International Peace Day

Start the day with a slice of peace, on this internationally recognized marker for peace.  And end the day with thoughts of peace.  In fact, make it a sandwich of peace throughout the day.  How you mark it is up to you, but a meditation of peace is effective even on a local level.  A meditation for peace can ripple out, and prevent an outbreak of strife.

With more wars than ever threatening the lives of millions around the world,  in Africa, the Middle East, and the Ukraine to name but a few areas, and with world leaders as uncertain as ever as to whether to intervene or not, humankind has yet to find a solution to war, or a way to persuading those who would bear arms to lay them down, and find other ways to solve disputes.  More than ever the peacemakers need to make their voices heard, to be able to say “Just, stop”!  The arts of diplomacy, negotiation and non-violent communication need to be even further fine-tuned.  Journalists and humanitarian aid workers risk their lives in war torn areas, but there is no respect shown to such roles and there are no boundaries either for protecting women, children and innocent civilians.

So, whatever the aspects, bring out and nurture your Inner Peacemaker today, and contemplate ways in which it may contribute to the balance of peace in the world.  Call upon the Spirit of Peace which unites and connects all peacemakers.

Strictly Come Dancing 2014 – Part 2

Strictly Come Dancing competitors take to the stage on Friday at 9 pm, and then Saturday at 7 pm on BBC1.  Here’s another portion of participants in this year’s dance fest:

Alison Hammond

I remember Alison Hammond breaking a table in one of the earliest series of Big Brother.  Since then she secured a presenter’s role in This Morning, regularly conducting interviews with the rich and famous, her style being a mixture of lightheartedness (she has a great laugh), intimacy and chutzpah  – good for her!  She apparently was inspired to take part in Strictly Come Dancing by the success of larger lady Lisa Riley in 2012.  Alison is an Aquarian, and therefore relies in her humour on the power of surprise.  She promises to be entertaining on the dance floor.  Her huge energy comes from a square between her Mars and Pluto natally.  Around the start of the tournament Pluto transits her Mars, bearing the possibility of injury.  Her partner Aljaz Skorjanec is an out and out Capricorn with several planets in that sign, but normally fairly lucky with Sun exactly trine Jupiter.  However, he has Uranus square his Mars early in the tournament, also incident-prone, and Saturn square his Sun at the end, which is disappointing.  At that time, Pluto opposes Alison’s Saturn, too.  Though I am looking forward to seeing Alison, we may have to savour the experience, as it could be short and sweet.

Steve Backshall

Wildlife presenter Steve Backshall is in his comfort zone around nature (Sun conjunct Venus in Taurus).  But he is taking a break from his usual habitat in the wild, and entering the world of the ballroom.  He has a couple of handy exact trines in his chart which may stand him in good stead: Mars exactly trine Saturn (disciplined movement) and Mercury trine Neptune (the ability to receive inspiration).  Saturn forms two exact sextiles from the midpoint of the Mars-Saturn trine, so he could find the exercise healing for him, and we might find it healing to watch in some way!  At the start of the tournament, the North Node transits his Uranus, highlighting a complete change for him, and also highlighting his capacity to surprise us.  He partners Ola Jordan, which could be a happy pairing with his North Node exactly sextile her Jupiter.  Steve could have a feeling of satisfaction at the end, with Neptune exactly sextile his Venus.  Ola has a couple of Pluto aspects at the start, one empowering (Pluto exactly trine her Jupiter) and one nerve-wracking (Pluto square her Mercury) so she may be confident, but may also be still dealing with the aftermath of her husband James’ stint in the Big Brother house.  At the finish, Jupiter will be sextile exactly her Saturn: a job well done, but not quite triumphant.

Thom Evans

Thom Evans is the token rugby player in the competition, and is already rumoured to have fallen in love with his professional dance partner, Iveta Lukosiute.   Thom is a fiery and energetic Aries, who may well prove popular with the ladies.  He should start extremely well, with Uranus on his Sun/Venus, certainly producing some excitement.  Transiting Jupiter also trines his Venus, often signalling a new romance.  Unfortunately, we do not know what the astrological chemistry consists of, as I do not have Iveta’s birth date.  He has mixed transits at the end, and could end up with a flourish, or the opposite…

Jennifer Gibney

Jennifer is the real life wife of Brendan O’Carroll, the Mrs. Brown of Mrs. Brown’s Boys, a popular British comedy.  Unfortunately I do not have a birth date for her!  Her real husband and screen father Brendan has Moon conjunct Mars in his natal chart, which may describe his alter ego.  He might have mixed feelings about her new jaunt, as Saturn squares his Jupiter (some of his freedom may be curtailed) but at the same time the North Node sextiles his Jupiter, so he recognizes it as a good opportunity.  The organizers found an Irish partner for Jennifer (who is Irish) so that might provide an initial basis for compatibility.  Tristan, who is new to Strictly Come Dancing, has a Leo Sun, so he is a real performer, with 3 planets in Libra, giving him musicality.  He also has great energy (Mars conjunct Pluto), but that may come with a short fuse, so hopefully she will shape up!  He has Sun exactly trine Uranus, so will be original and inventive in his choreography.  His transits early in the competition are lacklustre, and he has  difficult transits at the end of the tournament, so his debut on the programme may not be as stunning as he might hope, but maybe he will do better next year if he stays in the frame.  Brendon O’Carroll has transiting Pluto exactly trine his Mars at the end of the tournament, so he will be pleased to have his wife back, and may celebrate with a Christmas special!

Aspects

Today, on International Peace Day, we have Venus sextile Saturn to work with, which is very fitting.  It ensures that we work with the principles of peace in a measured and responsible way, taking into account loyalty and other such sterling qualities in human relations.  Certainly it is a day when we are still having to tread carefully in our newly saved Union, as political interests seem to be causing differences in how to proceed to ensure the concerns of the Scottish people are met honourably.  I have noticed the media stoking up the differences with the wording of their headlines, instead of trying to foster a sense of calm.  Rome was not built in a day.  So whether you are meditating for peace, or cooking a Sunday roast over an excitable family dinner table, keep peace in mind.  It is achievable on some level today.

Tomorrow we have the much trickier Mars square Neptune to contend with.  You might want to save some of your peaceful initiative leftovers to dine on tomorrow.  Mars and Neptune together stoke mistrust, and the political dissensions are likely to rumble on, despite Gordon Brown’s best efforts, or any other Brown.  Don’t jump to conclusions, as you may be adding to the paranoia.  Bide your time, and sense what is really going on.  There may be agendas which are not obvious, but may emerge later.

On Tuesday (23^rd) Pluto is stationary, prior to turning direct.  This may enable institutions (as it takes place in Capricorn) to take a big step forward, so some conferring by the political parties may bring about some consensus in terms of constitutional reform and its timetable.  In your private life, a particular psychological struggle may begin to bear fruit, or there is a sense of a turnaround in your greater efforts.

Tuesday is also the day of the Autumn Equinox, although the weather already thinks it is Autumn.  Desmond Tutu is urging us to put climate change top of our list, and it would be a good day to pay attention to Gaia.  The Sun enters Libra, and in the cycle of seasons, we have established our work routines in Virgo, and it is time to turn to bringing a greater creative input to our relationships, as represented by Libra.

