Starlight News Blog

It is almost as if we are living through a real life reenactment of the story The Emperor Has No Clothes. Until the release of the Bob Woodward book, Fear, coupled with the Anonymous op-ed in the New York Times, many, especially on the right, have pretended that Donald Trump is doing reasonable things and is working for the greater good of the country, albeit from a right-wing slant. The rest of us have clearly seen the naked emperor, with his depravity, his compulsive and delusional grandiosity, his paranoia, and his pervasive moral turpitude. Now that both Anonymous and the well-respected Woodward have declared that even those in the administration have recognized the jaw-dropping, distressing reality of the deeply impaired Trump, it is as if the floodgates have opened. Just as in the story when the little boy questioned why the emperor has no clothes, it is now much harder to go along with Trump’s delusional and self-absorbed reality.

If we look at the entire period from mid-June through today, we see the national outrage over the separation of children from their parents at the border, the Michael Cohen guilty plea that included Trump as an unindicted co-conspirator, the Manifort conviction and now possible plea deal, and, currently, the troubling revelations of the Woodward book and the Anonymous article.  During this period, despite relatively good economic news (for now), Trump’s approval ratings have gone down significantly and consistently in several polls.

Astrologically, there are two noteworthy configurations that correspond to these events. The first is the transit of Saturn square to Trump’s Neptune (5Libra51) which covered the first weeks of the separation policy coming to light  (6/14 to 6/27). This aspect will return on November 1 through November 11. It suggests the pain of reality (Saturn) crashing against the shores of Trump’s delusions (Neptune).  It is easy to imagine that Trump thought his cruel policies at the border would be happily embraced by America.  Clearly, he was upset at the tsunami of criticism and disapproval. We can only hope that the final crossing of this aspect around the time of the midterms suggests another huge Trumpian disappointment after an unrealistic expectation of a “red wave”.  I am concerned that the optimistic and success-inspiring Jupiter will square his Ascendant (29Leo55) from November 3 to November 8, but the more dour and depressing transit from Saturn continues through the 11^th, so perhaps there are some very close elections that end badly for the GOP after a recount or the absentee ballots arrive. We will find out in November.

The second configuration of significance is the transit of Saturn opposite the US Venus (3Cancer06), while simultaneously also opposite the Sun in the Trump/US composite chart (3Cancer08).  For the US, this transit suggests a time of sorrow and loss. The first crossing of this long station in the summer of 2018 was from July 22 to August 10, during which some of the worst wildfires in history raged in California. The second crossing is from September 6 to October 2.  We are now in the early days of this final transit of Saturn to US Venus, as Hurricane Florence is building to overwhelm the southeast coast of the US. There is also a protracted Mars/Uranus square from September 15 to 19, which seems likely to be the period of greatest damage of the Hurricane, although the continuation of the Saturn transit through October 2^nd suggests a great deal of stress and loss felt through that time, either from Florence or other, as yet, unspecified events.

The simultaneous transit of Saturn to the US/Trump chart Sun (July 22 through August 10 and September 6 to October 4) brings with it tension between the president and the country. Already, we have seen the fallout from the separation policy, and more recently, his poll numbers going down, as well as the revelations of the Woodward book and the Anonymous article. It may be that Trump may not do well with his handling of the disaster experienced in the wake of Hurricane Florence, and suffer from political difficulties as a result. In any event, the Saturn transit to the Trump/US chart suggests problems for the Trump/US relationship over the next three weeks.

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Sorry I haven’t been on for a while, but David has been in the hospital and had three surgeries this summer. I am hoping this whole mess is almost over. FYI, Pluto has been crossing his 6th house Sun/Mars conjunction.

Anyway, as I am sure you have all noticed, the Mars station is now quincunx Trump’s Ascendant and will continue through around September 8. As many commentators have noted, he can barely contain his fury. Unhinged hardly describes it. Also, with the Saturn station very near opposition the US Venus, we have lost one of Amercia’s modern heroes, John McCain. His death feels like the final nail in the coffin of any vestige of Republican integrity and decency, and throws an even starker glare on the utter corruption and general vileness of the current party in power.

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Update

We are now just finishing the first week of the protracted opposition of Saturn to the US Venus (3Cancer06). The first phase began on July 22 and will peak on August 10, thereafter diminishing but remaining in effect through September 5, and then waxing strong again through October 3. This combination of Saturn and Venus brings some contraction to the US economy and threatens our general sense of well-being. This is also a transit of sorrow and loss, already manifesting in the monstrous destruction and loss of life from the California wildfires. With the current transit of Mars square to Uranus from July 28 through August 1, these fires have been raging out of control and are particularly devastating.

In addition, August 8, 9, and 10 will bring triggers to the Saturn/Venus stresses due to transits from the Moon, Venus and the Sun, respectively. There may well be other events of national interest during those days that are perilous and upsetting for a large number of people.

