August 2010- The Summer of Our Discontent-Oil-Immigration-Threats, Raised Voices and Broken Governments

We end the month of July with the volatile God of War (Mars) opposing Uranus/conjunct Saturn, and this explosive and repressive energy continues to stir up havoc and create unexpected situations around the world and in our personal charts through the first few days of August. Mars/Saturn transits generally refer to some type of police or military situation and we are at risk of explosive incidents popping up without warning. It is a dangerous aspect and Mars is ‘setting off,’ the T-square in the sky between Uranus, the planet of unexpected twists and turns and rebellions, Saturn, the taskmaster and Pluto, the God of the Underworld, the planet of vengeance and the harbinger of ultimate transformation.

Take stock of your situation and use caution and prudence wherever you are. We are officially living in the time astrologers have been talking and speculating about for a long time, and will be seeing events leading to change in the world around us. It will not be a smooth ride. That said, this configuration will cause the greatest stress for those who have personal planets that are being aspected, or those born in the early degrees of Cancer, Capricorn, Aries and Libra. If your chart is not being aspected life may well go along without major life altering upheaval, but there will be stress in some areas.

Live your life, and increase your happiness and abundance wherever possible. We are living on a planet facing great changes, and some will thrive and prosper during this time, as in every historic period since the beginning of civilization. The energy of this time will continue to have its effect for years to come in terms of changes in laws and governments, the balance of power among nations, partnerships, oil, business and banking, and earth changes and disasters such as the Gulf Oil spill.

American’s have been ‘asleep at the wheel,’ in terms of underestimating the damage that has been done to the oceans, the food chain, and the relationships between big oil and government and the economy. The Huffington Post Newspaper is reporting that scientists have confirmed the oil and dispersants used by BP have found their way into the food chain already. Meanwhile, one network news show is asking if BP critics have gone too far in their assessment of actual damage done. It is no wonder some are confused and complacent. Speaking of damaging the planet, what about the oil spill in China? Based on news reports the size of that spill exceeds or is equal to the Gulf Oil spill. The way we treat the earth will continue to come into focus.

Being asleep at the wheel however, plays right into the hands of entities-both corporate and government-who would have us not know what is really going on. Astrologically, this is symbolized by Neptune, the planet of illusion, confusion and delusion, conjunct the moon of America’s chart. It will cross the moon and move into Pisces in April of 2011, and at that time the powers to be will no longer be dealing with a sleeping public.

Jupiter, the planet of money, gain and benevolence is retrograde and square Pluto until August 9. This transit relates to changes/struggles within politics, governments, foreign people, laws, the financial world, and it is associated with power plays in promoting philosophic/religious beliefs. It creates attitudes of arrogance, impatience and neglecting the small but important details, and relates to the desire to reform others while neglecting matters of primary importance. Large enterprises can be undertaken without laying the correct groundwork for success. The government(s) will have issue with oil companies. Arizona will continue to have issues with their immigration law and the federal mandate recently handed down.

On August 9-22 Jupiter opposes Saturn-This is a transit of trouble/frustration within governments and retraction, as opposed to expansion, in the financial world and markets. Second quarter figures have been released and the economy slowed down to 2.4% growth, the weakest in a year. The Democrats and Republicans are hopelessly at odds over issues. The transit represents poor timing in business and professional affairs, financial crisis and an increase in bankruptcy and foreclosures, issues with laws and the law, a lack of balance between radical and conservative attitudes. There is confusion over ethical/moral/religious issues and issues relating to laws and obstacles are caused by overly conservative, uncompromising attitudes.

August 3^rd and 4^th –Mars/ Jupiter squares Pluto-This is a transit of upheaval, friction, and anger, and power struggles in political and military or police affairs. It may involve foreign people, religion, educational, medical, financial entities. Impulsive action is the norm, power struggles and the need for regeneration in situations in the world and individually. News of criminal activities, conflict over financial and corporate matters, and there may be news of sexual violence or jealousies.

Venus enters Libra, the sign of relationships and partnerships on August 6 and for the next 3 days until August 9, conjuncts Saturn and opposes Uranus. –This is a transit of swings and unexpected gains or losses in the financial markets. Venus rules money, love and values and well as women, attractiveness and beauty. Venus conjunct Saturn is will cement a situation or turn it cold and the two planets do not fit well together. Add Uranus to the mix and we have a period of instability in the financial world and issues concerning women. If you meet someone new, do not assume it will be lasting until the test of time proves it so. Venus-Uranus creates interesting but unstable relationships. Difficult and unstable relationships may end at this time.

