WINTER SEASON SOLARMAP

The Sun is now positioned at the Tropic of Capricorn and the day is very short; the Sun does not shine very long in the northern latitudes leaving us colder weather with icy precipitation in many locals. At the moment of the Sun´s turning point at the Tropic of Capricorn, an astrological chart is erected. The position of the Sun and the rest of the planets over the USA are used to forecast much of the weather for the season. The intensity of where the planet lines lay is rather remarkable when the actual weather fulfills the promise of this birth chart for the season.

From the chart (see the chart graphic), the same planets are cast onto a map of the USA. The planets represent temperature, moisture and wind indication. The chart is good only for the 3-month season and it is considered to be a 'birth chart´ giving the overview of the season. With this chart and with the weekly lunar phase charts, much of the weather is predictable.

Detailing the map, begin at the left and the first planet to affect the west coast regions is the Moon (purple). The weather equivalent for the Moon is moisture, indicating that northwest will experience more precipitation (in some cases, record setting amounts) than normal for the season. Flooding rains early in the season and the fault lines may be moving as well. Heading inland the Jupiter, the blue line, usually brings on more pleasant, fair weather, however, Jupiter is not it its best position (Virgo) and in adverse connection to other planets this season. The results of this are ‘super storms´. These conditions were found in the ‘super storm´ that hit the northeast in early December dropping three feet of snow.

The planet Pluto (black line) is next and will affect the Idaho region bringing similar weather already established for the northwest region. The significance of Pluto is found in the word ‘extreme´. People living on the down slopes of the Rockies say they have much more dry weather than what pours down in the state of Washington. This may hold true again since many of the indicators on the season chart are dry.

Heading for Middle America we find the Sun (blue) and Mars (red) lines are fairly close together. The normal indication is for warm to hot but for the winter season, the action is turbulent weather and sudden drops in temperature.

The next set of planet influences is dire and is the very difficult combination of Mercury (wind) and Saturn (low pressure, difficult). The longitude placement is 95 degrees west and includes the cities of Fargo ND, Sioux Falls SD, Wichita KS, and Houston TX. Storms from blizzards to tornados are expected.

Venus is the last planet over the states (green) and she is always involved with more moderate but wet weather. She covers most of the east coast and will bring a variety of precipitation based on elevation.

The solarmap is a backup tool used to view the bigger picture of the inherent weather for the season. The observations listed are strong for the overall season but are regarded as only a part of the long range forecast.

Carolyn Egan, Astrometeorologist ©, December 1, 2003