Greenland

“We need Greenland.  And the world needs us to have Greenland, including Denmark.  Denmark has to have us have [sic] Greenland.”

~ Donald Trump

American Vice President J.D. Vance paid an unrequited and uninvited visit to Greenland this week.  Not content with bidding for Canada as a 51^st state, President Trump would like to annexe Greenland, presumably as his 52^nd state.  As with Ukraine, he is interested in its potential mineral wealth.  It seems contradictory that someone trying to keep immigrants out of his own country, feels able to justify taking over populations in other countries.

Greenland, with its capital at Nuuk, is the world’s largest island, and has its own culture (such as music) and identity, which owes nothing to America.  Writing in the Observer this morning, Sarah Ditum explains that it was originally inhabited by Norsemen hunting walruses and trading ivory.  Then the population vanished mysteriously, but its current population arrived about 800 years ago.  She describes the terrain: “hard black volcanic rocks rear up from the shallow turf”.  Most residents of Greenland are Inuit.

The solar eclipse at 9 degrees Aries this weekend apparently was viewable up to 90%, and the northern lights were spectacular, too, nature marking the importance of this time for the country.

Greenland’s Chart

Both the Greenland and the Denmark charts are problematic, due to their unusual history.  Denmark was granted final control of Greenland at the Treaty of Kiel in 1814.  In 1941 the US occupied Greenland defending it against possible invasion by Germany.  After the Second World War, the US developed a geopolitical interest in Greenland and offered to buy it from Denmark, but the offer was rejected.

The astrological resource “World Horoscopes” by Nicholas Campion omits a chart for Greenland altogether, and says of the chart for Denmark “It is not possible to establish a date for the beginning of the Danish Kingdom, which made an appearance upon the historical stage during the tenth century”.  But it does give a date for that country’s chart, for the Liberal constitution of 5 June 1849 Copenhagen 12.15 pm.

For Greenland’s more recent history, I have chosen to work with a chart dated 21^st June 2009, which was when home rule was replaced with self rule.  This gave Greenland a Sun at 0 degrees Cancer, which is very patriotic and has the desire to be autonomous.

It’s a particularly important time for Greenland imminently because its Sun at 0 degrees Cancer will be squared this year by Neptune’s transit into Aries, and Saturn’s transit into Aries.  The issue is not going to go away in a hurry.

JD Vance’s Visit

Marina Hyde wrote in the Observer this morning about the background to JD Vance’s visit, which is worth quoting:

“Originally it was announced that the second lady was going to take one of her sons, immerse herself in various local events – she’s apparently simply fascinated by Greenland’s culture – and attend the famous Avannaata Qimussersua dog sled race.  Instead, it became her husband instead of her son, and the Vances were only going to a military facility…Meanwhile the Vance kid had to stay at home and go to school, instead of skipping it to enjoy a taxpayer-funded trip to a country his dad and friends are openly trying to annex.”

After protests from the population of Greenland, the visit was scaled down, and JD Vance was left with a small audience for his speech.  As with his hectoring in the Oval Office at Zelensky, he sharply criticized the Danish government for neglecting its duties towards Greenland, saying they had “under-invested in Greenland’s security architecture”, while producing no evidence.  Physically, Vance has a Scorpionic appearance, possibly via his Pluto sextile the Ascendant in his natal chart, but his chart shows a double Leo (Ascendant and Sun in Leo) which has become twisted into the Bully Archetype, and is conjunct Trump’s own Ascendant in Leo.  So he is a strong representative for his President.

He has strong links to the Greenland chart… natally his Uranus sits on Greenland’s I.C. which is unsettling for Greenland’s security (the I.C. in a chart represents security).  He has a strange fascination for the place, and may even have lived there in a previous life.  Given his wife’s apparent fascination for the place also, they may both have lived together there!

Donald Trump’s powerful Mars at 26 Leo trine the Galactic Centre exactly opposes Greenland’s Neptune/Jupiter: his sense of brute strength versus (opposing) the optimism and spirituality inherent in their nation.

On the day of the visit Friday 28^th March, Chiron was square to Mars (a wounding for Greenland, an embarrassment for Vance).  For Vance, transiting Pluto is currently trine his natal North node, emboldening him, in his 10^th House of world perspective.  It’s a serious matter, when you contemplate that if Trump was removed from his post, Vance would take over as president.  Jupiter at this time was squaring Greenland’s natal Saturn (a foreign body trying to invade its boundary).

It was also an important day for Greenland in its internal politics, for they elected a new coalition government, headed by Jens-Frederik Nielsen.  Nielsen is perfect for the role, as he was born with the Sun in his chart exactly conjunct that of Greenland.  So as I said for Greenland also applies for Nielsen:

It’s an important time imminently [for him too] because his Sun at 0 degrees Cancer will be squared this year by Neptune’s transit into Aries, and Saturn’s transit into Aries.  The issue is not going to go away [he has much to work with this year].  For the visit and the election day Jupiter sextiled his natal Venus/Mars, which seems favourable for him, and hopefully for the country.  As with Mark Carney, there needs to be strong leadership for his country.

Denmark

Denmark has also been firm about holding on to Greenland, and their leadership will also need to be strong.  I have used the chart for the Liberal constitution 5 June 1849 Copenhagen 12.15 pm.

Denmark and Trump’s Mercuries are exactly conjunct with each other, at 8 degrees Cancer: Donald will feel confident that he can talk them round, and that there is an understanding between them.  Denmark’s Uranus is exactly square Trump’s Venus, possibly pointing to a significant estrangement, however.  Denmark’s Moon at 9 degrees Sagittarius and Vance’s  natal Uranus are conjunct, and directly influenced at this time by the solar eclipse, which could be significant long-term over the next six months, for both parties.

Putin

In Russia, Putin has seemingly endorsed Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland.  In Murmansk, he vowed to “strengthen Russia’s global leadership in the Arctic”.  He is quite comfortable with Trump’s ambitions for territorial aggrandisement – it chimes nicely with his attempted takeover of Ukraine and its mineral resources.  He said:

“These plans have deep historical roots. And it’s clear that the US will continue to systematically pursue its geo-strategic, military-political and economic interests in the Аrctic…As for Greenland this is a matter for two specific countries. It has nothing to do with us.”

Trump clothes his ambitions in his would-be Nobel Peace Prize-winning role:

“We need Greenland.  Very importantly, for international security, we have to have Greenland…[there are] Chinese and Russian ships all over the place.”

Are they carving up the Arctic in a new world order? They seem to be in competition with China, in that regard.  Climate change, which does not interest the President, renders the area more accessible at this time.

It seems, with America slapping tariffs on goods from all over the world, and wanting to control Canada, Mexico, Panama, Ukraine and Greenland, there is likely to be a concerted backlash, and the overall aim to “Make America Great Again” could result in the reverse of that.

“Greenland is part of the Danish kingdom.  That is not going to change…We in the kingdom would really like to work together with the Americans on defence and security.  We want that in Ukraine, we want that in Europe, and of course we also want that when it comes to the high north.  But Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.”

~ Mette Frederiksen, the Danish Prime Minister

“The lesson the Vances should take from their ill-fated expedition is that Greenland doesn’t care about human ambition and desires”

~ Sarah Ditum, The Observer 31/3/25

Aspects

Forget whether I said last week was a profound week! This here week is a profound week!  There are two major features taking place, and one is a once-in-fourteen year’s event.

In the early hours of this morning (30^th March), Mercury Retrograde entered Pisces, from Aries.  As with Venus’ retreat to Pisces last week, there may be something you neglected to do when Mercury was in Pisces in the second half of February: you may need to dot the i’s and cross the t’s, or close some loopholes, but in the detail of communication. That is an extra challenge when Mercury is in Pisces, the “woolly thinker”.  You can blame some brain fog on Mercury in Pisces!  This placement brings the mental focus on to compassion, as applied to the most vulnerable in our society.  The focus in the world right now is very much focussed on confusion in the world order, and on changing finances.  It is a good time to apply your mind to wider perspectives and solutions generally, and those that can turn compassion into practical action.  Mercury will remain in Pisces until the 16th April.

Following that ingress, and still in the early hours today, Mercury was conjunct with Neptune at 29 degrees Neptune.  In our dreams (in the U.K.), we were clocking the final hours of Neptune’s 14-year sojourn through Pisces.  This conjunction can link you mentally with your spiritual sources, and provide the inspiration much needed at this time. It is a good time to ask for guidance, though you may have to sift reality from illusion, even in the guidance you receive.

Neptune enters Aries

At exactly 12 Noon – did you notice? – Neptune entered Aries.  What were you doing at the time?  At the beginning of this unprecedented year of change, the North Node entered Pisces from Aries (it moves backwards), and a succession of major planetary changes was promised (by astrologers).  This is the first of the planetary changes, and will be followed by Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and of course with Pluto newly entrenched in Aquarius. It’s a big deal.  With the Solar Eclipse yesterday, and world events seemingly spiralling chaotically, we are wondering what to expect next, and how we are to keep centring ourselves in the new realities.

Here at least is a chance to contemplate the complexity of today’s change of sign.  Neptune in Pisces was on home territory: confusion, complexity and illusion – it brought the rise of A.I.  That is something difficult to negotiate, but which seems bound for our attention and mastery, even those of us who are not technologically minded.

Neptune went into Pisces on 5^th April 2011, which ushered in a 14-year “Era of Collective Unconscious” – hopes that the compassion quotient would rise fell short of expectation.  Neptune in Aries is almost the antithesis of Neptune in Pisces in many ways: it represents the self-awareness leading to self-assertion rather than victimhood.  It represents the “enough is enough” attitude of the populace.  There are signs that the extreme right wing and authoritarian governments are starting to experience a backlash, e.g. in Turkey.  So Neptune in Aries is about divesting yourself from illusion and moving towards personal emancipation.  We are at the beginning of this particular journey.

There is, then, plenty to think about, in the middle of the week, so you will forgive perhaps the Universe for not providing aspects again until Friday.

But what an aspect it provides on the afternoon of Friday (4^th April): Saturn sextile Uranus.  You may have contemplated the changes of the early days of Neptune in Aries, and have a chance now to balance (sextile) the old (Saturn) with the new (Uranus).  It’s a major aspect and enables stabilization.  This is a time when you can do something for yourself which is constructive.  You may have a joint venture with someone which is new and innovative, but need a steadying force.

In the late evening, we have another sextile: that between Mars and Uranus.  This is more dynamic, as though you have started a re-centring process and are ready for action.  This aspect especially favours engineering related activities, but that also includes social engineering.  That may extend to science in general – there is an article in the Observer this morning about a row over CERN’s Hadron Collidor (ambitions for its enlargement), so there may be further developments around that.  The Journal Nature has warned “a battle is under way for the future of particle physics”.   This is potentially a major  issue coming up.  Electricity and Astrology are other areas which can be stimulated by the combination of these two planets.  Cars, mechanics, mechanical goods and household appliances may receive a boost or a renewal.

We finish, on Saturday (5^th), with a constructive trine between Mars and Saturn, so there is a lot of emphasis late in the week on trying to get things sorted.  This favours practical action, and works that are deliberately planned and executed.  Hard work can pay off.

Happy Mother’s Day!

The week in bullet points:

• Today – attend to detail; listen to guidance; from unconscious to consciousness
• Friday – balancing the old and the new; engineering advances
• Saturday – constructive action

Aries Archetypes

This is the third of my new series specifically on astrological Archetypes.  We are now in the month of Aries, and it is time to embrace the potential of that sign, turning the spotlight on its Archetypes.  The Sun entered Aries on Thursday 20th March, and we have here in the U.K. had a taste of spring since that equinoctial point.

Aries is one of the signs which most embodies individuality (“the one-off”), but paradoxically because its nature is very basic in a birth chart it can take on or be coloured by other signs or planets I find.  Energy and heat are often clues when guessing.  Paradoxically, too, there are many Archetypes linked with Aries, but few intrinsic to that sign, so you won’t find many here.

