Aspects

After a quiet week, which astrological financial guru Raymond Merriman described as “the calm before the storm”, we have a challenging week emanating from the Uranus-Pluto square, with this time Venus becoming enmeshed.  That means relationships will be coming under the hammer, especially those already under strain.  Taureans and Librans may feel they are under stress more than most.  The T-square configuration with Venus and Uranus-Pluto is not as damaging as the Mars-Uranus-Pluto T-square a few weeks ago, but it is more up close and personal, given that many of us feel that relationships are central to our happiness. However, there are saving graces, which will go some way to mitigating the difficulties.

On Wednesday (15^th) Venus opposes Pluto, an aspect which occurs once a year. This aspect last occurred 9/7/11.  This requires being true to yourself: if you bend over backwards to please another, neither of you may win.  It is a difficult day for the Arts, e.g. Arts Funding, but Sports Funding may win out after the euphoria of the Olympics.

Mars will then conjunct Saturn in Libra.  Much is made of this aspect, which represents deliberate and controlled action, in a negative light, by many astrologers.  Having this in my natal chart, I don’t see it as negative but it is a frustrating aspect, well-described by Alan Oken as “driving with the brakes on”.  It is not a good day, for instance, for taking a driving test.

However, the Venus opposition with Pluto may drag it down, and may even cause people to subscribe events to Mars conjunct Saturn which may derive from Venus opposite Pluto.  If it is in connection with your love life, it’s a Venus-Pluto issue.  If it is in connection with physical life or exercise (such as injury at the gym) it is indeed down to Mars-Saturn.

Saving Grace No. 1 occurs on Thursday (16^th) in the shape of Venus trine Chiron, when a balmy interlude may occur and you remember how you can heal yourself, either from the love dart or the gym injury.

This may be balanced out, or cancelled out, by Venus squaring Uranus the same day, but rest assured the week starts to improve after that.  Venus squaring Uranus completes the relationship picture of the T-square between Venus, Uranus and Pluto this week.  You might be bailing yourself out using the meditative healing space of Venus trine Chiron, and as fast as you are doing that, unexpected relationship challenges may be occurring from the square to Uranus.  You need fast answers from the Universe about the true nature of relationships, so set up a high-wire contact with your guides or your Soul or the Masters or God from the start of the day so that the answers come through without too much delay.

Friday (17^th) may find you shell-shocked from the T-square, but things will start to ease and there are a couple of easier, indeed quite nice, features to look forward to that day to help you let go and start anew.

Firstly (Saving Grace of the Week No. 2) the Sun sextiles Saturn, enabling you to take the lessons which have been dealt this week, and place the first brick in a new foundation.  Take practical steps to support yourself.

Secondly (S.G. No. 3) there is a New Moon in Leo just in the nick of time to save your morale: Dust down your Inner Hedonist Archetype and paint the town gold.  Count your blessings, and if you’re a gardener let go of any molehills on the lawns of your mind.

Olympic Round-Up

Sportsman of the Week

Usain Bolt declared himself to be Sportsman of the Week, pushing past all his rivals and other contenders with the words “I’m a living legend”.  He wins the trophy for Self-Esteem, which all of us pursue, but often when it is attained it is frowned upon by others.  Be proud of your attainments.  Always believe in your Soul.

Natally, Usain has Moon conjunct Jupiter (Pisces) in a T-square with Chiron (in Gemini – the sign for sprinting) opposite Uranus in Sagittarius.

He has Mercury sextile exactly Venus, Venus trine Chiron (the early aspect for Thursday this week, you may find it useful to oberve),  and Mercury sextile Chiron, this package making for a very sorted character.

For his first win this week, Sun exactly equidistant his exact Venus-Mercury sextile.

Saturn was conjunct his South Node this week, indicating he has fulfilled his karmic brief for a karmic cycle.

In addition, Mars was exactly sextile his Uranus (enhancing his speed).

Please note this is the last in the series

Gabby Logan

Gabby’s hand jive movements to “Gold” by Spandau Ballet at the evening Olympic round-ups on our TV screens should be made compulsory exercise in schools.  She also needs to reveal how she managed to look utterly fresh each evening.

Chris Hoy’s Mother

One of the most priceless images this week, was the sight of Chris Hoy’s lovely mother trying not to watch his winning cycling performance.  Chris’s mother is represented in his chart by Moon in Capricorn, so she has been through a lot.  Most people would be able to identify with her, mothers or not.  I know people who were not able to watch Andy Murray, for instance, and they are not even related to him.  And apart from what was at stake competitively and even if you were not involved emotionally, some of the events such as BMX biking looked incredibly dangerous.

Birthday Statistics

I spotted that Gold medal winners Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny and Mo Farah (all different years) were all born on 23^rd March.  Toddlers with such credentials may be trainable from now for the 2030 games as per David Cameron’s instructions, but not all children are built to be future sports champions.

Changes to the English Language

New verbs which have been added to the English language include “to medal”, “to podium” and “to red button” (the last one from Lord Coe himself). Lynne Truss and the Oxford English Dictionary take note for your next editions.

Special Mentions:

Andy Murray – After the cathartic post-Wimbledon emotion, our lad came good, refuellling our hopes for next summer’s Wimbledon.  I have written about him astrologically this summer…

Nicola Adams – Modestly Nicola said the Gold had “made her day”, understatement of the week.  She seems such a sweetie.  Boxing is traditionally the province of Taurus, but her Scorpio Sun is suitable for boxing.   She has Mars at the powerhouse of the Galactic Centre, conjunct Neptune (physical sensitivity) and sextile Saturn (control).

Tom Daley – What self-control and precision that young man has.  He was genuinely happy with his Bronze medal, and has such an authentic smile.  David Beckham described that smile as lighting up the whole stadium.  He has North Node conjunct Pluto in Scorpio (karmic mission of Diving) plus Uranus conjunct Neptune in Capricorn (the ability to execute complex instructions).  The winner of his category U.S. David Boudia, who just pipped him to the post, has his North Node (karmic mission) in Pisces (also Diving) with the support of an exact trine to Chiron (a facility for Self-Healing).  By transit too, Boudia was blessed with a winning aspect of Uranus sextile his natal Jupiter.

I’m exhausted…My father (who is in a nursing home) has been placed in front of the Olympics coverage, in his wheelchair.  He was asked: “Have you been watching the Olympics?”  He replied: “Only when they make me.”  He has great difficulty in speaking, but managed to say “I don’t know where they get the strength and energy.”

The week in bullet points:

• Wednesday – Difficult day
• Thursday – Saving grace interlude, followed by relationship upset
• Friday – Restoring equilibrium, and partying

Non-Aspects

Venus enters Cancer on Tuesday 7th August, and our collective feelings may become less analytical, and more emotional.  We may become mesmerized by water sports such as rowing and swimming.  Having watched a week of Olympics, hubby (re-inspired) is now down at the gym, while I am waiting for him to check the blog.  Seriously though, the rhythm of water, the rhythms of the sea and the tide, will be soothing for us now and may re-set our pace.  A planet changing sign re-sets the tone of life, though it is not an aspect (the relationship between planets).

Mercury goes direct on Wednesday 8^th August, for retrophobes.  I ought to be a retrophobe after my computer outage at the last Mercury and Uranus retrogrades, but one incident has not created a phobia. Although Uranus is still retrograde, I am still hopeful that there is meaning in his madness.  If you have any lingering paperwork at the beginning of the week save it for Wednesday, which reminds me it is tax return time for me (allowing 3 months to do it).  I will leave it till Wednesday, and mark it accordingly in my diary.  This retrograde feature too is not an aspect.

Venus trine Neptune

So the actual “Aspect of the week” occurs on Thursday (9^th) – Venus trine Neptune, an aspect which occurs twice a year, and last occurred on October 7^th last year.  This is not a life-changing aspect normally, but it was for me then, as it was the time of the Future Life Progression course which I have derived so much from!  Neptune was just leaving my 10^th House of Career, so it revealed a new aspect of my life’s work.  Thursday’s aspect occurs at 22.34 Hrs in U.K. time, with Venus at 2 degrees Cancer and Neptune at 2 degrees Pisces, linking two natal Houses or areas of your life harmoniously.

This aspect will bring benefits to art, music, dance, fashion, interior design, love and spirituality.  You may work all week on a project linked with these (e.g. at the Edinburgh Fringe) but Thursday will be the culmination, the peak, the piece de resistance of the project.  It can even represent perfection.

Famous Examples

Robin Gibb, who died in May, undoubtedly had the gift of musical inspiration as depicted by Venus (music) trine Neptune (inspiration) in his chart.  His Venus was exactly conjunct his I.C. (roots) sextile exactly his North Node in 6^th House (the karmic mission of his work) and trine by 5 degrees Neptune in the 12^th House of Unconscious (musical inspiration springing forth from that source).

