Monsters, Gods, Lana

Monsters, Gods, Lana

Without a doubt my favorite current female singer ("current" meaning let's say under the age of 50) is Lana Del Rey. I tumble to her. I fall for her. She can do anything. If I met her I might say "Lead me anywhere and I will go."

She is like a mermaid. She has a little-girl voice which is also the voice of a mature sexy woman. She is humble, coy, wise, and overpowering in a way beyond her years. Her eyes seem ageless, deep magical pools into which one could dive without worry or regret. Her voice is that of an angel, or maybe a siren, maybe a powerful queen of the fairy realm. It reaches to very high registers which waver on the limits of the ineffable. Then it drops down to authoritative lows which sound like a woman who knows who she is and what she wants.

Her singing, no matter how cleverly crafted the words, seems to emerge from a soul poised in self-surety, not needing but inviting. Could one be the favored? She coos, Why not? Because she does not need nor blame nor seduce, she is eminently seductive as if not trying and as if scorning the very idea though not averse to its inevitable consequences. Loose woman? Only loose enough to lasso while looking the other way.

I just looked at her birth-chart, but became a fan long before looking. I postponed it because I did not want to break the spell by analyzing her. However, I find nothing in her chart to disappoint me. Venus in Taurus is coincident with many excellent singers, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Collins and Sarah Vaughan. Taurus rules the throat and voice and Venus is its ruler, so when in its own sign it grants an amazing voice usually. The "water" quality of her emotional-but-not-sentimental songs, which is why I mentioned mermaids, goes along with Mars and Mercury in Cancer trine Saturn in Scorpio, water signs. Her sun at 29 Gemini has the Sabian symbol "A crowd upon the beach," keyword: Charm. This goes right along with her songs "High by the Beach" and "West Coast." There is much more I could say, but . . .

The two tracks I'm including here are diametrical opposites, the first apparently "Satanic" in some ways and the second apparently "devotional" in an interesting way. If, after hearing the first, you think she is superficial, the second may change your mind. The woman cannot be easily classified, which is part of her fascination.

Gods and Monsters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEXykmKWebQ
God Knows I Tried https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOuUEOtlbmo

I wrote about Lana here before I noticed that the title of the forecast today is "Humanity as Mystery" which is exactly what Lana reminds me of! Also, in the forecast there is the sentence "People feel their bodies are worth noting and there could be voluptuousness." That was a condensation by me of a symbol for the day of Seer Charubel, "A female in the state of nudity." If you listen to the first of the songs I included above by Lana, you will sense what that is about and why I happened to listen to Lana today and write about her. I did not ask for Facebook or Youtube to list her whole Lust for Life album here---actually I like her Honeymoon album best, but there are great songs on all of them.

Message for Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 December, 2017

Saturday 30 December 2017

}Humanity as Mystery{

Moon in Gemini   * * * *

If the "four stars" seem elusive, this is probably because of the Dark Hermetic Epoch extending to January 10, which makes us less certain and straightforward about things, more doubtful and indirect or even backward in our pursuits. We need to be patient with ourselves and all while our understanding of how to proceed goes through transmutations.

There is human interest, a focus on the interesting side of people. This could take place within service or something spiritually oriented.

There is goodness of heart as manifested by someone "dove-like," that is, innocent and harmless, a true friend. Either in your home or some establishment which feels home-like there are "birds in the house singing happily, " that is, each individual feels her or his individuality harmonious with all the others'.

On the other hand there is "an owl sitting in the moonlight" so your more lonesome and unique interests have a solid focus. You see and sense things invisible to others. You do not have to be nosy, but by discerning larger patterns which connect people with one another you bring attachments and connections into usability. 

People feel their bodies are worth noting and there could be voluptuousness. Yet at the same time there is emphasis on taking care of those who are in trouble, indisposed or indigent. This could make an interesting mixture. 

Then, apart from or above all this, there is a loftiness of attitude and realization which puts more emphasis on the ethereal, sometimes in lonely meditation. Ways of sharing this are available but somewhat elusive or indirect. We ponder what friends or friendship ultimately means and how it is expressed in subtle channels.

{Saturday}  {Humanity as Mystery}

Cosmic Piper

Sunday 31 December 2017

}Thoughtful New Year{

Moon in Gemini

|Karmically serious third| of this week is with us (until around noon on Tuesday)   * * * *

/moon goes void-of-course at 3:40p PT | 6:40p ET | 11:40p UT   * * * *-

I am making no assumptions about how people expect to celebrate New Year's Eve. It appears that the mood will be more subdued than usual or that most will appreciate a more laid-back rather than exuberant-party approach. 

