G7

An extraordinary photo was shared on instagram by Angela Merkel yesterday from the G7 summit, of a seated Donald Trump (arms folded) being confronted by Angela Merkel with the other members of the summit looking on, with Japan’s Shinzo Abe’s arms also folded.  You didn’t need to be able to read body language: the unsmiling looks told all.  Later, Donald Trump left the summit early to engage with Kim Jong Un in Singapore.  The main bones of contention were trade tariffs and relations with Russia.  But President Trump is also at odds over climate agreements.

The Group of Seven

The membership of the Group of Seven, representing more than 62% of the global wealth, consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.  The European Union as a whole is also represented.  Meeting to discuss joint economic policies, the concept of the G7 was founded in 1973.  Russia joined in 1998, when it formed the G8.  But following Russia’s annexation of the Crimea, the Russian Federation was ejected.  This 44th summit was hosted by Canada.

Heads of State

The summits are attended by the heads of government, and I will look at the countries in alphabetical order.

Canada, represented by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.  Geographically and traditionally, Canada is a natural ally of the United States, but like the U.K. and France there is also a neighbourly rivalry.  He delivered the joint communique for the summit advocating a “rules based trading system”, which Trump rejected. Trudeau stated “Canadians are polite and reasonable but we will also not be pushed around.”  The transits for Canada at the moment include Neptune squaring its Venus (bizarre developments in relationships). For Capricornian Trudeau, who has a patriotic chart, his transits include two difficult aspects from Chiron, bringing crisis and possible health challenges.

France, represented by Emmanuel Macron.  The U.S. President and Emmanuel Macron of France have exchanged warm visits in the last year or so.  This weekend, their handshakes seemed firm as ever.  However, what they say does not always tally with the staged body language, hence on Macron’s last visit he delivered a scathing speech after all the camaraderie.  But Trump was on record as saying this weekend “We have a great relationship – Angela and Emmanuel and Justin”.  Current transits for France show Pluto trine its Mercury (power in speech and the written word) and Uranus on its Saturn (extreme testing).  The transits for Emmanuel Macron himself show Jupiter opposite Macron’s Moon in Taurus in 4th House (promoting the cause of his country in the world), Uranus sextile his Jupiter in Cancer in 6th House plus Jupiter on his Uranus in Scorpio in 10th House (the power of surprise is with him), and Neptune square his Neptune in Sagittarius in 11th House of Summits (despite the bravado, he may have inner uncertainties).

Germany, represented by Angela Merkel.  The arresting and eloquent photo was put on instagram from her official account.  The chart for Germany has Chiron opposite its Venus (relationship crises) but North Node on its Jupiter (some luck on its side, and humour on display), plus Neptune trine its Pluto (a healthy psychological strength).  Angela Merkel, having recently re-established herself in pole position politically in her own country, has few transits at the moment, the strongest being Jupiter square her natal Moon in Aquarius in 3rd House.  She is in reasonably buoyant mood and a bit cheeky (Jupiter = humour, Moon in 3rd House = instagram).  She certainly looks very confident in the photo.

Italy, represented by the President of the Council, Giuseppe Conte. Brand new president Conte (as of 1st June) after much turmoil in Italian politics, has Sun in Leo and a triple conjunction of Mercury/Uranus/Pluto in Virgo. His transits on coming to power were Jupiter square his Sun (aggrandisement), and Jupiter on his Neptune (elation and elevation).  For the summit, Chiron was square his Venus (relationship crises) but he is still uplifted by Jupiter on his Neptune.  He was the only member not to oppose Donald Trump’s effort to have Russia reinstated on to the group.  Italy’s chart has a Solar Return, with Uranus sextile its Mercury (not afraid to be controversial).

Japan, represented by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Virgoan Shinzo Abe has a genial and entrepreneurial Moon/Jupiter/Uranus triple conjunction in Cancer (which also makes him patriotic), but a Warrior’s Mars/North Node conjunction in Capricorn.  He is the one in the photo matching Donald Trump for arm folding.  For the chart of Japan, Mars squares its Sun currently, which is a bit dicey, but there is balance because Saturn trines its Sun.  The Nodal Axis squares its Sun, so this may be a crucial time in the state’s karma.  Pluto squaring its Neptune is also very tricky and complicated at present.  Some of these transits may refer to its internal politics.  For Shinzo Abe personally, Pluto squares his Mercury bringing some mental turmoil, and Mars this weekend squared his Saturn, so he may have found it hard to practise self-restraint.  Saturn sextile his Saturn kept his arms folded.

United Kingdom, represented by Prime Minister Theresa May.  Facing dissension within her cabinet over Brexit, notably from David Davis and Boris Johnson, she might have been hoping for a better profile at the G7 summit.  She wanted to talk about post-Brexit trade deals with Donald Trump, who apparently sidelined her.  She was also wanting to shore up support over Russia after the Salisbury poisoning, and a motion was passed in support, but Donald Trump was promoting the idea of bringing Russia back in the fold.  There is a distinct lack of transits to the U.K. chart at the moment, which bears out the sidelining and the cold front of Brexit negotiations.  For Theresa personally, Mars is trine her Sun at the moment; she came out fighting in an interview about the cabinet dissensions, the North Node is sextile her Sun holding her karma steady at the helm of the nation and the steering of Brexit (her main preoccupation).

United States, represented by President Donald Trump.  Trump came into the summit threatening a trade war, and left for Singapore hoping to be bound for glory and the enticement of a Nobel Peace Prize.  He evaded discussions on climate, on which the other members are in accord.  According to the Observer this morning Thomas Wright, a director at Washington’s Brookings Institution has said: “He is anti free trade and allies, and pro strongmen and authoritarian regimes”.

This weekend, Chiron was squaring the U.S. Venus (again, relationship crises; the third time this aspect has come up in this account!), but the North Node sextiles its Uranus (a chance for unpredictable tactics to work).  The picture for Donald Trump was a Venus Return (happy ploughing his own furrow; Donald Trump first; an eye on the Peace Prize).  I expected to see a confrontational Mars transit, but Mars is two degrees off a very confrontational opposition to his natal Pluto, which does not explode until 10th October, because Mars turns retrograde before then.  It may be worth flagging up that date for your diary.

Of the Singapore summit with Kim Jong Un in two days’ time, I have written:

“Mercury enters Cancer that day, which will ensure they each put their countries first!  Transits for Trump include the Sun and Venus close to the natal positions for him (he’ll be himself!), and Mars close to a trine with his Neptune – he may be motivated towards peace but also could be agitated.  For Kim Jong Un, Jupiter is on his Saturn (softening his stance), Uranus is still trine his Mercury (surprise negotiations and communications), Neptune sextile his Sun (which might make him a little more spiritual), but Uranus opposes his Pluto (so he may still be destructive).”

European Union, represented by Council President Donald Tusk and Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.  We haven’t heard much about the role of these two at the summit, but I expect they have been watching Theresa May closely (or am I being paranoid?).  For the European Union, Jupiter squares its Venus (minor problems in relations) and Uranus trines its Pluto (strong and stable, but also dynamic, with the power to surprise). Tusk has a powerful chart, with natally Ascendant at the Galactic Centre trine almost exactly trine Pluto in his 9th House of International Relations.  He notably currently has with Uranus currently transiting his Sun in Taurus (Change), Uranus square his Moon (personal change), Chiron trine his Uranus (sudden healings) and Uranus opposite his Neptune (complicated wrangles).  Jean-Claude Juncker is a Sagittarian Sun with a cold Venus/Saturn conjunction  in Scorpio, but an entrepreneurial Jupiter/Uranus conjunction at the end of Cancer like Shinzo Abe.  [Aside: with that conjunction conjunct in their synastry, plus their Venuses conjunct, they could do a great deal all on their own].  Juncker currently has Neptune square his Sun, so his judgement could be a bit flaky at the moment, although he has other transits going for him.  The North Node trines his Mercury, so his communication seems good, Jupiter is on his Venus (he is enjoying his relationships), and Neptune trines his Saturn (it is a good time to be pulling the wool over Theresa May’s eyes – oops, here goes that paranoia again…).

Aspects

Mercury enters Cancer on Tuesday (12th) on the day of the much anticipated summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un.  Donald has assured us that he will use his instincts to weigh up Kim Jong Un’s intentions immediately on meeting.  Mercury in Gemini mentally focuses on facts, but Mercury in Cancer does tend to employ the instincts more than the mind, especially the gut instincts.  Patriotic, family and clan affairs come to the fore.  In making an argument, people may approach the subject sideways, as in the crab’s gait.  As with Mercury’s stay in Gemini (which I notice, did produce some marathon verbal ramblings), Mercury will pass rapidly through Cancer, spending roughly a fortnight in that sign.  So if you want to “look after your own” and put your family first, let charity begin at home, this next fortnight is ripe for favouring such conditions.

On Wednesday (13th) Mercury sextiles Uranus, which is excellent for technology, upgrading electrical equipment, and receiving brilliant ideas, thoughts, and exchanges of communication with others.  It is the best aspect of the week, please note.

A New Moon follows in the evening, at 22 degrees Gemini, so it is a good day generally for the mind and mental pursuits.  The Cancerian colouring of Mercury may take a back seat, and pure logic can prevail over instinct if that is what is required for your pursuits that particular day.  Or you can combine your mental prowess with your instincts to great effect. Set your intentions on the intellectual front (e.g. in learning a new language), and if you know the House that 22 degrees Gemini falls in chartwise, then you can fine tune your intentions further.

Still later that day, Venus enters Leo, and it could be time for some fun (after all that mental activity).  It is a good evening for socializing, and favours performance-based activities.  Holidays beckon, either in actuality or in the planning.

On Friday (15th) the spanner in the works, Uranus, squares Venus.  This could be disruptive to relationships, arts projects, or even financial concerns.  If you are planning such activities, and need to press on with them, then examine possible loopholes in advance and take steps to deal with them.

Saturday (16th) brings a different sort of problem in the shape of Mercury opposite Saturn.  There seems to be a blockage of communication, or delays on the railways (Transport Minister Chris Grayling may need to go in hiding).  There may be more criticism about the environmental effects of a new runway at Heathrow Airport, too.  Mars will be on Chris Grayling’s Saturn, trying to move him on, and Neptune will be on his Mars (speculation about his position), but Uranus sextile his Jupiter may just save him (does he have a cunning plan?)  If you are planning an important journey, allow an extra hour or so…

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – using your instincts (in negotiations?)
• Wednesday – brilliant ideas, mental intention, have some fun
• Friday – disruption
• Saturday – delay

 

 

Jeremy Thorpe (1929 – 2014)

Jeremy Thorpe, erstwhile leader of the Liberal Party, has been in the public eye lately.  With the production of A Very English Scandal, starring Hugh Grant as Thorpe and Ben Whishaw as Norman Scott, portraying the scandal which ended his career, and a new investigation into the scandal under way, it is worth a look at the astrological picture.

Birth Chart

Jeremy Thorpe had a very earthy chart, with the Sun/Chiron, Ascendant/Jupiter/Mercury and North Node in Taurus.  Half (5 out of 10) of his planets are in Earth, with Saturn/Moon, Part of Fortune and Midheaven in another Earth sign, Capricorn.  Mars squaring his ruling planet Venus increased the sensuality of his Sun sign.

He was born close to sunrise, with the Sun closely trine Moon, which gives you the impression he knew what he was doing.  The Sun in his chart is exactly conjunct Chiron in Taurus in 12th House – he clearly had not developed his Inner Healer in any compassionate sense, and was still in the wounded stage of the Chironic process.  With the Moon conjunct Saturn in Capricorn in 8th House, he may have been depressive and even morbid, though masked by the flamboyant and debonair appearance of Jupiter on the Ascendant.  His Mars conjunct Pluto can indicate a streak of violence.

He was well known for his quick wit, and that shows up in Mercury closely sextile with Mars in his natal chart.  Mercury is also closely conjunct Jupiter, pointing to his success in his chosen academic subject, Law.

Interestingly, Jeremy Thorpe had Mercury/Jupiter on his Ascendant trine his Midheaven in Capricorn (ambition in politics).  When he took over as leader of the Liberal Party in 1967, Pluto (power) formed a formidable Grand Trine with these two points in his chart, thus fulfilling this ambition.  He had been a keen admirer of David Lloyd George growing up, as Lloyd George had been a family friend.  Lloyd George’s Pluto was conjunct Jeremy’s Sun/Chiron, making a deep impression on him.  Jupiter sextile Pluto in Jeremy’s chart shows a love of power.

Norman Scott

Under Thorpe’s leadership, the Liberal Party thrived up until the election of February 1974.  But the allegations made by Norman Scott that they had been lovers in the 1960s (when homosexuality was illegal) and that  Thorpe had mistreated him were becoming public knowledge  (Scott had first aired the subject in 1971).  In May 1976 Thorpe was forced to resign as leader of the Party, as he recognized the damage it had incurred.  Pluto (destruction) was opposing his natal Uranus in Aries in 11th House (the Party) at the time, which is quite descriptive.

