As I write this report on August 26th, I can hear the last hurrah of Jupiter as he roars marking the departure from Leo. Jupiter has had a kingly journey in the royal sign of Leo with an emphasis on "living large" where the extravagant lifesytle as almost been deified. Not only do we see SUV's dominating the American landscape but the Hummer 2 has now become a status symbol of the want to be wealthy and famous. "The Governator", Arnold Schwarzenegger - a Leo with Sun/Saturn/Pluto all packed tightly together with the fiery punch of the lions' weatlth/power axis.. His ambitious Capricorn Moon is another story (especially with transiting Chiron in Capricorn - the scapegoat sign. As Jupiter enters Virgo, we are beginning to see more focus on service vs.selfish and dramatic ego plays. In California the "people's candidate" Cruz Bustamante (Dem) with Jupiter in Taurus had a slim chance on October 7th recall. Jupiter has had a major effect on all political races from time immorial cause it takes money! And the Cali campaign started with (Jupiter in Leo) to campaign for the hearts and minds of voters. Perhaps in the far flung future money will no longer be the only criterion to win an election (or steal the ballot box ala Bush).

The Jupiter in Leo Spin

Note that Jupiter in Leo is the placement for all grandiose theatrical events including the media "spin". After Jupiter went direct on April 4th, the "spin" intensified with many overly dramatized events. One these high profile "events" was Leo rising GW Bush landing on the USS Lincoln - first time a sitting president has arrived on the deck of an aircraft carrier by plane. The second grossly staged event occured on April 9th a :"Historic Moment" "as an American armoured vehicle helped a crowd of cheering Iraqis to pull down a huge statue of Saddam Hussein." That single image of Saddam's statue toppling was repeadetly shown on TV screens world-wide in a media feeding frenzy. . Such staged events will no longer have the same impact as Jupiter's exaggeration fades into Virgo's critical analysis. Yes Jupiter in the sign Virgo will be a little less showy as will some of the nature and scope of media control. Remember that Virgo is ruled by Mercury - media and communications ally as do the trickster and magician to produce technical virtuosity not exageration.

Jove, Jupiter and our sense of humor Jupiter, also known as Jove in English was the head of the Roman gods. Zeus was head of the Greek Gods wielding thunder bolts. .The Merriam Webster dictionary describes jovial as "markedly good-humored especially as evidenced by jollity and conviviality" . In Leo Jupiter has been especially hearty with joyous strong sense of humor. With Jupiter in Virgo, the sense of humor will still be present but tamed down and even a little restrained. Jupiter in Leo has meant exaggeration in the ego department, a sometimes overly optimistic, greedy, snobbish, and condescending attitude. Jupiter in Virgo will definitly be more constricted demonstrating the humbleness that is inherent in the sign of the Virgin.

Virgo the Virgin Gets Tough
Virgo, the sixth sign of the zodiac also signifies the house of our work ethic and can measure of our integrity as productive world citizens. Virgo is a feminine sign ruled by that coyote-trickster Mercury. A "mutable sign", Virgo exhibits a fluidity that governs critical analysis, intellectual subtlety and service. Virgo people tend to be practical and industrious. When it comes to money and material possesions they are highly resourceful, prudent and sometimes frugal. They are more adaptable at certain times then fixed signs with a tendency to dote on the details of life. Most Virgos are shy and, like a virgin waiting to give herself to the perfect lover, Virgo can also be bit naive and idealistic. Until the slings and arrows of disappointment have taken their toll, Virgos will maintain their innocence. Once the wound has been felt then a cynicism and accompanying skepitcism of Virgo tends to overwhelm the quiet and shy personality. Virgo consequently becomes self critical and sensitive.

Virgo is associated with such female deities: Ishtar, Innana, Aphrodite, Ceres, Demeter, Astraea, Erigone, Isis; and in Christian symbolism, the Virgin Mary. Virgo has been depicted as a winged maiden holding a palm branch in her left hand and an ear of corn in her right. The palm branch is an ancient symbol of rejoicing, triumph and glorification. The ear of corn held in the right hand clearly links the constellation to the season of agricultural harvest. With Jupiter now in Virgo except many changes on the agricultural front from the GMO (Genetically Modified Food) Wars to new techniques of farming with more emphasis on Organic Farming and Labeling.

