The solar eclipse of September 13, 2015

The solar eclipse of September 13 occurred at 7:55 AM GMD. It was a partial eclipse at 20 degrees Virgo, and was visible from the area of South Africa down to Antarctica. The effects of a solar eclipse are periodic through at least one year, and can extend up to three. This eclipse will be followed by a total lunar eclipse on September 28 at 4 degrees Aries.

An eclipse over the ice shelf of Antarctica suggests that there could be a break in the ice affecting the ocean in the southern hemisphere this coming summer.

A traditional reading of a solar eclipse in the 3rd decanate of Virgo points to troubles and adversity, with possible imprisonment of artists and those who live by their wits, in other words, dissidents.

The eclipse is involved in very few aspects. It forms only one aspect: sextile Saturn at 29 degrees Scorpio. An eclipse in Virgo has to do with food, supplies, and medicine. It's aspect with Saturn, especially in Scorpio, suggests want. 29 degrees is at the end of its tether, and gives something to weep about, as it is opposite the Pleiades, aka The Weeping Sisters. This points to many people in desperate straights.

Countries and regions ruled by Virgo include Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Kurdistan, the Greek islands, the Balkans, Switzerland, and so on. Cities ruled by Virgo include Paris, Jerusalem, and others.

Toward and around this eclipse we see the migration for better or worse of people coming up into Europe from those parts of the world ruled by Virgo.

The eclipse, as seen in the charts for UK and EU, is in the 12th house. This points to a huge burden on welfare and a rise in criminal activity to be expected over the coming months. Mercury is in the 1st house, square to Pluto in the 4th house, and opposite Uranus in the 7th house. The people, especially, as seen in Greece and eastern Europe, are alarmed. Disturbing reports will come out later this and next week when Mercury turns retrograde and Pluto turns direct.

The eclipse, as seen in the chart for the US, is in the 2nd house. Jupiter is also in the 2nd house. While this should bring a boost to stock market economic activity, it is not entirely reliable, and warns of stock market losses as well. Jupiter is opposite Neptune in the 8th house. It points out deceptive conditions. And the eclipse is quincunx to Uranus. Uranus is retrograde in Aries in the 10th house of the NYSE. It warns of erratic conditions. On the other side of the world, in China, the eclipse happens in the 8th house. Mars and Jupiter are in the 8th house as well, and Jupiter is in opposition with Neptune in the 2nd house warning of losses. The Chinese chart is the mirror opposite of the US chart. Both US and Chinese charts interact. Chinese conditions affect American conditions, and vice versa. Neptune in opposition with Jupiter confuses matters in both places. Manipulating the markets is tricky business. Neptune in the 2nd house in the Chinese chart denotes unfortunate manipulation of the markets.

Speaking of finances, Switzerland, the land of banks, is indicated as affected by this eclipse in Virgo. Virgo also rules foods and medicines, in other words, Big Ag, and Big Pharma, and related companies. Watch banks, agricultural corporations, food commodities, and pharmaceutical corporations. Merck is a Swiss pharmaceutical company.

The eclipse, as seen in the chart for Iran, is in the 10th house. Jupiter is in the 10th house as well. Jupiter is in detriment in Virgo, so not as strong. An eclipse in the 10th house bodes ill for the Government. The traditional reading for this is disaster. Because the eclipse was not visible in Iran the reading must be modified. Nonetheless, it does not look sanguine for the Government of that country. Saturn is in the 1st house in this chart. Saturn at 29 degrees Scorpio in the 1st house is very evil. It shows distress and discontentment. Pluto is in the 2nd house. Poverty is in Iran. All the hatred the Government generates in the people is misdirection. It is how the Government distracts attention from itself. Saturn is in mutual reception with Pluto. Saturn and Pluto are in semi-square aspect. It says ways around the trouble generate different kinds of trouble, including underground activity, possibly drug trafficking. Mercury in the 11th house is square Pluto in the 2nd house and opposite Uranus in the 5th house. There is a great deal of economic disorder and theft.

