2009: World Events And A New Comet's Warnings

The Year 2009:

Global Economic Crisis, Banking Scandals, Corruption, Drug Wars, and Riots

World Transits Features Strong Global Transits

And A New Comet Brings Warnings

February/March 2009--

We all are living in radically changing times. Most of us are witnessing the events of 2008 now in this coming new year of 2009 through what has been called the "global economic crisis" which has caused a number of nations to contract severely, leading to protests, and riots in the nations of China, Russia, eastern Europe, and western Europe.

Astrological transits clearly indicate that the world's population is under increasing stresses in their daily lives ~ mainly through an opposition between transiting Saturn in Virgo and transiting Uranus in Pisces. The first exact opposition took place on November 4, 2008, when the United States elected Barack Obama, who became the first African-American to become an American President. Twenty-three days later, transiting Pluto entered into the southern solstice sign of Capricorn where it will remain until the mid-2020s.

The planetary energies clearly show that the world is nearing a crossroads since the beginning of the first decade of the 21st century. Since the year 2000, the outer, or superior planets beyond the orbit of the Earth have been slowing moving into positions not seen for many decades. The correlations to events on Earth are clear ~ the world is entering a major time of transition that is featured by the global economic crisis, and the growing distrust populations worldwide are showing towards their financial institutions, corporations, and their and governments.

Though the mainstream media in North America have blacked out much of the news of these protests during the autumn months of 2008 and winter of 2009, nonetheless, the world knows that they are happening.

Riots in European Union: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsVVQJ5t31o
Protests in Greece: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBP_DacaGVg&feature=related
France Economic Riots: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVM7Jci_kkE
Riots in Lativa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvYzHzardCM
Bulgaria protests: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMR1zu2G5hw
Protests in China: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vtrt1B1ibs
Protests in Iceland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLi4_eQtbhM
Protests in Canada: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msCFqkjOW_4&feature=PlayList&p=CF7D8A33B61F8A2F&playnext=1&index=76

What often seems too surreal to be true is coming true, like some angry Black Hole running amok in a 500-page Ayn Rand novel, the world we thought we were living in, has been turned upside down, and inside out into a kind of mind-numbing, disoriented 'Alice in Wonderland' psychedelic nightmare with billions of investments and savings lost in Robber Baron orchestrated ponzei schemes, turning into ever more billions and then trillions of dollars gulped down into this raging Black Hole of non-existence, and taking along with it all our notions of common sense, financial security, fair play, decency and reality along with everything else.

In Mundane Astrology, the planetary configurations forecast and also show us what to expect, and give reasons for the influences that continue to shape our world. At present, we have several strong planetary configurations taking place, among them, the Saturn/Uranus opposition, which, along the Virgo/Pisces axis, brings to the surface the stresses that have been hidden, or repressed throughout the world.

The global economic crisis features a very powerful time in the years 2009 through 2018 overall. The years from 2009 to 2014 will feature great changes in the way business is conducted and will also highlight great generational changes between the generation born in the 1920s, the late 1940s, and 1960s as we see the ending of the old Uranus transit of 1928 and the beginning of a new Uranus transit in the year 2011.

The Saturn/Uranus Opposition: Signs of Crisis Ahead

From November 2008 through September 2011, transiting Saturn will oppose Uranus. The final series of oppositions in late 2010 into September 2011 takes place on the Aries/Libra axis.

The first four (4) Saturn/Uranus oppositions occur at 18°, 20°, 24° and 28° on the Virgo/Pisces axis. The fifth exact aspect between both planets happens on July 26, 2010 at the 0-degree equinox points of Aries (Uranus) and Libra (Saturn.)

Uranus, transiting in tropical Pisces since 2003, is ending a 84-year cycle it began in the year 1928. What the world is witnessing now is the sun setting on the 20th century, with a new era to begin in the spring of the year 2011, when Uranus enters tropical Aries, and conjoins the vernal equinox, a major celestial point just as transiting Saturn will cross into the autumnal equinox point of Libra in 2010.

These are very powerful transits of Saturn and Uranus, and they open up a series of strong world transits between Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto into the decade of the 2010s when we will see the outer transits of these planets make strong aspects to one another.

- Jupiter-Saturn opposition (2010 & 2011)

- Jupiter Square Pluto aspect (2010 & 2011)

- Saturn square Pluto (2009 & 2010)

- Uranus Square Pluto (2011-2017)

These world transits form what is known as The Cardinal Crisis configuration, where the outer, superior transits of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto all are positioned in the cardinal Signs of Aries, Libra and Capricorn in the year 2010-2011.

Moreover, transiting Uranus and Pluto will form a long-standing global square between the years 2012-2018: revealing a time of rebellions, riots, and revolutionary sentiments in many countries.

In Mundane Astrology, we take the positions of all of the planets to understand and forecast the effects on the world, mainly through mass psychology. This is done by adding all the cycles of the outer planets into an index, and then to track the mathematical configurations in advance, while using the legacy data of the past to form accuracy.

THE CARDINAL CLIMAX AND AFFECTS ON THE 12 SIGNS OF THE ZODIAChttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz8H1IK7uQM&feature=related

UNDERSTANDING ASTROLOGICAL WORLD TRENDS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqZvkpQogDg&feature=related

PART II/THE CYCLIC INDEX FOR 2009-2020

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ00rZzKJaE&feature=related

PART III:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD0-mVK3pSA&feature=related

Moreover, transiting Saturn is heading toward Libra, indicating a new era of laws and sense of justice and Uranus is transiting toward Aries, opening up half a new 42-year cycle (out of 84 years.) The current Uranus cycle is ending the overall 84-yr. cycle begun in 1928, and the current half of that Uranus cycle since 1969.

A major new era since 1969 is coming to an end in 2010 ~ and opening the doors for a new generation in 2011.The coming Jupiter-Uranus conjunction in Pisces in 2010-11 helps to offset some of the rather nastier energies from the Saturn/Uranus opposition; however, the series of oppositions and squares in 2010 and 2011 between Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto are transited by Mars, which activates these hard positions throughout the world.

This will lead to a constant series of crisis throughout the global that have long-ranging consequences if not eased by acts of cooperation, compassion and understanding between people, groups and nations. Those reading this should take the time in the latter months of 2008 to come up with a new series of plans to work in cooperation with others of like mind, and to begin to think ahead for the next decade of the 2010s. In this manner, one can prepare to effectively navigate the world transits just ahead.

Some of the influences of a Saturn/Uranus opposition is the effect on people:

- Unreliable individuals & groups- Inconsistent attitudes- Lawsuits, financial hardships- Conflicts between old & new among friends & group associations- Frustrations in attempts to change conditions- Ulterior motives, dishonest people, cheating to get ahead- Estrangement from former colleagues & friends- Sudden reversals of fortune- Rebellion, disassociation from former companies- Open enemies- Selfish people.

The stresses of the Saturn's opposition to Uranus in 2009, 2010, and early 2011 will see a series of crisis that seems to be never-ending. This is due to the length of the opposition, since the superior planets move move slowly in their transits to one another. Therefore, expect the opposition to continue to have strong effects through the year 2011 and beyond because of the six-year Uranus/Pluto square in the 2010s.

The best way to prepare is to keep a close watch on all world and local news and to plan in advance for the years ahead. Those looking to avoid the primary effects of the Saturn-Uranus opposition should take the time to build new alliances and relationships that are creative, and to take the time to be reliable, and not to force situations through selfishness, but to cooperate with others who cooperate with you. It is very important to avoid people looking for fights, causing mischief, cynics, looking for battles where there are none. Much time can be saved by avoiding people, groups and organizations that fail to work together via positive common interests.

The astrologer Alexander Ruperti says this about the effects of outer planet cycles on individuals and groups. He wrote about the influence of Saturn/Uranus oppositions ~

"The challenge to become a greater and more inclusive individual is usually felt…At such times, the “greater” initially tends to appear as the enemy of the status quo. Therefore, if the challenge is accepted, one must inevitably break with his traditions on some level of existence. Symbolically, then, he must pit Uranus against Saturn. Habit patterns will always resist change; and when the pressure of some creative challenge is felt, the ego will experience a sense of impending doom, generating fear and resisting change...The more rigid the ego [Saturn], the sharper the break must be in the end. If a crucial phase of the Saturn-Uranus cycle coincides with some overwhelming emotional crisis, the cause will always be the rigid inertia of social customs, privileges, personal habits, or assumed behavior patterns which resist the call of the creative spirit within...."

WORLD NEWS:

The news of the world is not positive as of February & March 2009. Many nations face great challenges directly related to the global economic crisis started by Robber Baron speculators who have stolen what could amount to several trillions of dollars worldwide, causing the collapse of economies of many nations. From multi-billion dollar ponzei schemes, failing banks, to millions of newly unemplyment workers and collapsing industries, the world is reeling from a near-daily dose of bad news.

