August is the second truly tempestuous month during this six month Mars transit through Capricorn.

Below is an updated summer/fall timeline plus charts for the three eclipses. The latter are included for comparison and evaluation of all three eclipses.  As the timeline shows, there were two eclipses in July and upcoming a partial solar eclipse August 11.  And, this solar eclipse is shown in blue as the next upcoming event.

Although the Moon's Nodes (eclipse points), called Rahu and Ketu, are in Cancer and Capricorn now, the eclipses of the Sun and Moon do not occur exactly where the Nodes are located.  In fact, the Nodes can be as far as twelve degrees away from the astronomical eclipse locations.  Thereby, eclipses can occur in signs adjacent to Rahu and Ketu.

Keep in mind that eclipses have two effects.  First, the light of the luminaries -- Sun and Moon -- is blocked, which by definition, weakens them.  Second, as the skies are darkened during an eclipse, the stars can be seen -- a revealing quality.  Transits are catalysts -- marking events.  Eclipses are a type of  transit. As this summer's eclipse season comes during fiery Mars' six month battle with Rahu and Ketu, they destabilize and already volatile planetary situation.  Also, eclipse effects begin a week or two before the astronomical event and continue for a week or so after.

As shown, the first partial solar eclipse was actually in Gemini. The total lunar eclipse was in Capricorn. The upcoming partial solar eclipse will be in Cancer. So, the first eclipse was outside the Capricorn/Cancer axis where Rahu/Ketu and Mars are currently posted, and the last two are within that axis.

While there has been lots and lots going on, the eclipses have marked peak events.

The July 12/13 partial solar eclipse in Gemini coincided with Trump's week long European trip starting July 11.  Notable were Mueller's indictments of twelve Russian intelligence agents July 13 and, of course, Trump's incredible turmoil with NATO, England and Russia.

The July 27total lunar eclipse in earthy Capricorn with fiery Ketu and fiery Mars marked the peak of the record breaking heat wave in the U.S. and other locations.

The upcoming partial solar eclipse in watery Cancer promises to be more potent for being within the Capricorn/Cancer axis and because watery Cancer is more sensitive than earthy Capricorn.

Further, this Cancer solar eclipse is a tough sign for both the U.S. chart and Trump's chart.  For the U.S., Cancer is the eighth house of calamity and hidden things and for Trump, Cancer the twelfth house of loss.

Additionally, look again at the timeline to see an accumulation of karma (influence) from the many planetary afflictions earlier this summer. Finally, notice that Saturn, Mars and Mercury are all retrograde, which apparent backward motion both weakens them and is fundamentally unstable.  As for this last, a retrograde planet is a like a sailboat with a broken rudder -- drifting and defenseless against waves and storms. And, of course, communicative Mercury retrograde is renowned for confusion -- which is maximized during its retrograde but actually during its entire stay in Cancer -- June 25 to September 2.  This can be more critical than it seems if one considers the captain of the rudderless ship is confused as to what to do, even as he has options -- a sea anchor, radio and flares for help, using the sails to steer....

Here again is the listing of predictions for the globe, U.S. and Trump from the June 8 entry Predictions Review For Mars In Capricorn.

Global

(Dates in brackets are when predictions were made.)

So far these are actualizing -- or beginning to.  The Heavy hurricane season prediction has not yet come about, but this month is most likely anyway.  Hurricanes arise from various locations, often meander and can last for a month or more.  Hurricane predictions are thereby dicey -- but it seems unlikely we'll get through August unscathed.  Similarly economic woes are not yet upon us, though warning signs are arising.

A karma not listed in the predictions is a key driver for events and trends -- America's fear of foreigners.  This was explained in the June 27 entry Mercury Into Cancer & Mars Retrograde,

(Note to be clear here, this mystical paranoia peaks now because both transit and birthchart Mercury and Rahu are in Cancer -- doubling the karma.)