Positive Aspects of Jupiter Entering Virgo

Holistic health will become a trend among all age groups. There will be a tendency for improvements in education. The healing of both the physical and moral ills of society will predominate. In many areas we will see technical improvements, not just in the area of computers or technology - huge advances in medicine will occur (especialy with Uranus in Pisces). The workplace will demonstrate more effiecient means of productivity. Even though Arnold has pledged to clean house in California, the Virgo spirit will go to work to heal the world's fifth biggest economy. Afterall California was founded as a state on Septemeber 9th, 1850! A Virgo Baby! Another note of Virgo Power is that the true date of Mexican Independence was September 16, 1810! not Cinco de Mayo.

Famous Virgos
Maria Montessori Born on Wednesday, August 31, 1870.
William Saroyan Born on Monday, August 31, 1908.
Mother Teresa Born as Agnes Gonza Bojaxhiu on Saturday, August 27, 1910 at 14:25 in Skopje MACEDONIA
Raquel Welch Born on Thursday, September 5, 1940
and Van Morrison Born on Friday, August 31, 1945

Virgo Trends Have Been Building Both Positive and Negative

Math SAT scores reach 36-year high was the title of a recent article in CNN
The nation's high school class of 2003 achieved the highest score on the math section of the SAT in at least 36 years. If we look back in history, Jupiter entered Virgo in Oct 20, 1967 when Math Scores were at their highest. If we look back further in Nov 18, 1955 when the the Sputnik era improve the technical education in the schools.
Recent Health Advances with this story: Tuesday, August 26, 2003 Researchers: Key dyslexia gene found WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Finnish researchers said on Monday they had found a gene they believe could be important in causing dyslexia
Or this article entitled Is Junk Food the Next Tobacco? which deals with the first-ever class-action suit against McDonald's. Virgo rules the digestion and diet by virtue of Virgo ruling the intestines, pancreas, and gall bladder. Another story that appeared just a day after Jupiter's entrance into Virgo:
Thu Aug 28, 4:18 PM ETUrban Sprawl Makes Americans Fat, Study Finds
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - You drive to work, you drive your kids to school, you drive to the grocery store -- no wonder you have put on a few pounds. U.S. researchers said on Thursday they had quantified the price of living in sprawled-out American communities and weight gain leads the list -- six pounds on average, to be precise.

Low-Calorie-Diet Study Takes Scientists Aback
September 19, 2003 Scientists know that very strict low-calorie diets can prolong life. But now they report that it does not matter when you start that diet — at least if you are a fruit fly. The life-prolonging effect kicks in immediately, continues as long as the diet, and is lost as soon as the dieting stops.

Outsourcing jobs to Asia will be in the news throough this Virgo Cycle. All large corporations are lowering costs through utilzation of lower cost employment in Asia. Using Oracle as an example, their 7,500 workforce in India alone, the approximate savings estimates can be calculated. Microsoft is outsourcing its entire back office to India. GE has been doing this move for 10 years and HPQ, SUNW, IBM, Accenture,etc are other examples. I have a list of them all (about 60 major corporations), but ORCL is now leading in this rapid transition. Americans will have to be even more resourceful (Virgo trait) in creating different jobs in sectors like health and service.

