Artemis II

“We really are going for all, by all, and we want to take the whole world along with us”

~ Reid Wiseman, Commander of Artemis II

The Artemis II mission launched this week from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, aiming to encircle the Moon and return after 10 days.  With four astronauts aboard, it is the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in December 1972, among other record breaking features.

Tens of thousands of witnesses gathered to witness the launch.  Those interviewed pointed out that in a divided nation (or world) as this time, the event had the power to bring people together in unity.

“This is a place we all can often come together and unite around a common goal.”

~ Mark Kelly, a space shuttle veteran

The Chart

The chart of this momentous event (April 1^st, 18.35 EDT, Florida) has the Sun in Aries, and the Moon in Libra.  In fact, the launch took place within 1 degree of a Full Moon (the focus of the chart), with the Moon rising in the 1^st House of the chart (emphasizing that focus).  So the chart is very much symbolic of the event.

Other astrological features include the Sun and Moon squaring Jupiter (an adventurous enterprise); four planets populating the 7^th House of Relationship (which may represent the four Astronauts); the Sun conjunct Saturn (a serious venture); the Moon trine Pluto (a profound venture).

The list of relevant features continues: Mercury in the chart is closely trine Jupiter (indicating an adventurous and learning-filled voyage); Venus square Pluto (astronauts separated from the loved ones on the Earth – three of them have children).

Possibly the most significant aspect in my opinion, is Saturn exactly sextile Pluto (indicates an important and profound project, and recalibration).

There is also Uranus sextile Neptune (describing a complexity, the need to check loopholes – a few last minute hitches occurred, such as a temporary communication problem, coldness in the cabin, and a blinking light in the toilet.  Neptune opposed the Ascendant of the chart, showing the uncertainty surrounding the whole venture.

The Ascendant exactly squaring the Midheaven possibly depicted an uncomfortable lifestyle (literally out of the astronauts’ comfort zone!) the Ascendant itself placed in Virgo highlighted the need for Scientific attention to detail.

The Four Astronauts:

Reid Wiseman (Commander)

Record breaking feature: At 50, he is the oldest person to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

The Captain Kirk of the enterprise has the strength of character associated with the Sun in Scorpio.  He is described as a “naval aviator”, which fits his sign well.

In his birthchart, the Sun is conjunct the North Node, which marks him out as being a Leader, that leadership being part of his karmic mission.  Mercury trines his Mars, giving him good physical and mental co-ordination, much needed in his job.  Mercury conjoins Uranus, bestowing the ability to think outside the box, also needed in his job.

Mars is closely trine with Uranus, the Engineer Archetype – vital on board ship!  Jupiter trines Neptune, showing a spiritual wisdom, an asset at the helm of such a voyage.  Jupiter opposes Pluto in his chart – an enjoyment of Power.

Saturn exactly squares Uranus – so he is able to take extreme physical and mental shock, an essential for an Astronaut.  I call this the “Personal Earthquake” aspect: being separated from the Earth in this way is the ultimate in personal earthquakes.

Commander Wiseman described the breathtaking view of the Earth from space, as others have done before him, many describing the experience in mystical terms.

His transits for the launch:

The most prominent transit is his Chiron Return in Aries, which occurs at the age of 50 in the cycles of life.  I call this “the emergence of the Inner Healer”.  It will be an enormous key to his future.  Neptune trined his Saturn, a balancing recalibration between his material outlook and incoming spiritual awareness.  A fun element is noted through Jupiter squaring his natal Jupiter – High Jinks!

Victor Glover (Pilot)

Record breaking feature: The first person of colour to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

Victor Glover emerges astrologically from his chart as a distinctly solid and positive character, this from the Sun on his Ascendant in Taurus and conjunct Jupiter.  His Moon conjuncts the Part of Fortune rising in the 1^st House, highlighting the Moon in his chart – he may have had a fixation on the Moon all his life.

The South Node conjunct the Sun/Ascendant implies he has prepared for this mission in a previous life, his Ascendant being exactly conjunct the South Node. Jupiter opposes Uranus, which I call the “Chancer” Archetype – an Astronaut needs to be a risk-taker!  Uranus in his chart is loosely conjunct North Node – his karmic mission is quite literally “Out There”!  But Saturn on the I.C. means he is also tremendously Grounded!  So a tremendous balance, there.

He has three Masters degrees, and his callsign is “Ike”, short for “I know everything.”

His transits for the launch:

Pluto is square his natal Uranus (deep Change); Uranus is exactly trine his natal MC in his 9^th House of Faraway Lands [!] (Mission into Space, unmistakably); Mars was on 1^st April exactly sextile his natal Moon (making an emotional connection with his rising Moon).  The North Node is sextile his natal Jupiter in Taurus (he is pleased to be boldly going and fulfilling a collective karmic mission on behalf of humanity).  Other effects I have noted in the past for this transit are karmic rewards, and also karmic protection.

Christina Koch (Mission Specialist)

Record breaking feature: The first woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

“We are at a time where we recognise the importance where if we aren’t going for all and by all, we aren’t truly answering all of humanity’s call to explore…It is our strong hope that this mission is the start of an era where everyone, every person on Earth, can look at the Moon and think of it as also a destination.”

Christina has the Sun in Aquarius, one of the signs associated with space travel.  With the Sun also conjunct Mars in Aquarius, she is a veritable Space Warrior!  Her Moon is also in Aquarius, and it was her childhood dream to become an astronaut.  The Sun opposite Jupiter gives her that vital sense of adventure.  Mercury conjunct Mars shows that she has quick mental and physical reactions.  Mercury squaring Chiron adds a problem-solving element to her mentality.  That will be especially useful when Artemis II is on a hiatus, losing contact with Mission Control for 40 minutes or so while travelling round the far side of the Moon.  They will have to fend for themselves, entirely, during that time.  They have been well-prepared for this event.

Christina has Mars opposite Jupiter, an extremely lively energy, allied with enthusiasm. Saturn in her chart is conjunct the North Node by 6 degrees in Virgo, an extreme attention to detail, as part of her karmic mission.  Virgo is the Specialist, and her job title is Mission Specialist.

Uranus exactly sextiles her North Node, which describes her karmic mission into Space, as well as the Specialism.  Saturn is not directly aspected to Uranus, but they are both aspected to the North Node.  Neptune exactly sextile Pluto confers an extremely strong Psyche, able to take in and process deep psychological learnings; while  Neptune exactly square the Nodal Axis means a deeply spiritual element is added to the qualities of her karmic mission, in a challenging and sensitive way.

Her transits for the launch:

Pluto square her natal Chiron in Taurus (a strong effect on the physical body)

Neptune sextile her natal Mercury (sensitizing her to her unique experiences)

Mars square her natal Venus (combined with the previous aspect it’s almost sensory overload – in a good way)

Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist)

Record breaking feature: The first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

Jeremy is from the Canadian Space Agency.   He almost shares a birthday with Christina.  He’s another Aquarian, born 27^th January to her 29^th, but in a different year.  So, again, coming from one of the signs associated with space travel.  The Sun in his chart is exactly square Uranus, making him an intrepid scientist.  The Sun trine Pluto in his chart makes for a profound character.

He has Mercury closely opposite Saturn, making him capable of intense focus, which is much needed for his role of Mission Specialist.  Mercury squares Chiron – like Christina, he has a problem-solving mentality, useful on that hiatus.

He has the Moon in Sagittarius, the other sign associated with space (far distance) travel, and that all-important sense of adventure.  Another asset is Mars trine Pluto which gives him a powerhouse of energy at his disposal.

Jupiter trines Neptune, as in Captain Reid’s chart – so he too has great spiritual wisdom.  The two maybe the gurus of the flight, though I imagine they are all equally gifted and their abilities co-ordinated and interconnected.

“Each one of us, we have our own different opinions, and our own individual beliefs.  And I think that’s one of the best parts about this mission right now…that’s great that we celebrate all of this”

~ Commander Reid Wiseman

With Jupiter conjunct Chiron, Jeremy may be the natural “Healer” of the company, although Captain Reid is currently going through an intense healing process and journey, in his Chiron Return year.

His transits for the launch:

Uranus sextile his natal Saturn in Cancer (wrenched far from home!).  This transit can be accompanied by a tremendous sense of freedom.

Chiron also close to its Return, like Reid; this could provide closeness between them, in their shared experience.  Victor also has this, but Reid’s is the most exact.  This points to the importance of the mission in terms of healing, for them.  Christina is a little younger, and her Chiron is in Taurus, so she will experience her Chiron Return in around 2029.

The North Node is trine his natal Uranus, showing that he is taking part in a stunning and futuristic collective karmic mission on behalf of humanity.

Saturn and Pluto will be making important transits after the journey; so he will feel the impact intensely afterwards.  His ability to digest experiences may take longer than for the others.

Wonderment

The Inner Child loves the idea of space exploration…

John Crace in the Guardian (often featured in my blogs!) detailed his childhood enthusiasm for the original Moon landing in 1969.  This current mission, of course, just aims to take steps towards another Moon landing in the future.

“Maybe it was just my way of escaping the boredom of my childhood, but I felt I was living in a world of possibilities, even if they were out of my reach.”

and

“But I’m thrilled by Artemis II.  It fills me with wonder and hope.  That there are still worlds out there to be explored.”

~ John Crace

He also acknowledges that “you get the feeling that most people are relatively indifferent to the mission”, something I too have observed.  They have, understandably, other concerns.

When I was a child, I loved anything to do with the stars. I was 19 on that night the Moon landing was televised live, on summer holiday from university.  My parents retired to bed at their normal time, and left me to watch it on my own!

Nowadays I worry more about the possible waste of resources, but my scientist hubby values the scientific progress made through such exploration.

Above all, we think of the four of them during this 10-day odyssey, and trust that the four of them come home safely.

Aspects

We have a super-enthusiastic aspect today, in the shape of Jupiter squaring the Sun, an aspect which exaggerates everything it comes into contact with.  There is also a joyful, humorous side of Sun square Jupiter, so some laughter-yoga would not go amiss!  It could contribute to a fun day, but be aware of carelessness or overreaching goals.  It could be a jolly scenario, with some over-the-top behaviour in the mode of “devil may care”.

The Artemis II mission was launched under this square, but becomes exact today, and so is at its most intense.

Tomorrow (Monday, 6^th) brings a karmic sextile: that between Venus and the North Node.  This aspect is ideal for smoothing over karmic issues, resolving relationship karma and easing connections. It is more about forgiveness and laying aside grievances than exacting karmic balance.  The law of karma works automatically – you don’t need to engineer it.  Your own knowledge may not be complete enough.

For more ponderings on the subject of karma, read my recent blog from 15^th March.

Another sextile, that between Mars and Uranus, occurs on Wednesday (8^th). This promises some dynamism for the middle of the week.  Engineering especially benefits from this aspect, but that also includes social engineering.  Electricity and Astrology are other areas which can be stimulated by this combination.  Cars, mechanics, mechanical goods and household appliances may receive a boost or a renewal.  This aspect can refresh your energies, if you have been feeling jaded.  It is helpful for both beginning new tasks, or completing long term projects. The power of surprise may be constructive today, too.

As mentioned, this aspect is especially favourable to engineering, mechanics and technology, so will be supportive to those on the Artemis II mission using their skills in space.  They will have been in space for a week, and hopefully will be nearing the end of their mission.

An injection of energy comes on Thursday (9^th) when Mars, the planet of energy, enters its own home sign of Aries.  Mars ingressing its own sign, gives rise to a purer quality of physical energy, especially for those born under Aries.  You may find a new sense of purpose for active projects.  There is of course an element of Aries being a battleground or war zone, for those whose primary aim is warriorship.  So there may be extra strife in Iran and Ukraine, but for those working on the path of the Peaceful Warrior, much can be achieved with integrity.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – enthusiasm
• Tomorrow – good karmic relations
• Wednesday – dynamism
• Thursday – pure energy

LOL: Last One Laughing

Series 2 of this television programme is under way, so I thought I would look at the remaining comedians taking part, prior to the final this week on 2^nd April.  This show involves comedians competing to make each other laugh while not laughing themselves.  The winner will be the last to keep a straight face.

