The Cardinal Crisis
Mundane Warning: A 'ring of fire' Annular Solar Eclipse will take place over parts of Asia, the western & southwestern United States. On May 21, 2012, the solar eclipse will begin its track in southeastern Asia, then China and will pass over the nation of Japan. As the eclipse crosses the northern Pacific Ocean and international date line where it will be Sunday, May 20th in the western hemisphere. The ring of fire solar eclipse will travel over the California-Oregon border that late Sunday afternoon where it will be visible over the American southwestern states of Nevada, Utah, Arizona, a slice of Colorado and New Mexico. The eclipse that occults the star Alcyone at 00-Gemini will end at sunset over the state of Texas. In mundane astrology, an eclipse can presage events which can occur before, as well as after eclipse. The May 2012 Annular Solar Eclipse is the first of three remarkable astronomical events of 2012: the second is the historic Transit of Venus across the face of the Sun on June 5-6, 2012. This will be followed by a Total Solar Eclipse in Scorpio on November 13, 2012.
Mundane Forecast
The Ring Of Fire Annular Solar Eclipse Of May 2012
And,
Mundane Advice On The Anomalous World Events Of The Year 2012
Plus,
The Venus Transit Of June 2012
Also,
**Earthquake, Volcanic Forecast Alert & Preparedness Warning For Asia, California, Mexico & U.S. West Coast**
&
The Great Depression:
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet?
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet?
Also Featuring,
Austerity in Europe:
The New Barbarous Relic
GLOBAL ASTROLOGY
By
Theodore White, mundane Astrolog.S
Peace & Goodwill To Humanity
All Praise & Glory Be To The Immortal God
~ Presages ~
"A very mighty trembling in the month of May,
Saturn, Caper, Jupiter & Mercury in Taurus
Venus auff Cancer, Mars, in Virgo,
Then hail will fall greater than an egg."
- Century X, Quatrain 67
Sun Twentieth degree of Taurus, the Earth will tremble very mightily.
It will ruin the great theater filled:
To darken and trouble air, sky and land.
Then the faithless will call upon God and the saints."
- Century IX, Quatrain 83
- Michel Nostradamus, mundane Astrolog.S
Mundane Advice On The Anomalous Events Of May, June & July 2012
By Theodore White, mundane Astrolog.S
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God: that I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesize and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit and they shall prophesize.
And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs in the Earth below: blood and fire, and vapors of smoke.
The Sun shall be turned into darkness and the Moon into blood - before the great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
- Acts 2:17-21
- Acts 2:17-21
World transits for the months of May, June and July 2012 indicate to me that there are very powerful astronomical inclinations that will dangerously impact various regions of the world.
In fact, the entire year of 2012 offers up strong astrological transits that will make this year a significant one for the world. The months of May (May 9, 10, 11) and August 2012 (Aug. 20-28) are particularly highlighted for strong seismic activity with potentially large magnitude earthquakes. I urge caution and preparedness for those residing in Asia and along the western and southwestern regions of the United States and Mexico.
See more in my earthquake alert forecast in this edition.
The new moons have been cycling down to a fresh reset by the time of the New Moon of May 20-21, 2012 at 00-degrees of tropical Gemini.
This new moon is also an annular eclipse of the Sun by the Moon that will occult the main star of the Pleiades. You can read my mundane forecast for May's annular solar eclipse in this edition of Global Astrology.
This new moon is also an annular eclipse of the Sun by the Moon that will occult the main star of the Pleiades. You can read my mundane forecast for May's annular solar eclipse in this edition of Global Astrology.
The New Moon Annular Solar Eclipse of May 20-21, 2012 begins a new lunar cycle that will last to February 2015.
Meanwhile, the Uranus-Pluto World Squares - that officially begin in earnest on June 24, 2012 - will usher in seven (7) exact global squares over a three-year period (2012-2015) and features upsetting social events, hue-and-cries, violence and revolutionary sentiments amid struggles brought about by the global generational transition now underway.
These are strong solar, lunar, planetary and stellar inclinations that will cause events which calls for keen attention, diligence, courage, teamwork and patience. Leadership and vision - along with calm and cool heads - will function best. Do not panic.
As we enter late April, through May, June and into July 2012 commonsense and compassion is urged from all people. I advise everyone to think long and hard before they act; so as to not easily give themselves over to the unfavorable inclinations, but to do their very best to help when and where they are able.
As we enter late April, through May, June and into July 2012 commonsense and compassion is urged from all people. I advise everyone to think long and hard before they act; so as to not easily give themselves over to the unfavorable inclinations, but to do their very best to help when and where they are able.
According to my mundane calculations, the next three months - May, June and July 2012 yield unfavorable world transits straight into the summer , including August 2012, in the northern hemisphere. We are about to hear, see and experience a series of unbelievable anomalous events that will be most unexpected and sudden for many people.
These global transits also continue the theme of natural disasters - with increased and powerful seismic activity, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, drought, heat waves, wildfires, high winds and tornadoes. There will also be strange news of unusual objects falling to earth from space.
All of this - diverse and odd anomalous activity - is directly related to world prophecies - particularly those of the French mundane astrologer Michel Nostradamus.
The climate is also very active with strong solar and lunar force - including perigee super-moons. Weather extremes play a major role this year - featuring cooler and warmer than normal temperatures with sudden storms - from unusual hailstorms and heat waves to cyclones and hurricane activity.
These climate/weather extremes will become increasingly common in the months just ahead. We can also expect shocking global news from astronomical events that emerge from outer space that will impact various regions of the planet, including Asia, the American West and Southwest.
Remember the rule, astrophysical (causes) to geophysical (effects.)
The climate is also very active with strong solar and lunar force - including perigee super-moons. Weather extremes play a major role this year - featuring cooler and warmer than normal temperatures with sudden storms - from unusual hailstorms and heat waves to cyclones and hurricane activity.
These climate/weather extremes will become increasingly common in the months just ahead. We can also expect shocking global news from astronomical events that emerge from outer space that will impact various regions of the planet, including Asia, the American West and Southwest.
Remember the rule, astrophysical (causes) to geophysical (effects.)
Take care during the months of May, June and July and all of 2012 by staying safe, being prepared in advance and remaining calm. I will do my best to pray for peace and calm and urge others to join me in doing the same.
We can make a difference in the world by applying our positive thoughts and actions toward peace, love, strength and kindness for all.
In this edition of Global Astrology we examine my mundane forecast on May's Annular Solar Eclipse.
I also include my 2012 Earthquake, Volcanic Alert Forecast & Preparedness Warnings for Asia, California, Mexico & U.S. west coast.
The June 4 Partial Lunar Eclipse is astrologically explored along with my analysis of June 2012's Historic Venus Transit.
We return to the deflated world economy once again in The Great Depression: You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet?
And we look at what's new with economic Austerity in Europe: The New Barbarous Relic.
I also include my 2012 Earthquake, Volcanic Alert Forecast & Preparedness Warnings for Asia, California, Mexico & U.S. west coast.
The June 4 Partial Lunar Eclipse is astrologically explored along with my analysis of June 2012's Historic Venus Transit.
We return to the deflated world economy once again in The Great Depression: You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet?
And we look at what's new with economic Austerity in Europe: The New Barbarous Relic.
Recent World News & Trends
Explosion at Japan chemical complex, still burning - 3,379 containers of nuclear waste onsite
French voters head to polls for presidential election
Watergate Figure Charles Colson Dies
More U.S. Secret Service Agents Likely To Be Fired In Wake Of Columbian Prostitution Scandal
Catholic Nun Group Stunned By Vatican Reprimand
Pakistan investigates jet crash that kills 127 people
Mystery Skin Disease Kills 19 And Sickens 170+ In Vietnam
The Cardinal Crisis
So if everyone has a cell phone, we can all be in touch in emergencies, right?
Wrong.
In the United States, there is no requirement for cell phone companies to have systems to keep them online (including the towers) when the electricity goes out. Although some towers may have limited backup power ability, they are not required to do so.
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables.
Canned juices, milk, soup
Sugar, salt, pepper
High energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix; foods that will not increase thirst.
Vitamins
Foods for infants, elderly, persons with special dietary needs
Comfort/stress foods: cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags.
Pet food, at least one ounce per animal pound, per day.
Avoid foods like rice, pasta and dry beans that require a great deal of water to prepare. Remember to restock your food once a year.
Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
I do not put out earthquake warnings lightly.
I strongly advise and urge people living along the Ring of Fire - particularly in California and throughout the west coast of the United States - to take precautionary steps during May, June and July to guard against powerful seismic activity into the summer of 2012, which is an active geophysical time worldwide.
Get busy.
And remember - be Prepared - not scared.
French voters head to polls for presidential election
Watergate Figure Charles Colson Dies
More U.S. Secret Service Agents Likely To Be Fired In Wake Of Columbian Prostitution Scandal
Catholic Nun Group Stunned By Vatican Reprimand
Pakistan investigates jet crash that kills 127 people
Mystery Skin Disease Kills 19 And Sickens 170+ In Vietnam
The Cardinal Crisis
The 'Ring Of Fire' Annular Solar Eclipse
May 20-21, 2012
May 20-21, 2012
The Pleiades, in the shoulder of the sidereal constellation, Taurus the Bull. An annular Eclipse of the Sun will take place on May 20-21, 2012 - exactly over the central star of the Pleiades - the fixed star Alcyone - at 00-Gemini. This occulation of Alcyone by the Sun and Moon serves as a direct warning to humanity.
