≈≈ HAPPY NEW YEAR! ≈≈
Important Points of Reference (for astrologers):
Solar Eclipse at 15 degrees Capricorn conjunct Saturn and sextile Neptune Jan. 6, Lunar Eclipse at 00 degrees Leo Jan. 21, Mars transits Aries Jan. 1 through Feb. 13, trine Venus Jan 18 square Saturn Jan 21 trine Jupiter Jan 22, Mercury in Sagittarius is trine Uranus Jan 3 goes into Capricorn and is square Mars Jan. 7, is conjunct Saturn Jan. 14, is conjunct Pluto Jan. 18, is conjunct the South Node Jan. 21 and is square Uranus Jan. 22, Venus is square Neptune Jan.20.
The Solar Eclipse in Capricorn conjunct Saturn opposite the U.S.A. Sun
The End of Leadership – The Beginning of Leadership:
The sign of Capricorn is associated with wealth, power, hierarchy, and leadership whether it is ensconced within large institutions, governments or corporations. Its ruler, Saturn, is the archetypal “father” who rules over his family, his business, or his nation. Historically, something within the human psyche is constantly searching for an authority to lead, to make decisions, to take responsibility, and, ultimately, to fulfill its expectations.
All this seems “natural”, instinctive, normal, and is the system that holds society together. The problem is this. It only works temporarily. There really is no ultimate “security”. Governments and their leaders easily become corrupted. The set-up is too frequently an excuse for people to avoid responsibility, to pay no attention to what is going on, and, worse, to “drink the Kool Aid,” electing an autocratic leader who claims he will “fix the system” by grabbing power and leading the populace down the pathway to its own destruction. This happened with the rise of the Third Reich in Germany and in the Communist Revolutions in Russia and China – all involving elections in the 20th Century. There is an old wise saying in Buddhism: “If you see the Buddha on the road, slay him!”
The notion of democracy or rulership of “the people” implies we are okay with our leaders as long as they govern in our collective interest, we participate in their election, and we have the ability to keep track of them all along the way. This means that “we the people” need to be aware of what is going on; have a workable institutional infrastructure for our society, and are well educated in critical thinking and analysis. There is a need is to be aware and flexible as things change, emergencies arise, new ideas replace old ones. This is a lot of responsibility; something Saturn respects. Saturn is the co-ruler of Aquarius (the primary ruler is Uranus) and in that sign (where it is going the end of 2020) will emphasize “group think”, team work, friendship and a an ideal of equal opportunity for all to participate on some level.
The Old Godfather must go!
This Solar eclipse conjunct Saturn in Capricorn this month, opposite the Sun (ruler) in the U.S. chart heralds the end of an era in our history. This eclipse will expose and depose “leaders” who use us and abuse us – who lie to us to hold onto the money and power their position has given to them. This includes the corporate and banking cartels as well as corrupt leaders in government.
The old Godfather who demands that we “kiss his ring” and pay him for” protection” is about to retire. The looming question will be about the transparency, quality, and effectiveness of those who will replace him. Here in the U.S. we have a Democratic Republic. In the other currently reigning largest economic and military powers – China and Russia, the governance is overtly in the hands of dictators.
Our current president is withdrawing military troops from Syria and Afghanistan and has pulled away from NATO who would enforce a balance of power between us and the other military powers who are just waiting to take over global resources and military dominance. This is a complex and dangerous situation that would imply the president could use opinions of those who have impressive credentials and long- term experience. Gen. Mattis has left as Secretary of Defense with a letter strongly critical of the president’s military withdrawals, a historical “first”. However, among many Americans, there is also a strong sentiment for withdrawing from seemingly “endless” military conflict in this region.
The policy of Pres. Theodore Roosevelt who began to establish America as a global presence in the late 19th and early 20th Century, was to “speak softly and carry a big stick.” The policy of our current president is to speak loudly and carry a big shtick. Shutting down the government until Congress funds a wall on the Mexican border, cutting the wages of government workers for 2019, threatening to “fire” the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, refusing to enforce laws with respect to clean air and water all remind us of dictatorships. Diplomacy, critical analysis, listening to experts and other opinions are all qualities required to lead. Our founders created three branches of government designed to have “checks and balances” so that nobody would have absolute power. Unilateral action and threats to any and all who disagree are reminiscent of the old godfather whose ‘time” is coming to an end.
The Economy:
Between October and December of 2018, we have been witnessing severe and escalating extremes of highs and lows in financial markets. Pres. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have been flailing back and forth in their trade war and have pulled back from increasing tariffs, but have left uncertainties in their wake. The Solar Eclipse is opposite Xi’s Mercury/Ceres/Uranus planets in Cancer points to issues with technology (Uranus) and farm products (Ceres). Xi has already reduced some of the tariffs he imposed on our soybean farmers. For our technology here in the U.S., we need “rare earth” minerals that are largely found in China. All this uncertainty is having a negative effect on both nations. I think China will be motivated to make some kind of deal to settle these disputes on some level.