So, following, are the Archetypes I highlighted back in my 2016 blog, and then some chronological historic examples of Ariens and their Archetypes, from history:

“Inner Warrior

The Inner Warrior Archetype speaks for itself: bold, active and protective.  It comes up in many charts where there is a strong Mars.  We all need to be able to stand up for ourselves.  When linked with the North Node, it represents the fact that the person has trained in the warrior tradition in past lives.  The modern tradition emphasizes the way of the Peaceful Warrior, as expounded by Dan Millman.  Hopefully, we have all had enough of war by now.

Pioneer

The Pioneer refers to the fact that Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, and likes to be first!  It also contains the courage of breaking new ground, going boldly where no one has gone before.

Athlete

Although other signs approach sport from different angles, e.g. the Leo through competition, the Sagittarian via horse riding and archery particularly, and the Aquarian through teamwork, Aries represents the building of the strength of the physical body.  So the modern craze for keep fit and membership of the gym suit the Arien very well.  You see women body building as enthusiastically as men in this 21st Century, although even fifty years ago it was a rarity.  One related Archetypal figure is Tarzan, that raw male, the He-Man, hero of early 20th Century film.

Athlete is one of the modern Archetypes identified by Caroline Myss.  She acknowledges that this archetype was born in the original Greek Olympics.  Her final thought for the athlete is: “this is your time to shine. Through your commitment to your own physical well being and self-care, you are helping to set a new standard of personal health and individual responsibility. In doing so, you are changing the world for the better. ”

The Activist

The Activist is certainly associated with Aries, but shows up more clearly in a chart when combined with Aquarius, e.g. where the urgent Mars energy associates with the reforming zeal of Uranus (ruling planet of Aquarius).  A supreme example of an Activist was Guy Fawkes, famed for his Gunpower plot.

The Hero

Here is another Archetype which Aries shares with another sign, in this case Leo.  Both have leadership qualities, but Aries has the courage and bravery which stand out in a Hero.  The Hero Archetype is quite complex, and open to various interpretations and journeyings.

The Engineer

Aries is associated with mechanics generally, but especially when combining Mars and Uranus, engineering is hallmarked in a birth chart.  An example of a supreme Aries engineer is Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who was voted second in a 2001 public poll conducted by the BBC, selecting the 100 Greatest Britons.  Outstanding in his field!  In addition to the Sun, he had Mars, its ruling planet, in that sign.

Historical Ariens

The Warrior

Charlemagne (2/4/748 – 28/1/814)

King of the Franks, Charlemagne conquered and built a vast empire stretching across Europe.  Charlemagne had Mercury, Moon, Sun and Chiron in Aries, which is a good stock of Aries energy!  Napoleon Bonaparte considered himself a reincarnation of Charlemagne, and modelled his coronation on that of his “predecessor”.  Like Charlemagne, he built a vast empire, and fostered culture (the Carolingian Renaissance was a product of Charlemagne’s reign).  But most tellingly, there are undeniable similarities in their charts (although Napoleon was a Leo).

Here is an interesting quotation from “Understanding Karmic Complexes” by Patricia L. Walsh:

“I had noticed from many regressions with clients that past life soldiers and warriors have had an archetypal experience arise spontaneously. In the afterlife they wanted only to find a spot of greenness and lay down in the grass. Since it happened frequently with past life Roman soldiers in particular, I thought it was part of the past cultural belief system , a memory of the Elysian Fields – the Greco-Roman paradise of the afterlife. But other soldiers, after death, also longed for their place in the grass.”

The Athletes

The association of athleticism with Aries comes from their boundless energy.  I have here examples of five athletes, all born on what seems to be a potent day for this energy, at the beginning of Aries, 23^rd March (today’s date).  This is also the birthday of my own brother, who has all the energy in our family!  Football is the sport I most associate with Mars and Aries, but these examples are more varied.

Roger Bannister (23/3/1904 – 3/3/2018)

Roger Bannister, who ran the first four minute mile on 26^th July 1952, exemplifies the Aries ability to “break the mould”.  He had the Sun conjunct Uranus in Aries, Uranus adding the qualities of surprise and innovation.

Mo Farah (23/3/1983)

“I would have loved to play for Arsenal, but I was never good enough.  I played at school and for the local club until I was 14, but I was only good because I could cross the ball and run.  I didn’t have any other skills.  I joined a running club instead.”

Another hugely successful track athlete, Mo Farah has had an illustrious career.  He has the Sun and ruler Mars in Aries.  Growing up, he wanted to be a car mechanic or a footballer (both Aries careers), and his twin brother is an engineer (also an Aries archetype).  His choice of running within sport is consistent with his North Node (karmic mission) in Gemini (the runner’s sign) exactly square his natal Mercury (the runner’s planet).

Chris Hoy (23/3/1976)

The next two “Athletes” are record-beating cyclists.  The first is Chris Hoy, whose bravery and courage (Aries traits) match his athleticism.  He was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2024, but his positive state of mind has inspired everyone.  He has the Sun in Aries, together with a positive-healing conjunction of Jupiter-Chiron in that sign.

Jason Kenny (23/3/1988)

Jason Kenny is a record-breaking track cyclist.  Jason’s brilliance is shown by Uranus conjunct his Sun.  His Mercury (the bike) is well-aspected: it sextiles Neptune and trines Pluto, and he’s got a good head on his shoulders.

Steve Redgrave (23/3/1962)

Multi-Olympic gold wining rower has the Sun at the same point in Aries as the other four.  He also has Venus in Aries, but crucially, his ruler Mars is in the water sign Pisces.

The Escapologist

Here’s a new one!  Aries represents the newly emerging chick from its shell, and two of the most prominent escapologists were born under this sign: Harry Houdini and David Blaine.  They literally cannot be confined!

Harry Houdini (24/3/1874 – 31/10/1926

We have a birth time for Harry Houdini, which explains a lot about the finer structure of his escapology: Saturn on an Aquarian Ascendant opposing Uranus, squaring onto his Nodal Axis.  His Aries credentials are also impeccable: the Sun, Venus, Chiron and Neptune all in that sign.

David Blaine (4/4/1973)

David Blaine is also Aries, with the Sun, Venus, Chiron and possibly also the Moon in that sign.  His birth chart does not have the same structure as Houdini’s, but he does crucially share two talented aspects with Houdini.  They are Venus conjunct Chiron (some practical problem-solving ability) with their Chirons exactly conjunct in Aries; and ruler Mars trine Pluto (a powerhouse of energy – the huge mental and physical energy required to break out).

Apologies in this account for the omission of feminine examples (perhaps you can supply some).  Maybe in a future series, I can remedy this.  Aries is known as a male sign, with male energy, and also historically females have not been so well-documented.  Females who can strongly embody Aries Archetypes  include the Female Warrior such as Boudicea (who does not come with a birth date) and the Wild Woman (a counterpart to Tarzan).  While the Sun is in Aries (until 20^th April), you can connect with your own Aries Archetypes, or Mars energy if you do not have any Aries planets, and act them out (Aries is nothing if not an action woman or man!).

Aspects

This morning, in the very early hours, the Sun conjoined Venus at 2 degrees Aries.  This may bring harmony to the proceedings of the day.  If you are an artist or a musician, it is a day you when you can produce your best creative output or performance.  If neither, then love or money may be beneficiaries of this combination.

This evening, at the other end of the day, the Sun will be sextile Pluto.  This can bring powerful help.  If you dig deep, you can find the treasure you need.  It is a profound aspect which may help to show us the direction we need to solve our collective problems, and understanding the meaning behind our dilemmas.  This sextile can bring a profound air of quiet contemplation.  It is a valuable time of assessment.

Tomorrow, Monday 24^th, we are graced with another conjunction, this time between the Sun and Mercury, at 4 degrees Aries), which may bring an extra special quality to the day.  It is a good time to apply your mind with clarity, concentrate and focus, and make important statements.  Your perceptions may be heightened, both with regard to the microcosm (seeing the daisies) or the macrocosm (seeing things from a larger perspective than you are accustomed to seeing the issues).

Mercury sextiles Pluto on Tuesday (25^th).  You could make real progress under this aspect.  This aspect can produce profound thought and communication,  honouring the gravity of a situation if necessary, and enabling meaningful debate to occur.  If you have something important lined up, you may be successful in getting your point across.  There is a note of caution, however, with Mercury still retrograde, so pay extra attention to detail.

At breakfast-time on Thursday, Venus retrogrades back to Pisces, from Aries.  There may be something you neglected to do when Venus was in Pisces in January: you may need to dot the i’s and cross the t’s, or close some loopholes.  Recall the gentleness and sensitivity of Pisces, a resource we may look back on with nostalgia after Saturn and Neptune move into Aries this year.  You can afford to be more “woke” for instance!  Venus in Pisces is unashamedly emotional and easily prone to tears, so don’t be surprised to release the tears which have been stoically been held back.  Just turn on the daily news forecast…This placing will enable charities to be more easily heard, and the Arts to acquire inspiration.  Venus will remain in Pisces until the end of April.

In the evening, at the other end of the day, Venus will conjoin with Neptune at the last degree (29) of Pisces, heralding Neptune’s farewell to that sign.  You could be feeling very nostalgic!  It could be a serene, highly spiritual and artistically inspired conjunction, full of unconditional love.  This conjunction can express the best of the divine feminine.

The Eclipsed New Moon occurs at 9 degrees Aries on Saturday (29^th).  This may bring cheer and vigour, and a renewed sense of purpose.  It is a time to look to the future, as much as is possible.  You may feel the urge to re-organize your lifestyle.  If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well…The New Moon in Aries is one of the brightest of the year in terms of its potential.  However, being an eclipse. it increases the sense of having to let go of something, in order to create the space for what is new to come forth.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – Love and Understanding
• Tomorrow – Mental Application
• Tuesday – Profound Communication; a Softening
• Thursday – Nostalgia and Inspiration
• Saturday – New Beginning; Turning Point

 

Mark Carney  

Prime Minister of Canada

“Thank you, Canada, for trusting in me, for challenging me, and for granting me the privilege to serve the best country, and the best people, on Earth.”

~ Mark Carney

On Friday 14^th, the day of the Lunar Eclipse in Virgo, Mark Carney was sworn in as the new (the 24^th) Prime Minister of Canada, at what is thought to be a uniquely challenging time in its history, in his words: “The greatest crisis of our generation”.  It faces a double assault from its neighbour and erstwhile ally, the United States, over tariffs and the threat by Donald Trump of being assimilated as a “51^st state”.  We know Mark Carney here in the U.K. as a competent former governor of the Bank of England.  What is he made of, and is he up to the task of taking on the man who would rule the world?  It was a very timely inauguration, because at his birth the Moon was in Virgo and the Sun in Pisces, as at the Eclipse which occurred on the very day of his taking over the new role.

Birth Chart

I wrote about Mark Carney in 2019:

“Canadian Mark Carney has an interesting chart. The highlights include: Sun in Pisces, Venus conjunct Chiron, at 18 deg Pisces, and Uranus/Moon/Mars/Pluto conjunct in Virgo.  He has 0 planets in Air, so relies on instinct; 5 planets in Earth, so is grounded and sensible; and with 7 planets in the Mutable signs, is very adaptable.  His Sun in the genius sign of Pisces is well aspected, being sextile Jupiter and trine Neptune.  He has Mercury unaspected, which can show a very independent mind.  Mercury is in Aries, a placement I associate with great numeracy.  With Mars closely conjunct Pluto in his chart, he’s had to fight some tough battles in his life.  He also has a high number of oppositions in his chart, another sign of having to balance difficult situations as a pattern in his life.  He also has difficult karma, with no less than 6 planetary squares to his Nodal Axis!”

The fact that he has such a difficult chart (more difficult than Donald Trump’s, and has worked through his triple opposition of planets in Pisces and Virgo shows great strength of character

Life and Career

Carney was born on in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada.  He attended High School  in Edmonton, and then went on to study economics at Harvard.  For his postgraduate studies, he moved to the University of Oxford.  His master’s thesis was “Competitive advantage and the advantage of competition: a theoretical analysis of national champions, learning-by-dong and spillovers”.  His DPhil thesis was titled “The dynamic advantage of competition”.  While at Oxford, he met his wife Diana Fox, also an economist, and they have raised four children.

