Len Goodman (1944 – 2023)

“Seven!”

~ Len Goodman

The top judge on the top show – it doesn’t get much better than that…the much loved Len Goodman passed away last week, at the age of 78.  His life seems to have been mapped out for a trajectory of dancing success in the ballroom.

Birth Chart

Len had the Sun in Taurus, the same sign as Fred Astaire, a musical sign.  It is also the sign of the programme Strictly Come Dancing, a supremely successful format which no one would have predicted, and which was copied worldwide, including in the U.S. as Dancing with the Stars (for which Len Goodman was also Head Judge).  Looking at the events of his life, they do look choreographed (if you’ll excuse the pun), and that makes sense of his square between the Sun in his chart and the karmic Nodal Axis, and also the conjunction of his North Node with Pluto.  The “Inner Healer” asteroid Chiron seems to have been a key feature of his life, judging (if you’ll excuse the pun) by the transits of key events in his life.  These become even important to look at when there is no precious birth time to focus the chart.  So, he had the Sun trine Chiron in Virgo, which enabled him to be a healer of sorts.  From accounts of his humour, it is likely his mode of healing was through bringing cheer.  His upbeat wit may have come from his conjunction of the Moon and Uranus in Gemini, though without a birth time we do not know exactly how close that was.  The Moon at Noon on the day of his birth was trine Neptune, the planet of Dance, and that is likely to have been a strong factor in his career path.  Mercury closely sextile Mars gave him quick physical and mental reactions, and Mercury square Jupiter accounts for his transatlantic lifestyle for many years.  In addition, Mercury trine Chiron provided a problem-solving, “can do” mentality.  His Venus in Aries squaring Mars may account for some colourful language, such as about “pickling walnuts” and the like.  Venus closely trine Jupiter spelled social success and charm, and  Neptune exactly sextile North Node added more than a dusting of ballroom excellence as part of his karmic mission.

Life and Career

Len Goodman was born in Farnborough, but his distinctively cheeky chappy East End persona and accent came from his upbringing in Bethnal Green.  He left school at 15 (his headmaster had told him he would be a failure), and began working as a welder in Woolwich.  The first twist of fate came at the age of 19, when after a foot injury a doctor (strangely?) recommended dancing as therapy.

Enter the next twist of fate.  He started learning dance at Henry Kingston’s Erith Studio, and dancing was to be his path in life.  There he met Henry Kingston’s daughter Cherry, who became his dance partner.  Together with Cherry, he won a Pontins dance competition, proceeding to win the final at the Royal Albert Hall.  They went professional and became Kent professional champions in 1969.  They married in 1972, and Len took over the studio when Henry Kingston died, opening his own Goodman Dance Academy in Dartford in 1973.  In his late 20s (around the time of his Saturn Return in Gemini) he won the British Championships at Blackpool, and announced his retirement from competition.

Marriage

He and Cherry divorced in 1987, and Len developed a long-term relationship with a woman called Lesley Pine, which resulted in the birth of a son James on 26th January 1981.  When that relationship came to an end, James went to live with his mother in the Isle of Wight.  The distance in the relationship between father and son is shown in their synastry through Len’s Pluto opposite James’ Sun, and Len’s Uranus trine James’ Sun, both heavyweight outer planets in difficult aspect having a disruptive effect.  But they must have resumed a closeness later in life, as in 2012 James went to Len’s school to learn dance.  His second marriage, to dance teacher at his school Sue Barrett, took place on 30th December 2012.

In 2011, he took part in “Who Do You Think You Are?”.  On finding out he had Polish ancestry, he commented:

“I feel no different, I look no different, I am no different and yet I’m not what I thought I was. I thought that I was truly an Anglo-Saxon, English through and through.”

Strictly Come Dancing

A later twist of fate occurred when he was 60, and out of the blue he was asked to complete the original panel for a new show, Strictly Come Dancing.  He was invited to take part because the other three panellists (Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips and Bruno Tonioli) did not have expertise in ballroom dance, and was made Head Judge.  The programme was a risky venture at the time, but he described the effect of the show thus:

“It’s dispelled the preconception about what dance classes or schools are like.  The programme has changed things in dancing schools like  you can’t imagine.”

The date was 15th May 2004, airing on a dynamic close trine between Mars and Uranus.  The following year Len was invited to be Head Judge on the U.S. edition, Dancing with the Stars.  He became known for various catchphrases, such as “It’s a ten from Len!” and some quite fruity language, never mincing his words, and was from the beginning highly popular with the viewers.  It seemed inconceivable that he would ever leave, but leave he did, although he carried on with the U.S. version for a few more years.  On 9th May 2017 it was announced that Shirley Ballas would take his place, someone he had known for years: in fact she had known him since she was 9 years old.  His final appearance on the show was on the Christmas Day Special that year.  He did not finally hang up his hat in the U.S. version until 14th November 2022 – with Uranus on his natal Mercury in Taurus, Uranus square his natal Jupiter in Leo and Neptune square his natal Saturn in Gemini, this represented a break with the past.  He said he wanted to spend more time with his family.  Poignantly, he had about five months of his life to do that.

Len Goodman was well loved by the public, and especially by the world of dance.  The tributes to him are full of affection.  A life not only well lived, but seeming to fulfil his destiny to the letter.

“A kind and brilliant man. Full of twinkle, warmth and wit. Sending so much love to his family and friends. We love you Len xx.”

~ Claudia Winkleman

“I have been like this all day, a disaster. My old pal, Lord Len Goodman. We love you, Len.”

~ Anton Du Beke

Aspects

A mixed picture this week, starting on Monday (1st May) with Pluto Stationary prior to turning Retrograde, in the afternoon.  This may give you a fresh set of preoccupations, or remind you of earlier ones.  You may recognize a psychological theme where you have been making headway, but now need to revise your steps, perhaps look further into the past.  If you’ve been knitting, you may need to unravel a few rows, for instance.  Eventually, you will recoup your ground and be stronger, richer and truer for it.

In the late evening, there will be a conjunction of the Sun and Mercury at 11 degrees Taurus.  The evening may therefore bring an opportunity to apply your mind with clarity,  concentrate and focus,  and make important statements.  The focus may be on Taurean occupations such as cooking, gardening, painting or making money.  Mentally you may be able to see things clearly in terms of your values, and how they determine your choices.

Thursday May 4th, also known as council election day,  presents us with a square between Venus and Neptune, which could be socially confusing.  You may get paranoid about how other people are voting, for instance!  There may be a a sense of intrigue, involving relationship or money.  Maybe another political scandal…You need to look behind the illusion.  There could be uncertainty in the Arts or the world of Music.  You could experience frustrating flaws in creative works. Tread softly.

The early hours of Friday (5th) morning sees one of the brightest aspects of the year, Venus sextile Jupiter.  This bodes well for the pre-party atmosphere and anticipation on the eve of Coronation day.  It’s one of the highlights in a year, conducive to socializing, celebrating partying, and romancing.  This sextile combines luck and love.  Enjoy!

The atmosphere may become feverish as we approach the Full Moon and Eclipse at 14 degrees Scorpio in the afternoon.  This is the most emotionally intense Full Moon of the year.  A conversation could set you on a profound journey.  You will need to be in touch with your deepest emotions and be constructively authentic.  There may be a focus on shared finances and an attempt to balance material resources and needs between two people.  With the Moon opposite the Sun in Taurus, values and shared values may be the current issue on your mind.

Enjoy Coronation Saturday itself (6th May)!  I have already had a try out at making the Coronation quiche (not bad).  I’ll be back on Sunday 7th…

The week in bullet points:

• Monday – psychological revision; clarity of thought
• Thursday – socially confusing
• Friday – early party atmosphere; emotional high tide

Barry Humphries (1934 – 2023)

“Both Gifted and a Gift”

~ Anthony Albanese, Australian prime minister

Barry Humphries, otherwise known as his alter ego Dame Edna Everage, died yesterday at the age of 89, peacefully after complications from hip surgery. Adopted in the U.K. from his native Australia, he became a national treasure here.  We seem to have lost a few national treasures in recent months.

Birth Chart

We are fortunate to have a birthtime for Humphries, and though his Sun in Aquarius sextile Uranus liked to shock, there was a more genteel side, shown by his Piscean Ascendant.  We didn’t tend to see  the genteel side in his various alter egos, but accounts of his friendships in his private life reveal a more courteous side in that context.  Both Esther Rantzen and Joan Bakewell have said they will miss his friendship greatly. That he found fame abroad may be down to his trine between the Sun and Jupiter (foreign lands).  He had the Sun, Saturn/North Node and Venus in his 12th House, indicating the existence and expression of  shadow alter egos.  The Sun square his Midheaven may give rise to the description of Dame Edna as an “egomaniac”.  The Moon trine his Midheaven may give rise to the prominence of the female persona in shaping his career, and Venus sextile both the Moon and Midheaven meant he was comfortable with the female mode of expression.

Mercury conjunct Mars in his chart shows his scathing, acerbic, and cutting wit; while he allowed Edna’s speech (described as “acid-tongued” and “vituperative”), to go even more extreme.  Last week’s blog subject, Mary Quant also had Mercury conjunct Mars, and I wrote of her: “She had a quick and incisive mind, from a conjunction of Mercury and Mars,” and described her cutting material…Where Barry Humphries upped the ante for shock value, was in his Uranus sextile the Sun in Aquarius, plus a close square between Uranus and Pluto.  Mercury opposing Neptune meant that he enjoyed pulling the wool over people’s eyes, and the position of Neptune opposite his Ascendant showed the love of glamour and the deceptiveness in the way he related to the public.

