Download MICHAEL LUTIN

The Arizona Astrologer
April 2010
APRIL 2010
MICHAEL LUTIN
Friday, April 16
Registration begins at 6:45 PM
7:00 – 9:30 PM
Admission is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers.
Saturday, April 17
Registration begins at 12:45 PM
1:00 – 4:30 PM
Admission is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers.
Both meetings will be held at the Granite Reef Community Center, 1700 N. Granite
Reef, Scottsdale, AZ 85257
WAIT! DON’T KILL YOURSELF YET!
The Astrology of 2010-2011
SATURN & ECSTASY
Celebrating Astrology in Arizona for 36 Years!
1
The Arizona Astrologer
April 2010
Who is this Michael Lutin?
Michael Lutin graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Trinity College in Connecticut, did special study in French
language at Harvard, began a PhD program at Yale, and lived in Paris where he sold oysters on the street
and ended up managing the Castelli/Sonnabend Gallery. Since then, he has distinguished himself as “a weird,
wicked, funny, accurate astrologer” (his Twitter bio). If you don’t believe that’s true, check out his blog on
The Huffington Post. He may be funny, but he’s also deep.
He has written Vanity Fair’s monthly astrology column for 25 years, and also writes for several other
publications, including the German, Japanese and Korean versions of Vogue Magazine and the Huffington
Post. He has spoken before the Harvard Business School Alumni and the National Press Club in
Washington, DC.
In addition to lectures, workshops, and seminars internationally he is the author of four musical plays and
four books, including
Saturn Signs : The Astrology of Stress, Fear and Anxiety;
Made In Heaven: Why the People You Are Attracted To Eventually Drive You Crazy
Childhood Rising: Your Mother, Father and You; and his latest,
Sunshines: The Astrology of Being Happy.
Michael is the Past President, Certified member and current International Liaison of the National Council for
Geocosmic Research. He is also a member of the San Diego Astrology Society, ISAR, AFAN, and the
International Society for Communicative Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. In addition to all this, he
maintains a consulting practice and travels frequently.
His website is www.michaellutin.com.
ASA Business
(1) ASA Governing Documents on the Web
Members – Don’t skip this – you have a role in this.
ASA’s Constitution sets out the purpose and scope of the organization. The Bylaws set out the procedures
and can be changed if the Board and members accept the change.
In 2004, the Board formed a committee to go through the Constitution and Bylaws and bring them up to
date with current procedures. They presented their changes to the membership at a regular meeting, and
after some discussion, the members voted to accept the revised Constitution and Bylaws. By an oversight,
the copy of the Constitution and Bylaws posted to the web did not incorporate all the changes.
This came to light when another committee went through the documents for the purpose of updating election
procedures. We will be posting the correct copy of the 2004 Constitution and Bylaws on the website soon,
along with a copy of the Articles of Incorporation, which is the master document for the organization. It
2
Celebrating Astrology in Arizona for 36 Years!
The Arizona Astrologer
April 2010
supersedes both the Constitution and Bylaws. We can thank Steve Cox, ASA’s legal advisor, for this
information.
Additionally, we have proposed some changes to ASA’s election procedures. At this month’s April meeting,
copies of the proposed changes will be available for all members to read. We will discuss them at the May
meeting and call for a vote from the members. Please be there to express your opinion.
(2) Would YOU like to be on the Board? Or do you know someone who would?
Elections to the ASA Board of Directors are held every two years, and this is an election year. All Board
positions are open, and any member in good standing can run. Charlotte is the Nominations Committee
Chair, and the person to contact if you’re interested in running. Her number is 602 952-1525.
Additionally, she is seeking 3 members for the Election committee who are not running for any elected
positions. These people will collect and count the ballots.
Your efforts paid off!
THANK YOU to everyone who put out flyers and sent emails to their friends. It made a huge difference!
We had over 100 people for the Ray Merriman lecture, and many of them said they had found out about the
lecture from a flyer or email.
THE ARIZONA ASTROLOGER is published monthly by the Arizona Society of Astrologers, a non-profit organization
founded on September 7, 1973 at 8:20 PM in Phoenix, Arizona and incorporated on September 20, 1974 at 4:30 PM.
