Lana Wooster

Aspects for the week beginning 15 August 2010

Another week of delicate balancing ahead, as we tackle two other components of the Cardinal T-square, one at the beginning of the week, and one at the end. Last week flame (Scorpio) haired Julia Roberts announced her conversion to Hinduism as a result of filming “Eat Pray Love”. This has coincided with Jupiter (planet of religion) coming into her 9^th House of Religion, under the pressure of Pluto’s square. The writer of the book “Eat Pray Love” Elizabeth Gilbert has the entrepreneurial Jupiter-Uranus conjunction natally, which is doing well in a year when that conjunction is taking place. Jupiter-Uranus people take note: if you haven’t yet made your coup this year, there is still time. Meanwhile one of our own UK actresses Emma Thompson made two gaffes this week. The first was declaring Audrey Hepburn “fantastically twee”. It’s unsurprising that Arien Thompson, concerned with authenticity, would not “get” the mystique and elegance of Audrey Hepburn, who had Neptune opposite her Ascendant. Emma has several planets early in the signs, and is therefore triggered by the complexity of the Cardinal T-square at the moment. Her straight-talking Sun and Mercury in Aries came out twice this week (the second gaffe was ridiculing residents of the Isle of Wight) when her ruling planet Mars was squared by Jupiter and opposed by Pluto. So those are Jupiter square Pluto related stories. On to the first of our T-square components this week: Jupiter opposite Saturn tomorrow (Monday 16^th). This has to be carefully measured to satisfy both sides of an argument or two or more sets of needs. Saturn represents realism, Jupiter represents optimism, and Pluto is engaging both in a T-square, pushing the equation the side of despair. What we must not lose therefore is the Jupiter side of the equation, the hopes and dreams. Some people have totally lost it by now, and can’t even summon the energy to wish. But I have come across people this week, who despite long-standing problems, and many times giving in to despair, have started to work with a long-term vision of how their lives could improve – they are starting to see a light, way off in the distance of the tunnel. The UK government has already upset many, promising savage cuts to the vulnerable, cuts which have been chosen to target those least likely to cope, where they could have made choices to make cuts in the fortunes of those well able to cope. This is a mishandling of the T-square, and an illustration of how response to it can be unbalanced. What you have control over is your own psychology, and the re-building of your own sense of hope for the future, from envisaging the next small step, to a future vision that will work for you, to work towards. We may (or may not) be disappointed with those we have elected, but must not forget the power and resources within our own psyche to steer our lives in a better direction. The next series of aspects occur at the end of the week, as the middle of the week can be used to practice your trapeze work. On Friday 20^th there’s another, more minor, opposition between the Sun and Neptune. You may then be working on another nuance of the theme of Realism vs Hopefulness. The illusion of fantasy needs to be measured against the truth of the heart. Suppose that in working with creative visualization for the future at the beginning of the week, in trying to balance Jupiter opposite Saturn, we may have veered to the opposite extreme and embellished impossible outcomes. Friday will be the time to take those inner films and edit them to something of more realistic proportions. Perhaps clues in the week might have helped you see what might be possible, as in when you told a best friend what you were thinking and he or she pointed out the loopholes. In your editing, you still need to arrive at a scenario where both parties can win, and there is enough hope in the pot for emotional survival. There are two more astrological features having their say on Friday after this has been achieved. Venus conjuncts Mars at the beginning of Libra, which intensifies the feeling nature of Venus and balances the male-female energies in some ways. This is a more internal type of balancing, not so dependent say on world resources, authorities and institutions. It is about enjoying life, and whereas Jupiter square Pluto is about Pray, Venus conjunct Mars is the Eat and Love component of this three-word mantra. The other feature of Friday is that Mercury will be stationary, prior to turning retrograde. Get your ideas on paper, e.g. in a diary, as you may not immediately be able to implement your ideas or creativity until Mercury turns direct again on 13 September. Plus you will have your hands full on Saturday 21^st with the next component of the Cardinal T-square: Saturn square Pluto. This is the despairing end of the equation, so you need to rely on the resources built earlier in the week on the balancing of the Jupiter-Saturn opposition. Keep afloat, and cherish the dream. The Sun also opposes Chiron that day, which throws down a healing challenge to focus your mind. There are solutions, keep believing that. All you might be looking at are the big bills and the climate disasters of Saturn square Pluto, but don’t doubt there is a life beyond. The Obamas swimming in the Gulf of Mexico is a great symbol of that.