Some may even choose a strictly spiritual or religious approach to the New Year, "a round temple with pointed roof." Perhaps this refers also to the Temple in Jerusalem which has come into prominence because of recent political developments. There is also "an angel carrying a harp" and so we may want to attune ourselves to the eternal interests of the human spirit as linked to Source. 

Government service or an approach toward it may be on some minds. People feel that they have or could assume authority. Yet as they look out on their "domain" they see "children playing around five mounds of sand," in other words the traditional New Year festivities. This could be happy naivete which nevertheless protects, instinctively, personal honor, as children often do.

"A man inspecting horses" is perhaps considering which "horse" to ride into 2018 or where to place his bets in his own career. He may also notice "a voluptuous person likely to be carried away by the lower passions." That sounds like conventional movie depictions of this holiday. 

That of course contradicts the first and second paragraphs, but there could be ways in which both trends are evident. Ultimately there will be circumspection, for "a cross and a broken key" suggest that we feel helpless, without a key or clue, unless we "take up the cross" of some duty or mission which lies on our conscience, as evoked by the approaching New Year. 

May it be a happy one for you!

{Sunday, New Year's Eve} {Thoughtful New Year}

Cosmic Piper

December 2017-January 2018, Daily Ratings (Maximum * * * * *)

29 Friday        * * * *   After 6:02a PT | 9:02a ET | 2:02p UT   * * * *-

30 Saturday    * * * *

31 Sunday       * * * *   After 3:40p PT | 6:40p ET  11:40p UT    * * * *-

1   Monday       * * * *

2   Tuesday      * * * *   After 2:47p PT | 5:47p ET | 10:47p UT   * * * *-

3   Wednesday  * * * *

4   Thursday     * * * *  After 3:11p PT | 6:11p ET | 11:11p UT   * * * *-

5   Friday         * * * * 

6   Saturday     * * * *   After 6:52p PT | 9:52p ET | 2:52a(Su) UT   * * * *-

7   Sunday       * * * *

I almost wish that there were some two-star and one-star days coming up because all the four-star days may make me look silly. Could things really be that good? We shall see. Sometimes long-term aspects will depress the ratings for weeks at a time, or raise them.  Note: I am not giving any five-star ratings until the Dark Hermetic Epoch ends on January 10. The other ratings remain the same, but the uncertainty in the DHE makes * * * * * unrealistic. 

Message for Friday 29 December 2017

Friday 29 December 2017

\Up the Hill, the Path of Devotion/

Moon in Taurus   * * * *

/moon goes void-of-course at 6:02a PT | 9:02a ET | 2:02p UT   * * * *-

Interesting fact: For yesterday, Thursday, the final sentence in the forecast was "Yet there can be cheer, with the Part of Fortune in the fifth house of pleasure, so that 'A small cottage with wide-open door' beckons. Hospitality could be generous." Well, I didn't even go out of the house on Thursday, yet this came true for me in a surprising way. In the morning I noticed in the NYT an article about MoviePass, a relatively new subscribe-by-the-month service. (How many of those are draining your monthly bank balance, hmm??? Hah! They got you.) This one however looks very good indeed:  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/27/business/media/moviepass-theaters-tickets.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

You pay just 10 bucks a month and can go to a movie theater in your own location 30 times a month, if you wish, or every day, and watch a first-run or older movie, whatever the theaters on the program in your location are offering. And that is most theaters. 

Yes, it is amazing! You will spend five times as much on popcorn and soda as on the ticket! Even if you only go out to the movies twice a month you will be ahead of the game.  Here is the website where you can get hooked up:  https://www.moviepass.com/

Disclaimer: Neither HHH nor Cosmic Piper are being paid for this free ad for MoviePass! But they ought to be. Don't you think?

Those symbols used in the daily forecasts--this one from Signior Borelli, an Italian clairvoyant in the 19th century who lived before movies were even invented--are amazingly accurate. Maybe, for you, you literally went to a "house with a wide-open door," but even if you didn't, I think you will sense that something like that occurred for you. In my case, if I pony up that 10 a month, four major movie theaters in my area will open their doors to me. And further, I sent these links to a friend in the area, and he replied with enthusiastic thanks, so I also "opened a door" of hospitality for someone else.

This also goes along with what I said here about Jupiter sextile Pluto, that it is an indication of "corporate kindness" (if there is such a thing! People on the Left will smirk), that is, corporations trying to, or pretending to, be benefactors of the public. The founder of MoviePass was a corporate bigwig in Netflix and is trying to do something similar, which will not pay off for him immediately but should in the long run. Jupiter sextile Pluto, though totally selfish, is nevertheless contributing to our own selfishness by cutting down the cost of watching a movie. Voila! But they ought to include popcorn and a drink, don't you think?  Multiplex Santa!