The eclipse, as seen in the chart for Australia, is in the 7th house. Jupiter is in the 6th opposite Neptune in the 12th. The eclipse in the 7th house brings difficulties in foreign relations, or conflicts with foreigners living in Australia.

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Jupiter in Virgo

Jupiter entered Virgo at 12:12 PM GMD on August 11. Jupiter remains in Virgo until September, 2016. Not that it is terribly evil, but Virgo is the sign of Jupiter's detriment. Wherever Jupiter is, we find increase. Virgo rules details. Jupiter increases the details in everything where, as the proverb goes, we are sure to find the devil. Jupiter is best at getting the all-inclusive bird's eye view which makes him the Philosopher's planet. In Virgo, however, this doesn't happen very easily. But, since Jupiter is the great benefic, we can also expect some good to come.

Virgo rules the following: foods, clothing, and medicine, chemicals, animals in general, bees, dairies, the armed services, civil services, the police, labor, employment and employees, farms and farming, crafts, industries, teachers, critics, editors, libraries and information, scientists, mathematicians, diseases in general, public health, doctors and nurses, life saving services, charitable and humane societies.
Jupiter in Virgo will magnify these areas. For example, we may see more effort being made to address the problems of world hunger; we may see important medical breakthroughs; the issues of chemical poisoning of the air and land will come more into the consciousness of the people; the issues of bee die offs will gain more notice; and the internet will see greater and greater development with more and more information being made available. On the down side we will see an increase in big agro, big pharma, GMOs, with corrupted science, misleading information, and so on. When Jupiter entered Virgo he was applying to opposition Neptune in Pisces. This is a sign of poisoning, criminality, and treachery. Be careful about food contamination, bad medicines, mislabeled products.

Countries under Virgo include Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Kurdestan, Greece, Egypt, Switzerland, Brazil, Uruguay.
Major cities under Virgo include Paris, Jerusalem, Los Angeles, Boston.
According to Jupiter we should hope to see some improvements coming to these places, notwithstanding the corruption that Jupiter's afflicted condition will bring.

The main aspects to and from Jupiter upon entering Virgo were the following:
Mercury was separating from conjunction with Jupiter, with both Mercury and Jupiter applying to opposition Neptune in Pisces. This multiplies details and makes for lots of confusion which will be used by criminal elements to take unfair advantage of the disturbed political and economic mess the world is in this year. This will set a tone for the developing political debates in the US. Jupiter will have entered Libra for justice by the time of the elections.
Jupiter was semi-square the Moon when he entered Virgo, the Moon applying to opposition Pluto. This increases underground criminal activity. We can expect, especially since Virgo rules Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, an increase in terrorist activity in that region with more destruction to world heritage sites, not to mention the massacres of innocent people. We can also expect more terrorism to develop in France, namely Paris, and possibly Toulouse and  Lyons, all ruled by Virgo. The agitation in Jerusalem will also increase through this year of Jupiter's passing through Virgo.
Jupiter was also sesquisquare Pluto in Capricorn, and sesquisquare Uranus in Aries. This aspect is sometimes called Thor's Hammer. In a nutshell it denotes violence. The forces in the world, having to do with corporate power, political power, extreme wealth, the poor, public services, food, medicine, geo engineering, and so on, are in great tension.

Raphael gives personal in-depth astrological and psychic readings. For information visit  www.raphaelsimons.com or call 1-212-502-0775 (NYC)

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Trump vs. Bush: a Chinese astrological view.

In current polls the leading Republican hopefuls are Trump and Bush. Trump is leading by a small margin. Here's what the Chinese charts have to say.

Trump was born 6/14/46 at 10:54 AM. Bush was born 2/11/53 at 8:50 PM
The year, month, day, and hour signs for Trump are Fire Dog, Wood Horse, Earth Sheep, and Earth Snake, respectively. Trump was born in Fire season.
The year, month, day, and hour signs for Bush are Water Dragon, Water Ox, Water Snake, and Water Dog, respectively. Bush was born in Water season.
The two are worlds apart.