Norman Scott (alive, and living in Devon) is an Aquarian and has a fiery chart, with over half his planets in that element.  We do not have a birth time for him.  Uranus square his Sun makes him more unpredictable even than the average Aquarian.  He also has the free-speaking feature of an unaspected Mercury.  Venus opposite Neptune describes him having a “scandalous” relationship in his life.

Mars conjunct Saturn can show victimhood, as can his Mars square Pluto.  But he does not like this portrayal.  He has said: “I’m portrayed as this poor, mincing, little gay person… I also come across as a weakling and I’ve never been a weakling.”  He may have an ambivalent attitude to power, as he has Jupiter trine Pluto (love of power), but in an interview with Tom Mangold he liked to portray himself as a lowly stable hand.

He and Jeremy share a karmic factor: they both have Mars on the South Node, indicating they may have been linked in warrior lifetimes, and that the events of this lifetime may be a repeating pattern from their past lives.

Scott had mental health issues, which probably did not help his case. He did suffer from recorded episodes of depression, on one occasion spending time in a Psychiatric Unit. A judge referred to him as “a fraud, a sponger, a whiner, a parasite”.  Thorpe’s biographer referred to him as a liar and a fantasist.   A prominent Neptune in his chart would bear that out, but a chart for noon on the day of his birth does not have a particularly high-profile Neptune, apart from in relationship (Venus opposite Neptune is particularly prone to projection).  Therefore, either a birth time would reveal Neptune on one of the angles of his chart or some other prominent placing, or he was not such a fantasist as portrayed.  Though Neptune may be a factor in his mental health issues.

The synastry (astrological relationship) between the two men shows a dramatic karmic pattern of Thorpe’s Nodal Axis (his karmic path) exactly square Scott’s Sun, a karmic power struggle.  There is also a “double whammy” of Thorpe’s Saturn square Scott’s Venus and vice versa, a relationship which is perhaps bound to bring grief to both.  Thorpe’s Uranus conjuncts Scott’s Jupiter, which brings a compelling element to the relationship.

Crime and Trials

Apparently, as early as 1965 Thorpe had sought help in dealing with Scott’s behaviour, which had become obsessional.  He enlisted the assistance of Peter Bessell, a parliamentary colleague. Bessell warned Scott that his behaviour was tantamount to blackmail.  According to Bessell’s later account, by 1968 Thorpe was desperate to silence Scott permanently, and another friend David Holmes was drawn in to assist this.  It was Holmes who enlisted Andrew Newton as a hitman. In October 1975 Holmes tried to shoot Norman Scott, but shot his dog instead.  Saturn was on Norman Scott’s Pluto at the time (sad death of his dog).  Was Jeremy Thorpe astrologically implicated?  Mars was opposite his Saturn, so possibly.

At Exeter Crown Court on 16 March 1976 Newton was put on trial, and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.  Scott testified and accused Thorpe, but Thorpe was cleared of association with this crime.  At the time, Thorpe was protected by a trine of Jupiter to his natal Neptune.  For Scott, there was more frustration: Saturn was squaring his natal Mars/Saturn conjunction.  However, later that year Bessell confessed that he had lied to protect Thorpe, and that led to Thorpe’s resignation of his party leadership.  When Newton was released from prison in October 1977,  he sold his story to a newspaper.

On 4th August 1978 Jeremy Thorpe, along with others, was charged with conspiracy to murder, and the trial began on 8th May 1979.  Interestingly, at the time of the charge, Jeremy was experiencing his Chiron Return in Taurus in 12th House.  This reinforces the fact that his Chiron principle had not developed positively: for many people it is a time when they embark on a healing journey.  For Jeremy, it exposed his wound, or weakness.  The period of the trial itself brought another classic astrological cycle in his life: the Pluto square (Pluto square its natal position).  Again, it is often a time of testing but can bring psychological awareness.  For Jeremy it was a new nadir in his reputation.  In a strategy which proved fortuitous for them, Thorpe and his co-defendants chose to stay silent and not to offer any testimony, and they were acquitted.  At his acquittal, transiting Jupiter was exactly trine his natal Uranus, a classic liberation transit.

Parkinson’s and Death

Jeremy Thorpe’s first wife Caroline died in a car crash in 1970, and he re-married Marion Stein a few years later.  In the mid-1980s Jeremy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and though he still held out for a peerage and turned up to various memorial services, he was very much enfeebled.  An article by Martin Kettle in the Guardian yesterday told of Paddy Ashdown’s last meeting with him on such an occasion:

“I put my arm around his shoulders.  He was just a bag of bones.”

At his death, the Nodal Axis was squaring his natal Pluto, and transiting Saturn was square his Neptune.  In his birth chart, he had a tight-lipped trine of Saturn and Neptune, and with these transits he was taking his secrets to the grave.  His wife died a few months before him in the same year.

A Very English Scandal

The series aired at 9 pm on 20th May 2018.  The transits for Jeremy Thorpe (posthumously) were Jupiter trine his Pluto (empowerment) and Saturn trine his Sun/Chiron (a rigorous portrayal of his nature, and an important evaluation and expose of his strengths and weaknesses).  Pluto trine his Mercury/North Node informs us at a deeper level, and prompts reflection on his karma.

The transits for Norman Scott are not easy: Mars opposite his Pluto, and Saturn square his Jupiter.  He has had some reservations about certain issues of the filming, but in some way it may have been cathartic for him.  For Hugh Grant, it was a personal triumph (Jupiter sextile his Sun), but Saturn squared his Venus (he was playing an unflattering role), plus Neptune was opposite his Sun (the scandalous nature of the film) and conjunct his South Node (a karmic nuance).  For Ben Whishaw, Jupiter was on his Mercury which denotes a success, but Pluto was square his Pluto (some psychological soul-searching; but at any rate more positive than Thorpe’s Pluto square which occurred at the time of the beginning of the second trial).

Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant has excelled himself in his portrayal of Jeremy Thorpe.  He looks like him, has all the nuances of his mannerisms, and is utterly believable in the role.  He recently declared he was not going to play the romantic comedy leads which typified his earlier acting roles.  When he played a villain in the film Paddington 2, he said he enjoyed the change.  He is now proving his talent as a serious actor.  In his personal life, he has grown: coming through the scandal with Divine Brown, then championing the right to privacy through the Hacked Off campaign, becoming a father and on 26th May finally committing himself relationship-wise in a marriage ceremony.  He has gone through a lot of changes.

Like Thorpe, Grant has half his planets in Earth signs.  He has the Moon in Jeremy’s Sun sign Taurus, so is enable to portray his emotional tone.  Grant has his Sun in Virgo, and is perfectionistic in his craft as an actor.  American film critic Dave Kehr has written that Hugh Grant “is known in the film industry as a meticulous performer who takes his time to prepare a role – someone who works hard to make it look easy – though that isn’t a trait he admires in himself.”

Hugh Grant’s own Chiron Return was a much more positive and healing event than Jeremy’s, incidentally.  It was the birth of his first child, which seemed to take his personal life on a new trajectory.  At the time Grant appeared in the Paddington film, Uranus was trine his natal Midheaven (Careerpoint), showing a shift in his persona in the world.  Pluto was also trine his natal Sun, bringing about internal psychological changes as well.  He is fairly fulfilled at the moment, with Jupiter sextile his Sun/North Node at the time of his recent wedding.

His synastry with Jeremy Thorpe is interesting: there is a sextile between Grant’s Sun and Jeremy’s Pluto – possibly depicting the posthumous portrayal.  His chart is generally sympathetic to Jeremy’s, with his Jupiter trine Jeremy’s Venus, his Neptune sextile Jeremy’s Moon, and his Pluto trine Jeremy’s Moon.

Ben Whishaw

I thought Ben Whishaw was the definitive John Keats in the film “Bright Star”.  But of course he has defined a lot more roles since then, and now he makes a very authentic Norman Scott.  Whishaw went to see Scott before they started filming the series, and Scott was reportedly pleased with his personal portrayal (though he had other issues about which he was more reserved).  Director Stephen Frears has stated:  “He was very pleased, he laughed and cried”.

Whishaw has the depth to portray such varied characters and make them real, in his exact conjunction of the Sun and Pluto in Libra, sextile Neptune.  With Venus trine Chiron, you could say he is particularly adept at portraying heart-wrenching lovers!  His synastry with Norman Scott includes a trine between their Suns in the Air element, and Whishaw’s Mars trine Scott’s Pluto, bringing life, realism and energy to his psychological portrayal, and apparently Scott was moved by it.

Current Investigation

Yesterday it was announced that Andrew Newton, the hit man hired to kill Norman Scott, and who did kill his dog Rinka, was still alive, and the case has been re-opened.  An investigation by journalist Tom Mangold which was shelved in 1979 is the basis for a new documentary, to be shown at 10 pm tonight on BBC 4 after the last in the series of “A Very English Scandal”.  It is rumoured that Andrew Newton has changed his name to Hann Redwin. But we do not have his birth date, that is the first thing I would like to know!

Aspects

There are no planetary aspects until Wednesday, and therefore I will look at the alignment of our Sun with one of the Fixed Stars early in the week, providing two seed thoughts in each case from “Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld.

On Tuesday 5th June, our Sun is aligned with the Fixed Star “Cursa”, the beta star in the constellation of Eridanus (“The River”).  The name Cursa comes from the Arabic name for a group of three stars and is portrayed as “the Chair (or “Footstool”) of the Central One”.  In Chinese it is known as “the third star of Jade Well”.

I will quote from two facets of this star:

“This star has a capacity to increase endurance and strengthen the ability to do work of a mental nature with many individuals.  Some enhancement of thinking process will take place.  Physical stamina will be enhanced where concentration or direction of the energy flows in the physical body by the mind are necessary.  Any sort of physical action where danger is involved can be influenced by this star elixir in a positive way.  When working with biorhythms, individuals may find that a coordination of the valleys or switch-points between two or more cycles would be excellent times for utilizing this star.”

and

“… this sense of patience may also be transmitted to some individuals who work with this star elixir.  This star does not directly enhance patience, but when someone is involved in a concentrated pursuit which combines mental and physical, they may begin to understand patience better as a direct result of the elixir.”

On Wednesday (6th) the Sun is conjunct Mercury at 15 degrees Gemini, a placement which can bring crystal clear thought, depending on which House area of your life it falls in.  If you don’t know where it falls, you may experience it as pure thought.  If you know which House it falls in, you can apply that clarity of thought.  It will heighten the performance of any teaching projects.  That conjunction occurs at 2.02 a.m., so you may awaken in the morning with some bright ideas or clear dreams.

Twenty minutes later, at 2.25 a.m., Venus opposes Pluto, which is a very different experience.  This aspect is much more in the feeling and psychological realms, and may work to distract the other aspect of the day, or make a surreal juxtaposition with your experience of Sun conjunct Mercury.  You will probably have to multitask!  There may be some confrontation in relationships, or ultimations given and received.  You might hear or say the words “I can’t do this any more” in relation to an aspect of an ongoing relationship.  Other ways need to be found to negotiate a way forward.  Again, being early in the morning in the U.K. the depth of feeling may invade your dreams, and create some colourful landscapes which you will remember in the morning.  The aspect may result in a change of values.

When the day is well under way, at 14.07 Hrs, and after you may have found benefit from the mental clarity and processed some of the emotional depth of the previous two aspects, Mercury squares Neptune, producing a further challenge.  This actually fogs up the mental picture, so that you may initially lose some of the clarity you had gained earlier.  But it will increase your sensitivity, which may help paradoxically with the processing of emotional issues.  You just need to ensure that you are seeing through the illusions which have come up, or the psychological masks which people may have brought up, if that is not too dramatic to contemplate.  You could spend part of the day in meditation and bypass some of the drama, extend the mental clarity, or rise above the emotions.  An intense day!

It is a good plan to deal with as much as you can on Wednesday, and not evade the issues that come up, for more obfuscation occurs on Thursday (7th) in the shape of Sun square Neptune.  This time the illusionary qualities are more generalized and not so mentally focussed, and could involve paradoxes needing to be solved within your creative endeavours.  You will need to do something grounding that day, to counteract the overload of Neptune in the middle of the week, so that if you are confused the grounding will take some of the edge from that.  Despite the fact that conundrums may occur in your creative work, creativity is a good activity for that day, if you look upon it as a challenge of problem-solving.  You may then be able to turn the square into a trine and produce an inspired creation.

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – endurance, and patience
• Wednesday – intense: clarity, emotional depth, and then confusion
• Thursday – more fog and illusion, but can be channelled into creativity

 

Kim Jong Un

At one time, I thought of Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump as Tweedledum and Tweedledee, but recently I have become intrigued by Kim Jong Un’s behaviour.  Whereas Donald Trump has not changed his personality and tactics on the world stage, Kim Jong Un has, outwardly at least, gone through changes, from enthusiastically promoting nuclear testing to possibly looking at other options now.  In looking at his chart again, I am pondering the reason for these changes: is he changeable by nature, has he grown, are these changes genuine or just tactical play?  Do his transits  indicate these changes, and where have they come from?  Does he have more hidden agendas? From past researches, it seems the 1984 date of birth is much more accurate, so I will use that as a basis for my study. Kim Jong Un was said to be favoured by his father Kim Jong Il and like him in character, and comparing charts, the 1984 birth chart for Kim Jong Il looks the most compatible.

