Britney Back in the News

In my forecast for January I wrote:

Speaking of Venus, I expect another "pop-tart" flap this month. I would suggest that all the usual blonde suspects take a vacation somewhere nice and warm and remote, keep their mouths shut and stay out of the spotlight for a little while. One of them is likely to make a mistake that might end her career once and for all. Whatever happens will make a lot of money for other people, but it could be the straw that breaks her camel's back, or (ideally) finally be the real "rock bottom" she needs to get real help.

Tonight on the radio I heard that pop star Britney Spears was just taken from her home in a stretcher. CNN is reporting Spears was taken from her home on a stretcher and placed in an ambulance hours after police were called because of a child custody dispute. The radio report mentioned possible drug use related to the incident.

I did not specifically name Britney at that point, but she was in the "top three" possible suspects in my mind at the time. Also, back in October, I was asked by one of Britney Spears' fans to write about her. At the time I said:

Mars Square Neptune equals drug abuse. In her case, potentially fatal drug abuse or serious jail time (12th house Mars), if she does not find some way to reconnect with a spiritual or creative outlet. I hate to say it but right now the creative isn't working for her all that well, and fame isn't helping matters. Her only hope is a profound spiritual experience, a rock-bottom "near death" experience might be the life-saving experience she needs to wake her up. Losing custody of her kids hasn't seemed to make a profound impact, the possible loss of loved ones in other areas is featured in her transits right now. There could be a death in her family, and with what is known I truly fear for her own well-being, frankly.

I also described her lifestyle as "a really exciting wild ride filled with drug abuse, jealous rages, competition and dysfunction". I see no signs this will change. The current chart, calculated for the time police are reported to have arrived at her home, likewise speaks of drug abuse and danger to children, and the challenge for Ms. Spears is to survive what has become an almost archetypal role of the modern damsel in distress. For her trials to come through so clearly in a mundane chart says to me that she is playing a larger than life role in our culture. She symbolizes something that is wrong with our culture, just as Benazir Bhutto symbolized and played out something horribly wrong in her own field of influence. That's a huge burden for any one human being to bear, and with the weight of all that on her fragile shoulders, I only pray she and her children get the help and compassion they need right now.

2008 Forecast

The unhappy events of the last few weeks of 2008 give us all grave concerns for the future of the Middle East. The effect a widening war could have on Western economies and daily lives have profound implications for our economies and the personal futures of those who choose a military life.

I fear that the US administration is still top-heavy with hawks who have convinced themselves that the only solution to the "Iranian Problem" lies in the use of military force. If they follow the course of expanded war, the outcome will almost certainly be horrific. The traditional associations for Mars and Pluto include "large explosions" and as we enter 2008, we have Mars Retrograde, opposed Pluto (at a critical degree). With Pluto also conjunct Jupiter, and recent events in Pakistan, it is no wonder more than one astrologer is concerned about the potential for nuclear terrorism in the Middle East.

There could be expanded home-grown terrorism. Atlanta and New Orleans are highlighted as potential danger areas. "Middle America" suffers from grave challenges and the possibility of war coming back home. This is unlikely to be outright rebellion, but it could take many forms. There are already signs of an epidemic of family and spousal abuse by returning vets struggling from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These men and women are not receiving the quality of care they have earned and deserve. Their resentment is rising like bile in the throat of America. I am concerned that more than one former soldier may snap, with terrible results in the heartland.

Russia and Iran will be implicated, openly or secretly, in meddling with the war in Iran. Russia and China could face diplomatic challenges related to oil, Internet technology or space exploration. There could be something of an arms race brewing between the two.

The Canadian currency should continue to remain strong in 2008. Gold will be volatile, but look for it to go higher. A big player in the gold markets could be found to be hoarding gold or somehow manipulating gold prices.

There may be an outbreak of violence in Turkey, related to Cyprus.

Hotspots to watch in Africa are Libya, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria.

I am actually optimistic about the year ahead in many ways. The interesting challenge this year will be for women. There are both challenges and renewals for those who consider themselves "feminists". What do women value? What really matters? From what source springs our authority? Do we take what we can from old, white men, following their lead, or do we decide for ourselves what matters most to us? Do we chart our own path, or follow in the footsteps of our ancestors, repeating the dances they taught us as children?

A woman will take over as the major new CEO of a large company, to try to bring them back from the brink of disaster. There will be a jump in the numbers of women in leadership positions, including the rise of women in political leadership, particularly in Europe.

An old technology in communications could make a comeback this year. Letter writing could become a retro-fad. People will be looking for new-old ways of making contact with family members and loved ones.

There could be a breakthrough in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. The treatment could involve stem cells in combination between embryonic and adult donors, together with drugs and some form of innovative or alternative treatment. A compromise between competing drug companies could lead to a major new treatment that includes some older treatments.

QuickPhase Pro Review and January Forecast

There is a beautiful Grand Trine starting off the month between the Moon, Mars and North Node. People will be active, energetic and (mostly) agreeable (for a change). With Mars also opposite Jupiter though, we won't know whether to overdo ourselves at play or at work, and I foresee a lot of extra work for any chiropractor who is not in Mexico sunning his or her buns at the moment.

Regardless of your profession, this is the month (and the year, really) to take action on whatever ideas you treasure. New communications paths will open up. New technologies will become available that will enable a revolution in thinking and communication to take place. On the global stage, new leadership or a new style of leadership could take hold that could lead to a profoundly positive direction in politics.

These aspects are short, but taking place at the first day of the New Year, they leave an imprint that echoes through the rest of the year. What do you have to say right now? How are you going to get the word out? What new innovation, invention or idea can you put up for the rest of the world? This is not the time to remain silent! Take a risk and speak truth to power. Right now is your best chance of being heard. Stay focused on the practicalities, Venus isn't playing nice right now, and any frilly details could detract from what might otherwise be a winning presentation.

Speaking of Venus, I expect another "pop-tart" flap this month. I would suggest that all the usual blonde suspects take a vacation somewhere nice and warm and remote, keep their mouths shut and stay out of the spotlight for a little while. One of them is likely to make a mistake that might end her career once and for all. Whatever happens will make a lot of money for other people, but it could be the straw that breaks her camel's back, or (ideally) finally be the real "rock bottom" she needs to get real help.

QuickPhase Pro Review

QuickPhase Pro focuses on the phases of the Moon, placing this information all in a clear, attractive and easy to use interface. The calendar function shows you at a glance the Moon in all its Phases throughout the month. Zoom in on a given date, and you have Rise, Set, Azmuth, Altitude, and other critical information for astrologers, astro-gardeners and lunar watchers of all kinds (including women watching for astrologically fertile periods). The "Find" feature gives you a quick way to find specific phases through a range of dates.

Your first step is to enter your location data and time settings. Calculations should be within a minute of U.S. Naval Observatory data. You may select any time between the year 0 and the year 9999.

As an astrologer I am finding QuickPhase Pro especially useful, since we tend to look at the Moon on an almost daily basis, and my traditional astrological program doesn't offer Moon phase information in an easy "at a glance" format. QuickPhase Pro isn't strictly speaking an "astrological" program - it doesn't offer astrological data per se, but it does make finding the next full or new Moon as easy as looking at a calendar.

The maker of QuickPhase Pro also offers this nifty little Moon Phase ad-on for your website or blog, free of charge:

CURRENT MOON

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