As England started to pick up the pieces after the mars-Pluto-Uranus riots some of the issues in Society started to clarify, as if emerging from a centrifuge. Issue 1 Violence: a definite problem in the human race.  When Lars von Trier was told that his film Dogville had inspired the Norwegian massacre, he was shocked as he hadn’t yet put two and two together. He said he wouldn’t have made it if he had known. Aah, the underestimated power of media. Issue 2 Race: the historian David Starkey embarrassed himself by claiming that White people had turned into Black people. Meanwhile the words of Tariq Jahan, who lost a son to the riots, ring compellingly in the ears: “This has nothing to do with race”. Issue 3 Poverty: David Cameron continues in denial, asserting that events had nothing to do with cuts, while people on the breadline already feel they have nothing to lose, and Prince Charles with Camilla nodding sympathetically in the background declares “It’s a cry for help”.  Issue 4 Policing: The Tottenham riots were sparked by what may have been an accidental or careless shooting, that of Mark Duggan. Certainly it was not thought through, and the failure to communicate with his family is unexplained.  So during the riots the police are afraid to overstep the mark. and in doing so understep the mark. Sir Hugh Orde from experience in Ireland is up to the job, but David Cameron wants a Los Angeles cop to deal with the gangs. Issue 5 Parenting: More particularly, is there enough of it?  This coming week sensitivities will be revealed at the outset on Sunday (21st). At lunch in the U.K. people may stress about how they like their roast potatoes, with Venus opposite Neptune.  In the early hours of the morning in the U.S. dreams may be nostalgic and emotional.  In the evening in Australia there may be emotional wrangles.  In the evening in the UK Venus enters Virgo and matters of taste become more exacting.  The balance of carrot and coriander in the soup becomes an issue, or the colour of your nightwear (you may wear gold lame pyjamas earlier in the evening, then suddenly decide to switch to sage green).  There are a few oppositions this week, and the next one comes up on Monday (22^nd).  It’s Sun opposite Neptune, and this one happens at suppertime in the U.K. prompting a power play as its polarity lies across the end of Leo and Aquarius.  Perhaps the balance of power in a relationship is out of kilter, with one person constantly calling the shots, and the other needing to reclaim their soul.  There may be a sense of “last chance” about it.  If the struggle is internal, two of your Archetypes may be at odds with each other and you may have to establish a dialogue to rebalance them.  On Tuesday (23^rd) the Sun enters Virgo and we are starting to focus on our Autumn plans, emotionally and spiritually.  Mentally, we still have Mercury in Leo and some summer fun left, and are able to exchange some email banter about it.  Chiron opposes Venus on Wednesday (24^th), and this could bring about a healing crisis of the heart, perhaps a need to come to terms with loss. Thursday 25th may bring confrontation but not on the scale of the T-square rioting. A force may meet an immovable object, and dialogue would be the best course of action. A certain amount of frustration arises from this aspect. At suppertime Venus trines Pluto, so there is a good chance that the earlier frustration can be resolved by getting to the root causes of the matter, caring and sharing. And there is hope on the way for those who have been experiencing communication delays under Mercury retrograde, for on Friday 26th Mercury is stationary prior to going direct, and although it’s just changeover day prepare to start being able to put your affairs in order again – what a feeling!  Don’t expect to make too much headway on Friday itself though, for in addition to Mercury being in a bit of a spin the Sun is opposed by Chiron. So there is another healing crisis – this time an opportunity to examine power issues. Could be one for the government and the police to sort out.  Last words from a Tottenham resident quoted In the Guardian. Victoria Norman’s home was close to the Carpetright store which was burned down but she is still able to say “I love my home, my neighbours – and the new neighbours I met because of this.  There is strength in numbers, we are stronger than we were before. We all care about where we live and are sick and tired of people putting Tottenham down.”

The week in bullet points:

• Sunday – Absolute perfectionism
• Monday – Illusion and Power
• Tuesday – More perfectionism
• Wednesday – Healing crisis in Relationship
• Thursday – Frustration then Understanding
• Friday – A slow turnaround then more Power struggling

