Mary Berry

As you stir your Christmas pudding mix in preparation for the big day, you may be asking questions, such as:

Why did Mary Berry pop out of a cake last Sunday during Strictly Come Dancing?

Why is Lana blogging about her today?

A: I just thought I would write a lighter topic this week.  Also, Paul Hollywood’s birth date is not available.  Mary is popping up all over the place, having written her autobiography (Recipe for Life), and been featured yesterday in the Guardian questionnaire.

What is her enduring appeal?  She has the resilience and energy of Sun in Aries, and its directness and simplicity, a real English rose (she was brought up in the quintessentially English city of Bath).  Aries is not traditionally associated with baking, but we do not have her birth time and Ascendant, which could sway her towards baking (a Taurus or Cancerian Ascendant would suit the profession).

She has amiability (in her Moon/Jupiter conjunction) and diplomacy (Mars in Libra – see Saturday’s aspects).

The Sun in her chart sextiles Chiron, so she is a healing antidote to her more intense screen partner Paul Hollywood.  Chiron does exert pressure on her Mercury/Saturn however, so she would have experienced mental strain in her life.    Mercury conjunct Saturn can be associated with struggles at school.  Her questionnaire reveals:

To whom would you say sorry and why?

A:  A headmistress I really didn’t like.  I didn’t work at school, but if I went back, I’d be just the same.

What has been your biggest disappointment?

My exam results at school, but it was all my own fault.

Her baking talent, and the force of her personality, are likely to be due to a conjunction  of Venus at the beginning of Taurus (baking) and Uranus at the end of Aries (an out of the ordinary talent, plus social skills combined with Venus).  She has also been praised for her sartorial (Venusian) elegance.

When the Great British Bake Off was launched on 17 August 2010, Mary was ripe for the opportunity, with Jupiter exactly transiting her Sun.  Her partnership with Paul Hollywood has been described by The Guardian as the best ever TV judging partnership.  A nice lady…

Aspects

Today Chiron squares the Sun, and the day may start with a healing crisis to be solved.  You may be oversensitive to something or someone, and may need to turn the volume down on that issue in order to look at it calmly.

Tomorrow the Sun semi-sextiles Pluto, a minor aspect, but one which a proportion of people could be sensitive to.  This aspect could help us focus on the deep emotional causes of problems. You may found out, for instance, that it is not you who is eating the cream cake, it is your undernourished Inner Child craving comfort.

You can make a new start on Tuesday (3^rd), perhaps re-direct that Inner Child and instil a countercraving of satsumas by Christmas by which time the Inner Child will be happy for the stocking to be filled with satsumas, walnuts and figs.

The day is quietly upbeat: First a New Moon in Sagittarius.  Hope can spring eternal.  If you can hitch your own personal aims (e.g. decluttering) to a global issue (e.g. ethical recycling) the healing solutions will penetrate the different layers of your own psyche and satisfy Gaia.  The subheading of the Cygnus Review magazine says it all:

“heal your body, feed your soul, free your mind, love your planet”

It’s a New Moon of big goals, promising much, and delivering some.

In the afternoon Mercury sextile Mars assists you in efforts to get things done, be it decluttering, or vigorous exercise and fitness regimes, or vigorous broadcasting.  Travel will also be zippy.

On Thursday (5^th) Mercury enters Sagittarius early in the morning, and the prevailing mindset moves from an investigative and intense application, to a more buoyant, optimistic and anticipatory open-mindedness.  Maybe you are looking forward to Christmas, the New Year, an imminent birth, but whatever it is, you’ll find it easier to look forward.

Friday (6^th) evening brings a square between Mercury and Neptune, and that future vision may have lost some of its shine, looking foggier.  You need to fine tune your senses, and separate illusion from reality on the mental plane.  On the way, you may be mesmerized by some of society’s conditioning or media persuasion.  “Not Moi”, you may confidently reply, as you rush out to John Lewis in search of a wonderland populated by sweet bunny rabbits…Travel may be complicated today, or communications confused.  Double check with the other party the bottom line, especially if a statement can be taken two ways.

On Saturday (7^th) Mars enters Libra in the evening, and you’ll be treading a fine line between self-assertion and diplomacy.  The Peaceful Warrior is the perfect Archetype for Saturday, and indeed Mars is making a longstay in Libra until late July 2014, which may bode well for the Iranian nuclear deal.  This placement takes us through the season of peace and good will.  You will be willing to stand up for your rights, but will also want a win win solution all round.  Christmas shopping will be enhanced as you sincerely search for the right present on behalf of the right person.

Competition

Finally, I am re-thinking the Inner Child’s Christmas stocking: satsumas, walnuts and figs seem a bit of sugar and fat overload…Any offers for the best present for that Inner Child will be entered into a competition, which closes 24 December.  The winner will receive a Year Ahead for yourself or someone of your choice.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – attempts to heal
• Tomorrow – getting to the root of the issue
• Tuesday – new beginning for you and the planet, then a spurt of energy
• Thursday – mentally upbeat
• Friday – losing the plot a little
• Saturday – the re-awakening of the Peaceful Warrior

My Father

On Friday 22^nd November we said a fond farewell to my father, who was 90 years old last January.  He had died when the Uranus-Pluto square at 9 degrees of Aries-Capricorn was exactly transiting his natal Sun-Pluto opposition in Capricorn-Cancer.  He was the gentlest of Capricornians, and his Humanist send-off went beautifully.

John F. Kennedy

It was an interesting confluence this week to be celebrating 50 years of Dr. Who (23/11/63) at the same time as the 50 year anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, a popular TV time and space show arising timewise from the ashes of one of the most devastating moments in U.S. History.

The most asked question after “Who shot JFK?” has always been “Where were you when you heard of his assassination?”  I remember seeing the shocking event on television as a13-year old.  At our family gathering on Friday, I was reminded of a story. about my uncle, my father’s brother.  He was once asked by a New York cabbie “Where were you when you heard that John F. Kennedy was shot?”  He quickly retorted “Why?   Am I a suspect?”

At the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Pluto (the assassination) was trine by transit to his North Node (karma), suggesting an unavoidable end.  Saturn (loss) was also trine his Venus (love), separating him from the family he loved and the nation who loved him.

The Chart of 22 November 1963

The shock of the event of 22^nd November 1963 is shown in an exact T-square between Mercury (an event of worldwide media coverage), Uranus (shock) and Chiron (crisis and wounding).  In addition, Saturn (a sad event) was conjunct the Ascendant in Aquarius.  Venus was also conjunct Mars, depicting poignancy over a charismatic figure.  The Moon was positioned in early Aquarius, again emphasizing the element of the unexpected.