Birth Chart

We do not have a birthtime for Kim Jong Un, which makes interpretation more difficult.  Even so, it is worth having a look at the character of a man born on 8th January 1984.  The Sun was in Capricorn, showing someone who plays their cards close to their chest, and can be strict and rule bound. (Open, free-flowing Capricornians, look away!). However, he has 5 (half) his planets in the Mutable signs, meaning that he can be flexible.  This is possibly one component of his ability to be changeable.

The Sun sextiles the Moon in his chart, meaning that he knows his own mind and can co-ordinate his conscious and subconscious minds.  The Sun is also sextile Saturn, strengthening the perseverence and resolve of his Capricorn nature.  The Moon also trines Saturn, giving him an emotional resilience and resolve, too.  The Moon squares his Nodal Axis, and possibly squares his Venus/Uranus, so this may bring in unresolved karma with the public, and possible poor relationships with women (or mysogyny).

Mercury sextiles his Mars, so he is capable of incisive words which can hit their mark.  Mercury is conjunct Jupiter, so he is confident about selling himself and his brand.  Neptune between his Mercury and Jupiter, forming a triple conjunction, gives a veil of illusion over all the communication he puts out.  Mercury sextile closely Pluto gives him some psychological insight (something which Donald Trump may not have). Venus conjuncts Uranus on his South Node, bringing in some strange social karma from past lives.

Mars sextiles his Jupiter/Neptune, and that may help to evolve his aggression over time, to soften it or appear to.  This too may be a clue to his recent conciliatory behaviours towards the U.S., China and South Korea.  With Jupiter in this mix, whatever he does, he does with enthusiasm and zeal, bordering on fanaticism.  Mars conjunct Pluto gives a volatile explosive energy, one which might have a predilection for nuclear explosions.  He blew up some tunnels at a nuclear test site this week and invited a few select foreign reporters to record this event.  This was ostensibly as a prelude to his possible talks with Donald Trump on June 12th, but the significance and extent is not clear, and neither do we know what nuclear resources are situated elsewhere.

Moon Jae-In

President Moon Jae-In of South Korea met Kim Jong Un within the last day, in an effort to glue back together the possibility of the summit with Donald Trump for June 12th.  They have been engaged in a few friendly meetings this year, with hugs and smiles.  North and South Korea have been separated for decades, but at this point in time they both seem keen on some form of reunification.  This spring period, there is an emphasis for Kim Jong Un of Uranus trine his natal Mercury (surprise and bold negotiations).  For a meeting on 27th April with Moon Jae In, the latter seems to have had some powerfully helpful transits: Neptune trine his Uranus, Neptune sextile his Chiron and Pluto sextile his Venus.  At that summit they announced hopes for denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and peace in the region.

President Moon seems to have been a stablizing force in the region, and indeed needs to be in his geographical position as North Korea’s nearest neighbour.  He came to power in 2017 for a five year term, but in his early years had been a student activist.  He established friendly relations with the U.S. during Donald Trump’s first year in office.

This week’s meeting seemed to be in response to Donald Trump’s sudden announcement that the proposed June summit was off (which was followed by some more conciliatory moves).  The Observer article by Benjamin Haas and Lauren Gambino this morning makes some interesting points about both Kim Jong Un, and Moon Jae In.  They make the point that North Korea’s response to Trump’s outburst this week was unusually restrained, saying “it was still willing to sit for talks with the US “at any time, [in] any format”. He needs relief from sanctions and would like more legitimacy on the world stage.  Of Moon Jae In, they quote Adam Mount, who is a senior fellow at the Federation of American Scientists:

“Trump says ‘everybody plays games’.  Moon Jae-in is not playing a game: he must keep his people safe from war.  Each of Trump’s whims shakes the walls of the Blue House”.

Moon’s synastry with Kim Jong Un is mixed: a square between his Mercury and Kim’s Mars, a trine between his Mercury and Kim’s Chiron, and a sextile between Moon’s Saturn and Kim’s Jupiter.

Xi Jinping

Xi Jinping of China is another crucial broker for peace in the region, and on the world stage.  He too has held friendly meetings with Kim Jong Un lately.  In their first meeting in Beijing, Kim Jong Un had transiting Uranus trine exactly his natal Jupiter – a surprise foreign trip (Jupiter) breaking (Uranus) with tradition.

In his synastry with Jong Un, Xi Jinping’s Venus trines Kim Jong Un’s Jupiter, which is an amiable combination, but Xi Jinping’s Uranus opposes Kim Jong Un’s Sun, so Jinping is very wary of him at the same time, and on his mettle.

Donald Trump

Trump and Jong Un announced the possibility of a peace summit in March, subsequent to which Trump was hailed in some quarters as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.  At that time, Neptune was trine Kim’s Saturn, but Chiron was squaring his Jupiter.  Donald Trump had equally contradictory transits: Jupiter trine his Saturn (a reasonably stable outlook), Saturn opposite Trump’s Mercury, Uranus square Trump’s Venus, and Uranus trine Trump’s Mars.

Trump’s synastry with Jong Un is high in energy: Kim’s Sun square exactly Trump Jupiter, and Kim’s Jupiter trine exactly Trump’s Mars.  Their connection is also communicative: Jong Un’s Mercury and Neptune are trine Trump’s Ascendant.

In the Observer again today (27/5/18) Will Hutton finds Trump’s behaviour concerning: “His waywardness is offering the chance to create new Russian and Chinese spheres of influence.  China is being given the chance to dominate Asia, Russia the chance to recreate the Soviet Union’s influence inits old borderlands.”

Proposed Date for Summit

For 12th June 2018, the date of the proposed summit in Singapore between Trump and Jong Un, if it goes ahead, Mercury enters Cancer that day, which will ensure they each put their countries first!  Transits for Trump include the Sun and Venus close to the natal positions for him (he’ll be himself!), and Mars close to a trine with his Neptune – he may be motivated towards peace but also could be agitated.  For Kim Jong Un, Jupiter is on his Saturn (softening his stance), Uranus is still trine his Mercury (surprise negotiations and communications), Neptune sextile his Sun (which might make him a little more spiritual), but Uranus opposes his Pluto (so he may still be destructive).

Aspects

Tomorrow (Monday 28th), the Sun sextiles the North Node, which favours right action on a karmic level.  Psychological healing may be empowered, as well as creativity.  You may have insights about the reasons behind events, and your own motivations.

There is a Full Moon at 8 degrees Sagittarius on Tuesday (29th) around late lunchtime in the U.K.  Foreign affairs may come to a head, e.g. Brexit matters nationally, and foreign links may also be on your mind on a personal level.  You may become more aware how your philosophy links with your emotions, as this peaks.

Mercury goes into Gemini late on Tuesday.  Mercury, representing our communication, is at home in chatty Gemini, and free to express verbally or in writing whatever comes to mind.  The communication will come thick and fast, but the consequences of the communication is another matter entirely.  Do you trust yourself to be in the moment with your words?  How accurate is your channelling voice?  Would your observations stand scrutiny in eternity? Not only that, but Mercury will be travelling very fast in June, taking in Gemini and Cancer.  You may find yourself gabbling…!

Talking about fast talking – Mercury trines Mars late lunchtime [14.13 Hrs] on Friday (1st June), and communication and travel are superfast and efficient around then.  If you are to benefit from the snappy communicative vibes of Mercury in Gemini, now’s the time.  Perhaps you have advertising to promote, flyers or leaflets to deliver, people to see and places to go.  Much can be accomplished.

Sixteen minutes later [14.29 Hrs in the U.K.] Venus trine Jupiter.  This could be a powerhouse of positive energy combined with the previous one.  Venus trine Jupiter is of itself one of the best aspects of the year.  It is a social blessing, and congenial for engagements and weddings, or any social celebration.  Feel the unconditional love.

Saturday (2nd June) favours love and charity, so if you are promoting a worthwhile cause, they have the planetary blessing of Venus trine Neptune.  The Arts are inspired, including music and dance displays. Britain’s Got Talent, and similar enterprises will dazzle.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – right karmic action
• Tuesday – emotions at full flood, communications free and easy
• Friday – powerhouse of positive energy
• Saturday – love and charity

 

Michael Curry

“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is as strong as death, passion as fierce as the grave, its flashes of flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it out”

~ Song of Solomon

I am not a fan of pomp, circumstance and pageantry.  But I do like a good royal wedding, and yesterday’s marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was beautiful, and full of surprises as would befit the aspect of the day, Venus sextile Uranus.  I was touched by the simplicity of her dress, moved by the gospel choir, touched and moved by the dignity of her mother sitting alone. There were so many highlights and sights, including the colourful fashions, but the standout surprise of the day, and one which it seems divides opinion, was the address by African American Michael Curry, the presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.

Birth Chart

Curry has Sun in Pisces, a sign traditionally associated with Christianity.  This gives him a deep well of compassion, which led him to make a plea for more love in the world, that we all might become good neighbours to each other.  His Sun does not have much in the way of aspects, but is sextile Chiron, which accentuates the fact that his is a healing mission.  Jupiter trines Chiron, reinforcing his desire to bring healing.

There are several signs of forcefulness in his chart: he has 6 (out of 10) planets in Cardinal signs, he has Mars in Aries, and he has Mars trine Pluto (a powerhouse of energy, enabling him to sustain a long impassioned speech!).  And he was definitely on a mission yesterday.  The service started out sedately, presided by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.  Then the wholehearted performance of Michael Curry seemed to come from nowhere, waking up the congregation.  The startled look of Zara Phillips said it all.

Curry’s Mercury (speech) is in Aries, and he gave a fiery speech, and a speech about fire.  He has an unaspected Mercury, which carries a freedom of speech.  I was totally with him on the first half of his speech, about love, channelling Martin Luther King on its redemptive power.  But he lost me slightly when he started to give a history of Fire.  That’s when quizzical comments started appearing on Facebook, with people wondering if he had wandered off message  (Fire is, by the way, the element most represented in his chart, with 4 planets).  But on the whole, I loved it.

He has a double opposition in his chart, between Venus/Mars in Aries, and Saturn/Neptune in Libra, giving him an understanding of society’s struggles, and angst.  Other features of his chart are Jupiter sextile Uranus (The Entrepreneur), and Jupiter square Pluto (a love of power).

Transits for Royal Wedding

The transits for his explosion into our collective consciousness yesterday include Uranus on his Venus (electrifying feeling) which keys into the Venus/Uranus sextile of the day, and Jupiter opposite his Jupiter (making a name for himself across the pond).

His chart has deep connections with that of Martin Luther King, and like Lady Diana, his presence was in evidence on the day, nodding approval at the changes helped along by Uranus in Taurus.

Aspects

Mars is sextile Chiron today, and rather like Bishop Michael Curry, you could be on a healing mission, with plenty of Fire, and gusto!

Early tomorrow (Monday 21st) Venus squares Chiron, and we need to be more sensitive about our healing approaches. It is a day for looking at our relationship issues, where we might be looking at the source of any separations and longings.  Acceptance and forgiveness may be key processes.

This is followed, also early in the day, by the Sun’s entry into Gemini.  Earthy preoccupations may give way to a need for Communication and lightness of heart.  If you’re a gardener, you’ll still want to garden, but may be more talkative about it, over the garden fence.

Early on Tuesday (22nd) the Sun will sextile Chiron (as in Michael Curry’s chart) so there will still be some zeal to get to the root of healing matters, and find the right remedies and approaches.  Creativity could be especially healing on that day.

Wednesday (23rd) also has an early sextile, that between Mercury and Neptune.  The mind is sensitized, and you may even experience a spot of channelling (if you are so inclined), channelling from high ideals.

Still early, Mercury opposes Jupiter, which may benefit the early bird that catches the worm, the early market trader.  If you are looking for a good deal, this may be helpful.  Be aware though that you may be overstretching your mental resources that day, taking in or transmitting too much information, or literally geographically covering too much ground.

On Thursday (24th) – guess what, early – the Sun trines Mars.  I think you need a few early nights this week to cope with all these early aspects.  Sun trine Mars is highly energetic, and may bring high temperatures, weather-wise.  As long as you pace yourself, and you are not too hot-headed, you may accomplish much in the way of activity and productivity.  It could be helpful to fitness types, training for their next marathon.  And it can strengthen the quality of courage.

Friday (25th) brings the most important aspect of the week, a trine between Jupiter and Neptune.  Hope and Faith combine with Charity and Compassion, and you might really feel the beneficent message of the wedding address.  How deep is your Love?