Of all the planetary karmas (influences), this appears to underlie the man made harms -- driving U.S. domestic and international policy.  Just keep in mind, all this turmoil is Rahu the dragon destroying today to create tomorrow -- the Second Progressive Age.  If you haven't heard about progressive candidates appealing to the public -- they are!

The Celestial Wheel 2002-2018©
Doug Riemer

Tomorrow is the third and final summer eclipse -- a partial eclipse of the Sun.  Remember eclipse effects wrap around the astronomical event at least a week before and after the astronomical event.  So, we've been, and are being affected, by this eclipse. Similarly, a thunderstorm brings rain, winds and lightening during its entire sweep across the neighborhood.

The eclipse is potent because of the accumulated eclipse karma, that it's a solar eclipse and because it's in Cancer.  Too, of course, Mars is trapped with the eclipse points Rahu and Ketu in these signs, as is Mercury.  Finally, this eclipse is flavored with the contrasting and opposing karmas of Cancer being the inner life and Capricorn the outer life.

The July 20 entry Trapped explained,

It's absolutely natural this summer's planetary stresses have worn us down -- especially since there seems to be no end to the dramas that affect out inner and outer lives.  As the July 20 entry explained in seeing and explaining this trapped issue, There are many, many ways to decipher a grouping of planetary dispositions. Viewing from different angles of perception reveals new patterns unveiling karmas (influences) which can range from superficial to very deeep.

Another angle of perception is to see the the planets are very weak now, which, makes us tired.

Here's a transit chart for today.  Beyond the eclipses' blocking quality, there are three retrogrades -- Mars, Mercury and Saturn.   No matter how you rev the engine, if it's not in gear, nothing is going to happen.  Remember too Mars received a direct hit in the total lunar eclipse.  Finally, poor Venus is in her fallen sign of Pisces -- her weakest position. This leaves only Jupiter being strong now, and even the great benefic can't pull the wagon when the other horses are slacking off.

This brings to mind the great scene in Blazing Saddles,

Madeline Kahn is a dance hall girl regaling the cowboys. Take a listen. You'll still be tired, but maybe your spirits will rise up just a little.

Interestingly, Nixon was forced to step down the summer this movie was released -- 1974.  While no predictions for Trump's fall have been made, this could be his time is running out.  He must be getting really tired by now.

The Celestial Wheel 2002-2018©
Doug Riemer

This month has been even more outrageous than July!  As Robin would say in astonishment when Penguin or Joker attacked, Jumping Jehosophat Batman!  Of course the most nefarious was Riddler!

How is Mueller like a great card player?
He never gets Trumped

The struggles between the good guys and the villains in this classically silly 1966 TV show relate so well to the White House reality show -- now reaching new heights daily of campy melodrama during this karmically intense summer/fall.  While we shouldn't ignore the endless shenanigans because they will bring no good end, we also need to understand melodramas are not either reality, nor truthful.

That dangerous silliness aside, the world is beset with real, dangerous and destructive turmoil.  As the July 15 Into The Maw Of The Dragon entry stated, It's impossible to know what destructive events -- man made and natural -- may occur. So for now let's just use the term chaos.  To illustrate the magnitude of this chaos, here's an image from California - a fire tornado.

Holy Fire Tornado Batman!

Remember, July and August are the peak months for planetary afflictions.  Below an updated summer/fall timeline.  There's been so much going on politically, it's impossible to catalogue.  In the U.S. alone, though, we have massive natural physical destructions from sea to shining sea -- creeping volcano in Hawaii, drought and fires spread across the west, heat and flooding in the east and truly noxious red tide here in Florida.  This is a swatch of putrid poison 8 plus miles wide and 150 miles long from north to south. Plus there's a nasty blue/green algae bloom from Lake Okeechobee run off, which feeds the red tide algae when it runs into the Gulf. This Washington Post article Florida declares a state of emergency as red tide kills animals and disrupts tourism  gives a crucial fact,

Heat is a common theme in these disasters.