Joseph Mallord Turner, the painter: With his whispy, foggy style of painting (Venus) produced very Neptunian effects!  The enhancements of Neptune in this aspect here shows the style of the painting very accurately.  A trine from Saturn to Venus for instance would produce a much more down-to-earth effect on the painter’s work.  Turner had Venus in his 5^th House of Creativity and Neptune in his 9^th House of Philosophy.

Barbara Ann Brennan: Within the field of healing, Barbara Ann Brennan (who wrote the seminal work for healers “Hands of Light”) has Venus trine Neptune. Her Venus in Capricorn is at 14 degrees in her 11^th House and her Neptune is in Virgo (hands-on healing) at 22 degrees.  This represents the Love element or component of healing combining with spirituality.  She also has a Satellitium, a cluster of planets on her Ascendant in Pisces trine her Chiron “the wounded healer”.

Sir Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson were born two days apart in 1942 on 18^th and 20^th June respectively, and are both regarded as having musical genius.  Paul has Venus in Taurus (Music) in 8^th House trine Neptune in Virgo rising within 1 degree of his Ascendant.  His Moon is in showbiz Leo in the 11^th House of bands.

Born two days later, Brian Wilson, formerly of the Beach Boys, has Venus in Taurus in 12^th House of Unconscious inspiration (and sometimes mental confusion) trine Neptune on the cusp of his Creative 5^th House in Virgo (trine exactly his natal Ascendant).  His was a greater struggle for self-expression, with most of his planets below the horizon and the Moon in shy retiring Virgo, and he did in fact retire for many years.

If Venus trine Neptune is in your natal chart

Interpretations within astrology have changed or evolved throughout the years since I have been learning about it.  When I started out in 1970, Margaret Hone’s was the standard textbook.  This is what she had to say about Venus trine Neptune:

“Music, dancing, poetry, painting are necessities of life and bring happiness and benefit.”

A few years later, Alan Oken brought out his trilogy which were combined in 1980 to form “Complete Astrology”.  Here is what he wrote about Venus trine Neptune in the birthchart:

“Personal Magnetism flows or works well with illumination.  These aspects indicate tremendous creative potential, artistic imagination…this aspect also gives compassion and understanding in human relationships – the Lover of the Universe.”

Nowadays, this is what I might write in an astrological analysis (not necessarily better, just my individual take):

“This aspect provides a tremendously idealistic dimension to relationships.  It makes for great perfectionism in both relationships and in artistic work.  This is a positive aspect and its highest manifestation is a perfect spiritual relationship, or the creation of inspired designs or musical compositions.”

Sportswoman of the Week

After four years of fusing them in my mind, I have finally learned this week the difference between Rebecca Adlington and Victoria Pendleton.  This is not because I have been watching the Olympics, but because I occasionally took a stroll into the dining room/hubby’s study, where he has been permanently glued to the other television.

Jessica Ennis definitely claims the title of Sportswoman of the Week, with her achievement of a gold medal in the heptathlon, which requires seven sets of skills.  She has Sun in Aquarius exactly trine Chiron in Gemini, so is good at problem solving. Neptune in Capricorn trines exactly her North Node in Taurus, so her karmic focus is determined but firmly attached to her spiritual vision.  She has Sun/Mercury/Venus conjunct in quick Aquarius.  The planets are definitely with her at this moment, with Jupiter currently trine her natal Venus (personal success), Uranus (her Sun ruler) currently sextile her natal Sun (breakthroughs and excitement), Saturn trine her natal Jupiter (a steadying influence calming her performance), and Pluto sextile her Pluto (psychological balance at a deep level).

In praise of holidays

I took David Cameron’s advice and holidayed on our island last week, in exotic Salisbury.  It occurred to me that meeting new people and seeing new places opens up dormant segments of our consciousness. Away from the have to’s at home you have the opportunity to do things you don’t always have time for at home, such as self healing. Being away provides balances (e.g. a hard bed if you have a soft one at home, or a different magnetic bed position) and of course new perspectives on everyday concerns.  There’s a change from your normal food habits, the chance to rethink your food choices, which could be to your advantage and could help to re-think your habits (but might just go the other way).  Even the meditations I do are different: they are the ones my daughter put on my i pod, hence I exercise different spiritual muscles while I am away.  If you are a healer or consciously work with your guides you may borrow local guides while away and keep in touch with them afterwards. My mum, a Cancerian, says it’s always worth going away, for coming home.

We went to a wedding during this period, and sat in the Science section at dinner. Someone asked me what I do for a living. I replied “Astrologer”. The woman said “Oh I get mixed up between Astrology and Astronomy” then proceeded to assume I was an astronomer and put forward her pet theories about life in the universe etc. After 5 minutes, I gave up and just pretended to be an astronomer (just for a day).

We also visited Jane Austen’s house near Winchester, where she hand wrote all her famous works, on a minute table which was still there, placed by the window.  On entering the house, there was a lady who looked as though she had lived there at the time, and I asked if she was there to answer questions, to which she replied in the affirmative.  I then realized it was July and Jane had died in July, so I asked which date.  She then looked it up in her reference book, and not only provided the date, but also the time of her death in Winchester, so I was glad I asked, for the sake of the avenues of my researches, which gather apace every day (who knows where it will end?).

The coming week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – A new flow
• Wednesday – Communications a go-go
• Thursday – Inspiration and a hint of perfection

A Guide for getting through the Olympics

1.  If you are a fan, just watch it
2. If your spouse isn’t a fan, get a separate telly
3. If you are an aspect-watcher bear in mind that on the opening ceremony Chiron is on the Ascendant, which indicates either that the event is a healer (buoying up hope) or that it will produce a healing crisis (not enough security staff) or the wrong national flags may go up…  There are contradictory aspects to the chart of the U.K.: Jupiter transits its Ascendant (jolly) while Saturn squares its Moon (deflatory).  Certainly we will have the anticipation of the Jupiter transit, and the Saturn square may refer to something political.  I will have another look at the U.K. transits on the following Sunday (5^th August).
4. If you are interested in the sports personalities, I may be drawn to look at one or two charts through the contest (see Bradley Wiggins below)
5. If you want to approach the whole thing from a positive new age ley-line perspective, here is a link you may find interesting:

http://www.earthstars.co.uk/2012-olympics-earthstar-group-newsletter/

Here is a small extract from the newsletter:

“The Olympic village and stadium are as well positioned and plugged into the spiritual energies of London as any sacred site.

An alignment from Parliament Hill to Barking Abbey runs directly through it. The midsummer sunrise line from St Paul’s Cathedral goes through the Olympic Village.

The May Day and August Ist sunrise alignment to St Paul’s goes through the stadium.

August 1st is the old celtic festival of Lughasahd, a fire festival celebrating the celtic god Lugh, “The Shining One” a god of light and “solar hero” archetype.

The River Lea is named after Lugh. It rises in Luton (precisely where the famous Michael line runs through the town) and , on its way down to the Thames, it surrounds the Olympic stadium like a sacred enclosure.”

He advises:

MEDITATE DAILY THROUGHOUT THE GAMES AND VISUALISE THE EARTHSTARS GEOMETRY OVER THE CITY AS A PROTECTIVE DOME OF LIGHT, A SPIRITUAL FORCE FIELD. THAT DISPELLS NEGATIVITY AND EMPOWERS POSITIVE EMOTIONS.

7.Alternatively, avoid most of London, if you can’t face the crowds

8.If you like watching television, but are not a fan of the Olympics, I just can’t help you, but will let you     know if I find something else to do.

Sports Personality of the Week

Bradley Wiggins

At the start of Sports Month (Leo) and on the Jupiter-Uranus sextile (a peak of excitement), Bradley Wiggins accomplished an amazing victory.  He competes again this first week of the Olympics.

From last week’s comments box:

Sport Section:

Tour de France Special

Bradley Wiggins is the “man of the moment”. What strikes me about his natal chart from the perspective of karmic astrology is that he has Uranus closely square his Nodal Axis: the sign of a man that brings together his Soul Group (when the negative tendencies of Uranus square the Nodes has been worked through), and works well at the hub of a team.

Aspects

After a memorable weekend due to Sun conjunct Mercury in Leo, we continue in a positive vein with two trines on Tuesday (31^st).

The first trine is between the Sun and Uranus, which is excellent for setting up forward-thinking initiatives, such as from your future visions.  This supports innovations, originality, creativity, as well as scientific initiatives.  It favours individuals with new ideas, and group activities.