There is a New Moon at the beginning of Libra on Wednesday (24^th), and if you gave some thought to your relationships on Tuesday, you may be in a position to make a significant gesture in your primary or secondary relationships for the New Moon.  You may outline new plans for new directions in connection with the home or travel, for instance.  Or you may make a declaration of new commitment, or receive one.  There may be a sense of excitement in the air, because the New Moon almost coincides with the most exciting aspect to occur for some time.

Thursday (25^th) plays host to a trine between Jupiter and Uranus in Fire signs (can’t at this moment think of anything as exciting!)  Plan your most ambitious projects for Thursday day this week!  I will be having a hairdo, for a wedding at the weekend.  My trips to the hairdresser are usually annual, but at best reserved for attendance at weddings, and there was one in May so that makes two this year.  So that is very exciting, indeed, for me.  If you know which Houses these two planets fall in, for your chart, then you can enhance the effect.  It is an entrepreneurial aspect, too, for those of you inclined to Business.  It is also risk-taking, but success is not guaranteed, it’s just a better than usual bet for gamblers.

Finally, on Saturday (27^th) Mercury enters Scorpio.  The time of diplomacy this week is past, and the gloves come off.  Verbal sparring intensifies, and the fine print comes under scrutiny.  To everything there is a season, and mentally you need to knuckle down in some way.  Superficiality will just not work.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – Peace considerations
• Tomorrow – suspicion; look at climate change and relationships
• Wednesday – new beginnings, especially in relationships
• Thursday – dynamic and exciting; a big day
• Saturday – sharpen your wits

Scottish Referendum

The Scots go to the polls on Thursday 18/9/14 to determine whether they stay united with the rest of the British Isles, or go it alone. The polls currently are neck and neck.

Time to nail my colours to the mast: I am always in favour of Union, or Unity, (equally for instance in the case of the European Union) as I believe it to be the higher evolutionary path from the spiritual angle.

On a personal level too the thought of dis-union distresses me, and in addition I have never in this incarnation managed to visit Scotland, even though I know I have lived there before.  I would particularly like to visit the new age settlement of Findhorn.

My own fears chime with those of Will Hutton writing in the Observer:

“Absurdly, there will be two countries on the same small island that have so much in common. If Britain can’t find a way of sticking together, it is the death of the liberal enlightenment before the atavistic forces of nationalism and ethnicity – a dark omen for the 21st century. Britain will cease as an idea. We will all be diminished.”

Alex Salmond

First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond’s  birthchart displays spectacularly his life path.  One of the great things about the Scots, which every Astrologer will appreciate, is that the birth times are stated on their birth certificates.  No need for any enquiries within the family, or any other subtle (e.g. dowsing) methods of eliciting that all important time of birth which leads to the holy grail of an Ascendant.

Alex is a Sun in Capricorn (ambition and politics) whose Sun is conjunct the North Node also in Capricorn (representing his karmic mission, which is also on side).  He has the fighting spirit of Moon conjunct Mars in Pisces, which sometimes obtains what is desired by subterfuge.  But his Ascendant is in Cancer, giving rise to the moon face and also the patriotism.  Rising within 6 degrees of his Ascendant is an exact conjunction between Jupiter and Uranus (the Inner and Outer Entrepreneur)  And we all know what his Enterprise is.  This suggests that this mission is what he came into this life to do (whether he succeeds or not).  This conjunction also trines his Moon (Ascendant ruler), and Venus completes a Grand Trine.  There is no doubt that he has been successful thus far in his political life and aims.

On the date of the Referendum, Saturn exactly trines his natal Mars and his Ascendant, forming a Grand Trine.  Neptune also exactly sextiles his natal North Node which represents his karmic mission, lending inspiration to his mission.

Nicola Sturgeon

Scottish Deputy Nicola Sturgeon has been prominent on our screens for several years, appearing regularly on Question Time.  She is a role model for the strong woman, and unflinching in her political aims, and in her solidarity with Alex Salmond.  She is a Cancerian to his Capricorn Sunsign, the perfect combination to complete a job.  She is comfortable with power, as her Sun is sextile Pluto, but the remarkable thing with respect to her alliance with Salmond, is that her natal Sun is exactly conjunct Alex Salmond’s Jupiter/Uranus exact conjunction, in other words she can directly help co-create his Enterprise.  Karmically, their North Nodes are exactly sextile, so a karmic contract will have been set up before birth for this aim.  And Nicola started young on her course: she was 16 when she entered politics!  There is a power alliance between their charts composed of Nicola’s Jupiter exactly sextile Alex Salmond’s Pluto.

On the day of the Referendum, Neptune is conjunct her North Node, a day on which her dreams could also come true, depending on how realistic they are!  What is not in question is the strength of her shared idealism with Alex Salmond.

Alistair Darling

Alistair Darling, leader of the No Campaign or “Better Together” campaign, and former Chancellor of the Exchequer under Gordon Brown, has as expected a very shrewd birthchart for financial affairs.  Strikingly, he has an exact conjunction of Pluto (high finance) and the Part of Fortune (Joy), which is sextile his natal Neptune, so he understands the complexities of Finance and is at home in all its subtleties.  He also has Venus (personal finance) very closely trine Uranus, a magical touch.  And with Venus exactly sextile his Midheaven (Careerpoint) a career in Finance would be obvious.  I am only perplexed by his dark bushy eyebrows, which I think are due in part to his Scorpio Ascndant.  On the Andrew Marr show today he was confidant and adamant that the No campaign would prevail.  He won the first debate with Alex Salmond, by asking difficult questions about currency, which Salmond never addressed.  Salmond mustered all his confidence for the second round, in which questions about currency were still not addressed (e.g. how he thought entitlement to the pound was a right), but Alistair Darling floundered and looked lacklustre.  After the second debate, Salmond’s Yes campaign gained ground, and it is possible that Darling feels that a show of confidence is what is needed.

The Astrology of the Referendum day for Darling shows him to be confused and a bit lost, so the show of confidence may just be a show.  Alistair has a strong chart generally, but a weak point is a square between his Sun and Moon (indecisiveness).  At this time, Neptune is creating a T-square by opposing his Moon and squaring his Sun.  The danger for this period is that he may feel disillusioned and shocked by realities at that time.  This may of course refer to his private life, but certainly he has thrown his all into this campaign and it must occupy a great deal of his heart, mind and soul at this time.  He knows what is right and true for him, but is bamboozled by the force and angle of the opposition and does not know how to respond effectively to the lack of response to his rational arguments.

Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown has a key role in the No Campaign, and was chosen as the most diplomatic political figure to put forward reforms for the Scottish people in the event of a No vote.  I have in the past given much blog time to Gordon Brown, so do not need to analyze his birth chart.  But I must say, he has the best set of transits for the Referendum. This is intriguing because it flies in the face of all the rest of the astrological evidence.  It is possible that if the vote on Thursday were to result in a Yes vote, he would play a key role in bridging and negotiating the various political and financial parties.  It is by no means certain to what degree of significance the charts of events show up in a personal chart, and seemingly his main role in this lifetime has already been played out, but the transits are: Jupiter exactly conjunct his Moon (emotional buoyancy), Saturn trine exactly his North Node (a serious karmic recognition of his contribution), Uranus exactly conjunct his Ascendant (a sudden change in his lifestyle), Neptune exactly trine his Uranus (a complexity of new systems to master), and Neptune exactly sextile his Midheaven (new sensitive career roles, including a counseling role).   Maybe people will be patting him on the back for his efforts, and that constitutes a hope for the No campaign.

