Solar Eclipse Activation Fall 2008 Part 1

The Solar Eclipse of August 1, 2008 will receive a series of aspects this fall that are considered as activation stimuli to the energies represented by the eclipse. The Sun and Moon ascended across the Northeast U.S. at the time of eclipse. Following are some of the dates when the eclipse will be spurred into action and some of the most likely weather scenarios that will result.


September 30-Oct 3, 2008
Transit Venus will square the eclipse degree on October 1st. While the planets from Mars on out to Pluto are usually considered the most potent triggers, this square from Venus may result in some weather activity. The area south of Puerto Rico, in and around 66 west longitude and 14 north latitude is likely to exhibit atmospheric instability at this time. This may take the form of a tropical wave or depression that could soak the Isla del Encanto (Puerto Rico). Since Venus is parallel Neptune at this time, eastern Canada (around 66 west/49 north) may also be subject to heavy rain. The Northeast U.S. will also see an increase in moisture leading to precipitation.


October 16-19, 2008
Mars squares the eclipse degree on the 17th as it parallels Neptune. Mars is more energetic in its influence. The same areas mentioned above i.e. the area south of Puerto Rico, eastern Canada, and the Northeast U.S. will experience strong weather patterns involving rising masses of very moist warm air, and semi-tropical to tropical low pressure systems. Hence, Puerto Rico may catch some strong rains as a potential tropical system develops south of the island. Strong low pressure systems resulting in heavy downpours and isolated flash floods may result over the Northeast U.S. and eastern Canada.




Nov 1-4, 2008
The Sun now squares the eclipse degree as it parallels Neptune. Once again, the area south of Puerto Rico bears watching for tropical storm genesis. The Northeast U.S. will be a target for severe storms as well as eastern Canada. One more area that should show an atmospheric reaction is area along the 114th line of west longitude. This takes in the central Baja California, the U.S. desert Southwest on into Idaho and Montana.
Severe weather is indicated over this area since it coincides with Saturn’s opposition to Uranus. This would suggest a possible tropical storm or hurricane strike over the Baja area or a robust cold front lowering temperatures and producing strong storms throughout the western U.S.




The Solar Eclipse of Sept 11, 2007



October 28-31, 2008
This Solar Eclipse is activated by Saturn’s conjunction on October 29th. The Sun and Moon ascended over the Rockies at the time. Saturn’s influence should trigger cold, and damp weather over the region. This may take the form of a major low pressure system. Since transit Mars is also sextile tranist Saturn this usually manifests as breezy or windy weather.
At the same time transit Mars is also parallel Pluto, which occupies the line of longitude along the far eastern Plains and Mississippi Valley (92 West). Pluto squares the ascendant along the entire length of the line. The area may be hit by a strong storm system or a tropical system that hits Louisiana.




The Solar Eclipse of March 18, 2007




Dec 18-22, 2008
The Last Quarter Moon of Dec 19th opposes and squares this Solar Eclipse degree. This may trigger a storm system or front over western Canada and pushing into the Pacific Northwest.
After the 21st temperatures should increase over the mid-Atlantic states leading to storms.

The Solar Eclipse of September 22, 2006


Nov 4-7, 2008
Pluto’s square to this Solar Eclipse degree is exact on Nov 5th but since Pluto lingers a long time at this degree, we might consider that the eclipse is active before then. The Sun-Moon line ran along 88 west longitude energizing the area from Mississippi and Alabama northward through the western Great Lakes. Pluto’s influence is of a cold nature and may correspond to a cold front pushing southward over the Great Lakes and triggering storms down the Mississippi Valley. Another scenario entails a tropical system hitting the Gulf Coast around Mississippi and Alabama.
Since Saturn opposes Uranus on the 4th and these fall over the western Plains in the Solar Eclipse chart, a powerful storm-producing cold front may push through the area.

Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made
Check out my article and interview in Saptarishis Astrology Volume 3


Dream a little dream--and pay attention
By Don Oldenburg, The Washington Post

The dream always started the same way: She walked up to the same gallery on the same street and looked over the ceramic art in the front window. Then she went inside and examined the beautiful clay sculptures on display.

"Each time I went into the gallery there were different pieces," says Grace Lewis, a potter who, starting in 1987, revisited her "gallery dream" about twice a week for five years.
Lewis soon began turning out the dream artworks in her studio. After she completed nearly 75 of the sculptures, her gallery dream stopped returning. "It just broke my heart," she says, "but I think my subconscious had other things it needed to tell me."

By other things, Lewis refers to the persistent cancer dreams. They stopped almost a year later, after she finally persuaded a skeptical doctor to conduct tests that confirmed she did, indeed, have cancer. The dreams caught it in time.

"Dreams are a lot more powerful than people like to give credit," says Lewis, conceding she probably wouldn't believe her own story if it hadn't happened to her. "They would tell us all sorts of things about ourselves if we paid attention to them."

Most people don't pay attention to their dreams. They dismiss them as sleeptime fictions or insist they don't dream at all. The traditional Western attitude toward dreaming can be summed up by the popular invective "in your dreams." Translation: "Never going to happen."
But, beyond a wealth of anecdotal testimony that for centuries has attributed remarkable value to dreams, there is mounting scientific evidence of their practical worth in solving real-life problems, gaining poignant insights and boosting creativity.

"The potential is limitless," says Karen Shanor, co-author of the 1999 book The Emerging Mind (Renaissance Books), a survey of research in the meaning of consciousness.
The noted sleep and dream expert William C. Dement tells of a dream he had 35 years ago that he believes saved his life. Then a heavy smoker, he had a vivid dream in which he was diagnosed with lung cancer. "I could barely breathe," he writes. "My life was over … and then I woke up." He says he has never lit another cigarette since.