Mars rising in Pisces in his chart is complicated by an opposition from Neptune.  On the one hand, it gives expression to his “priapic” alter ego Les Patterson, but on the other hand Neptune and Pisces soften the warrior.  He wrote in an interview only last month in the Observer: “I’ve always thought of myself as quite cowardly.  The sound of a cricket bat hitting a ball causes me to duck.”  His Jupiter also presents contradictions.  On the one hand Jupiter trine Saturn indicates balanced judgement, while his Jupiter closely opposite Uranus describes the Chancer Archetype.  Possibly even more significantly, he had Jupiter exactly square Pluto (in a T-square with Uranus), which brought power issues (which maybe he used his alter ego to play out).  And finally, Jupiter trine his North Node (karmic mission) may have ensured success.

Life and Career

Barry Humphries was born in Kew, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia.  He had a happy childhood, and he enjoyed dressing up.  He became more rebellious in his teens, earning his parents’ disapproval at his “artistic” turn.  He continued dressing up, and created characters for himself, discovering their entertainment value.  It was in 1955 that he introduced Edna Everage to the world.

He moved to London in 1959, at the age of 25, when his progressed Sun was trine Pluto (a time of major transformation), and performed in the West End.  He became friends with Spike Milligan and John Betjeman.

Dame Edna

Barry based Edna on his own mother.  The name Edna was “after an adored nanny, a symbol of my father Eric’s growing prosperity as a builder.  One day, she wasn’t there any more.  Had there been a quarrel?  Had she walked out?  I was told nothing.  But then I’d never even been told her surname.  I was only six or seven at the time – and I minded.”

According to an article in the Observer by Vanessa Thorpe the character was “satirising the stereotypical [Australian] lack of taste that British “pommies” enjoy looking down on.”

In the 1970s the Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam conferred “Dame” status on Edna.  In the 1980s, Edna had her own television show in the U.K., entitled “The Dame Edna Everage Experience”.

It was during that period, that as newsletter editor on the committee of the North Watford Residents’ Association in the late 1980s, I had occasion to see him/her live.  One of our committee members worked at London Weekend television and organized a coach trip!

Barry recalled that after Damehood, Edna glammed up: “I put her in a box after a while.  And then later, when I took her out again, she seemed to have become a bit brighter.  She started to wear diamante glasses and her hair was an implausible mauve colour.”

So we folk of North Watford got to see the full glamour package!

Marriage and Personal Life

He was married four times, and had four children altogether.  His widow Natasha Spender is the daughter of the poet Stephen Spender, and they lived in West Hampstead.  Humphries has been a lover of poetry, art and books, his collection of the latter numbering 25,000.

He suffered with alcoholism, which affected his first two marriages, but he declared last month: “I haven’t touched a drop for 50 years.”  He tried to help Peter Cook with the problem.

Paul O’Grady

It was only three weeks ago that I was writing about Paul O’Grady’s passing.  There are some parallels between them, in that they both had famous female alter egos with whom they made their name.  Other parallels include both having the feminizing sextile between the Moon (both in Aries) and Venus, and both describing indulged childhoods.

But with regard to gender issues, they differed.  According to the BBC Newsdesk, in recent years, Humphries had been criticized for describing transgenderism a “fashion”.  Paul O’Grady had drawn a line between them, explaining that Humphries was “never called a drag act because he’s a heterosexual male. But I’m called one because I’m a gay man. It’s homophobic and it’s wrong as there is nothing remotely sexual about what I do. I dress up as a woman for financial purposes, nothing else.”

His Passing 

The transits for Barry Humphries’ passing were: Jupiter  on his natal Uranus in Aries in his 2nd House (unexpectedness),  Saturn exactly on his Ascendant in Pisces (letting go) and the North Node sextile his Ascendant from the 3rd/2nd House cusp (the completion of a karmic cycle).

Joan Bakewell said yesterday “A world in which I don’t have the friendship of Barry Humphries is really painful. Because he was so resilient and energetic and loving and direct… that’s a great absence in my life now”.

“A true great who inspired me immeasurably.  It was a delight to call him my friend.”

~ Rob Brydon

Aspects

There are four sextiles this week,  providing a generally harmonious atmosphere.

The first sextile is Retrograde Mercury sextile Mars in the early hours of tomorrow morning. This may bring about brisk action, hopefully not wakefulness and insomnia or trips to the loo.  Dreams may be very stimulating.  You may receive ideas to implement into your day.  Your mental reactions may be heightened, and this can lead to enhanced productivity.

The second aspect tomorrow is a conjunction between the Sun and the North Node, and this could bring a show of power by someone in your circle.  However, this show of power is firmly subject to the laws of karma. It could also heighten creativity if you are unattached to the power play of others.

We have two more sextiles on Tuesday (25th), the first of which is a practical and serious minded contact between the Sun and Saturn, late morning.  Duties and commitments are to the fore.  It makes for a good day with regard to laying foundations and establishing rules.  Creativity is firmed up, and decision making may be easier.

Next up is Venus sextile Chiron, which would be suitable for healing through the Arts, such as songwriting.  There’s a hint that relationships can be rescued, too.  It is a good day to engage with creativity which involves and brings about healing.

The fly in the ointment this week is a square between Mars and Chiron on Thursday (27th).  You might feel a bit discumbobulated.  There is a sense of “Well some things are working, but why can’t everything work together?”  It will take some adjustment to obtain complete harmony, both within yourself, in relation to others, and in physical and practical projects.  At the same time, health and safety factors will be important.

Last but not least this week is the fourth sextile, occurring on Saturday (29th), between Mars and Uranus, which promises dynamism for the day.  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.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – brisk action; a show of power
• Tuesday – good commitment; art with healing
• Thursday – the square peg in the round hole
• Saturday – dynamism

Mary Quant (1934 – 2023)

“A leader of fashion but also in female entrepreneurship – a visionary who was much more than a great haircut”

~ Alexandra Shulman

The swinging sixties fashion icon, Mary Quant, died this week aged 93.  She was responsible for the slick haircut, the mini-skirt (you had to have the legs), and the daisy motif.  Those were heady days – Twiggy was the clothes peg for that look, and she was born the same year as me.  I remember, aged 16, wearing long dangly black and white clip-on Mary Quant style earrings whenever I took a trip to London!

Birth chart

Mary Quant had Venus, Saturn/North Node and Sun in Aquarius – if that doesn’t speak of fashion innovator, and mover and shaker, I don’t know what does.  She had a quick and incisive mind, from a conjunction of Mercury and Mars.  Jupiter trine Saturn gave her a shrewdly balanced judgement, but a T-square between Uranus, Jupiter and Pluto brought a love of power and a willingness to take risks.

Life and Career

Mary was born in Blackheath, London, and both her parents had obtained firsts at Cardiff University before going on to teach.  She attended Blackheath High School, and went on to study illustration and art at Goldsmith’s College, London.   It was there that she met Alexander Plunkett-Greene whom she saw as “a great wit and a dish”.  She described him at that phase of his life, saying he “swanned around long-haired in his mother’s silk pyjama top, trumpet in one hand and film script in the other”, and subsequently married him.  Initial work in millinery found her ambition understretched, and her desire to design fashion saw her start with simple designs in the 1950s.  She learned dress-pattern cutting at night school to improve her skills. They struggled financially until he inherited £5000 on his 21st birthday, when she set up her shop in the King’s Road, title “Bazaar”.  This was in the year 1955, a year after Coco Chanel re-opened her salon in Paris after the Second World War.  But Mary departed radically from French couture, taking her inspiration instead from the Mod movement.

She popularized the mini-skirt (the inventor is disputed), fashioning it after the Mini car.  It symbolized freedom for her and the young women who were the clientele of her age, another Aquarian theme.  She added pockets to skirts and dresses to her designs, so that young women would not have to carry handbags. Her short shorts became the celebrated hotpants; and she also invented the duvet (Aquarius also being the sign of the Inventor).

Her hairdresser was Vidal Sassoon who says he “cut hair like she cut material.  No fuss, no ornamentation.  Just a neat swinging line.”, and she was great friends with the designer Terence Conran and the photographer David Bailey, who says he will miss her greatly.  In her autobiography Wonderful Tonight, Pattie Boyd wrote about her wedding to George Harrison on 21st January 1966: “I bought a Mary Quant pinky-red shot-silk dress, which came to just above the knee, and wore it with creamy stockings and pointy red shoes.  On top, because it was January and cold, I wore a red fox-fur coat, also by Mary Quant, that George gave me.  She made George a beautiful black Mongolian lamb coat.”

Marriage and Family

Mary Quant declared in her 1996 Autobiography Quant on Quant that “Life…began for me when I first saw Plunket”, although they did have a turbulent relationship and he was rumoured to have been unfaithful.  He died in 1990, but they had one child together, Orlando, born on 4th November 1970.  She wrote in an interview with the Guardian that she was happiest when her son was born.  He had Uranus trine her natal Venus (an exciting relationship), and in his own chart he had an upbeat conjunction of Sun and Jupiter.  He has helped to supervise her collection at the V & A Museum, and supported her in other ways.  She has three grandchildren.  In later life, she developed a relationship with Anthony Rouse.

She died peacefully, with Jupiter sextile her natal Sun.  A high impact, full life, well lived.

“I mostly felt, my God, what a marvellous life you had, you are very fortunate…I think to myself, ‘you lucky woman — how did you have all this fun?'”

~ Mary Quant, 2012 interview

Aspects

It is a week of two halves.  The second half has some intense aspecting going on, while the first half is clear of aspects, but full of connections with the Fixed Stars.  So I will choose a star for each day early in the week to work with.

We can start, today, with Alrisha, the Alpha Star in the constellation of Pisces.  According to “Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld (the text I shall use for all four Fixed stars):

“A balancing of this time transition into Aquarius can take place for many people with use of this star.  People who may be afraid of technology or who do not understand how to work with it will find that some benefits result in utilizing this star as many of these technological things are metallic.    There can be an awareness of how change takes place for people in a way that becomes much more comfortable and much more assimilable, particularly for older individuals.  Individuals who fear the future will find a soothing response from this star.”

Tomorrow, Monday (17th) focus can be trained on Petra, aka Alpherg, another star in the constellation of Pisces, which represents Beingness:

“This star can increase the ability to remember past lives and release sadness associated with them.  This can also be of great benefit with individuals who are suffering from a tendency towards addictive principles.  The unconscious aspects from past lives can be made much clearer, and a willingness to accept these truths and to move forward  with them can be enhanced.”