SHOCK & MORE AWE
News of More Major Financial Scandals
U.S. Breaks The Will Of Giant Swiss Bank UBS

There are 17,000 wealthy Americans, mainly Republican-leaning individuals with direct connections to the former Robber Barron Bush/Cheney co-presidency, who woke up to a shock on February 19. It has been reported that the U.S. Justice Department struck a deal with the Swiss banking giant UBS (this is the awe part) to hand over their formerly secret identities to U.S. authorities. Meanwhile, another American billionaire with connections to Swiss banking interests is caught up in a $9 billion scheme with connections to Mexican drug cartels, reports American authorities. On both stories, see more below...

But First...

World Transits: Planetary Aspects:
A Strange Green Comet Brings Dire Warnings

In another play on the intense energies of the Saturn-Uranus opposition on the Virgo/Pisces mutable axis, and with the transiting last quarter Moon conjoined to Pluto in Capricorn on Thursday, February 19, and as the Sun enters tropical Pisces, the world transits continue to usher in more proof that the world around all of us is changing, and that we can expect more sudden (Uranus) news of past events (Saturn) revealed and thus transforming (Pluto) how all of us see and live in the new era to come.

At this time, transiting Mars and Jupiter are conjoined to the Dragon’s Head in Aquarius, and transiting Mercury, recently stationed direct on Feb. 2, has picked up speed, and by early next week will also conjoin the North Lunar node, showing strong inclinations to open reveal the secrets of the past, which, in current astrological newspeak concerning world events, is also prologue.

Added to all of this planetary energy, a strange celestial object in the form of a shining green-colored Comet named Lulin, is transiting backwards, speeding at an incredible 5-degrees per day along the ecliptic to conjoin Saturn on February 24, and three days later will conjoin the Earth in tropical Virgo before it comes to conjoin the fixed star Regulus in its trek clockwise around the Zodiac.

We can see correlations to events on Earth, and warnings, as comets are seen in mundane astrology, of major world news just to come, the deaths of kings, and leaders, and the falls of important, wealthy people from past deeds and misdeeds along with their victims.

Comet Lulin, a rare parabolic comet, surely comes at a time of great changes on Earth. It's appearance and travel so close to the ecliptic and passages past Uranus in 2003, Mars in late 2008, and Saturn on Feb. 23, before conjoining the Earth four days later on Feb. 27 is no accident.

See ~ http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/04feb_greencomet.htm

Photo Gallery of Comet Lulin ~ http://www.spaceweather.com/comets/gallery_lulin.htm

In Mundane Astrology, a comet depicts warnings, and we should all heed the current events and unprecedented happenings globally at this time, and in the near future. The comet will stay within our solar system through to the year 2018, when it passes the orbital line of Uranus 15 years after first conjoining Uranus and Neptune back in the year 2003.

Comet Lulin is a strong sign of major world events to take place from now to the later years of the next decade. We can expect to hear more stories like the one below, with consequences in the future that will lead several countries to the edge of anarchy, and some nations towards revolution due to the great chaos caused by the global economic crisis and the many players who horded and stole trillions in global wealth to feed their own hunger for greed and false power.

Another Multi-Billion Dollar Scheme: The "Sir" Allen Stanford Saga

In what seems to be story after story of incredible levels of financial fraud circulating the globe, from the $50 billion ponzei scheme of New York City's Bernard Madoff to the most recent revelations emerging from the alleged $8 billion investment and banking scheme of Houston, Texas billionaire Allen Stanford, Americans are being treated to near daily accounts of fraud after massive fraud with investors losing everything, banks failing, and customers fearing their bank will be next to be swallowed whole.

To date, another billion-dollar scam has hit the airwaves. This one comes in the form of Texas-bred billionaire, "Sir" Allen Stanford, who is being sought by the SEC for allegedly operating what authorities say amounts to an estimated $9.2 billion ponzei scheme to defraud investors and banking customers. The scandal is now spreading around the globe.

See ~ http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090220/wl_canada_nm/canada_us_stanford_td_1

What is not generally known, but seen through mundane transits is the fact that Stanford’s banking empire has been allegedly bankrolling the Gulf Drug Cartel, with the groups at war with one another since mid-2007, with an estimated 6,000 dead in Mexico, and with the war leaking into the Southwestern U.S., where kidnappings and hit squads are known to be operation. With the current Saturn/Uranus opposition, this drugs connection is just now coming to light.

See ~ http://biz.yahoo.com/portfolio/090219/blog_2009_6_17001.html?.v=1

See ~ http://uk.reuters.com/article/fundsNews2/idUKN1845361120090219?sp=true

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23646716-details/FBI+inquiry+links+Stanford+to+Mexican+cocaine+cartel/article.do

A federal judge appointed a receiver to identify and protect Stanford's assets worldwide, including about $8 billion managed by his Antigua-based Stanford International Bank, which has affiliates in Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Also frozen were assets of Houston-based Stanford Capital Management and Stanford Group Co., which has 29 brokerage offices around the U.S.

On Wednesday, February 18, while Stanford was trying his best with his credit card to get a private jet pilot who refused to fly him out of Houston to Antigua, it was reported that "hundreds of people rushed... to withdraw money from banks in Antigua and Venezuela linked to Texas billionaire Allen Stanford, as the fallout from U.S. fraud charges against him rippled across the globe."

See ~ http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_stanford

The U.S. Versus Swiss Banking Giant UBS
Let's all raise a toast to the red, white and blue, President Obama, The DOJ, and finally, the newly-led and non-Chris Cox SEC. For the first time in world history, the U.S. government has forced a major Swiss bank to reveal its secret American banking clients, and, actually managed to get them to hand over hundreds of millions in penalties in the process. For the Swiss to admit they did wrong is one thing, but to get them to reveal 17,000 Americans hording American wealth in their Swiss bank coffers is quite another.

UBS, the giant bank based in Zurich and Basel Switzerland, has agreed to pay the United States UBS $780 million in fines, penalties, interest and restitution for conspiring to create sham accounts to hide the assets of 17,000 U.S. clients from the U.S. government with estimated losses to the United States of over $20 billion through UBS alone.

The deal struck in U.S. Federal Court in Florida is unprecedented due to Switzerland’s strict bank secrecy laws and numbered bank accounts. However, Switzerland’s financial regulator ordered UBS to hand over its U.S. client data to the U.S. Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission ~ a first for a Swiss bank.

"The veil of secrecy has been pulled aside and we will continue to aggressively pursue those who shirk their federal tax obligations or assist others in doing so," the Justice Department said in a statement.

On the UBS Bank Website, we find this ~

“UBS settles US Cross-Border Case with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) UBS is resolving investigations relating to its US cross-border business by entering into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and a Consent Order with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Today, UBS announced that it has entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and a Consent Order with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).As part of these settlement agreements:

· UBS will pay a total of USD 780 million to the United States, USD 380 million representing disgorgement of profits from maintaining the US cross-border business and USD 400 million representing US federal backup withholding tax required to be withheld by UBS, together with interest and penalties, and restitution for unpaid taxes associated with certain account relationships involving fraudulent sham and nominee offshore structures and otherwise as covered by the DPA.

· UBS will complete the exit of the US cross-border business out of non-SEC registered entities, as announced in July 2008, which these settlements now allow us to do in a lawful, orderly and expeditious manner.
·
· UBS will implement and maintain an effective program of internal controls with respect to compliance with its obligations under its Qualified Intermediary (QI) Agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as well as a revised legal and compliance governance structure in order to strengthen independent legal and compliance controls.
·
· Pursuant to an order issued by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), information will be transferred to the DOJ regarding accounts of certain US clients as set forth in the DPA, who, based on evidence available to UBS, appear to have committed tax fraud or the like within the meaning of the Swiss-US Double Taxation Treaty.

Under the DPA, the DOJ has agreed that any prosecution of UBS be deferred for a period of at least 18 months, which is subject to extension under certain circumstances, such as UBS needing more time to complete the implementation of the exit of its US cross-border business. If UBS satisfies all of its obligations under the DPA, the DOJ will refrain from pursuing charges against UBS relating to the investigation of its US cross-border business.

The agreements do not resolve issues concerning the pending “John Doe” summons which the IRS served on UBS in July 2008.Additionally, FINMA published today the results of the investigation conducted by the Swiss Federal Banking Commission (SFBC). The SFBC concluded that UBS violated the requirements for proper business conduct, and it barred UBS from providing services to US resident private clients out of non-SEC registered entities. Further, the SFBC ordered UBS to enhance its control framework around its cross-border businesses and announced that the effectiveness of such a framework will be audited.

The order by FINMA in support of the resolution achieved with the DOJ was instrumental in averting the imminent risk of further negative implications and uncertainties for the bank. "UBS sincerely regrets the compliance failures in its US cross-border business that has been identified by the various government investigations in Switzerland and the US, as well as our own internal review,” stated Peter Kurer, Chairman of UBS AG.