At lunchtime, Mercury trines Pluto, which is also a deeply constructive force.  It ensures that communication, ideas and thought are thoroughly conceived, and reach their intended target.  There is no room for superficiality on Friday.

On the last day of the week, Saturday (26th), Venus opposes Saturn, which may feel deflating, especially after all those aspects of progress earlier in the week.  It is day when you may have to nurse a relationship, or someone may be needing tender loving care if they are sad or disappointed.  The message of the power of love may be more difficult to sustain in the face of testing.  But the cure for the situation is even more love.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – healing mission
• Tomorrow – sensitive healing issues; communication to the fore
• Tuesday – creativity allied with healing
• Wednesday – sensitive communication and brisk business
• Thursday – highly active
• Friday – hope, faith and deep communication
• Saturday – emotionally flat

Uranus Enters Taurus

“It’s been a long time, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will”

~ Sam Cooke [Sun in Aquarius]

This week’s arrival of Uranus in Taurus on Tuesday 15th May has been widely broadcast of late, and it probably hasn’t escaped your notice, especially if you use Facebook.  Uranus  takes 84 years to tour around the zodiac, and 7 years per sign and House.

Nature of Uranus in Taurus

Uranus, an Air planet is the planet of sudden change, sees no ideological reason why change should not take place, and the Earth sign of Taurus is resistant to change as it registers the practical obstacles and ramifications.  Thus, the combination of Uranus and earth can sometimes result in earthquakes, both climatic and personal.

Historic Considerations – Finance

On its last entry into Taurus, in 1934, we were in the throes of the Great Depression, a financial crisis which began in 1933 when Uranus was still at the end of Aries.  But Taurus is equated with finance, which is why many Astrologers predict a major overhaul in the area of finance. They also equate it with the rise in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.

Raymond Merriman, an award winning Financial Astrologer, writes this week:

“…the interference of trading in bitcoin, or any market, by government regulators, fits with the symbolism of Uranus entering Taurus (disruption of monies), at the same time Pluto is in Capricorn (government interventions).”

Jessica Adams, who has been writing about this phenomenon for some time ahead, has done some impressive research into financial institutions which strongly indicate such changes.  She states:

“From May 13th on, if you are not completely across Bitcoin, Blockchain and the rapid rise of competing cryptocurrencies, you need to be. The astrology is really clear. We are seeing a crisis and transformation for the banks and the finance industry.”

Historic Considerations – World Politics

In 1934, Hitler was cementing his power, becoming president and chancellor of Germany.  His natal Sun at 0 degrees 49 m Taurus was transited by Uranus on 28th June of that year.  Uranus had entered Taurus on 7th June, and on 30th June he instituted the Night of the Long Knives, purging the “Stormtroopers”, in the pretence of restoring order.  Thus he managed to use Uranus on his Sun to enhance his power.

We have some crackpots and tyrants around the world leading our governments at the moment.  Putin has just arranged to add 6 more years on to his powerful regime.  The President of China has given himself a lifelong lease of power.  Erdogan of Turkey has clung on to power for years, and cemented his position, becoming more entrenched and hard line as time has gone on.  We have the wild and unpredictable Donald Trump heading up the United States of America, and the equally unpredictable Kim Jong Un heading North Korea with its nuclear aspirations.  Donald Trump has challenged the nuclear aspirant Iran (headed by Houssain Rohani and the Ayatollah Khamenei), but is seemingly forging links with former rival Jong Un.  They are to meet on 12th June.  Much of the world power play centres upon the increasingly unstable Middle East.

Do any of these leaders have significant planets at 0 degrees Taurus, or at 0 degrees of a sign?

Vladimir Putin of Russia has his Moon at 0 degrees Gemini in his 9th House of Foreign Relationships.  Uranus semi-sextile this point from his 8th House may deliver an emotional shock to his Moon, but he may quickly analyze it and incorporate it into his Philosophy of carrying on clinging to power regardless. A recent television profile of Vladimir Putin suggested that world domination might be on his wish list, but until the Russian economy improves this would seem unlikely.

Xi Jinping of China does not have any significant planets at 0 degrees of a sign.  However, we do not have his Ascendant, which could conceivably be affected.

Recep Erdogan of Turkey likewise does not have any significant planets at 0 degrees of a sign.  Neither do we have his Ascendant, which might be involved.

Donald Trump’s Ascendant is so nearly at 0 degrees, being at 29 degs 58 m Leo.  His actions may trigger changes, with Uranus going into Taurus. Uranus trines his Ascendant 14-15th May (Monday (tomorrow)/Tuesday), and this actually will put him in a position of power in relation to fashioning change (whether we like it or not).  Uranus enters his 9th House of Foreign Relationships, so Change will be a feature of this area of his life for 7 years (i.e. even when he leaves power), and some of that change will come from him, and some of that change may be successful.

Kim Jong Un of North Korea has two possible birth charts, one for 1983 and one for 1984 (both without times). In my previous researches, the 1984 has tended to look more accurate, but I will look at both:

For the 1983 chart,  Pluto is at 29 deg 21 m Libra.  On 3rd May Uranus opposed that point, and Jong Un was making peace around then with South Korea.  This is not a convincing transit, as he would be more likely to be antagonistic under this influence.

For the 1984 chart (my preference), Mercury is at 0 deg 52 m Capricorn.  This would see him around 2nd June making surprisingly lucid choices (Uranus trine his Mercury), and if he is limbering up to his meeting with Donald Trump, and continuing to spin the plates for China and South Korea, this does, again, look like the more convincing chart.

Hassan Rouhani of Iran has Uranus at exactly 0 degs 0 m Cancer!  He will register change precisely at the outset of Uranus in Taurus, at 15.16 Hrs our (U.K.) time on Tuesday.  Uranus sextiles his Uranus, giving him the power of change and choice, even more so than Donald Trump.  This is extraordinary timing, though we do not have a birth time for him to provide more information.

Ayatollah Khamenei, the religious leader of Iran, has two planets at 0 degrees, Saturn at 0 degs 37 m Taurus, squaring his natal Pluto at 0 deg 52 m Leo.  Again, we do not have a birth time.  This gives him double relevance, and maybe some influence, but it does not strike his chart in a constructive way.  Uranus transits his natal Saturn in Taurus on 27th May, which may affect his health.  Squaring his Pluto, it may also affect his overall wellbeing or psychology.  There is a danger that he may strike out unpredictably, if he is not preoccupied with health matters.  He may have disagreements with Hassan Rouhani, who would be in a stronger state of mind, but may not find it easy to deal with the relationship.

The Queen

A special mention must be made that Queen Elizabeth II’s Sun is early in the first degree of Taurus, at 0 deg 10 minutes.  The change will register very early for her, this week, 18/19th May, i.e. during the proceedings Royal Wedding itself. It may be a dramatic event, but equally it could be a realization that comes to her during the course of the day or weekend.  It may be pertinent to the history of the monarchy.

Chiron in Aries

Looking briefly back at the ingress of Uranus into the preceding sign Aries in 2010, it was equated immediately with the phenomenon of the Arab Spring.  Aries representing Energy and Force, combining with Uranus the Rebel, brought this phenomenon and the activism of the Occupy movement.  The movement started in Tunisia, and then spread to many other Middle Eastern countries which followed suit, rebelling against tyrannical rulers.  Some were removed (notably Mubarak in Egypt) and some proved obdurate (notably Erdogan in Turkey).  A great deal of turmoil followed; the removal of Gaddafi in Libya resulted in chaos, and the upsurge of refugee movement towards Europe. Hope gradually gave way to despair.  Tunisia was the last nation to admit that the Arab Spring movement had come to nothing, last year, just as Uranus was in the last degrees of Aries.  Yes, some tyrants were removed, but the rise of ISIS and increase in terrorism came to inhabit the vacuum which was created.  No great inspired leaders were able to bring coherence to their societies.  Aries is a sign noted for initiating ideas, but not always being able to follow through to practical reality – a province which does fall within the brief of Taurus.  Taurus tends to be determined to uphold the status quo, and needs to be persuaded that changes are necessary.  It can follow through the ideas and ideals of Aries, if there is anything for instance to be salvaged from the Arab Spring.  In other areas of life activism has had burgeoning success, notably in the “Me Too” movement, which came in at the culmination of this seven year sojourn.

Personal Impact

You will be most affected this month if you have a planet or angle at 0 degrees of a sign.  I myself have Ascendant at 0 degrees Taurus, so am expecting the unexpected.  Otherwise, you may feel the changes when the first transit from Uranus touches on one of your personal planets or angles. You will in any case see changes occurring for friends and family, or in society or the world, which may be thought-provoking or eyebrow-raising.  If you are Uranus-ruled, i.e. have Sun, Ascendant in Aquarius or Uranus on the Ascendant in your natal chart, you may experience a personal change of focus or character as Uranus changes sign.  For example, you may have been more spirited and fiery over the last 7 years, and may become more placid or earthy.

Thinking Positive

Taurus is a multi-talented and faceted sign.  As well as finance, it represents Art and Music, the Earth, and Food.  So innovations in all these areas can take place in this 7 year period, and some of these could be beneficial indeed.  Uranus represents science and technology, and so these advances will become more concrete in this Earth sign, and often directly linked to Taurean related themes.  Uranus has the power to shock, but it also has the power to surprise, excite and delight.  Your own reaction to such changes may be dependent on how in tune your intuition is with the flow of what is coming and what is needed.  Cultivating flexibility, we can enjoy the spontaneity of it all.  We can learn that we can deal with changes that arrive unexpectedly, and feel stronger in that knowledge.  It may also be that being pro-active in the changes you want to see will be more successful and empowering than standing about reacting to change when it arises.

Interaction between Chiron and Uranus

I wrote last month, for 17th April:

“More importantly, Chiron enters Aries that day: a major sign change.  Chiron has been journeying through Pisces in recent years, a sensitive crucible of healing.  Chiron coming into Aries will be more overt, and possibly more physical in its approach to healing.  If you have important points in your chart at 0 degrees, you may have healing issues come up.  If you have a difficult angle to one of your planets, then Uranus moving into Taurus in May may help, as it may counteract that difficulty.  And vice versa, if your Chiron transit is an easy angle to a personal planet, then the Uranian transit may be more awkward.  The two planets are performing a balancing act this spring.”

Reflections on Change

Some initiate change, and some have change thrust upon them.  As I have Taurus rising, if a change of plan occurs I tend to see it as a disruption to my plodding pace of life.  I hope to evolve my perception towards seeing it as an opportunity being created to do something differently.  I need to be ready for that instead of trying to revert to my default pace.

Phrases you might hear (yourself saying)

“Something’s got to give”

“I didn’t see that coming”

“That was a bit left field”

*Ooh, Betty!”

“Surprise, Surprise!”

Affirmation:

“I flow with Change”

“Surprise, surprise, the unexpected hits you between the eyes
The unpredictable, that’s the surprise you see, surprise! Surprise!”

~ Cilla Black [Sun exactly conjunct Uranus]

 

Eurovision Song Contest 2018

“We are back to caution for Saturday (12th), the day of the Eurovision Song Contest.  Don’t go out rashly and put all your money on the Royaume Uni entry, for instance.  The day could be incident prone, with minor upsets and abrasions.  One Eurovision entry may nearly have to pull out, for example!  Near misses may demand that you carry your sticking plasters wherever you are headed, and be prepared to issue kind words and soothe egos.”

(from last week’s blog)

Deconstructing the above, there is a lot that sadly proved true.  Our U.K. entry came 24th out of 26, the Czech Republic nearly had to pull out due to injury, we actually had an “incident” during our performance, and dear Graham Norton issued kind words and soothed egos over and over again, rightly praising SuRie’s brave handling of the crisis and her spirited performance, and affirming our pride in her.

Our SuRie is a late Aquarian, with transiting Uranus sextile her natal Sun, providing great excitement at this time.  She had two adverse transits from Jupiter, which can mean overconfidence (Jupiter square Venus and opposite Mars).  It is not clear how much the Brexit factor influenced the voting, though we did much better last year, after Brexit had already been triggered.

The winner, Netta, from Israel, is a very early Aquarian, with Mercury at 1 degree of the sign, and her Sun at 2 degrees.  Currently, Uranus is squaring her Mercury/Sun, and the working out of this will become clear in June and July.  But her “Me Too” message was clearly a sign of the times, and as quirky as Eurovision songs come.

Interviewed a week before the final by the Independent, she said:

“[I was told] dress like you have nothing to celebrate. Dress in black. Dress big. Short skirts are not for you. Short sleeves are not for you. You’re not sexy or beautiful. You’re funny – that’s what you are. And you are a good friend. Well I am here to break that because this is a great evil that is done in the world to so many people.”

That success has come when she has Uranus challenging her planets is a reminder that we should not have any fear about being ourselves, and reassures us that if change is meant to be, and is in the flow of positive social evolution, it can be personally empowering.  She said “I am very happy”.  Uranus can be a progressive force in your life.