The next two stars come from Andromeda.  On Tuesday (18th) our Sun is aligned with the deep space spiral galaxy numbered M31 and aka Vertex, which represents Cosmic Consciousness:

“This galaxy’s influence enhances the ability to understand the long term purpose of humanity’s evolution.  This includes the ability to recall one’s past lives as different life forms, such as dinosaurs.  In some cases these remembered lives are extraterrestrial… but primarily incarnations in the mountainous regions of Earth, particularly the Himalayas is increased.  The ability to see the overall picture.”  This may be something you are working towards at the time.

Wednesday (19th) is favourable for tuning in to Mirach, the Beta star in Andromeda, which represents sound healing.  We are told by Smulkis and Rubenfeld:

“The ability to hear, to utilize the voice, and to release difficulties associated with the sounds one hears or speaks is strengthened.  A deeper connection to physicalness and an opening of the root chakra results.  The ability to hear the sounds of nature and the Earth will likely be enhanced as well.”  Bernadette Brady, in her book of the Fixed Stars, affirms the beneficence of this star traditionally: some of the ancient sources equate it with happiness.

So there is some deep food for thought, prior to the main aspects of the week, starting on Thursday (20th) with a Solar Eclipse and New Moon at 29 degrees Aries in the early hours of the day.  This may bring cheer and vigour, and a renewed sense of purpose.  It is a time to look to the future, as much as is possible.  It can certainly be a new beginning for you, even if it is just about re-organizing your lifestyle.  If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well…The New Moon in Aries is one of the brightest of the year in terms of its potential.  However, being an eclipse increases the sense of it being a portent, together with the  square of the Sun-Moon conjunction to Pluto.  It increases the sense of having to let go of something, in order to create the space for what is new to come forth.

Around breakfast time, the Sun will enter Taurus, so more newness to be added, with a slightly different focus.  It betokens a time of the blossoming of the earth.  Gardeners will garden, artists will paint or sculpt, and dancers will dance.  So it is very much a cuspal and switchover day, embedding into a productive Taurean period.

But in the afternoon, the festive atmosphere (if that was experienced) may become more thoughtful and serious, with a square between the Sun and Pluto.  This is a deep soul-searching aspect.  It is the sort of aspect which can be looked upon as a gamechanger, or watershed.  So if you are in integrity, you may be able to influence what side the coin lands on.  Interestingly, at the same square last October, there was turmoil in Westminster when Suella Braverman was sacked, in the shortest Home Office stint since the 1940s.  She was later reinstated by Rishi Sunak, and is now under fire again, so could she be sacked again, I wonder?

Friday (21st) brings us the next round of Mercury stationing prior to turning Retrograde, in Taurus.  Be clear in your communications between these two dates, in order to avoid misunderstandings and loopholes.  Although technology can go awry, it can be a good period to upgrade such devices.  You may have developed your own strategies, according to past experiences.

A cheery note from Yasmin Bolland and Kim Farnell, from their book on Mercury Retrograde, regarding Mercury Retrograde in the Earth signs: “Anything that comes from the earth forms the basis of a great ritual while Mercury is retrograde in an Earth sign.  For example, you could use sacred stones, crystals and flowers to create a beautiful mandala while you ask the heavens to show you what you need to learn.”

The week in bullet points:

• Sunday – healing technophobia
• Monday – beingness
• Tuesday – cosmic consciousness
• Wednesday – sound healing
• Thursday – new beginning; turning point; drama
• Friday – communication glitches

Nigel Lawson (1932 – 2023)

“My golden boy”

~ Margaret Thatcher

Nigel Lawson, famously a Chancellor of the Exchequer in Margaret Thatcher’s government, has died this week at the age of 91.  Many people would quarrel with his values, but  he did not care what others thought.  He was a Piscean, normally a sign that cares too much, but also a sign that can live in a world of their own.

Birth Chart

Nigel had Mars, the Sun, North Node and Mercury in the 12th House (a world of his own).  His Sun in Pisces was exactly trine Pluto, born to take power (in tribute, Keir Starmer called him “a powerhouse”).  Politics and Conservatism are shown in his Capricorn Midheaven (Careerpoint) with Saturn in the 10th House of Career.  But his strongly and strangely individualistic stances are shown in his placement of Uranus in the 1st House.  He was resolute about not following the herd, but enjoyed leadership (Ascendant in Aries).  He helped to shape Thatcherism, and as such the karmic economic path of his day, with the Sun conjunct his North Node.

His aptitude for finance and economics are shown by Mercury in Aries (accountancy) and a conjunction of the Moon and Venus in early Taurus (the financial sign), together with a problem-solving conjunction of Chiron and the Part of Fortune, also in Taurus, in his 2nd House of Finance.  He also had the Entrepreneur Archetype, in the shape of Jupiter trine Uranus.

Life and Career

Nigel was born into a non-Orthodox Jewish family in Hampstead, with his mother coming from a family of stockbrokers, while his paternal grandfather was a merchant from Latvia. From Westminster School, he won a mathematics scholarship to Oxford University, where he obtained a first class degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

He initially pursued a career in journalism, starting on the Financial Times, and then moving to the Sunday Telegraph, and then to The Spectator.

In 1972 he wrote a book entitled “The Power Game” with Jock Bruce Gardyne, about power and decision-making.  According to the Guardian obituary by Julia Langdon, its conclusion was that “so often it is pure hazard which tips the scale of decision in the end”.

In February1974, he entered parliament as MP for Blaby in Leicestershire, a position he held until 1992 when he retired.

When Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister, she appointed Lawson to the post of Financial Secretary to the Treasury.  In June 1983 she promoted him to Chancellor of the Exchequer, a post he held for the unusual length of six years. In this period of influence, he is said to have helped shaped Thatcherism, which he once defined as a:

“mixture of free markets, financial discipline, firm control over public expenditure, tax cuts, nationalism “Victorian values” (of the Samuel Smiles self-help variety), privatisation and a dash of populism.”

He had a strongly reforming aspect in his birthchart of Uranus square Pluto, and set about privatising British Airways, British Telecom and British Gas, paving the way for numerous other privatisations and deregulation.  He declared “We are seeing the birth of people’s capitalism”.

During his years of tenure, tax rates went down, as did unemployment, so for a time his policies seemed to be working.  In 1986 the City of London financial institutions were deregulated, and Lawson conceded in 2010 that this may have had repercussions in the 2008 financial crash.  Towards the end of his years serving under Margaret Thatcher, she began to favour a different economic approach, from Alan Walters (an advocate of the floating exchange rate) which ran counter to Lawson’s vision.

He resigned in October 1989, this relinquishing of power being shown by the transit of Pluto to square his natal Jupiter.  The Guardian obituary recounts that after his resignation William Whitelaw wrote to him:

“that Thatcher could not bear to be on the losing side of any argument and added: ‘That failing may ditch us all.’.”

The Uranus rising in his chart had a lot to answer for in some of his later involvements, as a Contrarian.  He campaigned for Brexit (arguably not controversial), and then for the denial of Climate Change (definitely contrarian).  He argued long, hard and passionately for both; they were not fleeting whimsical ideas for him.

He also tackled the issue of weight, Moon conjunct Venus in Taurus being a prominent factor in that necessity, and wrote “The Nigel Lawson Diet Book” in 1996, a book which sold well.

Family

Nigel Lawson had six children altogether, depicted in his chart as Jupiter early in his 5th House of children.

His first marriage was in 1955 to socialite Vanessa Salmon.  They had four children together, including Dominic Lawson, firstborn, who followed his father into journalism (a Sagittarian depicted in Nigel’s chart as Jupiter at the beginning of the 5th House); and the domestic goddess herself Nigella Lawson, known for her unctuous cooking.  I wrote in 2013:

“Nigella was born into a political family: indeed her father Nigel Lawson is graphically portrayed in her chart as Sun in Capricorn (politician father) conjunct Saturn (accentuating the politics).  She did not have a good relationship with her mother, who did not treat her well.  She describes her as depressed, but as she is depicted in Nigella’s chart she comes over as fiery and volatile (Sun in Aries trine Mars and Jupiter)… She has a highly entrepreneurial exact trine between Jupiter and Uranus.” Note that her father handed down that trine.

Nigel had two more children with his second wife Therese Maclear, a marriage which lasted until 2012.  He later formed a relationship with Tina Jennings, a visiting fellow at Oxford University.

He has a unique place in history: hardly palatable to left-leaning climate-upholding remainers, but it was the life of his choice.   We all have that prerogative.

Aspects

In the early hours of Tuesday (11th), Venus enters Gemini.  Although Venus is most at home in the sign it is just leaving (Taurus), there is a lightness and freedom of heart with the new placement.  It brings a more mental focus to relationships, and increasing communication around love, art and money. Your diary is likely to be full of engagements during the period that Venus travels through this sign, which takes us up to 7th May.  We’ll all be social butterflies, deftly spinning plates in social circles!

Mid-morning on the same day, Venus will be trine Pluto in Aquarius.  This aspect can settle your deepest feelings into a more comfortable psychological context.  It helps us through changes and transformations on a human level.  Venus in harmony with Pluto benefits both love and money.

Late on Tuesday brings even more benefit(s), with the Sun conjunct Jupiter, one of the most favourable aspects of the year.  It takes place at 21 degrees Aries.  It is an aspect of hope, or even celebration.  It will certainly be lucky for some.  Focus on what makes you happy, and make more of that.

The mood dips a little towards the end of the week, with the last aspect, on the afternoon of  Friday (14th) being a square between Venus and Saturn.  Perhaps your concerns are about close relationships and money, both of which are ruled by Venus, and under constraint by Saturn.  Maybe you felt let down by someone or you disappointed yourself in some way.  Forgiveness could be a solution, in that case.  We need a great deal of patience in our human interactions, and some may be dealing with rejection or sadness.  We need to acknowledge those feelings before we can move on.  Try and look at things differently.

