Comet Lulin and Saturn: show at 1 am!

As Comet Lulin has streaked (or glowed!) toward our neighborhood, its tail has been broken off by solar wind but is now doubled. The gassy green blur will hook up with Saturn in the wee hours after midnight – 1 pm, to be exact, your local time – so be sure to check out this odd couple.

So far I’ve found no astrological writings on Comet Lulin’s significance and I’m not certain I have any insights either. But it couldn’t hurt to consider the chart for 1:00 am est, White House, to see if anything is revealed.

For starters, SpaceWeather is giving the hook-up as occurring in Leo, but for most western astrologers using the Tropical zodiac, this would be Virgo.

A quick way to convert a position between sidereal and tropical zodiacs is to ‘add 6 degrees, subtract 30 degr’ or one sign. So taking Saturn’s position – say, 19 Virgo since the Old Man is Rx, we have 19 + 6 = 25, minus 30 (one sign) = 25 Leo.

And since the Comet is not in my SolarFire software being so recently discovered by Chinese and Taiwanese astronomers, I’m using Saturn’s position (19Vir22 Rx) to mark Comet Lulin’s approximate position as well. (Or 25-26 Leo, if you prefer the sidereal.)

Setting the 1:00 am chart for the White House (Feb 24, 2009) I find that rising is 1Sag45 along with the Mars-Saturn midpoint. (Placidus, true NN, Tropical.)

Mars-Saturn = ASC: obstacles caused by others; struggling for every step of  advancement; separation; the necessity to economize  (Tyl; Ebertin.)

At Midheaven (MC =  the Goal) ) is 16Vir06 with ’17Vir” having what I hope isn’t an apt Sabian Symbol…”A volcano in eruption.” And there near MC is Saturn 19Vir22 Rx and the hazy green comet, still within orb of opposing Uranus 21Pis39.

These two planets do tend to be tensionally involved in volcanic or quake-related events with Saturn signifying Earth and tectonic plates, and Uranus = lightening and upsetting events. And comets have sometimes heralded natural disasters.

This could also point to the Middle East, of course, and an event there due to the Saturn-Uranus cycle’s connection to the Middle East, especially to Palestine and Israel.

But I’m focusing here primarily on the economic tsunami ongoing in the West – especially since America’s Lunar Return (27AQ10) occurs soon after at 2:31:50 am, Feb 24, 2o09, Washington time.

As you know, Aquarius is the least stable of the Fixed signs which are known for stability and rigidity. But AQ likes change and freedom with its co-ruler Uranus often the catalyst for it. And Saturn brings change, too, of the long-coming variety. Their opposition isn’t always easy to predict as far as results, but we do know that change, however hard-fought or hard-won, is in the air.

On another level, a political ‘earthquake’ or ‘volcano’ may be on the Saturn-Uranus menu with Comet Lulin the messenger.

Traditonally all comets were viewed as ill omens. But modern Astrology tends to take the up-side. But if you’ve read much of my writings, you’ll know I’m a Saturnian astrologer, seeing DNA where Uranians may see ‘past lives’ and I also prefer to receive the (realistic) bad news first, yet this is difficult for some folks, I know.

Yet you can’t deal with demons or problems until you admit their existence and identify them, so read on, if you may.

Honestly – with the negative things that have occurred in the first 8+ years of the much-touted “New Millenium” – you don’t think I can be all sunshine and flowers now, do you? ;p

So, Saturn rises once more with Fixed Star, Denebola, keywords: ‘to go against society.’ This rising was in play in Fall of 2008 which incriminates the economic crisis and its greedy varmints.

Plus, the electronic run on US banks – the draw down of $550 billion on Sept 18, 2008 – may be more a factor in the financial mess than the Fed is letting on, and mass media (Neptune!) seem to be playing it down as much as possible.

Back to the 1 am chart which shows the  Aquarian line-up positioned in 3rd house:

3rd Cusp 9AQ46 – conj NN 9:13, Mercury 11:34, Jupiter 11:37, Mars 15:14 (conj some difficult asteroids), Chiron 22:11, Neptune 24:23, and Moon 26:22. Sun 5Pis46 (conj Pres. Obama’s natal Chiron) is in 3rd house as well.

If I had time now (gotta motor soon) I’d give all the relevant Sabian Symbols AND their Illumination Points – in this case, their opposition degrees in Leo. Becausewhen so much cosmic energy is tied up with 0ne zodiacal sign, the Illumination Points can be very…illuminating.

Well, my interest in mysterious, veiling Neptune in the chart was tweaked when I noticed that the nebulous giant was focal point of two midpoints relating to criminal activities:

Sun-Mercury = Neptune: inspiration; imagination; deceptions; swindlers and crooks.

Sun-Jupiter = Neptune: the crook; a material loss.

Seems that if we want to find some of the swindlers in the pile, we may glance toward Neptune.

Here are other, somewhat sunnier, midpoint pictures from the chart…

Mars-NN = Mercury: collaboration; forming associations to further one’s own ends.

Mars-NN = Jupiter: successful teamwork.

Uranus-Pluto = Mercury: an inventive, resourceful person; new plans.

Ur-Plu = Jup: striving for social improvements. (Tyl; Ebertin.)

Well, I like the last one in particularly! However, I do think that there may be a ‘message’ from East to West (Lulin’s discovery coming from China/Taiwan) - perhaps an actual message, or one delivered by stealthy actions or interferences on the economic front.

That Secretary of State Hillary Clinton just returned from talks in Beijing may be significant.

