Strictly Come Dancing 2026 – Part 2

The second of my musings on this series, which has had many memorable moments already.  Here are my next four:

Jaime Winstone

Jaime Winstone is an actress, and the daughter of Ray Winstone.  She was born in Camden and was suspended from school for rowing with teaching staff. She has portrayed Barbara Windsor as Peggy Mitchell on more than one occasion.  She had an unpromising start in the competition, but last night was top of the leaderboard!  She was born in 1985, with the Sun in Taurus exactly square Jupiter (exuberance).  I must admit I have enjoyed all her dances, though the judges felt she was very undisciplined at the outset.  She undoubtedly has a lot of energy for taming – Anton has called her a Pocket Rocket.  Her Sun is conjunct the North Node: acting and performance are part of her karmic mission.  With Mercury trine Uranus, she has a brilliant mind.  Jupiter closely sextile Uranus show The Inner Entrepreneur Archetype.

She has had Pluto square her natal Pluto and Neptune square her natal Neptune, but clearly is mastering them now.  For the final, Pluto will still be squaring her natal Pluto, and Mars will be squaring her natal Chiron/Mars (possibility of injury), but Neptune will be sextile her natal Saturn, keeping body and soul together.  Her prospect of getting to the final seems slim.

She is partnered with Carlos Gu, last year’s winner.

Unfortunately, we do not have a birth date for Carlos, so cannot factor in his birth chart.

Will Best

Congratulations to Will Best for becoming a dad for the first time, last week!  I was agog to see how he would manage to fit in rehearsals, and he was last to perform last night, and performed his best dance to date.  He hosts Big Brother, with A.J. Odudu.

He was born in Wandsworth, and his father was a politician, who now sits in the House of Lords.  He has built a media career despite his father’s disapproval.

He is a Piscean, born in the same year as Jaime, with the Moon also in that sign.  His Sun is exactly sextile Neptune the ruler of Pisces, the sign of the dance.  So in theory he should do well on the dance floor.  In my first blog, I had him down as a good mover, but, like Jaime, he did not immediately receive good scores from the judges, though Shirley praised his sense of timing, and Craig and Anton complimented him on his energy.  He has a strong character, with the Sun closely trine Pluto.  He does have challenges, though, in the shape of a T-square between the Sun, Chiron and Saturn.  Mercury in his chart closely sextiles Neptune and closely trines Pluto, which helps with his mental faculties.  Mars trines Uranus in his chart, which may signal an aptitude for mechanics or engineering.

His transits now apply to dancing in the competition, but more importantly to having his first child.  There certainly appears to be a lot going on!:

Pluto is trine his natal Chiron – a profound healing event connected with the life cycle

Neptune sextile his natal Jupiter – a sense of euphoria

Neptune square his natal Neptune, like Jaime (because they were born in the same year) – confusion about direction, challenges in connection with dancing.

At the final, Pluto will still trine his natal Chiron, Pluto will be square his natal Pluto (like Jaime); and transiting Uranus will be conjunct his natal Chiron (perhaps the new challenge of parenting).

He is paired with Diane Buswell

I wrote in 2018, her second year:

“She is a supportive Taurean, with Chiron, Mars and the Moon in Cancer (the sign of musical rhythm)…She has Mercury conjunct Jupiter, and  she has the North Node at 0 degrees Pisces (the sign associated with dance).”

It was the year she was partnered with Joe Sugg, made the final, and they have been together ever since, and have a child together.

Her synastry with Will shows their Mercuries square to each other, communication sometimes at odds. But Her Mars trine his Mercury – she can motivate him. Her Chiron trines his Sun, she can help to heal and soothe him.

Her transits this weekend show Mars sextile her natal Jupiter, so she had an extra burst of energy and luck, which helped Will get through. Her transits at the final include the Nodal Axis squaring her natal Venus…she does not look present for the final.

So far, I don’t anticipate Jaime or Will actually reaching the final.

Dani Dyer

Dani Dyer has the Sun in Leo, like her namesake dad Danny. When he found out through the programme “Who do you think you are?” that he was descended from royalty, he was proud as punch.  Leo is associated with royalty.  Unlike her father she has an unaspected Sun, which represents an unusually free spirit.  Mercury closely sextile Mars confers good co-ordination – she is confident about putting herself forward for physical challenges such as the SAS programme (in which she came second).  Mercury closely trine Jupiter means she has an optimistic frame of mind.  But Mars exactly opposite Jupiter means that she can go over the top at times.  Not so last night, her beautiful but restrained dance left her second from bottom on the leaderboard.  Her energy (Mars) is complicated, as it squares Chiron and the North Node, and Saturn.  So it may not be consistent.  And with Jupiter closely square Saturn, she doesn’t always make balanced choices, and can sabotage herself.  Mars and Jupiter have six squares between them.  The compensation in her chart is Saturn trine Pluto, she has the Strategist Archetype.  She is also good with Change: witness Uranus closely sextile Pluto.

Her transits for this weekend were favourable: two good sextiles and a good trine.  She is clearly a good dancer, so hopefully she will pick up again next week.  At the time of the final she has Uranus trine her Uranus, so towards the end of the contest she could surprise us.  She may peak, I feel, at the time of the semi-final, when Mars will trine her natal Jupiter.

She is paired with Nikita Kuzmin

After the pairings show last year she injured her ankle, and both she and Nikita hoped to be partnered again.  Their chemistry was commented upon last night, and the astrology bears this out.  His Sun is opposite her Venus – often found in marriages. His Mars is opposite her Venus – there is a spark, watch out Mr! And his Venus is conjunct her Uranus – a definite attraction.

As for Nikita himself, I wrote in 2021:

“He has an unaspected Sun in Capricorn, which may mean he is a free spirit.  His Moon is in musical Libra, and he has a dynamic conjunction of Mars, Venus and Uranus in Aquarius.  He has Chiron in Scorpio”

So they both have unaspected Suns (quite rare): both free spirits.  Couples choice should be spectacular.

His transits this weekend include: Pluto on his Venus, Neptune square his natal Sun, Uranus trine his natal Mars, and Chiron square his Neptune.  It looks as though he has got a lot going on in his life, but perhaps on the dance floor he will continue to be able to be thoroughly professional.  Maybe these transits are reflected in their relatively low score last night – the judges seemed to imply he didn’t push or challenge Dani enough.

His transits at the final: Pluto trines his natal Mars/Venus; Neptune still squares his natal Sun;Uranus still trines his natal Venus/Mars, but he loses two of his squares.  He could at a pinch get her into the final, but around the semi-final Mars squares his natal Pluto, so he may have an injury preventing them from getting to the final.  I will predict their presence at the semi-final, however.

Cach Mercer

Cacherel Damani Mirjah Mercer, born in Islington, is an English television personality, dancer (hip hop and afrobeat) and model. I had no previous knowledge of him before this Strictly series.  Like Dani, he apparently won a previous series of Love Island.  I have watched it occasionally, but hadn’t remembered him.  But from the first episode, he has intrigued me, and last night he was at the top of the leaderboard, with Jaime.  As we shall see, his transits support him going all the way.

Of particular note in his birth chart, he has Mars exactly sextile Neptune (he is a highly sensitive mover) and he has Mars loosely conjunct Pluto (he is a powerhouse of energy).

He has the Sun in Pisces, the sign of Dance.  Shirley says: “You are light on your feet, gifted”.  His Sun is square Mars, so he is a ball of energy. Mars conjoins Pluto in his chart, he’s a powerhouse of energy.  With the Sun trine the North Node, he is a Performer.  Mercury exactly sextiles Venus in his chart, a good communicator, he comes from the heart (that may have enabled him in Casa Amor).  He has Mercury conjunct Uranus, so is an original thinker; and Mercury exactly sextile Pluto (he is a deep thinker).  He struggled with the ballroom brief last night, but half way through the week, he started to inhabit his “Icon”, Frank Sinatra, in a breathtaking way.  Venus closely trines Pluto, so he’s got the music in him.  Motsi says: “It’s genius the way you work with the music”. He also has Mars opposite Jupiter, enthusiasm allied with energy, like Dani. Jupiter trine Neptune, blesses him with faith, while Saturn square Uranus may have brought personal earthquakes in his life.

His Transits this weekend are mainly bright and positive: Pluto trine his natal Jupiter (all power to him); Neptune sextile his natal Jupiter (all faith); Jupiter opposite his Uranus (joy and surprise) and the North Node sextile his natal Chiron (karma and healing together).

For the final: Pluto will still be trine his natal Jupiter; transiting Uranus will be conjunct his natal Jupiter, the power of surprise; Saturn will be sextile his natal Neptune, discipline aligned with inspiration; and Mars square his natal Mars (the will to win).  It looks good!

He is partnered with Maddy Ingoldsby, who is on this dance floor for the first time.  She announced herself as being very strict at the outset, but is also a Pisces, so they are a dream team.

Although born 4 years apart, these two have a great deal in common, chartwise.  They are both Pisces, comfortable on the dance floor.  It all helps the synastry.

She has Venus conjunct Neptune, inspired in the Arts including dance.  Her statement that she says she is very strict as a teacher could derive from Saturn square her Nodal Axis, which may be a clue to that.

Her transits this weekend include Uranus square her natal Mercury, mentally stretching – she did admit Cach was challenging, but the result was gold.

Her transits at the final show Chiron on her North Node in Aries (significant karmic healing), Jupiter trine her North Node (she will feel she has done a good job), the North Node sextile with her natal Pluto (she too looks blessed at the final).

Of these four contestants, Cach has far and away the best prospects for the final.  But I predicted Chris Appleton had the best out of the first four I wrote about, and he went out early!  I did see problems ahead, however, for Delta Goodrum and Kai Widdrington, and they are currently out due to her broken rib – we do not yet know whether she will return.

Aspects

Tuesday (20^th) brings a square between Venus and Pluto which may disrupt relationships and be psychologically discombobulating.  On the world stage, there may be more unedifying examples of man’s inhumanity to man, and the vagaries of global finance, oil prices rising etc.  Deep feeling issues may be preying on your mind.  These will require some psychological soul-searching for a true interpretation, and may spur on honest-as-you-can-be interpersonal communication.  You may not be able to fix the wider conflicts, but you can apply your wisdom to personal and local conundrums.  Approach issues authentically but sensitively.

Wednesday (21^st) is easier to negotiate, with a trine between the Sun and the North Node, a kinder influence, signalling hope and some resolution.  Karmic developments (North Node) are likely to be about power and creativity.  At this time, the Universe bears a karmic gift.  This can help your actions and creations to fall in line with, and be in sync with, your own karma and the collective karma.

On Friday (23^rd) the Sun enters Scorpio.  When under the Sun in Libra, we were going for negotiation, but now we need to confront the deeper issues and find more lasting solutions which treat the causes and not just the symptoms of a situation.  For this we need more insight, resolve and conviction, qualities of this sign.  The Scorpio gig is a grittier requirement.  You may though see two sides becoming more entrenched in a stand off.

Two features are brought to our attention on Saturday (24^th).  The first occurs in the early hours: a conjunction between the Sun and Venus at 0 degrees Scorpio.  It’s a congenial conjunction. If you are an artist or a musician, it is the day you can produce your best creative output or performance.  If neither, then love or money may be beneficiaries of this combination.  Positioned at the start of Scorpio, it will be grittier than the average Sun/Venus conjunction, in that love and harmony won’t just be a surface thing – conversations about relationships could be more interesting.  It occurs in the early hours of the morning, so you could have super-sweet dreams, with depth.

At breakfast-time that day Mercury will be Stationary prior to turning Retrograde in Scorpio.  Most people will see this as an alert to take good care of their communications for the three-week period.  Mercury Retrograde has almost become a common phrase these last few years (though hubby confessed he had not heard of it recently!) so we all have preconceptions, experiences and strategies in connection with it.

My own personal take is that it is over-hyped and people have seized upon it as a compelling collective idea, which gives it extra power.  Technology can go wrong at any time (and Mercury represents the mind and communication, where Uranus is more associated with technology).  However, our minds are absorbed with technology (witness the power of social media, and addictive doomscrolling), and Mercury Retrograde sometimes flags up that an upgrade in our equipment or perspective is needed.  Just be clear in your communication in this three week period, and read the small print.  Mercury goes Direct again on November 14th.

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – deep feeling issues
• Wednesday – hope and some resolution
• Friday – resolve and conviction
• Saturday – love and creativity; disrupted communications

 

Jeffrey Archer (1940 – 2026)

“The only way I can get out of this is to write may out of it.”

~ Jeffrey Archer, on bankruptcy, 1974

Time was that Jeffrey Archer was a household name; that faded somewhat after he fell from grace.  But he is of the same vintage (1940) as last week’s subject Esther Rantzen, though with a different moral compass.  He died this week at the age of 86.

Birth Chart

I didn’t have to look at his chart to know that he had Pluto on his Ascendant: the vicissitudes of his life told me that.  It’s not a common chart feature, but Nigel Farage has it, and in his life it has shown up in his destructiveness (if you believe Brexit broke Britain), near-death experiences, and extraordinary comebacks.

The other two feature Jeffrey is known for are also immediately seen in his chart.  Cancer rising is his prolific novel-writing.  Saturn at the top of his chart is his link with the political arena of life.  Even the title of the novel published as he died reflects an exact conjunction in his chart of Venus and Mars: “Adam and Eve”.

That said, his chart does need to be looked at in a little more detail!

He had the Sun in Aries conjunct Jupiter in the 9^th House of Publishing, so he could push through the Plutonian crises of his life with self-belief and luck.  He wrote 50 novels (Jupiter is prolific).  Jupiter is was on his South Node, so some of that luck he had brought in from past lives.

The Moon trine his Mercury assisted writing processes: the Moon in Cancer providing the imagination combining with Mercury plotting storylines.  His 3^rd House of Writing contained the North Node (karmic mission) and the Part of Fortune (his Joy).  The Moon’s exact sextile with Neptune provided a rich imagination, able to weave mysteries.

Life and Career

Jeffrey was born in Holloway, London.  His mother was a journalist, and his father was a bigamist.  He attained 3 O-levels: English Literature, Art and History.  He subsequently found work as a P.E. teacher, then spent 3 years at Oxford studying for a degree in Education, apparently after lying about his qualifications.  He excelled in athletics while there.