"We accept full responsibility for these improper activities. We are firmly committed to the terms of the settlement agreements we have reached with the DOJ and the SEC. We are determined to fully comply with the terms of these agreements and will complete the process without delay."

Client confidentiality, to which UBS remains committed, was never designed to protect fraudulent acts or the identity of those clients, who, with the active assistance of bank personnel, misused the confidentiality protections embedded in the QI Agreement with US authorities by providing false declarations regarding their tax status," Peter Kurer commented.

"It is apparent that as an organization we made mistakes and that our control systems were inadequate," said Marcel Rohner, Group CEO of UBS. "We will strengthen our compliance programs. UBS seeks to achieve the highest standards of compliance throughout its organization and is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the laws and regulations in every country in which it operates." The cost for the settlement will be fully charged to the performance year 2008 and will be reflected in the audited results for 2008 to be published in March 2009.”

See ~ http://www.ubs.com/1/e/about/news.html?newsId=162297

See This Associated Press story out of Washington DC ~

February 18, 2009---WASHINGTON – “Banking giant UBS has agreed to pay $780 million and turn over once-secret Swiss banking records to settle allegations it conspired to defraud the U.S. government of taxes owed by thousands of American clients.

As part of the deal struck in federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., UBS has made the unprecedented step of agreeing to immediately turn over to the U.S. government account information for U.S. customers of the bank's cross-border business.

In doing so, federal authorities have struck a big crack in Switzerland's vaunted bank secrecy laws.

UBS will pay $780 million in fines, penalties, interest and restitution for conspiring to create sham accounts to hide the assets of U.S. clients from the U.S. government.

The financial hit on UBS is more than double the penalty imposed by federal authorities just last month on a different international bank, Lloyds TSB Bank PLC, for helping its clients skirt U.S. sanctions against Sudan, Iran and Libya.

"We accept full responsibility for these improper activities," Peter Kurer, chairman of Swiss-based UBS AG, said in a statement. He added that the bank was determined to abide by the terms of the deal with U.S. criminal and securities officials.

"Client confidentiality, to which UBS remains committed, was never designed to protect fraudulent acts or the identity of those clients, who, with the active assistance of bank personnel, misused the confidentiality protections," he said Wednesday. About 17,000 American clients concealed their UBS accounts from the IRS, hiding total assets of roughly $20 billion, U.S. officials said.

According to U.S. officials, when an acquisition in 2000 of a U.S. company brought UBS a host of new, American clients, the bank set about to evade new reporting requirements for those clients.

To do so, UBS executives helped U.S. taxpayers open new accounts in the names of sham entities.

Prosecutors contend that UBS executives used encrypted software and other counter-surveillance techniques to prevent anyone from detecting that they were actively marketing such Swiss bank secrecy — and tax evasion — to American taxpayers.
The clients, in turn, filed false tax returns that omitted the income they earned in their Swiss accounts, according to the court papers.

Federal officials said they had pulled aside a veil of secrecy that hid a corrupt international banking practice.

"This was not a mere compliance oversight, but rather a knowing crime motivated by greed and disrespect for the law," said Alexander Acosta, U.S. attorney for southern Florida.
Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Doug Shulman warned U.S. taxpayers hiding money overseas that it was time to come clean with Uncle Sam.

"People who have hidden unreported income offshore need to get right with their government. They should come forward and take advantage of our voluntary disclosure process," Shulman said.

Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., has estimated that abusive tax shelters and hidden offshore accounts cost the U.S. government nearly $100 billion a year in lost tax revenue.

Prosecutors are still hunting for UBS executive Raoul Weil, who was indicted in November 2008 on charges he conspired to defraud the government when he was managing the bank's cross-border business.

After the UBS settlement was announced Wednesday, Weil's lawyer Aaron Marcu said the charges should have been dropped against his client as part of the deal.

"Mr. Weil is an innocent victim of a political dispute between the United States and Switzerland over Swiss bank secrecy," Marcu said.

In June 2008 former UBS banker Bradley Birkenfeld pleaded guilty to a similar charge.
If UBS fails to turn over the clients' information, or stops cooperating with authorities, federal prosecutors could re-file charges against the bank.

Under the deal, UBS also will completely stop engaging in the type of cross-border banking business that got them into trouble.”

See ~ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ubs_secrets

Switzerland's Mundane Transits
As for the UBS story, and Switzerland, I expect to continue to hear more about that country in the near future. The most used chart data for Switzerland is:

Mundane Natal Chart For Switzerland's Constitution
September 12, 1848
11:12 a.m., LMT
Berne, Switzerland

The chart has an AC at 12-Scorpio, IC at 7-Pisces, and MC at 7-Virgo. These last two points, of course, are being affected by the current global Saturn/Uranus opposition, which, is also conjoined to Switzerland's Dragon's Head & Tail, or, the North & South Lunar Nodes at 21-Pisces (north node) and 21-Virgo (south node) located in the nation's Mundane Fourth & Tenth Houses.

Saturn in the constitutional chart is conjoined to Switzerland's South Node at 21-Pisces, with the Sun, Mercury, Venus & Mars clustered around the country's North Lunar Node at 21-Virgo.

Today, we find transiting Saturn & Uranus now on the mutable Virgo/Pisces axis, very close to the regions' lunar nodes ~ transiting Saturn conjoined to the North Lunar Node, in opposition to Switzerland’s natal Saturn (retrograde at 22-Pisces.)

Usually, when we find two planets conjoined to the sensitive Lunar Nodes at the same time, such as we do with Saturn/Uranus, we get radical changes, surprises, and intense pressure. This is happening now in Switzerland. The UBS banking swindle, and secrecy surrounding the banking activities of this country and its banks are feeling the full force of the Saturn/Uranus opposition through contact with the country's lunar nodes.

The 1848 chart, and transits of that notable year for Europe, will see special changes for the entire European continent during the 2010s and into the 2020s, from my calculations.

There will be a number of squares from transiting Pluto in Capricorn to Pluto in late Aries in the 2020s, while many nations that received new constitutions from the events of the Revolution of 1848 in Europe will see Uranus returning to Aries, and a Neptune Return in Pisces. Also, in the year 1848, there was a Uranus/Pluto conjunction in the latter degrees of Aries ~ this will be squared by transiting Pluto in Capricorn in the 2020s.

The geopolitical ramifications of what has been going on for a long time under cover of secrecy with billions upon billions of dollars, certificates of deposit, and especially gold, will be exposed by the time transiting Uranus reaches 21-Aries in the mid-2010, which is the natal position of Switzerland's own Uranus at 21-Aries in the 1848 constitutional chart.

When Switzerland experiences its Uranus Return in Aries in the years 2016-2017, much will have changed. Moreover, transiting Pluto will square Switzerland's natal Uranus from Capricorn, causing systemic and radical changes at the highest levels of government, and especially within its highly secretive banking community.

The Uranus in Pisces Generation of the 1920s: End of An Oligarchy
All this is connected to the rampant corruption, greed, theft, and hording of huge amounts of wealth over the last 29 years or so. The generation born in the 1920s, now having their own Uranus Returns in Pisces have basically used the baby boom generation to call in their bets on the world economy ~ which is why things are falling apart, more or less, in the global banking system, and in world trade.

This happens once every 80-84 years; with peaks and falls every 42.5 years. When Uranus returns to the sign (Pisces) where a specific generation was born, in this case, the current oligarchy born the last time Uranus was in Pisces (January 1920 to January 1928) ~ we are seeing that this group, where geopolitical power rests with a small elite segment of society distinguished by royalty, wealth, family, military powers or occult spiritual hegemony is coming to terms with their own mortality.

The current transit of Uranus in Pisces is bringing their lives on Earth to an end. They know this, can feel it, and frankly, they are freaking out because they have had secret plans for many decades to "control the world" through their wealth and political influence.

This is the so-called "new world order" that this particular Uranus in Pisces generation has been crafting since the end of the Second War World, and especially since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s.

The problem with Uranus is what you often want, you do not get. And, the plans a group, or generation makes in certainty, often are not seen in the unintended consequences that come along with Uranus' penchant for the unusual, unconventional, and, the un-natural.

This Uranus in Pisces oligarchy do not trust the Baby Boomer generation (who are their own children) who have been the managers, presidents, prime ministers, CEO's, bankers, public and private corporate leaders, framers of society since the late 1980s ~ but are now being called out, let go, with a small minority of baby boomers being kept in key areas to continue to do the bidding of the very old Uranus in Pisces generation, while their money-changers continue to horde as much wealth as possible, in a hope that this will somehow keep them alive for a few more years in total comfort.

Here is where theology and spiritualism enters. We all know that humans are born, live, and are deemed to die once by the laws of the Creator. What is happening with this generation is their deep realization that their time in history has come, and gone. They are overreacting, and as we can see in world news, they are reacting very badly.