Date: Aug 15th, 2010 · 14 Comments · Tags: Astrology

Aspects for the week beginning 8 August 2010

The T-square between Pluto, Jupiter and Mars last week seemed to generate many tales in the news of man’s inhumanity to man, and my phone and Customer Service Desk were buzzing, with the T-square forming a Grand Cross to my natal Uranus in my 3^rd House of Phonecalls. The Cardinal Climax has pushed the weather to further extremes, and specifically Jupiter square Pluto has coincided with fire and smog in Russia. Again it seemed that Pakistan was at the hub of world news. The four instances mentioned at the end of last week’s blog [“Criticized by Cameron, widespread flooding, its worst ever air crash, and not doing so well in cricket.”] seem to have moved on further. Now the picture is a rapprochement with Cameron (on Thursday David Cameron hailed the “unbreakable” friendship between Britain and Pakistan), flooding affecting millions, the aftermath of the air crash no doubt causing havoc in many lives, and (according to hubby) even worse fortunes in the cricket. The President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari is the widower of Benazir Bhutto, who had close connections with Britain, and their son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has studied at Oxford University. I thought I would take a closer look at these connections and in relation to this time. David Cameron has Saturn exactly square Zardari’s nodal axis, pointing to uneasy karma between them. The countries are more friendly, in that Pakistan’s Venus is trine the U.K. Mercury. Transiting Neptune is on the U.K. Mars at this time, which may be connected with Cameron’s gaffe last week (doesn’t have the same ring to it as Gordon’s gaffe, but never mind, we will have to get used to it. Impersonators are still trying to get a handle on their Cameron impressions, too). This echoes Cameron’s own natal Mars opposite Neptune, which finds him socially naïve at times. With his own Mars exactly opposite the U.K. Mars he can sometimes be out of tune with its energies. Saturn is currently on his Ascendant, which represents the huge responsibility he is taking on, and squaring his Midheaven, so he has a tough mountain to climb now. Uranus is still squaring Pakistan’s Mars, and there is no doubt the repercussions of the last two weeks will take a long time to deal with. Zardari, in stepping out of his local problems last week was taking advantage of the holiday atmosphere of Jupiter trining his Sun, and its call to foster international links. Whatever your religious or political persuasion, I am sure your heart will go out to the Pakistan people in the problems they are facing right now. Venus conjuncts Saturn today, so there is a sad reflectiveness. If you have been struggling lately with a relationship problem, you will be looking at it in a realistic way. You may have done what you could to bring life to a situation which may seem flat for the time being. The dining experience at tea-time today is important. Make sure nutrition is nurturing by quality rather than quantity. Create a calm atmosphere and you may find that conditions bring forth some surprising serenity of thought, particularly on your current concerns. A sprightlier outlook awaits tomorrow (Monday 9^th) with Venus opposite Jupiter. In the evening, Jupiter tries to lift the mood – your long-lost Uncle Vanya might pop in with his latest joke, for instance. With the conjunction still operative, you might still be hovering between laughter and tears, but certainly there may be a releasing of tension. The other three astrological events of this week occur in the early hours of the morning in the U.K., and may either wake you (if you are very sensitive to aspects) or colour your dreams. So these will be evening events the previous day in the U.S. and morning events the same day in Australia. The New Moon in Leo is on Tuesday 10^th: the dream will be about Lions, obviously, no question. Evening event, a gala. Morning event, a creative splurge. An hour later Venus squares Pluto: you’ll be woken by a nightmare about someone stealing the Mona Lisa. Evening event, a disappointing text from the object of your affections. Morning event, you wake in thunderous mood and need to give your inner warrior a talking to rather than take it through the day and impose it on everyone else. Uranus goes into Pisces in the early hours of Saturday 14^th August U.K. time, in retrograde motion from Aries. I have found that this placement has been strengthening people’s capacity for self-sufficiency, in its conjunction with Jupiter in early Aries, but also exploring our links with groups in a more dynamic way. Group work has taken interesting new turns as individuals have felt emboldened to express themselves more clearly and easily in that context. The re-entry of Uranus into Pisces temporarily may bring the need for more attention to oil and water problems on the planet, more will need to be done and more thought will need to go into longer-term solutions. Uranus entered Aries from Pisces on 28 May, so it may revisit issues for you personally that were prominent around then (a look at my diary reveals that I was having another sleepless night on the Rialto Bridge in Venice…). The first point of Aries certainly is a bridge between the old and the new, old ways of being and new ones which we are being encouraged to adopt. So we will temporarily revisit old issues…how old, is the question. Solutions and answers can be found in the Now, in the 7 year transit of Uranus in Pisces, or in past life glimpses of lives in monasteries and nunneries in the Age of Pisces. You choose.

Date: Aug 8th, 2010 · 5 Comments · Tags: Astrology

Chiron in Capricorn (1951-1955) – Archive

When I undertook my interview series earlier this year, it was put together intensely and over a short period of time. I immediately realized that more than half the interviewees had asteroid Chiron (the wounded healer, the inner healer) in Capricorn. Chiron was in Capricorn for the years 1951 to 1954 plus the first month of 1955, and I felt that to ask each of them the Chiron question would constitute a resource for contemplation of the subject.

Your Chiron sign represents the type of wounding you had earlier in this lifetime and in past lifetimes. How you resolve it or have resolved it shows you how you can help to heal others who may have the same wounding. Chiron is the key to your inner healer, and I have found it very relevant in past-life work. A Chiron transit can announce itself through a healing crisis.

The effects of Chiron have some similarities with Pluto: they are both psychologically profound and both concerned with healing. However, they have different energies, and two approaches to Chiron I have found helpful are:-

The problem contains the solution, and healing and solutions can be instantaneous and miraculous. The healing can also take place on the level of consciousness.
Chiron asks you to dig deeper into your Soul, for the shift which will resolve and enhance the situation.

Chiron in Capricorn has an authoritative, teaching-style of healing. The wound and healing can be connected with responsibility.

Children born between 2002-5 also have this placing, and come under the banner of the crystal children according to some new age thinkers. Crystal comes under the rulership of Capricorn, and crystals are a powerful tool for healers.