He began entering politics in 1967, serving as a Conservative councillor, and in 1969 was elected MP for Louth.  He fell into debt in 1974, as a a casualty of a fraudulent investment scheme, and as a bankrupt was forced to resign from his political post.

This led to his writing his first book “Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less”, which set him off to better fortune.  His second book followed in 1977.  His book “Kane and Abel” which he published in 1979 proved to be his best seller.  The day before he died, he was interviewed by his friend Gyles Brandreth, about his forthcoming title “Adam and Eve”, claiming it would be his last.  But he was as lively and ebullient as ever.

In September 1985 he was appointed deputy Conservative Party Chairman by Margaret Thatcher, resuming his political career. It was a short-lived recovery as in October 1986 he resigned as a result of a scandal uncovered by the News of the World regarding a vice-girl.  Pluto brings huge swings in fortune – when in the 2^nd House natally, these are financial.  On the Ascendant, as Jeffrey had it, it refers to the general life path.  Another story, run by the Daily Star, resulted in a court case about another girl.  He won this case, and the judge famously labelled his wife “fragrant”.  However it was later proved that he lied, and his fortunes collapsed again.

He was selected as the Conservative candidate for the London Mayoralcy in 1999, but before the election his lies from the court case were exposed, and he was banned from the party for five years.

His luck finally ran out on 19th July 2001, when he was found guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice during the 1987 trial.  Chiron at the time was square to his Neptune (incarceration).  Saturn was on his Venus (his charm failed).  He was moved around several different prisons over the next few years.

He was released from prison at Hollesley Bay on 21^st July 2003.  Uranus (release) was sextile Saturn (symbolic chains).  Chiron was opposite his natal Chiron, so something was unlocked for him.  Jupiter was trine his natal Jupiter (luck and freedom, if ever there was!)  Mars was square his natal Pisces (movement!); and the North Node was sextile his natal Mercury (a karmic benefit).  He capitalized on his experience by writing and publishing a three-volume prison diary.

Mary Archer

Mary Archer has been a perfect match, or foil, for him, with her Sun exactly opposite his Ascendant, on his Marriage Point.  Her Mars sextiles his North Node, a magnetism between them; his Sun trines her Jupiter, they can bring each other luck in some ways; his Venus/Mars conjunct her Uranus, indicating more magnetism.  Their marriage was not easy, but they remained married for 60 years, until his death.  A judge famously called her “fragrant”. They had two children.

Death

The timing of his death was very interesting.  He gave Gyles Brandreth a spirited interview earlier in the day, he was due to publish what he called his last book the next day, and he gave a farewell literary reading to the audience.  Did some part of him know it really was goodbye?

Pluto was square to his natal Saturn, quite a demise-suggestion transit; Uranus was sextile his natal Midheaven, going on to pastures new; Jupiter squared his natal Uranus, perhaps some over-optimism; Mars square his Saturn, triggering the breaking of a barrier; and the North Node trine his natal Part of Fortune, going out from the circle of life on a note of joy.

Reactions to his life and character appear mixed, but I have no doubt that he lived life on his terms.

“I think I would find it a little monochrome, a little grey, to have a sort of a more conventional life with a more conventional husband.”

~ Mary Archer

Aspects

No aspects occurring in the early half of the week; you’ll just have to fend for yourselves!

Our aspectarian starts on Thursday (15^th), with a sunny sextile between the Sun and Jupiter, one of the best aspects of the year.  Time to embrace hope, or even celebration.  It will certainly be lucky for some.  Focus on what makes you happy, and make more of that.  It’s the sort of day that can restore your faith in human nature.

The next day (Friday 16^th), a major turnaround of the profound planet Pluto, as it stations prior to turning Direct.  It will certainly be a turning point, psychologically.  We may feel we are making headway in our transitions, or at least gaining a foothold on a more salubrious path.  Although we are still living in stressful times, we may be able to size up our tunnel, even if the light at the end may not yet be showing itself.  If you have a breakthrough on Friday, that may be the sign you need.  This may help stabilize the changes made by Jupiter on Thursday.  This feature occurs in the early hours of the morning, so you may feel some of the vibe when you are retiring for the night on Friday evening, and your dreams could be profound.

At breakfast-time the same morning, Mars trines Saturn, a constructive trine. There is a lot of emphasis on trying to get things sorted.  This favours practical action, and works that are deliberately planned and executed.  Hard work can pay off.

If you should need some extra food for thought at the end of the week, I can offer a couple of Fixed Stars, the first being Spica (the Alpha star in the constellation of Virgo).  According to “Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld, “Spica can promote the transference of consciousness from the superconscious into the waking conscious state….This can enhance lucid dreaming states and some psychic abilities including psychometry, levitation by the use of pure mind energy, and remote viewing.”

Bernadette Brady reports that “Robson talks of the star giving honour and fame and links it to scientists, writers, painters and musicians” in a natal chart.

Another star in a similar part of the zodiac, but in a different constellation, is Arcturus (the Alpha star in the constellation of Bootes), which specializes in diagnosis and healing.  Again, from “Starlight Elixirs”, “In any healing work there is an extension of the subtle bodies of the healer into the subtle realms of the person the healer is working with…Arcturus can provide a healer with the inner sensibility to understand the true nature of healing.”

Bernadette Brady reports that “Robson claims it give riches and honours, as well as prosperity through journeys” as a tendency in the natal chart.

“The Prism of Lyra” by Lyssa Royal-Holt and Keith Priest, portray another picture: “Very often Arcturus beings will manifest to humans as angels. It is known that one of the purposes of an angel is to serve humankind. I. A very real sense, the Arctureans have a dedication to humankind. They have chosen to learn about physicality through physical beings.”

Different strokes for different folks – take your pick!

The week in bullet points:

• Thursday – one of the best aspects of the year
• Friday – a profound turnaround; constructive action; bringing the unconscious to the conscious; diagnosis and healing

Esther Rantzen (1940 – 2026)

Dynamic television presenter and campaigner Esther Rantzen died this week at the age of 86.  She made a huge impact on our world in her lifetime, tackling serious issues with compassion, while also cheering us with her good humour.  Her passing was not a surprise, as she let us know of her illness a few years ago, and campaigned on behalf of assisted dying.

Birth Chart

The compassion stands out immediately you look at her birth chart, as Neptune is rising in Virgo in the 1^st House within 3 degrees of her Ascendant.  Its placement in Virgo demands that the compassion is put to practical service.  As soon as she recognized a need, she would swing into action accordingly.  With half her planets (5) in the Fixed Signs, she had an indomitable will to follow through.

Her Sun was in the sign of Cancer, so the maternal instinct was strong in her.  She had three children with Desmond Wilcox.  Her Moon was at the very beginning of Aquarius, so her “maternal instincts” were directed towards humanitarian causes.

Her upbeat side shows up as Jupiter squaring her natal Moon, and combined with a trine from Uranus to her Moon, she liked to surprise people.  No one received a greater surprise that kindertransport facilitator Nicholas Winton, when she filled the studio with grown ups whom he had saved from the Nazis as children.  But on a lighter side, she was playful in her series “That’s Life” in her street interviews, and with misshapen vegetables.

Not only was she indomitable, but she was also indefatigable, with a conjunction of Mars and Pluto.  Earlier on in her career, some accused her of having a bullying attitude.  Looking back as we are now on her whole life, we are grateful that she was able to follow through some groundbreaking work for our society.  Her power, to some extent, came from a square between Jupiter and Pluto.  Her ability to tackle large scale innovations of a complex nature is hinted at by Uranus closely trine Neptune in her chart, backed up by Neptune sextile Chiron.

Her conventional career was exactly in tune with her karmic mission, with her Midheaven (career) in Gemini exactly trine her North Node (karmic mission) in Libra.

Life and Career

Dame Esther was born in Berkhamstead, and after education in New York and North London, read English at Somerville College, Oxford.  She subsequently obtained secretarial skills, before starting her working life at BBC Radio.  Her profession in the media and as a presenter may be seen in her Midheaven in Gemini, one of the Geminian career paths. She moved to television, working at Braden’s Week (1968).  It was there that she first met Desmond Wilcox, who was married at the time.

That’s Life

1973 – 1994: When Braden returned to Canada, That’s Life replaced Braden’s Week, with Esther at the helm.  The programme ran from 1973 to 1994, and was a hotch-potch of news, consumer exposes, humour (e.g. the dog who could say “sausages”, and social issues, gradually becoming a greater vehicle for Esther’s talents and life purposes.  Esther, surrounded by her henchmen, made it her own!  We all watched it (those of us who are of a certain age!)

Childline

30 October 1986: The flagship introduction of Childline would be a classic Cancerian act of the heart, and expressed Esther’s Sun conjunct Venus in Cancer (mother-love).  Cancer and the Moon rule maternal instincts, childhood and protectiveness.  It began as a special programme about child abuse, and then immediately provided an easily remembered phone number 0800 111 for children to call.  We can’t imagine being without it now, and it is needed as much as ever.  No one else had heard of it before.  Her Progressed Sun had moved to a reinforcing sextile with her natal Midheaven (Careerpoint).  Uranus was square her Ascendant on her 4^th House cusp (family innovations); Pluto was trine her natal Venus in Cancer in her 10th House (doing something profound with her love for children); and Pluto was opposite her natal Jupiter (using power to good effect).

Transplants

Esther was moved by the plight of Ben Hardwich, a two year old who desperately needed a transplant, and launched a countrywide plea on That’s Life for a donor.  A donor for a liver transplant for a two-year old had not yet been tried in the U.K. though had successfully been carried out in the U.S.  A suitable donor was found, and organ donation became more widely practised arising out of this campaign.  Sadly, Ben did not survive beyond the age of three, but the result of Esther’s campaign started a necessary conversation.  Only very recently there has been a renewed policy for a new organ donation card: it is unthinkable how uninformed we were in those days.

In 1985, in Ben’s honour, Marti Webb released a cover version of Michael Jackson’s song “Ben”.  Remember that?  (Again, those of a certain age!)

Silver Line

November 2012: Esther lost her husband Desmond in 2000.  By 2012 it became clear to her that was now needed in our society was help for the lonely and isolated, so naturally she came up with “The Silver Line”.  Again, why hadn’t anyone thought of that, or implemented it?  She recruited some famous faces to help man the phone lines, and also took calls herself.  This proved so successful, that it was taken up by AgeUK. The chart of mid-November shows an exact trine from Chiron (healing) to Saturn (old age). Pluto was exactly opposite her natal Venus at the time (she turned her own profound pain to something to help others); Pluto was also sextile her natal Venus (deep feelings); Neptune was exactly trine her natal Sun (an act of pure compassion); the North Node was exactly trine her natal Mercury (karmic use of her mind).

Assisted Dying

January 2023:  Esther announced at the beginning of 2023 that she was dealing with lung cancer, which by May of that year had reached stage IV. In December of that year, she let us know that she had registered with Dignitas in Switzerland for assisted dying. Thus began her last great campaign, supported by her daughter Rebecca who continues to campaign.  Her statement led directly to parliamentary party leaders making way for a bill on the subject.  Labour backbencher Kim Leadbeater, sister of Jo Cox, introduced the bill in October 2024, which was passed in 2025 then stalled in the House of Lords.  In September 2026 the vote was reintroduced, and failed by a small margin.  We heard Esther’s disappointed reaction on the phone with her daughter.  You can almost hear Esther now reflecting: “Well, at least, I tried!”  It is a complex moral dilemma, but an issue she was passionate about.

Marriage

As mentioned, she met Desmond Wilcox while working on Braden’s Week in 1968, when he was still married to Esther’s friend Patsy.  Esther and Desmond moved in together after a few years, and eventually Patsy granted Desmond a divorce when Esther fell pregnant.  They married in December 1977, and had two daughters and one son.  Their astrological compatibility showed a close union:

His Venus was sextile her natal Sun; his Moon was trine her Sun (two important markers for marriage charts).  The karmic factor was his Uranus conjunct her South Node.

Nicolas Winton

One of Esther’s most extraordinary acts, and one which has subsequently been played on our screens over and over again, was her organization of a reunion between Nicholas Winton (who rescued so many children on the kindertransport) with his rescues.  She invited him in to the front row of her That’s Life studio, and asked if there was anyone in the audience whose life he had saved.  The whole audience stood up, much to his surprise, embarrassment, and according to his son interviewed this week, also annoyance!  He was too humble.  The event was featured in the film “One Life” in which Anthony Hopkins played Winton.  We went to see the, very well-made, film in January 2024.  The karmic link between Esther and Nicholas was a fortuitous trine between their North Nodes: she was able to bring his good karma to the attention of the public.

Interview Responses

(from The Guardian, February 2024)

What is your most treasured possession?

My photo albums, Cancerian sentimentality

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Samantha Spiro already has [In One Life; Spiro’ birthday is close to Esther’s]

If you could edit your past, what would you change?

Maybe I should have agreed to take the job of controller of BBC One when Bill Cotton offered it to me.  I do feel a wimp; I would have been the first woman in the job.

 

That’s a remarkable Life!

 

Aspects

This lunchtime Saturn opposed the Sun, metaphorically casting a cloud overhead.  The Sun is actually shining here in Norfolk at the moment, so it can only be metaphorically.  Something may have come up today to chew over.  Not the easiest start to the week, for this may bring be a touch of sadness to work through, a coming down to earth, a dose of reality (which could turn out to be a good thing or have a silver lining).

Skipping to Wednesday (7^th), first we have a conjunction of Mercury and Venus, just past midnight in the morning, at 8 degrees Scorpio (so you may catch this effect before retiring for the night on Tuesday).  This may spark a sunburst of ideas to be communicated, discussed, and start the ball rolling towards making practical use of what comes to you.  Don’t let it keep you awake, plough the energy into dreamwork initially.  This conjunction is ideal for socializing, conversation, artistic (get yourself a box of watercolours) or literary endeavours, or negotiations (would be wise to wait for daybreak!).  Your communications will have an artistic flair, so it’s a good time to get creative.  I associate this conjunction with Cafe culture thrives and conversation flowing ~~~

There is more to benefit us mid-morning, with a sextile between Mars and Uranus.  This is more dynamic, as though you have started a re-centring process and are ready for action.  This aspect especially favours engineering related activities, but that also includes social engineering.   Cars, mechanics, mechanical goods and household appliances may receive a boost or a renewal.  It is very much well worth pointing out that this sextile natally is part of Esther Rantzen’s Activist Archetype, so campaigns close to our hearts may be flagged up on Wednesday.

