Roberta Flack (1937 – 2025)

“What I consider myself is a soulful singer, in that I try to sing with all the feeling that I have in my body and my mind.”

~ Roberta Flack

The soul singer Roberta Flack died this week, at the age of 88.  There was something about her voice I found profoundly soothing.

Birth Chart

Roberta was an Aquarian, with the Sun exactly square a conjunction of Moon and Mars.  This gave her the Warrior Archetype, and she was an activist on behalf of black and women’s rights.  The conjunction was in her 10^th House conjunct the Midheaven, so closely bound up with her career, and work in the world.  She was friends with the activists Jesse Jackson, Maya Angelou, Yoko Ono and Angela Davies.  Her Sun trined Chiron, and this is where the therapeutic quality of her voice came in.  Her Moon in Scorpio was significant, giving her the deep emotion and soul quality which made her voice so moving.  She was a positive force, with Moon/Mars sextile Mercury/Jupiter and trine Saturn.  Mercury trine Neptune saw her channelling some divine frequency at times.  Venus trine Pluto ensured that she gave her heart and soul to her voice work.  Jupiter trined Neptune in her chart, and this describes the religion/spirituality of her early singing in church.  The difficulties in her life may be seen in her Mutable T-square of Saturn opposite Neptune square Chiron.  Relationships may have been challenging, with Pluto on her Descendant, opposite a Capricorn Ascendant (she married in 1966 and divorced 6 years later).

Life and Career

Roberta Flack was born in North Carolina, into a large musical family, and sang in church in her early years, but was also a piano prodigy.  At the age of 15 She won a full music scholarship to Howard University, where she changed her specialism from piano to voice, natal Venus in Aries in the 3^rd House showing her personal expression.  She went into teaching, in a variety of ways: it took her until her 30s to establish her career as a singer.

Her voice teacher intervened in a significant way, as she had been singing in various styles, but Frederick Wilkerson told her that pop music would suit her voice more than the classics.  She began to sing professionally in 1968.  Joel Dorn arranged her first album recording that year with Atlantic Records.

Her Voice

The song “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” was on that first album (“First Take”), and as luck and fate would have it, Clint Eastwood chose it as part of the soundtrack for his film “Play Misty For Me”, which brought its success in 1972.  I find it interesting to look at the synastry where people play a significant role in the course of another’s life, and Clint’s Moon exactly trined Roberta’s natal Venus (musicality); his Pluto was exactly sextile her natal Neptune (a deep resonance between them); and his Chiron was on her I.C. in 5^th House.  They became lifelong friends.

As for the iconic song itself, it had been written by Ewan MacColl, the father of Kirsty MacColl. His birthchart reveals a talented songwriting sextile between Mercury and Venus.  His Mercury was exactly trine Roberta’s Chiron, and his Chiron was trine her Midheaven, healing connections.

The song embodies the depth and gentleness of emotion (her Moon in Scorpio exactly conjunct the Midheaven; Venus trine Pluto) which has recently made it my go to song when stressing about Donald Trump(!).  There is a particular version which she sang, recorded with an almost ethereal gentleness and sensitivity.

The next year, 1973, saw her release another soul-searing song, “Killing Me Softly with His Song”, and with that her reputation as a first class singer was assured.  This song was written by three songwriters: Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel I, and Lori Lieberman, and her voice is fuller on that song.  It has the emotion and depth of the first song, and won awards in 1974.

Such was the uniqueness of her voice that when critics compared it to that of Aretha Franklin she said: “I am a black person who sings the way I do.  I am not a black person who sounds anything like Aretha Franklin or like Chaka Khan.  I shouldn’t have to change in order to be who I am.”

The Guardian Obituary by Caroline Sullivan points out that:

“The comparisons were unfair, anyway: Franklin’s style had been forged in the Baptist church, whereas Flack had grown up as a restrained, hymn-singing Methodist.”

Roberta had a markedly quieter style, consciously and deliberately so.

It may sound over-the-top to say her voice touched my life, but the truth is I had been playing her music recently, and after a break of a few days, played “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”, at 4 pm (UK time) on the day she died (24^th February).  On the 6 pm BBC News we were told of her passing.

Other Music

Elton John was very taken with the gentleness of her version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” early in his career.  He wrote to her “Dear Roberta, I have never heard anything this beautiful in years…”

Other chart successes included “Feel Like Makin’ Love” in 1974, but she subsequently took a break from performing, but continued to record (with many collaborations) and spent time on supporting charitable causes.   In 1991 she had another hit with “Set the Night to Music.”

In later years, she made versions of the songs of the Beatles (“Let it Be Roberta” album 2012), and Leonard Cohen.

In 2020 she was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the Grammys.

Health

She suffered a stroke in 2019, but was forced to give up performing in 2022 due to being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, which left her unable to sing.

It was reported that she passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, after a heart attack.  Her death coincided with her third Saturn Return in Pisces, in her 2^nd House.

Watching the Brits last night, there was nothing remotely resembling her music.  It reminded me that every generation, and especially the teenagers whose enthusiasm drive new music, have their own energy to express.

“Her voice touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I’ve ever known. I laughed, cried, and screamed for more… she alone had the voice.”

~ Les McCann

Aspects

In the early hours of this morning, Venus was Stationary prior to turning Retrograde.  This celestial event only occurs once in every 18 months.  This betokens a time of reviewing relationships and finance.  Although you may need to go over old ground, you can refer back to a time when a relationship was entirely harmonious, and what brought you together in the first place, when working towards improvements.

This afternoon we have a conjunction between Mercury and Neptune at 28 degrees Pisces (also forming an exact triple conjunction with the North Node at that point).  This is not conducive to exacting and detailed mental work and documentation if that is what you planned; 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.  Channelling is favoured.

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

Tomorrow (Monday 3^rd) Mercury enters Aries.  Plain speaking replaces the flowery language of Mercury in Pisces.  Mercury doesn’t get far into Aries before turning retrograde mid-month, so try to achieve some dynamic mental work in the first half of March. 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.

Wednesday (5^th) brings a profound touch to your communications, with a sextile between Mercury and Pluto.  It is a harmonious aspect which can produce profound, honouring the gravity of a situation if necessary, and enabling meaningful debate to occur.  It is a good space for reading something profound.  Maybe there is something in your pile of pending books you have been putting off, if so, now’s the time to tackle it.

The week is polished off on Saturday (8^th) with a dynamic trine between the Sun and Mars.  This may turbo-charge your activities, bringing new initiatives to your activities and objectives.  Sporting interests can flourish, or any vigorous pursuits.  Men, dogs and cars may flourish!).  Aries and Leo Sun sign interaction may be highlighted.

I would say it is not a day when peace may be established.  But notably peace did not break out at the New Moon in Pisces last week, when some one-sided shouting occurred in the Oval Office.  It could be that the confusion of the North Node/Neptune conjunction was more powerful than the New Moon.  Or it may be that the inflammatory energy of transiting Mars in Cancer in Donald’s 11^th House of Friendship was squaring his natal Jupiter in Libra in his 2^nd House of Financial Aspiration.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – relationship reflection; mental confusion or inspiration; exaggeration
• Tomorrow – plain speaking
• Wednesday – profound thought and communication
• Saturday – dynamism

Piscean Archetypes

We are now in the month of Pisces, and time to embrace the potential of that sign, and it is time to turn the spotlight on Piscean Archetypes (although I know Pisceans often shun the limelight).  The Sun will be entering the next sign Aries on 20 March, so we have time to experience our connection with this sign, its Archetypes and cultivate its finer qualities. Also to observe our Piscean friends or family, and perhaps see them in a new light, a new depth, or a new height.  The last sign Aquarius represented the New Age, the new broom sweeping clean, but Pisces represents qualities we can retain where they are helpful (compassion being one; Aquarius can be clinical).  The initiation of Pisces began with Christianity, but at its worst took us through the dark ages of ignorance and delusion.  Some of the world chaos we are now experiencing is the negative side of Pisces fighting for its existence, and part is the confusion of the transition.  At its best, Pisces and its ruler Neptune can represent the genius of all-knowingness, a fully enlightened mind.  So, following, are the Archetypes I highlighted back in my 2016 blog, and then some chronological historic examples of Pisceans and their Archetypes, from history:

“Genius

Famous Example: Albert Einstein

Other signs can lay claim to science, but Pisces lays claim to talent and genius by virtue of employing the whole brain.  The theory of relativity came to Albert Einstein in a dream.

I wonder what Einstein was thinking about when he said  “What does a fish know about the water in which he swims all his life?”  

Mystic

The genius, due to the receptivity of the brain and imagination, is able to access information.  The Mystic unites more specifically with the divine, in the spiritual or religious sense, and can unite religions from that level, sensing the underlying truths they have in common at source.  Caroline Myss describes the Mystic Archetype thus:

“Follows selfless path of practice to achieve union with the divine or a state of enlightenment that manifests as service to others”.  Those with strongly Piscean charts have often had significant lives as monks, priests or nuns, in cloistered conditions.

Addict

Pisces, and its ruling planet Neptune, often show according to their condition in the birthchart, how strongly addicted we are.  It is related psychologically, to their capacity for surrender.  The seed of addiction is of course present in all of us, but more so with Pisces and Neptune.

There is a star of the far southern sky named Fomalhaut (Alpha Pisces Austrini) which according to “Star Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld can help with addiction: “The awareness of past-life connections that create the necessity for such addictions also comes to one’s consciousness with repeated use of this star.” …

Caroline Myss says of the Addict Archetype: “Helps you recognise when any external force has more authority over your willpower than your inner spirit does”.

The Saint/Sinner

The Saint and Sinner Archetypes are often found in the same person, the light and shadow of the same coin.  I had a Piscean uncle who embodied this Archetype.  He would literally go to the ends of the earth to help anyone, and yet could easily get sucked into a dodgy get rich quick scheme.  Rest in Peace, dear uncle.

Missionary Archetype

This is to some extent a spin off of the “Saint” Archetype, in that the zeal of the religious or spiritual passion is the driving force of the life’s mission.  This Archetype also encompasses the work of charity, another Neptunian theme.

Hypnotist Archetype

Hypnotism is very much a Neptunian phenomenon.  The hugely successful hypnotist Paul McKenna has his Neptune exactly conjunct his Sun in Scorpio.  Scorpio gives his work power and depth.

Historical Pisceans

The Genius

Albert Einstein (14/3/1879 – 18/4/1955)

The Genius Archetype of Pisces can be applied equally to the Scientist or the Artist.  In the case of Albert Einstein, it is the Scientist, but it is his imagination (the attribute of Pisces) which gave him the ability to think outside the box, scientifically.  Einstein’s Sun was a lone feature in Pisces, but it was in a heavily occupied 9^th House of Deep Study, and closely sextile Pluto, adding great depth.  It was this that helped him traverse dimensions in his mind.  The ruling planet of Pisces, Neptune, was conjunct the healing asteroid Chiron, a potent mixture of mysticism and healing.  In addition, he had another conjunction across the Capricorn/Aquarius cusp, of Mars and the North Node, showing his pioneering karmic mission. A further significant conjunction, also in his House of Deep Study, is Mercury conjunct Saturn, showing detailed application, and in the sign of Aries highlights mathematical prowess, hence his famous equation.

The Poet

Dr Seuss (2/3/1904 – 24/9/1991)

Not a conventional or sentimental poet, but Dr Seuss’ verses in his children’s books are undeniably poetry.  Like Albert Einstein, his Sun was a lone feature in Pisces – maybe that’s all they needed, to manifest their talents.  Dr Seuss was born on a Full Moon, and perhaps that was one reason his poetry and talent was put to use in the service of entertaining children. The often “all round” talents of Pisces meant that he as a cartoonist also illustrated his own books.   He had a very dynamic conjunction of Mars and Jupiter in Aries, which resulted in a prolific body of work.  His book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was made into a film; but our own personal family favourite was “The Sleep Book”, perhaps favoured even more by the grown ups than the targeted children.

The Peacemaker

Mikhail Gorbachev (2/3/1931 – 30/8/2022)

Gorbachev was another Piscean with only the Sun in Pisces.  Gorbachev had the vision of a better relationship with the West, moving towards social democracy, which involved surrender to the greater good.  Pisces and its ruler Neptune represent the process of dissolution, away from entrenched crystallization.  His karmic mission as a reformer is marked in his chart as the North Node conjunct Uranus.  His policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring along the lines of decentralisation) – both Piscean processes – were successful for several years, and up to a point, but at a cost to him personally, and that of his wife Raisa.  That almost sacrificial quality can be one of the characteristics of Pisces, taken to its conclusion.  I wrote when he died in 2022:

“With the Sun in Pisces, Mikhail Gorbachev was a visionary and an idealist.  His Ascendant in Libra was peace loving and diplomatic.  The combination of these traits in his personality contributed to him gaining the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990, for his work in ending the Cold War…[at the presentation Pluto was trine his natal Pluto, a deep achievement, and Jupiter was trine his natal Uranus, an award of distinction]

…Gorbachev was reportedly traumatized by the invasion of Ukraine earlier this year [2022], feeling that Putin had undone his life’s work.  To my mind, Gorbachev was a man who put the welfare of the world above nationalism and patriotism.”