Mundane Forecast by
Theodore White, mundane Astrolog.S
On May 20, 2012, an annular solar eclipse at 00-degrees tropical Gemini will begin in Asia.
This 'ring of fire' solar eclipse will transit over the northern Pacific Ocean and sweep towards the western and southwestern United States as the Sun sets.
This particular eclipse has the power to influence seismic events before the annular eclipse takes place. The first 12 days of May are powerfully highlighted for earthquakes. Caution is strongly urged.
This 'ring of fire' solar eclipse will transit over the northern Pacific Ocean and sweep towards the western and southwestern United States as the Sun sets.
This particular eclipse has the power to influence seismic events before the annular eclipse takes place. The first 12 days of May are powerfully highlighted for earthquakes. Caution is strongly urged.
The annular eclipse will conjoin the fixed star Alcyone in the sidereal constellation of Taurus. This star sits in the Pleiades with Alcyone as the largest of the seven stars located on the shoulder of the Taurus the Bull.
I will say straightaway, that this is a unfavorable eclipse. People really need to cool down in order not to allow the powerful planetary inclinations to affect them. But we all know that that will not happen based on mass ignorance of transits in general and serious astrology in particular.
How many people do you know who can tell you what phase the Moon is at any time of the day or week? Much less know where the Sun, or for heaven's sake, where their own home planet (Earth for most of us) happens to be located.
Alcyone was known in ancient and classical Greek astrology as the major star of the Pleiades - called the 'seven sisters.' These seven sisters are the daughters of Atlas and Pleione.
The sisters are known as Alcyone, Maya, Asterope, Merope, Electra, Taygeta and Celaeno. In mythology Alcyone had a son, Hyrieus, by Poseidon, God of the sea. Poseidon was also called Neptunus (Neptune) by the Romans.
Eta Tauri, or Alcyone, is the brightest star of the Pleiades that are featured as an open cluster of blue/white stars in the constellation Taurus. Alcyone is a blue giant star given the spectral type B-7IIIe.
Alcyone has 1,000 times the luminosity of our Sun and 20 times its diameter as it precesses one degree every 72 years due to the precession of the equinoxes. Back in 1971 Alcyone was located at 29º36 Taurus. Its position is now at 00- degrees Gemini.
The solar eclipse of May 2012 will be the first of three (3) remarkable celestial events of the year.
The eclipse will be followed by the transit of Venus across the face of the Sun on June 5-6, 2012.
A total solar eclipse then occurs at 21-Scorpio on November 13, 2012.
A total solar eclipse then occurs at 21-Scorpio on November 13, 2012.
The annular solar eclipse of May 20-21, 2012 will be visible across southeast Asia, China, Japan, Russia and North America between 20:56:07 UT on May 20 and 02:49:21 UT on May 21.
According to my calculations, the phase will begin at May 21, 2012 at 22:06:17 Universal Time (UT) when the eclipse will begin in the Gulf of Tongking which forms the northwestern part of the South China Sea.
The solar eclipse crosses over the International Dateline and will end at Lubbock, Texas.
The solar eclipse crosses over the International Dateline and will end at Lubbock, Texas.
The NASA graphic above shows the wide penumbral shadow cast by the eclipse where it will be seen as a partial eclipse. The red umbral dot depicts where the eclipse will be observed as annular - covering the Sun, except along the outer edges - the Sun's light blazing in a 'ring of fire.'
Universal Time (UT) is depicted in the upper right-hand corner of the graphic. Central line duration of the May 2012 eclipse is seen in the lower right-hand corner.
The May 2012 annular solar eclipse is part of Saros cycle 128, a cycle that repeats every 18 years and 11 days with 73 known celestial events. This particular series started with a partial solar eclipse on August 29, 984 AD.
Saros 128 had total eclipses from May 16, 1417 through June 18, 1471 with hybrid eclipses from June 28, 1489 to July 31, 1543. It progressed into annular eclipse phase from the date of August 11, 1561.
An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is smaller than that of the Sun. This creates the image of the sun to look like ring with most of the Sun's light blocked except at the rim.
The May 20-21, 2012 eclipse of the Sun will cross the international time zone. It will be the next day, Monday, May 21 in Asia as the eclipse stretches from China, then over Japan, across the northern Pacific Ocean as it heads into Sunday, May 20 - over the region of western and southwestern United States.
This will be the first central eclipse seen over the U.S. since May 1994.
This will be the first central eclipse seen over the U.S. since May 1994.
Maximum eclipse will occur at 23:52:47 UT on May 20, as the annular phase will last over 5½ minutes. This eclipse last a long time and stretches out along a very wide path over the northern Pacific ocean.
Path of May 20-21, 2012 Annular Eclipse at 00-Gemini
click on graphic to enlarge
May 2012 Eclipse Over Asia
click on graphic to enlarge
At the Gulf of Tongking, also spelled 'Tongkin' or 'Tonquin' is located at the northernmost part of Vietnam, and is south of China's Yunnan and Guangxi Provinces lying east of northern Laos. The local population call it Bắc Kỳ, or the "northern region."
The gulf is sits on the fertile delta of the Red River and is flush with rice production. Its climate is strongly wind-driven. Interestingly enough, the BBC reported on April 22, 2012 that a province in Vietnam has been hit by a mysterious skin infection that has so far killed 19 people and affected more than 170.
Vietnam is requesting international help to find out what is causing the mysterious skin infection in the central province of Quang Ngai. The disease starts with a rash on the hands and feet. Health experts said the strange disease can lead to liver problems and multiple organ failure.
Tests conducted by the health ministry have failed to pinpoint the cause. The Vietnamese government said it will ask the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention to join its investigation.
The illness was first reported between April and December 2011 but subsided. However it broke out again in March 2012. Frightened residents of Reu village have laid branches across the path to the houses of infected people to try to isolate the outbreak. "We have to block the entrances here to stop patients from getting out and spreading the disease," one resident told Vietnamese TV.
Vietnam is requesting international help to find out what is causing the mysterious skin infection in the central province of Quang Ngai. The disease starts with a rash on the hands and feet. Health experts said the strange disease can lead to liver problems and multiple organ failure.
Tests conducted by the health ministry have failed to pinpoint the cause. The Vietnamese government said it will ask the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention to join its investigation.
The illness was first reported between April and December 2011 but subsided. However it broke out again in March 2012. Frightened residents of Reu village have laid branches across the path to the houses of infected people to try to isolate the outbreak. "We have to block the entrances here to stop patients from getting out and spreading the disease," one resident told Vietnamese TV.
Here, we find the eclipse at new moon at 0-Gemini, at strong astronomical point associated with travel by ships, naval matters, significant seismic activity and the weather. This, along with the strange disease and emerging geopolitical issues of the region bears worth monitoring during 2012.
Mayan Connection To The Pleiades?
The annular solar eclipse of May 20, 2012 will exactly conjoin the central star Alcyone of the Pleiades. The popular culture around the Mayan Astronomical Long Count Calendar say they believe that 2012 is the beginning of a new era.
In mundane astrology, the annular eclipse and conjunction to the main star of the Pleiades is of great significance considering the astrological transits of 2012. However, this significance is directly tied to that of the Venus Transit that takes place a few weeks later by June 5-6, 2012.
It is said that the Mayan astrologers were not the only ones who held the star Alcyone to be of great significance. The Dogon star culture of Africa and ancient Egyptian astrologers may also have done so.
Joseph Augustus Seiss, in his book "A Miracle in Stone: The Great Pyramid of Egypt," published in 1877, wrote -
"It is by means of this cycle [i.e. the precession of the equinoxes] in connection with its star pointings, that the Great Pyramid also tells the date of its erection. Sir John Herschel, in 1839, assuming that its long, narrow, polished tubular entrance passage was meant to be leveled at a polar star; began to calculate back with what data he had to find the time when such a star was looking down that tube from the northern heavens.
Nor did he fail to find one answering the conditions near about the time assigned by other methods as the probable date at which the Great Pyramid was built.
Closer determinations of the exact pointing of the grand tube, along with other data, enabled other astronomers to repeat the calculation with more determinate results, fixing upon the year two thousand one hundred and seventy before Christ, as that in which this tube pointed to a Draconis - the then pole star - at its lower culmination, at the same time that the Pleiades, particularly Alcyone, the center of the group, were on the same meridian above.
And as this was a mark in the heavens which could not occur again for more than twenty-five thousand years from that time, and was itself very extraordinary, it has been accepted as meant to be the sign of the date of the building of the Great Pyramid.
Science has at last discovered that the sun is not a dead center with planets and comets wheeling about it but itself stationary. It is now ascertained that the Sun also is in motion, carrying with it its splendid retinue of comets, planets, its satellites and theirs, around some other and vastly mightier center.
Astronomers are not agreed as where that center is. Some, however, believe that they have found the direction of it to be the Pleiades, and particularly Alcyone, the central one of the renowned Pleiadic stars. To the distinguished German astronomer, Prof. J. H. Maedler, belongs the honor of having made this discovery."
In my mundane view, this annular solar eclipse is wholly malefic - meaning that it is very unfavorable.
The global inclinations are diverse - resulting in negative geopolitical events, attacks, anomalies, accidents, assassinations, economic crisis, popular hue-and-cries, demonstrations and general social confusion.