August 9-Venus opposes Jupiter- This transit produces overextension, over optimism and creates feeling of inertia, and over indulgence. Feelings toward others will improve and become warmer.

August 10- New Moon is at 17 degrees of Leo, the natural ruler of the fifth house of children, entertainment and love affairs. Events and situations will occur on a grand scale and the theme of Leo is often drama. Venus is still within one degree of conjuncting Saturn and opposing Jupiter and Uranus, so while some fun may be in the air, relationship situations will not necessarily go smoothly. Bad situations may end altogether, even though it is a new moon, or relationships may move on to another level. Money matters are still in focus.

August 11-Venus squares Pluto-Negative financial news is possible as well as news about women, violence and sex. Produces feelings of intensity and potential jealousy in relationships.

August 15-Uranus retrogrades back into Pisces at 29 degrees for the next 7 months until March of 2011. The T-Square involving 4 planets is no longer exact, but the energy is still intense for a while and capable of producing upheaval. It will re-enter Aries on March 13, 2011 until March 9, 2019. The last time Uranus was in Aries was April 1927-March of 1935. Uranus cycles are 7 years.

August 17-22- Jupiter squares Pluto again at 2 degrees.

August 20-Mercury retrogrades at 19 degrees of Virgo. The Winged God flies backward for the next three weeks in the sign ruling work and health, causing delays, mis-communications, equipment breakdowns and problems and breakdowns of personal situations that are not working well. The most positive use of this energy is reflection on the past, and re-doing projects that need to be completed. It is not a time to move forward. Expect a focus on jobs and negative job news.

August 21-Sun opposes Neptune- Issues concerning oil and water. Can denote high creativity, inspiration, dreams, psychic events and service to others. Alternatively, it produces feelings of confusion, tiredness, and mis-communication, mis-understandings, and untruths, as well as lack of clarity. Believe half of what you hear and let the rest withstand the test of time.

August 21-23-Venus conjuncts Mars- This transit will create a focus on money, love, values and sexual attractions. Minor conflicts between the sexes may occur and these few days contain magical energies for meeting someone special, although it may only be just a sexual attraction.

August 24-Full Moon at 1 degree of Pisces- Pisces is the natural ruler of the twelfth house of things secret and hidden. It is ruled by Neptune the planet of spirituality, creativity and psychic awareness. It is conjunct Uranus in a parallel which denotes events that occur suddenly and unexpectedly, and wild mood swings can occur. News relating to women and weather/water/technology/aircraft. Otherwise, the highest use of the energy is spiritual, creative expansion and the service of others.

Saturn Enters Libra = Change is Upon us!

The planet of delays, restriction and structure enters the sign ruling relationships and partnerships for a two year stay until October 7, 2012. Saturn is leaving Virgo, the sign ruling work, the earth, health and healthcare for 30 years. Those born under the Sun Sign Virgo can breathe easier as Saturn leaves their first house, easing up the restriction and responsibilities as it transits into Libra. Now Virgo’s will be able to see the results of all their labor over the past two and a half years.

For the next two years Libra’s can expect more responsibility, and to work harder to achieve what they want, but the possibilities for great achievement are there. If you are 40 plus and Saturn is entering Libra for the second time in your life, it will be a period of starting over in some way, utilizing the knowledge and experience you gained during Saturn’s first transit across your Sun.

Saturn first entered Libra October 30, 2009 for a five month stay until April 7, 2010, at which time it retrograded back into Virgo. Now, it will remain in Libra until fall of 2012.

Saturn was last in Libra September of 1980-August of 1983, and 30 years earlier November 1950-August of 1953. In some respects history repeats itself and we can reflect upon the past to understand the present. Of course, nothing will ever be exactly the same, but if you are old enough to remember Saturn’s last transit through Libra you can forecast the areas of your life that Saturn will bring discipline, structure, and responsibility to.Saturn entering Libra will change our focus individually and on the world stage.