Since I wrote that, his birth time has come to light, showing up a Libran Ascendant, a zodiac sign which would share the Peacemaker Archetype, so that emphasizes the quality in his make up.  His birth time also reveals the fact that his ruler Neptune sextiled his natal Midheaven (Careerpoint), making Neptunian processes a major feature of his career choices.

We are now seeing the unravelling of his work, as the pendulum swings the other way. Tomorrow it will be exactly three years since the invasion of Ukraine.  Vladimir Putin was unable to stomach the dilution of the Russian state, and has put all his energies in reclaiming land, and power.

The Mystic

George Harrison (25/2/1943 – 29/11/2001)

George Harrison had Venus (music) at the end of his Sun Sign Pisces, indicating a high level of spirituality and transcendence within his musical sense and creativity.

I wrote in an earlier blog about George Harrison:

“George Harrison had Chiron exactly conjunct the North Node in Leo in 10th House, giving him a karmic mission of healing through creativity, channelled through his career…

… his musical tastes and spiritual path lay in a different direction [from Lennon and McCartney], though he did take them part of the way, with their involvement with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.  Musically, he became a student of Ravi Shankar, and these directions were all very Piscean in nature.”

That direction, of course, was within, and Pisces is the most introverted sign.  His quest led to some divine music, especially as recorded on his double album “All Things Must Pass”.  Of the four Beatles, he was unquestionably, The Mystic.

In exercising your own Piscean underbelly at this time, remember that Pisceans need to work out their place in the cosmos, how much to surrender and what they are here to bring forth for their life purpose, and that may be a component in what you may achieve in this Piscean month.

Aspects

We have a gung ho aspect today, Mercury trine Mars, so there’s hope for some of those odd jobs you keep putting off.  Communications may zip along, and the day could be very productive.  Much can be accomplished.  You can put your ideas into practice.  You may retire at the end of the day with the feeling that you could do more, and have extra ideas to put into practice for the next day.

Tomorrow (Monday 24^th) activity is again highlighted, with Mars Stationary prior to going Direct.  We may no longer feel we are pushing the boulder up the hill, a feature of our lives especially since Mars went retrograde in December, we now may be able to roll the boulder gently along the flat (hopefully it is not likely to be rolling downhill).  For the Ariens among you, you could experience a literally physical renewal.  You may be in a mood to move furniture around.

A more sober mood for Tuesday (25^th), with a conjunction of Mercury with Saturn at 20 degrees Pisces.  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, and its seemingly disappointing trajectories.  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 down to taking up the ever present demand of decluttering.

As we come into the second half of the week, Thursday (27^th) brings us a nice sextile between Mercury and Uranus.  The beginning of the week may have been a physical work-out, but thing brings a mental work-out exercise: thinking inside and outside the box together!  This aspect gives 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

As if the end of the week couldn’t get any better, we are gifted a New Moon in Pisces at 9 degrees of the sign on Friday (28^th).  You may come to a decision, and follow it up by cementing your intentions.  This New Moon is especially focussed on service, emotion, the use of water and overcoming addiction(s).  Any affirmations, practical projects and creative visualizations along these lines would be apt.  A good day to avail yourself of some of the positive Piscean Archetypes (The Peacemaker, for example) and put them into practice.  A step forward in the international peace processes would be a blessing.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – dynamic
• Tomorrow – further moves
• Tuesday – look at the small print
• Thursday – dynamic thought
• Friday – new beginning

EastEnders

Celebrating its 40^th Anniversary

The long-running soap opera EastEnders celebrates its 40^th anniversary this week, by setting fire to its local pub, The Queen Vic.  Funny how soaps like to celebrate with disasters…I will try and keep this blog short, as I don’t know many people who still watch EastEnders.

The show first aired at 7 p.m. on 19^th February 1985, later moving to the 7.30 p.m. slot to avoid clashing with Emmerdale Farm.  That first episode was viewed by 17 million people. The marital disharmony between Angie (actor Anita Dobson) and Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) were prominent in the early days, culminating in the Christmas Day 1986 episode where divorce papers were presented.  However, Den’s daughter Sharon (played by Letitia Dean) still appears in the show, as done (apparently the longest serving character/actor) Ian Beale/Adam Woodyat.

EastEnders is set in the fictional borough of Walford, with the fictional postcode of E20.  With Coronation Street, Brookside and Emmerdale Farm already established as northern soaps, London was chosen as the location.

My personal journey

I used to watch EastEnders in those early years…In between, there was about a decade (1995 – 2005, at the risk of falsifying my C.V.) when I didn’t watch it.  I was working full time, in offices, and used to declare that “watching soaps is a waste of my emotional energy”.  Then two things happened simultaneously: I used to visit my mother once a month, and was forced to watch it on those occasions; and I made a new friend who waxed lyrical about it.  So gradually, I came to watch it at home…Mum has now passed, but the friend has become the couch potato text buddy for EastEnders, especially when the “douf douf doufs” are sounded at the cliffhangers. [I have come across various spellings for the douf doufs, and this is my personal choice].

Natal Chart

EastEnders was launched exactly (to the hour) on a New Moon in Pisces.  One might suspect the makers took advice from an Astrologer. The Sun in its chart was exactly conjunct the Moon at 1 degree Pisces in the 6^th House of Local Community in an exact triple conjunction with Mercury, too.  The Part of Fortune consequently was exactly on the Ascendant, an auspicious corollary.

The triple conjunction was square to Saturn and Chiron (forming a T-square) – indicating the everyday struggles and pains of the local inhabitants. But the triple conjunction was closely sextile Neptune – and therefore oiled with intrigue.  Venus closely conjunct Mars gave it a spicy sensuality, with a trine to that conjunction of Uranus providing extra social intrigue.  In an early criticism from a poll  in the Sunday People complained about “coarse” and “bawdy” dialogue.

Jupiter closely square Pluto displayed power play, and manipulation by the powers-that-be in the final douf douf douf  moments, declaring “You’ve gotta watch the next episode”. Jupiter exactly trine Chiron suggested there was healing in it for some – as an escape from their own problems, perhaps?  EastEnders were pioneering in many ways subsequently in tackling challenging subject matter and health and social issues of the day.

Uranus closely square Ascendant and closely conjunct the I.C. – keeping you, if you were a viewer, on your toes, always unsettling.

40^th Anniversary Week

Apparently, during the show and its aftermath next week, at least one character will lose their life.  Since several actors have been reported to be leaving imminently, it could be anyone.

However, one current storyline may ensure that three characters will remain, and offers a unique opportunity for the viewers to get involved.  The love triangle between Denise, Jack and Ravi is set to be decided on the day of a live episode (Thursday 20^th February) with the viewers empowered to cast their vote on who Denise chooses.  Apparently two separate sets of ensuing storylines have been filmed for the follow-up.

Actor Diane Parish plays Denise Fox, the centre of the love triangle.  Diane herself is a sultry Scorpio.  She joined EastEnders as Denise on 11^th May 2006, which would form the natal chart for the character’s creation, though the casting was announced the day after Diane’s birthday the previous November.  Denise was apparently to be portrayed as a “sassy, strong” character would be “a force to be reckoned with”.  That was the original intention: regular viewers can judge whether that is an accurate description…characters often mutate, and also amalgamate features and qualities possessed by the actor.  Denise is in fact the opposite Sun sign from Diane, i.e. a Taurean, still a sensuous sign.  But Denise’s current deliberations are more indecisive Libran than “a force to be reckoned with”.  Other features of “Denise’s chart” are the Sun square Neptune (confusion), and Pluto at the Galactic Centre square her Nodal Axis (she nearly killed Nish the Christmas before last!).  But she’s a likeable and sympathetic character, with a Grand Trine of Mercury-Jupiter-Uranus in the Water signs (emotional).

Actor Scott Maslen plays her first suitor, Jack Branning, who has a long established relationship with Denise.  Scott was a former model, and a marine (he is Cancerian), and joined EastEnders creating the character Jack on 29^th October 2007.  Jack is therefore a Scorpio, and is a Policeman by trade (Scorpio’s ruler Pluto represents the police force).  Furthermore, Jack’s Pluto is at the Galactic Centre (like Denise who joined the year before), so they could make a power couple, if only they could make their relationship work (they’ve had plenty of chances)!  The character has been described as “a morally ambiguous character”, and Jack’s conjunction of Jupiter and Pluto is a power trip open to misuse, and he has been labelled a “bent copper”.

The relationship between Denise and Jack has been a chequered one, and with two personal squares (her Saturn squares his Sun, and her Venus squares his Mars) it is not an easy pathway.  As for the two actors, Scott’s Jupiter is conjunct Diane’s Neptune, which is a harmonious working relationship.  They are born two years apart.

In contrast, Aaron Thiara is cast as toyboy Ravi Gulati to Denise’s cougar role. There is a 23 year gap between the two actors, so he is virtually of the next generation.  Aaron has played Shakespearean roles (who would have thought he could morph into a dodgy EastEnder bad boy?) and is a Taurean.  He worked as a fight director on Bridgerton (having Mars square his Mercury).  Aaron took on the role of Ravi on 4^th July 2022, and won Villain of the Year in 2023.  Early on in his storyboard, he ruthlessly disposed of a dead body.  Ravi’s chart shows the potentially violent square between Mars and Pluto, so he showed up as quite a menacing character.  Mercury squares Neptune in his chart, suggesting mental deception.  He also has an unpredictable karmic path in North Node conjunct Uranus (as far as a character can have a karmic path).  With the Sun in Cancer, his character is bound up with his (dysfunctional) family.  However, as so often happens in soaps, he is in the process of transforming and reforming, to what extent we still don’t know, but it is enough to attract Denise, who had rejected him at an earlier cycle of their relationship.

The relationship between Denise and Ravi has been a stormy one, but the entanglement is shown by her Sun conjunct his North Node, and his Jupiter conjunct her natal Venus. Her Neptune squares his Nodal Axis, so is he destined for disappointment?  As for the two actors, Aaron’s Jupiter is conjunct Diane’s Uranus, a bright spark of a working relationship.  Interesting that both actors bring Jupiter to Diane’s table…

For the live episode on Thursday, Mercury squares Jupiter, so it may stretch our credulity.  The logistics alone of producing a live episode are quite mind-stretching.  There is also a North Node/Neptune in Pisces conjunction going on – highlighting intrigue and sensationality.  These astrological factors will form part of the personality of Sonia’s baby, as she is apparently due to give birth on the day!

Actors talk of some nervousness approaching taking part, but the actors’ transits look as cool as a cucumber.  Maybe they have been assured of the continuity of their contracts.  Of the characters, Denise has transiting Pluto sextile her North Node (a deep karmic choice) while Ravi’s transits seem unperturbed…maybe transits to characters do not work (LOL).  But Jack’s transits are more active: Saturn opposes Jack’s Venus (Love prospects) and squares his Jupiter (he could be tied up), but Jupiter trines his natal Chiron (his Inner Healer in Aquarius – he is always on hand to heal the community).  It has been teased that Jack leads a mission to rescue friends and neighbours from the fire.

However unrealistic it may seem, Denise’s relationship with Ravi looks better than her relationship with good old dependable Jack.  But, far be it from me to choose.  The karma is in the hands of the viewers…!

Aspects

We start with the Sun in Pisces, which occurs on Tuesday 18^th.  The Sun leaves Aquarius and enters Pisces, and the general tone of life will become more soft focus.  We become more introspective and aware of our deeper emotions with the Sun in Pisces.  We also become more aware of the sentience and oneness of all life, especially the plight of the creatures of the ocean and the state of the waters.  This is the last stage of our winter introspection before the coming of the spring.

Our second aspect occurs on Thursday 20^th, right in the middle of the live episode of EastEnders’ 40^th anniversary offering: Mercury square Jupiter.  The outcome of this mindstretching square may be within your control, through your response.  Certainly you may make a choice regarding Albert Square…even if it is to switch off your set.  You may have far to travel, or a lot to learn, and feel overstretched, but could enjoy the ride nevertheless.

These are the only two straight astrological features of the week, but if you wish to go further with your cosmic interactions, I have two Fixed Stars for you which align with the end of the week.  The first one on Friday (21^st) will be challengingly woo woo for some – it’s the message of Nashira from the constellation of Capricorn, as told by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld in “Starlight Elixirs”: 

“Some of the effects from this star are a bit subtle and muted because the civilization there has had some direct influence over Earth in the past and of late has pulled back and reduced some of this influence.  At the present time this star is good to utilize when you wish to have the ability to see the whole picture of what is happening on Earth: politically, economically, and geophysically.  This is very difficult to create with only the mental body.  The emotional body alone is also insufficient.  This star will encourage  in a gentle way the combination of faculties needed for this larger perspective.”

