Tell the truth,...... and then run!

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THE SOOTHESAYER INTERNET

September 2008

 War and Peace:

 Last month’s invasion of Georgia by Russia was a short-term response to Georgia’s invasion of a province that wanted to remain part of Russia in the first place, back when the Soviet Union fell apart.  There is sectarian conflict throughout Eastern Europe as illustrated by the war between Serbia and Kosovo in the 1990’s.  Many small, economically depressed, and often ignored ethnic states are protesting being dominated by larger countries.  The region’s primary importance lies in the major oil and gas pipelines connecting the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean (surrounded by Europe, Africa and Asia).  For several years now, Pres. Bush has been building military installations in the area and just signed an agreement with Poland allowing these installations within this sovereign nation.  Russia’s economy is basically dependant upon its oil and gas deposits.  For centuries, this nation has fought invasions of its borders.  Do we need to read Tolstoy to understand Pres. Vladamir Putin’s response to all of this?

This month’s transits of Mercury, Venus and Mars in the sign of Libra will emphasize peace agreements in Iraq, between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and even in Georgia.  However, this is temporary as Venus and Mars will transit Scorpio in October and November with Mars moving into a potentially painful square with Neptune on Election Day.  The ultimate danger is a series of oil wars wherever there are pipelines and deposits throughout the world.  When will we get it?  Will we choose dependence on diminishing supplies of fossil fuel accompanied by devastating climate change, or sustainable non-polluting energy.  Will it be war or peace?

The Economy – On Life Supports!

 Fed Chairman Bernanke came out of the Woods Hole Conference declaring the seriousness of the economic meltdown and admitting two things; the end is not in sight and it could get worse.  His system of life supports for Freddie Mack and Fannie Mae are like putting a band aid on a severed artery.  The amount of money in exotic derivatives trade (including securitized debts) is currently running into sums that the human brain simply cannot comprehend, like $1000 Trillion or thereabouts.  I have a theory that the Obama campaign’s reluctance to highlight these crises is because they are afraid if they spoke the truth, the entire system would collapse in a massive run on the banks.    McCain understands what happened and is ignoring this discussion because it all happened under Republican watch.  Corporate financialized America has kept the facts out of the mainstream media.  The public at large understands what happened as well as they comprehend subatomic physics.  Former Fed Chief Paul Volker (remember the “responsible one”?) says he has never seen anything like this.

 I correctly predicted that in July and August the Cabal would push down gold and oil, and strengthen the dollar.  They will likely start to lose control this month, especially when Mercury goes retrograde on the 24^th (through October 15^th).  The real crises will explode between October and November with the failure of a major bank (or two), more crises in the Middle East (possibly in Iran), oil and gold will rise again, the dollar will lose strength, and panic and confusion will abound.  September’s balancing act in Libra will not last for very long.

Politics:

 The race has tightened and will soon be less civilized.  I am of the opinion that neither Sen. Obama nor Sen. McCain really enjoy slinging mud and getting nasty, but, unfortunately, many people vote for candidates whose lies are the most vicious.  This is a fact well known by their advisors.  Things get better for Obama this month, but will improve for McCain next month.  Obama needs to get tough about the economy since this may be the worst collapse in our history and it happened under the “deregulation” watch of the Republicans.  McCain’s strong point is that he is experienced and tough.  My question for him is:  what is he experienced in that is really important, since he seems to be clueless with regard to the whole economic meltdown.   The Iraq war will simply be a less important issue this month with the peace agreements being signed.  Oil and the economy rule.     

 With a collection of planets in Libra, some important cases may be coming up before the Supreme Court this month and these decisions will be important for years to come. Recent decisions over the past few years include rulings such as “eminent domain” giving the right of corporations with the help of local government to take over private property, bankruptcy reform which eliminated most reasons to declare it, overturning “Brown Vs. Board of Education” and reversing the decisions on the law suits against big tobacco companies, all illustrate the importance of who should get elected president and have the power to nominate justices. 

 I also think there may be several high profile lawsuits involving financial institutions, the role the government may have played, and who, at the top were responsible.

Weather and Travel:

Watch the week of September 7^th since Mercury, Venus and Mars all square Jupiter, pointing to extremely stormy weather and troubles with air travel.   

Final Thoughts:

 Now is the time to confront ourselves as a nation, as this important election looms on the horizon and brings up so many ancient issues we thought we had confronted many times before.  Are we still racist?  Do we still vote for a face rather than taking the trouble to look at what legislation someone wrote or voted for?  Do we ignore the issues at our own peril?  Are we doomed to be manipulated by wealthy and powerful persons who have used this economy as their private game of roulette? 

 Democracy requires a public that is informed, interested, engaged.  Our founders themselves argued over the ideal of a government by and for “the people” rather than ruling elites, but were passionate and committed to the ongoing effort to make it happen.

 I hear, all too frequently, people who feel they have no power or control over the big picture, our collective destiny, even their own fate.  This is a choice people make and that choice could bring about the demise of our republic, just as it did in Greece and Rome as they moved from republics to military empires.  We are a military empire and trillions of dollars have been made from weapons, wars, and the taking of human lives.  Is this us?  Will the real America please stand up?

Linda

Linda Schurman

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