Below is transit chart for today, Remember the May 20 Mars Harms Persist & Strengthening stated, Rahu with Mars' anger combines for vengeful rage, and Ketu with Mars' bravery and logic gives seething anger.  Add to these influences that Mars and Mercury are trapped by the eclipse points Rahu and Ketu.  That entry explained the karmas,

Transit chart August 18, 2018

Notice in this chart that three planets are still retrograde, weakening the entire zodiac -- bringing fatigue.  A positive is the Sun is out of Cancer where he's been afflicted the past month.  The Sun going into Leo, its own sign where it's strong, will lift up depleted energies.  Another plus is the solar eclipse effects easing off.  Also, Mercury will end its weak retrograde in just two days.  So if you've had solar power and confidence issues and/or Mercury nervous system and cognitive issues -- these will tend to abate, but gradually and minimally.  Still, until Mercury leaves Cancer September 2, be cautious in all ways.

Subscriber CL Morgan in Colorado emailed yesterday,

While chaos cannot be accurately predicted, for its nature is uncontrollable and unanticipated, there are increasing news reports of economic challenges abroad.  These countries have popped up in the articles: Venezuela, Argentina, Turkey, Zimbabwe, Iran, Iraq and Pakistan.  Plus Trump's trade wars and other threats must destabilize.  And with his wavering and impulsive go-it-alone approach, if a coordinated international effort is needed to stop economic contagion, the world leader U.S. won't help.  Also, a natural disaster can topple the economy, like the hurricanes in 1926 and 1928.

In closing, when there is an economic crash, the U.S. will not be immune.  No man, nor no country is exempt from economic Armageddon in this global economy, and the CDC doesn't have a vaccine for that either.  Man made and/or natural disasters can bring that collapse.  Florida land boom of the 1920s explains,

The astrologer lives here.  Notice the date.  Venice was a master planned community owner by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.  Well funded as a retirement community by the railway folks, they held on until the two hurricanes knocked down the entire state.

There is, however, some truly good news.  The U.S. chart's Dasas (planetary cycles), which is foundational karma, changed August 13.  Though Rahu Dasa will continue to rile the waters and spit fire until 2033, Jupiter, the great benefic, will mitigate many harms and stimulate wisdom, fairness and humanitarianism.  This Jupiter subcycle continues until January 2021.  A negative for the U.S. chart running Rahu/Jupiter is Rahu stimulates Jupiter's wealth to bring greed -- which can very well result in economic calamity.

The Celestial Wheel 2002-2018©
Doug Riemer

Past The Half Way Mark

Now in late August, we've passed the half way mark in Mars' six month tirade through Capricorn.  And considering the below updated summer/fall timeline, it looks like the worst is over.

It isn't.

A basic Vedic Astrology rule is that the energy of any disposition builds continuously during its term.  Further, the increasing energy naturally acts upon earlier results.  An effective analogy is a car racing down a bumpy road, stressed for the increasingly high speed and also for being bounced around.  The car suffers punishing wear and tear that weakens it -- tires, engine, transmission...  After the car has traveled a while, these weakened components can't perform their functions well and then begin to fail.  Another, more pertinent, comparison is with the tremendous heat the summer, accompanied by droughts and flooding.

Here in Florida, June and July are bearable, but only because we have energy reserves to draw upon.  The same is true for stresses we witness in the news -- unpleasant but bearable.  As the dog days of August come, we're increasingly worn down and begin to tire and suffer more.  We're tired.  Add this year's record heat and red ride, and we're getting beaten down.  Folks in the U.S. West are in even worse shape for drought and forest fires.  In the East and Midwest, flooding and violent storms are another double whammy.

We also, of course, have to deal with the planetary stresses in our own lives, which again are wearisome.

This is the milieu the globe is in now.  Mounting problems since the late spring threaten major consequences during the late summer and early fall.  The Celestial Wheel has been primarily concerned with U.S. politics and the global economy, but its vital to include weather and also personal stresses.  Again, we're tired.  When I see folks at the Venice Jetty and mention the one thing we can, and must do, is vote in the primary and the midterm election in November.  They nod but sweaty and sometimes even panting.  They are focused on getting through today and planning a more comfortable tomorrow.