David Cameron

Is David Cameron likely to go down in history as the Prime Ministor who “lost” the Union between Scotland and England or the rest of the British Isles?  Certainly I pointed out at the beginning of the year that he has had Uranus opposite his Sun, and that it might prove a significant transit for September 18^th.  Uranus is a planet of schism and estrangement, and so there is a real danger for him in this respect.  It would require great efforts on the part of his Soul to mend this schism, and I felt as he did when he made an emotive speech this last week saying he would be heartbroken at the loss of Scotland.

National Charts

I have concentrated on  three out of a raft of charts which can be viewed to look at the national effect of the events of September 18^th :

1922 United Kingdom Chart

I wrote a few weeks ago: “The current chart for the U.K., based on 7^th December 1922, has as its astrological signatures Sun/Mercury in Sagittarius (an upbeat sign, and the Sun sign of Winston Churchill), Ascendant in Gemini (mentally lively) exactly square Uranus at the top of the chart (forward looking and humanitarian on the plus side) and Moon in Cancer (patriotic).  That may change if our Scottish brothers and sisters leave the equation.  The current turmoil shows in the transits as Pluto opposite the United Kingdom Pluto, and economic and social hardship is depicted by Saturn squaring the U.K. Neptune.  But there are some livelier transits showing openness to change:  Jupiter squaring the natal Jupiter (a sense of adventure) and Uranus trine the national Mercury (openness to new ideas), which may yield some favourable changes.”

1801 U.K. Union Chart

The transits to this national chart are unequivocal: Pluto exactly transiting its Sun (a death and a rebirth) and Mars exactly squaring its Pluto (intense conflict).

842 Chart for Scotland

This natal chart in itself carries hope (Jupiter on the Ascendant) and depth (Pluto conjunct the Sun) as an expression of the Scottish national character.  However, the transits are not so favourable to Scotland at the time of the referendum: Saturn square its Moon (continued subjugation) and Neptune conjunct its Venus (a sense of betrayal, but at its best spiritual love!).

It will be interesting to see which set of transits most describes actual events this week.

Owen Jones

Young political analyst Owen Jones rose to fame through his first book “Chavs – the demonization of the working class”  He is another favourite on Question Time, and talks a lot of sense.

In an article in the Guardian he says of the Tory policy and current line on the referendum:

“Rather than attempting to defeat a yes campaign championing hope with the politics of fear, it would have promised to build a socially just Scotland as part of a federal Britain.”

Owen Jones published his second book “The Establishment” on 4^th September (only 10 days ago) and I have only just begun reading it.  He rightly points out the role of the elite in the disillusionment of the lower classes, and not only this current  government: “Many Scots look at the Britain built by this political elite, they don’t like it and they want out.”

In an appeal to the sense of keeping the Union he says: “What appeals is the common traditions shared by Scottish, English and Welsh people as they confronted, fought and defeated the powerful…A new federal constitutional order – with sweeping devolution to the English regions and Wales, and to Scotland if it remains – must be built.”

He speaks for me.

Aspects

Today’s is the most powerful aspect of the week, with Venus trine Pluto.  This gives power to relationships, art, and financial affairs.  You may be able to take your pick which area you work on, or work on all three.

In relationships, the call is for depth and facing psychological issues.

In art, the brief is to create something meaningful and enduring.

In finance, there is a dare to dream large, and work on your abundance issues.

Tuesday (16^th) brings a conjunction between Mercury and the North Node.  This may feed you vital information about your karma, in this present or in past lives.  It may focus on what you have to learn and what you have to teach.  The Course in Miracles says: “We teach what we need to learn.”

Wednesday (17^th) tests out your lessons from today, with Venus opposing Chiron.  There may be a crisis of relationship, art or money, and you need to handle it with the wisdom with which you made progress on the trine of Venus with Pluto.

In  relationships, you may need to let go, and paradoxically you may find out the true power of the relationship.

In art, you may need to re-work something, based on reality.

In finance, you may need to release some of your hard won profits to charity!

On Thursday (18^th) whether you are a Yes or a No voter, at the Scottish polls, or in your heart, may the outcome be of benefit to everyone on these Islands, and may it enable us to perform our true role in the world.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – express your full power
• Tuesday – listen to the messages of the Universe
• Wednesday – healing crises and hopefully resolutions in relationships, art and finance
• Thursday – keep calm and carry on

Strictly Come Dancing 2014 – Part 1

The new series of Strictly Come Dancing starts tonight at 8.00 pm on BBC1. Tonight’s programme focuses on the pairing of contestants with their professional dance partners, so I cannot yet look at that chemistry, but am taking a brief initial look at some of the more high profile competitors whose names and faces I do recognize.  The others I hope to get to know as the series progresses, and I intend to update this topic in the coming weeks.

Claudia Winkleman, new Co-Presenter

No one can replace the unique contribution of long time main presenter Bruce Forsyth who has now retired from the post.  But Claudia Winkleman is a presenter of some talent, and is the daughter of Eve Pollard, the journalist and fashion writer.  Claudia has been a regular presenter on this show, sometimes filling in for Bruce,  usually co-hosting the Sunday show with Tess Daly.  She is a Capricorn and favours wearing black, but I think the penchant for severe black sleeves is a fashion faux pas, possibly down to her Venus exactly square Saturn natally.  With transiting Neptune sextile her natal Mercury at the launch of the new series, she will be looking to refine further her broadcasting skills in her upgraded status.

Judy Murray

Andy Murray has apparently told his mother Judy that she will be “terrible” at this competition…I am not so sure.  I am sure that she will have plenty of backing from the British public.  Her fitness levels must be high.  She has Mars square Saturn in her natal chart, which is presumably the grit with which she encouraged and cajoled her sons as they grew up  in a life of tennis.  She also has as her karmic mission North Node conjunct Mars in Libra, symbolic of  her raising sons to be tennis champions, with the drive needed to do that.  It’s nice that the launch is close to her birthday tomorrow.  Even nicer that Mars is transiting her Jupiter/Moon, giving her a boost of energy and enthusiasm for the new endeavour in her own right.  She may initially have a feeling of uncertainty, with Neptune currently opposite her Mercury.  By the end of the series Mercury will be trine her natal Mercury and Neptune will be trine her natal Neptune, so she will have resolved a lot of issues for herself.

Gregg Wallace

As co-presenter of Masterchef with John Torode, Gregg is famous for the phrase “Cooking doesn’t get any tougher than this!”  His role as food judge is shown in his chart by Venus in Virgo (literal arbiter of taste) conjunct Uranus and Pluto.  The involvement of Uranus and Pluto in his love life (Venus) has produced turbulence and failed marriages, but Masterchef has gone from strength to strength since he took up his role there.  He has Sun/Mercury in Libra, so should show some level of musicality.  Sadly, Saturn squares his natal Mars at the beginning of this process, so he may feel a little awkward or face a minor injury while rehearsing in the next week or so.  He will be happy and harmonious by the end of the process, with Venus trine his Venus, Pluto trine his Venus and Pluto trine his Uranus.  Maybe he will find love with a costume designer.