Board of Directors
President – Charlotte Benson
(602) 952-1525 or [email protected]
Vice President – Steve Weiss
Treasurer & Historian – Kathe Smith
Programs – Bill Nastasiak
Secretary & Newsletter – Sarah Laurent [email protected]
Books & CDs – Lisa Carlin
Books – Polly Rebich
Education – Douglas Noblehorse
Hospitality – Steve Whitlatch
Legal Adviser – Stephen Cox
Membership – Marcy Kay Weale
Member-at-Large – Vacant
Publicity – Kay Cox
Scribes – Marta Morris & Sarah Laurent
Statutory Agent – Stephen Cox
Webmaster – Douglas Noblehorse [email protected]
Membership
Membership in ASA is $36 a year for individuals and $54 a year for couples, plus a one-time application fee of $3.00. As a
member, you will receive the newsletter by email. Applications and more information on our membership policies can be
Celebrating Astrology in Arizona for 36 Years!
3
The Arizona Astrologer
April 2010
found at azastrologers.org. Please make checks payable to ASA and mail them to P.O. Box 2153, Scottsdale, AZ 852579998.
Subscriptions
The Arizona Astrologer is FREE on the web. ASA no longer offers standalone mailed subscriptions to the newsletter.
Advertising
Please provide ad copy in .jpg format and send it to [email protected]. If you are an ASA member we will accept your
check. All others must pay with cash or a money order before the ad runs. Mail payment to ASA, P.O. Box 2153,
Scottsdale, AZ 85257-9998.
Rates are as follows:
Business Card (2 x 3 1/2) - $5
Quarter Page (3 1/2 x 4 1/2) - $15
Half Page (4 1/2 x 6 1/2) - $25
Full Page (9 1/4 x 6 1/2) - $40
Articles
Please send all articles via e-mail to [email protected]. The editor reserves the right to edit text for size and content or to
reject submissions. All articles reflect the views of their authors. The ASA assumes no responsibility for articles or
material contained herein, or for goods or services advertised
LAST MONTH’S SPEAKER – RAY MERRIMAN
2010 and the USA Economy
Writeup by Marta Morris and Sarah Laurent
The Era of Extremism
The 1960s may have been the beginning of the Age of Aquarius, but we really saw it in the 1990s, when the
fax machine, internet, and cell phone all made our lives measurably better.
1989-1993 was also the time of the “Capricorn climax” – a stellium of Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in
Capricorn. The Berlin Wall fell, taking with it the Iron Curtain. Three hundred million new consumers
entered the world economy. A technology revolution followed, bringing a new era of hope and optimism.
The future was “now,” and it was a time of “change we can believe in.”
It seemed like it would never end. But Saturn moved on, leaving Uranus and Neptune alone in the conjunction. Together, they created a bubble that had no basis in facts. The era of irrational exuberance ended
abruptly when Pluto entered Capricorn.
The Uranus/Neptune conjunction of the early 1990s promised humanitarianism and progress for the
masses. Helping things along was a sextile between Neptune and Pluto. Last time this happened was during
the Renaissance. It should have been an era of enlightenment. But shortly after 2000, something changed.
Our country began to move in the direction of wealth and power for the elite and the victimization of the
masses. What caused us to lose our way? Greed and the lust for power on the part of banks, governments,
and big business.
4
Celebrating Astrology in Arizona for 36 Years!
The Arizona Astrologer
April 2010
The year 2000 marked the midpoint between two rare economic patterns: Hope (1993) and Crisis (2008).
September 11, 2001 occurred as Saturn was opposing Pluto. It dramatically marked the turning point in the
cycle. Next up: an explosion of debt that has led to our current downturn.
In 2000, the economic prosperity exceeded all expectations. There was a government surplus and low
unemployment. Tax revenues were high. Predictably, the government went on a spending spree. The
surplus turned into a deficit. The climate of peace became one of war. Politicians learned that winning
elections is about being able to campaign, not about being able to govern. And fear sells. In 2000, Uranus
and Saturn squared each other and moved toward their opposition in 2008 – which created the desire for
change and swept Barack Obama into office.