The second alignment of our Sun is to Sadalsud in the constellation of Aquarius, taking place on Saturday (22^nd).  “Starlight Elixirs” tells us:

“This star can create peacefulness in the interaction amongst all women and men by increasing the female part of their understanding.  The male mind can open to its female aspects and in this way relate better to women.  Women are able to better express and share the very nature of what it means to be a woman.  This star may eventually be able to work with these energies in large groups; for now it is simply in small groups or in one to one relationships.”

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – greater compassion
• Thursday – stretched minds and travels
• Friday – larger perspective
• Saturday – male and female balancing

 

Aquarian Archetypes

It is nine years since I wrote about specific Archetypes for the zodiac signs. We are well ensconced in the month of Aquarius now, and time to embrace the potential of that sign.  Almost all of us have at least a trace of Aquarian energy in our charts, whether it be the Sun or Ascendant in that sign, or an aspect of its ruler Uranus to one of our planets.  The Sun will be entering the next sign Pisces on 18^th, so there are still nine days to utilize our connection with this sign and cultivate its finer qualities.  For the most part, I am talking about the amazing quality of Aquarius to envision the future, see what is needed, and to bring that forward, often shaping history.  The ruling planet of Aquarius (Uranus) is, like that of Scorpio (Pluto) an agent of Change.  But in that urgent process, sometimes both signs and planets can “throw the baby out with the bathwater” – witness Donald Trump, who has Uranus conjunct his Sun and North Node, currently throwing out vital services and structures.  Archetypes can often be seen in combinations of planets (e.g. Jupiter/Uranus for The Entrepreneur) and signs, and can therefore be hybrids.  But following are the Archetypes I highlighted back in 2016, and then some chronological historic examples of Aquarians and their Archetypes, from history:

“Networker

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

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

Liberator

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

Engineer

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

Activist

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

Newer Archetypes

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

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

Rebel

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

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

Visionary

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

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

Historical Aquarians

The Explorer

Ernest Shackleton 15/2/1874 – 5/1/1922

The Explorer Archetype is shared by both Aquarius and Aries (with Aries especially carrying the pioneering aspect of exploration). Ernest Shackleton was a leader of expeditions to the South Pole.  He and his crew had to be rescued on 20^th May 1916 on his second expedition.  Interestingly, Mars was exactly opposite his natal Sun on that day, Neptune was sextile his natal Jupiter, Jupiter was on his natal Chiron, Uranus was square his natal Pluto – momentous transits for him after he had set out 18 months before.  But the “exploration bug” stayed with him, as he eventually died in 1922 on his final expedition.  He had tremendous courage and endurance: Aquarians are of the strong willed Fixed quadruplicity.  He also knew the value of teamwork, another Aquarian strength.

The Aviator

Charles Lindbergh 4/2/1902 – 26/8/1974

Aviators are often linked with the Air signs, and Aquarius represents the vanguard of aeronautics.  Lindbergh’s pioneering flight took place on 20^th May 1927 between New York and Paris.  Note that 20^th May was important for Shackleton too, so that may link with Pleiadean energy.  At that time Jupiter (triumph) was trine his natal Ascendant and entering his 5^th House of Self-Expression.  He won a Congressional Medal of Honor.  He was also an Inventor (co-inventing a blood-perfusion pump to keep tissues and organs alive while being repaired), another of the Archetypes for Aquarius.

The Social Rebel

[See also Rebel, and Activist, above]

Rosa Parks 4/2/1913 – 24/10/ 2005

Rosa Parks shares a birthday with Charles Lindbergh (4^th February), and had Mars on the Ascendant (The Warrior Archetype).  In her act of refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery bus in 1955 she virtually started the civil rights movement: “I had been pushed as far as I could stand to be pushed. I had decided that I would have to know once and for all what rights I had as a human being and a citizen.”  It proved to be a historic action.  She had four planets in the 1^st House, which can denote a strong personality, and Uranus square her Midheaven (her work in the world).  On the day itself, Uranus (her ruling planet, and the agent of Change) was trine her natal Venus in her 3^rd House of Bus Rides (!), with Chiron also sextile Venus, Pluto was sextile her natal Pluto (Self-Empowerment!) and Saturn was sextile her natal Moon rising (the need to put herself first).

The Freedom Fighter

Vlodymyr Zelenskyy b. 25/1/78

Most people (in the free world) have a huge admiration for the role and statesmanship Vlodymyr has sustained as President in the Ukraine since the Russian invasion of Thursday 24^th February 2022 (at 5.55 a.m.), bringing us up to modern history.  His relentless faith in his mission is shown by his Gemini Ascendant with Jupiter rising.

I wrote at the time:

“The Prime Minister of the Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is the hero of the hour.  He was born on 25 January 1978 in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine.  We have a birth time for him, which gives Jupiter rising (he started out as a comedian).  He was an actor, who played a man who unintentionally became prime minister.  He became prime minister of Ukraine in reality in 2019, campaigning on anti-corruption.  In the lead up to the invasion, he consistently urged calm, while pleading with NATO for support.  Putin has stated that he wants to rid Ukraine of Nazi influences, which is astonishing, given that Zelenskyy is Jewish.”

His transits at the time:

“Zelenskyy’s…transits include Saturn from Aquarius in his 8th House opposite his natal Moon in 2nd House.  This is a tough emotional transit which can affect the home or homeland through the Moon’s association with them.  He has Neptune at the top of his chart, indicating uncertainty in his life direction.”

Little did we know that three years later, the war would still be raging, and the Ukrainian forces would still be fighting, not only for their lives, and their country, but possibly on behalf of the whole of Europe which could be threatened by a Russian win.  Zelenskyy has all the strong will and ability to lead a team as Aquarian Ernest Shackleton had.  All four of my examples have a Moon-Uranus aspect (Rosa Parks and Lindbergh having the conjunction).

With the subsequent war in the Middle East, he needs to be kept in our thoughts and supported as much as ever.  He has been in the news this weekend, in these uncertain times, about his hopes of meeting with Donald Trump before newly elected Trump meets with Putin:

“It is very important, otherwise it will look like a dialogue about Ukraine without Ukraine. It is still important for partners to discuss their issues first, and then have a conversation with the enemy,”

In exercising your own Aquarian muscle at this time, remember that Aquarians work well with group consciousness and in community efforts, and that may be a component in what you may achieve in this Aquarian month.

Aspects

All the aspect occur after Noon in the UK this week, so you can take the mornings off!

Today, the Sun is conjunct Mercury in Aquarius.  That brings a touch of sparkle to your consciousness.  It is a good day to apply your mind with clarity, concentrate and focus, make important statements, and look to the future.  You may write or speak some memorable lines.  Look out for some telepathy, too!  You may feel the urge to clarify something.

We also have a trine between Mars and Saturn.  Despite being a connection between the two traditional astrological “malefics” this can be very constructive, in a non-dramatic way.  It does mean that hard work can pay off.  Think through what you want to achieve, and set about steadily allowing it to unfold, with some concrete or physical input or ignition on your part.  A trine not to be sniffed at.

Tomorrow’s aspect (Monday 10^th) is not so constructive, a square between Mercury and Uranus.  Be prepared for glitches, and back up your computer files (mental note to take my own advice!), while considering I.T. loopholes.  Speech may be controversial.  Use your intuition to be one step ahead – the Universe may be trying to show you new pathways, and possible new perspectives.  If you were thinking of launching Aquarian initiatives (see main blog) on that day, get your communications on point.

Uranus presents another challenge on Tuesday (11^th), that of the Sun square Uranus.  During the day, be aware of possible loopholes through which the element of the unexpected can enter.  Disruption can occur, but unexpected twists and turns may give you new ideas for future reference.

A Full Moon at 24 degrees Leo takes place on Wednesday (12^th).  Moon in Leo can be dramatic, and bring about power struggles.  But Leo is creative, and can write its own screenplay, especially if working in a balanced way within a group.  There usually is a crest of emotion at the peak of the Full Moon.  So this Full Moon may leave you with material to ponder…

Finally, on Valentine’s Day, Friday 14^th, Mercury enters Pisces at lunchtime, which increases mental focus and communication around compassionate issues, such as the vulnerable, those with mental health issues, and the state of institutions, such as prisons and the NHS.  In the period of its journey through this sign (up till 3rd March) compassion will be more easily shown and charity given, and it will be easier to receive ideas of creativity and inspiration.  For Valentine’s Day, we are going for a coffee at Costa at lunchtime, and I will allow myself a biscuit (I am on the Glucose Goddess regime).

Looking at the Uranian aspects this week, you will need to be alert in forging ahead with Aquarian moves, but don’t be discouraged!  You will learn a lot about operating in an Aquarian mental environment.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – sparkly consciousness; practical achievement
• Tomorrow – technical glitches
• Tuesday – the element of the unexpected
• Wednesday – emotional high tide
• Friday – softening minds, intelligent hearts

 

Marianne Faithfull (1946 – 2025)

“When I was at school at Leighton Park…She was the most beautiful girl any of us had met and had the charisma of a superstar.”

~ Robin Denselow

Staying with the 1960s, after last week’s Dylan blog, I am writing about Marianne Faithfull who passed away aged 80 peacefully this week surrounded by her family, after what could be called a turbulent life.  She released 22 solo albums in her lifetime, but the song she is most associated with is “As Tears Go By” which she recorded at the tender age of 18.

Birth Chart

We are lucky enough to have a birth time for Marianne, and so we can say her vital statistics are Sun in Capricorn, Moon in Pisces, and Ascendant in Aries.  Her Sun in Capricorn was part of a triple conjunction with Mars and the Midheaven (Careerpoint).  This gave her a strong inner sense of ambition, and a relentless desire to stay on course with her chosen career as a singer.  I consider the Midheaven to represent the persona in the outside world (other astrologers assign the Ascendant to the Persona), and in Marianne’s chart Mars conjunct the Midheaven depicts the sexualization of her persona.  Sun/Mars squaring her natal Neptune represented her addictive personality, which resulted in a lifelong struggle, and saw her spend a few years on the streets homeless.  A saving grace was a close sextile of the Sun with Chiron, which will have battled through and found solutions.  Another saving grace was that her North Node was exactly trine her natal Neptune, keeping her connected with her Soul’s path (even though this was not an easy one).  The song which made her name (As Tears Go By) was an expression of her Moon in Pisces.  She was not totally enamoured of the song, as she did not feel it was a representation of her talent or her age.  I would say that astrologically, while it had all the tenderness and sentimentality of her Moon in Pisces, it lacked the grit of her Capricorn and the sensuality of her three planets in Scorpio (which included a conjunction of Venus and Jupiter).  With Mercury opposite Uranus, she was not afraid of controversy, although she was stung by the effect on her life and reputation of the police raid on Mick Jagger’s flat, which Adam Sweeting in the Guardian obituary described as earning her tabloid infamy as the “girl in a fur skin rug”.  She had three planets in her 7^th House of Marriage, and three marriages to match.

Life and Career

Marianne was born in Hampstead into a family which had a colourful ancestry.  Her mother was a ballerina, her father a British intelligence officer, her grandfather an Austro-Hungarian nobleman.  She was the great great niece of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch whose name was used to coin the word “masochism”.  When she took part in the programme “Who do you think you are?”, it was revealed that her mother and grandmother had been raped by the Red Army when they entered Vienna at the end of the war.  Some of the heavyweight of these ancestors may be represented by her Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Leo in her 4^th House of Home and Family background, but such a signature in a House cannot always encompass all its nuances.  Her parents divorced when she was six years old.

Marianne always had ambitions to be a singer.  In the obituary segment of The Guardian, Robin Denselow writes about how he attended a nearby school to her St Joseph’s convent, in his teens: “Even then, she was a fine young actor and a fine singer.” When she was 18 she attended a launch party for the Rolling Stones, which changed the course of her life. She had already been performing as a folk singer in coffeehouses, but at the party she was “discovered” by Andrew Oldham, who was only two years older than herself.  His impact on her life can be seen in their synastry, with Pluto on her natal Saturn, and Mars sextile her natal Saturn, plus Jupiter trine her natal Mercury (Opportunity).

The Song

Some mystery surrounds the provenance of “As Tears Go By”, and Marianne’s ambivalence is mixed in with this, for sometimes she praised it and at other times she denigrated it.  Sometimes she said it was written especially for her or if not “it fitted me so perfectly it might as well have been”, and at other times, she said it was foisted on her after being written. This vagueness typically describes her Sun square Neptune. What is always acknowledged is that the writers of the song were Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.  One story has it that Andrew Oldham told them to write something “toned down”, for the purpose.  Whatever it was, it made her name (transiting Pluto was life-changingly exactly trine her natal Midheaven, sudden-breakthrough Uranus was trine her natal Sun, and expansive Jupiter was in her 1^st House); and she released her first album in 1965, titled Marianne Faithfull.