It should be noted that the very same Saturn transit (July 23 to October 4) is also impacting the Trump/US composite chart, the chart of the relationship between Donald Trump and the US. In this chart, the Sun is at 3Cancer08, exactly conjunct the US Venus, which probably accounts for his otherwise unexplained success and popularity among some segment of the population. During this transit, at least some of that support will diminish through early October.

Next year, 2019, will also see a protracted Saturn transit on the Trump/US composite chart, this time conjunct the North Node (13Cancer42) and opposite Venus (14Cancer25), from August 4 to October 13, 2019. This is likely to also be a time when the president’s popularity is under great stress, and resentment builds even among his base.  With the US Saturn at 14Libra48, this 2019 Saturn transit to the Trump/US chart will be mostly simultaneous with transit of Saturn square to US natal Saturn (July 29 to October 22, 2019). This latter transit suggests a significant diminishment of US power and prestige in the world, and perhaps some kind of humiliation on the world stage.

And one final planetary transit of note in the coming month is the Mars station quincunx Trump’s Ascendant (29Leo55) from August 8 through 13 and then again from August 28 through September 11. For a man who is already known for his easily aroused anger and impulsiveness, this does not bode well for those within range of his temper. This transit suggests increased irritability, impatience, and anger, and we can only hope it doesn’t bleed too much into anger-fueled policy and remains focused more on his entourage of devotees and sycophants. Given that the last few days of this Mars transit are simultaneous with the Saturn transit to the Trump/US Sun and the US Venus (September 6 to October 4), however, it seems likely the Trumpian Mars eruptions will not be happily received in the country, at all.

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It is a dark and difficult time for many in America, as we watch our once-coveted democracy fracture into the rubbish heap of history. He who feeds on the death of civility, decency, and honor, who thrives on the destruction of people’s lives, and who exults in the American Carnage of his own creation is now in charge, with little significant push back. Only those under the hypnotic thrall of the Buzzard King are celebrating.

It is time to stand up loudly and clearly for what we believe in and not get dragged into a battle for a Supreme Court justice that we cannot win.  Instead, let us focus on articulating our agenda: the protection of the environment against the pollution of industry; the cultivation of free trade and alliances which have only made us stronger over the decades; the treatment of all of our fellow human beings, including those seeking a better and safer life on our shores, with honor and respect;  women’s right to choose what happens to their own bodies; the end of voter suppression for selfish political goals; and a nation based on the rule of law that also demands adherence from those with political or financial power.  In short, a nation built on decency, ethics, and laws, not tyranny, petty grievances, and selfishness. Surely, the Democrats can enunciate something like that!

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As might be expected, the astrological indications for the next two and half years suggest a great deal of stress in the US. Transiting Saturn continues its journey through Capricorn, harshly impacting the US Venus, Jupiter, Sun, Saturn, Mercury and Pluto through November 2020, while transiting Pluto will be opposing US Mercury in 2020 and 2021, as well as returning to its own position in 2022. Cumulatively, these configurations point to contraction, stress and sorrow (Saturn) though November 2020, and profound strain followed by transformation (Pluto) of the corporate and trade structure (natal Mercury/Pluto opposition) though 2022. We will emerge in some ways altered and very much humbled.

In the immediate future, the US is entering a time of diminished respect and potency in the world, as the US progressed Sun moves into a quincunx with US 10^th house Saturn (14Libra48) from now through early August 2019.  In addition, the transit of Saturn opposite US Venus (3Cancer06) will be in full force from July 22 through October 2, although we are already feeling its effect in July. This transit suggests feelings of deep sorrow and upset in some segment of the population, compounded by the issue becoming a painful national story.  At present, this building configuration is manifesting in the horrid saga of immigrant children snatched from their parents at the border and the abysmal incompetence and heartlessness of the Trump administration in its inability and covert unwillingness to reverse this child abuse despite a court order.

Expect these feelings of grief, loss, and distress to increase over this or another story over the next few months as Saturn essentially sits on the opposition degree to US Venus for two and a half months.  This painful configuration is likely to be triggered from July 26 through August 2 by the transit of Mars square to transiting Uranus, with Mars during much of that time quincunx US Venus. We can expect some act of violence or forceful weather-related event or events to cause significant turmoil and upset at that time.

Ironically, the Trump administration is enjoying the transit of Jupiter opposite the Ascendant (14Taurus06) of the Inaugural chart from June 5 to August 2, enabling Trump and his minions to feel successful and thriving despite huge flashing red lights to the contrary. The current Supreme Court nomination, the success of the Muslim ban in court, and the likely false perception of success in the coming Putin meeting all tend to feed this grandiose and over-confident narrative. But transiting Neptune is presently in a semisquare with the Inaugural Sun (00Aquarius50) from June 18 to August 7, pointing to the delusional nature of all that seems currently to be going in the administration’s favor. Eventually, reality will catch up with a big, loud Boom!