Sunetra Sarker

I have long been a fan of Sunetra Sarker (Dr. Zoe Hanna from Casualty) ever since she was the steamy nurse in Brookside (the steam arising from a T-square between her Sun, Mars and Pluto).  I would imagine she would make a great contestant in this dance tournament, looking elegant and having the consummate skill of walking in very high heels on a hospital emergency ward.  The astrology however tells of a challenging journey this autumn, with Mercury squaring her Nodal Axis at the start of the process (she may have other things on her mind, or she may view this as a mental and karmic journey).  Jupiter also opposes her Jupiter, so she may feel pulled in two directions in her life.  And even more unsettlingly, Neptune squares her Neptune, so she may find it hard to commit to this project. The latter  transit continues right through to the end, and she may be scattering her energies on and off the dance floor.  When the date of the first competition is announced and the final programme schedules are made known, I will take another look at her astrological progress as I would really like her to do well.  As with all the contestants featured in today’s blog, birth times were not available, and that too could make  a difference.

Jake Wood

You may know Jake Wood more recognizably as the unsavoury Max Branning in the soap opera Eastenders.  Hubby said to me the other day “How come all the villains in Eastenders are bald headed?”.  This bald-header has an aura of ginger about him, and is characterized by a screen history  of ill advised relationships.  So here is a chance to get to know that really the man behind the role is a completely different sort.  His chart shows less monosyllabism, more of a way with words (Venus sextile Mercury), more self-discipline (Mercury sextile Saturn, and Saturn trine Uranus) and a strong sense of competition through the power hungry square between Jupiter and Pluto.  His Mercury/Moon/Mars in Leo may enhance his talent for performing, but Venus conjunct Saturn in Gemini may reduce his artistry and make for a rather too cerebral approach.  However, he should get off to a good start, or certainly be pleased with his new squeeze, as currently Mars sextiles his North Node, Uranus trines his natal Mercury and Uranus sextiles his Saturn.  By the end of the series Saturn sextiles his Pluto, which should give him a real sense of achievement.

Aspects

Today poses a healing conundrum, with the Sun opposing Chiron.  In what promises to be a roller coaster or snakes and ladders week, we start with a dip.  The puzzle of the week is set, and may be resolved by the end of the day, or may be something to engage your healing energies throughout the week.

Tuesday (9^th) brings a Full Moon in Pisces, although occurring in the early hours of the morning, the focus is really on tomorrow night. The full moon in Pisces is the most spiritual of all the full moons, representing as it does the fullness of the lunar experience. The female energy holds sway. The emotions in this full moon placed in the sign of Pisces are in the ocean of the collective unconscious. At their fullest the energies represent world service or global service, and surrender to the universe. This is to be balanced with the sun in Virgo which represents conscious service and conscientious work, the perfecting of which is an earlier stage in human evolution.  Be sure to release any negative emotions.

On Tuesday evening Mercury squares Pluto, and you may be forced to re-think a line of enquiry.  You may make a U-turn if you want to, or something may hit your thinking forcibly which you had previously not entertained.  A Yes vote may turn into a No vote, or vice versa.

On Wednesday (10^th) morning Venus opposes Neptune, and relationship issues may be confusing or deceptive.  Someone may try to pull the wool over your eyes, or the rug from under your feet (hopefully not both).  Reserve your judgement, I would say, until you are more certain of your ground.

In the late afternoon or early evening, Mercury sextiles Jupiter, and judgement generally is more sound.  Sales and business thrive.  Wool may look like a good prospect for investment, and oriental carpets attractive in the soukhs, bazaars  and markets of holiday destinations around the Mediterranean or northern Africa.  As this is the best aspect of the week, you might like to make a bid on EBay, or make some such adventurous transaction on or off line.  Make the most of it.

On Thursday (11^th) the Sun sextiles Saturn, also favourable but much more sober than Mercury sextile Jupiter.  You may make a calculated investment, or soberly assess your purchase of midweek, and find it to be sound.  It is also a good day for planning, and making serious decisions.

Saturday (13^th) morning’s aspect is Mercury opposite Uranus, which is risky and controversial.  You might wake up bright and breezy, but then trip on your new oriental carpet, and be forced to re-think your plans (maybe for the second time this week).  Knowing you might have to be flexible might prove to be an advantage, as your unconscious may come up with a new and better idea for your morning schedule.

After a morning or a day re-jigging you may be feeling a little frazzled as Mars completes its sojourn through the tricky waters of Scorpio, and may be glad of a change of tune for the evening’s events in the shape of Mars entering Sagittarius.  You may feel you are no longer stagnant in an enterprise or swimming against the tide.  You may feel that your energy is flowing unhindered.  Mars in Sagittarius, like any position of any planet in any sign, I am sure will have its challenges (e.g. blind enthusiasm) but for the time being it may seem like a relief that there is some measure of communal and global unity.

Next Week: The Scottish Referendum

The week in bullet points:

• Today – Healing moves
• Tuesday – heightened emotion; a change in mental focus
• Wednesday – relationship confusion, then mental expansion
• Thursday –  lay foundations
• Saturday – frazzled start, smoother evening journey

Sun trine Pluto

We have two planets changing signs this week, and one aspect to play with.

The Aspect we have is Sun trine Pluto, which is all about the force being with you, and as it occurs in the middle of the week, it has enough clout to extend its influence throughout the week; it is aspect enough for one week.

What sort of things can you accomplish in a week with that aspect?  Creative endeavours can be imbued with psychological meaning. Dark areas of the psyche can have a light shine on them.  It is not a minor aspect, but neither is it a hugely prominent one.  So big enough to work with to gain something worthwhile, but not to be too much of a challenge.  It is worth deciding at the beginning of the week what you would be working for along those lines for the middle of the week, have something set up for the middle of the week, and spend the rest of the week refining and finalizing, and monitoring the aftermath.  It is a good aspect to master.

Power

The word Power means different things to people, depending partly on the plane or level they are working on currently or their lifetime theme.  To some it means worldly or material power, to others it may be a career step up the ladder or a shift in spiritual power.  To others it may mean truth, authenticity or freedom.  This week is a good opportunity to define what you mean by power in order to work with it more clearly.  Many people are afraid of their own power, or afraid they have misused power in past lives, and do not want to incur negative karma.  Our power needs to be balanced with the power in the lives of others, but we do need to work with  our own power.  Though some are called to leadership, ultimately, the only true power is about handling our own energies.  For you, personally, this week’s experience may be about uncovering a new corner of your psyche.

Personal Power

The Sun represents personal power, and Pluto represents a deeper psychological power, and also the responsibility of balancing power with others.  The Sun trine Pluto is about using your personal power.  A good book to read this week would be “Personal Power Through Awareness” by Sanaya Roman.  Order it now for your kindle!

Here is a quotation:

“If in any way you fear people in a position of authority or power over you, send them love.  It will help stop any power struggles and attune you to a higher part of their being,  where miracles and love are available.”

If you possess this aspect in your natal chart

The chances are if you are reading this that you don’t have this aspect natally, as it only occurs twice a year.  But this week is your chance to adopt it and try it out, and sometimes when you do this you can keep the skills you learn.

