David Hockney (1937 – 2026)

“Art is not just a luxury or a self-contained activity.  It has a profound influence on other aspects of our lives…”

~ David Hockney

David Hockney is our national treasure artist.  His work is something everyone can enjoy.  He passed away last Thursday, but will be forever in our hearts.

He came to the fore during the swinging sixties, a friend of the pop artist Andy Warhol.  Though he was born in Yorkshire, he spent many years of his life in California, where he painted several artworks based around swimming pools, employing the medium of acrylics, and assisted by photography.

But in 2010, he felt an emptiness inside and decided to return to his home terrain of Yorkshire, and we have benefited from the work he subsequently did there, now working in watercolours.  By 2012 he was in a position to launch a great exhibition of his work on the seasonal changes at the Royal Academy, in works such as ”The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire”.  Here is the blog I wrote on 29^th January 2012 after a visit to this exhibition:

‘The Observer reported “Everybody is coming out with a smile on their face” from the David Hockney exhibition.  Accordingly, we took photos of ourselves before and after, and indeed there was a look of great exhilaration after seeing the grand and colourful landscapes, stunningly portrayed.  Of all British artists of the last century, I would venture to say his works are easiest on the eye, and I have always held the thought that I would be comfortable with Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy on my wall! [His portraits have the same clarity as his landscapes].  David Hockney has Sun conjunct Mercury in Cancer, so he very much processes through his emotions: even his mind processes through his emotions. The colour in his artworks is an attempt to express the emotion he feels.  In the current exhibition, his landscapes and love for his native Yorkshire are on display.  Rosie Bramley, Head of Art at local school Driffields has said: “He’s an incredibly talented observer but when he introduces colour he’s clearly capturing his feeling about a place – and I think that does relate to how we view the Wolds.”  His ruler the Moon, also governing emotion, is trine Saturn, so he is a shrewd operator, and is able to turn his emotion into practical use.  This aspect would also give him proficiency in drawing, and his artworks are very clearly delineated, sometimes almost cartoon-like.  Martin Kettle wrote in the Guardian: “It is a statement about the primacy of skilled drawing and painting in the visual arts and about the challenge of doing them with originality in the 21^st Century.” Venus in sextile to the Moon and Saturn, in between their trine, gives a feel for beauty, and this makes his paintings easier to relate to than the majority of British art arising in the last century …Added to this, his Sun exactly sextiles Neptune giving him a precise and intense degree of inspiration.  The trine of Mars to his Sun/Mercury conjunction accounts for his prolific output.  So overall, he has the constructive chart of someone who has been a mainstay of British art…I would urge everybody to try to see it!’

He had embraced modern technology for that exhibition, employing for instance drawing on I-Pads.  But a few years later (November 2015) he went to live in Normandy and produced a new body of work based on that region, such as springtime scenes, and most notably the monumental frieze “A Year in Normandie” (2020–2021).  He returned to London in 2023.

Watching him paint on the programme “Imagine”, which was broadcast again on Friday night, he made it look so easy, that it made me want to paint.  And yet, if it was so easy, everyone would be able to achieve his simple and beautiful style.

His colour, and childlike clarity appeal to the Inner Child within us.  And as a Cancerian, he was easily able to inhabit that joyful space.  I still have and use the mug I bought in the shop attached to the exhibition.  It is wrapped around with the signature leafy woodland painting so characteristic of that display.  So I can enjoy David Hockney, daily!

“A great artist and a wonderful man, who with the power of art changed the perception of Britishness. A proud chain-smoking homosexual, who flew the flag higher than any other British artist.”

~ Tracey Emin

“He taught us about the joy of looking, seeing things the rest of us failed to notice – his witty and sharp observations a constant presence within his work and in person,”

~ Alex Farquharson

Aspects

Tomorrow (Monday 15^th) brings the fresh start of a New Moon at 24 degrees Gemini.  Make the most of this new beginning.  Clear your mind in order to make your New Moon intentions along the lines of the Geminian qualities and occupations: communication, writing, and travel.  If you know the House this falls in, you can further refine its application.  The teaching profession may be one such focus.  A conversation may lead to new ideas.

We then face three Venusian aspects in a row, so if you are Taurean or Libran this could be an important week for you especially.  Experiences of relationship and connectedness will be to the fore.  So on Monday evening, Venus begins her time in the limelight with a sextile to Uranus.  There may be a social sparkle somewhere in your evening, even if only on social media.  It’s a good day, for the most part, for socializing and meeting new people.  Meetings are significant with the combination of Venus and Uranus, and sometimes they can be strange and spooky with an air of serendipity.

The next two Venusian aspects occur on Wednesday (17^th), beginning with a trine between Venus and Neptune, which is a beautiful aspect from a social point of view, enabling spiritual links with people.  Artistically or musically, you can achieve inspirational heights.  Whatever your art form, it can be enhanced today (especially dance

So far so good, Venus…The evening, however, brings more of a challenge, for Venus then comes into opposition with Pluto.  This may be responsible for ending the day on a more dramatic note, especially in terms of relationships, and possibly in relation to money and the Arts.   In negotiations, people may be using negative tactics such as projecting fear. If your struggles are in the realms of art or music, you may have to go back to the drawing board on a creative project, or fundamentally change the values behind what you are creating, taking them to a higher level or a deeper level psychologically.

Thursday (18^th) does not have an aspect all to itself, but may still hold the lingering uncertainty and tension of the previous evening’s opposition.  In the U.K. there is the crucial by-election in Makerfield.  We do not have a birth date for the Reform candidate, or any of the other candidates (14 in all) running that day.  But we can look at Andy Burnham’s transits.

Andy Burnham’s transits for the day portray some swings and roundabouts:

Uranus sexile his natal Chiron in Aries – Represents a chance to smooth out a kink in his life and personality

A couple of squares:

Chiron square his natal Mercury in Capricorn – Represents trying to solve a problem in connection with political communication

Saturn square his natal Venus – If he wins, it may represent a wrench from people and work that he loves.

Jupiter sextile his natal Pluto – *Probably the most powerful transit.  It represents a major stepping forward into power in his life.  If he wins, it would be this transit above all which swings it (sounds perfectly fitted to the aim and occasion).

North Node trine his natal Jupiter in Scorpio – The next best thing: His Karma, and possibly also that of the nation, is supporting his optimism and positivity. (another transit perfectly fitted to the aim and occasion).

I find the aptness of these last two transits heartening, but however misogynistic his main rival is, Andy cannot count his chickens.

Chiron in Taurus

The most important astrological feature of the week comes on Friday (19^th), with the entry of Chiron into Taurus.

Chiron in Taurus represents the transition from a totally self-centred perspective on healing, to one using natural resources and gentler ways of being.

Chiron in the latter stages of Aries has brought us riots in the streets, in an expression of anger which has done nothing to solve things.  Similarly, it brought wars in Ukraine and Iran, teaching the U.S. and Israel that war is not the path to peace, violence solves nothing.

It may take a while for things to simmer down and a gentler way of collective being to come, but if you see signs of that happening, you’ll know it is Chiron’s presence in Taurus.

Coming on the day that we have the result of the Makerfield Bye-Election, it may indicate that a complete and significant change will occur, hopefully for the better.

In relationships, there may be more chance of resolution, for example through compromise and give and take rather than mere self-interest.

There can be a boost in the healing arts, healing through art, and indeed art through healing.  Be inspired by David Hockney’s life and work!

Chiron was last in Taurus between 1976 and 1984.  Standout personalities born early in that phase who have the best qualities of Chiron in Taurus include: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (his perseverance being a key quality of his success); and Nazanin Zhagari-Ratcliffe (who survived 6 years of imprisonment in Iran, eventually being freed).

For the world economy, Taurus rules economics, and Chiron is “the wounded healer”, so there is more understanding and focus on the current wound.  Chiron is also “the problem solver” (after the wound is uncovered), and so as Chiron goes deeper into Taurus in the coming years, focus will turn to solutions and economic growth.  Chiron has until 2034 to get it right.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – new beginning; special meetings
• Wednesday – artistic and spiritual inspiration; dramatic confrontation
• Friday – a new perspective on healing

Anthony Head (1954 – 2026)

“Head was a brilliant actor who played the worst person in the world which was an incredible skill because he was the best person”

~ Brett Goldstein

Actor Anthony Head, has died at the age of 72, from complications due to pneumonia.  He played a range of characters, from the good and wise mentor of Buffy the Vampire slayer, to the ultimate villain in Ted Lasso.

Birth Chart

Anthony Head had his Sun in Pisces.  His description from Sharon Maughan, his coffee neighbour in the Gold Blend advert sounds like an exemplary Piscean: kind and sweet (almost every tribute brings up the word “kind”).  The roles for which he is primarily known are varied, adaptability being another Piscean trait.  Sun conjunct Venus doesn’t always convey good looks, but in his case it did. It also expresses his talent as a singer – his brother Murray Head is also a singer. The conjunction occurring in Pisces can also add glamour, and with the Sun trine Neptune (ruler of Pisces) he had his fair share of glamour and mystique.  He may have had a Libran Ascendant, his face being so classically Libran.  The Sun represents the father in a chart, and his father was a film maker, a Piscean profession.

His Mercury was exactly square his natal Jupiter, so that added to the adaptability and versatility of his Piscean nature and his ability to take on very varied roles.  The adjective “erudite” has been attributed to him, often a result of the combination of Mercury and Jupiter.  He had a loose Grand Water Trine composed of Mercury, Saturn and Uranus, which may have helped him get lucky breaks in his career.  According to Sharon Maughan, it was when he worked on the coffee advert storyline that he decided acting was for him.  But he himself (he should know) claims to have caught the acting bug from an early age.

Venus was exactly square Mars in his birth chart, which lent sensuality to his aura.  Venus in trine with Saturn disposed him to loyalty in his relationships.  Uranus was on his South Node in Cancer, an intriguing picture of his past lives as an Atlantean or a pirate perhaps.  A Cardinal T-square composed of Neptune with Chiron opposite Uranus, may have caused him problems from time to time, especially when triggered by transits.  He may also have carried a healing role in some way to others in his life, with a karmic mission of North Node conjunct Chiron.

Early Life

Anthony was born in Camden Town, to a film maker father and an actress mother.  He was educated at Sunbury Grammar School in Surrey, then at LAMDA (The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art).

Gold Blend

We couldn’t have failed to notice him (those who are old enough!) in the late 1980s, when he played the neighbour of Sharon Maughan in the Nescafe Gold Blend series of advertisements.  (I still drink Gold Blend, to this day!  In fact, I am drinking it as I type…I haven’t moved on!).  The series ran from 1987 to 1993.

The on screen romance and off screen friendship between the two is reflected in their charts strongly by an exact conjunction of his Venus (love) with her Jupiter (happiness) – a vibe which will be evident in this week’s aspects (below).

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a series which is often cited as one of the greatest television series of all time.  He played Rupert Giles, the mentor of Buffy (the vampire slayer).  The programme first aired on 10^th March 1997, with Mars conjunct the North Node trining Neptune, amazingly symbolic of the spiritual fight which is its theme.

Transits for Anthony Head at that time included Pluto on his Mars in Sagittarius (a profound expression of his wisdom and warriorship), and Chiron (the wounded healer) exactly trine his natal Sun in Pisces, giving expression to the nature of profound healing.  Given the kindness which has often been attributed to him, maybe on some level the part was written for him.

The part involved a personal sacrifice (Sun in Pisces) on his part, in having to be in America much of the time, away from his family.  In later episodes he was able to take a lesser role and spend more time with his family.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played Buffy, had this to say: “Thank you to Daisy and Emily who not only shared their dad with me, but with the world.”

I called on hubby to assess his viewing of this series, which he did watch.  He said Anthony’s was the only mature role, as it was about teenagers, and he was impressed with his acting.

Ted Lasso

In more recent years, he found an even greater following in the role of former Richmond F.C. owner Rupert Mannion, in Ted Lasso, a role which was possibly the antithesis of Ruper Giles.  Ted Lasso is a U.S. sports comedy-drama.  This series aired on 14^th August 2020.

That Anthony was playing such a dark character is shown by Pluto from Capricorn exactly quincunx his natal Pluto in Leo.  Uranus was also opposing his natal Saturn in Scorpio, maybe forcing him out of his comfort zone.  Among other interesting transits, Mars was exactly trine his natal Pluto, giving him the strength and energy to portray such a part.

This is one of the series I wish I had watched!  The mesmerizing Hannah Waddingham plays a lead role, and Anthony played Hannah’s (Rebecca’s) vindictive, philandering ex-husband, the former owner of AFC Richmond, and later the owner of West Ham United.  The comedic premise of the programme is that Rebecca initially hires Ted Lasso to sabotage the AFC Richmond, but his folksy optimism and inexperience with the sport wins people over, however he tries to fail.

The theme of sportsmanship in that programme is shown by Mars exactly trine the Sun in Leo in the chart of the programme.  The extreme competitiveness is shown by Mars exactly square Pluto, while a comedic thread is shown by Mercury exactly quincunx Jupiter.

Death

Anthony lost his long term partner (since 1982) Sarah in December last year, with whom he had two daughters (the aforementioned Daisy and Emily), both actresses.  The short period between their deaths makes you wonder whether this is another show of broken-hearted syndrome where one passing can precede another for this reason.  His transits for this sad passing include Uranus square his natal Sun, which suggests that it was sudden and unexpected.