Bob Mortimer

Comedy:

Bob Mortimer is the winner from the last series, invited back, and still in the game. Straightaway in his chart you can see the comedy connections, with the comedy planet Jupiter opposing his Sun and Mercury, trining his Mars, and squaring his Chiron.

I noticed that when he appeared on Would I Lie to You, he was adroit in spinning a yarn, and fooling the opposing panel.

We do not have a birth time for him, but can note that his Part of Fortune is in his 7^th House of Partnership, and he started out in a successful comedy partnership with Vic Reeves.  He also partners Paul Whitehouse in Gone Fishing.

When he won the first series in 2025:

Uranus was sextile his natal Mars (the power of surprise)

Saturn was trine his natal Mars (self-control)

North Node was trine his natal Jupiter (a comic triumph)

Strategy:

For the purpose of his game playing, he has Saturn trine Pluto which I mentioned last week is a mark of the Strategist Archetype.

That he has a way with words is down to his Sun in Gemini.  He actually has a Grand Cross in his chart, composed of the Sun opposing Jupiter and Chiron opposing Pluto.  His Sun is exactly square the Sun, meaning he can face realities.

The Final

At that time, Pluto will be square his natal Neptune (psychologically difficult)

Neptune will be sextile his natal Sun (he will still be able to pull the wool over his opponents’ eyes!)

Chiron will be square his natal Mars (tricky!)

Jupiter will be on his natal Venus, but leaving (a lot of mirth, but it may be time to bow out…)

David Mitchell

Comedy

I particularly enjoy the genius of David Mitchell’s comedy on Would I Lie To You (which ha run since 2007); hubby is a real fan of his portrayal of Shakespeare in Upstart Crow.  Mitchell and his sparring partner Lee Mack on Would I Lie To You are evenly matched in their ability to ad lib to a high degree.

David’s comedy credentials are seen in a trine between his Sun and Jupiter (easy humour), Venus square Jupiter (sometimes inappropriate laughter) and Jupiter exactly square his Nodal Axis (humour as part of his karmic mission – no doubt he was a Court Jester in a previous life!).

Strategy

David has a dour side, in his Mercury conjunct Saturn, and though he is very quick in his ability to respond with humour, at the same time he weighs his words carefully.

Added to that, his Mercury is exactly square his natal Pluto, so he can be very profound at the same time.  Some fellow contestants may be non-plussed at the receiving end of that.

Final

At the time of the final:

Pluto will be trine his natal Pluto (self-empowerment)

He has just had his Chiron Return (the emergence of the Inner Healer), but I don’t know when the series was filmed.  The final of course must have been filmed, so my predictions are based on the screening and denouement of the winner.

But Pluto trine natal Pluto is a powerful transit, so he could win through the sheer power and depth of his personality.

Mel Giedroyc

Comedy

Mel doesn’t have the outright astrological comedy qualifications as Bob and David.  But I found that early in her career, when she was partnered with Sue Perkins, she seemed more of a sidekick to Sue’s dominant personality.  But as the years have gone on, she has displayed a subtle power to her comedy.  And her personality is delightful and disarming – which may be factors in her staying power in this contest.

Like Bob, she is a Gemini, so has the ability to talk freely.  Her two Jupiter (comedy) aspects are Mercury sextile Jupiter (witty repartee), and Jupiter square Neptune (the ability to confuse and bring nuance, which can throw another contestant off the scent before they realize what is happening).

Strategy

Mars sextile Saturn brings a discipline of action to the proceedings, which is an asset in this game, plus a good level of self-control.

As mentioned, Jupiter square Neptune can bamboozle!

She also has Mars square Uranus, an erratic energy which can unsettle an opponent, plus a strong warriorship (Sun conjunct Mars, and Mars exactly square Pluto).

Mercury exactly square Chiron is a problem-solving quality.

And Uranus conjunct Pluto is powerful, and game-changing.

Final

Neptune will square her natal Mercury (she may get confused or distracted)

Neptune on her Chiron (some poignancy about the occasion for her)

Uranus squares her natal Jupiter (she may take a risk too far)

Jupiter square her Nodal Axis (a real karmic test of her comedianship)

Mars opposite her natal Uranus (sparky, but a little dangerous)

Mars trine her natal Neptune (wringing every ounce of nuance from the exercise)

That’s a lot, in terms of transits, most of it difficult.  But I think she could put up a worthy showing.

Sam Campbell

Comedy

I am not familiar with this Australian comedian, but have seen clips showing how he has dealt with other comedians, and he seems suitably po-faced! I haven’t seen him laugh, once.

Sam has, in his chart as it appears without a birth time, no aspects to Jupiter, the planet of comedy.  This may be highlighted with a birth time.

What he has is a conjunction between his Neptune and North Node, so his karmic mission is one of subtlety: his comedy would get under his opponent’s skin.

Mercury trine his Uranus gives him the power of mental surprise, even telepathy.  Mercury exactly trine Neptune means he can act as a channel – maybe he may link in spiritually with other comedians that have gone before!  He can certainly be inspired.

Like Mel, he has Mars square Uranus, an erratic energy which can unsettle an opponent, plus some warriorship through Mars square to the Nodal Axis.

Strategy

He has quite a serious nature, with the Sun in Virgo trine Saturn.  This would count in his favour in being able to suppress his laughter in the game.

Final

Jupiter will be on his natal South Node, bringing favourable past life karma to the fore, or comedic skills from past lives re-emerging.

I think David Mitchell has the edge for the final transits, but as the programme is not live, in real time, the surmising based on transits may not apply!

It still seems a lovely way of testing the mettle of comedians.

Aspects

Tomorrow (Monday 30^th) Venus enters its home sign of Taurus.  Within yourself, and in your relationship with nature (weather permitting), you are capable of feeling much more settled and harmonious.  This placement of Venus in natural sign continues right through to 24^th April.  Those born under the Venusian signs of Taurus and Libra will especially feel its benefit, their normal sense of steadiness and balance.

Moving into April, there is a Full Moon at 12 degrees Libra in the early hours of Thursday (2^nd).  Sleep may be fitful!  This Full Moon is emotionally dedicated to relating, while the Sun which opposes it in Aries wants its own way.  Thus a delicate balance operates, which may be resolved in common aims, e.g. in a united effort.

Friday (3^rd) is more eventful, but with mixed results.  Late morning sets the day up nicely with a trine between Mercury and Jupiter, the best aspect of the week…Let it provide momentum for your goals for the day. This aspect will help business transactions, and expand our horizons, minds and philosophies.  This is an upbeat vibe mentally, one that takes in great wads of information, produces good ideas and may incline one to travel.  There may be media opportunities, for those so inclined, and it could be a productive day.  A cause for optimism may be found.  It may also assist nations reaching out to each other (but may not be able to make a dent on the situation in the Middle East, which would probably need more).  Also, there is some limit to what can be achieved because at the other end of the day…

…Late in the evening, Pluto squares Venus, so nations may feel they have made progress in talks earlier in the day, and hostilities could resume late in the evening.  This aspect 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.

The week in bullet points:

• Monday – the comfort zone
• Thursday – emotional high tide
• Friday – high performance, and laughing; deep soul-searching, and straight face

 

Jenni Murray (1950 – 2026)

“Throughout her three groundbreaking decades on Woman’s Hour, she created a safe space for her audience thanks to her warmth, intelligence and courage.”

~ Tim Davie

Radio broadcasting has lost a warm voice in one of its best-loved presenters, Jenni Murray, who has died at the age of 75.

Birth Chart

Her birth chart illustrates many things to connect her with Woman’s Hour, a programme dedicated to the interests of women.

Foremost of these is the Moon conjunct Venus, the two female planets together, indicating a great gentleness.

Her voice was remarkable:

“Murray’s voice has been described as ‘the most beautiful voice on radio, ever…It is a remarkable instrument – husky, supple, full of layers, though her inevitable awareness of timbre and pitch causes, in conversation, a slight hamminess. It is quiet, too, and intimate…”

~ Aida Edemariam

This conjunction, being within a degree of her North Node, signals her karmic mission.  The Moon/Venus trine the  Ascendant close to the 5^th House cusp shows that it is also an important feature of her Creativity, and the way she projected herself.  The conjunction also positioned at the I.C. meant that female issues were the foundation of her life.

The triple conjunction situated in the sign of Aries (of North Node/Moon/Venus) is exemplified in a quote by Aida when interviewing Jenni:

“As an interviewee she is generous, but impatient with anything other than clearly structured, direct – i.e. radio friendly – questions. ‘Keep it simple’, she says”.  Pure Aries.

“She didn’t have any fear at all about asking people things and they always found themselves replying”.  More Aries.  The concentration of her triple conjunction in that sign seemed to represent her interviewing and interviewee style more than her Sun in Taurus.

~ Sally Feldman

Broadcasting too is featured in her chart: the Sun conjunct Mercury in 6^th House of employment, employing her intelligence therein.

She had the Sun exactly trine Mars – depicting a female Warrior; and with Mercury closely trine Mars – a Verbal Warrior.

The Sun square Pluto in her chart showed a willingness to tackle difficult subjects  She also had the Entrepreneur Archetype in Jupiter closely trine Uranus – the ability to make the most of opportunities.  Jupiter was exactly square her Ascendant, on the 4^th House cusp – a positive, optimistic view of life, and home and family affairs.  Pluto was trine Chiron, giving her the ability to alchemize life’s experiences at a deep level.

Life and Career

Jenni Murray was born in Barnsley, and brought up as a Christian.  His father revealed to her when she was 14, just before he visited Auschwitz, that he was Jewish.

She wrote in 2022:

“Officially I have no claim to the Jewish faith, but I feel it deeply, and have done since the age of 14 when my father revealed to me what, until then, he had kept a closely guarded secret. I am not religious, but I feel my Jewish genes. They are part of my race.”

She studied French, English and History at A Level, then obtained a degree in French and Drama at Hull University.

She married Brian Murray when she was 21, but they divorced after six years.  Her next partner was David Forgham, who she eventually married in 2002.  They had two sons, one of whom is a rugby player.

She entered the world of radio broadcasting in 1973, joining BBC Radio Bristol.  She then became a reporter for South Today, a regional TV news programme.  She worked on Newsnight from 1983 to 1985, then presented Today for BBC Radio 4.  In 1987 she took over as presenter of Woman’s Hour, a post she held until 2020.

Over the years she interviewed many notables during that time, including Margaret Thatcher, Hillary Clinton, Margaret Atwood, Edwina Currie, Jack Nicholson, Joan Baez and Bette Davis.

At the end of December 2006 on the same day her mother died of Parkinson’s disease, she was told she had breast cancer.

At that time, Saturn squared her natal Mercury (the health planet) in her 6th House of Health; Jupiter trined her NN/Moon/Venus conjunction (a rare blow from Jupiter, but Jupiter can rule growths, and the Moon represents the affected part).  Moreover, the Moon represents the mother.  As well as this, the Nodal Axis was square her natal Chiron (healing crisis) in her 1^st House, so it may have been a karmic event.

She subsequently used her experiences, constructively and frankly, to inform her work and the subjects she aired.

Her final episode of Woman’s Hour came on 1^st October 2020, with Pluto trine her natal Mars in 10^th House of career, a major shift (away).  This formed a Grand Trine with her natal Sun in the 6^th House of Working Conditions.  Chiron was on her natal Venus/Moon in 5^th House, bringing some healing, and Saturn trined her natal Mercury in the 6^th House, a finality in work.

Astrological Twins

Jenni Murray’s birth in 1950 is within the timeline of my own peer group, for which I have made a special study and collection of charts.  I have some Astro-twins for her date of birth, people born on the same date, among them Helena Kennedy and Gabriel Byrne.