Another skip…this time to Saturday (10^th), which brings a New Moon in Libra at 17 degrees of that sign: a renewal of relationships.  A reminding nudge that we are in a Venus Retrograde period of reflection on our nearest and dearest.  Artistic, musical and relationship issues may receive a boost, so any seeds sown in those areas may bear fruit.  Balance and harmony can emerge from your efforts.

The evening brings an intensity of emotion arising from a square between Venus and Mars. You may find that you feel inclined to let your hair down a little, inhibitions loosened.  This square may also have a bearing on the battle of the sexes (within, or interpersonal).  If you are creative on an artistic or musical vibe, you may introduce a little cheekiness into your work. Maybe, zealously, you have been working too hard on your relationships, and got into a bit of a stew!  Remember to fall back into that Libran balance.  Not unrelatedly, hubby and I went to see the new film version of Sense and Sensibility this week.  There were things I liked about it (superb acting by Daisy Edgar Jones) and things that jarred (some things the film tried too hard to portray, such as people flinging themselves about in the dances of the time), but overall we enjoyed the experience.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – a metaphorical cloud
• Wednesday – café culture; activism
• Saturday – new beginning; over-sensuality

Celebrity Traitors – Series 2

Celebrity Traitors was a standout highlight of our television viewing in October/November 2025, and since they will be stringing us along in the new series with two episodes per week starting this Thursday (1^st October), I make no apology for starting what may turn out to be a new series of blogs, depending on who is in and who  is out over the next few weeks, as I do with Strictly.

I will look at transits for the inaugural show, but the series starting filming in May, and will not be in real time, unlike Strictly.  Therefore, it is not possible to make any firm prognostications.  But the characters alone always prove fascinating, if only in the matching of their public and private personas.  They have increased the number of participants from 19 to 21 this time, so I have had to pick four.  I have chosen two men, and two women.  Some have said that comedians don’t stand a chance, after Alan Carr played such a definitive game and won in the first series.

I have chosen to begin with Miranda Hart, Richard E. Grant, Maya Jama and Romesh Ranganathan.

Miranda Hart

I wrote about Miranda last December:

“Comedian Miranda has Mercury, Neptune and the Sun in Sagittarius.  Physically, she has the clumsiness associated with Sagittarius, which gives rise to a slapstick humour.  She also has the physique of a classic Sagittarian, normally seen with Sag rising.  As a Sagittarian, I identify as a Clutz!  The phase of life associated with Jupiter and Sagittarius is mid life, and she recently announced that she secretly married, in her early 50s.  The relationship may have developed through her Chiron Return (the development of the Inner Healer), and she married when Chiron was trine her natal Sun and the North Node (karma) was trine her natal Neptune (spiritual harmony).  This seemed to trigger a new blossoming in her public profile, together with a new book “I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You” on the wisdom she garnered in her years of struggle when she was more withdrawn.”

Sagittarius and its ruler Jupiter is often prominent in a comedian’s chart, and in addition Miranda has Jupiter conjunct her North Node, so comedy is part of her karmic mission.  Fellow contestants may scrutinize the comedians more closely because of Alan Carr’s ability to hoodwink the entire cast of series one.  And I somehow fear that Miranda will not be able to keep a straight face (not that it did Alan Carr any harm when asked if he was a traitor).  I have included her because I like her, and hope she does well as it is her return to television after a long period due to illness.

Looking at her transits for the beginning of the series, Pluto is trine her natal Pluto, and was close to that position during filming.  That may betoken a new sense of empowerment for her.  Pluto was exactly sextile her natal Neptune during filming, which is the Universe giving support and backing to her psyche, too.  Neptune is currently trine her natal Neptune, meaning that she is in tune with her own spirituality (she is apparently a Christian).  Uranus though is opposing her natal Neptune, so she still has sensitivity and complexity to overcome.  Saturn is close to transiting her natal Chiron, so she may need an extra rest period sometime soon.  Jupiter is square to her natal Mars, and Mars trines her natal Mercury, so she will be quite buoyed up with enthusiasm to watch the series!  I will be watching her closely, if only for her natural comedic value.

Richard E. Grant

I wrote about actor Richard E. Grant’s birthchart in 2019:

“Grant has the Sun exactly conjunct Mercury in Taurus, in a triple conjunction with Venus.  Taurus is a sign of deep feeling, and appreciation of the Arts.  Venus is exactly on his South Node, indicating that his past lives were very much involved in cultivating the Arts.  His Moon and Mars are in Cancer, and together with the Taurean planets, show that he is very much in tune with the female side of life.  Mars sextile Pluto in his chart gives him the potential of great stamina, and the resource of a powerhouse of energy.  His Mars and Jupiter receive all sextiles and trines, which is a very positive energy.  Saturn in his chart is unaspected, so he may have issues around rules, discipline and authority, and will express these himself in a very individualistic way.”

Some additional interesting features about his birth chart include the fact that he has 5 squares to his natal Chiron, and is tucked away in his 12^th House of the Unconscious, so his Inner Healer journey can be quite turbulent.  However, his Midheaven (Conventional Career Point) is exactly conjunct his North Node, so his career and his karmic mission are perfectly aligned with each other, symbiotically so.  That means too that he is able to be true to himself to a great extent.  That may be a great factor in navigating as a Faithful in Traitors, as his affirmation of faithfulness could come over with great conviction!  As a Traitor however, he may find it difficult to lie successfully!

He currently has Pluto opposite his natal Uranus (a time of great Change).  Neptune is sextile with his natal Uranus, which gives him some grace, at the same time.  The South Node is on his natal Pluto in his 7^th House, a point of vulnerability in his close personal relationships (which may have nothing to do with Traitors 2).  Saturn trines his natal Saturn, so he can keep his head at this time (that will not have been operating during filming).  Jupiter squares Venus, so he could be having an extra busy time socially.  Mars is just about to transit his natal Uranus, so there may be a shock in store for him this week (maybe just the viewing of the programme!).

Maya Jama

I am looking at Maya Jama’s birth chart for the first time.  As the presenter of Love Island, she comes across a supremely glamorous and confident!  Her sensuality is immediately apparent, in four planets (Jupiter, North Node and Pluto/Moon in Scorpio plus her Ascendant).  That fits her current job well.  She also has an ambitious and successful career, shown by the Sun/Mercury, Midheaven and Chiron in her 10^th House.  She has the North Node conjunct her Ascendant, which can make her an agent of karma.  With all those Scorpio planets and the Sun conjunct Mercury in Leo, she will be fiercely competitive.  She may also be combative in speech (Mars in Gemini).  As a Traitor she would be ruthless (Pluto exactly conjunct the Moon in Scorpio, and the North Node conjunct Pluto).  It might frustrate her to be a mere Faithful, and not suit her temperament.  But she could meet with resistance from her fellow competitors, if she is not able to hide her forceful personality and motives.

Her transits at the moment show up a square between Jupiter and her Nodal Axis, raising her profile at this time (not everyone watches Love Island).  But the North Node trines her natal Mars (which is an unaspected planet natally), so her Inner Warrior will receive a boost.

Romesh Ranganathan

As another member of the comedic species, Romesh may be vulnerable (Alan Carr, you have a lot to answer for!).  But as a triple Aries (Sun, Venus and Mercury) he has confidence and energy in spades.  When asked “What do you owe your parents?” he replied “A level of self-worth that’s come from them telling me that the love me all the time.”  His Sun is exactly conjunct his South Node natally, which suggests he may have had a royal past life in an ancient civilization (such as Egypt).  He certainly has brought through a lot of power.  In his presenting style on The Weakest Link, he uses wordplay a great deal at the end of each round: this comedy style is shown in his conjunction between Mercury and Venus (literally, the love of words).  He also has a cutting edge to his speech (Mercury square Mars – the Critic Archetype).

He says he suffers from Imposter syndrome:  “I’m constantly waiting for a tap on the shoulder and someone to say: “I’m sorry, but you’re rubbish.  We watched your stuff a bit more closely and it’s become clear you haven’t got a clue what you’re doing.  If you could just pack up and go…”  Maybe that will help give him a nuanced performance and keep people guessing.  My feeling is that of these four, he has the strongest chance in this competition.

Currently, Pluto and Mars are square to his Chiron, so this could be a stressful time for him.  Chiron is sextile his natal Jupiter, so he will find solutions.

And if you didn’t watch the first series, do watch this one, if only for the opportunity to talk about it over the office watercooler…

Aspects

Today’s aspect is a square between Mars and Chiron, which is like trying to place a square peg in a round hole.  What may be required is the acknowledgement and acceptance of two different outlooks, and the agreement to co-exist.  Even better, an encouragement of the other’s right to exist.  However, one party may not be able to elevate their outlook, and a minor skirmish may occur. This would be a healing crisis, showing what needs to be healed.  Some things are better revealed than kept hidden, and a coming to terms can begin.

First up tomorrow (Monday 28^th), in the early hours, Mars enters Leo, so a burst of fire while you are trying to sleep, may bring passion to your dreams.  This will boost the energy of your self-expression, or you may observe displays of power.  The aspect favours and supports the performing arts, and the theatre industry.  Mars represents football and Leo sporting interests, too, so there may be more news from that quarter (Manchester City have been high profile this last week).  You may kick off an active project of your own.

In the afternoon, the Sun will trine Uranus. This trine may give you the go ahead to forge ahead with innovative plans and original creativity.  This is a hopeful influence, and can also bring surprise.

Tuesday (29^th) first brings a trine between Mercury and the North Node, the first of several aspects involving Mercury, so all focus will be on Geminians and Virgoans over the next few days.  This particular aspect can help ensure that information and communications are accurate and karmically relevant.  You should be able to experience that on a mental or spiritual level.  It will contribute to progress generally, especially when preparing your week’s work, studies and communicative ventures.

That is followed by an opposition to Mercury from Chiron, which is related to health challenges and check ups.  This may bring up some ingenuity in problem-solving, too.  Communications may urge and stimulate you to find solutions.

On Wednesday (30^th), Mercury itself changes focus, from easy-going Libra to intense Scorpio.  Perfect timing for Thursday’s new murder mystery series.  Scorpios like a crime to solve… This implies that collectively, we will look into matters more deeply and forensically.  In your own personal life, you will have more courage to look at what really matters, and to worry less about how things appear to others.

By Friday (2^nd October) we see Mars squaring Mercury, a fractious square which can bring can bring irritations, wars of words, and minor cuts and bruises.  So, proceed with caution.  If you are sufficiently centred, you may be quite productive, producing brisk work.  In the wider world, war situations can be exacerbated and negotiations abruptly broken off (if they have been started).  Don’t rely on peace breaking out, today.  Note that Romesh Ranganathan has this square natally (the “Critic Archetype”) so someone may be cutting in speech that day (hopefully in jest).

Yet another square occurs for Mercury that evening, with Pluto this time. There may be a setback or a reversal, so make sure your actions are solid if you have a conflict to resolve in your own life.  Perhaps there is a twist in the plot.  You may need extra ‘me time’ in order to separate yourself from worried pronouncements about the state of the world.  If you do engage in chatter, choose a worthwhile subject.

Here endeth the run of Mercury features.  Hopefully, after this the pressure may be off the Geminis and Virgoans.

Later still on Friday evening Mars will trine Neptune, so we receive a resolution between the physical and the spiritual, in the shape of this trine.  This enables the sensitive use of energies, such as meditative activities.  Yoga, Tai Chi and Qijong all represent this vibe.  A few people I know have suddenly taken up these activities recently, it’s trending! Mars represents the use of energy or anger directed (in a trine) in a constructive way, and Neptune represents empathy.

Venus is Stationary prior to turning Retrograde at breakfast time on Saturday (3^rd October), a rare event.  This betokens a time of reviewing relationships and finance.  Although you may need to go over old ground, you can refer back to a time when a relationship was entirely harmonious, and what brought you together in the first place, when working towards improvements.  Of course, your first relationship is with yourself!

Towards the late morning on Saturday, we have an opposition to Mars from Pluto.  There are no shortage of horror stories on the news all the year round these days, but there may be more than usual during this day (only this morning police have foiled potential explosions in Gloucester).  A Pluto-Mars opposition can bring conflict, tempers, and incident-proneness.   Keep a low profile today if you wish to avoid conflict, and the watchwords are tact and restraint.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – healing crisis
• Tomorrow – a burst of fire; original creativity
• Tuesday – karmic information; problem-solving
• Wednesday – mysteries
• Friday – war of words; deep thought; meditation with movement
• Saturday – relationship reflection; explosiveness

 

Strictly Come Dancing 2026

If last night’s return of Strictly Come Dancing is anything to go by, we have a lot to look forward to in this Autumn’s viewing, after a summer dominated by sport…

I will look at four of the pairing initially, and return in a few weeks for the next four, as I usually do.

Delta Goodrum

Delta is a singer, songwriter and actress, who first came to our attention in her role in Neighbours.  She has Sun in Scorpio, opposite a close Full Moon in Taurus.  Her Sun is conjunct Saturn, which is not the easiest of conjunctions. The conjunction itself sits upon her I.C. which suggests a background of discipline combined with the encouragement of self-expression.  Her Moon trine Jupiter will have given her enough emotional buoyancy to counteract the Saturnian influences.  It is tempting to think that her Moon closely conjunct the Midheaven portrays her appearance on a daily soap, but that remains to be researched!  Mercury opposite Chiron brings mental conundrums, but also the habit of problem-solving to overcome them.  Four planets in Sagittarius may have helped her success abroad from her native Australia, together with the Moon’s trine with Jupiter.  Venus conjunct Neptune is her singing prowess, specifically that of soprano. Her musical output comes under the style of “pop and adult contemporary” often featuring the piano and described as “crystalline, fierce and illuminating in quality.” [apologies for too much information: I am researching singing styles astrologically]. Mars in Capricorn gives her ambition, while Jupiter trine Midheaven facilitates a successful career.  Mars trine the North Node points to the Warrior Archetype as part of the karmic mission.