Trump has 7 Fires, 7 Earths, 2 Metals, 0 Waters, and 2 Woods. So much Fire and Earth with no Water, makes him intuitive, unreflective, stubborn, and outspoken. His chart has a double knife blade. It gives him a sharp tongue, and warns him of a disaster in later years. It also makes him extremely restless in later years. No Water in the chart shows no reflection, little patience. Trump fairly much speaks and acts on the spur of the moment.
Trump's chart shows him to be strongly intuitive, psychic, and sharply insightful. This has, no doubt helped bring him to success in his career. He plays his hunches. He is outspoken and honest. His sharp tongue, however, can easily offend others. He is diligent, and knows the needs of others. He can care for others, and when he does he prospers. He is zealous and far seeing, and has the ability to be a leader. If he goes too far in his zeal and becomes intolerant of others, however, he causes them to rebel and turn against him. He is impulsive and proud.
Trump is in a 10 year cycle from his age 68 to 78. The cycle is Metal Ox. It is an empty cycle. He may be overestimating his friends. Metal Ox clashes with the signs of Trump's career, Wood Horse. He is being challenged.
This cycle is good for Trump to make gains. He is resourceful and creative.
2016 shows Trump having a lot of fun doing what he does; he is outgoing and really enjoys being in the public. Whether he wins the Republican nomination or not is a question. If he doesn't, and goes on speaking, running as an independent, he will devastate the Republican party, and may say some shocking things about them. His candid way of talking to and engaging his audience, notwithstanding, his worst danger lies in insulting the wrong people.

Bush has 7 Waters, 1 Wood, 1 Fire, 4 Earths, and 3 Metals. The predominance of Water and weakness of Fire shows him not to be intuitive, but to think a lot. He is calculating. Bush's chart shows something of a paradoxical character. He is independent on the one hand, but very set in tradition and close to his family on the other. Bush is mild mannered, but insensitive. No Yang Wood in his chart shows Bush to be indecisive. He will bend with the wind to fulfill what is expected of him.
Bush is in the 10 year cycle from his age 58 to 68. It is Earth Sheep. Sheep is empty for him. This, just like in Trump's chart shows Bush to be in a relatively weak position. And like Trump, these signs challenge Bush's career signs, Water Ox.
2015, the year of Wood Sheep works more or less favorably for Bush, but 2016, the year of Fire Monkey, doesn't. Monkey is his Death Star. If he is the Republican candidate he will probably lose.

It boils down to the suggestion that, although Trump and Bush are the front runners, it is questionable that either is a winner. Trump has the better chance. Whether someone else comes forward to take the lead or not has yet to be seen.

Raphael gives Chinese and western astrological readings and psychic readings. For information visit  www.raphaelsimons.com

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The USA at age 239: July 4, 2015

July 4, 2015 marks the 239th birthday of the USA. Astrological progressed and directed charts were drawn up to see what's in store.

At a glance, between all of these charts, Mars has most aspects.

1. The progressed chart has progressed Mercury trine natal Mars;
2. converse progressed chart has converse progressed Mars separating from opposition to natal Mars;
3. converse progressed Jupiter is conjunct natal Mars;
4. converse progressed Mars is opposite converse progressed Jupiter;
5. directed Mars is separating from square to natal Mercury;
6. directed Saturn is applying to trine natal Mars;
7. converse directed Mercury is square natal Mars.

Of these seven aspects, two are good (Mercury trine Mars and Saturn trine Mars), and the other five are essentially evil. Mars is violent. Mars in the natal chart is in Gemini, denoting arguing. Mercury trine Mars this year denotes plenty of that, and plenty of costly legal wrangling. It also denotes dangers of violence on the streets and in schools; this includes potential acts of terrorism.

