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 Are you kidding? I mean, seriously, as a Financial Astrologer, or student of Astrology, would you really recommend the White House and Congress to rush through a $700B bailout agreement that could bankrupt the country in a “New York minute,” just as Mercury is starting its retrograde motion (September 24-October 15)? Basic Astrology 101 teaches us not to make hasty decisions under Mercury retrograde, for inevitably (or so it seems), the matters agreed to do not work out well, or at the very least, require substantial modification afterwards. The idea is that one does not know, or adequately understand, all the facts required to make a well-informed decision. To say that not all the facts are known in this “Financial Rescue” proposal of Treasury Secretary Hank Paulsen, would be an understatement. In somewhat typical Aries fashion (Paulsen is an Aries), the Treasury Secretary warns that failure to act at once will send the economy into a serious recession, an economic crisis. Not that anyone who has been reading this column for the past nine years would be surprised (yes, we began forecasting the period of 2008-2015 as a potentially very serious economic crisis period for several years now, based solely on Financial Astrology), but still, when the fullness of the crisis hits, the last thing you want to do is to compound previous mistakes by making agreements in haste before all the ramifications are considered clearly. And that is exactly the danger posed when Mercury is retrograde – especially when Venus (and soon Mars) are in the economic-crisis sign of Scorpio, and most especially when Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto are quickly moving into their T-square formation, a pattern that has not been seen since 1930-1931. People ask me all the time if I think there is any possibility of a 1930’s Depression again, and my answer is “Yes. But there doesn’t have to be." After all, the outcome is always the result of a combination of planetary cycles AND personal choices of our leaders. Historical cycles don’t have to repeat, but they are doomed to repeat when we fail to apply the lessons from those previous times. In this case, we are looking at an 80-90 year cycle.

 Equity markets throughout the world were not very happy last week. They started the week on an optimistic note, but for most, the high of the week was in on Monday. Some markets, like the Dow Jones Industrial Average, rallied again late in the week on hopes of a “bailout” agreement over the weekend. Perhaps they will be right, for the new moon in Libra happens on Monday. However most of the other equity markets of the world continued sliding all week, hitting their lowest prices on Thursday or Friday.

Precious metals and Crude Oil held most of their big gains from the previous week. But by the end of last week, all traders of all markets were cautious, holding back their commitments to positions until they see the results of the bailout agreement. Or maybe, just maybe, they are sitting on sidelines waiting for Mercury to grind through its retrograde motion, knowing only too well that whatever is reported is bound to be followed by conflicting data and opinions, simply adding more confusion after short-term euphoric moments pass. Hope springs eternal. But lately, so does fear and confusion. Welcome to Mercury retrograde in Libra. It is not a time of certainty. It is a time requiring careful thought before making a commitment.

Short-Term Geocosmic

 The new moon in Libra takes place on Monday, September 29. Perhaps there will be an agreement by then, for new moons are favorable times to begin new efforts. But then again, maybe not, for Libra is the sign known for its indecisiveness. On top of that, in case you forgot already, Mercury is retrograde, also not an easy time to come to a clear decision based on all the important facts. From a purely astrological point of view, all lawmakers and presidential candidates would be advised to take the next 2-3 weeks, and more thoroughly discuss the possibilities before bringing it to a vote. Oh, but wait! Our cardinal sign president and Treasury Secretary warn us that we have no time to wait! Cardinal signs tend to want it done yesterday (except Libras). Is it more urgent that we come to an agreement immediately that may be prone to more errors and mistakes, or take the time necessary to make a more informed decision over something so important? Do we really want to have taxpayers (you and me) taking on the risk of bailing out the financial and banking woes, or is there a way these institutions can be organized to save the very financial system that have jeopardized through their questionable practices? To do the former would be totally consistent with the last 7 years “Reign of Errors.” However, the later alternative may not even be possible, given the dire straits before us. The whole situation, as we approach the Saturn-Uranus opposition, reminds me of the 1965 ballad, sung by Barry McGuire and written by P.F. Sloan, titled “The Eve of Destruction.” Interestingly enough, that was the last time these same two planets were in opposition. That song might enjoy a popular comeback right about now.
 