She was born in Sydney, and by the age of 15 had secured a recording contract with Sony.  She began appearing in Neighbours in 2002. In 2003 she was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, for which she undertook a course of chemotherapy.  More recently, in 2011, she has worked as a coach on The Voice Australia. This year she represented Australia at Eurovision, coming fourth.

Her dating history includes some famous names: Mark Philippoussis the tennis player; Brian McFadden of…; and Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers.  She married a musician named Matthew Copley in 2025.

Her transits for this weekend include:

Pluto sextile her natal Mercury, razor sharp focus

Neptune trine her natal Mercury, mentally in tune with her inner dance muse

Uranus on her natal Chiron in Gemini, a possible health challenge

Chiron trine her natal Neptune, but healing energy flowing

Saturn trine her natal Uranus in Aries, bringing together the old and the new

Jupiter square her natal Sun/Saturn, going for it hell for leather, and also being away from her home country

Mars opposite her natal Mars, she could strain something, but super energetic at this time

The Nodal Axis square her natal Nodal Axis, a karmic event for her

The North Node sextile her natal Neptune, very much in tune with her destiny

That’s a lot going on!

Her transits for the end of the Strictly season include:

Pluto still sextile her natal Mercury

Chiron Retrograde cusping her 10^th to 9^th House and squaring her Ascendant, physical strain

Jupiter cusping her 2^nd House, about to receive a big payout or award

The North Node sextile her natal Venus, a karmic boost to her singing career

Not such a lot going on, so she may not make it to the final

She is paired with the lovely Kai Widdrington. In 2021, I wrote:

“He has his Sun in performing Leo conjunct Venus in fastidious Virgo, and is a superb impressionist.  He is intensely disciplined, with Mercury exactly opposite Saturn, and he also has a complex conjunction of Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn, common to those born in his year (1995).”

They are both very charismatic, but the astrological chemistry (synastry) lacks notable features, to my mind.  The most compelling feature is that his Pluto is on her South Node, which may be a karmic indication which could unleash drama in the Latin American dances.

His transits for this weekend include:

Chiron trines his natal Venus, a chance for some healing

The North Node trines his natal North Node, an event of karmic benefit

His transits for the end of the Strictly season include:

Chiron square his natal Uranus, a shock to the system

Jupiter square his natal Pluto, a power struggle

Mars square his natal Pluto, possibility of injury

I think this bears out Delta’s own lack of promise for the final, which is surprising for this couple.

Lawrence Robb

Another Scorpio!  Lawrence plays Mackenzie Boyd in Emmerdale, husband of Charity Dingle.  Interestingly he shares a surname with the actress who plays his sister in the soap, they both come from the Glasgow area, but are not related.  He is one of my favourite characters in that soap.  In last night’s pairing programme, he revealed a cheeky sense of humour, so will add to the humour of the event going forward.  Lawrence’s Sun is exactly conjunct Mars, which is a lot of testosterone in Scorpio, but balanced by the Sun exactly sextile Neptune which gives him the sensitivity needed for the acting job.  His Sun is also conjunct Pluto, compounding the Scorpionic quantity in his psyche, and it is also closely sextile the North Node, so he has a sense of destiny.  Mercury trines Chiron in his chart, so he doesn’t struggle with problem-solving.  Venus in Virgo trine Saturn can be fussy, particular about certain things.

Mars in Scorpio exactly sextile Neptune, is graceful in movement. [though it would be useful to mention here that the standout mover last night was Will Best, who does not appear in today’s analysis, but will feature in my next survey of four].  Lawrence did attend a dance school in his youth.  There is always controversy about how much or how little a competitor has dance experience.  For me, I like the variety in each season and don’t have a problem with it.

Lawrence has Mars conjunct Pluto, which provides a powerhouse of energy.  In his schooldays, he played rugby.  He has Mars sextile the North Node – like Delta, this denotes Warrior karmic mission.  They will both be competitive.  He also has Jupiter exactly trine Uranus – the Entrepreneur Archetype.  He also has the more sensitive trines of Jupiter with Neptune and Jupiter with the North Node, so may develop an interest in spirituality.

His transits for this weekend include:

Pluto sextile his natal Mercury, beginning with razor sharp focus like Delta

Neptune trine natal Mercury, mentally in tune with his inner dance muse like Delta [did I mention the two have a great deal of similarity in their charts?  As well as being Scorpios, they have their Mercuries conjunct in early Sagittarius.  They should be dancing together!]

Uranus opposite natal Mercury, mental disruption

Saturn square his Nodal Axis, a real challenge, karmically

He has the “big guns” Pluto and Neptune on his side, but otherwise his starting transits are a little disappointing.

His transits for the end of the Strictly season include:

Pluto still sextile natal Mercury

Neptune sextile his Saturn, he will have learnt about infusing spirit into the material life

Saturn trine his natal Chiron, he will have firmed up his Inner Healer

Again, I would have hoped for a more punchy set of transits.

He is paired with the lovely Jowita Przystal, a pairing I am happy with: I still remember her win with Hamza a few years ago!  I wrote in 2022:

“She is a performing Leo, with Mercury sextile Jupiter (signifying prowess in linguistics and wide-ranging travel).  Her dominant element is Water (5 planets), so she will portray emotion well.”

[She has similarities with Kai Widdrington chartwise, so maybe they should swop partners…? The two couples would get on well, off the dance floor]  In a similar way to the previous couple, the synastry is not compelling, but they also have a karmic link, with her Chiron trine his North Node.  The relationship may be one of healing.

Her transits for this weekend include:

Neptune square her natal Mars, she may take time to adjust to Lawrence

Chiron trine her natal Sun, bringing out her Inner Healer and protectiveness

Mars trine her Pluto, an influx of energy to match his natal conjunction of these two planets

The South Node on her Sun, indicating a karmic involvement

Very much a period of adjustment for her

Her transits for the end of the Strictly season include:

Jupiter square her natal Pluto, a power struggle, like that for Kai at the same stage of the competition

Mars on her Mercury, fired up mentally

Again, a lacklustre set of final transits

Much as I like them, the astrology does not support their passage right through to the final.

Lacey Turner

Homegrown soapstar (born in Edgware) Lacey Turner is best known as one of the Slater gang in Eastenders (Stacey), though she is currently in a hiatus from the show.  She has taken breaks from Eastenders and appeared in a military drama “Our Girl”.  She has Sun in uncomplicated Aries, though complicated by squares from Saturn and Neptune.  Moon in Leo supplies the acting connection, which was there from an early age.  She grew up in Elstree and could view the Eastenders set from her bedroom window, declaring that she would like to be an actress there one day.  The dream came true!  She has Mercury trine Pluto, so is capable of deep thought.  Venus exactly trines Mars in her chart, accounting for her charisma.  Like Goodrem she has the ambition of Mars in Capricorn.  Mars is also closely sextile her North Node – the Warrior karmic mission which all three have – it’s going to be a fierce competition!  She has a useful trine between Jupiter and Saturn, indicating good balanced judgement.  Jupiter trines Uranus, so she has the Entrepreneur Archetype, as does Lawrence.  Another trine she shares with Lawrence is that between Jupiter and Neptune – spirituality balanced with religion.

Her transits for this weekend include:

Pluto square her natal Jupiter, a power struggle (maybe with herself – she admits to being terrified)

Neptune square her natal Saturn in Capricorn, could feel drained from too many demands on her time and energy.

Her transits for the end of the Strictly season include:

Pluto still square her natal Jupiter

Neptune square her natal Uranus, a lot of complexity for her to deal with in her life

Saturn on her Sun in Aries, very challenging time

North Node trine her natal Chiron, some karmic healing going on for her at the same time

I think Lacey may struggle during the course of the competition.

She is paired with the lovely Vito Coppola, another former champion, so he could be expert at seeing her through challenges.  He promises to feed her up, with his equally expert cooking…

I wrote in 2023:

“Vito has the Sun and Moon in Libra (great musicality).”  He really does have the charm of Libra!

Their Suns are opposite, which could make for good chemistry.  Her Uranus sextile his Venus can also make for a good connection.  Sparks could fly though with his Mars square to her Sun.  His nurturing Mars in Cancer could prove too much!

His transits for this weekend include:

Pluto trines his Sun, while Neptune opposes it, a mixed blessing

Uranus trines his Sun, backing up the Plutonian advantage

Saturn sextiles his Saturn, he is disciplined enough for the task

Overall, a strong starting position.

His transits for the end of the Strictly season include:

Pluto still trines his Sun

Saturn squares his Mars, spelling frustration

Jupiter trine his natal North Node, an encouraging aspect, which peaks on 11^th November

Mars sextiles his Mars

This is a popular pairing, but again no great encouragement from the transits.  11^th November time may be significant for them.

Chris Appleton

Hairdresser to the Hollywood stars, Chris was actually born in Leicester.  He’s a Gemini, and like Lawrence he has the Sun conjunct Mars.  Placed in Gemini, he’ll be a Chatty Man, although no one does Chatty Man like Geminian Alan Carr.  Having the Sun trine Pluto ensures that he looks beyond the superficialities of the glam life he leads.  The Moon at Noon exactly conjunct Venus, could point to the hairdressing profession.  As a child, he would style his mother’s hair.  The famous tresses he has handled include those of the Kardashians, Britney Spears, Rita Ora, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez and Ariana Grande.  Like Lawrence and Lacey, he has a fortuitous Jupiter-Uranus link, that of the Entrepreneur Archetype.  Mercury exactly conjoins Chiron in his chart, another problem-solving mind.  Venus trine Jupiter makes him super sociable.  And also in common with Lawrence, Mars trine Pluto bestows a powerhouse of energy.  Surprisingly too, Mars conjunct  the North Node, that Warrior karmic mission which all four have, makes it very much a competition!

His transits for this weekend include:

Like Delta, he has a lot going on.  It’s interesting that they have both had to relocate countries to do this show.

His transits for this weekend include:

Pluto sextiles his natal Jupiter, a strong start

Neptune trines his natal Jupiter, he is spiritually aligned

Uranus Opposition, represents his mid-life rebellion.  He says:

“I have always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.”  Now’s the time!

On 22^nd September (this week’s training!) Mars squares his natal Pluto (a slight danger of injury)

On 24^th Sept (within the same week) Mars squares his natal Saturn (he may be pushing himself too hard)

His Nodal Axis squares his Chiron (healing will be an issue)

His North Node trines his Pluto and sextiles his Neptune (his karma will be in credit)

There are some challenges, but I think he will push through.

His transits for the end of the Strictly season include:

Another long set of influences…

Pluto still sextile his Jupiter

Neptune sextiles his natal Mercury, mental inspiration

Uranus opposes his Jupiter, could see some surprising innovation

Chiron sextiles his North Node, healing brough to his karmic mission

Chiron opposing his natal Pluto/Saturn, a supreme effort required

Chiron trines his natal Neptune, again harmonious healing energy

Saturn will trine his natal Venus, he’ll have great discipline if he appears in the final

Jupiter will sextile his natal North Node, could be a winning transit!

Jupiter will sextile his natal Pluto/Saturn, that will be very helpful in overcoming his own negativity

Jupiter will trine his natal Neptune, his faith, including his faith in himself, will be high

The North Node will be trine his natal Sun, he has a sense of destiny

14^th December, just before the final, Mars will square his natal Uranus, he may have a sprain or scare just at that stage

He is paired with the lovely Amy Dowden.

Amy is a Leo (she is born to shine).  I hope her health will see her through this season.  Again, one of their most significant interaspects is a karmic one:  her North Node sextile his Uranus: they will bring about changes in each other.

Her transits for this weekend include:

Uranus will be trine her North Node, an exciting start

Saturn will be square her Neptune, she may have some anxieties

Jupiter is on her Sun (she shines)

Mars is on her Venus (a real spark at this time)

Her transits for the end of the Strictly season include:

Chiron squares her natal Venus (she will be having to watch her health situation)

Mars will be trine her natal Uranus (surprises and excitement)

Surprisingly, of all these four, Chris has the best sets of transits.  Hopefully, Amy’s health will hold throughout the contest.

A Note: There is a great exact trine at the time of the final.  Jupiter will be exactly trine Chiron, a good time will be had by all.  Healing balm for the viewers maybe!

Aspects

Tomorrow (Monday 21^st) Mercury will be sextile Jupiter.  Some good news may be possible. This aspect favours communication, sales and travel.  Higher learning is also a benefit – e.g.  the anticipation of “fresher” further education students.  It’s a good time to practice any new language skills, too.  It is a time to forge good connections with business, so this may benefit small businesses.

The Autumn Equinox will take place on Wednesday (23^rd), just five minutes after midnight in the early morning (in the U.K.).  This is always a good time for rebalancing, taking stock and recalibrating.  There may be a lift in mood, accompanying a greater appreciation of the beauty of nature, and awareness of the quality of design, whether in or out of the home.  Libra may draw you to artistic or musical pursuits, new relationships, or an interest in the law and justice.  It may be time to switch to your Autumn wardrobe.

Saturday (26^th) brings an opposition between the Sun and Neptune, also in the early hours.  That could bring complications to your night’s sleep, or insomnia.  Fogginess could be obscuring your aims.  Try to apply yourself to the basics and look at the detail (though that may seem impossible).  Grounding may be needed.

Mercifully, it is followed by a trine around dawn, that of the Sun with Pluto.  Deep progress may be made.  There may be the sense of an ending, which clears the way for a new beginning or rebirth.  You may have to make a decision which brings about change.It is time to construct a new psychological mindset: one which is creative but also bears in mind the changes and cycles which are transforming our lives at this time. You may have felt that you haven’t got very far with a goal, but may receive an indication in this period that you have done better than you thought, your patience is rewarded, or that a pipe dream could become a going concern.  You may have cause to remember fondly the dearly departed.

