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Linda Schurman
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THE SOOTHESAYER INTERNET
May 2008
The “interesting times” have arrived: The last figure published by the Bank for International Settlements for derivatives contracts estimated the “notional” value to be around $700 Trillion, over ten times the gross domestic product of all nations on earth. The sub-prime and adjustable rate mortgage collapse is still in an avalanche, taking defaults on credit cards, car loans, and other accumulated debt instruments down the mountain with it. Thousands of lost jobs are being announced, especially in banking, construction, housing, etc. According to a study by researchers at the State Health Access Data Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota, between 2001 and 2005, employee earnings rose 2% while health insurance premiums rose 30%. Airlines are falling into bankruptcy as they cannot afford the cost of fuel and neither can people commuting to work, truck drivers hauling their cargoes, or bus drivers taking the kids to school. Vulture capitalists are cleaning up on commodities as grain prices go through the stratosphere with the fall of the dollar, increased energy costs, farmers using their land to grow crops for ethanol and, last but not least, policies of neoconservative global trade freaks whose policies implemented the exporting of food from rich countries to poor countries without trade barriers and destroyed just about all local farmers in these nations so they can no longer feed themselves, nor can they pay for the high cost grain imports. Starvation is bringing with it the ensuing riots and social disintegration. Interestingly, the government of Thailand has been an exception to all of this as they have not contributed to the food crisis abroad and are effectively feeding themselves. The notion of “the greater good” has been shelved for about the past thirty years, so gradually, most of us were barely aware of what was happening. The rule of law and sensible regulations governing the financial arenas were ditched in both Democrat and Republican administrations. Those that remained, were deliberately ignored and as the banking and investment systems were taken over by gamblers reminiscent of the old “numbers racket” people, the Mafia-style “cabal” consisting of the Federal Reserve, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan Chase, et al have rushed to save their friends, leaving hundreds of thousands of people bankrupt, homeless and “in the street”. Instead, they have been “decoupling” the world of finance from the “real economy”. You know – the one you and I need to survive – the one that is currently melting down like the polar ice caps and the global climate. Incidentally, I don’t see any of these hedge fund managers or mortgage salesmen or underwriters in orange jump suits. Do you? Very interesting! The new moon on May 5th in Taurus and the full moon on May 20th are both square Neptune showing the “decoupling” illusion is over and reality must be faced.
The Economy: On May 1st Venus in Taurus is trine Pluto and on the 2nd it is trine Saturn. This would a point to strengthening the dollar, which has been continued from last month. Between the 26th and the 27th, Venus is square Saturn. This usually points to dollar weakness. The real estate market continues to weaken as Venus in Taurus is square Neptune between the 19th and the 21st. Mercury goes retrograde on the 26th (through June 19th) in Gemini, making clear communication with the public very difficult, as reality interferes with “spin”. Saturn goes direct on the 3rd and Jupiter goes retrograde on the 9th. Pessimism trumps optimism although Venus is sextile Uranus and trine Jupiter on the 19th in an attempt to encourage some investors. The gold bugs must be patient. There is a discouragement on the part of gold share holders, but my take is there may be acquisitions by bigger companies of smaller mining enterprises between Oct. and Nov., along with new highs in gold at that time. There may also be a weakening in the Euro this month through June as news emerges about similar banking and mortgage crises in Western Europe. It is really tough to know what to do with your money in these turbulent times. Grandma’s mattress looks pretty good right now! Military Operations: Mars goes into Leo on May 10th through June 30th, opposition Neptune between June 19th and June 23rd. I am seriously concerned about war escalating into Syria and Iran. This may very easily involve the Israelis since their natal chart is activated by this Mars transit. The temptation will be very strong, bringing down severe consequences in July and August. There will also be more trouble in Pakistan in this period, whose governance is far from stabilized. With Mercury retrograde on the U.S. Mars, nothing will come out as expected. The Leo Mars sets off many Middle Eastern nations’ charts and the grand cross solar eclipse of August 1999, as does the lunar eclipse on August 16th this year. Having said all this, there will be some genuine efforts at peace making in September of this year. Politics: After taking a hit over his pastor last month, Barak Obama has a chance to strengthen his run for the White House this month through the end of June as the transit of Mercury (communication) in Gemini harmonizes with his chart and the Mars in Leo from May 10th through June 29th energizes him and puts him in a “fighting” mode. Hillary may do well in the next primary election on the 6th as Mars is still in Cancer and will harmonize with her moon between the 5th and the 9th. It will likely take until June to decide who will be the Democratic candidate. In the meantime, John McCain will be traveling around to strengthen his run. However, on the 26th, Mercury goes retrograde square his Saturn and will square his Neptune, so it may be difficult for him to get a coherent direction off the ground and communicate what he really has in mind. When the Democratic nominee is determined, I will do an analysis of both candidates’ charts on this site, plus describe the presidential inauguration chart of January 20, 2009. Travel & Weather: Mars in Leo from May 10th through June 30th would suggest unusually warm weather in the U.S. and the danger of more wild fires. Mercury transiting Gemini suggests high winds, especially around its retrograde on May 26th. Air travel is still plagued with delays and cancellations this month. May 10th through May 19th may be the best times to travel. You might be postponed on the 26th. Final Thoughts: This month’s transit of Mercury in Gemini could inspire all of us to open up and talk to each other about all the crises and possibilities, both big and small. Listening to one another, getting a new perspective, thinking and talking “outside the box” could lead to some real solutions. This is not the time to hide our views and ideas. As the Spring blossoms across our magnificent county, we need to renew our relationships with family and friends, knowing that there is a spirit within all of us that believes in each other and is not old and tired, but is young and ready to go. Recently, I’ve seen some grandmothers at campaign rallies excited about their candidates, stepping up to the plate, expressing their views. They are not old and tired. I’m witnessing young people coming out to vote in primaries that have been disinterested in the past, but are ready and able to make a difference now. The American Dream is about the “people” speaking up and making a difference for the good of all. It is not about wealthy “ruling elites” controlling all the agendas. It’s about your sons and daughters, grandfathers and wives all showing up, using their God-given intelligence, intuition, and heart-based insight to change the world, from the ground up. Let’s get going! Linda Linda Schurman
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