The ‘taskmaster’s’ two year sojourn through the sign of partnerships, relationships, marriage and the law will bring shifts in power among countries, and laws, as well as shifts in power and structure in relationships. Gay marriage was recently made legal in Argentina and it will become a focus again in America, and other nations. Marriage and laws will change; power in the world will shift.If you are currently in a relationship Saturn in Libra will bring structure to that relationship or it will test it. Libra is the sign ruling marriages, and for some, marriages will occur, and for other’s stressful situations will end during this period. Those who will be tested the most will be born under the Sun Signs of Cancer, Libra, Aries and Capricorn.

As Saturn enters Libra; it opposes Uranus, currently at 0 degrees of Aries, and will be squared by Pluto at 3-2 degrees of Capricorn. This is the fifth and final opposition over 18 months of the planet of delays, structure and obstacles opposing the planet of rebellion and unlimited freedom. Uranus at 0 degrees of Aries is considered the world point, and events that occur at this time will affect the entire planet. Add Pluto to the mix and we are experiencing a grand square, sometimes called a cosmic cross or T-Square. Jupiter comes into play as well as it also squares Pluto, ‘The God of the Underworld.”

In other words, four powerful planets are all in the mix creating stressful angles to each other. The end result will be change in the world and change in our lives. This is the most important configuration of the year and will be occurring through mid-August. The most stressful period will be the last few days of July going into the first 10 days of August.

New York astrologer-Author Mitch Lewis writes, “The Saturn - Uranus opposition has much to do with power struggles, the reversal of power and the redistribution of wealth. The last time Saturn opposes Uranus was 1965 – 7. It resulted in a huge escalation in the Vietnam War; the entitlement programs; and the end of the Johnson presidency. The transit took so much out of him that he simply could not run again.

It took until 1982, almost 16 years, to make more than a marginal new high and begin a new bull market. And that period was a cupcake compared to what we are facing now. No matter what the next decade holds for us, we as individuals and as a collective must find ways to enjoy life and to redefine our needs.

Jupiter retrogrades on July 23^rd, and then squares Pluto the next day. When Pluto squares Saturn, the stock markets go down. When Pluto squares Jupiter, they can go in either direction, but usually exacerbating the prevailing one. In other words, if the markets have been going up they will go up faster. If they have been going down… well, you get the point.When Jupiter opposes Saturn as it will August 16^th 2010, historically the markets also go down. There are very few bullish signals, although a good trader could cherry-pick and find some strong investments opportunities. Any of the major issues we have been watching, including the Gulf, the financial markets, the governmental infighting, to name a few, could be blown out of proportion now with the combination of transits.

Remember, Jupiter does not always bring you good things. Usually it brings you more – of anything. For example: All of the major issues we have been discussing are precariously perched on the side of an historic precipice. Our financial markets, the Gulf catastrophe, the recent insane Supreme Court decisions on election finances, gun control, etc. are all leading up to an internal power struggle the likes of which this country has only seen a few times.

As we approach the changes that will be necessary to truly enter the Aquarian Age, the collective works in unconscious ways to further that event, including breaking down any situations, businesses or governments that are preventing that transition. We will see the reversal of power in a number of situations throughout the world, as we did in 1965-7, the last time Saturn opposes Uranus. This will set off a number of nation’s charts as well as that of some national leaders. Mr. Obama has Venus at one and a half degrees Cancer. This won’t pass without affecting his life severely.

Pluto rules oil, as I have proven through the years in my lectures and predictions. With Pluto about to square Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus and Mars, I don’t think we are about to get any good news from the Gulf. The entire population of migrating birds in the Western Hemisphere, approximately one billion, stops in the Gulf of Mexico Gulf States to flood their fields north of the Gulf in the hopes that the birds will land there instead. One can pray, but do you think a species that has stopped in the same place for 25,000 years will suddenly make a detour because we put up a “Rest Area” sign somewhere else? Oh what schmucks these mortals be?

Full Moon in Aquarius-New World Order?

This month’s full moon is at 2 degrees of Aquarius on July 26 in the sign considered to represent collective humanity. The ruler of Aquarius is often overlooked.

Uranus, the planet of unexpected events, and unusual/shocking twists and turns are the rule rather than the exception with this sign which is often present in revolutions, rebellions, wars and disasters. New governments are born out of wars, coups, and rebellions, and seldom throughout history has it been a stable process without great cost to many.

