Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter
October 28, 2020
FreeWillAstrology.com
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JOE BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT
One of my main reasons for being on planet Earth is to help minimize and alleviate the world's suffering — among my fellow humans as well as among the animals and plants.
As president, Joe Biden will be in alignment with my goal: He will markedly reduce suffering.
If Donald Trump is re-elected, he will continue to do what he has already done: dramatically increase suffering.
So yes, I endorse Joe Biden for President. And I endorse every Democratic candidate for the US Congress, both the Senate and the House.
I endorse every Democratic candidate for governor and every Democratic candidate for every state legislature.
The collusion of the Republican Party with Donald Trump's Reign of Error and Terror shows that it has become, at least temporarily, a party without scruples or integrity.
We can hope that once Trump has left office, the GOP might regain its commitment to actual conservative principles and shed its devotion to a malicious tyrant with no principles.
While I am not and have never been and will never be a member of the Democratic Party, I believe that in this election it is key to the health of democracy and the well-being of Americans that Democratic candidates win.
One Hundred Good Reasons to Vote for Joe Biden: bit.ly/voteforlifeandlove
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Contribute to Democratic Senate candidates:
tinyurl.com/yyjwvpk8
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Wherever you live, here's how to vote in the election:
tinyurl.com/VoteForLifeOverDeath
tinyurl.com/VoteForTruthOverLies
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VOTE FOR LIFE
Donald Trump is the greatest threat to the rule of law and American democracy in our lifetimes. The only way to defeat him is for voters to turn out in such massive numbers that even his cheating and malfeasance will not be enough to distort the results. If you're an American, please vote!
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THE PERSONAL IS POLITICAL. THE POLITICAL IS PERSONAL
A reader asked me: "What do you think it means for the election that Mercury is now in retrograde and comes out of it on Nov. 3?"
Here's my response: It's a highly favorable time for us to meditate on the fact that the personal is political and the political is personal; the spiritual is political and the political is spiritual.
We will gain integrity, authenticity, and power by deploying the truth articulated by journalist Martha Gellhorn: "People say with pride, 'I’m not interested in politics.' They may as well say, 'I’m not interested in my standard of living, my health, job, rights, freedoms, future.' If we mean to keep control over our world and lives, we must be interested in politics."
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THE SPIRITUAL IS POLITICAL. THE POLITICAL IS SPIRITUAL.
“A spirituality that is only private and self-absorbed, one devoid of an authentic political and social consciousness, does little to halt the suicidal juggernaut of history.
"On the other hand, an activism that is not purified by profound spiritual and psychological self-awareness ... will only perpetuate the problem it is trying to solve, however righteous its intentions."
—Andrew Harvey
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THE COMING PROGRESSIVE MAJORITY
It's only a matter of time before Progressives are the majority in American politics.
Here's a chart of future Democratic and Republican Electoral College control of swing states: tinyurl.com/y2gmzu3d
More info: tinyurl.com/yxa3j37u
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ASTROLOGY AND POLITICS
Some readers tell me with straight-faced delusional certainty that astrology and politics shouldn't be combined. They don't know much about history! Many political leaders throughout the ages have regularly consulted astrologers. As just one example, US President Ronald Reagan consulted the astrologer Joan Quigley about every decision he made.
Here's a partial list: tinyurl.com/y5lm8gs4
For example: In ancient China there was a doctrine called the "Mandate of Heaven." Because of it, a ruling dynasty often gave way to new leadership when many planets gathered in one astrological sign. In May, 1059 B.C., for instance, a large conjunction in Cancer signaled the end of the Shang kings, who had grown corrupt. Wen, a rebel with great integrity and wisdom, ascended to the throne.
For example: In 1226, Mongol astrologer Yeh-lu Ch'uts'ai saved 100,000 lives. His boss, Genghis Khan, had ordered a massacre of the Tangut people, but the sage insisted that a heavenly sign—a colossal planetary conjunction in Capricorn—was a clear omen not to proceed with the plan. Amazingly, Khan agreed.
For example, as mentioned above, President Ronald Reagan made extensive use of the services of astrologer Joan Quigley. Here's a quote from a memoir by Donald Regan, who was Reagan's Chief of Staff:
“Virtually every major move and decision the Reagans made during my time as White House Chief of Staff was cleared in advance with a woman in San Francisco who drew up horoscopes to make certain that the planets were in a favorable alignment for the enterprise.”
