Tim Peake

British Astronaut Tim Peake was on television this week publicizing his forthcoming 6-month stint on the International Space Station, and hoping to interest young people in the science behind it.  Schoolchildren put a range of fascinating questions to him, with a zestful curiosity.   Space travel fascinates children, and many profess to want to be astronauts when they grow up, but it is still a very rare profession.  I thought I would take a look at Tim Peake’s chart, and those of a few other Astronauts.  The profession demands a wide range of skills, but are there any similarities within their charts?

Tim Peake has 0 planets in Fixed signs (so he is very adaptable), and 0 planets in Water signs (so he is not over-emotional).  He has the Sun in Aries, conferring physical strength, energy and an interest in fitness, all very necessary to the task.  You can see the Aries in his ginger hair and corresponding skin type (Mars ruling).  In some of the Astronauts, you can see their background in the Sun sign, and in Tim’s case he came from a military background (Aries).

What interests me in Tim’s chart is a theme of isolation.  He can willingly separate from his family and his life on earth for months on end, and that is reflected in several ways in his chart.  First of all, Aries is self-reliant.  He has Venus conjunct Saturn which can be lonely, or alone, as a pattern or lifestyle.  Pluto is at 0 degrees Libra (relationships), an ultimate test of relating.  Uranus is closely opposite his Sun, representing breaking away.

Other features of his chart are Saturn trine his North Node (strong sense of responsibility, applied in karmic mission), Mercury sextile his Mars (quick nervous reactions) and Mercury trine exactly Neptune (a fine tuned mind, spiritually).  He also has the North Node (karmic mission) at 1 degree of the futuristic sign of Aquarius.

He is due to go into space on 15th December this year, a time when he has his Uranus opposition (mid-life rebellion).  Neptune also plays a great part in his transits of that time, squaring his natal Mars and sextile his natal Jupiter, signalling change in his perceptions of life.

Helen Sharman

On to the television breakfast sofa they also brought Helen Sharman, the first British woman to go out into space, in 1991, albeit only for eight days.  She contributed some interesting information to the discussion.  The work of an Astronaut is very demanding on the physical body, not least because of the zero gravity effect.  When asked about re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, she said that the bodily fluids suddenly rush back towards the feet, which is a lot for the body to cope with.

Although Tim Peake will be separated from family and friends, he will of course have a handful of fellow Astronauts working with him as a team.  Helen Sharman recalled that on her stint, they made an effort to have their meals together, and to all try and sit in the same orientation as if they were sitting round a table rather than floating haphazardly.

She also had a specific scientific role on the Space Station, whereas Tim Peake says that nowadays they are all trained in all aspects of the work so that they can take over each other’s roles at any time.  Helen, a Sun sign Gemini, came from a scientific background (Gemini) as a Chemist.  Mars conjunct Uranus in her chart also gives her a talent for engineering.

She has a couple of isolationist features in her chart (Sun square Pluto and Venus opposite Neptune) but it is not such a strong theme as in Tim Peake’s chart.  She did not travel away from the Earth for long, but it must be a challenge to know that you might not come back.

Her path as a scientist is highlighted further in a sextile between Mercury (Science) and the North Node (karmic mission).  Chiron exactly trines her Neptune, so she has some healing instincts.

When she went into space, she had transits of Uranus sextile her natal Neptune (embracing a greater level of complexity) and Uranus trine her natal Venus (a new social group).

One of the scientist brought on the programme to comment observed how space travel had changed since the 1960s.  It started out as a competition (or war of sorts) between East and West, but now had a more international flavour of co-operation.

Neil Armstrong

I wrote about Neil Armstrong when he died in 2012:

“ In his chart, his own Moon holds the distinction of being at the power point of the Galactic Centre.

His achievements were great, but so also was his character.  He eschewed the status of fame, and remained true to the humility of Neptune at the base of his chart.  Armstrong’s Neptune is exactly square to his Ascendant, on the cusp of his 4^th House of Home.  This accounted for the fluidity of his roots: his family moved several times in his early years.  This may have been part of the making of a man who could let go and travel out into space.  Maybe it was part of the training which his life provided.  Although Neptune is more usually associated with the ocean, it is also connected with the ethers.  He had a highly sensitive finely tuned nervous system, with Neptune conjunct exactly his Mercury and the conjunction square to his Ascendant.

The high vitality of his chart is shown by Mars in his 1^st House trine exactly the Part of Fortune in his 5^th House, then backed up by the Sun in between sextiling both, and Uranus sextile his Mars and trine his Sun in Leo, also providing the scientific abilities needed by an Astronaut.

His career path is represented by his Midheaven, which is placed in the air sign of Aquarius, and from the age of 6 he was interested in flight.  Aquarius is also the sign of technology, and futuristic endeavours.”

Neil Armstrong was the Commander of the first manned mission to the Moon in Apollo 11, his role reflecting his Sun sign of Leo.  At the time of the Moon landing on 20th July 1969 (I remember I was the only member of my family to stay up and watch it) Mars was square Neil Armstrong’s Neptune (reminiscent of Neptune square Tim Peake’s Mars when he goes into space later this year):  the Mars/Neptune squares may be symbolic of taking a step out of context in the Universe.  At the Moon landing, Mars was also on Armstrong’s Descendant, and Saturn was sextile his natal Jupiter, Mars showing the need for physical caution, and the Saturn position showing the exercise of caution.

Buzz Aldrin

The second member of the manned mission team, Buzz Aldrin, had the Sun at 0 degrees Aquarius, a crucial degree for space flight (close to Tim Peake’s North Node).  He had the North Node closely conjunct Chiron in the 11th House of teamwork.  His Gemini Ascendant was exactly opposite the Galactic Centre, and therefore Armstrong’s Moon was opposite his Ascendant (a Moon-centred relationship!).

His Neptune on the I.C point opposite his Midheaven resonates with Neil Armstrong’s Neptune position on the cusp of the 4th House at the bottom of his chart (see above).  His Mars is exactly sextile his natal Part of Fortune in the 9th House of Space Exploration.  Neil Armstrong’s North Node was exactly sextile Buzz Aldrin’s Ascendant, on the cusp of Buzz Aldrin’s 11th House of teamwork.

At the time of the Moon landing, Jupiter was exactly conjunct Uranus (Enterprise!); Jupiter (far flung travel) and Uranus (technological advance) were exactly trine Buzz Aldrin’s natal Sun.  Mars was square his natal Neptune, like Neil Armstrong, but they were born in the same year and would have their Neptunes close together.

Michael Collins

Unlike the other two members of the Moon landing team, we do not have a birth time for Michael Collins.  His role was to orbit the Moon in the Command Module while the other two actually landed on the Moon.  Fascinatingly, he reported his feelings at the time as not those of loneliness, but “awareness, anticipation, satisfaction, confidence, almost exultation”.

Collins is a Scorpio by Sun sign, with Jupiter exactly conjunct Pluto (his ruling planet) in Moon-ruled Cancer.  This is a conjunction of great power and positivity.  He was probably really feeling that conjunction in his description of his solo flight.

He had a karmic bond with Buzz Aldrin, in his Sun being exactly conjunct Aldrin’s South Node.  At the time of the Moon landing Chiron was square his natal Saturn, Saturn was exactly trine his natal Saturn and opposite his natal Sun.  There was a great emphasis therefore on control and solitariness in the role the Universe was asking of him at that time.

In those days, it seemed the adventure of conquering Space was all in front of us, but with accidents occurring to Astronauts later, and financial constraints, question marks began to appear over the whole concept of colonizing Space.  These days we have probes investigating various planets, and programmes working towards manned travel and colonization of Mars.  I recently caught an episode of the U.S. comedy series The Big Bang Theory in which scientist Sheldon Cooper had applied for a manned trip to Mars.  His girlfriend Amy was a bit miffed that he would leave her behind, and the show ended with him applying for her to go, too.  It takes all sorts to make an Astronaut.

Aspects

Venus enters Libra today, where she is more at home than in Virgo.  She is at home in Taurus and Libra, but they are slightly different homes.  Taurus is a comfy home with peachy or terracotta interiors, soft sofas and silk cushions plus a lush garden.  Libra is more like an elegant, well-designed penthouse suite in cooler colours, all light and airy with plenty of windows…just setting the scene here.

Venus in Virgo was very exacting with high standards.  Libra oils the wheels and enables a greater sense of harmony, whether through people-pleasing, diplomacy or negotiation.  Not everyone wins, but people do get to share views, and there is no dictatorship under this regime.

The Sun trines Chiron tomorrow, so there is a chance to intensify healing efforts, especially along alternative lines.

On Tuesday (10th) Mercury sextiles Pluto, which is a step towards constructive outcomes, most certainly in medicine and psychotherapy.  It is a good day to lose yourself in deep thought, adopting the pose of Rodin’s “Thinker” from time to time, as the mood takes you.

All the karmic healing and thought-filled activity pay off on Wednesday (11th) when the Sun sextiles Jupiter, bringing an opportunity to put into practice what you’ve learned, to bring everything together or expand your ideas.  A small Lotto flutter may bring dividends, if you are the gambling sort.

The Moon is also New that day, at 19 degrees Scorpio, so any innovation you make should be profound, and stands a good chance of taking root.

On Thursday (12th) Mars enters Libra.  While Jupiter and the North Node are in Virgo, and Mercury, the Sun and Moon are in Scorpio, Venus has had Libra all to herself to refurbish and re-design her home for the requirements and style of 2015.  She has had a few days to get the place as she likes it, nice and peaceful and tasteful…ah…just feel the luxury of that peace…it is just about to have a shaking up with the entry of Mars.  Mars in Libra represents the challenges of achieving peace in times of war.  Mars demands action, and cannot leave things as they are.  In the Arts (a domain of Libra) it represents the process of “Art and Harmony through Conflict” (one of the 7 Rays of Alice Bailey).  Now Venus has much of the day to prepare, so savour that beautiful space on Thursday, for the arrival of Mars at her door does not take place until 21.41 Hrs in the U.K. You’ll know when he arrives, as he will knock noisily, then barge into the Penthouse without a by your leave!  I recommend an hour’s meditation at 20.41 Hrs, just to make sure you register the difference.  Venus has some power (the power of Love) and has established her territory for the time being, but now negotiations have to begin.  Whether it is Art, or War, or the Art of War, something will be happening.

Friday (13th) may be lucky for some as Venus sextiles Saturn, a loyal and forgiving sort of aspect.  Forgiveness and letting go will prove useful and effective tools in the effort to create a positive ambience for the day.

By early evening, you may feel the benefits of Mercury sextile Jupiter, an aspect suited to commercial and academic success.  If you are contemplating new learning, widespread or global communication, the Universe will back you up on such efforts.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – art and harmony
• Monday – healing
• Tuesday – profound thought
• Wednesday – success and innovation
• Thursday – art and harmony through conflict
• Friday – lucky for some

Strictly Come Dancing 2015 – Part 3

Please note I do not have Anita Rani’s birth date – maybe she is holding the winning transits!

Jamelia

In Jamelia’s chart, enthusiasm abounds, with Jupiter closely trine Mars.  She also has an exact conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn, so she can be contrary or her decisions can be finely balanced.  The Jupiter/Saturn conjunction sextiles her North Node, so she can be very focussed about her path in life.  Mars is also exactly trine Saturn, so she has good co-ordination, and Mercury exactly sextile Uranus gives very quick mental reactions.  Her musical side comes from Venus conjunct Neptune, providing some musical inspiration.  Her life is not without a sense of crisis, with Chiron exactly squaring the Nodal Axis.

Partnered with Tristan McManus

Tristan MacManus has his Sun on the cusp of Cancer and Leo.  He has three planets in musical Libra, which includes a passionate exact conjunction of Mars and Pluto, which might land him in trouble at times.  He is enthusiastic as well as passionate and energetic, with Jupiter closely square his Sun.  He is also sociable, with his Venus closely trine Jupiter, and Jupiter loosely conjunct Mars.  His Sun exactly trines Uranus, so he is capable of some original choreography, and Mercury also trines his Uranus, so he is quick-thinking too.  Mars sextile exactly his natal Neptune is the aspect which shows genius in dance, and sensitivity in movement.  He is also a good teacher, with Mercury sextile his natal Chiron, and may have or develop an interest in alternative medicine.

Jamelia was super-excited when they were partnered.  Their Mercuries are opposite each other exactly so they can learn and communicate a great deal together.  Her Pluto is exactly conjunct his Mars, which brings about excitement, and a hint of danger.  Sparks, positive and negative, can fly between them.  Their Plutos are exactly conjunct, so they understand each other on the level of being peers in their generation.  Pluto is currently trine Jamelia’s natal Chiron, so she may be saved for the time being.  The North Node is currently sextile Tristan’s Mercury, so he may have some karmic credit.  At the end of the tournament Saturn sextiles Jamelia’s Jupiter/Saturn conjunction, so she could nail it.  But Tristan has Uranus opposite Saturn, so they may not last the tournament: perhaps there is too much fire between them.