Pluto in entered Capricorn in early 2008, followed by Saturn in Libra and the upcoming ingress of Uranus
into Aries. This “cardinal climax,” a T-square involving three major planets in cardinal signs, will peak in
mid-2010. The last time it occurred was 1929-1934. (The setup then was Pluto in Cancer, Uranus in Aries,
and Saturn in Capricorn.)
What will it be like this time? With the Capricorn Climax, there was such hope! Joblessness seemed ended
and World Peace seemed possible. But look at us now – we’re in our own version of the Twilight Zone.
Nothing is certain anymore. Yet hope is creeping back; the stock market is up and houses are selling again.
Will it last?
The next “ticking time bomb”: Federal Debt
In the Saturn Pluto economic cycle, there are 32-37 years from conjunction to opposition. The conjunction
coincides with government spending, deficits and debt. Then the government reduces spending, which leads
to prosperity and lower deficits.
Prosperity peaks at the Saturn-Pluto opposition. But within 18 months, the government starts cutting taxes
and spending money. Individuals spend more, too. Deficits and debt rise. Generally, there are two ways to
pay down the deficit – issue more bonds or raise taxes. Or, the government can print more money.
There’s a 4th way – reduce spending. That won’t happen. Normally, the motto is “preserve and protect
your capital.” It’s usually a good time to be a saver because interest rates are going up. But that hasn’t
happened this time.
Right now, our national debt is 11.7 trillion and Congress has just raised the ceiling to 14 trillion. Less than 6
years ago, it was 7 trillion. How do we dig out of this hole? It’s worldwide – 9 of the 16 EEC countries are
about to default. In other words, they’re not paying back their debt.
The US had a serious chance to cut its deficit in November when it learned it had spent only half the TARP
money. The first decision was to give the money back to the Treasury. The next week, the Administration
decided to create new programs instead. Banks have started paying back the TARP funds. By law the
money is supposed to go back into the Treasury. The White House and Congress have ignored the law.
What should Obama do? (1) Put a freeze on government spending for 2 years. (2) Freeze small business
taxes for 2 years. Small businesses won’t hire until they know what their taxes will be.
Celebrating Astrology in Arizona for 36 Years!
5
The Arizona Astrologer
April 2010
Our government has announced spending cuts – beginning in 2012. But we all know our government
doesn’t honor its word. It continually betrays the people. It’s ripe for revolt. In polls, people say they trust
used-car salesmen more than their congressman. The government is on a course for bankruptcy.
2010 is the last year we have to make choices that can prevent a possible catastrophe. Right now, uncertainty is hovering over everything.
Transits for bankruptcy
Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are prominent in hard aspect to Venus and/or Jupiter, indicating that an urge to
overspend and to speculate on things one can’t afford. The U.S. Venus is in 3º Cancer. Obama’s Venus is
conjunct it, so people love him. But Obama has Neptune square Jupiter – a bankruptcy aspect. He lives in a
fiscal fantasy world. He’s inspirational – he should be a minister.
Personal and national bankruptcy can be avoided if we control ourselves. That’s the value of astrology: to
see what’s coming up and act accordingly.
The Federal Reserve is doing the right thing but they are bucking the US government, which is pursuing old
policies that in the past have made recessions deeper and longer. Transiting Pluto is opposite the Fed’s natal
Pluto, so their existence is in jeopardy.
Points to build your investment plan around in 2010:
* The government won’t stop spending, despite words to the contrary.
* The federal deficit and debt will continue to grow – at least 1 trillion/year.
* More people will go back to work and there will be modest growth in the economy.
* Taxes will increase.
* There will be hyperinflation – prices will increase.
* There will be a bubble in the financial markets.
* Low interest rates, increased spending and debt will lead to more speculation.
* Interest rates will rise in response to the bubble.
* The stock market and economy will fall hard.
* A populist revolt is possible. That decision will be made in 2011. Will our government be overthrown? It
doesn’t have to be violent.
Taxes
(1) A Value Added Tax (VAT) is coming up. It would be ok if the income tax were to come down proportionately, but it won’t.
(2) A proposed transaction tax on every trade – a $100,000 trade will cost an extra $250. This is a tax to
punish Wall Street but it will hurt the ordinary investor.
(3) Tax increases will hurt small businesses the most. The number of government workers has gone up.
Government doesn’t produce goods. We’re losing the producers of this country.