Anthony has been described as a staple of British television, and as such we may have taken him for granted, losing him so early: I will certainly watch more closely and pay more attention to him whenever his shows are re-played.

“How lucky we are to know we are able to watch him doing what he loved, even when he is no longer with us.”

~ his daughters

Aspects

This week’s aspects start on Tuesday (9^th), which is a highlight of the year, due to a conjunction between Venus and Jupiter (alluded to above).  This takes place at 25 degrees Cancer, which may be significant for your own birth chart.  In terms of beneficence, this is as good as it gets!  It is an aspect of celebration, social pleasure, and romance (see the Gold Blend section, above!).  There may be announcements of engagements, for example.  Look out for some good news, and crack your best jokes.  If a great joke comes your way on that day, mark it down in your own personal joke book, so that you can dine out on it.

More soberly, a square between Mercury and Saturn occurs the next day, on Wednesday (10^th).  If there are obstacles or delays in communication, you’ll know why!  Patience may be the key here (e.g. you may have to repeat yourself), and “more haste less speed” may be a useful mantra to follow.  There may be more to be learned.

Saturday (13^th) brings a rebellious and controversial square between Uranus and the Nodal Axis. This may bring out your Inner Activist (more demonstrations and marches on the streets of London, perhaps?), but bear in mind that with the Nodal Axis involved there are karmic consequences.  Be really clear about your actions and motives, but even then, Uranus can bring about the unexpected, or the spanner in the works.  If you are risk-averse, lie low.  If you want to portray an enlightened philosophical approach to risk, read “Anti-fragile” by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, a book which helped earn me my best mark on my Philosophy Diploma.  I thought at the time it would change my life, but I am just too risk averse by nature…

Another square on Saturday will be that between Venus and Chiron, which doesn’t make things any easier.  It is sensitive for healing and relationship.  If there is an emotional crisis, then healing could be near at hand.  Equally, natural remedies may be readily found for minor physical ailments.  An aspect for care of the self and others.

Moving on that day, Venus enters Leo), which is a summery vibe (it may be that the heatwave returns to the U.K).   You could afford to be bold in seeking entertainment, e.g. in a summer leisure activity hopefully outdoors.  Alternatively express some rich creativity, dine out, or polish up your performance skills…just a few suggestions!  Just pay a nod to Elf and Safety, with Uranus present and Chiron not entirely happy.

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – joyful
• Wednesday – sober
• Saturday – complex: rebellious; healing-orientated; hedonistic

Jeff Bezos

“Most unfortunate.  Rockets are hard.”

~ Elon Musk

Jeff Bezos, the third richest man in the world, suffered a setback this week, when the first static fire test for a New Glenn rocket from his Blue Origin company suffered a huge explosion during a test in Florida.  This has implications for NASA’s Artemis I lunar exploration plans which the work of Blue Origin is contributing to.

Bezos’ main company Amazon is controversial.  Some boycott it for its undue influence.  In our household we are reliant on its services, and even my book publishing is linked with it.  His success as a businessman makes the study of his birth chart intriguing.

I will also look at the chart of Blue Origin, and the transits at the time of the explosion.

Birth Chart

We sadly do not have a birth time for Jeff Bezos, but the first feature of note for his chart is that he has half (5) of his planets in the Earth signs, which implies a concentration on materiality: his Sun, plus Mercury and Mars, are in the sign of Capricorn, and Uranus and Pluto are in Virgo.

The Sun in material Capricorn is given spiritual inspiration from a sextile with Neptune, and psychological depth from a loose trine with Pluto.  His Moon is in Sagittarius, giving a more cheerful and optimistic outlook than the Sun and Mercury in Capricorn would provide.  His Moon sextiles Venus, suggesting he would be harmonious with women.

Mercury squares Jupiter, giving a desire to expand mentally, and also symbolizing the work of his company Amazon, distributing goods and particularly books.  An original and inventive mind is conferred by a trine between Mercury and Uranus.  That Mercury is conjunct his South Node implies he learned his craft as a businessman and salesman in past lives.  Jupiter closely square to the Nodal Axis shows a willingness to challenge his life and karma, adventurously.  Born in the mid 1960’s (1964) he has the volatile, slightly anarchic energy of the Uranus conjunction with Pluto.  This conjunction is sextile with the North Node in Cancer, providing a powerful karmic mission.

Blue Origin

Some of Bezos’ drive into space exploration and rockets may be put down, at least symbolically, to a wide conjunction of his Sun with Mars at 29 degrees Capricorn!  However, I know many people with Sun conjunct Mars who do not have that obsession.  The chart of Blue Origin itself (8^th September 2000) shows adventurousness (Sun square Jupiter) and Jupiter opposite Pluto (a show of power) forming a T-square, not an easy enterprise.  Two positive trines play a role: Venus trine Jupiter (backed by money) and Mercury trine Saturn (attention to detail, though nothing is infallible).  Mercury, Saturn and Neptune form a Grand Trine, in the all-important element of Air.

In terms of its significance to Bezos himself, there are many strong connections, so it will have and will have had a great impact on his life and sense of identity.  Its Jupiter sextiles his Jupiter (a successful new enterprise, especially at the outset), and Pluto trine his Jupiter (power to his dreams of expansion).  The relationship is not all plain-sailing however, containing counterbalances of Pluto squaring his Chiron (immense need for problem-solving), to give one example.

The Explosion

The explosion took place in a week predisposed to such an event, with the Sun conjunct unpredictable and explosive Uranus, and Mars square to volatile Pluto.  Also of note is Venus square Saturn (a significant loss) and the square of the Uranus/Sun conjunction to the Nodal Axis (a karmic blow).

Transits to Bezos’ chart include: Chiron squaring his Mars (a significant wound), Saturn transiting his Jupiter (a setback).  Transits to the Blue Origin project include Uranus transiting its Saturn (a blowing up of reliability).  There are, for both sets of transits, some positive indications, showing the need for ongoing testing and proving and problem-solving before progress can be made.

Entrepreneurs into Space

In July 2021, I wrote a piece titled “Entrepreneurs into Space”, about the rivalry between Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Richard Branson:

“Although the enterprise of the three billionaires is being described in the media as a Space Race, the relationship between Bezos, founder of Amazon, and Branson is more of a rivalry than that of Musk and Branson.  Bezos was hoping to be first into space of the three.

He also has his Sun virtually unaspected (widely trine Pluto, and square to the Ascendant).  With Mercury trine Uranus in addition, he possesses an inventive and original mind.  Jupiter is exactly square his Midheaven in Capricorn (ambition knowing no bounds).

The Synastry between Bezos and Branson shows Branson’s Pluto square Bezos’ Neptune (a deep rift). Bezos’ Sun/Mars conjunction in Capricorn opposes Branson’s Sun in Cancer, and his Mercury in Capricorn is opposite Branson’s Uranus in Cancer (poles apart).  Bezos’ Pluto is conjunct Branson’s Saturn (heaviness in their relationship).”

Many people resent the use of billionnaires’ funds for use in this way, and it can seem a curious expenditure for those struggling to make ends meet, but seems to be an ambition for the ambitious.

“It’s too early to know the root cause but we’re already working to find it. Very rough day, but we’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it.”

~ Jeff Bezos

Aspects

We started the aspects at breakfast time this morning with a more upbeat than usual Full Moon at 9 degrees Sagittarius.  This particular emotional high tide concerns the expansive bigger picture (Sagittarius) in your life, your psyche, or the world.  If you are feeling such a maelstrom in your life, then you may need to start by going within to that still small spiritual centre, find peace, then make your responses from that place.

Also occurring today is a sextile between Mercury and Chiron: Alternative healing works well with conventional medicine – it needn’t be either/or.  So you may be thinking about or setting up appointments with the medical profession, therapists or alternative practitioners.  It is a positive and constructive aspect. This aspect can also bring a satisfactory outcome in the arena of communication.  For example, something you might have been told was impossible finds a way through, and a problem may turn up with a solution.

Tomorrow is the 1^st of June, already…Mercury then enters the sign of Cancer, and the collective mind will be more able to encompass emotion when considering an argument.  Mercury will be staying in Cancer until 9^th August (it’s a long stay due to its retrograde motion within that time), so there is plenty of time to indulge in rationalizing and harmonizing with emotion family matters and home improvement, putting them under the mental microscope, and examining our emotions about our roots

Tuesday (2^nd) brings a sextile between the Sun and Saturn.  This is a steadying influence, practical and serious minded.  Duties and commitments are to the fore.  It makes for a good day with regard to laying foundations and establishing rules.  Creativity is firmed up, and decision-making may be easier.  If it is your birthday, this may be a stabilizing year ahead for you.

The aspect for Wednesday (3^rd) is a trine between Mercury and the North Node, a karmic aspect.  This ensures that information and communication are accurate and karmically relevant.  If you have something important to say, do it.

Our last aspect of the week is on Thursday (4^th), which is a square between Mercury and Neptune.  This could be a challenging aspect to deal with. Perhaps you are grappling with a mystery in your life, such as why you have a leak somewhere.  Some undefinable snag may be nagging at you.  If so, allow your subconscious to bring it up in its own time, but don’t shut up shop until you have identified the rum note.  Then you can deal with it, move on and let it go.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – emotional high tide; healing information
• Tomorrow – harmonize rationality with emotion
• Tuesday – stabilizing
• Wednesday – valuable karmic information
• Thursday – mental confusion

The battle for Labour

After Labour’s damaging losses in the Council Elections, the newshounds waited with bated breath to see if Keir Starmer would resign.  He vowed to resolutely carry on.  Then they waited to see if there would be a leadership challenge.  Wes Streeting resigned as Health Secretary, but did not launch a leadership challenge at the time.  However, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, was waiting in the wings and found a local MP who would be willing to stand down so that he could contest a seat in order to try to become an MP again.  That’s where we are now, or when I am going to press!  As for Keir, transiting Pluto was on his natal Saturn during the council elections, which represents a nadir in fortunes.  So for today’s blog I am looking at the three possible contenders, their current state of mind, and how their fortunes might look in September when the Labour Party Conference takes place.

Wes Streeting

I wrote a blog about Wes Streeting before the 2024 election, which I based on my reading of his autobiography.  He has been a reasonably good Health Secretary, but on the very day of announcing he had brought down waiting lists and other triumphs, he resigned.  Some say he did not have enough backing to launch a leadership challenge; he said he wanted a broader conversation of ideas, hinting at a slightly longer term process of changing leader.

Birth Chart, from 2024 blog:

Wes’ book is an astrologer’s dream, because he gives all the birth dates of his family, and intimates one or two birth times as well.  On his birth, he wrote:

“Just before lunchtime, the nurses came in en masse like an SAS squad mounting a rescue with the same bedside manner.”

From that, I have given him a Gemini Ascendant to his Aquarian Sun and Aries Moon.

Wes has the Sun square Saturn/Pluto, which can indicate a difficult childhood.  It would certainly indicate significant struggles in life, of which he has had plenty.  People may wonder why he has written an autobiography so early in life, but he was persuaded to by Tom Perrin, an Editor at Hodder & Stoughton, and encouraged by Jess Phillips (one of my favourite politicians) and it seems he did have much to relate.

His Moon in Aries has emotional directness, but is trine Neptune, adding sensitivity.  Looking at his childhood experiences, this sensitivity laid him open to suffering but at the same time helped him understand and accommodate some of his harsh experiences.

Venus conjunct his Midheaven in Aquarius in 8th House means that he puts a lot of love into his career choices, but a square between Venus and Chiron may be the source of his kidney health weakness, as Venus represents the kidneys.  He was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2021, a story he begins with in his book.

Mars closely square Jupiter/Uranus gives a keen enthusiasm allied with electrical energy, which he is able to direct through his trine between Mars and Saturn.  Mars trine Pluto provides a powerhouse of energy.  Two Archetypes pop up: The Warrior (Mars trine the North Node), which goes well with the Sun in Aquarius rabble-rouser; and Jupiter conjunct Uranus, The Entrepreneur.  His exceptionally difficult childhood (on a par with Alan Johnson’s in his book “This Boy”) can be seen in the conjunction of Saturn and Pluto, as alluded to earlier.

His Transits:

For the recent council elections:

Transiting Pluto was sextile his natal Jupiter – he holds the power of his fate in his own hands at this time

Transiting Jupiter opposing his natal Mercury – overstretched mentally, and maybe over-optimistic

Transiting Jupiter squaring his Nodal Axis – Willing to take a gamble at this point in his life

Transiting Uranus trine his natal Sun – itching for change, both in his personal and political life

For the Labour Party Conference in September:

Transiting Neptune square his Nodal Axis – a more uncertain time

Transiting Uranus opposing his natal Jupiter – the element of the unexpected may work against him

Transiting Chiron opposite his natal Pluto – difficult times for him, maybe even some health issues

Angela Rayner

Angela Rayner, formerly Deputy Prime Minister, has been out in the cold for several months due to an anomaly around her tax affairs.  But on the same day Wes Streeting resigned, she declared that she had been exonerated, and is on her way back into the fold.  She has indicated she wants the party to work together, and will not say at this stage if she is a contender for the leadership.