The second trine is between Venus and Saturn.  This favours long-term commitments in relationships, or joint projects of a practical nature.  It may be helpful to the elderly, e.g. special outings.  Declarations and contracts which have an emotional component too, such as pre-nuptual agreements, would also come under the blessing of this trine, as would engagements of a serious or long-term nature (as distinct from a passing fancy of being married in Las Vegas).

The mood may change the next day, under pressure from Thursday’s (2nd) Full Moon in Aquarius.  This requires us to understand the balance of individual need (Sun in Leo) opposed to group interaction (Moon in Aquarius).  We need to somehow gain an overview of both, so that we can work with this without too much discomfort, and may need to be less attached to outcomes, or to one or other side of the equation.

Here we are assisted by a sextile between Jupiter and the Sun later the same day.  There may be an element of luck assisting our approach.  We may feel more confident in a venture than usual.  We may feel in a holiday mood, or in the mood for a flutter on the lottery.  We may wrench ourselves from our list of worries, and decide to be carefree for at least a day.  Leisure outings in nature would be suitable for Thursday, such as a visit to a butterfly farm.  Or take a trip to the Orkneys, this week declared to be the happiest place in Britain.

Mel C as Mary Magdalene

Not only do we have a new Jesus (“Ben”) courtesy of Andrew Lloyd Webber, but we have the interesting choice of Mary Magdalene played by Mel C in the new production, as debuted on Wednesday night during the final of Superstar, singing “I don’t know how to love him”.  We all (including Dawn French) probably have a secret hankering to play the part and give expression to our inner Mary Magdelene archetype, but Andrew has chosen Mel.  Mel C currently has three powerful trines in her chart, including Jupiter trine her natal Venus (a musical opportunity).  Some felt her performance to be low key, but I like a bit of demureness in Mary Magdalene.  Mel’s Virgo the Virgin Ascendant with Moon rising assures that she understands the profundity of her task, and fits well with the role.  Not mixing her up with the Virgin Mary or anything, but they are both aspects of His anima.

Year Ahead Updates

I went to have my eyebrows shaped this week (as I am attending a wedding shortly), at the local Beauty Profile establishment in Downham Market.  I said “How much is that?”  The beauty practitioner said “That’ll be £7.50”  I giggled and said “That’s an interesting price!”  She said “Why?”  I said “That’s an unusual amount.  It’s what I charge for a Year Ahead as an Astrologer”.  I have kept my prices level for years, and they are displayed on my Astrology page.  My current waiting list is about 2 months long, if you are contemplating taking the plunge.

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – Good for friendship, groups and the elderly; creative ingenuity and loyalty
• Thursday – Tension from opposing needs, then a holiday atmosphere

Assad and Syria

Assad may have been protected for the moment (Jupiter transitting his North Node).  But Assef Shawkat, Assad’s brother-in-law, was killed last week as Pluto squared his Mars (a transit which often brings about violence, if it is karmically due).

For the chart of Syria itself, some progress by force is indicated for this time: Uranus trine its Pluto and Mars sextile its Pluto.  As a pacifist, I would not advocate progress by force!

Other Approaches

Sarah and I are continuing to focus on the situation in Syria in our Light Pod work (see my Light Pod page, if you would like to join in thought).

But another member of our circle, Laura, who occasionally contributes here, has had a series of visions about the future of Syria.

She recently reported:

“A small group of men (about 7-8) will emerge from within Syria itself to lead it forward into a new democracy.

The forces of equilibrium will calm the nation such that civil war will not continue and will be replaced by talk. The Syrian people will love their freedom to be able to talk openly. This will confound the US and Russia.

The present struggle is bringing a deep poison to the surface of the nation so that it can be eradicated.”

And in February, during the violence in Homs, she saw in response to her concern over the bombing of Homs:

1. The entire conflict is being monitored carefully by the Spiritual Hierarchy so that the transformation of power within Syria is along evolutionary rather than revolutionary lines.  It requires a careful balancing.  Also, the “paralysed” nature of the world response – symbolised by the huge cold high pressure over Russia and Europe (also a reference to “the Cold War”) – allows time for a new approach to be grasped and followed through.

2.  Russia would continue to have its port in Syria but as seen in 5 years’ hence, the port was being shared with NATO and that Russia was now partnering, if not already a member of NATO. Syria was at peace.

She believes that these visions reflect the growing influence of the Age of Aquarius – with its emphasis on brotherhood and sharing – on the life of humanity, which is gradually superceding the Age of Pisces with its emphasis on hierarchy and “strong leaders”. Many commentators and experts on the Middle East are viewing the situation through “Piscean” rather than “Aquarian” eyes and so assuming that the Syrian nation will fall apart without a strong man to unite the people.

Aspects

In the early hours of today a big cheery aspect begins a cheery week!   Jupiter sextiles Uranus, and it doesn’t matter if you slept through it, this is a major aspect which will leave you with benefits and a major boost (even if in the form of an insightful dream).

The house in your chart where Uranus currently resides is where you are having your own Arab spring. The house Jupiter is in is where you may be experiencing improvements in communication, writing, or education (despite Michael Gove).

These two planets are working together to improve your life. Even if you have had a recent setback (Uranus turning retrograde) there may prove to be a blessing in disguise (a new upgrade of sorts perhaps?).

This aspect last occurred 4 years ago, i.e. in living blog memory.  I wrote for 21/5/08:

“It’s a red-letter day in terms of achievement, surprises and possibly even miracles. If you find it so, you’ll have Jupiter sextile Uranus to thank. … you’ll  find everything clicking into place in a powerful way on Wednesday for those days were stepping stones to experiencing the full range of Jupiter-Uranus successes. Anthony Robbins, eat your heart out!”

Unfortunately, as I was not keeping such meticulous records at that time, I don’t have a record of what transpired, but I do know that I painted the Gemini Butterfly Mandala on the last Jupiter-Uranus sextile, which is pictured on my Future Lives page as it depicts future vision.  You may care to work with that in relation to today’s aspect.  This aspect is also good for working in groups or with groups.  There is also a sense of liberation with this aspect, because both planets express liberation.

Moving on slightly, at 10.01 a.m. in the U.K.  the Sun enters its home stage of Leo, as if to reinforce the upbeat mood.  There might be a burst of sunlight over the U.K. as the Atlantic jet stream edges slightly north. It has been raining as long as we can remember (since April). We may start to behave as though it is summer, and not some non-descript season. Of course in some parched areas of the U.S. they have been having a drought (as we did earlier in the year) and may be hoping otherwise.

Leo Guide to Leadership

The sign of Leo isn’t just about sunshine and having a good time.  One of the qualities of the sign Leo characterwise is the ability to take on power, and experiment with its right usage.  We have today the next in the series of the Zodiac Masterclass, and it’s entitled “The Leo Guide to Leadership”.  If power is something you are working on in this incarnation, do read this article for handy hints, if not for this lifetime maybe for the next.  Here’s the link:

http://www.lanawooster.co.uk/blog/2012/07/the-leo-guide-to-leadership/

Aspects contd.

The third gift of the day (we are still talking about Sunday 22^nd), around Elevenses in the U.K., is Mercury sextile Mars, a brisk aspect conducive to getting things done, and getting things thought about and communicated.  Take your coffee on the go, and multi-task.

On Tuesday (24^th) Jupiter squares Chiron and it might be the only fly in the week’s ointment.  A big project you might have successfully set up on Sunday may demonstrate a flaw in its development.  For instance if you started a painting, you may need to halt your work while you ponder a problem in its execution.  Any health crises will be along the lines of overstretching, e.g. tearing a hamstring.  Take note athletes in practice.

In the early evening of the same day Mercury sextiles Jupiter (more good news, possibly alleviating the news about the hamstring earlier). Good aspects just keep on coming. This aspect is excellent for sales and transatlantic communications. It is good for positive thinking (much to the chagrin perhaps of the fashionable anti-positive thinking movement) and philosophical ideas, for learning and all levels of education from primary to postgraduate.

On Wednesday (25th) Mercury makes another fortunate aspect, this time with Uranus (our mental equipment is working well this week by the way, although tempered by the fact that that Mercury is still retrograde).  Geminis and Virgos may benefit from this trend, even if they were hit for six by last Sunday’s retrograde turn.  We last met the aspect of Mercury trine Uranus on the day it was announced that the scientific discovery of the “God particle” had been made. There may be further or related discoveries in the news, and in our own lives we may make discoveries, which may be more pertinent to our own lives, and maybe more trustworthy.

At the end of the week, on Saturday (28^th) the Sun conjuncts Mercury at 6 degrees Leo, which favours intelligent use of leisure, celebrations, such as weddings, children and creativity – Oh yes, and sport!  This may be my last reference to the Olympics – savour it (I may eat my words though).  If it is your birthday or you have 6 degrees Leo rising, you will have an intense experience of yourself.