 

Aspects

Mercury conjuncts Uranus today, so your mind may be bursting with information and ideas.  Your memory may still be bombarded by the spectacle of 26 Eurovision songs last night.  And then the voting from 43 countries…

But that’s enough about me.  Communication should be at the pinnacle of brilliance today, polishing the diamond that is your mind (unless you are nursing a hangover from last night, in which case you may not feel the full benefit).  It is a good day to welcome the power of surprise, and inspire others with your mental inventiveness.  Telepathy, too, thrives under this conjunction.

At lunchtime, Mercury enters Taurus.  The collective mental outlook moves from the direct and straightforward to more practical considerations, and earth-centred preoccupations.  It is prime time for being in the garden and working out the best way to plant your seedlings and in what order.  Whether or not rationalizing your gardening exploits is your thing, you’ll be bringing the focus of the mind on Taurean skills and occupations: Art, Music and Banking, to name but a few.  To Bitcoin or not to Bitcoin, that is the question.

Tuesday (15th) is the biggest event, starting with a New Moon at 24 degrees Taurus.  This is a new beginning for all Taurean related interests, and a chance to focus your intent on these for the next month, or year.  You may take inspiration from visiting gardens or art galleries for instance, and looking at the achievements of the highest potential in these areas.  You are helping to build the New Earth, as they say in New Age circles.

In the middle of the afternoon, Uranus enters Taurus: the unstoppable force meets the immovable object, as it were.  You may register this if you are sensitive to Uranus and/or Taurus (see above), or you may observe it in events in society or on the global stage.  For others, it may pass them by for different reasons, e.g. the timing is not critical in their charts or with their planets, at the moment.  But it will be the beginning of a new process, and a new way of seeing progress and the way forward.  We have exhausted the possibilities of Uranus in Aries, and must find new ways to circumvent and deal with new challenges, or new ways around old challenges we haven’t given up on.

Another ingress occurs on Wednesday (16th) with the entry of Mars into Aquarius.  We may be in the month of Taurus, but Aquarius is such a strong theme this week.  Mars breathes life and energy into social initiatives and projects, and especially those that support the underdog, and the vulnerable.  Team spirit works well under this influence, and people pulling together as communities.

Also that day Mars squares Uranus, which is more tricky and erratic energy, but does emphasize the combination of Mars and Aquarius from early in the day.  Mars plus Uranus/Aquarius spells Activism, but Mars squaring Uranus can bring awkward clashes.  The electricity in the air could be tangible with the day’s mix of astrological influences.  It is one of those days you need to proceed with caution, though you could be straining at the leash!

Better practise restraint and wait until Friday (18th) to make progress on practical plans and realities.  Mercury trine Saturn on that day will help you to steadily build on initiatives from early on in the week, and good ideas which you haven’t yet been able to get off the ground.  If you were bursting with ideas but unable to see where to start, things may fall into place in your mind regarding how to proceed and plan, even if just step by step.

And so we come to another big day, Saturday (19th), not so much an astrological big day, but certainly one full of vast expectations from football fans and royalists.

The service for the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle begins at Noon, with the royal sign of Leo rising.

Manchester United will take on Chelsea at Wembley Stadium at 17.15 p.m., when the Ascendant will have reached Libra.  I don’t do football predictions (only Wimbledon) but wonder if Libra is a clue that Chelsea (the Blues) will win.

In between these two events, Venus enters Cancer (the fourth ingress of the week), at 13.11 Hrs.  When the date of the wedding was announced, I wrote:

“Venus in Cancer is perfect for a sentimental occasion, and an excuse to buy a box of kleenex. However, with the Football Cup Final being held the same day apparently there will be household battles for the remote control.”

Venus in Cancer brings out our softer side, and sentimentality over family history and emotions held within its framework.

Just after the beginning of the football final, Venus sextiles Uranus.  I went on to describe that:

“The main aspects are more descriptive of and suited to a royal wedding, though I would not go as far as to say that women will win the battle of the remote (and I would not wish to make such a sexist assumption)! Venus sextile Uranus provides an air of romantic excitement: people may fall in love on that day, or realize they want to marry! That aspect too is perfect for the occasion, in providing an extra special social atmosphere.”

So it looks like the sentimentality will carry on through the day, and somehow permeate the football event.  Perhaps there will be a romantic proposal that day centred around the football world.  Certainly there will be a celebratory atmosphere, and dudes will be partying on.  Important new connections will be made.  Venus sextile Uranus usually delivers on excitement.

This blog has begun, and ended, with Uranus…!

The week in bullet points:

• Today – brilliant ideas; practical thinking too
• Tuesday – new beginning, and big changes
• Wednesday – action allies with revolution
• Friday – progress on practical plans
• Saturday – hope, sentiment and emotion; vivid social meetings

 

Kanye West

What is going on with rapper Kanye West?  He has stirred up another controversy this week, with an astonishing comment about black slavery.  He has also announced that he wants to build cities, as well as re-affirming his love for Donald Trump.

Birth Chart

There is a lot in his natal chart which is relevant to his extraordinary behaviour and life.  Firstly, he has Sun in Gemini (a wordsmith) conjunct Jupiter (bombast).  Sun conjunct Jupiter does not always show a bombastic nature, but his Jupiter is exactly opposite Neptune (spiritual confusion and sensationalism) and Jupiter also trines Pluto (grandiose designs).

“I will say that I’m spiritual. I have accepted Jesus as my Savior. And I will say that I fall short every day.”

His mother (as depicted by the Moon in Pisces in his chart) was a Professor of English, and his love of poetry and sensitivity to words may well come from his maternal influence.  The Sun in Gemini squares closely his Moon in Pisces – sometimes his left hand doesn’t know what his right hand is doing.  His parents separated when he was three years old, symbolized by the close square between the Sun (as father) and the Moon (as mother).

His “freedom” with speech may be attributed to an unaspected Mercury.  I recently did a blog about Winnie Mandela, and pointed out that her tendency to be a “loose cannon” in speech may be attributed to the same.

His musical success and  acclaimed talent can be seen in his triple conjunction between Mars and Venus (charisma) with Chiron in Taurus (the sign of art and musicianship), channelled into a 10th House of Fame and Career.  Indeed he also has a keen interest in fashion (another province of Venus), which he has translated into business projects.

Success

Although he achieved success as a music producer early in his career, it was his ambition to be a rapper.  Apparently, a car crash on 23rd October 2002 shattered his jaw which needed to be wired shut, but motivated him in his ambition, and led to him making a groundbreaking composition (“Through the wire”).  Jupiter was sextile his natal Jupiter, and trine his natal Neptune at the time (success) but Pluto was squaring his natal Moon in 8th House (crisis).  He expressed the fact that “the album was my medicine”, reflecting the conjunction in his chart between Venus and Chiron (the wounded healer).  Adele has Venus conjunct Chiron, in her 5th House of Creativity, and we all know that her emotional pain inspired her early success.

A plaudit in Entertainment Weekly from 2004 states:

“West delivers the goods with a disarming mix of confessional honesty and sarcastic humor, earnest idealism and big-pimping materialism. In a scene still dominated by authenticity battles and gangsta posturing, he’s a middle-class, politically conscious, post-thug, bourgeois rapper — and that’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

Elon Musk has also praised him to the hilt, regarding his inclusion in Time’s 100 most influential people list:

“Kanye West would be the first person to tell you he belongs on this list. The dude doesn’t believe in false modesty, and he shouldn’t […] In his debut album, over a decade ago, Kanye issued what amounted to a social critique and a call to arms (with a beat): “We rappers is role models: we rap, we don’t think.” But Kanye does think. Constantly. About everything. And he wants everybody else to do the same: to engage, question, push boundaries.”

Kim Kardashian

Together with his wife, Kim Kardashian, he forms a power couple in this age of the cult of celebrity.  They married on 24th May 2014, but had known each other for a long time.  Kim’s own chart is a fascinating study.  She is of course a lynch pin of the reality television success “Keeping up with the Kardashians”.

She has Jupiter exactly conjunct the Midheaven – depicting a successful brand, in Virgo in 10th House (a style icon).  Her mother Kris (Kardashian/Jenner) has a similar successful signature, as I wrote in May 2017 in my blog about Caitlyn Jenner:

“Kris Kardashian, matriarch of the Kardashian empire, has an amazing exact conjunction of Jupiter and Pluto in Leo in 10th House conjunct her Midheaven (Careerpoint).  It is no wonder she carved out such a successful long running television slot.”

Kanye and Kim’s second child, Saint, also has Jupiter on the Midheaven in Virgo in 10th House, and could go on to achieve similar success.

Kim has Sun conjunct Pluto in Libra in 11th House (which speaks of “how to win friends and influence people”).  Her Moon is powerfully placed on her I.C. in 4th House of Home and Family, emphasizing the role of her mother and sisters in her life, and family roots.

In their synastry, Kim’s Saturn is conjunct Kanye’s I.C. – she may help a little to keep him grounded.  But her Neptune sextiles Kanye North Node, so she adds extra glamour to his karmic mission.  Her Pluto conjuncts Kanye North Node, so that is some power she holds in the relationship.  And his Jupiter is on her Descendant, adding to the success of the relationship.

At their marriage,  Jupiter was on his Ascendant, so that was an advantageous marriage for him.  Uranus sextile his Jupiter added an entrepreneurial element.  Jupiter was trine her Mercury, so it was also good for business for her, and Jupiter was sextile her Venus, which is a classic marriage transit.  Both Kim and Kanye have Venus in 10th House, showing their status as style icons.

Donald Trump

“You don’t have to agree with Trump but the mob can’t make me not love him.  We are both dragon energy.  He is my brother.  I love everyone.  I don’t agree with everything anyone does.  That’s what makes us individuals.  And we have the right to independent thought”

~ Tweet by Kanye West, 25th April 2018

Trump has retweeted some of West’s tweets.

It is easy to see from their synastry, what makes this relationship a mutual admiration society.  They are both Geminis, to begin with, and both have a swagger, and both like words.  Trump’s Moon is sextile Kanye’s North Node, Trump’s Mercury trines Kanye’s Uranus,  and Trump’s Venus sextiles Kanye’s Mercury.  Tellingly, Trump’s Jupiter trines Kanye’s Sun, giving him a feelgood factor, and Trump’s Uranus conjunct’s Kanye’s Sun (almost telepathic).

Controversies

Kanye’s controversies are too numerous to mention, but I will try to list some:

In 2004, he stormed out of the American Music Awards because he had not been awarded Best New Artist

In 2015 he said “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” at a concert for Hurricane Relief

In 2015 Kanye West said he was thinking about running for President. “When I talk about the idea of being president, I’m not saying I have any political views. I just have a view on humanity, on people, on the truth.”

In 2016 Kanye claimed to be in 53 million dollars’ debt, and demanded that Mark Zuckerberg help him.

This week (May, 2018) he said: “When you hear about slavery for 400 years…for 400 years? That sounds like a choice.  You was there for 400 years and it’s all of y’all?  It’s like we’re mentally imprisoned.”

An article this morning in the Observer written by David Olusoga describes his behaviour: “Like a pampered toddler, he keeps going because he has so often been reassured that his every utterance is of profound insight and earthshaking importance”.  Kanye has Pluto in the 3rd House of Communication, so he does strive to be profound.

State of Mind

Are his outrageous comments just verbosity, are they the outpourings of a narcissistic personality, or is there psychosis involved?  He has experienced psychotic states, notably in November 2016, and was admitted to hospital for “temporary psychosis” caused by dehydration and sleep deprivation (Saturn was square his natal Moon at the time, and Uranus was on his South Node in Aries).  He has also been addicted to opiates.  He is becoming more outrageous, so perhaps there have even been permanent changes to his brain from the use of drugs.  He has also experienced depression, paranoia, anxiety and suicidal thoughts in the past.

In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres on Friday, Kim’s mother Kris gave him a sympathetic hearing.  She said: “Kanye has a lot of love for all of you, all of his fans, and everybody who’s been there to support him forever.  And, I know that he will explain himself in his own way.”

Current Transits

As well as his recent controversial remarks, he also released a record in April called “Lift Yourself”, the lyrics of which have been called nonsensical.

His current transits include the challenges of Pluto square his Nodal Axis (extreme karma) and Neptune conjunct his Moon in Pisces in 8th House (extreme confusion).  He does have some planetary support too, and presumably friends and family who will rally round.

He has a concerning transit coming up around 24th/25th June this year, when Uranus (newly entered into Taurus) transits his natal Mars, which can be destabilizing.  Jupiter returns to his 5th House cusp and trines his Ascendant around 6th/7th September, which could provide him with some help, hopefully of the right kind, that which he needs.  It may also bring him a creative renaissance, as his work seems currently in the doldrums.

Aspects

Spiritual inspiration is the order of the day today, with a sextile between the Sun and Neptune.  This can result in a highly creative day, and produce work of an elevated order.  It is also good for rekindling sensitive rapport with friends and family.