Dr Who

The birth of a new sci-fi programme, Dr Who, the next day has its Moon positioned in late Aquarius, and in this case we are seeing the excitement of a futuristic venture.  The conjunction of Venus and Mars brings intrigue and stimulation into the mix.  Saturn is not at the Ascendant, but at the Midheaven, possibly showing solid foundations for what was to be an enduring institution about a Time (Saturn) Lord.  The Mercury-Uranus-Chiron T-square finds a different role.  The shock factor is still there, in Mercury square Uranus.  Perhaps Chiron is fulfilled in a more healing role, that of satisfying a need in the human psyche to be terrified of daleks. Toy daleks were de rigueur in the 1960s household, and maybe Chiron opposite Uranus is their astrological calling card.

Aspects

The Sun squares Neptune today and you could be forgiven for feeling a little lost on your path.  You may be at a crossroads, or be letting go of a 3-month phase of your life, and may not be sure of your next step or orientation.

On Tuesday (26^th)  Mercury conjuncts Saturn and in contrast your mind will be focused, certainly on what you need to do now – you’ll have a plan.  There may be practical affairs to attend to, as distinct from the lackadaisical air on Sunday.  So it’s soft focus on Sunday and hard focus on Tuesday.

Moving on to Thursday (28^th) overall it’s a good day, starting early.  Though Venus opposes Jupiter (the most harmless of oppositions), Mercury also sextiles Venus and trines Jupiter, so this can be seen as a sparkling line-up.

Mercury first of all sextiles Venus, so begin the day with creative writing (or just writing as in Julia Cameron’s morning pages and her book “The right to write”).  Diplomacy (persuading the cat to wait until you have eaten breakfast) and Café culture also work as a template for the day:

“In the dime stores and bus stations
People talk over situations
Read books, and repeat quotations
Draw conclusions on the wall”

~ Bob Dylan

Secondly, Mercury trines Jupiter, and sales, travel and study are favoured: wheeler-dealing combined  with charm will work today.

Finally, at Noon Venus will oppose Jupiter.  Someone may have seen through the surface charm, or you may have laid it on too thickly, but the two parties should be able to smile about it, and share a chuckle.

Saturday (30^th) brings a trine between the Sun and Uranus.  More sparkle today, though of a different hue.  Do something out of the ordinary that day – it should be successful!  Telepathy, group work, Astrology, electrical engineering and time travelling are all supported by this trine.   With Sun and Uranus in Fire signs, a spot of firewalking would be good to try.  I signed up for a session 20 years ago, but my daughter wouldn’t let me, so I can’t actually speak from experience.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – soft focus
• Tuesday – hard focus
• Thursday – social sparkle
• Saturday – electric

Over the last week images of the devastation in Tacloban in the Philippines have dominated our screens.

Typhoon Haiyan

Some of the astrological signatures of this typhoon were Moon conjunct Pluto in Capricorn squaring Uranus (coming quite close to the exact square between Uranus and Pluto), and Sun conjunct Saturn.  Also of significance may be North Node conjunct Mercury (weather karma).

Chart of the Philippines

The Chart of the Philippines shows a conjunction of Mercury and Pluto, which may signify that they are prone to difficult weather conditions.  There is also an exact conjunction between North Node and Uranus, a predisposition to change, but this aspect may point to a special karmic mission.

The timing of the typhoon shows the North Node (again a karmic flavour) squaring the Mercury (weather) of the Philippines chart.  In addition, Neptune opposes the Philippines Ascendant, flattening and paralysing the country.  For whatever reason, the government did not seem to be responding initially.

Marjorie Orr

Astrologer Marjorie Orr finds a link with the event and the recent eclipses.  She helpful provides the birth date for Tacloban, which enables us to home in on this event more precisely.

Tacloban

The chart of Tacloban has a victimlike T-square between Sun/Venus, Saturn and Chiron, which can be activated from time to time.  Sure enough, we find at the time of the typhoon, Uranus squares the natal Sun/Venus, opposes the natal Saturn and squares the natal Chiron, forming a Grand Cross.

President of the Phillipines

Benigno Aquino, who comes from a long line of Aquinos, may well have gone into shock  initially, with his Neptune at 9 degrees Scorpio  linking into the Uranus-Pluto square.  The full impact on him personally may be delayed until February 2014, when Pluto reaches his Venus (feelings) by transit.

Climate Change

The aid effort has raised huge sums from the public and contribution from the  government in Britain, and it will of course take years for the area to recover.  Supplies are only just now getting through, over a week after the typhoon.  One of the questions raised is how much the phenomenon is due to climate change, and how responsible we are as a species if so.  I don’t think the general thrust of responsibility for the welfare of the planet is helped by climate change deniers such as Nigel Lawson, who waded into the argument again on Question Time this week, as Jupiter was plumping up his natal Pluto (power).  In his chart he has a loose conjunction between Mercury and the North Node, giving him a vested interest in the karma of weather.

Aspects

Today may feel a little intense, especially for Taureans, with a Full Moon in their sign at 25 degrees.  Though Taurus is a practical sign, there’s no ignoring the emotional issues surrounding you now.  You may somehow be co-ordinating  the emotions of a group.

Tomorrow Mercury conjuncts the North Node and karmic information may come your way.  If you are not into karma, then just information to be interpreted in your own way.  Weather karma may be involved, as this conjunction was around during the typhoon in the Philippines.

Tuesday (19^th) is a helpful day: First Chiron turns direct, enabling healing pathways and connections to open up, or re-open.  The Mars sextiles Jupiter, so if you have spare energy there’s a huge opportunity to express it, such as sporting choices, training for the Olympics, or just as a cheering, ululating and whooping spectator.

On Wednesday (20^th) Mercury trines Chiron which favours the combination of conventional and alternative healing.  Words may soothe and heal, and healing initiatives can take hold.

Thursday (21^st) brings a sextile between Mercury and Pluto.  Healing motions and breakthroughs which have been set up this week can go deeper and address core issues.

Friday (22^nd) is a stabilizing day, with the Sun entering Sagittarius providing a little buoyancy, and Venus sextile Saturn providing a quiet dignified tone in relationships.  This favours commitment and loyalty.  If you are co-ordinating a group of people, it is a good day for herding cattle both literally and figuratively.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – emotion peaking
• Tomorrow – karmic information or weather
• Tuesday – helping aspects
• Wednesday – healing
• Thursday – more help and healing
• Friday – stabilizing

From my Postbag:

“For the next blog can I request a focus on Russell Brand who in my opinion has articulated what many of us feel.”