Kirsty Gallacher

Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher is another ambitious Capricorn, but with Saturn exactly opposite her Sun, she can doubt herself at times.  She has much energy and drive from Mars trine Pluto, which undoubtedly feeds her interest in sport (she comes from a sporting background).  Her Jupiter/Chiron conjunction can give her a knack for problem-solving generally in life, but Mercury square Uranus in her chart can be heavy on the nerves – that may be one of her problems on the dance floor.  This weekend she has the North Node trine her Sun, so may not face the chop!  Uranus is on her natal Jupiter, so the element of the unexpected may swing her way.  Plus more support from the Universe comes from Neptune trine her natal Uranus.  At the end of the tournament she will be enjoying the general ambiance, with the North Node on her Venus, but more likely as a spectator.

Partnered with Brendan Cole

Brendan is still my favourite among the professionals!  In 2013 I wrote: “Her [Sophie Ellis-Bextor] partner Brendan Cole has not been so lucky or enthusiastic since the first series of Strictly, when he won the contest with Natasha Kaplinsky.  His “bad boy” image funnily enough comes from his conjunction of the Sun and Chiron, which wants to do things his way – in the past it got him into hot water with the judges.”  Mars is currently trine Brendan’s Mercury this weekend, so he will come out fighting!  Uranus is transiting his Venus, so he may display considerable artistic ingenuity.  Chiron trines his natal Mars and Jupiter sextiles his natal Mars, so his energy will be flowing well.  But Uranus squares his natal Mars, so that may produce a fly in the ointment, and the fly in the ointment carries on through the rest of the series.

Katie Derham

Katie Derham is a news presenter, a fitting career for the sign of Gemini.  The Sun in Gemini exactly trines her Jupiter, so this enhances her curiosity and talent for broadcasting and communication.  Her Mercury trines Uranus, so she likes to be inventive and bring something fresh to each piece of work she does.  She made a wonderful start in the competition, and her natal Venus trines Neptune (befitting one who presents the Last Night of the Proms) showing not a modicum of dance skill, but it transpires that she is not so nifty with the Latin dances, so her scores are very up and down.  Venus trine Neptune is more suited to the soft flow of the traditional dances, such as the waltz. Currently she has Jupiter trine her natal Saturn, Saturn sextile her natal Uranus and Neptune conjunct her natal North Node.  I think the public will keep her in the contest.  For the end of the contest, Saturn will be trine her natal Chiron, and Neptune square her Mercury.  She could make the semi-final, I think.

Partnered with Anton du Beke

It is a matter to be celebrated that Anton du Beke finally has a partner with whom he can take part in the competition!  Len observed in the first week that Anton could realize that Strictly goes on until Christmas.  I don’t recall that I have ever written anything about Anton, because he has never progressed very far with his previous partners.  Anton has Sun, Mars and Jupiter in Cancer, which makes him very responsive to his partners personally.  But his Sun trine Saturn has a very traditional and formal side.  And contrasting with that he has the rebellious Uranus-Pluto conjunction in Virgo.  So a quirky, contradictory character.  He has contributed a great deal to the fun in Strictly over the years.  His major link with Katie is that her Chiron is exactly trine his Mercury, so she has a key to his mind.  Neptune is currently trine his natal Mars, so he is moving well these days, and Jupiter is transiting his natal Uranus-Pluto conjunction so he is riding high in many ways.  By the end of the contest, Uranus squares his natal Jupiter, so he will do well but it is not likely to be the year he wins Strictly.

Georgia May Foote

Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote is holding her own very well in the contest.  Judging by her chart, she is a much deeper and more complex character than she appears, with Sun square Pluto and Neptune conjunct Uranus. In her Halloween dance to “Ghostbusters” yesterday, she maintained an impressive speed, and in her chart energy and speed is highlighted (Mars trine Mercury, and Mars exactly sextile Jupiter).  Paradoxically, in week one, Craig said she needed more stamina.  Venus sextile exactly Neptune gives her a talent for dance.  She is doing well, and her current transit of Jupiter opposite her Venus isn’t doing her any harm.  At the end of the tournament Mars will be trine her Sun, she will maintain her energy, but it will square her Chiron, so there may be a slight health issue.  Another contender for the semi-final, but not necessarily the final.

Partnered with Giovanni Pernice

Newcomer to Strictly, professional Giovanni Pernice is a Virgoan perfectionist, with pin-up looks from Venus square Mars, and Mars sextile Jupiter energy to match Georgia’s.  He is capable of great precision (Mercury closely trine Saturn), and inspiration (Sun exactly trine Neptune), so he has the whole package!  In addition, Jupiter is on his South Node, so he brings good karma through from the past.  I think he and Georgia are well matched.  Her chart taps into his inspiration, with her Uranus trine his Sun, and her Uranus conjunct his Neptune.  Currently, he is working hard, with Chiron opposite his Mercury (a little mental strain, there) and Saturn trine his Jupiter.  His transit picture confirms that of Georgia’s at the end, a little lacklustre for the final prize.

At this stage, I feel that either Peter Andre or Helen George will win, but I may revise that nearer the time!

Aspects

Mercury enters Scorpio tomorrow, increasing mental determination; perhaps you have let opportunities slip away during Mercury’s stay in Libra (since 27th August). In the office, you may be persevering in recent initiatives, such as the drive for a paperless office. Dig deep mentally, and take a forensic look at what needs changing in the office, your environment, or if you know which house 0 degrees Scorpio occupies in your chart, apply accordingly.  If you started clearing clutter when the Sun was in Virgo, you’ll be taking a deep approach to it now.

Sweet dreams Monday night/Tuesday (3rd) morning for 1.10 a.m. (in the U.K.) brings a conjunction between Venus and Mars at 24 degrees Virgo.  A relationship may be blossoming and your emotional life may seem rosy.  It’s definitely a time to gather the roses, smell the roses, strew rose petals on your pillow or pathway or in the bath.  Take pleasure in the minutiae of life, with this conjunction in Virgo.

On another level, there is a struggle brewing, an opposition between Jupiter and Chiron, so you need to stay awake to the bigger picture while you are taking pleasure in the minutiae of life. The Universe is asking you to multi-task on Tuesday.  There may be healing required, so brush up on your first aid, or Reiki symbols. The tussle may be between control (Jupiter in the sign of Virgo) and surrender (Chiron in Pisces), but balance is the optimum aim.

When you feel you have successfully negotiated the power struggle (within or without) the rest of the week should be plain sailing. The Sun sextile Pluto (Friday 6th) could see you deep sea diving into your own soul, rolling in the deep.  Psychological work reaps rewards for you and others, especially in the early hours.  At lunchtime, Mercury trines Neptune and ensures the ease of inspiration to record deep thoughts in poetry or by other means.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – thinking deeper
• Tuesday – sensuality and healing tension
• Friday – deep experience, and inspired thought

Regression

An aspect of my work which I don’t often get round to writing about is past-life therapy.  So I would like to write a little about this, for a change!

There is nothing more satisfying than taking someone back to the source of a problem or pattern which has its origin in a past life.  Sometimes it has an instant benefit, and sometimes it begins a process of unravelling towards a release of the issue, and towards creating new pathways.  The conscious creating of the future is accelerated by using future life progression.

When you read books by prolific authors on past lives, you see the intense interest of the practitioner behind the pages: Brian Weiss’ interest was piqued in his first books such as “Only Love is Real” when he saw how people were brought together from the past, and the emotional impact and psychological benefits of this work.

The recently deceased Dolores Cannon tirelessly worked to uncover historical details, in books such as “Jesus and the Essenes” but was also fascinated by sessions where her clients travelled in space ships to other planets.

The rewards of past life work lie mainly in their therapeutic value, and that can be through non-traumatic ways such as uncovering past life talents and witnessing the bonds of love that unite people through many lifetimes, but as one who studied History at University, the surprise viewing and in some case rewriting of history is one that I especially enjoy.  In the 25 years I have been practising, I have been witness to some magical visions of the past.  I often think that historians and archaeologists are really missing something if they are not past-life therapists.

So today, bear with me while I take you on a time trip through history based on regressions I have been a party to over the years:

Other star systems

Some clients have travelled to other planets in their quest to find parts of themselves.  The time question is very difficult to pinpoint in these cases, but when asked one person said “it was a time before our earth was formed”.  Some of our souls are that old.

Pre-history

I once regressed two friends who had only just met, and they each went to the same scenario in pre-history, seeing it from a slightly different angle.  They were both part of a group of troglodytes (cave dwellers) harassed by creatures which seemed like the flying dinosaurs (Pterodactyls).  Historic knowledge would have it that humans were not around at the time of the dinosaurs, but why else do they capture the imagination of children so strongly?  This session also caused me to marvel at how we have travelled so long with the same group of people.

Atlantis

Many years ago, a group of my friends spontaneously tuned in to a lifetime where we were healers in a Rose Quartz Temple in Atlantis, where we had different healing roles.  The information we each received independently dovetailed into a vivid picture, which we also illustrated in our artwork.  The coming together of a group for its evolution was beautifully documented by Arthur Guirdham in his books about his group who were Cathars at Carcassone.  One of those books is “We Are One Another”, but he also wrote about other incarnations, such as in “The Island” which was about a lifetime involved with the Eleusinian Mystery tradition.  Atlantis of course is regarded as a fable by many.

The Pyramids

One of my most memorable regressions was that of someone who was helping to build the pyramids.  Like the building of Stonehenge, this is one of history’s great mysteries, as in how the stones were moved.  Were they moved by sound, for instance?  This regression memory seemed to endorse one of the theories on the building of the pyramids, that of assistance from the star Sirius, the brightest fixed star in the heavens.

Pompeii

Pompeii has come up more than once in regression, most notably for an elderly lady many years ago who re-lived a lifetime at the destruction of Pompeii.  The remarkable thing about that regression is that she was playing a harp at the time, and with her hands she was actually seen to be playing a harp.  She was as amazed as I was, when we talked about it after the session.  She had previously been told that she had been a Gaul at the time of the Barbarians, so this was a welcome contrast in her view of herself.

The Middle Ages

The Middle Ages is portrayed as a dark time in many ways, conjuring up a picture of the population as ignorant and superstitious.  What has surprised me in taking people back to this era is how much more enlightened they actually seemed.  One woman was an adviser to one of our English Kings, and very attuned to crystals.  Another rode with the Crusaders and seemed to take on the role of a horse whisperer.

Famous Figures

I have come across a few clients who were famous figures, or believe they were.  This is of course very rare, because we cannot all be Cleopatra.  Denise Linn says that if we have a feeling of being, say, a famous King or Queen, then more likely than not we could have been part of their entourage or one of their helpers, such as a lady-in-waiting, and that is why we have such an identification.  I would not, in any case, write about anybody without obtaining their permission.

Spanish Armada

Somehow I seem to have crammed three lifetimes into the 16^th Century.  One of those was as a fisherman on Lake Titicaca at the coming of the Conquistadores.  But karmically I was then reincarnated into Spain, where I was conscripted into the Spanish was against the English.  One of my very first past life memories, and a key one for me, was drowning and starving off the English coast in the Spanish Armada.  Past lives can often depict current struggles, such as fear of drowning, and eating disorders.

Oriental Lifetimes

Lifetimes in territories such as China, Japan and Tibet are useful to relive as they help us to connect our right brain to our left brain thinking.  The Western rational left brain type of thinking still dominates in Europe and the U.S.  But oriental philosophies and religions such as Buddhism encourage the stimulation and orientation of the right brain, more open thinking.  When we come into contact with that in this lifetime, if we start off with the rational approach, it can set us on a wider spiritual path.

Russia

I have had a succession of people who spent years trudging across Russia in the snow at the end of the 19^th Century, including myself!  Of course there was more to it, in each case.  But my husband, who almost never remembers his dreams, and doesn’t remember any past lives, once memorably dreamed of trudging through snow in a place called Novosibirsk in Russia!  Maybe you too have trudged through Russian snow.  I always keep a blanket in my regression room for these instances, as people actually feel the cold when they are reliving such a climate.

20^th Century Wars

The devastation of the two World Wars of the 20^th Century and the Holocaust were often the immediate previous lifetimes for people coming for regression, and so very pertinent, as we are taking up where we left off in those lessons.  One of the most moving I encountered was a regression of a woman whose genuine love for her comrades and their love for her was a tangible force, and continues today in her work with communities.

Well that concludes our time trip today, which I hope has stimulated interest and memory for you.  It is a subject which I would like to expand in a book one day.

Aspects

Both aspects for today occur in the evening, so if you are reading this blog today, you won’t miss them and you will be able to prepare for them!

The first is Venus conjunct Jupiter, just after 8 pm in the U.K., which make a bright pairing in the heavens and in our psyche.  It is a conjunction of hope and vision and unconditional love.  Anything you can dream of you can make your reality, is the feeling it gives out.  So wish upon a conjunction tonight!

If you are doing the wishing exercise, best make it within a 3-hour window, because at nearly 11 pm, Mercury opposes Uranus, which is the spanner in the works, but remember that the spanner may not be in the works of your wishing exercise.  In other words, it may not affect what you believe in, so allow your vision free rein.  The fault of the Mercury-Uranus connection will lie in communication.  Words may be controversial, and travel may be disrupted.  If you are trying to communicate your vision, it may be too soon.  If you are travelling by public transport – well who tries to travel on public transport on a Sunday evening (unless you are a shift worker, in which case, my sympathies).  A Sunday evening meditation may be a better alternative, calming the storm, than watching the television and imbibing the electrical and other vibes.  I will be on my weekly phone call with a regular Light Buddy, and could get my wires crossed, especially as her specialist subject is Telepathy (but with the Masters of Light).  Our conversations sometimes take a strange turn, if she is tuning into them and I am talking to her – there seem to be several beings on the line at once.

