The Libra Dilemma
“Nothing exists for itself alone, but only in relation to other forms of life.”
Charles Darwin
The constellation of Libra, ruled by the planet Venus, is depicted as a blindfolded woman holding the scales of justice. The notion of “the rule of law” applying to all people, regardless of their economic or political status, had been examined for centuries and eventually led to the American experiment with the idea of Democracy and the notion of equal opportunity for all.
Libra is the sign of “relationships”, whether they be interpersonal or in connection to the natural world itself. The famous Statue of Liberty with a torch in one hand and a book in the other, erected in New York Harbor with the inscription: “Give me your tired, your poor…” was a gift to us from our historic ally, France, who fought a revolution to empower “the people”, whose efforts at democracy initially failed and eventually succeeded in creating a democratic government.
In the horoscope of the US (July 4, 1776), Saturn, the planet symbolizing order and authority, is placed in the sign of Libra and is square (in conflict) with the Sun, Jupiter, and Venus in Cancer. Cancer is concerned with tribal and ethnic protections, the family unit as the basis of civilization, and religious authority. The separation of church and state is explicitly outlined in our constitution and, thus, we have avoided the “religious wars” that have historically plagued other nations – until now. With the Supreme Court (Libra) having recently abolished the protection of women’s reproductive rights previously accorded by Roe v Wade, we are now plunged into a nationwide civil and political conflict over abortion rights challenged by a version of “fundamentalist” Christianity which the Republican Party has enlisted into its ranks since the late 1980s.
The terrible history this nation has as a result of a “slave economy” led us into a great and bloody Civil War in the mid-1860s. Even though the union remained intact and slavery was officially abolished, people of color have been murdered, marginalized, and frequently excluded from the nation’s prosperity. We have fought for equal rights in the 20th and 21st Centuries and have, still, a long way to go until the blindfolded woman holding the scales of justice, is presiding over all the people.
On a more personal level, people with Libra prominent in their charts are often caught in a dilemma. The question for them is – what is fair and just; what is best for me as opposed to my partners and friends; how can I keep my individuality and also look after the needs of the society in which I live? They are frequently highly intelligent and can support arguments for both sides of a question. Thus, Libras struggle with making a decision in either direction, and the “wheels of justice” move slowly. Prominent historic people with their sun in Libra include Eleanor Roosevelt and Pres. Jimmy Carter, and with their Ascendant in Libra include Pres. Harry Truman, Pres. John F. Kennedy, and Pres. Bill Clinton. Presently, Vice President Kamala Harris, formerly Attorney General of California, has her sun in Libra. All of these people have wrestled with protecting the rights of each “individual” vs. giving assistance to the people-at-large.
Libras are often “idealists” who eventually come down to earth when confronted with the complexities of the law and politics. I have seen Libras who are guards in the prison system, detectives in local law enforcement, lawyers who could be either prosecuting or defense attorneys, and politicians with special charisma (Venus) who attract voters to their promises of fairness and justice. Vladimir Putin is a Libra, who, when he initially came into power in Russia, “charmed” the West into thinking he would be cooperative. All the time, he was resenting the collapse of the Soviet Union and waiting to restore its dominance in Eastern Europe. Now, he has initiated a terrible invasion and war with Ukraine that he is losing.
Another and most important Libra issue is human-created climate catastrophe, disrupting the balance of nature itself, and threatening the extinction of life on our planet. This theme tops everything else and big solutions are the only solutions. As you all know, I believe the successful implementation of nuclear fusion and the “perfect” battery will be great breakthroughs in technology that will start us on the path to the restoration of life on earth.
What now?
We are at a crossroads in America with many people have lost faith in the government, the rule of law, the “ideal” of Democracy, and any connection they may have personally with many of the politicians currently in power. I have written three books and hundreds of newsletters warning about the cycle of Pluto in Capricorn and Neptune in Pisces we are currently experiencing. For the past several decades, a billionaire class has taken over this nation; financing elections, dominating banking and finance, destroying workers’ wages and rights, getting massive tax breaks, and buying out the media. My forecast was a “disestablishment of the establishment.” The question looms: Which establishment are we disestablishing?
This nation has virtually ignored the warnings of leading climate and environmental scientists that have universally predicted the devastation of the natural world we are now witnessing. With the planetary pictures pointing the way, combined with this information, I have warned of the catastrophes that are upon us now, for more than 20 years, in 3 books, interviews on the radio, and ongoing newsletters. Politicians have been “for sale” for many years to oil and gas corporations for whom maintaining their dominant wealth has been more important than the survival of humanity!
Since we have a culture that “worships” people who are rich, many people look to blame immigrants, people of color, and people of different religions and cultural frameworks. Libra would seek a balance between the interests of government supports for the people-at-large and a healthy environment for business. This means that the “rule of law” should prevail over all. At this time, we are reaching a peak challenge to Democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law itself. But ordinary people are now beginning to see the handwriting on the wall and are demanding change. Now that scientists’ predictions are manifesting all over the world, and hurricanes Fiona and Ian are ripping through first, Puerto Rico and now Florida, we are “getting the message” whether we like it or not!