Friday:  The v-of-c throughout most of the day diminishes the four-star rating. Plus, we remain in the Dark Hermetic Epoch until January 10. So, one might say, the star ratings are not absolutely sufficient to describe what may happen on a given day, but the formula I use for them seems to be basically correct and so I hope it will not mislead you very much.

The fox is still sitting on his haunches. That means, you are thinking about workable strategies. We have to fox our ways through life sometimes. Maybe we will also have to go through "A dark archway with ten logs at the bottom." We need to be thorough in adding up or accounting for a lot of factors which would contribute to our success if we could calculate them wisely. Things do not have to be hopelessly mysterious.

Work could go stunningly well. We just have to be ready for it and welcome it. "A cross and a broken key" means that if we try prematurely to use the key to open the door to treasure, it will break; but if we accept the "cross" of doing our appropriate work, which is a sort of sacrifice, we will not be impotent, but slowly triumphant. Part of this process is to be as if an inventor, experimenting.

An angel waits at the top of a steep road up a hill. To get there we need to be sufficient within ourselves, nucleating what we need to sustain us in the journey, even during today's long void-of-course period when we are tempted to slack off or give up.

To whom do you give your heart? Venus sextile Mars and the sun sextile Jupiter are idealistic aspects and help to boost the rating to four stars. We can be affectionate and devoted, maybe to a single special person, maybe to more than one or to an ideal which several represent to us no matter how inadequately. By believing in someone we believe in ourselves.

{Friday}  /Up the Hill, the Path of Devotion\

Cosmic Piper

December 2017-January 2018, Daily Ratings (Maximum * * * * *)

28 Thursday    * * * *

29 Friday        * * * *   After 6:02a PT | 9:02a ET | 2:02p UT   * * * *-

30 Saturday    * * * *

31 Sunday       * * * *   After 3:40p PT | 7:40p ET  12:40a(M) UT    * * * *-

1   Monday       * * * *

2   Tuesday      * * * *   After 2:47p PT | 5:47p ET | 10:47p UT   * * * *-

3   Wednesday  * * * *

4   Thursday     * * * *  After 3:11p PT | 6:11p ET | 11:11p UT   * * * *-

5   Friday         * * * * 

I almost wish that there were some two-star and one-star days coming up because all the four-star days may make me look silly. Could things really be that good? We shall see. Sometimes long-term aspects will depress the ratings for weeks at a time, or raise them.  Note: I am not giving any five-star ratings until the Dark Hermetic Epoch ends on January 10. The other ratings remain the same, but the uncertainty in the DHE makes * * * * * unrealistic. 

Message for Thursday 28 December 2017

Thursday 28 December 2017

\Profound Yet Cheering Factors/

Moon in Taurus

/moon v-of-c in Eastern US time zone until 1:24 a.m.   * * * +

After that    * * * *

"An authoritative approach to mentality" might mean you are trying to get something ready for communication to people in a big way.  It also means overcoming lies, contradictions, deceptions and confusions.

"A fox sitting on his haunches" is a strategist and that could be you. It is possible to work through things that have been obstacles and win cooperation from those formerly opposed. "Indians rowing a canoe and dancing a war dance" is a symbol of mobilization through aggressive leadership which does not get lost in minor issues.

Things may go well financially, yet your desires are not trivial but lofty, as if you wanted to rise beyond temptations. You experiment in a clever way to find how to prolong your good fortune. 

If things seem uneventful you could become despondent and gloomy, but this need not last. The depth of your consciousness makes you something like "A woman the father of her own child," able to nucleate from within yourself whatever is needed in your particular situation. 

Yet there can be cheer, with the Part of Fortune in the fifth house of pleasure, so that "A small cottage with wide-open door" beckons. Hospitality could be generous. 