Something may be salvaged later in the day with a sextile between Saturn and the North Node.  This is a chance to stabilize your karma, or listen to what is required to right things.  The answer may come during a spot of meditation, or while taking a power nap.  Allow your left brain to rest, and allow your right brain to provide the next constructive step on your path.

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – lightness of heart; deep feelings and meanings; luck and hope
• Friday – acknowledged sadness; constructive karma

Paul O’Grady (1955 – 2023)

“…funny, fearless, brave, kind and wise”

~ Lorraine Kelly

The nation had many reasons to love Paul O’Grady: from those who loved to be entertained, to dog lovers, to the LGBTQI community.  He died at the age of 67 this week, unexpectedly, but peacefully.

Birth Chart

Paul O’Grady had the Sun in Gemini conjunct Mercury, which accounts for his tremendous versatility: he was a “Jack of all trades” in early working life, with a huge variety of jobs to make ends meet before he hit the big time as an entertainer.  Sun/Mercury in this sign also accounted for his quick wit.  There was also a multidimensional side to Paul: there was more depth to him than at first glance, with the Sun/Mercury conjunction being  trine his Neptune and sextile his Pluto.  He will have been a performer in past lives, with the Sun conjunct his South Node. His North Node was at the Galactic Centre, which is a powerful position for his karmic mission.  His caring side (he worked in several “social work” scenarios before he was famous) came from his Ascendant in Cancer, which was exactly conjunct Uranus (the Activist Archetype, always sticking up for the underdog).  His Moon in Aries ensured he was always straight talking on an emotional level.  His ruling planets Moon and Mercury were square to each other, and coupled with the Gemini emphasis, meant that he had a strong alter ego needing to be expressed, i.e. Lily Savage.  But with the Moon exactly sextile Venus, there was great gentleness and affinity with women, and that was very much expressed in the care work, the observation of female family members, and his work with dogs.  The Moon closely trine Jupiter kept him positive and emotionally buoyant.  Jupiter joined Uranus on the Ascendant, and gave him the Entrepreneur Archetype, which helped his success (trining his Midheaven or Careerpoint), and defined an effervescent personality.  He had Venus exactly sextile Jupiter, a very sociable sextile, with a love of humanity.  Even so, it was often said, that he loved animals more than humans.

Early Life and Career

Neptune was exactly square his Ascendant, on his 4th House cusp, suggesting a secure, cloistered, childhood, which he described thus:

“When I look back on my childhood I have no bad memories. Our family was loving and full of affection. I never knew what divorce was until I moved to London. I was an indulged child and completely protected from anything bad.”

Paul was born near Birkenhead, to an Irish family, the youngest of three.  He left school at 16, and worked at various jobs (including the civil service), before getting involved in Liverpool’s gay scene, at a time when homosexuality was still illegal.  He attended meetings of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality.  While still uncertain of his sexual identity, he fathered a daughter Sharon, who was born on 16th May 1974.  She has her Mars conjunct his, in their synastry.  Among his jobs, he worked in that period in a care home for disabled and abused children. He also lived in London part of the time, and worked for Camden Council as a live in carer for the elderly, and for dysfunctional families.  All the while, he practised the art of performance in working men’s clubs.

Lily Savage

The birth of his alter ego, drag act, Lily Savage, took place on the afternoon of 7th October 1978, inspired by his Aunt Chrissie, and Marylin Monroe.  Virtually the only precedent at the time for his type of act, was Danny La Rue.  His transits at the time included Mars exactly trine his natal Mars (an expression of his sexuality), Jupiter  opposite his natal Chiron in 7th House (his alter ego) and Uranus on his natal Saturn, (a daring act).  Lily Savage herself, in her own chart, had Sun/Pluto in Libra, with Mars/Uranus in Scorpio, two highly charged conjunctions.  When his career progressed, around 2004, he hung up his drag act, around the time of his Chiron Return in 7th House – Lily had achieved the healing for him he had needed, for his life.

He presented various television shows, including Blankety Blank and Blind Date, before landing his own Paul O’Grady show, which ran for several years in different forms.  The show which he was most known for in this decade, was “For the Love of Dogs”, in which he was instrumental in re-homing numerous pooches from Battersea Dogs Home, a role he took on around the time of his Second Saturn Return.  Such was the response of the British affection for Paul and for dogs, that in the few days after his death, Battersea Dogs Home has been overwhelmed with donations.

Death

In the first decade of this century, Paul suffered a couple of heart attacks.  But his death was unexpected.  His partner Andre Portasio described it as peaceful – Paul had six Neptune transits at the time.  Paul had only a couple of days beforehand appeared on stage in the musical “Annie” as Miss Hannigan, enjoying the part with great zest.

“I think I could lie there on my death bed and say, ‘Well, I’ve had a good time and filled a book. I’ve done everything I wanted to do’.”

~ Paul O’Grady, 2017

Aspects

Today promises to be most dynamic, with a sextile between Mars and the North Node.  This is a positive expression of Warrior karma.  You may be able to get your message across directly and actively, in speaking your truth or setting an example.  Lines may be drawn (Mars has a short fuse at times, and is not suited to long-drawn out debate).

Tomorrow (Monday 3rd) sees Mercury enter Taurus, and the quality of the mental energy may become steadier and calmer than the fieriness of the last two weeks or so when Mercury has been in Aries.  This placing is better for negotiation, which is something much needed at the moment in this climate of strikes.  Practical ideas will be the order of the day.  Mercury will stay a while in Taurus, as at some point it will turn retrograde, but enters Gemini on 11th June, so this could be a productive time mentally.

Tea-time tomorrow could be stressful mentally, however, as Mercury makes a square to Pluto.  We have a great deal of travel disruption in the U.K., with Easter holiday traffic stuck in queues at Dover.  It is a square which requires you, among other things, to rise above negative thinking, or to get to the root of it.

Some of Monday’s issues may be cleared by Wednesday (5th), with a more user-friendly sextile from Saturn to Mercury.  This practical, studious, and ideal for planning.   This favours exacting mental work and documentation.  Progress can be made, including possibly for health related checks.

If you experience emotional tension on Wednesday evening, this could be due to the advent of the Full Moon at 16 degrees Libra in the early hours of Thursday (6th).  The Libra Full Moon entails a balance between the needs of two people in partnership, and hopefully works towards harmony.  This is the most equable of the 12 Full Moons of the year.

Friday (7th) has a most pleasant sextile, between Venus and Neptune.  It’s a delightful aspect – a beautiful expression of spirituality and the Arts.  New artistic avenues can flourish, ingenious ways for people to share art, music and performance can ensure the Arts are kept alive.

Finally, another sextile on Saturday (8th) this time between Mercury and Mars.  Physical and mental energies can co-ordinate.  If you are cycling a great deal to keep fit, you may find the wind behind your sails.  You may be able to cycle just that bit faster or longer, and your fitbit may register record stats.  You may also find shortcuts to your usual way of doing things.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – dynamic
• Tomorrow – calm; then stressful
• Wednesday – practical progress
• Thursday – emotional high tide
• Friday – delightful
• Saturday – in sync

Putin Alliance with Jinping

Early this week Vladimir Putin of Russia met with Xi Jinping of China, presenting a chilling prospect to the world in their alliance, and trying to demonstrate they are a superpower to be reckoned with.  They present themselves as a balance against the U.S./European alliance supporting Ukraine, the country being invaded by Russia.  Xi Jinping declared that they were ready to “stand guard over the world order based on international law”.

On Friday 17th an arrest warrant was issued by the international criminal court, for overseeing the abduction of Ukrainian children.  The Guardian editorial stated in evaluation: “For now it is more of an annoyance than a threat or even a serious obstacle to him.”

It is interesting that recent years have brought alternative birth dates for both Putin and Jinping, which complicates the evaluation of their charts.  But I wonder if the new charts have been promoted in order to deflect and confuse Astrologers!  I am working with the original charts.

Vladimir Putin’s Chart

I wrote in 2012: “In his natal chart Putin has the power-hungry aspect of Jupiter square Pluto.  His natal Mars (Inner Warrior) is at the galactic centre, magnifying his power and emphasizing warriorship.  His South Node is in Leo, indicating that he would be accustomed to power in past lives.”

I added in 2015:  “He has Saturn conjunct the Sun natally which could be draining, but has Mars trine Pluto so that would normally keep him energetic”.

I would also add that Mercury sextile exactly Pluto, giving him mental strength and the employment of psychology.

In 2018 a television profile of Putin suggested that world domination might be on his wish list, but I don’t think the 2022 invasion of Ukraine was then on most people’s radar, though those who watched the situation in the Crimea seemed to suspect subsequent events.

The transits operating in Putin’s chart at the time of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 were Mars square his natal Mercury (irritability), Uranus opposite his natal Venus (burning bridges in relationships), Saturn trine his natal Saturn (a deliberate act) and the North Node trine his Ascendant (a karmic act).

Last night, Putin announced an escalation of the conflict in retaliation for Britain’s support for Ukraine, in stationing tactical nuclear weapons in nearby Belarus.  BBC News stated, in evaluating the situation, “US said it did not believe Russia was preparing to use the nuclear weapons after the announcement.”

Putin transits for Meeting

The meeting took place on the Spring Equinox, which favours new ventures!  A conjunction of Venus and the North Node favoured karmic relations, and the Sun sextile Pluto favoured profound discussions.  They picked a good day for it.

Pluto, powerfully, is exactly trine Putin’s Moon, and will be until 11th June, when Pluto turns retrograde without having advanced further than 0 degrees Aquarius.  Putin may be feeling powerful during that time, but Pluto does not return to 0 degrees Aquarius until next year.  Saturn squared Putin’s Moon at the time of the meeting, so there will be some disappointment or constraint in the meeting, probably due to having to keep a power balance with Xi Jinping himself.  Neptune opposed his Ascendant, which may indicate deceit in personal relationships, either in himself or the other, or both.