Carney worked for Goldman Sachs for thirteen years, after which he worked for the Bank of Canada.  He took a role as a senior minister in the Department of Finance Canada on 15^th November 2004: at the time he had the progressive transits of Neptune sextile his natal Mercury in Aries (his brainpower), and Chiron trine his natal Jupiter (onwards and upwards).  He rose to become governor of the Bank of Canada in 2008, and saw his country’s finances through the financial crash of that era, where he earned a reputation for being a trustworthy and safe pair of hands, when it came to finance.

During the years of the Cameron government, Chancellor Osborne became very keen to have Mark Carney as governor of the Bank of England.  Eventually, Osborne succeeded in persuading him, and Mark Carney took on the role on 1^st July 2013.  Uranus was making a direct transit to his Mercury in Aries (note its role in his numeracy, and in the earlier transit of 2004).  The North Node was also sextile his natal Pluto in the 2^nd House of Finance.  It was another important step in his career and karmic mission.

He discharged his duties well here in the U.K., being a stabilizing and reassuring voice in the Brexit years, and at the inception of the Covid pandemic.  He warned against leaving the E.U. as it would impact the country’s finances adversely.  He and his wife moved back to Canada in 2020.  He did have a detractor in Liz Truss, however.  She stated this year:

“I strongly recommend not backing Mark Carney for his policies on net zero. It was disastrous for Britain. It would be disastrous for Canada.”

In March 2020 Carney became the U.N. special envoy for climate action and finance.  More recently, he has entered the world of politics, specifically in the Liberal Party of Canada.  He held a post as leader of a Task Force on Economic Growth in Trudeau’s government, and in January this year formally announced his candidacy for the top job when it became clear that Justin Trudeau would be leaving the post.

Justin Trudeau’s premiership was under increasing criticism and unpopularity, but when Donald Trump took over as President of the United State in January this year, and immediately made threats to raise tariffs against Canada and intimated that he held ambitions for Canada to become the 51^st state of America, Trudeau’s robust stand raised the Liberal Party’s standing in the polls.  Mark Carney was elected leader of the Liberal Party, and therefore Prime Minister, on March 9^th, with the expectation that he would hold an election this year.

Carney’s swearing in on Friday came under the transit of Jupiter trine his natal Saturn.  Incidentally, that is the same transit under which Boris Johnson became Prime Minister [a fun fact].

Canada

The chart of Canada in comparison with that of Mark Carney shows its Saturn trine his North Node.  That shows a karmic responsibility on his part, and he has a good record in the past with regard to fiscal responsibility.  Economics is a great part of the problem of the entanglement with Donald Trump’s regime. In terms of transits, the Nodal Axis is currently squaring Canada’s Neptune in Sagittarius in its 5^th House, showing up a sense of uncertainty and question of identity.  However, Canadians have rallied to the call, and apparently (according to Newsnight) are more united than ever.  And hopefully, Mark Carney will continue to be a safe pair of hands.

“We will never, in any shape or form, be part of the U.S.  We are very fundamentally a different country.”

~ Mark Carney

Aspects

Tomorrow (Monday 17^th) the aspects begin with a conjunction of the Sun with the North Node at 27 degrees Pisces.  this could bring a show of power by someone in your circle.  However, this show of power is firmly subject to the laws of karma. It could also heighten creativity if you are unattached to the power play of others.  It could also bring a show of power from Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin.  Less likely, but also possible, a show of power from Volodymyr Zelenskyy or the European Union.

Another conjunction occurs on Wednesday (19^th) at 29 degrees Pisces, between the Sun and Neptune.  Neptune combined with the Sun so intensely can bring high spiritual experiences and inspiration, especially if you are channelling or working with your creativity, in art or music for instance.  But for some, for example if you have a difficult aspect to Neptune in your natal chart, it may bring confusion.

We arrive at the Spring Equinox on Thursday (20^th), with the Sun entering Aries, marking the beginning of the astrological New Year.  It is the beginning of a generally more active, conscious, dynamic way of relating to the world (from the Sun’s more introspective time of its recent passage through Pisces).  For the population generally, if your energy has been a little low lately, you may feel revived.  You may be wandering lonely as a cloud and come across a host of golden daffodils.

Our last feature of the week is Venus sextile Pluto, which occurs on Friday (21^st).  This aspect has the capacity to get to the root of a problem, be it Love and/or Money, both of which are represented by aspects of Venus and Pluto.  It could be a time of difficult but rewarding soul searching with loved ones.  In finance, there could be hard won but satisfying bargaining and balancing – a suitable day for Mark Carney to operate.  If you are an artist or musician, you could take a step further in your art, and deepen the value and content of the material you are working with.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – karmic power play
• Wednesday – confusion
• Thursday – freshness
• Friday – difficult but rewarding

Jack Vettriano (1951 – 2025)

“I have what I want and that is the support of the public and that means far more to me than the approval of a bunch of well-educated art buffs”

~ Jack Vettriano

It was reported this week that the controversial and self-taught artist Jack Vettriano died at his home in Nice on Saturday 1st March, at the age of 73.  His most famous work was “The Singing Butler” of 1992, but his prolific work was popular, and sold well, despite being panned by the experts.

Birth Chart

Vettriano had the Sun in Scorpio in the 12^th House, which may have given him a secretive nature.  One of the controversies especially about his later work was that it was overtly sexual, and Scorpio is a sign that most needs to express sexuality.  The Sun being closely sextile with Mars accentuates this.  And the Sun square Pluto takes the trajectory of his life further along that path. He was driven, to where he had to go.  The Moon in Cancer in his chart was closely square to Venus (his two female planets at odds with each other), and this may be linked to another charge against him – that of misogyny.  Some of his later works, with scantily clad females, laid him open to that charge.  His reply was: “Take another look at it and you’ll see it’s the women who have the power”.  A T-square was formed comprising Venus opposite Jupiter (inappropriate social behaviours) with the Moon squaring on, in the Cardinal quadruplicity.  The aspects to the Moon generally indicate a complex attitude towards women, with the Moon also loosely conjunct Uranus providing a vivid imagination (useful for an artist) but also adding more controversy.  Add Moon square Saturn, closely square Jupiter and opposite Chiron, and you can see how complex his emotions were, and in relation to women, bordering on obsessionality.  The whole complex comes together in his karmic mission: the Moon exactly trine the North Node.  Again, that gives the impression that he was driven on his path.  Moon exactly trine North Node also points to another feature of his work, that it was popular and relatable to the general public.  With all that Scorpio and Moon emphasis, the emotion always ran deep, but Mercury sextile Saturn afforded great mental application to his work, with Mercury rising (in Sagittarius) ensuring that he did have a great faculty for mental analysis. Venus in Libra sextile his Ascendant emphasized the artistic direction of his talent.  Though what Venus gave (opposite Jupiter) it also took away (Venus conjunct Saturn), contributing to the breakdown of some relationships.  Saturn in his 11^th House of Friendship hints at loneliness.

Life and Career

Vettriano was born in St. Andrews, Fife, and was raised in poverty in a spartan miner’s cottage.  He hated technical college and left at 15.  At that point in his life his Progressed Sun had reached his restless Ascendant in Sagittarius, marking a change in life direction.  He took up an apprenticeship as a mining engineer (a Scorpio profession) for a short while.

A life-changing moment came on his 21^st birthday, when his girlfriend bought him a set of watercolours, and set him on a path to become an artist.  She told him: “If you don’t do something with your life you’re going to live and die in this town” [Fife].

The transits of that moment in time bear witness to its importance:-

Chiron trine his natal Mercury rising (he is offered a healing tool, one which could be a real trade in his life)

Uranus was on his Neptune in Libra (an increase in complexity and understanding, in an artistic mode), and most spectacularly

Neptune trine his natal Jupiter in Aries in his 4^th House (an entry into a level of inspiration and self-satisfaction, in an occupation which he could conduct from home)

He set about copying every style of painting (including Renaissance and Surrealism), on the road to finding his own style.  He was particularly fond of impressionism, and his first painting was a copy of Monet’s “Poppy Fields”.

In 1980 he married Gail Cormack, but they split up in 1987 (accounts vary as to who left whom).  However, the separation proved to be a turning point and a re-start to move his career on.  His Progressed Sun was entering Capricorn and reached his natal Chiron (a step towards finding his Inner Healer).  He relocated to Edinburgh and applied to study Fine Art at the University.  His portfolio was rejected, however.  Two years later he submitted two canvases for the Royal Scottish Academy annual show and both paintings sold on the first day, leading him to be approached by several galleries.

His most famous work came in 1992, “The Singing Butler”, a scene which can be described as “a couple dancing on a storm-swept beach accompanied by a butler and maid.” (Lanre Bakare, The Guardian).  At that point in his life, his Progressed Sun became sextile to his natal North Node in Pisces in 3^rd House, and trine his South Node in 9^th House – a career peak.

Peaks and Troughs

He found fame, prosperity and popularity, but was profoundly disturbed by the criticism from the artistic establishment, and that very much affected him psychologically.  Artistically, he descended into a period of erotica, which also did not endear him to the experts.  For research, he visited brothels and strip bars, a lifestyle which is somehow reminiscent of certain of the later 19^th Century Impressionists.  He himself described “a fascination that is like drugs”.

2010 marked another departure in his life.  He moved to Nice (partly to get away from all the criticism), his subject matter turned a darker shade, his paintings failing to sell as well as before.  In that year, the outer planets were contributing to the breaking down of his former success: Pluto was squaring his natal Jupiter, a bubble bursting (Jupiter had been an element of his success); Uranus was squaring his natal Chiron (which had also been an element of his success), and Saturn was squaring his natal Chiron and opposing his natal Jupiter (a three-pronged ambush).  Added to that, Pluto was opposite his natal Moon  in Cancer in 7th House – a drastic change in his relationship with the general public.  In 2011 he was caught speeding, with drugs.

Lynn Barber, in the Observer, during that period, identified that in her opinion there were two sides to Jack: A “nice” Jack Vettriano, and a “nasty” one.

A further blow came in 2015, when Jack Vettriano dislocated his shoulder, and pronounced that he could no longer paint.  Transits for his dislocated shoulder on 31^st May (the date of disclocation) of that year showed:

Mars opposite his natal Mercury (shoulder) in Sagittarius rising – an injury

Neptune on his 4th House cusp square his Ascendant – an uncertain path

He had cleaned up, drugwise, by 2022 – 2021, when progressed Sun was sextile that emphasized (by transit and progression) natal Jupiter in Aries in 4^th House.

Edward Hopper

The day before Jack Vettriano’s death was announced I was talking to a friend about how I liked his style, and that of the American painter Edward Hopper (1882 – 1967).  We were talking about modern art, realism and abstract art.  I like the romantic, perhaps chivalrous and even gallant atmosphere in Vettriano’s artistic world, at least that of his early work.  Others have described it as nostalgia.

In an article in the Guardian, Lanre Bakare reports one critic’s comparison of Vettriano’s work to Edward Hopper’s, stating that Vettriano was like “Hopper without the emotion, and sleazy to boot”.

But I maintain there is a similarity in their style, and that is a simplicity that I like.  Though Hopper was successful in American mainstream art, his subject matter was wider, often depicting urban and industrial scenes.  They were both strongly influenced by Impressionism.

But they were very different characters: Hopper was very religious, and introverted.  They were both water signs, but Hopper perhaps more restrained emotionally, despite the critic’s assessment above.

Eddy Frankel also wrote in the Guardian, in an artistic critique, saying that Vettriano lacked any postmodern self-awareness.  The article is not wholly critical, but takes the view of the art expert, and concludes: “We can learn a lot more from looking  for the aesthetic and cultural qualities in ‘lower’ artforms than from outright rejecting them.”

Comparing the charts of the two painters, intriguingly there is a karmic link: Edward Hopper’s North Node is conjunct Vettriano’s Sun – perhaps they are of the same Soul Group.