The Celestial Wheel has used Vedic charts for the U.S. and Trump to analyze this rough six month interval.  Plus the June 15 entry Flying Blind (when my computer was being repaired) cautioned an issue is that this Mars in Capricorn impacts everywhere and everyone. Plus, if you have planets in either sign... you're in for some rough celestial weather.

I sometimes calculate charts for famous people from Wikepedia entries, though these are just sign charts because the birth time is missing.  Below are three of these charts afflicted by Mars in Capricorn.  They can give you some information about your own experiences, especially if you have planets in Capricorn, or across the zodiac in Cancer.  Being of influential people, they also impact the country -- politically and economically.

Elon Musk
June 28, 1971
Pretoria South Africa

As you can see, Elon Musk has Mars and Rahu in Capricorn.  There, transit Mars and Ketu are beating up on him.  Musk -- Tesla and SpaceX -- is in deep financial trouble with Tesla.  His going under would be a major blow to these two companies, which can harm the entire economy.

Rick Scott
December 1, 1952
Bloomington, IL

Republican governor of Florida Rick Scott also has Mars and Rahu is Capricorn.  He's running for the U.S. Senate.  Scott did nothing about red tide during his eight years as governor and actually reduced spending on the environment.  He's paying the price now for that.  There are two political issues.  First, his loss will help tip the U.S. Senate balance to the Democrats.  Second, his loss will harm the Republican nominee for governor -- as the entire state will move away from Republicans.  Of course, in the meantime, Florida is becoming an ecological disaster -- another economic harm.

Jeff Bezos
January 12, 1964
Albuquerque, NM

Jeff Bezos has Saturn and Mars in Capricorn.  He is, of course Amazon.  But Bezos also owns the rocket company Blue Horizon. Targeted by Trump because he also owns the Washington Post, Bezos is under increasing pressures.  As with Musk, if his companies falter or fail, the economy will be hit hard.

Remember, during Rahu Dasa for the U.S., there are huge advances in science and technology, especially flying machines.  If and as Musk and Bezos are harmed, the future of the American economy will be hobbled.

Saudi Arabia
January 15, 1902 @ 3:45 AM
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

And finally, here's Saudi Arabia.  Notice the four planets in Capricorn -- lined up like bottles on a Mars/Ketu shooting range.  The birth time here is known for the founding of the current monarchy.  So we know the house locations and also the Dasas -- planetary cycles.  Jupiter in this chart is fallen (weak) in Capricorn, and the country has been running its sixteen year Jupiter cycle since 2006 -- a ticking time bomb.

It's not unexpected Saudi Arabia is convulsing as the still new, and very young, crown prince tries to both bring the country into the twenty first century and maintain the kingdom founded in 1902.  There are lots of problems in Saudi Arabia, and if the monarchy fails, this largest producer of oil on the globe would cause economy losses.

The Celestial Wheel 2002-2018©
Doug Riemer

This is the predictions listing from the June 8 Predictions Review For Mars In Capricorn,

First the August 2 It's August -- What Now? entry stated about these predictions,

Here's the hurricane -- at least the first one -- Emergency proclamation issued as Hawaii braces for Hurricane Lane’s impacts.

Second, I worked for two days on yesterday's 4:21 PM email entry August 21 Past The Half Way Mark, which opened with,

I then checked the web and found this 4:38 PM article, Manafort convicted on 8 counts; mistrial declared on 10 other charges.

Next I found this, Michael Cohen pleads guilty to 8 counts.

I don't have a clue about what the 8 guilty counts for both these guys means. However, Numerology.com states,

If you haven't been forwarding these emailed forecasts to your friends, acquaintances and loved ones -- this would be a good time to start doing that.   Mars in Capricorn with the eclipse points is turning the world on it's head, and nobody is exempt.

BTW, I took a look back with the Vedic transit wheel and didn't find any instances since 1800 when Mars went retrograde in Capricorn and Ketu was also in Capricorn.