It was not until two years later that she began her affair with Mick Jagger, which became a four year liaison.  Previously, she had married John Dunbar on 6th May 1965.  Her transits on the day were not particularly auspicious: transiting Mars/Uranus square her Nodal Axis, and transiting Pluto opposite her natal Moon, but trine her natal Mars/MC.  However, they were in good company, with the best man being Peter Asher, and a honeymoon spent hanging out in Paris with the Beat Poet Allen Ginsberg.  Marianne had lifelong literary interests, and was well-read, with her poetic Moon in Pisces, and her triple conjunction in her 9^th House of Publishing.  On 10th November 1965 she gave birth to her son Nicholas.

Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger has had a cavalcade of ladies parading through his life, but Marianne Faithfull was the first publicised relationship, and the relationship certainly made its mark on Marianne.  Some of the songs written and performed by the Rolling Stones were written with her in mind.  In 1966 she and Nicholas went to live with Brian Jones of the Stones and his girlfriend Anita Pallenberg, beginning a marijuana habit (with Neptune transiting her natal Jupiter).  In this period she also branched out into acting, and in her lifetime made many films, including “Girl on a Motorcycle” (1968).  She also released several other singles, including “Come and Stay with Me”.  She was devoted to Jagger, but suffered some trauma in this period.  Her synastry with him included: his Jupiter-Pluto on her Saturn in Leo, his Uranus sextile her Saturn and his Chiron on her 5^th House cusp.  Added to that, his Mercury exactly sextile her Neptune and sextile her North Node, and his Mars square her Pluto.  That is quite an impact, especially for her.  On 22^nd November 1968 she suffered a stillbirth, while by now addicted to cocaine.  She lost custody of her son, and a suicide attempt followed on 8^th July 1969, with Saturn square to her natal Saturn.  Her life spiralled downward, she became anorexic, addicted to heroin, and was homeless for two years on the streets of Soho.

Resurrection

By 1979 she had extricated herself from that downward spiral, and was ready to make music again, this time on her own creative terms.  The result was her new album of that year “Broken English”, writing about the pain of the intervening years, and the album is still acclaimed as her best work.

The Voice

Marianne Faithfull had a classic Venus in Scorpio voice of a husky, sultry tone.  Another husky and sultry female Venus in Scorpio voice is the media personality Mariella Frostrup, whose voice has been described as “gravelly”.  By 1979, Marianne’s voice had deepened from laryngitis and drug taking.  Some described it as “whisky soaked”.

The comeback is beautifully depicted in her Progressed Sun forming an exact Grand Trine with her natal exact trine of Neptune and the North Node, her rehabilitation, bringing out and illustrating the potential of that natal trine.  She earned herself a Grammy nomination.  One of the successful songs released as a single in that year was the mournful “The Ballad of Lucy Jordan”.

She continued to make music over the decades, and to appear in film (notably receiving a Best Actress nomination for her role in the film Irina Palm on 4^th November 2007).

Her life was one of extremes, going from victimhood to increasing empowerment.  She was much more fulfilled creatively in the second half of her life, but more quietly so.

“She was a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer and a great actress.  She will always be remembered.”

~ Mick Jagger

Aspects

Not a lot of aspects to report this week, so make the most of each one!

Tomorrow (Monday 3^rd) has a carrot and a stick.

The first aspect is Mercury trine Jupiter.  Make hay while the Sun shines, or even if it doesn’t, for this is the veritable aspect of good news itself.  This could bring productivity, and good conversation.  Mercury trine Jupiter expands our minds and philosophies.  This is an upbeat vibe mentally, and can bring opportunities.  It is also helpful for writing projects and studying, so you may make progress on that novel you’re writing, for instance!  Remember that Marianne Faithfull’s big break came when Jupiter was trine her natal Mercury.

The trickier aspect follows, in the shape of Chiron square to Mars.  This could leave you feeling 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.

On Tuesday (4^th) we have two go-ahead influences.  The first is the entry of Venus into Aries at breakfast time, which sets up bolder feelings to express and contend with.  Venus is not entirely comfortable in Aries and therefore Venusian types (Taureans and Librans) may feel that they are being pushed to a faster pace of life than they are comfortable with.  There is a warmer and more demonstrative feel about Venus though while she is in Aries, so hugs may be more forthcoming.  Other signs may feel more comfy and cosy with this placement, and make good connections.

An hour or two later, Jupiter will be Stationary, prior to turning Direct.  This may enable something to happen or gain progress which has been prevented up to now.  Jupiter moving forward might bring a breath of fresh air to your week’s plans, peppering them with promise.  You may see the light at the end of one tunnel, or resume an earlier goal.  If for example you were trying to move house on Friday and were affected by the problems with Barclay’s bank (as happened to someone I know), moving plans may be settling now.

Skipping now to Friday (7^th) – and I was unable to find a Fixed Star to plug that gap – we have a beneficent but demanding sextile of Venus sextile Pluto, an aspect which encourages soul-searching and arriving at deeper concepts and perceptions.  You can add extra artistry and harmony to your current projects.  You can also experience profound connections between people, and it’s a good time for evaluating what people mean to you. You may experience a volcanic eruption of creativity!  A good day for philosophical and psychological enquiries.

The usual mix of highs and lows, but on balance, more of the high.

The week in bullet points:

• Monday – opportunity; a hitch
• Tuesday – warmth; progress
• Friday – deep feelings

“A Complete Unknown”

Biographical Film of Bob Dylan

“And how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, and how many deaths will it take ’til he knows
That too many people have died?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind”

~ Bob Dylan, 1962

Last Monday, hubby and I ventured forth to see the film starring Timothee Chalamet documenting the early years of Bob Dylan’s musical career.  It gladdened the heart of these two 75 year olds, and moved us to tears.  We were teens when Bob was developing his career, so it was the nostalgia which got to us to a great extent, combined with the beauty of the music, and the extraordinary quality of the acting.

Bob Dylan, Birth Chart

I have written two Dylan blogs to date.  Here is a precis of his birth chart from the first one, written when he won the Nobel prize for literature [the Gemini wordsmith]:

“The majority of his planets are clustered around Taurus [his Moon sign] (song) and Gemini [his Sun sign] (writing) and so his work is revealed, a natural expression of the art of songwriting.  And five (half) his planets are in his 6th House of work, describing the prolific nature of his output.

He has Mars in 3rd House (Protesting communication) square his Sun, expressing his anger and activism.

North Node conjunct Neptune (spiritual leadership) in Virgo in 10th House of Reputation is an interesting feature of his chart. “

Timothee Chalamet, Birth Chart

Chalamet has the Sun, the planet of Acting, in Capricorn at the beginning 5^th House of Acting.  His character portrayal of Bob Dylan is astonishing.  His 10^th House cusp (one of two careerpoints) at 3 degrees Gemini is exactly conjunct Bob’s natal Sun.  He was born to play him.  Timothee has 5 planets in ambitious Capricorn in his 5^th House of Acting. He has Moon in Pisces, the other sign of the acting profession; the sensitivity as distinct from the showmanship of Leo.  He has Mercury exactly conjunct Neptune (the “channeller” conjunction; well it seemed, however strange, that he was actually channelling a living person!).  He also possesses the Uranus/Neptune conjunction of the 1990s, which enables him to process complexity, while his Ascendant in Virgo ensures an attention to detail and perfectionism which contribute to his huge skill.

Bob Dylan: Period covered by the film

The screenplay for A Complete Unknown was based on a 2015 book by Elijah Wald, “Dylan Goes Electric!” (on my booklist now).  The film begins and ends with Dylan’s visits to see Woody Guthrie, who is languishing in a hospital with Huntington’s Disease (formerly known as Huntington’s Chorea); a span of 4 years, from 1961 to 1965.  Guthrie died in 1967.  From being a complete unknown (double meaning for his unfathomable character), fostered by Guthrie’s friend Pete Seeger who introduces him at the Newport Folk Festival, Dylan writes copiously and establishes his own music genre, steering away from the expectations of the music industry.  He pieces together his own band (the organist of which, Garth Hudson, died just this week), while becoming more and more protective of himself against the trappings of his fame.  By the time he attends the 1965 Newport Festival, it becomes clear that he is his own man, much to the chagrin of Seeger, who would have liked him to continue the pure folk tradition (Dylan had taken up the use of the electric guitar) and to play his older tunes.  I wrote about Pete Seeger when he passed away in 2014.  Edward Norton, who plays Pete Seeger in the film (he replaced the original choice of Benedict Cumberbatch), is one of the outstanding roles in this film – a few icons from that era are captured exquisitely.  Andrew Motion, writing in the Guardian, dubs Norton’s performance as “the best of all” and Seeger’s role as Dylan’s “John the Baptist”.

Joan Baez

Two relationships feature in the film, one resembling that with art student Suze Rotolo, given a different name (“Sylvie Russo”), but the same role in his life (e.g. appearing on the cover of his album “Freewheelin’ ”).  Apparently, Dylan (an executive producer of the film) was not happy about her identification in the film.  The other girl who featured early in his life and career was of course Joan Baez.

Timothee’s voice in the film is uncannily close to Dylan’s, and while the casting of Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez is not quite as uncanny, her voice has the purity and pitch of Joan’s.  Apparently, she spent years in lessons learning singing and guitar.   The harmonies when they sang in the film (described as “sweetly savage” by Wendy Ide in the Observer) moved me to tears.  Joan had a unique ability to translate Bob Dylan’s songs. I wrote about Joan when Dylan received the Nobel Prize for Literature:

“It is probably Joan Baez, more than anybody, who has brought his songs to life, and revealed the melody and emotion underneath the lyrics to such an intuitive degree.  They were equally passionate about the causes they took up, and looking at their charts, they are a true brother and sister (her Moon conjuncts his Sun exactly).  They lend power to each other, with her Mars exactly trine his Pluto, and they have karmic ties (her Neptune exactly conjunct his North Node, her Descendant exactly conjunct his North Node).

She says: ‘The Nobel Prize for Literature is yet another step towards immortality for Bob Dylan. The rebellious, reclusive, unpredictable artist/composer is exactly where the Nobel Prize for Literature needs to be. His gift with words is unsurpassable. Out of my repertoire spanning 60 years, no songs have been more moving and worthy in their depth, darkness, fury, mystery, beauty, and humour than Bob’s. None has been more of a pleasure to sing. None will come again.“

Timothee Chalamet: Life and Career

Chalamet was born in New York City in 1995 (thirty years after the close of the film’s span!) and raised in Manhattan.  His father is French, and his mother American-Jewish.  He spent a year at Columbia University studying cultural anthropology, but was inspired to pursue acting by the performance of Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (2008).  He was nominated for an Oscar in 2018 for his role in the film “Call Me by Your Name”.  In 2019 he starred as Laurie in the film “Little Women”.  He was in a relationship with Madonna’s daughter Lourdes for a year when they were fellow students in High School, but has been with Kylie Jenner since April 2023.

In 2023, he played the eponymous role in the film “Wonka”.  And so, to A Complete Unknown, which he co-produced (he really can multi-task) in 2024.  The film, directed by James Mangold, was released on 10^th December, a day when Venus was sextile the North Node (musical karma) and the Sun trine Chiron (healing ways).  For Timothee, it illustrates the perseverance and potential creativity of a difficult long-term transit, for during the making of the film, Pluto was transiting his natal Uranus at the end of (the perfecting of) his 5^th House of Creativity and Acting.

The film does a good job of capturing the enigmas of Dylan’s character and personality, especially in regard to his relationships.  Another of the rapturous qualities of the film is that the music never stops: it carries you with it from scene to scene.  Currently showing, don’t miss this film!

“As the present now

Will later be past

The order is

Rapidly fadin’

And the first one now will later be last
‘Cause the times, they are a-changin’ “

~ Bob Dylan, 1964

Aspects

We have two aspects today, one early evening, one late evening.  The first is Mercury sextile Neptune, which ushers in an influx of intense imagination.  This aspect will assist you in refining your mindset, because our minds will be open to receiving higher guidance more easily.  Delicate conversations and channelling will also be made easier.  Artistic efforts may also be rewarded.

The second aspect, also a sextile, is between Venus and Uranus, so we have two aspects which enable us to use our higher faculties today.  Venus in harmony with Uranus is very social and may produce some interesting outward manifestations.  Chance meetings are possible and can be strange or seem random.  Venus sextile Uranus is on the pleasantly uplifting side of the equation, and can bring reunions, even if just on your mobile phone or online.  The three S’s come to mind: spontaneity, synchronicity and serendipity.

Tomorrow (Monday 27^th) brings a third sextile, which can help to establish a good start or a good mood to the week.  It’s Mercury sextile the North Node: this brings karmic information to light.  Communication is highly significant and imbued with meaning, though subject to differing interpretations according to belief.  It is a good day for writing, teaching, tutoring and revising for forthcoming tests, and possibly for health checks.