Among Vettriano’s fans are Jack Nicholson, Alex Ferguson, and John Coltrane.  Tim Rice appeared on the news, praising Vettriano’s realism.

Vettriano needed to pursue his own path in life, and a quote from Edward Hopper puts it nicely:

“Great art is the outward expression of an inner life in the artist, and this inner life will result in his personal vision of the world. No amount of skilful invention can replace the essential element of imagination. One of the weaknesses of much abstract painting is the attempt to substitute the inventions of the human intellect for a private imaginative conception.”

“He was not only an extraordinary artist but also a deeply private and humble man who was endlessly grateful for the support and admiration of those who loved his work.  His paintings – capturing moments of intrigue, romance, and nostalgia – touched the hearts of so many around the world”

~ A tribute on Instagram

Aspects

The Aspects begin on Tuesday (11^th), with a conjunction at 8 degrees Aries of Mercury with Venus.  It may spark a sunburst of ideas to be communicated, discussed, and start the ball rolling towards making practical use of what comes to you.  This conjunction is ideal for socializing, conversation, artistic (get yourself a box of watercolours) or literary endeavours, or negotiations.  Your communications will have an artistic flair, so it’s a good time to get creative.  I associate this conjunction with Cafe culture thrives and conversation flows ~~~

A more subdued picture for Wednesday (12^th) with another conjunction, this time between the Sun and Saturn, at 22 degrees Pisces.  This conjunction bears a serious message.  Take note of the area/House it falls in, if you know it, as that will help you to ascertain the purpose of this event.  There is a great sense of concentration about this conjunction, focussed on practicalities  such as “what can we do about the situation?”  Caution is Saturn’s name.  Saturn demands responsibility, commitment, and common sense.

Friday (14^th) brings a Full Moon and a total Lunar Eclipse (a turning-point) at 23 degrees Virgo, which is likely to bring some emotional tension and a desire towards perfectionism and practicality, at the same time as honouring spiritual ideals represented by the opposing Sun in Pisces.  Work and service are also principles of this polarity of signs. That is your wake-up call.

At breakfast-time, the Sun will be sextile Uranus, and you may instinctively know what to do with the Full Moon/Eclipse energy and revelation.  This aspect supports us, and adds a sparkle of ingenuity and inventiveness. Make headway with your various projects, assisted with some telepathy and higher consciousness, or liaising with a constructive group.  Look to the Future.

Saturday (15^th) brings everybody’s favourite Retrograde: that of Mercury. Do what you can to minimize communication slowness and glitches.  Postal and phone scams may arise.  Be clear in your communications for the next three weeks, in order to avoid misunderstandings and loopholes.  Although technology can go awry, it can be a good period to upgrade such devices.  You may have developed your own strategies, according to past experiences.  The stock market may take a tumble.  Mercury goes Direct again on 7^th April.

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – the art of conversation
• Wednesday – a note of realism
• Friday – emotional high tide; turning point; signposts
• Saturday – communication glitches

Roberta Flack (1937 – 2025)

“What I consider myself is a soulful singer, in that I try to sing with all the feeling that I have in my body and my mind.”

~ Roberta Flack

The soul singer Roberta Flack died this week, at the age of 88.  There was something about her voice I found profoundly soothing.

Birth Chart

Roberta was an Aquarian, with the Sun exactly square a conjunction of Moon and Mars.  This gave her the Warrior Archetype, and she was an activist on behalf of black and women’s rights.  The conjunction was in her 10^th House conjunct the Midheaven, so closely bound up with her career, and work in the world.  She was friends with the activists Jesse Jackson, Maya Angelou, Yoko Ono and Angela Davies.  Her Sun trined Chiron, and this is where the therapeutic quality of her voice came in.  Her Moon in Scorpio was significant, giving her the deep emotion and soul quality which made her voice so moving.  She was a positive force, with Moon/Mars sextile Mercury/Jupiter and trine Saturn.  Mercury trine Neptune saw her channelling some divine frequency at times.  Venus trine Pluto ensured that she gave her heart and soul to her voice work.  Jupiter trined Neptune in her chart, and this describes the religion/spirituality of her early singing in church.  The difficulties in her life may be seen in her Mutable T-square of Saturn opposite Neptune square Chiron.  Relationships may have been challenging, with Pluto on her Descendant, opposite a Capricorn Ascendant (she married in 1966 and divorced 6 years later).

Life and Career

Roberta Flack was born in North Carolina, into a large musical family, and sang in church in her early years, but was also a piano prodigy.  At the age of 15 She won a full music scholarship to Howard University, where she changed her specialism from piano to voice, natal Venus in Aries in the 3^rd House showing her personal expression.  She went into teaching, in a variety of ways: it took her until her 30s to establish her career as a singer.

Her voice teacher intervened in a significant way, as she had been singing in various styles, but Frederick Wilkerson told her that pop music would suit her voice more than the classics.  She began to sing professionally in 1968.  Joel Dorn arranged her first album recording that year with Atlantic Records.

Her Voice

The song “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” was on that first album (“First Take”), and as luck and fate would have it, Clint Eastwood chose it as part of the soundtrack for his film “Play Misty For Me”, which brought its success in 1972.  I find it interesting to look at the synastry where people play a significant role in the course of another’s life, and Clint’s Moon exactly trined Roberta’s natal Venus (musicality); his Pluto was exactly sextile her natal Neptune (a deep resonance between them); and his Chiron was on her I.C. in 5^th House.  They became lifelong friends.

As for the iconic song itself, it had been written by Ewan MacColl, the father of Kirsty MacColl. His birthchart reveals a talented songwriting sextile between Mercury and Venus.  His Mercury was exactly trine Roberta’s Chiron, and his Chiron was trine her Midheaven, healing connections.

The song embodies the depth and gentleness of emotion (her Moon in Scorpio exactly conjunct the Midheaven; Venus trine Pluto) which has recently made it my go to song when stressing about Donald Trump(!).  There is a particular version which she sang, recorded with an almost ethereal gentleness and sensitivity.

The next year, 1973, saw her release another soul-searing song, “Killing Me Softly with His Song”, and with that her reputation as a first class singer was assured.  This song was written by three songwriters: Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel I, and Lori Lieberman, and her voice is fuller on that song.  It has the emotion and depth of the first song, and won awards in 1974.

Such was the uniqueness of her voice that when critics compared it to that of Aretha Franklin she said: “I am a black person who sings the way I do.  I am not a black person who sounds anything like Aretha Franklin or like Chaka Khan.  I shouldn’t have to change in order to be who I am.”

The Guardian Obituary by Caroline Sullivan points out that:

“The comparisons were unfair, anyway: Franklin’s style had been forged in the Baptist church, whereas Flack had grown up as a restrained, hymn-singing Methodist.”

Roberta had a markedly quieter style, consciously and deliberately so.

It may sound over-the-top to say her voice touched my life, but the truth is I had been playing her music recently, and after a break of a few days, played “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”, at 4 pm (UK time) on the day she died (24^th February).  On the 6 pm BBC News we were told of her passing.

Other Music

Elton John was very taken with the gentleness of her version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” early in his career.  He wrote to her “Dear Roberta, I have never heard anything this beautiful in years…”

Other chart successes included “Feel Like Makin’ Love” in 1974, but she subsequently took a break from performing, but continued to record (with many collaborations) and spent time on supporting charitable causes.   In 1991 she had another hit with “Set the Night to Music.”

In later years, she made versions of the songs of the Beatles (“Let it Be Roberta” album 2012), and Leonard Cohen.

In 2020 she was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the Grammys.

Health

She suffered a stroke in 2019, but was forced to give up performing in 2022 due to being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, which left her unable to sing.

It was reported that she passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, after a heart attack.  Her death coincided with her third Saturn Return in Pisces, in her 2^nd House.

Watching the Brits last night, there was nothing remotely resembling her music.  It reminded me that every generation, and especially the teenagers whose enthusiasm drive new music, have their own energy to express.

“Her voice touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I’ve ever known. I laughed, cried, and screamed for more… she alone had the voice.”

~ Les McCann

Aspects

In the early hours of this morning, Venus was Stationary prior to turning Retrograde.  This celestial event only occurs once in every 18 months.  This betokens a time of reviewing relationships and finance.  Although you may need to go over old ground, you can refer back to a time when a relationship was entirely harmonious, and what brought you together in the first place, when working towards improvements.

This afternoon we have a conjunction between Mercury and Neptune at 28 degrees Pisces (also forming an exact triple conjunction with the North Node at that point).  This is not conducive to exacting and detailed mental work and documentation if that is what you planned; but it can favour dreams, mystical states and spirituality.  They in turn can affect creativity, art and music in an inspired way.  If you are feeling below par, you may experience added confusion or brain fog.  Channelling is favoured.

In the evening Jupiter squares the Sun, an aspect which exaggerates everything it comes into contact with.  There is also a joyful, humorous side of Sun square Jupiter, so some laughter-yoga in the evening would not go amiss!  It could contribute to a fun day, but be aware of carelessness or overreaching goals.  It could be a jolly scenario, with some over-the-top behaviour in the mode of “devil may care”.

Tomorrow (Monday 3^rd) Mercury enters Aries.  Plain speaking replaces the flowery language of Mercury in Pisces.  Mercury doesn’t get far into Aries before turning retrograde mid-month, so try to achieve some dynamic mental work in the first half of March. Mercury in Aries favours mental work which is unemotional and without frippery, such as accountancy and tax returns.  You will need to get to the point much more directly in your communications, and there is more sense of urgency about paperwork.  If you feel overwhelmed by paperwork, stay in the moment and you may be able to stretch time.

Wednesday (5^th) brings a profound touch to your communications, with a sextile between Mercury and Pluto.  It is a harmonious aspect which can produce profound, honouring the gravity of a situation if necessary, and enabling meaningful debate to occur.  It is a good space for reading something profound.  Maybe there is something in your pile of pending books you have been putting off, if so, now’s the time to tackle it.

The week is polished off on Saturday (8^th) with a dynamic trine between the Sun and Mars.  This may turbo-charge your activities, bringing new initiatives to your activities and objectives.  Sporting interests can flourish, or any vigorous pursuits.  Men, dogs and cars may flourish!).  Aries and Leo Sun sign interaction may be highlighted.

I would say it is not a day when peace may be established.  But notably peace did not break out at the New Moon in Pisces last week, when some one-sided shouting occurred in the Oval Office.  It could be that the confusion of the North Node/Neptune conjunction was more powerful than the New Moon.  Or it may be that the inflammatory energy of transiting Mars in Cancer in Donald’s 11^th House of Friendship was squaring his natal Jupiter in Libra in his 2^nd House of Financial Aspiration.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – relationship reflection; mental confusion or inspiration; exaggeration
• Tomorrow – plain speaking
• Wednesday – profound thought and communication
• Saturday – dynamism

Piscean Archetypes

We are now in the month of Pisces, and time to embrace the potential of that sign, and it is time to turn the spotlight on Piscean Archetypes (although I know Pisceans often shun the limelight).  The Sun will be entering the next sign Aries on 20 March, so we have time to experience our connection with this sign, its Archetypes and cultivate its finer qualities. Also to observe our Piscean friends or family, and perhaps see them in a new light, a new depth, or a new height.  The last sign Aquarius represented the New Age, the new broom sweeping clean, but Pisces represents qualities we can retain where they are helpful (compassion being one; Aquarius can be clinical).  The initiation of Pisces began with Christianity, but at its worst took us through the dark ages of ignorance and delusion.  Some of the world chaos we are now experiencing is the negative side of Pisces fighting for its existence, and part is the confusion of the transition.  At its best, Pisces and its ruler Neptune can represent the genius of all-knowingness, a fully enlightened mind.  So, following, are the Archetypes I highlighted back in my 2016 blog, and then some chronological historic examples of Pisceans and their Archetypes, from history:

“Genius

Famous Example: Albert Einstein

Other signs can lay claim to science, but Pisces lays claim to talent and genius by virtue of employing the whole brain.  The theory of relativity came to Albert Einstein in a dream.