Longer-Term Thoughts

 I don’t know if the “bailout plan” going to work or not (not that you asked). I don’t think anybody really knows at this time, nor will they know in the next two weeks. Arguing against passage of this plan is the fact that Mercury is retrograde through October 15. Of course life has to go on through Mercury retrograde. But it can be organized in such a way as to apply the principles constructively. That is, Mercury retrograde is an exceptional time to do research and gather facts – before making a final decision or a complete commitment. On the other hand, we are also between the last two passages of Jupiter trine Saturn, September 8 through November 21, and this is a favorable time to make very important long-term agreements. This 20-year signature combines the principles of caution with optimism. Together, in a favorable trine, Jupiter and Saturn can set the foundation for a long-term growth and prosperity plan. In fact, it would not be surprising to hear that many of you are doing that right now in your personal financial lives. This is what one should be doing under this long-term signature. It is only too bad that the financial threat of losing all of one’s savings through a banking panic is driving people to finally start about this duty.

 But make no mistake: this is a real financial and  banking crisis. Even longer-term than the positive Jupiter-Saturn trine, is the forthcoming 45-year opposition of Saturn and Uranus (November 4, 2008- July 26, 2010) , followed by the 126-year square of Uranus and Pluto (2012-2015). This is a different world than anything we have seen since the Great Depression. This week Washington Mutual folded, the largest banking failure in history. Last week it was Lehman Brothers, AIG and Merrill Lynch. The week before that it was Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Every week it seems another big one bites the dust. The investment community is scared, which is also the nature of Saturn in opposition to Uranus, which will be even more exaggerated next year when Pluto (debt and more debt) forms a square to both. Jupiter will conjunct Neptune next year too, so once again we will hear the exhortations that the economy and banking system are sound and resilient. Our leaders stated the same in 1929 and 1930, and again all last year and even into Monday, September 15, when Mr. Paulsen went on TV and shook his head back and forth and proclaimed exactly that - while looking at the floor.

 Is there hope via our understanding of Financial Astrology? Of course. But it means doing things exactly the opposite as they have been done in the past under these types of powerful geocosmic signatures. You don’t raise taxes (especially of small companies who will be the ones most able to hire new people otherwise), you don’t increase spending programs that you cannot afford to the point that the credit markets dry up and there is no cash on hand to cover the emergencies that are right before your eyes. And you don’t engage in wars in which you have no allies to share the costs, both human and financial. With Uranus involved, there are going to be more unexpected shocks to the economy. With Pluto involved, there are going to be more banks going under as a result of bad debts and bad (even corrupt) monetary policies of the past. But with Saturn involved, there is the opportunity to lay a new foundation built on solid, practical, monetary principles. There is no “magic” with Saturn (well, there is, but that is another story). There is no miraculous recovery under long-term Saturn signatures. But there is the laying of a new groundwork that, over time, can be strong and resilient, the very qualities our leaders assured were present just a week ago, but they obviously did not believe. Saturn represents honor and integrity, and the willingness to work with truth, and not deception. In every economic collapse throughout history, there is fraud and deception and misuse of power. In every rebuilding effort, there is hard work, endurance and patience, led by people who are committed to working with the Saturnian principles of truth and integrity. Once again, we are at the crossroads of a very important directional change in America, and in fact the entire world. We are on the brink of the Cardinal Climax, 2008-2015. Here are the two paths. Make your choice. We are either on the “Eve of Destruction,” as we were in 1965-66 and 1930-1931, in which we can choose to do nothing but sit back, complain and blame, and watch it all fall apart. Or we are prepared and willing to choose leaders who will co-create a long-term plan to tear it down and rebuild it right.