Part 2 of the Computer Saga

I am glad to have found that my initial reporting of the computer saga produced some merriment in various quarters.  At the time I was too shell shocked to write Part 2, and anxious about the result.  So here is the less funny denouement:

The printer travelled to my brother-in-law’s house (because the computer appeared to freeze quite often while printing), together with the other components of my computer equipment.  It was placed in the hallway, and in fact did not need to be part of the investigation as it happened.  My brother-in-law completed the overhaul of the computer to his satisfaction, and was just finishing this task, when he picked up the printer and carried it into his living room and placed it on an antique chair.  (You may be beginning to sense what happened next…)…He was wearing a new and fresh pair of cream trousers…(Have you got the picture yet…?)…when he realized that there was black ink on the chair, then noticed a trail on the new cream Berber carpet tracing his route, and also on the smart trousers.

So it was that these horrors were revealed to us when we arrived to collect the perfectly mended computer.  In my brother-in-law’s considerable experience of mending computers nothing like this had ever happened before.

We were in suspended disbelief last Sunday, but at the start of the week the Insurance representative called and confirmed that this is a common occurrence with inkjet printers, and the damage to the carpet and antique chair will be compensated.  My brother-in-law would like to make it known that inkjet printers should always be carried straight and level so that the tray catches the ink.  Evidently, my hubby may have tilted it when carrying it to the car.  I now have a laser printer, which apparently would not leak in this way.

I am still trying to work out the spiritual and symbolic meanings of the event, with a little help from my friends.

Future Life Progression and Astrology

An unexpectedly strange phenomena has occurred in my working practice.  Normally, I would expect to work with someone’s astrological chart prior to doing a session of Future Life Progression with them.  Recently though, it was the reverse, i.e. that someone had Future Life Progression, then asked for an astrological reading for the year ahead.  So it was like looking at the year ahead through a different lens, one that already knew what the future would be for the client.

If you are interested in a mandalic depiction of today’s Jupiter-Uranus sextile, do have a look at my Future Lives page, where you can find the mandala I painted on the last Jupiter-Uranus sextile, which in the future of the past formed the vision of my Future Life work.  Many of my mandalas have destinies which I did not foresee when I painted them.

In my Future Life Progression work, I am working on a sequel to the South Node Archetype article I wrote last year.  The future article I see as producing 12 Future Life Archetypes for the North Node, from my understanding and experience of working on the future with clients.  That may sound like a stretch, but it is something I see for myself.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – A hooray! A salute to the Sun! A go-ahead day!
• Tuesday – A hitch, but later good news
• Wednesday – brilliant ideas, mental adventures and discoveries
• Saturday – intense thought and creativity

Leo New Moon Mandala painted by Sarah Berry
Line Mandala from Mandala Colouring Book by Barry Stevens
available at http://www.mandalas.freeserve.co.uk/colouringinbook.html

This is the ninth piece in an occasional series written about the expertise of each Sun Sign. I am still looking for the Capricorn who can write a guide to Ambition, but at this point in time I am no longer looking for a Libran who can write a guide to Relationships. I think I have found just the right person, but I haven’t asked her yet! If you think you are the Capricorn I am looking for, please get in touch. Or alternatively if you should know the ideal person. The articles will be found under the category “Zodiac Masterclass” so that eventually there will be 12 such articles, e.g. “The Libran Guide to Relationships”, “The Capricorn Guide to Ambition”,”The Pisces Guide to Compassion” etc. Each article will be written by someone who has the Sun Sign in question.

Here guest blogger Neil writes through Daph about Leo as Leader. Daph is a family member, and also happens to have Leo rising. The blog will replace your copy of “Il Principe” by Niccolo Machiavelli, being a new guide to modern leadership! Please note the bullet points, a modern feature which Niccolo had not thought of. Enjoy this blog, as there won’t be another one in this series until at least September, for Libra. In the meantime, when it comes to the new academic season, and you feel like an Autumn spring-clean, you might want to review the Virgo Guide to De-cluttering…

A word about the mandala: It is painted in yellow and gold (its higher vibrational counterpart, and a symbol for royalty among other things), traditional colours for Leo. Colours that the lion feels at home with. The colours were represented in Sarah’s work with no knowledge of astrological correspondences, just the experience of painting them on the New Moon of the particular sign.

The Leo Guide to Leadership

By Neil, channelled through Daph

The first and most important aspect of Leadership is knowing how and when to delegate, and this blog post is very much a case in point. The author, a Leo, has completely delegated the writing of it to a Sun Sign Taurean (always happy to play second fiddle), albeit with Ascendant in Leo.

Delegation is important for two reasons. Firstly, you need to focus your energies where they are really needed in directing overall strategy – you have to be aware of the big picture as well as the detail; the wood as well as the trees. Secondly, it is good to give other people plenty of opportunity to express their own creativity in positions of trust. New leaders have to be nurtured and brought on and everyone deserves their moment in the sun (Leo ruler!), so part of the responsibility of leadership lies in recognising, encouraging and developing talent. Rather like being a parent and watching your children become independent, you should be pleased and proud whenever your protégées acquire the skills and confidence to move on to new challenges without you.

People may think that being a leader is simply a matter of issuing orders and expecting others to obey them without question. That is not leadership – it is dictatorship. Properly exercised, true leadership is about consensus and timing. There is an element of serendipity about being in the right place at the right time.

You need to recognise where people want to go almost before they know it themselves. It is no good being slightly behind the curve, as you would have no natural authority. You cannot afford to be too visionary either – that would be Piscean, and no matter how brilliant your ideas, if they are too far ahead of everyone else’s you would be judged, (however unfairly) as a revolutionary at best or a crackpot at worst, rather than a leader; I feel that path represents more of an Aquarian vibe.

Understand people’s individual strengths and weaknesses and what roles they can best perform in any given project – to use a military analogy you need cavalry and artillery as well as foot soldiers. Choose your team wisely as they will need to work well together in the heat of battle as well as in camp.

Lead by example. To demonstrate this principle, the author (taking on the persona of the creative director) has inserted plenty of paragraph breaks and a handy summary in bullet points below. For regular readers of this blog, that may or may not give you a clue as to the identity of someone who frequently adds comments. You will not inspire your troops to have courage if you cannot project a mask of bravery yourself, even if like the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz you are quaking in your boots. It is very bad for morale to burden your team with your own concerns.

An old family saying has it that a good general turns a defeat into a victory. This is a particularly tricky feat to pull off, but very rewarding if you can manage it. When things don’t go your way it may be because that wasn’t right after all, and if you can focus on the positives of your position rather than on your own feelings of resentment, you are more likely to see the way forward.

If all this sounds rather daunting, remember to be authentic and stay true to yourself. If you pretend to be better than you are, then the hypocrisy of your position will be obvious to the world. Some of the most inspiring and charismatic leaders in history (as illustrated), have nonetheless been deeply flawed human beings. However, they are still held in great affection.

Leadership in bullets

• Delegation
• Timing
• Choose your team
• Lead by example
• Stay true to yourself

Is there ever such a thing as an accident, karmically speaking? The moment I pressed a pencil into the re-set button of my computer on the day Uranus went retrograde (don’t do it, dear reader) I set off a chain of events…It happened as I had tried three times to print a birth chart, and my computer froze each time. The pencil, of course, you’ve guessed it, went right through the hole. My computer then went to my brother in-law’s for the weekend; the whole kit and caboodle – computer, monitor, keyboard and printer. When we collected it I found out that it had 5 years of dust inside which I had not hoovered, and my brother in law removed it.  My inner Miss Havisham had been alive and well, accumulating cobwebs in there.  The conclusion of this tale, what my printer did next, I still at this point cannot bear to relate.  Suffice it to say that my brother-in-law and sister-in-law were kindness itself, and I am most humbled.  In the five and a half years of my blog history, this is the first time I have been late with the aspects for the week, though I have often wondered what it would take.

Mercury stopped in its tracks yesterday, prior to turning retrograde, and we all know what that means – uh oh!  Disruption to communications, and blogs.  Although we have the Uranus/Pluto square at our heels, that does not mean we cannot master the retrograde Mercury, if we have not already. I know I have not been a good example, but the key to Mercury retrograde is to be clear in advance, from the outset, and during the period, about our communications.  Mindfulness is a good practice to enable this.  I hope that is useful.

Today (Monday 16^th) the Sun squares Saturn, so if you are not feeling flat at the thought of Mercury retrograde, something else could be getting you down.  It may be a sense of inertia at a project which is not easily getting off the ground, or someone around you could be suffering from depression. There may be delays to your normal routine, and you may feel you have a backlog of work. The key to this square is to have a sense of purpose, and steadily and persistently plod on with the task.  That may enable a breakthrough.  Even if you are not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, just assume it is there.