Also, strong geophysical events - natural disasters - featuring severe climate, weather and powerful seismic activity can seriously affect life, work and travel on land, sea and air - leading to great accidents and mass deaths by means of the connection Alcyone and the Pleiades have in astrological history.
The global inclinations are diverse - resulting in negative geopolitical events, attacks, anomalies, accidents, assassinations, economic crisis, popular hue-and-cries, demonstrations and general social confusion.
Also, strong geophysical events - natural disasters - featuring severe climate, weather and powerful seismic activity can seriously affect life, work and travel on land, sea and air - leading to great accidents and mass deaths by means of the connection Alcyone and the Pleiades have in astrological history.
In Asia, the cities that will see the May 20, 2012 annular solar eclipse include Taipei, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Osaka, Tokyo and Beijing, China.
The eclipse will sweep northwards, up along eastern Asia; touching most of the length of Japan as it heads westward, crosses the northern Pacific Ocean to set over western regions of North America.
The graphic below shows where the annular eclipse of Sunday, May 20, 2012 will be observed over the western and southwestern United States.
North America
click on graphic to enlarge
Most of western North America will observe the eclipse as partial as the Sun sets. Residents who live within the red line depicted in the graphic above will see the full annular eclipse.
American and Canadian cities that will see the eclipse include:
Anchorage Alaska,
Vancouver, Canada
Seattle, Washington
Medford, Oregon
Reno & Carson City, Nevada
Santa Fe & Albuquerque, New Mexico
San Francisco, California
Los Angeles - Santa Monica, California
Lubbock, Texas
click on image to enlarge
The May 20-21 annular eclipse at 00-Gemini will appear as a partial eclipse that sweeps over thousands of kilometers from east Asia to western North America.
The Sun will be seen blacked out with a ring of fire on its edges. This is because the Moon will not totally cover the Solar disc completely.
The narrow views of the eclipse will be partial, but with clear skies observers west of the Mississippi will see a crescent-shaped Sun just as it sets.
Annular Solar Eclipse at 00-Gemini
Lubbock, Texas
click on eclipse chart to enlarge
The mundane chart above depicts the new moon eclipse over Lubbock, Texas. This is where the annular solar eclipse will end.
The conjunction of the Sun and Moon at 00-Gemini occults the fixed star Alcyone and is also within 4-5 degrees orb of the North Lunar Node at three degrees just past a square to Neptune at 3-degrees Pisces.
The square from the Sun reaching 00-Gemini to Neptune indicates poor decision-making and speculation among unreliable people.
There is a need to mind the environment to guard against disasters involving chemicals, oil and gas. There is a need to avoid deception in financial matters as the sense of values can be easily distorted by fringe groups.
The annular solar eclipse also speaks to the climate. I continue to advise caution and preparation for powerful seismic activity into the summer of 2012.
Let's look now at the potential for large magnitude earthquakes - and how to prepare for these deadly natural events that are forced by astronomical motions and configurations.
The Cardinal Crisis
**Earthquake Forecast Alert & Preparedness Warnings For Asia, California, Mexico & U.S. West Coast**
Forecast By
Theodore White, mundane Astrolog.S
In mundane astrology, the forecasting of natural events falls under the subset of astrometeorology. These natural events include atmospheric events that impact the climate and weather.
Also included are seismic events - called earthquakes.
Also included are seismic events - called earthquakes.
Generally, medium and large magnitude seismic activity can happen during configurations of the outer planets of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
The transits and aspects between planets by longitude, stations to direct or retrograde motion as well as ingresses into new zodiac signs often spur seismic events.
We have a series of major planetary configurations in 2012 that will see significant earthquake and volcanic activity. We all witnessed the power of planetary ingresses on March 11, 2011 when Uranus entered tropical Aries, resulting in the historic Japan Earthquake that struck that same day.
Large magnitudes of seismic activity can happen within three days of a major outer planet's ingress into a new Sign. This occurred when the planet Neptune entered tropical Pisces on February 3-4, 2012.
For the duration of 2012, Neptune in Pisces will oppose the fixed star Regulus, which recently entered tropical Virgo. This, while transiting Saturn conjoins the fixed stars Spica and Arcturus.
During the months from late January through late August 2012 the Dragon's Head in Sagittarius and Dragon's Tail in Gemini will be winding down its transit in both mutable signs.
All these configurations clearly reveal strong seismic activity. This continues the theme of my advanced forecasts to beware large magnitude earthquakes that will continue to strike world regions in 2012. Tsunamis are also a serious threat.
Again, the month of May 2012 is an astronomically powerful month.
Again, the month of May 2012 is an astronomically powerful month.
Earthquakes
Dates For Caution & Preparedness
Dates For Caution & Preparedness
All of 2012 is highlighted for significant earthquakes due to the configurations of planets and stars relative to the Earth.
The states of California, Oregon, and the Pacific Northwestern states are also advised to mind seismic activity. This includes Mexico and Central & South America.
Southeastern Asia, including the countries of Vietnam, Philippines, China and Japan are also highlighted.
All populations who reside in countries along the 'ring of fire' are urged to initiate preparedness for earthquakes. There will be seismic signs in late April 2012 of increased activity, according to my astrological calculations.
*The months of May 2012 and August are specifically highlighted for powerful earthquakes - in particular southern California. The dates of May 4-7 and Aug. 20-28 show significant seismic activity.
*The dates May 9, 10, 11 & August 20 through Aug. 28 indicate astronomical configurations for earthquakes between 7.0+ to 9.3+ in magnitude.
Astrological Transits - Los Angeles, California, May 10, 2012
click on transit chart to enlarge
The transit chart above is set at Los Angeles, California for Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 10:46 a.m., PDT.
Transiting Jupiter is combust to the Sun in tropical Taurus. What also makes the early days of May stressful atmospherically is the position of Saturn, posited in the Fourth Mundane House in the mundane transit chart for California.
Saturn is tightly conjoined between two fixed stars, Spica and Arcturus while in an applying square to the transiting Moon in Capricorn.
The position of both Moon and Saturn in the cardinal signs of Capricorn and Libra indicates the potential for powerful geophysical activity. Moreover, transiting Uranus in tropical Aries is within two degrees of square aspect to Pluto in tropical Capricorn.
The Moon, which has just set below the horizon over California, is conjoined to the fixed star Peacock at 23-degrees Capricorn. This lowers the atmospheric tide and adds to the strength of electromagnetic modulation.
Meanwhile, transiting Venus is conjoined to the star El Nath and in quincux (150-degrees) aspect to the Moon in Capricorn, the place of its fall in mundane astrology.
Venus conjoined to El Nath - a Beta (β) star - is known as "The Butting One." El Nath is a double brilliant pure white and pale gray star that marks the tip of the northern left horn of Taurus The Bull.
The planet Venus, which has been shining bright after sunset is - by this time on May 10th - five days from her stationary retrograde at 23-degrees tropical Gemini and conjoins the star El Nath.
Venus is also one-degree from trine to transiting Saturn in tropical Libra while the Moon in Capricorn is in a discomforting 150-degree quincux aspect to Venus.
Transiting Mars in tropical Virgo squares Juno, the North Lunar Node and the transiting Vertex in Sagittarius while the critical degree of 29-Cancer rises on the Ascendant in trine aspect to the fixed star Scheat while transiting Neptune is conjoined to one of the four royal stars, Fomalhaut in tropical Pisces.
All four elements - air, earth, fire and water - are powerfully activated in these configurations - signalling very strong atmospheric and seismic activity over the American west coast.
Southeastern Asia, including the countries of Vietnam, Philippines, China and Japan are also highlighted.
All populations who reside in countries along the 'ring of fire' are urged to initiate preparedness for earthquakes. There will be seismic signs in late April 2012 of increased activity, according to my astrological calculations.
*The months of May 2012 and August are specifically highlighted for powerful earthquakes - in particular southern California. The dates of May 4-7 and Aug. 20-28 show significant seismic activity.
*The dates May 9, 10, 11 & August 20 through Aug. 28 indicate astronomical configurations for earthquakes between 7.0+ to 9.3+ in magnitude.
Caution is strongly advised for residents of the U.S. west coast.
Astrological Transits - Los Angeles, California, May 10, 2012
The transit chart above is set at Los Angeles, California for Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 10:46 a.m., PDT.
Transiting Jupiter is combust to the Sun in tropical Taurus. What also makes the early days of May stressful atmospherically is the position of Saturn, posited in the Fourth Mundane House in the mundane transit chart for California.
Saturn is tightly conjoined between two fixed stars, Spica and Arcturus while in an applying square to the transiting Moon in Capricorn.
The position of both Moon and Saturn in the cardinal signs of Capricorn and Libra indicates the potential for powerful geophysical activity. Moreover, transiting Uranus in tropical Aries is within two degrees of square aspect to Pluto in tropical Capricorn.
The Moon, which has just set below the horizon over California, is conjoined to the fixed star Peacock at 23-degrees Capricorn. This lowers the atmospheric tide and adds to the strength of electromagnetic modulation.
Meanwhile, transiting Venus is conjoined to the star El Nath and in quincux (150-degrees) aspect to the Moon in Capricorn, the place of its fall in mundane astrology.
Venus conjoined to El Nath - a Beta (β) star - is known as "The Butting One." El Nath is a double brilliant pure white and pale gray star that marks the tip of the northern left horn of Taurus The Bull.