Tomorrow (Monday 7th) could be more rocky for starting the week, with Mercury square Pluto.  There may be problems to deal with going into the office, which bring the need to prioritize and be clear on your psychology and values.  The collective game needs to be raised (group meditation or hug) before discussion, if disagreement is to be avoided.  We also have been promised extremely hot weather for this UK Bank Holiday, and more people may be at the beach than in the office;  caution is advisable, and travel may be a source of discontent.

The evening brings different challenges, confusion in relationships for example, with Venus square Neptune.  That artistic project you may have started on Sunday may develop a flaw, and you may need to stand back and ask for further inspiration or guidance for proceeding.  Deception and illusion may be behind the conundrum of the evening, and you may want to wait for truth to emerge in its own way, before judging the situation or making your mind up.

Wednesday (9th) is more upbeat as the Sun opposes Jupiter, and at least people are in the mood for a joke and a laugh, even though you may not share exactly the same sense of humour.  Freedom may be a watchword for the day.

The most constructive aspect of the week is the Sun trine Pluto on Friday (11th).  After some of the nuances earlier in the week, you may feel clearer about what really matters, and where your values and priorities really lie, and can be empowered on Friday to put into practice the teachings of the week.  What you do on Friday can be meaningful and profound, satisfying and fulfilling, in a serious way.  Social workers and Psychologists can execute their work harmoniously.

We are back to caution for Saturday (12th), the day of the Eurovision Song Contest.  Don’t go out rashly and put all your money on the Royaume Uni entry, for instance.  The day could be incident prone, with minor upsets and abrasions.  One Eurovision entry may nearly have to pull out, for example!  Near misses may demand that you carry your sticking plasters wherever you are headed, and be prepared to issue kind words and soothe egos.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – spiritual harmony
• Tomorrow – different headaches
• Wednesday – upbeat
• Friday – psychologically sound
• Saturday – minor incidents

 

Prince Louis Arthur Charles

born 23rd April 2018, at 11.01 a.m., Paddington

New royal baby Louis Arthur Charles continues the Cancerian theme in the royal family, from grandmother Lady Diana (Sun in Cancer), to father Prince William (Sun in Cancer) to sister Charlotte (Ascendant in Cancer), for he has his Ascendant in Cancer.

Birth Chart

Louis has Sun in Taurus, close to the Queen’s Sun (3 degrees apart), square Moon/North Node in Leo, the sign of the Queen’s Moon (their Moons are two degrees apart).  The Moon/North Node conjunction in Leo in the 1st House emphasizes the royalty of his heritage and the way of life he is born into.  Sun trine Saturn gives a sense of responsibility, but Sun conjunct Uranus also creates a rebellious streak.  The Moon trine Mercury is affable and companionable for his siblings.  Though he might sometimes want to keep his opinions to himself, with Mercury square closely Saturn.  Mercury conjunct Chiron at the Midheaven gives a real interest in alternative medicine, possibly in connection with his career, and homeopathy may be a special study.  He will use his abilities as a healer in some way through his career.  He’ll be an especially bonnie baby, with Venus exactly sextile his Ascendant, and charming in public with its position at the beginning of his 11th House.  Another exact sextile is that between Mars and Jupiter, providing abundant energy allied with enthusiasm.  Mars conjunct closely Pluto means he won’t shy away from confrontation, and could be a handful at times, a powerhouse of energy, which needs to be suitably channelled.  Jupiter closely sextile his Pluto helps him to channel the energy along positive and wisely balanced lives, especially when he is old enough to realize the consequences.  Uranus at the top of the chart closely square the Ascendant emphasizes that rebellious streak, and makes him unpredictable at times.  The Part of Fortune and Jupiter in the 4th House of Home and Family describes being born into a grand family and household. He will make his mark inventively in his career path, with a Sun/Uranus conjunction in his 10th House of Career, and Chiron exactly on his Midheaven (Careerpoint) at the beginning of Aries – a real individual!

Relationships with the Family

I enjoy working on baby charts, and seeing their family connections, which are often stunningly precise.  Prince William and Kate both have their Mars exactly sextile the baby’s Moon, because they have their Marses conjunct in Libra.  So they will be energizing emotionally in their effect on their new baby, and they in turn will be fed emotionally.  There is a companionable sextile between William’s Mercury in Gemini and the baby’s Moon in Leo.  The baby’s own Mercury in Aries strengthens this particular bond.  Prince William’s Uranus trines exactly the baby’s Midheaven/Chiron exact conjunction and makes it more dynamic.  Prince William may support him with ideas when he is establishing his career.

The baby will help Kate bring out her more assertive or male side, with his Mars exactly on her Sun in Capricorn.  He may spur her ambition.  They too have a companionable bond, in the form of  her Venus sextile his natal Mercury.  Her Venus in Aquarius links in harmoniously with the companionable bond  he has with his father, so no one is going to feel left out.  Kate’s Mars sextiles the baby’s North Node, so while the father can bolster his conventional career, she is able to bring fire to his karmic mission.  She does have Saturn square his Pluto, and Pluto square his Ascendant, however, so some adjustments will be required for both of them on a deeper level.

Grandfather Prince Charles, with the North Node on the baby’s Sun, has an intensely karmic link with the baby.  Charles also has Chiron opposite the baby’s Venus.  It is possible that they were rivals for affection in previous lives!

Grandmother Lady Diana has the Sun opposite the baby’s Saturn, which may represent the sadness that she is not physically here to enjoy her new grandson.  She too would have had a companionable bond, with her Mercury sextile his Sun.  Her Saturn would be trine his Venus, which is very supportive, but opposite his Ascendant, so again some sadness involved in their physical separation.  Her Neptune sextile his Saturn may mean she is watching over him spiritually, ready to uplift him when he finds incarnation difficult.

His brother George has a tender trine between his Moon and his Moon is conjunct the baby’s descendant (an emotional bond).  George may get exasperated at times, and go off and play elsewhere!  George’s Pluto is on baby’s Saturn, so baby may sometimes feel the weight of George’s rank in the immediate family.

Princess Charlotte may have a more rivalrous attitude to the baby, with her Sun square exactly his Nodal Axis.  Her Moon squares the baby’s Pluto, so he may arouse deep emotions within her.  His Chiron sextiles her Mercury, so he may be able to skilfully solve such problems.  His Saturn sextiles her natal Neptune, which is the same as one of his interaspects with Lady Diana.  This is because Charlotte and Diana have trined Neptunes, so they have a beautiful spiritual link and attunement.  In addition, Charlotte’s Pluto sextiles Louis’ Neptune, so there is a solid generational link between them, and they will understand each other on a cultural level.  But there may be striking similarities in their make up and ways, as they share the combination of Sun in Taurus and Ascendant in Cancer.

Great grandparents the Queen and Prince Philip both have stunning connections with the new baby, and it also suggests that their lives are going to change in the near future.  The baby has his Pluto on the Queen’s Ascendant, and Neptune on Prince Philip’s North Node, both planets being great agents of change.  There will be a strong heart and soul connection between the Queen and the baby, as their Suns are conjunct (by three degrees) and their Moons by 2 degrees, as already mentioned.  The Queen has Mars square the baby’s Jupiter, so would be keen for him to espouse some of her great enthusiasms.  Her Uranus trines his Ascendant, so there will be an exciting frisson between them, too.

As for Prince Philip, Louis has Jupiter square his Moon, and will give him cause to chuckle and produce some of his legendary one liners.  At the very least, the baby will lift his mood when present.  However, with Philip’s Pluto square the baby’s Mercury he could occasionally catch the baby off guard with his behaviour or speech, and Louis may not know quite how to take him.

Aspects

It’s a steady Sunday today, with the Sun trine Saturn.  You can make headway in quiet ways, lay foundations, and be productive but not necessarily in showy ways.  It is constructive, but may be serious in tone.

Tomorrow (Monday 30th) there is a Full Moon at 9 degrees Scorpio, one of the most intense Full Moons of the year.  Emotions will be at full flood, but not always on display: some may be simmering under the surface.  If you are in a group situation, some may be struggling more than others, so you may ascertain who needs tender loving care.  There may be a focus on financial matters, or deep psychological and spiritual searching.

Fixed Stars

There are no planetary aspects after Monday, and therefore I will look at the alignment of our Sun with the Fixed Stars for later in the week, providing a seed thought in each case from “Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld.

Our Sun is aligned with two stars on Friday (4th).  The first is Almach in Andromeda.  This star represents spiritual expression:

“Almach will bring most people an enhanced ability to shift vibration, a better ability to bring through clairvoyant ideas from multiple levels, and enhanced psychic functioning in transference of multiple ideas into a single integrated form.  This is somewhat similar to Potato Flower essence, though at a more perceivable level for most people.  The combination of Potato and Almach can be powerful for individuals who also wish to attune to a single vibration level and channel from a specific single being or energy pattern as long as such energy pattern is of spiritual impact and of benefit for most people”.

Meditating on this star is also deemed to be beneficial for those with knee problems, particularly the right knee.

The other star highlighted for Friday is Menkar in the constellation of Cetus (The Whale):

” The use of this star can help people to release some of the unconscious connections to others, particularly those made in sleep.  The ability to consciously make such connections will be enhanced.  The unconscious connections made by most individuals through newspapers, television, or radio will be brought into greater consciousness.  This elixir is valuable for individuals seeking to truly understand the media, forms of advertising, and the way in which the media influences people’s perceptions of world events.”

Note that this was written in 1992, before social media took hold!

The week in bullet points:

• Today – slow and steady wins the race
• Tomorrow – handling intense emotions
• Friday – spiritual expression, and the media

Stephen Lawrence

Today  is the 25th anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s death by a gang of white youths at a bus stop in London in 1993.  Last week, a special historical investigation was screened in three parts on television.  The memory, impact and poignancy of his death is as relevant today as ever, for knife crime in London saw two more deaths last week, and the Windrush scandal has rocked the government (Stephen’s parents were part of the generation that came from Jamaica in the 1960s).

Stephen’s Birth Chart

We do not know what Stephen’s potential would have been, but we do know he was an aspiring architect.  His mother remembers him as a “bright, beautiful boy”.  His Sun in Virgo was sextile Saturn, giving a serious and studious astrological profile.  Virgo is the most modest sign, most likely to try to keep a low profile, and least likely to swagger.  He also had a shy square of Neptune to Venus.  But Mars conjunct Pluto in Libra may have drawn him to be a victim of violence.  And Neptune conjunct his North Node may have made him a sacrificial lamb, but also an enduring symbol of an event which revealed aspects of society we should not forget.  The transits of his murder reveal in some ways a transition to spirit which is predestined, such as the chaotic Uranus/Neptune conjunction trine his natal Sun.  Uranus squaring his natal Chiron reveals the sudden and shocking nature of the event.

Doreen Lawrence

Stephen’s mother Doreen has a strong individuality, with an unaspected Sun in Scorpio, and an unaspected Venus in Sagittarius.  She worked as a special needs teacher, an occupation to which Scorpio qualities are eminently suited.  She has a complex triple conjunction of the Moon, Mars and Chiron in Capricorn, depicting a great wound but also her capacity to fight for justice.  Her Mercury in Scorpio exactly trine Uranus show a brilliant and forensic mind.  Pluto on her South Node may hint at past-life trauma.  I wrote about her when two of the white gang of five (Dobson and Norris) were convicted in 2012:

“Few people could have been unmoved by the dignity of Doreen Lawrence this week, waiting 18 years for justice for her son Stephen Lawrence.  She has been the epitome of the positive strength of Sun in Scorpio.  Her contribution to the justice system has been …Her husband Neville has also contributed so much during that time, but we do not have his birth date.”

She shares various features of her birth chart with Stephen, most notably Jupiter square the Nodal Axis  which I think illustrates her indomitable fight for justice. Their synastry shows a companionable sextile between his Sun and her Mercury.  His Chiron trined her Pluto, which is a deep resonance between them.  At the time of his death, the Uranus/Neptune conjunction in Capricorn was also significantly impacting her chart and highlighting her natal Uranus/Neptune square, for Neptune squared her Neptune (extreme confusion) and Uranus both squared her Neptune (chaos) and opposed her Uranus (sudden crisis).

She campaigned not only for justice for Stephen, but for other similar victims.  She holds an O.B.E. for services to community relations.  She was made a Baronness in 2013, with a bittersweet mixture of transits: Pluto on her Mars, Neptune square her Venus, and Saturn sextile her Chiron.  She sits in the House of Lords working on cases involving racism.

Neville Lawrence

As mentioned, we do not have a birth date for Stephen’s father Neville. He too has shown great dignity, and last week announced that he had found a way to forgive Stephen’s killers. He and Doreen divorced in 1999.

Duwayne Brooks

Duwayne was the teenage friend of Stephen, who had earlier on the night in question been watching video games with him at the house of a relative.  He was with him at the bus stop when the white youths began their attack by taunting: “”What, what, nigger!”, prior to stabbing Stephen.  Duwayne ran to get help.  He survived, but suffered a great deal in the subsequent years, including harrassment and being arrested.  But he grew up and became a Lib Dem politician, and has been involved in public service.  He was born two weeks after Stephen, and shares several planetary positions in common, indeed his chart has similarities with Doreen’s, too.