The following day (Tuesday 28^th) sees the entry of Mercury into Aquarius: time for a change of mindset on with Mercury leaving methodical Capricorn and entering futuristic Aquarius, getting with the programme.  This is about big, bold envisioning of the future.  Perhaps there are ideas we have not quite been ready to accept before this point.

The middle of the week sees a more sombre mood, with a conjunction of Mercury and Pluto on Wednesday (29^th) at 1 degree Aquarius. This is about serious thought and communication.  If this results in conversations, words will have a profound effect.  Deeper motives may be revealed.  Listening too is important, and exchanges may become cathartic, if sincerely transacted.  Letting go of outworn thoughtforms is also on the cards, in preparation for the next feature.

Get your deep ponderings done in the morning, for a new beginning is possible at lunchtime with the arrival of the New Moon in Aquarius at 9 degrees of that sign.  The New Moon is traditionally a time to focus on your wishes and intentions for a new beginning, and this one projects further, far into the future than most.  It is time to imagine a better world, a time when we have overcome current obstacles and problems, the outlook has been so bleak in the last year.  But the potential for change this year is unprecedented.

The planet Uranus will be Stationary, prior to turning Direct on Thursday (30^th).  It is a good time to receive ideas about alleviating any collective, tribal, or social difficulties which you can see.  Closer to home, you may see what could be done in the family setting, or in the community.   Intuition will flow better, and future vision come into view, into greater clarity.  However, the trickster element of Uranus may still be in evidence a little longer.

A very upbeat and joyous aspect takes place that evening, in the shape of the Sun trine Jupiter.  For some that might mean a lucky break!  Not everyone can win the lottery, but it’s all good and comes on the heels of Uranus starting to show its best side.  This is a happy-go-lucky aspect where circumstances allow.  It may provide a day of good cheer, adventure, golden opportunity and looking ahead to the future with optimism.  If you are visiting friends, the occasion could be a barrel of laughs.

On Saturday (1^st February) we have a conjunction between Venus and Neptune.  Inspired artistic and musical expression is assisted.  Idealized and spiritual love may also be on the menu.  You may find inspired ways to show love.  With Neptune being in Pisces there is an idealized element to love (being in love, as distinct from loving).

The week in bullet points:

• Today – intense imagination; socially exciting
• Tomorrow – karmic information
• Tuesday – thoughts of the future
• Wednesday – profound thought; new beginnings
• Thursday – intuition more flowing; lucky for some
• Saturday – artistic and musical inspiration

Tony Slattery (1959 – 2025)

“I was struck by his stage presence, his comic energy, his fierce intelligence, and his devastatingly good looks”

~ Paul Merton

Brilliant comedian Tony Slattery died last Tuesday, at the age of 65, having suffered a heart attack last Sunday.  He was the archetypal comedian hiding an unfathomable sadness, who had taken a long hiatus from performing, and only just taken up his craft again.

Birth chart

Tony had 0 planets in the element of Air, therefore relying on instinct.  This may be why he was just a genius at improvisation (in Whose Line is it Anyway?) a quick-fire format which could by-pass thought processes.  He also had half his planets (5) in the Mutable signs, which meant that he was super-adaptable and versatile, also useful traits in his particular brand of comedy.

His Sun was in the broody sign of Scorpio, conjunct Mars, which made him super-intense.  Sun/Mars was square Uranus, increasing his independence and rebelliousness, and giving him a crackling electrical energy.  This was part of a T-square with Uranus opposite Chiron, which was problematic, especially for health, but at the same time made him super aware of possible solutions in the moment (again a quality he may have employed in improvisation).  But this T-square may have worn him down, and caused him to have to take a break from performing, for the sake of his health; a strain on his Inner Healer (Chiron).  His bright intellect is seen in Mercury closely conjunct Jupiter, but complicated by the darker influence of Pluto tightly squaring the conjunction.  Venus in his chart squared Saturn, a depressive pairing, especially regarding relationships.  In addition, Venus was closely conjunct the North Node in Libra (squaring Saturn), making relationships a karmic challenge.  However, he sustained a gay relationship since 1986, so found a way to navigate the trickiness of these aspects.  The difficult aspects to Venus may also have contributed to what he himself described as “fiscal illiteracy” (which later led to bankruptcy). Mars in Scorpio conjunct Neptune again shows intensity, and possible self-defeating emotions.

Life and Career

Tony Slattery was born in Stonebridge in North London, the youngest of five children.  He revealed at one time that he had been abused by a priest at the age of eight, more than enough trauma for a lifetime’s depression, and possibly indicated in his birth chart by the conjunction of Mars and Neptune in Scorpio.  He revealed this in an interview with Hadley Freeman in April 2019, at the age of 59.

He won a scholarship to Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he read Modern and Medieval Languages (Mercury conjunct Jupiter tends to show a facility for learning foreign languages).  He held a black belt in Judo, another talent represented in his chart: Sun conjunct Mars in Scorpio (martial arts).  He had four conjunctions in his chart, showing the intensity of his talents.  He joined Footlights at Cambridge, in the company of Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson, Sandi Toksvig and Jan Ravens.  The troupe won an award at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1981. He was made President of the Footlights in 1982.  From there he appeared regularly in the mid-1980s on television, and is particularly remembered for his genius on Channel 4’s “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” from 1988, a show which demanded a  rare skill.  His hilarity joined with fellow comedians Josie Lawrence, Paul Merton and John Sessions among others.  Oh, how we laughed!

Acting was another skill – he appeared on stage in Me and My Girl in 1986, and in the film Carry on Columbus (the last in the series) in 1992.  In 1994 he was a co-founding patron of Leicester Comedy Festival.  From the mid-1990s, he reduced his appearances due to ill-health.  A mid-life crisis and nervous breakdown in 1996 included cocaine and drink.  He became reclusive.  Occasional acting appearances included a voiceover in Red Dwarf.  Eventually, he was diagnosed to have bipolar disorder.  He was quoted as saying “The black dog got me in its jaws and just hung on for two years”.

In later years, he was slowly achieving a comeback, and returning to performing, even re-appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017.  He was particularly active during the last year, and launched a podcast.

He is remembered with great fondness, especially by his fellow comedians, such as Al Murray and Helen Lederer.  Sad to think we missed so many years of him, in between…

“I don’t think I ever met a more beautiful man than Tony Slattery.”

~ Sandi Toksvig

Aspects

With four astrological features occurring today, it’s an important day.  We already know it’s a crucial day in terms of a Ceasefire in the Middle East, and the anticipation of tomorrow’s inauguration of President Trump.  Two peaks have already passed, but here is the timetable:

Sunday, January 19th

1.26 a.m. – Venus conjunct Saturn

This may give rise to sobering reflections about relationship or money.  Feel your feelings (e.g. the nostalgia, or injustice), or deal with them philosophically, and let them go if you can.  The care of the elderly may be a particular preoccupation.  The optimum condition for this conjunction would be loyalty and commitment, and perhaps some songwriting incorporating a touch of melancholy.

Preoccupations may have led to a restless sleep.  The sadness and sense of loss were already felt, with the uncertainty at the late hour as to whether a ceasefire would take place, and more lives were lost in Gaza meanwhile overnight.  The ceasefire finally became official at 9.15 a.m. (U.K. time), 11.15 a.m. local time.  This gives an Ascendant of 2 degrees Taurus, and places most of the planets in the International 9^th House and the Societal 11^th House – very much a global chart.  Venus conjunct Saturn appears in the 11^th House in Pisces, and displays the nature of a commitment (as well as the more difficult qualities of this conjunction).

7.38 a.m. – Mercury sextile Saturn

Another earlier aspect, at breakfast-time, signalling that thoughts and feelings can be channelled and harnessed into constructive plans and ideas.  Mental foundations can be laid.  The aspect favours documentation and again knuckling down to form-filling etc.  Geminis and Virgos have the chance to regain their balance, if they need to.

At the beginning of the Laura Kuenssberg news show this morning, the ceasefire deal was still being ratified, due to a delay in naming the three hostages who were due to be released today.  She announced the latest time for the announcement of the ceasefire was 9.15 a.m. UK time, and just after 9.15 it was confirmed to have taken place. So at the time of this aspect, serious talks were still being held (Mercury sextile Saturn).  This sextile was taking place across the 9^th and 11^th Houses of the ceasefire (to be) chart, dialogues across nations.

16.32 Hrs – Mercury sextile Venus

This afternoon, a more congenial aspect takes place.  Mercury sextile Saturn was sound, but quite serious.  But Mercury sextile Venus is more harmonious and social.  This may represent the actual release of the three hostages, and some of the relief which may accompany that, although of course no one takes anything for granted, least of all a long term peace.  It may be simply a moment to savour, in the now.  Those aid convoys that have been patiently waiting to cross into Gaza, may finally do so.

Away from the conflict in the Middle East, in your own life, it is an ideal day for cafe culture (our local Costa is open!), and good conversation.  It favours socializing, and creative forms which combine art and writing.  There is potential for negotiation in diplomatic efforts, and harmony and agreement between kindred spirits.  That could be the best part of the day, although all aspects influence the day generally.

20.00 Hrs – Sun enters Aquarius

The event which takes place in the evening brings more openness to embracing change.  We still have a way to go before Spring, but are ready to look at different ways of being.  This year’s entry of the Sun into Aquarius is more triumphant than most, as Pluto is there now, trumpeting a new age.  Some might dare hope their loved ones are returned to them, e.g. the Palestinian prisoners, of whom there are many to be released.  Some will be able to move on in their lives.  But that Venus-Saturn conjunction sounds a bittersweet note of realism throughout the world: the loved and the lost will not be forgotten.

So that is a resume of today.  If it is your birthday, it could prove to be an eventful year.

Tuesday January 21^st

There are two heavy aspects hanging over Tuesday, and so I don’t think it will be an easy day.  The first, Chiron square Mercury, implies the need to look at wounding, both physical and psychological (and the relation between them).  This may cause some mental strain, a headache, a conundrum.  Remember that often a problem can contain its own solution.  Attentiveness to health and healing is required, but first the question has to be aired.  The solution may just take a little work, or some lateral thinking.

For the released hostages and prisoners (who have hopefully found their freedom) injuries and traumas will need to be aired, so that help can be sought long-term.  We are told that “Hagai Levine, who heads the health team at the Hostages Families Forum, said he expects the hostages to return with cardiovascular and respiratory issues due to lack of ventilation in the tunnels. Among multiple other afflictions Levine expects are vitamin deficiencies, starvation, dramatic weight loss, vision problems due to a lack of sunlight, broken bones, cognitive impairment and mental health trauma.”  Provision may also be made on the Palestinian side to welcome and attend to their prisoners on release.  Those Gazans returning to their homes in a state of rubble, may register a new level of hopelessness.  Their neighbourhoods very much resemble areas of L.A. after the wildfires.  How do you even begin to process the next step, mentally?

At lunchtime, Pluto conjoins with the Sun, one of the most profound aspects of the year.  But it is also an aspect which marks reality setting in.  The enormity of the scale of the task ahead in Israel and Gaza may be registered. It may be a profound wake-up call, both personally and collectively.  In our own lives, practicing meditation and calming techniques would be a good way to proceed on the day as the deeper issues of life come up for assessment.  Any creativity will have depth to it, and you won’t be able to skim the surface of things. But you may emerge the richer for it.

Thursday January 23^rd

15.07 Hrs – Mars sextile Uranus

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

So it is a helpful day in terms of those who can act constructively, e.g. in the war torn aftermath.

Mars is a double-edged sword on Thursday, though.  In the evening Mars opposes Mercury, which may be more fractious.  You may make minor slip ups because you will feel like going quickly and pushing through agendas fast.  Heated debates, irritability and incident-proneness could also be a feature of Mercury opposite Mars.  You may observe this in others, and in the general hustle and bustle of society, where two or more (or six) are gathered together.

There could be some resumption of hostilities today, e.g. some breaking of ceasefire agreements on either side.  That is assuming, the ceasefire holds through Tuesday’s challenges.

Better vibes still later in the evening, with Mercury trine Uranus.  This can bring mental brilliance, technological upgrades, lightbulb moments, and futuristic inspiration can be yours. You may lie awake in the evening with amazing ideas.  The mind will be uplifted, and computers and I.T. devices given or received, will be on good form and working satisfyingly well.