Birth Chart

I wrote a few years ago:

“She has a strong individuality, with her Sun unaspected, or untramelled if you look at it from another angle.  Mercury only has an exact sextile to Chiron, which gives a problem-solving mind.  She has good values, with Venus closely trine Saturn.  Mars conjunct Jupiter produces super energy allied with enthusiasm, and a can do attitude.  Mars closely square Uranus gives a sparky energy, and Mars trine Neptune sensitivity in action.  Mars exactly conjunct the North Node in Leo and trine the Galactic Centre produces a powerful Inner Warrior, especially combined with Sun in Aries.  Jupiter square Uranus is entrepreneurial.  All that Mars gives her the red-headed image, too!”

When she became Deputy Leader, she had Jupiter sextile her natal Uranus in Scorpio – (Success)

Her transits at the time of resignation showed Uranus square natal Jupiter in Virgo – the element of the unexpected working against her.

Her Transits:

For the recent council elections:

Uranus squared her natal Jupiter – a sense of shock at the results, perhaps

Chiron trine her natal North Node – a sense that there was about to be some healing in her life, personal and political

Transiting Jupiter square her natal Pluto – itching to regain power

Transiting Mars opposite natal Pluto – some sense of peril, perhaps about the council election results as they affect her Party.

For the Labour Party Conference in September:

She has a Nodal Reversal.  Karmically, this is an important time.  It could be an advantageous re-set, if she has played her cards right.

She also has a golden window between November 2026 and November 2027, when Jupiter transits 5 features of her natal chart in Leo and Virgo, when the world may open up to her again.

Andy Burnham

I sometimes wonder if Andy Burnham has too much hope, expectation and responsibility heaped upon him.  However, there is no denying he has done a stellar job as Mayor of Greater Manchester, and he is the most popular Labour politician currently, and has been for some time.

He was denied entry into the by-election for Gorton and Denton, but apparently No. 10 has allowed him to take the step of becoming an M.P. in order to contest a by-election in Makerfield occasioned by the resignation and sacrifice of a friend Josh Simons.  That would represent a first step towards eventually (if he succeeds) launching a campaign for the top job to rival Keir Starmer.

His Birth Chart

I originally wrote about Andy Burnham in 2015 when he ran for the leadership of the party against Jeremy Corbyn:

“He comes across as a competent and sincere man…  He was born on a New Moon (Sun conjunct Moon) in the prosaic sign of Capricorn, which is strongly politically motivated.  He is a decent chap, with Venus conjunct this combination, and his heart is no doubt in a good place.  He also has his Mercury in Capricorn: a methodical, practical, systematic type of thinker.  6 of his 10 planets are in Earth signs, so he is grounded and realistic.

He does have an imaginative side, with North Node conjunct Mars in Pisces, normally the Warrior Archetype conjunction but softened by its appearance in Pisces.  He is a Warrior, but does not like to confront directly…  His Mars also sextiles his Sun exactly, and he has 5 of his 10 planets in Cardinal signs, so he has energy and would see himself as a leader.

The Piscean sensitivity also extends to his mental faculties, as his Capricorn mind (Mercury) sextiles closely Neptune, the planet of imagination.  So this is a balance in his make up, between the practical and the imaginative.  His Mercury also trines closely his natal Pluto, giving him depth of thought as well.”

I added in 2020: “To that I would add that his 6 Earth planets give him a deep connection with his Northern roots (he was born in Liverpool), and Moon conjunct Venus lends a quality of gentleness to his character… I was intrigued when Andy Burnham made a bid for the Mayoralty of Manchester – I felt that he was making a choice from the heart.  And he has shown heart in his role.”

Andy Burnham was elected Mayor on 5th May 2017, with 65% of the vote.

His Transits:

For the recent council elections:

Transiting Neptune conjunct his natal Mars in Pisces – a complex strategic action to ponder

Transiting Uranus opposite his natal Neptune – more confusion and complexity to deal with

For the Labour Party Conference in September:

Transiting Pluto sextile his natal Chiron – an emphatic move towards power, and healing

Transiting Neptune conjunct his natal Chiron – a complex journey towards healing

Transiting Mars opposite his natal Mercury – some strident communication, and possibly a war of words.

My thoughts on these three?  I feel Wes Streeting is not yet at the right stage of maturity to take such a prominent role, though he has shown clear competence in the role he has played the last few years.  His transits don’t look too hopeful in the Autumn.

I do feel Angela Rayner has a lot to give.  She can be controversial at times.  Her transits following the September conference are very good.  It would be good for a woman to succeed as party leader.  I was dismayed to find Jess Phillips had resigned – she’s outspoken, but puts so much heart into her work with vulnerable families.  Another female who has retreated into the background in recent years, but whose chart stood out to me for leadership, is Lisa Nandy.  Hopefully her time will come, too.

Andy Burnham holds the hopes of many, and has better transits in the Autumn than Wes Streeting, possibly on a par with those of Angela.  But he seems to be most people’s choice, and the astrological indications do not disagree with that.  He has stated that he wants to “save” the Labour Party.  Wes Streeting himself has endorsed Andy’s chances of succeeding in the Makerfield by-election, and has now put his hat in the ring to stand for a contest: “We need a proper contest with the best candidates on the field, and I will be standing.”

May the best candidate win!

Aspects

There are rather a lot of aspects to get through for this week, so let’s get straight to it!

Today, Sunday 17^th May sees Mercury enter its own sign of Gemini.  Mercury, representing our communication, is at home in chatty Gemini, and free to express verbally or in writing whatever comes to mind.  The communication will come thick and fast, but the consequences of the communication is another matter entirely.  You may find yourself gabbling…!  Mercury will be moving quickly, and will only be in this position until 1st June, when it will move into Cancer.

Venus sextiles Chiron on the same day: a congenial and healing influence, especially for relationships.  It is a good day to combine the Arts with Healing, such as creativity which involves and brings about healing.

Tomorrow, Monday 18^th, presents us with a conjunction between Mercury and Uranus just after midnight (in the early hours).  Communications are spiced up by this conjunction.  We will certainly see speedier communication, though with a possible touch of unpredictability.  It’s likely to keep you on your toes, on a mental level.  It could be exciting mentally, and unusual phenomena may happen, such as startling coincidences or undeniable telepathic experiences.  You’ll be thinking inventively and out of the box.  People will realize their connectedness in non-physical ways.  There may be unusual mental and physical voyages.

At the other end of the day, in the last few hours, Mars enters Taurus.  Mars/Ariens had their way in their own sign, but may have to slow down and smell the roses while in Taurus.  Taureans, however, will be upping their game.  If you have a Taurus Ascendant, you may begin several new projects between now and 28^th June, while Mars is in Taurus.  Although Mars is not so happy in the earthbound sign of Taurus, the testing quality of this energy has its reasons and worth.  You may find yourself querying more often why you are doing something, and how to do it, e.g. working more resourcefully and more in alignment with planetary requirements.  Any enterprise on Monday needs to take account of the new energy and attitude.  As Taurus rules the Arts, an aesthetic angle or a musical rhythm may need to come into the equation, for instance.

Another ingress occurs on Tuesday (19^th), that of Venus into Cancer, in the very early hours. The aspects are prolific that day, so you may be beset with a complex array of influences! With Venus in Cancer, we place our love on the home and family, and appreciate our locality.  We need to be conscious about our emotional boundaries during this period (to 13^th June).  Find novel ways of cherishing the home and family.

Also in the middle of your sleep time, but a little later, Mercury sextiles Neptune.  It could spell a productive day, bringing a chance to refine your plans, and perhaps shift them to another level.  Inspiration can be added to your thought processes, and any mental or physical voyaging.  This is a time of intense imagination, so it is helpful for creative dreaming in the night, and creative visualization in the day.  This aspect will assist you in refining your mindset and remaining mental clutter.  Our minds will be able to receive higher guidance more easily.  Delicate conversations and channelling will also be made easier.  If giving or receiving gifts, be open to non-material gifts.

Before waking, we have another sextile (dreams may be very vivid and active that night!).  Venus sextiles Mars, an aspect given over to pleasure and  indulgence, and maybe romance is also on the cards.  Art will have vigour, and movement will have artistry or elegance under this influence.  Social plans should flourish. This is an altogether relaxing and indulgent prospect.

The next aspect is a square between the Nodal Axis and Mercury: this puts communication and voyaging under the karmic spotlight, and you may encounter past (and past-life) relationships which provide karmic information.  This is an opportunity to tackle, or honour, your karma!  We can give more thought and exercise more mindfulness in our processes and actions.  Whether it is personal relationship karma or environmental karma, we can put our minds to what needs to change for the future.  Put into practice what we can do now.

Finally on Tuesday we are able to resolve mental issues on a deeper level, with a late night trine between Mercury and Pluto.  You are being called to do more soul-searching.  There could be positive outcomes to deep issues.  Mercury trine Pluto brings deep thought and psychological reflection, and earnest conversations.  Conversations could be life changing: the right word at the right time, striking home in the right place.  Mental and physical voyages prove meaningful.

Phew!  Tuesday was a blog all on its own!

We then arrive at Thursday (21^st) with the Sun’s ingress into Gemini, again just after midnight (in the early hours).  Dreams this week may be monumental!  With the Sun leaving Taurus, earthy preoccupations may give way to a need for Communication and lightness of heart.  In the month of Sun in Gemini any kind of communication goes, writing your book [I am up to Chapter 8 of 12 of the third volume of my trilogy], dealing with your documentation, ensuring that you are walking and cycling to work instead of taking public transport.  It all aids the general connectivity, which society needs.  It is the month for mental and physical voyaging…;-}

A more complex day awaits us on Friday (22^nd) with an early breakfast square between Venus and Neptune (over your Shreddies or Golden Cinnamon Grahams).  [According to my continuous glucose monitor, I can no longer eat cereals!]  This square could be socially confusing.  You could experience some mild paranoia, which could be soothed or alleviated by listening to old songs from a simpler time (music has become more complex over the years, to catch our interest).  Remember when life was simpler?  There may be a a sense of intrigue, involving relationship or money; or a sense of overwhelm or being out of your depth.  Maybe another political scandal…You need to look behind the illusion.  There could be uncertainty in the Arts or the world of Music.  You could experience frustrating flaws in creative works. Tread softly.

Early afternoon brings the element of the unexpected (which could go either way, or any which way!) from a conjunction between the Sun and Uranus in early Gemini.  It could add more confusion to the day.  Expectations can be overthrown, or be wildly inaccurate.  It may on the other hand be a good day to demonstrate your originality and inventiveness (as long as you cater for the Neptunian over-sensitivity and the Uranian loopholes), and in your leisure time begin a project which is highly creative or benefits society.   If you are operating from your Intuition, you could have a very successful day, but if you are lagging behind backfootedly, you may have a struggle to keep up.  Some tuning in early on may help with this.

Tea-time on the same day brings another sextile: that between Mercury and Saturn.  That could bring some stabilization, after the flurry of sensitivity and unexpectedness of the day.  Thoughts and feelings can be channelled and harnessed into constructive plans and ideas.  Mental foundations can be laid.  You may have taken in all the facts for dealing with an issue or project, and are ready to put in serious and solid plans based on sober thinking. The aspect favours documentation and knuckling down to form-filling etc.  Geminis and Virgos have the chance to regain their balance, if they need to.  Progress can be made, including possibly for health related checks.

The last aspect, and the last sextile, comes on Saturday (23^rd), a connection between Mercury and Pluto.  Power is possible whenever Pluto lends a helpful hand.  This aspect brings a profound touch to your communications.  It is a harmonious aspect which can produce profound honouring of the gravity of a situation if necessary, and enabling meaningful debate to occur.  It is a good space for reading something profound.  If you are on a journey, pick something of that nature to take with you!  Maybe there is something in your pile of pending books you have been putting off, if so, now’s the time to tackle it.

Next week: Please note there will not be a blog, as I will be away.  That’s not a bad blip for nineteen years of blogging, if I may say so! 

The week in bullet points:

• Today – Communications a-go-go!; healing relationships and art
• Tomorrow – Spicy communications; more considered energy
• Tuesday – family orientation; sensitive communication; sensuality; karmic communication; resolving mental issues on a deeper level
• Thursday – doubling down on the theme of communication and travel
• Friday – confusion in relationship; the element of the unexpected; mental stabilization
• Saturday – profound communication and travel

David Attenborough

“If we save the sea, we save our world.”

~ David Attenborough, 2025

David Attenborough’s 100^th birthday was celebrated this week, allegedly against his wish to spend it quietly at home. He certainly doesn’t look his age! I have written two blogs (2020 and 2025) about him over the years, and so will draw upon those, while updating from his more recent history as well as having the luxury of looking a little more deeply at some areas of his life and thought.  He probably is the greatest national treasure we have, possibly even an international treasure.  All the animals in the world would probably vote for him…!  It was a special delight this week to see a replay of his original up-close-and-personal encounter with gorillas at the beginning of his broadcasting career, in 1970.