Xi Jinping Birth Chart

I wrote in 2022: “With Sun conjunct Mars in Gemini, Xi Jinping is a warrior of the mind; he has called his attitude to foreign relations “wolf warrior diplomacy”.  The power and strength of his Sun is shored up by a trine from Saturn, a trine from Neptune and a sextile from Pluto.  We do not have a birth time, but we know that his Moon lies in the powerful sign of Leo, giving him a desire to dominate emotionally.  His mental make-up is more complex, and as Mercury is his ruling planet it carries weight in his chart and his life: Mercury squares Saturn (a serious frame of mind), conjoins Uranus (some brilliance), squares Neptune (an air of mental mystery) and opposes Chiron (having to think quickly to solve problems).  Jupiter trines his North Node (karmic mission) and inclines him to leadership.  Saturn is exactly conjunct Neptune, a difficult conjunction which occurred in 1953 and affects most people born that  year.  The conjunction is squared by the opposition of Uranus and Chiron, forming a T-square.  Uranus squaring Neptune when overcome enables a person to handle complexity.”

Also last year, I wrote:

“In recent years, he has been sabre-rattling against Taiwanese independence, and human rights have been violated against the Uighur population (often described as amounting to “genocide”).  On October 23rd this year, like Putin, seizing advantage and opportunity with transiting Uranus sextile his natal Uranus, he cemented his third term and political longevity.”

and

Relationship with Putin

“Xi Jinping is a long term friend and ally of Putin.  The two of them were born about six months apart, and share positionings of the outer planets. During the early stages of Putin’s war against Ukraine expressed solidarity with Russia.  This stance cooled a little, as it became clear that the consequences affected world trade and world relations, and Jinping’s attitude has become a little more ambiguous.  President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine hopes that China can tip the balance in ending the war, because of his relationship with Putin.  In the meantime, Xi Jinping is keeping us guessing!”

Jinping’s attested purpose for last week’s meeting was to position himself as a potential peacemaker in the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and bringing a proposed plan to the table, to that end.  However, in reporting back from the meeting, it does not seem very much was achieved.

Jinping’s transits for Meeting

Xinping had some high energy transits for that meeting, and the indications are that he had the upper hand overall.  Jupiter was square his natal Mercury (foreign travel), Uranus sextile his natal Mercury (lively discussion), Chiron square his natal Mercury (a headach, requiring problem-solving), Saturn trine his natal Mars (practical action) and Jupiter square his Uranus (taking a chance).

Synastry

Jinping’s Sun is conjunct Putin’s Midheaven – Jinping can strengthen Putin’s career, or world position

Jinping’s Saturn is conjunct Putin’s Neptune – an air of suspicion and mistrust

Jinping’s Uranus square Putin’s Uranus – there could be a schism between them in the future

Neptunes exactly conjunct – there is a spirit of co-operation, to an extent

Jinping’s Pluto is sextile Putin’s Neptune – Jinping can be of considerable help to Putin if he so chooses

My question is, can they trust each other?  They are both strong, ruthless and autocratic, and know what the other is capable of.

Aspects

Did you feel any sort of shift or notice anything symbolic when Pluto went into Aquarius?  Just before the event, I suddenly felt a sense of excitement and freedom, so I think that will be an element of Pluto’s stay in Aquarius.  As I mentioned under comments last week:

“Pluto doesn’t get past 0 degrees Aquarius this year, it moves so slowly, retrograding from the beginning of May. This means that most Aquarians won’t experience the transit to their Sun this year.

But we will feel the vibe from now until the beginning of May, to give us a taste of what to expect.”

This week’s aspects are not so dramatic, after two dramatic weeks, but contain three conjunctions, which are intense spots of planetary interaction.

Today, Mercury conjoins with Chiron, which can produce minor healing crises, but can also pave the way for problem-solving. One area which is especially suited to this conjunction in Aries is finance and economy.  Chancellor Jeremy Hunt may have an important announcement, or there may be a major development concerning banks.

On Tuesday (28th), Mercury conjoins with Jupiter, which favours learning and education, communication and good news, sales and transport.  The enjoyment of mental expansion and philosophical awareness should bring about a major uplift.

We have a trine between Mars and Saturn on Thursday (30th) evening, which favours practical action, and works that are deliberately planned and executed.  Hard work can pay off.

Later still, on Thursday evening, Venus conjoins with Uranus.  It is a vibrant social aspect, which may carry an element of serendipity.  People may question your sanity, however, or you theirs.  And it is not a good time for taking financial risks.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – healing crises and problem-solving
• Tuesday – good news and mental expansion
• Thursday – practical action and social excitement

Pluto in Aquarius

While some aspects are life-changing, and transits (personal transits over sensitive points in  your birth chart) are even more so, this week’s ingress of Pluto to the sign of Aquarius is world-changing.  Coming hard on the heels of last week’s ingress of Saturn into Pisces, the impact will be all the greater, especially for those who have the Sun, ascendant or a planet at 0 degrees of a sign.

Pluto has been in Capricorn for fifteen years.  I wrote, in January 2008:

“The principles of Pluto in Capricorn are subterranean activity (both emotional and geographical: “Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known”) and also the breakdown (Pluto) of outworn structures and even traditional institutions (Capricorn) to make way for future rebuilding when Pluto enters Aquarius.  Some of these effects are already in evidence, such as the possibility of economic recession.”

The position now is very much the end of an age, the end of institutions.  The country is still (even with the pitiful ofer given this week to the nurses) under strikes from several unions of public sector workers, and the situation is similar in France.  Pluto in Capricorn promised the tearing down of structures and institutions: the NHS for one, is on its knees, and with no sign of the government coming to its aid.  Recent banking crises (banking being ruled by Pluto), such as the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, and the threat to Credit Suisse, are potentially devastating.  Capricorn also rules politics, politicians and authorities.  Politicians have an all-time low credibility, and those recently aat the top have reached unimaginable lows: Liz Truss trashed the economy in recordd time, Donald Trump thinks he will be arrested in a few days, Boris Johnson will be testifying on Partygate this week, and to top it all, Valadimir Putin is under an arrest warrant by the Internaational Criminal Court.  It sounds like a bad plot in a television drama, but it looks clearly like the end of a Pluto era, completing a job of work.

Pluto and Saturn are slow moving planets, but Pluto can also bring overnight changes.  Look out for symbolic events as Pluto moves into Aquarius, even before it beds in for its long stay in Aquarius which lasts until March 2043.  One cannot imaging the amount of change which will take place during that time, but Pluto (itself an agent of deep change) is entering the sign of Aquarius (the sign of sudden change), so change and transformation will be a constant, and that means we will be having to evolve!  As the element of Air, Aquarius may bring an emphasis on solutions based on this element, e.g. a dramatic increase in wind farms, and space exploration.  Aquarius also rules networking, so the internet, social media, and global communications, will all increase exponentially.  The Big Society will be more possible under Pluto in Aquarius, and community links can grow closer and more efficient in helping the underdog, such as the schemes tackling food waste and redistribution and sharing of resources.  Green shoots of the Age of Aquarius will struggle through the tilled soil of Pluto in Capricorn, so we may have more of the brotherhood/sisterhood of man/woman.

On a personal note, I can see a new era, as our neighbours of 30 years are moving this week.  They are moving close to the Spring Equinox, the first day of the astrological year, when the Sun enters Aries; and they are moving on the New Moon in Aries.  You can see what a momentous week this looks like altogether, after last week’s struggles.  So our lives will change, and those of our neighbours, and those of our new neighbours.  Perhaps you can already see changes coming up this week, in your life.  It is a time of endings and new beginnings.

Aspects

Today’s aspects reflect the theme of endings and new beginnings, and the completion of jobs.  The first aspect occurred in the early hours of this morning, in the shape of Mercury sextile Pluto.  Mercury in harmony with Pluto in this way can produce profound thought and communication, honouring the gravity of a situation if necessary, and enabling meaningful debate to occur.  It is a good space for reading something profound.

Soon after, so also occurring during sleep and dream time, or possibly insomnia time, Mercury entered Aries.  Plain speaking replaces the flowery language of Mercury in Pisces.  Mercury makes a fairly rapid tour of Aries this month, so there is only a short window of this fast-track vibe: we have until 3rd April (i.e. just over a fortnight), which is unusual.  Mercury in Aries favours mental work which is unemotional and without frippery, such as accountancy and tax returns.  You will need to get to the point much more directly in your communications, and there is more sense of urgency about paperwork.  If  you feel overwhelmed by paperwork, stay in the moment and you may be able to stretch time.

Monday (20th) brings three astrological features, one of which is the Spring Equinox.  We begin with a conjunction of Venus and the North 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 Taurus, the sign of groundedness and solid values, so you will have a firmer idea of where you stand in your relationships.

Next up, in the evening, the Sun sextiles 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 just before Pluto enters Aquarius.  Think about the events of the last 15 years, decide what you can let go of, and what you would like to project for the next 20 years.

At 21.24 Hrs in the evening, the Spring Equinox takes place, with the Sun entering Aries, marking the beginning of the astrological New Year.  It is the beginning of a generally more active, conscious, dynamic way of relating to the world (from the Sun’s more introspective time of its recent passage through Pisces).  For the population generally, if your energy has been a little low lately, you may feel revived.  You may have been wandering lonely as a cloud earlier in the day, and come across a host of golden daffodils.

Tuesday (21st) sees the New Moon in Aries, another new beginning, at 0 degrees of the sign.  The New Moon in Aries is the new of the new!  It is the first New Moon of the Astrological year, in the first sign of the Zodiac.  So it means the brightest of new beginnings.  Look to the future, unhampered by the past.  Set your intentions, wishes, creative visualizations and affirmations accordingly.

Around mid-day on Thursday (23rd) the main action of the week, month, year, decade or two, takes place: that of Pluto’s entry into Aquarius.  Yes, it is a Big Deal.  As mentioned above, it is World Changing!  It’s a time of flinging off old patterns, and bringing on the new.  Some of these we will consciously choose, and some may be imposed on us.  Look out for symbolic signs of a new era for yourself, your society and your globe.