{Thursday} /Profound Yet Cheering Factors\

Cosmic Piper

December 2017-January 2018, Daily Ratings (Maximum * * * * *)

27 Wednesday * * *     During 12:58p-10:24p PT | 3:58p-1:24a(Th) ET   * * *-

28 Thursday    * * * *

29 Friday        * * * *   After 6:02a PT | 9:02a ET | 2:02p UT   * * * *-

30 Saturday    * * * *

31 Sunday       * * * *   After 3:40p PT | 7:40p ET  12:40a(M) UT    * * * *-

1   Monday       * * * *

2   Tuesday      * * * *   After 2:47p PT | 5:47p ET | 10:47p UT   * * * *-

3   Wednesday  * * * *

4   Thursday     * * * *  After 3:11p PT | 6:11p ET | 11:11p UT   * * * *-

The most crucial distinction is between one or two-star times versus three, four, or five-star times. It's wise to "lay low" on the former (except in one's inner, spiritual life), but expand and be more daring on the latter. Sometimes long-term aspects will depress the ratings for weeks at a time, or raise them. The indications are intended to be most accurate from dawn of the given day until midnight. Then, from midnight until the next dawn, that quarter-day may partake of the nature of one or both days on either side. It is a transition period, usually reserved for sleep. Note: I am not giving any five-star ratings until the Dark Hermetic Epoch ends on January 10. The other ratings remain the same, but the uncertainty in the DHE makes * * * * * unrealistic. 

Message for Wednesday 27 December 2017

Wednesday 27 December 2017

^Privacy and Group Work Both Needed^

Moon in Aries-->Taurus   * * *

/moon goes void-of-course at 12:58p PT | 3:58p ET | 8:58p UT   * * *-

until it enters Taurus at 10:24p PT | 1:24a(Th) ET | 6:24a(Th) UT   * * *

The slew of * * * * ratings coming up beginning Thursday is highly unusual. Some of them would even be * * * * *, except that I don't give that top rating during a Dark Hermetic Epoch, which extends this time to January 10. It appears that the New Year will start off with superb auspices. 

It's true that in the past of this two-month experiment I had to reduce the star ratings because they seemed wrong, too optimistic, some days. I hope that will not be happening again.

The formula "An authoritative approach to mentality" suggests that today you will be becoming aware of profound and useful truths.

Relationship alert: Since the 24th, and continuing through Friday this week, Mars and Venus have been in a septile aspect (one-seventh of the zodiacal circle). This is highly significant. Who has been meaningful to you, even in a small way, in a relationship during these days? That is most likely someone very important to you, whether you realize it or not. Even if it is just someone in your thoughts. It might be wise to follow up any leadings you have toward re-connecting with anyone who might be specially important. If that doesn't work today during the long v-of-c, there remain Thursday and Friday, four-star days.

A group activity might be important today. Someone is "pawing up the earth," angry. Maybe you too. Yet you could be all "entering a large canoe," in other words, you have to work together on something. 

There is probably jealousy, and bitter feelings and resentment. You might visualize you and the others involved being together at "An embassy ball" where you each displays individual styles, skills, and glories. That could make things easier.

There is ingenuity in traversing mazes or enigmas, whether in the intellectual or practical world. But you might feel miserable about that because it seems no one else follows or understands your course; or they are in a maze of their own which you do not care to enter.

The "formula" in the second paragraph could be leading you toward initiation into eternal verities. That has always been the promise of the esoteric Mysteries. At present it seems we each have our own way of approaching them, but group work could also be essential. From within your inner chamber of study and meditation you learn to mold other minds toward the better.

{Wednesday} ^Privacy and Group Work Both Needed^

Cosmic Piper

December 2017-January 2018, Daily Ratings (Maximum * * * * *)

26 Tuesday     *

27 Wednesday * * *     During 12:58p-10:24p PT | 3:58p-1:24a(Th) ET   * * *-

28 Thursday    * * * *

29 Friday        * * * *   After 6:02a PT | 9:02a ET | 2:02p UT   * * * *-

30 Saturday    * * * *

31 Sunday       * * * *   After 3:40p PT | 7:40p ET  12:40a(M) UT    * * * *-

1   Monday       * * * *

2   Tuesday      * * * *   After 2:47p PT | 5:47p ET | 10:47p UT   * * * *-

3   Wednesday  * * * *

The most crucial distinction is between one or two-star times versus three, four, or five-star times. It's wise to "lay low" on the former (except in one's inner, spiritual life), but expand and be more daring on the latter. Sometimes long-term aspects will depress the ratings for weeks at a time, or raise them. The indications are intended to be most accurate from dawn of the given day until midnight. Then, from midnight until the next dawn, that quarter-day may partake of the nature of one or both days on either side. It is a transition period, usually reserved for sleep. Note: I am not giving any five-star ratings until the Dark Hermetic Epoch ends on January 10. The other ratings remain the same, but the uncertainty in the DHE makes * * * * * unrealistic. 

Message for Tuesday 26 December 2017

Tuesday 26 December 2017

^Slowly Clearing the Deck^

Moon in Aries

|Karmically serious third| of this week continues   *

It looks in some ways like a straightforward day, yet there is a mixture of emotion which could be surprising. There is a desire or inner need to cling to someone, or feel someone's support even if at a distance. An aftermath of Christmas, when the turmoil is done and the gifts unwrapped, is like "The human soul receptive to growth and understanding." 