Birth Chart

Here was my description of his birth chart in 2020:

“His Sun is in Earth sign Taurus [The Conservationist Archetype], and he has done more to illuminate Life on Earth than anyone.  At the age of 94, he has made a huge contribution to its study, which is impossible to exaggerate.  Taurus also gives him a great deal of grounding.  His Sun is opposed by Saturn, so he feels a huge weight of responsibility, which he carries and conveys admirably.  His Sun is also square Neptune, showing great sensitivity… emphasizing the role of the oceans in his life and work.  With the Sun sextile Pluto, what he has to say is always profound, and this is given extra karmic weight with a conjunction between Pluto and the North Node, and a sextile between the North Node and the Sun.  His has been an extraordinary destiny.  His Moon conjuncts Venus, giving him great tenderness, and you can see that through some of his animal commentaries.  His Moon conjunct Uranus gives him imagination and the power to surprise through the expression of emotion, which, placed in Pisces, contains a great deal of compassion too.  Mercury is sextile Jupiter in his chart, showing breadth of mind and vastness of travel… Jupiter shows the scale of his life plan and contribution, and placed in Aquarius it hints at the extent of his futuristic vision, where he has always had his finger on the pulse of what would happen to our planet.  Mercury exactly trine Neptune gives him acute mental sensitivity, and the ability to channel higher frequencies of thought.  With Mercury conjunct Chiron, he’s a problem-solver…  With Saturn closely square Neptune he is very sensitive to the interface and relationship between the Earth and her Waters.”

Life and Career

Up to my 2025 blog:

David Attenborough was born in Isleworth on 8^th May 1926.  His father was principal on the campus of Leicester University, which is where he grew up.  His older brother Richard (Attenborough) pursued the path of acting and directing in film.  As a child, David collected fossils, stones and natural specimens.  At the age of 10, the brothers attended a lecture at De Montfort Hall, Leicester, about conservation, and according to Richard, his brother was smitten with the subject, and the need for action to maintain ecological balance.  David won a scholarship to Clare College, Cambridge, in 1945 and studied geology and zoology.  After obtaining a degree in natural sciences, two years later he was called up for national service and served in the Royal Navy for two years.

He then undertook a three-month training course with the BBC, and was taken on in the Talks department.  In 1954 he fronted a programme called “Zoo Quest”, around the time of his Saturn Return, a time when life patterns can be cemented.  In 1965 he became Controller of BBC 2.  He began to make occasional films abroad, and in 1971, he found himself in a first expedition to a remote part of New Guinea seeking out a lost tribe – a classic hallmark David Attenborough production.  This reflected his North Node in Cancer (karmic mission centring around indigenous populations). He was promoted in 1969 to be responsible as director for both BBC channels, but resigned in 1972 because that role was taking him away from what he really wanted to do, make natural history programmes: his progressed Sun at the time was trine his natal Mars (asserting his will in the direction of what he really wanted to do).  He began to work on “Life on Earth”, a project which came to fruition in 1979.

His transits at the time were very karmic: Pluto was square his natal Nodal Axis (a hard fought karmic fulfilment); Saturn was sextile his natal Pluto (a serious life work); and the North Node was sextile his natal North Node, very karmic (the world karma aligned with his own personal karma).

Documentaries

I enumerated some of his work in 2020, and have now brought it up to date:

“He has made legions of documentaries for the BBC over the decades.  Here is a timeline of a few of those, which you may remember fondly depending on your generation:

1979 – Life on Earth

1984 – The Living Planet

1995 – The Private Life of Plants

2001 – The Blue Planet

2017 – Blue Planet II

2020 – Extinction

2025 – Ocean

2026 – Secret Garden

2026 – Gorilla Story

Jupiter opposite Neptune

From my 2025 blog:

Jupiter opposite Neptune in his birth chart merits a close look, if only to look at where this legend is coming from spiritually.  Jupiter in a chart represents religion, and Neptune represents spirituality.  An opposition in the birth chart often represents an ambiguity, a not-knowing, or in David Attenborough’s case, an avowed agnosticism.  In some it can create confusion, but he exhibits the higher or highest manifestation of this combination: an ability to balance and possibly merge the two.

He has said:

“My view is: I don’t know one way or the other but I don’t think that evolution is against a belief in God.”

and

“It never really occurred to me to believe in God”.

plus

“If there is a supreme being then he chose organic evolution as a way of bringing into existence the natural world”.

In addition, I wrote in 2016: “He describes himself as agnostic, and maybe he doesn’t need religion as he is well and truly ‘doing his bit’ for the planet.”

He believes that evolution is the best way of explaining the diversity of life.  He firmly believes in the Darwinian way of thinking, and is opposed to Creationism and its offshoot Intelligent Design.

Politics

In 1998 David Attenborough described himself as a “standard, boring left-wing liberal”.

In 2014 he declared himself opposed to the break away referendum in Scotland.

In 2015 he was enthusiastic about the election of Caroline Lucas of the Green Party as M.P.

In 2020 he spoke about excess capitalism holding back efforts towards ecological balance.

In 2021 he emphasized that tackling climate change was a primary challenge.

The Last Year

Sir David has continued to work at his normal pace, with no signs of slowing down.  Two new documentaries mark this special year: Secret Garden, and Gorilla Story.

A special gala concert was held in his honour on Friday night at the Albert Hall, centred around the music of his many television series, where he was seated beside Prince William, and received a birthday card from King Charles.

Other legends in his field such as Jane Goodall were more specialized, but David’s work took him all over the globe, and to creatures great (such as whales) and small (such as insects).  Those interviewed on couches this week testified to how delightful he is as a person for those lucky enough to work with him.  He is a great human on a personal level, not just a warrior for the natural world.

“People write to me that evolution is only a theory. Well, it is not a theory. Evolution is as solid a historical fact as you could conceive.”

~ David Attenborough

Aspects

Tomorrow (May 11^th) the Sun will be sextile with Jupiter, a pleasant prospect!  It can bring new hope and joy.  It is one of the brightest  aspects of the year.  Focus on what makes you happy, and make more of that.  It may bring the return of an enjoyable leisure pursuit.  Just an observation, that it can correlate with a peaceful protest or backlash in the population.  It may be helpful in legal matters.

Another Jolly Jupiterian sextile on Wednesday (13^th): that between Mercury and Jupiter, occurring in the early hours of the morning.  Sextiles ensure more ease and harmony and this one encourages mental development and learning (if you are on a course of study, for instance), and is helpful to businesses in need of a lift.  If you are learning a new language, you may experience a shift and take off with it!  It will also be favourable for the teaching profession.  If you are travelling, remember St. Christopher is with you.  This aspect will especially benefit Geminians and Virgos.

Thursday (14^th) brings us some mental clarity from a conjunction of Mercury and the Sun at 23 degrees Taurus. This may bring an opportunity to apply your mind with concentration and focus,  and make important statements.  The focus may be on Taurean occupations such as cooking, gardening, painting or making money.  Mentally you may be able to see things clearly in terms of your values, and how they determine your choices.

There are two aspects on Saturday (16^th), the first of which is a conjunction between Mars and Chiron at 28 degrees Aries.  This conjunction can bring up old emotional wounds for attention, and release. These may have a past-life pattern (either in this life or a past life).  You may walk away from an encounter feeling touched (Mars conjunct Chiron), while someone else may be nursing an unseen wound. Make sure you are in integrity with yourself.

Healing during the day may pay dividends in the evening, when there is a New Moon at 25 degrees Taurus.  A fresh start is possible.  The fresh start may be in the Taurean realm of cooking, gardening, art, music or money.  Make the most of this wishing Moon, as it could be a turning point.  Make good your intentions, and make your intentions good.  Astrologer Adam Elenbaas emphasizes the potential of this New Moon to practise receiving.  What is it you would like to receive?  If it is your birthday, it is a particularly special occasion.  There is also an alignment with the fixed star Algol, which some astrologers deem to be difficult, in tradition thought.  A more upbeat interpretation comes from Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld in “Starlight Elixirs”, stating:

“Algol’s ability to prepare individuals for understanding their destiny, their life purpose, and the ability to manifest this purpose more easily in the world, this is at once spiritual and practical.  For most people what will usually result is an ability to understand their profession and accept it more easily.

Algol can attune individuals to harmonies deep within their being.  These are partly genetic in nature, partly past-life in nature, but more importantly are in attunement to the shared soul of the lifestream of humanity.  When this occurs there is a natural re-emergence of awareness of life purpose, direction,  and choices that individuals have made for their own development.”

What new perceptions may be in store?  You never know, there may even be a re-branding of the star Algol, itself.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – a pleasant prospect
• Wednesday – more jollity
• Thursday – clarity
• Saturday – release emotional wounds: a new beginning

Simone de Beauvoir (1908 – 1986)

It’s been a few months since my last Philosophy blog, which was about the Sagittarian Philosopher Spinoza.  In reviewing the series, I was astonished to find that I started it in January 2020, in the first year of my philosophical studies, with Rene Descartes for Aries.  For those of you who find the subject tedious, you’ll be glad to know I only have two more on the agenda (Aquarius and Pisces).  But this one belongs to the Existentialist Simone de Beauvoir.

Birth Chart

Simone was born under a Sun in Capricorn.  We have her birth time, and therefore we know she had Moon in Pisces and Ascendant in Sagittarius.  Her Ascendant is at the first degree of that sign, which is the Philosopher’s sign.  The Sun conjunct Mercury in her chart conveys an ability for strong mental focus.  This conjunction is part of a triple conjunction with Uranus, indicating the development of the Higher Mind.  More complexity is added to her mental functioning by an opposition of Neptune to this triple conjunction.  Another factor in the mix is the Sun’s conjunction with the South Node in Capricorn, suggesting she may have had a political career in a previous life.  The Sun in her chart trines the Midheaven, emphasizing a creative career.  The Sun closely trines her Ascendant, from the 4^th House side, echoes of the title of her memoir titled Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter.

Going on to the Moon, she closely conjuncts Mars, giving Simone quick emotional reactions.  But at the same time, paradoxically, it forms a conjunction with Saturn, which I call the Ivory Tower Archetype.  Mercury closely conjunct Uranus of itself indicates a brilliant mind, and Mercury’s exact opposition with Neptune indicates a vulnerable mind prone to exhaustion at times.  Mercury’s appearance at the South Node brings up the Teacher Archetype from past lives.

Venus is in Aquarius, an avant garde approach to relationships, and with an opposition from Jupiter accentuates the tendency that she does not always conform to social norms.  Furthermore, an exact conjunction of Chiron with her Venus accentuates the wounds of love.  This was compounded by Pluto in her 7^th House of Close Relationships.  She had very specific views on close relationships, and was capable of wounding as much as being wounded.  However in her directness she might have argued that she was healing and being healed.  Truth can hurt, but also ultimately heal.

Her Mars was in Pisces and conjunct Saturn, which shows some restraint but also great deliberateness in relation to her use of energy.  Mars was in her 4^th House of Home and Family, and in her memoir she describes how she deliberately set out in early life to attract and garner attention from her father in particular.  Mars was conjunct the South Node in the 4^th House, a great driving force coming from home background, and closely conjunct the Moon, very much focussed on the parents.

The pain in her life is shown by Saturn exactly square Pluto, and Saturn’s close conjunction with the I.C. (Security Point) points to constraints as a child  (echoes of the title of “Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter”).  Uranus exactly conjunct South Node invites the possibility that she may have been a Scientist in Atlantis.  Neptune exactly conjunct the North Node portrays someone who would become an influential spiritual leader, as a main function of her karmic mission.  She certainly led the feminist movement.  Pluto closely squaring the Midheaven describes a stormy path in career – she certainly had her fair share of controversy.

Life and Career

Simone de Beauvoir was born into a bourgeois Parisian family.  Her father was a lawyer, and her mother was a wealthy banker’s daughter.  She was largely raised by a nanny called Louise.  Her father was very proud of her emerging intellect.  He used to say: “Simone has a man’s brain; she thinks like a man; she is a man.”  Remarkably, this is the first female philosopher in my series – the profession has been such a man’s world.  She was redressing the balance.

She wrote of the influence of her parents:

“…my father’s individualism and pagan ethical standards were in complete contrast to the rigidly moral conventionalism  of my mother’s teaching. This disequilibrium, which made my life a kind of endless disputation, is the main reason why I became an intellectual”

When Simone was 14 she began to question the faith in which she had been brought up (Catholicism), with her Progressed Sun entering Aquarius (going from convention to non-convention).  She became an atheist:

“Faith allows an evasion of those difficulties which the atheist confronts honestly. And to crown all, the believer derives a sense of great superiority from this very cowardice itself.”

She passed her baccalaureate exams in mathematics and philosophy at the age of 17, and then studied mathematics and languages at Institutes in Paris.  In her postgraduate phase, she studied for a prestigious examination called the Aggregation, and it was during that time that she met Jean-Paul Sartre, a soul mate and founder of the philosophical movement of Existentialism.  He won first place in the exam, and she won second place.  In studying at the Sorbonne, her thesis was on the philosopher Leibniz. Simone came second in “General Philosophy and Logic” to Simone Weil.  [I have just had an “Oh my gosh!” moment: Simone Weil, who I did study in my philosophy course, is Aquarian, which means I know who will be the next in this series, and we will have another woman philosopher!]

The groundbreaking work that defined her came in 1949, “The Second Sex”.  In it she discussed the condition and oppression of womanhood historically and in the society of her day.   It became influential in the feminist movement, but was banned by the Vatican.  Astrologically, it was published in the year of her Uranus Opposition (the mid-life rebellion).  Her Progressed Sun at this point was trine her natal Sun, indicating a creative triumph.

In 1958 she published her “Mémoires d’une jeune fille rangée “ – Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter.  This is an extremely well-written memoir.  I was especially struck, in her recollections of early childhood, how self-aware she was and articulate and honest about her own processes.  Astrologically, it was written in the year of her Chiron Return, an homage to her psychological wound and healing.