All Astrologers were able to predict that last week held the potential for violence, and that it would be on a grand scale, with a T-square between Mars, Pluto and Uranus.  The surprise was that it happened in England, first on the streets of London, and then spreading to other cities.  This is the same fearless, freedom-loving energy of Uranus in Aries which arose in the Middle East the moment Uranus entered Aries earlier this year.  So it was this week that David Cameron was prey to criticism of hypocrisy from Middle Eastern dictatorships (Syria and Libya).  But there are differences: our Police, who do not carry guns, did not kill our rioters, but were seen by many to react too slowly to prevent widescale damage, too hamstrung by conflicting aims, and surprised in the face of new tactics and weapons (e.g. BlackBerries).  The elements of the events of last week were complex and will give food for thought for a long time to come.  With Pluto square Uranus for another couple of years yet, Mars will have more chances over that time to re-ignite the issues, but in the meantime we have a quieter week astrologically and time to digest and start to repair those things that can be repaired.  Mars ignited the Pluto-Uranus square, demonstrating the difficulties inherent in Pluto in Capricorn, and exposing differences between our Police (Pluto) and our Government (Capricorn).  The issue which has been raised is Society (Mars in Cancer) and various facets of this have been debated in newspapers, television, radio and on Twitter.  I have been conversing and overhearing conversations on the train, in the home, on the phone, and in coffee shops: there are so many opinions, but I did come across someone who didn’t have an opinion.  And I also came upon someone who accused me, on the grounds that I have been a bleedin’ heart liberal.  At the last meeting of Light Pod (See my Light Body page) which is a monthly meeting for channeling, meditation and healing Sarah Berry and I set as our next focus “Society” and the next meeting to come around is this Tuesday (3 pm) so if you would like to join us in thought and positive focus, please do.  In the meantime, my heroes of this week were the broom armies cleaning up after the chaos, and Tariq Jahan the father of one of the three muslims killed by a hit-and-run incident in Birmingham as a result of the riots.  His dignity and appeal for calm was inspirational. ‘Nuff said.  We do have a calm interlude this week in the shape of a harmonious triple conjunction of the Sun, Mercury and Venus, who do by and large tend to get on well anyway, and meet regularly.  There is a family and familiar feeling about the joining of these three, and the first conjunction takes place on Tuesday (16^th)  between the Sun and Venus, at 23 degrees Leo.  If your birthday is on or around that day, you will really benefit from these planetary meetings.  It is an excellent aspect to restore love and harmony, or if you are on holiday, to really bask in the Sun and unwind.  Focussing on love can bring about creative ideas to solve current problems, and the aspect will bring out the best in interaction and relationship. The chorus of the song from the musical Hair comes to mind for this time “Let the Sunshine In”.  All together now, “Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in…”.  Tuesday and Wednesday constitute a mini-festival with that theme song, for next on Tuesday comes a conjunction of Mercury and Venus, in the same degree of Leo.  This aspect promotes dialogue and communication, so discussion about problem-solving can be profitable on a light basis (the heavier analysis needs to come later, when morale has been restored).  Creativity can be articulated now.  In the early hours of Wednesday 17^th (UK time) the Sun is conjunct with Mercury (again the same degree) and the three sides of the triangle are complete.  The focus for this aspect is crystallizing enlightened thoughtforms, inspiration coming straight from the soul, and adding it to the achievements of the other two conjunctions.  You may have something real and tangible to show for this mini-fest.  Your heart may be renewed and strengthened for future work, after the battering of last week.  You may be expecting another shock later in the week, but in fact our vitality and faith in life are increased by a sextile between Mars and Jupiter on Thursday (18^th).  Like the amazing Malaysian student whose daylight robbery was witnessed all over the world on You Tube, you can emerge reaffirming life now.  For much needs to be done in repairing the effects of last week, and rooting out the causes and wisdom gained in order that structures may be put in place for a fairer society.  Mars sextile Jupiter is a very suitable aspect for starting out with good intentions, in good heart and faith.  If David Cameron is looking for guidance, Supernanny Jo Frost might be able to help.  I used to think she was a bit harsh, but her new series offering extreme parental guidance show that she is not just a one trick pony (The Naughty Step), for she has added techniques and sensitivity to her repertoire since she was last on our screens.  She is a Cancerian (parental expertise) with a  no-nonsense Moon in Aries.  But the words of parent-of-the-week Tariq Jahan will be used to close this blog: “Today we we stand here to plead with all the youth to remain calm, for our communities to stand united.  This is not a race issue.  The family has received messages of sympathy and support from all parts of society…calm down and go home – please.”

The week in bullet points:

Tuesday: The power of three, the magic of love and discussion

Wednesday: Higher quality thought

Thursday: Action united with Optimism, a workable force

When I asked hubby Mike what was the issue of the week, he replied “It’s the economy, stupid”.  He is right, I do not have a handle on the economy, but Astrologers Raymond Merriman and Marjorie Orr do write fluently on the subject on their websites, if you would like intelligent astrological assessment on this complex issue.  That frees me to look at some of the other stories that are crowding our minds at the minute.  In another conversation this week, a friend observed that many people are being hit in a particular area of their lives at the moment, and I replied that actually it’s a three-pronged multifaceted attack because the very volatile T-square of Pluto-Uranus-Mars is now upon us.  It has already started, with the natural world in the shape of a Polar Bear attacking Britons in Norway, and last night’s riots in Tottenham, London.  Vigilance is required all week, and in particular Tuesday to Thursday when Mars squares Uranus and opposes Pluto.  My advised mantra of the week is “There is always a peaceful way”!  If you should know any would-be rioters or aggressive animals, please chant accordingly.  I mentioned last week that the Pluto of Norway is currently conjunct with the transiting (and triggering) South Node, and would note also that it is natally also conjunct with the Fixed Star Mintaka, one of the three stars in Orion’s belt.  The following words from the Mintaka section of  “Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld would therefore appear relevant now: “The creation of aggressive animal forms on Earth peaked with the development of the polar bear some 70,000 years ago.  From that time forward the full understanding and enlightenment of this race has taken place.  On this star system…has come an understanding and appreciation of how aggressive energies could lead to awareness, peace and understanding…They also gave Earth people an example of ferocity, power and energy that would not serve a purpose that people would see as valuable and useful, but rather would create fear.  This was imbued into the polar bear.  To study this creature will teach you a great deal about aggressive tendencies as it seems distinct and different in this way of aggression from all other bears….Understanding of the purpose of aggressive tendencies and how they can lead to a new sense of an awareness of peace and understanding is still a possibility with Earth.”  Whether scientists can solve the problem of climate change, which has given rise to the desperation of the polar bear now is the question.  The young students who went on the polar bear expedition in Norway seem to be very special souls, and sadly one has died, but I hope for good recoveries for the rest.  If your birthday is around 12^th June your totem animal may be the polar bear, and you may be having important karmic experiences at this time.  In “Find your Spirit Animals” by David Carson, Polar Bear is designated the meaning of healing the planet.  Last word on the subject from Carson: “There was a time, it is told, when polar bears were human.  During the day they would take off their great white coats and become people.  At night, they would come home, put on their coats, and change back into polar bears.” Preamble over, Venus sextiles Saturn tomorrow, which is a good aspect for taking a relaxing pause, urging restraint with those of a less peaceful disposition or those who are needing to rebel (such as the ongoing dissenters in the Middle East, or closer to home).  It is a good day to gently look at peaceful options.  There may be constraints in relationships, but they can be seen as holding structures, and there may be harmony to be had in your contacts at this time, of the mature reflective kind.  Retrograde Mercury also returns to Leo from its recent foray into Virgo tomorrow.  Now this is where you can take 24 Hrs on Thursday 28^th July to Friday 29^th July, and rewind them backwards.  From the intensity of paperwork of Mercury in Virgo (I am on the case of my tax return now) you can take a break and do a spot of sunbathing (or rainbathing – I am not specifying weather here).  Then Mercury opposes Neptune, complicating consciousness.  Make the sunbathing short enough that health is not affected, and if the complexities of life are overwhelming bring them all together in focus with a Vipassana meditation.  Detach, and stay away from television and computers and mobile phones if possible, for at least 10 minutes.  Mars trines Chiron on Tuesday (9^th), and here is an opportunity to realign your energies with a flow of healing, if you have a healing pathway.  Some people are not able to utilize the healing paths of Chiron as well as others, so if you are not on a Chiron healing pathway yet, it is recommended now to begin to find routes to healing and connection with your Inner Healer.  Just google “Chiron” if you are starting out, or if you are already on such a pathway (such as acupuncture), you can be a little more vigorous than usual in your practice due to Mars (energy) and Chiron (healing) working harmoniously together on this day.  However, the exact squares between Mars and Uranus and Pluto are looming, so I would advise a morning healing session, followed by more Vipassana meditation or even a retreat, in preparation for the confrontational squares.  The first occurs at 16.33 Hrs UK time on Tuesday, and that is Mars squaring Uranus (precipitate action).  Events could capture your attention suddenly, and then you will need to put all your meditative preparations into action (relax, breathe deeply, and then action if necessary).  The second leg of the T-square occurs on Thursday (11^th) and more confrontation, clashes and sparks occurring now between Mars and Pluto in opposition.  This could be a difficult day for Police, with perhaps even divided loyalties and sympathies – likewise in the world of the Arab Spring/Summer, with people divided who might in the past have been united, now divided by their causes.  Librans will find this period particularly painful, seeing both sides while sitting on the fence.  Again, meditation might help (after disentangling from the imbroglio) but not Vipassana this time.  A Oneness Meditation (Deeksha) would be helpful, visualizing the Aquarian brotherhood of man/woman.  The Oneness Meditation needs to be sustained for a couple of days, for some of the T-square stress may be ebbing away but there is tension building towards the Aquarian Full Moon of Saturday evening (13^th).  For those working with Light Body, carry through holding the energy from Thursday, and for those doing the Aquarian Brother and Sisterhood meditation just keep going up to the Full Moon on Saturday at 18.57 Hrs UK time.  For those of a more religious persuasion, prayer will be your tool for this period.  Saturday evening may feel like a crescendo of realization that the only way forward is Aquarian connectedness.  Speaking of connections, I have added 2 new links on my Contact page this week.  Firstly, a new website for Dia Vickery, who I think of as our very own Alistair Cooke providing the Letter from America service in the Comments box.  The website is very neat in her Virgoan style, and she provides Acupuncture in Los Angeles as well as being a specialist in Shiloh Shepherd dogs.  Secondly, The Mountain Astrologer, my favourite Astrology magazine, whose blog is written by Mary Plumb, a regular contributor to the magazine for as long as I can remember (perhaps forever).  She has recommended reading my blog of 31^st July regarding Amy Winehouse and the Norwegian Massacre.  If you would like to read a more in-depth commentary on the latter tragedy, please take a look at Laura Dane’s guest post of that title.