This is a year of strife. The contentious spirit in America will continue through this year and into 2016, the election year.  Saturn's trine to Mars comes to perfection in 2016 at the time of the elections. A constructive movement is working its way up through all the fighting. Saturn represents the Democrats. They will win the presidency.

The planet of age 239 is Moon. The planet of age 240 is Saturn. This year, significant developments denoted by the Moon are to be noted. In the Gemini rising chart from 1776, the natal Moon is in the 10th house. It points to a woman or women in the highest circles of the Government. It also points to the people in general. The natal Moon is in Aquarius denoting a universal spirit that is developing in the country through this year with all its strife. The people are rising up and are making their voices heard. Next year, 2016, significant developments denoted by Saturn are to be noted. The Gemini rising chart has Saturn in the 4th house denoting the land itself. We have to consider what is happening to the land. Politically, Saturn is also the planet of the Democratic party. Jupiter is that of the Republicans. Since Saturn is in the 4th house of the natal chart, the 4th house being the opposition to the incumbency, we can expect there will be a very loud and strong stand taken by the opposition to the incumbent party in DC toward the elections. The lunation chart of 10/30/16, however, favors the Democrats. Compromises will be reached.

Other outstanding aspects of the charts show Uranus in tight conjunction with the Gemini rising Ascendant. This is a revolutionary time we are in, whether you like it or not. The way Uranus moves, it will transit Gemini in the later '20s when there will be tremendous changes in this country. The last times Uranus transited Gemini were WWII, the Civil War, and the American Revolution.

We also see converse progressed Neptune conjunct the converse progressed Ascendent. This happens in the natal 9th house. It denotes a blind spot and insane opinions this country has to deal with in regard to such things as religion, education, and foreign trade. Natal and converse progressed Neptune are in Virgo. Conjunct the converse progressed Ascendent it points to issues concerning dishonesty connected to foods, medicines, and chemicals. The country is being poisoned. The 9th house placement of this conjunction points to legalization of these crimes.

We also have the directed Sun applying to square natal Moon as read in the Gemini rising chart. This only confirms the currently developing strife.

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Summer Solstice in Astrology

Summer solstice, or the Cancer Ingress, happened on June 21 at 3:39 PM GMT, or 12:39 PM EST.

The Sun is separating from conjunction with Mars, Mars at 28 degrees Gemini. This has been a few very intense days leading up to the solstice, and we can expect the energy through the summer to be equally intense. Fortunately, Mars is not at 29 degrees which would have signaled danger of rash and violent actions.
We see, nonetheless, the Moon at 29 degrees Leo square Saturn at 29 degrees Scorpio retrograde. This is a hard aspect denoting stubbornness and, because the square is in Leo and Scorpio, hatred and cruelty in the world; 29 degrees, especially fixed signs (Leo and Saturn are fixed signs) points to a crying matter. The waves of terrorism and insanity are not about to stop.
Moon is just past square to Saturn, sextile to Mars, and is applying to sextile to the Sun, then opposition to Neptune, and square to Mercury. The Moon sextile Sun is productive of good. but the opposition Neptune and square Mercury will bring confusion and treachery - lots of misinformation, fear mongering, and political trickery is to be anticipated.
The Sun at 00 Cancer and the Moon at 29 Leo are in mutual reception helping to ease some of the more difficult conditions to a degree, and allowing people in key positions to skirt issues, avoid confrontations, and save face.
Venus is forming conjunction with Jupiter in Leo. This will bring a financially more buoyant time through the summer and all the way through October. Jupiter at 19 degrees Leo and Venus at 14 degrees Leo are both trine Uranus at 20 degrees Aries in the 10th house of the New York Stock Exchange chart. The market will move higher in the coming days.