So today may provide us with much food for thought and nourishment for the Soul.  Good preparation for Tuesday (27^th) when we have a Full Moon and Supermoon (when the Moon is close to the Earth).  The term Supermoon was coined by Astrologer Richard Nolle 30 years ago.

On Tuesday the Moon will be at 3 degrees Taurus, opposite the Sun in Scorpio.  I find the Taurus-Moon, Scorpio-Sun Full Moon one of the most powerful calendar events of its type, because Taurus and Scorpio are so strong in their feelings.  You can’t fail to feel on this Full Moon!  Moon in Taurus grounds us in the way we feel about our possessions, the Earth, and the Arts.  Others may be representing other, equal and opposite feelings, as represented by the Sun in Scorpio and the mysteries of the life cycle.  The aim is to encompass both, and feel the oneness of all.  Only then can you feel the peace which is beyond polarity.

This week really is a spiritual journey, because on Friday (30^th) the Sun trines Neptune, so all you have worked with from Sunday to Friday can take you on the next level of your spiritual journey.  You may need to shed some baggage along the way in order to take that step, for Neptune does not need mobile phones and laptops among other trappings of modern day life.  It would be a good day to take a fast from such things.  Discover the core and essence of your being, and allow yourself to experience that for a day.  If you can’t spare a whole day, then at least take a minute’s silence at 21.06 Hrs to savour this aspect.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – True Love, and mental disruption
• Tuesday – intense feeling
• Friday – sublime spirituality

Scorpio Animal Totems and Archetypes

While Leo only has one major animal totem, I have spotted numerous animals for Scorpio over the years I have been working with them, so am having to prune the list here.  The Sun enters Scorpio at 17.47 Hrs on Friday 23^rd October.  This is the sixth in the series where I look at some of the animal totems and Archetypes for the various signs. Despite the fact that many of the following veer towards the shadow side of (human) nature, Scorpio remains my favourite Sun sign! Do you, or someone close to you, have Sun, Ascendant or Moon in Scorpio?

Scorpion

Scorpions throughout various ancient cultures have had a reputation for death and destruction, let alone the sting.  I have known evolved Scorpios who were born without the sting, so look out for this new breed!

I offer you my story for the Scorpio Inner Child:

“Once upon a time there was a baby Scorpion in the desert searching for water.  She had a very magnetic, deep-set, penetrating gaze and a capacity for intense concentration.  For this task, she also had a great deal of energy and an extremely strong will, capable of taking on great challenges.  She was also powerfully in tune with the guiding forces and angels of the desert, not to mention the angels of the water element (the undines), and there was a sure sense of knowing, within her being, that one day she would find water.  She climbed pyramids, she burrowed down into ravines, but still she had not reached the end of her quest.  Just as she was getting to the end of her tether, she managed to borrow some water from a passing camel to refresh herself.  But being a profound thinker, she realized that this was only a temporary solution.  One winter, she saw three wise men passing on their way to Bethlehem.  She asked them their names, making casual conversation, concealing the true nature of her quest.  One of them, named Melchior, was very astute, and gave her a present, asking her not to unwrap it until Christmas Day.  As it was a few days off, the anticipation was almost unbearable, but she’d waited this long for a breakthrough, and the Scorpion had a long fuse…at last the great day came, and she unwrapped a beautiful amethyst-studded water-divining rod…From that day, the fortunes of the Scorpion went from strength to strength as she realized that she would always have everything or be given everything that she needed.”

Snake

The snake also does not have a good press!  In Christianity of course it symbolizes the cunning evil lurking in the Garden of Eden.  It is associated with stealth, and like the Scorpion, with poison.  Like Pluto, the ruling planet of Scorpio, there is a potential with this animal totem for transformation, and the cycle of death and rebirth.  Even the shedding of its skin has symbolic meaning.

Cobra

Cobra takes the snake wisdom to a powerful new level, adding extra danger, and the strength of the life force or kundalini.  It represents the actual process of spiritual awakening.

Bat

That staple totem of Halloween, the Bat, is another “dark” animal.  Here is a poem by Jamie Sams and David Carson from their “Medicine Cards”:

“Sacred Bat…flew to me,

From the darkness of the cave.

Womb-like reflections,

Answers it gave.

Birth, death, rebirth,

Cycles of the whole…

Never-ending,

Just eclipsed,

The journey of the soul.”

As you can see, similar themes arise.  Nicholas J. Saunders in “Animal Spirits” brings out another skill: “They ‘see’ by echo location, sending out high-frequency clicks in a form of pulsed sonar which evolved millions of years before 1930s scientists hit upon the secrets of radar.”  I wonder if humans can develop this.

Big Cats

Puma/Panther/Cougar

These large cats with black pigmentation seem to carry Scorpio associations, with different qualities according to different sources.  If Puma comes up in your meditations or dreams, it is about owning your own power.

Ted Andrews in “Animal Speak” advises: “The cougar can teach you how to bring out your power and fill your heart with it in a manner that will enable you to take charge of your life.”

Secretiveness, stealth and courage are also represented by these animals.  Of Panther, Ted Andrews writes: “Those who have a panther as a totem will find their greatest power in silence as goals are pursued.  Revealing too much or speaking too much about pursuits can counteract some of the effectiveness.”  Scorpios, more than other signs, tend to reserve their power.

Bird Totems

Raven

The jet black Raven has long represented a messenger of difficult news.  As with many deep psychological processes, there is enlightenment at the end of the tunnel.

Nicky Scully in “The Golden Cauldron” points out a constructive path with this bird totem:

“As an ally, Raven is especially beneficial for those who have had difficult childhoods, for he is able to get into the dark places where fear and tension lurk, break them down, and help to get rid of them.  He can find the hidden places of physical and emotional abuse, and lighten things up to prepare the way for healing.  Raven helps people reclaim the joy that was once theirs or that they missed.”

Vulture

The vulture is important in certain ancient cultures in association with burial customs, e.g. the sky burial in Tibetan culture, and in Zoroastrianism the “tower of silence”.

Ted Andrews informs us of an unusual phenomenon associated with the Vulture totem:

“It is not unusual for those with a vulture totem to have changes in their own digestive system occur.  Foods that used to be enjoyed and have no side effects may become less compatible.  On the other hand foods always thought of as incompatible may become compatible.”

Insects

The black widow spider, the death watch beetle, and the indestructible cockroach all have resonance to Scorpio.

Mythological Figures

Phoenix

The bird of Greek Mythology, the Phoenix, rises from the ashes in an act of transformation.  This is also the process associated with Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio. When people have Pluto on the Ascendant, there can be many occasions in their life when they reinvent themselves.  A transit of Pluto to the Ascendant or a personal planet can have a similar result.  Like a tree that is cut down, a person can re-emerge with greater strength than ever.

Dragon

If you know anyone who is a collector of dragon figurines, you can bet they have Scorpio prominent in their chart!  The fiery dragon is one of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac, and is the equivalent of Scorpio.  Some of the Chinese animals correlate, but the animal which comes after the dragon is the Snake, also a Scorpio totem, so exact parallels cannot be drawn.  The Tiger (correlating to Gemini) comes after the Ox (Taurus) so parts of the circle do flow together.  Then after the Snake (Scorpio) you have the Horse which is Sagittarius, and then the Goat which is Capricorn…

The character given for the dragon in China is described by Nicholas Saunders as follows: “Chinese beliefs held the dragon to be a symbol of supreme spirituality and the image of the divine power of transformation…the dragon is the first of the Four Auspicious Animals or animals of good omen.”  If you have the dragon as your Chinese sign, you are a born leader, powerful and lucky.  At last some good press!

Archetypes

Detective

The Detective Archetype is well suited to Scorpio because of its love of mysteries and crime fiction, and the forensic mind exemplified where someone has Mercury in Scorpio particularly.  Where someone has say several planets in Scorpio in the 12^th House you may suspect they have the Detective Archetype, or even its relative the Spy Archetype.  It’s fun to conjecture…The Observer this morning has an interesting piece on our fascination with espionage in history and culture.

Femme Fatale

Whereas Libra is the Lover, the Scorpio magnetism and art of seduction can sometimes be misused.  Caroline Myss says of this Archetype: “Highlights the erotic energy of the feminine.  Opens your heart when your dependency is rejected”, for its Light Attribute.

Vampire

Scorpio is traditionally able to use resources cast off by others, e.g. material resources and money (e.g. in banking and insurance) or literally energies.  It is associated with hypnotism, both in the positive and the negative applications.  It recycles energy, and therefore can be associated with psychic draining if it is not in balance or equal exchange.  There is also the association with the vampire bat, and its fangs (back to images of Halloween…).  Every Archetype has a positive side, remember!  In spiritual healing, one province of Scorpio, there is the capacity to remove unwanted energies.

On the positive side, I believe this ability to transform energy is often constructively used, for example in regression or hypnotherapy.  Two practitioners who spring to mind are Brian Weiss (born 6^th November) a doctor who has written many books on regression and one on future life progression, and hypnotist Paul McKenna (born 8^th November) whose best sellers include “I can make you Sleep”/lose weight etc.

Religious Figure

Shiva

In the Hindu religion, Shiva is one of the trinity with Vishnu and Brahma.  It is the province of Shiva to destroy what is not needed, so that a sense of purity remains in what is left.  Visually, he is often portrayed slaying demons.  He is associated with limitlessness, and as the Destroyer he destroys what is limiting us.

Mantra: “Om Namaha Shivai”

In conclusion, I would like to salute the Scorpios.  It is good to build up our light quotient, but someone has to engage with the darkness in our society in order for humanity to evolve.  It is often the Scorpios that do not shy away from that; they rarely take the easy route.  The Virgos, Cancerians and Pisceans are the carers of our society, and often do encounter the sadness and grief of hospitals and hospices, or the therapy room.  But Scorpios are often right on the coal face of the struggle between darkness and light, working with the dregs of society and the disenfranchised, in social work and prisons.  Even when not engaged in such work, the Scorpio tends to confront life rather than to avoid it or rise above it.

Bibliography:

“Medicine Cards” by Jamie Sams and David Carson

 “Archetype Cards” by Caroline Myss

 “Animal Speak” by Ted Andrews

“Animal Spirits” by Nicholas J. Saunders

“The Golden Cauldron” by Nicky Scully

Aspects

All the action takes place on Thursday and Friday this week.  If you are pushed for time today, you might like to revisit this blog on Thursday, and play it by ear early in the week.  Take time out to enjoy the lack of planetary pulls in any direction…

The first aspect, on the evening of Thursday (22^nd), is a challenging one: that of Mercury square Pluto.  So the mental focus is on all those courageous qualities of Scorpio enumerated under the list of totems.  In fact, pick a totem from the above – you may be able to use one.

Conversations on Thursday may be mind-blowing, or give you such food for thought that mental digestion requires extra time and space.  Eat lightly.  Sleep may be elusive, so try not to have too much sensory input in the evening, e.g. cut down on your television viewing.  Question Time might be all right, but don’t bother watching This Week afterwards…Collect yourself, and find your sanity.

Clear the mental level on Thursday night, and Friday rewards us with a trine between Venus and Pluto.  Once the mental stuff has been digested, the rich feelings (Venus) can come through and find life’s meaning (Pluto).

Breakfast on Friday morning will be an entirely different scenario: appreciation of life, gratitude, and admiration.  Pile the blueberries on your porridge! You may feel the need to reach out to someone with an early morning text.  If you’ve got artistic or musical projects going on, tackle them with an early start and they should blossom.

During the day, Chiron opposes Mars and you may encounter an energy crisis of some sort, perhaps hampering your plans in the middle of the day.  Someone in the office may endure a paper cut, and make a fuss.  The resolution of any crisis may involve energy balancing, within oneself, or between people.  Perhaps you are meeting strangers for the first time and need time to adjust to their energies.

The Sun is leaving reasonable Libra, and in the late afternoon/early evening enters Scorpio, and you may feel the deepening challenges of the approach of winter.  What to do about Halloween?  What do I really think about fireworks? Such stress, as the Sun’s energy intensifies.

But we are coming of age…we have played in the Sun in August, knuckled down to work schedules in September, sought harmony in art and music in October, and now it is time to look at life as it truly is, without evasion and denial, grasp its meaning, and maybe make a stand on what you believe in.  Love the Scorpio you’re with.

The week in bullet points:

• Thursday – challenging ideas
• Friday – beautiful music, energy crisis, the meaning of life

Suffragette

“I’d rather be a rebel than a slave” ~ from the film “Suffragette”

The film “Suffragette” will be released tomorrow in the U.K (23^rd October in the U.S.), and stars Meryl Streep and Carey Mulligan among others.  It has been a long time in production (since April 2011) but is timely as this year, top Hollywood actresses have been highlighting sexism within the industry. Emmeline’s great granddaughter Helen Pankhurst is a lecturer in Women’s studies, and emphasizes there is much further to go for feminism.  It is the first film to gain permission to film inside parliament.