I am myself finding the Week’s Bullet Points useful in these hectic times.  Here they are (hope they are not too long-winded this week):

• Monday – Peace, and a brief Respite before Complicating Consciousness
• Tuesday – Healing Energy, followed by Meditation and a Call to Intervention (if necessary)
• Thursday – Confrontation, followed by Oneness Meditation
• Saturday – Societal Connection

Further Reading:

Acupuncture:   http://www.vickeryhealth.com/

Mountain Astrologer Magazine:  http://mountainastrologer.com/tma/some-timely-astrology-blogs

The Norwegian Massacre:  http://www.lanawooster.co.uk/blog/2011/08/the-norwegian-massacre/

Guest Post by Laura M. Dane

I feel that the following piece by my guest blogger goes some way to assisting our understanding of the spiritual perspective behind the recent events in Norway.  If you would like to read a little of the background of the author, please find more information under my Interviews Category (Interview 3).  Over to you, Laura:

The following was provided by one of my guides on Saturday, 24 July 2011 in response to my attempts to grasp the esoteric aspects of this atrocity. The key to  understanding is to recognise that a nationality, like every individual, has a personality which is in the process of evolving to reveal its inner divinity.

“Such crises denote a point in the life of the nation, expressed through a particular group of individuals, where a conflict of ideology becomes a matter of life and death.  The attachment to an ideology convinces the holder that his life is dependent upon the continued life of the ideology in the life of humanity.  He will come to believe that the turning away by many others from his ideology threatens his life and that the only course left for him is to kill those who deny or oppose his ideology.  His character is such that he is unable to free himself from his ideology into a greater and expanded understanding of life.

In a sense, such fixed views are of the past – often an idealised past which never existed but which still attempts to be realised in the life of the nation.  The frustration in attempting to realise this ideology and consequent sense of loss and failure does not have its cause in those who oppose or turn away from this ideology but in the new energies of goodwill, synthesis, peace and equilibrium sweeping through humanity.  There are those who can respond positively to these new energies and move into a new form of humanity founded in brotherhood whilst others respond through resistance and rejection, occasionally taking the conflict down into the physical realm.

The build up of such tensions within a nation will be noted and observed by those on the inner planes whose role is to guide the destiny of nations. If it can not be released and resolved on the mental and emotional planes, then the best course of release is upon the physical plane.  The release onto the outer plane reveals to mankind the consequences of his “desires” in physical terms. The conflict has not been resolved by elevating it to the level of love. Such events are, in their own way, an expression of war by ideologies caught up in materially-orientated groups who find it impossible to respond adequately to the energies of love and goodwill. Such “explosions” have to be accepted as a temporary measure until mankind has learnt to express itself as a brotherhood in its fullest understanding.

The conflict of ideologies within a nation will find its outlet within individuals who represent the line of least resistance and who are frequently perceived in society as the most vulnerable and innocent.  However, there will be a conscious decision by certain aspirants and disciples, for whom there is karmic opportunity, to play their part through the giving of their lives, taking into account also the karmic opportunities of their group, family and their nation. In the giving of their lives in this manner, they contribute the power of their loving sacrifice to counter the evil of the ideology which seeks to destroy life.  Their contribution adds to the healing forces of their nation so that it can recover from the trauma.