More: tinyurl.com/yadcjh3m
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BLACK AMERICANS FOR BIDEN
Amy Gardner writes: "Black Americans have already been voting in striking numbers, helping to drive historic levels of early voting as mail ballots have flooded election offices and people have endured huge lines to cast ballots in person across the country.
In interviews in 10 states where early voting is underway, Black voters said this year’s presidential election is the most important of their lifetime
"They spoke of a sense of urgency to protect the nation’s democracy, and their role in it, which they believe a second Trump term would erode beyond repair.
"Many said they view the president as a racist who cannot bring himself to disavow white supremacists or the year’s spate of police killings of unarmed Black Americans, and they believe the country is less safe for themselves and their families.
"Over and over again, Black Americans described their vote this year as much more than a choice between two presidential candidates, but as an urgent stand in the long fight against racial injustice in America, which the year’s events have made clear is not yet over."
— Amy Gardner
More: tinyurl.com/y64fsndf
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SCIENCE FOR BIDEN
Numerous science journals have taken the unprecedented step of endorsing a presidential candidate in this year's election: Joe Biden, of course.
For example, the prestigious journal Nature wrote the following: "Trump has damaged science — and it could take decades to recover. His actions have exacerbated the pandemic that has killed more than 200,000 people in the United States, rolled back environmental and public-health regulations and undermined science and scientific institutions. Some of the harm could be permanent." More: tinyurl.com/yy4znywp
Here are other science journals that have taken editorial stances against Trump: the New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, Science, Scientific American, PLOS, PNAS, CellPress, and JAMA.
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NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERTS FOR BIDEN
489 national security experts, including 22 four-star officers, have endorsed Joe Biden for president, saying the "current president" is not up to "the enormous responsibilities of his office."
tinyurl.com/yy6k7ww6
www.nationalsecurityleaders4biden.com
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ICONIC CONSERVATIVE PUNDIT FOR BIDEN
George Will is a conservative columnist who has been writing rightwing musings since 1974. The conservative Wall Street Journal once called him "perhaps the most powerful journalist in America." He won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1977.
And yet George Will has been steadfastly and vociferously critical of Donald Trump's presidency. In a recent column, he wrote, "Trump must be removed. So must his congressional enablers." George Will, A staunch conservative for over 50 years, is voting for Joe Biden.
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MARINE GENERAL JOHN KELLY FOR BIDEN
Marine General John Kelly served as the White House chief of staff for Donald Trump. Before that he served as Secretary of Homeland Security in the Trump administration.
But now Kelly says that Trump "is the most flawed person" he's ever known. According to Kelly, "The depths of Trump's dishonesty is just astounding to me. The dishonesty, the transactional nature of every relationship, though it's more pathetic than anything else."
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MESSAGE TO REPUBLICANS FROM REPUBLICAN LEADERS
Here's a message to Republicans from four long-time Republican leaders, Stuart Stevens, Rick Wilson, Steve Schmidt and Reed Galen:
Trump is a boor, incapable and unfit for office.
As Republicans, will you stand with Trump, or will you stand with, and stand up for, America? Will you protect democracy or protect a single person and his family?
You know what Republican elected officials have said about Trump behind closed doors from the start because you are often — maybe always — behind those doors. You’ve seen the haunted look in a colleague’s or a boss’s eyes after a meeting with the unstable, unfit man who is our president. You know in your heart that Trump should not be president for another day.
As conservatives, we long argued that culture was the soul of America. We were right, but it is Trump who now assaults our nation’s soul.
Trump's failures have cost nearly 220,000 Americans their lives and tens of millions their jobs. His instability is increasing; you see it every day. The choice now is: America or Trump? Now is the time to stand with the country you love.
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EX-CHAIRMAN OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR BIDEN
Michael Steele has served as chairperson of the Republican National Committee and several other political offices as a Republican. In 1995, the Maryland Republican Party selected him as their Republican Man of the Year. But in this election, he's voting for Joe Biden.
Steele has been a fierce critic of Trump throughout his administration, accused the president of exacerbating division, seeking the favor of dictators, and embracing outdated economic principles.
“Trump has posited a single purpose for the GOP — the celebration of him,” he added, lamenting how the Republican Party had “given up its voice on things that mattered and instead bent the arc of the party towards the baser motives of one man, who is neither a Republican nor a conservative.”