There could still be some extra tension, though, coming from a Full Moon in Aries in the afternoon.  This Moon balances your own interests with that of another, so it may be a tussle, as it often is with a Full Moon.  This Full Moon is about Selfhood and Relationship, and bringing the two into balance.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – good news
• Wednesday – balancing the seasons
• Saturday – dreaminess; deep progress; emotional high tide

Ego

I have been collecting quotations about the “Ego” for years.  We all know people that on the face of it display their ego prominently, but equally the last time I raised the issue three Geminis declared they had no concept of ego. A Libran once knew actively tried to remove her ego, motivated by her interpretation of the Alice Bailey teachings.  The question of Ego: how much, or how little you should have, is related to self-esteem and self-love as well.  Where I stand is that I feel we need some ego in order to operate and survive, self-esteem is worth working on but with an eye to an accurate self-evaluation, and self-love is something that you need to flow naturally from the heart.  I have arbitrarily chosen a quotation for each of the zodiac signs to ponder, but read them all as you may not relate to the one I have chosen for your Sun sign or Ascendant.

Aries

“Developing an adult ego is necessary for your personal health and well-being.  An adult ego is that of a balanced, mature, kind, and loving adult.”

~ Barbara Ann Brennan

Taurus

“A Course in Miracles says ‘complexity is of the ego.’  Sometimes it’s the very simplicity of a concept that makes the ego resist it most.”

~ Marianne Williamson

Gemini

“The more we help people expand their egos, to expand their consciousness, the deeper they will penetrate the centre point.  The more they are able to pull through that which is unmanifest into manifestation, the more they will get used to the new frequency.  As soon as they have a grasp that they have felt an aspect of the inner God force, they immediately can fall into identifying with it.”

~ Chris Griscom

Cancer

“The ego is something we all have, whether we like it or not and in many cases it’s essential to have too, as it can actually believe it or not, help us with confidence and other areas in life as if we start to say something enough we start to manifest it into our lives.”

~ Lisa Williams

Leo

“In our journey as leaders, balancing our personal ambitions with the needs of our team presents a unique challenge. Central to this balancing act is our ego – a force that drives us towards achievement but can sometimes steer us away from our true leadership potential.”

~ Shirley Palmer

Virgo

“Once you understand how the creative process works, the major function of the adult ego is to use your God-given free will to make healthy, holistic life choices based on a wholeness, trust and truth.”

~ Barbara Ann Brennan

Libra

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

~ Attributed to the Buddha

Scorpio

“Jealousy is very much displayed with our ego and it’s something that I sadly see all the time, and it’s knowing not to react to this especially if it’s you that this jealousy is aimed at. You have to rise above it and not allow it to eat away at you. There is no point because what is the use of reacting to someone else’s ego, that is just your ego then coming out as a display of protection.”

~ Lisa Williams

Sagittarius

A student asks His Holiness the Dalai Lama the secret behind his famous childlike laughter.

 “A relaxed mind, no ego, and the understanding that we are all the same human beings. He explains how seeing yourself as ‘something special’ creates stress and anxiety, while honesty, humility, and transparency are the true foundations of inner peace.”

~ Dalai Lama

Capricorn

“It is our great challenge at this time to allow the unmanifest nature of our true beings to be present with our physical realities, so that our form becomes truly the form of God.

~ Chris Griscom

Aquarius

“When you let go of the egoic self, what you’re getting in exchange is the whole universe.”

~ Adyashanti

Pisces

“Those who speak the loudest of what they’ve become are often those who are still becoming. The ones who are truly stepping into something real? They tend to move a little quieter, a little softer, aware of how much they don’t yet know. “

~ Cathy Cookson

Aspects

First, a word about last week’s astrology:  Uranus rules technology, and A.I.  Last week, exactly on Uranus turning Retrograde, the issue of A.I. suddenly loomed larger than ever, being accused of having the capability of threatening the future of humanity in the near future.

I had written:

“It’s time for a real re-think, re-evaluation, reflection and revision.  Uranus of course is also the planet of rebellion and revolution.  You need to review the way you do things, and the way you think about things, and find new types of solutions suited to future working.”

Experts are now urging a slowing down of the research and accelerating capabilities for this new existential threat.  In the decades since nuclear warfare was developed, the biggest fear was who may press the nuclear button, deliberately, accidentally or through a fit of madness.

It seems now we have another, similarly powerful threat.  So Uranus going Retrograde is exactly the right time to slow it down, and for those in the industry and governments to have a re-think, which is what retrogrades are about.  It remains to be seen how much progress we will make on this reflection and in resulting action by the time Uranus goes Direct again next February (2027).

On the BBC News website today:

“This past week, between talk of growth and potential returns, tech titans found themselves addressing the abrupt resignation of Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon.

Coxon, a 27-year-old who worked at OpenAI before joining its chief rival Anthropic, said on Tuesday that people building artificial intelligence (AI) believed the technology could destroy humanity.

They are “gambling with our lives”, he said, “these will soon be superhuman systems that can hack anything”.

“We really do earnestly believe AI could kill all humans! I personally think it is >10% within the next decade,” a team lead at Anthropic, Evan Hubinger, posted on X.

Anthropic’s boss, Dario Amodei, has come under fire for saying AI technology could wipe out half of entry-level white-collar jobs and will ‘test who we are as a species’. “

Our aspects this week begin with a very relevant trine between Mercury and Uranus tomorrow (Monday 14^th).  This affords the chance for some sensible, constructive, and even brilliant conversation about the very topic of A.I. and technology.  It can can inspire high functioning minds, intuition and good ideas (especially for Geminians).   Uranus will add extra spice to your plans, and documentation.  Computers and technology should be on sparkling form and assist your expression.  You may spring pleasant surprises.  Writing projects may also flow.

In the evening, the Sun will be sextile with Mars.  This will bring opportunity for resolution within the area of conflict, especially in issues of force or even violence.  Energy is injected into our affairs for the evening, if not the day.  It should hopefully allow you to press on with active projects, and dynamically get your jobs done.  Energywise, you might get a “second wind” later in the day.

Tuesday (15^th) brings a more challenging energy, with a square between Pluto and Venus.  This may affect Taureans and Librans more than most.  It’s a test for relationships and/or money on that day.  You may be wrestling with such questions.  There may be deeper levels to unravel in relationships.  Deep feeling issues may be preying on your mind.  These will require some psychological soul-searching for a true interpretation, and may spur on honest-as-you-can-be interpersonal communication.

The most important feature of this week is a sextile between Neptune and Pluto on Wednesday (16^th).  This is a deep structural coalescence, both materially and psychologically.  Look at the big picture in the world, and in your own life, and society.  On a personal level, it gives you a basic understanding and harmony with the culture you are living in, perhaps only on an unconscious level.  But this is a sound psychological and in-depth basis for your psyche and life structure, if you can tune into it.

On Thursday (17^th) Chiron Retrograde dips back into Aries, where it had been for several years.  There may be unfinished business to attend to, i’s to dot and t’s to cross.  Perhaps some refined spiritual healing issues to perfect.

A further challenge awaits on Friday (18^th) in the shape of Saturn opposing Mercury. Saturn may bring more frustration and delay in communication and travel.  There has been a great deal of travel chaos these last few months, so it would not surprise you to hear that.  Communication-wise, you will be urged to think before you speak, or even to remain tight-lipped in order not to deepen an existing crisis.  Documentation may be delayed, so you may have to tell someone “It’s in the post!”, or someone may need to say it to you.  Patience may be your only recourse in this case, or scrutinizing the small print.

The week in bullet points:

• Monday – brilliant minds; dynamic energy
• Tuesday – relationship work
• Wednesday – in-depth and structural resetting
• Thursday – unfinished healing business
• Friday – slowly is holy

Gloria Steinem (1934 – 2026)

“Thank you for understanding that sometimes we must put our bodies where our beliefs are. Sometimes pressing send is not enough. And this also unifies us with the many in this world who do not have computers or electricity or literacy, but do have the same hopes and the same dreams.”

~ Gloria Steinem

Leading feminist Gloria Steinem died this week, aged 92.  She was an activist and journalist, and called herself “an entrepreneur of social change”.  She campaigned for equality and civil rights, and opposed violence against women.  A glamorous figure, she was criticised for the supposed advantage this gave her.  Stylewise, she was an icon, her “look” described as follows:

“Her streaked blond hair, aviator glasses, with, soft-voiced calm and miniskirts”

by Yvonne Roberts, writing for the Guardian.

Birth Chart

Gloria Steinem had the Sun in Aries, assertive enough, but conjunct its ruler Mars, doubling up on assertion.  The fieriness was added to by the Moon in Leo.  With her Moon trine her Sun, her conscious and unconscious minds were in harmony: her right hand knew what the left hand was doing.  The “activist” energy was boosted and driven by an Ascendant in Scorpio.

Her Moon was closely trine Mars, giving her quick emotional reactions.  She was a person who couldn’t resist action, if she saw something wasn’t right.  The Moon is positioned at the top of the chart, and this may well signify the main role she was destined to play, that of the Feminist, although she started out identifying as a Humanist.

The Humanist comes from a triple conjunction in Aquarius of North Node/Venus/Saturn – the desire to work to defend the underdog.

With Jupiter trine Saturn, she had good balanced judgement.  But, at the same time, Jupiter square Pluto made her subject to and sensitive to power struggles in her life, including those which she herself chose.

Symbols of success in her chart included Jupiter trine North Node (a successful karmic mission) and Jupiter closely sextile Midheaven (a successful career).  She had three iconoclastic aspects in her birth chart: Saturn sextile Uranus (breaking the mould of current social mores); Uranus square Pluto (she was an absolute revolutionary for Change); and Uranus trine the Midheaven (a career delivering change).  Not forgetting the triple conjunction in Aquarius…

Life and Career

Gloria Steinem was born in Toledo, Ohio. Her father’s mother chaired a women’s suffrage association, and had rescued several members of their family from the Holocaust, arranging safe passage for them.  Her father was a travelling antiques dealer, and their life was itinerant.  But her mother had delicate mental health, and when Gloria was 10 her parents’ marriage broke down.  She was left to look after her mother.

Her mother’s situation affected her deeply, witnessing the difficulties of women working in the current climate, and also witnessing the neglect and apathy of the medical profession towards her mental problems.  Thus were the seeds sown for her later mission.

She had an abortion in 1957 at the age of 22, which further informed her social mission.  In those days, abortions were illegal, and a British doctor risked his reputation to help her.  She would never forget this, as well as the social message of shame given to the practice of abortion.  She dedicated her 2015 memoir to him (“My Life on the Road”).  He asked her: “You must promise me two things. First, you will not tell anyone my name. Second, you will do what you want to do with your life.”  At the time of the abortion, her Progressed Sun reached her natal Uranus in Aries in 6^th House of Health, Uranus being a shock to the system.

She went on to spend two years in India, and admiring Mahatma Gandhi, modelled her later campaign work after his independence movement.

In 1963 she was employed as a Playboy Bunny in New York, while undercover as a journalist.  She then revealed in an article how women were treated there, at the same time receiving a level of criticism for her action.

In 1968 millionaire Cay Felker launched “New York” magazine, and hired Gloria to write a column called “The City Politic.”

In 1969 she covered an abortion “speak-out” event for the magazine.  This was to be a seminal moment for her.  Because she herself had had an abortion, she connected deeply with the issue. She felt what she called a “big click” realizing that women were not to blame.  It was the system, misogynistic and sexist. She dates her feminist path from that moment.

“I wasn’t going to let things happen to me. I was going to direct my life, and therefore it felt positive.”

In 1971, she co-founded” Ms”, the first magazine which was owned and run by women.

On July 10 of that year, Steinem was one of more than three hundred women who founded the National Women’s Political Caucus with leading figures in the movement such as Betty Friedan.  She delivered a speech, which included the words:

“This is no simple reform. It really is a revolution. Sex and race because they are easy and visible differences have been the primary ways of organizing human beings into superior and inferior groups and into the cheap labour on which this system still depends. We are talking about a society in which there will be no roles other than those chosen or those earned. We are really talking about humanism.”

It was an astrologically fired speech, with Neptune at the time opposite her Chiron (her sensitivity about the need for healing to the fore, igniting compassion); Uranus was opposite her Mars (firebrand energy); Mars was on her Venus (spoken with passion) and in addition she had a Nodal Return in Aquarius (a karmic nudge towards fulfilling her mission).

In 2005 she co-founded the Women’s Media Center, together with Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan, with the aim of making women visible and powerful  in the media.

In 2013 she was a presenter at the “Chime for Change” concert at Twickenham.  Gucci was the founder of “Chime for Change”, which focussed on raising funds and awareness for women and girls.  “Chime for Change” was fulfilling the spirit of her natal exact Uranus-Pluto square.

In the 2008 and 2015 Presidential election campaigns, Gloria backed and voted for Hillary Clinton, though she was also supportive of Barak Obama and Bernie Sanders.

In 2017 she was honorary co-chair and speaker at the Women’s March on Washington the day after Donald Trump was inaugurated for his first period of office.

I wrote a blog about the march at the time, which included:

“The day after Donald Trump was elected [first period of office], organizers set to work planning a women’s march for the day after his inauguration.  The months of his campaigning had seen him insult women, gays, other races, the disabled and climate protection.  A show of strength was needed, on behalf of human decency.

The time and date for the march was set for 10 a.m. on 21st January 2017 in Washington D.C., and [the chart of the day] speaks volumes about the nature and intent of the Women’s March…

She added her voice to all those around the world prepared to stand up for women’s rights and the rights of all who are oppressed:

‘We’re standing up to the misogynists, the bullies and the haters who try to intimidate and silence people online, just as for years they tried to intimidate or silence women on the street…For the sake of our children and grandchildren…we are here because we will not let the clock be turned back.’ “

Marriage

She dismissed the idea of marriage to a great extent, though she did have relationships, but surprisingly, on 3^rd September 2000 at the age of 66 she married David Bale, the father of the actor Christian Bale.  Apparently, he was the love of her life, but what dramatic astrological transits were taking place at the time?  Quite a few, as it happens…:

Pluto was trine her natal Mars (dramatic event in relation to the men in her life!); Pluto squared her natal Neptune (a huge psychological shift); Uranus transiting her natal North Node (a karmic U-turn); Chiron square her natal Neptune (more psychological shifting and sensitivity);  Saturn was on her natal Chiron in Gemini in 7^th House (a commitment in connection with a lifelong wound in connection with close relationship and marriage); Jupiter sextile her natal Mars (a joyful vibe with the man in her life); Jupiter square her natal Neptune (an expansion of her ideals); Mars on her Midheaven (focussing her future direction on a man in her life); and finally the North Node on her natal Pluto (karma of a deep nature).