History is replete with Nobel Prize winners, famous inventors and acclaimed authors and artists whose dreams unlocked their creativity and solved impenetrable problems. Sewing machine inventor Elias Howe credited a dream with inspiring his needle with the hole at the pointed end. Golfing great Jack Nicklaus dreamed a revised golf grip that improved his game by 10 strokes.
"I can't explain this phenomenon by means of science," says Russian mathematician Alexander A. Zenkin, who refers to his discoveries from dreaming as his "voice of night."

While a lecturer at Moscow State University in 1971, Zenkin tried fruitlessly for months to find a proof of mathematics' classical Waring's Problem. Frustrated, he stopped thinking about it--only to awaken one morning "with a happy feeling that I have the proof."

He sat at a table and wrote nonstop for seven hours--producing 18 mistake-free pages of "absolutely new ideas, methods, theorems." "I felt as if somebody dictated to me," he says, explaining that he didn't remember the work in his dreams that night, only the solution that morning. Since then, he has been revisited by his voice of night.

Sept 7-10, 2008 Forecast Results

With all the attention that Hurricane Ike was getting, here's one forecast result that got overlooked.



The Weather Alternative forecast for September 7-10 expected cool but fair weather over the Rockies due to Jupiter's trine to Saturn.

On the 7th, Accuweather reported "The northern Rockies and the West Coast will see some cooler conditions with a slight dip in the jet stream over the area...cooler weather will be found over the northern Rockies with a front moving off to the east. "

On the 9th, the Weather Channel reported "Afternoon highs across the region (Rockies) are expected to stay cooler than they were over the weekend.

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Check out my article and interview in Saptarishis Astrology Volume 3

The key to peace is not in the absence of confusion, but in your frame of mind. Sometimes it might seem like you can’t even hear yourself think, but that isn’t an obstacle too great for Me to overcome. I will give you peace of mind and heart as you surrender your all to Me.

Hurricane Ike Fulfills Long-range Forecast

Hurricane Ike's arrival over eastern Texas on September 12th and 13th fulfilled The Weather Alternative's long-range weather forecast posted on May 12th of this year. The forecast called for possible tropical storm or hurricane formation in the western Gulf of Mexico between September 9th and 14th.

A more recent post (Sept 7) pinpointed Ike's landfall over eastern Texas. Conventional forecasters were somewhat perplexed as to Ike's track. As can be seen from the National Weather Service map for Sept 9th, the main track they thought Ike would take was further to the southwest. The Weather Alternative post stated It seems like the greater danger lies over eastern Texas.

It also seems that Ike's arrival over the Northeast and New England on Sept 15th and 16th may fulfill another Weather Alternative long-range forecast. This one was posted on June 13th and stated:

Sept 14-18

The conjunction of Mercury and Venus over the New England area keeps the astro-meteorological window open for tropical storm/hurricane activity to affect the region or for severe thunderstorms to afflict the area.

Summer 2008: The Eastern United States
Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1
Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1
Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1
Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made
Check out my article and interview in Saptarishis Astrology Volume 3

Where Is Ike Headed?

Conventional forecasters see Hurricane Ike headed into the Gulf of Mexico and close to the Gulf Coast around the 12th of September. I would say that the astrological factors involved at that time would back their forecast. Let's look at the astro-locality map for the First Quarter Moon of September 7th.

You'll notice the area I've circled over eastern Texas. These crossings of planetary lines are important. The yellow line represents Jupiter's position and the two white lines represent Mercury and Mars. Both Mercury and Mars will square Jupiter and then conjoin each other between Sept 7th and 8th. This is somewhat before Ike would arrive. The original crossings will be activated again around the 14th. This will probably coincide with Ike's arrival. So one good possibility is that Ike hits southeast Texas around the 14th.

The current lunar eclipse chart shows some of these same planets over the Florida Panhandle. As is usual with strong hurricanes, they usually affect a big area. It seems like the greater danger lies over eastern Texas. I will check you some other charts and see if anything else turns up.

P.S. I almost overlooked my own forecast for Sept 9-14 posted in the Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1 section posted in May. It read:

Another cold wave begins to affect the Plains triggering precipitation. From the 12th on, the Sun's opposition to Uranus brings a cold air mass out of the north lowering temperatures and setting off storms, which have the potential to reach severe limits. Possible tropical storm or hurricane formation is indicated in the western Gulf of Mexico.

Summer 2008: The Eastern United States
Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1
Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1
Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1
Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made
Check out my article and interview in Saptarishis Astrology Volume 3

Circumstances never create character; they merely reveal it.

Reputation is what men think you are; character is what God knows you are.

Hanna, Ike, and Other Predictions

Tropical Storm Hanna is forecast to strike the Carolina coast somewhere between Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Wilmington, N.C. today according to Accuweather.com. This will fulfill The Weather Alternative long-range forecast for Sept 6-9 issued on June 13th of this year.

Hurricane Ike is next in line, and according to the National Weather Service's projected path will round the Florida Peninsula and head into the Gulf of Mexico. Accuweather, on the other hand, foresees Ike following more or less the same path as Hanna along the East Coast.

There are two long-range Weather Alternative forecasts that come into play here. One for Sept 10-14 shows a stormy East Coast based on the Venus-Mars conjunction of Sept 11th. The other forecast for Sept 14-18 warns of tropical storm or hurricane activity over New England. (Read forecasts here) Ike may be the fulfillment of this latter forecast if it reaches the New England area between the 14th and and 18th.