Jean-Paul Sartre

The pair differed in their view at the outset of what their relationship should be.  He saw it as a romantic relationship (his possessive Venus in Taurus). With her Venus in Aquarius, she felt that marriage was too confining, favouring more of an open relationship. She wrote on the subject of marriage:

“I think marriage is a very alienating institution, for men as well as for women. I think it’s a very dangerous institution—dangerous for men, who find themselves trapped, saddled with a wife and children to support; dangerous for women, who aren’t financially independent and end up by depending on men”

They acknowledged that theirs was unique bond, and their lives and (philosophical) thoughts were bound throughout their lives.

Their synastry included:

Her Moon square his Sun (her femininity pitted against his masculinity in some ways)

Her Mercury trine his Venus (amazing intellectual relationship and rapport)

Their Venuses in square to each other (as described above, but directly interacting, not just by sign, possibly explaining the preclusion of romance)

Her North Node sextile his Venus (a karmic relationship; incarnated together and destined to meet and interact closely)

She chose not to have children, saying:

“Motherhood should be a choice, and not a result of conditioning”.

Simone’s writings were unquestionably influenced by Sartre’s thought and existential framework, but she did also rate Hegel as well as Leibniz as influential.  She also became active politically (one way in which her Capricorn Archetype was dominant), especially in relation to the women’s liberation movement.  She helped, for instance, the legalization of abortion in France, which took place in 1974.

Jean-Paul, like Simone, had the philosopher’s sign Sagittarius rising, another affinity between them.  They were both low in Fire signs: she had only 1 planet in that element, and he had none.  I don’t know if maybe that made them more intellectually dispassionate.

Existentialism

Existentialism, of which Simone de Beauvoir’s philosophy formed a part, was primarily created by Jean-Paul Sartre, whose Sun was at the very end of Gemini (a supremely logical and intellectual sign).  As mentioned, they both had Sagittarius rising.  As a Capricorn, Simone would have contributed an extra layer of realism.

According to the Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, existentialism was a product of the horrors of the Second World War, the atomic bomb and the holocaust.  It was a raw attempt to confront the human condition, and the perceived meaningless of life and randomness of suffering.  Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir are cited as its leading lights, but Albert Camus (subject of the Gemini piece in this series) also contributed, plus other writers such as Andre Gide.

Freedom is one of the watchwords for existentialism. As Stanford puts it: “what distinguishes our existence from that of other beings is that we are self-conscious and exist for ourselves, which means we are free and responsible for who we are and what we do.”

On a personal note, on our first trip to Paris together hubby and I specifically searched out the café that the pair of them used to hang out in, the Café de Flore in Saint-Germain-des-Pres!  It was all rather underwhelming, with a packed 21^st Century clientele, a rude waiter, and an inability on our part to tune in to the vibrations of the iconic venue, the existential ambience and the legendary pair of philosophers!

Aspects

In the early hours of this morning, Mercury entered Taurus.  This can make the quality of the mental energy become steadier and calmer than the fieriness of Mercury in Aries.  This placing is better for negotiation, which is something much needed at the moment in this climate of war.  The U.S. and Iran have got to “want it badly” (a lasting peace), in the wording style of Donald Trump. It’s a very short stay, a short window, though, until 17^th May,  Practical ideas will be the order of the day.  This could be a productive day and period, mentally.

Moving on to Tuesday (5^th), Mars will be square Jupiter, again in the early hours of the morning in the U.K.  This is high energy, and could keep you awake, for whatever reason (for me these days it is often mentally writing the third volume of my trilogy).  It is sheer over-the-top enthusiasm allied with energy. This aspect can bring spirited exchanges or sporting achievements, but there is a possible hint of damage through lack of control.  The Astrologer Adam Elenbaas equates it with a passion for moral justice.

Late in the evening of the same day, Mercury squares Pluto, and that may pick up in consequences some of the excesses of the early morning aspect.  Mentally you need to be on top of your game.  It is a square which requires you, among other things, to rise above negative thinking, or to get to the root of it.  There may be a setback or a reversal (even if a fragile ceasefire is still under way), so make sure your actions in the morning are solid if you have a conflict to resolve in your own life – despite the efforts of Mercury’s placement in Taurus.  Perhaps there is a twist in the plot.  You may encounter awkward communications or travel.  You may need extra ‘me time’ in order to separate yourself from worried pronouncements about the state of the world.  If you do engage in chatter, choose a worthwhile subject.

Wednesday (6^th) holds the last two of the week’s astrological features, the first being a karmic sextile between Mercury and the North Node, which can help to establish a good start to the second half of the week.  Mercury sextile the North Node brings karmic information to light.  Communication is highly significant and imbued with meaning, though subject to differing interpretations according to belief.  It is a good day for writing, teaching, tutoring and revising for forthcoming exams if you are a student, and possibly for health checks.

Lastly, mid-afternoon on Wednesday Pluto will be Stationary, prior to turning Retrograde.  This could be tricky, and pull back to a little extent the benefits of the previous sextile.  Put your psychological house in order, e.g. with a spot of re-aligning meditation, ready for the challenges of this retrograde period.  There may be practical inconveniences, or contentious subjects arising.  The challenges may be more wearying than acute, but you need to keep up your vitality and reserves.  Alternatively, if you find yourself in overwhelm, surrender is equally effective as a spiritual strategy towards a sense of peace and acceptance, and new insight to inform your next steps.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – mentally calm
• Tuesday – high jinks; later negative thinking
• Wednesday – useful karmic information; psychological reflection

Desmond Morris (1928 – 2026)

“It was only one thing that drove me on – insatiable curiosity.  Quite simply, I wanted to know everything there was to know about every mammal in the world.”

~ Desmond Morris

Desmond Morris may not mean much to younger generations, but he was a household word when I was growing up.  In the 1950’s Zoo Time was a stand-out television programme, and Desmond Morris an early titleholder of the word “celebrity”.

Birth Chart

Desmond Morris had both the Sun and the Moon in Aquarius, and in many ways was ahead of his time.  We do not have his birth time/Ascendant sign, but he was triply Aquarian by virtue of the fact that his Sun was sextile with Uranus, the ruling planet of Aquarius. In addition, he had Mercury (his mental capacity and antennae) in that sign, so he was futuristically orientated.

He admitted to having a great sense of curiosity, “insatiable” he described it.  This is one of the qualities of Aquarius, but also of his North Node sign, Gemini the Monkey.  He was linked with a few animals, but of course principally with chimpanzees.  His North Node was trine with his Mercury (again, the Monkey), re-emphasizing the point.  So the legacy of his main karmic mission (North Node) was fulfilled.  Mercury sextile Saturn meant that he could apply himself mentally.

Another feature of Aquarius is the Inner Rebel, and Desmond Morris railed at the fact that his father sustained lung damage in World War I:

“…a lifelong hatred of the establishment. The church, the government and the military were all on my hate list and have remained there ever since.” ~ Desmond Morris

The other main preoccupation of his life was Art, and his Venus (Art) is well connected in his chart:  she squares Jupiter (sociable, sometimes inappropriately so),  Venus squared Uranus (eschewing norms of society), Venus trine Neptune (a highly refined aesthetic sense), and finally Venus trine Chiron (healing art as therapy).

Desmond was nothing if not sensual – he was intensely observant of the mating rituals of the animal world, and the combination of a strong Venus and a strong Mars gives testimony to this: Mars squared Jupiter in his chart (over-the-top enthusiasm), he also squared Uranus (electric energy), Mars trined Neptune (a sensuous sensitivity) and also trined Chiron (healing energy).  Mars, Chiron and Neptune formed a Grand Trine, providing a powerful and charismatic force in his personality.  Neptune trine Chiron also elevated his healing energy.

Other points of interest in his chart: Jupiter was exactly conjunct Uranus – an intense expression of the Entrepreneur Archetype.  He wrote about 50 books, and that was just one area of his success.  Saturn exactly conjunct his South Node in Sagittarius, possibly indicated work with animals in past lives (through Sagittarius).

Life and Career

Desmond was born in Purton, Wiltshire, which is near Swindon.  His great grandfather was the socialist and artist William Morris.  He was educated at a boarding school in Wiltshire.  After two years of national service, he then studied Biology at Birmingham University.  The early years of his career were based in the Art world: he taught fine arts, and held a surrealist art exhibition with Joan Miro.  He was, himself, an accomplished artist, in the manner of Salvador Dali.  If you are not familiar with the quality of his work, look it up and see for yourself – he could have made it his main career, but instead, the chimps came a-calling…

He wanted to deepen his work as a naturalist, and to this end he undertook a doctorate in Zoology at Oxford University, on the subject of animal behaviour.  His thesis was on the reproductive behaviour of the ten-spined stickleback.

As a teenager in Swindon, he had a relationship with the blonde bombshell Diana Dors (who he painted in 1964), but while at Oxford he met his future wife, Ramona Baulch.  They married in 1952.

1956 proved an important year for Morris, as he moved to London and took up the post of Head of the Granada Television and Film Unit for the Zoological Society of London.  At that time, his progressed Sun was sextile his natal Chiron in Taurus, and he was undergoing his first Saturn Return on his South Node (continuing intense work begun in previous lives).  At the same time, his television programme Zoo Time began to be shown, and had children and adults enthralled for many years.  He generally focussed on apes, and linking his original career, encouraged chimpanzees (one in particular, named Congo) to paint.

The interest in apes in that period was becoming celebrated, with Jane Goodall travelling to Kenya in 1957, and beginning her life work with them.  I wrote in her astro-obituary:

“She discovered many ways in which chimpanzees were like humans, from their emotional range, to their capacity for toolmaking and warriorship, as well as community life.  She established that they were meat eaters, contrary to the established thinking that they were vegetarian.”

Charles Darwin would have been looking down, smiling, at the pair of them!  It happens often that pioneers incarnate as pairs, helping each other to get the job done…

Desmond Morris’s seminal book “The Naked Ape” was published in 1967.  We all read it!  A description of the book, which became a gargantuan success, reads:

“Meet man as he really is: relative to the apes, stripped of his veneer as we see him courting, making love, sleeping, socializing, grooming, playing. The Naked Ape takes its place alongside Darwin’s Origin of the Species.”

Body Language

In the 1970s and 1980s, Desmond Morris introduced us to a new phrase, “Body Language”.  It was not an unknown concept, but the phrase did not become mainstream until he published “Manwatching” in 1977 (more precisely 1^st January 1978).  The first we (hubby and I) heard of it, was when an Aquarian colleague bought the book and trumpeted its contents.  We perked up at this new type of study.  We are all people watchers, but body language is an Aquarian province: a dispassionate observation of humans in society.  It was an exciting concept to get our teeth into, and it seems absurd now to think the term was not used before that time.  Living well into our 70s gives us a unique chronology into etymology! – I remember that demarcation so clearly, interested as I always was in related subjects.  The book “Bodywatching” by Morris appeared subsequently in 1985, followed by many others on that theme.

What was it about that moment in time, which was so significant as a watershed?  Personally, for Desmond Morris, it was his exact Chiron Return (the emergence of the Inner Healer) at 1 degree Taurus, the fulfilment of his healing mission.  For the collective, a new insight (Chiron’s ingress into Taurus) into the earthly human condition.  Pre-publication would have also coincided (1^st November 1977) with the new discovery of Chiron the “wounded healer” asteroid itself.  Fascinating, or what?!

He died at the ripe old age of 98, with Neptune sextile his natal Sun, indicating a sense of serenity and satisfaction.

Aspects

Early morning started with an explosion – did you hear it – of Uranus entering Gemini, the most important astrological feature of the week.  I originally wrote about it in early July last year:

“It’s a new era…bringing innovation in thought, which can be initially perplexing.  Uranus spends 7 years in one sign.  Science and technology are going to advance exponentially…we are of course seeing it in the explosion of Artificial Intelligence.  If you have planets at the beginning of Gemini you will be especially affected over the course of the next year, but it can bring some surprise revelations and talents to the fore in your life and personality.  You’ll need to be on your mettle if you are a cautious type, but roll with the punches if you embrace change.”

In-between times, it turned Retrograde and spent time in Taurus, but has finally said goodbye to that sign.  The current entry into Gemini is a potent moment for registering the new vibration and possibilities of the Inner Rebel (Uranus) entering the sign of Communication (Gemini).  All insights, gratefully received!

On a personal level, although Uranus represents the upredictable, its sojourn these last seven years in my 1^st House (my Ascendant is 0 degrees Taurus) has been most welcome, bringing new experiences and new consciousness unexpectedly.  For those wary of its energy, roll with the punches and feel the cosmic wisdom behind the changes.  I wish I could be so upbeat about the world situation, which seems to have ever-deteriorated since last July, dominated by Donald Trump’s whims, and Jeffrey Epstein’s legacy, among other people and things.  But we have to hope that there is a method in the madness of raking up these undesirable elements, for clearing and finally healing.  Some Astrologers have tracked previous eras of Uranus in Gemini with world wars, but again it is important to see the current climate of war as solvable.

Late afternoon brings a sextile between Venus and Neptune, which can bring soothing waves of serenity, which hopefully may balance out some of the over-excitement of Uranus entering Gemini.  There’s an element of people becoming more into tune with each other (especially added to Uranian manifestations of telepathy).  New artistic avenues may flourish, too.  You may be inspired to paint, like Desmond Morris who had Venus trine Neptune in his natal chart – surrealist style, or not.

