We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth... For my part, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst; and to provide for it.  .....Patrick  Henry

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Linda's articles are now being published on the "Huffington Post" (Google "Linda Schurman - Huffington Post" to get listings). Last article was posted March 6th.... click here.

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THE SOOTHESAYER INTERNET

July 2009

Big Eclipses Ahead!

July 7^th presents a lunar eclipse at 15 degrees Capricorn, July 22^nd a solar eclipse at 29 degrees of Cancer on the U.S.A. Mercury/Pluto opposition, and on August 6^th, there is another lunar eclipse at 13 degrees Aquarius.  In addition, Mars is transiting Gemini returning to the Mars in the U.S.A. chart and will be square both Saturn and Uranus in August.  Both Venus and Mars will square the Neptune (scandal and deception) of the U.S.A

The monopolists and the “banksters” will no longer be able to hide.  Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan Chase and Morgan Stanley have controlled the financial world at everybody’s expense but their own.  Through derivatives, they have made huge sums of money betting against the solvency of mortgages while promoting their issuance.  The Ponzi schemes we already know about are nothing by comparison.  The lack of policing of industrialized farming whose practices are producing foods with less nutritional content and whose practices are seriously hurting the environment (their lobbies are campaigning for Congress to outlaw organic farming), the frequent misleading studies on drugs from the big pharmaceutical corporations, and propaganda about “clean coal” from the coal mining industries are only a few of the issues that will be coming to light between now and August.

The Economy:

 The gigantic budget deficits and inflation of the dollar will take its toll on our currency and rattle our relations with China who has been greatly affected by the economic meltdown.  Pluto’s transit through Capricorn is shaking up the chart for the Federal Reserve and recently, Ben Bernanke had to testify before Congress with respect to his influence over the sale of Merrill Lynch in 2008.  Pres. Obama wants to grant the Federal Reserve more power over regulation of the economy when many people are disillusioned with this cartel of bankers, regard them as the wolf guarding the hen house, and would even consider getting rid of the Fed altogether.

 The paradox about this particular economic crisis is the inflation created by the Fed printing money is chasing deflation caused by the collapse of credit.  More looming questions will center around the consequences of debt that cannot be paid, the collapse of pension plans, price deflation as purchasing power goes away.  Thus, we will see serious inflation, possibly followed by serious deflation.  Add on oil fields that are now running out of oil, the failure of Congress to pass a meaningful energy bill that would heavily emphasize alternatives to fossil fuel, especially coal (heavily destructive to the environment), and a lack of capital and credit to start up businesses that would accomplish these things.

Gold cycles usually dip downward in July and August, but it is hard to predict since gold is a hedge against instability and we have plenty of that (instability, that is!).  My take is that it will fluctuate quite a bit this month, go down somewhat in August and make some significant moves upward in October.

Unemployment will be getting worse in July and August, even with the Obama Stimulus Package putting people to work on infrastructure projects.  The only “sure” employment for young people is to join the military service and it is increasingly becoming more evident that war has disastrous consequences on the people fighting it.  With Mars transiting both Gemini now and Cancer in the Fall, there will be escalations in fighting, even as we are withdrawing forces from Iraq.  The cost of the military engagements in Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Pakistan, is off the charts.

The World At Large:

 Saturn will go over the Natal Sun of North Korea for the last time the second half of this month pointing to a starving nation with a leadership crisis, which I believe is behind their aggressive behavior connected with nuclear weapons during the past several months.  With Mars involved, they may go “over the edge” this month.  Pres Obama may have to consider taking more action here.

 Iran has temporarily suppressed the impressive demonstrations against a possible “rigged” election last month.  The well educated young people, especially women, comprised most of the demonstrators.  The Saturn/Uranus opposition has been hitting their chart on their financial axis and their economy has been heavily hit, with few opportunities for the young adults coming into the workforce.  The effects of this will last for another year.  This is a highly complex society and most of us here have little or no comprehensive information about what is really going on.  Internal conflicts in this nation are far from over.