Another Weather Alternative long-range forecast for Aug 29-Sept 4 called for a cold air mass to move in over the Rockies and to bring precipitation. The Accuweather Map at left shows the front entering the West Coast on Saturday, August 30th. The Weather Channel reported on the 29th:

The cold front will move into the Northwest this weekend...
readings in Washington and Oregon behind the front will be 5 to 15 degrees below average...Sunday and Monday, the cold front will continue to plow through the West. High temperatures will be 5 to 30 degrees below average over much of the region.
Showers and thunderstorms will cover a wide area from Montana to Arizona and New Mexico. Snow will fall in the higher elevations of the northern Rockies.

The Weather Alternative long-range forecast for Sept 3-7 read

Weather gets nasty over the Plains as Mercury and Mars parallel Uranus provoking windy conditions or severe thunderstorms packing damaging winds. Severe weather then pushes eastward over the Mississippi Valley.

So far this has coincided with Gustav's arrival over the Plains and Mississippi Valley area as can be seen on this Weather Channel map for Sept 4th. Gustav brought heavy rain, flooding, and tornado wathes and warnings to the mid-Mississippi Valley and western Great Lakes area as well as soaking rains to nearly all of Arkansas and portions of Mississippi, eastern Oklahoma, western Tennessee, and much of Missouri.

Summer 2008: The Eastern United States

Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1

Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1

Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Check out my article and interview in Saptarishis Astrology Volume 3

10 excuses that are not recommended for ambitious men & women:
a) That's the way we've always done it.
b) I didn't know you were in a hurry for it.
c) That's not in my department.
d) No one told me to go ahead.
e) I'm waiting for an okay.
f) How did I know this was different?
g) That's his job, not mine.
h) Wait till the boss comes back & ask him.
i) I forgot.
j) I didn't think it was that important.

More On Gustav and Hanna

Gustav, a category 2 hurricane, hit the Louisiana coast today. Recently, I posted about the difference in Pluto's position in astro-locality maps, and how the "inmundo" position seemed to be more accurate than the "zodiacal" position. Gustav's arrival over Louisiana is another example of this.


The astro-locality map at left is for the New Moon of August 30th but with the planetary (inmundo) positions for September 1st. Notice the circled area over Louisiana where Mars, represented by the blue line, crosses with Pluto, represented by the white line. They make a convenient "X-marks-the -spot" over where Gustav made landfall. Planetary crossings such as these are important in weather forecasting as can be seen in previous posts. They don't happen all the time, but when they do they can be important. Mars is parallel Mercury today--a high wind breeder. Back in May when Cyclone Nargis hit Burma, it was under the aspect of Mercury parallel Mars.

In my last post, I discussed another forecast I had made for Aug 30-Sept 2. Mercury and Mars in the Solar Ingress were over Florida and the East Central States. I wanted to see if windy conditions would develop there as well or if it would just be high pressure. The Accuweather map at right shows that windy conditions associated with Gustav have affected the Florida Panhandle. On the 31st, The Weather Channel reported that rain from Gustav was also affecting the Florida Peninsula with the possibility of a tornado or two.

Another possibility that confirms windy conditions associated with the Mercury-Mars combo over the eastern portion of the country has to do with the Accuweather map at left that shows winds from over the Southeast U.S. shearing Tropical Storm Hanna.

Speaking of Tropical Storm Hanna, this next map issued today from the National Weather Service shows Hanna striking the Georgia-South Carolina state line around Friday, Sept 5th. If so, this will confirm my Sept 6-9 forecast issued in June of this year. The forecast called for a possible tropical storm or hurricane to make landfall over the Carolinas.

Sept 6-9
This is a very active period for the East Coast. Strong storms and high wind velocities are indicated for the mid-Atlantic area as Mercury, Venus, and Mars transit the area. Mars will parallel Uranus--a high wind breeder, and square Jupiter. Mercury also squares Jupiter and conjoins Mars--another wind maker. Lastly, Venus squares Jupiter and parallels Uranus. Tropical storm or hurricane landfall is possible over the Carolinas. If not a tropical system, powerful storms lash the mid-Atlantic and push eastward.

Summer 2008: The Eastern United States
Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1
Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1
Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1
Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Check out my article and interview in Saptarishis Astrology Volume 3

“We don’t stop laughing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop laughing.” Youth is not just a time of life; it is also a state of mind.

Doctor: That pain in your leg is caused by old age.
Grandpa: Don’t be silly—my other leg is the same age and it doesn’t hurt at all.

Where Are Gustav and Hanna Headed?

Current thinking says Gustav, as a strong hurricane, will most likely hit Louisiana around September 2nd. Of course, things could change. The Weather Alternative forecast for September 3-7 posted back in May and based on indications in the Solar Ingress chart warned that Weather gets nasty over the Plains as Mercury and Mars parallel Uranus provoking windy conditions or severe thunderstorms packing damaging winds. Severe weather then pushes eastward over the Mississippi Valley.


When considering other indications present in the New Moon chart, the area of southeast Texas and western Louisiana are highlighted again.


The Weather Alternative forecast for August 30-Sept 2 also warned of stormy weather and damaging winds over the East Central area due to Mercury's parallel to Mars. Both of these planets occupy the Midheaven through Florida in the Solar Ingress. Conventional forecasters are saying the a high pressure area is building over the Southeast U.S. It remains to be seen if this Mercury-Mars combo is indicative of the high pressure area or if some other type of severe weather will result there at that time, which was my leaning.

Meanwhile Tropical Storm Hanna is churning in the western Atlantic. Forecasters show Hanna curving southward and over the Bahamas by September 3rd.