Russell Brand is no stranger to controversy, and has recently upped his political profile by appearing on Question Time and then being interviewed by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight.  Our querent refers to the interview with Jeremy Paxman in which he ranted about the population being completely disillusioned with politicians.  He does seem to have touched a nerve.

I meet up regularly (once a fortnight) with a friend for an early morning coffee, aiming and failing to set the world to rights.  We usually end the hour by agreeing to disagree.  At least once in every meeting she expresses the fact that she does not trust Politicians, Policemen, Journalists and Psychiatrists.  Russell is avant-garde, but maybe she is even further ahead.

Russell Brand

Russell Brand, who sports a medieval attire and speech, and may have been a soothsayer in those times, was born on exactly the same date as Angelina Jolie, and they share a raunchy image at least.  We are fortunate to have birth times for both, and Angelina’s Cancerian Ascendant (focusing on children) opposes Russell Brand’s Capricorn Ascendant (focusing on politics, although Angelina is politically minded too).  What is it in his chart that makes Russell so outspoken?  I feel that his conjunction of the Midheaven/North Node/Part of Fortune makes him compelled to be authentic, to his own ears anyway.

At the time of the Paxman interview Uranus was trine his Neptune, so he was stimulated to make an announcement on complex social phenomena.   Venus was also trine his natal Jupiter/ Moon conjunction in his 3^rd House of broadcasting, giving him an ideal outlet for this.

Jonathan Freedland commented in the Guardian:

“The success of Brand’s ‘Don’t vote’ riff probably frightens some in the political class.  Perhaps a luckless special adviser is drawing up bullet points for a PowerPoint presentation on the ‘Brand demographic’ as I write.”

Jeremy Paxman

Jeremy Paxman is a solid Taurean who never backs down during an interview, although in this case he partly backed down after the interview.  At the time of the interview, Jupiter was sextile his Sun.  He has changed since he “seriously considered” quitting Newsnight over the Jimmy Savile scandal.  He became blasé and grew a beard.  Jupiter sextile his Sun by transit would make an arrogant interviewer extra confident, magnanimous enough to concede a point to his interviewee a little further down the line.  Other transits for him were Saturn sextile his Saturn (a feeling of internal stability), Neptune trine his Uranus (other way round from Russell) and Mars opposite his Jupiter (in the mood for a little jousting).

A few days later he confessed that he didn’t vote in a recent election because he himself was a little disaffected.  By this time the transiting Neptune trine Uranus came more into focus, and allowed a response which overlapped with Russell’s views.  Neptune transiting would allow more sensitivity in relation to some of his entrenched (Uranian) views.

Paxman said:

“At the next election we shall have a choice between the people who’ve given us five years of austerity, the people who left us this mess, and the people who signed public pledges that they wouldn’t raise student fees, and then did so.”

Nick Clegg

I have more sympathy than most for Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, viewing him as Capricorn scapegoat to Cameron’s Libra charm offensive.  But even I have to concede that he did not have the kudos to weigh in to this argument.  In his LBC phone in, he argued: “Here is a guy [referring to Paxman]…he lives off politics and he spends all his time sneering at politics” treating all politicians as “rogues and charlatans”.  While Russell Brand has Uranus the Rebel at the top of his chart squaring his Capricorn Ascendant, Capricornian Nick Clegg is seriously trying to uphold the Capricorn institution of Politics.  Transiting Pluto sextiles his Jupiter, making him feel epic enough to say this.

Political Implications

Rebels rarely have the stamina to actually implement their cause, theirs is to do the shouting.  We are in an era of Uranus in Aries (the Arab Spring and Occupy Movements) and Aries starts a thing, Aries does not finish it.  I think Russell intends for someone else to do the implementing, or for ourselves as members of society to take individual responsibility.

Did I answer the question?

Aspects

There may be a sense of relief today, with Mercury turning Direct, that at last things can be said without their being misconstrued.  A friend has realized that every time Mercury goes retrograde, her technological systems require and receive an upgrade, which is a useful addition to the wisdom around this subject.

Tomorrow sensitivities can be opened out and communication can go that bit further, with Mercury trine Neptune. It’s an aspect we enjoyed on Saturday night because now Mercury is going the other way.  It may have been an evening to remember, and accordingly some of the sparkle may be revived tomorrow. Again it occurs in the evening, so the mood may be similar.

On Tuesday (12^th) the Sun trines Jupiter, so some of the sensitivity will have been absorbed and integrated, and a feeling of spaciousness can emerge.  The Soul can be given free rein, and awareness can expand; philosophical avenues can be explored. Visions of the future look rosy that day.

Wednesday (13^th) has another planet turning direct: Neptune.  That will bring more understanding of complexity, sensitivity and spirituality, as these qualities and directions will be reinforced.  You feel you are swimming more with the tide intellectually (Mercury’s movement forward) and spiritually (Neptune’s).  This may constitute a shift on the spiritual path.  Even if your concerns are centred on practical matters, the spiritual implications will be clearer.  There may be a marker to show how far you have come on your journey.  Then you will realize there is a new stage to the journey.

On Friday (15^th) it will be harder to hold things together, so you will need to keep the spiritual perspective.   Venus engages with the Uranus-Pluto square.  Feelings and relationships will be deeply experienced at the cellular level.  We make the mistake sometimes of thinking we are not connected with events and people.  Sometimes in our disconnection we can realize our connectivity, and vice versa.  It’s that sort of day.  First Uranus squares Venus at the beginning of the day, producing the sense of isolation or alienation, then at the other end of the day Venus conjuncts Pluto, bringing a sense of finality or closure.  There’s no escaping the import of the day, but between these two events Venus sextiles Chiron holding a healing space for us as we process.

We are working our way towards a Full Moon in Taurus (not eclipsed) on Sunday.  So any residual emotion from Friday may reach a peak then.  I will expand on this next week.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – green light for communications
• Monday –  mental inspiration
• Tuesday – hope
• Wednesday – spiritual reinforcement
• Friday –  disharmonious

Uranus-Pluto Square – Phase 4 – Aftermath

Here in South West Norfolk we did not have the storm (whch other areas did have) on Monday, nor on Friday, but last night’s late night windstorm blew away local attempts at celebrating bonfire night with accompanying fireworks. Huge gusts of winds and showers of rain produced damp quibs.