"A heart surmounted by an aureole" shows devotion toward someone, or more than one, together with a hope of protecting him, her or them from themselves, that is, their hurtful habits or impulses, "A drowning man rescued."

The moon's squares from Aries to Capricorn are not nice, so there is "a butcher" or someone who sees some kind of cruelty as necessary or justified. This should be guarded against, or converted into something kinder. Otherwise there is danger of being abandoned into difficult circumstances which feel like a wreck, "A battered hulk upon the seashore."

But there is illumination, great light of the soul or the intellect or both. It is possible to collaborate somehow with "great minds" or at least with those who understand things to some degree as you do. There should not be a lot of hurry in this. People maybe need to discuss things with one another calmly and give the answers time to develop rather than rush into anything precipitately.

The single star should not be frightening, because there is a lot of definition in this day (moon trine Mercury which has recently turned direct). It seems that we will be able to target our needs and get ordinary necessary things done which we had been postponing. That feels good and efficient and prepares the way for the New Year.

{Tuesday}  ^Slowly Clearing the Deck^

Cosmic Piper

December 2017-January 2018, Daily Ratings (Maximum * * * * *)

25 Monday      * *         After 4:28p PT | 7:28p ET   * *+

26 Tuesday     *

27 Wednesday * * *     During 12:58p-10:24p PT | 3:58p-1:24a(Th) ET   * * *-

28 Thursday    * * * *

29 Friday        * * * *   After 6:02a PT | 9:02a ET | 2:02p UT   * * * *-

30 Saturday    * * * *

31 Sunday       * * * *   After 3:40p PT | 7:40p ET  12:40a(M) UT    * * * *-

1   Monday       * * * *

2   Tuesday      * * * *   After 2:47p PT | 5:47p ET | 10:47p UT   * * * *-

The most crucial distinction is between one or two-star times versus three, four, or five-star times. It's wise to "lay low" on the former (except in one's inner, spiritual life), but expand and be more daring on the latter. Sometimes long-term aspects will depress the ratings for weeks at a time, or raise them. The indications are intended to be most accurate from dawn of the given day until midnight. Then, from midnight until the next dawn, that quarter-day may partake of the nature of one or both days on either side. It is a transition period, usually reserved for sleep. Note: I am not giving any five-star ratings until the Dark Hermetic Epoch ends on January 10. The other ratings remain the same, but the uncertainty in the DHE makes * * * * * unrealistic. 

Message for Monday 25 December 2017

Monday 25 December 2017, Christmas

~Detached Realism as Comfort~

Moon in Pisces-->Aries

|Karmically serious third| of this week continues

/moon is void-of-course    * *

until it enters Aries at 4:28p PT | 7:28p ET | 12:28a(Tu) UT   * *-

It snows and rains more frequently in the |karmically serious or difficult third| of each week. I have observed this for decades. And on the 24th it started snowing big-time where I am in the afternoon.

Apart from weather, this could be a hard day for some. There is an underlying mood of "Nobody is really pleasing me the way I want to be pleased" and it is as if our Santa Claus parents, now either gone or unavailable or unsympathetic, are not satisfying us. We want parenting from somewhere that we are not getting close-up.

So there is a mood of "I will just be inflexible at what I do best, and expect people to respect that." Bah, humbug, your artificial merriment cannot interfere with my hard-earned poise!

Yet there is hospitality from or within "A small cottage with wide-open door." Merry Christmas! We may want to be more hospitable than we are able, or want to enjoy someone's hospitality in a way not feasible. Yet the goodness of the holiday is waiting with open door somewhere. 

The degree "A drowning man rescued" has sometimes, in the past, correlated with someone's being rescued from over-drinking or overuse of drugs. 

Some are enthusiastic about causes they believe in and are honest and open about their feelings.

At times you may want to escape and be alone for a while. You have your own thoughts, your individual genius and way of seeing things, and that needs to be fostered in quietude and personal creativity apart from others' approval.

As for romance, I had predicted already that today might hold romantic potentials, or something fateful and inevitable in a relationship. Whether pleasing or not depends on the individual situation. The feelings shared within a couple alternate and cannot be classified, sometimes seeming contradictory but resolving into harmony if there is sufficient loyalty to each other. 