Helena Kennedy:

Helena Kennedy is my favourite barrister, and she regularly appears on Newsnight, one of my favourite programmes.

Similarities

We are fortunate enough to have birth times for all three of these Astro-twins.

Though Helena’s main focus in her work is different from Jenni’s, an important feature of her work has been in helping the cause of feminism.  Her mother had volunteered to help women suffering from domestic violence or alcoholism within families.

She has also done a fair amount of work in broadcasting channels.

Differences

Helena was born in Glasgow, and has a Taurus Ascendant with Mercury and Sun conjunct the Ascendant from the 12^th House.  This specially highlights the intellectual nature required for the legal profession.  Helena has 42 honorary degrees from universities.

Venus in her chart is conjunct the North Node, as with Jenni, but Helena’s Moon is earlier, in Pisces – a different karmic focus from Jenni.

Helena’s Ascendant is in Taurus conjunct the Pleiades, so may be influenced by the fixed star cluster.  She has Mars exactly trine Midheaven in Capricorn, her warriorship channelled into a serious profession.

On religion: she came from a devoutly Catholic family, Catholicism being “very much part of who I am”.  A contrast to Jenni’s stance.

Gabriel Byrne:

Gabriel is an Irish actor, born in Dublin.

Similarities

He has spoken out on women’s issues, stating that Catholicism is “repressive of women and minorities and repressive of its followers”.

Differences

Gabriel has an Aquarian Ascendant.  His “intelligent” Sun/Mercury conjunction is placed in his 4^th House of Home and Family, a different emphasis from both Jenni and Helena.

His Moon is even further away in separation than Helena’s, in distance from Jenni’s intense North Node/Moon/Venus conjunction, but in Pisces like Helena’s.  So there is not the intense focus on women’s issues.  His Venus/North Node conjunction is in his 2^nd House of Finance.

He began acting at the age of 29, the year of the Saturn Return.  His natal Saturn is in Virgo, in his 7^th House.

On religion, a similarity with Helena Kennedy: he came from a Catholic family.  But crucially, he describes himself as an atheist, and has been critical of the Catholic religion.  So all three have a different religious perspective.

While Jenni studied French and Drama, and Helena studied Law, Gabriel studied Archaeology, Spanish and Linguistics; not completely unrelated subjects, and none of them scientific.

Gabriel has worked as a teacher, a profession held by another of the non-famous Astro-Twins on my books.

As you can see, there are similarities between Jenni and Helena, but not so much with Gabriel, possibly due to the different positions of their Moons.

When Jenni bowed out of this world, transiting Pluto was exactly sextile her natal North Node: a life fulfilled, and a life well lived.

“Talking to somebody for 25 minutes who’s on the edge of absolutely palpable grief is just very hard, because the last thing you want them to do is for them to break down.  You’ve got to keep the balance…”

~ Jenni Murray

Aspects

In the early hours of today, Mars was trine Jupiter, so you may have felt restless in the night, raring to go instead of settling into dreamland…Pushing forward with plans is possible when Jupiter trines Mars, as it boosts energy and combines it with enthusiasm, e.g. “Let’s get this decluttering done”.  It is a day for your favourite activities.  Any sports will be heightened by this trine, for instance.  The day is one of the highlights of the week.

The Sun conjoins with Neptune at 1 degree Aries late morning, adding a spiritual element to the proceedings (Mars and Jupiter together can be very physical).  While “gung-ho!” represents the morning, mystery and enigma arrive at lunchtime.  We may wonder where we are on some level, struggling to get our bearings.  If we can establish where we are, we may be able to access higher inspiration for whatever we are engaged upon.  It is a day when progress can be made on subtle and spiritual issues, with memorable ethereal experiences.  So we have the two extremes of experience in one day, inward and outward.

Tomorrow, Monday (23^rd) brings another conjunction, that between Mercury and the North Node at 8 degrees Pisces, with Mercury now Direct.  Mercury has been hovering around this point as it turned Direct, so we had it last week just before it turned.  This can bring karmic information and communication of a subtle but revealing nature.  Follow the cues and clues – they may provide added interest to your creativity and acquisition of knowledge.  You may have noticed such phenomena over the last few days.

A more sober note arrives on Wednesday (25^th) in the shape of a conjunction between the Sun and Saturn at 4 degrees Aries.   It’s a cautionary note.  Take note of the area/House the triple conjunction falls in your birth chart, if you know it, as that will help you to ascertain the purpose of this event.  There is a great sense of concentration about this conjunction, focussed on practicalities such as “what can we do about the situation?”  The Saturn part of the equation demands responsibility, commitment, and common sense.

In the early evening the Sun will be sextile Pluto. This can bring powerful help.  If you dig deep, you can find the treasure you need.  It is a profound aspect which may help to show us the direction we need to solve our collective problems, and understanding the meaning behind our dilemmas.  This sextile can bring a profound air of quiet contemplation.  It is a valuable time of assessment, especially if you have done the work required by the earlier conjunction of the Sun and Saturn.  When contemplating decluttering dilemmas, just as an example, ask yourself: do you have to give up something in order to fit in the time and space to do it?  If so, what could you let go of?

Finally, and it is final in many ways, Saturn sextiles Pluto at the end of Saturday (28^th), the most important aspect of the week.  This aspect in your life may be throwing up an odd sequence of events which is contrary to the usual order of things, and forcing you took look at issues in a different way, such as the value of things you have taken for granted.  There may be some incredulity too, as in the case of world events – Food for thought.  However it sounds, this is a constructive re-shaping for you as well as the wider context.  Those who have the sextile or trine between these two planets in their natal charts have the Strategist Archetype.  So you may find your Inner Strategist at this time!

The week in bullet points:

• Today – getting things done; spiritual listening
• Tomorrow – karmic information
• Wednesday – a sober note; then a profound note
• Saturday – Re-configuration, and Strategy

Karma

When I named this website “Astrology and Past Lives” back in 2006, I had no idea I would still be here, pounding my keyboard, in 2026. Have just realized it’s a twenty year anniversary!  The blog came the next year, in 2007.  Since then, I added Future Lives to my repertoire in 2011, but have kept my original title.  Past Lives and Karmic Astrology have at their core the Hindu and Buddhist concept of “Karma”, a term sometime striking fear, sometimes a sense of fairness. Karma can of course be thought of occurring within this lifetime, not just over the course of lifetimes. But it is high time I wrote a blog about Karma for the signs, which may contain a nugget or two which speaks to you on the subject.

Karma for Aries

Aries doesn’t have time for karma.  Aries needs to just get on with things!  Overthinking karma would just cramp their style!

“Instant karma’s gonna get you/ Gonna knock you right on the head/You better get yourself together…What in the world you thinking of?/Laughing in the face of love/What on earth you tryin’ to do?/It’s up to you, yeah you”

~ John Lennon

Karma for Taurus

Taurus, going at a slower pace than Aries, has time to reflect on karmic consequences.  However, being obstinate, they can sometimes get tunnel vision (and in a rut to boot), and forget to adhere to the flexibility of karmic concepts.

“Karma is the beginning of knowledge. Next is patience. Patience is very important. The strong are the patient ones. Patience means holding back your inclination to the seven emotions: hate, adoration, joy, anxiety, anger, grief, fear. If you don’t; give way to the seven, you are patient, and then you will soon understand all manner of things, and you will be in harmony with eternity”

~ James Clavell, from “Shogun”

Karma for Gemini

Gemini might think of karma as an intellectual exercise, and possibly overthink things.  Or flip flop between karmic options.

“Wasn”t it Nils Bohr who said something along the lines of ‘to understand an event properly you have to accept two entirely contradictory explanations for it.’ The spiritual explanation and the mundane one may say different things yet both will be true -and at the same time.”

~ Marjorie Orr, Astrologer

Karma for Cancer

Cancerians can hold on to emotions, even grudges, from the past.  So they can actually store karma for themselves and others!  That means the timing of clearing karma can sometimes lie within the crab’s claws!  One of the keys to this is clearing the Astral or Emotional Body.

“ASTRAL ENERGY – the veil which carries us from lifetime to lifetime, recreating memories in the emotional body in each lifetime…

ASTRAL IMPRINTS – memories of previous experiences contained in the emotional body.”

~ Chris Griscom from “Ecstasy is a New Frequency”

Karma for Leo

Being dominant by nature, Leo can dictate karma to a great extent, not just for themselves, but for others.  They may, for instance, lead a group soul in incarnation.

“We must come into contact with the now, in this lifetime, so we can get off the karmic treadmill.  Karma is not a punishment, we don’t have to do it forever.  We can choose to be here as Masters.”

~ Chris Griscom, from “Ecstasy is a New Frequency”

Karma for Virgo

Virgos could worry more about karma, being concerned as they are with the minutiae of experience.  They could see all sorts of nuances about karma that others would not notice.  Service is one of their watchwords, and that is one of the routes out of karma.

“Even the most magnificent creatives, artists, writers, and inventors that you can think of had to show up day after day. Even the ones where it seems like their gifts are so innate and extraordinary – they still keep working on their craft daily. They are still showing up, living into the question and embodying what they are being called to embody. After all, we are souls having a human experience, so grounded action in repetition is just as important as connecting into the call of your soul. It is how you move along the thread of your life to your destiny.”

~ Rebecca Campbell, Author and creator of Oracle Cards

Karma for Libra

Librans are most likely to appreciate the calmness, fairness and justice of karma.  That can free them in a sense, for they do not need to seek the revenge that is most popular in culture (witness that they are bringing back “A Woman of Substance” by Barbara Taylor Bradford, which has revenge as a central concept).  They are able to lie back and say “eventually so-and-so will get their come-uppance”.  But equally, if they also have a strong Mars and Warrior Archetype, their sense of justice will not allow them to hold back from ensuring that justice is served.

“The divine universe simply waits for us to initiate creativity in our lives. Then it responds, in kind, to all our thoughts, desires and actions (including the negative ones). This is simply called cause and effect.”

~ Barbara Ann Brennan, from “Core Light Healing”

Karma for Scorpio

Scorpio is likely to hold extreme views on Karma, with a capital K!  They could be fearsomely self-righteous and judge and evaluate the karma of others, or they could find themselves involved in actions they may later regret, in the throes of passion.  An evolved Scorpio would see through it all, rise above it like a Phoenix, and find the compassion needed to turn the key on karma.

“But there is no reason for the Universe to box anyone in forever – there is always hope, and encouragement.”

~ Sarah Berry’s guide, Hendry

Karma for Sagittarius

Unless there is a heavy preponderance of Capricorn in the Saggy chart, Sagittarians would be quite happy-go-lucky and relatively carefree to be troubled by the concept.  Some Sagittarians might be quite oblivious, until they make a careless error and are brought up short to face the subject.

“Many of our karmic lessons are self-chosen, in contracts which we have made before birth as a result of conclusions we have drawn from our past lives, and how we need to evolve further.  Some of the sufferings we shoulder are self-imposed through negative emotions such as lack of forgiveness or guilt, and can be erased once we let ourselves off the hook.  We then free our energy to act on the lessons we have learned, and do a better job.”

~ A Sagittarian blogger!

Karma for Capricorn

Capricorns are most likely to take the subject seriously!  In fact, their ruling planet Saturn was in earlier times deemed to be “The Lord of Karma”, bringing about the more serious consequences of their actions.  The ruler of Sagittarius, in contrast, Jupiter, would bring the more joyful aspects such as rewards for good deeds, and taking up talents honed in past lives.  There is another type of Capricorn, however, that would dismiss the idea of karma, through scepticism or cynicism.

“The law of cause and effect, according to which for every action there is a reaction.  Karma is the causal factor behind fate or destiny.”

~ Judy Hall, from “The Karmic Journey”

Karma for Aquarius

Aquarians know they are on a path to the Golden Age of Ascension, where all karma is transcended.  So they are practising in this life with that in mind.  That doesn’t mean they can in this life escape the joys and sorrows of karma, but knowing that hearts are pure and good intentions can prevail, can keep them buoyant, until…come the Revolution!