 As mentioned above, China will be feeling the consequences of the recession and the fall of the American dollar.  Their relationship with the U.S.A. is in a crisis this month.  These are tensions without any immediate solutions.  There will also be pressure exerted upon the Chinese to do something about No. Korea.

Iraq’s new chart is being heavily hit by the Gemini Mars this month.  As we remove troops, their civil war is gaining traction again and I expect, unfortunately, to see more violence.

 Weather and Travel: 

 Mercury is square Uranus between July 1^st and July 2^nd  making air travel difficult due to weather.  Mars is square Jupiter between the 6^th and the 7^th and I do not recommend travel at that time.  The 20^th through the 21^st looks better, with Mercury sextile Mars.

 Final Thoughts:

 It would seem that most of the projections on this site are dark and gloomy with little in the way of hope for a better future.  On the contrary, I am of the opinion that the present economic system that has been cannibalizing the earth and devastating so many innocent people simply must come to an end.  Greed and selfishness without any thought to the “greater good” has led us down this path and it is coming to an end – dying by its own hand.  The planetary patterns point to the consequences of an unsustainable way of life.

 Last month, my mother passed away at the age of 96.  She lived through WW1, the Depression, WW11 and the ensuing economic expansion, and saw it all coming to an end.  She was one of the founders of special education in this country; dedicated to helping children with special needs and inspiring them to reach beyond their limits.  She helped my father in his ministry which encompassed people from all walks of life regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or economic status.  They were open to new ideas throughout their lives and never ever ceased reaching out to those who needed them the most.

 They taught me first to face the truth, and secondly to find solutions, and thirdly, to be part of the creation of a new world that will reach beyond what we have been told to believe by those whose interests are in preserving the status quo.  They chose to believe that we are part of an evolutionary process leading us, through creative destruction, into a universal expression of love, in the highest sense.  They felt that, in the final days and hours of the old civilization, the gift from the universe is the miraculous choice that is ours to make.

May we all be so blessed.

 Linda

Linda 

Note: I welcome all your comments whether they are critical or complimentary.  This site represents astrology as a tool for a deeper understanding of the themes and issues of our times.  This period in which we all live may be the most critical time for human civilization ever!  It is my wish that we all do our best with whatever talent we have been given, to further the survival and evolution of life on planet earth!

our email is: soothesayer@usa.net

At long last, my book “What Next?  A Survival Guide to the 21^st Century” is in print.  It is on sale on through my publisher.....

Click here to buy

I have been working steadily on this publication for nearly four years.  The research I have done has been a “wake-up call” for me as I have tracked the historic trajectories that have led us to where we are now: at the critical point of choosing either extinction or illumination.

However, I am greatly encouraged at discovering that many people are developing new and innovative technologies that can solve the coming energy crises and are conceiving of new, more egalitarian economic systems and societal transformations.  These pioneers may help us to navigate this “age of transition” from cannibalizing our planet to living in concert with the earth and each other.

Our journey through the great constellations has taken us to this place in time, this powerful historic point, this great challenge to human survival and evolution.  It will take great courage on all our parts to open our hearts and minds to the level of truth needed to fulfill the great prophecies given to us through the ages.  I think we can do it!

Reviews

What Next? A Survival Guide to the 21st Century, by Linda Schurman, Lazer Lady Publishing, Inc., 2505 Anthem Village Dr., Ste. E-165, Henderson, NV 89052 USA, 2007. Softcover—164 pp.—$15.95 (ISBN 978-0-9796900-2-0). Available from: www.lazerladypublishing.com

Linda Schurman has maintained a private practice in astrology for more than 34 years. She is also a studious observer of the larger world stage, including domestic and global politics, climate change, financial markets, and social justice.