More: tinyurl.com/y4au9ntv
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The Atlantic magazine sums it up:
Donald Trump is the worst president this country has seen since Andrew Johnson, or perhaps James Buchanan, or perhaps ever.
Trump has brought our country low;
he has divided our people;
he has pitted race against race;
he has corrupted our democracy;
he has shown contempt for American ideals;
he has made cruelty a sacrament;
he has provided comfort to propagators of hate;
he has abandoned America’s allies;
he has aligned himself with dictators;
he has encouraged terrorism and mob violence;
he has undermined the agencies and departments of government;
he has despoiled the environment;
he has opposed free speech;
he has lied frenetically and evangelized for conspiracism;
he has stolen children from their parents;
he has made himself an advocate of a hostile foreign power;
and he has failed to protect America from a ravaging virus.
Trump is not responsible for all of the 220,000 COVID-19-related deaths in America. But through his avarice and ignorance and negligence and titanic incompetence, he has allowed tens of thousands of Americans to suffer and die, many alone, all needlessly. With each passing day, his presidency reaps more death.
More: tinyurl.com/yyy3vjvz
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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
Week beginning October 29
Copyright 2020 by Rob Brezsny
FreeWillAstrology.com
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Scorpio politician Joe Biden wasn't my first choice for President of the United States. During the selection process, I championed his opponents Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. But now I support Biden wholeheartedly. He has several policies I don't agree with, but on the other hand I know it's critical that we Americans ensure he replaces the appalling, corrupt, incompetent Trump. In the coming days, I advise you Scorpios to also consider the value of wise and pragmatic compromise in your own sphere. Don't allow a longing for impossible perfection to derail your commitment to doing what's right.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
The United States has suffered terribly from COVID-19. Of all the world's countries, it has had more cases and more deaths. Why? One major reason is President Donald Trump. He has consistently downplayed the seriousness of the disease, has advocated many unscientific cures, and has been lax and erratic in supporting the therapeutic measures that virtually all epidemiological experts have recommended. It's no exaggeration to assert that Americans will reduce their coronavirus misery by electing Joe Biden as president. In this spirit, and in accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to meditate on how you could reduce any and all of your own personal suffering. The time is right. Be ingenious! Be proactive!
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
"By my love and hope I beseech you," pleaded philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. "Do not cast away the hero in your soul! Hold holy your highest hope!" That's always good advice, but it's extra crucial for you now. You will generate good fortune for yourself by being in close connection with the part of you that is bravest and wisest. The people whose lives you touch will have a special need for you to express the vitalizing power of intelligent hopefulness. More than maybe ever before, you will be inspired to cultivate your heroic qualities.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
I've been writing my horoscope column for a long time, and it has evolved dramatically. One aspect that hasn't changed is that every four years, I've endorsed a candidate for the president of my home country, the United States. Another unchanging aspect is that I regularly reveal my progressive views about political matters. Some people who have only recently discovered my writing express dismay about this. "I don't want politics with my horoscopes!" they complain. But the fact is, politics have permeated my horoscopes since the beginning. Now I urge you to do what I just did, Aquarius, but in your own sphere: If there are people who are not clear about who you really are, educate them.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
"The worse the state of the world grows, the more intensely I try for inner perfection and power," wrote Piscean author Anais Nin during World War II. "I fight for a small world of humanity and tenderness." I encourage you to adopt that perspective for the rest of 2020. It's an excellent time to respond boldly to the outer chaos by building up your inner beauty. I also suggest this addition to Nin's formula: Call on your resourceful compassion to bolster the resilience of your closest allies.
ARIES (March 21-April 19):
Reed Galen is an American political consultant who has worked long and hard for conservative causes. But in next week's election, he opposes conservative Donald Trump, whom he regards as an authoritarian tyrant. He writes, "Democracy is on the ballot. It's a binary choice between good/bad, honorable/dishonorable, healthy/sick, forward/backward. There has been nothing like this in our lifetimes." If you've read my words for a while, you know I'm a connoisseur of ambiguity and uncertainty. I try to see all sides of every story. But now I'm departing from my tradition: I agree with Reed Galen's assessment. The American electorate really does face a binary choice between good and bad. I also suspect, Aries, that you may be dealing with a binary choice in your personal life. Don't underestimate how important it is that you side with the forces of good.
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MY OTHER HOROSCOPES
Factual information and reasonable thinking alone are not sufficient to guide you through life’s labyrinthine tests. You need and deserve regular deliveries of uncanny revelation.