Many survived the massacre because their karma allows them to while others, despite all efforts to save them, will take some action which will bring about their death.  The role of “luck” and “miracles” has much to do with karma. There will be others who are injured, the area of their body which suffered the injury pointing to a symbolic area of psychological release by the individual.  Those who chose to die are afforded an even greater release.  Those who were not injured but who experienced the psychological trauma have healing to do at the level.  Whatever their experience, help is given at all times from the inner realms to heal all participants through a process of awakening or realisation which will prevent such occurrences in the future.

There will be greater national “security” but the greatest protection will come from the unfolding of a greater heart response from the nation as a whole.  It will become more itself.

Because the nation remains relatively unaware, it is not conscious of how its thoughts, feelings and actions affect itself, its people and the world as a whole.  It learns, therefore, through painful consequences.  The force of their thoughts, feelings and actions are not well directed and focussed because they are unconscious in some measure and therefore unexpected consequences occur and  seemingly innocent people are affected.

Everyone is connected and group actions affect everyone to some degree or other but not all are equal in their ability to respond positively to them.  The innocent, that is, those who are not able to respond, are unwittingly involved in national or group crises from which they should be protected by those in a position to act and who take the right action at the right time.  The inability or unwillingness to take right responsibility for action can cause damage to the lives of the innocent. A section of the national body has been injured and that section’s capacity to act as a conduit for healing and restoration is greatly inhibited because its faith in the goodness of life has been broken.

A nation needs to see its youth as the “innocent” and, to an extent they are, but they do bring with them into incarnation the karma of past lives and can choose the manner in which that karma is overcome or used.  The action itself is understood to be “wrong” but the nation, as a whole, has much soul-searching ahead, to discover its true cause, to become more its true self and thereby to discover the great gift bequeathed to them by the willing sacrifice of so many of its idealistic youth.”

Further reading:

http://www.lanawooster.co.uk/blog/2010/02/interview-series-no-3-the-spiritual-world-of-laura-dane/

Getting behind on my reporting…!  Featuring this week are the Oslo Massacre and Amy Winehouse, but I keep feeling I should be investigating in advance, and not being caught on the hop.  For the day of the Norwegian tragedy I noted that the South Node conjunct Mars would bring an emphasis on past wars and old scores being settled.  Certainly both in the conscious and subconscious mind of Anders Breivik this was the case.  His Mercury squares exactly the Norway Mercury, so his ideology is at odds with his country.  His lawyer has reported that he sees himself as a warrior, and natally he has a powerful trine from Pluto to his warrior planet Mars, a significant force in his astropsychopathology.  His lawyer also thinks he is insane.  I feel that much of the emotional and spiritual fuel for his cause lies in unresolved emotions such as the unconscious desire for revenge from past lives in Medieval Europe during the Crusades and the history of the Knights Templars.  The symbols for these are still very potent for many people, and hold the warrior energies, especially if their past lives are unacknowledged,  when they have a more subsconscious sway.  This transiting conjunction of Mars and the South Node collided very unfortunately, but exactly, with the Pluto of Norway’s natal chart, symbol of the nation’s deepest collective psyche, and also representing its Police force.  Norway’s noble peace loving reputation comes from its natal Venus in Taurus exactly trine its North Node (karmic mission) and its government are determined that their national character will be unchanged by this horrifying challenge to its way of life.  Amy Winehouse is the Janis Joplin of her generation (at the age of 61, I have seen too many of these over the decades), dubbed a member of the “27 Club” of music greats being cut short at this age.  This is the age just before the Saturn Return marker, which is a challenge to the structure of one’s life.  She had not been able to find the right structure for her life, and in addition was facing a Nodal Reversal, which involved the Mars/South Node conjunction around that weekend (so there was a significant karmic element to the timing of her passing).  Let us hope for a breakthrough in the understanding of addiction, and the true role of Rehab for the next generation, so that such huge talents are not snuffed out before time.  No shortage of aspects for the coming week, so without further ado I report a trine between Venus and Uranus for Monday (1^st August).  This is a favourable aspect for honeymooners being whisked off to exotic locations (such as Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall), but even if you don’t happen to be one, your social life could be quite exciting at this time!  Later on Monday the Sun squares Jupiter, so you could be inclined to go over the top about someone you’ve just met!  If you suspect this is the case, bury yourself in paperwork between Monday and Wednesday, before Mercury turns retrograde.  Then at least you will have something to show for your enthusiasm.  On Wednesday 3^rd Mars enters Cancer, so not only are communications under pressure, but mental passion converts into emotional energy, and that too will detract from efficient communication.  People may stumble while conveying their words and Freudian slips may fall through the gaps between what they are trying to say and what they do say.  They will be sincere though, so you are likely to know their true feelings (and they yours).  Though embarrassing, it is all evolving in the right direction spiritually as Mars is applying to a trine with Neptune, which takes place later in the day.  So action and intention is allied successfully with spirituality.  Hopefully this will result in satisfaction (as in what the Rolling Stones didn’t get), but if you are working with symbols from your past lives, be very careful to let go of negative emotions and preferably use balanced symbology (such as the triangle) or symbols linked with eternity (such as the circle) and not symbols linked with medieval warfare.  Thursday (4^th) brings a sextile between Mercury and Mars, and it is a good day to understand mentally the application of symbols.  The symbol for the day might be the Caduceus, which denotes healing.  The healing for the day is in relation to warriorship (Mars), so another gateway for understanding presents itself, not a huge aspect but one which can be well used and is timely for recent struggles.  Communication can convey directness, but will still be affected by the retrograde motion of Mercury, so caution is still needed.  On Friday (5^th) retrograding Neptune returns to Aquarius from its short swim in Pisces.  It is dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on its sensitive work within groups over the last 13 years.  If you have been working with a particular group for that time, an aspect of its work may be completed.  Neptune entered Aquarius in January 1998, if you have access to your diaries for that time (mine are buried under mountains of journals, theoretically awaiting the time when I can type them up for computer files –a vague pipe dream!).  Two more aspects await us on Friday 5^th: Venus squares Jupiter – aah this is the aspect of the social faux pas, be warned but also be confident that it cannot do too much harm.  And the final flourish is a sextile between the Sun in Leo and Saturn in Libra, so you may be able to construct something worthwhile out of the faux pas, e.g. you may spill your drink on a fellow dinner party guest, and then discover that you may have something in common (e.g. you are both Sagittarian and have a tendency to spill drinks) which leads to a new partnership being forged and plans to go drinking/spilling and merry-making at a later date.  Of course all this superficial socializing is taking place against the background of the Uranus-Pluto square which is bringing the shocking news events to our attention (and I am trying hard to keep within its fast flowing current) and challenges within our personal lives – however we need a balance of work and play, professional and private activities, sense and sensibility.  Make mine a sparkling mineral water!  On a sober note, Tuesday is the deadline for the American debt crisis, and I can do no better than to point you in the direction of Nancy’s Blog, a well-informed astrological opinion with on-the-ball commenters, and a good bias towards Barack Obama.  Here’s the link:  http://starlightnews.com/wordpress/