Virgo Tech News
Virgo the sign of technology and technical expertise makes news with Sun Microsystems (Virgo company incorporated on 9/17/86!) on Tuesday September 16, 4:46 pm ET Sun to Unveil Windows-Displacing Software SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- In a move aimed squarely at Microsoft Corp., Sun Microsystems Inc. unveiled on Tuesday a suite of software for businesses that want to dump -- or just can't afford -- the Windows operating system on their companies' desktop computers

Highlights and Events in History where Jupiter was in Virgo

The New Deal begins:1932-1933
The Great Depression supposedly began on Black Tuesday, October 29, 1929 when the market crashed! Many causes have been ascribed to the depression but it was obvious that the process of healing the economy and nation was paramount. This healing effort was lead by Franklin Delano Roosevelt who created the New Deal. His quote: "I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt
The New Deal created jobs that provided the necessary encouragement, hope, value and self-esteem to assist the American people to recapture their economic values. Thru the Work Projects Administration (WPA) millions of Americans were able to work. The National Youth Administration (NYA) and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) were two programs that employed young men and women. In particular, the CCC developed most of our national parks Also in early 1933 prohibition of alcohol was on the way out and finally abolished in late 1933.

Victory in World War II - July 26, 1944 - Aug 25, 1945

Normandy Invasion's succes, which turned World War II around, was within days of Jupiter entering Virgo. Then on December 16th 1944 the Battle of the Bulge began which marked the end for the Germans. Finally on August 6th and August 9th the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki marked the end of World War Two causing the Japanese to surrender. The Surrender Ceremony in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Missouri which officially marked VJ Day September 2, 1945 was when Jupiter had just left Virgo and entered Libra - sign of peace.

Sputnik and Civil Rights Focus

In 1955-1957 the Sputnik era caused our educational system to focus on science and technical improvements. This was a time when we were determined to gain superiority over the USSR. Civil Rights and the healing of racial issues was highlighted. 1955: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Montgomery bus boycott occured in 1955. Garfield High School becomes first Seattle high school with more than 50 percent nonwhite student body. In 1957: President Dwight Eisenhower sent U.S. Army troops to Little Rock, Arkansas, to enforce desegregation of schools. which finally let to the passage of Voting Rights Bill of 1957, the first major civil rights legislation in more than 75 years.

Beyond the Summer of Love in 1967 to 1969

The spirit and philosophy of the Uranus-Pluto conjunct in Virgo (1963-1969) spread far and wide. From vegitarianism to ecology to Yoga (amidst the drug use of Neptune in Scorpio) many health concious movements began to flourish.
The late sixties also showcased the technical expertise of great rock musicians from Ravi Shankar to the Beatles.
Santana Blues Band appeared at the Straight Theatre on December 1, 1967. February 1, 1968
Jimi Hendrix Experience, with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, at the Fillmore Auditorium. March 8, 1968
Cream, James Cotton Blues Band, Jeremy Satyrs, and Blood Sweat and Tears at the Fillmore Auditorium. Love, Congress of Wonders, and Sons of Champlin at the Avalon Ballroom.
June 4, 1968 San Francisco voters defeated a $5.7 million measure to acquire the Cliff House and Sutro Baths for a park. Ballot counting came to a standstill at City Hall when the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles was broadcast live on television.

A Time of Transition and Change

Just as the early 90's were a time of dissolving political ideology and geographic boundaries (USSR ends) especially with Uranus-Neptune conjunct in Capricorn and Pluto in Scorpio, todays landscape will morph into something new. We are on the threshold of improved ways of beiing. We may at first struggle to get our bearings as every area of life: psychological, social, political, or physical health undergoes technical improvement and a vast house cleaning. As long as we don't get bogged down with details and hypochondriac reactions, Jupiter in Virgo will help in efforts to improve our ecology along with stimulating the job market. One of the really positive dates for Jupiter in Virgo marks The Harmonic Concordance of November 8/9 of 2003. At that time Jupiter will sextile the Sun, Moon, Mars,Saturn and Chiron. Jupiter's power to expand and exaggerate such positive aspects will be needed since Saturn has passed over the US Natal Sun at 13 degrees recently causing more hatred of America worldwide. This Full Moon Eclipse of Nov. 8/9 in Taurus/Scorpio provides a focal point for the potential alchemical transformation of physical reality which Jupiter in Virgo is practically tuned. Perhaps this date will mark the Great Shift for humanity or at least the momentum to really improve conditions in the world.