The co-ruler of Aquarius is Saturn, the taskmaster. It opposes the Sun in Leo creating the atmosphere for unexpected shifts, twists and turns of a dramatic nature.

Mercury is opposing Neptune July 26 and 27. We will hear more news of oil and weather related disasters. It could bring inspiration of you are creative or psychic, but otherwise believe half of what you hear and try and avoid making decisions until the planet of communications moves past the planet of illusion, delusion and confusion. Dreams may become prominent and this combination can make many people tired and confused.

Saturn Enters Libra-Diplomats to control their own armies?

On the first day of Saturn’s entrance into Libra news reports state the US State department will be fielding their own army in Iraq. Libra is the natural ruler of the seventh house of relationships and partnerships/laws and governments, and Saturn opposes Uranus, and squares Pluto, creating a grand square among four major planets that will bring shifts in laws, governments and power structures in the world. To read the story click on the following link.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/07/21/97915/state-dept-planning-to-field-a.html

The state department is planning to experiment using civilian contractors rather than the US
military when US troops are withdrawn by the end of 2011.

Pluto in Capricorn/Neptune in Aquarius=oil and water disasters

Another oil spill is being reported in China, off China’s NE Coast. The slick, located near the oil port of Dalian, in Liaoning province was caused by the explosion of two oil pipelines and is now said to cover an area of 170 miles. News of the explosion that occurred last Friday is just recently being reported in the mainstream news. To read that story click here.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2010/0/22/AR2010072203393.html?hpid=topnews

The oil spill in the Gulf is reported to be 50 miles long and 40 miles wide.China faces a toughyear. Like people, countries have birth charts and the birth date of The People ’s Republic of China is October 1, 1949, 3:01PM making the Sun of that country a 7 degree Libra. Saturn is now squaring Uranus, and within orb of conjuncting the Sun and will be exact by the end of September creating harsh situations, bad economic conditions and placing hardships upon the people. By October Saturn is conjunct Pluto/Neptune in China’s chart and if the oil situation is not under control by then conditions will exacerbate and become much worse.

With Mercury opposing Neptune
during this full moon oil spills will be in the news and we are at great risk of weather related accidents and problems, as well as lies and confusion about what is really going on.

Full Moon in Aquarius-New World Order?

This month’s full moon is at 2 degrees of Aquarius on July 26 in the sign considered to represent collective humanity. The ruler of Aquarius is often overlooked. Uranus, the planet of unexpected events, and unusual/shocking twists and turns are the rule rather than the exception with this sign which is often present in revolutions, rebellions, wars and disasters. New governments are born out of wars, coups, and rebellions, and seldom throughout history has it been a stable process without great cost to many.

The co-ruler of Aquarius is Saturn, the taskmaster. It opposes the Sun in Leo creating the atmosphere for unexpected shifts, twists and turns of a dramatic nature.

Mercury is opposing Neptune July 26 and 27. We will hear more news of oil and weather related disasters. It could bring inspiration of you are creative or psychic, but otherwise believe half of what you hear and try and avoid making decisions until the planet of communications moves past the planet of illusion, delusion and confusion. Dreams may become prominent and this combination can make many people tired and confused.

Saturn Enters Libra-Diplomats to control their own armies?

On the first day of Saturn’s entrance into Libra news reports state the US State department will be fielding their own army in Iraq. Libra is the natural ruler of the seventh house of relationships and partnerships/laws and governments, and Saturn opposes Uranus, and squares Pluto, creating a grand square among four major planets that will bring shifts in laws, governments and power structures in the world. To read the story click on the following link. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/07/21/97915/state-dept-planning-to-field-a.html

The state department is planning to experiment using civilian contractors rather than the US military when US troops are withdrawn by the end of 2011.

Pluto in Capricorn/Neptune in Aquarius=oil and water disasters

Another oil spill is being reported in China, off China’s NE Coast. The slick, located near the oil port of Dalian, in Liaoning province was caused by the explosion of two oil pipelines and is now said to cover an area of 170 miles. News of the explosion that occurred last Friday is just recently being reported in the mainstream news. To read that story click here. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/22/AR2010072203393.html?hpid=topnews

The oil spill in the Gulf is reported to be 50 miles long and 40 miles wide.