Friday’s  Uranus-Pluto square seemed, from feedback I received, to result in people having to do difficult things but feeling supported by the Universe (being accompanied by some supportive lesser aspects).

Internationally, there was an assassination on Friday.  Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in a CIA drone attack, which may prove to have significant repercussions.  Years of sacrifice and casualties in Afghanistan from Britain and the U.S. among other UN  peacekeeping forces from other nationalities, are in danger of counting for nothing.  Pakistan claims that peace talks were on track, and have now been derailed.

Pakistan

We do not have  Hakimullah Mehsud’s birth date, but the Pakistan Republic chart’s transits on 1^st November shows Neptune squaring its Saturn – everything thrown into confusion again.  For the original Pakistan chart formed a few years earlier, Saturn squares its natal Saturn/Pluto conjunction – perennial problems made worse.  It all depends on the willingness of the two sides to make peace: if they really want it, this event will not get in the way.

Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson

Meanwhile earlier in the week it was revealed at their trial that former News of the World Editors Rebekah Brooks (nee Wade) and Andy Coulson were said to have had a six-year affair.  This evidence was produced in court  to show they trusted each other with hacking secrets.

Their Editorial karma is shown in their Synastry (astrological compatibility) by Andy Coulson’s Mercury (newspapers) sextile exactly Rebekah Brooks North Node (karma).  It’s a story of attraction (his Uranus trines her Venus) love (her Venus trines exactly his Sun), sex (her Mars sextiles his Moon) and estrangement (his Uranus squares her Mercury):  all the ingredients for good Sunday reading…

Aspects

The first half of the week emphasizes the need to do what must be done, and the second half letting your hair down.

There’s a New Moon which is a Solar Eclipse today at 11 degrees Scorpio.  A New Moon is a new beginning, and an eclipse can be a turning point, sometimes dramatic in its execution.  If you are able to think back to the 18^th October eclipsed Full Moon, you may see the issues which were brewing then which necessitate a new start now.  There may be no connection between the two in your life, but often eclipses come as stages of the same issue when they occur in close proximity, and the ramifications can last up to 6 months. To give a personal example, the eclipse occurring this time last year was conjunct the Sun of a close family member, and a health issue was subsequently revealed which took 6 months to resolve.

Supporting aspects today are Mercury conjunct the North Node (karmic information which may prove useful) and the Sun sextile Mars (new invigoration and energy).

On Tuesday (5^th) Venus enters Capricorn and we go from  a happy-go-lucky attitude to relationships (Venus in Sagittarius), maybe thinking they can take care of themselves, to a more  dutiful, responsible, committed and loyal attitude, if a tad unsentimental.  We realize their importance, and strive to honour that.

Wednesday (6^th) ratchets up the theme of loyalty and responsibility, with the Sun conjunct Saturn in the intense sign of Scorpio.  Seriousness and weighty pronouncements prevail, perhaps in the knowledge of the impermanence of relationships, life and experience.  So far it’s a sombre start to the week, but the second half of the week is more lively and upbeat.

Jupiter turns stationary prior to going retrograde on Thursday (7^th).  Though this may scupper your plans, it does at least focus on the planet Jupiter, dreams and merry making.  You may have been on a roll with a project, unless severely held back by Uranus Pluto squaring and the Eclipses.  You might have to roll back the red carpet for a while during Jupiter’s retrograde motion.

Let’s recap:  Archetypes and Personas for the first half of the week are the Martyr, Victim, Slave and Servant.  On Thursday, you may need to bring on the Clowns, and give them air time.

Early on Friday (8^th) Venus sextiles Neptune, a chance to relax and produce something inspirational, and satisfy the Soul.  Put your feet up and admire your new slippers, or better still put on your dancing shoes, and dance.

At lunchtime, Mercury sextiles Venus, so a spell at your desk could produce some work on your ongoing novel, diplomatic letters, or if outdoors you could be telling tales on a riverbank.

Saturday (9^th) is a fairly powerful ending to the week, with Mars sextile Saturn: controlled action producing satisfying construction outcomes.  Doc Marten boots would be more suitable footware, and the venue would be a building site.

And in the evening Mercury trines Neptune, so attending a soiree would be the perfect scenario: canapés, sparkling conversation and the spirit of Oscar Wilde (intellect combined with wit and inspiration).  A charity fundraiser would do well, for instance.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – new beginnings, turning points, karmic information and energy
• Tuesday – duty calls
• Wednesday – honourable observance
• Thursday – a touch of humour
• Friday – serenity or joining the dance; creative communication
• Saturday – construction early; later sparkle

Uranus square Pluto – Phase 4

~ King Lear

We are warned that a storm is coming…at the moment it is sunny here in Norfolk, but windy.  Prepare for a storm of the magnitude of 1987, they are saying.  At the same time we are in the eye (exactly half way through) the Uranus-Pluto squares, the fourth of seven which last till 2015.  If you have been following this blog you will have a flavour of the planetary storms, and if you have not been following the blog, you are probably aware that times are tough one way or another.

Preparation

How do you prepare for a storm?  Do you take the Virgoan approach, and batten down every hatch systematically, hoping the Universe won’t find a way through any loophole you might have overlooked?  Or do you take the Piscean approach and just lay down and surrender to it all, hoping for divine mercy, or self-forgiveness, or just luck.  During the 1987 storms, most of which took place overnight, I lay awake and had one of those rare moments of transcendence, at one with the wind, feeling part of the storm itself.

There are people who don’t fear storms, or who enjoy them.  Khalil Gibran said in one of his letters:

“Mary, what is there in a storm that moves me so ? Why am I so much better and stronger and more certain of life when a storm is passing ? I do not know, and yet I love a storm more, far more, than anything in nature.”

I know two people preparing an imminent passing.  I do not know their thoughts, but I imagine their thoughts on life are concentrated and distilled.  I imagine they know what is important and what is not important.  And so, this morning, I feel that the way to prepare for storms (both the meteorological variety, and the vicissitudes of life which may or may not arrive on Friday with the Uranus-Pluto square) is to determine what is important in your life – what you can let go of and what you would strain to keep.  Maybe that is the middle way, between the Piscean and Virgoan methods of storm preparation.

Aspects

Hope you have revelled in the extra hour from the clocks going back today.. There’s a stabilising and healing sextile between Pluto and Chiron tomorrow, which you can tap into in advance. It combines psychological perception with healing. If you are getting together with friends, conversations can be deeply satisfying.  If you are observing a storm, there may be parts of the storm you can embrace on a psycho-spiritual level.