We owe a great deal to Gloria Steinem, and the zeal of her karmic mission.  I thoroughly recommend her 2015 memoir “A Life on the Road.”

“In truth, we don’t know which of our acts in the present will shape the future. But we have to behave as if everything we do matters. Because it might.”

“Our first problem is not to learn – but to unlearn…woman means submission, black means inferior…preconceptions embedded so deeply in our thinking we may not know they are there.”

~ Gloria Steinem 

Aspects

The aspects this week start on Wednesday (9^th) with a trine between Venus and the North Node.  Soul-searching on this day may culminate in some resolution and a mellow mood, and confidence in your right path.  This links karma with harmony and love, and reminds us that love is a force underlying a great deal of human interaction, e.g. protecting loved ones.  It also reminds us of the Hindu law of ahimsa, or harmlessness, required to neutralize and promote good karma.

Thursday (10^th) is a busy day aspect-wise, making up for the absence of aspects early in the week.  First, Venus enters Scorpio, so emotions and passions could be heightened.  This is a time when deep feelings can be experienced and expressed.  Her previous sojourn through Libra focussed on relationships, and on entering Scorpio the quality of relationship deepens.  You can take a relationship to the next level.

In the afternoon, Mercury enters Libra, taking Venus’ previous position.  This may be a breath of relief from all the soul-searching of the previous two features.  This brings a new mental focus on cultural themes, which could bring more pure enjoyment: art and music being fundamental areas for Libra, and decision-making. Mercury in Libra is slightly more relaxed than Mercury in Virgo (even though Virgo is Mercury’s home sign), and it stays only until 30^th September.

Then Chiron opposes Venus, which underlines the need for healing in relationships.  Minor health conditions may be caused by stress, and reducing stress may help to ease the conditions.  Music and meditation may be the way forward.  The issues may be connected with one’s inner female, or one’s relationships.  It may be an artistic conundrum.

Finally, in the early evening, Uranus is Stationary, prior to turning Retrograde. It’s time for a real re-think, re-evaluation, reflection and revision.  Uranus of course is also the planet of rebellion and revolution.  You need to review the way you do things, and the way you think about things, and find new types of solutions suited to future working.

We have a New Moon in Virgo on Friday (11^th).  You may come to the end of a line of enquiry or a work project during the course of the week, ready for this New Moon, when new experiences can take place.  Aspirations around this New Moon in Virgo could be very work-orientated.  Ecology and the environment are also provinces of Virgo, so benefits could accrue for the planet if enough minds are concentrated on this aspect of life.

The last day of the week gives us two further aspects.  The first is a constructive trine between Mercury and Pluto on Saturday (12^th).  This will be of great benefit to Geminians and Virgoans, as well as our mental make-up generally.  It challenges us to dig deeper (sorry, more soul-searching).  This aspect is conducive to psychological reflection, and earnest conversations between friends or colleagues.  It is good for in-depth consultations and negotiations, and researching past lives. Something to chew on.

Then Neptune opposes Mercury, so the Mercury-ruled Geminians and Virgoans may become confused by their own conjectures.  If the previous trine has been conducted well, then this may be a refinement of their ideas.  If not, they may feel they have been overthinking, and need a lie down!  For the rest of us, we too may be confused.  But bear in mind that “A Course in Miracles” teaches that confusion is a high state.  It may mean a transition to a higher perspective.  Try not to engage in long and complicated journeys, or deep waters.

The week in bullet points:

• Wednesday – karmic harmony
• Thursday – passions heightened; cultural themes; need for healing in relationships; a reflective u-turn
• Friday – new beginning
• Saturday – mentally dig deeper; transitioning confusion

Dolly Parton (1946 – 2026)

“The joke’s on the public. I know exactly what I’m doing and I can change it at any time … I’m sure of myself. I’m sure of my talent.”

~ Dolly Parton, in riposte to Barbara Walters

I can’t remember a more celebrated singer-songwriter than Dolly Parton on her passing.  The BBC 10 o’clock news devoted half its coverage to her  on the night, which is unprecedented.  And there has been so much broadcast about her since, that there is little left for me to say, other than to add the astrological detail.  I guarantee everyone reading this has an earworm of one of her songs, right this minute!  She was universally loved, both for her singing, songwriting and philanthropy, and one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Birth Chart

Dolly had the Sun in Capricorn, and the ruling planet Saturn.  This is her internal grit and shrewdness; not the outward rhinestone-studded persona.  Her Sun was conjunct Venus, “the Singer”, in the 5^th House of Creativity and Performance: that’s more like the persona, what she projected.  With Sun square Jupiter, she was “larger than life”.

With the Moon sextile her North Node, she was “born to be in the public eye”, and had a karmic mission to work with “emotion”, as in country music. Mercury squaring Chiron meant that she was a “problem solver”, a huge achievement being her contribution to children’s literacy.  Mercury also exactly trine her Ascendant gave her a good nervous system.  The position of Mercury at the beginning of her 5^th House meant that she loved writing and was prolific in it.  And crucially, Mercury conjunct Venus (although wide) in Capricorn in her 5^th House of Creativity, gave her the “Songwriter Archetype”.  She wrote more than 3000 songs in her lifetime.  Venus opposite Saturn enabled her to write about heartache, romantic and otherwise.  Moreover, Jupiter conjunct Chiron added the ability to heal through expressing wounds (catharsis).  She spoke for many.

Jupiter closely trine North Node, karmic mission assisted by godliness, she was very religious, but not necessarily in the conventional sense. Her grandfather was a Pentecostal preacher. She did however believe in living out her ideals.

Uranus trine Neptune, Uranus sextile Pluto, and Neptune sextile Pluto represented harmony of the outer planets, almost a mini-Barbault Cradle.  A solid basis for the psyche.  Uranus at the top of the chart, exactly square the Ascendant, denoted a very individualistic career.

Uranus positioned exactly conjunct the Midheaven, emphasizing even more the very individualistic career and persona.  As Ben Beaumont-Thomas points out in the Guardian obituary “This was all done with considerable panache, rhinstoned glamour and towering hairdos”.

With the Ascendant square the Midheaven, there was a marked clash between her public and private life, she kept them separate, partly because her husband shied away from the limelight.

Please note this is not an exhaustive look at her chart. 

Life and Career

She was born in a cabin on the banks of Little Pigeon River in Tennessee.  Fourth out of twelve siblings, she described her upbringing as “dirt poor” but also full of love, and there was always food on the table.  She was delivered by a missionary, paid with a sack of cornmeal.  Her father was a sharecropper and tobacco farmer.  Her mother’s was the musical influence, and an uncle encouraged her to perform.

She wrote her first song at the age of six, played on a home made guitar at seven, and was given her first proper guitar at eight.  She turned professional aged sixteen, and began her success as a songwriter.

1967 was an important year for her, her age twenty-one.  She was invited to appear with country musician Porter Wagoner on his regular television show.

At the time, her progressed Sun was trine her natal Mars/Saturn conjunction, and forming a Grand Trine with her natal Chiron in musical Libra in her 2^nd House.

This proved to be a good showcase for her talent.  He gave her a five-year contract, during which time she became very popular.  After seven years, without a pay rise, it felt like a prison for her burgeoning talent and ambition.

Lesson: How best to free oneself from a karmic entanglement in the highest possible way? She eventually broke free by writing her most successful song of all time (on the same day as Jolene), a song which contained all the love in the world, no bitterness: “I Will Always Love You”.  She wrote it for Wagoner, as a goodbye song.  Love overcomes all (karma).  The song would prove to bring her unimaginable riches in the future, karmic reward.

This story would bear a whole blog study on its own, but we do not have available the date she wrote the two songs, and other vital astrological data which would make it complete.

Her career as singer-songwriter went from strength to strength.  She also acted in various films, such as 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias.  Although she started out as a country singer, and always was, she diversified and entered the mainstream of the pop world.

Songs

I will Always Love You (1974)

“…I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you’ve dreamed of
And I wish you joy and happiness
But above all this, I wish you love…

She wrote this song the same night as she wrote Jolene, and it was to be a watershed in her creative life.  As written above, it expressed only love for the musical partner she had worked with for seven years, who maybe kept her hostage through his own insecurity.  The song became the best-selling single by a woman, with an estimated 20 million sales, markedly as a result of the recording made by Whitney Houston for the film The Bodyguard.

Another testament to her integrity, and also her shrewdness, was that Colonel Parker wanted to buy the publishing rights for Elvis Presley, who loved the song.  She refused, and did not regret it.

She told that the first time she heard Whitney’s version she was driving along, and was so taken aback to hear what Whitney had done with it, that she had to pull over to the kerb.  She admired Whitney’s version.  Many say that Whitney’s version is better, but I like them both equally.

The song does have an amusing memory for me (they say everyone remembers where they were when it was first played).  It was released on 2^nd September 1992.  We had just moved  into our present house, and the next door neighbour had it on loud replay until Christmas.  She was very much in love.

Dolly, with her characteristic wit, quipped that it earned her enough “to buy Graceland”.

Islands in the Stream (1983)

“Islands in the stream
That is what we are

No one in be-tween how can we be wrong
Sail away with me to another world
And we re-ly on each other uh huh”

This duet with Kenny Rogers, is my own personal favourite.  It was written by the Bee Gees, and produced by Barry Gibb.

The story goes that it was earmarked for Kenny Rogers, and he was attempting to do it justice in the recording studio, but he just couldn’t get on with it.  It was written to be sung as a solo.  Dolly Parton happened to be down the road, and they decided to pull her in, to help.  And the rest is history!

I love their harmonies.  The song went two times platinum in sales. 

Jolene (1973)

 “…Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green

Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you, Jolene…”

Jolene was written on the same night as “I Will Always Love You”.  We do not know the date of that huge event, but it was recorded on 22^nd May 1973.  On that date, Jupiter was  exactly trine Dolly’s Midheaven (a blessing on her career).  Her arguably two most popular songs written on one night, imagine that.  Jolene topped the country chart in February 1974.

Dolly was such a storyteller, and this story goes that Dolly had not long been married to Carl Dean, and a red-haired bank clerk had been flirting with him.

Coat of Many Colours (1971)

“…Mama sewed the rags together
Sewin’ every piece with love
She made my coat of many colours
That I was so proud of…”

Often said to be Dolly’s own favourite song, it was about the love with which her mother made her a coat from coloured scraps, when she was being bullied at school for her clothing, during the “dirt poor” childhood.  Like all Dolly’s songs, it was sung with pure heart.

9 to 5 (1980)

“…Jump in the shower and the blood starts pumping
Out on the street, the traffic starts jumping
With folks like me on the job from 9 to 5…”

One of Dolly Parton’s most popular songs, it is indelibly linked in the mind’s eye to her performance in the film of that name, for which it was written.  She appeared in the film alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, and people knew her now as not just a singer-songwriter but an accomplished actor. The song reached number one on the country chart  in February 1981.  The words resonated for many.  She spoke for the workers of the world.

Carl Dean

Carl was the love of her life.  She met him the day after graduating from school, when she took herself off to Nashville to make her name.  She met him outside a laundrette.  If that is not fate, destiny and karma, I don’t know what is.  It sounds extraordinary, and it is, but I do have a close friend the same thing happened to: relocating from Scotland to London and meeting her life partner the very day she arrived.  How these things are arranged, I do not know, it never fails to amaze me, but they happen.

Carl’s birthday was 20^th July 1942, and the immediate thing that strikes you in their synastry is that their Suns are opposite each other, in the Cancer-Capricorn polarity, making them a complement to each other.  Their chart interaspects are strong, and too long to enumerate here, but it is important to mention that they had a very strong karmic link: his Venus was conjunct her North Node (karmic love.

They married on 30^th May 1966, and were married until his death last year.  At the time of their marriage, she had important and beneficial contacts to her Venus (Love): transiting Venus was sextile her natal North Node; and transiting Chiron and Saturn were sextile her natal Venus.

As mentioned, and widely known, Carl shunned the limelight, and quietly got on with his own career running an asphalt road and driveway-paving business.  Their marriage was notably strong, despite her frequent absence due to her very public career.  An interesting romantic gesture was that he regularly wrote poems for her.

Carl died on 3^rd March 2025, and she put her career on hold to care for him, and she said recently she neglected her own health in that time.  During that period, Pluto was transiting her natal Sun, the confrontational nature of which is undeniable.  In his own chart, his death came as Neptune opposed its natal position in his chart, a time of spiritual balancing.

Dolly collaborated with many artists, and loved many.  There are some people I would like to highlight, for various reasons.

Whitney Houston

The song “I Will Always Love You” impacted both their lives, positively.  That sounds like a divine set-up…

Whitney’s Venus (her Singing) was exactly conjunct Dolly’s Pluto (depth).  The two brought something extraordinary out of each other, both in quality (of sound) and quantity (of money)!  Whitney’s Mars (energy) was also exactly conjunct Dolly’s Neptune (sensitivity) in Libra (the sign of music).

I would like to think that, once Dolly has got over her huge warm welcome on the other side, and settled into the heaven worlds, that she and Whitney will collaborate on the ultimate version of “I will Always Love You”!

Miley Cyrus

By all accounts, the young singer Miley Cyrus was very close to Dolly Parton.  Miley’s father Billy Ray Cyrus was a support act at one time for Dolly, and Dolly became Miley’s godmother.  Dolly also played Miley’s character’s aunt in Hannah Montana.  The two have performed together, and Dolly has mentored Miley in her career.  It is my feeling that Miley and Billy Ray are part of Dolly’s Soul Group.

Billy Ray’s synastry with Dolly Parton is exceptional, starting with his Sun conjunct her Moon (a close relationship), through exact opposite Venuses (complementary musical sensibilities), a karmic sextile of their North Nodes, opposite Moons (complementary emotional make-up), and other wonderful synastry notes.