The Weather Alternative forecast for Sept 6-9 stated This is a very active period for the East Coast. Strong storms and high wind velocities are indicated for the mid-Atlantic area as Mercury, Venus, and Mars transit the area. Mars will parallel Uranus--a high wind breeder, and square Jupiter. Mercury also squares Jupiter and conjoins Mars--another wind maker. Lastly, Venus squares Jupiter and parallels Uranus. Tropical storm or hurricane landfall is possible over the Carolinas. If not a tropical system, powerful storms lash the mid-Atlantic and push eastward.

We'll have to wait and see if Hanna plays into this or if Gustav is eventually pushed toward the East Coast. Perhaps it will be neither of them but some other weather pattern that affects the area.

Another Weather Alternative forecast was recently fulfilled as shown in the Accuweather map for August 25th. The forecast read a dose of cold air descends over the West generating a low pressure system over the Great Basin and Rockies.

Accuweather stated that showers would be present along with a noticeable chill. Temperatures were 10 to 20 degrees cooler in most locations as the front pushed eastward through the forecast area.

This next Weather Channel map for August 28th shows the fulfillment of two other Weather Alternative long-range forecasts.

The first one was for the East Coast between August 27-29 and stated Mercury and Venus square Pluto on the 27th and 29th respectively. Venus is also contra parallel Mars, which now occupies the Midheaven at 83 west longitude on the 28th. Although Pluto has been busted down from its status as a planet, it still exerts its full power on the weather. In the Ingress chart, Pluto runs along the East Coast, which should feel the strength of its storm-producing capabilities, while Mercury and Venus affect the East Central area with thunderstorms.

The remnants of Fay headed into the Northeast and spread rain and heavy downpours in the Southeast, Tennessee Valley, and Central Appalachians.

The second forecast was also for August 27-29 calling for summer storms to hit the Mississippi Valley. A low pressure area can be seen over the Mississippi Valley in the above map, which brought stormy weather to the region.

Summer 2008: The Eastern United States
Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1
Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1
Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1
Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Check out my article and interview in Saptarishis Astrology Volume 3

Knowledge is a collection of facts. Wisdom is knowing how to apply knowledge.

Fay Over the Gulf Coast and Other Weather Updates

Former Tropical Storm Fay is now over the Gulf Coast area fulfilling The Weather Alternative's long-range forecast for August 23-25, which read:

Mars is now transiting across the East Central area at 86 west longitude. On the 26th, Mercury is contra parallel Mars. Heat increases and may result in storms and windy conditions.


86 west longitude centers around the western Florida Panhandle and Alabama. Accuweather reported today that "Tropical Rainstorm Fay was located about 60 miles north of Mobile, Ala., at 4:00 a.m. CDT. The storm continues its slow track moving west-northwest near 8 mph, and maximum-sustained winds are only near 30 mph. "

Another recent long-range forecast for August 20-24 stated This period starts with a warm and moist air mass pushing up over the Plains due to Mercury's conjunction with Venus. As these planets pass to the opposition of Uranus a cold air mass clashes with it resulting in storms throughout the Plains.

The Weather Channel map at left shows a front and storms pushing through the area. During the period severe thunderstorms were reported through North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and 1 to 2 inches of rain in Missouri.

Going back a bit further, there were some Weather Alternative forecasts made for the period of Aug 15-17 and Aug 17-19 that need to be assessed.

First August 17-19: The Weather Channel map at left for August 20th shows a front and storms entering the Pacific Northwest. This fulfills what was mentioned in the "Solar Eclipse Time" post about a low pressure system off the U.S. West Coast developing between the 17th and 19th and pushing inland. The same post also mentioned possible hurricane formation further south along 128 west longitude. No hurricane formation resulted.

The long-range forecast for August 15-17 warned of heavy rains over western U.S. The National Weather Service reported the following on August 17th:

656 AM PDT SUN AUG 17 2008
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF WESTERN WASHINGTON TONIGHT......AN UNSEASONABLY STRONG AND WET STORM SYSTEM WILL AFFECT WESTERN WASHINGTON LATE TUESDAY INTO WEDNESDAY...

THE AIR MASS WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY UNSTABLE OVER THE AREA AND IS EXPECTED TO BECOME EVEN MORE SO TONIGHT. THE THUNDERSTORMS THAT DEVELOP TONIGHT WILL POSE A RISK OF DIME SIZE HAIL OR LARGER.

The forecast also mentioned hurricane formation at 123 west longitude, which did not occur.

The same forecast pinpointed three locations outside of the U.S.--Iran; Brisbane, Australia; and the northeast Atlantic, 450 miles southwest of Ireland.

Iran

I was expecting some type of strong increase in heat and humidity over the country, and in an extreme case a tropical storm. I was unable to confirm any weather patterns over Iran.

Australia

The forecast called for a winter storm in and around the Brisbane area. A severe weather warning was issued on the 17th for damaging surf across the coastal areas and Strong Wind Warning. This was due to a pressure gradient resulting from a high pressure area over Australia and deep low pressure area near New Zealand.

Northeastern Atlantic

The forecast called for a strong low pressure system 450 miles southwest of Ireland heading toward Europe.

Accuweather reported the following on August 17th:

Flooding has occurred across parts of the United Kingdom over the past few days. A slow-moving area of low pressure has moved over Ireland, bringing locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds. As much as 3 inches of rain fell across Scotland and Ireland since Friday, in addition to the 1-2 inches which fell across much of the same area on Tuesday. Numerous trains were delayed across Scotland and Wales due to flooding, as well as downed trees. Limerick, in southwestern Ireland has received 8.44 inches of rain so far this month, more than 5 times the normal amount. Dublin, Ireland, has received more than 4 and a half times their normal rainfall so far this month. Rain is expected to continue across much of the British Isles on Sunday and Monday, as the low pressure system moves very slowly to the east.