On Tuesday (29th) Mercury conjuncts Saturn, so it may be back to the grindstone, working on paperwork, documentation and filing in a concentrated, focussed way. Perhaps you are usefully incorporating the psychological insight from Monday.

On Wednesday (30th) the Sun conjuncts the North Node, so the sun shines a light on karma, and karma informs soul affairs. This may be exacting, but rewarding.

Happy Halloween for Thursday (31st) which could be in character. An opposition between Mars and Chiron could be strong meat, especially if you are hoping to trick or scare someone with your costume.

However it is followed by a trine between Mars and Pluto, invigorating in a more constructive way , such as giving you the courage to face reality.  It is highly energetic , but sometimes leaves an opening for the criminal elements of society, if the energy is not controlled.

Friday is the Big Day

Not only do we start with the Uranus-Pluto square on Friday morning, but we have an unprecedented number of aspects falling the same day, like falling leaves swept by the Autumn winds.

FRIDAY TIMETABLE: (UK timing)

10.30 a.m. – Uranus square Pluto  at 9 degrees Aries and Capricorn– Phase 4 – Friday is the most important day, kicking off with the most important aspect.  A series of crises occurring over the last year and a half reaches its latest stage and stretches your understanding.  Last week’s US  economic  precipice encapsulates the type of personal or public tightrope we all face in some way.  Complex solutions are required for our complex times.  The other aspects today are just supporting acts.  But curiously enough, all the supporting acts are actually supportive!

12.03 pm – Mercury sextile Mars – at lunchtime in the UK, Mercury sextile Mars makes it possible to articulate the dilemmas in a direct manner.

Mid-Afternoon – Sun trines Chiron – The Sun then trines Chiron, bringing some much needed healing balm, healing through creativity.

17.05 Hrs – The Sun also sextiles Pluto, ensuring that solutions are meaningful and  not superficial.  And there’s more!

20.19 Hrs – Sun conjunct Mercury at 10 degrees Scorpio – This aspect crystallizes thought and creative expression, and in Scorpio enables us to see right into the nature of things.

22.24 Hrs –Mercury sextile Pluto – Articulating the serious, deep and meaningful.  Intensifying the ability to see into the real nature of things.

Before Midnight – Mercury trine Chiron – healing avenues coming together

So although we are in the eye of the storm, especially on Friday, we have an army of planetary resources on the day to meet the challenges.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – deep healing
• Tuesday – concentration
• Wednesday – karmic
• Thursday – trick or treat
• Friday – (see timetable) – storm and then settlements

On the Brink

U.S.A. Chart

This week’s U.S. crisis and deadline was averted in the nick of time.  Of course the crisis did not only belong to the U.S., it had implications for the world economy.  On Thursday, the day of the deadline and the day a temporary resolution was made Neptune from Pisces in 3^rd House of the U.S. chart (communicated uncertainty) was trine the US chart Venus  (finance) in Cancer in 7^th House, indicative of a place of rest in the situation.  It was the day before an eclipsed Full Moon in Aries (itself a threshold) positioned in the U.S. 5^th House, squaring its natal Pluto (high finance) in the 2^nd House and creating a T-square with its natal Mercury/Part of Fortune in 8^th House. in Cancer (financial House connected with other parties).

Obama Chart

How the crisis showed up in President Obama’s chart was a transit of the North Node (karmic coercion) on his Neptune in Scorpio in 9^th House (sensitivity to global awareness).  Neptune has been active this year in Obama’s chart, so he has had many complex and subtle issues to deal with both personally and politically.

Boehner willing to gamble

Who is John Boehner, whose willingness to gamble the welfare of his party (Republicans), his State and the world in this way?  Boehner is the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and he is quite complex emotionally, with Moon/Neptune at the South Node, so he may be harbouring and acting out emotions stemming from past lives, not necessarily appropriate to this one.  His Jupiter is exactly conjunct the U.S. Pluto, so he would be zealous in his feeling that he was doing his best for the nation, touching both the vulnerability and the power of the nation and its finance.

Are there signs of a stand off in his synastry with Obama?  His Sun squares Obama’s Uranus (his ruling planet) so Barack Obama would feel the strength of his conviction in a stand off.  John Boehner’s Pluto exactly opposes Barack’s Obama, which is devastating in its challenge.

At the  deadline,  Saturn is bisecting his natal Mars-Venus trine forming two sextiles.  Therefore he would feel confident in his challenge to the end.

[Please note this section has been revised due to a change in birth date – my apologies]

World Economy

How significant was this precipice to the world economy?  I couldn’t look at all the possibilities this morning, so chose three countries:

U.K. Chart

We have other issues going on close to home, but our Chancellor George Osborne was visiting China close to this time for economic favours.  The ongoing Uranus-Pluto square is currently active in our chart:  Uranus squares the U.K. Pluto (the economy is not as buoyant as George Osborne would like to think it is), Uranus sextiles the U.K. Ascendant (time to look at other options, such as China), transiting Pluto sextile sthe UK Jupiter (this is a good solid indication of some growth taking place, and the probable cause of his optimism!).  In addition, Pluto sextiles the UK Uranus (also very helpful, especially for new avenues of exploration) and the North Node conjuncts UK Jupiter (karmic connections can reap rewards).

Germany Chart

At the deadline Uranus opposed  exactly the  Germany Sun, a potential shock.  Pluto squares exactly the  Germany Sun (another country directly affected by the Uranus-Pluto square, whose 4^th phase comes up in early November).  The Nodal Axis squares its Jupiter (possibly forcing it to share wealth) and Saturn sextiles its natal Neptune, again helping to stave off the crisis, at least as it applies to Germany.

China Chart

Unsurprisingly, China looks to be in a buoyant phase at the moment, and during its visit from George Osborne.  Jupiter opposes the China Sun, growth being visible.  Even more helpfully, Saturn sextiles its Jupiter, stabilizing its growth.

The Kicked Can

Raymond Merriman, the Financial Astrologer, uses the phrase “the kicked can”  (down the road) a lot when describing the ongoing financial crises of the Obama administration and the ongoing Uranus-Pluto square which he considers in the middle of its influence.  This time he feels the crisis is being held over until January/February 2014.  Here are the transits for the above parties at that time:

 Saturn will be sextile the US Neptune (some stability and settlement).