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A shiv in the gut and a menacing threat of far worse, or else be his bitch. This is how Donald Trump gets his way in the world.  We have seen it time and again. He destroyed DACA which would only be fixed if he got his way on the wall and immigration policy. Since that hasn’t worked, we now have the systematic and soul-crushing separation of children from their distraught parents at the southern border. He calls it leverage. I call it a shiv in the soul of the nation.

We have also seen this thug tactic play out in the realm of international trade. Trump puts more and more punishing tariffs on our imports, all with the plan that the pain will be so great for our competitors, including our staunchest allies, that they will bend to his will and drop all of their own protectionism.

Or he threatens “fire and fury” will rain down on North Korea if they don’t agree to total denuclearization. Of course, in that case, the brutish American conman may have been outsmarted by vague promises and a better con from the wily North Korean dictator with the cool haircut. Only time will tell.

And finally, we witness Trump’s shiv in the form of his vicious tweetstorms attacking anyone who doesn’t jump to do his bidding and unqualifiedly sing his praises. If all resistance is not quashed by the first strike, he will attempt career-ending political annihilation. The few Republicans in Congress who have spoken out against him are now moving toward the dustbin of history, as their final term in public office comes to an ignominious end.

Like all good mob bosses before him, Trump blames his victims and his enemies for his own malevolent deeds. If only you had paid your protection money, your store wouldn’t have been burned and your daughter wouldn’t have been raped. If only the Democrats had been completely acquiescent to Trump’s will on immigration, irrespective of their moral principles and ideals, then we wouldn’t have this messy issue at the border. It is somehow the Democrats fault that Trump created and instituted these heinous criminal acts against asylum seekers and their children.

Personally, I am tired of hearing mealy-mouthed politicians saying “This is not who we are.” Yes, it is who we are. We elected Donald Trump, and, thus far, nothing is getting in the way of his path of destruction. The collateral damage continues to grow: the broken and traumatized families at the border; the numerous non-criminal immigrants expelled by ICE; those who are hungry or need health care and are finding their sources diminishing or drying up;  those negatively impacted by the tariff war that is just beginning to unfold;  and the purposefully harsher treatment for those involved with the justice system for even minor infractions.

Donald Trump is a sick man, blinded by narcissism, rage, paranoia, and racism. Everything he does is filtered through the distortion of his grandiosity and conspiracy theories. And it is out of this tainted well that all US policy is now conceived. The only question we should be asking is how we push back hard enough to stop it.

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The widespread and angry grass roots response to the vicious separation of children from their asylum seeking parents at the border is seen in the Inaugural chart by the protracted transit of Mars (stationary at 9 Aquarius) in aspect to the natal Mars (24Pisces21) square to natal Saturn (23Sagittarius30) in which both planets are in minor hard aspect to the natal Moon (9Scorpio22). This transit extends from June 10 to July 7 and is especially potent from June 15 to June 26. This same configuration was activated during the last 10 days of January 2017 by transiting Saturn moving to the exact square with natal Mars, pointing to the angry popular energy behind the Women’s March and the sweeping backlash against Trump’s initial attempt at a Muslim ban.

In the near term, there are certainly periods of difficulty for the Thug in chief. The current Saturn square to his Neptune (5Libra51) from June 14 through June 27 points to the escalating push-back to his grandiose schemes at the border and perhaps the stress created by the lawsuit against the Trump foundation or possibly some new damaging revelations from the Mueller probe. It will tend to bring repercussions (Saturn) to some of his more egregious lies and delusions (Neptune). Moreover, transiting Saturn will be opposite the Sun in the Trump/US composite chart (3Cancer08) from July 22 to August 10 and September 6 to October 4, suggesting some frustration and diminishment in his popular support.

But on the whole, I would say that Trump has some protection, astrologically speaking, roughly through May 2019. This is due to his progressed Sun semisquare natal Jupiter through early March 2019, followed by transiting Jupiter aspecting his natal Sun, Moon, and Node through May 2019.  (This latter transit comes back for one final pass the second half of October 2019).

It is the end of July 2019, however, that will see the shift into a period of diminishment and difficulty for Trump that will continue through 2020.  The Saturn station from July 28 through October 23, 2019, will be semisquare to Trump’s Ascendant (29Leo55), opposite the US/Trump composite Venus (14Cancer25), and square to US Saturn (14Libra48). The US will be experiencing a profound loss of prestige and respect in the world (Saturn square US 10^th house Saturn), while Trump himself will receive a great deal of the blame and lose a lot of support, with no protective aspect to offset this trend.  By 2020, he will be under transiting Pluto opposite his Saturn (23Cancer49) and transiting Saturn opposite his Venus (2425Cancer44) covering much of the year. It is hard not to see enormous difficulties and a general lack of support during that time.

For now, the battle is about holding the line as much as possible, minimizing the damage from Trump’s policies by getting court injunctions and other legal hindrances to come into play. If by some miracle we can get the House and the Senate to agree to push back against the more egregious decisions of Trump, Inc. so much the better, but I am not holding my breath.

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