The Syrian Question

There is a meeting of the United Nations in New York today, aimed at reaching solutions for global poverty.  Alon Ben-Meir of New York University says: “The UNGA annual meeting, which is now in progress, offers the US, Russia, and Iran a momentous opportunity to come up with a solution, which is absolutely within reach if they only will it.”

I don’t agree with David Cameron that we can wait to solve the migrant crisis until we have solved the Syrian problem, as he said before the body of little Aylan Kurdi was washed up on a beach.  We have waited 4 years for a solution, and one is not in sight.  But I do agree that the inhospitable, barbaric conditions of some North African and Middle Eastern countries is the cause of the desperation to migrate.  And I do agree with Jeremy Corbyn that our actions in the past have had a contributory cause to some of the conditions the people find themselves in.  Migrants are not just coming from Syria, they are coming from Iraq (a country Bush and Blair interfered in) and Afghanistan (ditto).  We also intervened in Libya (before we decided not to intervene in Syria).  The Arab Spring rebellions seem largely not to have worked, in that chaos has ensued, and ISIL have mushroomed in these places.  Not that the tyrannies that preceded the Arab Spring were just.  Saudia Arabia still has a strict regime, but does not consider its role to be one of assisting refugees, not even with their vast luxurious tent facilities.  Saudia Arabia was this week the scene of a major disaster of pilgrims killed in the Hajj.  And then there is Iran, recently involved in a treaty with the U.S. over its nuclear facility – with many unsure whether they can be trusted, but the treaty does mean a shift in the power balance of the territories.  I have looked at some of these issues before in past blogs, but feel it is time to take another overview.

This week, Russia signalled its support of Bashar Al Assad of Syria, by sending reinforcements.  Though we are at war with ISIL, who are fighting in Syria against Assad and against the rebels who rose in the Syrian Spring, we are by no means in favour of Assad’s repressive regime.  David Cameron has said an agreement can only be reached if Assad steps down. Turkey, once a key hope as a peace broker in the area, has now become more radical.  And a peace process with Israel is further away, now that Israel is determined to batten down its hatches and isolate itself among all the instability around it. One thing is for sure, and that is we are not going to have stable regimes in those areas in the near future, enough to stop the migrations.

I can’t hope to disentangle the issues of all these countries and their interactions, but will take an updated look at the astrology of some of their charts.

Syria

I wrote about the chart of Syria in 2011:

“The natal chart for Syria shows a combination of Mars conjunct Uranus volatility and North Node conjunct Pluto shadow side of power.”

And of its current transits, I wrote earlier this month:

“Currently, Jupiter is exactly square Syria’s Mars/Uranus, possibly depicting the sudden mass emigration of its populace, who cannot take any more of ISIL or President Assad [and the other conflict groups such as Al Nusra]…

And Pluto is exactly square Syria’s Ascendant on the 4^th House cusp, maybe the lowest point at which it could sink.

Neptune (the sea, and photographs) in Pisces is exactly quincunx the Syrian natal North Node/Pluto conjunction (loss of life) in its 10^th House of Reputation.”

Looking at the transits for today and tomorrow (the period of the Lunar Eclipse), the Full Moon and its opposition with the Sun keys exactly into Syria’s natal Neptune (the ability to cause confusion) in its 12^th House of Isolation.  It may be a good time to try and tackle, and disentangle, some of the complexity of its issues.

According to Alon Ben-Meir: “The search for a solution to Syria’s civil war and the unfolding tragedy of the Syrian refugees can be found only by defeating ISIS while simultaneously formulating a political solution to prevent the complete disintegration of the country.”

Assad

President Bashar Al Assad, whose father before him was tyrannical and not averse to bloodshed, has his Sun in Virgo conjunct the anarchic Uranus-Pluto conjunction of the mid-1960s.

He is currently undergoing his Chiron Return, which means he either has to find his Inner Healer, or deal with dis-ease.  His natal Chiron is opposite his anarchic triple conjunction in Virgo, and the internal havoc must be having an effect on him.

Russia

The chart of Russia has a complex but opportunistic trine between Jupiter and a conjunction of Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn.  Capricorn is a sign I have always associated with Russia, not least for the symbolism of the struggle with its unremitting extreme climate.  Russia also has an exact conjunction of Venus and Pluto in 4^th House, which can have a divisive effect.  There are power issues depicted (Sun exactly square Midheaven), too, in its chart.  The current eclipse sees Russia in belligerent mood, with Mars on its Moon, Uranus trine its Mars, Chiron square its Mars, and Pluto on its Uranus.

Putin

I wrote about his chart in 2012:

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

The transits at this time are not so favourable for Putin getting his own way.  Saturn blocks him with an opposition to his Moon, and the North Node trines his natal Moon which means he should be accountable to karmic law.

Over to Alon Ben-Meir again: “Putin was and remains determined to safeguard Russia’s interests in Syria by preserving the Assad regime, which remains central to his strategy. As he has done in the past, Putin will continue to block any solution to the Syrian crisis unless it is done on his terms.”