Solar Eclipse Time

Summer 2008: The Eastern United States

Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1

Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1

Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Check out my article and interview in Saptarishis Astrology Volume 3

Fay, Why Florida? -- Other Weather Patterns

It's apparent that T.S. Fay is the offspring of the Mars-Pluto square that was exact on August 17th. But why Florida? I was expecting tropical activity further west along the Gulf Coast as posted in Solar Eclipse Time. Our all-important Cardinal Solar Ingress chart has some answers.



As shown in the astro-locality map at left, the Pluto line at the time of the Mars-Pluto square ran across Cuba (see diagonal white line). But there are two positions to choose from when looking at planetary lines. The position that I normally use is the zodiacal position.

The other position is the inmundo position as shown in this next astro-locality map for the moment of Mars square Pluto. Most planets, except Pluto, don't vary much when switching between these two positions. Because of Pluto's rather eccentric orbit there is a considerable difference at times.

Comparing Pluto's inmundo position to Fay's actual path as shown on this Weather Channel map, one can see that Fay was hugging the Pluto line in it's trip across Florida.

The geographical area mentioned in Solar Eclipse Time has been active nevertheless. The forecast called for an outbreak of storms or tropical activity along 88 west longitude roughly between August 17-19. The Accuweather Map at right shows drenching storms that have been over this general area lately.

Originally I had said the period starts on the 16th and 17th with severe weather over Arkansas. No severe weather was reported, but further south over Louisiana a front had stalled bringing numerous thunderstorms over the area.

Solar Eclipse Time
Summer 2008: The Eastern United States
Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1
Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1
Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1
Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made


Risk Taking

Sometimes the risks you take might even cost you. Not every single venture will be immediately successful. Some might not be successful at all, and that also applies to the opportunities that come your way. But it’s better to try something new and to discover that it doesn’t work than to never try anything different or outside-of-the-box.

Saturn Lives Up To Its Cold, Dreary Name; TS Fay

Traditionally, Saturn’s astro-meteorological influence brings excessive cloudiness, wetness, and subnormal temperatures. It’s conjunction with Venus lowers the barometer, produces easterly winds and increasing cloudiness with characteristic dull, leaden skies.

The Weather Alternative forecast for August 12-15 has definitely been fulfilled. The forecast read:

Aug 12-15

The conjunctions and parallels of Mercury and Venus to Saturn will bring a storm system to the Rockies lowering temperatures after its passage.

The Accuweather weather maps shown here for August 13th and 16th show the easterly component of this weather pattern as well as the cold, and rainy side. The dull atmosphere and increased cloud cover are mentioned in the following Accuweather statements as well.

Dreary Weather, Heavy T-Storms Updated: Saturday, August 16, 2008 7:24 AM
Cooler flow will continue to wedge against the Rocky Mountains with an upper-level storm over the Four Corners
region today. This will cause dreary weather over the Colorado Rockies and over the Front Range. Thick clouds will
cover these areas. Areas of drizzle and light rain will add further misery to the gloomy, unseasonably cool weather.

The Weather Channel August 15th:
Meanwhile, a cold area of low pressure aloft and an easterly upslope flow will keep temperatures way below average over parts of Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.
Areas from Wyoming to eastern Colorado may see rain and highs in the 50s. Some very high elevation snow in the Rockies above 9000 to 10,000 feet is possible.
Rain and thunderstorms will plague the eastern sections of the central and southern Rockies and adjacent high Plains through the weekend.

Meanwhile in the tropics, Tropical Storm Fay has taken shape over the Dominican Republic. Present thinking has Fay developing into a stronger storm and moving into the Gulf and making landfall along the Gulf Coast area that I mentioned in a recent post. (See Solar Eclipse Time)

Solar Eclipse Time

Summer 2008: The Eastern United States

Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1

Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1

Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Wind of Love, Wind of God

Do you hear the wind? Listen to the wind of My love. Let the gentle breeze pick you up and carry you into My arms where you can abide with Me in sweet communion. Let it blow away all of your cares, all of your worries, and all of your burdens. The wind of My love will also whisper in your ears the love words that I wish to speak to you.

Let the wind of love cleanse you, carry you, and whisper to you. Let the wind of My love blow gently upon the embers of your spirit and light the fire of love in your heart so that it may burn brightly for Me.

Solar Eclipse Time

No, we're not expecting a solar eclipse, but Mars will trigger two past solar eclipses in the next few days. As we've shown a number of times on The Weather Alternative, when one of the outer planets makes a hard aspect to a recent solar eclipse degree, there is an atmospheric reaction over the geographic area where the Sun and Moon were angular. This reaction is in accordance with the nature of the planet making the hard aspect.



The first eclipse to be triggered is the March 18, 2007 solar eclipse. Mars will oppose this degree on August 18th. As shown in the map above, the Sun-Moon line ran through the central Atlantic around 38 west longitude. At the time of the solar eclipse, the Sun and Moon were square Pluto. On the 18th when Mars triggers this degree, Mars will also be square transit Pluto. This location should be watched roughly from August 17-20 for the formation or strengthening of tropical weather systems. Lately there has been concern amongst conventional meteorologists that the Atlantic hurricane season will spring to life soon. This is one indication that backs their concerns. There are others as well.