The first question and answer occurs in the interview with Felicity Cook. Felicity is a voice healer, teacher and analyst among the other areas of her life’s work. She describes her Chiron in Capricorn placing in combination with her Sun in Aquarius:

Interview Series No. 2 – Felicity Cook

Lana: Thank you! And last but not least for Question 5, other facets of your work are Healing and Psychotherapy (I am not sure which year of training you are in). You have Chiron (the wounded healer) in Capricorn, and I wonder if you can describe to me your Inner Healer?

Flick: Hmmm…You do like to throw the cat into the pigeon’s nest, don’t you?! I am actually in my 3rd year of Psychotherapy training and really enjoying the journey. As a healer I trained at the Snowlion School in the South of France and this was in Psycho-Spiritual Energy Therapy. I use it now in my world in an indirect way as it has informed my wholistic approach to life and my work. As you say, I have Chiron in Capricorn. I feel this is a difficult placing for me along with one or two other significant astro placings to do with my mother. It has been a challenge for me to let go of the workaholic and see where this has come from. If I am answering the question from the *healed* place I see it is connected with my Aquarius Sun very strongly…to do with groups, humanitarian quests etc. I feel my work is on the cutting edge and quite difficult to give birth to, as there is nothing like it that I know of, apart from voice recognition where the results are generated by hi tech equipment. My inner healer is holding group consciousness, group and individual wounding and offering space for this to be transformed.

www.thevoicedbodymind.com

Next is Laura Dane, a deep-thinking Theosophist and Telepath, who presents a very thoughtful research of this question in the exploration of her spiritual world. She adds the input of her guides when looking at this topic:

Interview Series No. 3 – Laura Dane

Lana: You were born in a year when Chiron was in Capricorn, in common with other teachers such as Caroline Myss who has a definite style of teaching. I wonder if you can describe the particular healing needed for this placement, and if possible also how you see your Inner Healer.

Laura: I have not found it at all easy to understand role of Chiron in my life because I have not been able to understand the common astrological description of the Chiron, the wounded healer, who had to give up his immortality to heal himself. I have had to seek information from my guides on this subject. So far, I have been given three ideas:

1. In relation to the theme of “immortality. The “immortality” as it applies to humanity, is the belief in the immortality of the personality and therefore its God-like status, to which everything else must be subservient. We eventually learn, however, that the power of the personality is limited and that in order to progress and gain the power to which we aspire, we must give up our sense of personality immortality and allow our soul nature to control and guide the personality. It is akin to an adolescent child recognising and accepting that adults have greater wisdom and power than he and that aligning with it is to his benefit.

2. In relation to the “wound”. There is a part of us which is highly sensitive and therefore more vulnerable to being wounded. Because we are not aware of it, we cover it up with a psychological shield, scarring or some other form of protection which acts as a barrier between it and the world. We have effectively walled it up and separated it off from the rest of our personality. That is the first wound. That highly sensitive part of us – indicated by the house position and sign of our natal Chiron – is a gift designed to act as a compass to keep us to our true selves. The barrier we erect is, symbolically, the “immortality” of Chiron which has to be released in order to recognise and heal the wound. The resources we draw upon to heal the wound (and to continue to heal the wound as we re-create it by going off-course) becomes a healing power in ourselves which we are able to share with others.

3. The healer within us is often the most powerful aspect of our Chironic nature because it is that aspect which enables us to recognise the wound and to evoke the correct healing.

My natal Chiron, being in my first house, indicates the nature of wounds which occur when the sense of self and self expression is not able to flourish because the personality finds itself in an unsupporting environment. The healing comes from the soul and being able to understand the soul’s perspective of the personality, which it loves unconditionally. In the end, I think it just comes down to loving oneself as the divine loves its creation. So, the continuous development of self love, self esteem, self regard etc is extremely important and essential to healing the wound.

According to Barbara Hand Clow’s excellent book on Chiron, a Chiron in Capricorn requires the personality to recognise the importance of joy and laughter and not to take life so seriously as it is wont to do due to the influence of Saturn! I agree with her analysis.

The next answer is a double turn, two for the price of one, portrayed by Gemini Sarah Berry who is a Homeopath. A channelling by her guide Hendry follows her own view:

Interview Series No. 5 – Sarah Berry

Lana: Thank you! Like some of the other interviewees, you have Chiron (the wounded healer) in Capricorn. What (if anything) does that mean to you, and I wonder if you can describe to me your Inner Healer (not necessarily in astrological terms)?

Sarah: The Wounded Healer makes me think of Archetypes, which I am rather vague about. I’m not disputing them, but perhaps am challenged, so hope I am dealing with it as I progress. I think I have had to deal with sorting mine and family karma and this has occupied me. Rather like channelling, healing is something I don’t consciously set out to do. I know myself as an enabler, and to achieve this I guess healing takes place. My struggle has been to find my real self, and this has felt life-threatening, personality and emotionally-wise. So I have needed to heal my inner self. Along the way it has been possible for me to support others.

Hendry: Best Beloveds, of vital importance is the influence of Chiron in life as the inner healer and in Sarah’s work and the path she is undertaking. This significance comes slowly to her, and she is currently not too aware of it. However there will be rebirthing later in the year, including processing and progress and functionality.