The Celestial Wheel 2002-2018©
Doug Riemer

Mars turned forward today -- unleashing his warrior energy to attack, plunder and destroy for over two more months in Capricorn. This updated timeline shows this Mars turning forward is the last major event in the incredibly turbulent July/August summer.

Here's the transit chart for today (showing where the planets are in current skies) to give you a visual.  With only Saturn retrograde (weakened), the zodiac has strengthened.  However, when malefics (like Mars and Saturn) are retrograde, the decreased energy also naturally reduces their harms.

World Transits August 27, 2018

That's why I wrote above about Mars unleashing his warrior energy.  In less than two weeks Saturn too will turn forward, allowing the planet of denial and suffering to unleash its destructive energy.  With Mars fired up by Ketu and aspecting Rahu (also malefics), all four malefic planets will be like Vikings attacking the English as shown below -- an irresistible force overwhelming everything in its path.  Keep in mind too that Mars is now approaching Ketu again -- seething anger.  This energy will build until it becomes acute starting around September 20.

Thankfully Mercury will leave Cancer September 2 -- this coming Monday.  That will further improve the planet of the intellect, allowing better understanding of events and circumstances in your personal realm and the globe.

Jupiter, the great benefic, remains strong in Libra and is thereby protective.  That's why Hurricane Lane only grazed Hawaii, though the flooding has been extensive.  However, you can see Jupiter is now at 22 degrees, away from his strongest position in the middle of the sign.  Thereby, he's gradually weakening -- the only benefic balance to the four malefics.  The effect is like the Vikings knocking the English standard bearer off his horse.

There's something else provocative coming up about Jupiter's travel through the zodiac.  He will leave Libra to enter Scorpio October 11.  Scorpio is the twelfth house of loss for the U.S, which bodes badly for Jupiter's wealth.*  Saturn in Sagittarius is the first house of the self in that chart.  There, Saturn restricts in a comprehensive way, especially in its aspect (glance) to the seventh house of relationship, which holds four planets -- targets for Saturn's wrath.

(*Last summer, with Saturn finishing up in Scorpio, he brought deadly hurricanes.)

With Mars raging, Saturn denying and Jupiter losing his protective and wealthy energy -- that's when the economy would begin blowing itself up.

United States

With Scorpio being Trump's injured and weak fourth house of the emotions, Jupiter there can't support him.  Also, with Sagitarius being Trump's fifth house of creative intelligence, Saturn weakens the mind.  See that his mental Mercury is across the zodiac from Sagitarius.  Saturn thereby throws an aspect to Mercury -- a doubly whammy to his already fragmenting mind.  Expect increasingly bizarre statements and actions from the White House.  Sadly, these influences will even harm his golf game!

I'll write more about the coming economic collapses of the the economy and Trump's mind.  Today's entry only introduces the issues.

It is very useful, however, to state these challenges in regard to Mars continuing in Capricorn until November 6 -- for together, it's a whole pile of harmful karma.  And what day is the midterm elections? -- November 6!  That's a Tuesday, Mars' day of the weak. Expect all kinds of reversals.

In the meantime, we're all saddened by suffering in the world, including the recent Catholic Church pedophilia and John McCain's passing.  This is a hard summer/fall for so many.

But then, the poor rich, who got their tax cut this year and promptly bought new even bigger yachts, can't use them due to red tide. Well, maybe we will have a red tide/blue wave election November 6.  So vote like your life depended upon it, for this year it just might.

The Celestial Wheel 2002-2018©
Doug Riemer

Hurricanes Coming?

Tropical threat may develop close to Florida while eastern Atlantic springs to life

I understand that by living in Florida now, I would be more interested in hurricanes.

Hurricanes are, however, the largest and most destructive of all storms.

So they bear watching.

They also reflect the intensity of karmas present and coming forward.  An alert like that is very helpful.

A Heavy hurricane season has been predicted since early June in The Celestial Wheel.

A hurricane could break up the red tide here.  If one blows on west, it could bring welcome moisture to drought conditions in West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

The Celestial Wheel 2002-2018©
Doug Riemer