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Astrology's
Economic Forecast and the Year 2000
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This article covers the McWhirter Nodal Cycle and the Jupiter-Saturn cycle, (two general business indicators), Uranus (sudden changes), Neptune (interest rates and inflation), and sunspots. In part two we’ll review an aspect that could symbolize the Y2K bug, and why it seems to be at the heart of a major, upcoming, economic reversal. The McWhirter Nodal Cycle When the North Node entered Taurus, the U.S. slowly transitioned to a below-normal economy. As it transited Aries and Pisces, the economy continued to drop, reaching its lowest economic periods when the North Node entered Aquarius. After that, the economy slowly started to increase. As the North Node traveled through Capricorn and Sagittarius, the below-normal economy gradually increased to normal levels. In Scorpio, the USA began changing to an above-normal economy. This cycle held, unless secondary factors interfered, and the entire cycle lasted 18.6 years. Our last nodal peak occurred in October 1998, when the North Node entered Leo and most of us would agree that our economy has done well during the past several years. Previous to this, there was a nodal high in January 1980. The last low occurred in May 1989 and the next low will be December 2007. If you remember 1980, you may intuitively realize how secondary influences can impact this cycle. In 1980 we also had Jupiter square Neptune and Jupiter conjunct Saturn. These economic aspects will be covered shortly. Positive Secondary Influences to the Nodal Cycle Positive Secondary Influences Negative Secondary Influences to the Nodal Cycle As you can see, three of these negative influences will occur in May, June, and July 1999, suggesting a much tougher period for the economy. So even though we’re in a nodal-high, economic period, we’re in for some rougher times ahead! The Jupiter – Saturn Cycle One of the most interesting statistics is that 83% of the Jupiter –Saturn conjunctions in the earth signs (for most of the last 200 years) have been correlated with economic downturn, panic, or depression. This aspect occurs next in May 2000, indicating we’re headed for a harder economic period. Right now, Jupiter and Saturn are in their balsamic or "dark Moon" phase, showing the economy is slowing down to a below- normal period. U.S. economic indicators are not showing this yet, with the DOW Jones in the 10,000 range (at least while I’m writing this), low unemployment, and low inflation. In 1998 though, there was serious downsizing in several large companies, and the world economy had a significant decline. With the Nodal cycle at its high in the USA though, we’ve managed to maintain our stronger economy. This could change though, with the negative secondary influences for May - July 1999. Following is a summary of statistics associated with the accuracy of Jupiter – Saturn aspects from 1761 to 1984. With one exception, the conjunctions shown below occurred in earth signs, which seems quite significant. The May 2000 conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn will be the last one in earth signs until 2636. After that, a new set of data will be needed for the next Jupiter-Saturn cycles started in air signs, to determine if they follow the same trends. Accuracy of Jupiter – Saturn Aspects from 1761 to 1984 Jupiter and Industry Expansion In order to get an accurate picture though, we must look at Saturn’s position too. If Saturn is conjunct, square or opposite the same sign that Jupiter is in or trine, there won’t be as much growth as expected. Although Jupiter enters Taurus temporarily in late June 1999, Saturn will already be there, so financial institutions and other Taurean industries cannot anticipate much higher growth, at least until Saturn leaves. Saturn and Industry Consolidation Insurance and investment companies are Scorpio companies, so they’re in tough times too, while Saturn opposes their industry. Aquarian industries, like technology stocks, metaphysical companies, broadcasting, electrical utilities, and transportation industries are receiving a square from Saturn, so they’ll encounter obstacles to growth. However, this probably won’t happen while Jupiter is in Aries. Leo industries are getting both the trine from Jupiter and the square from Saturn. So management companies, entertainment, consultants, children’s retailers, etc are growing, but probably not as much as they expected. They’ll have even less growth when Jupiter enters Taurus. The Asian Contagion Several economies took serious hits to the value of their currencies while Saturn in Taurus was square to Neptune in Aquarius. Neptune, the slower planet, just dissolved away the value of currencies that weren’t supported by something real. So countries which had higher debts than they posted on their books (like Japan), or countries which had no economic reality to support their currency (like Russia), met with serious economic difficulties when their currencies were devalued. We also saw a close call with our own banking/investment industry when Long-Term Capital, a hedge fund, nearly collapsed. Several USA investment and bank companies have huge amounts invested in derivatives, which are high-risk, and highly-leveraged investment vehicles. If one of them collapses, it could bankrupt most or all of them. Long-Term Capital nearly lost all their derivative investments (to the tune of billions of dollars). Fortunately this was prevented by an unusual, emergency intervention of the Federal Reserve, which quickly managed to find very large investors to cover the debt. The last square of Saturn to Neptune occurred in early April 1999, and as of this writing, it’s still moving out of range. Almost immediately after that’s over though, Saturn begins making a square to Uranus. So the banking industry moves from dealing with serious currency problems and derivative issues, to major Y2K issues. Considering the serious, negative economic influences we’re about to encounter, the banking industry will not get any relief until at least August 2000, when Saturn moves into Gemini temporarily. Uranus and Major Changes in the Economy When hard aspects of Uranus to Jupiter and Saturn occur, such as squares or oppositions, we tend to get sudden, disruptive changes or unexpected corrections. In these cases, resistance and obstacles may impede the progress of the required or necessary changes, until we get the equivalent of economic "earthquakes." Uranus, the slower planet, wins in the end, but often through less desirable