents with injuries since this time yesterday. We had a big chain reaction accident a couple days ago, but there are several including in Texas and Oklahoma that have been on the national news.

I keep soda in my garage. It's frozen. I'm going to have to bring some in and put it in the fridge to warm up to drinking temps, and the rest in a closet so it doesn't explode.

Temperatures given are air temp. The windchill is 30 below now, up to 50 below tonight.

It'll be (positive) 40°air temp by next weekend.

[Jupiter Sets at Dawn]

The cold isn't just the midwest. It's moving to the east now as well.

[Jim Eshelman]

It dropped 10° in LA today: Yesterday morning was mid-60s, today mid-50s. Not horrible like other parts of the country but a surprise shift.

[Jim Eshelman]

Arilunar (Feb 16)
Effective February 16-23. Anxiety spikes this week. Worldwide, Moon squares Pluto (0°40'). For Washington, Moon also squares Saturn (0°28' mundo) and Neptune squares Ascendant (0°51'), aspects of grief, and mournful wailing distinctive to the United States. With Sun moderately angular (MC 3°47'), national leadership is at the center of these conditions - the president, another national centerpiece, or leadership per se - either as the object of concern or where the spotlight is turned for solutions. Southwestern Texas seems to get the worst conditions for the week, with a focus near Houston.

Main U.S. stories during this period: Well, the Texas prediction was dead-on (and the general spread to the rest of the country), but we've probably milked enough already. The rest seems to speak especially to the U.S. passing the 500,000 coronavirus deaths mark. (This moved on from being just an arbitrary round number, and became a real landmark, when Pres. Biden used the occasion to address the deaths and order flags flown at half-mast for them: "grief, and mournful wailing distinctive to the United States" seems on track, and "national leadership [the president] is at the center of these conditions" as forecast. Before the week was over, Rush Limbaugh died.

This did miss the celebratory news highlight of the week, the new Mars rover landing (which seems to have been covered by the Caplunar as whole-month chart), as well as the "mourning and remembrances" aspects of the half million pandemic deaths landmark:

Caplunar (Feb 9)... In most respects, this is a good, positive, upbeat period: Venus (MC 2°41') and Uranus (square MC 1°53') are most angular, with Venus conjunct Jupiter (1°58'). Celebrations, victories, festivities, happiness, love, and world-witnessed weddings and births set the tone, with unusual protection against tragedy. Markets thrive (Jupiter on MC through NYC). With these celebrations come mourning and remembrances (Venus-Saturn conjunction, their midpoint on MC; Moon-Pluto conjunct 0°27').

Extreme, disruptive conditions exist for the longitude of New Orleans, with a risk of severe violence where Moon-Pluto intersects Mars near Dubuque, IA.

Outside New Orleans (in Metairie), a shooting at a gun store made national news with three deaths. I don't recall anything farther north within, say, 150 miles of Dubuque.