Emmeline Pankhurst

Emmeline Pankhurst, whose name is synonymous with female emancipation, is born under the female sign of Cancer.  The sign of Cancer is traditionally associated with female roles in life, such as the home, family, and motherhood, but since the 20^th Century is often strong in the charts of women involved with women’s liberation.  She believed she was born on Bastille Day, though her birth certificate has her birth recorded for the day after, but she identified with the symbolism of that revolutionary event.  With the Sun trine Mars, she also has the chart of a warrior.  So Sun in Cancer trine Mars + Moon (women) sextile Mars = female warrior.  Mars was also exactly at the top of her chart squaring her Ascendant, so warriorship was visible as her life’s work.

She had a close conjunction of Mercury and Saturn, which gave her a great deal of mental focus, Mercury sextile Uranus conferring original thought, and Saturn sextile Uranus giving her great strength.  The Sun and Mercury trine Neptune in her chart was inspirational.  Jupiter at the I.C. gave her a foundation of confidence, and Jupiter squaring her Nodal Axis meant she was willing to take risks.  She died on June 14^th 1928, shortly before all women over the age of 21 were granted the vote on 2^nd July (when Saturn reached her Midheaven).  Pluto was sextile her natal Moon, and Neptune was conjunct her natal Venus, at the time she died – her personal job was done in relation to improving the lot of women. There are very strong and positive transits to her chart this week: Mars trine her Pluto (power to her elbow: there is still more to be done), Uranus sextile her Ascendant (a breakthrough) and Neptune sextile her Pluto (a profound gift of the spirit).

Emily Wilding Davison

Emily Davison was a suffragette who died when she threw herself in front of George V’s horse at the 1913 Derby.  Emily was a Libran, presumably motivated by a deep desire for justice and equality.  With Jupiter exactly trine Neptune, she was very idealistic.  She is known historically for an act of self-sacrifice, and had Neptune at the Midheaven (as well as Pisces on the cusp of the 8^th House of Death).  Uranus was sextile exactly her North Node (karmic mission as a revolutionary).  At the time of the event, Jupiter (horse) was square her Mercury, and Neptune was square her Neptune (depicting her martyrdom).  It is not clear whether Emily’s act of sacrifice was deliberate, but the effect was the same in terms of how she is remembered.

Meryl Streep

Ordinarily, you can often see important roles mirrored in an actor’s chart, but Meryl Streep, who plays Emmeline Pankhurst (almost a cameo role) in the film, is no ordinary actor or actress.  She has had so many award nominations, has 2 Academy Awards, and has played some extraordinary and varied women, including Margaret Thatcher.  But what she does have in her chart, which is very telling, is the Sun in Cancer at 0 degrees of that sign: the essence of womanhood.  Her female planets (Moon and Venus) are in harmony with each other, in a sextile.  Her Sun is exactly conjunct Uranus, so she is a good role model for female emancipation too.  And, like Emmeline Pankhurst, she has Saturn sextile Uranus (strength).  Her emotional range and depth are shown by an exact square between Moon and Pluto – some of that depth coming from the loss of a partner early in life.

Carey Mulligan

In the film, Carey Mulligan plays a larger role as a young mother (laundry worker Maud Watts) who is inspired by Emmeline Pankhurst.  The focal point of Carey’s chart is a close conjunction of the Sun (otherwise unaspected) with Chiron in Gemini, so Carey would very much live on her nerves but often with healing outcomes.  She has the Moon (feminism) trine her natal North Node (part of her karmic mission).  She also has the Inner Entrepreneur (Jupiter exactly sextile Uranus) and with Mars trine Jupiter, she would have been very enthusiastic about the role, and indeed suggested Meryl for the role of Emmeline.  Like Emmeline, she has Jupiter exactly square the Nodal Axis (a risk taker), and her close opposition of Mercury with Saturn reflects Emmeline’s Mercury/Saturn conjunction, so she may share values and character trait with the founder of the suffragette movement.

Abi Morgan

Abi Morgan is the writer of the screenplay for the film “Suffragette”, and has distinguished herself as a writer in the past, notably for the screenplay of “The Iron Lady”.  Sadly we do not have a birth date for Abi Morgan.

Sarah Gavron

Sarah Gavron is the film’s Director.  In her chart, she has a very empowering Pluto, which trines her Mercury, Venus and Mars.  Her Moon is in Libra, the sign of justice, fairness and equality.  She also has a defined element of responsibility within her karmic mission (Saturn closely sextile her North Node).  There is a strong sense of a Soul Contract with Emmeline Pankhurst, because they have their North Nodes conjunct in Pisces, and Sarah’s Saturn sextiles them.

Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter, a unique actress, has played, among other very varied roles, the Queen Mother in ”The King’s Speech”.  She is strongly Geminian (and likes variety), with the Sun and Mercury (its ruler) exactly conjunct in that sign.  She is also a bit of a warrior, with the North Node conjunct her Mars at the end of Taurus.  She has the Rebel conjunction of Uranus exact with Pluto in Virgo (a child of the mid-60s), and the serious side shown by Saturn conjunct Chiron in Pisces.  So she has quite a range in her character, as well as her roles.  In the film, she plays an activist who is a pharmacist and munitions expert, Edith Ellyn, a fictitious character who is an amalgam of more than one suffragette.  One of the women on whom the character is based is Edith New, who was on hunger strike in prison.

Natalie Press

Natalie Press plays Emily Davison, who has a very fitting chart for an actress: Sun conjunct North Node in Leo.  Her Soul expression and karmic mission are on the same page.  She is also quite a warrior, with Mars conjunct Pluto sextile the Sun and North Node.  Mars conjunct Pluto can put itself in danger, which reflects the fate of her character in the film.  There is a dramatic karmic link between her and the character she plays in that Emily’s Pluto is exactly square Emily’s Nodal Axis.  Natalie also has Neptune exactly trine the North Node, so her life of stardom looks very promising.  I think she will go far.  Peter Bradshaw, writing in the Guardian suggests: “Press is an excellent, underused performer: maybe her Davison could have occupied a greater part of the film”.  It looks like this film will have an important impact in her life path, as Neptune is trine her Venus at this time (artistic perfection) and Uranus is opposite her natal Pluto (dramatic life changes).

Anne-Marie Duff

Anne-Marie Duff plays a friend of Maud Watts, Violet, who draws Maud into the movement.  Anne-Marie has a reputation for playing gritty characters, and has the tough conjunction of Mars and Pluto, like Natalie Press, as well as the Moon in gritty Capricorn.  She also has the Sun in Libra desire for equality and fairness (that Libran theme again), conjunct Uranus the Rebel.  She is able to convey subtlety or ambiguity of feeling, with Venus conjunct Neptune.  She has an idealistic karmic mission (North Node on the cusp between Aquarius and Pisces) and holds it all together with an exact trine between Mars and Saturn.  She was interviewed on the Andrew Marr show this morning and was eloquent, and articulated the film’s dilemmas very well (Mercury in Libra).

Women’s Vote

The chart for women over 21 receiving the vote sees four planets in the female sign of Cancer, with the Sun exactly conjunct Venus in that sign (dignity for all women).  Uranus was exactly sextile the North Node (karmic change).

Chart of the Film

The film is being launched at an impactful moment astrologically: Jupiter is trine Pluto, a powerful agent of change, and the Sun opposes Uranus (an explosive expression of the Rebel).  We need those deep and powerful aspects to recognize the changes we need, the benefits of change, and the methods of change.  A good moment to pick for its message to hit home, but also a moment that reflects synchronistically the nature and purpose of the film.

Aspects

In the early hours of this morning, Venus was square Saturn, and with a sigh you may have had to let go of something or someone, or a cherished belief you were clinging on to.

This paves the way for the freedom to fully express the amazing and powerful trine which happens close to midnight, in the U.K.  At 23.51 Hrs, Jupiter trines Pluto, a fortuitous combination of astrological giants (I refuse to call Pluto a dwarf planet!).  This trine is a powerful agent for change, whether used consciously or unconsciously.  Some may ignore astrology totally, and change will happen anyway.  Some will choose to have an early night, and experience shifts in their dream state, or dreams whose significance they cannot shake.  Others, poised and attuned astrologically, may consciously play with the power of Pluto and the optimism of Jupiter, and dare to acknowledge their dreams.  In the words of Bake Off winner Nadiya this week (dubbed the best acceptance speech by the Guardian):

“I’m never gonna put boundaries on myself ever again. I’m never gonna say I can’t do it. I’m never gonna say ‘maybe’. I’m never gonna say, ‘I don’t think I can.’ I can and I will”

That’s the spirit of Jupiter trine Pluto!

What do we then have in the early hours of tomorrow morning?  Sun opposite Uranus, the breakaway actions of the rebel, determined to bring about change.  This aspect is potentially destructive, but is trumped in power by the Jupiter trine Pluto, whose vision may keep it on a constructive pathway.  For some, it will be throwing the baby out with the bathwater, but keeping an eye on the greater vision of Jupiter trine Pluto can keep it a rebellion that does not get out of hand, hurt anyone, throw eggs or spit in their faces (which is an issue currently being debated in relation to social demonstration).  How far to go?  What would Mahatma Gandhi do?

To sum up: Something you do today or tomorrow could have far reaching effects, most likely on the positive side.

Moving on to Tuesday (13^th), in the early hours of the morning (00.06 Hrs, to be precise) there is a New Moon in Libra at 19 degrees.  This affords a fresh start in relationships and the Arts.  It is a good day for designing and composing, and exhibiting your craft.

After breakfast, Mercury sextiles Saturn so it is also a good day for making and honouring contracts, making plans and setting the foundation of ideas.  Tuesday is a good day to consolidate practically the outrageous energies and ideas from the beginning of the week, and by the end of the day you should have something to show for your efforts this week.

Friday (16^th) can also be constructive, if a little volatile.  It’s a high energy day, courtesy of Mars trine Pluto.  A show of force may be in evidence, but there is a potential for constructive release of energy.  Again, there will always be those who misuse the strength of this aspect, and respect for others must always be involved in asserting your own case.  It is easy for some to go too far.

Saturday (17^th) begins in the early hours with an opposition between Venus and Neptune, the possibility of misunderstanding in relationships or misreading feelings.  You may go to bed with an emotional puzzle on your mind, to woo or not to woo.  Consign the question to your subconscious mind, and drift into a dream which explains it all clearly.  The dream may deepen your understanding, and even raise more questions in doing so.  Sleep, if you can get it, will help the digestion of this aspect.  You should awake in harmony with your finer feelings, and be able to put that into practice throughout the day.

By the evening, your way will be clear to enjoy a conjunction of Mars and Jupiter at 14 degrees Virgo.  You’ll feel full of enthusiasm for the evening’s activities, and ecologically inspired projects.  Networking for work purposes would also succeed, e.g. an office outing for a special occasion.  This conjunction is still trine Pluto, so a chance to impress the powers-that-be if you are not the powers-that-be, and impress the employees if you are part of the Establishment.  If you are a member of the elite, now is the time to put your money where your mouth is if you agree we need a fairer society.

Future Lives

I attended the Advanced Future Life Practitioner Course with Anne Jirsch last weekend, which was immensely inspiring.  I can now offer more services under this banner, which I will shortly add to my Future Lives page.  Among these processes are “Meeting your Future Self”, “Viewing your Future Home” and “Meeting your Loved One in a Future Life”.  I find working with the future empowering and creative.

Next Week: Scorpio Animal Totems and Archetypes

The week in bullet points:

• Today – letting go, then empowerment!
• Tomorrow – the rebel lets rip
• Tuesday – new avenues, and sensible contracts
• Friday – high energy
• Saturday – early puzzlement, late enthusiasm

Strictly Come Dancing 2015 – Part 2

Kellie Bright

Kellie Bright currently plays the landlady of the Queen Vic in Eastenders, Linda Carter.  Kellie kicked off the whole series with a Tango danced to the tune “You Really Got Me”.  She tells us she is strong willed, stubborn and bossy (she has 5 of her 10 planets in the Fixed signs).  Her dance was greeted by a warm and enthusiastic reception by the judges, Len saying it was “bubbly and fizzy”, and Bruno describing it as “swinging”.  Her birthchart has the Sun conjunct Venus in feminine Cancer, showing beauty and musicality.  She has Moon conjunct Mars – easily triggered emotionally (or am I confusing her with her Linda Carter?), with quick nervous reactions too (Mercury sextile Mars).  Saturn exactly squares her natal Uranus – earthquakes sometimes in her personal life (or am I confusing her with Linda Carter again?).  Added to that Sun/Venus square exactly Pluto – a challenging life and psyche, Saturn square Chiron and Chiron opposite Uranus (healing blocks and crises)!  The Sun in her chart trines the North Node exactly, providing showmanship, and Mars trines Chiron, providing some positive healing energy.

At the beginning of the competition Pluto was opposite her Venus, presenting psychological challenges, which she is no stranger to astrologically.  In fact challenge might be her middle name.

Interesting, then, that she kicked off the whole series with a stunning performance.  At the end of the competition Jupiter will be exactly trine her Jupiter.  She could be bound for the final, if not the glitterball trophy!