Turkey

In its natal chart, Turkey has an exact conjunction of Mercury and Saturn in Libra in the 4^th House, which points to a need for reason and strictness in the rulership within its own country.  It has 5 of its 10 planets in Water signs, so there is a great deal of emotionality in the national character.  Its greatest strength is a trine between Uranus and Pluto, a power which has great potential.  At this point in time, Neptune in Pisces on the cusp of Turkey’s 9^th House of Foreign Relations, trines its Ascendant.  Internationally, it may be playing a sensitive role.

Erdogan

I wrote of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, in June 2013: “He has Sun, Mercury and Venus in Pisces so can encompass a range of political ideas, and has a basically flexible nature (with 3 other planets also in flexible signs).  This flexibility will have helped him stay in power for so long.”  Neptune is currently on Erdogan’s Sun in Pisces, which is trine Turkey’s Ascendant: there is a fine spiritual link between him and his country.  However, people may be trying to guess at the moment at his own intentions.

Iran

The 1979 chart of Iran, which represents the departure of the Shah, has links with its traditions in the Sun’s position in Aries, a sign I associate with ancient Persia in Karmic Astrology through Zoroastrianism.  Mercury conjuncts Mars in this chart, so sharp words can come forth from its leaders, but this conjunction placed in Pisces means that the words could be couched in confusing terms.  Mercury is trine closely its Jupiter, and that reflects its rich cultural tradition.  Chiron is at the Midheaven, so its political upheavals can be quite painful for the populace.  Currently, Neptune squares its Moon and opposes its Saturn, so there is a similar pattern to Turkey at the moment, in that it is hiding or keeping quiet in some ways.

Rouhani

I dedicated a blog to the ruler Hassan Rouhani in September 2013:

“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 inspiring musician.…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.”

Rouhani’s own transits at the moment are much more dramatic than Iran’s.  He has Pluto square his Venus (which could be a personal upheaval), Uranus trine his natal Mars, and Chiron square his Mars.

Here is Alon Ben-Meir’s perspective: “Iran is also in a position to prevent any solution to Syria’s civil war unless its strategic interest is guarded. Regardless of the extent of the destruction that has been inflicted in Syria, Tehran will continue to support Assad to the last Syrian soldier.”

Israel

The chart of Israel has Sun in Taurus, very strong-willed, with Midheaven, Moon, Pluto, Saturn and Mars in Leo in the 10^th House: a reputation for pride and strength. There is a great deal of fire and energy in the chart, and an exact trine between Mars and Jupiter underlines this.  Mars is also strong by virtue of being sextile its Ascendant.  So there is certainly a strong “Inner Warrior”.  Its troubles are reflected in its chart by a conjunction of Saturn and Pluto, Chiron in the 1^st House, and Pluto closely squaring its Nodal Axis (karma by the spades).  Current transits are keeping its head down, but for a square between transiting Jupiter and its Mercury, so there may be some attempt to be upbeat in its dissemination of information.

Nethanyahu

Binyamin Nethanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, is a Libran, with some wide but powerful conjunctions in his chart:

He has Venus conjunct Chiron, so in his personal life has some unorthodox solutions to personal problems.  He has Moon conjunct Neptune, which may have been misused in manipulation, as its potential is emotional sensitivity.  He has a ruthless conjunction of Mars and Pluto, which is wide, but evident in his attitude to life.  Tellingly, Neptune is exactly conjunct the South Node, which shows that subterfuge is a habit he has brought through from past lives.  Crucially, he manipulated the last election by exploiting fear over Iran.  Currently he has Uranus opposite his Moon, and Saturn on his Ascendant, so he is sitting uncomfortably, possibly awaiting the next phase of U.N. policy.

Saudia Arabia

There is an aloofness in the Saudi Arabian chart, with a religious flavour, as described by Jupiter exactly conjunct Neptune in Virgo in the 9^th House.  This reflects its untouchability at the moment, with no country challenging its exploits in the Middle East, or its lack of assistance to the refugees.  At the same time it has a commanding conjunction of the Sun to its Midheaven in 10^th House, reflecting its oil-related dominance in the world.  This is strengthened by an exact trine with Saturn, and the creation of a Grand Trine with Chiron in Taurus.  Currently, Chiron squares its Ascendant on the 4^th House cusp, which may be connected with the shattering losses at Mecca and the Hajj recently.  But Saturn also trines its natal Mars at the moment, so it is still keeping a lid on some of its action and policies.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

This new ruler of Saudi Arabia, since January, has his Neptune exactly conjunct the South Node of Saudia Arabia, showing the strong genetic lineage with its royal family, and karmic link with the country, ruling by divine right.  He is a hard headed Capricorn, with the North Node conjunct his Sun in Capricorn, born to rule.  There is no reason to see that he would step out of the status quo that has governed his country for decades.  He has Venus trine exactly Pluto, and would fight for those he loves.  And how do the stars look in relation to him at the moment?  In one word, resolute.  Mars is trine his Uranus, and Uranus sextile his Mars, plus Pluto is on his North Node.  He is in no mood to compromise, though karma could work against him.