Miley herself had Sun sextile Dolly’s Sun (a fundamental harmony of being), and a karmic healing interaspect of her North Node sextile Dolly’s Chiron. 

Kenny Rogers

It was amazing how Dolly somehow “stumbled” into rescuing and making Kenny’s song “Islands in the Stream”, one of the most iconic duets of all time.  They obviously had a special role in each other’s destiny.  I could watch and listen to that chemistry over and over.

The karmic factor in their synastry is his North Node trine Dolly’s Mars/Saturn conjunction (her action promoting his destiny).  Another important feature of their synastry was his Sun sextile her Jupiter in Libra (music), enabling each other’s success.

Books

Dolly was a philanthropist in every sense of the word: it was etched in her philosophy and faith.

Probably her most incredible contribution to the world was inspired by her father:

“My father could not read or write, and I saw how crippling that could be.”

As long ago as 1995 she began a project named the Imagination Library.  In this endeavour, she sent an age-appropriate book to every child in her country every month until they were five.

This was expanded internationally in 2006, and is still running to this day.  It provided millions of books for children.  Her single act has been life-changing for many worldwide.  It is one of the things for which the slogan “Be More Dolly” is oft-quoted.

Health

The reason that Dolly did not have children was that she was early on diagnosed with the painful condition endometriosis. She had a partial hysterectomy in her late 30s.  This was possibly symbolized in her chart by Moon at 0 degrees Virgo in her 12^th House.

A departing transit on her passing this week was Saturn transiting the cusp of her 8^th House of Transformation.  She transformed the world this week, uniting the disunited states of America, and uniting the disunited world at war with itself.  Dolly’s message was to love one another.

“A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right.  But because of the eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better, her legacy will be an everlasting one.”

~ Taylor Swift

“Everyone talks about a divided America, but her superpower was to bring people together.  She transcended her role and became a universal figure, a bit like the queen, and similarly the reaction to her passing has been exceptional.”

~ Billy Bragg

Aspects

There is not so much to report on the week’s aspects, so its brevity will make up for Dolly’s long blog.

We start with a big Trine, that of Jupiter with Saturn.  In the days before the outer planets were discovered, this would have been the biggest thing since sliced bread (if it had been invented).

Jupiter trines Saturn in the late evening of tomorrow, Monday (31^st).  For me, in my experience and practice, it represents balance, and discerning decisions.  The optimism of Jupiter is tempered by the realism and wisdom of Saturn.  Sometimes you can feel torn by two ways of being, or of seeing things, but this aspect makes things easier to manage.  It can enable balanced judgements and when in a duo, trio or quartet can enable the small group to achieve balance and realism.

For the late great Astrologer Alan Oken in a birth chart it denoted:

“JUPITER trine Saturn EXPANSION FLOWS OR WORKS WELL WITH CONSOLIDATION.  These aspects are most fortunate, as they contribute to common sense and a good sense of timing.  Such people have an understanding of their limitations and the foresight to balance their efforts with the situation at hand.  Religious aspiration can be balanced with practical application of philosophical principles.  This aspect is frequently found in the horoscopes of individuals who are successful in the material sphere.  ‘The Banker’ “

He may be identifying an Archetype here, the Inner Banker.  Maybe you can find it in yourself, at this time, this Bank Holiday.

We now come into September (already), and on Tuesday morning (1^st) Saturn squares Mars, which is not a picnic. It is the most challenging aspect of the week.  This may involve conflict, for example brinkmanship between two countries.  I think of this aspect as a square peg in a round hole, and a square peg which you shouldn’t try to push through the round hole.  Energies clash, and there may be an impasse of some sort.  You may feel tired and a little discouraged, and unproductive.  Ride it out gently.  And observe others carefully, who may not be astrologically mindful.  If you are hoping to make headway immediately after the Bank Holiday, you may need to exercise more patience for a little longer.

At lunchtime on the same day, there may be some whole or part resolution with a positive sextile between Mercury and Mars, which can get things moving at least a little, though of the three planets involved that day Saturn usually has the last word.  This second aspect of the day may bring about brisk action.  But with Saturn still squaring Mars, you may still need to take a very measured and cautious step.  You may however receive ideas to implement in the future, if not into your day.  Your mental reactions may be heightened, and this can lead to enhanced productivity.

Here endeth the aspects for the week, but I can offer you a Fixed Star for Wednesday (2^nd September), that of Zosma.  Zosma is the delta star in the constellation of Leo.

Bernadett Brady lists it as “part of the triangle of victim, saviour or perpetrator”.  With the Sun in Virgo, these are very Virgoan positionalities. She reports that Robson equates it with an “alert mind”, and Rigor adds “a love of life”.

“Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld provides the following information:

“Those who understand leadership and charisma may reach a point of deep introspection where they may be in a position of more fame than they wished, more exposure to the public eye than they felt was appropriate, or an awareness of themselves in a leadership capacity that brings them to a place where they must reconsider who they are.”

With Zosma’s position in the constellation of Leo, leadership is highlighted.

The information goes on to say, in words which Dolly Parton would approve, a further instruction for leadership:

“They may be able to see more easily through other people’s eyes, the true love and sense of caring by which they are actually able to funnel or channel other people’s energies.”

This does not appear to be an easy star, but has some merits.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – Balance
• Tuesday – conflict; frustration; brisk action with caution
• Wednesday – clearing victim wounds; assuming ethical leadership

Prince Harry and Meghan

Harry and Meghan announced this week that they will be moving back to England from California before the end of the month, to live just outside London, and have enrolled their children in school for September.  This was unexpected, and we do not know their reasons, or how their security will be funded.  So I thought I would take a brief look to see what is going on for them astrologically.  The South Node currently conjunct the Fixed Star Regulus shines a spotlight on the royal family at this time karmically, as Regulus is associated with royalty.

First, their relationship, as described in a blog of 2017:

“The interaspect between them are not all smooth sailing, which is possibly why they both needed to build some maturity before meeting.  Her Neptune squares his Sun, so he is arrested by her glamour.  Her Chiron is exactly conjunct his Moon, helping him to deal with the wounds surrounding his mother.  Her Sun is exactly square his Saturn, so involvement with him brings the need for more discipline and commitment in her life.  Her Venus is sextile exactly his Saturn, which is an aspect of loyalty and commitment.  Her Nodal Axis is exactly square his Pluto, so their lives together will bring never a dull moment, and be demanding psychologically.  Her Mars is exactly opposite his Ascendant, so there is some fieriness between them, but it does also emphasize the passion.”

Written at the time of their engagement, there does seem to be some naivete on my part, but the potential mismatch does come out clearly.

Harry

Losing his court case

He lost the court case with the Daily Mail on 7^th July, leading a group of celebrities including Elton John, Liz Hurley and Sadie Frost.This event happened before Barbault’s Cradle came into sharp force, but his Mercury is in a feminine sign (Virgo) so was not in a position to profit easily from that, with Uranus directly squaring his Mercury (a mental shock).  Mars was also square his natal Mercury, adding to mental stress, stemming from a mental battle. Chiron was exactly opposite his natal Pluto, re-opening a long-held wound.  And Jupiter was squaring transiting Chiron and natal Pluto, creating a difficult to take T-square.

Ordered to pay

This week he and his fellow claimants were ordered to pay legal costs.  The stakes of this whole enterprise were very high.  £9.54m has to be paid by 4pm on 28 August.  Some of the transits from the original ruling were still in operation.

Uranus is still directly squaring his Mercury (a mental shock, or aftershock).  Chiron is still exactly opposite his natal Pluto, re-opening a long-held wound, again.  Jupiter is on the cusp of his 8^th House, a new phase in his financial dealings with others.  There may be better news on that score during the course of the year.

Relocation to England

At the end of the month, Jupiter entering his 8^th House heralds a hope for a better balance in finance with others, including with Meghan. Chiron is also still exactly opposite his natal Pluto, re-opening a long-held wound, again.  Maybe addressing it, in terms with relation with his father.  The relationship with his brother William seems unsalvageable for the moment.

Uranus is still directly squaring his Mercury (a mental shock, or aftershock).  Another shock to the system is inevitable when switching countries.

Meghan

Again, I wrote about Meghan in 2017:

“Meghan Markle has been an actor in a Canadian TV series Suits since 2011, showing commitment, skill and steadiness.  In addition she has undertaken responsible roles outside the acting profession, in raising awareness of various causes, such as feminism, and clean water in Rwanda.  Some have found her mixed race background controversial, but many see this as an asset, bringing diversity to the royal table.  Meghan has Sun in Leo, so she is at home with royalty, and has pursued the Leo profession of acting, having a degree in theatre studies.  She also has the Sun, Leo’s ruler, in the 1st House and trine exactly the Midheaven, reinforcing the Sun/Leo theme.  She has a complex triple conjunction of Sun/Jupiter/Saturn in Libra, so weighs things up very carefully, seeing both sides of an issue.  Mercury is conjunct the North Node in Leo, so the royal role may be part of her karmic mission, and teaching may also be a role in the future, or educating people in some way.  She has great enthusiasm, as evidenced by Mars square Jupiter, and has already taken up some passionate causes in her life, though she is to wind down her roles and take up new ones in Britain.  With Saturn also squaring her Mars, she combines these interests with a deep sense of responsibility.  Karmically, she is a mover and shaker, with Ascendant conjunct the North Node.”

Again, written at the time of their engagement, there does seem to be some naivete on my part, and hindsight is a wonderful thing!

Relocation to England

Regarding the synastry with Harry, natally her Mars opposite his Ascendant is a battle royal!  This may explains why they have had to relocate a few times.  Harry’s Ascendant is 11 degrees Capricorn and her Mars is at 11 degrees Cancer, but additionally she has her Sun at 11 degrees Leo, and her Midheaven at 11 degrees Aries.  The Sun in Leo exactly trine the Midheaven in her natal chart depicts an acting career plus association with royalty.  With Jupiter just passing 11 degrees on Harry’s 8^th House cusp, it also shows up her intention to revive her acting career.

The three outer planets involved in Barbault’s Cradle connect with Meghan’s Moon in Libra, so that affects her home and her emotions.  They also benefit her natal Mercury in Leo, and Jupiter will have transited that point during the peak of the Cradle.  Her Saturn, at 5 degrees Libra, will also have been involved.  With natal Moon exactly conjunct Saturn, she has the Ivory Tower Archetype emotionally.

Guy Ritchie

It has been rumoured that Meghan is in talks to take on a role in Guy Ritchie’s Netflix drama The Gentleman.  Apparently it depends on there being a third series.

If this has had any role in the couple’s decision, it is interesting to look at Guy Ritchie’s synastry and transits in relation to this issue.  We do not have a birthtime/Ascendant for him.

His synastry with Meghan is very mixed and contradictory: Her Chiron squares his Mars but his Mars sextiles her Pluto and his Pluto trines her natal Chiron; His Nodal Axis squares her natal Mars but his Chiron trines her North Node.

Not necessarily an easy combination if they should work together, nor spelling too much commitment.  There are probably more important reasons for the move to England.  His transits for the end of this month are fairly quiet.  He does not seem too involved, at the moment at least.  And one or two of this morning’s newspapers say the project or role may be shelved.

Archie

How will the move affect their children?

You could say that for their firstborn Archie he born to royalty, with the Sun rising within a degree of his Ascendant in Taurus!

His transits for the end of August show:  Pluto squares his natal Uranus in 12^th House – the whole thing will on some level take him unawares.  A big Change for him.

Neptune is on his Chiron in 11^th House – a confusing time for him, socially

Saturn will be entering his 12^th House – some inner sadness, maybe not acknowledged

Jupiter will be entering his 4^th House of Home and Family – the actual change of home will in some ways benefit him, and closeness to another branch of his family

Mars entering his 3^rd House of Communication will speed up his learning about a culture new to him.  This is reinforced by a positive contact to his natal Mercury by the Nodal Axis.

Lilibet

Gemini daughter Lilibet has Regulus (the royal fixed star) on the Ascendant (29 degrees Leo), so she too has indications of being born to royalty in her natal chart, and was even named after the late Queen.

There is therefore a great similarity between them, possibly based on strength of will (Leo and the Sun).  However, Lilibet has the Moon exactly conjunct Chiron in 8^th House, which indicates a wound on the female line, possibly going back to ancestors or past lives.

Lilibet currently has a transit of the South Node on her Regulus/Ascendant, which is very significant.  A powerful karmic shift in her life.

In addition, Neptune squares her natal Venus, leaving her potentially socially confused.  But Saturn will be exactly sextile her natal Saturn, which will help her stabilize. And Jupiter will be sextile her natal Sun – so she could see it initially as a holiday.

However, Jupiter will also square her natal Uranus in the 9^th House of Foreign Lands, so there will be surprises and shocks, too.  Uranus in the 9^th House natally can indicate changes of country.

This will undoubtedly be a time of challenge for the family, not least in terms of relations with Harry’s brother William and his wife Kate.  As we are unclear about the decision-making process, we are also unclear about how long their stay will be.  To look at the positives, from the transits of Jupiter in their Houses this coming year, while Harry could make financial gains (however counterintuitive that may sound), Meghan still has Jupiter in her 1^st House in Leo the sign of acting (if the Guy Ritchie role falls through, she may make a comeback in another role).  Some sofa pundits on the television have suggested Coronation Street, in jest.  The area of growth for Archie is in his 4^th House of Home, as has been mentioned.  And for Lilibet, Jupiter going through her 12^th House is largely an unconscious process, with hope on the horizon when Jupiter goes into Virgo in the second half of July 2027, when she should regain confidence.

Aspects

The Sun has been conjunct the South Node this weekend.  The upside of this aspect can bring light and insight into past actions and memories, and fostering existing talents.  It can bring forward the talents you developed in past lives, but also enable you to release habits you no longer need.

Coming so recently after the North Node entered Aquarius, it highlights karma around technology, and past life memory around Atlantis (Aquarius), and also the history, memories and mythology of Egypt (the South Node in Leo).  I have felt this in a big way this weekend.  You may need to look deep into your inner life, to mine the richness of this conjunction.