She partners Kevin Clifton and I have reported in the past that he has “great natural elegance with several planets in Libra”.    There is also great dexterity, with Mercury sextile Uranus. He has good chemistry with Kelly Bright, disciplined and intelligent with her Saturn sextile his Mercury, and his Saturn trine her Mercury.  In addition, his Pluto sextiles her natal Mars, so they will be able to sizzle in the Latin dances.  At the time of their first dance, Kevin had two major Neptune transits, and may have been tentative in comparison to what we will see later.  I think their performances will be excellent.  At the end of the tournament his transits are not as good as Kellie’s: although he will have Pluto sextile his natal Jupiter and Uranus trine his natal Mars, Pluto will be exactly square his natal Venus which may be upheaval in his personal life, or a stumbling block later in the contest.

Helen George

Call the Midwife star Helen George is thoroughly Geminian: Chiron/North Node, and Mercury/Sun/Venus, in that sign.  Consequently she partakes of all the nimbleness of that sign for her dancing talent.  She also has the dreaminess of Moon in Pisces, and the self-discipline of a close Mars/Saturn conjunction in Scorpio.  Her first dance was a waltz.  She’s a great fan of Darcy Bussell who loved her performance.  Bruno said it was high class, Len said she had elegance and musicality, and even Craig said it had potential.

Like Kellie Bright, she has Sun conjunct Venus (beauty and musicality).  She has the optimism and enthusiasm of a sextile between her Mars and Jupiter, and the balance of Jupiter exactly sextile Saturn.  Her Sun opposes Neptune, adding to the dreaminess:  she can internally inhabit another world, and interpret that in her self-expression.

She has good interior connections between her planets, and a trine of Pluto to her natal Sun means she can be deep and meaningful, but with less angst than Kellie (who is well suited to heavy drama and theatre).

Helen can portray deep relationship effortlessly, with Venus trine exactly Pluto.  It is as though she can pull out a performance from somewhere she may not have even experienced in this lifetime, something she knew in a former life, a lesson well learned.

Her close conjunction of North Node and Chiron hints at a karmic mission which is to do with healing, possibly through acting, or possibly something completely different.  Perhaps she will be very involved in a charity.

At her first performance on Sunday 25^th, Jupiter was exactly trine her natal Jupiter, and she really did triumph and impress the judges!  Mars was also exactly trine her natal Neptune, giving energy to her inspiration and bringing out the potential of her dreaminess.  At the time of the final, Saturn will be conjunct her natal Uranus, and something may intervene before she reaches the final, such as an injury or conflicting personal interests.  I will look at this again nearer the time, when I have an exact date for the final.

She partners Aljaz Skorjanec of whom I wrote last year: “Aljaz Skorjanec is an out and out Capricorn with several planets in that sign, but normally fairly lucky with Sun exactly trine Jupiter.”

At the beginning of the tournament Neptune sextiled his natal Uranus and Mars squared his Pluto, but for their first performance he had different challenges: Jupiter square his Nodal Axis, and Mars opposite his Sun and Saturn square his Sun.  It could be that he finds it a challenge to bring out the complexities of Helen’s talents, though he did a good job.  It may be easier as the tournament progresses.  At the time of the final, Jupiter will be trine his natal Sun, but Pluto will be on his natal Mars, and Chiron will trine his natal Pluto.  It could take him in the final, and Helen with him, but there is some complexity in this journey.  Their chemistry too is contradictory: her Saturn squares his Mercury, which is very exacting for him.  But her Uranus (higher mind) sextiles his natal Mercury (so they can meet on a higher plane!)

Daniel O’Donnell

Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell’s first dance was a waltz, to the tune of “When Irish Eyes are Smiling”.  He received good comments from the judges: Len said he had the best footwork, Bruno said he was prim and proper, and Darcy said he was a gentleman.  In his chart, he has 6 of his 10 planets in Mutable signs, which should make him adaptable.  He is as Sagittarian as Helen George is Geminian (with Venus, Mercury/Sun/Mars all in Sagittarius).

He has the Sun exactly conjunct Mars, and though he makes a great play of being relaxed but has the Inner Warrior somewhere in that make-up, and as it is placed in Sagittarius more specifically he has the Inner Swashbuckling Pirate, but we shall see if one of the dances brings that into play.

He was very light on his feet in that first waltz, which may be a quality of his Mercury conjunct Mars.  Mercury conjunct Mars would also give him the “Inner Critic” Archetype, so another facet of his nature to watch out for.

He’s immensely sociable, as he not only has a satellitium in Sagittarius, but also Venus sextile Jupiter.  In many ways he is conventional, as his Uranus is largely unaspected, though it may show up in more prominence in a full birth chart where his birth time has been obtained.  Paradoxically, he may also be a free spirit, with his Uranus unaspected.

He has Venus square Pluto, like Kellie Bright, so may have suffered great heartache earlier in life.  Like her too, he has Sun exactly trine North Node, conferring stage presence, leadership and showmanship.  His Mars too is exactly trine his Ascendant, so he may have great courage and fortitude too.

At the beginning of the competition Uranus trines his natal Sun, Chiron squares his natal Sun, and Mars trines his Mercury

At his first performance, Jupiter was square his natal Venus, Mars was conjunct his natal Uranus, Saturn squared his natal Uranus, but Jupiter was conjunct his natal Pluto.  He managed to impress Len with the lightness of his footwork.

At the time of the final, Chiron will be square his natal Mercury, and Saturn will be square his natal Pluto, so he is not likely to appear there.

He partners Kristina Rihanoff, who has a fearsome reputation when it comes to the men she partners!  She has recently brought out her memoirs which have had the BBC trembling, by all accounts, entitled “Dancing out of Darkness” to be published in October.  I wrote last year about her: “With the Sun at the very end of Virgo, Kristina is an exquisite perfectionist.  She has the dexterity aspect of Mercury sextile Uranus, like Kevin Clifton.  She also has the ability to get the best out of her partners, with her Jupiter exactly sextile her Chiron.”

She has an extremely compatible interaspect with Daniel for dance: her Mars exactly trine his Neptune, so she can really push out his Inner Dancer!

She had some difficult transits for the beginning of the series, possibly to do with contention about her memoirs.  Some of these were still lurking, but at her first performance Jupiter was trine her natal Uranus, so the performance was well received.  At the end of the tournament her transits are rather flat, so this reinforces the impression that this couple will not go through to the end.

Jay McGuiness

Looking like a younger version of Mick Hucknall, Jay McGuinness is a band member of The Wanted.  His first dance was a cha cha, to the song: “I’ll be There”.  It looked fine to me, but Craig said it lacked showmanship [even though he is a Leo!].  He was very nervous.  He has some talent from drumming, which is down to his planets in Cancer (associated with drums because of rhythm, e.g. Ringo Starr).  For his first performance, Neptune was giving him support with a sextile to his natal Mars, but Pluto was a bit overwhelming with a conjunction to his natal Neptune.  He is trying to take a lot in at the moment (as they all are, but it is more intense for him than most).  There are no major transits showing at the end of the tournament, so he may have left a couple of weeks before the end.

His partner Alioni Vilani has patience and strength, due to her Sun and Moon being in Taurus (she was born on a New Moon), but also has a feisty side from a conjunction of Mercury and Venus in Aries.  She has no Air planets, and is very instinctive and sensuous.  Curiously, Jay also has no Air planets either, so I don’t expect them to be very calculating or in their heads, but will be very much moved by the music.  She has Sun closely trine Jupiter, so she enjoys the competitive element of the game, but Saturn opposes her Sun at the same time, so sometimes she could feel defeated.  The good news is that her Jupiter sextiles her Saturn exactly, so she is very balanced in her approach to life (glass neither half full nor half empty, or both!).  Her Mercury/Venus trines Neptune, so her instinct for dance works well with her mind, co-ordination and musicality.  She had some powerful Pluto aspects for their first performance, which would have given her a confident start.  However, these have tailed off by the end of the tournament, by which time her mind may be elsewhere.

North Node enters Virgo

You may notice a subtle shift in karma has been occurring and culminates at the end of this week when the North Node finally enters Virgo, retrograding from Libra.  Old relationships have been surfacing for resolution.  The karmic tone of the North Node in Libra was diplomacy.

The karmic focus of the next 18 months, with the North Node in Virgo will be health and ecological concerns.  Climate change will come further forward on the global agenda (and about time too).  Its karmic implications will be recognized.

In our personal lives, we will be urged to attend in greater detail to the minutiae of life and its symbolism.

In politics, the protection of the work force by the trade unions may be strengthened in importance, having waned for many years.  Maybe the balance needed to be redressed or re-adjusted slightly.

A push towards scientific research and medical breakthroughs are highly possible under this placing.

Scrupulous ethics and morals may be the order of the day, as old scores are settled and old abuses held to account.

[If you recognize this posting, it was first introduced here 3 weeks ago]

Aspects

There may be drama on Tuesday (6^th) lunchtime as Pluto squares the Sun.  Someone in your circle may have reached the end of their tether.  Acknowledge the depth of their feelings, and go from there (the only way is up).

By the evening there may be some stabilization, as Mercury sextiles Saturn.  A plan may be hatched, or a more rational mindset takes over.

The early hours of Wednesday (7^th) morning may bring more paranoia or unstable action, with Mars opposing Neptune.  This may take place during dreamtime, or nightmare time.  It may help in working things through subconsciously.  So Wednesday at breakfast is a good time to pick through your dreams and analyze their meaning.  If you have a breakfast partner, you can chew over your dreams together, over the muesli.

Surely this gets better? You might ask.  Thursday (8^th) is quite neutral.  Mercury conjuncts the North Node, which is informative about karma, in this case the direction of karma for humanity as well as your own karmic group or personal karma.  It is also a good time to discuss such matters with interested parties.

In the late afternoon, or early evening, Venus leaves Leo and enters Virgo.  Love of leisure and pleasure give way to a more industrious purpose, or finding work you love, and finding love for the work you do.

Friday (9^th) is a positive turning point, with Mercury going direct.  You can breathe a sigh of relief in your communications, as they get the green light.  This may not be instant, i.e. it may take a little while for Mercury to get working on your behalf again, but you may not feel you are treading water in that respect.  I am hoping the vicious attacks on Jeremy Corby in the media in his first 3 weeks as leader may ease off when Mercury goes direct.

Saturday (10^th) sees the North Node turn into the sign of Virgo, having hovered at 0 degrees Libra for a while (it moves backwards).  This reinforces the theme of constructive work, in respect to karma.  Thus if you have been hankering after making a hobby into something which pays, you may be able to give it more of a role in your life, whilst cutting down the day job if that is the direction you want to take, e.g. increase the hours of singing in a band and decrease the office temp job hours.  Alternatively you may want to be a part of the growing ecological movement: such work directions will be encouraged by this placement of the North Node.

Future Life

Those who have been following my personal story, will understand my excitement in doing the Advanced Future Life Practitioner course with Anne Jirsch this weekend.  If you haven’t, then please look at my Future Life page, and Future Life category for more information.  I hope that I will be able to provide an improved service in this aspect of my work after this week.  To use a phrase I haven’t used previously, “Woo Hoo”!  There may be a blog in it.

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – heavy emotion; sobering up
• Wednesday – emotional confusion
• Thursday – karmic information; artistic industry
• Friday – communication ban lifted
• Saturday – karmic shift

The Syrian Question

There is a meeting of the United Nations in New York today, aimed at reaching solutions for global poverty.  Alon Ben-Meir of New York University says: “The UNGA annual meeting, which is now in progress, offers the US, Russia, and Iran a momentous opportunity to come up with a solution, which is absolutely within reach if they only will it.”

I don’t agree with David Cameron that we can wait to solve the migrant crisis until we have solved the Syrian problem, as he said before the body of little Aylan Kurdi was washed up on a beach.  We have waited 4 years for a solution, and one is not in sight.  But I do agree that the inhospitable, barbaric conditions of some North African and Middle Eastern countries is the cause of the desperation to migrate.  And I do agree with Jeremy Corbyn that our actions in the past have had a contributory cause to some of the conditions the people find themselves in.  Migrants are not just coming from Syria, they are coming from Iraq (a country Bush and Blair interfered in) and Afghanistan (ditto).  We also intervened in Libya (before we decided not to intervene in Syria).  The Arab Spring rebellions seem largely not to have worked, in that chaos has ensued, and ISIL have mushroomed in these places.  Not that the tyrannies that preceded the Arab Spring were just.  Saudia Arabia still has a strict regime, but does not consider its role to be one of assisting refugees, not even with their vast luxurious tent facilities.  Saudia Arabia was this week the scene of a major disaster of pilgrims killed in the Hajj.  And then there is Iran, recently involved in a treaty with the U.S. over its nuclear facility – with many unsure whether they can be trusted, but the treaty does mean a shift in the power balance of the territories.  I have looked at some of these issues before in past blogs, but feel it is time to take another overview.

This week, Russia signalled its support of Bashar Al Assad of Syria, by sending reinforcements.  Though we are at war with ISIL, who are fighting in Syria against Assad and against the rebels who rose in the Syrian Spring, we are by no means in favour of Assad’s repressive regime.  David Cameron has said an agreement can only be reached if Assad steps down. Turkey, once a key hope as a peace broker in the area, has now become more radical.  And a peace process with Israel is further away, now that Israel is determined to batten down its hatches and isolate itself among all the instability around it. One thing is for sure, and that is we are not going to have stable regimes in those areas in the near future, enough to stop the migrations.

I can’t hope to disentangle the issues of all these countries and their interactions, but will take an updated look at the astrology of some of their charts.