I wonder what Einstein was thinking about when he said  “What does a fish know about the water in which he swims all his life?”  

Mystic

The genius, due to the receptivity of the brain and imagination, is able to access information.  The Mystic unites more specifically with the divine, in the spiritual or religious sense, and can unite religions from that level, sensing the underlying truths they have in common at source.  Caroline Myss describes the Mystic Archetype thus:

“Follows selfless path of practice to achieve union with the divine or a state of enlightenment that manifests as service to others”.  Those with strongly Piscean charts have often had significant lives as monks, priests or nuns, in cloistered conditions.

Addict

Pisces, and its ruling planet Neptune, often show according to their condition in the birthchart, how strongly addicted we are.  It is related psychologically, to their capacity for surrender.  The seed of addiction is of course present in all of us, but more so with Pisces and Neptune.

There is a star of the far southern sky named Fomalhaut (Alpha Pisces Austrini) which according to “Star Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld can help with addiction: “The awareness of past-life connections that create the necessity for such addictions also comes to one’s consciousness with repeated use of this star.” …

Caroline Myss says of the Addict Archetype: “Helps you recognise when any external force has more authority over your willpower than your inner spirit does”.

The Saint/Sinner

The Saint and Sinner Archetypes are often found in the same person, the light and shadow of the same coin.  I had a Piscean uncle who embodied this Archetype.  He would literally go to the ends of the earth to help anyone, and yet could easily get sucked into a dodgy get rich quick scheme.  Rest in Peace, dear uncle.

Missionary Archetype

This is to some extent a spin off of the “Saint” Archetype, in that the zeal of the religious or spiritual passion is the driving force of the life’s mission.  This Archetype also encompasses the work of charity, another Neptunian theme.

Hypnotist Archetype

Hypnotism is very much a Neptunian phenomenon.  The hugely successful hypnotist Paul McKenna has his Neptune exactly conjunct his Sun in Scorpio.  Scorpio gives his work power and depth.

Historical Pisceans

The Genius

Albert Einstein (14/3/1879 – 18/4/1955)

The Genius Archetype of Pisces can be applied equally to the Scientist or the Artist.  In the case of Albert Einstein, it is the Scientist, but it is his imagination (the attribute of Pisces) which gave him the ability to think outside the box, scientifically.  Einstein’s Sun was a lone feature in Pisces, but it was in a heavily occupied 9^th House of Deep Study, and closely sextile Pluto, adding great depth.  It was this that helped him traverse dimensions in his mind.  The ruling planet of Pisces, Neptune, was conjunct the healing asteroid Chiron, a potent mixture of mysticism and healing.  In addition, he had another conjunction across the Capricorn/Aquarius cusp, of Mars and the North Node, showing his pioneering karmic mission. A further significant conjunction, also in his House of Deep Study, is Mercury conjunct Saturn, showing detailed application, and in the sign of Aries highlights mathematical prowess, hence his famous equation.

The Poet

Dr Seuss (2/3/1904 – 24/9/1991)

Not a conventional or sentimental poet, but Dr Seuss’ verses in his children’s books are undeniably poetry.  Like Albert Einstein, his Sun was a lone feature in Pisces – maybe that’s all they needed, to manifest their talents.  Dr Seuss was born on a Full Moon, and perhaps that was one reason his poetry and talent was put to use in the service of entertaining children. The often “all round” talents of Pisces meant that he as a cartoonist also illustrated his own books.   He had a very dynamic conjunction of Mars and Jupiter in Aries, which resulted in a prolific body of work.  His book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was made into a film; but our own personal family favourite was “The Sleep Book”, perhaps favoured even more by the grown ups than the targeted children.

The Peacemaker

Mikhail Gorbachev (2/3/1931 – 30/8/2022)

Gorbachev was another Piscean with only the Sun in Pisces.  Gorbachev had the vision of a better relationship with the West, moving towards social democracy, which involved surrender to the greater good.  Pisces and its ruler Neptune represent the process of dissolution, away from entrenched crystallization.  His karmic mission as a reformer is marked in his chart as the North Node conjunct Uranus.  His policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring along the lines of decentralisation) – both Piscean processes – were successful for several years, and up to a point, but at a cost to him personally, and that of his wife Raisa.  That almost sacrificial quality can be one of the characteristics of Pisces, taken to its conclusion.  I wrote when he died in 2022:

“With the Sun in Pisces, Mikhail Gorbachev was a visionary and an idealist.  His Ascendant in Libra was peace loving and diplomatic.  The combination of these traits in his personality contributed to him gaining the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990, for his work in ending the Cold War…[at the presentation Pluto was trine his natal Pluto, a deep achievement, and Jupiter was trine his natal Uranus, an award of distinction]

…Gorbachev was reportedly traumatized by the invasion of Ukraine earlier this year [2022], feeling that Putin had undone his life’s work.  To my mind, Gorbachev was a man who put the welfare of the world above nationalism and patriotism.”

Since I wrote that, his birth time has come to light, showing up a Libran Ascendant, a zodiac sign which would share the Peacemaker Archetype, so that emphasizes the quality in his make up.  His birth time also reveals the fact that his ruler Neptune sextiled his natal Midheaven (Careerpoint), making Neptunian processes a major feature of his career choices.

We are now seeing the unravelling of his work, as the pendulum swings the other way. Tomorrow it will be exactly three years since the invasion of Ukraine.  Vladimir Putin was unable to stomach the dilution of the Russian state, and has put all his energies in reclaiming land, and power.

The Mystic

George Harrison (25/2/1943 – 29/11/2001)

George Harrison had Venus (music) at the end of his Sun Sign Pisces, indicating a high level of spirituality and transcendence within his musical sense and creativity.

I wrote in an earlier blog about George Harrison:

“George Harrison had Chiron exactly conjunct the North Node in Leo in 10th House, giving him a karmic mission of healing through creativity, channelled through his career…

… his musical tastes and spiritual path lay in a different direction [from Lennon and McCartney], though he did take them part of the way, with their involvement with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.  Musically, he became a student of Ravi Shankar, and these directions were all very Piscean in nature.”

That direction, of course, was within, and Pisces is the most introverted sign.  His quest led to some divine music, especially as recorded on his double album “All Things Must Pass”.  Of the four Beatles, he was unquestionably, The Mystic.

In exercising your own Piscean underbelly at this time, remember that Pisceans need to work out their place in the cosmos, how much to surrender and what they are here to bring forth for their life purpose, and that may be a component in what you may achieve in this Piscean month.

Aspects

We have a gung ho aspect today, Mercury trine Mars, so there’s hope for some of those odd jobs you keep putting off.  Communications may zip along, and the day could be very productive.  Much can be accomplished.  You can put your ideas into practice.  You may retire at the end of the day with the feeling that you could do more, and have extra ideas to put into practice for the next day.

Tomorrow (Monday 24^th) activity is again highlighted, with Mars Stationary prior to going Direct.  We may no longer feel we are pushing the boulder up the hill, a feature of our lives especially since Mars went retrograde in December, we now may be able to roll the boulder gently along the flat (hopefully it is not likely to be rolling downhill).  For the Ariens among you, you could experience a literally physical renewal.  You may be in a mood to move furniture around.

A more sober mood for Tuesday (25^th), with a conjunction of Mercury with Saturn at 20 degrees Pisces.  The combination of Mercury and Saturn pins us down to reality, and brings communications of a serious nature.  You may have found yourself trying to come to terms with recent events or news, and its seemingly disappointing trajectories.  The important thing about this conjunction is what conclusions you come to, and what constructive action you might decide to take, even if it is just down to taking up the ever present demand of decluttering.

As we come into the second half of the week, Thursday (27^th) brings us a nice sextile between Mercury and Uranus.  The beginning of the week may have been a physical work-out, but thing brings a mental work-out exercise: thinking inside and outside the box together!  This aspect gives rise to spectacular and unusual communications.  This encourages us to use all the new technology for our communications, and brings new ideas, heightening intuition and telepathy.   This aspect can amaze you and help you find that “wow” factor

As if the end of the week couldn’t get any better, we are gifted a New Moon in Pisces at 9 degrees of the sign on Friday (28^th).  You may come to a decision, and follow it up by cementing your intentions.  This New Moon is especially focussed on service, emotion, the use of water and overcoming addiction(s).  Any affirmations, practical projects and creative visualizations along these lines would be apt.  A good day to avail yourself of some of the positive Piscean Archetypes (The Peacemaker, for example) and put them into practice.  A step forward in the international peace processes would be a blessing.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – dynamic
• Tomorrow – further moves
• Tuesday – look at the small print
• Thursday – dynamic thought
• Friday – new beginning

EastEnders

Celebrating its 40^th Anniversary

The long-running soap opera EastEnders celebrates its 40^th anniversary this week, by setting fire to its local pub, The Queen Vic.  Funny how soaps like to celebrate with disasters…I will try and keep this blog short, as I don’t know many people who still watch EastEnders.

The show first aired at 7 p.m. on 19^th February 1985, later moving to the 7.30 p.m. slot to avoid clashing with Emmerdale Farm.  That first episode was viewed by 17 million people. The marital disharmony between Angie (actor Anita Dobson) and Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) were prominent in the early days, culminating in the Christmas Day 1986 episode where divorce papers were presented.  However, Den’s daughter Sharon (played by Letitia Dean) still appears in the show, as done (apparently the longest serving character/actor) Ian Beale/Adam Woodyat.

EastEnders is set in the fictional borough of Walford, with the fictional postcode of E20.  With Coronation Street, Brookside and Emmerdale Farm already established as northern soaps, London was chosen as the location.

My personal journey

I used to watch EastEnders in those early years…In between, there was about a decade (1995 – 2005, at the risk of falsifying my C.V.) when I didn’t watch it.  I was working full time, in offices, and used to declare that “watching soaps is a waste of my emotional energy”.  Then two things happened simultaneously: I used to visit my mother once a month, and was forced to watch it on those occasions; and I made a new friend who waxed lyrical about it.  So gradually, I came to watch it at home…Mum has now passed, but the friend has become the couch potato text buddy for EastEnders, especially when the “douf douf doufs” are sounded at the cliffhangers. [I have come across various spellings for the douf doufs, and this is my personal choice].

Natal Chart

EastEnders was launched exactly (to the hour) on a New Moon in Pisces.  One might suspect the makers took advice from an Astrologer. The Sun in its chart was exactly conjunct the Moon at 1 degree Pisces in the 6^th House of Local Community in an exact triple conjunction with Mercury, too.  The Part of Fortune consequently was exactly on the Ascendant, an auspicious corollary.

The triple conjunction was square to Saturn and Chiron (forming a T-square) – indicating the everyday struggles and pains of the local inhabitants. But the triple conjunction was closely sextile Neptune – and therefore oiled with intrigue.  Venus closely conjunct Mars gave it a spicy sensuality, with a trine to that conjunction of Uranus providing extra social intrigue.  In an early criticism from a poll  in the Sunday People complained about “coarse” and “bawdy” dialogue.

Jupiter closely square Pluto displayed power play, and manipulation by the powers-that-be in the final douf douf douf  moments, declaring “You’ve gotta watch the next episode”. Jupiter exactly trine Chiron suggested there was healing in it for some – as an escape from their own problems, perhaps?  EastEnders were pioneering in many ways subsequently in tackling challenging subject matter and health and social issues of the day.

Uranus closely square Ascendant and closely conjunct the I.C. – keeping you, if you were a viewer, on your toes, always unsettling.

40^th Anniversary Week

Apparently, during the show and its aftermath next week, at least one character will lose their life.  Since several actors have been reported to be leaving imminently, it could be anyone.

However, one current storyline may ensure that three characters will remain, and offers a unique opportunity for the viewers to get involved.  The love triangle between Denise, Jack and Ravi is set to be decided on the day of a live episode (Thursday 20^th February) with the viewers empowered to cast their vote on who Denise chooses.  Apparently two separate sets of ensuing storylines have been filmed for the follow-up.