“Eventually, karma has to come to an end, and grace operates.  You cannot suffer more than is your due.”

~ Sagittarian blogger’s guide Hermes

Karma for Pisces

Those caught up in the lower aspects of the Age of Pisces we are climbing out of (although at the moment we are facing the worst aspects of human nature rising up to be cleared) may experience the more negative forms of karmic experience such as victimhood and self-undoing.  However, as they evolve, they experience the higher forms of karmic experience such as compassion, grace and mercy.

“Karmic connections dissolve through genuine gratitude; not denial, not bypassing, and not pretending it didn’t hurt. When you can truly appreciate what the soul agreement taught you, without clinging to the pain or the story, the contract completes naturally.”

~ Dolores Cannon, author of “The Convoluted Universe”, Volumes I – V

Aspects

If you sprang up sprightly from your bed this morning, you’ll have had Mercury conjunct Mars to thank around breakfast time, taking place at 10 degrees Pisces.  I call this conjunction “busy-busy-busy”!  It may assist you in getting things done.  It brings brisk action, mental and physical stimulation, and can help movement in your projects.  There is a small element of risk of being incident-prone, as in minor cuts and bruises.  So mindfulness is a key to successful outcomes.  It is mentally acute and favours critical thinking, if you are composing an analysis, a review or critique.  It can also fire your communication on reforming zeal.  Happy Mother’s Day to those who celebrate it.  Hope you enjoyed breakfast in bed, those who received it.  With Mercury conjunct Mars, the toast might have been slightly overdone!

The next stop in our tour of the week is Tuesday (17^th) where we find another conjunction, that of Mercury with the North Node.  If we are looking for an aspect where we can practise our karma and reflect upon it this week, this is the one.  Read the Mercury-ruled sections for Gemini and Virgo in the main blog to get a sense of the angle of this karmic influence.  It brings the karma of thought and speech to our attention. Choose your words wisely.  Much can be taught and learned under this aspect, and ideas exchanged.

Wednesday (18^th) brings a square, between Venus and Jupiter, in the afternoon.  But it is probably the most innocuous of squares, being composed of the two benefic planets. This is a very social and sociable aspect, but can be gauche, awkward, or inappropriate.  Social non-conformists won’t care, but conformists may lament the lack of sticking to the rules.

The evening is likely to be better, with a sextile between the Sun and Uranus.  This aspect supports us, and adds a sparkle of ingenuity and inventiveness. Make headway with your various projects, assisted with some telepathy and higher consciousness, or liaising with a constructive group.  Look to the Future.

The very early hours of Thursday (19^th) contain a New Moon at 28 degrees Pisces, which is the most sensitive manifestation of the New Moon.  Occurring while you are probably in the dream state, try to programme your subconscious before sleep to make the most of your dreams and intentions. and a time to set intentions, make affirmations, and creatively visualize along the lines of peace in your own environment, and the plight of war-torn nations around the world.  Lessons we have recently learned can be put to good use.  It may be time to soothe old wounds and move on.

The Spring greets us at the Equinox on Friday (20^th), whatever the weather will be doing.  The forecast at the moment for that day is frost with spots of bright sunshine.  Maybe not suitable for a picnic, or gambolling with the lambs, but something to be celebrated anyway.  It’s the beginning of the astrological year.  The camelias in our garden have been out for a while, and the magnolias trees are shining brightly, always early signs of Spring. For the population generally, if your energy has been a little low lately, you may feel yourself reviving.  You may feel it in your bones…!

Celebrating with us will be Mercury, Stationary prior to turning Direct in the evening, making things easier from a technological point of view.  There can be some alleviation of recent communication glitches.  There may also be a turning point in your travel plans. Hopefully, if you have projects waiting to happen of a literary or technical nature, this may also be a go-ahead for you.  If you have been holding back on communication, you may feel the push to move forward again with it.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – sprightly
• Tuesday – karmic information
• Wednesday – devil may care; sparkle
• Thursday – new beginning
• Friday – Spring at heart; easier communication(s)

Iranian War

“Maybe it’s just possible that a few people missed a chance to prevent America bombing Iran”

~ John Crace

With the first week of an Iranian War coming to a close, today I will be looking at the charts of a few of the players and their countries’ charts, to look at where they are psychologically and materially at this point in time.  I think back to the first Gulf War and its heart stopping and breath holding effect at the time, and I think back to the second, the Iraq War, and its visions on our screen of Rageh Omaar standing in front of bombing skylines every night for three weeks, truly heart-crushing.

Keir Starmer

Is he in or out of the war?  This is still being debated now.  In current transits, Keir has Pluto trine his natal Mercury, perfect for making a profound stand, which he is doing in the face of a capricious world leader in Donald Trump.  But Keir is being accused of being indecisive, as distinct from measured.  He was clear, as a lawyer, about the principle of upholding international law. Though we need to stand up to the world wide bully that is Trump, we also need to take into account that we are dealing with someone with undeniable mental health issues.  There is much speculation about Trump’s physical health due to visible signs on his person, but I would like to see more articles in the press from Psychiatrists analysing Trump’s mental state, and how others can be constructively dealing with it.

However, Neptune is quincunx Keir Starmer’s natal Uranus at the same time, making his situation exceptionally complex, almost unfathomable.

“Only 6% agree with the Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, that the UK should join the US-Israeli military action.  Although the prime minister remains deeply unpopular, there has been a 7-point improvement in his net approval rating”

~ Rachel Sylvester, The Observer

Hence he has voices on both sides of the fence, calling him to wage war (Badenoch and Farage) and desist (Davey and Polanski), not to mention the division of opinions within his own party.  He has to find his own authentic way through.  If he can find that inner core, he may be able to follow through in other aspects of government too.  He has been praised by many for his statesmanship on the world stage, but his reputation (especially in the right wing press) is on the line domestically, if not in tatters.  The “Daily Mail” (or as it is often nicknamed “Daily Fail”) plastered the adjectives “Desperate and Deluded” in referring to him this week on their front page.

Future Trends

An important transit Keir has coming up is the transit of the North Node on his Chiron/Jupiter.  The timing on this is again nebulous, because ephemerides detail the True and Mean Nodes, which are not exactly the same.   Close in time, next Thursday (12^th) looks to be tricky for him, with the Mean North Node on his Chiron (timing is difficult to pinpoint due to the Nodal Axis and Chiron being involved).  This may affect his health, or his determination to solve a problem.

The Mean North Node will then transit his natal Jupiter around 30^th March, where credit may be due karmically.

But it coincides with the opposition of Chiron to his Venus, so if he is feeling very discouraged at that time, he could be considering resignation.  Chiron will be opposing Starmer’s natal Venus (ephemerides vary too much to pinpoint a time) which may bring out a personal or health crisis for him.  Being a Prime Minister can be a strain, and that constitutes a possible breaking point, or a crisis from which he emerges stronger, my own astrological calculations depict such a crisis around 31^st March.  Don’t get me wrong, I am going against the grain in declaring that I sincerely hope he succeeds and finds a way through!

The True North Node puts these events later, in April: the transit to his Chiron occurring around 4^th/5^th April, and to his Jupiter around 20^th/21^st April, when he is likely to be on the campaign trail.

U.K. Chart

The transits at this time for the U.K. chart (I use the 1922 version) are as follows:-

Uranus squares its Mars in Aquarius in 9^th House – dealing with explosions abroad!

North Node trine its natal Jupiter in Scorpio in its 5^th House – good luck in keeping out of harm’s way!

Pluto trine its natal Midheaven in Aquarius in 8^th House – a strong position, despite Trump’s labelling

“Britain faced no present danger.  Instead, Starmer was asked to contribute to an unannounced, unsanctioned attack on Iran by a president who can barely even iterate the objective of his intervention.”

~ Philip Collins, The Observer

Donald Trump

Through the turbulent changes of the outer planets this last year and a half, Donald Trump has had a free ride, partly because his planets are not near the cusps of the signs.  The North Node is currently trine his ruling planet Mercury, so he may be feeling mentally that his is on the right track, without knowing if he isn’t (who is keeping his karmic ledger?)

Future Trends

Chiron squares his natal Venus in 11^th House around 4^th April, a crisis similar to that faced by Keir Starmer a few days earlier.  The two crises may therefore be linked, or reflect a crisis in their personal relationship(s).

19^th April may see him overconfident, with a square to his natal Jupiter in his financial House from transiting Jupiter – he could lose out economically at that time (whatever the spin may be at the time).

However, something totally untoward may happen when Uranus transits his 10^th House cusp and squares his Ascendant, and that may be a health and safety situation.  That astrological event is scheduled for 24^th April.

A long term transit coming up, Pluto trines his Neptune at 5 degrees of Aquarius and Libra respectively.  Far from curtailing his march, it may signal the peak of it, for psychologically he may be at the full power of his bamboozling effect. Its influence comes close this year, up to 6^th May when Pluto turns Retrograde.  Strangely, that’s around the U.K. General Election time, so maybe he will be trying to interfere, with some choice adjectives.

The transit of Pluto trine his natal Neptune as described takes place 17/18 February next year (2027) but maybe he will be long gone before then, through a health or safety condition.   If so, he will have left his mark on the world, but is unlikely to have earned the Nobel Peace prize.

U.S. Chart

The transits for the U.S. at the moment are amazingly karmic!  The Nodal Axis lines up exactly in square with its natal Ascendant/Uranus.  It is literally a karmic reckoning of sorts (Nodal Axis), and one of shock and awe (Uranus), reflecting the catalytic nature of its actions.  Its Venus in 1^st House is currently being squared by the Saturn/Neptune conjunction, a lack of comfort and ease.  Uranus trines its natal Pluto in 8^th House, bringing danger, but also showing the resilience needed.  Chiron squares its natal Mercury, mental stress and worry being a marked current condition.

Future Trend

There will be a feeling of rallying and recovery when Jupiter reaches its natal Mercury in 2^nd House around 2^nd/3^rd June this year, with some brighter economic news.  That may be relative or temporary, if the predicted economic effect of this war does its worst.

Benjamin Nethanyahu

Nethanyahu, like the chart of the U.S.A., is about to have the Nodal Axis square his natal Ascendant, which is also conjunct his Chiron.  This fact also shows his strong link with the U.S. natally.  With Chiron on his Ascendant, he constantly finds solutions to his problems, slipping through various nets and escape routes.  There was footage this week showing him smiling!  With all the chaos that he and Trump have unleashed this week, he can smile?!  How is that level of callousness possible, given all the lives that have been lost?  He practised in Gaza, now he is using those skills in Iran…

Future Trends

The more precise timings for the Nodal transits are:-

1^st April (for the Mean Node) squaring his natal Chiron

2^nd April for the True Node square to his Chiron

13^th April for the Mean and Nodal Axis square his Ascendant.  He may be caught out at that time, for without the distraction of war, he does not have to face his criminal charges domestically.

2^nd May for the True Nodal Axis square to his Ascendant, which would be the same effects, or the fortnight or so in between may be a continuous process.

Israel Chart

Pluto is currently opposite the Moon of Israel’s chart in its 10^th House of Reputation.  That is a disturbing vibration both for its citizens psychologically, and its reputation.  This came to its first peak at the end of February, just before the war broke out on 28^th.  Chiron is sextile Israel’s Uranus in 9^th House (employing the power of surprise) but at the same time square its Midheaven/I.C. Axis (shaking to the core).  Fighting this war on at least two fronts (Iran and Lebanon) must be involving so much of its population: manpower, womanpower and families.

Ali Khamenei

The assassinated ruler of Iran, Ali Khamenei had Mercury, Saturn, the Moon and Sun in Aries, the sign of the Warrior.  He was likely born on a New Moon in Aries, which is one way he may have survived the 36 years or so ruling his regime.