If this is one of the aspects in your natal chart, I would in an analysis be saying something like this to you:

SUN trine Pluto – There is a good understanding of human psychology with this aspect.  Anything you do has to have authenticity and meaning, and you may deliberately test yourself at times for endurance.  There is great psychological strength and the ability to work through testing times.

A Traditional Interpretation

 Here is an interpretation from Margaret Hone’s  Modern Textbook of Astrology, published in 1951:

“Tendency to free the self from bounds or ties.  Easy elimination of the unwanted.”

Archetype: The Alchemist

Caroline Myss says of this Archetype, which very much describes Sun trine Pluto:

“In its highest manifestation seeks complete spiritual transformation…converting matter into some form of altered and enhanced expression.”

Famous  Examples

People who have this aspect natally:

Angelina Jolie

Angelina has never been afraid to pursue her own path, from building a tribe of children, to working with William Hague against sexual abuse towards women in war situations.  Her relationship with Brad Pitt was controversial at its outset, as he was married to Jennifer Aniston, but after many years together and being supported  by him, she married him about a week ago.

Russell Brand

Russell Brand was born the same day as Angelina, though with different birth times and Ascendants.  He too is not afraid to speak his mind, and to do his own thing, regardless of what the world thinks.

Jeffrey Wolf Green

Jeffrey Wolf Green was an Astrologer who founded a branch of Astrology called “Evolutionary Astrology” and wrote books about the in-depth planet Pluto.  So he absorbed the lessons of Pluto at a deep level, and shared them in his writings.  He obtained much of his information through a guru, via his dreams.  His legacy endures.

Judy Hall

Judy Hall is a new age writer on many subjects, including crystals.  But she was one of the pioneers of Karmic Astrology, and as such had a great influence on my work.  One of the abilities she has is to be able to read the Akashic Records, of a person’s past lives, which in-depth work  can cut straight to the root of current problems.

Tina Turner

Tina Turner has Sun trine Pluto within one degree.   She has Saturn on the South Node of past life karma, and her Sun also squares Mars.  Ike Turner’s Mars connected with her Mars and its square to her Sun directly (their Mars’ in square to each other) which brought out the worst karma between them, and violence towards her from Ike.  Her Baptist faith sustained her, and then was added to by a later addition of Buddhism.  She espouses a mixture of both faiths.  I happened to catch an interview with her the other day on the Oprah Winfrey show, where she revealed she had turned her life around completely, and was happily married as well.  She was asked about the philosophy that brought her there, and replied that she arrived at a point of desiring nothing.  This echoes the philosophy of St. John of the Cross: “In order to arrive at possessing everything, desire to possess nothing.”  This was facilitated by her Venus being exactly trine Saturn and exactly square Neptune, not the Sun-Pluto trine.  The qualities shown by the working out of Sun trine Pluto in her life are endurance and regeneration.

Quote from Marianne Williamson

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?”

Aspect

On Tuesday (2^nd Septemebr) Mercury enters Libra (not an aspect) and you should be prepared for the new academic term by the time Mercury leaves Virgo, and preparing to enter a time when you can share information and negotiate through communication.

Wednesday (3^rd) is the day carrying the aspect of the week, and the potential for making a difference in your life and psyche (see above).  May the force be with you, but remember it is also with everyone else, so there will be a need for sensitivity to another’s path.  If you are being authentic, the Universe may automatically make and facilitate adjustments with others.

If you know the two  areas (House placements) occupied currently by the Sun and Pluto, you will find the trine benefits both, but the more enduring changes will be occurring in the House occupied by Pluto in Capricorn, as a result of long processes and psychological work.

On Friday (5^th) Venus enters Virgo, leaving the limelight in Leo, and possibly relieved to be in the more sedate territory of Virgo, quietly at her desk writing her new novel and paying more attention to the detail of her artistry.  If you were able to make a genuine shift in your personal power mid-week, some of that energy can be incorporated into your new work initiatives.

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – negotiation
• Wednesday – personal power
• Friday – connecting up the dots and painting by numbers

David Cameron and the United Kingdom

With David Cameron returning from a long holiday, and the Scottish Referendum a dead cert for a blog in three weeks’ time, and the possibility that we might not be a United Kingdom any more, I thought I would take a look at home affairs as they are now.

David Cameron

Eyebrows have been raised these last few weeks while various crises have come and gone (or stayed) and David and Samantha have been holidaying at home and abroad (in the same outfits as last year) wondering what it would take for David Cameron to  return to his role as leader of the government.  The issue of the beheading of James Foley, a U.S. journalist, by a British jihadist in Iraq seems to have galvanized him, and the issue of preventing jihadists from returning to Britain, though critics still feel he is not fully engaged mentally.

David Cameron is Libran through and through, with Sun, Ascendant and ruling planet all in that sign.  So if he appears to dither or be indecisive at times, it may be due to the classic description of this Libran trait.  His lucky, or privileged streak, is shown by Jupiter exactly sextile his Ascendant.

What do his current transits reveal about his personal and political affairs at this time?  A conjunction of Mars and Saturn on his South Node (past karma) indicates that he is coming back and having to face the music, both personally and in his career role.  Uranus, the planet of shocks and surprises, is opposite his natal Sun for most of this year.  The Islamic State or Isis is a thorny headache for the world powers, but also has implications in our society, in preventing their indoctrination here, and then their possible return if they go overseas to engage with and spread the fighting should they expect to return.  Theresa May is leaping into action over some of these tasks, but in the meantime there are other pressing issues such as the Scottish Referendum.

United Kingdom

The new Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond has called the beheading of James Foley “an utter betrayal of everything the British public stand for”, and indeed it is very Un-British!  If the Scottish people vote Yes on 18^th September, will I be looking at a completely different chart for the United Kingdom, or the Dis-United Kingdom?  And would it change our national sense of identity?

The current chart for the U.K., based on 7^th December 1922, has as its astrological signatures Sun/Mercury in Sagittarius (an upbeat sign, and the Sun sign of Winston Churchill), Ascendant in Gemini (mentally lively) exactly square Uranus at the top of the chart (forward looking and humanitarian on the plus side) and Moon in Cancer (patriotic).  That may change if our Scottish brothers and sisters leave the equation.  The current turmoil shows in the transits as Pluto opposite the United Kingdom Pluto, and economic and social hardship is depicted by Saturn squaring the U.K. Neptune.  But there are some livelier transits showing openness to change:  Jupiter squaring the natal Jupiter (a sense of adventure) and Uranus trine the national Mercury (openness to new ideas), which may yield some favourable changes. I have yet to spot their manifestation, but if you hear any such good news in the coming days, you will know which transits are responsible.  Unless of course you believe the announcements that we are in economic recovery.

James Foley

James Foley, the U.S. Journalist whose beheading has injected a new sense of  end-of-summer responsibility into our Prime Minister, had a dynamic chart of Sun/Uranus conjunct in Libra (negotiating skills), half his planets in Cardinal signs (leadership) and Mars exactly square Jupiter (high energy and enthusiasm).  His effect on David Cameron’s path is shown by his Saturn (responsibility) exactly trine David Cameron’s Mercury (information to take note of).