The planet Venus, which has been shining bright after sunset is - by this time on May 10th - five days from her stationary retrograde at 23-degrees tropical Gemini and conjoins the star El Nath.
Venus is also one-degree from trine to transiting Saturn in tropical Libra while the Moon in Capricorn is in a discomforting 150-degree quincux aspect to Venus.
Transiting Mars in tropical Virgo squares Juno, the North Lunar Node and the transiting Vertex in Sagittarius while the critical degree of 29-Cancer rises on the Ascendant in trine aspect to the fixed star Scheat while transiting Neptune is conjoined to one of the four royal stars, Fomalhaut in tropical Pisces.
All four elements - air, earth, fire and water - are powerfully activated in these configurations - signalling very strong atmospheric and seismic activity over the American west coast.
Powerful Seismic Dates
*May 4-7, 2012
*May 4-7, 2012
*May 9-10-11, 2012
June 2012
June 2012
June 2-6, 2012
*June 24-28, 2012
July 4-5, 2012
*June 24-28, 2012
July 4-5, 2012
August 2012
*August 20-28
*August 20-28
Regions:
city of Los Angeles, all of Southern California
Mexico, Central-South America
Mexico, Central-South America
Pacific Northwest
Central & South America
Asia: Japan, Korea, Philippines
south central Europe
Indonesia
Australia
eastern half of Africa
The annular solar eclipse of May 20, 2012 presages that the mid-to-late spring months into the summer is a time to mind strong climate and seismic activity in California and the U.S. west coast.
Seismic activity could easily occur before the May 20th annular eclipse as well as in the months following.
Seismic activity could easily occur before the May 20th annular eclipse as well as in the months following.
Configurations among positions astrologically relative to the earth show that powerful seismic activity, including volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are highlighted.
According to my calculations, these planetary configurations signal earthquakes of large magnitudes. It is important to take earthquake preparedness seriously to heart. The entire summer of 2012 is active. Be mindful of using the months of May, June, July to get you and your families prepared for seismic activity.
Earthquakes can occur suddenly and without warning. The energies released by large magnitude quakes are no laughing matter.
The knowledge and advice I provide below can save your life and the lives of others when expecting the potential of large magnitude earthquakes.
Earthquakes can occur suddenly and without warning. The energies released by large magnitude quakes are no laughing matter.
The knowledge and advice I provide below can save your life and the lives of others when expecting the potential of large magnitude earthquakes.
Earthquake Preparedness
In the wake of natural or man-made disasters people can find themselves suddenly displaced - either temporarily or permanently. Of those whose homes remained intact, many people are left without water, food, immediate medical assistance, electricity and telephone service.
Earthquakes, for instance, are very dangerous and can occur at any time of the year - especially under powerful astronomical influences.
My long-range forecast is used to give people - especially on the west coast of the United States - as many months of advanced warning to prepare for strong seismic activity in 2012.
Identifying as many potential hazards ahead of time to advance strategies and planning can and does greatly reduce the chances of death, serious injury and property damage.
My long-range forecast is used to give people - especially on the west coast of the United States - as many months of advanced warning to prepare for strong seismic activity in 2012.
Identifying as many potential hazards ahead of time to advance strategies and planning can and does greatly reduce the chances of death, serious injury and property damage.
There are seven (7) major steps to take for earthquake preparedness:
Secure It Now
Conduct a "hazard hunt" to help identify and fix things such as unsecured televisions, computers, bookcases, furniture, unstrapped water heaters, etc. Securing these items now will help to protect you tomorrow.
Create A Plan & Get Busy Now
Planning for an earthquake is not much different from planning for a party or vacation. Make sure that your emergency plan includes evacuation and reunion plans; out-of-region contacts, names, addresses and numbers; location of your emergency supplies and other pertinent information.
Create disaster kits.
Have each family member, friends and neighbors on the same page.
Everyone should have a disaster supply kit stored in accessible locations at home, at work and in your vehicle. Having emergency supplies readily available can reduce the impact of an earthquake.
Have each family member, friends and neighbors on the same page.
Everyone should have a disaster supply kit stored in accessible locations at home, at work and in your vehicle. Having emergency supplies readily available can reduce the impact of an earthquake.
Your disaster supplies kits should include food, water, flashlights,portable radios, batteries, a first aid kit, cash, extra medications, a whistle, fire extinguisher, etc.
Is your place safe? Most houses are not as safe as they could be. Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, there are things that you can do to improve the structural integrity of your home.
Some of the things that you might consider checking include inadequate foundations, unbraced cripple walls (a short wall built upon the foundation of a house that produces a high crawlspace), soft first stories (click here for details), unreinforced masonry and vulnerable pipes.
Consult a contractor or engineer to help you identify your building's weaknesses and begin to fix them now.
Consult a contractor or engineer to help you identify your building's weaknesses and begin to fix them now.
Drop, Cover & Hold On
Learn what to do during an earthquake, whether you're at home, at work, at school or just out and about.
Taking the proper actions, such as "Drop, Cover, and Hold On", can save lives and reduce your risk of death or injury.
Taking the proper actions, such as "Drop, Cover, and Hold On", can save lives and reduce your risk of death or injury.
During earthquakes, drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to it firmly. Be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops.
Check it out
One of the first things you should do following a major disaster is to check for injuries and damages that need immediate attention.
Make sure you are trained in first aid and in damage assessment techniques. You should be able to administer first aid and to identify hazards such as damaged gas, water, sewage and electrical lines.
Make sure you are trained in first aid and in damage assessment techniques. You should be able to administer first aid and to identify hazards such as damaged gas, water, sewage and electrical lines.
Recovery After The Event
Following a major disaster, communications are a very important step in recovery efforts.
Turn on your portable radio for information and to receive safety advisories.
For most Presidentially-declared disasters, resources will be available from federal, state and local government agencies.
Turn on your portable radio for information and to receive safety advisories.
For most Presidentially-declared disasters, resources will be available from federal, state and local government agencies.
Cell phones have become a daily necessity. Portability and convenience are top priority and smart phones have come to replace telephone books, computers and maps in these hi-tech times.
What did we ever do without them? People used to have conventional land line phones that stayed inside their homes. But the value of landlines have greatly decreased as cell phone popularity skyrocketed in society.
So if everyone has a cell phone, we can all be in touch in emergencies, right?
Wrong.
Your cell phone is only as useful as its power life - both in its battery and via service through your carrier.
Natural disasters have shown us time and time again that cell phone towers are not invincible. Hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods can damage and even destroy them, making cell phones completely useless.
Natural disasters have shown us time and time again that cell phone towers are not invincible. Hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods can damage and even destroy them, making cell phones completely useless.
In the United States, there is no requirement for cell phone companies to have systems to keep them online (including the towers) when the electricity goes out. Although some towers may have limited backup power ability, they are not required to do so.
Cell phone towers can get crowded and deny others the ability to make calls, which would likely happen in an emergency. Landlines, however, can be used in the same situations and work fine.
Power outages can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few weeks. If you have a land-line, always have a least one corded phone that will work when the power is out.
In emergency conditions, you will most likely not be able to charge your cell phone; and your smart phone will last only as long as its battery power, assuming that its cell tower is functional.
If you have the Wavelength™ or the Charger™, you can charge your phone when the power is out. But remember that many cell towers may be incapacitated.
If you have the Wavelength™ or the Charger™, you can charge your phone when the power is out. But remember that many cell towers may be incapacitated.
Cell phones are great tools for calling for help if your car breaks down or sending texts to announce the new baby.
But, for natural disasters, it's hard to beat a land-line phone. They are much more reliable in extreme emergencies and do not need to be charged.
During any emergency, especially those that involve large magnitude earthquakes - when all is said and done - you want to communicate efficiently, seriously and be totally on the ball like Star Trek, not Gilligan's Island.
But, for natural disasters, it's hard to beat a land-line phone. They are much more reliable in extreme emergencies and do not need to be charged.
During any emergency, especially those that involve large magnitude earthquakes - when all is said and done - you want to communicate efficiently, seriously and be totally on the ball like Star Trek, not Gilligan's Island.
WATER
Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.
A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day.
Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and people who are sick will require more water.
Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and people who are sick will require more water.
Therefore, store one gallon of water per person, per day.
Don't forget your pets. Keep at least a three (3) day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).
Change this water every six (6) months.
Household liquid bleach can be used to kill microorganisms:
Household liquid bleach can be used to kill microorganisms:
But use only regular household liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent Sodium Hypochlorite.
Do not use scented bleaches, color-safe bleaches or bleaches with added cleaners.
Do not use scented bleaches, color-safe bleaches or bleaches with added cleaners.
Add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water, stir and let stand for 30 minutes.
If the water does not have a slight bleach odor, repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes.
If the water does not have a slight bleach odor, repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes.
The only agent used to treat water should be household liquid bleach.
Other chemicals, such as iodine or water treatment products sold in camping or surplus stores that do not contain 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite as the only active ingredient, are not recommended and should not be used.
Other chemicals, such as iodine or water treatment products sold in camping or surplus stores that do not contain 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite as the only active ingredient, are not recommended and should not be used.
FOOD
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables.
Canned juices, milk, soup
Sugar, salt, pepper
High energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix; foods that will not increase thirst.
Vitamins
Foods for infants, elderly, persons with special dietary needs
Comfort/stress foods: cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags.
Pet food, at least one ounce per animal pound, per day.