[Postscript: The rebirthing did take place, close to her birthday, and a revised birth time was obtained during this session. Subsequently, it has illuminated the focus of certain areas of her birth chart]

saraheberry@aol.com

And last but by no means least cj wright aka auntie moon, who draws on the disciplines of Astrology, Numerology and the Tarot in her thought. I think this gives her a wise overview on life:

Interview Series No. 6 – cj wright, Auntie Moon

Lana: Astrologers vary in how much they use Chiron, and I wonder to what extent you do use it and how you experience your Chiron in Capricorn if this is something you have a sense of. Also, taking the astrology aside, how would you describe your Inner Healer (which may, or may not, be the same thing)?

Cj: I have minimal experience with the asteroids, so I don’t have a good sense of it in my chart. I know Chiron indicates a wound, and that it’s a healing point. It’s also in my 12^th house. An astrologer once told me that it was a beautiful placement so I didn’t pursue it. I’m a firm believer that sometimes we just need to let the mystery be.

I don’t really know how I would describe my inner healer because I’m not sure I’ve actually gotten a grip on it yet. I think I heal most when I stop talking and thinking and start listening. That opens a lot of doors to understanding. I’ve found that help has always arrived when I’ve needed it most. There are messengers who come when answers are needed. They’re real people—bank tellers, random phone calls at the office from a stranger who needed to tell a story, poets, and grocery baggers. They’re all around. I just have to be receptive and hear the message. They’ve always been there and they make the path smoother. Solitude is a great healer. Listening within.

http://auntiemoon.wordpress.com/

As you can see this is a handful of perspectives, and all are still reaching for understanding of the placement.

If you would like to know more about Chiron in general, I would refer you to the site of Joyce Mason (the Radical Virgo) who presents information on the subject in a very readable way. She has written books on the subject, including a book of poems depicting the Chiron signs.

http://radicalvirgo.blogspot.com/

If you have Chiron in Capricorn please add your experience if you would like to contribute to understanding.

Thanks, Lana

Date: Aug 8th, 2010 · 2 Comments · Tags: Archive

Aspects for the week beginning 1 August 2010

The dramatic event of last week fell between the aspect of Jupiter in Aries (the individual, Julian Assange, WikiLeaks) square (versus) Pluto ( the Institution: United States, Defence) with Pluto also representing the uncovering of information, and the aspect of Saturn opposite Uranus 5 (The dismantling of institutions), and partook of the nature of both. Saturn opposite Uranus 1 physically removed the administration of George W. Bush in the vote to install President Obama, while its 5th and final pass destroyed further the reputation of the Bush administration. The parallel regime of Blair was also suffering damage to its reputation with the appearance at the Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq war of Hans Blix and John Prescott, neither of whom was complimentary about Tony Blair’s involvement. Saturn opposite Uranus 3 saw healthcare as its theme and our N.H.S. is now seriously at risk, in a way that was unexpected. Contender for the Labour leadership Andy Burnham has said that the Coalition are taking a reckless gamble [Jupiter conjunct Uranus – my words] which could spell the end of the N.H.S. as we know it. Saturn opposite Uranus 4 saw the Greek finances on the brink, and that particular cycle has seen some restoration (Guardian last Monday: “In an interview at the weekend, the Greek finance minister, George Papaconstantinou, said that the nation had begun to turn the corner”). So some Institutions were dismantled, some reconstructed, some destroyed. I am archiving the story of Saturn opposite Uranus. The customer service bell rang loudly in my hallway this week with a punter demanding to know why their week had not been transformational (so far – there was one day to go). The truth is, there are many meanings to the word transformational, and many transformations take place on the psychological level, and I do know some people who have experienced that this week. And you can’t have your money back on this occasion! We are still in the Pluto-Jupiter square, for with both planets retrograding (at different rates) they square again on Tuesday (3^rd). There is an ongoing war of words now between Julian Assange of WikiLeaks and the U.S. government, and the consequences are starting to unravel (Observer, today: “WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange [no birthdata, my words] has hit out at the U.S. military, saying that they bear the ultimate responsibility for any deaths of Afghan informers in the wake of the publication by his organization of 75,000 leaked files of American army secrets”). In your life, did you pit yourself against an Institution this week? Was deeply hidden information uncovered? Did you have to let go of a structure in your life? Whatever was begun at the beginning of last week (and I know of many cases of deep psychological healing) re-intensifies on Tuesday, along the lines of the Jupiter-Pluto square (as distinct from the Saturn-Uranus opposition material which is now completing). On Wednesday (4^th) Mars first opposes Jupiter and then squares Pluto. Ariens and Warriors could feel beleaguered by this. They may start out with high hopes of defeating the enemy, and then realize they are fighting themselves. If two Ariens or Warriors are both having this experience, then there could be real confrontations, inside and out. Venusians stand back…! Maybe the era of the Way of the Peaceful Warrior is at hand. Let those who wish to fight, fight amongst themselves, on this day at least. It is not a day for the Negotiators and Peacemakers. The most commonly heard phrase of the day will be “Aargh!” as people are hoisted by their own petards. Let all the fighting die down centre stage, and enter the Peacemakers and Negotiators and Diplomats stage right (or left, it doesn’t matter) on Saturday 7th. For Venus enters Libra that day, having done her homework and taken notes at the end of Virgo while all the aggro was taking place. If you are a sincere seeker of Peace and promoter of Peace, do your work now. The warmongerers had their turn in the middle of the week. Show them that your way is the best way…Hoist your Mahatma Gandhi banner, but get your pitch in early and set the tone, because later that day there will be a twist, as Venus opposes Uranus, e.g. the Warriors may not have completely left the building. But it will be a good chance to use your Intuition for Peace (that would make a good website) and invent something new for the cause. Activism may join with Peacemaking that day. And I don’t want to leave this blog without mentioning Pakistan. It was hit four ways this week: Criticized by Cameron, widespread flooding, its worst ever air crash, and not doing so well in cricket. The chart for transits to the Republic (1956) does not show up any dramas, but the chart for the original founding in 1947 (perhaps its soul) shows Saturn and Uranus both squaring the natal Mars (danger) by transit. This T-square would be putting a great strain on the vitality and fighting spirit of the country and also its resources (Mars in 2^nd House) while Pluto also still opposes the Mars. Benazir Bhutto was assassinated 3 years ago, and her Sun was conjunct Pakistan’s Mars, which is why she had such a magnetic bond with the country. At her assassination, Pluto was exactly opposite the Pakistan Mars and her Sun. War and Peace, Violence and Non-Violence…the struggle goes on. The networking website iPeace is still struggling to survive, despite its passionate hope 2 years ago when it began to be a voice for those who wish for peace and are committed to peace. If that flame is alive in you, I suggest a visit there to see what you can do.