Saturn will sextile Obama’s Mars (personal stability); Neptune  will be square Obama’s Moon (a confusing aspect which has beleaguered him this year).

Boehner will have mixed aspects, some quite powerful (if he is still in the picture)..  Difficult aspects include Pluto on his Venus and Saturn on his Mercury.  But Pluto will trine his Mars so he may again try to assert his authority.

Mars will be square the U.K. Moon (perhaps some civil unrest, unrelated to the economy); Saturn will be trine U.K Moon (indicating the government may be able to handle this crisis satisfactorily).  Uranus will be sextile exactly the UK Ascendant,  as at the current deadline.

Jupiter will be opposite Germany’s  Neptune, perhaps a crisis of faith, and not necessarily connected to the economy.  Pluto will be conjunct Germany’s Neptune, so that will constitute a major crisis, perhaps in connection with the nation’s psychology.  Uranus will be opposite Germany’s Sun, as now.  There will be huge pressure on Germany.  Finally, Uranus will be trine Germany’s Jupiter, bringing some help and surprising solutions in these conditions.

Jupiter will oppose  China’s Jupiter, so more buoyancy, and some overconfidence.  At the same time,  Pluto will conjunct China’s Jupiter, so events will be on a grand scale.

Hopefully, I will be able to look at this scenario again in the New Year, and in relation to the shifting of the aspects.

Aspects

Insomnia may have been the name of the game in the early hours of today (in the UK).  You may have been trying to work out some tortuous situation in your mind, trying to make it straight but it is just too complicated.  The male of the species may be hard to fathom, for instance.  In the end you may have surrendered to sleep in the hope that your subconscious mind would work it out or provide some symbolic insight.

The solution may come in stages, through the week, arriving by Friday night.  It is not likely to be revealed in one go, today, so if you woke with one step forward in your thinking, all is well, and you can work on that at least for today, and maybe test out a theory.  For instance, if your theory is that the male of the species does the opposite of what you suggest, then test that out accordingly, in safe experiments.

By tomorrow morning, you may be engaged in other experiments, those involving communication, for Mercury is stationary prior to turning retrograde, and you know what that means….You may again need to be strategic in your thinking, but in more direct and rational ways than on Sunday which was more of an emotional challenge.  Be explicit in what you say, say what you mean and mean what you say.  Leave others in no doubt as to your thoughts and intentions.  There may be postal, rail or computer glitches.

On Wednesday (23^rd)  the Sun enters Scorpio.  Stop expecting people to be reasonable and rational, and expect them to be coming from deep intense emotional drives, and you will be ahead of the game.  The pleasant Libran collective demeanor will give way to a more meaningful, if not more challenging set of behaviours.  For example, teachers will be greeted with “Why should I?” rather than “OK teacher knows best about the subject”.  If your pupils were already saying “Why should I?” then the response to your teaching will be one step further in its challenge, such as stony silence or an entrenched statement that black is white. Scorpio is not the easiest of months in the classroom, sandwiched between the initial energy or enthusiasm of conscientious Virgo and co-operative Libra, and the restlessness and fatigue that accompanies the end of term in Sagittarius and the run up to Christmas.

Friday (25^th) brings some resolutions, relief and calm after the wrangles of the week.  In the evening there is a trine between the Sun and Neptune.  Illumination may flood through the issues of early week.  They may be wisdoms you knew all along but couldn’t articulate.  They may have come through in your dreams but you forgot the dreams or didn’t write them down, but now they seem as if déjà vu.  Anyway they seem aligned with present reality and spiritual truth and may settle your mind, at least temporarily.  They day is good for poetry and inspiration, and dance if you are interested in such pursuits.  The Strictly Come Dancing performers should put on a good show on Saturday (even better than usual).

Savour this trine and the serenity of the atmosphere at the end of this week.  For the next week we will need our spiritual muscles for the fourth Uranus-Pluto square in the sequence, and the following week we have another eclipse.

Tread lightly on your own dreams.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – difficult to get clear
• Tomorrow – communications topsy turvy again
• Wednesday – new challenges, some self-imposed
• Friday – sublime

N.B. My Customer Service desk will be closed on Friday

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks – everybody’s favourite actor?  – is certainly most versatile and has a film to suit everybody in his listings.  From Forrest Gump to Apollo 13 he has shown the range of his talent.  He is now being peddled around the breakfast TV / chat show circuit for his latest film Captain Phillips about the Captain of a mariner taken hostage by Somali pirates.  He has also been talking about his type 2 diabetes.  I like the “Sleepless in Seattle” and “You’ve got Mail” genre myself, but I have shallow tastes in film.  He is a paternal Cancerian father of four.

I often find that the Midheaven in an actor’s  chart points to the types of roles they play and their screen persona.  Tom has Midheaven indicating his versatility, with Venus on the Midheaven showing his likeability and popularity.  His Venus/Midheaven conjunction trines his Neptune, which gives him screen legend charisma.

He has Sun illuminating his 10^th House of Career, exactly trine Mars, so he would enjoy working on action films, and in fact this latest one is ideal because he is a ship’s captain and his exact trine is in water signs!

Moon trine North Node is his closest aspect to the North Node, which for me signifies that one of his consummate roles is the guy next door.  The Moon is also opposite Chiron, so he can play gut wrenching emotion too.  The Moon represents the mother and Chiron shows there was some wounding in respect to her: his parents divorced when he was four, and he and two siblings went with his father and only the youngest  child stayed with his mother.  His flamboyant and theatrical side also comes from an aspect of his Moon, which is in the sign of Leo in the sociable  11th House.  His Sun and Ascendant are in the more introvert signs of Cancer and Virgo respectively.

Jupiter conjunct Pluto gives him great personal power, to ensure that he would not ultimately be pushed around by a Film Director who may have a power complex.  However Saturn squares his Pluto exactly, so there may have been some personal angst during some power play in his life, both personal and professional.  The Saturn from this square falls in his 3^rd House of Education, and it appears that he was not popular at school, labelling himself as geeky.

There’s more to Tom than meets the eye, as with many a Gemini, but it is difficult to capture in one blog.

Aspects

We may display a final flash of feistiness while Mars is in the closing degree of Leo.  Then on Tuesday (15^th) Mars enters Virgo and it is time to economize in the use of our energy, to conserve rather than display.  Environmental projects are favoured at this time, and hopefully there may be progress for the Greenpeace activists who have been imprisoned in Russia.

Some discomfort or mild healing crisis may arise on Wednesday (16^th), and there may be minor ops or medical pre-ops for some.