At the time of the murder, some of Duwayne’s transits were similar to Stephen’s, but in addition he had Pluto sextile his Venus (transformation in a relationship) and Mars square his Uranus (exposure to violence).

Twenty Five Years

From 1993 to 2012, police corruption and institutionalised racism prevented any justice for Doreen and Neville, who persevered all that time in keeping the investigation into his murder current.  In 2012, the conviction of Dobson and Norris finally came about, partly due to the forensic advances which led to the matching of Stephen’s blood to a sample found in Dobson’s jacket and fibres of Stephen’s clothing and hair being found on the clothing of both men.  The law of double jeopardy was partially revoked in order to enable a retrial.  According to the televised account of the last twenty five years, the policeman responsible for bringing the two to justice, was warned off pursuing the matter further at that point.

Society Now

Doreen has said she wants to draw a line under the matter now.  But new information has implicated Norris’ father, a notorious drug dealer, in persuading members of the police force to withhold evidence and intimidating witnesses.  She now says: “I thought that after 25 years I could no longer be shocked by the conduct of the Metropolitan police.  However, if it is true that they did this, my sense of outrage will have risen to new heights and I will want immediate answers from them as to why it happened and why I was not told.”  At this time, she has a painful transit of Saturn to her Moon/Mars/Chiron triple conjunction.

The Observer reports this morning on the London area of Eltham, where the murder was committed.  It paints a mixed picture when it comes to experiences by residents in relation to racism.  One resident states: “It’s lovely.  People are very friendly.  If we treat others like equals, if we are open to different cultures, that will inspire people.  We are all human.”

In contrast, another resident reports: “Brexit has had a very negative impact.  It’s given people the right to say things like: ‘Go back to your own country “.

Aspects

Here we are in the early degrees of the earth sign Taurus, and it is Earth Day, a day to mark the importance of the environment.  The tradition of Earth Day was founded in 1970 by  U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, after witnessing an oil spill in Santa Barbara.  It’s an appropriate time, during the early degrees of Taurus, to appreciate and enjoy the earth, and we currently have the sunshine in the U.K. to enhance that experience.  The new greens, emerging flowers and the blossoms are just stunning in the light of spring.

Pluto going stationary, prior to turning retrograde, today, gives us more to think about and contemplate on a deeper level.  If we have been working on a line of psychological unravelling recently, we may have to retrace our steps.  We had Saturn going retrograde last week, so some more practical projects already need revision, and now the psychological ramifications of those or other issues need going over old ground.

Tuesday (24th) brings an energizing quality to our efforts, with Mars sextile Jupiter.  You’ll be able to find that extra drive, for what you are wanting to achieve.

In the afternoon, Venus will be entering Gemini, so some of that earthy focus which has been around lately will change to a more mental focus.  Venus in Gemini likes to circulate socially, so you may find excuses to fill the nooks and crannies of your diary with coffee dates with friends.  Venus will be in Gemini until 19th May (the date of the Royal Wedding and the Football Cup Final) so it will be a great few weeks for chat, gossip and conjecture.

We also have Venus sextile Chiron on Tuesday, so some of the chat will be very healing, and concern the subject of healing, especially for relationships.  Art and music therapy thrive under this aspect.

Wednesday (25th) is not as easy, with a square between Mercury and Saturn.  This can bring delayed travel and communications, or disappointing national news on the airwaves.

Real caution is advised for Thursday 26th (sorry, folks!) with a conjunction of those two planets of conflict and confrontation: Mars and Pluto.  Try to work out your strategies for peace in advance, and organize a group meditation if possible.

An easeful trine between Mercury and the North Node occurs on Friday (27th), which may restore some harmony.  Helpful karmic information may come your way, or you may find yourself to be the agent of karma, a bearer of good news or good advice for someone.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – a psychological retrospective
• Tuesday – sparkling
• Wednesday – frustrating
• Thursday – caution advisable
• Friday – karmic communication

Mark Zuckerberg

On Tuesday (10th April) this week, with Venus square the Nodal Axis, the social network Facebook came under the karmic microscope, as its founder Mark Zuckerberg appeared before Congress to answer questions regarding recent misuse of data.

Mark’s Birth Chart

Mark Zuckerberg’s birth chart bears many hallmarks of a shy but socially minded individual with technical skills, who has made a fortune through the creation of a social network.  First of all, he has the North Node (karmic mission) in Gemini (communication) in the 9th House of wider communication networks.  The North Node conjuncts his Chiron, so that his work is healing or problem-solving for him.  The 9th House contains his Sun and the Midheaven, too, making it a major focus of his life, with global interests.  The other House of great emphasis is his financial House, the 2nd, containing Pluto (finances on a grand scale), plus Saturn and an exact conjunction of the Moon and Mars (quick emotional reactions, confidence, and a keen interest in finance). His Moon conjuncts Saturn (loneliness) and that conjunction opposes his Venus. He was born on a Full Moon in Scorpio, and arouses strong emotions in others.  Not only are his female planets the Moon and Venus in opposition, but so are his male planets (the Sun and Mars) so he is equipped to be combative.  Mercury trine closely Neptune delivers mental inspiration, and Venus trine Jupiter provides a love of human interaction.  Uranus on the South Node suggests a past life connection with technology in Atlantis.

Facebook

Facebook was begun when he was at Harvard, on 4th February 2004, with a group of friends.  The chart for this date shows a close conjunction of the Sun and Neptune in the technological and networking sign of Aquarius.  Mercury is exactly sextile Venus in this chart, emphasizing communication and sociability.  Mars sextiles closely Uranus, bringing in the technical expertise needed for the enterprise.  Jupiter square Pluto hints at its potential power.  The Sun squaring the Nodal Axis hints at its potential for speeding up karma.  Its success may be seen in a close trine from Jupiter to the North Node.  The North Node at the time was transiting Mark Zuckerberg’s Venus (planet of relationships) in Pisces (shyness), and Pluto, planet of transformation, was squaring his Ascendant on his 4th House cusp.  As we shall see, Pluto which he has natally at 0 degrees of its own sign Scorpio (a very powerful placing) is powerful by transit in his life.

Cambridge Analytica

“In times like these, the most important thing we at Facebook can do is develop the social infrastructure to give people the power to build a global community that works for all of us. A global community that prevents harm, helps during crises and rebuilds afterwards”.

~ Mark Zuckerberg, February 2018

Mark Zuckerberg’s current crisis was precipitated by the exposure of the activities of a data firm Cambridge Analytica (a British political consulting firm) who allegedly used information from Facebook to influence elections in the U.S. and the Brexit referendum here, among other applications.  They had employed data from 270,000 Facebook users.  The now suspended CEO of Cambridge Analytica had a transit of Neptune (scandal) on his Mars (exposure) when the story was revealed.

The Observer journalist Carole Cadwalladr broke the information about Cambridge Analytica’s activities.  She asked: ” He is wrestling with the question of how Facebook can change the world. Whereas the question is: do we actually want Facebook to change the world? Do we want any corporation to have so much unchecked power?”

In March, when the scandal broke, Pluto was again changing House position in Mark Zuckerberg’s chart: it was exactly trine his Ascendant, on his 5th House cusp.  It was also a profound moment for Carole Cadwalladr personally, for with Pluto trine her Venus her work and worth were validated.

Appearance before Congress

This week, Pluto is still at that crucial point in Zuckerberg’s chart.  The cusp of the 5th House is very much about self-image and how you portray yourself, and this is one of his challenges now – how transparent can he be?  But Pluto turns retrograde next Sunday, and he will possibly have to go through a similar phase again when it returns to that point.  He also has Jupiter on the cusp of the 3rd House, retrograding and returning temporarily to his 2nd House.

Zuckeberg answered some mundane and some penetrating questions over the two days of questioning, including the question of how Facebook was funded?  Answer: “Senator, we run ads.”  And crucially, he was asked “Mr. Zuckerberg, would you be comfortable sharing with us the name of the hotel you stayed in last night?”, to which after much hesitation, he replied “No”.  To many questions, he answered that he didn’t know and would “have our team get back to you afterwards”.

Going Forward

The week has highlighted many questions about how Facebook operates, and what happens to the information people post on it.  Alex Hern writing in the Guardian yesterday commented: “This could be the week its crisis moves from being about mistakes in the past, to inherent problems in the present”.

Toby Helm of the Observer quoted Damian Collins (Chair of the Commons committee looking into data breaches):

“I … think there have to be changes around the transparency of platforms [like Facebook].  So that if you are receiving information during an election period, you know where it is coming from, who is paying for it and which organization is promoting it.  It has to be really obvious to you.  At the moment it is not clear at all.  In an old-fashioned election you would get a leaflet through your door and would know who sent it.  You don’t know on the internet.”

Uranus entering Taurus in May will oppose Zuckerberg’s Pluto on 17th of that month, making for a difficult time for him.  On 24th June Uranus goes on to transit his natal Chiron in Taurus in his 9th House, which could also be a headache.

On 24/5th September, Jupiter returns to his 3rd House cusp and enters 3rd House of Communication, which may enable him to give a better account of himself.

Around 11/12th January 2019, Pluto returns to the 5th House cusp, and he may need to return to a similar re-evaluation and examination as at present.  A transformation will be required for his creation, Facebook.

Aspects

Did you have any empowering experiences yesterday with the major Jupiter-Pluto sextile?  It was interesting that Trump, May and Macron chose that day for their strike in Syria, trying to send a message about Syrian and Russian use of chemical weapons.  The wise and balanced use of power really does depend what side you are on, and your beliefs about the use of force.

Today may bring relief for some, with Mercury stationing prior to turning direct.  I have found this retrograde period difficult, with several journeys I would rather forget, and my i phone actually dying on me for a few hours (trying to tell me it is really past it – I have had it many years).  So travel prospects and communications, computers and technology (although partly ruled by Uranus) should brighten up and improve their performances from today.  I will be going for an upgrade on my i phone tomorrow, having paid heed to the signs…

Tomorrow (16th) there is more good news, in the form of a New Moon in Aries, one of those unequivocal fresh starts in the astrological calendar.  With the new cold war and fresh hostilities in the Middle East, let us hope that it is a constructive new beginning.  Aries is about decisive action, not necessarily peace, and you are not likely to see prevarication on the world stage.  But you can take positive action in your own life, along the lines you would like to see.

Tuesday (17th) seems action-packed, too.  First, Venus opposes Jupiter, and this could bring enjoyment through special social events.  If the weather forecast is to be believed, in the U.K. we could be having some summery weather, so you might want to dust down the barbecue from last year, and invent some new culinary delights inspired by the recent series of Masterchef for your guest diners.  Socializing may not be all plain-sailing though: someone may like things done differently, and say so, e.g. the veggie burgers may be a bit too rare.

More importantly, Chiron enters Aries that day: a major sign change.  Chiron has been journeying through Pisces in recent years, a sensitive crucible of healing.  Chiron coming into Aries will be more overt, and possibly more physical in its approach to healing.  If you have important points in your chart at 0 degrees, you may have healing issues come up.  If you have a difficult angle to one of your planets, then Uranus moving into Taurus in May may help, as it may counteract that difficulty.  And vice versa, if your Chiron transit is an easy angle to a personal planet, then the Uranian transit may be more awkward.  The two planets are performing a balancing act this spring.

Then on the same day, Venus trines Pluto, which is in-depth and constructive, and helps us through changes and transformations on a human level.  It is a good time for a heart to heart, if you can detach from all the other influences of the day.  At the barbecue, find an intimate corner of the garden in which to catch up with how your friend or family member is really feeling, and express your truth.

Wednesday (18th) may see a slight setback, as Saturn in Capricorn is stationary prior to going retrograde.  Saturn entered the sobering sign of Capricorn in December, and you may have felt, after the initial challenge, that you had gained a handle on its demands or lessons.  Now you will see that some of that learning may need revision or emphasis, before you can forge ahead. Saturn and Capricorn are all about patience and timing, and one of those lessons is that you can’t rush things.

Paradoxically, on the same day, the Sun conjuncts Uranus, and the element of the unexpected can enter in.  You may feel you are getting mixed messages from the Universe: should I stay or should I go?  It may not be an either/or situation, but there may need to be different approaches for different levels of a situation or problem.  There may be a holding pattern required (Saturn retrograde) say on a physical level, but also the welcoming of new ideas (Uranus conjunct the Sun) on the mental level at the same time.  If you are constructing a Grand Design, then you may need both, for different parts of the work.