Transits to United Kingdom and United States

At this point in time, Jupiter is opposite the United Kingdom Uranus, which can bring sudden changes.  Pluto opposes the United States Sun, which is an aspect of upheaval.  For its leaders personally, Chiron opposes David Cameron’s natal Pluto, stirring him deeply, while Barack Obama has a good set of personal transits: Mars sextile his natal Venus, Saturn sextile his Jupiter, and the North Node trine his Jupiter (he may be able to be more productive than usual).

Aspects

In the early hours of tomorrow morning (2.50 a.m. in the U.K.) There is a Full Moon, a Lunar Eclipse and Supermoon.  The position of the Moon will be 4 degrees Aries.  Eclipses, particularly if they fall in a crucial position of one’s chart, can affect life over the following 6 month period, even if nothing appears to be happening at the time of the actual eclipse.  The Moon in Aries describes the emotional need to fulfil one’s own goals.  It opposes the Sun in Libra, which represents the need for fulfillment in partnership, often necessitating negotiation and compromise.  These represent the two opposing forces at this time, which may prey on your mind and keep you awake tonight!  Do you do the right thing for yourself, or for your significant other?  Or perhaps you have conflicting needs within your own psyche and current lifestyle.  I am sure Shakespeare described the dilemma better in one of his plays.

On Wednesday (30^th) lunchtime, the Sun conjuncts Mercury in Libra at 7 degrees.  This is a bull’s eye of concentration in the middle of the week, so you can aim for results at that time.  If you have legal or artistic aims and projects, there will be a succinct moment when all can come together, and be expressed perfectly.

There are no aspects in the second half of the week, but two fixed stars in the constellation of Virgo are aligned with our Sun.  You can give them a whirl, if you like!

Fixed Stars

On Thursday 1^st – Friday 2^nd October Vindiematrix and Porrima can assist you.

According to “Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld, when considering Vindiematrix:

“People who work together can gradually discover a common goal.  You may find that there are resistances and struggles with accepting that goal as your own.  For instance: ‘It isn’t what I thought of myself, but what the group thought of.” Or, ‘If I work with this, will I be tied to this group?’ By utilizing this star, you may discover the ideas that formed the initial inspiration.”

And for Porrima:

“The use of these stars can create a powerful balancing of the ability to be effective in the world, combined with the ability to learn.  The awareness of this balance within individuals for the purpose of learning can affect left and right brain balance, but generally will be around apprenticeship and working with other people for learning new information and new ideas from them.  Utilization of this star provides a deep learning as if there is an apprenticeship, a companionship, an absorption, a oneness, and then a release so that the learning takes place in a powerful transfer.”

That is interesting for me, because I am going on a course next Friday (which I will write about next week).

Past Lives

Porrima also has some interesting past life information: “In Atlantis this binary star was utilized for the development of crystalline technologies for the receptivity and transfer of information into a crystal and then into a person.  This was done utilizing  the light from this binary, the elixir, but most importantly by journeying to Porrima in one’s mind.”  You may find that interesting if you work with crystals.

The week in bullet points:

• Monday – a turning point
• Wednesday – a focal point
• Thursday and Friday – group work, and learning

Libra Animal Totems and Archetypes

The Sun enters Libra at 8.21 a.m. on Wednesday 23^rd September, ushering in the Autumn Equinox.  This is the fifth in the series where I look at some of the animal totems and Archetypes for the various signs. The traditional symbol for Libra is of course inanimate: the scales.  But Libra does have animal power to draw upon.  The emphases with many of these totems and archetypes are the Libran qualities of Love and Peace.  Do you, or someone close to you, have Sun, Ascendant or Moon in Libra?

Deer

The main quality which qualifies the deer as principal animal totem for Libra, is its gentleness, and there is also its elegance.

In “Medicine Cards” by Jamie Sams and David Carson we learn:

“Deer teaches us to use the power of gentleness to touch the hearts and minds of wounded beings who are trying to keep us from Sacred Mountain…Stop pushing so hard to get others to change, and love them as they are.”

In “Animal Spirits” by Nicholas J. Saunders he tells us:

“A gentler approach to the animal is seen in Buddhist teachings, where the deer symbolizes meditation and meekness.  Deer on either side of the circle of the Wheel of Law signify the Buddha’s first sermon, which was preached in the deer park at Sarnath.”

Ted Andrews adds that deer represents innocence and return to the wilderness, while Nicky Scully emphasizes sensitivity and in particular sensing the environment.

Bambi is surely one of the cutest cartoon characters ever created!