Late in the evening it may all feel worthwhile, with Venus trine Uranus – a sense of relief and renewed creativity, with  the possibility of an exciting meeting.

Friday (18^th) brings a Full Moon eclipse in Aries, dilemmas around war and peace, or honouring yourself versus pleasing others.  A fundamental climax to end the week.  It may be a turning point for some.

Apology

Apologies to all who were unable to read the blog last week.  We are up and running again now, and hope you enjoy this week’s short but sweet blog.

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – conscientious
• Wednesday – some discomfort, then social excitement
• Friday – turning point

Ed Milliband, Paul Dacre and the Daily Mail

One of the contentious battles of last week’s Sun-Uranus-Pluto T-square was the battle over the reputation of Ralph Miliband, the father of the Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband.  Ed decided in an interview to stand up for his father, against the Daily Mail who had published an article claiming that he was anti-Britain, and challenged the authority of the press to publish anything they like.  The timing of the piece was just prior to the Conservative Party Conference, presumably in order to boost David Cameron by smearing his main opponent. I have written about both Ralph and Ed Miliband, but I haven’t before looked at Paul Dacre and the Daily Mail.  In March I wrote:

Ralph Miliband

“The story begins with their father, Ralph Miliband, whose chart we have (without a birth time); we do not have a chart for their mother Marion Kozak.  The family of Ralph Miliband originally came from the Jewish quarter of Warsaw, but moved to Belgium, where Ralph was born in 1924.  He came to England with his father in 1940 to avoid persecution by the Nazis.

He studied at the London School of Economics, and became a devotee of the philosophy of Karl Marx, and visited his grave in Highgate Cemetery.  At his death in 1994 he was buried there, close to Karl Marx.  In the 1960s he was involved with the movement of the New Left, and published the book Parliamentary Socialism in 1961.

Ralph Miliband had Sun in Capricorn, and Moon conjunct Mercury in Capricorn, the sign associated with politics, and indeed both his sons followed those interests and became politicians, possibly fulfilling some of his aspirations.”

Ed Miliband

“Ed Miliband was born in 1969, and in his relationship comparison with David includes a combustible Uranus-Mars conjunction (Ed’s Uranus conjunct David’s Mars).

When Ed pulled a surprise win in the Labour leadership contest in September 2010, Pluto was conjunct Ed’s natal Sun, and Mars was square to David’s Sun.  It may therefore have been as much of a shock to Ed as it was to David.  It was one of those moments that their mother “couldn’t look”.  Many saw it as a betrayal, that Ed had snatched David’s birthright (not even for a mess of potage), and those who thought New Labour would go forward were disappointed in the direction of the party.

But there is an interesting legacy from father Ralph.  Both Ed Miliband and his father have Sun in Capricorn (politics) square exactly Chiron (their wound) in Aries, so Ed Miliband is carrying an exact astrological gene from his father.

There is a small possibility that Ed could fulfil the true socialist ideals of his father, but with his charisma only marginally appealing to the British population and only incrementally increasing, it remains largely improbable.  Those who hanker after Old Labour know that you cannot bring it back now, any more than you can rehabilitate the beloved NHS in the current political and economic climate, but with Ed’s karmic mission (North Node) conjunct his father’s Uranus (Vision) a glimmer of his father’s light remains in the political domain.”

Paul Dacre

Paul Dacre is Editor of the Daily Mail, and was born exactly the same day in the same year as Prince Charles (yes and near the subject of last week’s blog Hassan Rouhani of Iran).  Does it make him automatically a pillar of  Conservatism?  His Sun is in Scorpio, so he would be likely to be very determined in action, and black and white in his views.  As with Rouhani, we do not know his Ascendant sign.  Dacre’s Moon is likely to be in Aries, which may make him aggressive.  Prince Charles is born late enough in the day to have a Taurus Moon.  Michael Dobbs, ex-Conservative Chief of Staff and author of House of Cards, was also born that day.  I once wrote to him and he kindly supplied his birth time – putting him also in the Moon in Aries bracket.  The hero of his book and the excellent TV series Francis Urquhart does have a decidedly ruthless persona.  I am not suggesting that Michael Dobbs is ruthless or that any of the others born that day are, but he has provided a unique insight and understanding into the ruthless persona, maybe drawn from somewhere in his psyche.  The Venus/Neptune conjunction in the chart of that day can show a love of intrigue.

Daily Mail

It is ironic that in the 1930s  the owner of the Daily Mail, Lord Rothermere, historically allied himself  with Hitler and Mussolini. The chart of the Daily Mail shows a divisive Sun-Moon-Saturn T-square, plus an aggressive square between Mars and Pluto, and a conjunction between Neptune and Pluto (a propensity to dig and delve).  Mars also squares Neptune, which can sensationalize.

Assault  on Ralph Miliband

The timing of the article shows up for Paul Dacre’s chart as Mars trine his own Mars: the use of his Inner Warriorship. The chart of the Daily Mail itself has a couple of favourable sextiles from Uranus, the planet of surprise, enabling the shock factor.  Uranus squares Ed Milliband’s Moon ((emotional shock relating to a parent) and Pluto squares his Uranus (more shock – where is one’s brother when you need him…?). I have not looked into the author of the article itself (Geoffrey Levy) nor the author , Michael Newman, of the book on which the article was based (there are limits for a Sunday morning! – perhaps another time).

Standing up for his Father

Ed’s planet of Self-Assertion (Mars) is in Pisces, which is not a warlike placing.  On a personal level, I think it cost him dear to have to make this stand, but clearly he needed to.  As a stand it is not merely personal: it is about the vilification that can be perpetrated by the free press, a vilification which Neil Kinnock said this week went far beyond his own at the time of his Leadership of the Opposition.  Neptune is currently bisecting Ed Miliband’s natal exact Sun/Saturn square, so he is able to articulate his personal story with sensitivity at this time and to stand up with sincerity and genuineness for what he believes in.  This may or may not benefit him politically, at a time when he is battling on several fronts, such as the Unions and the Energy providers.

Aspects

Tomorrow from the crack of dawn you will be able to address profound issues such as the meaning of life, through a sextile between Mercury and Pluto.  You’ll be asking searching questions, and discussing serious matters, rewardingly so.

In the late afternoon or early evening (UK time) Venus enters Sagittarius and though the focus has been intense, socially you’ll be more relaxed.  You might feel more playful and adventurous.