Actor Diane Parish plays Denise Fox, the centre of the love triangle.  Diane herself is a sultry Scorpio.  She joined EastEnders as Denise on 11^th May 2006, which would form the natal chart for the character’s creation, though the casting was announced the day after Diane’s birthday the previous November.  Denise was apparently to be portrayed as a “sassy, strong” character would be “a force to be reckoned with”.  That was the original intention: regular viewers can judge whether that is an accurate description…characters often mutate, and also amalgamate features and qualities possessed by the actor.  Denise is in fact the opposite Sun sign from Diane, i.e. a Taurean, still a sensuous sign.  But Denise’s current deliberations are more indecisive Libran than “a force to be reckoned with”.  Other features of “Denise’s chart” are the Sun square Neptune (confusion), and Pluto at the Galactic Centre square her Nodal Axis (she nearly killed Nish the Christmas before last!).  But she’s a likeable and sympathetic character, with a Grand Trine of Mercury-Jupiter-Uranus in the Water signs (emotional).

Actor Scott Maslen plays her first suitor, Jack Branning, who has a long established relationship with Denise.  Scott was a former model, and a marine (he is Cancerian), and joined EastEnders creating the character Jack on 29^th October 2007.  Jack is therefore a Scorpio, and is a Policeman by trade (Scorpio’s ruler Pluto represents the police force).  Furthermore, Jack’s Pluto is at the Galactic Centre (like Denise who joined the year before), so they could make a power couple, if only they could make their relationship work (they’ve had plenty of chances)!  The character has been described as “a morally ambiguous character”, and Jack’s conjunction of Jupiter and Pluto is a power trip open to misuse, and he has been labelled a “bent copper”.

The relationship between Denise and Jack has been a chequered one, and with two personal squares (her Saturn squares his Sun, and her Venus squares his Mars) it is not an easy pathway.  As for the two actors, Scott’s Jupiter is conjunct Diane’s Neptune, which is a harmonious working relationship.  They are born two years apart.

In contrast, Aaron Thiara is cast as toyboy Ravi Gulati to Denise’s cougar role. There is a 23 year gap between the two actors, so he is virtually of the next generation.  Aaron has played Shakespearean roles (who would have thought he could morph into a dodgy EastEnder bad boy?) and is a Taurean.  He worked as a fight director on Bridgerton (having Mars square his Mercury).  Aaron took on the role of Ravi on 4^th July 2022, and won Villain of the Year in 2023.  Early on in his storyboard, he ruthlessly disposed of a dead body.  Ravi’s chart shows the potentially violent square between Mars and Pluto, so he showed up as quite a menacing character.  Mercury squares Neptune in his chart, suggesting mental deception.  He also has an unpredictable karmic path in North Node conjunct Uranus (as far as a character can have a karmic path).  With the Sun in Cancer, his character is bound up with his (dysfunctional) family.  However, as so often happens in soaps, he is in the process of transforming and reforming, to what extent we still don’t know, but it is enough to attract Denise, who had rejected him at an earlier cycle of their relationship.

The relationship between Denise and Ravi has been a stormy one, but the entanglement is shown by her Sun conjunct his North Node, and his Jupiter conjunct her natal Venus. Her Neptune squares his Nodal Axis, so is he destined for disappointment?  As for the two actors, Aaron’s Jupiter is conjunct Diane’s Uranus, a bright spark of a working relationship.  Interesting that both actors bring Jupiter to Diane’s table…

For the live episode on Thursday, Mercury squares Jupiter, so it may stretch our credulity.  The logistics alone of producing a live episode are quite mind-stretching.  There is also a North Node/Neptune in Pisces conjunction going on – highlighting intrigue and sensationality.  These astrological factors will form part of the personality of Sonia’s baby, as she is apparently due to give birth on the day!

Actors talk of some nervousness approaching taking part, but the actors’ transits look as cool as a cucumber.  Maybe they have been assured of the continuity of their contracts.  Of the characters, Denise has transiting Pluto sextile her North Node (a deep karmic choice) while Ravi’s transits seem unperturbed…maybe transits to characters do not work (LOL).  But Jack’s transits are more active: Saturn opposes Jack’s Venus (Love prospects) and squares his Jupiter (he could be tied up), but Jupiter trines his natal Chiron (his Inner Healer in Aquarius – he is always on hand to heal the community).  It has been teased that Jack leads a mission to rescue friends and neighbours from the fire.

However unrealistic it may seem, Denise’s relationship with Ravi looks better than her relationship with good old dependable Jack.  But, far be it from me to choose.  The karma is in the hands of the viewers…!

Aspects

We start with the Sun in Pisces, which occurs on Tuesday 18^th.  The Sun leaves Aquarius and enters Pisces, and the general tone of life will become more soft focus.  We become more introspective and aware of our deeper emotions with the Sun in Pisces.  We also become more aware of the sentience and oneness of all life, especially the plight of the creatures of the ocean and the state of the waters.  This is the last stage of our winter introspection before the coming of the spring.

Our second aspect occurs on Thursday 20^th, right in the middle of the live episode of EastEnders’ 40^th anniversary offering: Mercury square Jupiter.  The outcome of this mindstretching square may be within your control, through your response.  Certainly you may make a choice regarding Albert Square…even if it is to switch off your set.  You may have far to travel, or a lot to learn, and feel overstretched, but could enjoy the ride nevertheless.

These are the only two straight astrological features of the week, but if you wish to go further with your cosmic interactions, I have two Fixed Stars for you which align with the end of the week.  The first one on Friday (21^st) will be challengingly woo woo for some – it’s the message of Nashira from the constellation of Capricorn, as told by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld in “Starlight Elixirs”: 

“Some of the effects from this star are a bit subtle and muted because the civilization there has had some direct influence over Earth in the past and of late has pulled back and reduced some of this influence.  At the present time this star is good to utilize when you wish to have the ability to see the whole picture of what is happening on Earth: politically, economically, and geophysically.  This is very difficult to create with only the mental body.  The emotional body alone is also insufficient.  This star will encourage  in a gentle way the combination of faculties needed for this larger perspective.”

The second alignment of our Sun is to Sadalsud in the constellation of Aquarius, taking place on Saturday (22^nd).  “Starlight Elixirs” tells us:

“This star can create peacefulness in the interaction amongst all women and men by increasing the female part of their understanding.  The male mind can open to its female aspects and in this way relate better to women.  Women are able to better express and share the very nature of what it means to be a woman.  This star may eventually be able to work with these energies in large groups; for now it is simply in small groups or in one to one relationships.”

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – greater compassion
• Thursday – stretched minds and travels
• Friday – larger perspective
• Saturday – male and female balancing

 

Aquarian Archetypes

It is nine years since I wrote about specific Archetypes for the zodiac signs. We are well ensconced in the month of Aquarius now, and time to embrace the potential of that sign.  Almost all of us have at least a trace of Aquarian energy in our charts, whether it be the Sun or Ascendant in that sign, or an aspect of its ruler Uranus to one of our planets.  The Sun will be entering the next sign Pisces on 18^th, so there are still nine days to utilize our connection with this sign and cultivate its finer qualities.  For the most part, I am talking about the amazing quality of Aquarius to envision the future, see what is needed, and to bring that forward, often shaping history.  The ruling planet of Aquarius (Uranus) is, like that of Scorpio (Pluto) an agent of Change.  But in that urgent process, sometimes both signs and planets can “throw the baby out with the bathwater” – witness Donald Trump, who has Uranus conjunct his Sun and North Node, currently throwing out vital services and structures.  Archetypes can often be seen in combinations of planets (e.g. Jupiter/Uranus for The Entrepreneur) and signs, and can therefore be hybrids.  But following are the Archetypes I highlighted back in 2016, and then some chronological historic examples of Aquarians and their Archetypes, from history:

“Networker

The Networker Archetype is one of the most prominent of Aquarian Archetypes.  It is often found in a chart when the Sun and Mercury, which travel round the zodiac together, are in the 11th House of Friendships and Groups.

Caroline Myss describes it as expanding “sphere of influence by forging alliances and making connections among vastly different groups of people”.

Liberator

The Liberator (from Myss again) “helps to liberate us from the self-inflicted tyranny of negative thought patterns and beliefs, spiritual sluggishness, poor nutrition, destructive relationships, or addictive behaviour”.  We all need that one.

Engineer

This is an aspect of the Scientist.  In Gemini, the Scientist as an Archetype is related to teaching, academia, writing and research.  In Aquarius the Scientist is more dynamic, and with an association with Electricity.  The conjunction of Mars and Uranus in a chart often denotes a talent for mechanical or electrical engineering…

Activist

With Mars, in some capacity, Aquarius and Uranus produces the Activist.  For example, Mars in Aquarius often produces someone who champions the underdog, or uses networking and pressure groups to engineer social justice.

Newer Archetypes

Caroline Myss introduces new Archetypes in her book of 2013.  She originally wrote about Archetypes (which she sees in her inner vision) in “Sacred Contracts” in 2001.  She produced her Archetype Cards two years later.  She goes into more depth, and gives more guidance, about these newer archetypes.

Famous Example: David Bowie had both of these two Archetypes which follow, with his Aquarian Ascendant.

Rebel

Caroline identifies four types of Rebel, where the personality has grown into a more mature and cohesive expression of this Archetype: the Noble Rebel, the Anarchist Rebel, the Social/Civil Rebel, and the Feminist Rebel.

Famous Example: The groundbreaking feminist writer Germaine Greer is of course an Aquarian.

Visionary

In her Archetypes book Myss advises: “The lesson for the Visionary is to experience the power of your creative vision, however large or small, and to realize its potential in the larger scope of your life.”

Famous Example: quoting from Caroline Myss: “Oprah Winfrey [Aquarius] built a media empire around her vision to transform people’s lives.” – my brackets. “

Historical Aquarians

The Explorer

Ernest Shackleton 15/2/1874 – 5/1/1922

The Explorer Archetype is shared by both Aquarius and Aries (with Aries especially carrying the pioneering aspect of exploration). Ernest Shackleton was a leader of expeditions to the South Pole.  He and his crew had to be rescued on 20^th May 1916 on his second expedition.  Interestingly, Mars was exactly opposite his natal Sun on that day, Neptune was sextile his natal Jupiter, Jupiter was on his natal Chiron, Uranus was square his natal Pluto – momentous transits for him after he had set out 18 months before.  But the “exploration bug” stayed with him, as he eventually died in 1922 on his final expedition.  He had tremendous courage and endurance: Aquarians are of the strong willed Fixed quadruplicity.  He also knew the value of teamwork, another Aquarian strength.

The Aviator

Charles Lindbergh 4/2/1902 – 26/8/1974

Aviators are often linked with the Air signs, and Aquarius represents the vanguard of aeronautics.  Lindbergh’s pioneering flight took place on 20^th May 1927 between New York and Paris.  Note that 20^th May was important for Shackleton too, so that may link with Pleiadean energy.  At that time Jupiter (triumph) was trine his natal Ascendant and entering his 5^th House of Self-Expression.  He won a Congressional Medal of Honor.  He was also an Inventor (co-inventing a blood-perfusion pump to keep tissues and organs alive while being repaired), another of the Archetypes for Aquarius.

The Social Rebel

[See also Rebel, and Activist, above]

Rosa Parks 4/2/1913 – 24/10/ 2005

Rosa Parks shares a birthday with Charles Lindbergh (4^th February), and had Mars on the Ascendant (The Warrior Archetype).  In her act of refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery bus in 1955 she virtually started the civil rights movement: “I had been pushed as far as I could stand to be pushed. I had decided that I would have to know once and for all what rights I had as a human being and a citizen.”  It proved to be a historic action.  She had four planets in the 1^st House, which can denote a strong personality, and Uranus square her Midheaven (her work in the world).  On the day itself, Uranus (her ruling planet, and the agent of Change) was trine her natal Venus in her 3^rd House of Bus Rides (!), with Chiron also sextile Venus, Pluto was sextile her natal Pluto (Self-Empowerment!) and Saturn was sextile her natal Moon rising (the need to put herself first).