The best way to deal with the end of life is to learn earlier in life that there is a world beyond the material world. Some people call this religion, however, religion depends on a certain perspective on the fact that all human beings are spiritual beings, and that our material bodies are merely vehicles to inhabit the material world. We are beings of light.

The goal of each human being is to return to that from which they came from, and this is not "nothingness" ~ since nothing cannot create something. All souls were created, and therefore, will return to that which created them. What this generation that has Uranus in Pisces is now experiencing is the end of their material life on Earth, and many within this generation are not dealing with the facts of life very well, again, as we witness in the economic global crisis.
Expect the death rate for this generation of oligarchs to rise dramatically when Jupiter enters Pisces, and moves in to conjoin Uranus in 2010.

There are always spikes in the death spikes when Jupiter makes such a transit, and I expect the years 2010-2011 to be one of those major years when we will see the passing of well-known and not so well-known personages of this particular current generation of the oligarchy and their associates.

We no longer live in the geopolitical world shaped by this Uranus in Pisces generation, the ones that lived through the Great Depression, fought in World War II, the Cold War years, and experienced the Space Race, Civil Rights Movement, and the Counter-Culture Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s. The last hurrah for this generation were the years of President Ronald Reagan during the 1980s, which looked back, not forward, and was a lost decade for much of the world. This continued into the 1990s, and, via the Baby Boomer generation, into the first decade of the 2000s.

World transits are clear. Change is coming. The Uranus in Pisces oligarchy has always been known for their very secretive ways, in principle with the Twelfth Mundane House of Pisces. With their natal and progressed Uranus in Pisces, many of these secrets are now emerging out into sunshine, forced by the ongoing Saturn/Uranus opposition. We can see this in the recent UBS case that the U.S. has been battling with Switzerland over, and won.

As Uranus makes transit through the last 10 degrees of tropical Pisces between 2009-2011, we are witnessing the passage into a new era that ends the one that began in 1928 for the world. This time now, to the ingress of Uranus into Aries in spring 2011, sees the setting of the Sun for those whose lives were shaped by the 20th century, and rises for a new generation as we enter more deeply into the 21st century.

Theo's Autumn 2008 & Winter 2009 Weather Outlook

**THEO'S SEASONAL OUTLOOK FOR AUTUMN 2008 & WINTER 2008/2009**
Expect Fall and Winter 2009 To Arrive Early This Year

Welcome back to all those returning from summer vacation!

{NOTES: This seasonal outlook precedes my WINTER/SPRING 2009 Long-Range Climate & Weather forecast to be published between August 30 through September 7th. This outlook is written to give early-bird climate hawks time to adjust & prepare for what I forecast will be an early fall and winter seasons just ahead the latter months of 2008 going into the winter and spring months of 2009...}

THEO'S ASTOMETEOROLOGICAL SEASONAL OUTLOOK FOR FALL 2008 & WINTER 2008/2009

According to my astrometeorological calculations on climate conditions, the fall season will arrive earlier than normal and will lead to an earlier than expected winter. This winter will last from mid-November 2008 into May 2008 due to the cooler and wetter Spring of 2009, which will make this coming winter season seem longer than normal.

Winter, in my astrometeorological calculations, will begin on Saturday, November 13, 2008 and will extend to April 25, 2009. The biggest story of the winter will be the Air temperatures, making this one of the coldest winters for some time in North America.

Spring 2009 will be late, making the months of March, April and May 2009, wet and cooler than is normal for spring. From what I can determine from my calculations, Spring 2009 is muddled, cold, cloudy, with the climate still in the throes of winter, which does not want to seem to end until late April 2009. Warmer weather and clearer sping-like skies will not become more frequent until early June 2009.

I am forecasting a long winter for this reason, as I see spring 2009 arriving latter than usual, with a delay in climate and spring weather until early June for many regions of North America. As August 2008 winds down, some of you may have noticed that the month of August hasn't been as hot and humid for much of the country, expect those on the west coast and the Pacific Northwest, which have been experiencing warmer-than-usual hot and steamy weather.

Those residing in the Midwest, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and New England should have been aware of the cooler than normal August temperatures, especially those residing along the Canadian border, such as those in upstate New York, and those living near mountainous and valley regions.

Fall, for a majority of the country (excepting parts of the far west & PNW) will first be clear and chily, then wetter, and cold into late October, with winter's arrival by November 13th, about 18 days ahead of meteorological winter (Dec. 1) and a full five (5) weeks ahead of the Winter Solstice (Dec. 22.) My long-range weather forecast will include my assessment of winter's early arrival by mid-November, with some snows in October along the northern regions of North America, and with colder-than-normal temperatures for two-thirds of the country during the months of Sep. through November.

This means a early fall season. Those in mountain and valley regions should already see signs of the earlier onset of fall before mid-September's autumn equinox. Keen city dwellers in the East, and New England who are attuned to the signs in nature will see trees shedding leaves. The color of the leaves assist in shedding (no pun intended) the coming season of fall, and winter. More bright yellow colors of fallen leaves in August indicate a wet autumn with cooler-than-normal temperatures.

AUTUMN 2008
We are seeing lowered daytime temperatures in the East, Southeast, and Midwest range between 82-70 degrees with night-time temperatures in the 50s & 60s. Areas close to mountains and valleys have seen night temps in the mid-40s in late July and early August. Areas as far north as Buffalo, N.Y. for example have had a wet summer with cooler-than-normal temperatures, and it has been a wetter than normal summer for the midwestern and parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. Farmers have been reporting wet hay fields because there has not been enough hot weather to dry the hay fields out.

This fall season will be clear, crisp and cooler-than-normal for many regions of North America. Fall conditions are arriving earlier than usual, and by second week of September it will be obvious to most that autumn is already here. By the third week, everyone will be commenting on the cooler than normal temperatures and the spread of dry leaves everywhere. By that time, the fall equinox (Sept. 22) when the Sun enters tropical Libra, autumn will have already been here for the northern hemisphere.

The rainy season kicks off early too (in mid-September) and continues in early-to-mid October for some regions, and in early November in other regions. A very wet fall season after mid-September is ahead generally. Early snows at higher elevations arrive the week of Sept. 22-29 October, with high wind conditions for New England, the Great Lakes, and all regions along the 49th Parallel bordering Canada.

PREVIEW OF WINTER'S EARLY ARRIVAL
Winter 2008-09, according to my assessment will be colder, and wetter than normal with increased snow and ice events for the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Winter is earlier than usual, with much colder temperatures than is normal for November and December. I've been forecasting a earlier than normal winter for this year in my comments since last year. Frost season will begin from Sept. 7 through to October 31, 2008. Farmers and gardening enthusiasts should prepare earlier than normal for this frost season.

After Sept. 15, expect to see signs of an earlier-than-normal rainy fall season for the Midwest, East, and Southeastern states. Colder temperatures in New England and the Great Lakes, with snow events at high elevations the week of Sept. 22-29. This autumn season will also see the early signs of what will be be common this early winter: high winds & blizzards, and freezing rains. Most residents east of the Rockies in the U.S., should beware of very slick roads, and freezing rains this winter ~ mostly ice events ~ and should therefore be prepared for power outages by purchasing generators to run power in your homes and businesses.

Gusting winds throughout regions of the country pick up from October 19, 2008 and continue through December 27. There will be about ten (10) weeks of varying levels of gusting winds from mid-October to late December, making the colder-than-normal temperatures feel even colder throughout this period.

Arctic temperatures for two-thirds of the country (excepting the far west and Pacific Northwest) will occur between November 26 through to January 4, 2009. These arctic temperatures begin to recede slowly in January until the effects of the Pacific jet warms things up in late January. I do not expect a strong Pacific jet until after January 25, 2009.

This means the month of February 2009 will see temperatures rise after the pullback to the north of arctic air. However, February 6-9 brings another eastern snowstorm to the Mid-Atlantic states, then afterwards, a continuing warming up of the atmosphere the rest of February, but with still more threats of ice events because of the increase moisture in the atmosphere threatens the Southern Plains states, and Southeastern U.S. in February.

Expect a stonger-than-normal northern jet stream this winter bringing about northwestern winds anf Alberta clipper systems into the Great Lakes, and upstate New York and New England with these clipper storms riding this wave also into the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania and into the Mid-Atlantic region.

December 5-12 shows snow and ice events for Southeastern & Central U.S., with colder than normal temperatures, heavy rains from the Gulf of Mexico combined with cold arctic air from Canada combining to prpduce snow and ice. Strong winds will make the storms damaging. The Central & Southern Rockies, and southern Plains into northern Texas will be affected, as well as states as Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia.

That early December 2008 winter event, for example, continues into the Mid-Atlantic region the week of Dec. 12-19, and will arrive by Friday, December 12, making for a messy weekend on the east coast and northeastern metropolitan areas with heavy snows in Philadelphia, New York, Washington D.C., and parts of the Southeast. Blizzard warnings due to the high winds will increase snow accumulations in the cities and suburbs. Roads will be treacherous the second and third weeks of December.