I am of the opinion that this month’s planetary movements will make us aware that our economy is not so “strong” as the pundits constantly report. Ray Dalio, the owner of the world’s largest hedge fund, just published a book entitled: “Principles for Navigating the Big Debt Crisis”. He substantiates what I have been reporting in this newsletter and my books for years. The government’s budget deficits in the U.S. are the largest in our history. It has recently been reported that corporate debt has reached $9.1 trillion. Corporate bond investors are confronting interest rate stresses and profits in many of the giant corporations that are on the decline. Much of the corporate debt has been generated from the growth trend of giant monopolies. This has resulted from their borrowing money to buy and absorb smaller companies. They are panicking at the Fed’s decision to raise interest rates since that means higher costs for financing their loans. Last year’s obscene tax breaks for the billionaires and corporate giants have already been used by them to buy back their own stock. This has fueled the stock market “bubble” that is now breaking. Last month, we had a serious fall in markets, a one- day upswing reaching 1,000, the largest in history, and another sell-off over 600 and then a recovery going over 200. This is the worst since the Fall of 2008. My take is that we will see an upswing and optimism early this month followed by more wild fluctuations. Instabilities will rule the day from mid- February through mid-April.
We are headed into a growing possibility of a Bear Market and worldwide economic recession that will be apparent by the late Fall of 2019. The abuses of the banks and financial industries were not really corrected after the 2008 crash and Great Recession. The Feds and Chairman Powell are between a “rock and a hard place” in that they cannot raise interest rates without creating an even greater plunge in financial markets. Already, about 90% of risk assets globally are in a bear market.
The enormous gap between the billionaire class and the rest of the world has never been this wide in modern history. In the U.S., the top 1% owns as much as the bottom 90% of the population. So-called “austerity” to correct government budget deficits is not the answer. This move would affect the lives of senior citizens, the disabled, and those who live at or below the poverty line which currently comprises about 47% of the population. If we look at the UK that instituted this policy back in 2011, the rate of destitution and homelessness has skyrocketed there and has led to a virtual civil war over the BREXIT movement that most people there barely understand. Homelessness here in the U.S. has also been escalating and little or no reporting on this subject has been released. Many homeless persons are actually employed but can no longer afford housing. Others are victims of the opioid/heroin crisis that is the largest in our history.
These economic disparities globally have led to a worldwide series of civil wars and revolutions that, in some cases, have resulted in electing autocratic leaders who promote tribal hatreds, making matters worse. The number of immigrants from failed states on a worldwide basis has not been this serious since the end of WWII. All this has produced political “polarization”, economic conflict with respect to global trade, and dissent among previously friendly nations not seen since the era of WWII. Between Jan. 21 and Feb. 1, Mars will square the Solar Eclipse, Saturn and Pluto. This is harsh, dangerous, and politically unstable. It will affect the economy negatively.
I think that we will soon see a decline in the housing market, and an increasing number of people defaulting on their loans. As the economy is hit with a multitude of problems between now and 2020, the Trump presidency will be in trouble. I do not think the Republicans will cooperate with an effort at impeachment. Congress is experiencing the worst party tribal polarization since the Civil War. Launching an impeachment process would paralyze our government. However, I think this president will feel the negative effects of an economic decline and, historically, no president has been re-elected in that environment.
Around the World:
The Middle East: Syria is still in a devastating civil war and the U.S. is withdrawing, leaving the field clear for Assad and Putin to take control of the nation. Lebanon still does not have a government. Saudi Arabia has been widely condemned for its murder of journalist Jamal Kashoggi and its continued involvement in the war in Yemen, even though a possibility of ending this war may surface this month. As I have suggested in previous newsletters, it has been announced that many cabinet members in the government are leaving and new people are coming in. The Capricorn Solar Eclipse highlights more power shifts in this nation. The Eclipse, along with Saturn and Pluto are transiting the ascendant of Pres. Erdogan of Turkey, suggesting extreme pressures on his governance and may result in his leaving office between 2019 and 2020. All the pretense with regard to peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis has dissolved in the face of more violent encounters. Iran is increasingly isolated from the U.S. since the Trump administration withdrew from the previous disarmament treaty. They are allied closely with Assad in Syria and Putin in Russia and are consolidating this alliance against the Western powers, most importantly, weakening the U.S. in the region, since Pres. Trump announced he is pulling out of Syria. The governance in Iraq has announced they want the U.S. to exit their country. There is something that has hardly been discussed or revealed at all in the mass media. During the past decade, the region has been affected by extreme heat and drought, causing severe water and food scarcity. This has been behind much of the terrorism and many of the civil conflicts that have raged through the region.