Early evening adds a square between Mercury and Jupiter, making it a full-on type of day. This aspect will stimulate us mentally, almost to the point of too much information!  There may be travel involved or planned.  It would be a good day to be out in nature, taking a good stroll, and picking up information.  Mercury square Jupiter is a refreshing aspect, if not a little over-stretching to manage, so you may find yourself travelling a little bit further than your comfort zone.  I associate this square with the Explorer Archetype, so if the cap fits, you may choose to wear it!

Tomorrow (Monday, 27^th) features a sextile between the Sun and the North Node, which favours right action and expression on a karmic level.  It is a good day to look at your life path as a whole, your creativity and self-expression and where you would like it to go.  Visualize your best possible path.

We have a trine between Venus and Pluto on Tuesday (28^th).  It is a profound, powerful and likely successful vibe.  This aspect can settle your deepest feelings into a more comfortable psychological context.  It helps us through changes and transformations on a human level.  Venus in harmony with Pluto benefits both love and money.

The next day, Wednesday (29^th) challenges us a little more, with a square between Venus and the North Node/Nodal Axis.  This aspect challenges us to take note of the karma of personal relationships, and group dynamics.  You may work with past life patterns, or present life practicalities.

Towards the end of the week, and at the beginning of a new month, Friday (st May) begins with a Full Moon at 11 degrees Scorpio in the late afternoon (U.K. time).  You may feel the emotional intensity build throughout the day: the Scorpio Full Moon is one of the most heightened of its kind.  It’s a time to look within and examine your emotional health.  Another area demanding attention is that of shared finances and an attempt to balance material resources and needs between two people.  For some there may be a temptation to lash out; some may be prickly about the conditions they find themselves in, and may be angry.  If so, forgiveness can be a key.

Early evening the tension may dissipate, and we have a more mellow sextile: that between Venus and Saturn.  Things may look much more in proportion.  This is a constructive aspect, a re-affirmation of where you are going, especially in terms of relationship, or art (particularly drawing or sketching).  In the realm of human relations, it is about steadiness and loyalty: cementing commitment.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – a new new era; highly refined aesthetic sense; too much information!
• Tomorrow – karmic right action
• Tuesday – constructive deep feelings
• Wednesday – dealing with relationship karma
• Friday – emotional high tide; commitment and loyalty

Peter Magyar

“A few families own half the country”

~ Peter Magyar

There were many reasons to celebrate Peter Magyar’s win over Viktor Orban last week in Hungary, and put an end to his 16-year rule.  To name but a few: a dent in the rising march of right wing populism in Europe, some alleviation for the population of Hungary from a strict and authoritarian regime, and a change in the balance of power among nations – a swing towards Zelenskyy’s Ukraine and a swing away from Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

Here in this house there were whoops of joy, too, for we have a forthcoming trip to Hungary (fuel supplies permitting), and were not looking forward to having to mind our p’s and q’s.

Birth Chart

Peter Magyar has his Sun in Pisces, so he may be coming from a more spiritually enlightened space than average.  Certainly his values seem more humane than those of his predecessor.  We have his birth time, so can place his Moon as having just entered Leo (the sign of rulers), and his Ascendant in Sagittarius (open and wide-ranging) close to a revolutionary Uranus in the 12^th House, capable of subverting the existing order.

With the Sun trine the Moon, his right hand knows what his left hand is doing – in other words, his conscious and unconscious minds work well together.  His Sun is involved in a triple conjunction with Mars and Venus, so he had charisma.  Uranus and the Sun support each other in a trine, so Uranus is a positive force in his life: ideal for change, but not destructive and disruptive.

In addition to his triple conjunction in Pisces, his Sun is exactly square Neptune (the ruler of Pisces), so he may have the ability to conceal his intentions.  The Sun’s placing on his I.C. (his Security Point) gives his personality a dignified and responsible basis, drawn from his childhood.  The Moon conjunct his North Node in Leo may give him popularity in exercising his karmic mission.  Mercury square his Uranus means he is not afraid of controversy (in opposition he massively criticized the government), while Mercury trine Pluto gives him a depth of thought.  Mars trine Uranus is adept at engineering, which includes social engineering.

Jupiter conjunct Saturn may sometimes find him indecisive, or hamstrung, caught in Catch-22 situations.  Jupiter’s sextile to his North Node ensures success in carrying out his karmic mission.  He may even win a prize some day, on that account.  Uranus exactly sextile his Midheaven gives him the power of surprise in his conventional career, which he has just demonstrated.

Life and Career

Among his credentials for the top job, Peter Magyar was born in the capital, Budapest, to a conservative family, and his surname means “Hungarian”.  His early education was in Budapest, and he then studied Law at Humboldt University, Berlin, as part of the Erasmus Programme.  [The Erasmus E.U. student exchange scheme was in the news this week, as Keir Starmer agreed to revive the scheme for British scholars, which had been disrupted by Brexit].

Magyar began to work in the international legal field, on behalf of Hungarian investments.  He joined the Fidesz political party, while they were still in opposition, and subsequently became a supporter of Viktor Orban.  He took various government roles when Fidesz came to power, with his politics being described as conservative liberal, pro-European, and economically market-orientated.

He became increasingly critical of the government, until the crunch came in 2024, when he broke away from the prevailing regime entirely.  This is an interesting moment in his life astrologically, for it was around the time of the break up of his long-term marriage to Judit (more of which later).

They had divorced in 2023, but his ex-wife made accusations of domestic abuse, and the Hungarian media were relentless in their hostility towards him.

“Reporters without Borders has consistently raised concerns about the media landscape in Hungary, where loyalists to Orban’s Fidesz party control an estimated 80% of the country’s media and state media has long been used as a government mouthpiece for Orban.”

~ Ashifa Kassam, The Guardian

On 15^th March 2024 (the day before his 43rd birthday, and also the date of the Hungarian Revolution, linking his chart with the Hungarian chart), he organized the first of 12 rallies, which became increasingly popular.  It is worth looking at his transits for that date:

Pluto from his 2^nd House was exactly opposite his natal Moon in Leo in 8^th House (a highly emotional time)

Uranus was sextile his natal Venus in Pisces in his 4^th House (an example of his mainly positive Uranus working for him)

Jupiter was on his Chiron in the 6^th House (a healing moment for him)

Mars was sextile his natal Neptune in the 1^st House (morality driven by a sense of righteousness)

Mars was trine his natal Pluto in Libra in his 11^th House (taking extreme action socially)

This also proved to be a pivotal time for him in view of the fact that he subsequently joined the Tisza (Respect and Freedom) party, a then minor party, which ultimately led to his current success.  He also became an MEP (Member of the European Parliament) in that year, serving until 2026. His popularity steadily soared, until he became an undeniable force as an opposition leader.  For these 2026 elections, other opposition leaders stood aside in order to increase his chances of deposing Viktor Orban, a feat he achieved last Sunday, on 12^th April.  The election had a 79% high turnout, and the Tisza party won at least 137 seats, a huge mandate.

Hungary’s economy is in a parlous state currently.  Magyars’s intentions are to pass laws to suspend the prevailing news programmes, until impartial editors can be appointed, to counteract the corruption within the system.  He wants to decrease or end the dependence on Russian energy which has operated in recent years.  He intends to give more support to Ukraine.

Marriage

Peter Magyar’s marriage to Judit is an interesting enough study on its own, but I will try and write about it briefly, so as not to skew the blog too much in the direction of his personal life:

The two of them met on 1^st April 2005, at a party.  His transits included:-

Pluto transiting his natal Neptune in Sagittarius in his 1^st House (drawn into a web of relationship)

Pluto square his natal Sun in Pisces in his 4^th House (a fateful encounter, and what was to become the basis of a family – they had 3 sons together)

Pluto sextile his natal Pluto in Libra in his 11^th House of Parties (it will have felt psychologically empowering for him at the time)

Saturn trined his natal Venus in Pisces in his 4^th House (a serious relationship leading to a commitment)

Mars was on his South Node (a passionate past life reunion)

The South Node was on his Pluto ( also depicting a passionate past life reunion; the start of an 18 year relationship). The Nodal Cycles in transit effect an 18 year cycle, so that may have brought about the time span of the relationship.

The North Node trined his Neptune (drawn together by karma)

The transits for her at that meeting:

Uranus trined her natal Mars (exciting meeting with a man in her life)

Chiron was opposite her natal Venus (the possibility of wounding or re-wounding in relationship)

Saturn was sextile her natal Jupiter (some level of commitment, balance and stability)

Mars was square her Mars (meeting a potential adversary or combatant)

Their synastry showed:

Her Mercury sextile his Moon in Leo in 8^th House (his intellect meeting her emotions)

Venus conjunct his Moon (some tenderness)

Her Mars square to his Nodal Axis (spelling) combat!

Her Mercury sextile his Uranus (mental sharing)

Her Neptune square his Venus (all was not what it seemed in the relationship)

They married in 2006, and had 3 sons together.

Viktor Orban

I wrote briefly about Viktor Orban last week, in my blog about J.D. Vance:

“Does change appear to be on the cards for Orban? The Transits for Orban on Election Day are conspicuous by their absence.  That means it could go either way.  There is a great deal of movement for a fresh government, but there has been a great deal of falsifying and corruption reported in the campaign, including interference by Russia with A.I.”

It does indeed seem that the fact Orban had no transits to speak of pointed to the outcome that the Universe seemingly was not backing him. Maybe subconsciously he was weary and wanted out.  Orban has broken his silence:

“This is the end of an era. We must bear this defeat with dignity.” He said he felt pain and emptiness about the defeat and took full personal responsibility for it.

Last week’s blog subject was J.D. Vance (sorry to impose a political blog two weeks running, dear readers), and it seemed that his intervention on Orban’s behalf may even have hindered him.

Vance commented: “We certainly knew there was a very big chance that Viktor would lose that election.  We went because it was the right thing to do to stand behind a person who had stood by us for a very long time.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy on behalf of Ukraine looks forward to closer relations with Hungary, as does the European Union favour a closer alignment with its foreign policy.  The restoration of oil supplies through the pipeline from Russia across Ukraine, is an urgent issue which unites Magyar and Zelenskyy.  It was closed in late January, and Zelensky hopes that the oil can flow again at the end of the month.

The President-elect is due to take office around mid-May.  All good wishes to the people of Hungary, who have succeeded in ousting one of the world’s tyrants.

“My message to Fidesz leaders and their stooges: It’s no use playing the innocent little ballet girl now, and acting as if nothing happened.  We know what you’ve done to our beloved homeland and the Hungarian people. And don’t doubt for a single moment that ‘you will reap what you sow’.”

~ Peter Magyar

Aspects

Today’s aspect is a conjunction between Mars and Saturn at 7 degrees Aries.  For go-ahead types, this could be very frustrating, but for slower people (for example, people who have this conjunction natally) there may be a strengthening, or at least a familiarity with this energy.  The experience of Mars conjunct Saturn can also be about the sensitive calibration of the barrier between sensitivity/oversensitivity/self-protection etc.  In addition, a friend observed this week, at the approach of this conjunction, that her experience became an encouragement not to rush forward emotionally and mentally, and thereby to centre herself and come into the correct flow (in her case with roadway traffic and traffic lights!).  There may be blocks to practical action under this conjunction, but action can be deliberate, slow and sure (and even thorough).  Some elements of society may act harshly under this influence.

Tomorrow (Monday 20^th) in the early hours the Sun goes into Taurus.  There will still be a preponderance of planets in Aries, but they will start to disperse.  Look for guidance about how you can support earth-based initiatives, such as efforts at combating climate change, for instance.  It is a good day for gardening, and planting seeds.  Taurus is a sign which fosters a whole host of talents: cooking (seasonal vegetables), expressing art and music, and creative management of money (keep following Martin Lewis).  So the coming month is a favourable climate for learning to breathe and blossom in whatever talent you wish to nurture within your repertoire.

Late morning, Mercury conjoins Saturn at 7 degrees Aries.  While Sunday’s aspect involved the slowing of energy, this conjunction involves the slowing of mental processes.  This is likely to prompt communications of a serious nature.  You may have found yourself attending to minute detail, or scrutinizing something, perhaps with a view to solving a problem.  If you are setting aside the time to deal with documentation, allow twice the time you would have allotted!

In the third component of a triple conjunction, the evening brings the joining of Mercury with Mars at 8 degrees Aries, a more dynamic end to the day – Mercury and Mars combining forces to bite back on Saturn’s efforts to slow them down perhaps! It may be the evening, but it’s no excuse to avoid the get go!  If you leave things till the morning, you may have lost the impetus.  This conjunction brings brisk action, mental and physical stimulation, and can help movement in your projects.  There is a small element of risk of being incident-prone, as in minor cuts and bruises.  So mindfulness is a key to successful outcomes.  The conjunction is mentally acute and favours critical thinking, if you are composing an analysis, a review or critique.  Remember Saturn is still lurking round the two, so some natural obstacles may still be in place – you can only try!

In the early hours of Friday (24^th), Venus will be conjunct with Uranus at 28 degrees Taurus, close to alignment with the Pleiades, and you may well awake from bizarre dreams!  The element of surprise is to the fore.  If you are socializing on Friday (or late Thursday 23^rd), it could be an enjoyable occasion, culminating in some startling exchanges and exciting meetings.  It is a vibrant social aspect, which may carry an element of serendipity.  People may question your sanity, however, or you theirs.