The summer solstice chart for Washington DC has the Sun and Mars in the 10th house, at the zenith. For Mars this is an evil position, especially with Mars quincunx Saturn, semisquare Venus and Jupiter, and square the Ascendant, and Mars ruling the 8th house. This position of Mars points to military activity. It also points to illness and death of someone of considerable importance in the highest of circles, especially since Mars rules the 8th house, the 8th house denoting death. It also points to trouble in the Government. Mars conjunct the Sun and sextile the Moon shows military activity. Because Mars is in Gemini, and is 2 degrees away from the Sun it is afflicted and weak, and is not a good sign for military involvement. Probably it points to lost lives in mismanaged military actions abroad. There probably will be some military, probably police activity and street violence inside the country as well. Retrograde Saturn in the 3rd house quincunx Mars points to repetitions of street violence. More ugly events are probably coming.

The summer solstice chart for UK and the EU has the Sun and Mars in the 8th house quincunx Saturn in the 1st house. The people are suffering badly for lack of work, poverty and poor health. This is a very bad sign.
The Moon, Jupiter, and Venus are all intercepted in the 9th house trine Uranus in the 5th house. International diplomatic negotiations deals are happening behind closed doors. Moon square Saturn does not help the people. Sun and Mars in the 8th house quincunx Saturn in the 1st points to debt and poverty. Moon in the 9th house applying to opposition Neptune in the 4th house points to problems involving oil and gas. It also points to repeated incitements to violence, and protests involving treacherous, or terrorist activity. Neptune is square Mercury.
In the chart of Greece, we see Pluto moving back and forth over the cusp of the 7th house. Pluto is now 14 degrees retrograde in Capricorn. The 7th house of the Greece chart is 13 degrees Capricorn. Foreign countries, namely the EU, are imposing extremely destructive conditions on Greece. They could force Greece to withdraw from the EU, and could force drastic conditions. Greece is not happy with any of it. The health of the people suffers, and conditions are extremely complicated.

The summer solstice chart for China has Sun and Mars in the 3rd house with Moon in the 6th denoting much progress in rails and transportation systems, but it also warning of accidents in these areas. Uranus is in the 1st house denoting turbulence and arguing. This points to the situation in Hong Kong. It will continue. It also warns of renewed Islamist terrorist activity, possibly from Xinjian. Uranus trine Venus and Jupiter in the 5th house, however, may help ease or or turn the problems around. This Venus - Uranus aspect is also very good for innovative and speculative activity. There will be some surprising new developments in Chinese business. Venus rules the 2nd house and is in the 5th house. Some interesting upswings in the market can be anticipated. Mercury is in the 2nd house square Neptune in the 12th and square Moon in the 6th. This warns of gyrations in the market. There will also be losses, and they will be unexpected and confusing. Moon in the 6th house sextile Mars and Sun, but forming opposition Neptune and square Mercury points to problems involving the Navy, and not favoring the Navy.The situation over the islands in the South China Sea is coming to some confusion. Money involved in the project involving those islands will be wasted. There may be much coming and going to no purpose. Pluto in the 10th house, Pluto ruling the 8th house, with Saturn in the 8th point to the removal and/or death of a prominent figure, possibly someone involved in the Government.

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Raphael gives personal astrological readings and psychic readings. For information visit www.raphaelsimons.com


Raphael also writes a daily Chinese astrological I Ching blog. To see it go to http://raphael-fengshui.blogspot.com

Bernie Sanders in Chinese astrology

Bernie Sanders was born September 8, 1941. The birth hour is not known, but the signs for the  year, month, and day, give us enough to get a good look at his chances to get the Democratic Party nomination.

Sanders was born in the year of Metal Snake, month of Fire Monkey, and Day of Earth Sheep. He is forward looking and has leadership skills. He is also unbending, independent, and is a risk taker. He is fortunate and has friends and allies.

His chart leans on the side of Yang, so he is proactive. The predominant element of the chart is Earth. This makes him practical, controlling, and responsible.

Sanders is in his 70 - 80 ten year cycle. It is Earth Ox. Ox is empty in his chart. Earth Ox clashes with his day of birth, Earth Sheep. Empty Ox spares him, but the cycle is turbulent, hence his political activism at this time.