It’s a good evening for people to apply their minds and receive flashes of intuitive solutions for the problems that beset us, personally, collectively and globally.  Aid workers who have been stuck or hampered, may find green lights and green shoots.  Donald Trump may enjoy getting into his stride in the resumption of power…

Saturday January 25^th

Thank goodness for the last aspect of the week, Venus trine Mars, which occurs literally just before midnight that day, but may be operable earlier during the day.  It may comparatively be a picnic, or a walk in the park, and a chance to forget some of your troubles and cares.  Other wars may be raging (we must not forget Ukraine, for instance), but the relations between the sexes may be harmonious, or the connectivity between your own inner male and female.  It would be a good opportunity for sharing and balancing roles, such as career and parenting.  And exercises of body awareness, such as qijong or pilates, may be helpful.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – sadness; negotiation; conviviality; newness
• Tuesday – looking at wounds; deep experiences
• Thursday – electric vibrations; construction; irritability; brilliant ideas
• Saturday – harmony between the sexes

Jean-Marie Le Pen (1928 – 2025)

“We knew, by fighting him, what a fighter he was”

~ Francois Bayrou 

Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of the “Front National” in France, died this week at the age of 96.  He founded the movement in 1972, long before Nigel Farage took us into Brexit and Europe was hit by a wave of (far-right) populism and nationalism.  You could say he was ahead of his time…

Birth Chart

Jean-Marie was born on 20^th June 2028.  Whatever the natal picture of his birth chart (with a time and an Ascendant) tells us, it cannot predict the nature of a soul’s choices.  Many of us would look at his preaching of hatred and xenophobia as being wrong-headed, but he had a vast following, and one that grew when his daughter Marine took over his party.  Whatever the set of aspects etc. in the birth chart, and I have known people born around that time who did not take such a path, it is up to the individual what they make of their inherent birth chart.

Two Archetypes stand out prominently straight away when looking at the chart: The Warrior, and The Patriot, responsible for much of his mindset, attitudes and policies.

The Warrior

The evidence for this Archetype: the Sun sextile Mars, the Moon square Mars (hot-headed and quick to react emotionally), Mars in Aries, and Mars square the Midheaven (a negative form of warriorship on his career path).  In his time he was accused of assault and battery, torture, and the like.  He went to war, serving with the Foreign Legion.

The Patriot

The evidence for this Archetype: Moon in Cancer (with Mercury and Pluto also in that sign), and Moon conjunct the I.C. in Cancer.  His ideology was not only based on patriotism, but he was also a monarchist.

Other features of his chart include the Sun in Gemini, Mercury square Uranus (not afraid to be controversial – in fact, he courted controversy). He had Saturn conjunct his South Node in Sagittarius, so may have brought in a lot of bitterness (and hatred?) from past lives.  He also had Uranus closely sextile North Node, a strong Inner Rebel linked in with his Karmic Mission.  His Midheaven was in Capricorn in 9^th House, giving him a leaning towards politics and ambition in that arena.

He was talented, intelligent and charismatic, though.  His qualities included Mercury sextile Chiron (problem-solving abilities), Mars loosely conjunct Jupiter (a passionate enthusiasm), and Saturn loosely trine Uranus (a strong ability to combine the old and the new).  His Ascendant in Taurus gave him steadfastness, strength of will and perseverance.  Stephen Jessel in the Guardian Obituary credits “the brutal power of his oratory” (this shown by Mercury conjunct his Pluto).  This is far from an exhaustive analysis of his chart, but enough for now.

Life and Career

Jean was born in a small town in Brittany, later hyphenating his name to Jean-Marie.  He was an only son.  He had Neptune in the 4^th House of Home and Family, and the family lived by the sea.  His father was a fisherman, and Jean-Marie left school and began working on a transatlantic vessel at the age of 13.  Though his education was disrupted, he later caught up by studying at the Faculty of Law in Paris, where he sold a monarchist newspaper on the streets.  Subsequently, he became head of the student union in Toulouse, and president of an association of law students whose main activity was street-brawling with the communists (engaging fully with the Inner Warrior Archetype!).   On gaining his law degree, he joined the Foreign Legion, engaging in French Indochina (now Vietnam), and in 1957 went to Algeria as an intelligence office, where he was accused of the torture of Algerian prisoners.

By 1962 he was creating a company in the music industry specializing in historical recordings, among which were songs of the Popular Front and Nazi marches.  And on 5^th October 1972, he founded the Front National.  With Mars exactly conjunct Pluto on that date, it was founded on violence!

[If I might be allowed a personal digression here, the National Front in England was founded on 7^th February 1967, which was a few years before the Front National, but with a similar ethos. One of its founders was Martin Webster, who owned a bookshop in St. Albans at that time.  Sixth formers at the time would buy their books there, not knowing the sinister background.  I still have history books from his bookshop, some I bought and some gifted by a friend.  Martin Webster continued to be associated with the movement, until he was ousted in 1983.]

Jean-Marie began to run in presidential elections, starting in 1974, with varying success.  His focus was on immigration, the European Union, and unemployment, very much of his later English counterpart Nigel Farage who founded UKIP much later in 1993.  However there is a story that at school in 1981, a teacher was worried about his alleged fascist views.  Nigel, like Jean-Marie, has Mars in Aries.

Le Pen made statements downplaying the Holocaust as a detail of history, and discriminatory remarks about Muslims in France (witness his controversial Mercury square Uranus).  His peak success politically came in 2002 when he got to the second round of the French presidential election (obtaining 16.86% of the votes in the first round), but was beaten by Jacques Chirac.  The date of this event “21^st April” has apparently become a well-known phrase and saying.  Transiting Uranus was exactly trine his natal Sun at the time (a surprise success and breakthrough).  From 1984 to 2019 he served as an M.E.P.

Marine Le Pen

In 2011 he handed the presidency of the Front National to his daughter Marine, but she expelled him in 2015 for making controversial statements (including reiterating that the Holocaust was a detail in history).  At the time, Neptune (scandal) was squaring his Nodal Axis (karma).  Marine tried to “clean up” the party and its views to make it more acceptable to a wider range of the public.

I wrote in 2017:

“A Sun Sign Leo, Marine has 0 Air planets, and thus relies heavily on instinct, though she does have an analytical conjunction of the Sun with Mercury in Leo.  Her chart has many strengths, and ambition is a strong feature: the Sun/Mercury in Leo is competitive, is suited to leadership, and is placed in her 10th House of career.  The Sun strengthens her Ascendant and personality with a sextile, and the Sun also sextiles her North Node exactly, so leadership is part of her karmic mission and she has a strong sense of destiny as being born to lead.”

As of three years ago, she has renamed her “detoxified” party Rassemblement National or Rally National.  Having fallen out with his daughter, he supported his granddaughter Marion Marechal-Le Pen, a niece of Marine.  Suffering from ill-health in later years, he was placed “under legal protection” by his family in April 2024, and died from heart complications on 7^th January 2025.  There were celebrations in the streets of France at the news.

John Henley of the Guardian observed this week: “Meanwhile Jean-Marie Le Pen’s core political platform has been al but normalised, adopted by mainstream centre-right parties across Europe desperate to win back voters.”

It’s clear that his impact has been immense on history, but whether for good or ill, it depends where you stand.

“I’m not saying the gas chambers didn’t exist. I haven’t seen them myself. I haven’t particularly studied the question. But I believe it’s just a detail in the history of World War II.” 

~ Jean-Marie Le Pen, 1987

Aspects

We start the week with two trines, which is good going.  Take advantage this evening of the first one, Mars trine Neptune.  Under this aspect the peaceful spiritual warrior can flourish skilfully.  You can combine your passions with your spiritual path.  Meditation with movement is favoured, e.g. yoga, tai chi and qijong.  Peaceful demonstrations also chime well with this aspect.

Tomorrow (Monday 13^th) at breakfast-time there is a trine between the Sun and Uranus.  It’s a veritable new broom of an aspect!  This is a hopeful influence.  It may bring an unexpected go ahead to forge on with innovative plans and original creativity. It is an ideal aspect for reinforcing your New Year’s Resolutions and Affirmations for the coming year, updating them, or thinking up new ones to add to your list.  You may be in a position to spring a happy surprise on someone.

There may be a hint of tension permeating the day, for late evening brings a Full Moon at 24 degrees Cancer.  This is one of the most emotional full moons of the year…time to watch that weepie movie on TV!  The Moon in Cancer opposing the Sun in Capricorn may lead you to reflect on your work-life balance, ahead of the new working year.  If interacting with elderly relatives, take a packet of tissues!

Tuesday (14^th) brings a square, but probably the most innocuous of squares, being composed of the two benefic planets – that’s Venus square Jupiter.  This is a very social and sociable aspect, but can be gauche, awkward, or inappropriate.  Social non-conformists won’t care, but conformists may lament the lack of sticking to the rules.

Be wary of the opposition between Mars and the Sun in the early hours of Thursday (16^th).  Try not to retire the night before on an argument, and be prepared for some restlessness in the sleep hours.  The day brings a contrast to the congeniality of Tuesday…It’s more about dodging conflict, unless you are a seasoned Warrior and can take the heat (if you have strong Aries or Mars in your birth chart).  Energy will be high, so it is a good time to arrange activities which channel this energy constructively during the daytime hours.

We end the week, as we started it, on a congenial note.  The Sun will be sextile Neptune on Friday (17^th). The saying goes that you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, but the Sun sextile Neptune gives you the best chance of creating beauty and inspiration in your life.  If spiritual harmony and creativity are some of the goals and aspirations you have this year, you can safely and profitably cultivate them on Friday.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – the peaceful warrior
• Tomorrow – new brooms sweep clean; emotional high tide
• Tuesday – laughter, but at whose expense?
• Thursday – the warmongerer
• Friday – spiritual harmony

2025

Welcome to the year 2025: A year of Unprecedented Change. I have never seen a year like it in terms of sign changes: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and the Nodal Axis all change, and of course Pluto has just entrenched itself in Aquarius.  The year’s changes may start slowly at first, so you have time to let go of old ways, before the sign changes fully kick in. Times quoted are for the U.K.  I have omitted the Saturn-Neptune conjunction from this schedule because it does not perfect until 2026, nevertheless its influence pervades the year in an insidious way, where you see man’s inhumanity to man across the world.

It’s more important than ever this year to create your own future and opportunities.  Even if you are someone that resists or fears change, be pro-active.  Dream and hope.  Take steps towards the changes that you want to happen, e.g. if you have been thinking about moving house.  If you feel that health deteriorates as you age, take at least baby steps towards health improvements – set yourself  goals even if you are not that way inclined naturally.  Now is not the year to drift, as that will just bring the changes which the Universe deems fit for your evolution.  That can happen anyway, but expressing your own intentions will enable you to set the flow to your advantage.  The world will change, regardless.  Some innovations may not be to your liking, e.g. Donald Trump in the White House, but you can find satisfaction on your own terms in your own life.  Overcome inertia. Seize the Year!

If you want to start working with the aspects from now, here is a guide to some of the major astrological events coming up. This calendar is packed with information, so you may want to print it out for your fridge (people do, you know!).  Your essential guide!

2025 Dates for your Diary if planning ahead:

January

Mon 6th: 10.44 a.m. – Mars enters Cancer – Deepening emotion [applies till 18 April]

Weds 29^th: 20.50 Hrs – North Node, retrograding as it does, enters Pisces.  A new era (step 1): From karmic self-interest to compassion.

Thurs 30th: 16.21 Hrs – Uranus Stationary, prior to turning Direct – Change and progress, re-igniting the more positive facets of the element of the unexpected.  Enabling progress for the New Age.

February

Tues 4^th: 9.40 a.m. – Jupiter Stationary, prior to turning Direct – The feel of progress.

Mon 24^th: 2 a.m. – Mars Stationary, prior to turning Direct – Physical and practical progress.  Energetic upgrade.

March

Sun 2^nd: 00.36 Hrs – Venus Stationary, prior to turning Retrograde – Re-examining of relationships.

Fri 14^th: 6.55 a.m. – Lunar Eclipse and Full Moon at 23 degrees Virgo – A turning point, and emotional high tide.

Sat 15^th:  6.46 a.m. – Mercury Stationary, prior to turning Retrograde – Communications more difficult.  Retrograde period ends 7 April.

Thurs 20th: 9.01 a.m. – Spring Equinox – Sun enters Aries.  The beginning of the Astrological New Year.  Day and Night of equal length.

Sat 29^th:  10.58 a.m. – Solar Eclipse at 9 degrees Aries – A turning point, and new beginning.

Sun 30^th: 12 Noon – Neptune enters Aries – A new era (step 2): divesting illusion and moving towards personal emancipation.

April

Fri 4^th: 16.21 Hrs – Saturn sextile Uranus – A major rebalancing between the old and the new.

Mon 7^th: 11.08 a.m. – Mercury goes Direct [end of Retrograde period].  Communications smoother.

Sun 13^th:  1.03 a.m. -Venus Stationary, prior to turning Direct – Relationships making progress.

Fri 18^th:   4.21 a.m. – Mars enters Leo – Expressing Fire and Creativity [applies till 17 June]

Sun 27^th: 1.05 a.m. – Pluto opposes Mars – High clashing energies.  Stay out of the fray.

May

Sun 4^th: 15.25 Hrs. – Pluto Stationary, prior to turning Retrograde – A level of setback, necessitating psychological understanding and awareness of reality.