Syria

I wrote about the chart of Syria in 2011:

“The natal chart for Syria shows a combination of Mars conjunct Uranus volatility and North Node conjunct Pluto shadow side of power.”

And of its current transits, I wrote earlier this month:

“Currently, Jupiter is exactly square Syria’s Mars/Uranus, possibly depicting the sudden mass emigration of its populace, who cannot take any more of ISIL or President Assad [and the other conflict groups such as Al Nusra]…

And Pluto is exactly square Syria’s Ascendant on the 4^th House cusp, maybe the lowest point at which it could sink.

Neptune (the sea, and photographs) in Pisces is exactly quincunx the Syrian natal North Node/Pluto conjunction (loss of life) in its 10^th House of Reputation.”

Looking at the transits for today and tomorrow (the period of the Lunar Eclipse), the Full Moon and its opposition with the Sun keys exactly into Syria’s natal Neptune (the ability to cause confusion) in its 12^th House of Isolation.  It may be a good time to try and tackle, and disentangle, some of the complexity of its issues.

According to Alon Ben-Meir: “The search for a solution to Syria’s civil war and the unfolding tragedy of the Syrian refugees can be found only by defeating ISIS while simultaneously formulating a political solution to prevent the complete disintegration of the country.”

Assad

President Bashar Al Assad, whose father before him was tyrannical and not averse to bloodshed, has his Sun in Virgo conjunct the anarchic Uranus-Pluto conjunction of the mid-1960s.

He is currently undergoing his Chiron Return, which means he either has to find his Inner Healer, or deal with dis-ease.  His natal Chiron is opposite his anarchic triple conjunction in Virgo, and the internal havoc must be having an effect on him.

Russia

The chart of Russia has a complex but opportunistic trine between Jupiter and a conjunction of Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn.  Capricorn is a sign I have always associated with Russia, not least for the symbolism of the struggle with its unremitting extreme climate.  Russia also has an exact conjunction of Venus and Pluto in 4^th House, which can have a divisive effect.  There are power issues depicted (Sun exactly square Midheaven), too, in its chart.  The current eclipse sees Russia in belligerent mood, with Mars on its Moon, Uranus trine its Mars, Chiron square its Mars, and Pluto on its Uranus.

Putin

I wrote about his chart in 2012:

“In his natal chart Putin has the power-hungry aspect of Jupiter square Pluto.  His natal Mars (Inner Warrior) is at the galactic centre, magnifying his power and emphasizing warriorship.  His South Node is in Leo, indicating that he would be accustomed to power in past lives.”

The transits at this time are not so favourable for Putin getting his own way.  Saturn blocks him with an opposition to his Moon, and the North Node trines his natal Moon which means he should be accountable to karmic law.

Over to Alon Ben-Meir again: “Putin was and remains determined to safeguard Russia’s interests in Syria by preserving the Assad regime, which remains central to his strategy. As he has done in the past, Putin will continue to block any solution to the Syrian crisis unless it is done on his terms.”

Turkey

In its natal chart, Turkey has an exact conjunction of Mercury and Saturn in Libra in the 4^th House, which points to a need for reason and strictness in the rulership within its own country.  It has 5 of its 10 planets in Water signs, so there is a great deal of emotionality in the national character.  Its greatest strength is a trine between Uranus and Pluto, a power which has great potential.  At this point in time, Neptune in Pisces on the cusp of Turkey’s 9^th House of Foreign Relations, trines its Ascendant.  Internationally, it may be playing a sensitive role.

Erdogan

I wrote of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, in June 2013: “He has Sun, Mercury and Venus in Pisces so can encompass a range of political ideas, and has a basically flexible nature (with 3 other planets also in flexible signs).  This flexibility will have helped him stay in power for so long.”  Neptune is currently on Erdogan’s Sun in Pisces, which is trine Turkey’s Ascendant: there is a fine spiritual link between him and his country.  However, people may be trying to guess at the moment at his own intentions.

Iran

The 1979 chart of Iran, which represents the departure of the Shah, has links with its traditions in the Sun’s position in Aries, a sign I associate with ancient Persia in Karmic Astrology through Zoroastrianism.  Mercury conjuncts Mars in this chart, so sharp words can come forth from its leaders, but this conjunction placed in Pisces means that the words could be couched in confusing terms.  Mercury is trine closely its Jupiter, and that reflects its rich cultural tradition.  Chiron is at the Midheaven, so its political upheavals can be quite painful for the populace.  Currently, Neptune squares its Moon and opposes its Saturn, so there is a similar pattern to Turkey at the moment, in that it is hiding or keeping quiet in some ways.

Rouhani

I dedicated a blog to the ruler Hassan Rouhani in September 2013:

“A focal point of his chart is an exact conjunction of Venus and Neptune in Libra, the sign of diplomacy and sweet words.  He certainly knows the truth of what he is saying, and has many years of experience in Iranian politics making him a shrewd realist. In another life, with that conjunction, he could have been an inspiring musician.…He has a forceful chart, with Mars also trine Pluto.  Saturn closely trines his North Node, so although it has taken him a while to rise to this position he has a sense of responsibility, and leadership.  He does not have a sinister chart, though an innocent chart may be used to sinister ends.”

Rouhani’s own transits at the moment are much more dramatic than Iran’s.  He has Pluto square his Venus (which could be a personal upheaval), Uranus trine his natal Mars, and Chiron square his Mars.

Here is Alon Ben-Meir’s perspective: “Iran is also in a position to prevent any solution to Syria’s civil war unless its strategic interest is guarded. Regardless of the extent of the destruction that has been inflicted in Syria, Tehran will continue to support Assad to the last Syrian soldier.”

Israel

The chart of Israel has Sun in Taurus, very strong-willed, with Midheaven, Moon, Pluto, Saturn and Mars in Leo in the 10^th House: a reputation for pride and strength. There is a great deal of fire and energy in the chart, and an exact trine between Mars and Jupiter underlines this.  Mars is also strong by virtue of being sextile its Ascendant.  So there is certainly a strong “Inner Warrior”.  Its troubles are reflected in its chart by a conjunction of Saturn and Pluto, Chiron in the 1^st House, and Pluto closely squaring its Nodal Axis (karma by the spades).  Current transits are keeping its head down, but for a square between transiting Jupiter and its Mercury, so there may be some attempt to be upbeat in its dissemination of information.

Nethanyahu

Binyamin Nethanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, is a Libran, with some wide but powerful conjunctions in his chart:

He has Venus conjunct Chiron, so in his personal life has some unorthodox solutions to personal problems.  He has Moon conjunct Neptune, which may have been misused in manipulation, as its potential is emotional sensitivity.  He has a ruthless conjunction of Mars and Pluto, which is wide, but evident in his attitude to life.  Tellingly, Neptune is exactly conjunct the South Node, which shows that subterfuge is a habit he has brought through from past lives.  Crucially, he manipulated the last election by exploiting fear over Iran.  Currently he has Uranus opposite his Moon, and Saturn on his Ascendant, so he is sitting uncomfortably, possibly awaiting the next phase of U.N. policy.

Saudia Arabia

There is an aloofness in the Saudi Arabian chart, with a religious flavour, as described by Jupiter exactly conjunct Neptune in Virgo in the 9^th House.  This reflects its untouchability at the moment, with no country challenging its exploits in the Middle East, or its lack of assistance to the refugees.  At the same time it has a commanding conjunction of the Sun to its Midheaven in 10^th House, reflecting its oil-related dominance in the world.  This is strengthened by an exact trine with Saturn, and the creation of a Grand Trine with Chiron in Taurus.  Currently, Chiron squares its Ascendant on the 4^th House cusp, which may be connected with the shattering losses at Mecca and the Hajj recently.  But Saturn also trines its natal Mars at the moment, so it is still keeping a lid on some of its action and policies.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

This new ruler of Saudi Arabia, since January, has his Neptune exactly conjunct the South Node of Saudia Arabia, showing the strong genetic lineage with its royal family, and karmic link with the country, ruling by divine right.  He is a hard headed Capricorn, with the North Node conjunct his Sun in Capricorn, born to rule.  There is no reason to see that he would step out of the status quo that has governed his country for decades.  He has Venus trine exactly Pluto, and would fight for those he loves.  And how do the stars look in relation to him at the moment?  In one word, resolute.  Mars is trine his Uranus, and Uranus sextile his Mars, plus Pluto is on his North Node.  He is in no mood to compromise, though karma could work against him.

Transits to United Kingdom and United States

At this point in time, Jupiter is opposite the United Kingdom Uranus, which can bring sudden changes.  Pluto opposes the United States Sun, which is an aspect of upheaval.  For its leaders personally, Chiron opposes David Cameron’s natal Pluto, stirring him deeply, while Barack Obama has a good set of personal transits: Mars sextile his natal Venus, Saturn sextile his Jupiter, and the North Node trine his Jupiter (he may be able to be more productive than usual).

Aspects

In the early hours of tomorrow morning (2.50 a.m. in the U.K.) There is a Full Moon, a Lunar Eclipse and Supermoon.  The position of the Moon will be 4 degrees Aries.  Eclipses, particularly if they fall in a crucial position of one’s chart, can affect life over the following 6 month period, even if nothing appears to be happening at the time of the actual eclipse.  The Moon in Aries describes the emotional need to fulfil one’s own goals.  It opposes the Sun in Libra, which represents the need for fulfillment in partnership, often necessitating negotiation and compromise.  These represent the two opposing forces at this time, which may prey on your mind and keep you awake tonight!  Do you do the right thing for yourself, or for your significant other?  Or perhaps you have conflicting needs within your own psyche and current lifestyle.  I am sure Shakespeare described the dilemma better in one of his plays.

On Wednesday (30^th) lunchtime, the Sun conjuncts Mercury in Libra at 7 degrees.  This is a bull’s eye of concentration in the middle of the week, so you can aim for results at that time.  If you have legal or artistic aims and projects, there will be a succinct moment when all can come together, and be expressed perfectly.

There are no aspects in the second half of the week, but two fixed stars in the constellation of Virgo are aligned with our Sun.  You can give them a whirl, if you like!

Fixed Stars

On Thursday 1^st – Friday 2^nd October Vindiematrix and Porrima can assist you.

According to “Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld, when considering Vindiematrix:

“People who work together can gradually discover a common goal.  You may find that there are resistances and struggles with accepting that goal as your own.  For instance: ‘It isn’t what I thought of myself, but what the group thought of.” Or, ‘If I work with this, will I be tied to this group?’ By utilizing this star, you may discover the ideas that formed the initial inspiration.”

And for Porrima:

“The use of these stars can create a powerful balancing of the ability to be effective in the world, combined with the ability to learn.  The awareness of this balance within individuals for the purpose of learning can affect left and right brain balance, but generally will be around apprenticeship and working with other people for learning new information and new ideas from them.  Utilization of this star provides a deep learning as if there is an apprenticeship, a companionship, an absorption, a oneness, and then a release so that the learning takes place in a powerful transfer.”

That is interesting for me, because I am going on a course next Friday (which I will write about next week).

Past Lives

Porrima also has some interesting past life information: “In Atlantis this binary star was utilized for the development of crystalline technologies for the receptivity and transfer of information into a crystal and then into a person.  This was done utilizing  the light from this binary, the elixir, but most importantly by journeying to Porrima in one’s mind.”  You may find that interesting if you work with crystals.

The week in bullet points:

• Monday – a turning point
• Wednesday – a focal point
• Thursday and Friday – group work, and learning

Libra Animal Totems and Archetypes

The Sun enters Libra at 8.21 a.m. on Wednesday 23^rd September, ushering in the Autumn Equinox.  This is the fifth in the series where I look at some of the animal totems and Archetypes for the various signs. The traditional symbol for Libra is of course inanimate: the scales.  But Libra does have animal power to draw upon.  The emphases with many of these totems and archetypes are the Libran qualities of Love and Peace.  Do you, or someone close to you, have Sun, Ascendant or Moon in Libra?

Deer

The main quality which qualifies the deer as principal animal totem for Libra, is its gentleness, and there is also its elegance.

In “Medicine Cards” by Jamie Sams and David Carson we learn:

“Deer teaches us to use the power of gentleness to touch the hearts and minds of wounded beings who are trying to keep us from Sacred Mountain…Stop pushing so hard to get others to change, and love them as they are.”

In “Animal Spirits” by Nicholas J. Saunders he tells us:

“A gentler approach to the animal is seen in Buddhist teachings, where the deer symbolizes meditation and meekness.  Deer on either side of the circle of the Wheel of Law signify the Buddha’s first sermon, which was preached in the deer park at Sarnath.”

Ted Andrews adds that deer represents innocence and return to the wilderness, while Nicky Scully emphasizes sensitivity and in particular sensing the environment.

Bambi is surely one of the cutest cartoon characters ever created!

Fluffy White Angora Bunnies

The fluffy white angora bunny represents Libra’s cute and fluffy side, soothing and comforting, as a child’s toy if not the real thing.  I have used this animal for Libra for over 20 years, but have a gorgeous photo taken a couple of years ago of my grandson’s encounter with just such a bunny across a garden fence – he has a Libran Ascendant.  It was quite an initiation for him, as the whiskers were right in his face!