If we take a look at another view of the same eclipse, we see that the Sun and Moon descended over the eastern Pacific at that time. The southern part of the Sun-Moon line (at 128 west longitude) is another area to watch for hurricane formation between the same dates (Aug 17-19)--roughly between 15 and 25 north latitude. Further north, off the U.S. coast a front or low pressure system could develop in response to this and move inland. (For more info about this period see Summer 2008: The West Coast --link below)

The September 22, 2006 solar eclipse is the other one that will be triggered by the conjunction of Mars on the 18th. In a recent post we saw the effect Mars had on U.S. weather when it triggered a recent heat wave. This time, as seen in the astro-locality map at left, the 88th degree of west longitude will be triggered. My forecast for August 16-17 for this area already warns of severe weather over this area. (See Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley--link below) This will extend the period a bit. Once again we're watching from August 17th to 19th. Other factors involved here indicate that a tropical system could result in the Gulf and Yucatan of Mexico.

Summer 2008: The Eastern United States
Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1
Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1
Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1
Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

FATHER FORGETS
W. Livingston Larned
Listen, son: I am saying this as you lie asleep, one little paw crumpled under your cheek and the blond curls stickily wet on your damp forehead. I have stolen into your room alone. Just a few minutes ago, as I sat reading my paper in the library, a stifling wave of remorse swept over me. Guiltily I came to your bedside.

There are the things I was thinking, son: I had been cross to you. I scolded you as you were dressing for school because you gave your face merely a dab with a towel. I took you to task for not cleaning your shoes. I called out angrily when you threw some of your things on the floor.
At breakfast I found fault, too. You spilled things. You gulped down your food. You put your elbows on the table. You spread butter too thick on your bread. And as you started off to play and I made for my train, you turned and waved a hand and called, "Goodbye, Daddy!" and I frowned, and said in reply, "Hold your shoulders back!"

Then it began all over again in the late afternoon. As I came up the road I spied you, down on your knees, playing marbles. There were holes in your stockings. I humiliated you before your friends by marching you ahead of me to the house. Stockings were expensive—and if you had to buy them you would be more careful! Imagine that, son, from a father!

Do you remember, later, when I was reading in the library, how you came in timidly, with a sort of hurt look in your eyes? When I glanced up over my paper, impatient at the interruption, you hesitated at the door. "What is it you want?" I snapped.

You said nothing, but ran across in one tempestuous plunge, and threw your arms around my neck and kissed me, and your small arms tightened with an affection that God had set blooming in your heart and which even neglect could not wither. And then you were gone, pattering up the stairs.

Well, son, it was shortly afterwards that my paper slipped from my hands and a terrible sickening fear came over me. What has habit been doing to me? The habit of finding fault, of reprimanding—this was my reward to you for being a boy. It was not that I did not love you; it was that I expected too much of youth. I was measuring you by the yardstick of my own years.
And there was so much that was good and fine and true in your character. The little heart of yours was as big as the dawn itself over the wide hills. This was shown by your spontaneous impulse to rush in and kiss me good night. Nothing else matters tonight, son. I have come to your bedside in the darkness, and I have knelt there, ashamed!

It is a feeble atonement; I know you would not understand these things if I told them to you during your waking hours. But tomorrow I will be a real daddy! I will chum with you, and suffer when you suffer, and laugh when you laugh. I will bite my tongue when impatient words come. I will keep saying as if it were a ritual: "He is nothing but a boy—a little boy!"

I am afraid I have visualized you as a man. Yet as I see you now, son, crumpled and weary in your cot, I see that you are still a baby. Yesterday you were in your mother's arms, your head on her shoulder. I have asked too much, too much.

Tropical Storm Edouard and Other Weather

The Solar Ingress map for the summer season, as you recall, placed Uranus angular through the Plains. The astro-locality map at left shows Uranus as a yellow line. Transit Mars opposed Uranus on the 6th as Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall along the Texas coast and pushed westward.



The Weather Channel map at right shows Edouard's position on the 6th. The Weather Alternative forecast for August 5-7 stated "Mars-Uranus signifies storm emergencies and windy conditions, which will hit the Plains. Tornadoes may be a by-product of these storms."




Besides Edouard's arrival, Accuweather reported on the 6th that "Strong thunderstorms will unleash torrents of rain across a large swath of the country Wednesday night and Thursday. These storms have enough moisture to dump 2-3 inches of rain on some locations causing temporary flooding. Tornadoes are unlikely, but some of the storms will produce wind damage." This area included the Plains.

Another Weather Alternative forecast for August 6-8 stated "More moisture is pumped into the western US resulting in a low pressure area or front that sets off storms. Wind may be a salient feature."

On the 7th, Accuweather reported "...some moisture will make its way into the Sierra and Cascades, increasing the potential of dry thunderstorms in the tinder-dry areas that have not already burned." So although moisture was pumped into the western US, it did not make it to the Pacific Northwest as I anticipated.

The last Weather Alternative forecast was for August 7-9. It read "Chilly and damp weather develops over the Great Basin and Rockies." The Accuweather map at right shows a cool air mass pushing into the Pacific Northwest but not fully entering the Great Basin and Rockies as forecast.

However, damp conditions will exist as thunderstorms will be focused...across the mountains of eastern Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah according to Accuweather.

Summer 2008: The Eastern United States

Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1

Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1

Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Got a Problem? Try Thanking God For It

One Army wife came to me, convinced that her problem had but one solution. Her husband had developed an excessive drinking problem and for the past several years had been an alcoholic. Often he would pass out drunk on the living room floor where the wife or his teenage children would find him, stark naked. In this condition he'd also been found in the hallway of the apartment house where sev­eral other families lived.

In final desperation the wife decided to take the children and leave. Friends persuaded her to at least come talk to me first.

"Whatever you say, Chaplain, don't tell me to stay with him," she said. "I just can't do it."

"I don't care whether you stay with him or not," I said. "I just want you to thank God that your husband is like he is."

Carefully I explained what the Bible had to say about thanking God for all things, and that if she tried it, God would be able to solve her problem in the best way.