Fluffy White Angora Bunnies

The fluffy white angora bunny represents Libra’s cute and fluffy side, soothing and comforting, as a child’s toy if not the real thing.  I have used this animal for Libra for over 20 years, but have a gorgeous photo taken a couple of years ago of my grandson’s encounter with just such a bunny across a garden fence – he has a Libran Ascendant.  It was quite an initiation for him, as the whiskers were right in his face!

Bird Totems

As an Air sign, there is an emphasis on bird totems.  Birds of Libra are generally very elegant, such as the long-legged flamingo and the avocet wading bird.  Then there are the lovey dovey ones…

Flamingo

Flamingos really are beautiful birds, a joyous sight to behold as they gather in the lakes, even for those who don’t like pink!  Pink is one of the colours associated with Venus, the ruling planet of Libra.

Angela Wansbury emphasizes the balancing qualities of flamingo, which of course is one of the attributes of the Scales:

“A flamingo is asking, have you recently been upset when you didn’t maintain your centre?  Did a person or situation throw you off balance and you got very hurt and angry instead of being poised and unfazed?  Look at what negative beliefs the situation or the other person invoked in you, and use them as a learning curve.”

Doves

Doves and Peace

Doves have traditionally been associated with peace, especially in connection with the biblical story of Noah and the flood, where the dove carries an olive branch in its beak.

Angela Wansbury advises:

“If you are fretting over a situation and a dove appears, it is telling you to quieten your mind and to stop worrying, because dwelling on the problem is not only making the matter seem worse but it is stopping intuitive thoughts and guidance coming through.  If you are currently going through a harrowing time, the appearance of a dove is reassuring you that peace is coming soon.”

Ted Andrews points out:

“The song of the dove speaks to all who hear it.  Its mournful tones stir the emotions, the internal waters.”

Turtle Doves and Love

Doves are sometimes released at weddings, which are Libran occasions as Libra rules marriage.  The turtle dove is associated with Love especially, and often depicted as a pair, signifying soul mates.  They form strong pair bonds.  They are referred to in the biblical Song of Songs, and as one of the true love’s gifts in the Christmas carol.

Cranes

“White crane!
Lend me your wings
I will not fly far
From Lithang, I shall return”

So wrote the 6^th Dalai Lama in a love song.

The crane is a bird revered in the Eastern countries of China, Japan and Tibet, and has the elegance in its flight that we would expect of a Libran bird.  In my work on Karmic Astrology, I associate Libra with these Eastern cultures, for example when looking at countries important in past lives.

Ted Andrews tells us:

“The crane was a powerful symbol to the ancient Chinese.  It is a symbol of justice and longevity, and it is one of many solar symbols…If the crane has shown up in your life as a totem, it could very well reflect that you are about to recover what had almost become extinct within you.…The crane can also provide possible clues to past life experiences”

Nicholas J. Saunders adds:

“Vigilance, longevity, wisdom and fidelity are prominent in the spectrum of the creature’s positive attributes….The elegance of their natural lines made them popular subjects with Japanese artists”

There’s a Japanese legend and tradition that folding 1000 origami cranes will grant a wish, and you might think this is too much effort, but my niece did just that for a wedding present to her brother and his wife last weekend, presented in a lantern.  Don’t try this at home if you do not wish to incur an R.S.I., was the implied message of her accompanying note.

Archetypes

There are a number of Archetypes associated with Libra, and I have picked out just a few.

Knight

The knight is associated with the medieval codes of romance, courtly love, courtly manners and chivalry, but also with its polarity Aries through warriorship.  The term “gallantry” comes from the Baroque ideal of refined elegance.

Princess

The Princess Archetype is the Queen (Leo Archetype) in waiting, the desire for emotional power but with the lack of responsibility.  It is carefree and youthful.  Often a young girl will play Princess to a certain type of father, who is willing to play the game of pampering.  It can be a harmless Archetype, but is sometimes seen as a diva.  It can be a necessary stage of development for a female in trying to establish her own power.  In some ways it is the female counterpart of the Knight, in its pleasantries, and is related to the Damsel Archetype.

Advocate

Librans are well known for their love of justice and fairness.

Advocate – Traditional

Traditionally, the Advocate is squarely Libran, associated with the law profession and promoting equality.  In her “Archetype Cards” Caroline Myss defines it embodying “a lifelong devotion to championing the rights of others and a passion to transform social injustices.”

Advocate – Modern (with Aquarius)

In her book “Archetypes” Caroline Myss introduces new forms of Archetypes for the modern world.  For the Advocate, she progresses the picture:

“The Advocate may be the most unfamiliar archetype among our family of ten.  That’s because this is a relatively recent addition to the cosmic theatre, having emerged as a recognized pattern of power with the rise of civil consciousness and social action in the 1960s”

Her final thought is: “There has never been a time in history so primed for the talents of true Advocates.  Listen to your heart, find your cause, and commit to it.”

Famous Examples: John Lennon, Sun in Libra, Advocate of Peace, with Ascendant in Aries the Action Hero, partnered by Yoko Ono, Sun in Aquarius, the Social Activist.