I am of the opinion that the tide is turning. The insurrection of the January 6, 2021 congressional investigation is starting up again under Mercury’s direct trine Pluto (helpful). Interestingly, rebel Republican Liz Cheney, on this committee, has said she might campaign for some Democrats and, if the Republicans should nominate Trump again, she will leave the Republican Party.
Former Pres. Trump is accused of multiple crimes including confiscating classified and top secret documents from the FBI and is being sued by the State of New York for fraud. Throughout most of his life, he has relied on a “lucky” pattern in his astrological chart which is a Jupiter/Neptune conjunction in Libra in his second House of finance, sextile (supportive) to Pluto in the secret 12th House in Leo. He has been able to “work” the system of lawyers and judges, especially since he more recently appointed so many of them when he was in office. These appointments to the Federal judiciary and the Supreme Court allow him a lot of leeways.
For decades, Trump has been an “expert” on avoiding prosecution with the use of appeals and postponements. Last month, the State of New York instituted a civil suit against Trump and all his businesses, including those of his children, for fraud. The FBI is contesting a Trump-appointed judge’s decision to postpone Trump’s confiscation of top secret documents and has named a “special master” to oversee the investigation, all of which could endanger the security of the US. It seems the Special Master is not letting Trump get away with claiming he “declassified” these documents. We have all read the headlines. However, the planets are not his “appointments.” The Mars in Gemini square Neptune this month and planets going into Scorpio through mid-November, all turn the heat up on Trump. One way or another, he will experience a lot of trouble. Since early this year, it has been my projection that the Democrats will do better than expected in the coming mid-term elections.
Interestingly, in Italy, an extremely “far right” prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has just been elected. She favors isolationism, a stop to immigration, and a stop to social liberalization — all of which have not been present since Benito Mussolini was in power in WW II.
Rebellions have exploded in the theocratic nation of Iran due to the death of a woman who died protesting having to wear a hijab, which has activated women throughout the nation. There are literally no real human rights in this nation and this is reflected in a wave of built-up anger, triggering men and women alike to protest. This transit of Mars in Gemini (there through March of 2023) will likely unseat the present government.
At the same time, the war in Ukraine will continue to take its toll on Russia and Putin may not be able to poison all the dissenters. People are rising up strongly in his own nation and are pushing him to end this conflict. Putin, in his desperation, is conscripting 300,000 more of his men into the military. He is threatening the West with the use of nuclear weapons. In response, Pres. Biden has issued a serious warning against the use of any nuclear weapon. Thousands of Russian men are fleeing the country to avoid this draft. Both India and China have expressed they do not want to support this war. Most of the world is turning against him. The current transit of Mars in Gemini is moving through his 8th House of death, destruction, and rebirth, which, in his case, would reveal he could truly resort to nuclear war if somebody does not stop him!
The Economy:
This month presents Mars square Neptune at the end of October which would suggest the stock markets will decline further. Inflation will continue until the end of this year. This is a global problem with the price of energy, affecting the prices of everything else. Central banks everywhere are raising interest rates. Our Federal Reserve will also continue to raise interest rates and will bring on a recession in the economy in an attempt to stop the inflationary spiral. They will continue to make these moves in the economy in order to “slow it without breaking it.”
What many ordinary people do not know is that companies have fueled this bubble market for years by buying back their own stock and borrowing in order to do it. They are now in trouble with increased interest rates on their loans. Instead of investors moving into gold, the old “security play”, they are moving into the dollar which has reached highs not seen in our lifetimes. In addition, the previous craze of jumping into “SPACs” or funds with new high-risk companies is also taking a serious fall as investors get out of these placements. Crypto is also losing its luster. Recently, Jaime Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase has warned: “Crypto is a decentralized Ponzi Scheme.” Over the long term, I think it is healthy to put a stop to this casino environment on Wall Street. Meanwhile, many investors will feel the pain. This month, with Mars square Neptune, the economy is a swamp filled with fog!
Inflation in food prices is affecting everyone, but the news media is failing to report that deadly climate catastrophes are affecting food production, especially in the Global South where so much food is grown.
Gemini is among the mutable signs that signal crises with immigration. The governors of Texas and Florida have shipped busloads of immigrants to northeastern locations where there are “sanctuary cities”. These governors are being sued for violating the current immigration law. Ironically, our shortage of “essential workers” is often filled by immigrant populations. The looming issue is that both parties in Congress have failed to pass effective immigration laws for decades. Pres. Biden has announced he is proposing a new immigration reform law.
There will be “mixed signals” this month with respect to employment. Oct. 2nd, Mercury goes direct in Virgo trine Pluto. This could help with more jobs added, and could signal the signing of agreements pertaining to the settlement of recent strikes of workers around the US.
Weather and travel:
As I have warned in previous newsletters, between now and early November, there are indicators of severe hurricanes, high winds, and floods. Last month a hurricane actually hit Alaska. Already, the historic hurricane, Ian, has hit Florida following the devastating Fiona that went through Puerto Rico and went all the way up to the coast of Canada. A severe typhoon hit the Philippines last month. Mars in Gemini is square Neptune this month would, unfortunately, forecast more of this activity ahead.