ASTROMET OUTLOOK
I expect about 2-1/2 snow storms a month from early December 2008 through to early March 2009 for the Rocky Mountains, the Southern Rockies, Cental & Southern Plain states, as well as the Southeastern, Central and Northeastern United States. This will make Winter 2009 memorable after several years of a relatively warm winters; especially in the Midwestern, Southern and Eastern

U.S. CLIMATE CONDITIONS FOR WINTER 2008/2009

• Early onset of winter by Mid-November 2008
• Colder-than-normal temperatures
• Gusty Winds, blowing snows, blizzard conditions
• Strong Northwestern Winds
• Arctic Air
• Numerous Alberta Clippers
• Increased Gulf Mositure Mixing with Arctic Air

This winter will be colder-than-normal due to the lack of sunspot activity affecting the Earth's equator. Colder than normal winter temperatures (arctic air) are on tap this winter ahead with increased precipitation of freezing rains, snows and gusty winds mixing with the very cold air. My outlook for the nation from the Continential Divide towards the entire two-thirds of the country is to prepare for a chilly early autumn and very cold winter season. Think and act about 4-5 weeks ahead of what one would normally do to prepare for fall and especially winter this year.

SPRING 2009 OUTLOOK
Next Spring is "muddled." That's the word I use because from all my calculations, spring is very slow to get up, and when it does, it is sluggish at best and takes it's time to get started. February 2009's Pacific jet will warm the atmosphere over much the U.S., and during the latter half of the month of February, it will "appear" as if spring is one its way. However, it is not. Spring-like weather will be seen in the Southern U.S. in early February. Do not be surprised to hear thunderstorms and see lightning in mid-February in the southern region of the country. There are strong potentials for tornados in February and the first 15 days of March 2009 throughout the southeastern U.S.

By March 6, 2009, a six-week Venus retrograde (Mar. 6 to April 17) will delay the onset of proper sping climate conditions relative to Earth's position to the Sun-Venus configuration. Prior Venus retrogrades before spring equinoxes have shown wet winter conditions returning over the course of about six-weeks ~ the exact length of most Venus retrogrades.

The climate by the next spring equinox (March 20, 2009) will see increased precipitation from the South to Central Midwestern states, to the Northeastern regions, including New England, with heavier-than-normal rains, particularly in April 2009, with the threat of a major Nor'easter along the eastern U.S. from April 17-25. The months of March and April 2009 show chillier than normal weather conditions. A damp, unsettled, and stormy climate throughout these two months.

April 2009 is very windy, wet and cold, with winter-like days and colder-than-normal temperatures showing that spring will be delayed yet another month. According to my calculations, spring really does not fully bloom until the second week of June 2009. Warmer temperatures from the continued Pacific jet will increase, as the northern jet falls further south, bringing with it heavy rains and increased gusty winds during all of April into the first week of May 2009.

SPRING 2009 CLIMATE
Colder than normal
Wetter than normal w/ heavy precipitation & freezing rains
Windy (especially April 2009)
Winter-like storms in March & April

A fuller, and more detailed astrometeorological forecast for the country will be published by early September for Winter/Spring 2009.

Theodore White, Astrolog.CSA
Classical Scientific Astrologer & Pro Astrometeorologist

"As Above, So Below."

THEO’S ASTROMETEOROLOGICAL LONG-RANGE CLIMATE & WEATHER OUTLOOK
WINTER 2008 SEASON OUTLOOK FOR THE UNITED STATES:

A Colder, Drier & Windy Winter Ahead
By Theodore White; Astrometeorologist, C.S.A

Astrometeorology is a long-established science of forecasting Earth’s advance climate and weather through astronomical means. The main technique tracks the motions, and conditions of the Sun, Moon, and celestial bodies in their angular and magnetic relationships to the Earth to future positions, and forecasting the weather. Improving forecasts of extreme climate events such as drought, floods, and large damaging winter storms can save many lives, including billions of dollars in damage. Forecasting in advance is very important for farmers, workers, federal, state, and local leaders and planners to avoid losses of life and property. My models focus on present, and future astronomical transits, along with applying data from past astronomical configurations to forecast future climate conditions years in advance. This includes monitoring the polar vortex, regional temperatures, precipitation, air motion, along with jet stream and stratospheric conditions, sea-level pressure (SLPs) sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) atmospheric waves, and snow cover levels, etc., based on the law that all weather conditions are caused by astronomical motions relative to the Earth, and its own position around the Sun.

THEO’S ASTROMET WINTER 2008 GENERAL OUTLOOK
The 2008 Winter Season in North America reveals a shift in climate conditions across the continent, resulting in colder than normal average temperatures in the Northeast, with drier than normal conditions, particularly in the West, Southwest, and Southeastern United States. The story of Winter 2008 will be the split temperature ranges between warmer than normal and very dry climate in the Southeast versus the colder than normal and wetter climates in the Northwest, Midwest, Heartland, Great Lakes, New England, and Northeastern U.S.

Meanwhile, regions that suffered drought just two years ago, Texas-Oklahoma, and parts of the Gulf-bordering states will see wetter than normal conditions this winter with active spring-like storms extending as far north as the Great Lakes, featuring high winds, heavy rains, and potential tornados this winter season. Colder than normal and wetter conditions this fall and winter in the Northwestern U.S., through to the Intermountain West leading along the U.S.-Canadian border into the Great Lakes, and the Ohio Valley. Blustery, cold winds will be common this winter season across most of North America. It will be drier than normal this winter with drought conditions persisting in the Southeastern U.S.

THEO’S WINTER 2008 CLIMATE DYNAMICS OUTLOOK
Ø Colder than normal temperatures, excepting far west & South
Ø Drier than normal conditions thru Southeast, Southern California
Ø A strong La Nina that peaks February/early March 2008
Ø Colder & drier than normal winter along the U.S. Southern rim Ø Dry & windy winter in California
Ø Persistent Drought in California & Southeast continues into 2008
Ø Windy wet & stormy weather from Gulf states to Great Lakes

Ø LACK OF PRECIPITATION: California, Southwest & Southeast
Ø PERSISTING DROUGHT CONDITIONS: Southeastern U.S.

Ø DRIER THAN NORMAL W/ DROUGHT: Southeastern U.S.; Intermountain West, Idaho, Nevada, central & southern California, eastern Oregon, central/western Montana, western Wyoming, central/western Utah, northern to central North Dakota, central to eastern Wisconsin.

Ø BLUSTERY WINDS: Pacific Northwest, Central Rockies, Gulf states, Heartland, Midwest, Great Lakes
Ø COLDER THAN NORMAL: Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, Intermountain West, Upper Great Plains, Central Plains, Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, U of P, Ohio Valley, New England states. During the winter season at night: Southeastern U.S.

Ø STORMIER THAN NORMAL: Pacific Northwest to Central Rockies towards the east/ northeast up to the eastern Great Lakes. From the Gulf to Heartland, and to the Upper Midwest. Severe winter weather will be further north-by-northwest this winter.

Ø WARMER THAN NORMAL: South, Southeast, Southwest, Central to Southern California
Ø WILD TEMPERATURE SWINGS: Upper Midwest, Heartland, Plains, Southeast
Ø WETTER THAN NORMAL: Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Great Lakes, U of P, Michigan, Heartland, Great Smoky Mountains & Eastern/Central Tennessee, southern Florida

ASTRONOMICAL CLIMATE CONDITIONS FOR NORTH AMERICA
Blustery weather and colder than normal temperatures will be typical this winter season with below average cold temperatures and cutting winds that can chill to the bone. The cold temperatures and drier than normal climate will be a common theme this winter. For a majority of the country. Wearing several layers of clothing is advised this season due to the colder than normal winter season in North America.

SUN’S ACTIVITY & LUNAR NODES
The Sun is at minimum. The correlation of solar activity at this time regulating the Earth climate is for a stronger La Nina this year. Solar minima activity tends to increase extreme weather throughout the Earth’s atmosphere. Solar minima activity will be reflected in phase reversals witnessed in indices like the PDO. Expect colder than normal average temperatures, but with drier climate conditions during the winter of 2008 ~ excepting an area that stretches from the Gulf Coast through the Heartland states, into the Midwest, Upper Midwest and towards the Great Lakes. This region will see above average precipitation that features strong storms, sometimes spring-like storms because of clashes with colder and warmer air masses. According to my calculations, the winter of 2008 will be like the winter of 1988/1989. Expect to witness colder than normal and wetter than normal climate conditions due to the astronomical influences that direct Earth’s climate showing La Nina conditions along the equatorial Pacific.

RETURN OF LA NINA
Astronomical transits reveal a shifting of climate conditions in autumn 2007, just before early winter affecting both coasts along the North American CONUS as seen from space. This is revealed by the direct astronomical causes on the Earth’s polar vortex, and the resulting action of the jet stream. The climate anomalies and jet stream action is caused by solar, lunar and planetary angular positions, and motions relative to the Earth. After reviewing fall 2007’s and the coming winter 2008’s astronomical transits, I expect a strong ENSO this year. Because of the La Nina, we should see weak low-level easterly winds at the central and eastern equatorial Pacific.