She thought it sounded ridiculous, but finally agreed to kneel while I prayed that God would release in her enough faith to believe that He is a God of love and power who holds the universe in His hand.

At last she said, "I do believe."Two weeks later I called her."I feel absolutely marvelous," she said. "My husband is a different man. He hasn't had a drink in two weeks."

"That's wonderful," I said. "I'd like to talk to him."

"What do you mean?" She sounded surprised.

"I just think it would be good if I talked to your husband about the power that is working in your lives."

"Didn't you tell him already?" She sounded puzzled.

"No, I haven't met him yet."

"Chaplain, this is a miracle," she cried out. "The day I was in your office he came home from work and for the first time in seven years he didn't go to the refrigerator for a beer. Instead he went into the living room and talked to the children. I was sure you had talked to him." --Merlin Carothers

Heat Wave

This is from a 2002 news article.

One deadly natural disaster: The heat wave

By Tara Bahrampour, NY Times News Service

Natural disasters usually come rife with drama. Hurricanes, tornadoes, forest fires, earthquakes-all make for good headlines and even better visuals.

But it would be hard to make a blockbuster movie about a heat wave. Heat waves come on subtly, raising summer temperatures just a little higher than normal and then receding. But they kill more people in the United States than all other natural disasters combined.

According to the Center for Climatic Research at the University of Delaware, an average of 1,500 American city dwellers die each year because of the heat. Annual deaths from tornadoes, earthquakes and floods together total fewer than 200.

The most deadly US heat wave in recent years occurred in Chicago over a week in July 1995, when temperatures hovered around 100 degrees. Then, over 50,000 people were left without electricity, nearly two dozen hospitals closed their doors to new patients, ambulances lined up around the block waiting to drop off victims, and the county buried 68 people in a 160-foot-long trench. Scientists say that 739 people died that week.

For context, the great Chicago fire of 1871 killed half that many. The San Francisco earthquake of 1989 killed 62, and Hurricane Andrew in 1992 killed 26.

People find it hard to consider heat as a disaster, said Dr. Eric Klinenberg, a sociologist at New York University and the author of Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago. Heat waves cause little visible destruction. "If a tornado touches down, the moment it hits, you can assess the damage," he said. With heat, at worst, roads buckle, trains derail and livestock die.

It does not take a lot of extra heat to kill the vulnerable. "The body works in a very small temperature range," said Dr. Lawrence Robinson, deputy health commissioner of Philadelphia. "The body circulates blood to the skin and perspiration removes heat from the skin. In extreme heat, the heart has to pump faster and harder," leading to heart attacks or strokes. Even a healthy person who overexerts in the heat can die of heat stroke.

Sun-Mercury Storms Haiti; Mars Heats Up The U.S.

In my July 17th post "A Hurricane for Haiti?" I presented a couple of possible weather scenarios for the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The Sun-Mercury conjunction of July 29th lead me to believe that a tropical storm or hurricane might hit the island between July 28-31. If not a hurricane, I conjectured that a severe weather system producing dangerous thunderstorms might hit the island.



Tonight the Weather Channel reports "A tropical wave moving through the eastern Caribbean Sea has enhanced activity across Puerto Rico and will do the same to the Dominican Republic and Haiti through Friday. Flash flooding is possible along the mountains of both islands."



The Dominican Republic's weather service is calling for downpours, gusty winds, and flooding in low-lying areas. The infrared weather map above shows the system approaching the island.

The next post entitled Mars and the Solar Eclipse of Sept 11, 2007 explained how transit Mars would trigger last September's solar eclipse degree. Since the Sun-Moon eclipse line ran through the Rockies and Mexico, I concluded that nature's heat element would be active over theses areas and could even produce a tropical system along the Mexican coast south of Guadalajara between July 30th and August 2nd.

Here's how things are shaping up:

Nature's heat element is definitely at work over the Rockies. Accuweather reports "A dome of high pressure over the Four Corners is producing the blazing sunshine and triple-digit temperatures. Increasing humidity east of the Rockies will create RealFeel® temperatures that will make it fell hotter and more uncomfortable."

The heat is also expanding eastward into the Plains. According to the Weather Channel "Both Saturday and Sunday, afternoon highs will reach the lower 100s over much of the southern Plains, Texas, and parts of the Lower Mississippi River Valley, with middle and upper 90s across the rest of the Deep South."

Further south in Mexico, their weather service reports that a tropical wave around 101 west longitude is causing strong convective activity along the coasts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima y Jalisco where strong to intense rains may fall. Since Guadalajara is located in the state of Jalisco, we're right on target.

A Hurricane For Haiti
Summer 2008: The Eastern United States
Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1
Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1
Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1
Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Thank God For Everything?

One couple heard me speak on praising God for everything and went home quite disturbed. For months they had grieved over the condition of their daughter who had been committed to a mental institution and had been diagnosed as hopelessly insane.

Prayer groups across the country had been asked to intercede for her, and daily the parents had pleaded with God on their knees to heal their daughter. Her condition remained unchanged.

Their initial response to the challenge that they should praise God for the condition of their daughter had left them distraught and unhappy.

But finally they decided, "We have nothing to lose, do we? Why don't we try it?"

They knelt together. "Dear God," the husband began, "we know that You love us and that You love our daughter even more than we do. We're going to trust that You're working out in her life what You know is best for her; so we thank You for her sickness, thank You that she's in the hospital, thank You for the doctors who haven't found a way to help her. We praise You for Your wisdom and love toward us ... "

The longer they prayed that day, the more they became convinced that God was indeed doing what was best.

The next morning the hospital psychiatrist called.

"Sir, there's been a remarkable change in your daughter," he said. "I suggest you come and see her."