means! The accuracy of long-term data for Saturn–Uranus aspects and Jupiter–Uranus aspects follows: Accuracy of Saturn – Uranus aspects from 1761 – 1980 Conjunctions: 50% associated with a down economy (neutral) Sextiles: 70% associated with a good economy Squares: 70% associated with a down economy Trines: 80% associated with a good economy Oppositions: 60% associated with a down economy The 50% accuracy of the conjunction indicates that, by itself, this aspect is neutral. Note the 70% accuracy for economic downturn with the three Saturn-Uranus squares we’ll have in July and November 1999 and May 2000. Accuracy of Jupiter – Uranus aspects from 1761 – 1985 Conjunctions: 56% were associated with a down economy Sextiles: 78% were associated with a good economy Squares: 62.5% were associated with a down economy Trines: 62.5% were associated with a good economy Oppositions: 69% were associated with a down economy Again, the accuracy of conjunctions indicates this aspect is basically neutral, so evaluate other economic indicators whenever this occurs. Note the 62.5% accuracy of the Jupiter-Uranus square for economic downturn. The next one is in May 2000. Does this date sound familiar? A Rare Configuration This time the configuration will be in fixed signs, which could indicate the situation may be much more prolonged. It will still be a first-quarter square though, associated with "crisis in action." Economically we should expect some "interesting times!" If the U.S. Civil War provides an example of the tumultuous energies we might encounter, then perhaps we’ll see the return of bartering temporarily. Whatever occurs, we should anticipate some sudden and unexpected changes! Neptune in the Economy Saturn in hard aspect to Neptune has a deflationary effect. Neptune moved into Aquarius recently, and we might have anticipated some interest rate or price increases. However, Saturn was square to Neptune on and off in 1998 and in early 1999. So interest rates, prices, and inflation remained low and currency deflation occurred in various countries around the world. On the other hand, inflation and higher interest rates corresponds to aspects between Jupiter and Neptune, particularly hard aspects. We’ll get a demonstration of this in 1999 when Jupiter in Taurus squares Neptune in Aquarius. In March, the Federal Reserve announced their concern about too much growth too fast, and that they are considering raising interest rates later this year. From mid-February to mid-March 1999, Jupiter and Neptune were sextile, showing mild inflation. By mid-to-late June through late November 1999 though, they’ll square each other. With all the other economic warnings, we’ll no doubt see the Fed take action by increasing interest rates then. Jupiter and Neptune will primarily be in fixed signs though, so we shouldn’t have huge interest rate increases, like we did in the late seventies and early eighties. On the other hand, with Neptune in Aquarius we may have erratic, short-term changes in interest rates. Higher interest rates by the end of June may be one of the major reasons for a significant change in the economy soon, since that would depress both business in general and the stock market. Sun Spots and the Economy On average, an entire cycle, from one sunspot high to the next, takes about eleven years. But these cycles have been as short as eight years and as long as sixteen years. We’re now in another period of high sunspot activity, which is expected to peak in 2000. In theory this bodes well for the economic cycle, but this time has some new challenges. Sunspots produce solar flares, which can carry enough energy to damage our power grids and satellites. During the last sunspot high in 1989, a solar flare took out the Ontario power grid. Back then, we had many fewer satellites than the hundreds we have now. So even though a sunspot high is good news for the economy, it could also unexpectedly impact it negatively. Imagine what would happen to the economy if our communication satellites stopped working! Sunspots change in size and intensity, due to various factors. An article by Dr. Percy Seymour, an astrophysicist, astronomer, and an astrologer, was in the Aug/Sept 1998 edition of the magazine, The Mountain Astrologer. In it he discussed research on heliocentric positions of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune on the Sun. These very large planets appear to have strong gravitational and magnetic effects on the Sun, especially in terms of the sunspots. Whenever they’re either conjunct, square or opposite the Sun, the sunspots and solar flares produced during these times are much larger and more intense. When we look at the New Moon chart for May 2000 in part two, we’ll see all four of those planets will be either conjunct or square the Sun then. Any solar flares released toward the Earth at that time would be extremely strong, and could result in lost power and/or lost communications. Other scientists also expect very strong solar flares in 2000 for different reasons. So this situation could bring tumultuous or abnormally difficult, economic conditions in 2000! In part two, I’ll discuss an aspect I believe represents the Y2K computer bug and why it’s so critical to our economic picture. We’ll also consider upcoming mundane charts and then weave this entire forecast together. Please stay tuned for the rest of the story! © 1999, Madeline Gerwick-Brodeur, All rights reserved. *** Madeline Gerwick-Brodeur is a certified astrologer, specializing in business. Her background includes a BA degree with honors in economics, and over 15 years of industrial marketing and sales. She is listed in several Who's Who books, and annually produces The Good Timing Guide: Better Business Through Better Timing. She’s also the co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Astrology, and The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Horoscopes, both available from Macmillan Publishing. She can be reached by email at mgb@astro-cycles.com or by phone in Seattle, WA at 206-729-8820. Please visit her web site at www.astro-cycles.com. References: Magazine: The Mountain Astrologer, Aug/Sept 1998, Article: The Magus of Magnetism: An Interview with Dr. Percy Seymour, Pages 18-27, 106-107
By Madeline Gerwick-Brodeur
What does astrology predict for the USA economy later in 1999 and 2000? This article addresses the most basic astrological, economic cycles and makes some predictions based on available, long-term data. Economic predictions indicate how well business in general will do, based on economic factors, but don’t include stock market forecasts.