Sting and Bob Geldof, Librans born in the same week of the same year, are Advocates for a number of causes.

Married couple Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas share a birthday in Libra, and have hosted a Nobel Peace Prize concert together.  He has been involved in supporting the causes of human rights, nuclear disarmament and gun control (specifically prompted by the death of John Lennon).

Diplomat

The Diplomat is related to the Mediator Archetype.  In my 2010 article which appeared as a guest blog on Joyce Mason’s astrological blog site, I identified an Archetype for South Node in Libra for a past life:

South Node in Libra

Venus conjunct South Node

Archetype: The Diplomat
Place: Ancient Greece
Time: 421 BC

My name is Demis. I live in Corinth and try to smooth relations between  Athens and Sparta. I can see both their qualities and greatness and feel that I can bring them together.  There are plenty of people practising the art of war, but not enough cultivating the art of peace.  I love justice, too, having been educated in philosophy and law and hope one day that all people will accept the balance it brings. I am proud, too, of the artistic achievements of my country, which I think are outstanding. For beauty is truth and truth beauty, as you can see on this urn that I have before me. Maybe one day a poet will capture that essence.

Fashionista

Another modern Archetype pointed out by Caroline Myss is “The Fashionista”:

“If you are a modern-day Fashionista you were formed out of two opposing forces.  One is the feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s, which gave you an appetite for freedom of expression and appreciation for your body.  The other is the rise of the modelling and cosmetics industries and the fashion press…”

Under her Checklist for the Fashionista she offers the mantra “I consider my life my personal fashion statement.”

Famous Examples: Gok Wan, Style Guru – Though he is a meticulous Virgo Sun Sign, he has a forensic exact conjunction of Mercury and Pluto in Libra.

Maria Bueno, who in the 1960s wore groundbreaking tennis outfits and was the last word in elegance; Serena Williams is also Libran, and has a fashion house.

Gary and Martin Kemp, Libran brothers, leaders in the New Romantic(s) movement of musical style in their band “Spandau Ballet”.  Librans are collaborators, so where you have two Librans together, there can be a good partnership.

Mythological Figures

Aphrodite

Ted Andrews links the Greek Goddess of Love neatly with one of Libra’s bird totems informing us that “In the Greek tradition, Aphrodite was born from an egg brooded by a dove.”  Ancient Greece is another country linked with past lives in Karmic Astrology, with its elegant architecture and classical beauty.

Cupid and Eros

Eros was the Greek God of Love (sometimes known as the son of Aphrodite), while Cupid (meaning “desire”) was his Roman counterpart.

If you are Libran, and you feel these totems and archetypes are not edgy enough for you, it may be down to another element of your chart.  Rarely is a Libran 100% so in a totally hearts and flowers way, and will often for instance have some of its neighbouring sign Scorpio, which is very edgy.

Bibliography:

“Medicine Cards” by Jamie Sams and David Carson

 “Archetypes” and “Archetype Cards” by Caroline Myss

 “Animal Speak” by Ted Andrews

“Animal Spirits” by Nicholas J. Saunders

“Birds Divine Messengers” by Angela Wansbury

Tags: Love, Peace, Elegance, Gentleness, Weddings

Aspects

First of all, I have to apologize to my dear readers for alerting them maybe prematurely to the shift of the karmic North Node into Virgo, because it is still at 0 degrees Libra (it moves backwards).  Some people do prepare that far ahead and sense such a shift earlier, but you may need your energies elsewhere this week.  It will reach 29 degrees 59 minutes of Virgo from 0 degrees Libra on 10^th October.  So I will repost some of that information on Sunday 4^th October, so that you will be really in gear.

This week is split into two halves: the first half, until Wednesday, is felicitous and smooth-sailing; the second half (Thursday to Saturday) is more challenging (or at best, mixed).  Perhaps leave some space in your diary in the second half, for the digestion of experiences.

The felicitous day is Wednesday (23^rd), the day of the Autumn Equinox, which brings two harmonious aspects.  In the early hours of the morning Venus trines Uranus, and you may be anticipating a super social day.  Even if your diary is blank, you may experience a delightful chance encounter, e.g. in the supermarket if your routine is humdrum.  It is a good day for social communication, and group activities.  If you are an artist, you may receive intuitions of a highly original order.

The Equinox occurs at 8.21 a.m. so you can start the day with celebration of the change of season, appreciating the mist and mellow fruitfulness.  The Sun is entering Libra, the sign of relationship, art and fairness.  We have worked hard perhaps at establishing our new term’s working schedules, and setting up activities for the Autumn, under the Sun in Virgo.  We can relax into those schedules now.

In the evening, the Sun sextiles Saturn in Sagittarius.  You may get a sense at this time of what benefits, if any, you can expect from Saturn’s entry into the jolly sign of the zodiac.  The tone may not be jolly, as Saturn is always serious, but there may be an uplift of something you have been struggling with, which may seem relatively jolly.  You may see a humorous side, or a silver lining, in a serious undertaking.  It is also a good day for planning in general.