His demise came on 1^st March, last Sunday: at the time Jupiter opposed his natal Mars, and Chiron was possibly transiting his natal Moon.  Assassinations usually involve Mars or Pluto.  It is still not clear who will succeed him: Donald Trump wants to have a say in this, but apparently has killed some of his favoured contenders.  The late Shah’s son, Reza Pahlavi, is 64 years old and resides in the United States.  He thinks Iran should remain a republic.  In an interview this week, he said Iran should retain its territorial integrity, there should be a separation of religion and state, equality of citizens and individual liberties; democratic elections should take place for deciding its future.

Iran

The current regime up to now, despite the assassination of its leader, is still standing firm, and still has the capability of striking other nations, therefore currently going nowhere.  The regime itself dates back to 1979, when the Shah was deposed.  Pluto is at the moment almost square its Chiron, so mirroring the current devastation.  Donald Trump promised its people freedom, many died in January for the cause, and there is much internal conflict.  Pluto on its 11^th House of Friendship cusp currently denotes a “friend” causing upheaval (Pluto)!

Future Trends

The end of March seems important for Keir Starmer and Benjamin Nethanyahu, but also it seems for the chart of Iran.  Some unity may come when Chiron trines its natal Venus in 9^th House (of Foreigners) around 28^th March.

It is to be hoped that the destruction will soon come to an end, but the Pluto to natal Chiron square culminates around 30^th March.

13^th May may be helpful, when Jupiter trines the natal Uranus in 8^th House – it may begin some sort of rebirth.

It’s rich, hearing from Tony Blair this morning that the U.K. should have been more pro-active, considering that the Iraq War ruined Tony Blair’s reputation and created mass destruction (when they didn’t find weapons of mass destruction).  There are so many ordinary civilians already impacted, in Tehran and all over the Middle East, never mind the aftermath if it resembles the Iraq War.  In the meantime, who is rebuilding Gaza?  And who is supporting Ukraine?

“We think we’re being so clever and so brilliant in wading into countries about which our governments often seem to know very little, plunging in and firing missiles and staging coups and all the rest of it but we don’t think of the long-term outcomes, those long-term consequences and the absolutely catastrophic effects that they can have many decades down the line.”

~ George Monbiot

Aspects

A rather subdued aspect for today: that of Venus conjunct Saturn, at 2 degrees Aries.  You may experience it as a personal matter, or deflation at the knowledge that this Iranian War has lasted for a week! (or both)

This is not an easy prospect in terms of relationships or economics.  You will be looking more seriously at your close relationships, and evaluating what is important to you.  The care of the elderly may be a particular preoccupation.  The optimum condition for this conjunction would be loyalty and commitment, but there may need to be some letting go before that can be arrived at.  Finance too will be a cause for concern – economic prognostigations are more gloomy as a result of the war.

For tomorrow (Monday 9^th), you’ve had your pessimism day, now tackle your optimism day, though the issues may be different.  Mercury trines Jupiter before dawn, which can restore sanity and optimism.  Maybe you experience a hopeful dream before you wake.  This aspect can bring good news, which is welcome at any time.  It can bring productivity, and good conversation.  Mercury trine Jupiter expands our minds and philosophies.  This is an upbeat vibe mentally, and can bring opportunities.  It is also helpful for writing projects and studying, so you may make progress on such projects.

The aspect for Tuesday (10^th) is also upbeat, and occurs around daybreak.  Venus sextile Pluto brings a more introverted set of qualities: it’s an aspect which encourages soul-searching and arriving at deeper concepts and perceptions.  You can add extra artistry and harmony to your current projects.  You can also experience profound connections between people, and it’s a good time for evaluating what people mean to you. You may experience a volcanic eruption of creativity!  A good day for philosophical and psychological enquiries.

One of the good news stories of this week is Stationary Jupiter prior to going Direct, which occurs in the early hours of Wednesday (11^th) in the U.K.  You may find this to be a welcome turning point.  It’s a light at the end of the tunnel. That might bring a breath of fresh air to your day’s plans, peppering them with promise.  Something may lift you, and point the way to your next direction.  You at least get to the stage of seeing a new goal, or resuming an earlier goal.

No general aspects for Thursday (12^th), but look out for a possible effect from a personal transit to Keir Starmer’s chart as detailed in the main blog:

“Close in time, next Thursday (12^th) looks to be tricky for him, with the Mean North Node on his Chiron (timing is difficult to pinpoint due to the Nodal Axis and Chiron being involved).  This may affect his health, or his determination to solve a problem.”

Back to the aspects: Mars conjoins the North Node on Friday (13^th), indicating a strong focus on war.  The warmakers may be in no mood to compromise, but as this is a karmic aspect, the consequences will count.  In personal lives, try to take the heat out of events, and choose the more peaceful option, I would say.  With Mars conjunct the North Node, we see the karmic results of our actions straight away, giving us the wisdom of knowing, instant-karma style, whether or not we are doing things the right way and learning the right lessons, including the way to conduct our own Inner Warrior.

The week  in bullet points:

• Today – some sadness
• Tomorrow – some happiness
• Tuesday – valuable soul-searching
• Wednesday – joy returning
• Friday – karmic battleground

Neil Sedaka (1939 – 2026)

“When we ran out of lyrics we’d use a doo-bee-doo” 

~ Neil Sedaka

Singer, Songwriter and Pianist Neil Sedaka died suddenly on Thursday, at the age of 86.  He was a big part of the music scene when I was a young girl, his heyday being between 1957 and 1965.  I thought of his tunes as upbeat and melodious, but of course the explosion of the Beatles ushered in a whole new genre of exciting music in that period.

Birth Chart

The Sun in Pisces gave Neil Sedaka the sensitivity to write about emotional life, the stuff of pop music all along, but thoughtfully so.  Neptune exactly opposite his Sun brought an even more finely honed sensitivity. The melodies he created were uplifting, reflecting his natal Sun conjunct Jupiter.  What brings up the Songwriter Archetype is Mercury exactly sextile Venus (I have many examples, in my files!): a sublime blending of music (Venus) and words (Mercury).  Venus is also highlighted by being closely square to the Nodal Axis, indicating a karmic path in music.  Jupiter closely sextile Uranus was one of the keys to his success, a winning formula.

Life and Career

Neil Sedaka was born in Brooklyn.  His father was Lebanese Jewish.  A child prodigy, his teacher recommended piano classes, and his mother went out of her way to obtain them for him, buying an upright piano.  He then won a scholarship to the Juillard School of Music, at the age of 9.  His mother hoped he would be a classical pianist, and he mastered that particular art, but gradually developed a fondness for pop music.  From the age of 13, he was writing songs with his neighbour Howard Greenfield.

While at school at Abraham Lincoln High School, he formed a doo-wop band called the Linc-Tones (names after the school), which was later re-named the Tokens.  He left school at 17.  He wrote “Stupid Cupid” for Connie Francis in 1958, but his first recordings failed to do well for himself.  So he began an intensive study of the three biggest hits of the time, looking at their song structure, chord progressions, lyrics, and harmonies, and the result was “Oh Carol” in 1959, inspired by Carole King who had been his girlfriend in high school.  This gave him his first domestic top ten hit.  In 1960 he wrote “Calendar Girl”, for which he earned a five figure royalty cheque, and this was followed by “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen” in 1961.

The poignant “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” of 1962 was a song many could relate to:

They say that breaking up is hard to do
Now I know, I know that it’s true
Don’t say that this is the end
Instead of breaking up I wish we were making up again

But in the middle of all this creative output, and in the year of the heartbreak song, he married Leba Strassberg; they had two children together, and much later on, grandchildren.

He was conscious that his genre of music was usurped by the Beatles and what came after, and lamented the effect of the Beatles on his recording career:

“Between 1963 and 1975, I worked very little. The Beatles had come to New York and changed music – all the solo singers were out of work”

When his career appeared to fizzle out in the mid-1960s, he decided to move to the United Kingdom, and ended his musical partnership with Greenfield, writing “Our Last Song Together”, another beautiful and heart-wrenching tune:

This will be our last song together
Words will only make us cry
This will be our last song together
There’s no other way to say good-bye

He eventually found a new songwriting partner in Phil Cody.

A revival of his fortunes took place in the 1970s, including more songwriting for others, such as (Is this the Way to) “Amarillo” in 1971 for Tony Christie, and later reprised for Comic Relief with Peter Kay.  I watched the video this morning.  It did make me smile! ;-}  If you’re having a blue day, do look it up.

This was followed in 1972 by my personal favourite, the haunting “Solitaire”, sung so exquisitely:

And solitaire is the only game in town
And every road that takes him
Takes him down
While life goes on around him everywhere
He’s playing solitaire

“Solitaire” was the first collaboration between Sedaka and Phil Cody.

“Love will Keep us Together” in 1973 had been written earlier with Howard Greenfield, and was a huge success, also recorded by other artists.

One of his most uplifting songs, “Laughter in the Rain” came in 1974:

Ooh, I hear laughter in the rain
Walking hand in hand with the one I love
Ooh, how I love the rainy days
And the happy way I feel inside

His songwriting talent had not gone anywhere!  They are all good classic songs, which must have been played over and over and earned royalties over the years, and played in karaoke bars throughout the world!

I have enjoyed re-visiting his body of work, a welcome distraction from the wars raging.  Long live Love, the staple material of the pop world!

“You do have to give up your privacy. But the good thing is that you can get a table in a restaurant or a seat at the theatre.”

~ Neil Sedaka

Aspects

Two wars broke out last week around the Mars-Uranus square (about which I had written “There may be some escalation of aggression in the current wars.”)  Afghanistan and Pakistan were the first to engage in hostilities, and it seems the U.S. and Israel could not resist the call of the Mars-Uranus square, following suit very soon after.

Meanwhile, our aspect journey begins on Tuesday (3^rd March), when we first encounter an ingress (not an aspect, technically), which is Mars moving into Pisces.  Mars transits from the more strident sign of Aquarius.  While Aquarius is humanitarian, and looks after the underdog, Pisces is even more compassionate, and very empathetic.  Mars represents our use of energy, and so it may not be so direct, but it will be more in touch with emotional needs (ours, or others).  In charitable terms, it is a good time to put your money where your mouth is.

Late morning on that day, we have a Lunar Eclipse at 12 degrees Virgo, so tensions may still be heightened.  This may ramp up the emotional tension, plus a desire towards perfectionism and practicality, at the same time as honouring spiritual ideals represented by the opposing Sun in Pisces.  Work and service are also principles of this polarity of signs. That may be a wake-up call.  Participants in the Middle East may be registering some of the implications of the explosiveness of actions undertaken last week.  It is worth bearing in mind the timeline which is often given for eclipses, which can result in effects up to six months in duration.  At this point in time, no one, not even the most experienced of pundits, can predict how long the war against Iran will last and what regime will take the place of Ali Khamenei’s reign of terror.

Wednesday (4^th) brings us a sextile between Venus and Uranus.  Venus in harmony with Uranus is very social and may produce some interesting outward manifestations.  Chance meetings are possible and can be strange or seem random.  Venus sextile Uranus is on the pleasantly uplifting side of the equation, and can bring reunions, even if just on your mobile phone or online.  The three S’s come to mind: spontaneity, synchronicity and serendipity.

It is followed up the next day Thursday (5^th) by another upbeat aspect, that of the Sun trine Jupiter.  That’s a joyful energy.  For some that might mean a lucky break!  Not everyone can win the lottery, but it’s all good and comes on the heels of Uranus starting to show its best side.  This is a happy-go-lucky aspect where circumstances allow.  It may provide a day of good cheer, adventure, golden opportunity and looking ahead to the future with optimism.  If you are visiting friends, the occasion could be a barrel of laughs.

A change of feeling-tone awaits us on Friday (6^th) when Venus enters Aries, which sets up bolder feelings to express and contend with.  Venus is not entirely comfortable in Aries and therefore Venusian types (Taureans and Librans) may feel that they are being pushed to a faster pace of life than they are comfortable with.  There is a warmer and more demonstrative feel about Venus though while she is in Aries, so hugs may be more forthcoming.  Other signs may feel more comfy and cosy with this placement, and make good connections.  Let us hope warmongers are not emboldened!