Expect to observe upper level westerly winds at the Earth’s equator that will be stronger than average in the equatorial Pacific with convections obscured in central and eastern parts of the Pacific equator. It will be observed that cyclonic anomalies exist in the subtropics of the southern hemisphere. This means we should see building convections over the western Pacific and parts of Indonesia this winter. Astronomical causes reflect that the resulting atmospheric and sea anomalies will continue to show a strong La Nina this winter in the northern hemisphere.

I expect drought conditions to expand, and worsen in regions across the United States during winter/spring/summer 2008. At the time of writing (fall 2007) about 36 states are experiencing some form of drought with the most serious in the west, and southeast. Nationally, the effects of La Nina conditions can be severe as the drought of 1988 was a cause of an estimated 10,000 deaths from heat stress, caused $30 billion dollars in agricultural losses with a record number of forest fires in the United States. Medium-range, my forecast shows a strong La Nina this coming winter, to be followed by neutral ENSO conditions during the fall season of 2008, winter 2009, and again during the spring of 2009 to autumn 2009.

I am forecasting that we should see a stronger El Nino to follow in the year 2010 to mid-2011. I also expect to see strong recoveries of northern snow packs during the months of October, November & December ~ with the exception of north/northwestern Alaska where a warm water anomaly will persist. Expect to see explosive cooling sea-surface temperature anomalies picking up towards the winter solstice at the equator. Usually, a La Niña is indicated by a rise in cool subsurface waters in the tropical Pacific. At middle latitudes in North America, low-pressure systems influenced by La Ninas are weaker than normal around the Gulf of Alaska.

This favors the build-up of colder than normal air over Alaska and in western Canada that develop into systems that enter the western U.S., and in the Great Northern Plains. The southeastern U.S., under La Nina conditions often is warmer and drier than normal. This will be the case this year in the Southeast. A persisting drought has lowered drinking water levels for several Southeastern states to critical levels. This winter will see drier than normal conditions; however, populations in the Southeast should prepare for colder than normal anomalies this particular winter season.

During a northern Hemisphere winter internationally there are increased rains in the countries of Indonesia, northern Australia, in the Amazon Basin and southeastern Africa with below average precipitation along the eastern half of the equatorial Pacific and in eastern equatorial Africa. This La Nina will peak leading to the time of the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. The eastward atmospheric and oceanic waves push cold water to the surface along with a rise in the easterly trade winds that appear just off the countries of Peru and Ecuador when sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) drop below normal. As we approach winter in the northern hemisphere, the cold anomaly in the equatorial Pacific brings about a drier than normal climate in the U.S. Southwest in winter as well as a dry climate in the Central Plains and the Southeast.

The Pacific Northwest will see a wetter than normal winter season with colder than normal temperatures and increased snow levels, even at lower elevations. Expect strong fluctuations in the jet stream over the Northwest to allow modified arctic air to intrude into the northwest this winter season. By January 2008, a Pacific jet stream will direct the majority of the stormy weather to the country from the north, into the Great Upper Plains, into the Great Lakes, and the Ohio Valley this winter season.

Look for NAO phases to run neutral for much of the winter, while a strong Bermuda ridge remains stubborn with above average warm temperatures for the South, Southeastern U.S., as far as the Mid-Atlantic States this winter season.

October 2007 thru May 2008: TROPICS ACTIVE THIS WINTER
My forecast indicates dry and colder than normal climate conditions from the central Plains states to the Southeast this winter season. The far west features a dry & windy climate for southern California greatly heightening the threat of wildfires in that region during autumn 2007 and winter 2008. Expect stormy conditions from the Gulf of Mexico featuring warmer air clashing with cold air in the center of the country.

The tropical islands of the Caribbean will have tropical action in the autumn & winter months sometimes affecting southeastern Florida and the coastlines of the Carolinas towards parts of the Mid-Atlantic this winter. Increased spring-like stormy weather will stretch from the Gulf States into the Heartland, and Midwestern states as far north as the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest this winter.

Meanwhile, expect a sometimes strong, sometimes weak Bermuda High to influence climate off the eastern U.S. coast, particularly the mid-Atlantic this winter. This will lead to anomalous warm events; interspersed with cold anomalous storms with sudden drops in temperatures with tropical moisture from the south/southwest early in winter, and then north/northwest by mid-winter. Drier conditions with occasional blustery storms will dominate the winter of 2008.

With colder than normal winter temperatures, rather than precipitation the story this season. Snowfall is nominal for much of the nation, except for a thin stretch of the central U.S., stretching from the Great Lakes to the Midwestern U.S. Colder temperatures will stretch down through the Rocky Mountains to parts of northern, central, towards northeastern Texas, near the Oklahoma panhandle. This year’s overall winter indicates a bi-polar climate with colder than normal temperatures for the central to mid-eastern half of the country, and warmer than normal conditions in the west, Southwest, South, and Southwest up to about the Piedmont, and the Carolinas.

THEO’S SEASONAL OUTLOOK BY REGION WINTER 2008:

_ PACIFIC NORTHWEST & INTERMOUNTAIN WEST – (Seattle, WA/Portland, OR, Pendleton, OR/Spokane, WA, Boise, ID, Salt Lake City, UT. Flagstaff, AZ, Grand Junction, CO.) OUTLOOK –> COLDER, AND WETTER WINTER SEASON. WINDY AT TIMES WITH HEAVY PRECIPITATION OF SNOWS AT HIGHER & LOWER ELEVATIONS. SLICK ROADS, WITH ICE BUILDING THIS WINTER. PREPARE FOR WETTER THAN NORMAL WINTER CONDITIONS.

_ UPPER MIDWEST/GREAT LAKES OUTLOOK -> WINDY, COLDER & STORMIER THAN NORMAL WITH WILD TEMPERATURE SWINGS FROM ABOVE TO BELOW NORMAL AVERAGE TEMPERATURES. TORNADO ACTIVITY STRONG THIS YEAR FAR NORTH OF USUAL REGIONS TO THE SOUTH WITH WINDY CONDITIONS AND STRONG WINTER STORMS. WINTER RANGES FROM WET EARLY IN WINTER, DRIER BUT COLDER IN MID-WINTER, AND WETTER IN LATE WINTER.

OUTLOOK FOR REGIONS INCLUDE:

Ø LAKE SUPERIOR – (Lake Superior/Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota/Duluth, Minnesota/Marquette, Wisconsin/Green Bay, Wisconsin/Traverse City, Michigan)

Ø LOWER LAKES/LAKE MICHIGAN REGION - (Milwaukee, Wisconsin/Chicago, Illinois/Gary, Indiana/South Bend, Indiana/Grand Rapids, Michigan/Kalamazoo, Michigan/Lansing, Michigan/Detroit, Michigan)

Ø LOWER LAKES/LAKE ERIE & LAKE ONTARIO REGION – (Toledo, Ohio/Cleveland, Ohio/Erie, Pennsylvania/Buffalo, N.Y./Toronto, Canada/Rochester, N.Y./Syracuse, N.Y./Rome, N.Y./Utica, N.Y./Watertown, N.Y./Ithaca, N.Y./)

_NORTHERN & SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – (Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego) OUTLOOK -> SAN FRANCISCO RAINFALL WILL BE ABOVE AVERAGE ALONG IN NORTHERN TO CENTRAL CALIFORNIA. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILL BE DRIER THAN NORMAL, WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES AND STRONG EASTERLY WINDS. VERY DRY CONDITIONS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WITH BELOW NORMAL PRECIPITATION THIS WINTER.

_ SOUTHWESTERN U.S. – (Las Vegas, NV/Phoenix, Arizona/Tucson, Arizona/El Paso, TX/Albuquerque, New Mexico) - OUTLOOK -> MILD, WITH DRIER THAN NORMAL CLIMATE CONDITIONS. WINDY WEATHER THREATEN WILDFIRES THIS WINTER SEASON. _ SOUTHCENTRAL U.S. NEW MEXICO/TEXAS/OKLAHOMA - (San Antonio, TX/Houston, TX/ Dallas, TX/Oklahoma City, OK) OUTLOOK -> WETTER THAN NORMAL & MILD CLIMATE CONDITIONS. STORMY WEATHER WITH SPRINGLIKE CLIMATE CONDITIONS, CLASHING WARMER AND COLDER AIR MASSES SPAWNING HAIL AND POTENTIAL TORNADOS. DURING THE WINTER SEASON. HIGH WINDS AND RADICAL TEMPERATURE SWINGS.