Tuesday (8^th) brings an early evening conjunction of Mercury and Saturn, so again we have a serious focus.  Concentration is needed, perhaps for form filling.  It’s my tax form deadline looming again…

On the morning of Thursday (10^th) Venus squares Neptune and the gay abandon of Monday evening is challenged and questioned about its authenticity.  Having pondered the meaning of life, shrugged it off and then on again, you then need to examine illusions in relationship, or any intrigues which have come up.  That’s quite a journey already, and the weekend holds further loops and hurdles to negotiate…

…Fortunately they are of the Sagittarian variety.  Saturday (12^th) brings a square between jumping Jupiter and the Sun.  Around tea-time fabulously exaggerated creations maybe served at the Great British Bake Off marquee (figuratively speaking) or at Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory (also figuratively).  Depending on where these two planets fall in your chart (Cancer and Libra respectively) you may create something spectacular, or overstretch yourself.  For Jupiter, life is a gamble to be played, and not to be held back.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – profundity then relaxation
• Tuesday – focus
• Thursday – intrigue
• Saturday – playing or gambling to win.

“No nation should possess nuclear weapons, since there are no right hands for these wrong weapons,”

~ Hassan Rouhani

Iran

These words are music to the ears of peace lovers.  Can Hassan Rouhani, the new President of Iran, in an effort to remove sanctions against Iran, bring about change in the Middle East, and in the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in the world?  Rouhani has some harmonious personal interaspects with his country’s chart, plus his Sun transits the Iranian Uranus, possibly illuminating a capacity to bring about change.

Middle East and Syria

The new initiative to ban chemical weapons in Syria, mooted just before the Seatun/Pluto sextile, seems to have borne fruit in an agreement.  The corresponding olive branch from Iran’s new president seems to have followed soon after, and is part of the same astrological package.  The US President Barack Obama is hesitant but is embracing this opportunity.  Israel is worried that these new initiatives are a trap and that Iran will continue to develop nuclear weapons to be used against them.

Hassan Rouhani

Is President Rouhani sincere or just extra clever?  A focal point of his chart is an exact conjunction of Venus and Neptune in Libra, the sign of diplomacy and sweet words.  He certainly knows the truth of what he is saying, and has many years of experience in Iranian politics making him a shrewd realist. In another life, with that conjunction, he could have been an inspirting musician.

He has Mercury exactly on the South Node, indicating that in former lives he built a reputation as a teacher, and that may be his soul lineage.  Above all, as a Scorpio Sun, he is a realist who has looked at the edge of danger for humanity, and may have decided to throw a lifeline.  He has a forceful chart, with Mars also trine Pluto.

Saturn closely trines his North Node, so although it has taken him a while to rise to this position he has a sense of responsibility, and leadership.  He does not have a sinister chart, though an innocent chart may be used to sinister ends.  It may also interest readers to know that  he was born two days after Prince Charles in the same year.  We do not know his birth time  Rouhani’s Moon is in Aries or Pisces, depending on his birth time, while Prince Charles’ Moon has just entered Taurus, and conjuncts his North Node.

Ahmadinejad

Rouhani seems more cuddly than his predecessor Mahmood Ahmadinejad, who always gave me the impression of being a loose cannon.  At least Rouhani is saying the right things.  Ahmadinejad used to say he would wipe Israel off the map using nuclear weapons, while Rouhani is acknowledging that the Holocaust was a crime against humanity.  Like Rouhani, Ahmadinejad was a Scorpio Sun sign.  He had an amiable (!) and enthusiastic conjunction of Venus and Jupiter (the more manic side of his pronouncements), but  a confused conjunction between his Sun and Neptune, an overdramatic conjunction of his Moon and Pluto, and a serious conjunction of the North Node to Saturn (which may have indicated a depressive side).

Speech at the UN

At the time of his speech this week to the UN, Neptune (planet of inspiration) was exactly trine Rouhani’s Mercury (speech).  Can he now, put his money where his mouth is, so to speak.

Telephone call with President Obama

In the historic recent telephone conversation between Rouhani and President Obama, Mars was trine Rouhani’s own natal Mars (a significant interface) but transiting Mars was also square Rouhani’s natal Sun, so it will not have been an easy action for him.

Neptune is still squaring Obama’s Moon, so he is still treading a careful line in trying to distinguish reality from illusion, and discovering where imagination may take him.  The telephone conversation does not look to have been easy for either of them, but they are both reaching out in trust and recognizing that there needs to be a new way forward.

Aspects

Today the collective mind (Mercury) moves into Scorpio.  We may have been coasting while Mercury was in Libra, but now it is time to concentrate the mind in more intense scrutinizes and perceptions

On Tuesday (1^st October) Mercury trines Neptune, so as well as gazing intently we can also fathom the mysteries of life and the true nature of reality (along with President Obama).  Mercury trine Neptune is good for making inspiring speeches, and water based activities, such as the efforts of the fishing industry to achieve balance.

On Wednesday (2^nd) the Sun squares Pluto,  beginning to trigger a T-square with the Uranus-Pluto square, so we shall again be confronting the big issues of the day, both personally and globally.  With the Sun in Libra, the focus may be on delicate diplomacy tottering on brinkmanship.  Try to see the view from the other side of the fence, for example in dealing with neighbours.  Then expand your view to the whole picture, which includes your own dilemma, before putting forward your own non-proliferation plan.

On the same day, Saturn trines Chiron, which is a useful leveller for any situations needing  healing.  It provides strength and fortitude for this T-square.  There is some access to healing at hand.

Thursday (3^rd) brings the other leg of the T-square, in an opposition between the Sun and Uranus.  There are no slick solutions, but perhaps the other party are listening to your plans and considering them.  However, be aware that either party could be employing the factor of the unexpected.  The best options for today are telepathic interchanges, where each party knows exactly where the other is coming from – it could happen.

There’s a happy ending to this contentious week in the form of a New Moon in Libra on Saturday (5^th).  Just when you were beginning to think the two parties could never agree, there is a new diplomatic initiative, which may work.  A New Moon in itself cannot solve the problems of the world, but it can make for  a fresh start and new heart.  If you have been struggling the last few days, you may be able to breathe a sigh, put your feet up, and let someone else bring you a cuppa.  The more sprightly can initiate artistic or musical projects, or collaborations with partners.  Solutions may be found, whatever your age and condition.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – think deeper
• Tuesday – mental inspiration
• Wednesday – into the fray, but there is help at hand
• Thursday – the element of the surprise
• Saturday – feelings of peace