A light at the end of a tunnel comes tomorrow, Tuesday (17^th), with a trine between Mars and Jupiter, even if it may not necessarily be the one you were seeking.  Something gains positive momentum, whether it be the project you were slogging at over the weekend, or an improvement in the one who was suffering depression.  It could go the other way however, the project could go into overdrive, and the depressed one may become manic.  But aim for balance, and moderation, and you will be able to steer the ship.

However, towards the evening Mars squares Pluto, and you will need that centring, that point of balance, for there is a danger of overbalancing at that time, and particularly feelings of resentment, and the enactment of extreme feelings (more possibility of violence in Syria, or further risk of avalanches, for example).  Aim, in your meditations, to be the calm at the centre of the storm rather than be carried away by the storm-tossed waves.  In the midst of a crisis, especially in a group of people, there needs to be someone who can play that role.  If the storm or explosion is within your own psyche, then wait it out, meditate if you are able.  Lie down in a darkened room, and quietly observe your process.

I watched one of the Hay Sessions programmes this week, an interview between Stephen Fry (well known as a sufferer of bi-polar syndrome) and Kay Redfield Jamison, American Psychiatrist who practices at the John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.  She herself is a bi-polar sufferer, or what used to be called manic-depression, and has written two best-selling books “The Unquiet Mind” and “Touched with Fire”.  It is a depressive-manic week, and Tuesday evening is touched with fire.  The book of that name is describing the feverish creativity of the manic space.  But feverish creativity is a good way of harnessing this energy, and not allowing it to become the fuel for anti-social behaviour, e.g. there is a danger we could see a mini-riot or two.  May Angels go with you.

The early hours of Thursday(19^th) is still unpredictable in its energy, as Mars then opposes Uranus.  We may see graphically the results of the Uranus-Pluto square, enacted:  wilful rebellion, for example.  There are plenty of things to rebel about at the moment.  Our government is having to do U-turns constantly, at the merest whiff of rebellion.  As a pensioner, there are some unpalatable measures being taken towards my age group, which do not take into account the fact that pensioners by and large are not going to be earning much in the future, an example being the idea of giving them loans for their care…I can feel the Inner Rebel, responding to this.

That’s the tone at the end of the week.  As we attempt to express or manage our Inner Rebel, and cope with everyone else’s, we need to identify the Inner Tyrant.  Does he or she lie within, or without?  This is the continuing task of discernment while Uranus continues to progress through Aries.  The Arab Spring is still as expressive as ever, Egypt has elected a President but can he govern?  Libya has yet to decide on its process…this week may see more frustration turn to depression then unrest.  Keep meditating and centring, and don’t take the tablets (they will only flatten your perceptions and distort your responses), unless you are on lithium (Kay Redfield Jamison described it as a necessity for her condition).

At 4.24 a.m. on Thursday, about an hour and a half after the opposition between Mars and Uranus, there’s a New Moon in Cancer.  A renewal of all things domestic, emotional and familial.  You may start to feel that you are making a fresh start, while still dealing with the opposition.

End of the Week

Congratulations!  With having negotiated the challenge of Mars to the Uranus-Pluto square, you have passed a major test of this square.  Write down how you fared and coped or even triumphed, in your Uranus-Pluto square notebook or computer folder, for reference in September at the next phase of the square.  And give yourself a pat on the back.

The week in bullet points:

• Sunday – communications set back
• Monday – depressive
• Tuesday – manic, then more manic with less sense
• Thursday – still manic, with a rebellious streak; fresh start possible

When Uranus (ruler of computers) went retrograde, I managed to break my computer. It is currently at my brother- in-law’s.

Today we have mercury (ruler of communications) turning retrograde, well known for disrespecting communications.

I am hoping to be able to communicate the aspects for the week ahead later today, or tomorrow, but if not, you’ll know why!  Please bear with me, whether you are a regular reader or new to this site.

Bullet point for today:

. Communications set back

(apology: bullet point not up to scratch from my I phone)

The Square Background

The Uranus-Pluto square is still prevalent, slightly waning now until its next phase in September.  It was exacerbated yesterday by Venus square Chiron, an aspect I hadn’t mentioned, but which seems to have brought up relationship crises.

Global Round-Up

The global issues which are linked in my view with the Uranus-Pluto square continue to concern the world:

Syria: The slaughter continues, and Hilary Clinton gets tough with Russia and China for their obstructiveness towards intervention.

Eurozone: The Uranus-Pluto square seems to have highlighted tensions between Austerity Merkel and Anti-Austerity Hollande, while Greece struggles to fulfil its pledges with new Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

Climate: More extreme weathers: record heatwaves in the Eastern U.S., flooding in the U.K., and in Russia where 150 people have died in floods in Krymsk.

The Aspects

Friday the Thirteenth

We have all week to prepare for Uranus turning retrograde on Friday (13^th). This is not an aspect, the aspect of the week itself occurs on the evening of Saturday (14^th), the very end of the week.  Uranus tends to turn everything on its head at the best of times, but when it is turning retrograde even more so.  Coupled with friggatriskaidekaphobia, fear of Friday 13^th, some people may create their own dramas through fear.  While I would never tempt fate, it has always been my attitude and policy to debunk superstition.  A lot of people meeting me are puzzled by that, because they regard Astrology itself as a superstition.  But, never mind, eh?  What I would like to say about the prospect of change and turning moments next Friday, is do not panic.  Spend the whole day on Thursday meditating, and you’ll be really chilled…

The Aspect

This week’s aspect in question is Mercury sextile Venus and it occurs late on Saturday (14^th) in the U.K.

“Er hang on…? Didn’t we have that one last Wednesday?” You might ask.  The cause is Mercury slowing down preparing to turn retrograde, so that Venus catches up with him.

Last Wednesday, the world of Science (Mercury and Uranus) was happy with the discovery (Uranus) of the God particle.  Mercury was trine Uranus that day, signifying scientific discovery, but the day started with Mercury sextile Venus, the announcement of the discovery.

The chart of Professor Peter Higgs who lent his name to the Higgs Boson particle has a very tight, almost exact fire trine, between Venus, Neptune and Saturn.  I had a spooky thought when I saw it: “What if that was the signature for the God particle? With Venus providing the human glue of love to balance the more Saturnian structure and scientific element, and Neptune representing the boundlessness of the Universe.”  This could provide the basis for new research.

Seriously though, in last week’s Comments to the blog, Sinhagupta pointed out: “I’m still suspicious of the Higgs Boson ‘discovery’ – it would seem with all that money and technology, they would be bound to find something – and all that fudging about whether they have enough evidence to call it a discovery or not – either they have or they haven’t! I’d keep it as one of the myths of the 21st century. Begs the entire question of ‘what is matter’?”

So what can we expect from Saturday’s sextile?  Announcements, engagements, and cultural developments.

This week is a creative space in which to develop your own art and culture.  I suggest you write chapter notes for your blockbuster sensation before Friday, write the first three chapters on Friday before 4 pm, then send it off to the publisher.  Mercury with Venus favours the combining of art and writing, such as more often found in children’s books, but sometimes in adults’.  If you have Mercury sextile Venus natally, this may be one of your talents.

Café Culture

You don’t have to be in a café in Café Culture Week, but it helps.

Every city has its equivalent:

Champs Elysees in Paris…Dizengoff Street in Telaviv…Brooklyn in New York…

We did go to the Café frequented by Jean Paul Sartre when we paid a visit to Paris, but all we got was a surly waiter…the aspects must have been against us that day.  I had hoped for a glimpse of the Café culture of the Rive Gauche.

When we were first married we lived near the Finchley Road in London, and there was a Café called Dorice…there was a high elderly proportion of clientele, and you could sit and listen into stories of the Holocaust, and philosophy debates going on.  It was as if you were being transported to Central Europe in the 1920s/1930s.  Hubby says: “Having coffee with Kafka came to mind”.  This was the early 1970s, mind.

Cafes if visited on one’s own are a chance to let the pen loose in a notebook, writing poetry or even channeling or automatic writing.  Other alternatives include poetry circles, or Cream Tea Shoppes in the West Country

The Signs in Café Culture

Here is a sample of what you may expect, sitting in cafes or in reading rooms, or both

Aries

You might find them still talking about the football.

Most likely line: “In the Euros England were technically inept!”

Reading:  “What you see is What you Get” by Alan Sugar (Sun in Aries)

Taurus

You might find them talking about their next meal.