Thursday (24^th) may start well, because the Sun conjuncts North Node, and if you have been eating your greens your hair may turn curly, or there may be some other karmic reward for some other good effort.

However, you may sense there is something else brewing throughout the day, because in the evening Mercury squares Pluto as it backtracks along its retrograde path.  You may remember that when Mercury was going forward on Wednesday (9^th) it ran into this problem:

“…we may be forced to re-think a course of action, or turn our consciousness round at least 90 degrees.  What we thought reasonable yesterday may come up against a glitch, or be opposed by authorities.  Perhaps you had an idea about improving community relations, and it proves unworkable due to government cuts.  Some deep thinking about causes and effects may bring about a breakthrough in how to proceed.  In the meantime, if the stand-off brings about a headache, lying in a darkened room may allow more inspiration to arise.” That one – maybe you recall the issue.  With Mercury retrograde, there may even be a return to the same issue.

The aspects of Friday (25^th) are reasonable enough: First Mars enters Virgo, so our energetic expression turns from show and spin to something of more substance and practicality.  The last vestiges of holiday mode are laid aside, and we knuckle down to achieving our life’s work, mind, body and spirit.  We are motivated to having something to see emerging from our aspirations.

Then Pluto turns direct, which is very useful indeed, like the Universe backing us up and supporting what we are trying to do, instead of the constant challenges it sometimes feels are thrown at us.  With Saturn having been in Scorpio, and Pluto having been retrograde, our psyches have been put through a mill and tested to the hilt recently.  Maybe you can give yourself a pat on the back for something you’ve done recently which you didn’t think you could do.

Finally, on Saturday (26^th) we again need to exercise caution because Saturn is squaring Mars, and frustrating attempts to implement the actions we intend as part of our life’s plan, or seasonal plan.  Maybe we planned for a round hole and find ourselves with a square peg.  Or there is a hole in our bucket.  We know what we want, but someone else has a different idea, and their will needs to be honoured just as much.  Our desires come up against reality.  So it may be a question of compromise, or patience, or negotiation. Or you may need to obtain a new spare part.

There may be an impasse, and that might contribute to some pre-eclipse fever or tension building up towards the following Monday (28^th).  You need plenty of breathing and meditation at the end of this week to aid problem-solving and keep you equinanimous and buoyant in the run up to that eclipse.

The week in bullet points:

• Wednesday – a gold star day
• Thursday – karmic rewards, then stressful debate
• Friday – hard work, and psychological breakthrough
• Saturday – impasse

North Node in Virgo

You may notice a subtle shift in karma starting this week, as the North Node begins to transition from Libra to Virgo.

Recently, you may have noticed old relationships surfacing for resolution, as the North Node leaves Libra.  That effect is not to be confused with the recent turning to direct motion of Venus, but is more karmic in effect, as though karma is at least neutralized if not harmonized.

The karmic tone of the North Node in Libra was diplomacy, and it is interesting that a deal was finalized with Iran during that time.  Progress in the sanctioning of same sex marriage also took place under North Node in Libra.

The karmic focus of the next 18 months, with the North Node in Virgo will be health and ecological concerns.  Climate change will come further forward on the global agenda.

In our personal lives, we will be urged to attend in greater detail to the minutiae of life and its symbolism.

In politics, the protection of the work force by the trade unions may be strengthened in importance, having waned for many years.  Maybe the balance needs to be redressed or re-adjusted slightly.

A push towards scientific research and medical breakthroughs are highly possible under this placing.

Scrupulous ethics and morals may be the order of the day, as old scores are settled and old abuses held to account.

Famous Example:

Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan has an evolved North Node in Virgo, which represents her moral rectitude and emphasis on her love and value of study.  In her address to the U.N. she reminded the world that the pen is mightier than the sword: “Let us pick up our books and our pens, they are the most powerful weapons.”  Virgo leads by quiet example and dignity, not ostentatious show.

Aspects

On Sunday (13^th) there is a New Moon and Eclipse at 20 degrees Virgo.  This could lend a bittersweet tone to the day.  There is a new beginning, but also a sense of a farewell and poignancy at the same time, letting go of something or someone, according to where it falls in your chart Housewise.  The song “This could be the last time” by the Rolling Stones comes to mind.  We will have a new Labour leader, for sure, if the result is not under contention.  This event may cause a wobble, partly through the eclipse and partly via the change of karmic emphasis due to the Nodal Axis changing signs.

On Thursday (17^th) a most important and heavyweight aspect occurs: that of Neptune opposing Jupiter.  This is a confusion in matters of faith, religion and spirituality.  It may throw up all sorts of related conundrums, e.g. in connection with holy wars.  It is an opportunity to delve deep into your heart to see what you truly believe in, and you may be asked to make a choice on some deep issue of morality and ethics.