China faces a tough year. Like people, countries have birth charts and the birth date of The People ’s Republic of China is October 1, 1949, 3:01PM making the Sun of that country a 7 degree Libra. Saturn is now squaring Uranus, and within orb of conjuncting the Sun and will be exact by the end of September creating harsh situations, bad economic conditions and placing hardships upon the people. By October Saturn is conjunct Pluto/Neptune in China’s chart and if the oil situation is not under control by then conditions will exacerbate and become much worse.

With Mercury opposing Neptune during this full moon oil spills will be in the news and we are at great risk of weather related accidents and problems, as well as lies and confusion about what is really going on.

Full Moon in Aquarius-New World Order?

This month’s full moon is at 2 degrees of Aquarius on July 26 in the sign considered to represent collective humanity. The ruler of Aquarius is often overlooked. Uranus, the planet of unexpected events, and unusual/shocking twists and turns are the rule rather than the exception with this sign which is often present in revolutions, rebellions, wars and disasters. New governments are born out of wars, coups, and rebellions, and seldom throughout history has it been a stable process without great cost to many.

The co-ruler of Aquarius is Saturn, the taskmaster. It opposes the Sun in Leo creating the atmosphere for unexpected shifts, twists and turns of a dramatic nature.

Mercury is opposing Neptune July 26 and 27. We will hear more news of oil and weather related disasters. It could bring inspiration of you are creative or psychic, but otherwise believe half of what you hear and try and avoid making decisions until the planet of communications moves past the planet of illusion, delusion and confusion. Dreams may become prominent and this combination can make many people tired and confused.

Saturn Enters Libra-Diplomats to control their own armies?

On the first day of Saturn’s entrance into Libra news reports state the US State department will be fielding their own army in Iraq. Libra is the natural ruler of the seventh house of relationships and partnerships/laws and governments, and Saturn opposes Uranus, and squares Pluto, creating a grand square among four major planets that will bring shifts in laws, governments and power structures in the world. To read the story click on the following link. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/07/21/97915/state-dept-planning-to-field-a.html

The state department is planning to experiment using civilian contractors rather than the US military when US troops are withdrawn by the end of 2011.

Pluto in Capricorn/Neptune in Aquarius=oil and water disasters

Another oil spill is being reported in China, off China’s NE Coast. The slick, located near the oil port of Dalian, in Liaoning province was caused by the explosion of two oil pipelines and is now said to cover an area of 170 miles. News of the explosion that occurred last Friday is just recently being reported in the mainstream news. To read that story click here. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/22/AR2010072203393.html?hpid=topnews

The oil spill in the Gulf is reported to be 50 miles long and 40 miles wide.

China faces a tough year. Like people, countries have birth charts and the birth date of The People ’s Republic of China is October 1, 1949, 3:01PM making the Sun of that country a 7 degree Libra. Saturn is now squaring Uranus, and within orb of conjuncting the Sun and will be exact by the end of September creating harsh situations, bad economic conditions and placing hardships upon the people. By October Saturn is conjunct Pluto/Neptune in China’s chart and if the oil situation is not under control by then conditions will exacerbate and become much worse.

With Mercury opposing Neptune during this full moon oil spills will be in the news and we are at great risk of weather related accidents and problems, as well as lies and confusion about what is really going on.

JULY - AUGUST 2010 - THE MOMENT OF TRUTH!

July 2010 is a month of change in the world, and the way we live on planet Earth, but it will not be without turmoil, upheaval and unexpected events on the world stage that will affect our lives.

The June 26 lunar eclipse in Capricorn conjuncted Pluto making it an intense time with a multitude of events. Capricorn relates to the Earth, and the world saw massive flooding in Brazil leaving hundreds dead and many more homeless and injured. Tornadoes and hurricanes appeared in parts of the world that are normally free of such events and the BP oil spill continued and still continues to take its toll on humanity and all life in its path. Events will be further complicated by rough seas and the hurricane, ‘Alex,’ as it makes landfall. Pluto is known as the ‘God of the Underworld’, and can relate to crime and underworld figures and within hours of the eclipse 10 alleged Russian spies were arrested by American Intelligence agencies, and the head of the Afghanistan war left his post under fire.

