The last Celestial Wheel entry -- March 31 More Money More Moneeeeyyyyy! -- first discussed benefic Jupiter, the planet of abundance, strong in the middle of Libra last fall, being in the U.S. chart's eleventh house of gains.  Another way of explaining this is that Jupiter in the eleventh house gives a Midas touch.  Jupiter thereby brought the Republican tax cut law.  That entry then explained that Jupiter's strength rapidly and severely waned,

Here's the March 31 transit chart showing that weakened Jupiter,

Like a cliffhanger novel, or reality TV, the entry touched on the continuing malefic affliction -- the Mars/Saturn conjunction -- and more benefic weakness in Mercury's fallen retrograde, stating ...it's a troubling time across the entire globe.

Thus the title of today's entry, The Zodiac Is Afflicted And Weak.

Let's revisit these three planetary issues, for, as that entry also stated, ...with Mercury's communication's doubly injured, we can only digest information in small servings.

First, lets list the the beginning and ending dates for each.

Mars joined Saturn in Sagittarius March 6, and they continue in conjunction until May 2.

Jupiter approached the sign edge (weak) in Libra mid January, turned retrograde March 8 (further weakening) and won't turn direct until July 10.  (Expect then continued and further weakness in securities.)

Mercury turned retrograde in its fallen sign of Pisces for on March 23 for its usual three week backwards stint (to April 15) but will not escape Pisces until May 9.

Thereby, the remainder of this month (April) and the first part of May will continue to be ...a troubling time across the entire globe.

Here's the transit chart for today showing current dispositions,

This transit chart shows the three aspects (glances) Mars makes and one of Saturn's aspects as well.  As you can see, Mars and Saturn both aspect Gemini.  And Mars aspects Pisces (where Mercury is stuck) and also Rahu in Cancer.  The former attacks Mercury's mind and nervous system and the latter stimulates catastrophes and scandals.

These dispositions are difficult for both the U.S. chart and Trump's.   The March 12 entry Mars In Sagittarius With Saturn explained (emphasis added)

Adding in benefic Jupiter and benefic Mercury being very weak now naturally exacerbates situations and the ability to understand them clearly -- as well as tilts the balance negatively from benefic to malefic energies.

Further, as Jupiter is optimism, it's easy to become depressed, and Jupiter's sound judgment is elusive.  As Mercury is the calculating mind and the nervous system, we tend to forget things and misplace things, make money errors and are highly overly sensitive to any disruptions -- we see in the news and also in our personal lives.

So, as Trump acts increasingly crazy, as he has, everyone feels uneasy and fearful for the future.

There's nothing we can do about this bad celestial weather but hold tight, not overreact and use care.   In regard to this last, it would be wise to follow the stock markets and safeguard your resources against financial calamity.

The Celestial Wheel 2002-2017©
Doug Riemer

Deleted Facebook

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak 'disgusted' with Facebook, deactivates account

Beyond deactivating my Facebook account, I deleted it.  Here's a link to instructions for that. https://www.facebook.com/help/224562897555674?helpref=faq_content

You will benefit from regaining your personal security and also getting away from social media's inane and false information.

To be blunt, if a Facebook friend farts in the morning, has a hot flash or is disappointed with the newest miracle diet...... It's all shit.

Read the NY Times, the Washington Post..... lots of other newspaper choices.  Watch the major networks. Get real and honest news to be informed. Your future depends upon knowledge.   As I've written many, many times before, "Ignorance is not bliss. It's merely ignorance."

The Celestial Wheel 2002-2017©
Doug Riemer

The below transit chart is for tomorrow morning at 5:30.  You can see the "R" following "Me" indicating retrograde.  Within the hour, the planet of communications and the nervous system will turn forward -- thankfully.

This positive change won't fix everything.  Mercury remains in its fallen sign of Pisces, afflicted by an aspect from Mars.  But still, it's an improvement from the nail-biting mental environment we've seen throughout the globe an in our personal lives.

Note too the Mars and Saturn remain in mortal combat in Sagitarius, and Jupiter, the great benefic, continues a very week retrograde.

Pay attention to the listing of planetary afflictions and weaknesses described in the April 8 entry The Zodiac Is Afflicted And Weak,

It sure looks like Trump's previous actions are chickens coming home to roost -- a tweet storm of bird crap raining on his head.

The Celestial Wheel 2002-2017©
Doug Riemer

Hang In There

The most recent Celestial Wheel entry was the (above April 14 Mercury Turns Forward Early Tomorrow Morning.  This change was described as,

That entry also referenced back to caution,

And here's the chart from April 14.  You can easily see the retrograde "R" next to Mercury and also Jupiter. The Mars/Saturn conjunction is also visible.

Transits April 14, 2018

There's been some further incremental improvements this last half of April -- again easily visible in a current (today) transit chart,

Mercury continues to plod ahead through the miasma of its fallen sign.  Mercury's calculations, communications, the nervous system, respiratory system, skin disease and acute illnesses continue.  May 9, when Mercury finally leaves Pisces, seems a long way off.  Be patient!

Jupiter continues his weakening retrograde, but notice he's backing up away from the sign edge -- and toward the middle of Libra, where he gains strength.  This, however, is quite minor -- like a headache that hurts a little less.

Important though are variables in the Mars/Saturn conjunction. First, Saturn went retrograde April 18 and will continue thus throughout the summer until September 6.  This is both good and bad.  It's good for shifting Saturn away from aggressive Mars and also reducing Saturn's restrictions and losses.  It's bad, however, in that, as the big planets that ring the traditional solar system, retrograde Jupiter and Saturn are unable to keep order.  They steer the solar system and protect it -- just as they do by shielding the inner planets from incoming comets and asteroids.

So, this summer promises to be one during which the world is pretty much adrift.  And when major events do occur, they can escalate into tragedies.

While Mercury in its fallen sign of Pisces continues for a week and a half, the Mars/Saturn conjunction will end much sooner -- May 2 -- this coming Wednesday.  Look for strife, violences and batterings of all kinds to subside.  Yet, when Mars moves into Capricorn on Wednesday, he won't stop attacking.   He'll just be shifting his aggressions.  Mars is exalted in Capricorn, which is generally positive, but he will be aspecting (glancing upon) Cancer, his fallen sign.  This is a nasty aspect -- like punching below the belt.  For the U.S. chart, Mars will be striking very quickly birth chart Mercury, which is early in that sign at 3:26 degrees.

This is not good for business, nor government officials, both of which Mercury symbolizes in that chart.

It's even more challenging for Trump, for Mars will target his early sign Saturn right away and then Venus in just a couple of days.  Both are sitting ducks in his twelfth house of loss.  Saturn is Trump's planet of open enemies, especially foreign. and litigations.  And Venus signifies his career, close associates and women.  Recall the twelfth is the house of hidden enemies.  Look for fireworks later this week in these areas.

Donald Trump
June 14, 1946 10:54 AM

Queens Village, NY

The Celestial Wheel 2002-2018©
Doug Riemer