Within two weeks she was released from the hospital.

A year later a young man came up to me after a meeting. He introduced himself as the girl's brother and told me that she was married, expecting a baby, and "is the happiest girl in the world!"--Power in Praise by Merlin R. Carothers

Mars and the Solar Eclipse of Sept 11, 2007

On July 31st, transit Mars will conjoin the Sept 11, 2007 Solar Eclipse degree. Astrometeorologists know that the conjunctions, squares, and oppositions to Solar Eclipse degrees by the outer planets provoke an atmospheric reaction over the places where the Sun and Moon were angular at the time of the eclipse.

The astro-locality map above has been stripped of all other planetary lines to show the position of the Sun-Moon Ascendant line at the time of the Sept 11, 2007 eclipse. The line ran through the Rockies and down through Guadalajara, Mexico to the southern Mexican coast.

Mars' influence relates to heat and is usually pretty energetic. Around this time, let's say from July 30th through August 2nd, nature's heat element should be active over these areas. This may provoke storms over the Rockies, and may even attract a tropical storm along the coast of Mexico south of Guadalajara.

A Hurricane For Haiti

Summer 2008: The Eastern United States

Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1

Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1

Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Problems vs. opportunities. (Zig Ziglar)

Be grateful for your problems. The problems or challenges we face force us to grow and become more capable. The long-distance runner who trains for the Olympics by running downhill will have no chance of winning the medal. The runner who trains by running uphill is far more likely to develop the speed, mental toughness and endurance which it takes to win the medal.

The best thing that ever happened to boxer Gene Tunney was that he had weak hands. His manager felt that he could never punch hard enough to be the heavyweight champion. Instead, Tunney decided that he would become a scientific boxer, not a slugger. Boxing historians will tell you that he developed into one of the best boxers who ever fought. Tunney would never have been champion had he not had the problem of his weak hands. So the next time you encounter a difficult climb, obstacle, or "problem," you should smile and say, "Here’s my chance to grow."

Dolly's Landfall and Mississippi Valley Severe Weather

Tropical Storm (soon to be Hurricane) Dolly is approaching southwestern Texas and northeastern Mexico. It is expected to make landfall somewhere in that area some time tomorrow. Why is it headed there? Notice the "crossing" of Mercury and Uranus in the Cancer Solar Ingress map over that very area. These Cardinal Solar Ingress maps are key maps for long-range weather forecasting. The crossing is being activated at this time.


The Weather Alternative's long-range forecast for July 22-24 called for the following:

July 22-24
Mercury trines Uranus over the Plains and brings cool, dry air southward. Mars influence adds stormy and windy conditions over the Mississippi Valley.

Notice the cooler air indicated on this Accuweather map and the storms forecast for today that will bring heavy downpours, gusty winds, and hail.

A Hurricane For Haiti
Summer 2008: The Eastern United States
Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1
Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1
Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1
Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Success in Life

Your success in life depends on your motive. There is an old fable about a dog that boasted of his ability as a runner. One day he chased a rabbit and failed to catch it. The other dogs ridiculed him on account of his previous boasting. His reply was, "You must remember that the rabbit was running for his life, while I was only running for my dinner." The incentive is all-important.

Tropical Storm Cristobal and the Northeast

The Weather Alternative's long-range forecast for July 18-20 called for stormy conditions throughout the Northeast due to Mercury's opposition to Jupiter on the 19th and their contraparallel on the 21st.



Storms began to assail the Northeast on the 18th. Accuweather reported "Thunderstorms pounded portions of New York, New Hampshire and Maine on Friday afternoon (July 18). Some areas received pea- to marble-sized hail. Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Ferrisburg and North Hero, Vt."

More storms are expected today over New York and New England with strong wind gusts and hail.

It looks like Tropical Storm Cristobal will add to the mix. Today, conventional forecasters are noting that drenching showers and locally gusty thunderstorms are spreading slowly northward from the Carolinas to the Delmarva Peninsula and surrounding areas. Cristobal's expected path is seen at right.

A Hurricane For Haiti

Summer 2008: The Eastern United States

Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1

Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1

Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

"In many churches Christianity has been watered down until the solution is so weak that if it were poison it would not hurt anyone, and if it were medicine it would not cure anyone!" --A.W. Tozer

A Hurricane For Haiti?

Haiti is one of the worst places to take a direct hit from a hurricane. The devastation and loss of life can be tremendous. The Atlantic Basin is already active as we speak, and planetary alignments do promise some hurricane or severe weather in and around Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Specifically, February's lunar eclipse localizes the Sun-Mercury conjunction of July 29th over the island of Hispañola. In season, Sun-Mercury conjunctions are known to produce hurricanes or severe weather systems that generate strong winds.

The chart at right is a view of the Sun-Mercury conjunction as seen from February's lunar eclipse over Haiti. Notice the Sun and Mercury conjoining on the Midheaven and squaring the Ascendant.

So roughly between July 28-31, 2008 a tropical storm and/or hurricane is possible over this area. If not an actual tropical system, the next scenario would be a severe weather system producing dangerous thunderstorms over the island.

Summer 2008: The Eastern United States
Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1
Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1
Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1
Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made


O'er uncharted sea
To their hearts' desire
Do men of faith set sail,
While the beaten men
Walk with fearful hearts
Along life's beaten trail.

The men of faith will challenge
Both men & Satan's wrath,
But the beaten men will compromise
And walk the beaten path.

Beaten roads are for beaten men,
As they walk with measured tread,
With tuneless souls they move along
To dwell among the dead.

But men of faith climb unscaled walls,
And sail uncharted sea.
They dare to cross convention's bounds
To set the captives free.

-- Thomas Wyatt