http://ipeace.ning.com/

Date: Aug 1st, 2010 · 7 Comments · Tags: News

Saturn opposite Uranus (2008-2010) – Archive

The Saturn-Uranus opposition of 2008 – 2010 as observed by blog:

14 September 2008: It is less than 2 months until the Saturn-Uranus opposition, on the day of the US Elections. This is being seen by Astrologers as a close contest between the New (as represented by Obama and Uranus) versus the Old (as represented by McCain and Saturn). I feel inadequate to see past the posturing, and do not feel qualified to comment about this unprecedented line-up and crew of candidates…

1^st November 2008: I don’t have the facilities for sound on this website but if I was playing a song to accompany this update on Saturn’s opposition to Uranus and its dismantling of structures, it would be “Something’s gotta Give?” sung by Frank Sinatra, which starts: “When an irresistible force such as you…” Please hum along as you read. The Saturn-Uranus opposition arrives on Tuesday 4^th November, and the next two or three days we have left is a space for plea-bargaining with the Universe…

2^nd November 2008: Citizen Smith, and the Tooting Popular Front, your time has come! Actor Robert Lindsay, who played Wolfie Smith in the TV sitcom back in the 1970s, has (like me) his second Saturn Return this week, and his past role may come back to haunt him (pleasantly I hope). For the Saturn-Uranus opposition which has had us all in a nutcracker grip for some time finally reveals on Tuesday the nut or fruit within, the truth behind the form. We can see this squeeze at work in our lives, in the lives of those around us, and of course in the fascinatingly-staged US Presidential Election…

1st Saturn opposite Uranus: Wednesday 4^th November 2008

8^th November 2008: A new US President necessitates a new blog. I haven’t written any analyses of his chart yet, because I have been hedging my bets. So please forgive and excuse anything you may have read ad nauseam in other astrological blogs about the man. Sun in Leo in his chart represents his power and charisma and the influence of the dreams of his father…

…Future aspects of his work will require different dimensions of his character to be brought into being – words will not be enough – and he needs worldwide good will to achieve the next stage. His election was the manifestation of Saturn opposing Uranus. The rest will be his and humanity’s initiation of Pluto into Capricorn.

29^th January 2009: It is no ordinary week because on Thursday (5^th) Uranus makes its second opposition to Saturn. If you have been following the process, you will know that the first time was on the U.S. Presidential Election Day (November 4^th). If you haven’t, then try to get the gist. So just remember when and where you were and what you were doing on that day, and what issues were in your life (other than the Presidential Election.) The same principles apply: “groundbreaking change” being a good summary. Whatever was going on at that time, will come up again for consideration and the next phase of change…

2^nd Saturn opposite Uranus: Thursday 5^th February 2009

8^th February 2009: Are you reflecting today on the impact of last week’s opposition between Saturn and Uranus? Some will have experienced a window of opportunity for change and others will have had the way cleared for a breakthrough. Some will have been shown the way to go, and others will have been shown clearly what was not the way forward…

13^th September 2009: A new world order was ushered in on November 4^thth House)…. last year when President Obama was elected by the American people desiring real change, on the very day of the first Saturn-Uranus opposition. If there is such a thing as a world horoscope, this was a defining moment in relation to it. There are 5 passes altogether for this stand-off between two planetary giants: a duel between Saturn which holds the structure until the time is right for Uranian liberation. The second pass of the opposition took place in early February, during the honeymoon period when the freshly-twice-sworn-in President of the United States was establishing his new position. Saturn-Uranus tussles were happening all over the globe, but what of our own politics in the U.K. in relation to this opposition? Our Prime Minister Gordon Brown was trying to take the lead (his Ascendant in Aries) on the world economy (a Pluto in Capricorn issue) and climate change (one of the issues of Saturn in Virgo), and convening world leaders to this end (the triple conjunction of Jupiter-Neptune-Chiron in his 11th House)…

…American Astrologers are agreed, and rightly so, for it is as plain as day, that the current pass of the Uranus-Saturn opposition represents Obama’s thrust to bring in a new health care system. It represents the human right to health without which quality of life cannot be lived, and protection for those in poverty. For Saturn is in Virgo (the sign of basic physical health and healing, general practice in community health) and Uranus in Pisces (the sign of compassion, mental health, chronic health conditions and palliative care). There does not need to be a comparison with the National Health Service in the U.K. for that is a national treasure on which we have relied, and often taken for granted, a real responsible and committed Saturn Institution…