Sun 25^th: 3.35 a.m. – Saturn enters Aries – A new era (step 3): A huge dose of Reality.

June

Mon 9^th: 21.02 Hrs – Jupiter enters Cancer – A new era (step 4): Turning us towards family life, or a sense of belonging in Soul groups.

Sun 15^th: 14.36 Hrs – Saturn squares Jupiter – An Impasse.  Not reliable for making decisions.

Tues 17^th: 8.35 a.m. – Mars enters Virgo – A more purposeful,  nose-to-the-grindstone shoulder to the wheel application of energy. [applies until 6 Aug]

Thurs 19^th: 3.16 a.m. – Neptune squares Jupiter – A major aspect of confusion, between spirituality and religion. The effects of A.I. likely to be prominent in questioning our reality, too.

Sat 21^st: 2.42 a.m. – Summer Solstice – Sun enters Cancer. The peak of the Light.

 July

Fri 4^th:  21.35 Hrs. – Neptune Stationary, prior to turning Retrograde – Some retrospection on the Spiritual path.  Retrograde period ends 11th December.

Mon 7^th: 7.45 a.m. – Uranus enters Gemini – A new era (step 5): Innovation in thought.  Initially perplexing.

Sun 13th: 13.08 Hrs – Saturn is Stationary, prior to turning Retrograde  – The need to secure foundations, and go over previous ground.  Retrograde period ends 28th November.

Fri 18^th:  4.45 a.m. – Mercury Stationary, prior to turning Retrograde  – Communications rendered more difficult.  Retrograde period ends 11^th August.

August

Weds 6^th: 23.23 Hrs. – Mars enters Libra – A need for balance, especially between opposing factions.

Mon 11th: 7.29 a.m. – Mercury Stationary, prior to turning Direct.  Communications smoother.

Tues 12^th:  3.32 a.m. – Saturn sextile Uranus – As Fri 4 Apr: A major rebalancing between the old and the new, contd.

plus

5.30 a.m. – Venus conjunct Jupiter – A celebratory day: one of the best aspects of the year.

Fri 29^th: 00.09 a.m. – Uranus sextile Neptune – A major reorganization in order to incorporate more complexity and a deeper understanding.

September

(A busy month)

Mon 1^st:  8.07 a.m.- Saturn retrogrades back into Pisces temporarily – There is unfinished work in addressing and letting go of past hurts.

Sat 6^th: 4.52 a.m. – Uranus Stationary, prior to turning Retrograde – Rebellion, and bids for freedom.  Retrograde period ends 30th February 2026.

Sun 7^th: 18.09 Hrs. – Lunar Eclipse and Full Moon at 15 degrees Pisces – A turning point, and emotional high tide.

Sun 21^st: 19.54 Hrs. – Solar Eclipse at 29 degrees Virgo – A turning point, and new beginning.

Mon 22^nd: 7.54 a.m. – Mars enters Scorpio – Battle mode; battle lines drawn; prepare to defend the underdog, or provide strength and support.

Plus

18.19 Hrs. – Autumn Equinox – The Sun enters Libra – A time of balance.  Day and Night of equal length.

Weds 24^th: – 11.52 a.m.  – Pluto squares Mars – High clashing energies.  Stay out of the fray.

October

14^th: 2.54 a.m. – Pluto Stationary, prior to turning Direct – Psychological journey more straightforward.  Comparable to the ascent from the Underworld.

Weds 22^nd: 9.48 a.m. – Neptune retrogrades back into Pisces temporarily – There is unfinished work in addressing and letting go of past sensitivities and honing compassion.

November

(A busy month)

Tues 4^th:  13.01 Hrs. – Mars enters Sagittarius  – A bright, adventurous note.  Stays in Sagittarius until 15 December.

Sat 8^th: 2.22 a.m. – Uranus retrogrades back into Taurus temporarily – There is unfinished work in practical innovations started in the last seven years, before new ideas can start to be put into practice in earnest.

Sun 9^th: 19.01 Hrs – Mercury Stationary, prior to turning Retrograde – Communications more difficult.  Retrograde period ends 30 November.

Tues 11^th: 16.42 Hrs. – Jupiter Stationary, prior to turning Retrograde – More examination of detail needed, for hopes and dreams to be realizable.

Thurs 20^th: 14.39 Hrs. – Uranus sextile Neptune  – A major reorganization in order to incorporate more complexity and a deeper understanding.  As 29 August, contd.

Weds 26^th: 16.31 Hrs. – Venus trine Jupiter – A celebratory day: one of the best aspects of the year.

Fri 28^th: 3.51 a.m. – Saturn is Stationary, prior to turning Direct – Less struggle.

Sat 29^th: 17.39 Hrs. – Mercury Stationary, prior to turning Direct – Communications smoother.

December

Weds 10^th: 12.24 Hrs. – Neptune Stationary, prior to turning Direct. Spiritual path clearing.

Mon 15^th: 7.34 a.m. – Mars enters Capricorn – A time for responsible action.  Slow and steady wins the race. [applies till 23^rd January 2026]

Sun 21^st: 15.03 Hrs. – Winter Solstice. The Sun enters Capricorn.  The beginning of the Return of the Light.

Prominent Figures

Here I am taking a brief look at the charts of a few of those prominent figures who are affecting lives across the globe.

Donald Trump

With Jupiter on his natal North Node at election time last year, he was probably a sure fire winner.  He currently has Pluto starting its journey through his 6^th House of Health, so has some deep seated issues, and Saturn will be entering his 8^th House during the course of the year, so he may be aware of his mortality (which was highlighted in last year’s assassination attempt).  But he has some sort of triumph to look forward to around 18/19^th July when Jupiter transits his natal Mercury in Cancer in his 11^th House of Allies.

Keir Starmer

Keir’s chart is difficult to read at this moment of time, without a birth time.  He does have some uplift, perhaps an achievement, when Jupiter transits his natal Mars in Cancer around 10^th July.  Supplementing this information by looking at one of the U.K. charts (I use the 1922 chart) there are two glimmers of progress from Jupiter for this country: 18^th July (when Jupiter trines the natal Jupiter in 5^th House).  This would brighten our profile, and may tie in with a deal with the U.S. (see Donald Trump).  Also 26/7 July (when Jupiter reaches the U.K. Pluto in its natal 2^nd House of Finance), which may see the economy see a surge in growth.

Vladimir Putin

Vladimir’s chart has been under contention over the years, but I still use the one we started with before others were put forward (maybe to throw us off the scent!).  Currently he may be rattled, with a quincunx from Uranus to his natal Mercury which has lasted from 20^th December and goes on till 12^th March.  It was during this period that the fall of Assad in Syria took place, and though he has claimed otherwise, it was a crisis for him.  There is a sense of him treading water, but 3^rd/4^th September seems the best time for him this year.  Maybe he will make a settlement to end the invasion of Ukraine at that time.

Benjamin Netanyahu

Like Putin, Netanyahu has had a long term quincunx operating.  In his case it is Neptune quincunx his natal Sun in Libra since 10^th October, and going on to the beginning of February.  Cosmic Joke: Funny how these two warmongers are both born under Libra!  Anyway, perhaps this transit has confused him as to spiritual morality, and Neptune can operate from fear and paranoia.  He does not want to lose his crown – it’s all he’s got.  A bright spot for him this year is around 1^st July when Jupiter reaches his natal Uranus in Cancer in his 7^th House of Close Relationships.  Donald Trump may give him some hope.  Looking at the chart of Israel, Pluto is at the Nadir (the 4^th House cusp and then the I.C.) over this period and that is an all time low.  Pluto transits its I.C. on 22^nd/23^rd February, and then again on 19/20^th July, which is an intensification of this energy, though the exact time of this chart is in question.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Volodymyr has the most interesting and possibly dynamic transits over this year, despite the fact that in the current state of play with the invasion of Ukraine things look as bleak as ever.  I don’t know where he gets his spirit from, but he is an Aquarian, and that Aquarian energy may count for some of his fighting spirit.  He has got a lot going on astrologically these next two years.  Pluto opposing his natal Mars (situated at 0 degrees Leo) has seen a brutal year.  Neptune has been squaring his natal Jupiter since 10^th October, and going on to the beginning of February (yes the same period as Netanyahu’s Neptune transit), and there may have been times he questioned his own faith.  Pluto is moving on now and squaring his natal Chiron, exact today.  He will be feeling the bruising of this last year, but has been talking about a possible settlement with Putin, and with Jupiter now in his 1^st House, he may experience some help this year.  27/28^th May seems the likeliest time for him to receive this, with a Jupiter Return taking place.

Nigel Farage

He who executed Brexit and now threatens the Conservative Party and hobnobs with Donald Trump and Elon Musk needs to be included in this brief survey.  Nigel’s signature is Pluto on the Ascendant (he deals in high stakes, and lives on the edge in some ways: witness his near death experience on Election day on 6^th May 2010.  He has had a few rebirths since.  His star does seem to be on the rise at the moment, and he has stated he would like to be Prime Minister come the next election.  On 26^th June Uranus transits his natal Venus in 9^th House, so he will be a subject of intrigue, here and abroad (presumably America) at that time.  He’ll also be high flying around 7^th/8^th July when Jupiter  transits his natal North Node in his 10^th House of Career – July seems an important month for a few of these prominent characters.  Maybe there will be some sort of Summit held.   That ties in with the above statement under the year ahead guidelines: “Mon 7^th: 7.45 a.m. – Uranus enters Gemini – A new era (step 5): Innovation in thought.  Initially perplexing.” – some sort of international meeting of minds.  The next couple of days 8^th/9^th extends his high point, and consolidates a favourable time for him with Jupiter sextile his natal Uranus in 12^th House, which partly represents his power to Surprise.

That concludes my guide and prognostications for 2025, and I really do wish you All a very Happy, Peaceful and Healthy New Year!

Aspects

Today Mars trines the North Node.  We might be galvanized to action, especially from a karmic standpoint.  You may feel there is something you must do, or right a wrong, put something straight.  Dogs, cars and men are ruled by Mars, and these may be involved in the karmic interaction or be triggers, hopefully in a constructive way.

Tomorrow, Monday 6^th, Mars Retrogrades back into the sign of Cancer in the morning.  That’s “Deepening emotion [applies till 18 April]”.  It was in Cancer broadly in September and October, so there may have been something in your Autumn schedule which got shelved or waylaid (by Christmas preparations, perhaps?) which you need to finally nail before April.  As Cancer rules the Home and Family, it may be in that area of life that you need to attend to detail, but if you know what House Cancer occupies in your chart, that will redefine with more accuracy what you need to attend to.

At lunchtime on the same day, Neptune squares Mercury.  This can bring difficult weather patterns.  Some undefinable snag may be nagging at you.  If so, allow your subconscious to bring it up in its own time, but don’t shut up shop until you have identified the rum note.  Then you can deal with it, move on and let it go.  There could be some scandals in the news, too.  Don’t forget to operate from the optimum mindset of Neptune (compassion) rather than its underside of fear and paranoia.

Skipping to Wednesday (8^th) we find Mercury entering the sign of Capricorn.  The mental mode of Capricorn is practicality, and systematic and methodical thinking. Mercury in Capricorn favours planning (so helps with planning events for next year. Official documentation may need to be worked on, forms to fill, authorities to interview, etc.

That’s all for this week – no Fixed Stars showed up for the second half of the week, but hopefully you will have enough to digest!

Here’s to a better New Year!

The week in bullet points:

• Today – action stations!
• Monday – deepening emotion; confused minds
• Wednesday – practical minds

 

Review of the Year 2024

It’s that time again…Time for the Review of the Year!   It has been a turbulent year around the world, with some startling changes of governments, but I hope that you had some personal highlights.  Selections from the blogs, as usual, for those of you who like to review the year…As you read, sometimes the irony of hindsight strikes you!

January

14^th:

Mr Bates vs The Post Office

“When you watch a drama, you’re looking at the screen, and thinking…’Oh, poor me!  Poor me!  That could be me!”

~ Gwyneth Hughes, Scriptwriter

The programme aired at 9 pm on New Year’s Day, and ran for four consecutive days.  I cannot recall a time when a docu-drama has been so influential, and so immediately. It seemed to galvanize the whole population in outrage.  And yet, as we know, the story is decades-long.   I have a friend who left the Post Office twenty years ago, and he said it was common knowledge then, that the computer system Horizon, which caused the scandal of wrongly accused postmasters and postmistresses, was flawed.  The institution has been brought into disrepute (Pluto leaving Capricorn some Astrologers suggest, symbolic of crumbling institutions), and just yesterday a further scandal was brought to light about the Post Office underpaying taxes and overpaying bonuses.