The week in bullet points:

• Monday – Social frisson, and over-egging the pudding
• Tuesday – A prayer for the US debt situation, which affects us all
• Wednesday – Piling on the emotion; Sweet satisfaction
• Thursday – Good motor and sharp communication skills (toddlers take note)
• Friday – Awkward but amiable; Handshake on a Plan

By the time you read this it will be old news, at the rate events are moving.  A standout event of the last few days was the appearance of father and son Murdoch in front of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee last Tuesday. Their body language was captured by media Psychologist Peter Collett in the Guardian.  He analyzed Rupert Murdoch’s posture (intending to show he was fully involved), his pauses (showing a dominant individual) and his table-tapping “- a sure sign that he’s used to giving commands”.  Apparently James Murdoch was a “model of courtesy”, making sure by eye contact that all committee members felt included.  Peter Collett (author of “How to Read People’s Minds from their Actions”) concludes his article with a quip about the custard pie moment.  I was musing myself whether there might be a call for an Emergency Biscuit.*  Something else which is going on meanwhile in the world, and more difficult to identify astrologically, are babies (and adults) dying from famine, specifically highlighted in Somalia at this present time.  Somalia currently has Uranus transiting its Ascendant, and squaring its Sun/Venus on the cusp of its 4^th House which conjunction is opposed by transiting Pluto on its 10^th House cusp (forming a difficult T-square composed of transiting and natal elements).  The Somali Civil War, which began in 1991 and the consequences of which are being felt to this day, occurred with Saturn opposite Somalia’s Mercury in 4^th House, and Neptune on its Saturn in 10^th House.  Out of Somalia came one Rageh Omaar, born in 1967, the son of a wealthy businessman. He has the North Node in Taurus – the karmic mission to be an anchor or rock. We do not know his Ascendant, but Jupiter is currently trine Venus, the ruler of his North Node, and perhaps helping to expand his karmic mission. In his past lives he would have been accustomed to danger as a warrior with South Node in Scorpio conjunct Mars in Libra (perhaps as a go-between). His present karmic mission seems to be to translate Islam for us through the 3-part television series “Mohammed”, beautifully shown by transiting Neptune (spiritual aspect) trine his natal Mars and this year also to trine the South Node, and sextile the North Node. Transiting Saturn sextile his Jupiter (religion) give him the stability at this time but also the sense of responsibility (in a television interview he was aware of the difficulties of his role). Who can forget his steady, spellbinding and reassuring presence reporting day after day during the Iraq War in 2003?  He does have significant links with Iraq chartwise.  At the time of that war, Neptune (Spiritual Protection) was exactly sextile his natal Saturn (Responsibility), enabling him to endure this mission.  He says of his time there “We ran around, we did pieces on weapons inspectors, Saddam, the regime, and almost nothing about Iraqi people.” I always saw him as a hero, and I am sure many others did.  If you have missed the first two parts of his current programme, you can see the third and final part on Tuesday 26^th July at 9 p.m. on BBC2.  We have another week now where the aspects begin in the middle of the week. Take note of how that was for you last week. Fixed star focus for the week is the Praesape Cluster (M44) in Cancer which has a short description in “Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld, so I might as well quote the whole paragraph: “The primary energy here is in assisting individuals to fully accept loss, to release it, and to understand the great gifts of what one does not need any longer.  This is a way of surrender and trust in the God-force.  At a deeper level, most people will discover that a sense of what is needed created in them, as well as a sense of what is not needed.  Priorities can shift to spiritual levels, so the true God-nature of the priorities emerge.” On Wednesday (27^th) after you have assessed your spiritual priorities the Sun in Leo trines Uranus in Aries, so this may give a boost to revolutionaries around the world, and any attempts you are making to revolutionize the areas in your life affected by this aspect.  If you know your birthchart, you can take a look at which houses the two planets are currently occupying to see which areas of your life can take a shift together.  On Thursday (28^th) Venus enters Leo, boosting our Leo fire supply, and eagerness to party and to extract joy from our life’s experiences.  A little later on the same day, Mercury leaves Leo and enters Virgo.  There is a short, exactly 3-hour window, (in the UK it is between 2.59 pm and 5.59 p.m.) when Venus, the Sun and Mercury are all in Leo and you can make hay while the sun shines.  When Mercury enters Virgo, you might feel the call of your paperwork or other tasks which need attention.  Mentally, you would be more inclined to focus, and be more practical.  But an aspect the next day (Friday 29^th) will make it difficult to keep distractions at bay – this is an opposition to Mercury from Neptune.  It could be a case that you have so much to do that life is complicated.  You may have an imminent wedding to plan, for instance, which requires your energies at all sorts of different levels.  You may have to call in the wedding planning Angels if so, to help you on the higher levels while you focus on the paperwork, such as paying the caterers.  You may be lucky, in that all will come together the next day (Saturday 30^th) as it is a New Moon and blue moon at 7 degrees Leo, and therefore good for weddings or other large-scale functions and activities, such as film directing (did I tell you a lot of Film Directors are born under Leo?  I have?  Oh sorry, it is one of my fave astro-facts…).  Now, blogging about Astrology takes up a bit of my time, and although Past Life therapy is a good proportion of my work it rarely gets a look-in comparatively in my blog. Which is why I am grateful to fellow Astroblogger Joyce Mason, who has written a lip-smacking article on her Radical Virgo blog entitled “The Great Flow Charters in the Sky”.  It’s all about how she recognized the hand of reincarnation working throughout her life.  Here’s the link to a great read http://www.radicalvirgo.com/2011/07/great-flow-charters-in-sky.html if you are thirsty to know more about Past Lives.  Have a good week, and enjoy the wedding season, or home-entertainment-for-schoolkids-season, whichever applies!