Neptune currently squares James Foley’s (posthumous) chart, so there is a great deal of mystery surrounding his circumstances at the moment.  Foley’s chart impinges significantly on the United Kingdom’s reputation (Midheaven) with his Neptune exactly sextile the U.K. Midheaven and his Pluto exactly trine with it.  These deep connections imply that the overall longterm outcome of the crisis will work out better than expected for Britain (e.g. in eliciting useful  ways of addressing difficult issues).  But with James Foley’s Uranus exactly square the U.K. Moon the crisis has thrown the government into disarray and caught them on the hop.

Scottish Referendum

There will be more anon on this topic as we move nearer to its time, but I wrote in my New Year blog:

September 18^th: Scottish Referendum: A solid day for Alex Salmond, with a shock for David Cameron.  Favourable change in some ways for the UK with Uranus trine its natal Sun/Mercury, but also schism and trauma in that Pluto opposes its natal Pluto.

[Hopefully, I will find some counteracting evidence when I do the Scottish Referendum blog].

On Monday the second debate takes place between Alex Salmond (for the Yes vote) and Alistair Darling who impressed in the first debate for the No vote.  Alex Salmond will have Mercury opposite his Mars (may have difficulty controlling his nerves or temper) and Mars transiting his Saturn (ruffling his feathers) so may not perform any better than the first round.  Alistair Darling will have some supportive and harmonious transits, which may enable him to charm some of the voters to his side, but has Neptune square his Sun, so he may be wrestling with some personal or public confusion at this time.  I think he will do well, overall, though some of those bright transits will have dissolved by 18^th September.

[Amendment Monday 25th:

The debate between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling is today, not tomorrow, and I have amended it in the blog. It is being televised at 8.30 pm on BBC2. The difference that a day makes astrologically in this case still finds Alistair in a strong position, but an improvement for Alex, in that he may perform better than last time.]

N.H.S

There are mixed transits for the N.H.S. at the moment, with the North Node sextile its Jupiter (some divine intervention perhaps – benefactors please come forward) and Pluto squaring its Neptune (the most dire aspect it could face!).  There is more evidence for the latter, but the N.H.S. has been so dismantled and messed around, that it is difficult to know exactly what is going on.

Education

I doubt that our Educational system will ever fully recover from Michael Gove’s tinkering in recent years, but in the meantime we have a new figurehead from David Cameron’s recent reshuffle.   Nicky Morgan as another Libran might be expected to be a Yes Minister and just cruise along trying to establish Michael Gove’s policies.  Yet her chart has potential for her future political career: Mars conjunct Pluto would give her political grit, Mercury conjunct Uranus some forward thinking Mars square Jupiter (high energy and enthusiasm) and Jupiter square Pluto (a hunger for power).  She may be hamstrung in this coming parliament, but could do well after some cabinet experience.

So that is the United Kingdom today, or my take on it…

Aspects

Today we have an opposition between Mercury and Chiron.  Mental conundrums will feature heavily. Solutions may come to you easily, but if they don’t, and you wear yourself out mentally, put the problem on the back burner if you can, and allow your unconscious or the universe to come up with a solution. Travel could be problematic. If you can’t solve something along the way, stop at a service station and have a power nap!

Big Monday

Tomorrow (bank holiday Monday) you will need a timetable for all the aspects, whether to ascertain the tone of each appointment in your diary, or if you have a free day, to meditate with each one.  I will be catching up with astrological work, so will incorporate the timetable into what I do.  It could be an eventful day, and certainly weatherwise there has been a severe weather warning for the U.K.
8.46 a.m.: The first aspect is the brisk Mercury sextile Mars. The chances are you won’t be working, but if you are, you can make an efficient start.

If you have a free day, you might want to start with the gym, or some energetic Bikram or Ashtanga yoga.

If meditating, start the day with a physical meditation, e.g. perusing all the parts of the body for their nature and current health and vigour.

At any rate, start your day with your most strenuous task, be it clutter clearing, walking the dog(s), or filing.

9.38 a.m.: Venus trines Uranus – good for planned or unplanned meetings and dynamic social interactions.

Workwise, good for artistic originality.  Meditationwise, helpful for lifting your perception and experience of relationships.

12.29 p.m.:  Mercury sextile Saturn brings more focus, concentration and planning to any work efforts.  Meditation may bring an insight with a practical application.

14.13 Hrs.: The New Moon at 2 degrees Virgo favours thinking about coming work schedules and how they can be revamped or spiced up, especially for efficiency.  If you are just leaving the music festival, you may have had some ideas for new beginnings for work, or for health regimes.For those meditating, take those issues into your meditation, and hopefully your higher consciousness will feed back in a very positive way.
19.30 Hrs.:  Mars conjunct Saturn may mark a downturn of energy.  Many Astrologers feel this is a very difficult conjunction (traditionally they are the lesser and greater malefic, respectively).  I don’t regard it as being as problematic as say Mars paired with Uranus or Pluto, but if can be very frustrating, and can temporarily put an end to progress.  Astrologer Alan Oken describes its effect in the natal chart as “driving with the brakes on”, and that is very true, and may even be literally true.

On Tuesday (26^th), Saturn presents more difficulties, in squaring Venus, so that feelings are bruised to add to the frustrated actions of the previous evening.

Wednesday (27^th)  sees a square between Venus and Mars, so there may be inappropriate social moves or examples of male-female inequality to exercise your emotions.

We end the week with an opposition between the Sun and Neptune on Friday (29^th) making us feel at sixes and sevens in some way.  Maybe it is last minute jitters or uncertainty related to going back to school, or the prospect of one’s little grandson starting school with a sensitivity to school uniform fabrics, and only just being able to put on his socks and shoes…Or maybe there is a challenge looming for you, and you are trying to find your poise with it.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – mental conundrums
• Tomorrow – intense and mixed (see timetable)
• Tuesday – bruised feelings
• Wednesday – social gaffes
• Friday – at sea, temporarily

Robin Williams

Robin Williams, of the kindly twinkly  eyes, the warm emotions of Mrs Doubtfire, and the quick fire mind and communication of an alien,  was a unique comedian and actor. His suicide, after long battles with addiction and mental health issues including (a diagnosis of) bi-polar disorder (often accompanied by creative genius) has re-energized awareness of depression in our society.

Astrological Chart

Robin Williams was a sensitive Sunsign Cancerian, which showed in his emotionality, and was exemplified in his parental role of Mrs Doubtfire.

His zany electrical energy is represented by a conjunction of Mars and Uranus, and his Moon was trine his Mars/Uranus  (lightning  emotional responses) – Carpe Diem in action.  The Moon also conjuncts his North Node (karmic mission) so as the Moon is his ruling planet, he would have been very driven in his actions.  The Mars/Uranus trines with the Moon/North Node and they trine his Scorpio Ascendant, keying into his physicality, producing a high wired nervous system.

Mars/Uranus squaring Jupiter points to another unique quality of his:  an exceptionally high energy.    This torrent of unusual energy made him well-cast in the role of Mork from Ork, a convincing alien with lunar features  at least (I do not have an ephemeris for Ork).

Mercury conjuncts Pluto in his chart, so he was a deep and brooding thinker.  This Mercury/Pluto conjunction straddles the Midheaven (Careerpoint) so he could express his verbal angst through his career.

He had good aspects to his Venus, making him lovable, but Venus was at the South Node, and perhaps there was something from past lives that emotionally he could not resolve in this one.