At this time we will be forced to look at new ways of doing things both individually and as a collective. Nowhere is it more apparent that we must find new ways of caring for the earth, than the oil spill in the Gulf. I do not expect the spill to be contained any time in the near future and as all life in the sea (and human ways of life) continues to be wiped out, public outrage will increase. This is signified by Uranus entering Aries-the sign of the individual. Aries is ruled by Mars, the God of War, and in another time the collective might have ‘taken up arms,’ against BP. It is not out of the realm of possibility that individuals will ‘take up arms,’ and rebel against governments around the world that are no longer working for the people. Jupiter is in Aries as well, and whatever Jupiter touches it expands. We will see breakthroughs in science and technology, but Aries is ruled by Mars, the God of War and we are at risk of explosions, fires and unexpected outbreaks of war and violence throughout the summer.

The solar eclipse on July 11 is the companion eclipse to the previous one in Capricorn. Eclipses come in pairs, and we continue to experience eclipses in Capricorn/Cancer until next summer. Eclipses serve as guideposts showing us the direction and theme of events we will encounter for some time to come. Capricorn is the natural ruler of the tenth house of business, priorities and reputation and rules the Earth, business, banking, mining and the financial markets. Cancer is the natural ruler of the fourth house, the foundation, the home and the homeland and is called, ‘the end of the matter.’ Clearly, these eclipses deal with the end of an old way of life, and it is up to us to discover and invent new ways of life.

The New Moon/ solar eclipse is at 19 degrees of Cancer on July 11, 2010 at 3:40 PM EST. Cancer is an emotional sign and ruler of the home and homeland. It’s ruler is the moon, the luminary body that changes every 24 hours. The US is a Cancer country and we will be dealing with events that affect the fourth-tenth houses. In other words, our home/homeland and priorities. Mercury trines Jupiter giving the day potential for upbeat communication in general and communication regarding the government (s). But, Venus is conjunct Saturn in a parallel (similar to a conjunction where the two planets are together at the same degree) creating a somber mood. Author/Astrologer Celeste Teal calls this eclipse, ‘Victory Over Obstacles,’ and states, ‘Cancer eclipse spotlights interests relating to domestic issues, homes land and the crops. Eclipse falls in degree of fixed star Castor: of a wicked influence; associated with decapitation, fevers, rape and murder. For the USA eclipse brings emphasis to foreign affairs, long distance travel, higher education, publishing and religion. There is practical problem solving. Financial stress present with delay of new opportunity for expansion and growth. Banks and markets subject to fluctuation. Unusual trends in pursuit of pleasure, romance and entertainment; restrictions apply. New educational programs are costly. This eclipse is of emphasis to the White House, the UK, Vatican City, Los Angeles, Manhattan, NYC and Roswell, NM.” Those signs most affected by the eclipse will be Cancer, Capricorn, Aries and Libra, or those who have personal planets in a sign being aspected by the new moon.

Of course, the most important event in July and the entire year is Saturn’s entrance into Libra on July 22. It will remain in the sign ruling laws, governments, relationships and partnerships of all types until October of 2012. Saturn gives us structure and stability, but not without restrictions delays and hardships. Any gain through Saturn is earned, not given.

As Saturn enters Libra it opposes Uranus and Jupiter at 0 and three degrees of Aries, respectively. It creates a square to Pluto at 3 degrees of Capricorn and forms a configuration known as a T-square. This is a complex astrological pattern that does not occur often, and is a harbinger of change, disruption and unexpected events in the world. We can expect to see change in terms of governments and partnerships among nations, laws and business, the financial markets and unexpected situations will occur in the US and around the world. There will be struggles over laws, partnerships, individuals and corporations, and the potential for additional Earth changes/events. If the Gulf Oil spill has not been stopped it will reach a critical mass. This aspect will be present until mid-August, and it does not have to be exact for events to occur.

The last time this configuration occurred was in 1930. Three months after the Stock Market crash of 1929, Pluto was in Cancer, Saturn was in Capricorn and Uranus was in Aries, as it is today. The transit occurred again in 1932. During that year there was a massive famine in the Ukraine and four million people starved to death between winter of 1932 and summer of 1933, and of course it was the decade of the Great Depression that lead up to the events of WW11. We are at risk of food shortages globally.