Two conjunctions occur late morning on the final day of the week, Saturday (7th), the first being the Sun conjunct Mercury at 16 degrees Pisces, which may cause you to become more aware of deeper issues, such as the compassionate perspective of things.  The Sun and Mercury together may come up with some insightful solutions, rekindling hope and allowing glimpses of light at the end of tunnels.

Finally, we have Venus conjunct Neptune at the first degree of Aries.  You could be feeling very nostalgic!  It could be a serene, highly spiritual and artistically inspired conjunction, full of unconditional love.  This conjunction can express the best of the divine feminine.  A warm but possibly enigmatic finale to the week.  A true heart will attract the best of this conjunction.

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – some gentler energy; turning point
• Wednesday – exciting meetings
• Thursday – joy abounding
• Friday – bolder feelings
• Saturday – sparkling focus; unconditional love

Jesse Jackson (1941 – 2026)

“Jackson’s presence presents the American Republic with questions and choices it has spent all hits history until this hour trying to avoid…And nothing will ever again be what it was before.”

~ James Baldwin, 1984

Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson died this week, at the age of 84.  He was a passionate, charismatic and assiduous promoter of his cause.  He was the natural successor to Martin Luther King, and he helped pave the way for Barack Obama to become the first black American President.  He was regarded as one of the most influential activists of his time.

Birth Chart

Jesse had the Sun in Libra: he was certainly passionate about Justice, and he strove for peace in various ways throughout his life.

Straight away on looking at his birth chart (with a birthtime and Ascendant) three Archetypes pop up.  The first is The Firebrand, mentioned in my Archetype series under Scorpio.  He had his Midheaven (Careerpoint) in Scorpio.  He had his Sun opposite Mars, indicating the Warrior Archetype.  The Firebrand is a spin-off variety of the Warrior.  His speeches had the conviction of fire and brimstone.

He had the courage of the Warrior, and with Mars trine Chiron he was able to channel healing energy:

“He was very brave and I have always tried to show a little of that courage.  He taught me the importance of having principles and sticking to them.”

~ Diane Abbott

The second Archetype is, as an ordained Baptist minister, the Religious figure: he had the Sun trine Jupiter (religion), Jupiter exactly square his Nodal Axis (religion was part of his karmic mission and challenge), and the Sun in the 9^th House of Religion.  With Neptune trine the Ascendant, on the 9^th House side of the cusp, he was able to combine Religion with Spirituality.

The third Archetype is the Orator, as depicted by his Mercury at the Midheaven in his 10^th House of Work in the World.  Even as a young man, he was part of a competitive public-speaking team, which was important enough for him to give up a sporting opportunity.  Ewen MacAskill observes in the Guardian obituary that: “One of his strengths lay in his ability to deliver rousing speeches in the rhetorical style of southern preachers”

He had a sensitive and spiritual Moon trine Neptune/North Node: a sensitivity and spiritual leadership as part of his karmic mission, delivering power to the people.  The Moon was also loosely conjunct his I.C. in 4^th House – the fundamental power of his emotion evoked in his speeches.  Mercury square Pluto/Chiron ensured that the speeches had the depth and passion of fire and brimstone.

Venus exactly sextile Neptune showed that he was idealistic in relationships, though he may have regretted an affair later in life, whereby he fathered a sixth child out of wedlock, despite an enduring marriage (he married early in life, aged 21).  Saturn conjunct Uranus in his chart was iconoclastic, bringing personal earthquakes in his life (none more so than the assassination of Martine Luther King).

He had Saturn exactly trine Neptune – and so he was able to reconcile these two planets,  which had in the same week as his death, come into a momentous conjunction: his work is done.  He also had the ability to decode complexity, through Uranus closely trine Neptune.  Pluto conjunct Chiron enabled him to confront harsh realities, especially those of his impoverished background and early segregated society.

Life and Career

Jesse was born in Greenville, South Carolina. His mother was 18, and his father was a married neighbour.  He had both Cherokee and African American Slave ancestry.  His mother married Charles Jackson a year after his birth, but he kept in touch with his birth father.

He studied at A & T, a black university in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he took part in local civil-rights protests.  After graduating with a B.S. degree in Sociology in 1964 at the age of 23, he began a course at the Chicago Theological Seminary, but left just before completing the course two years later, to concentrate on his participation in the civil rights movement.  However, by 1968 he was ordained a minister.

By this time, he was already working with Martin Luther King (and learning the power of oratory!).  The tie between them is tight astrologically: Jesse Jackson’s Ascendant at 25 degrees Capricorn was exactly conjunct Martin Luther Kng’s Sun.  That is a perfect depiction of Jesse’s implementation and manifestation (Ascendant) of the spirit of King’s work (Sun). He took part early on in their partnership in marches with him, and King entrusted him with an economic project Operation Breadbasket.  In this capacity, Jackson encouraged boycotts by black consumers to pressure white businesses to hire blacks.

Martin Luther King was assassinated on 4^th April 1968.  The transits for Jesse were:-

Pluto on his natal North Node, a significant and karmic death in his life

Saturn opposite his natal Sun, the loss of a significant male figure in his life

Mars square to his natal Pluto in Leo in his 7^th House, violence to a partner figure and leader

The transits for Martin:_

Pluto square to his natal Mars, the ultimate violence

Jupiter trine his natal Saturn in 8^th House, a release leading to martyrdom

Mars transiting his natal Chiron in 12^th House of Hidden Enemies

Understandably, Jesse went off the rails slightly, in the aftermath of this tragedy.  He made claims of his own heroism such as in cradling Martin Luther King at the scene, claims which were disputed, and tarnished his reputation temporarily.  But he was nevertheless the natural successor to his mentor.

In 1969 he was preaching racial reconciliation.  He took the view that in entering a coalition with whites, they could mutually tackle economic and class problems:

“When we change the race problem into a class fight between the haves and the have-nots, then we are going to have a new ball game”

In 1983 he decided to enter politics, and run for the 1984 presidential election, almost an unprecedented initiative in the black community.  He did not get far in the contests and process, but did better in his bid in 1988, becoming runner-up to Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis.  As mentioned, he paved the way for Barack Obama twenty years later – he famously wept in the crowd when the latter was elected.

“Through the Rainbow/Push Coalition, he brought together black voters, organized labour, small farmers, peace activists and others into something that looked like a genuine social democratic bloc.”

~ Bhaskar Sunkara, President of The Nation, a progressive monthly American magazine

The Rainbow/Push Coalition grew out of Jesse Jackson’s 1984 presidential campaign.

During the first Gulf War (1990/1) he negotiated with Saddam Hussein in Baghdad for the release of captives from various nations, and in this was highly effective.  He was fulfilling the potential of his Sun in Libra diplomacy.

He supported LGBT rights, declaring: “No more homophobia. Let’s respect people, protect people. Everyone is somebody”.

During the 1990s he worked with the Clinton administration, and acted as spiritual adviser to Bill Clinton during the scandal of the Monica Lewinsky affair.  Jesse Jackson meant a lot to both the Clintons, and they posted an affectionate tribute this week.

In November 2017 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.  At the time he had Uranus square his Ascendant from 3rd/4th House cusp in Aries, and Pluto square his natal Mars, both indicators of severe physical stress.

I have always been fascinated by Martin Luther King, Jesse Jackson, and the civil rights movement, including the more recent Black Lives Matter movement (2013).  I celebrated the achievement of Barack Obama gaining two terms of office as U.S. President (2009 – 2017).  But, sigh, there still seems a long way to go…

“Jesse told me that sometimes when you lose, or think you have lost, you have in fact won – because you have paved the way for others to follow.”

~ Simon Woodley, Principal of Homerton College, Cambridge

Aspects

Last week did seem to be a Watershed week, glimpses of a turning point for some, and especially for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, with the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten.  Much has been made of his karma coming back to him with the Eclipse close to his Sun at 0 degrees Pisces (in old textbooks, the sign is known as the “sign of self-undoing”).  The Eclipse actually fell on his natal Chiron in his 7^th House.  Chiron was also on his Midheaven at the time (righting a wrong in connection with his reputation).  I feel that Chiron (the planet of Solutions) had as much to do with it.

On to this week, and today!  Mars is sextile Chiron.  Benefits can accrue through the unclogging of stuck energy.  This aspect may see you on a healing mission of some sort.  Compassionate action may be the tone of the day, a day where physicality combines dynamically with healing.  A hug or demonstration of affection may be just what’s needed.  Note that with Jesse Jackson’s trine between Mars and Chiron he was able to channel healing energy.  A sextile energy is slightly weaker than a trine, but there is no doubt that some of Jesse’s passion came from this positive connection.

This evening Venus trines Jupiter, which is one of the brightest trines of the year (if not, the brightest).  Something may provide you with a richness of heart.  Venus with Jupiter is so very social, and can be romantic too.  It’s an aspect to savour and enjoy.  Proposals and engagements often occur under this combination.

On Thursday (26^th) Mercury in Pisces is Stationary prior to turning Retrograde.  Most people will see this as an alert to take good care of their communications for the three-week period.  Pisces is notoriously fuzzy when it comes to the crispness of communications, so misunderstandings could abound.  The upside of Mercury in Pisces is that psychic awareness is heightened, but there is the possibility of being caught up in the astral realms!

So for a constructive and positive perspective, I always turn to “The Mercury Retrograde Book” by Yasmin Boland and Kim Farnell.  They say that Retrograde Mercury in Pisces “We have a longer time to focus on the mystical….Spending your time on hobbies that don’t involve your rational mind.”

Mercury goes Direct again on March 20^th.

Friday (27^th) brings an awkward square between Mars and Uranus.  It can be hair raising, explosive or brittle.  So it is advisable to chill out, and urge others to do so, and hope the message radiates.  This square can also be accident-prone, so if you are out riding your bike, make sure your helmet is firmly held on.  There may be some escalation of aggression in the current wars.  Don’t waste your time or energy on pursuits which are tricky.

But the week ends on a mellow note of Mercury conjunct Venus at 22 degrees Pisces, on Saturday (28^th).  After a possibly jagged Friday, this congenial conjunction may be a welcome balm.  It could bring some happy socializing, with great conversations. It is perfect for cafe culture, ideal for artistic or literary endeavours, or negotiations (which may have fallen by the wayside the previous day).  Your communications will have an artistic flair, so it’s a good time to get creative.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – flowing healing energy; social contentment
• Thursday – communication glitches
• Friday – jagged
• Saturday – get thee to a café (or pub if preferred)

Watershed Week

This blog is to underline the importance of this week astrologically.  There are two highly important features taking place: A Solar Eclipse on Tuesday 17^th, and the conjunction of Saturn and Neptune in Aries on Friday 20^th.

These two features will shape this week as one to remember.  Your most powerful tools for this week are your Creativity, Intuition and Choice, but not necessarily in that order!

This blog is deliberately short, deliberately less is more, so that can focus the mind!

Aspects

Our aspect journey this week begins tomorrow, with a square at dawn between Uranus and the Sun.  Be 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.

Uranus square the Sun can be disruptive, but can be used to bring in the new.  This week it was revealed that Steven Blake, the founder of OldPain2Go, passed away.  He brought in a new way of alleviating, and even removing, pain, even chronic pain.  He was a Sun in Aries, with a problem-solving and healing genius  Mercury-Chiron sextile, but also an exact square in his chart between Uranus and the Sun: hence he brought in something completely new, and made a huge success of it.  His widow and stepson have vowed to keep his work and legacy alive.

This square contributes to the Solar Eclipse, and its unpredictability.

In the evening, there is a superbly constructive trine between Mercury and Jupiter, always welcome…

This aspect will help business transactions, and expand our horizons, minds and philosophies.  This is an upbeat vibe mentally, one that takes in great wads of information, produces good ideas and may incline one to travel.  There may be media opportunities, for those so inclined, and it could be a productive day.  A cause for optimism may be found.  It may also assist nations reaching out to each other.  Coming on the same day as the Uranus-Sun square, internationally there may also be shocks and U-turns.