And I can’t rule out financial hacking shenanigans from the direction of the Middle East (Neptune = Islam; oil; gas; water) which I believe may be part of stock market volatility of late – or this may describe any persons or countriesin the East.

Or not…the Neptunian interference may originate from several sources, separately or in league…particularly considering that the plutocratic, oppressive Pluto-Chiron midpoint is now conjunct US natal Pluto, secretive planet of abundant power, manipulation, and spying.

So – if you know me, you know I don’t let the western power elite off the hook so easily believing them to be set on destroying the world economy to set up a New World economic and political Order.

Gold-hoarder Midas 7Gem33 is now direct (7th house in the 1:00 am chart) so he may be more active in the world having his money-counting activities caught up for now. And gold-buying businesses and schemes have become popular again as people sell their gold  jewelry for a few bucks.

So! Not a pretty picture unless you agree withme that  a green haze of a Comet is pretty next to ‘golden Saturn’  (as SpaceWeather News has put it…see link below.)

Lulin’s effects over the globe remain to be seen. But coming on the date of Feb 24′s New Moon 6Pis35 - along with the president’s address Tuesday night – we may know quite soon whether or not Comet Lulin has anything important to tell us.

Well, I recommend you check out today’s Comet Lulin-Saturn update I published from SpaceWeather News, if you haven’t already – it has photo gallery links of the lovely Comet as well:

http://starsoverwashington.blogspot.com/2009/02/comet-lulin-and-saturn-hooked-up-and.html

Hedge fund margin calls force stock sells

Shoes are dropping all around, so a lot of people must be barefoot by now…and some are saying that hedge fund margin calls are leading to a stock rout:

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2008/10/are-hedge-fund-margin-calls-leading-to.html

Then there’s leading economist Nouriel Roubini who says that “one connot rule out that some systemically important hedge fund may get into trouble with systemic consequences.”

Has anyone else been waitng for the ‘East-buys-West-then-pulls-rug-out-from-under’ shoe to drop? Because there’s no way I’m the only one.

Using Progr’d Moon phases to predict presidential elections

In The Astrological Journal, Sept/Oct 2000, vol 42, #5, J. Lee Lehman writes on two methods of predicting future election outcomes based on past election results. A president is, as she writes, a successful candidate. Lehman credits Busteed and Wergin for this work.

One of the methods is use of mundane charts such as ingresses, prior lunations, and election day charts along with candidates’ natal charts.

The other method is based on the Lunar phase at birth of each candidate in tandem with their progressed Lunar phase (angle of degrees between Sun and Moon) that is in effect as they enter office.

The technique works best, of course, with a verified hour of birth which we have for John McCain, and think we have for Hillary Clinton. Barack Obama’s birth time is in question (I’m now using 7:24 pm), but I have stated before that working with Progressions may yield some general details even without a correct time of birth–here:

http://judecowell.wordpress.com/2008/02/04/life-passages-2009s-lunar-phases-of-the-candidates/

Therefore, I shall include Senator Obama in this consideration.

Now if I understand the gist of Lehman’s article, it is that on the issue of electability, CHARACTER pops up in every election, and that with one exception, every US president since FDR was born in the PRIMARY phase–the first half of the cycle, or pre-180 degrees. This phase relates to character and to a character-building life.

The exception to this is none other than Bill Clinton (natal: Disseminating 264:18)–and you know how his terms in office became one long assault against his lack of character–from “day one” actually, and it was the catchphrase, “It’s the economy, stupid.” that got him in and made him popular with the American people.

The second half of the Sun/Moon phasal relationship is called, ANTITHETICAL, which allows time for fulfilling personal desires and results in a tendency to force issues based on principles.

The conclusion is that it’s best for the country if a president has a PRIMARY natal lunation phase and an ANTITHETICAL phase by Progression while in office for getting things done–but with character.

Do we have a perfect storm candidate for 2008–09?

Here’s the line-up with Primary = character, Antithetical = self-willed:

Clinton: natal Gibbous 146 degr; Progr Gibbous (Primary/Primary) (character/character);

McCain: natal Gibbous 141 degr; Progr 3rd quarter = Antithetical (character/self-willed)

Obama: natal 3rd quarter appr 284 degr (at sunrise)/ Progr 1st quarter ; (self-willed/character)

Hillary Clinton’s Primary/Primary indications may be part of her character issues and her constant reminders to voters of her experience (lest we forget) during the campaign, while a Barack Obama presidency could turn into one character assault after another…ad nauseum with little or nothing getting done and what does get done being co-opted by others unless he manages to outsmart them.

Advisors will and should play a key role for Obama in keeping vicious wolves from yapping successfully at his heels…they and a dependable Secret Service detail 24/7 and then some.

If we may successfully use this method of past elections to predict the outcome of 2008′s presidential race or at least to point to ‘electability,’ it pains me to say that John McCain fulfills the requirements more closely, so we may have to hold tight to our night goggles–the ones we bought on ebay–and birth more canon fodder children in order to continue the East vs West war toward world domination balance.

Continuing Saga?

East may be in process of gobbling up West (in the banking industry certainly), yet Moon cannot swallow Sun!

And you know that with the Middle East’s crisis-ridden Crescent Moon emblem, the past will always haunt them – and the West will never stop bedeviling them. Yet as a Scriptural believer, I have faith that all is working out according to a Higher Plan – it’s the earthly men who think God’s Kingdom should be a political one who disturb me most…for they are so terribly and tragically wrong.