There are still problems in the travel industry with bad weather and canceled flights. These are perilous times to plan trips. I would suggest staying home.
Science and Technology:
I don’t know about you, but I have always been fascinated with the “roots of consciousness”, the human brain and neurology, the origin of genius, and various causes of mental illness and its consequences. Until we have a greater understanding of all this; how to amplify brain health and “cure” various mental diseases which seem to be growing exponentially in our civilization, there is little hope for our future.
This leads me to recommend an article in the September issue of Scientific American entitled: “Revealing the Genes that Shape the Human Brain.” They report: “Neurologist Christopher Walsh discovered genes that direct cerebral cortex development. Scientific American asked him what they reveal about intelligence, psychiatric disorders, and the nature of being human.” They chose Walsh to write the article because “Walsh, Jean-Louis Mandel, Harry Orr, and Huda Zoghbi shared the 2022 Kavli Prize in Neuroscience for their discovery of genes that underlie serious brain disorders.” They have also studied autism spectrum disorder (which seems to be rising in our societies today) and what medical genetics tell us. It is worth reading the whole article to get a sense of where neuroscience is headed, which is an area I am forecasting will accelerate in the near future, perhaps even by moving our species designation from human to “superhuman.” There are other articles on the brain in this issue.
New research on Alzheimer’s disease is taking an entirely different turn, pointing to this disorder as an autoimmune disease. This is when the human immune system cannot differentiate between bacteria and brain cells, so it creates a defense that mistakenly destroys its own brain cells. These discoveries could move treatment for this terrible widespread disease in a more effective direction. Interestingly, Biogen stock surged last month with the announcement that an experimental treatment for Alzheimer’s (named lecanemab) has succeeded in a final-phase test. This drug removed beta-amyloid plaque from the brains of patients in the early stage of the disease.
There is also breakthrough research involving the use of genetically modified herpes virus that kills cancer cells, which is now undergoing clinical trials in humans with promising results.
I am relieved that NASA postponed the Artemis rocket mission to the moon. Mercury being retrograde and afflicted, associated “leaks” that had to be repaired, in addition to the bad weather all point to bad timing.
This same issue in Scientific American has articles on the nature of Black Holes and how the completely destructive nature of a black hole may not destroy everything that goes into it! They discuss how wormholes may resolve this paradox.
Interestingly, NASA’s “Dart” mission has successfully launched a craft to deliberately collide with an asteroid. The threat of asteroid collisions with the earth is serious and this technology hopes to help us successfully divert such a catastrophe.
Posted September 22 on “Tech and Science”, they report: “The largest nuclear fusion experiment in the world, the Joint European Torus (JET) has begun a new wave of testing this month. In a statement from the UK Atomic Energy Authority, it was announced that EUROfusion researchers at JET, which is located in Oxford, England, have begun testing nuclear fusion using helium and hydrogen and then deuterium and tritium fuels.” They go on to say: “These small-scale tests at JET will help to enable ITER in France to hit the ground running once construction is complete.”
Final Thoughts:
There is no more beautiful season than the Fall accompanying the Autumnal Equinox whose painted landscapes of brilliantly colored leaves so often leaves us speechless. Here is Venus, the Goddess of love and beauty at her most lovely. However, this period precedes the coming of Scorpio and having to deal with Nature’s seeming to die, collapsing into the cold, sparse views of naked tree limbs, and life descending underground until next year’s Vernal Equinox in March.
Death defines the passing of previous forms of life that can no longer survive in a hostile environment. However, out of the ashes of the old and no longer sustainable arises new life – new species, and even more advanced and intelligent expressions of life. As climate catastrophes are becoming more powerful and more frequent, global governments are becoming less stable, and more populations are fleeing their nations of origin where they can no longer live. The old is, unquestionably, dying.
I would prefer to suggest that the accustomed ways of human life that have survived for thousands of years are no longer survivable. As all of this dies and, figuratively, goes into a dark cold underground, there is a chance of a resurrection of life, love, and hope –that flowering of a new kind of humanity will emerge in the Spring, bringing with it a new species, cleansed of the ancient destructive patterns that have haunted us for thousands of years. As the great American poet Robert Frost would remind us:
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”
Linda
Important Points of Reference for Astrologers:
Full Moon at 16 degrees Aries conjunct Chiron, opposition Venus, Sextile Saturn, and sextile Mars on Oct. 9; New Moon at 2 degrees Scorpio is conjunct Venus on Oct. 25; Mercury goes direct in Virgo Oct. 2 and is trine Pluto on Oct. 6 just as Pluto goes direct Oct. 8; Mars in Gemini is square Neptune Oct 11; Venus in Libra is inconjunct Uranus Oct. 13, is trine Saturn Oct. 14, and is trine Mars and square Pluto Oct. 19; Mercury in Libra is opposition Jupiter Oct. 11, is inconjunct Uranus Oct. 21, is trine Saturn Oct. 22, is trine Mars Oct. 26, and is square Pluto Oct. 27.