Also in the early hours of Friday, but later, Venus enters Gemini.  This brings a lightness and freedom of heart, in the new placement.  It demonstrates a more mental focus to relationships, and increasing communication around love, art and money. Your diary is likely to be full of engagements during the period that Venus travels through this sign, which takes us up to 19^th May.  We’ll all be social butterflies, deftly spinning plates in social circles!

Finally, Pluto has the last word on Saturday (25^th), drawing a line on merriment, and reminding us of what is important!  There may be drama.  The atmosphere becomes more thoughtful and serious.  This is a deep soul-searching aspect.  It is the sort of aspect which can be looked upon as a gamechanger, or watershed.  So if you are in integrity, you may be able to influence what side the coin lands on.  

The week in bullet points:

• Today – possible driving with the brakes on
• Tomorrow – earth centred energies; slowed mental processes; quickening mental and physical energies
• Friday – exciting meetings; more lightness of heart
• Saturday – dealing with the deeper stuff

J.D. Vance

I haven’t treated J.D. Vance, the Vice President of the U.S.A., to a blog all of his own before now.  But he has now been sent to try and save the Iran war situation, apparently the only person the Iranians would trust because he did not advocate for the war.  After 21 hours of talks yesterday, there was no resolution, and we are currently left hanging as to Trump’s next move (fight, or fight?)

As mentioned, Vance has featured before, once in August 2024, and then again in March 2025.  To recap:

“August 2024

U.S. Presidential Election

“Double Leo (Sun and Ascendant) J.D. Vance was Donald Trump’s own choice as prospective Vice President… In his natal chart, he has a pugnacious placement of Mars on his I.C., [the Security point in our charts] which may make him react without thinking.”

“We are effectively run in this country via the Democrats, via our corporate oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too.” 

~ J.D. Vance, from 2021

March 2025

Greenland

“American Vice President J.D. Vance paid an unrequited and uninvited visit to Greenland this week…

As with his hectoring in the Oval Office at Zelensky, he sharply criticized the Danish government for neglecting its duties towards Greenland, saying they had “under-invested in Greenland’s security architecture”, while producing no evidence…

Physically, Vance has a Scorpionic appearance, possibly via his Pluto sextile the Ascendant in his natal chart, but his chart shows a double Leo (Ascendant and Sun in Leo) which has become twisted into the Bully Archetype, and is conjunct Trump’s own Ascendant in Leo.”

So, on the face of his birth chart, he does not look like a classic Peacemaker, Diplomat or Negotiator, though he does have a Libra Moon.”

Additional thoughts on J.D. Vance’s Birth Chart

His North Node/Chiron conjunction in Gemini in his 10^th House relates to his habit of provocative speech on the world stage.  This is something he will have to polish if he is to succeed in his long term ambitions.

Mars on his I.C. emphasizes that his basic security lies in a “fight” mode, and placed as it is in his 3^rd House of Communication, he is a Verbal Warrior.

Jupiter conjunct Neptune in his 5^th House of Self-Image shows that he sees himself as a religious crusader.

His Sun in 12^th House may indicate that he has hidden motives, not always true for this placement, but with the Sun exactly square Saturn in his 3^rd House there are things he probably even suppresses from himself.

I have mentioned before that he has a strong Pluto (just look at the eyes) with it being sextile his physicality as represented by his Ascendant.  That is further strengthened, psychologically, by Neptune on the 5^th House cusp sextile Pluto and trine his Ascendant.  There is almost a physical force in that combination.

February 2025

Ukraine

“I’ve got to be honest with you. I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other.”

~ J.D. Vance, 2022

And let us never forget his admonishment of Zelenskyy at the White House  on 28^th February 2025.  Vance took the lead in the fray.  Was he just having a bad day, or was he showing his true colours?

Here are the transits for Zelenskyy, Trump and Vance on that fateful day:

Transits for Zelenskyy

Neptune from his 10^th House of reputation was quincunx his natal Saturn in his 3^rd House of Communication, shutting down and victimizing his speech.

Chiron was sextile his Midheaven (Careerpoint): a career crisis, but leading to sympathy from a world view.  Trump and Vance did not come out of it smelling of roses.

Saturn on his 10^th House Career cusp quincunx his natal Saturn – a depressing series of events, and disempowerment.

Mars in his 1^st House trying to stand up for himself quincunxes his natal Neptune in 6^th House, inflaming his sensitivities.

Transits for Trump

Uranus sextile his natal Saturn in 11^th – licence to bully an ally!

Chiron sextile his natal North Node – feeling morally self-righteous

Saturn squaring his Nodal Axis – bringing out the worst of him, karmically

Mars squaring his natal Jupiter – an angry flare-up mixed with pride and self-righteousness

Transits for Vance

Pluto trine his natal North Node in 10^th House, at the top of his chart.  Self-empowerment and self-aggrandisement.

Neptune square his natal Neptune in 5^th House – a personal display of his confusion and delusion.

Uranus on his Midheaven – capable of shocking in his high office

Chiron opposite his natal Moon in Libra – a crisis in diplomatic skills

Nodal Axis square his natal Neptune – revealing his self-deception, karmically

April 2026

Hungary

Earlier this week (7/8^th April), Vance visited the right wing Victor Orban in Hungary to shore up his election campaign.  Hungarians go to the polls today.  He went in order to interfere with their elections, while criticizing the EU for interfering (!).  Orban is seeking a fifth consecutive term of office.

Does change appear to be on the cards for Orban? The Transits for Orban on Election Day are conspicuous by their absence.  That means it could go either way.  There is a great deal of movement for a fresh government, but there has been a great deal of falsifying and corruption reported in the campaign, including interference by Russia with A.I,.

Vance’s own transits for this week would be similar to those enumerated below for his Iranian diplomatic mission.  But the general Aspects this week pointed to vigorous actions and man-to-man talks, with Mars and Aries being very prominent – in particular, the Mars-Uranus sextile of April 8^th.

Iran

“If it doesn’t happen, I’m blaming JD Vance”

~ Donald Trump

So from a regime Trump and Vance don’t want to change (Orban’s), we come to that of Iran, which they do want to change.  It was announced this morning that the talks, though intensive and sincere, failed.  So we don’t know where Trump will take this issue next.

Here are Vance’s transits for yesterday and today, his astrological mood music:

Neptune is sextile his North Node at the top of his chart: the negotiations were a chance for him to exercise his sensitivity

Uranus quincunx his natal Pluto and Neptune – it was, and is, a complicated balancing act

Saturn sextile his natal Chiron – a chance to exercise his healing abilities, but only through great self-discipline.  How much does he have at this point.  We know he has not had it much in the past, through a history of his pronouncements.

The Nodal Axis squares his natal Chiron – the karmic need to respond to a world crisis, again through the exercise of healing.  A tricky endeavour.  He is being asked to step up.

Chiron trine his natal Ascendant, on the cusp of his 9^th House of Foreign Lands – again, a healing test for him.

Can he meet the challenge?  He would have the will to do so, knowing that in the event of the demise of President Trump, he would take his place.  He has to show his own brand of leadership.  His ideology is similar to that of his President, but his personality is different.  Some of his progress or otherwise depends on whether he has learned the lessons of his previous indiscretions and excesses, in order to play “the nice guy”.

Here are the transits for Donald Trump:

How does the week look for Trump, the architect (together with Nethanyahu) of the current chaos?

Pluto is trine his natal Neptune in 2^nd House – Still holding power, and oil is the key economically.

Uranus (The Trickster) is at the top of his chart, squaring his Ascendant – so literally anything can happen at any time!

Chiron squares his Venus – relationship problems.  How much of a headache was it for Melania to bring up Epstein this week?  That could be a whole other blog…

But Chiron trines his natal Mars – he is as bellicose as ever. If Vance were to make any headway in the coming days, he will worry that Donald will act impulsively and undo his efforts.

Saturn opposes his Neptune – this oppositional transit is now separating, but in recent days has encouraged some of his “bad mouthing”, including the expletives which shocked the world, coming out of a U.S. President’s mouth.

Jupiter squares his natal Jupiter – in the right hands this might not be too destructive, but for Trump it increases his “devil may care” attitude and exaggerative talk.  He literally said:

“It makes no difference to me…Let’s see what happens, but from my standpoint I don’t care”. – A Jupiter square Jupiter statement, if there ever was one!

Leader of the Iranian negotiating team

One last set of charts to look at (I have to draw the line somewhere): though the U.S. and Israel have “taken out” leaders in Iran, it may be worth looking at the chart of the leader of the Iranian negotiating team, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.  He has an exact conjunction of Uranus with his North Node in Leo – a leader capable of surprise.  The North Node is also close to his Sun, again emphasizing leadership.  He takes his roles within politics most seriously, with the Moon close to Saturn (an ivory tower emotionally) forming a triple conjunction with Jupiter – he is capable of holding a carrot and a stick position, almost simultaneously.  He has the shrewdness of a trine between his Chiron and Neptune.  His Venus is in patriotic Cancer opposing his natal Moon, so he may well hold the traditional hardline Islamic view towards women and female emancipation.

His transits for the talks yesterday:

Pluto being just past a trine with his Mars in Libra.  It probably represented him having to step up due to the violent culling of those in his immediate circle.

Uranus entering Gemini later this month will find itself transiting his natal Sun, so a great deal of unpredictability for him in the immediate future.

Chiron is trine his exact natal conjunction of the North Node with Uranus, so he may have the skill at this time to find healing and solutions.  It’s a big ask, but within the bounds of possibility.  It will take two to tango – both he and Vance will have to be in integrity at the same time.  We now know, of course, that current talks have failed, but if it is determined that talks will continue, this may again become relevant, and the two may hold prime positions in future negotiations.

The South Node is leaving its recent perch on his natal Pluto – again, it may refer to the recent death and destruction in his midst, and his being left holding the baby so to speak.  It is a crucial time in his life, and we don’t know what his soul plan is.  It could go either way, and needs to dovetail with the aims and needs of Vance and the U.S. in order to work.  As before, this may become relevant if peace talks continue.

Here are the transits for the Iranian chart:

Apparently, Iran has not held face to face negotiations with the West since the Islamic revolution in 1979.  So the events of yesterday were an historic step.

Pluto squares its natal Chiron in 2^nd House – painful learning and economic consequences

Pluto on its Mercury – great stress and worry, difficult times

Neptune squares its Midheaven at the top of its chart – extremely uncertain times for Iran

Neptune trine its Jupiter – the ability to play the religious card in some subtle way

Chiron trine its Venus in the 9^th House of Foreign Lands – the regime does have some allies, within and without the country

Saturn sextile its natal Mercury in 11^th House of Friendship and Alliances – caution and seriousness in communicating with others

Mars square its Midheaven – still on a war footing

North Node coming to a sextile with its Chiron in Taurus – some possible (minor if so, but symbolically meaningful perhaps) karmic healing approaching, possibly around 17^th May.

Things look bleak for Iran, but they do have some brighter points astrologically.  It is possible that Vance has more leverage than it looks on the face of it.  Certainly Iran holds some major cards, and when looking at the pronouncements on either side, their truth sounds as valid as some of Trump’s exaggerations.  One cannot help feel for all the innocent people in Iran, seeing their very difficult regime still standing, their structures being destroyed, and their hopes dashed.  Neither they nor Lebanon wish to become another Gaza.

I have a friend who closely watches the Doom Clock, which is almost passing midnight…but as another friend reminded me this week “You’ve got to have hope”.  The Dalai Lama advises “Hope for the best – but plan for the worst.”  I think that’s what most people do.

Aspects

We begin with tomorrow, Monday (13^th), when there is a conjunction between Mars and Neptune at 2 degrees Aries around 5.30 a.m., when many of us are still sleeping (in the U.K.).  Dreams may be more vivid towards rising time.  This aspect may empower the spirit, but for some it may serve to confuse, especially if they are dashing like headless chickens.  Chilling out would give a better outcome.  More meditative activities such as Tai Chi, Yoga and Qijong will achieve a greater sense of balance and serenity.  It is difficult to have one foot in the material world and one foot in the spiritual world, but some can do it.

At breakfast time (for some), at 8.21 a.m., Venus sextiles Jupiter – This is one of the most delightful of the year’s aspects.  It’s a sociable and romantic aspect.  The day could bring hope and happiness, socially or romantically.  Engagements, celebrations and virtual parties could be on the agenda.  This sextile combines luck and love.  Enjoy!

On Tuesday (14^th) we have another sextile: that between Mercury and Uranus.  This one brings a mental work-out exercise: thinking inside and outside the box together at the same time!  It gives rise to spectacular and unusual communications.  This encourages us to use all the new technology for our communications, and brings new ideas, heightening intuition and telepathy.   This aspect can amaze you and help you find that “wow” factor

An ingress of Mercury into Aries takes place on Wednesday (15^th): Plain speaking replaces the flowery language of Mercury in Pisces.  We are now saturated with Martian energy, with several planets in Aries.  Mercury in Aries specifically favours mental work which is unemotional and without frippery, such as accountancy and tax returns.  It’s a traditional time of year for tax returns, but I usually leave mine until the last minute in October (don’t try this at home!).  You will need to get to the point much more directly in your communications, and there is more of a sense of urgency about paperwork than usual.  If you feel overwhelmed by paperwork, stay in the moment and you may be able to stretch time.