The last feature of the week, which comes on Saturday 25th, is another ingress: that of Mars into Cancer.  It has been in Gemini for a long, long time, and Geminians have been super-active!  The new placement may see you putting more effort into family affairs, or being protective of others.  Nurturing instincts and nest building are to the fore.  Mars is here until 20th May.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – profound thought; plain speaking
• Tomorrow – personal karma; powerful help; new beginning
• Tuesday – another new beginning
• Thursday – paradigm shift
• Saturday – family energetics

Chaim Topol (1935 – 2023)

“If I were a rich man, yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dum/All day long I’d biddy biddy bum/If I were a wealthy man…”

~ Tevya, Fiddler on the Roof

Chaim Topol (whose name means Tree of Life in Hebrew), passed away this week at the age of 87.  It is rare for an actor to be so closely associated with one role (though he did play others) as Chaim was for playing Tevye in the film and stage musical “Fiddler on the Roof”.  Among his other roles was as Milos Columbo in the Bond film “For Your Eyes Only”, the scientist Dr Zarkov in “Flash Gordon”, and Othello to Keith Michell’s Iago.

Birth Chart

Chaim Topol had the Sun in Virgo (the sign of the Specialist), Moon in Capricorn and the Ascendant in Leo.  Leo is the performing sign, and his Moon was in his 5th House of Performance, with his  Sun (ruler of Leo and his chart) was in Chaim’s 1st House – theatricality was in his veins.  But he was primarily an earthy individual, with half his planets (5) in the element of Earth.  With the Sun closely conjunct Venus he had a lovable quality, and also a penchant for art (something he originally wanted to pursue as a career).  Singing too is a talent shown by this conjunction.  The Sun and Venus were in a triple conjunction with Neptune, adding spirituality and idealism to his fundamental nature. In addition, he had a great deal of energy and enthusiasm (Mars conjunct Jupiter, and Mars closely trine Pluto) and was very sociable (Venus sextile Jupiter).  Religion and spirituality were nicely balanced in his psyche (Jupiter sextile Neptune).

Life and Career

Topol’s family had fled from Poland in the 1930s.  He left school at 14, and was not particularly academic.  His Mercury was unaspected, and he had only one Air planet, so worked predominantly by instinct.

Being born in Tel Aviv in 1935, before the founding of Israel in 1948, he fought in three wars: the Sinai war of 1956, the Six Day war of 1967, and the Yom Kippur war of 1973.  This is reflected in his exact conjunction of Mars and the I.C. (his security dependent on flight or fight).  He began acting while serving in the military.

The month of October 1956 seems to have been pivotal for his life.  On 2nd October he was discharged from military service, with Jupiter sextile his natal Jupiter (freedom).  On 23rd October, he married Galia Finkelstein, a fellow member of his troupe, with Neptune trine his natal Mars.  However, on 25th October he was called up as a reserve in the Sinai Campaign.  At that time, Mars (military duty) was exactly opposing his natal triple conjunction of Venus/Sun/Neptune.  He performed for the other soldiers while there.

After the war, he and his wife settled in a Kibbutz, and they had three children, later moving to Telaviv.

The Role of Tevye

When an actor is inextricably linked with a role, the persona usually shows up strongly in the actor’s birthchart.  In Chaim’s case, we are lucky enough to have his birth time, so we know the exact position of his Moon.  The Moon closely trine the Midheaven (Persona) means that he would be in the public eye, and he played a dairyman (a Moon ruled occupation).  The Moon is conjunct the North Node (a karmic mission in the public eye) with a trine between that conjunction and his Midheaven (so harmony between his conventional career and his karmic mission).  He also had Saturn exactly sextile Uranus – echoing the basic dilemma of Fiddler on the Roof – tradition versus progress.

Topol played the lead character in a 1964 film “Sallah Shabati” which was about a Sephardic Jewish immigrant family and its hardships.  This brought him to the attention of Harold Prince, who was looking for someone to play the lead role in the London stage version of “Fiddler on the Roof”, which opened on 16th February 1967, the play being an adaptation of one of the stories of Shalom Aleichem. Speaking little English, Topol had to be coached before taking up the role by Cicely Berry.  Considering the importance of the role in his life, the astrological transits were suitably momentous:

Jupiter was conjunct his natal Pluto (finding his power), Uranus was trine his natal Moon in Capricorn in his 5th House, establishing that Archetype for him, and Uranus also trined his natal Midheaven (careerpoint) in Taurus in 9th House, forming a Grand Trine.  Neptune was on his natal Mars/IC in his 3rd House, portraying a soft side to his courageous inner warrior; and Pluto was trine his natal North Node in Capricorn in his 5th House, establishing his karmic mission!

The film told the story of the dairyman Tevya bringing up three daughters in the village of Anatevka in the Ukraine in 1905.  It tears at the heartstrings in many ways: the harshness of the way of life, the pogrom visited upon the village by the Russian soldiers, the matchmaking of his three daughters (each match producing an ever increasing cause for concern and heartsearching in its dilemmas for Tevya), and in Tevye’s relationship with God.  Chaim portrayed the lead role with immense warmth.  In the Guardian Obituary, Michael Coveney writes:

“Irving Wardle again hailed Topol’s Tevye as ‘a living memorial to the comic genius of a tragic people’ ”

We have a fondness for “Fiddler on the Roof” in our family.  When the children were young, they used to dress up, act out and sing the musical with their friends, and we adults would enjoy the viewing.

When it came to the film version of “Fiddler on the Roof” in 1971 directed by Norman Jewison, Topol was chosen for the lead role over Danny Kaye, Rod Steiger, Walter Matthau, Richard Burton and Frank Sinatra!  Topol won a Golden Globe Award for his part in the film.

Topol did not stop there…he went on to play Tevye in this iconic role on stage, all over the world, until his last performance (3500 performances in all) in Boston on 15th November 2009.  The final transits included Jupiter square his natal Jupiter in Scorpio in 3rd House, Uranus sextile his natal Moon in Capricorn in his 5th House (severing this Archetype) and Neptune square his natal Midheaven in Taurus in 9th House (letting go of an important part of his career path).

He was made for this iconic and poignant role, and obviously loved the playing, judging by his never-ending appetite for the role.  His son revealed last year that he had a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, but at 87 he had a good innings and fulfilled the Leo rising aim of giving pleasure.

“Anyone who plays Tevye knows he can never top Topol. God rest his soul.”

~ Omid Djalili

Aspects

It’s a roller coaster week, with ten astrological features, four squares, and a strong Neptunian dose of confusion – hold on to your hats!

Today, a rare conjunction of Jupiter and Chiron takes place.  This highlights the Healer Archetype, but can also bring about healing crises, and opportunities for problem-solving.  The possibility of the miraculous may also be on the table. and faith in yourself can be part of that.  Jupiter’s effect on Chiron is to magnify its Healing, and Chiron’s effect on Jupiter is to make life meaningful.  You know innately that the solution lies within the problem, and where there are nettles, dock leaves are not far away.

The last hour of Tuesday (14th) brings the first square, between Mars and Neptune.  Confusion may reign, so take that time for thinking things through. Meditation and activities which combine meditation and movement, can be helpful for centring, during the day, if you sense that this aspect is operating on your consciousness.

Confusion is also a theme on Wednesday (15th), and especially also in the last hour of the day, with the Sun conjunct Neptune.  Neptune combined with the Sun so intensely can bring high spiritual experiences and inspiration, especially if you are channelling or working with your creativity, in art or music for instance.  But for some, for example if you have a difficult aspect to Neptune in your natal chart, it may bring confusion.

Thursday (16th) is the big day in terms of astrological features, and so I have a timetable for you, which starts late afternoon:

17.13 Hrs: Mercury conjunct Neptune: This is not conducive to exacting and detailed mental work and documentation, but it can favour dreams, mystical states and spirituality.  They in turn can affect creativity, art and music in an inspired way.  If you are feeling below par, you may experience added confusion or brain fog, so it is best to plan your diary accordingly.

18.10 Hrs: Sun square Mars: The second square of the week, Sun squaring Mars, is a hot-headed aspect which can result in minor cuts and bruises through slapdash inattention.  Aggro, irritation and conflict are all possible under this aspect, so set out to have a peaceful day starting with a spot of your best meditational efforts.  Then radiate that calm to all who cross your path, while self-distancing.  You might find people sounding off, in anger, about things that are going on in the world, such as rows about people in boats.  If so, some advance preparation may assist in defusing agitation.  The energy, fire and enthusiasm which the Sun with Mars generates can be positively harnessed if you are especially mindful.

19.59 Hrs: Venus square Pluto: Another square, and it is time to contemplate, and reflect, rather than to dig even deeper, as it is time to digest recent experiences in a loving and healing way.  That may even include a damage limitation exercise.  Venus rules relationships and Pluto represents the force of transformation or deep soul searching, and both planets rule money, so all these factors may be on your mind and vying for attention, in some cases conflicting.

22.34 Hrs: Venus enters Taurus: Late in the day, with this ingress, Venus settles into a a happy bunny (or a contented cow) phase.  This may help to end a hectic day with a feeling of “all’s right with the world.  Within yourself, and in your relationship with nature (edging towards Spring), you are capable of feeling much more settled and harmonious.  This placement of Venus in her home sign continues right through to 11th April.  Those born under the Venusian signs of Taurus and Libra will especially feel its benefit, their normal sense of steadiness and balance.

The next day, Friday 17th, brings us another three aspects, so I might as well continue the timetable, starting in the early hours:

4.48 a.m.: Mercury square Mars: The last square of the week (you can utter a sigh, or a “phew!” after you negotiate it), occurs in the night for most of us (unless you are a shift worker) so it may influence  our dreams.  If you’ve been sailing along on a bright new health and fitness regime, be careful not to overdo things as you may be slightly incident-prone, partly through carelessness or complacency.  Another possible hazard of this square is argumentativeness and verbal conflict.  A careless word could have consequences. Dreams or nightmares may centre round trouble and strife.