Bird Totems

As an Air sign, there is an emphasis on bird totems.  Birds of Libra are generally very elegant, such as the long-legged flamingo and the avocet wading bird.  Then there are the lovey dovey ones…

Flamingo

Flamingos really are beautiful birds, a joyous sight to behold as they gather in the lakes, even for those who don’t like pink!  Pink is one of the colours associated with Venus, the ruling planet of Libra.

Angela Wansbury emphasizes the balancing qualities of flamingo, which of course is one of the attributes of the Scales:

“A flamingo is asking, have you recently been upset when you didn’t maintain your centre?  Did a person or situation throw you off balance and you got very hurt and angry instead of being poised and unfazed?  Look at what negative beliefs the situation or the other person invoked in you, and use them as a learning curve.”

Doves

Doves and Peace

Doves have traditionally been associated with peace, especially in connection with the biblical story of Noah and the flood, where the dove carries an olive branch in its beak.

Angela Wansbury advises:

“If you are fretting over a situation and a dove appears, it is telling you to quieten your mind and to stop worrying, because dwelling on the problem is not only making the matter seem worse but it is stopping intuitive thoughts and guidance coming through.  If you are currently going through a harrowing time, the appearance of a dove is reassuring you that peace is coming soon.”

Ted Andrews points out:

“The song of the dove speaks to all who hear it.  Its mournful tones stir the emotions, the internal waters.”

Turtle Doves and Love

Doves are sometimes released at weddings, which are Libran occasions as Libra rules marriage.  The turtle dove is associated with Love especially, and often depicted as a pair, signifying soul mates.  They form strong pair bonds.  They are referred to in the biblical Song of Songs, and as one of the true love’s gifts in the Christmas carol.

Cranes

“White crane!
Lend me your wings
I will not fly far
From Lithang, I shall return”

So wrote the 6^th Dalai Lama in a love song.

The crane is a bird revered in the Eastern countries of China, Japan and Tibet, and has the elegance in its flight that we would expect of a Libran bird.  In my work on Karmic Astrology, I associate Libra with these Eastern cultures, for example when looking at countries important in past lives.

Ted Andrews tells us:

“The crane was a powerful symbol to the ancient Chinese.  It is a symbol of justice and longevity, and it is one of many solar symbols…If the crane has shown up in your life as a totem, it could very well reflect that you are about to recover what had almost become extinct within you.…The crane can also provide possible clues to past life experiences”

Nicholas J. Saunders adds:

“Vigilance, longevity, wisdom and fidelity are prominent in the spectrum of the creature’s positive attributes….The elegance of their natural lines made them popular subjects with Japanese artists”

There’s a Japanese legend and tradition that folding 1000 origami cranes will grant a wish, and you might think this is too much effort, but my niece did just that for a wedding present to her brother and his wife last weekend, presented in a lantern.  Don’t try this at home if you do not wish to incur an R.S.I., was the implied message of her accompanying note.

Archetypes

There are a number of Archetypes associated with Libra, and I have picked out just a few.

Knight

The knight is associated with the medieval codes of romance, courtly love, courtly manners and chivalry, but also with its polarity Aries through warriorship.  The term “gallantry” comes from the Baroque ideal of refined elegance.

Princess

The Princess Archetype is the Queen (Leo Archetype) in waiting, the desire for emotional power but with the lack of responsibility.  It is carefree and youthful.  Often a young girl will play Princess to a certain type of father, who is willing to play the game of pampering.  It can be a harmless Archetype, but is sometimes seen as a diva.  It can be a necessary stage of development for a female in trying to establish her own power.  In some ways it is the female counterpart of the Knight, in its pleasantries, and is related to the Damsel Archetype.

Advocate

Librans are well known for their love of justice and fairness.

Advocate – Traditional

Traditionally, the Advocate is squarely Libran, associated with the law profession and promoting equality.  In her “Archetype Cards” Caroline Myss defines it embodying “a lifelong devotion to championing the rights of others and a passion to transform social injustices.”

Advocate – Modern (with Aquarius)

In her book “Archetypes” Caroline Myss introduces new forms of Archetypes for the modern world.  For the Advocate, she progresses the picture:

“The Advocate may be the most unfamiliar archetype among our family of ten.  That’s because this is a relatively recent addition to the cosmic theatre, having emerged as a recognized pattern of power with the rise of civil consciousness and social action in the 1960s”

Her final thought is: “There has never been a time in history so primed for the talents of true Advocates.  Listen to your heart, find your cause, and commit to it.”

Famous Examples: John Lennon, Sun in Libra, Advocate of Peace, with Ascendant in Aries the Action Hero, partnered by Yoko Ono, Sun in Aquarius, the Social Activist.

Sting and Bob Geldof, Librans born in the same week of the same year, are Advocates for a number of causes.

Married couple Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas share a birthday in Libra, and have hosted a Nobel Peace Prize concert together.  He has been involved in supporting the causes of human rights, nuclear disarmament and gun control (specifically prompted by the death of John Lennon).

Diplomat

The Diplomat is related to the Mediator Archetype.  In my 2010 article which appeared as a guest blog on Joyce Mason’s astrological blog site, I identified an Archetype for South Node in Libra for a past life:

South Node in Libra

Venus conjunct South Node

Archetype: The Diplomat
Place: Ancient Greece
Time: 421 BC

My name is Demis. I live in Corinth and try to smooth relations between  Athens and Sparta. I can see both their qualities and greatness and feel that I can bring them together.  There are plenty of people practising the art of war, but not enough cultivating the art of peace.  I love justice, too, having been educated in philosophy and law and hope one day that all people will accept the balance it brings. I am proud, too, of the artistic achievements of my country, which I think are outstanding. For beauty is truth and truth beauty, as you can see on this urn that I have before me. Maybe one day a poet will capture that essence.

Fashionista

Another modern Archetype pointed out by Caroline Myss is “The Fashionista”:

“If you are a modern-day Fashionista you were formed out of two opposing forces.  One is the feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s, which gave you an appetite for freedom of expression and appreciation for your body.  The other is the rise of the modelling and cosmetics industries and the fashion press…”

Under her Checklist for the Fashionista she offers the mantra “I consider my life my personal fashion statement.”

Famous Examples: Gok Wan, Style Guru – Though he is a meticulous Virgo Sun Sign, he has a forensic exact conjunction of Mercury and Pluto in Libra.

Maria Bueno, who in the 1960s wore groundbreaking tennis outfits and was the last word in elegance; Serena Williams is also Libran, and has a fashion house.

Gary and Martin Kemp, Libran brothers, leaders in the New Romantic(s) movement of musical style in their band “Spandau Ballet”.  Librans are collaborators, so where you have two Librans together, there can be a good partnership.

Mythological Figures

Aphrodite

Ted Andrews links the Greek Goddess of Love neatly with one of Libra’s bird totems informing us that “In the Greek tradition, Aphrodite was born from an egg brooded by a dove.”  Ancient Greece is another country linked with past lives in Karmic Astrology, with its elegant architecture and classical beauty.

Cupid and Eros

Eros was the Greek God of Love (sometimes known as the son of Aphrodite), while Cupid (meaning “desire”) was his Roman counterpart.

If you are Libran, and you feel these totems and archetypes are not edgy enough for you, it may be down to another element of your chart.  Rarely is a Libran 100% so in a totally hearts and flowers way, and will often for instance have some of its neighbouring sign Scorpio, which is very edgy.

Bibliography:

“Medicine Cards” by Jamie Sams and David Carson

 “Archetypes” and “Archetype Cards” by Caroline Myss

 “Animal Speak” by Ted Andrews

“Animal Spirits” by Nicholas J. Saunders

“Birds Divine Messengers” by Angela Wansbury

Tags: Love, Peace, Elegance, Gentleness, Weddings

Aspects

First of all, I have to apologize to my dear readers for alerting them maybe prematurely to the shift of the karmic North Node into Virgo, because it is still at 0 degrees Libra (it moves backwards).  Some people do prepare that far ahead and sense such a shift earlier, but you may need your energies elsewhere this week.  It will reach 29 degrees 59 minutes of Virgo from 0 degrees Libra on 10^th October.  So I will repost some of that information on Sunday 4^th October, so that you will be really in gear.

This week is split into two halves: the first half, until Wednesday, is felicitous and smooth-sailing; the second half (Thursday to Saturday) is more challenging (or at best, mixed).  Perhaps leave some space in your diary in the second half, for the digestion of experiences.

The felicitous day is Wednesday (23^rd), the day of the Autumn Equinox, which brings two harmonious aspects.  In the early hours of the morning Venus trines Uranus, and you may be anticipating a super social day.  Even if your diary is blank, you may experience a delightful chance encounter, e.g. in the supermarket if your routine is humdrum.  It is a good day for social communication, and group activities.  If you are an artist, you may receive intuitions of a highly original order.

The Equinox occurs at 8.21 a.m. so you can start the day with celebration of the change of season, appreciating the mist and mellow fruitfulness.  The Sun is entering Libra, the sign of relationship, art and fairness.  We have worked hard perhaps at establishing our new term’s working schedules, and setting up activities for the Autumn, under the Sun in Virgo.  We can relax into those schedules now.

In the evening, the Sun sextiles Saturn in Sagittarius.  You may get a sense at this time of what benefits, if any, you can expect from Saturn’s entry into the jolly sign of the zodiac.  The tone may not be jolly, as Saturn is always serious, but there may be an uplift of something you have been struggling with, which may seem relatively jolly.  You may see a humorous side, or a silver lining, in a serious undertaking.  It is also a good day for planning in general.

Thursday (24^th) may start well, because the Sun conjuncts North Node, and if you have been eating your greens your hair may turn curly, or there may be some other karmic reward for some other good effort.

However, you may sense there is something else brewing throughout the day, because in the evening Mercury squares Pluto as it backtracks along its retrograde path.  You may remember that when Mercury was going forward on Wednesday (9^th) it ran into this problem:

“…we may be forced to re-think a course of action, or turn our consciousness round at least 90 degrees.  What we thought reasonable yesterday may come up against a glitch, or be opposed by authorities.  Perhaps you had an idea about improving community relations, and it proves unworkable due to government cuts.  Some deep thinking about causes and effects may bring about a breakthrough in how to proceed.  In the meantime, if the stand-off brings about a headache, lying in a darkened room may allow more inspiration to arise.” That one – maybe you recall the issue.  With Mercury retrograde, there may even be a return to the same issue.

The aspects of Friday (25^th) are reasonable enough: First Mars enters Virgo, so our energetic expression turns from show and spin to something of more substance and practicality.  The last vestiges of holiday mode are laid aside, and we knuckle down to achieving our life’s work, mind, body and spirit.  We are motivated to having something to see emerging from our aspirations.

Then Pluto turns direct, which is very useful indeed, like the Universe backing us up and supporting what we are trying to do, instead of the constant challenges it sometimes feels are thrown at us.  With Saturn having been in Scorpio, and Pluto having been retrograde, our psyches have been put through a mill and tested to the hilt recently.  Maybe you can give yourself a pat on the back for something you’ve done recently which you didn’t think you could do.

Finally, on Saturday (26^th) we again need to exercise caution because Saturn is squaring Mars, and frustrating attempts to implement the actions we intend as part of our life’s plan, or seasonal plan.  Maybe we planned for a round hole and find ourselves with a square peg.  Or there is a hole in our bucket.  We know what we want, but someone else has a different idea, and their will needs to be honoured just as much.  Our desires come up against reality.  So it may be a question of compromise, or patience, or negotiation. Or you may need to obtain a new spare part.

There may be an impasse, and that might contribute to some pre-eclipse fever or tension building up towards the following Monday (28^th).  You need plenty of breathing and meditation at the end of this week to aid problem-solving and keep you equinanimous and buoyant in the run up to that eclipse.

The week in bullet points:

• Wednesday – a gold star day
• Thursday – karmic rewards, then stressful debate
• Friday – hard work, and psychological breakthrough
• Saturday – impasse

North Node in Virgo

You may notice a subtle shift in karma starting this week, as the North Node begins to transition from Libra to Virgo.

Recently, you may have noticed old relationships surfacing for resolution, as the North Node leaves Libra.  That effect is not to be confused with the recent turning to direct motion of Venus, but is more karmic in effect, as though karma is at least neutralized if not harmonized.

The karmic tone of the North Node in Libra was diplomacy, and it is interesting that a deal was finalized with Iran during that time.  Progress in the sanctioning of same sex marriage also took place under North Node in Libra.

The karmic focus of the next 18 months, with the North Node in Virgo will be health and ecological concerns.  Climate change will come further forward on the global agenda.

In our personal lives, we will be urged to attend in greater detail to the minutiae of life and its symbolism.

In politics, the protection of the work force by the trade unions may be strengthened in importance, having waned for many years.  Maybe the balance needs to be redressed or re-adjusted slightly.

A push towards scientific research and medical breakthroughs are highly possible under this placing.

Scrupulous ethics and morals may be the order of the day, as old scores are settled and old abuses held to account.

Famous Example:

Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan has an evolved North Node in Virgo, which represents her moral rectitude and emphasis on her love and value of study.  In her address to the U.N. she reminded the world that the pen is mightier than the sword: “Let us pick up our books and our pens, they are the most powerful weapons.”  Virgo leads by quiet example and dignity, not ostentatious show.