Avoid foods like rice, pasta and dry beans that require a great deal of water to prepare. Remember to restock your food once a year.
FIRST AID
Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
Assorted sizes of safety pins
Cleansing agent/soap
Latex gloves (2 pairs)
Sunscreen
2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
Triangular bandages (3)
Non-prescription drugs such as Pain relievers, Anti-diarrhea medicines, Antacid, Syrup of Ipecac (used to induce vomiting with the advice of a Poison Control Center), Laxatives, Activated charcoal (used with advice from the Poison Control Center)
Various roller bandages
Scissors
Tweezers
Needle
Moistened towelettes
Antiseptic
Thermometer
Tongue blades (2)
Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
TOOLS & SUPPLIES
Paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
Flashlight and extra batteries
Cash or traveler's checks, in case banks are closed in the days following an earthquake
Non-electric can opener or a utility knife
Small fire extinguisher
Pliers
Tape
Matches in a waterproof container
Aluminum foil
Plastic storage containers
Signal flare
Paper, pencil
Needles, thread
Medicine dropper
Wrench, to turn off gas and water
SANITATION
Toilet paper
Soap, liquid detergent
Feminine supplies
Plastic garbage bags and ties
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Disinfectant
Household chlorine bleach
Poop bags and scooper for pet waste
CLOTHING & BEDDING
Sturdy shoes or work boots (keep near your bed)
Rain gear
Blankets or sleeping bags
Warm clothing
Sunglasses (keep your spare eyeglasses in the emergency kit, too.)
DOCUMENTS
Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
Passports, social security cards, immunization records
Bank account numbers
Credit card account numbers and companies
Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
[*Remember to include the special needs for family members such as a baby, young children, seniors and the handicapped might have. It is also good to store in a water proof plastic bag important family documents (passports, wills, medical records etc.) along with your earthquake survival kit.]
I strongly advise and urge people living along the Ring of Fire - particularly in California and throughout the west coast of the United States - to take precautionary steps during May, June and July to guard against powerful seismic activity into the summer of 2012, which is an active geophysical time worldwide.
Get busy.
~
The Lunar Eclipse & Venus Transit Of
June 4-6, 2012
Mundane Forecast By
Theodore White, mundane Astrolog.S
Theodore White, mundane Astrolog.S
The remarkable astronomical transits of May continue into the month of June with the historic Venus Transit across the face of the Sun. This will be preceded by a partial lunar eclipse at 14-degrees tropical Sagittarius.
This partial eclipse of the Moon also sees the Moon occult the Comet Borrelly.
This is what observers will see June 4th as the lunar eclipse transits over London, England - just 53 days prior to the start of the Summer Olympic Games.
This is what observers will see June 4th as the lunar eclipse transits over London, England - just 53 days prior to the start of the Summer Olympic Games.
The partial Lunar Eclipse will occur on June 4th, 2012 - lasting two hours and 7 minutes. It will be visible over Europe, East Africa, Asia, Australia, Pacific Ocean and western America.
The Moon will be eclipsed one-third by the Earth's umbral shadow during maximum eclipse with an umbral magnitude at 0.376.
The lunar eclipse will begin at 09:59:24 Universal Time (UT.) The eclipse will end two hours later at 12:07:04 UT. The time of greatest eclipse will be 11:03:16 UT.
click on graphic to enlarge
This first lunar eclipse in 2012 takes place with the Moon's ascending node in the sidereal constellation of southern Ophiuchus - located about 6° northeast of the fixed star Antares.
Lunar Eclipse - June 4, 2012 - Los Angeles, California
click on mundane chart to enlarge
This will be the second astronomical event after the May 20, 2012 annular solar eclipse to take place over the western United States.
The Moon, at 14-degrees of tropical Sagittarius is opposed to the Sun at 14-Gemini. This is the full moon.
The Moon also opposes transiting Venus, retrograde since May 15, and by June 4, at 16-Gemini:
This influence indicates relational upsets in social, romantic, business and family relationships that require patience and cooperation. The full moon increases sensitivity so feelings are bound to be hurt by those inclined to act out emotionally during the full moon week of June 4-11.
This Moon also squares transiting Mars at 16-Virgo:
Featuring emotional impulsiveness along with fights, impatience and quarrels fueled by a loss of temper over small matters, which is common to a Moon-Mars square.
The upsets at this time are also associated with accidents which can be produced by carelessness, anger, acts of impatience and violence. This is not a favorable time for public relations or to force important business affairs. It is best to exercise calm thinking and patience.
The partially eclipsed full moon forms a mutable T-square involving the Sun, Venus and Mars in the tropical Signs of Gemini, Virgo and Sagittarius -
This features the Venus-Mars square at this time in early June signifying trouble in romantic and marital relationships. Jealousies can be inclined along with a lack of understanding for the feelings of others.
The lack of refinement, class and maturity under the Venus-Mars square is exacerbated by the full moon, transiting Sagittarius, a sign also known for impulsiveness - jumping first before looking.
Mutable T-squares seek to 'release' any pent-up energies, so, along with the full moon, people have a tendency to behave emotionally without thinking clearly.
Petty annoyances that are molehills often are made into mountains as the strong lunar inclinations can influence odd emotional behavior based on impatience, jealousy, immaturity, laziness and a lack of consideration for others.
Advanced knowledge of these inclinations mean that one can consciously choose not to partake in displays of immaturity, negative anger, and the temper tantrums that are common with mutable transits of this kind.
The June 4th partial lunar eclipse will be best observed from from the Pacific Ocean. Most residents of western America will see the eclipse at moonset - just before the eclipse ends. Those living in eastern Asia will not see the start of the eclipse because it takes place before the moon rises.
Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 08:48:09 UT
Partial Eclipse Begins: 09:59:53 UT
Greatest Eclipse: 11:03:13 UT
Partial Eclipse Ends: 12:06:30 UT
Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 13:18:17 UT
At the time of greatest eclipse, the umbral eclipse magnitude will be 0.3705. At that instant, the Moon will be at zenith for viewers in the South Pacific. Even though a third of the Moon's apparent surface enters the umbral shadow, the partial phase still will last just over two hours.
Observers in western Canada and the United States will have the best views at moonset which takes place just after mid-lunar eclipse. To catch the entire partial lunar eclipse observers have to be located in the Pacific or eastern Australia.
Immediately after the partial lunar eclipse will occur the historic Venus Transit.
The following is a repost from my September 2011 edition of Global Astrology on the June 5-6, 2012 Venus Transit.
The Cardinal Crisis
The Venus Transit Of 2012
A Venus Transit Across The Face Of The Sun
Mundane Forecast
By
Theodore White, mundane Astrolog.S
As Mars transits Virgo, it is important to note matters of public health prior to the Venus Transit of 2012. It is my advice for people to continue to strengthen and build their immunity to disease with proper diets and health precautions going into the year 2012, due to the configurations of the planets relative to Earth.
The planet Venus shifted to ‘evening star’ phase in mid-August 2011. This means that the planet will set after the Sun for ten (10) months to the time of its ‘morning star’ phase in June 2012.
The coming Venus Transit across the face of the Sun will occur on June 5-6, 2012 and will be observed throughout most of the world.
Transits of Venus across the disk of the Sun are considered to be some of the rarest of planetary alignments. Only six (6) transit events have occurred since the modern invention of the telescope. Those years were 1631, 1639, 1761, 1769, 1874 and 1882. The last Venus Transit occurred in June 2004.
The global visibility of the Venus 2012 Transit is illustrated in the world map below.
click on graphic to enlarge
The entire transit is visible from northwestern North America, Hawaii, the western Pacific, northern Asia, Japan, Korea, eastern China, Philippines, eastern Australia, and New Zealand.
The Sun will set as the Venus transit is still in progress from most of North America, the Caribbean, and northwest South America. The transit will already be in progress at sunrise for observers in central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and eastern Africa.
No portion of the transit will be visible from Portugal or southern Spain, western Africa, as well as the southeastern two-thirds of South America.
The horizontal parallax of Venus (~30 arc-sec) has a topocentric correction of up to ±7 minutes with respect to the geocentric times for observers located at different geographic locations.
The principal events occurring during a transit are characterized by these contacts. The event begins with contact that is the instant as soon as the Venus' disk is externally tangent with the Sun.
The entire disk of the Venus is first seen at contact II when the planet is internally tangent with the Sun.
The Venus Transit across the Sun's southern hemisphere in June 2004
During the next several hours, Venus gradually traverses the Sun's disk at a relative angular rate of approximately 4 arc-min/hr. At the third contact, Venus reaches the opposite limb and is once again internally tangent with the Sun.
The Venus transit ends at contact four when the planet's limb is externally tangent to the Sun. Contacts 1 and 2 define the phase called 'ingress' while contacts three and four are known as ‘egress.’
Greatest transit is the instant of minimum angular separation between Venus and the Sun as seen from Earth's geo-center.
Click on graphic to see pentagonal motion of Venus to Earth
graphic: Nick Anthony Fiorenza
The June 2004 Venus Transit crossed the Sun's southern hemisphere. In June 2012, Venus will cross the Sun’s northern hemisphere. The position of Venus at each contact is shown along with its path as a function of Universal Time.
The 2012 transit lasts over six (6) hours.