6
Celebrating Astrology in Arizona for 36 Years!
The Arizona Astrologer
April 2010
(4) “Soak the rich.” The wealthy don’t mind a modest increase of 5-6%. But if their taxes go up more than
that, they will simply leave.
Not all the government leaders are thinking that the way to raise money is to raise taxes. One person gets it
– Angela Merkel of Germany. She knows that cutting taxes will hurt for 1-2 years, then companies will start
hiring.
Geocosmic signatures of speculation and bubble
Uranus enters Aries on May 27, 2010 and Jupiter enters Aries on June 6, 2010. They come together in
Aries on June 8 and again on September 18 (Rx and in Pisces then).
When you combine the basic meanings of Jupiter—excess and exaggeration, friendly and likeable, does not
like boundaries, optimistic, over-reaches, always wants more; and Uranus—extremist, against convention,
likes to take risks, all or nothing, friendly, quirky, defiant, adventurous, has no respect for tradition, wants
everything for everybody, futuristic; and Aries—energetic, competitive, in a hurry—you get the picture of
2010.
When Jupiter and Uranus come together, especially in Aries, savers beware. The temptation to speculate
and spend will be strong.
Mr. Merriman displayed a graph of Jupiter through the zodiac from 1872 to the present. It showed a
correlation of economic highs and lows—Pisces through Aries at the peaks, and Leo to Virgo at the lows.
In 1872 the market hit a new high. From 1873-79 we entered one of the worst depressions in U.S. history.
Right now we’re going into an asset bubble. Savers will wait a year and then jump in to the market, just in
time for the crash. It has already started – will peak May-Sept. After October it’s all over. There’s another
small peak in January 2011.
Real estate will do ok until the first half of next year. By May, most people who are going to walk away will
have done so.
2011-2014 points to the final demolition of the savings class and the crash of the speculator class.
2012 and Beyond
In 2012, Uranus squares Pluto, 11-14º Aries to Capricorn. The U.S. Sun and Saturn are at 11-14º of
Cancer and Libra, respectively. A grand square: tremendous tension, in cardinal signs that demand action.
The government is ruled by Saturn, the President is ruled by the Sun. There could be an overthrow of the
government as we know it.
2012-2015: Uranus squares Pluto from 6/24/12 to 3/17/15. The waning square was active in 1933-34.
Before that, it showed up in 1877-78 – another depression period. We could have another crash – there’s a
90-year cycle – unless there’s a tax policy that will encourage small business people to hire.
Celebrating Astrology in Arizona for 36 Years!
7
The Arizona Astrologer
April 2010
What should a person do?
Two pieces of advice:
(1) Buy stocks and mutual funds as long as the Dow is above 9,000. As soon as the Fed starts raising
interest rates, start hedging. Prices will go down very fast. It will spend 13-18 weeks going up, and it will go
up by 100 points. It will spend 2-3 weeks coming down by 50%. Speculators can make a lot of money if
they know when to sell.
(2) Buy gold. Buy small coins and keep them in a safe place. You might need to trade them for food someday.
What do you do if you’re not a speculator?
(1) Ride it through. Pay off debt.
(2) Diversify your money. Open an account in Canada, Australia, New Zealand.
Conclusion: All of this outrage being expressed as social inequities are revealed can be mitigated by a
return to basic virtues. As our collective survival is threatened, we’re increasingly aware of our interdependency. The banks and the government cannot survive if the communities are down. And vice versa. To
thrive, there must be trust in the actions of one another that affect one another. There must be a certain
amount of unity.
Finally, there must be an acceptance of the destructiveness of debt. From this arises a willingness to make
the necessary sacrifices in order to conquer debt and to end all those practices by business, government and
banks that suppress an individual’s right to pursue happiness. The good news is that it can be done when
everyone works together
What can you, the individual, do to make it through this period? Be smart in how you deal with money.
Safeguard your principal. Do not take risks that you don’t understand. Develop your inner being, take the
time to find the best within yourself, take the time to follow your breath, and be thankful for the relationships
that you have.
The next 5 years can be positive or tragic, constructively painful or just painful. What we do in 2010 will
determine which way they go.
Coming in May: TBA
8
Celebrating Astrology in Arizona for 36 Years!