13^th September 2009: The major aspect this week occurs on Tuesday (15) with the third pass of the Saturn-Uranus opposition. This is the aspect responsible for the dismantling of Institutions which first occurred on 4 November last year, then returned on 5 February. I have blogged on the bigger picture separately, but in your own life what issues were current around those times and how did you deal with them? The issue now may be a continuation, or it may be a fresh strand to work on. The good news is that you will have been feeling the changes for some time, and will have some idea of what is going on for you, and aware of the need to access your intuition. Know what you need to keep in your life, and why, and what you need to change, and why, and how that can constructively be achieved….

3rd Saturn opposite Uranus: Thursday 15^th September 2009

18^th October 2009: There is also the delicate balancing going on with Uranus and Pluto demanding their share in a T-square with Saturn.

14^th March 2009: It would seem that the symbolism of the T-square is encapsulated in the current political situation in the U.K. coming up to the election with the Conservatives (Saturn) opposite the Labour Party (Uranus, Old Labour in its close-to-Socialism purity, and New Labour dislocated from its moorings) squared by the Lib Dems (Pluto, now holding the balance, and the balance of power).

25^th April 2009: The New York Times said this week: “When he took office last year, President Obama told his foreign policy advisers that he had two baskets of issues to deal with. The first would be the legacy issues left from his predecessor, like Iraq, Afghanistan and America’s image in the world. The second would be his own agenda for the future. After 15 months addressing the vexing matters he inherited, Mr. Obama is now aggressively advancing his own vision of foreign policy and defining himself more clearly on the world stage.”

The Saturn-Uranus opposition of this week is now coming more into focus with the square to Pluto (the “Cardinal Climax” or “Cardinal T-square”). This implies a new force which has to provide co-operation between two or more components. Voters would have to vote for Nick Clegg in their droves in order for him to be Prime Minister, but a sizeable vote could promote a hung parliament. And a coalition of the three parties may be the new force of balance which is required.

On the last Saturn-Uranus opposition a friend of mine launched a knitting circle, which is flourishing and benefitting the community, so if things are done in accordance with the principles of the opposition and nature of the planets concerned, you can meet with success.

4th Saturn opposite Uranus: Monday 26^th April 2009

2^nd May 2010: Greece is the word…In European affairs this week it has been Greece as the Plutonian influence which has upset the delicate balance of the Saturn-Uranus applecart. We are told that the whole European economy is threatened by this, and are pinning our hopes on the responsible Saturn structure of the German economy…

When I was a University student in the late ‘60s, early 70s, we used to go around wearing “Free Greece” badges, without necessarily understanding the issues…And what is it with the national karma between us that we are hanging on to their Elgin Marbles…? One of the most beautiful products of their finest Age, and we can’t let go of them. Maybe Germany could buy them.

21^st July 2010: Now we are at the final pass of this opposition, we have a new scheme for the National Health Service presented by the new Coalition government. With Jupiter having joined Uranus in the opposition, the government are taking a huge gamble with our national treasure, in trying to get rid of bureaucracy and save money. Seamus Milne wrote recently in the Guardian “We cannot allow the end of the NHS in all but name”. He wrote: “Under the banner of Liberating the NHS, the health secretary Andrew Lansley this week unveiled a programme of dramatic change, promising to free the English health service from bureaucracy, put family doctors in the driving seat and hand power to patients.”

25^th July 2010: The new feature of this final pass is that whereas the other oppositions occurred over Virgo/Pisces (Saturn/Uranus) this one occurs across Libra/Aries. What was about health and healing, has now become about individuality and relationship. With Saturn now in Libra, cooperation and negotiation are now vital, and with Uranus in Aries, we must express our individuality and authenticity within that. We all have to evolve together, as we are challenging each other every step of the way, in this process.

5th Saturn opposite Uranus: Monday 26^th July 2009

1^st August 2010: Saturn opposite Uranus 3 saw healthcare as its theme and our N.H.S. is now seriously at risk, in a way that was unexpected. Contender for the Labour leadership Andy Burnham has said that the Coalition are taking a reckless gamble [Jupiter conjunct Uranus – my words] which could spell the end of the N.H.S. as we know it. Saturn opposite Uranus 4 saw the Greek finances on the brink, and that particular cycle has seen some restoration (Guardian last Monday: “In an interview at the weekend, the Greek finance minister, George Papaconstantinou, said that the nation had begun to turn the corner”). So some Institutions were dismantled, some reconstructed, some destroyed. I am archiving the story of Saturn opposite Uranus.