To provide an alternative point of view on this conjunction, I turn to the American Astrologer Adam Elenbaas, who says:

“What if disappointment isn’t a dead end but evidence that your heart is real? This weekend, the Sun meets the South Node in Leo—a moment to release old patterns and trust the path, even when it doesn’t make sense. In today’s episode [you can find this on YouTube], we explore what it means to stay curious when life deflates you, to find the middle way between attachment and avoidance, and to let the heart itself become the source of lasting fulfilment.”

You may find that helpful.

Also on the internet, a teacher who calls himself the “Abundant Alchemist” (who sometimes talks about Astrology) makes reference to this event, saying: “The contracts you made with struggle, with hiding, with carrying, with proving — they were written for the old world. And the old world is closing. You’re not falling apart right now. You’re being handed back your freedom, clause by clause.  The question is whether you’ll keep living by agreements that have already expired.”

I am including that because the experiences I have had over the weekend directly involve Soul Contracts.  So I don’t wish for you to miss out on the potential of this influence.

In the early hours of this morning, the Sun entered Virgo.  It may seem too early (and I don’t mean the early hours of the morning!) but the need for knuckling down conscientiously to work and study schedules is reinforced with this ingress   The Sun in Virgo will underline the need for a sense of focus and purpose, and bring people together in common objectives.  Efficiency and economy will be watchwords for how we organize the second half of our year.  There may be a new resolve to institute health and fitness regimes, and work rotas and practices.  Perhaps think about enrolling for training in new skills, in September courses.  It may also be helpful for decluttering attempts.

We have another aspect today, that of the Sun trine Chiron.  This aspect favours both physical and psychological healing, and a trip or leisure activity may be just the tonic you need.  You may put the world to rights, theoretically at least, over a coffee.

Tuesday (25^th) holds another karmic transit, that of Mercury conjunct the South Node.  The karma of consequence continues its theme.  This favours the exercise of the mind in relation to karma, intelligent wisdom.  Review the teachers and teachings of your life prior to this moment, and review how you receive and process information currently: that will help you evaluate karmic factors.  Also under scrutiny is where you may play the role of teacher and student in your life.  Information about past lives may be more specific.

Late morning, Mercury enters Virgo.  Mercury is at home in its one of its own signs here.  This signals a more studious change in focus and preparing for the next academic term.  We will be thinking ahead, planning for our imminent September schedules.  Students and teachers will be ready in their plans for the term ahead.  Businesses will be hoping for an extra push in efficiency for after the holiday period.  Parliamentarians will be setting out their policies, in their new roles, trying to balance out their difficult decisions, and oppositions to difficult decisions.  Mental application will be needed all round.

Following the path of the Sun, Mercury then trines Chiron, a problem-solving aspect with real healing potential.  This aspect is all about finding solutions, especially in health matters.  Mercury trine Chiron describes healing on a mental level (positive thinking, writing and affirmations), and helps to combine conventional and alternative or complementary healing approaches.

The Sun and Mercury catch up with each other and conjoin at 4 degrees Virgo on Thursday (27^th).  This may bring an opportunity to apply your mind with clarity, concentrate, focus, and make important statements.  The focus may be on working schedules and documentation or environmental projects.  Mentally you may be able to see things clearly. If you know which House Virgo occupies in your chart, you’ll find that area of your life to be exceptionally busy.

Emotion may be ramping up towards the end of the week, prior to a Full Moon and Eclipse at 4 degrees Pisces in the early hours of Friday morning (28^th). This is an especially tender, sensitive and emotional Full Moon, so tears may flow.  Issues which may come up may be plastic in the sea, the fishing industry, or flooding.  The Pisces Full Moon reminds us that we are all One.  Eclipses can be turning points, relating to a six month effect, and events may be triggered on the day but the consequences may not manifest immediately.

At breakfast time the same morning, Uranus will square Mercury.  People might feel overwrought, and needing to take a moment for mental health.  Be prepared for glitches as you open up your devices first thing.  Back up your computer files, and consider I.T. loopholes.  Speech may be controversial.  Use your intuition to be one step ahead – the Universe may be trying to show you new pathways, and possible new perspectives.  However, some new pathways may prove to be cul-de-sacs.  The day is likely to be especially impactful on Prince Harry, who currently additionally has a transit of Uranus square his natal Mercury (which is situated at 5 degrees and 12 minutes of Virgo).

That aspect is followed in the evening by a square to the Sun from Uranus.  That aspect may make you aware of possible loopholes through which the element of the unexpected can enter.  Disruption can occur, but unexpected twists and turns may give you new ideas for future reference.

If you want something doing this week, don’t leave it to the end of the week.  Unless you are very clear about completing something which began at the last eclipse at the New Moon on Wednesday (12^th).

The week in bullet points:

• Today – past life karma and soul contracts; knuckling down; healing ways
• Tuesday – karmic information; work scheduling; holistic healing
• Thursday – sparkling mental focus
• Friday – emotional high tide and turning point; I.T. glitches; the element of the unexpected

Nigel Farage

On Friday morning we learned the inevitably, that Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, had faced down Count Binface in the Clacton By-Election, to regain his seat.  That may be a non-event, because he is back to square one, being investigated about a £5 million donation by a cryptocurrency investor.  Which is deemed wholly or partly the reason he called the by-election by resigning, though not his stated aim.  There are, however, signs in the polls that his star may be on the wane – but his historic pattern seems to be that of a comeback kid.

Birth Chart

His birth chart seems to describe him very accurately.  He has the Sun in confident Aries which is unaspected, so a free spirit.  His Sun ruler Mars has a prominent part to play in his chart, his personality and his life: Mars in Aries makes him doubly Arien; Mars in the 7^th House means he is forceful in relationships; Mars square the Nodal Axis implies that he is combative, and an agent of karma. Mars closely sextile his natal Midheaven (Careerpoint) sees his ruling warrior planet taking a lead role in his career path and mode of working in the world.

His Moon in Sagittarius is at the Galactic Centre (a very powerful placement!) which may explain why emotionally (Moon) he has such an appeal to a large portion of the electorate.  His Venus is closely square to Saturn – is there an element of hard-heartedness there?

Uranus conjunct Pluto in Virgo is the anarchic conjunction of the mid-1960s (he was born in 1964).  At the same time, Uranus exactly sextile the North Node enables success in a karmic mission of being a maverick.  The North Node in Cancer indicates patriotism and populism.

And the key to his chart is Pluto exactly conjunct his Ascendant – he reinvents himself or his life from time to time; at its extreme this conjunction can be very destructive.

Life and Career

Nigel Farage was born in Farnborough.  His stockbroker father left the family when he was five years old (his absence shown in Nigel’s birth chart by his unaspected Sun, where the Sun represents the father).

With all that Mars in his chart, he did have a Warrior lineage: his paternal grandfather served as a private in the First World War.

He received an education between 1975 and 1982 at Dulwich College, a fee-paying private school.  Many of his school mates at the time had unhappy memories of his bullying and racist behaviour, and these were prominent in the media in December 2025.  He had written in his 2010 autobiography that there had been outrage from staff at his “spirited defence of Enoch Powell.”

He joined the Conservative Party in 1978.

On 25 November 1985 he was hit by a car after a night out, injuring to his head and left leg.  Pluto on the Ascendant natally, as in his chart, can indicate a pattern of near death experiences.

In 1999 he was elected as an MEP to the European Parliament, and subsequently re-elected in later years.

On Election Day 2010, May 6^th, he survived a near-fatal plane crash while campaigning for UKIP.  He sustained serious injuries at the time.  The accident was caused when an election banner became entangled in the tail fin of the plane.

In the run up to the European Brexit Referendum of 2016, Nigel Farage took a leading role in getting the result over the line on 23^rd June 2016, with 52% of the population voting to leave.  The consequences of Brexit are generally acknowledged to have “broken Britain.”  In his book “How they Broke Britain”, James O’Brian devotes a whole chapter to Nigel Farage, as well as to others such as David Cameron.  But Nigel Farage is generally seen as the architect of Brexit.  If I may quote from that chapter about his appeal:

“He effects the demeanour of a mildly sozzled City gent, dresses like a city-dwelling social misfit’s idea of a country squire and reassures people it is fine to be discomfited by the nationality of their new neighbours…”

After the result, he went to the European Parliament, and gloated:

“Isn’t it funny? When I came here 17 years ago and I said that I wanted to lead a campaign go get Britain out of the E.U., you all laughed at me…Well, I have to say, you’re not laughing now, are you?”

At that point in time, with Pluto a dominant planet in his chart, and Pluto transits being the most powerful type of transit, Pluto was exactly sextile his natal Neptune, one of the most powerful transits one can manifest.

In this period, he was a great supporter of Donald Trump, who was elected President in November 2016, for his first term of office.  He has continued to espouse policies very similar to those of the President.  They both have the Moon in Sagittarius.

In January 2019, he formed the Brexit Party.

In 2021, he took a hiatus from politics, which he announced on 6^th March.  This is interesting astrologically as it shows up in his transits as Jupiter square his natal Neptune in his 3^rd House (a possible spiritual crisis or crossroads), and the Nodal Axis square his natal Chiron/Descendant (a karmic crisis).

Approaching the 2024 Election, the Reform UK party (formerly the Brexit party) was struggling, under the leadership of Richard Tice.  [It is an interesting reflection on that Pluto/Ascendant in his chart, that not only did he re-invent himself, but the names of his parties, e.g. UKIP in an earlier incarnation].  When Nigel Farage took over as leader in June of that year, the party took off in the polls, and did well in the election. Farage first became an MP, for Clacton.

After that, his influence and poll rating grew steadily, as he hammered home his main policy, which was the influx of immigrants and how they would be stemmed.  The Conservatives had struggled to make headway on this issue, and Labour were making some headway, but not enough for those sections of society to whom it was the burning issue of the day.

In the Council Elections in May this year, the Reform UK party were very successful, in many parts of the country.  The lack of popularity of Prime Minister Keir Starmer led to a plan by Andy Burnham to renounce the leadership as Manchester Mayor and attempt to become MP for Makerfield, on the way to becoming Prime Minister.

However, in the meantime (April 202) it was revealed that Nigel Farage, before taking over the leadership of Reform UK, had accepted a gift of £5 million from a cryptocurrency investor, under ambiguous conditions regarding parliamentary rules on such matters.  He hid away from invitations to be interviewed on the matter, until he declared (on 7^th July) that he would hole a by-election in Clacton, on an anti-establishment platform, and “let the people decide.”  The main political parties decided not to give him the satisfaction of standing against him, and so it was that Count Binface was his main local opposition.

Transits for Thursday 13^th August 2026 Clacton By-Election

Nigel won the election by 22,239 votes, with 63.3%.  But at what cost? – £250,000 for his Council.

The main transits for this time show:

Pluto sextile his natal Mars in 7^th House – exerting his will; Neptune on his natal Mars – uncertainty or shadiness; Uranus on his Midheaven – Career and Political Success; and the North Node on his Saturn in Pisces in his 6^th House – some sober political karma going down.

Count Binface did very well, gaining 9,455 votes.  Sadly we do not have his birth data.

Nigel Farage announced his victory ahead  of the result, and did not turn up to the announcement, citing worry about security and the humiliation of standing next to the likes of Count Binface (there were 34 candidates in all).

He apparently lied [as I go to press] about Essex Police advising him his life was under threat.

Depending on the ongoing investigation result regarding that donation, another by-election may be triggered.

Was it all a storm in a teacup?  It probably hasn’t enhanced his reputation.

The Quiet Office

I have now completed writing the third novel of my trilogy “The Quiet Office – Volume III – Windows to the Future”.

Next stop will be the publishing process…!

I feel it is my best work so far, and if you have enjoyed Volumes I and II you will be able to further the experience.

It is a mixture of Astrology, Futurism, Climate Change and Humour!

There will also be a limited edition of cards to accompany this volume, as there were with the first two.

Aspects

On Monday (17^th) just after breakfast, as you swing into the routine of your week, Neptune squares Mars: Confusion may reign, so take that time for thinking things through. Meditation and activities which combine meditation and movement, can be helpful for centring, during the day, if you sense that this aspect is operating on your consciousness.  It would set you up for the week.

The afternoon brings an easier aspect, that of Mercury trine Saturn.  This combines mental work with practicality, and brings focus and realism to the mental activities.  So it is a good day for making plans.  Serious conversations can also safely take place under this aspect.  It favours book keeping after a day’s shopping and spending!

Even better, shortly after, Venus will be sextile Jupiter (at 16.16 Hrs in the U.K.).  That is one of the brightest aspects of the year.  This bodes well for any celebrations or parties.  It’s conducive to socializing, and romancing.  This sextile combines luck and love.  Enjoy your afternoon and evening!

With three aspects on Monday 17^th, it is the most important day of this week, astrologically.

The middle of the week is devoid of aspects.

There’s a bit of a slump on Friday (21^st) when Saturn opposes Venus.  This aspect would urge you to let go in relationships or to make economies in finance.  The message of the power of love may be more difficult to sustain in the face of testing under this aspect.  But the cure for the situation is even more love.  The message in finance is having to examine your values, needs and necessities.  Social media may make awkward reading.  “Return to Love” by Marianne Williamson would be a preferable read!

Saturday (22^nd) is the last day of the Sun’s journey through Leo.  The next day, it will move into Virgo, so make the most of this last burst of Sun-in-Leo energy at the weekend.  It went into Leo on 22^nd July, when I wrote:

“Enjoy the holiday season, and for parents, good luck as purveyors of kids’ entertainment.  Sun in Leo is about the expression of the human spirit, and that can be enjoyed whatever the weather (although some are tiring of the heat and worrying about the implications for climate change).   For those of you on holiday by the sea, you may be able to enjoy a dip, alternating with lazing on a deckchair under a parasol sipping a pina colada.  For those staying at home, it is about enjoying aspects of life and being, generally.”

Keep it up!  I will be back, next Sunday, to report on the Sun’s ingress into Virgo.

The week in bullet points:

• Monday – lack of co-ordination; mental concentration; sparkling socializing
• Friday – letting go and economizing
• Saturday – be playful