In the afternoon/early evening of the same day, Mercury stations prior to turning retrograde, a popular favourite (not).  Batten down your communication hatches, and prepare your usual Mercury retrograde rituals.  I will need to start that tax return before Thursday, so that it does not get ensnared in the 3-week event: the deadline is fast approaching!  Mercury will go direct again on 10^th October, for the record.

Another big astrological event occurs on Friday (18^th) with Saturn’s re-entry into Sagittarius from Scorpio, this time for a long stay (up to December 2017).  Can you remember your state of consciousness last Christmas?  Saturn first entered Sagittarius on 23^rd December 2014.  I wrote for the time:

“Saturn in Sagittarius

In the afternoon, a major development takes place: Saturn leaves Scorpio, which has been heavy going, and enters Sagittarius, which Astrologers generally are welcoming (except for Sagittarian Astrologers of a certain age, who remember the entry of Saturn into Sagittarius 29 Years ago).  But, a change is as good as a rest, and you may have been battling heavy issues for the two and a half years of Saturn’s sojourn in Scorpio, which may look more refreshing under Saturn in Sagittarius.  There certainly seemed to be an increase in violence in society and around the world during Saturn’s trip through Scorpio.  Saturn may lighten up in Sagittarius, and see the lighter side of life.  There may be an attitude of “Why not laugh about your problems?”.  For Sagittarians though, and depending on where their Sun is placed in that sign, they may feel pinned down to a sense of reality which is not natural to their make-up.  Rose-tinted glasses, for instance, may have to be swapped for crystal clear lenses.”

Well, this Sagittarian got her crystal clear lenses, as both cataracts were removed in the meantime and replaced with acrylic lenses which enabled 20:20 vision!

Saturn re-entered Scorpio in the middle of June, and you may have noticed some heavier issues being re-worked since then.  So now that Saturn is well and truly committing itself to Sagittarius, there is another factor inducing letting go this week, perhaps bidding a farewell, and a moving on to new challenges and adventures.  That does seem to be the theme for this week in many ways.

Omar Khayyam said it best:

“The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.”

Next Week: Libran Animal Totems and Archetypes

The week in bullet points:

• Sunday – a turning point
• Thursday – moral choice; communication disruption
• Friday – from darkness into light

Refugees

 The focal point of this week was a photograph of a 3 year old Syrian boy drowned at sea, but there have also been dramatic scenes in Hungary of packed trains, a woman and baby on a railway line, and refugees marching to the Austrian border, some finally yesterday finding refuge in Germany.

Currently, Jupiter is exactly square Syria’s Mars/Uranus, possibly depicting the sudden mass emigration of its populace, who cannot take any more of ISIL or President Assad.

And Pluto is exactly square Syria’s Ascendant on the 4^th House cusp, maybe the lowest point at which it could sink.

Neptune (the sea, and photographs) in Pisces is exactly quincunx the Syrian natal North Node/Pluto conjunction (loss of life) in its 10^th House of Reputation.

David Cameron was forced, by the public outcry about the photograph, to put on a more humanitarian face after initially stating that we were not going to change our policy.  Now he intends to take a greater share of the refugee numbers.  A moment of karmic confrontation and  choice for him, shown by an exact transit of the North Node to his Ascendant, brought about by accusations of shame nationwide.

Karmic pressure was also on the Hungarian government, with the Nodal Axis squaring exactly Hungary’s natal Mars in 12^th House.  It was ironic to see people massing on trains trying to get into Germany, scenes of packed trains which invoked the holocaust from memory, but Germany’s open arms may also have been karmic.  That does not detract from the near saintliness of their contribution, contrasting the scenes of ordinary Germans welcoming their visitors with David Cameron’s jaw set to keep them out.

The North Node of karmic response was exactly transiting Germany’s Venus (unconditional love) at 1 degree Libra.  The dramatic influx of population is shown by a transit of Mars squaring exactly Germany’s natal Pluto in the 4^th House of Population.

Greece, where many of those fleeing inhumane regimes land, and where the little boy’s body was washed up, meanwhile continues to struggle in economic destitution. Their economic tormentor Germany extends a kind and open hand towards Syrians, even though Greece forgave German debt after the war.  Pluto is currently exactly opposite Greece’s Ascendant, representing dire challenges.  So the convolutions of karma continue…But, we are all in it together.

Strictly Come Dancing 2015 – Part 1

Another season is upon us, and I will catch up again with the series in a few weeks.  In the meantime, here is the first batch of contestants with their prospects:

Carol Kirkwood

Carol Kirkwood is the relentlessly cheerful weather girl, a favourite with my Hubby (and maybe yours, too).  She is also amazing for 53 – I would have put her at 20 years younger.  The upbeat qualities are shown in her chart by first and foremost Jupiter conjunct Chiron.  This conjunction is exactly trine Neptune, lending inspiration to her personality.  But her chart is not all plain sailing: she has Saturn square Neptune and Sun square Pluto, plus Saturn on the South Node, so some of that cheerfulness is pulling against some tough life experience in this life and former lives.  Venus sextiles Pluto, so she has some musicality, and Jupiter opposes Pluto so she has some desire for power.  She claims she cannot dance (Saturn square Neptune) but a breakfast TV colleague claims she can, and Chiron/Jupiter trine her Neptune testifies to some prowess on the dance floor.