Tuesday 17^th

Solar Eclipse in Aquarius

Around Noon on Tuesday (17^th) the Solar Eclipse at 28 degrees Aquarius takes place.

The New Moon is traditionally a time to focus on your wishes and intentions for a new beginning, and this one projects farther into the future than most.  It is time to imagine a better world, a time when we have overcome current obstacles and problems, the outlook has been so bleak in the last year.

An eclipse heightens the tendency of the New Moon to usher in a turning point.  The consequences of an eclipse can carry over into the next six months.  If you have a birthday on 17^th February, or have a planet or important feature in your chart at 28 degrees, this will have more relevance to you.

In addition, Uranus will be squaring this New Moon/Solar Eclipse from the end of Taurus.  Uranus as the ruling planet of Aquarius, and the Agent of Change, will even further heighten the effects of bringing in new experiences and marked changes, sometimes in the twinkling of an eye.

If you know what House 28 degrees falls in within your birth chart, you may have a sense of where the changes might occur.  You may even be preparing for them.

On the same day, Venus conjoins with the North Node at 9 degrees Pisces (Mean Node) or 8 degrees Pisces (True Node).  This tells us that it’s an important day in terms of personal karma. The karmic aspects of love (or the loving aspects of karma) are unearthed.  This conjunction takes place in Pisces, the sign of renunciation, surrender and forgiveness, so you will have an ability to let go of old unhelpful patterns in your relationships, sometimes going back to past lives.

Thursday 19th

The Sun enters Pisces on Thursday (19^th).  We become more introspective and aware of our deeper emotions with this placement.  We become more aware of the sentience and oneness of all life.  The Sun in that sign shines a light on such matters.  It is our final stage of quietude and incubation before the Spring arrives in a month’s time.

Friday 20th

Saturn conjunct Neptune

Late afternoon on Friday (20^th) brings the long anticipated conjunction of Saturn and Neptune at 0 degrees Aries, about which I devoted a whole blog at the start of the year.  It is a complex mix of energies, which each person will navigate according to their awareness of the interactions of this blend.  Personal and collective lessons which have occurred say in the last year will be reviewed, and resultant choices will need to be made.  There are several polarities involved with these two planets and trying to bring them together in consciousness: spiritual (Neptune) and material (Saturn), Water and Earth respectively, fluidity and rigidity respectively, dissolution and structure, and selflessness and selfishness respectively.  Are you able to master these sets of opposites, and turn them into an alchemy that will work for you?

It’s a Fresh Start, or New Order.  Those, such as people born in 1953 or 1989, who were born with this conjunction, will be familiar with the energetic dynamics, and more used to working with it.

Alan Oken, in “Complete Astrology” describes this conjunction in a birth chart:

“Consolidation unites with Illumination.  In some cases this aspect contributes to great confusion in the proper understanding of personal limitations.  There is a desire to break through existing circumstances and manifest one’s dreams in the physical world…  On the other hand, this aspect allows the imagination to successfully merge with the framework of life’s circumstances, so that the forces of inspiration are allowed to crystallize through the person to the Earth.”

Again, if you have planets or sensitive points in your chart at 0 degrees, this conjunction will serve even more importance for you.  And if your birthday is around 21^st March, it will be an even more pivotal moment for you.

The power of this conjunction was illustrated during its 1989 manifestation by the fall of the Berlin Wall.

It is my hope that your clarity enables you to nurture Clarity in society, and local clarity informs the wider world.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – bring in the new, if constructive; good communication and travel
• Tuesday – turning point; love karma
• Thursday – increased sensitivity
• Friday – complex challenge and opportunity

Aquarian Archetypes

I am writing about the Aquarian Archetypes today, in this last of a series specifically about astrological Archetypes.  It’s been an interesting ride!  It is time to embrace the potential of this sign, turning the spotlight on its Archetypes.

A few words about Aquarian:  Always expect the unexpected.  Their use of the higher mind, through the ruling planet Uranus, ensures that their initiatives always come from left field!  In fact, they are on a roll at the moment, as their planet very recently went Direct again.

So, following as I usually proceed, are some thoughts I highlighted back in my 2016 blog, and then some examples of Aquarius and its Archetypes, including from history:

“Networker

The Networker Archetype is one of the most prominent of Aquarian Archetypes.  It is often found in a chart when the Sun and Mercury, which travel round the zodiac together, are in the 11th House of Friendships and Groups.

Caroline Myss describes it as expanding “sphere of influence by forging alliances and making connections among vastly different groups of people”.

Liberator

The Liberator (from Myss again) “helps to liberate us from the self-inflicted tyranny of negative thought patterns and beliefs, spiritual sluggishness, poor nutrition, destructive relationships, or addictive behaviour”.  We all need that one.

Engineer *

This is an aspect of the Scientist.  In Gemini, the Scientist as an Archetype is related to teaching, academia, writing and research.  In Aquarius the Scientist is more dynamic, and with an association with Electricity.  The conjunction of Mars and Uranus in a chart often denotes a talent for mechanical or electrical engineering.

Trickster

Can the Trickster Archetype add to our understanding of the Coyote animal totem, or the Jay?

Caroline Myss has as its Light attribute “Transcending convention, stuffiness, and predictable behaviour” – all eminently Aquarian!  It “can be a great ally in presenting alternatives to the straight and narrow path, to people and institutions who seek to hem you in through peer pressure and conformism”.

Activist**

With Mars, in some capacity, Aquarius and Uranus produces the Activist.  For example, Mars in Aquarius often produces someone who champions the underdog, or uses networking and pressure groups to engineer social justice.

New Archetypes

Caroline Myss introduces new Archetypes in her book of 2013.  She originally wrote about Archetypes (which she sees in her inner vision) in “Sacred Contracts” in 2001.  She produced her Archetype Cards two years later.  She goes into more depth, and gives more guidance, about these newer archetypes.

Famous Example: David Bowie had both of these two Archetypes which follow, with his Aquarian Ascendant.

Rebel

Caroline identifies four types of Rebel, where the personality has grown into a more mature and cohesive expression of this Archetype: the Noble Rebel, the Anarchist Rebel, the Social/Civil Rebel, and the Feminist Rebel.

Famous Example: The groundbreaking feminist writer Germaine Greer is of course an Aquarian.

Visionary

In her Archetypes book Myss advises: “The lesson for the Visionary is to experience the power of your creative vision, however large or small, and to realize its potential in the larger scope of your life.”

Famous Example: quoting from Caroline Myss: “Oprah Winfrey [Aquarius] built a media empire around her vision to transform people’s lives.” – my brackets.*

Further Clarifications

*For the Engineer

Some of the Archetypes for Gemini and Aquarius can be blurred edges, blend, or meet in the middle.  Gemini is ruled by Mercury, the rational mind, and Aquarius by Uranus the higher intuitive mind.  Technology leans more to Aquarius through Uranus, but at the same time people blame Mercury Retrograde (associated with Gemini and Virgo) for I.T. glitches.  The tradition for interpreting Mercury goes back to ancient times, whereas Uranus is a relative newcomer.

**For the Activist

Where there is a strong connection between Mars and Uranus, sometimes also Mercury, in a chart, there is often a strong impulse towards Activism.  An Aries/Aquarius chart is one such indicator.

The Technician

I would add The Technician, another facet of the Scientific aspect of Aquarius, from the higher mind through Uranus.

The Activist

Rosa Parks (4/2/1913 – 24/10/2005

“I felt that, if I did stand up, it meant that I approved of the way I was being treated, and I did not approve”

~ Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks, dubbed the “mother of the civil rights movement” was the ultimate in effective activism, back in 1950s America, challenging bus segregation in Montgomery, Alabama.

She is a true blue Aquarian, born on 4^th February 1913, but in addition had Mars closely conjunct her Ascendant, thus exactly fulfilling the criteria mentioned under The Activist Archetype.  Her Moon in Capricorn was conjunct Mars – a bolshy attitude, with quick emotional responses.  Her biographer Douglas G. Brinkley informs us that her refusal to move in favour of a white person on the bus was not premeditated.

She had Mercury conjunct Uranus, so was not afraid of controversy, mentally seeing the need for Change.  Mercury exactly square her Midheaven, was very symbolic of the fact that she was travelling on public transport when her crucial action took place in relation to her “work in the world” (Midheaven).

Uranus closely sextile the North Node in Aries showed a karmic mission to bring about change, making a personal stand.  And Chiron exactly trine her Midheaven meant that her action wasn’t just a personal healing, it had a wider implication

She was born in Tuskagee, Alabama, and her mother was a teacher.  Growing up in Alabama, she was painfully aware of the racial segregation policies and incipient violence.  She met her husband Raymond Parks, who was also an Aquarian activist, when she was 18.  He had Mars conjunct his North Node (karmic mission as a Warrior/Activist).  Her Mars was exactly trine his North Node.

The bus incident was therefore not her first act of defiance or activism.  She was involved in voting rights for black people, and supporting rape victims.

The act which made her famous, and changed the lives of black Americans took place around 5 pm on 1^st December 1955.  She had chronic bursitis at the time, giving her a great deal of pain in her shoulders, but it was not the reason for her rebellion.  She got on a bus driven by a man called James Blake who she had some run-ins with.  Some white people got on the bus and he instructed that the black people give up their seats.  She refused, and the rest is history.

Her transits at the time were very revealing and apt:

Chiron was sextile her natal Venus – an act of self-love

Pluto was sextile her natal Pluto – self-empowerment

Uranus was sextile her natal Venus – rebelling successfully against social norms

What followed was a one-day boycott of Montgomery buses, the involvement of Martin Luther King encouraging the continuation of the boycott, and the eventual Supreme Court order of the integration of the bus system in Montgomery.

She lived to the ripe old age of 92.

“People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. I was not tired physically, or no more tired than I usually was at the end of a working day. I was not old, although some people have an image of me as being old then. I was forty-two. No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in”

And

“I had been pushed as far as I could stand to be pushed. I had decided that I would have to know once and for all what rights I had as a human being and a citizen.”

~ Rosa Parks

The Rebel

Germaine Greer – (b. 29/1/1939)

No less groundbreaking within her own field, that of feminism, is Australian Aquarian Germaine Greer.  The focus in her chart is the Moon conjunct Uranus (change on behalf of feminism, where Moon – Women and Uranus = Change) which is situated at the base of her chart, the foundation of all she does, and involving her Sun’s ruler Uranus.  Her rebellious spirit is shown to be intensified by the fact that Uranus, the planet of Rebellion, squares her natal Sun in already rebellious Aquarius!  Uranus is also exactly square to her Ascendant, accentuating the rebellion even further.  She is an iconoclast, in that respect.  Venus closely square Neptune in her chart gives her a super-sensitivity to female issues.  Mars exactly trine Pluto provided a vehemency and strength of purpose.  Mercury opposite Pluto may also be excoriating in speech and writing.  Jupiter trine Chiron points to the attempt to heal something in the collective psyche.

She created Controversy (her middle name, and another name for Uranus) when she published her book “The Female Eunuch” in 1970.  Transiting Neptune was on her Mars in the 10^th House of Career at the time, and combined with Pluto sextile her Mars: making it both a sensitive and impactful event.  Mars in 10^th House represents Self-Assertion in the world.  Chiron was sextile her natal Sun, making it an important healing for her.  Jupiter was riding high at the top of her chart exactly opposite her natal Moon, the focus of her Feminism.  The book is arguably the first mainstream popular book on the subject.

You may notice that with your Aquarian family, friends and acquaintances, some of them have more than one of these Archetypes.  While the Sun is in Aquarius (until 19^th February, this year), you can connect with your own Aquarian Archetypes, or Uranian qualities if you do not have any Aquarian planets, and explore their potential.