The Freedom Fighter

Vlodymyr Zelenskyy b. 25/1/78

Most people (in the free world) have a huge admiration for the role and statesmanship Vlodymyr has sustained as President in the Ukraine since the Russian invasion of Thursday 24^th February 2022 (at 5.55 a.m.), bringing us up to modern history.  His relentless faith in his mission is shown by his Gemini Ascendant with Jupiter rising.

I wrote at the time:

“The Prime Minister of the Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is the hero of the hour.  He was born on 25 January 1978 in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine.  We have a birth time for him, which gives Jupiter rising (he started out as a comedian).  He was an actor, who played a man who unintentionally became prime minister.  He became prime minister of Ukraine in reality in 2019, campaigning on anti-corruption.  In the lead up to the invasion, he consistently urged calm, while pleading with NATO for support.  Putin has stated that he wants to rid Ukraine of Nazi influences, which is astonishing, given that Zelenskyy is Jewish.”

His transits at the time:

“Zelenskyy’s…transits include Saturn from Aquarius in his 8th House opposite his natal Moon in 2nd House.  This is a tough emotional transit which can affect the home or homeland through the Moon’s association with them.  He has Neptune at the top of his chart, indicating uncertainty in his life direction.”

Little did we know that three years later, the war would still be raging, and the Ukrainian forces would still be fighting, not only for their lives, and their country, but possibly on behalf of the whole of Europe which could be threatened by a Russian win.  Zelenskyy has all the strong will and ability to lead a team as Aquarian Ernest Shackleton had.  All four of my examples have a Moon-Uranus aspect (Rosa Parks and Lindbergh having the conjunction).

With the subsequent war in the Middle East, he needs to be kept in our thoughts and supported as much as ever.  He has been in the news this weekend, in these uncertain times, about his hopes of meeting with Donald Trump before newly elected Trump meets with Putin:

“It is very important, otherwise it will look like a dialogue about Ukraine without Ukraine. It is still important for partners to discuss their issues first, and then have a conversation with the enemy,”

In exercising your own Aquarian muscle at this time, remember that Aquarians work well with group consciousness and in community efforts, and that may be a component in what you may achieve in this Aquarian month.

Aspects

All the aspect occur after Noon in the UK this week, so you can take the mornings off!

Today, the Sun is conjunct Mercury in Aquarius.  That brings a touch of sparkle to your consciousness.  It is a good day to apply your mind with clarity, concentrate and focus, make important statements, and look to the future.  You may write or speak some memorable lines.  Look out for some telepathy, too!  You may feel the urge to clarify something.

We also have a trine between Mars and Saturn.  Despite being a connection between the two traditional astrological “malefics” this can be very constructive, in a non-dramatic way.  It does mean that hard work can pay off.  Think through what you want to achieve, and set about steadily allowing it to unfold, with some concrete or physical input or ignition on your part.  A trine not to be sniffed at.

Tomorrow’s aspect (Monday 10^th) is not so constructive, a square between Mercury and Uranus.  Be prepared for glitches, and back up your computer files (mental note to take my own advice!), while considering I.T. loopholes.  Speech may be controversial.  Use your intuition to be one step ahead – the Universe may be trying to show you new pathways, and possible new perspectives.  If you were thinking of launching Aquarian initiatives (see main blog) on that day, get your communications on point.

Uranus presents another challenge on Tuesday (11^th), that of the Sun square Uranus.  During the day, be aware of possible loopholes through which the element of the unexpected can enter.  Disruption can occur, but unexpected twists and turns may give you new ideas for future reference.

A Full Moon at 24 degrees Leo takes place on Wednesday (12^th).  Moon in Leo can be dramatic, and bring about power struggles.  But Leo is creative, and can write its own screenplay, especially if working in a balanced way within a group.  There usually is a crest of emotion at the peak of the Full Moon.  So this Full Moon may leave you with material to ponder…

Finally, on Valentine’s Day, Friday 14^th, Mercury enters Pisces at lunchtime, which increases mental focus and communication around compassionate issues, such as the vulnerable, those with mental health issues, and the state of institutions, such as prisons and the NHS.  In the period of its journey through this sign (up till 3rd March) compassion will be more easily shown and charity given, and it will be easier to receive ideas of creativity and inspiration.  For Valentine’s Day, we are going for a coffee at Costa at lunchtime, and I will allow myself a biscuit (I am on the Glucose Goddess regime).

Looking at the Uranian aspects this week, you will need to be alert in forging ahead with Aquarian moves, but don’t be discouraged!  You will learn a lot about operating in an Aquarian mental environment.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – sparkly consciousness; practical achievement
• Tomorrow – technical glitches
• Tuesday – the element of the unexpected
• Wednesday – emotional high tide
• Friday – softening minds, intelligent hearts

 

Marianne Faithfull (1946 – 2025)

“When I was at school at Leighton Park…She was the most beautiful girl any of us had met and had the charisma of a superstar.”

~ Robin Denselow

Staying with the 1960s, after last week’s Dylan blog, I am writing about Marianne Faithfull who passed away aged 80 peacefully this week surrounded by her family, after what could be called a turbulent life.  She released 22 solo albums in her lifetime, but the song she is most associated with is “As Tears Go By” which she recorded at the tender age of 18.

Birth Chart

We are lucky enough to have a birth time for Marianne, and so we can say her vital statistics are Sun in Capricorn, Moon in Pisces, and Ascendant in Aries.  Her Sun in Capricorn was part of a triple conjunction with Mars and the Midheaven (Careerpoint).  This gave her a strong inner sense of ambition, and a relentless desire to stay on course with her chosen career as a singer.  I consider the Midheaven to represent the persona in the outside world (other astrologers assign the Ascendant to the Persona), and in Marianne’s chart Mars conjunct the Midheaven depicts the sexualization of her persona.  Sun/Mars squaring her natal Neptune represented her addictive personality, which resulted in a lifelong struggle, and saw her spend a few years on the streets homeless.  A saving grace was a close sextile of the Sun with Chiron, which will have battled through and found solutions.  Another saving grace was that her North Node was exactly trine her natal Neptune, keeping her connected with her Soul’s path (even though this was not an easy one).  The song which made her name (As Tears Go By) was an expression of her Moon in Pisces.  She was not totally enamoured of the song, as she did not feel it was a representation of her talent or her age.  I would say that astrologically, while it had all the tenderness and sentimentality of her Moon in Pisces, it lacked the grit of her Capricorn and the sensuality of her three planets in Scorpio (which included a conjunction of Venus and Jupiter).  With Mercury opposite Uranus, she was not afraid of controversy, although she was stung by the effect on her life and reputation of the police raid on Mick Jagger’s flat, which Adam Sweeting in the Guardian obituary described as earning her tabloid infamy as the “girl in a fur skin rug”.  She had three planets in her 7^th House of Marriage, and three marriages to match.

Life and Career

Marianne was born in Hampstead into a family which had a colourful ancestry.  Her mother was a ballerina, her father a British intelligence officer, her grandfather an Austro-Hungarian nobleman.  She was the great great niece of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch whose name was used to coin the word “masochism”.  When she took part in the programme “Who do you think you are?”, it was revealed that her mother and grandmother had been raped by the Red Army when they entered Vienna at the end of the war.  Some of the heavyweight of these ancestors may be represented by her Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Leo in her 4^th House of Home and Family background, but such a signature in a House cannot always encompass all its nuances.  Her parents divorced when she was six years old.

Marianne always had ambitions to be a singer.  In the obituary segment of The Guardian, Robin Denselow writes about how he attended a nearby school to her St Joseph’s convent, in his teens: “Even then, she was a fine young actor and a fine singer.” When she was 18 she attended a launch party for the Rolling Stones, which changed the course of her life. She had already been performing as a folk singer in coffeehouses, but at the party she was “discovered” by Andrew Oldham, who was only two years older than herself.  His impact on her life can be seen in their synastry, with Pluto on her natal Saturn, and Mars sextile her natal Saturn, plus Jupiter trine her natal Mercury (Opportunity).

The Song

Some mystery surrounds the provenance of “As Tears Go By”, and Marianne’s ambivalence is mixed in with this, for sometimes she praised it and at other times she denigrated it.  Sometimes she said it was written especially for her or if not “it fitted me so perfectly it might as well have been”, and at other times, she said it was foisted on her after being written. This vagueness typically describes her Sun square Neptune. What is always acknowledged is that the writers of the song were Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.  One story has it that Andrew Oldham told them to write something “toned down”, for the purpose.  Whatever it was, it made her name (transiting Pluto was life-changingly exactly trine her natal Midheaven, sudden-breakthrough Uranus was trine her natal Sun, and expansive Jupiter was in her 1^st House); and she released her first album in 1965, titled Marianne Faithfull.

It was not until two years later that she began her affair with Mick Jagger, which became a four year liaison.  Previously, she had married John Dunbar on 6th May 1965.  Her transits on the day were not particularly auspicious: transiting Mars/Uranus square her Nodal Axis, and transiting Pluto opposite her natal Moon, but trine her natal Mars/MC.  However, they were in good company, with the best man being Peter Asher, and a honeymoon spent hanging out in Paris with the Beat Poet Allen Ginsberg.  Marianne had lifelong literary interests, and was well-read, with her poetic Moon in Pisces, and her triple conjunction in her 9^th House of Publishing.  On 10th November 1965 she gave birth to her son Nicholas.

Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger has had a cavalcade of ladies parading through his life, but Marianne Faithfull was the first publicised relationship, and the relationship certainly made its mark on Marianne.  Some of the songs written and performed by the Rolling Stones were written with her in mind.  In 1966 she and Nicholas went to live with Brian Jones of the Stones and his girlfriend Anita Pallenberg, beginning a marijuana habit (with Neptune transiting her natal Jupiter).  In this period she also branched out into acting, and in her lifetime made many films, including “Girl on a Motorcycle” (1968).  She also released several other singles, including “Come and Stay with Me”.  She was devoted to Jagger, but suffered some trauma in this period.  Her synastry with him included: his Jupiter-Pluto on her Saturn in Leo, his Uranus sextile her Saturn and his Chiron on her 5^th House cusp.  Added to that, his Mercury exactly sextile her Neptune and sextile her North Node, and his Mars square her Pluto.  That is quite an impact, especially for her.  On 22^nd November 1968 she suffered a stillbirth, while by now addicted to cocaine.  She lost custody of her son, and a suicide attempt followed on 8^th July 1969, with Saturn square to her natal Saturn.  Her life spiralled downward, she became anorexic, addicted to heroin, and was homeless for two years on the streets of Soho.

Resurrection

By 1979 she had extricated herself from that downward spiral, and was ready to make music again, this time on her own creative terms.  The result was her new album of that year “Broken English”, writing about the pain of the intervening years, and the album is still acclaimed as her best work.

The Voice

Marianne Faithfull had a classic Venus in Scorpio voice of a husky, sultry tone.  Another husky and sultry female Venus in Scorpio voice is the media personality Mariella Frostrup, whose voice has been described as “gravelly”.  By 1979, Marianne’s voice had deepened from laryngitis and drug taking.  Some described it as “whisky soaked”.

The comeback is beautifully depicted in her Progressed Sun forming an exact Grand Trine with her natal exact trine of Neptune and the North Node, her rehabilitation, bringing out and illustrating the potential of that natal trine.  She earned herself a Grammy nomination.  One of the successful songs released as a single in that year was the mournful “The Ballad of Lucy Jordan”.

She continued to make music over the decades, and to appear in film (notably receiving a Best Actress nomination for her role in the film Irina Palm on 4^th November 2007).

Her life was one of extremes, going from victimhood to increasing empowerment.  She was much more fulfilled creatively in the second half of her life, but more quietly so.

“She was a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer and a great actress.  She will always be remembered.”

~ Mick Jagger

Aspects

Not a lot of aspects to report this week, so make the most of each one!

Tomorrow (Monday 3^rd) has a carrot and a stick.

The first aspect is Mercury trine Jupiter.  Make hay while the Sun shines, or even if it doesn’t, for this is the veritable aspect of good news itself.  This could bring productivity, and good conversation.  Mercury trine Jupiter expands our minds and philosophies.  This is an upbeat vibe mentally, and can bring opportunities.  It is also helpful for writing projects and studying, so you may make progress on that novel you’re writing, for instance!  Remember that Marianne Faithfull’s big break came when Jupiter was trine her natal Mercury.