February

18th:

Alexei Navalny (1976 – 2024)

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing”

~ Alexei Navalny

We learned on Friday of the death at the age of 47 of that bravest of men, Alexei Navalny, who dared to stand up to Vladimir Putin, in the hope of keeping democracy alive and possibly being a contender for his replacement.  He identified fear as being the stumbling block, and urged people to never give up.

On Friday evening’s Newsnight (a programme they should not be axing) an array of experts appeared, speculating on what had happened.  They ranged from a Russian arguing that the Ukrainians killed him, to another expert positing that he died of natural causes.  The widow of Alexander Litvinenko was there, who had lost her husband to poisoning.  One stated it was definitely murder.  It was pointed out that his prison, within the Arctic circle, was extremely cold.  Georgian-Russian writer Boris Akunin told us that Navalny’s relationship with his wife was a story of true love, and described Navalny as the Nelson Mandela of Russia.  Speculation yesterday included the theory that Alexei appearing the day before in jail joking, was a taunt to Putin, and may have evoked an order to kill.  There was also the timing with the Munich security conference, at which Yulia spoke with great dignity after the rumour of his death.

March

17th:

Diane Abbott

“It’s like trying not to be racist but you see Diane Abbott on the TV and you’re just like, I hate, you just want to hate all black women because she’s there”

~ Frank Hester

A shocking statement reported this week from Frank Hester a few years ago had a wave of sympathy sent Diane Abbott’s way, and political reverberations which are still ongoing.  Diane was already the MP receiving the most abuse, but this was a dangerous attack.  I have always had a certain amount of sympathy for her, based on the loyalty of her constituents, but she has received criticism of some of her statements in the past (even this morning from Theo Paphitis on Laura Kuenssberg’s programme).  And her loyalty to Jeremy Corbyn has also marginalized her politically since the purge of anti-semitism under Keir Starmer.  One of her statements was deemed to be anti-semitic and caused her to lose the whip last year, and she is still under investigation for it.

[Personal note: I am just reading her new autobiography, “A Woman Like Me” – Lana]

April

21st:

Salman Rushdie

Less than two years ago, Salman Rushdie was stabbed 12 times on stage in New York by an attacker who thought him “disingenuous”.  It would not have been a surprising event decades ago when he was prominently facing a fatwa called for by the Ayatollah Ruhollah for writing “The Satanic Verses”, but felt out of the blue so many years later and his injuries were horrific.  Surgeons were not sure he would survive, but gradually he has recovered enough to write “Knife”, an account of his survival and recovery, published this week, and gave his first major interview, to his old friend Alan Yentob.

May

19th:

Paula Vennells

“What is it about this seemingly mild-mannered, devout woman that caused her to preside over a reign of total corporate psychopathy?”

~ Marina Hyde

Paula Vennells, former CEO of the Post Office, appears this week in front of the government’s statutory Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, over the course of three days.  I first wrote on this subject in January, after watching the incredible TV series “Mr Bates vs. the Post Office”.  Alan Bates himself has recently rejected the latest offer of government compensation, labelling it “derisory”.

June

16th:

Wes Streeting

“One Boy, Two Bills and a Fry Up” – Hodder & Stoughton 2023

This is a blog about the Shadow Health Secretary, who in a few weeks’ time may become the actual Health Secretary.  I was given his autobiography for Christmas, and recently got round to reading it.  It impressed me in various ways, so this is also a book review.

Wes was born and brought up in Stepney, to two teenagers, who separated early in his life.  Decoding the title of his autobiography “One Boy, Two Bills and a Fry Up” the two Bils were his grandfathers (as different as chalk and cheese).  It should be said that the female members of the family were strong characters, although they are omitted from the title.  The Fry Up describes a story which meant the difference between being born, or not.  I don’t want this blog/book review to be too much of a spoiler, in case you should choose to read the book!

On reviewing the book, Rachel Cooke of the Guardian commented that it was: “both a little bit boring and unexpectedly fascinating…But on the other hand, it’s also transfixing, albeit in a way I struggle fully to explain.”  I know exactly what she means.

July

28th:

Kamala Harris

“There are some people who think we should be a country of chaos, of fear, of hate…We choose freedom”

~ Kamala Harris

Last Sunday, Joe Biden finally resigned from the candidacy for the Democrat leadership, but vowed to stay on as President until after the election.  In regard to the Full Moon at 29 degrees Capricorn last Sunday, Capricorn represents politics and the 29th degree of a sign represents outgoings, so that was fitting. In doing so, he endorsed Kamala Harris as his nomination to succeed him.  It was felt that she may not receive enough support among the Democrats, but it soon became clear that support was wholehearted.  Barack Obama stated a preference for an open contest, but Kamala is now confidently taking her place as the official opposition to the threat of a second term for Donald Trump.  He, predictably, has hurled insults at her, but she is starting strongly as she means to go on.

August

25th:

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck: “Bennifer”

Jennifer Lopez announced this week that she was divorcing Ben Affleck, after a second chance at romance failed for the couple.  They have been married only two years.  I look for clues about what went wrong twice (after going right twice).

Birth Chart for Jennifer

Three Archetypes stand out in J-Lo’s chart: The Performer and Actor (from Sun in Leo)

The Warrior Archetype (from Sun trine Mars), and

The Entrepreneur Archetype (from the Sun exactly sextile Jupiter/Uranus) – she is a businesswoman

She has a lucky Grand Fire Trine composed of Sun/Mercury, Mars, and Chiron, though she should be so lucky in love…

She has Mercury exactly trine Mars – very quick reflexes!  She was sporty and athletic at school.

Venus in Gemini may have a bearing on marrying the same person twice – I haven’t done any research stats on that phenomenon; though she didn’t actually marry Ben Affleck the first time round.  Venus squaring Pluto can mean explosive relationships.

September

1st:

Sven-Goran Eriksson (1948 – 2024)

“I was looked upon as a distinctly average defender, but someone who rarely made mistakes”

~ Sven-Goran Eriksson

Football Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson died last Monday, aged 76.  He made his mark as the first foreign manager of England’s team, and under his regime they came tantalizingly close to victory.  He is a well-respected figure, however, in football history.

Birth Chart

Sven had an unusually high number of exact aspects in his birthchart, which will have given him the quality of precision.  His Sun was in Aquarius, a sign with the capability of leading in groups, supported by a trine with his Midheaven (Careerpoint).  There is a marked contradiction in his make-up: a coolness and caution, coming from Sun in Aquarius opposite Saturn, plus Saturn exactly square the Nodal Axis; and an enthusiasm coming from Ascendant and Moon conjunct Jupiter in Sagittarius (he was praised for being “positive”.  The Moon closely square Venus may point to contention between females in his life.  Mercury exactly opposite Mars introduces the Critic Archetype into his make-up.  Venus exactly square Jupiter and Uranus point to a controversial love life, and Jupiter exactly opposite Uranus brings up the Chancer Archetype (which contradicts the cautious side). Jupiter trine Saturn will have contributed to balanced judgement.  Neptune exactly conjunct the Midheaven, showed some hint of scandal.  And Chiron at the South Node in Scorpio may indicate a Viking past life!

October

20th:

Liam Payne (1993 – 2024)

“You know I’ve been takin’ some time

and I’ve been keepin’ to myself

I had my eyes up on the prize

ain’t watching anybody else…

You know I used to be in 1D (Now I’m out, free)

People want me for one thing (that’s not me)”

~ Liam Payne, from “Strip That Down”*

Pop singer Liam Payne tragically died this week, at the tender age of 31,  falling off a balcony in Buenos Aires, mourned by legions of fans around the world.  He was formerly from the successful band One Direction, which had been put together by Simon Cowell from hopefuls on X-Factor.  He was linked with Cheryl Tweedy/Cole/Fernandez-Versini, and they had a son together, named Bear.

Birth Chart

Liam had some significant conjunctions in his birthchart, two of them exact.  Firstly, the Sun in Virgo exactly conjunct Mercury.  A perfectionist with an eye for detail, perhaps he may have had a tendency to overthink things.  Secondly, the Uranus/Neptune conjunction of his birth year 1993 was exact too, a very complex potion of astrological energies.  Next, Mars conjunct Jupiter, a mix of energy and enthusiasm.  And the last was a loose conjunction, but nonetheless potent, of Pluto (the ruler of Scorpio) rising on a Scorpio Ascendant (that’s a potent and intense concentration of Scorpionic energy).

November

24th:

John Prescott (1938 – 2024)

“I relied on him many times: when in difficulty, under attack; and less well known when I needed someone whose gut instinct I trusted better than my own.”

~ Tony Blair

Deputy Prime Minister of the Blair years, John Prescott, died aged 86 this week, a year after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  A left-wing traditional Labourite, he helped to balance the New Labour government, and was thought of as a “bridge” between the old and the new, and between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Birth Chart

John Prescott had the Sun, Mars and Chiron in Gemini, and was a communicator, though notoriously clumsy in speech (Chiron in Gemini, with his ruler Mercury conjunct Uranus).  It was said that his thoughts were too quick for his expression in speech, the way his words tumbled forth.  He was also dyslexic, at a time when that was not a household word.  His Sun was unaspected (a one-off individual), save for a loose square with Jupiter, which exaggerated certain traits, and made for a larger-than-life character.

December

1st:

Barbara Taylor Bradford (1933 – 2024)

“I understood what writing fiction was: it’s who you are, what your protagonist is. If it’s a wimpy sort of person they’re not going to get anywhere. But if it’s a driven, ambitious, go-ahead woman who’s not going to be deterred by anybody then, obviously, she’s going to be a combination of all those strong women I admire, such as Marie Curie, Catherine the Great and Elizabeth Tudor.”

~ Barbara Taylor Bradford

The hugely successful novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford died this week, aged 91.  She is most well-known for her debut novel “A Woman of Substance”, a very apt title for a lady with the Sun in Taurus, the zodiac sign of “Substance”!  She published 40 books in her lifetime, sold 90 million copies, and amassed a fortune of between £166–174 million – although Taurus is considered the zodiac sign of wealth, it does not have a monopoly on it(!).

Birth Chart

Barbara Taylor Bradford’s chart is high in the Earth element and materiality, having not only Mercury, the Sun, Venus and Chiron in Taurus but a triple conjunction of Mars/Neptune/Jupiter in another Earth sign, Virgo. That is a solid showing!  Taurus is a Fixed sign, meaning that it is strong willed, and the Fixed planets also show up strongly in her chart.  It is no wonder that her heroines are women of great strength.

Aspects

The closing aspects of the year are really quite kind, so will hopefully enable you to end the year on an upbeat note.  On Sunday 29^th, Chiron is Stationary prior to turning Direct, so it is an opportunity to get to grips with a health issue.  It’s a helpful step on your healing pathway, a boost to your healing energies, and will assist you in finding new healing avenues.

There’s a New Moon in Capricorn on Monday 30^th at 9 degrees Capricorn.  If you are operating on the optimum Capricorn energy, you could have good results today, especially if you are starting a new project connected with organization, politics, and relations with authority and the institutions of society.

The last day of the year (Tuesday 31^st) brings two helpful aspects, starting with Pluto sextile the North Node.  This can align one’s deepest psychology to your overall karmic trajectory, or more accurately to the general karma of your tribe, society, country, or world order.  There may be weighty pronouncements by heads of state, for instance.  There is a strong sense of responsibility, and especially the responsibility engendered by karma.

The second helpful aspect is Mercury trine Chiron, a problem-solving aspect with real healing potential.  This aspect is all about finding solutions, especially in health matters.  Mercury trine Chiron describes healing on a mental level (positive thinking, writing and affirmations), and helps to combine conventional and alternative or complementary healing approaches.  A good day to prepare your New Year’s resolutions.

Venus enters Pisces in the first aspect of the New Year, on Friday (3^rd January), in the early hours of the morning, bringing in a higher frequency of compassion.  You may have been looking at things in a mental or practical way, and may be able to relax a little and allow the heart greater expression.  The trend towards tenderness lasts until her entry into Aries on 4th February.  Charities can be honoured and prioritized, and the Arts can be especially inspired during this period.  Enjoy a peaceful sleep…

…because at breakfast time, Pluto opposes Mars, one of the shocker aspects in the year!  There are no shortage of horror stories on the news all the year round these days, but there may be more than usual during this day.  A Pluto-Mars opposition can bring conflict, tempers, and incident-proneness.   Keep a low profile today if you wish to avoid conflict, and  the watchword is tact.

A more benignant aspect awaits us at the end of the week, in the shape of Sun sextile Saturn on Saturday (4^th).  This aspect can take creative expression and ground it into reality.  Practical initiatives are supported by this aspect.  It is a good aspect for setting up solid foundations, for instance.  It’s a good aspect for finalizing details smoothly for your new year plans and intentions.

Next Week: Astrological Features of 2025 for your Diary – Read all about the exciting New Year!

The week in bullet points:

• Sunday – healing pathways
• Monday – new beginnings
• Tuesday – deep insight; problem-solving
• Friday – compassion; fireworks
• Saturday – grounding creativity