{Monday, Christmas}  ~Detached Realism as Comfort~

Cosmic Piper

December 2017-January 2018, Daily Ratings (Maximum * * * * *)

24 Sunday       * * *      After 6:49p PT | 9:49p ET   * *

25 Monday      * *         After 4:28p PT | 7:28p ET   * *+

26 Tuesday     *

27 Wednesday * * *     During 12:58p-10:24p PT | 3:58p-1:24a(Th) ET   * * *-

28 Thursday    * * * *

29 Friday        * * * *   After 6:02a PT | 9:02a ET | 2:02p UT   * * * *-

30 Saturday    * * * *

31 Sunday       * * * *   After 3:40p PT | 7:40p ET  12:40a(M) UT    * * * *-

1   Monday       * * * *

The most crucial distinction is between one or two-star times versus three, four, or five-star times. It's wise to "lay low" on the former (except in one's inner, spiritual life), but expand and be more daring on the latter. Sometimes long-term aspects will depress the ratings for weeks at a time, or raise them. The indications are intended to be most accurate from dawn of the given day until midnight. Then, from midnight until the next dawn, that quarter-day may partake of the nature of one or both days on either side. It is a transition period, usually reserved for sleep. Note: I am not giving any five-star ratings until the Dark Hermetic Epoch ends on January 10. The other ratings remain the same, but the uncertainty in the DHE makes * * * * * unrealistic. 

Message for Weekend of December 23-24, and Coming Week

Weekend of December 23-24. and Coming Week

~Serious Yet Happy Christmas Season~

Saturday 23 December 2017

Moon in Aquarius-->Pisces   *

/moon goes void-of-course at 2:14a PT | 5:14a ET | 10:14a UT   *-

until it enters Pisces at 6:43a PT | 9:43a ET | 3:43p UT   * 

Sunday 24 December 2017

Moon in Pisces   * * *

|Karmically serious third| of this week begins at 1:03p PT | 4:03p ET | 9:03p UT  * * *-

/moon goes void-of-course at 6:49p PT | 9:49p ET | 2:49a(M) UT   * *

Could anything be more redolent of what often goes on while Mercury is retrograde than the following, from the New York Times?: "Working vacations. Pizza-fueled all-nighters. Overflowing inboxes. Auditors, analysts and accountants are in a mad dash to make sense of the new tax law." So much fun (?). Most certainly any astrologer worth her or his salt would have told the Republicans to pass their tax law during some time other than a MR period. But they "had to" get it done by the end of the year for some strange reason (pretending to be Santa) and probably made a mess of things, or that is the way it looks to most analysts. 

However, in accord with the Gurdjieff-Ouspensky teaching that "people are machines," they could not do otherwise than they did, for Mars and Jupiter were conjoined in Scorpio, the sign of "other people's money" and therefore of taxes among other things. This egged them on, in terms of astrological "causation," which is Aristotelian formal causation, not efficient or material causation. That is, the planets Jupiter and Mars are not sending rays or vibrations from the area of space we call Scorpio to push legislators to do what they did. That is probably superstition. But in accord with the observations of astrologers over millennia, what happened happened in accord with those zodiacal positions. That is formal cause. It postulates no material or immaterial "forces," but just notes lasting and reliable "formal" correlations.  That is enough! You can cut them with a knife and almost eat them. 

Another thing: The tax law was finally passed by both houses, and made a certainty, and then signed by the President, while the Part of Fortune was in the second house of Money, money, money! (beginning Wednesday evening and continuing to Saturday morning). Is astrology real? 

More from the Times:  "Late nights spent scrutinizing the new rules in the office have fueled UberEats and other food delivery services. Christmas shopping? Forget about it. Long-scheduled holiday trips are being delayed or interrupted."  "All this is a headache — possibly a migraine — for many companies and individuals."  All together now:  Mer-cur-y   Re-tro-grade!  

How is the MR, apart from the tax law, affecting you? One thing important to REmember is that we are not "losing it" when we feel disoriented, forget things, or wonder what we are doing or why we are doing anything. That is "normal" during these times. And it might remain normal, for most, even up to January 10 when the longer Dark Hermetic Epoch ends. It helps me to remember this so that I don't worry that I might be "losing it." This disorientation has a Final as well as a Formal cause--it shocks us into remembering the Transcendent Whose domain and consciousness are beyond time and space (though encompassing it benevolently).

But back to time and space: The coming week (through Saturday the 30th) seems oddly heavy on job status, career, and honor, rather than just holiday merriment. Apparently most human beings will be making New Year good intentions important a week early, or trying to get in the swim of their higher destiny, with four planets in Capricorn including its ruler Saturn (which shall be there until March 2020). It's a matter of wanting to live up to one's own and others' expectations. There can be pessimism, suffering, and estrangement, but this leads to renewed determination to be diligent and concentrated while living a simple life. 