From then, the rest of the week continues Mars and Aries on steroids.  Thursday (16^th) brings us Mars sextiles Pluto an energetic constructive vibe, though these energies together are not guaranteed to be comfortable.  Pluto at its most positive is an aspect of self-mastery and empowerment, whatever that means for you.  This sextile will give you extra physical and emotional energy (especially with Mars being in Aries), so you may find yourself spontaneously clearing clutter.  You might be motivated to do some extra exercise. This could involve very vigorous discussion and perhaps some decisiveness.

A word about energy: Janet commented last week, “Looking back on the aspects – so much for the energy burst. I found myself falling asleep by lunchtime.”  I have an observation to make on that, which is that sometimes when there is an influx of particularly spiritual energy, and you expect to be energized, the processing of it can be quite tiring!  I learned that in my Rebirthing training.  It may sound counter-intuitive, but some people may be able to relate to that.

The final feature of the week is a New Moon at 27 degrees Aries which takes place on Saturday (18^th).  This may bring cheer and vigour, and a renewed sense of purpose.  It is a time to look to the future, as much as is possible.  You may feel the urge to re-organize your lifestyle.  If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well…The New Moon in Aries is one of the brightest of the year in terms of its potential.  It takes place at 27 degrees Aries, so may touch your lives more significantly if you have planets in that degree, or that degree of any other sign.  You may find that it is a new beginning in the House it is placed in your birth chart.  Look to the future, unhampered by the past.  Set your intentions, wishes, creative visualizations and affirmations from your centre.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – vivid dreams, meditational movement; happy vibes
• Tuesday – advanced mental functioning
• Wednesday – logical mental pursuits
• Thursday – energy on steroids
• Saturday – new beginning

Artemis II

“We really are going for all, by all, and we want to take the whole world along with us”

~ Reid Wiseman, Commander of Artemis II

The Artemis II mission launched this week from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, aiming to encircle the Moon and return after 10 days.  With four astronauts aboard, it is the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in December 1972, among other record breaking features.

Tens of thousands of witnesses gathered to witness the launch.  Those interviewed pointed out that in a divided nation (or world) as this time, the event had the power to bring people together in unity.

“This is a place we all can often come together and unite around a common goal.”

~ Mark Kelly, a space shuttle veteran

The Chart

The chart of this momentous event (April 1^st, 18.35 EDT, Florida) has the Sun in Aries, and the Moon in Libra.  In fact, the launch took place within 1 degree of a Full Moon (the focus of the chart), with the Moon rising in the 1^st House of the chart (emphasizing that focus).  So the chart is very much symbolic of the event.

Other astrological features include the Sun and Moon squaring Jupiter (an adventurous enterprise); four planets populating the 7^th House of Relationship (which may represent the four Astronauts); the Sun conjunct Saturn (a serious venture); the Moon trine Pluto (a profound venture).

The list of relevant features continues: Mercury in the chart is closely trine Jupiter (indicating an adventurous and learning-filled voyage); Venus square Pluto (astronauts separated from the loved ones on the Earth – three of them have children).

Possibly the most significant aspect in my opinion, is Saturn exactly sextile Pluto (indicates an important and profound project, and recalibration).

There is also Uranus sextile Neptune (describing a complexity, the need to check loopholes – a few last minute hitches occurred, such as a temporary communication problem, coldness in the cabin, and a blinking light in the toilet.  Neptune opposed the Ascendant of the chart, showing the uncertainty surrounding the whole venture.

The Ascendant exactly squaring the Midheaven possibly depicted an uncomfortable lifestyle (literally out of the astronauts’ comfort zone!) the Ascendant itself placed in Virgo highlighted the need for Scientific attention to detail.

The Four Astronauts:

Reid Wiseman (Commander)

Record breaking feature: At 50, he is the oldest person to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

The Captain Kirk of the enterprise has the strength of character associated with the Sun in Scorpio.  He is described as a “naval aviator”, which fits his sign well.

In his birthchart, the Sun is conjunct the North Node, which marks him out as being a Leader, that leadership being part of his karmic mission.  Mercury trines his Mars, giving him good physical and mental co-ordination, much needed in his job.  Mercury conjoins Uranus, bestowing the ability to think outside the box, also needed in his job.

Mars is closely trine with Uranus, the Engineer Archetype – vital on board ship!  Jupiter trines Neptune, showing a spiritual wisdom, an asset at the helm of such a voyage.  Jupiter opposes Pluto in his chart – an enjoyment of Power.

Saturn exactly squares Uranus – so he is able to take extreme physical and mental shock, an essential for an Astronaut.  I call this the “Personal Earthquake” aspect: being separated from the Earth in this way is the ultimate in personal earthquakes.

Commander Wiseman described the breathtaking view of the Earth from space, as others have done before him, many describing the experience in mystical terms.

His transits for the launch:

The most prominent transit is his Chiron Return in Aries, which occurs at the age of 50 in the cycles of life.  I call this “the emergence of the Inner Healer”.  It will be an enormous key to his future.  Neptune trined his Saturn, a balancing recalibration between his material outlook and incoming spiritual awareness.  A fun element is noted through Jupiter squaring his natal Jupiter – High Jinks!

Victor Glover (Pilot)

Record breaking feature: The first person of colour to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

Victor Glover emerges astrologically from his chart as a distinctly solid and positive character, this from the Sun on his Ascendant in Taurus and conjunct Jupiter.  His Moon conjuncts the Part of Fortune rising in the 1^st House, highlighting the Moon in his chart – he may have had a fixation on the Moon all his life.

The South Node conjunct the Sun/Ascendant implies he has prepared for this mission in a previous life, his Ascendant being exactly conjunct the South Node. Jupiter opposes Uranus, which I call the “Chancer” Archetype – an Astronaut needs to be a risk-taker!  Uranus in his chart is loosely conjunct North Node – his karmic mission is quite literally “Out There”!  But Saturn on the I.C. means he is also tremendously Grounded!  So a tremendous balance, there.

He has three Masters degrees, and his callsign is “Ike”, short for “I know everything.”

His transits for the launch:

Pluto is square his natal Uranus (deep Change); Uranus is exactly trine his natal MC in his 9^th House of Faraway Lands [!] (Mission into Space, unmistakably); Mars was on 1^st April exactly sextile his natal Moon (making an emotional connection with his rising Moon).  The North Node is sextile his natal Jupiter in Taurus (he is pleased to be boldly going and fulfilling a collective karmic mission on behalf of humanity).  Other effects I have noted in the past for this transit are karmic rewards, and also karmic protection.

Christina Koch (Mission Specialist)

Record breaking feature: The first woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

“We are at a time where we recognise the importance where if we aren’t going for all and by all, we aren’t truly answering all of humanity’s call to explore…It is our strong hope that this mission is the start of an era where everyone, every person on Earth, can look at the Moon and think of it as also a destination.”

Christina has the Sun in Aquarius, one of the signs associated with space travel.  With the Sun also conjunct Mars in Aquarius, she is a veritable Space Warrior!  Her Moon is also in Aquarius, and it was her childhood dream to become an astronaut.  The Sun opposite Jupiter gives her that vital sense of adventure.  Mercury conjunct Mars shows that she has quick mental and physical reactions.  Mercury squaring Chiron adds a problem-solving element to her mentality.  That will be especially useful when Artemis II is on a hiatus, losing contact with Mission Control for 40 minutes or so while travelling round the far side of the Moon.  They will have to fend for themselves, entirely, during that time.  They have been well-prepared for this event.

Christina has Mars opposite Jupiter, an extremely lively energy, allied with enthusiasm. Saturn in her chart is conjunct the North Node by 6 degrees in Virgo, an extreme attention to detail, as part of her karmic mission.  Virgo is the Specialist, and her job title is Mission Specialist.

Uranus exactly sextiles her North Node, which describes her karmic mission into Space, as well as the Specialism.  Saturn is not directly aspected to Uranus, but they are both aspected to the North Node.  Neptune exactly sextile Pluto confers an extremely strong Psyche, able to take in and process deep psychological learnings; while  Neptune exactly square the Nodal Axis means a deeply spiritual element is added to the qualities of her karmic mission, in a challenging and sensitive way.

Her transits for the launch:

Pluto square her natal Chiron in Taurus (a strong effect on the physical body)

Neptune sextile her natal Mercury (sensitizing her to her unique experiences)

Mars square her natal Venus (combined with the previous aspect it’s almost sensory overload – in a good way)

Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist)

Record breaking feature: The first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

Jeremy is from the Canadian Space Agency.   He almost shares a birthday with Christina.  He’s another Aquarian, born 27^th January to her 29^th, but in a different year.  So, again, coming from one of the signs associated with space travel.  The Sun in his chart is exactly square Uranus, making him an intrepid scientist.  The Sun trine Pluto in his chart makes for a profound character.

He has Mercury closely opposite Saturn, making him capable of intense focus, which is much needed for his role of Mission Specialist.  Mercury squares Chiron – like Christina, he has a problem-solving mentality, useful on that hiatus.

He has the Moon in Sagittarius, the other sign associated with space (far distance) travel, and that all-important sense of adventure.  Another asset is Mars trine Pluto which gives him a powerhouse of energy at his disposal.

Jupiter trines Neptune, as in Captain Reid’s chart – so he too has great spiritual wisdom.  The two maybe the gurus of the flight, though I imagine they are all equally gifted and their abilities co-ordinated and interconnected.

“Each one of us, we have our own different opinions, and our own individual beliefs.  And I think that’s one of the best parts about this mission right now…that’s great that we celebrate all of this”

~ Commander Reid Wiseman

With Jupiter conjunct Chiron, Jeremy may be the natural “Healer” of the company, although Captain Reid is currently going through an intense healing process and journey, in his Chiron Return year.

His transits for the launch:

Uranus sextile his natal Saturn in Cancer (wrenched far from home!).  This transit can be accompanied by a tremendous sense of freedom.

Chiron also close to its Return, like Reid; this could provide closeness between them, in their shared experience.  Victor also has this, but Reid’s is the most exact.  This points to the importance of the mission in terms of healing, for them.  Christina is a little younger, and her Chiron is in Taurus, so she will experience her Chiron Return in around 2029.

The North Node is trine his natal Uranus, showing that he is taking part in a stunning and futuristic collective karmic mission on behalf of humanity.

Saturn and Pluto will be making important transits after the journey; so he will feel the impact intensely afterwards.  His ability to digest experiences may take longer than for the others.

Wonderment

The Inner Child loves the idea of space exploration…

John Crace in the Guardian (often featured in my blogs!) detailed his childhood enthusiasm for the original Moon landing in 1969.  This current mission, of course, just aims to take steps towards another Moon landing in the future.

“Maybe it was just my way of escaping the boredom of my childhood, but I felt I was living in a world of possibilities, even if they were out of my reach.”

and

“But I’m thrilled by Artemis II.  It fills me with wonder and hope.  That there are still worlds out there to be explored.”

~ John Crace

He also acknowledges that “you get the feeling that most people are relatively indifferent to the mission”, something I too have observed.  They have, understandably, other concerns.

When I was a child, I loved anything to do with the stars. I was 19 on that night the Moon landing was televised live, on summer holiday from university.  My parents retired to bed at their normal time, and left me to watch it on my own!

Nowadays I worry more about the possible waste of resources, but my scientist hubby values the scientific progress made through such exploration.

Above all, we think of the four of them during this 10-day odyssey, and trust that the four of them come home safely.

Aspects

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

The Artemis II mission was launched under this square, but becomes exact today, and so is at its most intense.

Tomorrow (Monday, 6^th) brings a karmic sextile: that between Venus and the North Node.  This aspect is ideal for smoothing over karmic issues, resolving relationship karma and easing connections. It is more about forgiveness and laying aside grievances than exacting karmic balance.  The law of karma works automatically – you don’t need to engineer it.  Your own knowledge may not be complete enough.

For more ponderings on the subject of karma, read my recent blog from 15^th March.

Another sextile, that between Mars and Uranus, occurs on Wednesday (8^th). This promises some dynamism for the middle of the week.  Engineering especially benefits from this aspect, but that also includes social engineering.  Electricity and Astrology are other areas which can be stimulated by this combination.  Cars, mechanics, mechanical goods and household appliances may receive a boost or a renewal.  This aspect can refresh your energies, if you have been feeling jaded.  It is helpful for both beginning new tasks, or completing long term projects. The power of surprise may be constructive today, too.

As mentioned, this aspect is especially favourable to engineering, mechanics and technology, so will be supportive to those on the Artemis II mission using their skills in space.  They will have been in space for a week, and hopefully will be nearing the end of their mission.

An injection of energy comes on Thursday (9^th) when Mars, the planet of energy, enters its own home sign of Aries.  Mars ingressing its own sign, gives rise to a purer quality of physical energy, especially for those born under Aries.  You may find a new sense of purpose for active projects.  There is of course an element of Aries being a battleground or war zone, for those whose primary aim is warriorship.  So there may be extra strife in Iran and Ukraine, but for those working on the path of the Peaceful Warrior, much can be achieved with integrity.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – enthusiasm
• Tomorrow – good karmic relations
• Wednesday – dynamism
• Thursday – pure energy