*Soon to be patented, perhaps, by Apprentice winner Tom Pellereau

The week in bullet points:

• Wednesday – Spiritual priorities and Religious ruminations
• Thursday – Spirited enthusiasm

[Fun window: 2.59 pm to 5.59 pm, UK time]

Knuckle down to paperwork

• Friday – Mental confusion and complexity
• Saturday – New ventures centred around enjoyment and leisure

All sorts of side stories have had to be pushed aside this week, in order to look at the all-encompassing story of the dissolving empire of media mogul Rupert Murdoch.  A generation of minds have been infiltrated by the culture of sensationalizing the news which certainly was the style of the now defunct News of the World.  In a world where over the centuries power was associated with politics (temporal power) or religion, he found a way to general domination through a new source: the modern media.  His Sun/Mercury in Pisces shows his self-expression through the genius of that sign (working its way through the fabric of the collective unconscious) in the 3^rd House of media, and this trine Pluto (power) in the 7^th House and sign of the general public (Cancer), with Jupiter and Mars also in that sign and House for back-up.  The Empire Mogul has Capricorn rising with Saturn in the 1^st House trine Neptune, adding shape, discipline and authority to the Piscean emphasis in his chart.  Karmically, North Node conjunct Uranus in Aries will have used a great deal of intuition in building his karmic mission, and squaring his Jupiter/Pluto in Cancer suggests power abused in past lives.  The Soul Group around him, the members of his family, plus Rebekah Brooks, may have practiced holding power in societies in previous cultures.  Rebekah Brooks, now stood down as Chief Executive of News International, has been called the fifth daughter of Rupert Murdoch, and certainly has a family aspect in her Sun trine his Venus.  There are a lot of karmic Nodal aspects between members of the group.  There is an exact conjunction between Rebekah Brooks’ North Node (karmic mission), which is in Aries (16 degrees) exactly conjunct Rupert Murdoch’s North Node (15 deg 56) – certainly partners if not partners in crime.  Her karmic mission joined and strengthened his.  At her resignation this week, the North Node was trine her Saturn and the Nodal Axis squaring her Pluto, invoking a recognition of karmic necessity.  Rupert Murdoch’s son James natally had a protected and privileged conjunction of his North Node with Jupiter, but currently has Neptune squaring his Mercury, effectively a rabbit caught in headlights.  Andy Coulson who has taken the rap and a pivotal role for years for the phone hacking scandal, had Saturn trine his North Node (similar to but the reversal of Rebecca Brooks’ resignation aspect) when he resigned as Editor of the News of the World.  Then further along the chain, Andy Coulson has a family-style link with David Cameron’s natal chart, but you have to stop somewhere…The power of Rupert Murdoch, as with the dictators in the Middle East, is beginning to unravel through the breaking of the spell of fear.  The injection of courage into the human race has come into the equation in a big way since the entry of Uranus into Aries, squaring and challenging the authorities of Pluto in Capricorn.  The period of this square over the next three years is likely to see some chaos and anarchy before the desired goal of freedom is won.  But in the case of the media battle, a start has been made in seeing through the deception and manipulation: it seems that this will all take a while to unravel.  At the age of 80, Rupert Murdoch is approaching his Neptune (sleaze) half-return.  His natal Neptune, also the ruling planet of his Sun sign, is at 3 degrees 59 minutes of Virgo.  Neptune almost reaches the half-return, at 3 degrees 9 minutes of Pisces, in June 2012, but then turns back.  It is not until 24/25^th March 2013 that he will experience the half-return, when all may be revealed about what was concealed.  The stress by that time may take a toll on his health.  In the meantime we need to visualize the sort of society we would like, free of sleaze and violence.  I would like to see a ban on violence in film, for instance – is that too much to ask?  There are few aspects occurring in the coming week, and the first not until Thursday.  If you would like a cosmic focus for the first half of the week, the Fixed Star Procyon is aligned with our Sun today.  This star in Canis Minor traditionally has mixed reviews (e.g. Bernadette Brady hints at sudden success followed by failure).  The emphasis from “Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld is on the translation of incoming light into clarity of thought: “Procyon can enhance the direct transference of light into consciousness.  Procyon will beneficially influence all capacities of thought”.  The aspect occurring on Thursday (21^st) is in fact a minor one: that of Venus semi-sextile Mars, which is about the nuance of a minor shift in perception of male-female relations or internal male-female balancing.  Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg for instance has been criticized for doing the school run, so fine-tuning about such debates may be going on.  On Friday 22^nd Mars conjoins the South Node at 21 degrees Gemini: There may be a harking back to past wars, including past newspaper wars (Gemini).  Prepare for some role play with your Inner Warrior, using the opportunity to find the right role for this in modern times.  On Saturday 23^rd the Sun leaves the sign of Cancer and enters Leo.  If you have been concentrating on DIY around the home lately, your focus may turn to outdoor leisure, holidays and Sun seeking.  If you want to continue with the DIY, it may take a more creative turn, but it is a good time of year to get your dose of Vitamin D, so do consider outdoor possibilities.  Now that I am retired I sometimes have to force myself away from the computer or daytime TV cookery programmes, by auto-suggestion that there are some enticing opportunities for photography in the garden, which hubby Mike kindly tends.  It’s always worth a stroll.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – Mental focus and concentration
• Thursday – Minor male-female adjustments in perception
• Friday – Old scores to settle, hopefully peaceably
• Saturday – Do something Outdoorsy