P.S. Spot the deliberate mistake, in this blog! ;-}

I’d like to end with my poem to Aquarius, written in 1981:

Aquarius

The human race is my sphere:

I am above petty concerns,

But the wider issues

Evoke my conscience,

And I shall bring everyone

to that realization

18/1/81

Aspects

Today Uranus squares Venus, which may contribute to an abrasive day for meetings.  The way through is to use your intuition, and stay one step ahead.  Relationships can be disrupted, and subject to misunderstandings.  On the other hand, on a higher level, it can open up telepathic communication between individuals.

Venus wriggles free of Uranus by Tuesday (10^th) and enters the waters of Pisces.  Where she may have been defiant in Aquarius, she becomes more emotional in the watery sign.  This brings in a higher frequency of compassion.  You may have been looking at things in a mental or practical way, and may be able to relax a little and allow the heart greater expression.  The trend towards tenderness lasts until her entry into Aries on 6^th March.  Charities can be honoured and prioritized, and the Arts can be especially inspired during this period.  Collectively, there is more sentimentality and the free-flowing of tears with Venus in Pisces.

Wednesday (11^th) brings a sextile between the Sun and Chiron.  This could be a cheery and healing prospect.  It’s onwards and upwards, and also helpful for problem-solving.  What do you yearn to solve?  There will be an attempt to bring everything to a wholeness.  If you are meeting a friend for coffee, you could discover more in common than you thought, and more potential for the friendship.

Mercury conjoins the North Node at 9 degrees Pisces on Thursday (12^th).  This can bring karmic information and communication of a subtle but revealing nature.  Follow the cues and clues – they may provide added interest to your creativity and acquisition of knowledge.

Finally on Friday (13^th), Saturn re-enters Aries.  We are handed a huge dose of reality, and letting go of the unreality of Saturn in Pisces.  For Saturn-ruled Capricornians in particular, its placement in Aries will bring out the inner fighting spirit.  For Aries people, and depending where in Aries their natal Sun is, they will need to step up, take responsibility, and grow.  For the population in general, it is about personal growth, accountability and maturity.  Saturn, a slow planet, in Aries, the Mars-ruled fast-paced sign means that patience will be needed to adhere to a long project, and see it through (something that Aries-Mars doesn’t usually have the capacity to do). “Rome was not built in a day” may be one of the mottos of this two year period: the impatience of Aries polished by the stamina of Saturn.  It’s good to get a foothold on this ingress around this time, before the great conjunction of Saturn and Neptune at the 0 degrees Aries point on 20^th February, as detailed in my New Year blog.  A good strong foothold and foundation will make it easier when Neptune tries to blow the house down, as in the children’s nursery rhyme of three little pigs.  If you have a house made of bricks instead of straw, then you can deal with what Neptune is asking you for spiritually.  As mentioned in my New Year blog, people who have a Saturn-Neptune link in their natal chart will have useful experience in dealing with this dynamic.  One further piece of advice, choose love over fear.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – disrupted relationships, healing through intuition
• Tuesday – release some emotion
• Wednesday – creative and healing problem-solving
• Thursday – karmic information
• Friday – setting out new and stronger foundations

Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal

Leading Actors in Hamnet

The chemistry of these two actors on screen seems to be matched by their chemistry off screen, if you listen to their own descriptions of their relationship.

Paul: “I adore her”

Jessie: “I could drink you like water working with you every single day.  You’re a giant of the heart and thank you so much for making me a little more human.”

This is not a blog about the film itself, though it is a triumph, directed by Chloe Zhao in a production involving Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes.  Hubby and I went to see the film a couple of weeks ago, and were stunned by it.  We could totally see why it is up for so many awards.  The film is about loss and grief.  I can’t evaluate how true the plot is, taken from Maggie O’Farrell’s book “Hamnet”, and her theory that William Shakespeare wrote Hamlet out of the experience of losing his son.  But strangely, after the film ended, at a time when you usually ask each other what you thought, we did not speak to each other for an hour!  The film was raw and primal, which was a lot to do with Jessie’s performance.  Hubby was especially taken with the realism of the film.  The scenery in the countryside and in the reconstructed Tudor buildings, was spectacular, too.  But I was particularly moved by the breathtaking performance of the young actor playing the son, Jacobi Jupe, the son of Coronation Street actress Katy Cavanagh.  One of my friends, who has lost more than one child, could not think of watching this film, she told me.  So in a way I am taking a side-step in addressing the more frivolous matter of the relationship between the leading actors.

Jessie Buckley

[People] “will be talking about Jessie Buckley’s performance for years.”

~ David Fear, Rolling Stone magazine

Birth Chart

Jessie has the Sun in Capricorn, born on a New Moon in that sign.  She can bring a freshness to all she does.  Her Sun and Moon make a high number of conjunctions to other planets, to Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.  That leads to a sophisticated awareness and intensity, which she brings to her roles.   The Sun and Moon also oppose Jupiter and Chiron, adding enthusiasm and depth.  She has Venus exactly sextile Mars which is the raw sensuality she exudes in Hamnet.  Jupiter opposing Uranus means she is willing to take risks.

Life and Career

Jessie was born in Killarney, and attended an all-girls convent school.  Her mother is a vocal coach.  Jessie attended RADA, and graduated in 2013.  Her acting credits include the BBC production of War and Peace (2016), Sky Drama Chernobyl (2019), theatre production of Cabaret with Eddie Redmayne (2021).  And now, she plays Agnes Shakespeare in Hamnet (2025) for which she has received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress (Drama), and a nomination for the Academy Award.  She lives in Norfolk, and after making the film, she had her first child.

“It’s Buckley who’s giving one of those rare turns that simply beggars belief. She swings back and forth from cast iron to porcelain. The actress is thunderous, playful, grounded and ethereal.”

~ Johnny Oleksinski, New York Post

Paul Mescal

I first wrote about Paul Mescal when he starred in Normal People in 2020:

“Paul is an Aquarian, which chimes well with Daisy’s [Daisy Edgar-Jones] Sun in Gemini.  With Moon in Cancer, he has a strong feminine side. He plays a sensitive character, with an exact Venus/Saturn conjunction in Pisces (Daisy has Venus conjunct Saturn in Aries).  And that is not where the similarity in their charts ends, for they both have Sun conjunct Mars in Air, which gives them a combined magnetism.  And they both have Jupiter unaspected, which is unusual!”

I would add that a birth time has since come to light (we don’t have one for Jessie), which gives him a Cancerian Ascendant (more affinity with females).  It highlights that relationships are a strong point for him (Jupiter opposite the Ascendant in the 7^th House of Close Relationships; the Moon trines Venus indicating harmony with women).

Life and Career

Paul was born in Dublin, so both he and Jessie were born in Ireland.  His father, also named Paul, was a teacher and actor.  He attended the Lir Academy at Trinity College Dublin, graduating in 2017.  Trinity College based novel “Normal People” was published by Sally Rooney in 2018, and Paul starred as leading man Connell in 2020 in the television series of the same name, a role which made Paul famous.  He missed out for an award in the Golden Globes, but has been nominated for an award for the forthcoming BAFTAs.  His next project is to play Paul McCartney in a four-part biopic about the Beatles.

Synastry

The synastry between Jessie and Paul’s birthcharts is special.  Their Chirons are exactly square, so on a higher level they can be healers to each other.  His Neptune conjuncts her Mercury, which is a supersensitive mental connection.  His Mars is conjunct her North Node, so he may act as an animus to her, especially in connection with her karmic mission.  Jessie’s Uranus/Sun conjunction  is conjunct Paul’s Jupiter, a joyful combination. But what strikes me most about their charts is that they are both specialists, with most of their planets bunched up in the signs of Capricorn and Aquarius.  Furthermore, the batches of planets run from almost exactly the same points:

Paul’s: from Jupiter at 6 degrees Capricorn to MC at 22 degrees Aquarius

Jessie’s: from Uranus 5 degrees Capricorn to the North Node at 18 degs Aquarius

That is particularly spectacular!

Paul and Daisy

In 2020 I wrote about Paul’s partnership with Daisy Edgar-Jones, also an inspiring coupledom:

“Have they got chemistry, as well as all the amazing similarities in their charts?  Wow, have they!  Daisy’s Uranus (the ability to wow) is exactly conjunct Paul’s Sun, so it is a dynamic relationship on a personality level.  Paul’s Jupiter trines exactly Daisy’s North Node, so they bring each other luck, and karmically were destined to do so.  Paul’s Uranus is conjunct Daisy’s Neptune (demanding sensitivity and stimulating intuition for them both), and his Pluto is also exactly opposite her Sun, which is lifechanging, and draws out the depths in her psychology.  Paul’s Pluto seals the deal with a sextile to Daisy’s Neptune, so they are able to give all they have got in a working partnership.”

Transits

For Hamnet’s Film Premiere in the U.K. (9/1/26) and the Golden Globes (11/1/26)

For Jessie:

Saturn sextile her natal Mercury (solidifying her mental skills)

North Node sextile her Neptune (a karmic acknowledgement of her sensitivity and empathetic acting ability)

For Paul:

Pluto sextile Paul’s Pluto (empowerment)

Chiron sextile Paul’s Midheaven (it has a healing application for his career and the way he is perceived)

Saturn transiting his Neptune in 7^th House (nailing his sensitivity in relationship, and his ability to portray it)

Jupiter square his Nodal Axis (an upbeat and expansive expression of his karmic mission)

Mars on his Mercury (mental stimulation)

Bafta nominations (27/1/26

Jessie has an additional trine of Jupiter to her natal Pluto, which is very promising.

Paul has an additional sextile of Neptune to his natal Uranus, and Neptune stands tall at the top of his chart, symbolic of a possible acting accolade.

Hopefully, they will both do well in forthcoming award hand-outs.

Grief and loss are a perennial part of the human condition and life cycle, but losing children was constant in days gone by, in centuries gone by, in our past lives.  Going back to the film – Shakespeare was the master of Tragedy, and the film certainly lives up to this aspect of his work.

Aspects

There’s a Full Moon on the rise today, taking place at 12 degrees Leo.  Emotional intensity is building up. The Moon in Leo can be dramatic, and bring about power struggles, especially in groups, as it opposes the Sun in Aquarius.  But Leo is creative, and can write its own screenplay, so do your best to create your own reality your own way.

Tomorrow (Monday 2^nd February) Mercury will be sextile with Chiron, and alternative healing can work well with conventional medicine – it needn’t be either/or.  So you may be making or attending appointments of this nature.  It is a positive and constructive aspect. This can also bring a satisfactory outcome in the arena of communication.  For example, something you might have been told was impossible finds a way through, and a problem may turn up with a solution.

Uranus is Stationary prior to going Direct on Tuesday (3^rd), which is a good window to do all you can to alleviate any collective, tribal, or social difficulties which you can see.  Closer to home, you may see what could be done in the family setting, or in the community.   Intuition will flow better, and future vision come into view.  Although the trickster element of Uranus may still be in evidence, glimmers of hope twinkle on the horizon.

It is the turn of Venus to sextile Chiron on Wednesday (4th).  This is a congenial and healing influence, especially for relationships.  It is a good day to combine the Arts with Healing, such as creativity which involves and brings about healing.

We have a square on Thursday (5th), between Uranus and Mercury – not quite so constructive.  Be prepared for glitches, and back up your computer files (mental note to take my own advice!), while considering 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.  If you were thinking of launching Aquarian initiatives on that day, get your communications on point.

The last astrological feature of the week is an ingress of Mercury into Pisces on Friday (6^th), which increases mental focus and communication around compassionate issues, such as the vulnerable, those with mental health issues, and the state of institutions, such as prisons and the NHS.  In the period of its journey through this sign compassion will be more easily shown and charity given, and it will be easier to receive ideas of creativity and inspiration.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – emotional high tide
• Tomorrow – mindful healing
• Tuesday – Intuition rules OK
• Wednesday – healing relationships and the Arts
• Thursday – I.T. glitches
• Friday – focus on compassion