What Next? A Survival Guide to the 21st Century is a concise book that addresses the daunting issues of our time. This book is clearly written for non-astrologers. The specific astrology in the text is minimal; however, the author offers an educated view of the challenges we all face. The information, though directed to the general public, provides a timely and useful context for the concerns that clients bring to practicing astrologers every day.

The first chapter, “Pluto in Sagittarius (Nov. 1995 – Nov. 2008),” sets up the immediate background of where we are now by recapitulating the big themes of these years — Globalization, Financial Speculation, Religion, Law, Education, and the Media.

The next three chapters cover a similar range of themes and are organized around the outer planets’ transits: Uranus in Pisces (Mar. 2003 – Mar. 2011); Neptune in Aquarius (Jan. 1998 – Feb. 2012) (Septile Pluto 2001 – 2011); and Pluto in Capricorn (2008 – 2024), Uranus in Aries (2011 – 2018), Neptune in Pisces (2011 – 2026).Schurman also writes on the upcoming Jupiter–Saturn conjunction in Aquarius (Dec. 2020)and offers a chapter on “Sedna — A Planet of the 21st Century.” Although the book is organized by astrological motif, and there are key astrological charts in the Appendices, the body of the text is informed by the work of (non-mainstream) journalists and economists.

Given the subject matter, Linda Schurman’s book has a necessarily unflinching tone; she diligently refers to research on global warming, the energy crisis, corporate and political corruption, and other such matters. This author writes a large story in accessible language. She combines a view of the forces at work in the greater world with a positive and practical set of ideas for managing life in these often overwhelming times. For example, Schurman makes “prophecies” and suggestions throughout the book: Chapter 4 contains sections on the Worst-Case and Best-Case scenarios, as well as “The Quiet Revolution — Moving into the Solution” and “New Frameworks of Consciousness.” Chapter 3 includes some investment recommendations and has a special section on solar design.

Linda Schurman is facing reality and yet also holds an impressively hopeful vision for the future. If you feel confused by the complexity of the times, her book will help you to sort out what has happened, who is responsible — and what we can do now (as she writes in the Introduction) to help ourselves become “able to ‘invent’ our way out of even the most profound set of challenges.”

— reviewed by Mary Plumb

by K. Diaz

A Practical and Spiritual Survival Guide for the 21st Century, September 12, 2007

There are several doomsday books that have been written that question our ability as a species to survive the threat of global warming, the impending energy crisis and a world that is imploding with new super bugs and looming pandemics, all of which are eventually guaranteed to wipe out civilization as we know it. This book, written by a well-renowned and incisive astrologer, not only points out the harsh truth about what the future holds for our planet and its people should we decide to continue our xenophobic thinking and behavior; it also provides hope through concrete scientific information, backed up by several references from well-respected professionals in their specific fields. The author also shows, through previous astrological patterns, how we are destined to repeat our mistakes with much graver consequences unless we choose to raise our consciousness in a way that connects us with every thread that runs through the universe and to realize that we all individually and collectively play a part in the future of our Mother Earth. The message that she brings to the table is that we are all our brothers' keepers. The book is concise and easy to read without the usual technical vernacular used in most astrology books, although it provides charts of nations and events to prove her points to the astrology student or professional. A beautifully written book that provides hope for change and a different future for our children and grandchildren in a world currently devoid of compassion and understanding for one another.

Bonnie Neely

Important NOW Book, August 28, 2007

What Next? by Linda Schurman is an astute account of the world's affairs, political, ecological, and economic, as they are today. Linda, a well-known astrologer makes dire predictions about where we are headed as a world, but she emphasizes it is up to us...we have choices, because although the planets and heavens have patterns that are read as given proclivities to certain events, they are not absolute because mankind's will can change events or prevent some. The book is important reading for our time, because we are running out of time for changing our fate. For professionals, Shurman gives official astrological charts to back up all her predictions. For the general public, we need this book to wake us up to what will likely happen if we don't act now. A MUST READ! I highly recommend this book.

Click here to buy