The trickier aspect follows, in the shape of Chiron square to Mars.  This could leave you feeling a bit discumbobulated.  There is a sense of “Well some things are working, but why can’t everything work together?”  It will take some adjustment to obtain complete harmony, both within yourself, in relation to others, and in physical and practical projects.  At the same time, health and safety factors will be important.

On Tuesday (4^th) we have two go-ahead influences.  The first is the entry of Venus into Aries at breakfast time, which sets up bolder feelings to express and contend with.  Venus is not entirely comfortable in Aries and therefore Venusian types (Taureans and Librans) may feel that they are being pushed to a faster pace of life than they are comfortable with.  There is a warmer and more demonstrative feel about Venus though while she is in Aries, so hugs may be more forthcoming.  Other signs may feel more comfy and cosy with this placement, and make good connections.

An hour or two later, Jupiter will be Stationary, prior to turning Direct.  This may enable something to happen or gain progress which has been prevented up to now.  Jupiter moving forward might bring a breath of fresh air to your week’s plans, peppering them with promise.  You may see the light at the end of one tunnel, or resume an earlier goal.  If for example you were trying to move house on Friday and were affected by the problems with Barclay’s bank (as happened to someone I know), moving plans may be settling now.

Skipping now to Friday (7^th) – and I was unable to find a Fixed Star to plug that gap – we have a beneficent but demanding sextile of Venus sextile Pluto, an aspect which encourages soul-searching and arriving at deeper concepts and perceptions.  You can add extra artistry and harmony to your current projects.  You can also experience profound connections between people, and it’s a good time for evaluating what people mean to you. You may experience a volcanic eruption of creativity!  A good day for philosophical and psychological enquiries.

The usual mix of highs and lows, but on balance, more of the high.

The week in bullet points:

• Monday – opportunity; a hitch
• Tuesday – warmth; progress
• Friday – deep feelings

“A Complete Unknown”

Biographical Film of Bob Dylan

“And how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, and how many deaths will it take ’til he knows
That too many people have died?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind”

~ Bob Dylan, 1962

Last Monday, hubby and I ventured forth to see the film starring Timothee Chalamet documenting the early years of Bob Dylan’s musical career.  It gladdened the heart of these two 75 year olds, and moved us to tears.  We were teens when Bob was developing his career, so it was the nostalgia which got to us to a great extent, combined with the beauty of the music, and the extraordinary quality of the acting.

Bob Dylan, Birth Chart

I have written two Dylan blogs to date.  Here is a precis of his birth chart from the first one, written when he won the Nobel prize for literature [the Gemini wordsmith]:

“The majority of his planets are clustered around Taurus [his Moon sign] (song) and Gemini [his Sun sign] (writing) and so his work is revealed, a natural expression of the art of songwriting.  And five (half) his planets are in his 6th House of work, describing the prolific nature of his output.

He has Mars in 3rd House (Protesting communication) square his Sun, expressing his anger and activism.

North Node conjunct Neptune (spiritual leadership) in Virgo in 10th House of Reputation is an interesting feature of his chart. “

Timothee Chalamet, Birth Chart

Chalamet has the Sun, the planet of Acting, in Capricorn at the beginning 5^th House of Acting.  His character portrayal of Bob Dylan is astonishing.  His 10^th House cusp (one of two careerpoints) at 3 degrees Gemini is exactly conjunct Bob’s natal Sun.  He was born to play him.  Timothee has 5 planets in ambitious Capricorn in his 5^th House of Acting. He has Moon in Pisces, the other sign of the acting profession; the sensitivity as distinct from the showmanship of Leo.  He has Mercury exactly conjunct Neptune (the “channeller” conjunction; well it seemed, however strange, that he was actually channelling a living person!).  He also possesses the Uranus/Neptune conjunction of the 1990s, which enables him to process complexity, while his Ascendant in Virgo ensures an attention to detail and perfectionism which contribute to his huge skill.

Bob Dylan: Period covered by the film

The screenplay for A Complete Unknown was based on a 2015 book by Elijah Wald, “Dylan Goes Electric!” (on my booklist now).  The film begins and ends with Dylan’s visits to see Woody Guthrie, who is languishing in a hospital with Huntington’s Disease (formerly known as Huntington’s Chorea); a span of 4 years, from 1961 to 1965.  Guthrie died in 1967.  From being a complete unknown (double meaning for his unfathomable character), fostered by Guthrie’s friend Pete Seeger who introduces him at the Newport Folk Festival, Dylan writes copiously and establishes his own music genre, steering away from the expectations of the music industry.  He pieces together his own band (the organist of which, Garth Hudson, died just this week), while becoming more and more protective of himself against the trappings of his fame.  By the time he attends the 1965 Newport Festival, it becomes clear that he is his own man, much to the chagrin of Seeger, who would have liked him to continue the pure folk tradition (Dylan had taken up the use of the electric guitar) and to play his older tunes.  I wrote about Pete Seeger when he passed away in 2014.  Edward Norton, who plays Pete Seeger in the film (he replaced the original choice of Benedict Cumberbatch), is one of the outstanding roles in this film – a few icons from that era are captured exquisitely.  Andrew Motion, writing in the Guardian, dubs Norton’s performance as “the best of all” and Seeger’s role as Dylan’s “John the Baptist”.

Joan Baez

Two relationships feature in the film, one resembling that with art student Suze Rotolo, given a different name (“Sylvie Russo”), but the same role in his life (e.g. appearing on the cover of his album “Freewheelin’ ”).  Apparently, Dylan (an executive producer of the film) was not happy about her identification in the film.  The other girl who featured early in his life and career was of course Joan Baez.

Timothee’s voice in the film is uncannily close to Dylan’s, and while the casting of Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez is not quite as uncanny, her voice has the purity and pitch of Joan’s.  Apparently, she spent years in lessons learning singing and guitar.   The harmonies when they sang in the film (described as “sweetly savage” by Wendy Ide in the Observer) moved me to tears.  Joan had a unique ability to translate Bob Dylan’s songs. I wrote about Joan when Dylan received the Nobel Prize for Literature:

“It is probably Joan Baez, more than anybody, who has brought his songs to life, and revealed the melody and emotion underneath the lyrics to such an intuitive degree.  They were equally passionate about the causes they took up, and looking at their charts, they are a true brother and sister (her Moon conjuncts his Sun exactly).  They lend power to each other, with her Mars exactly trine his Pluto, and they have karmic ties (her Neptune exactly conjunct his North Node, her Descendant exactly conjunct his North Node).

She says: ‘The Nobel Prize for Literature is yet another step towards immortality for Bob Dylan. The rebellious, reclusive, unpredictable artist/composer is exactly where the Nobel Prize for Literature needs to be. His gift with words is unsurpassable. Out of my repertoire spanning 60 years, no songs have been more moving and worthy in their depth, darkness, fury, mystery, beauty, and humour than Bob’s. None has been more of a pleasure to sing. None will come again.“

Timothee Chalamet: Life and Career

Chalamet was born in New York City in 1995 (thirty years after the close of the film’s span!) and raised in Manhattan.  His father is French, and his mother American-Jewish.  He spent a year at Columbia University studying cultural anthropology, but was inspired to pursue acting by the performance of Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (2008).  He was nominated for an Oscar in 2018 for his role in the film “Call Me by Your Name”.  In 2019 he starred as Laurie in the film “Little Women”.  He was in a relationship with Madonna’s daughter Lourdes for a year when they were fellow students in High School, but has been with Kylie Jenner since April 2023.

In 2023, he played the eponymous role in the film “Wonka”.  And so, to A Complete Unknown, which he co-produced (he really can multi-task) in 2024.  The film, directed by James Mangold, was released on 10^th December, a day when Venus was sextile the North Node (musical karma) and the Sun trine Chiron (healing ways).  For Timothee, it illustrates the perseverance and potential creativity of a difficult long-term transit, for during the making of the film, Pluto was transiting his natal Uranus at the end of (the perfecting of) his 5^th House of Creativity and Acting.

The film does a good job of capturing the enigmas of Dylan’s character and personality, especially in regard to his relationships.  Another of the rapturous qualities of the film is that the music never stops: it carries you with it from scene to scene.  Currently showing, don’t miss this film!

“As the present now

Will later be past

The order is

Rapidly fadin’

And the first one now will later be last
‘Cause the times, they are a-changin’ “

~ Bob Dylan, 1964

Aspects

We have two aspects today, one early evening, one late evening.  The first is Mercury sextile Neptune, which ushers in an influx of intense imagination.  This aspect will assist you in refining your mindset, because our minds will be open to receiving higher guidance more easily.  Delicate conversations and channelling will also be made easier.  Artistic efforts may also be rewarded.

The second aspect, also a sextile, is between Venus and Uranus, so we have two aspects which enable us to use our higher faculties today.  Venus in harmony with Uranus is very social and may produce some interesting outward manifestations.  Chance meetings are possible and can be strange or seem random.  Venus sextile Uranus is on the pleasantly uplifting side of the equation, and can bring reunions, even if just on your mobile phone or online.  The three S’s come to mind: spontaneity, synchronicity and serendipity.

Tomorrow (Monday 27^th) brings a third sextile, which can help to establish a good start or a good mood to the week.  It’s Mercury sextile the North Node: this brings karmic information to light.  Communication is highly significant and imbued with meaning, though subject to differing interpretations according to belief.  It is a good day for writing, teaching, tutoring and revising for forthcoming tests, and possibly for health checks.

The following day (Tuesday 28^th) sees the entry of Mercury into Aquarius: time for a change of mindset on with Mercury leaving methodical Capricorn and entering futuristic Aquarius, getting with the programme.  This is about big, bold envisioning of the future.  Perhaps there are ideas we have not quite been ready to accept before this point.

The middle of the week sees a more sombre mood, with a conjunction of Mercury and Pluto on Wednesday (29^th) at 1 degree Aquarius. This is about serious thought and communication.  If this results in conversations, words will have a profound effect.  Deeper motives may be revealed.  Listening too is important, and exchanges may become cathartic, if sincerely transacted.  Letting go of outworn thoughtforms is also on the cards, in preparation for the next feature.

Get your deep ponderings done in the morning, for a new beginning is possible at lunchtime with the arrival of the New Moon in Aquarius at 9 degrees of that sign.  The New Moon is traditionally a time to focus on your wishes and intentions for a new beginning, and this one projects further, far into the future than most.  It is time to imagine a better world, a time when we have overcome current obstacles and problems, the outlook has been so bleak in the last year.  But the potential for change this year is unprecedented.

The planet Uranus will be Stationary, prior to turning Direct on Thursday (30^th).  It is a good time to receive ideas about alleviating any collective, tribal, or social difficulties which you can see.  Closer to home, you may see what could be done in the family setting, or in the community.   Intuition will flow better, and future vision come into view, into greater clarity.  However, the trickster element of Uranus may still be in evidence a little longer.

A very upbeat and joyous aspect takes place that evening, in the shape of the Sun trine Jupiter.  For some that might mean a lucky break!  Not everyone can win the lottery, but it’s all good and comes on the heels of Uranus starting to show its best side.  This is a happy-go-lucky aspect where circumstances allow.  It may provide a day of good cheer, adventure, golden opportunity and looking ahead to the future with optimism.  If you are visiting friends, the occasion could be a barrel of laughs.

On Saturday (1^st February) we have a conjunction between Venus and Neptune.  Inspired artistic and musical expression is assisted.  Idealized and spiritual love may also be on the menu.  You may find inspired ways to show love.  With Neptune being in Pisces there is an idealized element to love (being in love, as distinct from loving).

The week in bullet points:

• Today – intense imagination; socially exciting
• Tomorrow – karmic information
• Tuesday – thoughts of the future
• Wednesday – profound thought; new beginnings
• Thursday – intuition more flowing; lucky for some
• Saturday – artistic and musical inspiration