Today is Monday, Dec. 5, 2016
Hebrew date is 5 Kislev 5777
Islamic date is 6 Rabi’-I 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 6 Chikchan
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.0.5
Julian Day is 2457728

Today’s Birthdays: Christina Rossetti (1830-1894), Little Richard (1932), Jose Carreras (1946), Cliff Eidelman (1964), Margaret Cho (1968), Michel’le (1970), Nick Stahl (1979), Keri Hilson (1982).

“Whenever anyone has called me a bitch, I have taken it as a compliment. To me, a bitch is assertive, unapologetic, demanding, intimidating, intelligent, fiercely protective, in control — all very positive attributes. But it’s not supposed to be a compliment, because there’s that stupid double standard: When men are aggressive and dominant, they are admired, but when a woman possesses those same qualities, she is dismissed and called a bitch.”
— Margaret Cho

Feds Deny Dakota Pipeline Permit; Propose New Route

Just hours before the Monday morning deadline to end the Standing Rock protests, the Army Corps of Engineers said Sunday that the federal government would not approve permits for construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline beneath a dammed section of the Missouri River.

Standing Rock tribal chairman Dave Archambault II on NBC News.

Through the weekend, thousands of American military veterans arrived at the Sacred Stone camp in Cannon Ball, ND, where water protectors have been focusing national attention by blocking progress on the pipeline.

That seemed to be leading to a showdown, as North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple set a deadline of Monday, Dec. 5 for the camp to be vacated.

During the past four months, the camp has become a functioning city. Veterans of U.S. wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan have been traveling to the site to serve as human shields, located between local law enforcement and indigenous activists. Presumably the paramilitary police and National Guardsmen, who have been using vicious tactics on the water protectors, would be reluctant to open fire on others who have served in uniform.

The result of the Standing Rock protest demonstrates what happens when there are real protests and public awareness is focused on an issue.

The New York Times reported that on Sunday, the Army’s assistant secretary for Civil Works, Jo-Ellen Darcy, said that the decision was based on a need to consider different paths for the pipeline. [See map of the project here.]

“Although we have had continuing discussion and exchanges of new information with the Standing Rock Sioux and Dakota Access, it’s clear that there’s more work to do,” Darcy said in a statement.

Photo of the Oceti Sakowin camp, a central base of the Standing Rock water protectors’ action, by Stephanie Keith.

“The best way to complete that work responsibly and expeditiously is to explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing.”

While President-elect Donald Trump has said he supports the pipeline and would allow it to go through, Dave Archambault II, the Standing Rock Sioux chairman, claimed victory. “It’s over,” he said.

“I know there will be questions about the next administration, but I think it’s our opportunity to educate and help” the new administration on understanding the issues. “I’m thankful that there were some leaders in the federal government who realized that something is not right even though it’s legal, and heard for the first time in history American Indian issues, heard our voices, and had the courage to take the initiative and make the right decision,” Archambault said in an interview with Tammy Leitner broadcast tonight by NBC News.

The Army Corps of Engineers, a lead agency for the private project, said it would study alternative routes that go around water supplies and that do not disrupt native burial grounds. Additionally, they called for a full environmental impact study, which has never been done.

More details on Tuesday’s Planet Waves FM.

— Eric Francis Coppolino

Earth, Sun Align with Deep Space Point Today

Today the Earth and the Sun align with the Great Attractor, the center of our local universe. The Great Attractor, associated with the Laniakea Supercluster, a pool of subatomic particles located in deep space. It’s so vast that it serves as the central feature of a cluster of 100,000 galaxies, including our own.

The Laniakea Supercluster of Galaxies. See a video presentation on our home in space at this link.

The alignment is exact at 4:21 pm EST [21:21:21 UTC] on Monday, Dec. 5. At that time, the Sun aligns in a conjunction with the Great Attractor at 14 degrees of Sagittarius and 11 arc minutes.

This happens once a year. If you’re curious about Laniakea/Great Attractor, you can hear an interview with Dr. Brent Tully, one of the leading scientists studying the phenomenon, on an archived edition of Planet Waves FM.

Later in the week, the Sun aligns with Saturn in Sagittarius. This occurs at 6:51 am EST [11:51 UTC] on Saturday, Dec. 10, though it’s a defining feature of the week. The Sun-Saturn conjunction can feel like psychological pressure or a struggle to express oneself. Yet the results of effort and focus go further than you might think they will.

Under this astrology it’s helpful to narrow your focus to certain specific goals that you work toward. Under Saturn’s influence in Sagittarius, it will help to question your assumptions and beliefs rather than to accept them or let them go unnoticed.

More on Tuesday’s edition of Planet Waves FM.

— Eric Francis Coppolino

Moon Phase: Moon is in Waxing Crescent phase and enters First Quarter phase on Dec. 7 at 1:03 am PST / 4:03 am EST (09:02:56 UTC).
Next Full Moon is on Dec. 13-14 at 4:05 pm PST / 7:05 pm EST (00:05:29 UTC).
Next New Moon is on Dec. 28-29 at 10:53 pm PST / 1:53 am EST (06:53:07 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Aquarius and enters Pisces today at 8:31 pm PST / 11:31 pm EST (04:30:51 12/6 UTC).
Sun Degree: 14-15 Sagittarius.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
Typhon enters Scorpio at 12:35 pm PST / 3:35 pm EST (20:34:45 UTC).
Moon enters Pisces at 8:31 pm PST / 11:31 pm EST (04:30:51 12/6 UTC).

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Mercury square Logos at 4:46 am PST / 7:46 am EST (12:46:20 UTC), and Makemake at 8:12 am PST / 11:12 am EST (16:12:06 UTC).
— Mars square Ceto at 10:13 am PST / 1:13 pm EST (18:12:54 UTC).
— Sun conjunct Great Attractor at 1:21 pm PST / 4:21 pm EST (21:21:21 UTC).
— Venus square Rhadamanthus at 3:33 pm PST / 6:33 pm EST (23:33:01 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is Dec. 5
(The Day of Confidence) | Sagittarius Birthday Reading | All Other Signs
You seem in an optimal position to accomplish goals. This would be especially likely in projects that involve your community — whatever you consider that to be. If you feel divided on where to offer your time, remember you don’t need to be a one-trick centaur. Being organized should help a lot.

Written in the Planets
Slow mover Typhon and somewhat swifter Mars are both implying that emotions may be running high. Stay in control if you can; if you feel as if something could burst out, give yourself compassion first and foremost. Recognize that you may need to speak openly, at least to a trusted friend if nothing else. Doing so could actually be the best course — not to mention a relief.

Get hold of the 2017 Planet Waves Annual, The Book of Your Life, today for the pre-order price. Read more here or go straight to the purchase page.