One of your inalienable rights as a human being should therefore be to receive mysteriously useful omens on a regular basis. In this spirit, I offer you the free weekly horoscopes you read here.
If you ever want more, and think it's worth paying for, try my EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES. They're four-to-five-minute meditations on the current state of your destiny and where you're headed.
To listen to your Expanded Audio Horoscope online, go to RealAstrology.com
Register and/or log in through the main page.
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The cost is $6 per sign online. (Discounts are available for bulk purchases.)
You can also listen over the phone by calling 1-877-873-4888. The cost is $1.99 per minute. Each forecast is 4-5 minutes long.
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"Your Expanded Audio Horoscopes seem to have the effect of activating my inner teacher. Thanks!"
—Eleanor Axelrod, Toronto
"When I listen to your audio horoscopes, I feel like I'm tuning in to what a friend has to say about the current state of my life."
—Arnella Simpson, Seattle
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TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
Taurus politician Dan Coats has belonged to the conservative Republican Party all his adult life. He served in the US Congress for 24 years, and later as President Donald Trump's Director of National Intelligence. Since leaving that office, Coats has criticized his ex-boss. He has said, "Trump doesn’t know the difference between the truth and a lie." In accordance with astrological omens, I urge you to be fiercely non-Trump-like in the coming weeks. It's crucial to the welfare of you and yours that you tell the whole truth.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
Many stories that were popular long ago are still studied today. One example is the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, originally told during the first century BC. Another is Homer's epic tale the Odyssey, which harkens back to the sixth century BC. I have no problem with learning from old tales like these. It's important to know how people of previous eras experienced life. But for you in the coming months, I think it will be crucial to find and tell new stories—tales that illuminate the unique circumstances that you are living through right now.
CANCER (June 21-July 22):
I'm surprised when I hear that fans of Donald Trump enjoy my horoscopes. My political views, which are deeply aligned with my spiritual philosophy, have always been very progressive. And I've never hidden that fact. How can someone who appreciates my ideas also like Trump, a vile bully who has unleashed enormous cruelty and chaos? If you yourself are a Trump fan, I understand that after reading the preceding words, you may never read my words again. But I need to follow my own astrological advice for us Cancerians, which is: Be bold and clear in expressing your devotion to the ideals you hold precious. For me that means supporting Joe Biden, an imperfect candidate who will nevertheless be a far more compassionate and intelligent and fair-minded leader than Trump.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
Dionysus was the ancient Greek god of drunkenness and ecstasy and madness. His followers were inclined to immerse themselves in those states. Yet as historian Robert Parker points out, Dionysus himself "was seldom drunk, seldom mad." His relationship with his consort Ariadne was "dignified and restrained," and "smiling tranquility" was his common mood. I recommend that in the coming weeks you act more like Dionysus than his followers—no matter how unruly the world around you may become. The rest of us need you to be a bastion of calmness and strength.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
Virgo military expert Jim Mattis enlisted in the US Marine Corps when he was 19 years old. Forty-three years later, having been a Marine all his adult life and a general for six years, he retired. Later, he served under President Donald Trump as the US Secretary of Defense. After leaving that position, Mattis testified that Trump was "dangerous" and "unfit," adding that Trump "has no moral compass." Be inspired by Mattis, Virgo. Do your part to resist the harmful and unethical actions of powerful people who affect you. Be extra strong and clear in standing up for integrity.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
"Feeling too much is a hell of a lot better than feeling nothing," declares Libran author Nora Roberts. I trust you will see the wisdom of that perspective in the coming weeks. On the downside, there might be some prickly, disorienting feelings arriving along with the rich flood of splendor. But I'm convinced that most of the surge will be interesting, invigorating, and restorative—although it may take a while for the full effects to ripen. And even the prickly, disorienting stuff may ultimately turn out to be unexpectedly nurturing for your soul.
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HOMEWORK:
What Halloween-inspired costume or disguise would you really like to wear on a regular basis? FreeWillAstrology.com
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Submissions sent to Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter or in response to "homework assignments" may be published in a variety of formats at Rob Brezsny's discretion, including but not limited to newsletters, books, the Free Will Astrology column, and Free Will Astrology website. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length, style, and content. Requests for anonymity will be honored. We are not responsible for unsolicited submission of any creative material.
Contents of the Free Will Astrology Newsletter are Copyright 2020 Rob Brezsny
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