China: This nation is on track to become the most powerful economy and military presence in the world. However, the “elephant in the room” is climate change. Climate emergencies are seriously affecting this nation. In the Dec. 2018 Issue of Scientific American it was reported: “Sixty-two percent of its cities flooded between 2012 and 2014 alone, imposing $100 billion in economic losses, according to the Chinese Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.” This month’s eclipse and the coming Saturn/Pluto conjunction in the 12th House of China’s astrological chart, will highlight their tectonic weaknesses. Of concern to many other nations, is the proof that they are hacking and stealing information and technology from around the world. In the U.S. we are, for all practical purposes, in a cyber war with this nation. We now know that they are responsible for the hack of 500 million names and private information from customers of the Marriott Hotel Corporation. We know they have been hacking and stealing information from our government. In addition, the Trump instituted tariff tsunami leaves great uncertainty in its wake. U.S. farmers who are frequently dependent on their profits coming from China are in trouble and China is lacking agricultural products. The eclipses, lunations and transits are afflicting the charts of historic agreements between China and the U.S. They also suggest earth disturbances in this region.
Russia: Putin has recently announced the release of a nuclear weapon that is ”unstoppable.” We now know that Russia hacked social media to attempt to influence the 2016 election. Pres. Trump has ditched the nuclear disarmament treaty forged in the 1980s by Pres. Reagan, which, at that time, ended the Cold War. Issues concerning the control of the Ukraine have not been resolved. Russia recently met with Iran and Turkey in Geneva, strengthening their interests and ties. They have a new agreement with Turkey to escalate attacks on the Syrian border, since Turkey sees the Kurds there as terrorists. The Kurds have helped the U.S. with the war in Iraq against ISIS and are considered to be our allies. I think it is safe to say that we are currently re-engaged in a new Cold War. Younger generations of people may not understand what this really means. It means that more massively destructive weapons will be created and chances will increase that a “mistake” may be made. One or more of these could be “accidentally” launched, ushering the world into a world war in which there are no victors – only casualties. I would suggest people watch the old movies “Fail Safe” and “Dr. Strangelove”. The Solar Eclipse in Capricorn conjunct Saturn connects with the chart of Russia in such a way to cement Putin’s power and military might. Pres. Trump, by withdrawing from the Middle East and loosening our alliances, is giving Putin exactly what he wants.
The UK: Mars transits Aries this month through early February, when it conjuncts Uranus in that sign. The Capricorn Solar Eclipse square this Mars suggests a change in leadership in their government and a nation at war with itself. There will be no way to make BREXIT happen without creating instability in its wake and uncertainty in their chief industries, i.e. banking and finance.
Nature and the Environment:
The Scottish Association for Marine Science has recently reported from Greenland that the second largest ice sheet is melting, even in Winter. There is evidence that global melting of ice sheets at the poles contribute to tectonic instabilities throughout the world.
The great volcano, Anak Krakatou has been erupting in Indonesia. One of its sides has collapsed, and this has caused a violent tsunami to hit Indonesia. Another one is expected as the volcano continues to erupt. This is very serious and could, ironically, as a result of the volcanic ash in the atmosphere, cause a global cooling. Recently, a 9.1 earthquake hit Anchorage, Alaska. Mt. Aetna erupted last month creating an earthquake in Sicily. The Capricorn Eclipse conjunct Saturn and Pluto square Mars, plus Mars conjunct Uranus in Aries in early Feb. points to more serious earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Most of these will be in the Pacific Ring of Fire. With Mercury going retrograde into Pisces Feb. 10th, at a critical 29 degrees March 5th, going direct March 28th and moving all the way through the sign with three squares to Jupiter during this period, I believe that Japan is at risk between late February and late March. Mars will transit Taurus Feb. 14th through March 30th, suggesting “earth movements” severe storms, and the need to repair roads and bridges after damage has been done.
We were all inspired by a moving speech made by Swedish citizen, 15- year- old Greta Thumberg at the Climate Conference in Poland last year. She stressed the urgency with respect to climate change and a call to action for the younger generations on a worldwide basis to remedy a coming emergency that the previous generations created. I believe that new generations of young and passionate people will emerge who will face what needs to be done and create possible solutions.
Final Thoughts:
As we enter the year 2019, many of us look back at 2018 as a time in which we navigated through many crises and upheavals, both in the world-at-large and in our personal lives. Rather than feeling helpless and depressed concerning the multiple challenges surrounding our lives, we could choose to view these experiences as a process of deep and fundamental change in our perceptions. This change need not defeat us but can elevate us to a level of understanding that currently seems unreachable.
Personally, as I have gone through many painful losses in my own life, I have found a strength, wisdom, and peace with myself and with the world around me. Deep within all of us lies a transcendent truth and beauty that we would likely never access without the kind of suffering that instructs us to “let go” and allow the answers and solutions to present themselves. Mostly, we find out that we have gotten in our own way and steered off the paths we need to travel.
The constellations inspire us to know that we can not only save humanity and life on earth, but may rise to a level of joy in our achievements never known before. The future calls out to all of us to make it happen.
Have a wonderful and fulfilling 2019!
Blessings,
