I'm busy entertaining an out of town visitor for the next few days, and while I'll try to find time to write posts, one of the disadvantages to writing this sort of blog is that most of my posts require relatively larger chunks of time than posts like this one, and I'm having a time shortage right now. I'll try to post when I can, but in case anyone wonders why there's not more here, I'll be doing a lot of running around.

I haven't yet found a reliable way to write blog posts while driving and/or entertaining. Sometimes I wish this activity didn't require such concentration.

Hence I don't have time to focus on important issues, such as the impact of Pluto's demotion on astrology:

Astrologers believe that the positions of the moon, sun and stars affect human affairs and that people born under the 12 signs of the Zodiac tend to pick up qualities of the planets associated with those signs. Some astrologers, including leaders of the American Federation of Astrologers and the Astrological Association of Great Britain, are standing firmly by Pluto. They say they will continue to regard the icy orb as a full-blown planet with a powerful pull on our psyche, despite the astronomers' decision.

"Whether he's a planet, an asteroid, or a radioactive matzo ball, Pluto has proven himself worthy of a permanent place in all horoscopes," says Shelley Ackerman, columnist for the spirituality Web site Beliefnet.com. Ms. Ackerman criticized the IAU for not including astrologers in its decision.

No wonder things are so screwed up in the world today.

And anyone who's a Scorpio (or even influenced by one) should be especially worried:

Others warned that Scorpios -- people born between Oct. 23 and Nov. 21 -- should be especially cautious in the coming days because the sign is closely associated with Pluto.

"Scorpios can be extremely explosive, and very direct, and this could be the trigger that makes them explode," says Milton Black, an Australian astrologer who claims to have more than 580,000 clients. Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice, take note. All three are Scorpios.

Ye immortal gods! I'm shocked. I mean, my moon is in Scorpio! This could have a profound impact on the lunar side of my self esteem!

And aren't we supposed to be living in a democracy, where these things are democratically decided?

Considering the old FDR rule that there are no coincidences in politics, isn't it obvious that the astronomers are trying to mess with the election process?

Wish I had more time for detailed analysis.

(I should be thinking globally, not Plutonically. I haven't even had time to speculate about Pluto's impact on Mercury!)

MORE: Astrologers and Scorpios are not the only ones worried. This affects textbook publishers, Wikipedia, and important cultural icons.