Astrologer, Louise McWhirter researched the U.S. economy for years, and wrote a book titled McWhirter Theory of Stock Market Forecast, published in 1938 by Astro-Book Co. She realized there was a definite cycle to our economy, which tracked the Moon’s nodes through the signs. She found that when the North Node transited through Libra and Virgo, there was an upward trend in the U.S. economy. As the North Node entered Leo at 29° , the economy hit its actual peak and remained high while the North Node transited the rest of Leo. Then as the North Node traveled through Cancer and Gemini the above-normal economy slowly declined to normal levels.
Louise McWhirter discovered several positive secondary influences, which tended to increase business. Only one of these influences occurs in 1999 and none in 2000.
Louise McWhirter also compiled a list of negative secondary influences, which tended to depress or weaken the economy. All of these influences occur in 1999 and 2000.
There are other economic cycles, which need to be watched as well, and one of the most important ones is the Jupiter – Saturn cycle. These planets are described as the social planets, and the economy is part of their domain. This is an almost 20-year cycle (on average 19.8 years) and whenever Jupiter and Saturn conjunct, they start a new economic cycle for the next 20 years. Whenever they’re sextile or trine to each other, the economy tends to do well. Whenever there are conjunctions, squares or oppositions to each other, there tend to be economic downturns, panics, or depressions.
Jupiter shows which industries are expanding, as it travels through the signs. This can occur two ways: 1) by expanding the number of products sold and 2) by increasing the company stock prices. Right now, Jupiter is in Aries, so military, construction, defense, survival and preparation companies, and anything entrepreneurial are expanding. Jupiter is also trine to Sagittarius and Leo industries. So sports, medicine/health, schools, colleges, and the legal industry, plus entertainment, consultants, children’s retailers, and management companies are expanding.
Saturn through the signs represents the types of industries that are in a contraction or consolidation phase. Right now, Saturn is in Taurus, which represents the banking and financial industries. All the large bank mergers we saw in 1998 primarily occurred while Saturn was in Taurus. Luxury goods and major purchases are also likely to have a downturn while Saturn is in Taurus.
Let’s briefly discuss the "Asian contagion" of falling currencies here. Taurus has a lot to do with our values, and Saturn in Taurus forces us to reconsider whether our values are sustainable. In the economy, it asks whether our economic system, based on constant consumerism and high debt, is sustainable. Voluntary simplicity movements get high scores from this Saturn! In the global economy, this Saturn demands a review of our currency values. On a smaller scale, our accounting practices, in terms of how we value our debts and assets, are questioned.
Uranus aspects, especially to Jupiter and Saturn, indicate changes in the economy. When Uranus trines or sextiles Jupiter or Saturn, the dynamics are positive, and welcomed. A good example of this occurred in February 1997, when the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction in Aquarius was sextiled by Saturn. Amazing changes in our economy, communications, and world came about through the internet.
In May 2000, we’ll have a rare configuration: Jupiter and Saturn will conjunct while they’re square to Uranus. The last time we had this particular combination of aspects was in October 1861, early in the US Civil War. At that time, Jupiter and Saturn were in Virgo, square to Uranus in Gemini, in a first-quarter square.
Neptune is associated with interest rates, inflation, and prices in general. As a rule of thumb, whenever Neptune is in earth signs, we have the lowest interest rates and prices tend to go up slowly. The highest interest rates and inflation occur when Neptune is in fire signs. If we remember back to November 1970 through November 1984, while Neptune was in Sagittarius, the U.S. had the highest interest rates we can remember. On the other hand, we recently had 14 years of Neptune in Capricorn, and we saw interest rates and inflation drop to the lowest we’ve had in many years.
There is a strong correlation between the number of sunspots on the Sun and the business cycles here on Earth, and this has been tracked for a few hundred years. In general, a high number of sunspots is associated with strong business activity and a low number of sunspots is correlated with weak business periods.
Financial Astrology, How to Forecast Business and the Stock Market, LCdr. David Williams (Ret), American Federation of Astrologers, Copyright 1984, 3rd printing 1988.