These are exciting times if you’re into mundane astrology: the astrology of worldly events. You’re familiar with this modality — it’s most of what I write in Planet Waves. It’s great fun because it does not involve much speculation. Rather, you watch the astrology and the world become holograms of one another. It’s almost photography, or maybe a sketch artist drawing a scene.

Last week, we saw a methodical presentation of the case against Pres. Trump, for abusing his power as president and obstructing Congress. We learned about procedures followed during several prior impeachments, and the scenario was placed into documentable context.

We learned about the hollowing out of protocol and disrespect for the most basic constitutional structure of American government. As far as I am concerned, the prosecution’s case checks out. It was factually accurate, relevant, and well-argued. I did not detect any stretching of the truth or rhetorical bluster. Were I in the position to make the presentation, that’s how I would have done it.

As all of this happened, the Moon was transiting through Capricorn — the scene of transiting Pluto in Capricorn as well as the natal U.S. Pluto (and thus the Pluto return); the recent Saturn-Pluto conjunction; a recent solar eclipse in Capricorn; and many other factors that on the most basic level (and an expert level) describe the situation beautifully. The Moon was pointing to all of it, as it happened.

The astrology was foundational: it matched what we witnessed.

Lunar New Year, Aquarius Style

Friday was the Aquarius New Moon (kicking off Saturday’s lunar New Year throughout many Asian countries). We get a little break from the action, and behind the scenes, leaders of both sides are caucusing.

Much of the world celebrated the lunar New Year, a significantly more important holiday in Asia than New Year’s Eve in the West, which is just a big party. Nobody in the States flies to visit their family just for New Year.

(That said, the celebrations have been somewhat dampened this time around by the appearance of the new coronavirus. As of this writing, not much is known for certain about the urgency or the rate of spreading. The BBC reports around 2,000 confirmed cases, most within China, with 56 dead.)

We have begun the year of the Rat, element metal. The last one of these was 1960, the year John F. Kennedy was elected.

Metal Rat is good luck in the style of success coming from preparation, planning and careful execution of your ideas. This is the power of personal industry, not something that works on a whim or a lark.

Here is the Wikipedia version of the ‘metal’ attribute, which passes the basic sniff test: “In Chinese Taoist thought, Metal attributes are considered to be firmness, rigidity, persistence, strength, and determination. The metal person is controlling, ambitious, forceful, and set in their ways as metal is very strong. They are self-reliant and prefer to handle their problems alone.”

By the way, this “steely” quality is reminiscent of Saturn conjunct Pluto, and Saturn-Pluto aspects in general.

Moon Conjunct Nessus, the Third Centaur

Back to our mundane astrology class.

When the Senate trial resumes Monday at 10 am in Washington, DC, the Moon will be in Pisces, applying to Nessus, the third-discovered centaur (after Chiron and Pholus). Notably, this is the first planet officially named at the suggestion of astrologers.

Nessus is something of a bad boy. It is associated with abuse patterns, sexually transmitted infections, revenge scenarios, taking advantage of others, and scenarios of “one thing leads to another.”

One of the questions of Nessus is, “What was the consent status of the sexual encounter? Was it taken, was it given, or was it sold for a fee?”

It was Melanie Reinhart, though, who came up with what I think of as the essence of Nessus — The Buck Stops Here. (This is a reference to poker; whoever gets the buckhorn deals the cards. So where the buck stops, we must “deal.”)

Given the situation, though, we might phrase this as a question: how do we deal? How do they deal? The defense now has the buck.

The defense has nothing else. No facts are in dispute. Everybody knows what everybody knew and what they said. The only question is, was the action right or wrong? Was it taken, was it given, or was it sold for a fee?

There is an unusual pattern developing in the background [also described in the new Planet Waves TV].

Moon, Venus, Mars, Neptune Pattern

Now for the fun part. For weeks, a pattern has been developing in the mutable signs. The backbone is Mars in Sagittarius square Neptune in Pisces. Viable mundane associations with this pattern come back to honesty and self-destructive choices. I’m curious to hear from anyone who has this aspect in your chart — Mars square Neptune in any sign.

I think the essence here is whether the power of desire is applied honestly; and whether the desire itself has moral integrity. There is a bit of “anything goes” to this aspect. It’s rife with boundary questions (or issues). It is not given to honesty with itself. In other words, with this pattern present, one might say, “I want this because” when that is just a rationalization.

In Course in Miracles terms, this one characterizes the early lesson, “I am never upset for the reason I think,” and its later counterpart, “I am upset because I see something that is not there.”

Mars-Neptune is exact at 16+ Sagittarius/Pisces on Tuesday at 5:34 am EST.

Combined with the Moon conjunct Nessus, we are in gaslighting territory: intentional psychic and psychological torture. So this is one of the defining aspects of the defense case — and it is just perfect.

Then all the astrology goes off at once the next day: Venus is also in the picture, and exactly conjoins Neptune on Monday. This is usually an aspect of romantic ideals, rosy glasses, and visions of serenades along the water. But with Mars in the picture, it’s a little more pernicious. The motive is off-color. Deception and denial work together.

Then the Pisces Moon connects with the whole pattern overnight Monday to Tuesday. The Moon is the public, which gets dragged through this emotionally toxic family drama.

I am wondering how the defense is going to keep its cool through this. I’m wondering how they are not going to reveal their contempt for existence. I’m wondering how they are going to peddle bribery, extortion and self-dealing as truth, justice and the American way. Why is Superman beating up that little kid?

Trigger Warning

For those with traumatic personal histories, this astrology could be a trigger pattern. Many are already feeling the toxic smog of their past stink up the room through the TV. Trump already reminds plenty of people of their viciously narcissistic father/ex-husband/boss.

Take it easy on yourself. You are not crazy.

While I don’t suggest suppressing your emotions, one technique I learned from Hakomi Therapy is to consciously linger around the edge of your feelings, and get a sense of what it’s about and how it feels. You don’t have to dive in, nor do you have to run away. Suppression leads to chaos. Getting swallowed leads to losing yourself in your emotions. Lashing out is pointless.

Stay at the edge (centaur territory). Now is your chance not to believe the bully claiming he is a victim. See lame excuses for what they are. Now is also your chance to say you don’t approve. You don’t need to rage. It’s OK to be angry. Don’t take it out on yourself.

And I strongly suggest you pay attention to what is happening. This is an important, extremely rare moment in social and political history, where we will get a chance to see the truth and the lies for what they are.

Note, I have written this article at SHO — scene of the infamous over-loud phone call from Gordon Sondland, American ambassador to the E.U., to the president of the United States. Zelenskyy loves you! He loves you!

No, Gordon, you’re a fool, that is not love. But thanks for telling us about the call.