Aspects

On Sunday (13^th) there is a New Moon and Eclipse at 20 degrees Virgo.  This could lend a bittersweet tone to the day.  There is a new beginning, but also a sense of a farewell and poignancy at the same time, letting go of something or someone, according to where it falls in your chart Housewise.  The song “This could be the last time” by the Rolling Stones comes to mind.  We will have a new Labour leader, for sure, if the result is not under contention.  This event may cause a wobble, partly through the eclipse and partly via the change of karmic emphasis due to the Nodal Axis changing signs.

On Thursday (17^th) a most important and heavyweight aspect occurs: that of Neptune opposing Jupiter.  This is a confusion in matters of faith, religion and spirituality.  It may throw up all sorts of related conundrums, e.g. in connection with holy wars.  It is an opportunity to delve deep into your heart to see what you truly believe in, and you may be asked to make a choice on some deep issue of morality and ethics.

In the afternoon/early evening of the same day, Mercury stations prior to turning retrograde, a popular favourite (not).  Batten down your communication hatches, and prepare your usual Mercury retrograde rituals.  I will need to start that tax return before Thursday, so that it does not get ensnared in the 3-week event: the deadline is fast approaching!  Mercury will go direct again on 10^th October, for the record.

Another big astrological event occurs on Friday (18^th) with Saturn’s re-entry into Sagittarius from Scorpio, this time for a long stay (up to December 2017).  Can you remember your state of consciousness last Christmas?  Saturn first entered Sagittarius on 23^rd December 2014.  I wrote for the time:

“Saturn in Sagittarius

In the afternoon, a major development takes place: Saturn leaves Scorpio, which has been heavy going, and enters Sagittarius, which Astrologers generally are welcoming (except for Sagittarian Astrologers of a certain age, who remember the entry of Saturn into Sagittarius 29 Years ago).  But, a change is as good as a rest, and you may have been battling heavy issues for the two and a half years of Saturn’s sojourn in Scorpio, which may look more refreshing under Saturn in Sagittarius.  There certainly seemed to be an increase in violence in society and around the world during Saturn’s trip through Scorpio.  Saturn may lighten up in Sagittarius, and see the lighter side of life.  There may be an attitude of “Why not laugh about your problems?”.  For Sagittarians though, and depending on where their Sun is placed in that sign, they may feel pinned down to a sense of reality which is not natural to their make-up.  Rose-tinted glasses, for instance, may have to be swapped for crystal clear lenses.”

Well, this Sagittarian got her crystal clear lenses, as both cataracts were removed in the meantime and replaced with acrylic lenses which enabled 20:20 vision!

Saturn re-entered Scorpio in the middle of June, and you may have noticed some heavier issues being re-worked since then.  So now that Saturn is well and truly committing itself to Sagittarius, there is another factor inducing letting go this week, perhaps bidding a farewell, and a moving on to new challenges and adventures.  That does seem to be the theme for this week in many ways.

Omar Khayyam said it best:

“The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.”

Next Week: Libran Animal Totems and Archetypes

The week in bullet points:

• Sunday – a turning point
• Thursday – moral choice; communication disruption
• Friday – from darkness into light

Refugees

 The focal point of this week was a photograph of a 3 year old Syrian boy drowned at sea, but there have also been dramatic scenes in Hungary of packed trains, a woman and baby on a railway line, and refugees marching to the Austrian border, some finally yesterday finding refuge in Germany.

Currently, Jupiter is exactly square Syria’s Mars/Uranus, possibly depicting the sudden mass emigration of its populace, who cannot take any more of ISIL or President Assad.

And Pluto is exactly square Syria’s Ascendant on the 4^th House cusp, maybe the lowest point at which it could sink.

Neptune (the sea, and photographs) in Pisces is exactly quincunx the Syrian natal North Node/Pluto conjunction (loss of life) in its 10^th House of Reputation.

David Cameron was forced, by the public outcry about the photograph, to put on a more humanitarian face after initially stating that we were not going to change our policy.  Now he intends to take a greater share of the refugee numbers.  A moment of karmic confrontation and  choice for him, shown by an exact transit of the North Node to his Ascendant, brought about by accusations of shame nationwide.

Karmic pressure was also on the Hungarian government, with the Nodal Axis squaring exactly Hungary’s natal Mars in 12^th House.  It was ironic to see people massing on trains trying to get into Germany, scenes of packed trains which invoked the holocaust from memory, but Germany’s open arms may also have been karmic.  That does not detract from the near saintliness of their contribution, contrasting the scenes of ordinary Germans welcoming their visitors with David Cameron’s jaw set to keep them out.

The North Node of karmic response was exactly transiting Germany’s Venus (unconditional love) at 1 degree Libra.  The dramatic influx of population is shown by a transit of Mars squaring exactly Germany’s natal Pluto in the 4^th House of Population.

Greece, where many of those fleeing inhumane regimes land, and where the little boy’s body was washed up, meanwhile continues to struggle in economic destitution. Their economic tormentor Germany extends a kind and open hand towards Syrians, even though Greece forgave German debt after the war.  Pluto is currently exactly opposite Greece’s Ascendant, representing dire challenges.  So the convolutions of karma continue…But, we are all in it together.

Strictly Come Dancing 2015 – Part 1

Another season is upon us, and I will catch up again with the series in a few weeks.  In the meantime, here is the first batch of contestants with their prospects:

Carol Kirkwood

Carol Kirkwood is the relentlessly cheerful weather girl, a favourite with my Hubby (and maybe yours, too).  She is also amazing for 53 – I would have put her at 20 years younger.  The upbeat qualities are shown in her chart by first and foremost Jupiter conjunct Chiron.  This conjunction is exactly trine Neptune, lending inspiration to her personality.  But her chart is not all plain sailing: she has Saturn square Neptune and Sun square Pluto, plus Saturn on the South Node, so some of that cheerfulness is pulling against some tough life experience in this life and former lives.  Venus sextiles Pluto, so she has some musicality, and Jupiter opposes Pluto so she has some desire for power.  She claims she cannot dance (Saturn square Neptune) but a breakfast TV colleague claims she can, and Chiron/Jupiter trine her Neptune testifies to some prowess on the dance floor.

At the beginning, Uranus sextiles her natal Mercury but Chiron squares her Mercury – lots of nervous tension!  When it finishes, Neptune will be square her Sun, and opposite her Pluto but trine her Venus.  The whole experience will leave her bedazzled!

I was delighted to find that Carol was partnered with the lovely Pasha Kovalev last night, and she was over the moon.  He has an intelligent Sun/Mercury conjunction in late Capricorn, which can be calculating and cool, but balanced by a warm and energetic conjunction of Mars with Jupiter.  The competition starts quietly for him with Saturn sextile his natal Sun, but finishes more explosively with Mars on his Pluto.  I suspect that Carol will not make it through to the final, but we will enjoy her participation, and the pair have good astrological connections.

Peter Andre

A veteran of reality TV, Peter Andre made his name as a singer in the early 1990s, and still graces the magazine covers to this day!  Along the way his career had a few years of struggle, until in 2004 he took part in I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here where he met the entrepreneurial Katie Price (aka Jordan) who he later married.  His original image was quite macho, and that fits with his North Node/Mars conjunction sextile his Mars which brings up the Inner Warrior archetype.  While in the jungle he penned the song “Insania” which was not an impressive tune, but full marks for his ease in writing it, inspired by falling for Katie Price and the situation of being in the jungle.  He made a series of reality shows with Katie, and since splitting up with Katie, he continued on his own, under the steam of his own power (natally Jupiter trine Pluto, and Saturn exactly sextile Chiron).

At the beginning, Peter will have Neptune on his Sun (he’ll fall in love with the experience), and at the end the South Node will be on his Mercury, Mars will be on his Uranus and Neptune square his Neptune.  He will really feel he’s learned something valuable and exciting, and like Carol will be dazzled.

Peter is partnered with Janette Manrara, who is engaged to one of the other professional dancers Aljaz Skorjanec.  Peter himself has recently re-married.  Janette was very excited (his Uranus sextiles her natal Venus) to be partnered with Peter Andre.  She is a sultry Scorpio, with enthusiastic planets in Sagittarius.  She is a bit confused right now, with Neptune squaring her natal Uranus.  It is likely that the dynamics with Peter over the next few months will affect her consciousness, and she may find it difficult to centre herself.  However there is a transit of Jupiter sextile her natal Sun close to the final, so this partnership could find itself there.  There are fireworks though in their relationship, with her Uranus square his Sun and her power planet Pluto square his natal Jupiter.  She may try to manipulate him under the legitimate guise of being his teacher, but he is his own man now, and further along from the comparative youth who fell for Katie in the jungle.

Jeremy Vine

News presenter Jeremy has an extraordinary versatility (7 of his 10 planets in Mutable signs) and energy (a triple conjunction of Uranus/Mars/Pluto).  He is going to be very nimble and fluid on the dance floor! He is a former punk (often associated with the Uranus/Pluto anarchic energy). He has 0 Cardinal planets, so might prefer to follow!  His partner will have to work hard to bring out his leadership.  Venus conjuncts exactly Jupiter in his chart, so he is immensely sociable, and likable.  There is a slight tension and strain, in an opposition between Mars and Saturn.  Some situations might provoke a stand off, where he might say “I can’t (or won’t) do this.”  This stand off is involved with his karmic path, as it squares his Nodal Axis, so there may be karmic reasons why he won’t or can’t.  But Saturn trines his natal Neptune, so he has a good balance between the practical and the spiritual in his make up.

At the beginning of the contest, Jupiter squares his Jupiter (High Hopes!).  At the end of the contest, the North Node trines his Sun (he will get his karmic just desserts).

Jeremy was cock-a-hoop at landing the experienced Karen Clifton as his partner.  She has a dreamy Moon/Venus conjunction in Pisces, gliding with a trine to her North Node, so she will always do well in ballroom dancing!  With three planets in Libra, she also connects well in partnership, and is related to another professional, Kevin Clifton.  With Mars sextile her natal Saturn at the beginning of this tournament, she starts reasonably well, and would be reasonably pleased with her partner.  At the end of the competition, Pluto sextiles her natal Venus, so this partnership could be a serious contender for the ultimate glitter ball. As they get to know each other, there could be tensions from his Pluto opposing her natal Venus, and with his Saturn on her Moon she may find him emotionally exacting: he could stretch her more than most partners.

Ainsley Harriot

Ainsley has 7 of his 10 planets in the Fixed Signs, so he may find old habits hard to break.  But his Sun is in the dance sign of Pisces, which should stand him in good stead on the dance floor, and comes from a musical family.  There is a gentlemanliness from Moon conjunct Venus, which should be enchanting in the slow dances, and he knows how to work it with Mercury also in that mix.  In the Arts, he has a love of the dramatic, shown by Venus exactly opposite Pluto.  And he can get overwhelmed in some situations, with Neptune square exactly Uranus, when he is out of the kitchen or comfort zone.  Mercury is exactly square his Nodal Axis, so he is more accustomed to the teaching role in life, and despite his prominent sense of humour, he does have a serious side (Saturn exactly sextile Chiron).

The beginning of Strictly Come Dancing sees Ainsley’s confidence in ambivalent form:  Saturn sextiles his Jupiter exactly, but squares his natal Pluto.  He will sense he is starting a challenging journey psychologically.  At the end of the series, Saturn will be square his Sun, so his confidence will be a little dented.

Ainsley has been paired with Natalie Lowe, who has Sun, North Node and Mercury in Leo which makes her a natural performer.  She has Moon, Mars and Pluto in Libra, which makes her very intense in relationship.  Uranus trines her natal Neptune at the beginning of the competition, so she will engage with the process on a deep level.  At the end, Neptune trines her Venus and Pluto trines her natal Jupiter, so if the couple survive to the end their dancing could have a real wow factor.  Their chemistry is fairly low key.

Aspects

Today, Venus goes direct after a period of retrograde motion.  Perhaps you have had to iron out some relationship issues during that time, and there is a turning point now where you feel you are not treading on so many egg shells.  Relax into a more harmonious and loving phase…

On Tuesday (8^th) Mars trines Uranus, which may see you taking more action, organizing and preparing for September’s heavy schedule.  Synchronicities may abound, and the Universe may be seen to co-operate with your plans.  An exciting day.

On Wednesday (9^th) Mercury squares Pluto, and we may be forced to re-think a course of action, or turn our consciousness round at least 90 degrees.  What we thought reasonable yesterday may come up against a glitch, or be opposed by authorities.  Perhaps you had an idea about improving community relations, and it proves unworkable due to government cuts.  Some deep thinking about causes and effects may bring about a breakthrough in how to proceed.  In the meantime, if the stand-off brings about a headache, lying in a darkened room may allow more inspiration to arise.

Chiron opposes the Sun on Saturday (12^th), and healing is trying to happen.  It is the day that the new Labour leader will be announced (at 11.45 a.m.) and it is also the Last Night of the Proms.  There is an air of finalizing or completion around this, solving a problem, or trying to bring a group of people to an experience of connectivity.  This is made more poignant by the eclipse which occurs the next day.  Saturday is about fully embracing the experience of life, the pleasure and the poignancy.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – Relationships full steam ahead
• Tuesday – Action stations!
• Wednesday – Houston, there is a problem…
• Saturday – we are all in it together