The forthcoming New Moon takes places at 3 degrees of Leo in the nakshatra of Magha just before sunrise in Washington, DC. Overall, it is quite a busy chart in that it contains many close aspects. Generally speaking, it features a number of tense aspects that point to an array of significant problems that could emerge over duration of this lunation cycle (Aug 20 – Sep 18). Magha is sometimes associated with leaders and given its fairly close opposition to the dissolute effects of Neptune, we may see troubles ahead for Obama (see also section below on US politics). Neptune indicates weakening or illness, illusion or deception, perhaps a loss of identity (attention "birthers"!), and a lack of focus. Given Obama’s sagging popularity and growing unease about his health reforms, it would not be unreasonable to expect that he may not be able to make significant progress during the period of this lunation.
Of course, the New Moon is a global phenomenon, so this planetary geometry will also pertain to other countries where leaders may be weakening or ill (or is that Il? — the August 20 New Moon sets over Pyongyang) or give rise to situations of deception and corruption. The Neptune factor in this New Moon may also be an indicator of growing concern over the H1N1 virus or swine flu. While it has been put on the back burner somewhat since its original outbreak and identification back in April and May, health authorities have expressed concern that it could spread more quickly once the fall flu season begins. It will be something to watch for to be sure. This New Moon also occurs at a time when there is a powerful t-square between Mercury (0 Virgo), Mars (2 Gemini), and Uranus (1 Pisces). Mercury represents trade, commerce and communcation, while the combination of Mars and Uranus symbolizes sudden bursts of energy which can create conflict and suffering. And if we include nearby Saturn (27 Leo) in this mix, we have the recipe for a disruptive event that could have major political and economic consequences. With Saturn, the planet of loss and limitation, sitting in the 2nd house of the economy, we might wonder if the economy could once again be in the limelight for the wrong reasons.
Given the large number of aspects here, it is even harder than usual to offer a specific prediction. The possibilities are very large indeed ranging from a failure of the economic recovery, new geopolitical concerns, to a significant natural disaster somewhere in the world. Whatever the eventual outcome of this Leo New Moon, it will very likely be noteworthy. I note that Pluto rises and Mars sets over Pakistan and Western India so that is one area that may be affected by some notable outbreak of violence or suffering during this time. The Mercury-Saturn conjunction sits atop the Midheaven over Iran which would tend to create stress and frustration for Iran’s leaders since the Midheaven (i.e.10th house cusp) symbolizes leaders and government. On a more peripheral note, Venus is placed on the 12th house cusp of this chart which is often a difficult place for Venus. This placement could conceivably correspond with public revelations of a compromising sexual affair or the death of a prominent woman or artist.
Taurus/Gemini New Moon
Given that the Sun and Moon are the two most significant bodies in the sky, the lunar phases provide useful clues to the prevailing energies that inform the month to come. The New Moon of March 24 featured a strong Sun in the 10th house suggesting a greater visibility for government and leaders. April has seen the Obama administration continue to take the lead on a number of fronts including the salvaging of the US auto sector. The prominent Mars in the 9th house of foreign countries in that chart may also have signified some friction involving North Korea’s missile launch and more generally may reflect Obama’s overseas trip in early April to the G20 summit and later in his swing through various European and Middle Eastern countries which caused some consternation in conservative circles. And of course, the swine flu did originate outside of the US in Mexico so that is another plausible expression of tension and difficulties involving foreign countries.
As we noted in the previous newsletter, the last New Moon on April 24 contained several intriguing and potentially troublesome patterns. In light of the recent swine flu scare, the Mercury square to the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction was a plausible expression of this energy. In fact, I suggested that this aspect may be related to "communicable diseases" among other things, and that the the Sun/Moon square to the nodes Rahu and Ketu might be a sign of strange incidents or situations when nothing appears to be going right. While fears over the H1N1 influenza outbreak seem somewhat exaggerated at this point, it’s clear that the prospect of a flu pandemic on top of an already failing economy could be seen in terms of the weird Rahu/Ketu type of energy where insult is piled on top of injury. I also noted that the the Mercury-Neptune aspect might reflect "deceitful communications", and given the growing questions concerned the sweeping WHO pronouncements and the media fear-mongering, that notion may not be far off the mark. Look for more of that kind of distortion of Mercury’s energy over the next two or three weeks. With Saturn in the 10th house of that April 24 New Moon, the US government will likely be seen as strong and capable in the coming weeks. This may be the natural outgrowth of its protective efforts towards the American people over pandemic fears as well as overseeing the bankruptcy and reorganization of the auto sector.
Since the April 24 New Moon is "in effect" until May 24, it’s very possible that the swine flu will continue to be an ongoing concern. Indeed, the May 24 New Moon at 9 degrees of sidereal Taurus still features the Mercury square to the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction because Mercury begins its retrograde cycle on May 7. What makes this pattern potentially worse for the period May 24 – June 22 is that Mercury is in a very close harmonic aspect with Mars. This increases the likelihood of problems relating to Mercury-ruled significations. These significations include communication (such as the internet), disease, trading (international trade agreements, or the stock market, for example), and transportation, (especially involving accidents). On the plus side, Jupiter and Neptune are just minutes away from an exact conjunction for this New Moon so that ought to help hope prevail over fear. The Jupiter effect on Neptune may also create an atmosphere of idealism where higher principles and aspirations for humanity such as sharing, oneness, and collective responsibility receive greater publicity and stimulate the public consciousness. This should be a good time for any UN-related organizations and initiatives, as well as supportive for liberal or socialistic social policies by the Obama administration and other governments around the world. Also of note, the forthcoming Taurus New Moon will contain to exhibit further nodal influence by virtue of the trinal aspect from Rahu to the New Moon. This could indicate more surprising or disruptive developments which will likely amplify the difficulties contained in the Mercury-Mars-Jupiter-Neptune configuration. Saturn also falls very close to the unequal 4th house cusp, (or IC) and this may also tip the scales towards the troublesome side of the Taurus New Moon coming to the fore in some tangible way. The 4th house can refer to the "end of the matter" so endings and closings may be more prominent from late May into June in the United States.