Disillusion or disappointment in love is likely, to some degree, but this does not have to be major because besides the Venus-Saturn conjunction there is the growing sextile between Mars and Venus, one of the most pleasing of all aspects. Interpersonal love may be a little wary yet still flourishing. "I see the loved one's problems and failures, but will make do with them because there is so much else she or he gives me." The desire for loving contacts is strong, even sensuous at times, and a tendency to express oneself in a lively, confident manner which wins ready approval. 

Not just because of the tax law (which of course will not take effect in most matters until 2018 taxes are due in 2019) but because of helpful sextiles from Scorpio to Capricorn, business gains will be pleasing, and planning for them successful, at least tentatively.  We remain in the DHE until January 10 but Mercury turns direct Friday afternoon, the 22nd, perhaps by the time you are reading this. That does not mean the "I'm losing it" syndrome will be gone because the DHE is very similar. Too much to do, what can I leave out? is one frequent question. Choosing what is truly essential and dropping unnecessary tangles helps enormously. 

A cardinal-sign emphasis does not mean that we don't care about people but gives a "business first" attitude, or "What can I accomplish?" more than "How can I share life with people?" Yet this is the season of compulsory jollity! The Venus-Mars sextile will help a great deal with that, and also the sextile between Jupiter and Pluto, which is growing in intensity. It is indeed a sort of "corporate Santa Claus" mentality, as evidenced by some big corporations saying that they are going to be charitable and nice as a response to their tax cuts. We can hope so but skeptics on the Left and in the center will be watching for hypocrisy. 

We discussed last week how the Grinch makes Christmas only a two-star day, but Christmas Eve should be more pleasing. Then toward New Year there are a lot of four-star days.

Neptune is in a strong position in relation to most of the planets and this is a spiritual openness which facilitates the needed merriment, giving it a more mellow or relaxed quality. Caring for those who need or would appreciate kindness is facilitated. 

Happy Christmas Season!

Cosmic Piper

December 2017, Daily Ratings (Maximum * * * * *)

22 Friday        * * *

23 Saturday    *           Before 6:43a PT | 9:43a ET    *-

24 Sunday       * * *      After 6:49p PT | 9:49p ET   * *

25 Monday      * *         After 4:28p PT | 7:28p ET   * *+

26 Tuesday     *

27 Wednesday * * *     During 12:58p-10:24p PT | 3:58p-1:24a(Th) ET   * * *-

28 Thursday    * * * *

29 Friday        * * * *   After 6:02a PT | 9:02a ET | 2:02p UT   * * * *-

30 Saturday    * * * *

31 Sunday       * * * *   After 3:40p PT | 7:40p ET  12:40a(M) UT    * * * *-

The most crucial distinction is between one or two-star times versus three, four, or five-star times. It's wise to "lay low" on the former (except in one's inner, spiritual life), but expand and be more daring on the latter. Sometimes long-term aspects will depress the ratings for weeks at a time, or raise them. The indications are intended to be most accurate from dawn of the given day until midnight. Then, from midnight until the next dawn, that quarter-day may partake of the nature of one or both days on either side. It is a transition period, usually reserved for sleep. Note: I am not giving any five-star ratings until the Dark Hermetic Epoch ends on January 10. The other ratings remain the same, but the uncertainty in the DHE makes * * * * * unrealistic. 

Message for Friday 22 December 2017

Friday 22 December 2017

}Earned Respect Plus Grace{

Moon in Aquarius  * * *

We are trying to leave the determination of probable "mood" to the star-rating system. (It is embarrassing to admit that this seems to be still in a construction process and so sometimes sadly wrong; see the material in [brackets] after this report.) However, no matter what is going on there, we have to consider the fact of Venus and the sun being together very close to Saturn, the planet of limitations and so often of sorrow or depression. This could make Christmas a "blue Christmas" for some who feel bereft of family or friends. At best, however, this is a willingness to see the depth in one's loyalties and remain loyal and true to those one loves, making it a "true Christmas" instead.

One wants also to be special, to demonstrate one's competence at something and to have a good position "before the world." it can be a matter of pride or of honor. Doing the honorable thing of course makes us feel better about ourselves, G*d, and humanity (four planets in the 10th field of honor or position). 

Yet at the same time there is a large emphasis on friendship and on younger or vital, energetic people. Meeting the desires of children is of course one thing many are trying to do at Christmas. That may be evident today. With Saturn so prominent, there could be some resentment about the process, "a child of about five with a huge shopping bag." 