_ HIGH PLAINS & ROCKY MOUNTAINS – (Montana/North & South Dakota/Cheyenne, Wyoming /Denver, Boulder, Colorado/Amarillo, TX) OUTLOOK -> WETTER THAN NORMAL WITH COLDER THAN NORMAL CLIMATE CONDITIONS WHICH SHOULD HELP DROUGHT-PLAGUED MONTANA AND WYOMING. CENTRAL ROCKIES WILL BE COLDER AND WETTER THAN NORMAL. _ CENTRAL MIDWEST/HEARTLAND TO SOUTHERN GULF STATES – (Omaha, Nebraska/Des Moines, Iowa/Topeka, Kansas/Kansas City, Missouri/ St. Louis, Missouri) OUTLOOK -> SEVERE SPRINGLIKE STORMS AND WINTER WEATHER WITH CLASHES OF COLDER AND WARMER AIR MASSES WITH HEAVY PRECIPIATION AT TIMES. VERY WINDT CONDITIONS THIS WINTER WITH COLDER THAN AVERAGE TEMPERATURES.

_ SOUTH & GULF REGION – (Little Rock, Arkansas/Nashville, TN/Tupelo, Mississippi/Jackson, Mississippi/ Shreveport, Louisiana/New Orleans, LA/Montgomery, Alabama/Mobile, Alabama/Pensacola, Florida) OUTLOOK -> WETTER THAN NORMAL WINTER IN THE GULF REGION BUT WARMER THAN AVERAGE. STRONG SPRING-LIKE STORMS WITH TORNADOS NOT UNCOMMON THIS WINTER WITH HEAVY PRECIPITATION & POTENTIAL FLOODING IN THE GULF STATES. WINDIER THAN NORMAL. MEANWHILE, DEOUGHT CONDITIONS WILL SPREAD IN ALABAMA INTO 2008 WITH THREAT OF FLOODING FROM HEAVIER THAN EXPECTED STORMS THIS WINTER SEASON.

_ SOUTHEASTERN U.S. – (Raleigh, North Carolina/Charlotte, North Carolina/Columbia, South Carolina/Atlanta, Georgia/Savannah, GA/Charleston, S.C./Georgetown, S.C./Cape Fear, S.C./Wilmington, S.C.) OUTLOOK -> COLDER THAN NORMAL AT NIGHTS WITH WARMER THAN NORMAL AVERAGE TEMPERATURES WITH WILD SWINGS IN TEMPERATURE VARIATION IN THE SOUTHEAST. OVERALL, VERY DRY CLIMATE AS DROUGHT CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE TO PERSIST INTO 2008 THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S. WINDY WEATHER AT TIMES. WATCH FOR OFFSHORE STORMS NEAR THE COASTS OF THE CAROLINAS THREATEN THIS WINTER SEASON. RIP-TIDES STRONG.

_ CENTRAL MIDWEST & WIDER OHIO VALLEY – (Indianapolis, Indiana/Louisville, Kentucky/Lexington, KY/Cincinnati, Ohio/Dayton, Ohio/Columbus, Ohio/Youngstown, Ohio/Pittsburg, PA/Charleston, West Virginia) OUTLOOK -> COLDER & WETTER THAN NORMAL THIS WINTER. VERY WINDY WITH ABOVE AVERAGE SNOWFALL AND ICE STORMS. RADICAL TEMPERATURE DROPS FROM ABOVE NORMAL WARM TEMPERATURES TO BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND HEAVY PRECIPITATION AT TIMES. WINDIER THAN NORMAL WITH POTENTIAL TORNADOS THROUGH THE CENTRAL MIDWEST AS FAR AS THE UPPER MIDWEST TO THE OHIO VALLEY.

_ APPALCHIANA – BLUE RIDGE & ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN REGION - (Winston-Salem, N.C/Asheville, N.C./Roanoke, Virginia/Charlottesville, VA/Cumberland, Maryland/Harrisburg, Pennsylvania/Scranton, PA/Altoona, PA) OUTLOOK -> COLDER, BUT DRIER THAN NORMAL THIS WINTER WITH SPRING-LIKE STORMS AND POTENTIAL TORNADIC ACTIVITY THIS WINTER. DROUGHT CONDITIONS CONTINUE INTO THE CAROLINAS IN 2008; HOWEVER, THE CAROLINAS SHOULD WATCH THE EASTERN ATLANTIC COASTLINES FOR NOR’EASTER STORMS OFF THE COAST THIS WINTER BRINGING HEAVY PRECIPITATION AND FLOODING AS FAR NORTH AS THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES THIS WINTER.

_ SOUTH CENTRAL ATLANTIC COAST & MASON-DIXON – (Norfolk, Virginia/Richmond, Virginia/Alexandria, VA/Washington, D.C./Baltimore, Maryland) OUTLOOK -> DRIER THAN NORMAL THIS WINTER WITH STRONG SPRING-LIKE STORMS FROM TIME TO TIME FROM THE SOUTH. BELOW AVERAGE SNOWFALL & COLDER THAN AVERAGE TEMPERATURES. EASTERN ATLANTIC COASTLINES SHOULD WATCH THE COASTLINES FOR NOR’EASTER STORMS THIS WINTER SEASON.

_ MID-ATLANTIC & NORTHEAST – (Philadelphia, PA/Wilmington, Delaware/Atlantic City, New Jersey/Camden, N.J./Trenton, N.J./Jersey City, N.J./Newark, N.J./Long Island, NY/New York City, NY/Bridgeport, Connecticut/New Haven, CT/Hartford, CT) OUTLOOK -> COLDER AND DRIER THAN AVERAGE WITH LOWER LEVELS OF SNOWFALL. EASTERN MID-ATLANTIC COASTLINES SHOULD GUARD AGAINST NOR’EASTER STORMS THIS WINTER BRINGING HEAVIER THAN NORMAL PRECIPIATION THIS WINTER. About 3-4 degrees colder by mid-winter for the Mid-Atlantic region this season with below normal precipitation. ANOMALOUS WARMING CLIMATE DECEMBER & JANUARY WITH COLDER THAN NORMAL TEMPERATURES LATE JANUARY THROUGH LATE FEBRUARY 2008. Blustery weather conditions dominate, but with radical shifts from above normal temperatures to below normal.

_ NEW ENGLAND /ANDIRONDACK, CATSKILL & WHITE MOUNTAIN REGIONS - (Albany, N.Y./Concord, N.H./Burlington, Vermont/Montpelier, VT/Springfield, VT/Auburn, Maine/Augusta, Maine/Stratton, Maine) OUTLOOK -> MUCH COLDER THAN NORMAL BUT DRIER THAN NORMAL WITH BELOW AVERAGE SNOWFALL THIS WINTER SEASON. NORTHWESTERN WIND CHILLS MAKE IT COLDER THAN NORMAL. VERY WINDY WINTER, WITH DRIER THAN NORMAL CONDITIONS. _ FLORIDA – (Jacksonville/Tampa/Orlando/Miami) OUTLOOK -> WETTER FOR FLORIDA THIS WINTER WITH TROPICAL ACTION THREATENING DURING AN UNUSAL WINTER SEASON IN 2008. WATCH THE SOUTHERN TROPICS FOR STORM ACTIVITY THROUGH FALL 2007 AND THE ENTIRE WINTER OF 2008. STRONG RIP TIDES & WINDIER THAN NORMAL IN FLORIDA. ABOVE AVERAGE PRECIPITATION FOR SOUTHERN FLORIDA W/ A WINTER STORM & ANOMALOUS COOLING EVENT BETWEEN FEB. 6-20. AND OVERALL DRIER & WARMER CLIMATE CONDITIONS PREVAILING THIS WINTER.

_ ATLANTIC NORTHEASTERN COAST U.S. – (Providence, Rhode Island/Cape Cod, Massachusetts/Boston, MA/Worcester, MA/Springfield, MA/Cambridge, MA/Portsmouth, New Hampshire/Portland, Maine). OUTLOOK -> A MIXED BAG IN THE ATLANTIC NORTHEAST WITH EARLY WINTER STORMS IN NOVEMBER 2007, BUT BELOW AVERAGE SNOWS. COLDER THAN AVERAGE TEMPERATURES, BUT DRIER THAN NORMAL THIS WINTER SEASON.

Theodore White, Astrolog.CSA

CALIFORNIA FIRESTORM:What Happened?

WHY WAS CALIFORNIA NOT FULLY READY FOR AUTUMN 2007 FIRESTORMS?
BY Theodore White, Astrometeorologist
October 25, 2007

UPDATED Astromet Emergency Forecast
**--WARNING TO CA. RESIDENTS & BRAVE FIREFIGHTERS** FORECAST:**->
CAUTION: WINDY WEEKEND AHEAD -> Gusty Winds return late Friday night (Oct. 26) into Saturday (Oct. 27) evening (7:02 pm) with winds really picking up (Santa Ana east winds) Saturday thru Sunday (Oct. 28) re-igniting smoldering hot spots.