Date: Aug 1st, 2010 · No Comments · Tags: Archive · Aspects

Aspects for the week beginning 25 July 2010

Well, here we are…We’ve arrived at one of the most important and transformative astrological weeks this year…if you haven’t already filled in your diary, I would try and keep it as free as possible, as there will be a lot going on, especially on Monday. This morning Jupiter squared Pluto, and sadly we hear of the demise of Alex “Hurricane” Higgins, Piscean genius snooker champion. He died of throat cancer, and is quoted as saying: “I read the bible my mother gave me when I was 15 and told myself ,You can fight.’ I have been a fighter all my life. That’s what stopped me going through with it [suicide]”. He was a fighter all right, with Sun exactly conjunct Mars at 27 degrees Pisces. Mark that degree. I prepared a Jupiter square Pluto blog earlier, but will add that we shall see and understand the results of this aspect intensively and clearly over the next 10 days, for the second pass is as soon as Tuesday 3^rd August, with both planets travelling retrograde. Financial Astrologer Raymond Merriman emphasizes that this could mean a financial explosion. He writes, deliciously: “We also hoped it would be wild, for we wanted to see Astrology live – in real time – correlating with market movements reflecting these hugely diverse geocosmic dynamics”. So that you can easily find this quote in context, I have just added his link on my contact page. Could it be that we will find out if we are in for a double dip recession? Another aspect I would like to deliver for today is a double quincunx. Sounds like a double rainbow, as it looks slightly bent, but quincunxes are not easy aspects. For Neptune is conjunct Chiron (a healing cauldron) at 27 degrees Aquarius and 0 degrees Pisces respectively, and quincunx Mars conjunct Saturn (disciplined action) at 27 degrees Virgo and 0 degrees Libra respectively. Notice that 27 degree mark, again. Mars was exactly opposite Alex Higgins’ Sun/Mars yesterday. What this picture means is that we are all struggling with drama (Jupiter square Pluto) and complexity (the double quincunx) against a backdrop of changing structures (the ongoing T-square formation in the early Cardinal signs. As if this is not enough, tomorrow (Monday 26^th) has 5 aspects to report, including a Full Moon in Aquarius. The Full Moon in Aquarius will highlight those areas in which we need to come together in communities and brother/sisterhood in order to produce healing outcomes for these complicated astrological configurations and what they bring to our attention. Mercury opposes Neptune, so clarity of thought will be at a premium, though mystical attunement may win through. Mystical attunement itself can sometimes compound the cloudiness of vision and the illusion, especially if accompanied by substances such as caffeine. So drink plenty of water tomorrow, as purity can be crucial to outcomes. Oh dear…Inner Astrologer…you seem so serious these days, let me tickle your chin…next the Sun trines Jupiter. Gee thanks! You could see the funny side of life amidst all the complexity and furrowed-brow truth seeking. The Mars/Neptune quincunx also becomes exact tomorrow, which adds energetic confusion to the mental confusion of Mercury opposite Neptune. All that mayhem is just the warm-up act for the main event of Saturn opposite Uranus later in the day, which I have blogged to the hilt. It is the 5^th and final pass of this transit, which has been about dismantling the old and constructing the new on the world stage, in society, and in our personal lives. The new feature of this final pass is that whereas the other oppositions occurred over Virgo/Pisces (Saturn/Uranus) this one occurs across Libra/Aries. What was about health and healing, has now become about individuality and relationship. With Saturn now in Libra, cooperation and negotiation are now vital, and with Uranus in Aries, we must express our individuality and authenticity within that. We all have to evolve together, as we are challenging each other every step of the way, in this process. The rest of the week you will be dealing with issues raised by these first two days. Tuesday (27^th) Mercury opposes Chiron, and the confusions of thought give way to pressure to find healing solutions. These may be creative as Mercury is at the end of Leo, and later Mercury enters Virgo analytically inspecting health options. It may be an important day, and week, for the National Health Service. On Thursday (29^th) Mars changes signs, to Libra from Virgo. The focus changes from demanding health solutions to negotiating and warriorship. We will all need to find our Inner Warriors, our Inner Negotiators, and merge them into Peaceful Warriors. At least if we can do so that would be a good day for it. Friday (30^th) is a mixed bag: Mercury trine Pluto and Mars opposite Uranus. The first aspect promotes profound thought and mental solutions, and the second aspect is incident prone especially around electrical activity. Fitting in a morning meditation may ensure that you stay on a constructive vibe, in the same way that taking your bio yoghurt early on may ensure good digestion. You will then be able to deal with any other excitements that occur, or any breaches of health and safety conditions, in the optimum way. We end the week (Saturday 30^th) on the conjunction of Mars and Saturn. With all the wealth of wisdom we’ll have gained, we will be in a position to act with deliberation and intent and focus, and hopefully constructively. Read this blog today, and read it next Saturday, and look back at yourself. You could find a different person.

Date: Jul 25th, 2010 · 8 Comments · Tags: Astrology

Jupiter square Pluto

It is difficult for the average Astrologer to extricate one square from the multiple T-square pile-up these days, but this coming Sunday’s Jupiter square Pluto seems to me to highlight light and dark, and faith and belief in our society.

Many of us are feeling exhaustion (from the Saturn square Pluto) at the same time as high energies (from Jupiter square Pluto) pulling both ways at us now. Unlikely, but true. The focus this Sunday (25th July) is on the rip-roaring energy of Jupiter square Pluto.

Most of the world was horrified by the exploits of Osama bin Laden, but a significant proportion saw him as a hero. In the U.K. recently, Raoul Moat’s killing spree shocked most people, but sufficient members of the population sympathized with him to launch him as a hero on various websites.

The cosmos and the psyche are a hologram which we explore while we are in incarnation. We all have a starting point at the beginning of each incarnation which is based on what has gone before. We also have an agenda of what we want to explore in our experience for this lifetime. Sometimes that involves a different extreme than before, for example a Jew can be re-born as an Arab, and vice versa.