We want respect for ourselves. Practical advantages seem important. You may be impatient around people who do not seem to be very informed or who bring little practical advantage into your life. You want to prove your worth through achievement that is noticed. Who is the one person, visible or invisible, you want to impress favorably? That is important. You do not want to be vacillating or procrastinating.

There are plenty of smooth lunar aspects increasing in strength and so equanimity and good feelings should increase into the evening. Neptune is accented and favored, so our other-worldly seekings, and connections in spiritual realms, should be a strong comfort. Grace can be sought, if there is gratitude in one's heart and a desire to do the right thing.

{Friday}  {Earned Respect plus Grace}

Cosmic Piper

December 2017, Daily Ratings (Maximum * * * * *)

21 Thursday    * *        (Rating revised after further research; see below in brackets)

22 Friday        * * *

23 Saturday    *           Before 6:43a PT | 9:43a ET    *-

24 Sunday      * * *      After 6:49p PT | 9:49p ET   * * *-

25 Monday     * *         After 4:28p PT | 7:28p ET   * *+

26 Tuesday     *

27 Wednesday * * *     During 12:58p-10:24p PT | 3:58p-1:24a(Th) ET   * * *-

28 Thursday    * * * *

29 Friday        * * * *   After 6:02a PT | 9:02a ET | 2:02p UT,  * * * *-

The most crucial distinction is between one or two-star times versus three, four, or five-star times. It's wise to "lay low" on the former (except in one's inner, spiritual life), but expand and be more daring on the latter. Sometimes long-term aspects will depress the ratings for weeks at a time, or raise them. The indications are intended to be most accurate from dawn of the given day until midnight. Then, from midnight until the next dawn, that quarter-day may partake of the nature of one or both days on either side. It is a transition period, usually reserved for sleep. Note: I am not giving any five-star ratings until the Dark Hermetic Epoch ends on January 10. The other ratings remain the same, but the uncertainty in the DHE makes * * * * * unrealistic. 

[I'm putting this moaning and groaning about how hard this job is in brackets, so you can skip it if you find it depressing or boring. But I feel I need to explain myself. 

[I write this on Thursday which I said would be a * * * * day. I do not find that to be so, in my case; in fact I have been rather depressed. Although I have gotten a lot done, I felt as if it were drudgery. And because of my work load I rejected a request by a friend to go out for some fun. So I looked at the daily chart again. The sun is conjunct Saturn today (Thursday) by less than a degree Voila! But I had not thought that that conjunction was important enough, in my previous research, to merit a deduction in the rating system (very complex). However, today it was exact, rather than by 10 or 5 or 2 degrees. Finally it dawned on me: The sun was Cazimi at the very moment I was feeling this dutifulness and accompanying depression and lack of holiday spirit. Cazimi means "in the heart of the sun" by less than 17 minutes of arc. That happens to any planet usually only one day a year. According to Dr. Jones, such a planet is at that time "immeasurably strengthened." Immeasurably! And Saturn, of course, is the most difficult planet of all, usually. Aha! So I searched through the "positive" charts for wonderful, prospering, thrilling, exalting events, in the archive, and found that on none of them was Saturn Cazimi, or even within 40 minutes (less than a degree) from the sun. New rule! I am deducting 11 points from those days, namely, on average, a little less one day every year. That would bring Thursday's rating down to * * rather than * * * *.  For me at least, that makes sense. How about you? In other words, how was Thursday for you? **** or merely **? (I ask but don't expect any replies.)

[Of course, this would not always happen at the Winter Solstice. It does so this time because Saturn happened to move into Capricorn (for the first time in 26 years) on the 20th, and the sun on the 21st. Unusual. And a * * rating is not "bad," it just means the day is good for less thrilling or less "fun" things probably. I have been getting a lot done after realizing it was not a "fun" but a work day. That sort of understanding is what I am aiming at in this rating system.]

[So you are seeing "the scientific method," as I understand it in relation to these forecasts, in effect and in process. I am sorry that the rating system was not perfect at the beginning. But the truth is that I have to learn by doing and that it is far better to share what I have already seen, or hypothesized, than to try to wait until all is perfect. Yes, it is learning by doing, by trial and sometimes error, and that is the scientific method in a nutshell; you do not have to read a hundred complex books on the scientific method and statistics and the philosophy of science in order to understand it. Some things work consistently; others fail too often and are not reliable. Scientific method. Anyway I keep trying and if you're reading this, thanks for caring.]

[This is also a good example of what can go on in the Mercury Retrograde period. Review, recasting, reconstruction. It has to be done sometime, and MR times are the ones seeming to be designated for it by the Cosmos.]

CP / HHH