10.45 a.m.: Sun conjunct Mercury at 26 degrees Pisces: As the day gets under way, you may become aware of the deeper issues, such as the compassionate implications of things.  The Sun and Mercury together may come up with some insightful solutions, and coming after the intense week may be accompanied by a little more calmness and relief from its dramas. Hope may be rekindled and the light at the end of the tunnel glimpsed.

22.25 Hrs: Venus sextile Saturn:  Last but by no means least, at the end of the day, comes a sextile between Venus and Saturn, which is a constructive aspect, a re-affirmation of where you are going, especially in terms of relationship, or art.  In the realm of human relations, it is about steadiness and loyalty: cementing commitment.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – healing and crisis resolution
• Tuesday – confusion
• Wednesday – more confusion, and inspiration
• Thursday – spirituality; conflict; deep soul searching; peace
• Friday – irritabililty; concentration; loyalty

Betty Boothroyd (1929 – 2023)

“The passion, wit and sense of fairness she brought to politics will not be forgotten.”

~ Rishi Sunak 

Betty Boothroyd, the first female Speaker of the House of Commons, died this week at the  age of 93.  An affable personality, and capable politician, she stood out as a straight talking supporter of the working class and for her all round popularity.

Birth Chart

Betty was a good advert for her Sun sign of Libra, having a good proportion of the sign’s attributes: popularity, charm, fairness, beauty (she won a contest) and musicality.  This was concentrated in quality by virtue of an exact conjunction of her Sun with Mercury in that sign.  So she had the sign’s spiritual and mental qualities.  The Sun/Mercury conjunction was trine Jupiter, giving her an expansiveness which drew people to her.  Mercury trine Jupiter is by nature a Speaker.  The office of Speaker in the Commons is the head of parliament, and this trine befits the office.  She proved to be successful and popular in the role.  Her Part of Fortune was in the 3rd House of speaking, too.  With the Moon also in the Jupiter-ruled sign of Sagittarius, she had a cheery smile and was known for her humour. The opposition of Sun/Mercury to Uranus meant that she was not afraid of being controversial, and there are some good examples of this in her life, such as a controversial maiden speech.  She ignored advice from Bob Mellish to “Keep your trap shut, girl, and you will get on”.  A journalist described her as having the “lip of a barmaid.”  Chiron exactly conjunct the North Node in Taurus gave her a very specific karmic mission, as a healer of sorts in her profession, and a steady hand on the tiller.  Mars in Scorpio gave her some toughness to counterbalance Sun/Mercury in Libra.

Life and Career

Betty was born in Dewsbury, and was an only child of textile workers.  She was brought up with political awareness, with her father being a trade unionist.  At the age of 12 she won a scholarship to Dewsbury Technical College.  She loved dancing (Mars closely sextile Neptune) and worked as a dancer from 1946 to 1952, which included a stint as a Tiller girl at the London Palladium.  That showed a performing side, which may be linked with Sun in Libra, but  a birth time would possibly  emphasize this.  When she recorded “Desert Island Discs” in 1993, she chose Ethel Merman’s “There’s no Business like Show Business” as one of her tunes.  A turning point in her life came though when she suffered from a foot infection, and sought a different life direction.

She had already shown an interest in politics, with her mother’s encouragement. She had became a member of the Labour League of Youth when she was 16, at the time when her progressed Sun moved from Libra to Scorpio.  The following year, with her progressed Sun conjunct her natal Mars in Scorpio, she was the winner in a speaking competition which took place for young socialists.  In the 1950s she worked as a secretary to the Labour politician Barbara Castle, a foot in the door of the political world.  She also held such a supportive post in politics in Washington for a while.  She was not academic in her school life (and had failed the 11-plus), so it may have taken her a while to build confidence: some of her humour has a distinctly self-deprecatory flavour.  Her first foray into direct political responsibility came in 1965, when she won a seat on Hammersmith Borough Council.  Eventually, after four unsuccessful attempts, she became an M.P. in 1973 (for West Bromwich).  Her star was rising, and she gradually built a good reputation among her fellow M.Ps, and a growing popularity.  She became a Deputy Speaker in 1987, and finally in 1992 she “smashed the glass ceiling” and became the first female Speaker.

Her Speakership

Before Betty took up this office, speakers were addressed as “Mr Speaker”, but when asked what she would like to be called, she said “Madam Speaker”.  Another tradition which she changed was the wearing of wigs.  She declined to wear the wig, and after her speakership the tradition was not resumed.  She had a signature catchphrase, and that was “Time’s up!”  She announced her resignation, after eight years, on 12th July 2000.  Transiting Jupiter was square her natal Neptune in Virgo: she was restless on her inner journey.

Awards

She collected an enormous amount of awards and honorary degrees during her life.  Naming just a few: In 1993 she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Civil Law from City University London; in 1999 she became an Honorary Fellow of St Hugh’s College Oxford; She gained a life peerage in 2001 (with Pluto sextile her natal Sun/Mercury), and an Order of Merit in 2005.

Personal Life

For a Libran, it was unusual for Betty Beecroft not to have married or had children.  But she would have liked children, and said that she had at least three offers of marriage, which never arrived at a convenient time.  Her Venus in Virgo may have made her very discerning in relationships.

Leisure

She took up paragliding in her 60s, a hobby which  would suit an Air sign such as Libra, and described it as “lovely and peaceful”, a phrase which is distinctly Libran in nature.

House of Lords

She took up her peerage, and campaigned against Brexit.  The future of the House of Lords is currently under question by the Labour party, as the entry of members has been used inappropriately over the last few years by the Tory government.  Keir Starmer would like to see an elected House.  However, Betty had clear views to the contrary, saying:  “It is wantonly destructive. It is destruction that hasn’t been thought through properly.”  She was worried about power struggles and constitutional disarray.

Though she had a colourful personality, she was not a radical politically, coming from the right of the Labour Party, and honouring most protocols and traditions, while dispensing with some.  Like the Libran scales, a curious balance or mixture, but one that endeared her to a wide range of people.

“You never know what people are capable of until you give them the opportunity to show it.”

~ Barbara Castle

Aspects

Today Mercury from Pisces sextiles the North Node in Taurus, setting up a productive element to the day: the karmic wind will be beneath your wings.  Communication will be highly significant and imbued with meaning, though subject to differing interpretations according to belief.  Solutions can be found: today after ten years of negotiations The High Seas Treaty has been agreed to protect marine life.  We have something to show for Mercury (contracts and agreements) in the water sign of Pisces harmonizing with the North Node (karmic necessity).

Tomorrow (Monday 6th) we have another sextile, that between the Sun and Uranus.  You can make this day count, in a spectacular way.  Spontaneity and innovation characterize the proceedings of the day.  Telepathy and higher consciousness, or liaising with a constructive group, are also favoured.

Tuesday lunchtime brings a Full Moon at 16 degrees Virgo, which is likely to bring some emotional tension and 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.

Not long after the Full Moon and its tension, we have a major shift, in the shape of Saturn entering Pisces.  This is a big deal, and may be a relief for Aquarians (who will have their big deal arriving soon in the shape of Pluto’s entry into that sign).  Pluto will enter Aquarius on 23rd March, so enjoy the hiatus, Aquarians!  As you can see (if you don’t already know), March is going to be an important month, especially for people who have their Sun or any other planet at 0 degrees of a sign.  There will be changes, some expected, and some not so.  Saturn has a slow application, so you may see these changes coming, and some of them may arise from your own cuts and economies.  Simplifying your life may be an option.  Saturn stays in a sign for two and a half years, so you have time to work with it.  One important consideration for Saturn in Pisces is to work charitably for those struggling in society, e.g. in poverty.  By the end of the period, the government of the day may be able to put into place something to help, possibly after a huge public outcry.  Compassion is always a watchword for Pisces, but excruciatingly so for Saturn in Pisces.

There are two more sextiles on Saturday (11th), the first being Venus sextile Mars, which takes place in the afternoon.  This aspect is given over to pleasure and  indulgence, and maybe romance is also on the cards.  Art will have vigour, and movement will have artistry or elegance under this influence.  Social plans should flourish.

In the evening, Mercury will be sextile Uranus, giving rise to spectacular and unusual communications.  This encourages us to use all the new technology for our communications, and brings new ideas, heightening intuition and telepathy.   This aspect can amaze you and help you find that “wow” factor.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – the wind beneath your wings
• Tomorrow – spontaneity and innovation
• Tuesday – emotional high tide; deepening compassion
• Saturday – sensuality; sparkling technology

Shamima Begum

“Shamima knew when she made the decision to join Daesh, she was going into a country where there was no embassy, there was no consular assistance, and I’m afraid those decisions, awful though it is, they do have consequences”

~ Jeremy Hunt

Shamima Begum, who as a 15-year old schoolgirl, went to join ISIS, lost her appeal this week in relation to the removal of her British citizenship.  She is currently stateless in a Syrian camp, and her situation is subject to much debate and disagreement.

Birth Chart

Shamima’s chart is very reflective of her character and situation.  First of all, she has 8 out of her 10 planets in the Fixed signs, which is very unusual, and describes someone who is stubborn once set upon a course of action.  Secondly, she has no Cardinal planets, which may show she is easily led (one of the arguments surrounding her is whether she was groomed).

Her Sun in Virgo square Mars is not averse to danger, though it is a loose aspect, and may be the sign of the Warrior Archetype.  Her Sun trines Jupiter  (a thirst for adventure and foreign travel), squares Pluto (deep transformations in life) and squares Chiron (acclimatization to crisis).