Most likely line: “I don’t agree with Michael Gove’s latest initiative on school dinners”

Reading:  “Jamie’s Italy” by Jamie Oliver

Gemini

You might find them talking about talking.

Most likely line: “That Higgs-Boson particle – Have they really found God?”

Reading “Thinking about Thinking” by Antony Flew

Cancer

You might find them talking about family news.

Most likely line: “Girls just want to have fun, that’s all they really want, when the working day is done”

Reading “Bring up the Bodies” by Hilary Mantel (Sun in Cancer)

Leo

You might find them talking about the Olympic Games.

Most likely line: “Does all power corrupt in the banking sector?”

Reading “The Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli

Virgo

You might find them talking shop, especially if accompanied by a fellow worker.

Most likely line: “It’s definitely a Health and Safety issue…we ought to do something about it.”

Reading: “Mars and Venus in the Workplace” by John Gray

Libra

You might find them, not talking, but just placing an art book on the table.

Sample conversation: “Was Yoko Ono (Libra rising) before her time in the 1960s?”

Reading: “An Autobiography” by M.K. Gandhi (Sun in Libra)

Scorpio

You might find them psychoanalyzing the other.

Sample conversation: “Are my borderline personality features showing?”

Reading: “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath (Sun in Scorpio; Mercury sextile Venus)

Sagittarius

You might find them discussing the meaning of Life, or Liff.

Sample conversation: “Why are we here?”

Reading: “The Book of Why” by Judy Hall (Sun in Sagittarius; Mercury sextile Venus)

Capricorn

You might find them discussing politics and accountability.

Sample conversation: “How long can the coalition hold out?”

Reading: “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens

Aquarius

You might find them discussing Utopian societies.

Sample conversation: “Have you tried Future Life Progression?”

Reading: “The Time Machine” by H.G. Wells (Mercury sextile Venus)

Pisces

You might find them discussing Euthanasia.

Sample conversation: “That programme about ageing had me in tears”

Reading: “The Long Earth” by Terry Pratchett

Wimbledon Watch

I am feeling epic this morning, as for two years running I have correctly predicted the Wimbledon Ladies’ Champion.  Scientist hubby, however, is unimpressed: he says he doesn’t know what the odds are for that.  The basis of my prediction was that Serena Williams had the least worst aspects of all the ladies, and that she wore the power colour of magenta in her bandanna and pants.

I would love Andy Murray to win the Men’s Final today, and fervently hope that he does!  However, I predicted that Federer would win (on the basis of his good aspects for the Final) before the start of Wimbledon.  So if Murray doesn’t win, that would be a double whammy for me, and for Astrology.

The week in bullet points:

• Friday – Keep Calm and Carry On
• Saturday – Announcements, engagements and cultural achievements

Uranus square Pluto Aftermath

Life is for learning, and we certainly learned a lot last week.  How was it for you?  I found new chambers of the heart last week, new aspects of the Inner Healer, and new depths in relationships.  I have always felt that if you are following the yellow brick road, you need to keep your heart open, and that worked for me last week.  It has been a dramatic week for many, which included sudden deaths, and so it was I found myself attending a funeral.  The congregation took their lead from the widow, and the widow expressed boundless love, even after losing a wonderful companion.  She was an inspiration.

Celebrity Report

Katie Holmes, with her Jupiter at 8 degrees Leo was able to turn the square to her advantage.  It brought emancipation for her with the Uranus of the Uranus-Pluto square trining her natal Jupiter at 8 degrees Leo.  During her difficult birth experience with Suri, she had been trapped, with Pluto exactly on her Sun in Sagittarius (at the powerful Galactic Centre to boot), both in a relationship and in a religious cult.  This square has given her the opportunity to break free.  Tom Cruise has an 8 degree planet too, Pluto in Virgo.  This is trined by Pluto, so in some ways his own psychology had reached a powerful peak, and this may have been the spur or signal for Katie to act in her own interest.

Global Issues

The Middle East was mentioned in my Uranus-Pluto picture last week, but in Syria there were no new significant developments, just a further slide into more killing and no resolution of the conflict.  There were more rumbles about Iran, but no firm news.

In Finance, the European Union were cornered into making an agreement this week after months of prevarication, agreeing to iron out flaws in their bail out arrangements.  A new scandal erupted in relation to the global banking scam, centring around Barclays plc.  The RBS and Nat West Banks were continuing to grapple with the crisis caused by a computer glitch, which had occurred just before the Uranus/Pluto square.

On the Climate Change front, in the U.K., Northern Counties and the Midlands experienced flooding and tornadoes. On a personal note, a close relative was caught in a storm in Leicester, with giant hailstones, and literally had to be plucked from the maelstrom (Uranus square Pluto). She described the hailstones as being the size of £2 coins.  Elsewhere they were described as being the size of golf balls.  Storms also lashed the Eastern Coast of America, causing power outages, and hailstones were reported as being the size of 10p coins by Sky News.  I don’t know how that translates in U.S. coinage.

Obamacare

The surprise passing of the U.S. Healthcare bill also seems connected with the shock factor of the Uranus-Pluto square.  The Observer this morning welcomed it, dubbing it Obama’s gift that will keep on giving.  Our girl in the U.S., commenter Dia, who is herself a health worker, sees the pitfalls (the Jupiter square Neptune illusions of last week) and in the comments to last week’s blog provides some links to help you see through the complexities of the issue. Obamacare also benefited from last week’s conjunction between Jupiter and the South Node, more of which later.

If you are wondering what on earth this section is about, and have not been following the Uranus/Pluto square, read last week’s blog dedicated to this subject.

The Aspects

Tomorrow Jupiter at 4 degrees Gemini conjuncts the True South Node, and we might expect a connection with some past life karma.

Last week I wrote in the Comments box:

Extra Aspect:

On Thursday 28th Jupiter is conjunct the Mean South Node in Gemini – a chance to call karmic favours or be called to them! This will be on a more material basis, for Jupiter will be conjunct the True South Node next week, which will apply more on a spiritual basis.

If you noticed what happened last Thursday, events tomorrow may take them a step further.  Commenter Dia observed that the Obamacare bill went through in America, and Jupiter/South Node was transiting Obama’s Moon.  However it is to be noted that Neptune is also still square Jupiter at this time, and further complications are likely to ensue.

On a personal level, you may be going back into an old karmic situation, for all players to update their awareness.

Mars enters Libra on Tuesday (3^rd), which is the sign of Peace, but the God of War is not sailing into peaceful waters (or Airspace) because it will encounter the Uranus/Pluto square in the first decanate of the Cardinal signs later in July.  So it is imperative now to cultivate your Inner Peaceful Warrior Archetype and hone that skill before the middle of July. You may not have an effect on the world situation, but you will have an effect on your own patch of the world.

In the early evening there is a Full Moon in Capricorn, which may accentuate awareness of responsibility and relations with authorities.  Some of this awareness you may be able to apply to situations connected with the Uranus/Pluto square, as the Moon and Sun are at 12 degrees of Capricorn and Cancer respectively, and not so far away from the 8 degree Cardinal action.  The Full Moon is likely to highlight divisions and responsibilities in society between the haves and the have nots.

On Wednesday lunchtime (4^th) there may be start to be a lighter mood, and an upswing to the week, with the waning of the Moon, and a sextile between Mercury and Venus.  This aspect will be good for writers, artists and writer-artists.  It will be good for reporting your recent experiences, and discussing and negotiating harmoniously.  It is an aspect I also associate with the thriving of Café culture.  Try out a new Café which might have sprung up since the last Mercury-Venus teaming.  My old office used to try out every new local Restaurant in turn once a month – maybe your office could start such a policy for Cafes, on Wednesday.

You’ll be rewarded because at tea-time Mercury will be trine with Uranus, and perhaps efforts and discussions earlier in the day will have stimulated new ideas of the way to proceed.  You may have a preconceived idea of how a negotiation will go, and be surprised that it is likely to proceed better than expected.  I usually suggest space in your diary, but if you have a full diary on Wednesday, you’ll be on a roll rather than flat out.

Thursday (5^th) brings a recurrence of Venus sextile Uranus, because Venus has turned direct and is retracing her path.  I have dubbed this the aspect for exciting meetings (and have had good feedback on it), and you could meet your future or someone influential to your future on that day.  The link to my special blog on this is:

http://www.lanawooster.co.uk/blog/2012/04/aspect-for-the-week-beginning-8-april-2012-venus-sextile-uranus/

Mid-Wimbledon Report

SHOCK EXITS

Venus Williams

Venus had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease Sjogren’s Syndrome, and lost to Elena Vesnina of Russia. Venus has Pluto rising in Libra in her natal chart, and had been ill with a virus from August 2011 at Cincinnati, when Saturn was exactly on her Ascendant, and square to her Midheaven.  Then Saturn transited the Pluto in her first house.  She was pleased to have been at Wimbledon, and her current transits reflect this, with the intense Saturn transits behind her.