He led an isolated childhood, which gave rise to his phrase “Love Me Syndrome”.  His chart connection with his mother’s is very intensely locked.  Her powerful exact Uranus-Pluto trine is exactly on his Mars/Uranus and Moon/North Node trine, locking into his Ascendant and his physicality.

Death

At his death he had 6 Mars transits and 6 Pluto transits, so his energetic turmoil was overwhelming.  Uranus opposite his natal Neptune will have added to that turmoil.

I have a feeling he was needed elsewhere in the Universe.

Nanu-Nanu

Aspects

A cheery aspect to start the week!  This aspect occurs tomorrow morning, so it starts the working week.  It’s an aspect of fun, joy, socializing (around the watercooler?) and celebration.  Perhaps the  office joker has just returned from his or her best holiday ever, showing the holiday photos on the I phone…or has returned from the Edinburgh Festival with a host of new comedy material.

On  Tuesday (19^th)  Mercury opposes Neptune, which is an aspect of mental confusion  The Class Clown has started to scramble his punch lines.  Travel and weather could prove complicated.

Thursday (21^st) brings more psychological stability, with Mercury trine Pluto.  The scrambled thoughts may have been gradually coming into a more coherent focus, accompanied by depth of meaning.

On Saturday (23^rd) the Sun enters Virgo which helps to re-introduce you into a work mood after the holiday season.  Many will be on a bank holiday break or at a Music Festival, but ideas may present themselves about how to proceed in the Autumn term and apply talents to working conditions.

Mars also trines Chiron that day which supports healing actions such as intervention by Chiropractors and Osteopaths, or Physiotherapy.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – Love and Laughter
• Tuesday – Mental Confusion
• Thursday – Psychological Stability
• Saturday – Work Mode, and Healing Action

Lauren Bacall

I can’t let the week pass without honouring Lauren Bacall, one of the lights of the golden age of Hollywood.

Her 1978 autobiography “By Myself” is one of the most emotionally honest autobiographies I have ever read.  She wrote movingly about her emotional wounds (she had a conjunction of the Moon and Chiron at the top of her chart).

Birth Chart

Lauren Bacall had the finely chiselled features which I associate with her Sun sign placing of Virgo, and which constituted a great part of her outstanding beauty.

Her trademark sidelong glance, however, is a classic feature of her Ascendant sign, Cancer.  It was said that this was initially evoked by her nervousness (often a Virgoan trait), but became part of the mystique which formed part of her allure.  Very tellingly her North Node (karmic mission) conjuncts exactly her Neptune, and she became a poster girl for the Hollywood penchant for mystique in her day.

Love

There is no doubt that destiny played a great part in her life, in meeting and marrying Humphrey Bogart, twenty five years her senior, and together they made one of the golden couples of the Golden Age of Hollywood (notably with Spencer Tracy and Kathryn Hepburn).  Humphrey’s Venus was exactly opposite Lauren’s Ascendant, on her marriage point, and there was no doubt he was the love of her life.  She had Midheaven (Careerpoint) exactly trine her natal Jupiter, which symbolizes the double lucky break of entering a Hollywood film career and meeting the love of her life at the same time, on the film set of To Have and Have Not.

Career

The shelf life of her career was enduring, as she took on many character roles successfully even towards the end of her life.  This may be due to a trine between her Neptune/North Node conjunction, and her Chiron, keeping her spiritually aligned and on a healing pathway.

She was a great beauty, but in her autobiography her integrity also shines through.

I will be on holiday on Sunday morning and away from blogland, but here are the basic essentials for next week:

Sunday 10^th August at 18.09 Hrs – Full Moon in Aquaarius at 18 degrees

Emotional tension, leading to a conflict of interest between the individual and the group. If you need to strengthen your individuality, try creative avenues. If you need to integrate within a group, expand your consciousness. The tension should lift by the evening.

Tuesday 12^th August at 7.24 a.m.- Venus enters Leo

Creative ideas could be bubbling under the surface and blossom on Tuesday when Venus enters Leo.  Artistic, musical and thespian creativity will shine while Venus is in Leo (until 6th September).

Friday 15^th August at 9.29 a.m. – Mars sextile Pluto

On Friday (15th) Mars sextiles Pluto and energetic initiatives could work, if the energy doesn’t get out of hand. Warlike types may be straining at the leash.

16.44 Hrs – Mercury enters Virgo

Mid-afternoon sees the entry of Mercury into Virgo and the energy may change, or be added to the energetic project. Many may prefer to dis-engage from activity and sit at the desk or computer, to knuckle down to some detailed work, e.g. planning autumn schedules. But if you were combining the day’s aspects, there is a possibility of planning and organizing large scale campaigns.

Have a good week!

Fixed Stars of the Week

I haven’t written about the Fixed Stars for some time, but they can enrich our experience of the week, when we look at their input as the steady backdrop to the ever revolving influence of the planets of our Solar System.

When I first came to Norfolk, I did some intensive star mapping, and later ran a meditation group for two years based on the Fixed Stars, so they have a special place in my heart.  As the stars from the constellations, they appear to be fixed, but their positions move very slightly over the centuries.  Some Astrologers use a 13-sign zodiac, incorporating one of these constellations, Ophiuchus, but in truth you could if you used all the constellations, have an almost infinite zodiac backdrop, which would take a long time to interpret every week.

Sources

Bernadette Brady’s ”Book of Fixed Stars” gives the traditional meanings for the Fixed Stars, and “Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld gives channelled information, of a more positive nature than the traditional interpretations..

This week’s Fixed Stars:

Our Sun aligns with each Fixed Star on the same day every year, so if it is your birthday on one of the following dates, you have a special affinity with that Fixed Star.

Tomorrow –

Kochab, the beta star from Ursa Minor

Bernadette Brady does not give an interpretation for this fairly minor star, though it was one of the pole stars from 1500 BC to 500 AD.

“Starlight Elixirs” tells us that this star is useful in processing past life information, and also future destiny:

“This star can assist people in grounding information from their past lives.  This is a way in which one becomes more comfortable with one’s past lives, as if these lives are running concurrently or parallel to one’s present life and can affect the person in positive ways.  The ability to accept this easily, feel good about the information, and take it in by actually owning it and really knowing it, this is far beyond a verbal or intellectual process.  This can generate a deeper sense of power within the individual.”

Acubens, the alpha star of the sign Cancer

Bernadette Brady informs us that:

“Ptolemy states that the stars of the claws of Cancer are of the nature of Saturn and Mercury.  Robson indicates that the star is connected to liars and criminals.”

Starlight Elixirs emphasizes the Cancerian values of home and family:

“In this star you see some of the more generalized tendencies of Cancer that have a symbolic effect on people such as a willingness to express and work out family issues, to understand the nature of the home, and to create this more clearly.“

Wednesday –

Dubhe, the alpha star from Ursa Major

Bernadette Brady informs us that:

“Ptolemy states that Dubhe is martial in nature.  Ebertin refers to this star as “nasty” and very much like a destructive Mars.  Rigor is a little more positive, indicating that gives a certain psychic ability or at least the power to overcome one’s enemies.”

Starlight Elixirs indicates that this star is about the use of heart energy:

“These stars can strengthen the ability to project energy from the heart that can be healing, warming, and regenerating.  This energy can be directed with greater consciousness into the person themselves, another person, the world at large, animals, gems or plants.“

Friday –

El Tarf – the beta star of the sign Cancer

Bernadette Brady does not document El Tarf individually.