The apparent semi-diameters of Venus and the Sun are 29 arc-seconds and 945 arc-seconds respectively. The 1:32.6 diameter ratio will result in an effective 0.001 magnitude drop in the Sun's integrated magnitude due to the transit.
click on graphic to enlarge
graphic: Nick Anthony Fiorenza
Transits of Venus are only possible during two months - that of early December and early June - when Venus' orbital nodes pass across the face of the Sun. Should Venus reach inferior conjunction at this time - a transit will occur.
Venus Transits show a clear pattern of recurrence at intervals of 8, 121.5, eight and 105.5 years.
The astronomer Edmund Halley first realized that transits of Venus could be used to measure the Sun's distance. This set the absolute scale of the physics of our solar system established by mundane astrologer Johannes Kepler's third astronomic law.
Pandemics On Earth Spawned By Venus Transits?
Image: ESA Animation by C. Carreau
Interactions between Venus and the solar wind is depicted in the image above.
The planets Mars, Earth and Venus are immersed in a flow of plasma - ionized and highly variable gas that originates from the Sun - called the solar wind.
While the Earth has a strong magnetic field, that can deviate the flow of solar winds, the planets Venus and Mars are assumed to have very weak fields, if any at all. Gases in their upper atmospheres are ionized and so interact with the solar wind.
Venus is nearly as large as the Earth; however it is assumed that it is difficult for Venus' atmosphere to escape due to the planet's gravity
The solar wind is the best source of energy to accelerate an upper atmosphere's charged particles. This gives them enough energy to escape. This is why Venus loses its atmosphere by means of the solar wind.
Venus transits are significant in Astrology. It is the basis of the Mayan Long Count Calendar. This particular Venus Transit in Gemini - in my mundane analysis - is associated with the quality of the air that mixes with the Earth's climate and weather - affecting the public health of many nations.
click on graphic to enlarge
graphic: Nick Anthony Fiorenza
It is my forecast that there is a strong potential of air-borne sicknesses ahead in 2012 which stem from the fact that Venus’ tail stretches long enough to touch that of the Earth.
Venus has an ion-packed tail 45 million km (28 million miles) in length that stretches away from the Sun. Venus’ tail contains about 2.3 Megawebers of flux, much of which closes across the tail.
The J×B force associated with this cross tail accelerates Venus’ tail plasma down the tail, causing an ion loss rate of about 1026 ions per second.
The Venus tail does respond to solar activity and contains significantly less magnetic flux at solar minimum. It is caused by bombardment of ions in Venus's upper atmosphere by the solar wind.
This was first discovered in the late 1970s, but it was not until 1997 that the Solar Heliospheric Observatory revealed its immense length.
The plasma sheath of Venus is extremely long. It almost touches the Earth when both planets are at closest approach. Jupiter's plasma sheath, for instance, has the same kind of relationship with the planet Saturn.
NASA discovered what they call 'stringy things' in this long plasma tail of Venus. The twisted, string filaments follow exactly the paths of what are known as ‘Birkeland Currents’ that we observe in plasmas.
The space that surrounds our Sun, its corona and into outer space is a plasma. Nearly all of space is filled by plasma – much of that is called the 'dark current mode.'
The planets and their moons all carry an electric charge as they travel through this plasma. The plasma sea which our solar system floats extends out to what is called the Heliopause – this is a double layer that separates our Sun's plasma from the lower voltage plasma that fills our singular arm of the Milky Way Galaxy.
The arms of our Milky Way Galaxy
Solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CME's) are charged particles that are thrown outward from the Sun.
These flows constitute powerful electrical currents. And they form Birkeland Currents that take in plasmas as they twist out.
Apparently, Venus is also known to discharge an electrical current. The plasma tails of all the planets currently are in dark modes of operation, but ancient astrologers reported that Venus was once observed to have a fiery tail of glowing 'twisted hair.’
It could have been that Venus 'plasma tail was then in a normal glow or even an arc mode of operation that could be seen with the naked eye from Earth.
Consider for a moment what the shape of Venus' plasma tail would look like if it were visible. The diameter of the Venus' plasma sheath is about two or three times the planet's diameter - about 20,000 miles.
But the distance from Venus to Earth during their closest approaches is 26 million miles. So Venus’ tail is approximately a thousand times as long as it is broad at its thickest point.
That is a very long, thin, twisting snake-like shape. If, at some time in the past, this plasma tail were in the normal glow mode, it would have been clearly visible from Earth.
An interesting study in the realm of Astrobiology, a subset of mundane astrology, reveals that Venus’ tail of ions could carry microbes from the planet to Earth.
Consider this: Donald Barber of the Norman Lockyer Observatory in the United Kingdom described a peculiar sequence of air-borne/rain-water-borne yeast-like bacteria found on astronomic photographic plate emulsions at a British observatory from 1937 to 1961.
An underlying periodicity of these events appears to have had a significant positive correlation with the occurrences of inferior conjunctions of Venus with the Sun.
Compared to Earth, the planet Venus has a negligible magnetic field. That means that the solar wind can disturb its atmosphere and easily blow away fractions of Venus’ upper atmosphere - including airborne particulate matter in comet-like fashion.
Barber said: "An American suggestion that the virus responsible for endemic influenza emanated from the planet Venus, led to a fresh examination of the 1937/1948 Sidmouth data, and also to a search among the large collection of spectrograms obtained at Sidmouth prior to 1937 for earlier evidence of bacterial attack.
As a result of the latter, two earlier outbreaks - one probable event in 1930 - and a second well-determined occasion in 1932 - were discovered."
Barber confirmed that onsets of six (6) confirmed major microbial invasions occurred, on average, 55 days following strong geomagnetic storms nearest to the inferior conjunctions of Venus with the Sun.
The shortest interval between geomagnetic storm and outbreak was 35 days and the longest was 67 days. Seasonal effects of weather appeared to play an auxiliary role as to whether or not an invasion occurred. Invasion onsets seemed to occur only during the of months May through July.
Barber speculated that the bacteria responsible for repeated photographic damage events were transported from the upper atmosphere of Venus by solar wind to Earth's polar regions and, in Lockyer’s case, from the northern polar region to England by means of northwesterly winds. It reached the ground by rainwater.
The Lockyer, England events were bacterial in nature. What's interesting to note is that in the year 1918 an inferior conjunction of Venus with the Sun occurred February 9, 1918 in tropical Aquarius.
The first reported case of the 1918-1919 Influenza Pandemic in the United States, at Camp Funston, Kansas occurred a month later.
This early onset of the Influenza pandemic spread across the United States with a description written by Cassandra Vivian of Pennsylvania -
"At Camp Funston, Kansas, the first case of this flu was reported on March 11, 1918. By noon, 107 cases were reported at the same camp and two days later 522 cases were reported. This fast moving, airborne disease was in every state of the union within seven days."
According to history, the 1918 Influenza Pandemic originated in Haskell County, Kansas, in January-February 1918. It was assumed to be carried from there to Camp Funston by army recruits along with their family members and friends.
How the new disease came to appear in Haskell County was not reported, but researchers stressed that they found no evidence to suggest any other point of origin.
The Greek mundane astrologer, known as the 'father of medicine,' Hippocrates, was the first person on earth to describe Influenza in the year 412 BCE.
Other versions of where and when the 1918-1919 Influenza Pandemic originated did mention Asia in the year 1917. Another report said the disease was brought to the U.S. by returning servicemen from Europe in the autumn of 1918.
The global outbreak killed an estimated 20-50 million people.
In the late spring of 1918, the Spanish wire service Agencia Fabra sent cable messages to Reuters that reported -
“A strange form of disease of epidemic character in Madrid… The epidemic is of a mild nature, no deaths having been reported yet ..." The report goes on to mention similar outbreaks extending from "Norway to India, from China to Costa Rica."
In her book on the 1918 pandemic, author Gina Kolata called attention to the phenomenon of how epidemics can move quickly through a country, "hop scotching over some towns while felling others," she wrote.
She wrote that, "after an influenza pandemic in 1789, a young American doctor named Robert Johnson puzzled over how the infection could spread so far and wide, and so quickly. Johnson discussed the rapid outbreaks in Great Britain and on ships at sea."
Kolata reported that 1918’s "flu's mortality rates peaked in Boston and Bombay in the same week. But New York, just a few hours from Boston, had its peak three weeks later."
She also wrote that Johnson finally decided that "influenza must arise from some sort of changes in the atmosphere but that, once it got started, it could spread from person to person."
Johnson's atmospheric change idea may have contributed to the American suggestion about an extraterrestrial source for influenza, to which Barber referred.
In the year 1907 S. Arrhenius, in Scientific American argued for direct propagation of life between planets by microbes hurled into near-planet space by storms - propelled by radiation pressure.
In another article titled: Influenza From Space? Sir Fred Hoyle and Chandra Wickramasinghe discussed with critics their thoughts on comet-tail delivery systems for extraterrestrial biological visitors. This is known as ‘Panspermia,’ - or life from outer space.
The researchers said they found evidence that suggests influenza at the beginning of a flu season breaks out in a sporadic manner, but doesn't spread easily.
Getting back to the influence of Venus, the planet, as we have outlined, does have a comet-like tail that scientists have been studying for decades to gain improved insights into the nature of comets.
In an article titled The Interaction of the Solar Wind with Venus researchers C. T. Russell and O. Vaisberg suggested that "On the whole, the solar wind interaction with Venus is more comet-like than Earth-like."
Barber reported that "Following the 1937 outbreak, [at Lockyer Observatory] water samples were sent to the bacteriological department of the Seale-Hayne College, Newton Abbot, and tissue cultures were obtained.