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal has his Part of Fortune at 8 degrees of Libra and this formed a T-square with Uranus and Pluto.  He was beaten by the 100-ranking Lukas Rosol.  Last week it was wishful thinking of me to have interpreted the square of Saturn to Nadal’s Mars as being a minor injury.  I remember registering at the time that it could be more than that, but even with the Uranus-Pluto square, I did not envisage such an upset (the first time in 10 years that a player of his ranking hasn’t made the third round).

STILL IN

Roger Federer: He was looking good at the start of the tournament, as I wrote last week that with “Mars sextile his natal Uranus (tensile strength) and Venus trine his Jupiter (mellow relationships), plus Saturn sextile his Neptune (realism and clarity).”  Saturn was however conjunct his natal Pluto at that time, and some part of him may have been feeling a little downbeat.

Dare I sustain my prediction of an overall win for Federer for the (I believe) third year running? I have been wrong before…but I have a stubborn Taurean Ascendant.

By the end of the tournament, Jupiter will be trine his Saturn, so his confidence will be much reassured, and that downbeat feeling vanquished.

Andy Murray

Andy Murray produced an amazing victory last night against Bhagdatis, a Cypriot who sustained his dazzling Jupiter trine Moon smile even in the fourth set of the match, even with the crowd against him, and up against the clock (deadline 23.00 Hrs).  The match ended at a historically late hour (23.02 Hrs).  Andy displayed weak ankles, falling over a record number of times.  His natal weakness of the ankles is shown in his chart by Mars opposing his Uranus (ankles) and Mars is currently squaring that opposition, in a T-square.  But Jupiter is transiting Murray’s Mercury at this moment of time.

By the end of the tournament, he is left with the heavyweight aspects of Pluto sextile his Pluto, and Pluto conjunct his Neptune, which is not likely to distinguish him enough from the crowd at the top, though he will have shown some steel.

Novak Djokovic

The end of Wimbledon looks strong for him: Uranus conjuncts his North Node, which could bring out his brilliance, Pluto sextiles his Pluto so he is in touch with the depths of his being, and Pluto conjuncts his Neptune, so he will either be overwhelmed or find his mastery.  He was born exactly a week later than Andy Murray in the same year.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Tsonga is a tough opponent, and may well endure to the final.  Natally he has an opposition between his Mars and Saturn which runs in conjunction with his North Node and South Node axis.  Like Djokovic, Murray and Bhagdatis he was born in 1985!  A good vintage year for tennis players.

Petra Kvitova

She is a favourite to win, but at the end of Wimbledon, Uranus squares her Uranus, so she may play well but not quite reach the final.  There may be an upset along the way. I will continue to look at her chart for nuances, as she did me proud last year.

Victoria Azarenka

As reported last week, there are going to be flashes of brilliance for Azarenka at the beginning of Wimbledon with Uranus trine her natal Sun, but at the same time Uranus squares her natal Saturn and Pluto transits her natal Saturn, so the Uranus-Pluto square affects her chart strongly.  Similar conditions prevail at the end, though the Pluto influence wanes slightly, so that does not look promising.

Serena Williams

Serena is playing well, and intends to play doubles with her sister at the Olympics, but the astrological picture is one of light and shade: Jupiter is trine her Sun (personal triumph) but Saturn is conjunct her Pluto (a great stress). My feeling is that despite her Jupiter aspect she will not make the final.

Maria Sharapova

Maria, a finalist at Wimbledon last year, currently has Uranus squaring her natal Neptune (complex ongoing issues) plus Pluto conjunct her natal Neptune (more complex ongoing issues) so the aspects could show internal distractions and perhaps a loss of concentration at some point.

I haven’t identified a winner among the ladies, yet, but will work hard to do so before the final!  I am not used to this sports pundit lark, and hubby says I had better hurry up and identify a winner.

I hope to update the Wimbledon picture throughout the week, as I did last year, so tune in from time to time if it interests you.

Cancerian Season

Another friend June has written for the Zodiac Masterclass Series, the story of how she formed her family.  It’s a longer read than usual, so I suggest you print it out as holiday reading, and pack a box of tissues.  Somewhere along the story, when you’re least expecting it, you will crumble.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – karmic rewards
• Tuesday – war and peace; to have and to have not
• Wednesday – Café culture; invention and originality
• Thursday – exciting meetings

Cancer New Moon Mandala painted by Sarah Berry
Line Mandala from Mandala Colouring Book by Barry Stevens
available at http://www.mandalas.freeserve.co.uk/colouringinbook.html

This is the eighth piece in an occasional series written about the expertise of each Sun Sign. I am still looking for the Capricorn who can write a guide to Ambition, and a Libran who can write a guide to Relationships. If you think you are the person I am looking for, please get in touch. Or alternatively if you should know the ideal person. The articles will be found under the category “Zodiac Masterclass” so that eventually there will be 12 such articles, e.g. “The Gemini Guide to Communication”,”The Leo Guide to Leadership” etc. Each article will be written by someone who has the Sun Sign in question.

Here guest blogger June Chase writes about a Cancerian experience of motherhood. I first met June at the beginning of 1976 when she was the first port of call, the receptionist, at Watford’s Shrodells Psychiatric Unit, and I arrived to take up the post of the best job I ever had, as Secretary to one of the Consultant Psychiatrists. I must take this opportunity to hand over a rosette to June, as my best customer, as over the 36 years I have known her she has provided me with about 300 clients and commissions for Astrology and Regression! Her Uranus (Astrology) is in my 2nd House (Money) exactly opposite my Sun. June is a powerful Healer, and her website is http://www.protea-aromatherapy.co.uk/

A word about the Mandala, one of Sarah’s best: note the prominence of Silver, one of the Cancerian colours, associated with its ruler the Moon, and the symbolism of the Lotus associated with Birth among other things.

A Cancerian Experience of Motherhood

by June Chase b. 6/7/47

My daughter Marianne, who is now 25, said I would be a good person to write this, so here goes!

When I was a little girl, I didn’t really care much for playing with dolls. I found I liked the company of small children and they related well to me (I am the younger of two girls).

In my early twenties I was told by a doctor that my womb tilted backwards and I might have difficulty having children. I was enjoying my life, and was not too bothered by this statement.

I loved folk singing and met Mike at a restaurant in Cape Town at the end of 1971 where he was doing a solo folk (contemporary) gig. I was very skinny in those days and wearing a granddad T-shirt I had made into a mini-dress. Mike told me he did a whip round to buy me a bra. He said he fell in love with me from the start! I was with another guy at the time.

Mike was an only child, and when we decided to get married, he announced he would like six children, and I was happy with that. He had been told that as he was slightly overweight, conceiving children might be a problem (I eventually had 6 pregnancies).

After a couple of years of marriage, I came off the pill and fell pregnant straightaway! Three months later I miscarried and was utterly devastated. I later named the child I would have had Michaela (November 1975).

I quickly fell pregnant again and our first son darling Greg was born in November 1976 (a double Scorpio). I was so thrilled and, although a complete novice in motherhood, lovingly undertook my new role. I loved him so much I had the urge to breastfeed him and care for him properly as he was so precious. He had had such a traumatic birth – posterior facing and forceps delivery – that he slept long hours. The Health Visitor told me that sleeping babies, like dogs, should be left to lie (wrong advice). I was deeply saddened as my milk dried up after three months and I had to bottle feed Greg thereafter! Maybe this was a mixed blessing as we were told you couldn’t fall pregnant while breastfeeding. Mike was desperate to have a little friend for Greg. As it happened, I turned out to be super fertile!

Dearest little Suzanne was born 16 months after Greg (March 1978). My world was complete for the time being. I breast-fed her for three years…! I always assumed (and was told) that babies would give up the breast by themselves – mine didn’t.

My older sister had been treated unfairly when I was young (she was four and a half years’ my senior). I was determined to bend over backwards for Greg and not let Suzie’s presence mean he took a back seat. Suzie (a Piscean) was also determined not to be overlooked (they both have the Moon in Aries). I would breastfeed her and read to Greg at the same time. I tried to equally divide my attention between them or to make sure Greg was given priority. I believed that if a baby is loved, breastfed and held close, they are OK while very young, but the older child could feel left out, and I didn’t want this to happen. They became firm friends, shared a room, bunk beds and their toys, but Greg was always very much the older brother. In my ignorance, I thought a 16 month-old was quite grown up!