Looking at him through an astrological system called Nayin, Sander's month of birth and day of birth are both Fire. His 70 - 80 ten year cycle is also Fire. This is good for him. It gathers people around him.

2016, the crucial year, is Fire Monkey year. Sanders was born in a month of Fire Monkey. The signs of 2016 match the signs of Sander's month of birth. This will make 2016 a most challenging year for his career, potentially good. The elements of the year bring him support and make him productive. The Fire of Fire Monkey year combines with the Metal of Sander's year of birth, Metal Snake, to produce Water. Water for Sanders represents the prize. He needs it. It is there. On the other hand, Monkey of 2016 combines with Sander's Snake to produce Water, but this is like poison; it is a clash. There could be treachery. He is up against powerful figures, possibly in the Democratic Party, who secretly work against him.

Looking at a King Wen I Ching reading, asking whether Sander's will win the nomination, it looks like he's in very complicated conditions. It looks like he's got a battle. In the King Wen chart, his significator is empty, meaning, too weak. There may be secret forces working against him.

It appears he has a fair chance, as he is strong, but I would not be surprised if the nomination is taken away from him.

Sanders was born under a Knife Blade. The Knife Blade for him is Snake. It makes him unbending, strong, and tough. In Sanders' chart the cycle of age 30 - 40 was a Snake cycle, in other words, his peak cycle. If this current cycle, 70 - 80 were his peak cycle there would be no doubt of his winning.

Sanders is going to become a very strong force in the Democratic Party between 2015 and 2016. His chance of winning the nomination, to be fair, is questionable.

Raphael gives in-depth personal Chinese and Western astrological readings, psychic readings, and fengshui consultations. For information visit  www.raphaelsimons.com

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A Chinese astrological portrait of the new royal baby princess

The royal princess was born May 2, 2015 at 8:34. The Chinese signs for the year, month, day, and hour of her birth are Wood Sheep, Metal Dragon, Earth Tiger, and Fire Dragon, respectively. She is a gentle, yet dynamic soul. She can be quite playful, romantic, and surprising. Her day of birth, Earth Tiger, is a Peach Blossom, showing her to enjoy good social status. She can be seductively attractive.
She also is gifted with a brilliant wit.

She has Proper Authority Deity. She will be graceful, trustworthy, upright, moral, rational, responsible, disciplined, and forthright. Nonetheless, she has her own mind, is a genius type, and can act eccentrically. There is something glamorous about her. Proper Authority Deity makes her skillful in areas of diplomacy, Government, and in legal and legislative fields. She is a great asset to the UK.

She will be quite a lady. She will be devoted to her family and country.

She is innately sincere, and positive, and when she makes a decision she will be extremely determined. She has strong intuition. She can be conceited and severe and stand offish, although she is also kind and will show love toward those she regards. She can make peculiar decisions. She can be jealous with strong capacity for love and hate. She does not forget injury, and is very conscientious. She has great good fortune and will have many powerful friends. 

The elements of her chart are 6 Wood, 3 Fire, 5 Earth, 1 Metal, and 2 Water.
Wood and Earth are the strongest elements. She is full of ideas, plans, and has a romantic mind. She also is very caring, and can be prone to worry.

The balance of yin and yang is perfect: 8 yin and 8 yang. This balance gives her good health. It is easy for her to keep good health.

Her vital element is Earth. Her person element is Earth (she is born on an Earth day), and her body element is Earth. She attracts many friends, and loves comfort. 

She has 1 Tien Yi Star. This is lucky. It resolves difficulties that may come up, and promises help and assistance wherever she goes.

The area of marriage and children is going to be a challenge. Not that it is written in stone, but the chart shows the danger of taking an unfortunate spouse, having difficulty having children, and potential misunderstandings with in-laws. This is an area of experience her soul attracts. We wish her all the happiness in the world. 

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