Starlight Elixirs gives its application as better communication within a family, and especially in relation to children in their teenage years.

Mercury

As well as the Sun’s alignments with the Fixed Stars above, Mercury (which is close to the Sun this week) is also aligning with these stars,  These contacts will increase the mental application of their influence:

7^th: Thursday, Mercury aligned with Kochab and Acubens

8^th: Friday, Mercury aligned with Dubhe

9^th: Saturday, Mercury aligned with El Tarf

So in my portrayal of the week’s aspects, I will bear these in mind.

Aspects

Mercury squared Mars this morning, only a minute after midnight, so you may have still been up when it took place.  You may be feeling a little fractious, irritable or wonder if you got out the wrong side of bed today.  Your dreams may have been restless, or you may have had too much preying upon your mind to sleep properly.  Consider re-programming yourself at some point today, with a siesta or a meditation, or a little gentle yoga.

On Tuesday (5^th) Saturn trines Chiron, an important aspect.  Healing avenues may be very constructive, both conventional and non-conventional forms of healing, and both working together.

Venus also squares the Nodal Axis on Tuesday: relationships will be under the karmic microscope, and groups can work towards harmony if they bear in mind the karmic element of their dilemmas.

Thursday (7^th) brings a fine trine between Mars and Neptune.  This supports sensitive action, e.g. peace movements, ceasefires, and in your personal life handling anyone or anything with care.

Friday (8^th) brings a conjunction between the Sun and Mercury in Leo, so that intelligent forms of creativity can be produced.

Communication within the family may be fostered, and especially with those in their teenage years.  If family relationships are being re-kindled in holiday activities, there may be breakthroughs.

Mercury also trines Uranus, which is helpful for solving communication problems, such as with computers or rail links.  This aspect gives the ability to think outside the box.

Saturday (9^th) starts out fine astrologically, with a trine between the Sun and Uranus.  Creativity is added to the previous day’s ideas.

Then uh oh!  Mercury squares Saturn and then the Sun squares Saturn.  Plans may fall flat or the day’s plans may be washed out.  Plan for potential problems diligently if you have a big day on.  If it is a wedding, for instance, address the objector in advance, and tackle lawful impediments in advance.  There is usually a hitch, in every good wedding, but it usually works out all right on the night, with all the good will of the crowd – someone will have a solution.

If you don’t have plans for that day, don’t be too ambitious.  Take the day as it comes, and feel your way through any obstacles as they arise.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – nervy
• Tomorrow – past life information, home and family emphasis
• Tuesday – healing and karma
• Wednesday – transmitting heart energy
• Thursday – positive sensitivity
• Friday – excellent communication
• Saturday – mixed; calculate for obstacles

POSITIONALITY – “That which orchestrates our perception.  What we perceive through the filter of our positionality is our repertoire, which is limited to what we allow in, according to the responses of the emotional body.”

~ Chris Griscom: “Ecstasy is a New Frequency”

Israel and Gaza

In any conflict, karma will not be eradicated by trying to obliterate the other party, it will only create further karma.  And any solution will have to satisfy both sides, or karma will be perpetuated, the karma of broken hearts.  Today, after a short truce, Israel and Hamas have decided to continue fighting, and the world watches helplessly by.

Daniel Barenboim

The Guardian published an article this week by the conductor Daniel Barenboim, who holds both an Israeli and a Palestinian passport, and brings together the two worlds in his Peace orchestra.  He has a unique ability to stand in the middle of the two, and have both their interests at heart.

He writes: “After decades of devastation and loss on both sides the conflict has today reached a previously unimaginable level of gruesomeness and despair.”

His Chart

What can we learn from Daniel Barenboim’s chart about working to unify two sides of a conflict?  Is it easier for people detached from a conflict to mediate, such as the U.N., or is someone deeply immersed in both cultures more qualified to pass an opinion?

Daniel has Chiron conjunct the North Node – his karmic mission (North Node) is to achieve healing through wholeness (Chiron).  He has this conjunction in Leo, the sign of Creativity and Conducting, the Performing Arts and Leadership.

The Moon rises in humanitarian Aquarius in his chart, so he has the empathy for people (Moon) whilst having some detachment in his position (Aquarius).

His Sun  is exactly conjunct Venus in Scorpio, and to do such work, you need to come absolutely from a deep place (Scorpio) of Love (Venus) for all.

Another feature of his chart which places him in the middle is Mercury right at the top of his chart, squaring his Ascendant/Descendant axis.  He is a Messenger, for both sides.

We cannot all be in the middle.  Sometimes powerful personal interests may put us on one side or the other.  But the more we look at the whole, the truer our vision will be.

Daniel concludes by saying:

“In this conflict, we are all losers.  We can only overcome this sad state if we finally begin to accept the other side’s suffering and their rights.  Only from this understanding can we attempt to build a future together.”

Aspects

Tomorrow begins with a karmic theme, that of Mercury squaring the Nodal Axis.  This is about communication karma: maybe both sides of a conflict talking.  Where a planet sqaures the Nodal Axis, I find, this speaks of a group situation and need.

This follows on with Venus opposing Pluto, a painful exploration of love and loss, and part of a T-square occurring this week, involving Uranus.  There is no side-stepping a personal issue, and if you dodge this one, it will catch up with you from another angle later this week.  Do the deep personal work required, and try to reach a state of inner peace.

On Thursday (31^st) Mercury enters Leo, and there is scope for drying your tears on issues of mental focus, and focussing on the joy of existence, being thankful for small mercies, and enjoying life in the moment.  We have a window to accommodate this mindset until mid-August when Mercury enters Virgo, so put your mental searchlight to attuning to that happy and creative mental vibe (if necessary listen to or watch Pharrell Williams’ “Happiness”).  Mercury is working for us on this, so don’t let it pass you by.

Friday (1^st August) starts with the other leg of the T-square, Venus squaring Uranus.  This highlights divisions, schisms and estrangements, but take heart because other aspects later in the day counteract some of the harshness of that aspect.

Next, Venus trines Saturn, so something may be salvaged in relationships, a rapprochement may be brokered.  Perhaps not as full as hoped for, but it is at least a start.

If both sides come to the table, they can partake of the next aspect: Venus trine Chiron, which is healing and has the potential for wholeness.  Of course, if they do not come to the table, they cannot partake of the next stage of healing.

A Grand Trine is also created between Venus in Cancer, Saturn in Scorpio and Chiron in Pisces, so on the heart level (Venus) much can be achieved.

Finally, Mars squares Jupiter, which can bring about a celebration, high jinks, exuberance, fireworks, and emotions going over the top.  If celebrating, pay attention to health and safety factors, such as avoiding the use of fireworks altogether.

Mercury conjuncts Jupiter on Saturday (2^nd) which is a sane way to end the week!  It speaks of healthy sales and business, expanded consciousness, broadened horizons, and buoyant mentality.  It is a good news aspect, which it is good to be receptive to in this day and age.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – dialogue, and soul-searching
• Thursday – lifting the mental mood
• Friday – mixed feelings, but the potential for working together; celebrate cautiously
• Saturday – holiday atmosphere, productivity, achievement, and sharing