Jupiter (planet of religion) and Pluto (planet of elimination) are important forces in our society, now as ever.

In our Western society there is a strong contingent of atheism and pride in human potential, which has an Aries flavour. Aries scientist Richard Dawkins has popularity, intellect and charisma, and a huge following. I have close friends who base their life philosophy on his writings, notably “The Selfish Gene” and “The God Delusion”. Hard on his heels is fellow Arien Christopher Hitchens, author of “God is not Great”, who according to the Observer “is a familiar presence on American cable politics shows. He is a formidable participant in public debates, a regular on the lecture circuit.” His religion planet Jupiter natally is beset by 5 squares and is unsupported in his chart. Maybe it wasn’t always thus: somewhere in his incarnational history he could have been a crusader who became disillusioned when God failed to back him. His pious Anglican Christian sibling rival Peter Hitchens started out as an atheist. No doubt they have travelled together many lifetimes. They share a Venus-Mars conjunction, and Chiron (the “wounded healer”) in Sagittarius, the sign of religion. Peter also has a difficult Jupiter natally, opposed by Saturn and the Moon.

Bush and Blair believed themselves to be the good guys in their religious crusade. Many have turned against religion because of its promotion of war throughout history. Both Atheists and the fundamental religious have at times turned against Astrology (it’s a funny old world…). Those new agers working exclusively with the light are sometimes criticized by those who feel it important to embrace the darkness. If you start out with the light sooner or later you meet the darkness. The psychotherapist will meet the shadow self. Incarnation has a positionality, which can dissolve into unity in the between-life perspective, or in meditation. One man’s meat is another man’s poison, and we all have a starting point and a repertoire of experiences. Our faiths (Neptune and Jupiter) often determine our path in life, and the wider our outlook the more choices we may have.

Before the discovery of the planet Uranus, the dualism of spirituality and materialism were seen as the struggle between Jupiter and Saturn respectively. But with the discovery of the outer planets, the world is seen through deeper lenses. Pluto has X-ray vision and sees through the material world. Now in the scientifically advanced era of quantum physics and the contemplation of black holes, even Astrologers are on new thresholds of awareness: witness the travels to the Galactic Centre, the Super-Galactic Centre and the awareness of asteroids in the blog of Human Design expert Kim Gould (link on my Contact page). Our horizons are wider, our choices more mind-boggling, and our responsibilities greater now..

If you have Jupiter square Pluto in your natal chart, this aspect is about power, and about power struggles within yourself and with other people. It is about will, self-will, will power and divine will. When you are locked into personality needs, this can be quite difficult, but it can become easier as you come into your higher consciousness. At that level you are able more easily to see others’ needs and how they interact with your own, the needs of society, the needs of a group, the needs of the whole, and the Divine Plan. It is a process where you might start with your own personality needs, but if they are blocked you work your way out in an expanded way, and if there is a complete block you may end up surrendering to the divine, or offering the problem to the divine because you just can’t work out or understand what the divine will is within the situation. You’ve had a lifetime (this one!) of practice with this, and can more easily help those who will be struggling with it.

The Jupiter square Pluto experience will challenge us to define our faiths, beliefs and choices. We are likely to meet extremes, and choose between the light, the dark or the middle way. All roads will eventually lead home, but some routes are more circuitous than others, and some consequences take more than one lifetime to undo. Whether we use the prop of the Divine, or go it alone, that is the question.

Date: Jul 21st, 2010 · 4 Comments · Tags: Aspects · Astrology

Saturn and Uranus – 5th and Final Opposition

If you have read the background in my blog “Saturn opposite Uranus – Phases 1 – 4” you will see that much of the focus of the first two phases at least, on the world stage, was in establishing Barack Obama in his role as U.S. President. We knew at the outset, that this series of oppositions was going to be about dismantling old institutions and re-building. The 3^rd opposition was centred around the Health Bill, and the comparison between the National Health Service in the U.K. The 4^th opposition was around the cliffhanger of the General Election in the U.K. Now we are at the final pass of this opposition, we have a new scheme for the National Health Service presented by the new Coalition government. With Jupiter having joined Uranus in the opposition, the government are taking a huge gamble with our national treasure, in trying to get rid of bureaucracy and save money. Seamus Milne wrote recently in the Guardian “We cannot allow the end of the NHS in all but name”. He wrote: “Under the banner of Liberating the NHS, the health secretary Andrew Lansley this week unveiled a programme of dramatic change, promising to free the English health service from bureaucracy, put family doctors in the driving seat and hand power to patients.” This could well lead to privatisation, and vital funds landing in the wrong hands. It could be that they are promoting the more destructive aspects of the Saturn-Uranus opposition, leading towards greater unfairness in our society. Not the ending we’d dreamt of for this opposition. With the 5^th and final opposition taking place on Monday 26^th July, the day after the Jupiter-Pluto square, we may see some of the impact on our NHS quite clearly on Monday.

Date: Jul 21st, 2010 · 2 Comments · Tags: Astrology

Saturn opposite Uranus – Phases 1- 4

Selections from my blog may trigger your own memories and impressions and enable you to see the flow and currents of this opposition.

This was offered at the 4^th Pass of the Saturn-Uranus opposition, and is now updated. For those who like watching paint dry, I will update it again after the 5^th and final opposition, as an astrological archive.