The Sun leaves Aries and enters Taurus on Friday (20th), and the pace of life becomes more measured and less impulsive.  It is a good month for planting seeds and tending the earth, hugging trees, and such Taurean pursuits.  It has been a long cold winter, but I was able to say hello to the neighbours over the fence in the garden this week.  They see my Geminian hubby all the year round, but they only see me from the start of the hospitable weather…

The week in bullet points:

• Today – communications back on
• Tomorrow – a fresh start
• Tuesday – action packed
• Wednesday – retracing some steps, but also letting in new ideas
• Friday – back to the earth

 

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (1936 – 2018)

Winnie Mandela, the second wife of Nelson Mandela, died this week on Monday, 2nd April.  She played a vital role in the fight against apartheid in South Africa, and in freeing her husband after his lengthy period of imprisonment for nearly three decades from 1962 to 1990.  She managed to bring up their two daughters as a single mother, multi-tasking as a freedom fighter.  Until the murder of Stompie Moeketsi in 1989 she largely enjoyed an esteemed and admired following and reputation.  I read her autobiographical work “Part of My Soul went with Him” in 1994, a collection of interviews and a touching testament to her devotion to this man with whom she had hardly spent any time (“life with him was always a life without him”).  In our house, my daughters had a much loved black doll we called Winnie.

Birth Chart

Winnie had the Sun, Mercury and Venus in Libra, not a sign known for fighting, but one very much motivated by a sense of justice.  The fight in her is depicted in her close trine between Mars and the North Node (her karmic mission), giving her the Warrior Archetype, and leadership qualities linked with her karmic mission.  She also had some personal belligerence with Mars in Leo square the Ascendant at the beginning of her 10th House of Career, showing that self-assertion was also part of her career path.  Sun and Venus in Libra suggest her fame emerging through association with her life partner.  She was a romantic, with Venus sextile Mars, seeing Mandela as part of her soul.  The pain of the isolation and separation within that relationship is seen in her Venus square Pluto.

Youth

Winnie was a firebrand and a rebel from her early youth.  As well as her Mars aspects, she had an unruly unaspected Uranus (The Rebel) except for a possible square to her Moon (we do not have her birth time).  After fighting viciously in childhood with her sister, her mother gave her a severe beating.  She was devastated by her mother’s death at the early age of 9 or 10 (accounts differ), after which the siblings were split up among other relatives.

Both her parents were Methodists, but the death of her mother made her lose faith in religion (natal Jupiter square Neptune).  After her schooling, she took a degree in social work (1956) and later a degree in international relations.  She began work as a social worker, and according to her biographer Emma Gilbey she was “a remarkably effective and dedicated social worker”.

Meeting Nelson Mandela

The Guardian obituary, (written by David Beresford and Dan van der Vat) tells us: ” There was somehow an inevitability about Winnie and Nelson meeting, setting in motion one of history’s great and yet tragic love stories.” The obituary describes their introduction in a delicatessen by Oliver Tambo (a member of the ANC) in 1958.  According to Wikipedia she was 22 years of age and standing at a bus stop in Soweto when Mandela first saw her and asked her out (despite his already being married).

Marriage

They married in June 1958.  I wrote in my astro-obituary of Nelson Mandela in 2013:

“His marriage to Winnie Mandela undoubtedly provided emotional stability and strength, and a sense of family important to his Cancerian Sun, including the experience of fatherhood.  She was to visit him in prison from time to time, and was a key figure in keeping his cause alive and understood by the outside world.  Her role of assistant in his activism is seen in their synastry as her Mercury (information) exactly conjunct his Mars (activism).  In their personal interaction, her Venus (supportive Love) was exactly trine his Uranus (attracted to his brilliance) which trined and bisected his conjunction of Venus and Jupiter (love of humanity).”

I would add that Mandela’s Jupiter was conjunct Winnie’s South Node (a favourable past life link) and his Venus was exactly conjunct her Chiron in Gemini.  The trine of his Uranus and her Venus also describes the separated nature of their life together.  Jupiter was trine his natal Venus in the month when they married, a classic “marriage” transit, but Saturn was also opposite his Venus.  For Winnie, there were some tough squares transiting her chart at their marriage.

Children

Children (two daughters) followed quickly: Zenani in February 1959 and Zindzi in 1960.  By this time, Winnie was heavily active in politics.  From 1962 she was in effect acting as a single mother in terms of shouldering the parenting.  In the turbulent years of Winnie’s activism when they were growing up, the relationship of the two sisters to each other must have been a much-needed source of companionship.  Their closeness is shown in the fact that Zenani’s Sun is exactly conjunct Zindzi’s Venus.

Nelson, the father of the new South Africa, was a Cancerian, a sign synonymous with parenthood.  Yet he had virtually no role in bringing up the two sisters.  In his autobiography “Long Walk to Freedom”, he writes in contrast about the pleasure he took in parenting his son Thembi (from his first marriage):

“I enjoyed domesticity, even though I had little time for it.  I delighted in playing with Thembi, bathing him and feeding him, and putting him to bed with a little story. In fact, I love playing with children and chatting with them; it has always been one of the things that make me feel most at peace. I enjoyed relaxing at home, reading quietly, taking in the sweet and savoury smells emanating from pots boiling in the kitchen.”

Endurance

After Nelson Mandela was imprisoned in 1962, and the children were very young, not only was Winnie bringing them up on her own, but family life was constantly disrupted, from the consequences of her activism.  She was passionate about combating apartheid, and valiantly supportive of her husband and the movement to free him.  She became a figurehead for all he stood for, on his behalf.  She was tortured, banned from her own country, was subject to house arrest, banished to a rural town, and put in solitary confinement throughout the years her husband was in prison.  According to Nelson in his autobiography, in the early hours of 12th May 1969 the police woke Winnie and detained her without charge (Pluto was square her natal Chiron at the time).  On the night of 16th May 1977 police cars pulled up and began loading furniture and items into a truck; this time it was her banishment to a remote township.  Uranus in her chart was opposite its natal position, and Pluto was on her natal Mercury.  She was occasionally allowed to visit Nelson Mandela at Robben Island.  All the while, she was fighting for justice and equal rights.

Loose Cannon

Towards the end of Nelson’s incarceration, it became apparent that Winnie had become involved in some more dubious practices in the pursuit of the justice she sought.  She and Mandela had evolved differently in the time they were apart.  They had both started out as freedom fighters, and he had originally thought violence was a justifiable means to an end.  But in his sometimes solitary reflection in prison, and thoughtful reading, he became more philosophical and sought more diplomatic ways, for example in negotiating with prison authorities on behalf of his fellow inmates.  He began to think about concepts such as forgiveness.

In contrast, Winnie admitted that being imprisoned and tortured had brutalized her, describing the effects of her treatment in terms of “I knew what it is to hate”.  She became involved with what later were revealed as human rights abuses, including the violent method of “necklacing” (placing burning tyres around the neck of the victim).  She made a speech in April 1986 endorsing this practice, which she later regretted (Uranus was opposite her natal Chiron at the time).  In another speech in 2010, she attacked Nelson Mandela, and later claimed the interview to be a fabrication.

Mercury retrograde unaspected in her chart may have made her a loose cannon in speech at times, and Jupiter square her Saturn could result in her shooting herself in the foot occasionally.  Plus her Jupiter square Neptune may have confused her in ethical issues.

All came to a head in the affair of the murder of Stompie Moeketsi.  Three boys were captured at the end of December 1988 by members of her bodyguards (the Mandela United Football Club) and one of the boys, Stompie, was murdered at the beginning of January 1989.  At the time, Uranus (unpredictable behaviour and circumstances) was square to her natal Sun.  She was implicated, and later convicted of kidnapping and being an accessory to assault. From prison, Nelson Mandela gave instructions for her to break away from the Football Club, which she ignored.

Nelson Mandela’s Release

By the time Nelson Mandela’s release took place on 11th February 1990, her reputation had become tarnished, and the two of them had evolved on different paths.  Nevertheless, they took each other’s hand, in acknowledgement of the vital role she had played in his release.  Their relationship was not quite over.  The Guardian Obituary stated:  “It was a moment of triumph for Winnie, and she had at least a taste of power in those early days of her husband’s freedom.”

Nelson Mandela was experiencing a Jupiter Return at that time, in Cancer, in his 7th House of Close Relationships.  Winnie herself had a wonderful set of transits at that moment, profound and with an emphasis on freedom (for her as well as for him): Mars was trine her natal Uranus, Uranus was trine her Uranus, Pluto was trine her Saturn and Pluto sextile her Neptune.  She might have used this moment to put the past behind her.

Nelson Mandela’s Inauguration

Nelson meanwhile, was setting out his stall in his new political role.  He was elected as President, and had had plenty of time to think about his philosophy and values, and how he wanted South Africa to go forward.  In his inauguration speech, he stated:

“We thank all our distinguished international guests for having come to take possession with the people of our country of what is, after all, a common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity.

We trust that you will continue to stand by us as we tackle the challenges of building peace, prosperity, non-sexism, non-racialism and democracy.”

Winnie’s own attitudes at that time were far less conciliatory.

Separation and Divorce

With the revelation that Winnie had had affairs while he had been imprisoned, Nelson announced their separation on 13th April 1992.  She had some heavy but steadying transits at the time, such as Saturn sextile her Jupiter.  He had a powerful and defining sextile of transiting Jupiter to his natal Pluto.  They became divorced in March 1996, with Uranus (separation) trine her natal Sun, and Neptune square her Venus (confused romantic direction).  It was a psychologically healthy break for him with two positive transits to his Chiron (a sextile from Uranus, and a trine from Pluto).

Nelson’s Marriage to Graca Machel

At the age of 80 in 1998, Nelson married another Libran, Graca Machel.  It was a more considered marriage, taken in maturity.  Her Saturn (maturity) was conjunct his natal Sun.  Their Neptunes were sextile, a sign of being spiritually in tune.

Winnie’s Later Career

Winnie was to face more trials (her given name at birth “Nomzamo” means “she who must endure trials”) for human rights abuses, and fraud, and dipped in and out of political life as her circumstances fluctuated.

She was convicted of fraud on 24th April 2003, at a time when transiting Jupiter was squaring her natal Uranus in Taurus (chickens coming home to roost).

In a resounding victory, she made a stunning return to politics on 21st December 2007, when the ANC elected its National Executive Committee.  Sun/Pluto were on her North Node in Sagittarius at the time – a sign that politics was a strong part of her karmic mission. She also had at the time Jupiter trine her natal Mars (popularity and fresh energy) and Saturn trine her natal Uranus (great strength).

There is no doubt that Winnie played a great role in fashioning modern South Africa, and that even up to her death, she had many followers and admirers.  Many regarded her as the mother of the nation.

Death of Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela died on 5th December 2013; Saturn was trine her natal Saturn, indicating a decisive but sober event in her life.  Saturn was also sextile her natal Neptune, and Mars sextile her natal Pluto, stirring up old emotions.  She contested his will involving their two daughters.

Winnie’s Death

Winnie’s health started to decline at the beginning of this year, with Pluto sextile her natal Saturn. She had undergone major surgeries and also suffered from diabetes.  At the time of her death from a “long illness” the disruptive planet  Uranus was opposite her ruling planet Venus, and also square her natal Pluto, planet of Transformation.

Former Archbishop Desmond Tutu

During the time she appeared before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1997, Desmond Tutu urged her to apologise and admit that she had made mistakes.  Her response was to say “things went horribly wrong”.

In his wholeheartedly affectionate tribute to her this week, he acknowledges her heroic role in the anti-apartheid struggle:

“She refused to be bowed by the imprisonment of her husband, the perpetual harassment of her family by security forces, detentions, bannings and banishment.  her courageous defiance was deeply inspirational to me, and to generations  of activists”

~ Desmond Tutu

Aspects

Our aspects begin on Tuesday (10th) this week, with Venus square the North Node.  This focuses on karmic relationships, particularly in relation to groups.  You may find yourself within a group situation which seems predestined, or pondering the significance of your relation to a group, possibly linked with past life experiences.

On Wednesday (11th) the Sun squares Pluto, which may bring endings and transformations.  These may be outwardly dramatic, or inwardly heartsearching.

We also have that day a trine between Venus and Mars, so the whole day will be eliciting passionate emotions one way or another, and on different levels.  The Venus/Mars combination is easier and more satisfying, bringing sensual delights, but will be more superficial in nature than the square between the Sun and Pluto.  It may however, help to ease the way, for example if you have a massage scheduled you may feel more relaxed about dealing with the deeper issues.

Thursday (12th) brings a sextile between Venus and Neptune, a sublime aspect which can lift your mood subtly.  This aspect can bring about exquisite artistry, musicianship and poetry.  Relationships too, can achieve spiritual heights.  Finer feelings can blossom.

The most important aspect of the week arrives at the end, on Saturday (14th), and it is the powerful Jupiter sextile Pluto.  It is about the bold but wise use of power, if you are keyed into it.  Philanthropy flourishes, and is appreciated.  Don’t miss this opportunity to display your best self.

Another sextile on Saturday afternoon bolsters the feelgood factor: Mars sextile Neptune.  There is room for finesse in your activities and dealings with others.  Spiritually oriented activities such as Tai Chi, Qijong and Yoga flow well under this aspect.

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – karmic interaction
• Wednesday – dramatic and passionate
• Thursday – sublime and inspirational
• Saturday – powerful in a positive way, but with subtle elements too