It was, however, found to be impossible to match these with any known strains of indigenous liquefying bacteria. The result was later independently confirmed by tests carried out at the Lister Institute."
Since the cause of death in the 1918-1919 global pandemic was drowning by means of liquefied lungs - air sacs riddled with seepage sites - it might be wise to look for any relationship between the findings of the Seale-Hayne College and Lister Institute studies - and the Lockyer liquefying agents - that matches any biological samples that are preserved in pandemic autopsy tissues.
Looking at the viral problem, it is known that influenza viruses require a dry environment to stay alive until they reach body hosts. Venus' upper atmosphere has been found to be extremely dry.
The genes in viruses are generally comprised of RNA. A theory on the creation of life from inanimate matter, requires the creation of tiny organic molecules in a non-oxidizing atmosphere through energetic natural phenomena - lightning strokes, or the penetration of ultraviolet light.
Scientists were puzzled why the pandemic flu in 1918-1919 was so rampant and why the virus was so virulent. The first comprehensive analysis of an animal's immune response to the 1918 influenza virus provided new insights into the killer flu.
Key among the insights - they observed that the 1918 virus triggers a hyperactive immune response that may contribute to the lethal nature of the virus.
Furthermore, results suggest it is the combination of all eight of the 1918 flu virus genes that interact synergistically - this accounts for the exceptional virulence of this particular virus.
Michael G. Katze, Ph.D., of the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle led a research team to hone in on the complexities of the 1918 virus with University of Washington's John Kash, Ph.D.
Their work with the fully reconstructed 1918 virus was conducted along with co-author Terrence Tumpey, Ph.D., in a bio-safety Level 3-enhanced laboratory at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.
"Understanding as much as possible about the virus that caused the devastating 1918-1919 influenza pandemic is an urgent imperative as we pursue efforts to prepare for - and possibly thwart the next flu pandemic," said NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D.
"This elegant research gives a detailed picture of the overzealous host reaction to infection by a fully reconstructed 1918 influenza virus," said NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.
"The research provides clues as to why the flu of 1918 was so deadly, and may also help us better understand the disease process that occurs when people are infected by emerging avian influenza viruses, such as the H5N1 strain.
Unlike the typical seasonal flu, which strikes hardest at the very young, the elderly and those with compromised immune function, the 1918 flu disproportionately killed young people in their prime of life.
An analysis of a 1918 flu victim autopsy samples showed extreme and extensive damage to lung tissues. This observation gave rise to a hypothesis that the 1918 flu virus infection provoked an uncontrolled inflammatory response that led to rapid lung failure and death.
To test this, Dr. Tumpey infected mice intranasally with one of four types of flu virus: human seasonal flu virus from a strain that circulated in Texas in 1991; lab-made viruses containing either two or five of eight viral genes from the 1918 virus; or a reconstructed virus containing all eight 1918 flu virus genes.
Lung tissue from three infected mice in each group was removed on days 1, 3 and 5 post-infection and processed to destroy any virus. The mouse genetic material (RNA) was then extracted from these lung samples and sent to the University of Washington team for analysis.
Doctors Katze and Kash and their colleagues examined the mouse RNA using micro-arrays to determine which genes were activated when exposed to each of the four viruses.
This analysis showed that the immune response to the reconstructed 1918 virus containing all eight flu genes was much greater than to any of the other viruses with all eight genes, says Dr. Katze.
In particular, the genes involved in promoting inflammation were strongly and immediately activated following infection by the reconstructed 1918 virus.
"We clearly see a dramatic and uncontrolled immune response in the mouse lungs as early as one day following infection with the reconstructed 1918 virus," he says. A complete understanding of the host's response to the 1918 flu virus, adds Dr. Katze, required use of a fully reconstructed virus.
A fuller picture of the host immune response to the 1918 flu virus could also be valuable to researchers working to develop therapies against such viruses as the H5N1 avian influenza, scientists say.
Besides targeting the flu virus itself, Dr. Katze explains, scientists might develop new or improved agents aimed at moderating or halting the human immune system's overactive response to these viruses.
The planetary transits of 2012, in my estimation, calls for keen attention to public health, among other correlations associated with the Venus Transit in Gemini, along with that of Jupiter and the Moon's South Node, also in Gemini.
In 1918, transiting Mars performed a retrograde in Virgo just as Jupiter was entering tropical Gemini along with the Moon's South Lunar Node, also entering Gemini in 1918. We will see the same configurations in 2012.
Virgo is a well-known sign of health and medicine in mundane astrology. Gemini is associated with tens of millions of people and contains strong fixed stars associated with the spread of pandemics when in unfavorable configurations.
Jupiter's presence indicates widespread influences crossing over nations along with that of the South Lunar Node. Jupiter's configurations can also announce mass deaths when in peculiar aspects relative to Earth. We will have such aspects in 2012.
Mars will begin its transit in tropical Virgo in November 2011 and remain in the zodiacal Sign of health to early July 2012. The retrograde of Mars in Virgo will begin in late January 2012 and last to mid-April 2012.
Meanwhile, the Gemini Transits of 2012 show a very busy and active year of crowds and people milling together by means of extended travel, political gatherings and grand sports events, such as the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England. These large gatherings provide the perfect recipe for the spread of airborne infections during 2012's astrologically powerful climate.
I've studied these world transits for several years and do not make such forecasts lightly. In my astrological estimation, we are likely to see a pandemic year in 2012.
It would be wise for those reading this to make preparations to reduce travel if at all possible; to take health precautions and to mind any news of public outbreaks early enough so as to avoid becoming infected by a potential pandemic - which is what I am forecasting.
Build up your immunity this year with Colloidal Silver; improve your diet, avoid pork, sodas, too much sugar and fatty foods. Be a "neat freak" going into 2012 - clean things, wipe counter-tops, clear the air indoors.
Wash your hands frequently, and cover your mouth when you cough. Do not spit on the ground and refrain from using shared public toilets. Be mindful of where you plan to travel and where crowds gather in regions with public health warnings.
Stay safe out there.
The Cardinal Crisis
The Great Depression:
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
By James Quinn
Anyone who hasn’t sensed a mood change in this country since the 2008 financial meltdown is either ignorant or in denial. Millions of Americans fall into one of these categories, but many people realize something has changed - and not for the better.
The sense of pure financial panic that existed during September and October of 2008 had not been seen since the dark days of 1929.
Our leaders used the initial terror and fear to ram through TARP and stimulus packages that rewarded the perpetrators of the financial collapse rather than helping the middle class who lost 8 million jobs, destroyed by Wall Street criminality.
The stock market plunged by 57% from its 2007 high by March 2009. What has happened since September 2008 has set the stage for the next downward leg in this Crisis. The rich and powerful have pulled out all the stops and saved themselves at the expense of the many.
Despite overwhelming proof of unabashed mortgage fraud, rating agency bribery, document forgery on a grand scale and insider trading based on non-public information, the brazen audacity of Wall Street oligarchs is reminiscent of the late stages of the Roman Empire.
“Crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity.” - Tacitus
The actions of the governing elite have provoked the darkening mood creeping across the land. The rise of the Tea Party in 2009 was fueled by anger over the bank bailouts, out of control federal spending and ever increasing taxes.
The anger spilled over into town hall meetings, as Congressmen felt the wrath of public dissatisfaction. The fury propelled Tea Party Republicans to being elected in large numbers in 2010. But the movement was hijacked by the Republican establishment and defanged.
As 2011 progressed, with Wall Street continuing to pillage the American middle class, the Occupy Movement spread to cities across America and around the world.
The movement, led by Millennials, claims that mega-corporations and Wall Street manipulate the world in an unbalanced way that disproportionately benefits a super wealthy minority and is undermining democracy.
They have shone a light upon the fact the 1% has used their wealth and power to plunder the national treasury, while impoverishing the 99%.
The audacity of the 1% was on display for all to see when former Goldman Sachs CEO and former U.S. Senator Jon Corzine absconded with $1.2 billion of his customers’ money and continues to hide it in the vaults of his fellow robber baron Jamie Dimon at J.P. Morgan.
To this day, no one has been jailed for this heist or any of the thousands of other crimes committed by the Wall Street titans.
These psychopaths will not be satisfied until nothing remains of our country - but a barren desert.
“They have plundered the world, stripping naked the land in their hunger… they are driven by greed, if their enemy be rich; by ambition, if poor…
They ravage, they slaughter, they seize by false pretenses - and all of this they hail as the construction of empire.
And when in their wake nothing remains but a desert - they call that peace.” - Tacitus, The Agricola and the Germania
A few weeks ago I watched The Grapes of Wrath movie for the first time in many years. The novel was written by John Steinbeck during the last Fourth Turning. It is as powerful today as it was in the 1941.
It perfectly captures the mood of the country during the Great Depression. The message of the working class being exploited and manipulated by wealthy landowners resounds today.
The Joads only sought an opportunity for a job, their own land, simple human dignity, and the chance for a better future.
Wall Street has replaced the wealthy landowners as the exploiters of the working class. Steinbeck saw the Federal Government as a solution during the 1930s, but they are a major part of the problem today, as politicians have been captured by corporate and special interests. Their solutions do not benefit the average middle class American.
The feelings about our government and political system is reflected in Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games novel, which captures the vein of government brutality, oppression of the working class, excessive wealth inequality and the vapid shallowness of our American Idol culture.