Her Moon is in Aquarius, which combined with a Virgo Sun, produces a cool and detached personality.  The Moon opposite Mercury  indicates that her imagination and rational brain can be out of sync. But the Moon’s conjunction with Uranus in Aquarius strongly speaks of the Rebel Archetype being very influential within her psyche.  This conjunction close to the South Node may be linked with the loss of babies (three in total), and may be karmically linked with Atlantis in past lives.  She’s not afraid to be controversial (Mercury opposite Uranus), and with Mercury also conjunct the North Node, she may eventually be a teacher, if rehabilitated, having that potential as her karmic mission.  Venus exactly square Mars means that she could be motivated by sensuality, but Venus square Saturn can betoken disappointment in love; while Venus square Chiron shows emotional wounds.  Mars loosely opposite Saturn indicates some harshness, and Mars conjunct Chiron is interesting: I associate this in karmic astrology with wounding on battlefields in past lives.  In Shamima’s case, she certainly experienced a war climate, in this lifetime.

Her birth chart analysis continues to reveal a great deal.  Jupiter square Neptune is an aspect which classically represents confused ideologies, especially between religion and spirituality.  She may have been in a state of aimlessness before being groomed by ISIS, and certainly would not have been thinking clearly on such matters.  Jupiter square the Nodal Axis may represent international karma, as someone who is half-English half-Bangladeshi, and married to a Dutchman, and is now stateless.  Finally, Saturn square Uranus denotes personal earthquakes.  Her camp is situated in Northern Syria close to the border.  It may not be very close to where the recent earthquakes took place, but it is certainly in an unstable territory, geographically and politically.

ISIS

Shamima was brought up as a Muslim in Bethnal Green, and left the U.K. with two school friends in February 2015, after being groomed online and attracted towards a “better life” as a bride of ISIS in Syria.  The MET Police had had intelligence information originating in Canada hinting at the possibility of this happening, and had sent warning letters to the Bethnal Green trio’s parents, which were intercepted by their daughters.  The tragedy could have been averted (the other two girls are reported to have died).

On leaving London, Chiron was sextile Shamima’s natal Saturn (a deliberate decision with the hope of improving her life), Uranus was sextile her natal Uranus (her Inner Rebel had come into its own) and Neptune was squaring her natal Pluto (deepening her problems, and entering into dangerous waters).  The girls arrived at Gaziantep in Turkey (interestingly also the site of the epicentre of the first earthquake this year) where they were picked up by pre-arrangement and taken across the border to Syria.

Ten days after Shamima’s arrival she was married to a Dutch ISIS fighter.  Two of the transits mentioned for her arrival were still operational, plus Venus trine her North Node (a karmic romantic connection), and Mars trine her natal Pluto (a warrior connection).  They had three children together, one of whom (a daughter I believe), Shamima was particularly attached to and tried desperately to keep alive – her death (from starvation) was heartbreaking.

Found in a Camp

In February 2019, Shamima was found in a Northern Syrian camp by a war correspondent named Anthony Loyd.  The North Node was trine her natal Mars at the time (karmic exposure), and Saturn was trine her Saturn (an important turning point).  It must have been a crucial professional scoop for the journalist.  Anthony Loyd has the Sun exactly conjunct Uranus in Virgo in his chart (in an affinity with Shamima’s chart) opposite a conjunction of Saturn and Chiron in Pisces.  His transits on finding her were  Jupiter square his natal Sun (a lucky break journalistically!), Pluto trine his natal Mercury (a deep, hard-hitting piece of reporting!) and Jupiter exactly square his Uranus (a risky venture, in some way, a transit exact to the day).  Their synastry showed:   Her Jupiter trine his Venus (she provides him with a lucky break, or a scoop) and her North Node conjunct his Mars in Leo (a karmic connection).  In talking to Anthony Loyd, and later to Quentin Sommerville (no birth date available) she sounded uncaring and blase about the sufferings brought about by ISIS, though to some extent she was still wary of them.  Indications were that she had actively participated in the way of life of the fighting community.

The next day (with virtually the same transits for Shamima), Sajid Javid, who was Home Secretary at the time, revoked Shamima’s British citizenship, which meant that she could not return to the U.K.  For Sajid, Saturn was sextile his natal North Node (making a historic decision or judgement).  At the time, it was wrongly believed that she had joint Bangladeshi citizenship and would be able to go to Bangladesh, but it turned out that she would face the death penalty there, as she would be regarded as a terrorist. It is technically illegal (under international law) for the U.K. to leave someone stateless, which she now was.  She was deemed a threat to national security.

Heavily pregnant at the time, her baby, a son named Jarrah, was born on 17th February.  I wrote at the time:

“Shamima Begum, who as a 15-year old went to join ISIS, and who wishes now to return to the U.K., gave birth to a baby boy this morning.  The issue sparked a lot of debate last week, revealing a great deal of complexity around it.  If he survives, he is likely to have a complex destiny.  If his mother is allowed to bring him into the U.K. she would have to face the music, and may be separated from him.  With the Moon in Cancer, his psyche will be very much tied to that of his mother.”

Additional features of his chart were the Moon’s conjunction with the North Node in Cancer, the babyhood being part of his karmic mission, and Venus conjunct Saturn (a cause of heartbreak).  At his birth, Shamima had Mars exactly trine her natal Sun, to the day (birth of a boy!), Mars square her natal Neptune (uncertainy and precariousness) and Saturn trine her natal Saturn (facing the music). Jarrah died of a lung infection just a few days later, on 8th March 2019.  She had been found, but her newborn son, though hospitalized, had not been saved.

Appeal Denied

Shamima’s unsuccessful attempt to appeal against the government’s decision this week comes under the following transits: Neptune trine her natal Mars, and Chiron sextile her natal Uranus, not difficult transits.  In a recent television programme, BBC’s “The Shamima Begum Story”, she seems almost resigned to her current fate.  The programme included an interview with her Dutch husband.  In another programme recently aired, SKY’s “The Return: Life After ISIS” she is shown living amongst an international group of ISIS brides trying to return to their countries of origin (Britain being one of the most intransigent) supporting each other, and trying to keep up morale.

In an LBC radio broadcast this week, James O’Brien expressed the view that she should be accorded the same treatment as white teenagers from Rochdale and Rotherham who were seen as victims of child trafficking and sexual exploitation.

My own view is that she need not be a threat to our national security, as she would be under surveillance here in Britain, we would be able to obtain information about ISIS from her, and she could face justice in a court.  Life in prison, if that would be her fate, would be preferable to being stateless forever in the desert under the conditions in which she now lives.  In my opinion, that is no state for a human being.  Others might consider it just desserts, (or deserts – excuse the pun).

“The spectre of the supreme court’s ruling on Begum in early 2021 hangs over this decision by Mr Justice Jay and his colleagues. Reflecting that earlier judgment, we see a determination to defer to the widest possible extent to government on the grounds of national security, as well as a lack of any moral urgency in relation to the alleged breaches of Begum’s core human rights.”

~ Conor Gearty, The Guardian

Aspects 

As we have no aspects until Thursday, I will begin with a Fixed Star which aligns with our Sun on Tuesday, 28th.  The star is SCAT, the delta star in Aquarius.  We have a few applications from  “Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld, the first of which I might find helpful on my Philosophy course:

 Further Education

“Scat can encourage people in their tasks when they need to delegate or to form a group interaction that goes on to delegate others. This is  especially helpful in research projects or the teaching profession where interaction of clear hierarchy is an important part of the work, an example being graduate studies under the auspices of various professions.  Such academic relationships are often made a little more acceptable to the people involved by work  with this star.”

Bureaucracies

“There is also an ability her to accept and release some of the naturally occurring difficulties that are produced by bureaucracies.  The ability to  pierce through the veils created by bureaucracies is improved.    Thus individuals seeking to move through red tap to accomplish their goals appropriately may have insight and understand how the group interaction has created such red tape.  At a higher spiritual level, there can be a telepathic concordance between the people involved in such research projects or between those on a bureaucracy  who would seem to oppose you and your progress.  Various new ideas may come forth from this in the dream state.”

This may assist Rishi Sunak’s attempts to break the deadlock over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Fear

“At the highest spiritual level there is a shedding of fear.  This can produce a deep willingness to become one.  This is only for those who are already open to such ideas, perhaps having studied Buddhism, Taoism, or other forms of understanding this oneness amongst people.”

Minor chakras

“This star can stimulate the heart chakra and the minor chakras in the palms.  The astral body is soothed.  For those who seek to use the astral body for deeper communication in the dream state, a natural strengthening and more healthful sleep will take place.”

Thursday (March 2nd) is the main day for working with the aspects this week.  First we have the great conjunction of Venus and Jupiter in the early morning at 12 degrees Aries, which has been visible of late as the two planets come together spectacularly in the night sky.  In terms of beneficence, this is one of the year’s highlights.  It is an aspect of celebration, social pleasure, and romance.  There may be announcements of engagements, for example.  Look out for some good news, and crack your best jokes.

In the early afternoon, we have a more exacting influence, that of Mercury conjunct Saturn at 29 degrees Aquarius.  The combination of Mercury and Saturn pins us down to reality, and brings communications of a serious nature.  You may have found yourself trying to come to terms with recent events or news.  The important thing about this conjunction is what conclusions you come to, and what constructive action you might decide to take, even if it is just taking up the ever present demand of decluttering.

In the late evening of the same day, Mercury enters Pisces, 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 rapid jaunt in this sign (up till 19th March) compassion will be more easily shown and charity given, and it will be easier to receive ideas of creativity and inspiration.

The next day, Friday 3rd, brings a third conjunction, that of Venus and Chiron, at 13 degrees Aries.  This can warm the cockles of the heart, while as the same acknowledging wounds.  So it is very poignant, and some of the greatest writers of love songs have it in their natal charts!  Notable examples are Adele, Christine McVie, Burt Bacharach and Joan Armatrading.  So if you’re feeling it, write a poem or a song.  Forgiveness and healing are positive manifestations of this conjunction.

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – progress in study, negotiation to cut red tape, alleviating fear, and healing minor chakras
• Thursday – beneficence and celebration; exacting paperwork; compassionate mindsets
• Friday – expressing personal wounds creatively