On Thursday, the day that Jupiter trined Pluto (huge endings) it was announced that the last ever edition of the News of the World would be published this Sunday, it was the premier of the last in the Harry Potter series of films (transiting Jupiter squaring the magical Mars/Neptune conjunction of the natal chart of the first film), and the final launch of the space shuttle Atlantis marking the end of the space shuttle program(me) a day later.  Like the square between Jupiter and Pluto last year which brought revelations from Wikileaks, last week’s trine between Jupiter and Pluto uncovered other revelations from other sources, most notably the phone hacking scandals by the News of the World to innocent victims of murder and terrorism.  These started to emerge in the few days leading up to the Jupiter-Pluto trine.  By the anniversary of 7/7 it had emerged that victims of that event had been subjected to phone hacking. It was announced on the day of the Jupiter-Pluto trine that as a result of these disclosures the News of the World was to close.  Neptune was trine the Mercury in the natal chart of the paper, and the North Node (karma) trine its Pluto (death of the newspaper, but possibly also a reinvention).  Even the Wikileaks story re-emerged that day, because Julian Assange is shortly to appear at the High Court, but also has his 40^th birthday (Saturn is currently square his Sun, and Neptune squares his Neptune so it is not an easy time for him).  In the huge recycling of energy within these events, what will replace the newspapers, films, and space shuttles, to name but a few manifestations?  Perhaps something similar transpired in your own world, a power play, or an exchange of funds, the ending of a commitment.  What new forms can be created now in your life?  The birth of a new country is an amazing new form for energy, and South Sudan has pulled it off, its constitution being ratified on 7 July, so the trine will be part of its nature. I would like to wish a happy birth day to South Sudan! The consequences of the Jupiter-Pluto trine will be with us for some time, but in this time period we need to look at new forms for our energies and new pathways.  I apologize in advance for the length of this preamble about the momentous past week, but as if to balance this there are fewer aspects this week.  In the early hours of this morning, Uranus came to a standstill, preparing to go retrograde. Last night or this morning may have brought new surprises (euphemisms for slight shocks) for you to deal with today, but if there weren’t any then it may be time to look at some reorientation which is needed now, or some going over old ground in an alternative way, finding new solutions for long term problems, or new ways of doing things, like teaching an old dog new tricks.  All the aspects this week take place early morning, so some of their influence will emerge in interesting dreams in the U.K.  In the U.S. they will produce interesting late night suppers, and in Australia mid-afternoon capers.  The next aspect is Mercury sextile Mars on Tuesday (12^th).  This is a good aspect for rigorous communication, getting your thoughts down on paper, and you can apply this to any new embryonic projects emerging.  Criticism can be constructive at this time, and new ideas can be based on the knowledge of what needs to be corrected.  If you would prefer to channel your energies through sport, power-walking, Ashtanga Yoga, jogging and fencing are suitable outlets, or verbal banter at the breakfast table behind the scrunching of newspapers.  On Wednesday (13^th) Venus squares Saturn and you might need to resolve relationship issues, or if there is nothing you can do, just lie back and do nothing:  resolve it in your own heart, to save getting drained if the other person is not likely to help.  The final aspect of the week is the Full Moon in Capricorn on Friday (15^th) at 6.40 a.m. in the U.K.  Full Moons always require a balancing from us, based on the formation of the Sun opposing the Moon, and if you do not know which House this falls in natally, then taking the nature of the signs you will need to look at work/home dilemmas or struggles between the state and the citizen.  Your loyalties may be divided, e.g. you may be caught up in Institutions which are corrupt and find it difficult to decide where your loyalties lie.  Friday can be used to adjust your lifestyle and the structures of your life.  The Full Moon is not as potent as the previous eclipsed version, just as this week is tamer than last, but then we need a rest, don’t we?

For busy readers, the week in bullet-points:

• Today – Reorientation
• Tuesday – Vigorous Communication
• Wednesday – Gentle Reframing of Relationships
• Friday – Restructuring of Daily Life