The Hunger Games was written in 2008 and the movie version has become a worldwide sensation. The immense divide between the wealthy ruling class, living an obscenely decadent lifestyle and the exploited working class on the verge of starvation - is portrayed in a cruelly sadistic manner.
The fact that it is appealing to Millennials and all generations says much about the changing of attitudes in the last four years. The Hunger Games will be viewed as the modern day Grapes of Wrath by future generations.
There is no denying the darkening disposition of the country, except by those whose job it is to deny the reality of our deteriorating situation.
Those whose power and wealth are dependent upon a citizenry being kept in the dark and convinced the way out of this mess is to resume spending borrowed money, have pulled out all the stops since the initial catalyst for this Fourth Turning struck with its full fury in 2008.
The frantic efforts by those in power to prop up the status quo were predictable.
If our leaders had dealt with the initial crisis in a realistic manner, many wealthy powerful men would have gone broke.
They have been able to temporarily fend off a full-fledged catastrophe as predicted by Strauss & Howe:
“At home and abroad, these events will reflect the tearing of the civic fabric at points of extreme vulnerability – problem areas where, during the Unraveling, America will have neglected, denied, or delayed needed action.
Anger at 'mistakes we made' will translate into calls for action - regardless of the heightened public risk.
It is unlikely that the catalyst will worsen into a full-fledged catastrophe, since the nation will probably find a way to avert the initial danger and stabilize the situation for a while. Yet even if dire consequences are temporarily averted, America will have entered the Fourth Turning.”
But they have solved nothing. In fact, they have exacerbated the problem areas of debt, civic decay and global disorder with their "solutions."
Our leaders have added $5.6 trillion to the National Debt.
The Federal Reserve tripled their balance sheet by taking on $2 trillion of Wall Street toxic debt.
The Federal Government assumed trillions in new debt by taking over Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Sallie Mae.
Real GDP went up by a mere $103 billion (.8%) between the 4th quarter of 2007 and the 4th quarter of 2011. Rescuing the 99% was never the focus of their solutions.
It was to save the bankers and wealthy investors (1%) who took the world destroying risks and should have borne the losses of their risk taking.
The oligarchs have been wildly successful in this effort. The stock market has doubled from its lows.
Borrowing at 0% from the Federal Reserve has done wonders for banker bonuses.
Global disorder increases by the day.
Politicians and bankers force austerity on their citizens while continuing to harvest billions in profits and bonuses still waging wars of choice - further enriching the peddlers of debt and the peddlers of death (the military/industrial complex).
click on graphic to enlarge
The Great Depression lasted from 1929 until 1940. The GDP of the country actually grew by 80% between 1933 and 1940. The stock market soared by 100% from the 1932 low to its 1933 high.
It then soared another 100% from 1934 through 1937. Despite these fabulous economic statistics and investment riches scooped up by the 2.5% of the population that owned stocks - they still call this time period the Great Depression.
With unemployment ranging from 15% to 25% during this entire time frame, the common man suffered greatly.
There was no recovery for the 99%
click on graphic to enlarge
The net worth of the 99% is highly dependent on the value of their homes and their ability to increase their annual wages.
Home prices have fallen 34% from their peak and continue to fall, recently reaching 2002 levels. Real median weekly earnings are lower than they were in 2003 and have fallen 3% since the economy supposedly entered its recovery in December 2009.
Gas prices have doubled since early 2009. The 1% rejoices as they treat oil as an investment in their well-diversified portfolio.
The 99% suffer as the average household is spending $2,500 per year more to fill up their vehicles. Food prices are up 15% to 25% in the last three years, even using the manifestly manipulated BLS figures.
It is essential for those in power to utilize their mainstream media propaganda machines, massaging of economic information and Ben Bernanke’s printing press to give the appearance of recovery to the masses.
In the last three months the hyperbole and extreme spin from the corporate mainstream media has become exceedingly robust. It smells of desperation.
Even as the media touts a recovery and Obama peddles drivel about millions of new jobs, Bernanke keeps the throttle of quantitative easing and zero interest rates wide open.
Their actions are not consistent with their rhetoric. People who had jobs as accountants making $55,000 per year in 2007 are now stocking fertilizer in the garden center at Lowes making $20,000, with no benefits.
This is the face of the jobs recovery.
Only a corporate media doing the bidding of their masters could possibly rejoice at the February 2012 data showing consumers spending at a rate 450% higher than their income gains as a sign of recovery.
There is a concerted effort to revive the auto market by the Federal Government (Ally Financial) and the Wall Street banks by employing exceptionally loose credit standards for auto loans and leases that are reminiscent of the sub-prime mortgage debacle.
I’m sure it will turn out better this time. The downward spiral of trust is accelerating as predicted by Strauss & Howe:
“As the Crisis catalyzes, these fears will rush to the surface, jagged and exposed. Distrustful of some things, individuals will feel that their survival requires them to distrust more things. This behavior could cascade into a sudden downward spiral, an implosion of societal trust.”
The downward spiral of societal trust is well founded. The monied interests have captured the political process. The regulated have captured the regulators.
Wall Street has always controlled the Federal Reserve.
Corporations and the wealthiest among us select the politicians that will best serve their interests.
The governing elite of psychopathic bankers, corrupt politicians, and powerful mega-corporations create crises, then save us from the crises they created - all while accumulating more control, wealth and power.
This perpetual swindle has been going on for decades and has reached its zenith as it did during the last Fourth Turning. Income inequality has reached the extreme levels last seen in the 1930s.
The capitalism storyline has grown old and tired. Complete systematic capture is the reason for those at the top reaping all the benefits of our dysfunctional economic system.
click on graphic to enlarge
The rampant mortgage fraud; the robo-signing crimes; trillions of shadowy derivatives; unfunded government pensions; unfunded Medicare and Social Security promises and the bald-faced looting of customer accounts at MF Global - all have brought about a realization among those capable of critical thought that this Crisis is growing worse by the day. Strauss & Howe clearly understood the factors that would lead to this deficit of trust:
“But as the Crisis mood congeals, people will come to the jarring realization that they have grown helplessly dependent on a teetering edifice of anonymous transactions and paper guarantees.
Many Americans won’t know where their savings are, who their employer is, what their pension is, or how their government works.
The era will have left the financial world arbitraged and tentacled: Debtors won’t know who holds their notes, homeowners who owns their mortgages, and shareholders who runs their equities – and vice versa.”
The era will have left the financial world arbitraged and tentacled: Debtors won’t know who holds their notes, homeowners who owns their mortgages, and shareholders who runs their equities – and vice versa.”
Here we stand: three-and-a-half years since the catalyst of this Crisis.
What event or events will produce the regeneracy stage of this Fourth Turning and when can we expect its arrival?
~
The Cardinal Crisis
Austerity in Europe
The New 'Barbarous Relic'
By Duncan Weldon
Almost two years on from the first Greek ‘bail-out’, market attention is now firmly fixed on Spain which looks set to miss its deficit targets. Bond yields are once again rising and further austerity measures are planned.
I don’t see how this can work.
The lessons of Greece and Portugal are pretty clear – stringent austerity (not cushioned by falling central bank policy rates or a depreciating currency – both of which are ruled out by the Euro) will simply depress GDP, drive up unemployment and drive down tax revenues.
Deficits are likely to get larger rather than smaller.
The ‘optimistic’ deficit hawks hope that, eventually, the periphery countries will regain competitiveness, but this process could take years (if it happens at all.)
Meanwhile domestic political systems are pushed to breaking point by governments' clinging to a ‘there is no alternative’ mantra.
You might expect me to say that – but what is really striking is that this view is becoming wide spread.
Wolfgang Manchu in the Financial Times on fund managers:
"News coverage seems to suggest that the markets are panicking about the deficits themselves. I think this is wrong.
The investors I know are worried that austerity may destroy the Spanish economy, and that it will drive Spain either out of the euro or into the arms of the European Stability Mechanism."
The IMF
Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) appeared to cast doubt on the viability of the eurozone’s austerity drive, a strategy Germany has pushed for as key to fighting the crisis.
An internal IMF staff report quoted Abebe Selassie, the fund’s mission chief, warning that a Eurozone recession could have a big impact on Portugal’s recovery effort.
“In that case, we think that chasing after fixed nominal deficit targets may not be the best policy,” said Mr Selassie, according to reports on Thursday night.
Many policy makers, commentators and investors themselves are making the same case.
The only people who seem to really believe that austerity is the solution to Southern Europe’s ills (which lets remind ourselves in most cases originate from a balance of payments problems rather than a public spending issues) nowadays appear to be an odd coalition of ECB and EC officials, the Bundesbank and the credit ratings agencies (on whom this post from Jonathan Portes is well worth a read).
But I’m starting to doubt that even they really believe austerity can work.
I suspect that their foisting of austerity on the periphery is more a question of some misguided view of ‘moral hazard’ than anything else.
Self-defeating austerity is becoming the default even as people cease to believe can it work.
It’s the Eurozone’s new orthodoxy, in a way the gold standard was in the inter-war years, what Keynes referred to as a ‘barbarous relic’.
I’m very much struck by the reported comments of Sidney Webb, a minister in the 1929-1931 Labour government, after the National Government took the UK off gold in 1931 – ‘No one ever told us we could that’.
In terms of attitudes towards fiscal policy, we seem to be back in the same place.
We are told there is no alternative - in hindsight.
~
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