The danger now is re-ignition of multiple spot fires forcing potential re-evacuations. Residents should be held back from returning to inspect homes until AFTER Monday, Oct. 29. Firefighters must hurry to work very hard to break the multiple fire lines before northeasterly winds return at the start of this coming weekend.

They may also be conflicting Pacific southwestern winds this weekend mixing with Santa Ana winds, thus causing fires to "stem" and then spread because of re-ignition of spot fires into major burners. Extreme caution is urged. Residents are urged to be very careful in returning to their homes to inspect for damages. This weekend will be very dangerous. Because of the returning weekend winds, the firestorm threat is not over. Winds recede late Monday (Oct. 29) afternoon/early evening. Humidity levels rise slightly late Monday, Tuesday (Oct. 30) and Wednesday (Oct. 31) before drier conditions return again later in the week after Nov. 1.

CALIFORNIA FIRESTORM: WHAT HAPPENED?
Last March, when I published my advanced astrometeorological forecast for the country’s summer & autumn climate conditions, I included warnings on the extreme wildfire threat in the west ~ especially in the state of California. Now, with over 700 million+ square miles burned, and over 1,500+ homes destroyed. The fires are so intense, and widespread that they can now be seen burning from outer space. I'm sure that those who believe that humanity is responsible for global warming will make certain that the California firestorm will also be partially blamed on climate change. However, this is not the case.

The cause of the California firestorm is astronomical transits, which are now in place over parts of North America, and which have brought drought, and little precipitation to areas such as the Southeastern United States, and the West ~ So far, the California wildfires have caused the worst damage in San Diego County, where five blazes continues to burn. The largest fire destroyed 196,420 acres -- about 300 square miles, from Witch Creek to Rancho Santa Fe, destroying 650 homes, businesses and other buildings. Other hard-hit areas included San Bernardino County, where hundreds of homes burned in the mountain resort communities near Lake Arrowhead.

The announcement of San Diego's staggering losses came as President Bush signed a major disaster declaration for California in the wake of the wildfires that have charred about 426,000 acres, or about 665 square miles.

In my March 2007 astromet forecast, I urged that precautionary actions be taken in advance of the coming of summer & fall; especially in the western U.S. However, it is obvious that little if nothing was done by authorities, or emergency management planners to pre-act in the face of what has been one of the driest climates in California’s history. Drought conditions in the United States have been increasing over the years to the point where now nearly 41-percent of the country is experiencing drought.

These are due, as is all climate and weather, to astronomical causes, which can be forecasted in advance, as seen in Astrometeorological forecasts. These conditions are regulated by the Sun, which is the cause of global warming. Astronomical transits clearly point to increasing drought spreading in regions of the southeastern U.S., and the far west.

By late spring 2007, the very dry climate conditions throughout southern California were already known to conventional forecasters, the state's authorities, emergency preparedness leaders and fire chiefs.

Here is what the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) said in its JUNE 2007 report:
"CAL FIRE is making preparations for a challenging fire season. Californians should know that the CAL FIRE is 100 percent ready to fight wildfires. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has increased fire protection spending by 21 percent since taking office and provided more than $150 million in additional funding. In each of the last three years, the Governor's budget has allocated $17 million a year more for emergency fire equipment.

The Governor's Executive Order is making a significant difference in the state's preparedness. In preparation for what looks to be a very challenging fire season due to extraordinarily dry conditions, CAL FIRE has coordinated its preparation efforts with the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, the California National Guard, the FIRESCOPE Board of Directors, and all of our contract counties (Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, Kern County, and Marin County). In addition, pre-fire season meetings have been held with the Fire Chiefs of the City of San Diego and the City of Los Angeles. During the recent Griffith Park and Catalina Island. CAL FIRE worked well with our local and military counterparts. CAL FIRE has made ready all of its 804 statewide fire stations.

CAL FIRE has a statewide workforce of 4,510 firefighters including 1,604 seasonal firefighters who are in the process of training and staffing all of the state's emergency response equipment at increased levels. An additional 450 seasonal firefighters are in the CAL FIRE workforce as a result of a contract with CDF Firefighters approved by Governor Schwarzenegger last year. CAL FIRE operates 23 air tankers, 11 helicopters, and 14 air tactical aircraft from 13 air attack and 9 helitack bases located statewide. Aircraft can reach most fires within 20 minutes.

The CAL FIRE emergency response Aviation Program is ready for deployment anywhere in the state. Off-season aviation maintenance is on-schedule. Readiness and safety training has been conducted for all pilots. Pre-fire season training has been completed with the California Air National Guard's helicopter resources. The CAL FIRE Aviation Program is the best firefighting operation in the world. The recently signed Executive Order from the Governor also allows the deployment of a contracted DC-10 Supertanker on large fires, on an immediate-call basis beginning June 15. DC-10 and lead plane training is currently underway. The DC-10 is capable of dropping 12,000 gallons of water or retardant on large fires compared to the 1,200-gallon capability of the CAL FIRE S2T Air Tankers.”

What Happened?
Although Gov. Schwarzenegger's emergency preparedness team were successful in evacuations of population centers, in reality, there seems to have not been enough tankers in place, ready to fight the wildfires, nor enough fire crews to tackle what eventually become firestorms, driven by Santa Ana winds.

Firefighters could not protect the majority of structures because they had to help residents flee for safety. By the time fire crews were organized enough to battle the fires, many houses & structures had already been destroyed. Crews also were anticipating additional firefighters and equipment from other states, mostly throughout the West.

Frustration over the firefighting effort began to emerge Tuesday when a fire official said not enough had been done to protect homes. Orange County Fire Chief Chip Prather told reporters that firefighters' lives were threatened because too few crews were on the ground. He said a quick deployment of aircraft could have corralled a massive blaze near Irvine. "It is an absolute fact: Had we had more air resources, we would have been able to control this fire," he said.

Mark Martin, a San Francisco Chronicle Sacramento Bureau reporter wrote on May 11, 2007 ~ "As state forestry officials predict an unusually harsh fire season this summer, the California National Guard says equipment shortages could hinder the guard's response to a large-scale disaster. A dearth of equipment such as trucks and radios -- caused in part by the war in Iraq -- has state military officials worried they would be slow in providing help in the event of a major fire, earthquake or terrorist attack.

"The readiness of the Guard has been described as a national problem and has become a political liability for the Bush administration, which came under fire this week when the governor of Kansas complained that the National Guard response to a devastating tornado in her state was inadequate. National Guard readiness has become a growing concern as the Guard has taken on extra responsibilities caused by the Iraq war and the increased threat of terrorism."

Because of shortages like these, firefighting crews are forced to “bump and run” because of the all the fires burning that jump lines with windy conditions. Nor were any pre-placed firefighting materials pre-positioned in regions known to suffer from the Santa Ana winds, which appear at least twice a year (spring & autumn) in California.

According to the Associated Press on October 24 ~ “So far, this week's fires have destroyed about 1,500 homes and burned 674 square miles across five counties, from Ventura in the north all the way into Mexico. Property damage has reached at least $1 billion in San Diego County alone, and President Bush signed a major disaster declaration for California.

The president was scheduled to visit the region Thursday, October 25. The death toll from the most recent blazes may rise as fires continue to burn, and authorities return to neighborhoods where homes turned to piles of ash, but displaced homeowners and authorities were relieved that early reports were so low. The San Diego County medical examiner officially listed six deaths connected to the blazes, but he included five who died during the evacuation who were not directly killed by the fire.”

Problems of Conventional Forecasting & Emergency Preparedness
The problems of conventional forecasting is very limited, and mostly restricted to five-day forecasts. This is not sufficient for emergency planners who require much more time and need outlooks that are published months in advance in order to properly prepare for climate and weather events such as droughts, floods, and wildfires. The drought situation in the west, and in the Southeastern U.S. continues to reveal just how bad things can get when proper meteorological outlooks are not published.

It also reveals the need for an overhaul of the climate community when it comes to providing clear, and professional advice to communities, leaders, and emergency planners. "The amount of misery these wildfires have caused has been horrible, said one firefighter who just completed a 24-hour shift.

What is needed is much better use of advance forecasts that determine the level of preparedness for such climate events like wildfires. Until conventional forecasters drop their "pop-culture astrology" perspective, they will never be able to forecast advance climate and weather ~ which means getting serious about the fact that all climate and weather conditions first begin in space.

In this case, when long-range astrometeorological reports were freely published, if taken seriously, there would have been less loss of life and property, and the California firestorm would have easily been contained because the majority of people would have been prepared in advance.

This is the reason forecasts exist. It is long past the time for Americans to be prepared for climate events such as the recent catastrophe of the California wildfires and to learn to look past the usual conventional five-day forecast when preparing for such disasters as wildfires, floods & drought.

Let's all say prayers for those who've lost everything in the wildfires, and lend out many helping hands. Remember why we celebrate America every July 4th. Let's be there for those in need. So, be there... or be square.

Theodore White, CSA
astro730@yahoo.com