My babies completely filled my life; I didn’t realize until afterwards that Mike felt quite left out, though he was working very hard in London at the time. He left child-rearing to me. I did my housework at night so that my days could be spent looking after the two of them. We read, played, made creative things, and went out. I was having a wonderful time.

Mike’s mum had had a stillborn son at eight months of gestation, when he was about two years old. He was determined to have a brother for Greg, and I had the coil removed. In January/February 1982 another planned baby was due. By now I could always sense immediately when I was pregnant. I eventually figured out that I felt nauseous in the evenings with the boys, but wasn’t sick, and vomited in the mornings with the girls!.

I contracted chicken pox very early in this pregnancy (before it was confirmed). The local doctor’s surgery told me there was no cause for concern. A few years ago (2006) I was told in an Aromatherapy Seminar that chicken pox is extremely dangerous in pregnancy. Towards the end of “my time” my blood pressure shot up, and I was sent into hospital, while Mike looked after Greg and Suzanne. I was told I had to be induced (which I hated) and have an epidural (ditto). My blood pressure dropped too low. Our beautiful second son, Jody, arrived at 9.15 p.m. on 30th January 1982. I had the worst night of my life, in telepathic rapport with Jody, couldn’t breathe, and panicked. They had taken him away from me for the night.

The night before his birth I had read a newspaper article about neo-natal death, and how they photographed the tiny babies at risk for the parents. I was presented with a photo, and when Jody was rushed to Hammersmith Hospital for a Blalock by-pass operation, I feared the worst. He had a Pulmonary Atresia, from which nowadays I gather babies can recover. He did not. I had to wait to be discharged from Watford General Hospital, as my blood pressure was high, and Mike and I raced to Hammersmith, only to arrive too late. We kissed our baby son goodbye. At his funeral, Mike insisted on family only and I was too distressed to argue. When I saw his little white coffin, I felt as though he had been wrenched from my womb.

I carried on with life for the sake of my little ones, but felt very sad for a long time. I knew I was so lucky to have a boy and a girl. I ploughed my love and energy into Greg and Suzanne, as I slowly came out of my state of shock and my body recovered.

It dawned on me that Jody had helped to open me up to my Spirituality. I had been an Atheist for some years before his birth.

Mike was adamant that he did not want any more children. He had been very badly affected by Jody’s death. We had many an argument on the subject, but I was equally determined to have more. I knew that no child could replace a dead sibling, but I still had a lot of mothering to do and knew that more babies would help to heal the wounds of loss.

I finally got Mike to grudgingly agree to have another child. Just over four and a half years later, our gorgeous Marianne was born, weighing 8 lbs 2 oz (our heaviest babe). I had an organ scan in London because of Jody’s condition. By that time the Radiographer routinely asked if you would like to know the sex, but we declined. Mike was convinced he would have another son and for a few years it put a strain on his relationship with little Maz, though it was never verbalized.

Marianne came into the world after an easy labour (I was aged 39 at the time), in a family room at the hospital, with Lana looking after the older children. Maz was born at dawn, a Virgo with Leo rising, and gave a loud cry. She meant business and was adored and spoilt by her two older siblings, and 3 adults (including Mike’s mum). She adored being the centre of attention! I felt on top of the world. This birth fitted well with the family pattern: it was 2 days after Mike’s 40th birthday in late August, and I have Virgo rising (hence the pedantry you might have noticed!).

I breastfed her without any other foodstuffs for 6 months, and finally weaned her at two and three quarters, when I was six months pregnant, at 42 years old. Mike had allowed another birth, as he was still determined to have another son, and a brother for Greg, a small friend for Marianne, and another baby for Suzie to love and help care for.

Our precious son Kyle was born 3 days and a year after Marianne, at the end of August 1989 (another Virgo!). Our family was complete and my cup overflowed! Again, the older children were in the hospital with us, waiting to hold their new baby brother.

Life had been busy up to then and became even more hectic! Mike’s mum was very good with all the children and helped when she was in England. She had moved to Spain to live before Grandad passed away in 1978, and divided her time between the two places. The older children were at primary school, then secondary, the youngest ones being at playgroup and nursery.

When Greg went to college I had the four of them in a different place every day, but coped. I breastfed Kyle until he was 3 years and 3 months old. When I finally weaned him, he tried to run away, and I stopped him at the back door. He declared “I am going to find a new mummy”.

While I was still breastfeeding him, the “night sweats” began for three months. I had started the menopause and was tested at 48, to be told I had come through it. At 41 I had thought of having another daughter (my pattern was girl/boy, girl/boy, girl/boy) but I changed my mind. When Kyle was four, I enrolled on an Aromatherapy Course and my life took on a new direction. I could never throw myself into it completely, as my children have always been my main priority. To be learning again was great fun!

I had gone everywhere with two or three of the children always in tow. I had carried them all in a baby sling at the front, and then transferred them to a canvas papoose on my back. I had cooked and served the older children’s meals like this when Marianne and Kyle were little. I loved my role as mother and had more or less abandoned my own creativity. My new course, which involved one whole weekend a month for 13 months, started to give me back my independence: with Moon in Aquarius, I was able to detach for that weekend, and leave the children to Mike.

I have always wanted my children to follow their own paths in life, and tried not to place limitations or fears onto them. They have all loved to travel (as Mike and I do) and have been bold and carefree. Lana had given me a copy of Kahlil Gibran’s “The Prophet” when the older children were young. The verse on “Children” had struck a chord with me, and I wanted to allow my children, like arrows, to fly free, and tried to be courageous enough to do so.

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

The truth of this quotation was brought poignantly home to me in 2001. On 15th May of that year lovely Suzie Sunbeam (as she liked to be called) died suddenly as a passenger in a car crash in North Western Australia. The other five youngsters in the car survived with minor injuries. I felt as if my world had come abruptly to an end! Greg (who had returned from Australia two weeks’ before) had to break the news to me, and Mike, who had been alerted to the accident, fetched me from work. I had to tell Marianne and Kyle when they returned home from school. Even writing about the event over 11 years on, the same sensations come back to me. I couldn’t cry and tried to carry on. Mike was a broken man, and blamed himself for letting Suzie travel to Oz at 23.

Greg was devastated and said that it should have been him instead of her (survivor’s guilt is a difficult one). Maz and Kyle were 13 and 10 at the time, and tried to cope with losing their adored older sister – it was difficult for them to know how to mourn.

Family and friends were wonderfully supportive. My sister flew here from Johannesburg to help “hold the fort”. My blood pressure shot up, and I had to rest. All my foreign friends filled the house and brought food and cheer. My English friends knew to let a little time elapse before visiting, but soon the house was full every day!

After 3 weeks, when Suzie’s body had returned home, we had a funeral attended by over 300 people. It was a non-religious affair and the Humanist minister described it as quite unique. Suzie would have been proud! After a sumptuous spread prepared and donated by all our friends, the day culminated in a disco for the youngsters. I had used the informal service as a platform to spread my belief, thanks to Kahlil Gibran, that children have to be let go. I read it out with Lana standing by in case my voice, or knees, gave way. Several people asked for a copy of it afterwards.

I finally went back to my part-time job in a day centre, as well as massage and Yoga classes. Life did go on! I tried to hold it all together for the sake of the family and my sanity. My philosophy of life, based on my Yogic and Reiki teachings as well as spiritual beliefs, sustained me. I found I could totally forgive the driver of the car, a girl I knew. I believe that everything happens for a reason and tried to make my own sense out of it. I had had a premonition about the accident 3 weeks before, and this had helped me on one level. Suzie and I had been very close and even telepathic, and I was so glad we had had such a loving relationship. I tried to have no regrets.

As the years pass, life has carried on for me with its ups and downs. I have taken many courses: in healing, Reiki, Yoga and massage, etc. I found that once I was away from home on courses, I could have a jolly good cry. My Cancerian “hard outer shell” would always go up when I was with people I knew well.

I have watched the other three children grow to maturity and each one try to cope with their loss in their own way. Of course, I wanted to take away their pain. I found that Family Constellation Therapy was very helpful, and gave me great insights, allowing me to cry buckets when other people went through their traumas, which were often so similar to mine!

Greg moved out of the family home six months after Suzie died. I feel it is hard for him to visit as the place is so full of memories. He works very hard and plays hard! Marianne left home for a couple of years and returned two months after Kyle went to University. Kyle came back last year, and he and Marianne cannot yet afford to leave for now. They would rather have their own homes, but life is amicable here, and they do their own thing.

Home is still a very busy place – lots of young people coming and going, and I find I get on very well with all their friends. I have no grandchildren on the horizon, but enjoy my friends’ grandkiddies, and hearing tales about them and seeing photos (from Lana and other friends). I have plenty of patience and my yoga teaching, aromatherapy and healing work to do…