I redeemed my Wimbledon blogging reputation slightly yesterday at the Ladies Singles Final, by remarking that Sharapova’s aspects were not too good, and that Kvitova (who won) would be inspired.  Sue Barker, on interviewing Sharapova afterwards, stated:  “You came across a player who was inspired today”.  Due thanks goes to last week’s commenter who pointed out that I had originally chosen Serena Williams, which encouraged me to look into the remaining players. Meanwhile the International Monetary Fund came back into prominence in the news last week. The natal Venus (which represents money) of the International Monetary Fund lies exactly at the Galactic Centre, which is very appropriate for such an Institution.  This week Christine Lagarde was appointed the new Head of the IMF, close to the New Moon eclipse which fell exactly opposite her natal Sun.  Transiting Saturn was exactly trine her natal Venus (ability to handle money).  Her predecessor, Dominique Strauss-Kahn was released from house arrest, with Jupiter transiting his Sun (a transit which often coincides with a liberation of sorts).  Strauss-Kahn has a powerful chart, but will not be looking after our money any more, so Lagarde is the one to watch now.  She has her Part of Fortune in the 8^th House of Other People’s Money, so enjoys looking after it for us, and I will be watching that space.  We have a huge aspect this week in the trine between Jupiter in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn, and that will dominate the week’s proceedings, giving us the sense of balancing two huge forces in our lives.  We are assisted in seeing its healing potential in having Chiron placed between them forming a sextile to each.  So bear this in mind as you proceed through the week, so that you are better placed to catch the wave on Thursday and capitalize on the trine.  But today is a different mindset because Saturn squares the Sun.  Think structure and limitation, caution and plugging loopholes.  Before a big enterprise, you have to attend to the details, or something small can throw the whole thing out.  What do you need to attend to today, in all seriousness?  Even if you are having a fun day out, there may be serious issues to think about which lie behind it.  Any conclusions now will contribute to your Jupiter-Pluto performance later in the week.  Venus enters Cancer tomorrow (4^th) and it’s Happy Independence Day to my American reader(s)!  Venus entering Cancer is always a nice interlude for Americans, who have a few planets in Cancer in the natal chart of the U.S., and will bring heart as it tours through that sign. The aspect of life it brings out is making sure everyone around you is comfortable, nostalgia such as working on your family tree, home-making, baking apple pies, plumping pillows, gardening by the Moon, for enjoying all Cancerian aspects of life.  A good website to follow this month if you want to get into that groove (whatever sign, or country you are in) is http://auntiemoon.wordpress.com/ the website and blog of cjwright who conveys that mood among other moods and wider issues.  She has the knack of asking interesting questions and thinking outside the box, too.  It should be a Happy Independence Day whether or not you are American, for the day basks in happy aspects.  Venus trines Neptune, bringing inspiration to home and family activities.  Then Mercury trines Uranus so any good ideas can go global on the internet.  If you are wanting to stay away from the internet tomorrow, then try sending and receiving ideas by telepathy.  All you will need is at least one pal, to play this, and conduct such experiments.  A pack of Zener cards are optional, but by no means necessary.  Mercury squares Jupiter the next day Tuesday (5^th) and by that time you may have experimented, and enjoyed the fruits of your telepathic experiments, but may be feeling mentally overcrowded, hyped up, overwired, and a bit of a space cadet.  Maybe you were contacted by Aliens the day before, and have too much to think about now.   If you can’t handle all the resulting creativity, just scale down your focus and get back to simple basics for a while, watch a candle or watch paint dry, or watch asparagus grow (if that is not too fast-paced).  Then reassess which of your new projects to follow.  Balance can be achieved the next day (Wednesday 6^th) with Mars trine Saturn.  It may not be as exciting as the first half of the week, but it does allow for more common sense and sensibility.  Action and practicality succeed, where earlier in the week ideas and inspiration were to the fore.  All this before the main feature of the week, Jupiter trine Pluto on Thursday (7^th).  This will be balancing power in one area of your life (Pluto in whatever natal house) with opportunities for expansion (Jupiter in another area of life).  High energy, high jinks.  When Jupiter was square Pluto last year, the first set of revelations by Wikileaks appeared.  Some resolution on these issues, e.g. information and suppression of information, High Court injunctions and the like, may emerge.  Also religious issues around faith versus agnosticism may come a step closer to understanding (Richard Dawkins meets the Pope?).  In our own personal lives we need to see how we use our power, and celebrate positive applications of that power.  Motto for the day is taken from Del Boy: “He who dares, wins” .  The rest of the week may seem an anti-climax, but even anti-climaxes need to be managed and observed carefully.  Venus squares Uranus later on Thursday, so be wary of social misuses of power, and new personalities emerging in your life who may not be all they seem, who may have agendas counter to your own and be peddling red herrings.  You can enjoy the novelty, and take ideas from other ways of being, but need to calm and centre down.  On Friday (8^th) Venus trines Chiron in a small healing interlude, practicing the breathing, calming, centring and alignment, and remembering who you are.  Saturday (9^th) may test you on that alignment with Pluto opposing Venus: being true to yourself even if you are tempted to please the other.  Once that test has been mastered, more enjoyable waters are reached with Venus sextile Jupiter favouring parties and barbecues, followed by Mercury sextile Saturn which would be best employed in a cool assessment of the challenges and achievements of the week.  You can put this in graph form, or on an excel spreadsheet, or just file it away under experience, but duly note it.  If you need the week in bullet points, please apply separately by email.

Victoria Azarenka

Azarenka is a Leo with a fiery Mars in the same sign.  She will be fired up with Mars sextile her Sun this weekend, but may be disappointed by Saturn squaring her Neptune.  Self-doubt may creep in and take the edge off her performance.

Playing

Petra Kvitova

Imaginative Piscean Petra Kvitova has some solid planets in Capricorn which help her focus. Her nerves could get the better of her at the weekend (Mars squaring her Mercury), but her inspirational streak is likely to be her most helpful factor with Neptune trine her natal Jupiter at the weekend.

Kvitova has Uranus conjunct Azarenka’s Saturn, which can produce shocks for Azarenka, though Azarenka can wear down Kvitova.  The edge would likely to be with Kvitova though.

Kvitova’s Uranus trines Azarenka’s Venus so they might get on well socially off court.

Sabine Lizicki

Lizicki has a deeply emotional chart, with Venus conjunct Pluto in Scorpio, and  Jupiter with Chiron in Cancer possibly joined by the Moon there.  This will be the source of much of her energy.  Uranus, Saturn and Neptune sit in stoical Capricorn in her chart.  Her Sun is in Virgo, a sign which figures heavily in this generation of tennis players, both as Sun and Ascendant.  Mercury (her nervous system) and Mars (her physical energy, as distinct from her emotional energies) are in the traditional tennis sign of Libra.   Without knowing her Ascendant (from her birth time) Mars and Mercury represent important elements of her physicality and there is a gracefulness and elegance there, but not as much robustness as some other signs.

Playing

Maria Sharapova

In contrast to Lizicki, Sharapova has several planets in the very physical sign of Aries.  The Wimbledon website states: “Sharapova’s serene image hides a street-fighter”.  It is possible that her Ascendant is something contrasting and therefore hiding the street-fighter.  She has a tender side: Venus in Pisces and Moon conjunct Neptune, and that may be something she reserves for her private life.  The street-fighting image is also shown in a quincunx between Mars and Pluto.

Neither Lizicki or Sharapova have great aspects this weekend, but one of them has to go through to the final, and with Sharapova being on good form it is likely to be her.