At the beginning, Uranus sextiles her natal Mercury but Chiron squares her Mercury – lots of nervous tension!  When it finishes, Neptune will be square her Sun, and opposite her Pluto but trine her Venus.  The whole experience will leave her bedazzled!

I was delighted to find that Carol was partnered with the lovely Pasha Kovalev last night, and she was over the moon.  He has an intelligent Sun/Mercury conjunction in late Capricorn, which can be calculating and cool, but balanced by a warm and energetic conjunction of Mars with Jupiter.  The competition starts quietly for him with Saturn sextile his natal Sun, but finishes more explosively with Mars on his Pluto.  I suspect that Carol will not make it through to the final, but we will enjoy her participation, and the pair have good astrological connections.

Peter Andre

A veteran of reality TV, Peter Andre made his name as a singer in the early 1990s, and still graces the magazine covers to this day!  Along the way his career had a few years of struggle, until in 2004 he took part in I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here where he met the entrepreneurial Katie Price (aka Jordan) who he later married.  His original image was quite macho, and that fits with his North Node/Mars conjunction sextile his Mars which brings up the Inner Warrior archetype.  While in the jungle he penned the song “Insania” which was not an impressive tune, but full marks for his ease in writing it, inspired by falling for Katie Price and the situation of being in the jungle.  He made a series of reality shows with Katie, and since splitting up with Katie, he continued on his own, under the steam of his own power (natally Jupiter trine Pluto, and Saturn exactly sextile Chiron).

At the beginning, Peter will have Neptune on his Sun (he’ll fall in love with the experience), and at the end the South Node will be on his Mercury, Mars will be on his Uranus and Neptune square his Neptune.  He will really feel he’s learned something valuable and exciting, and like Carol will be dazzled.

Peter is partnered with Janette Manrara, who is engaged to one of the other professional dancers Aljaz Skorjanec.  Peter himself has recently re-married.  Janette was very excited (his Uranus sextiles her natal Venus) to be partnered with Peter Andre.  She is a sultry Scorpio, with enthusiastic planets in Sagittarius.  She is a bit confused right now, with Neptune squaring her natal Uranus.  It is likely that the dynamics with Peter over the next few months will affect her consciousness, and she may find it difficult to centre herself.  However there is a transit of Jupiter sextile her natal Sun close to the final, so this partnership could find itself there.  There are fireworks though in their relationship, with her Uranus square his Sun and her power planet Pluto square his natal Jupiter.  She may try to manipulate him under the legitimate guise of being his teacher, but he is his own man now, and further along from the comparative youth who fell for Katie in the jungle.

Jeremy Vine

News presenter Jeremy has an extraordinary versatility (7 of his 10 planets in Mutable signs) and energy (a triple conjunction of Uranus/Mars/Pluto).  He is going to be very nimble and fluid on the dance floor! He is a former punk (often associated with the Uranus/Pluto anarchic energy). He has 0 Cardinal planets, so might prefer to follow!  His partner will have to work hard to bring out his leadership.  Venus conjuncts exactly Jupiter in his chart, so he is immensely sociable, and likable.  There is a slight tension and strain, in an opposition between Mars and Saturn.  Some situations might provoke a stand off, where he might say “I can’t (or won’t) do this.”  This stand off is involved with his karmic path, as it squares his Nodal Axis, so there may be karmic reasons why he won’t or can’t.  But Saturn trines his natal Neptune, so he has a good balance between the practical and the spiritual in his make up.

At the beginning of the contest, Jupiter squares his Jupiter (High Hopes!).  At the end of the contest, the North Node trines his Sun (he will get his karmic just desserts).

Jeremy was cock-a-hoop at landing the experienced Karen Clifton as his partner.  She has a dreamy Moon/Venus conjunction in Pisces, gliding with a trine to her North Node, so she will always do well in ballroom dancing!  With three planets in Libra, she also connects well in partnership, and is related to another professional, Kevin Clifton.  With Mars sextile her natal Saturn at the beginning of this tournament, she starts reasonably well, and would be reasonably pleased with her partner.  At the end of the competition, Pluto sextiles her natal Venus, so this partnership could be a serious contender for the ultimate glitter ball. As they get to know each other, there could be tensions from his Pluto opposing her natal Venus, and with his Saturn on her Moon she may find him emotionally exacting: he could stretch her more than most partners.

Ainsley Harriot

Ainsley has 7 of his 10 planets in the Fixed Signs, so he may find old habits hard to break.  But his Sun is in the dance sign of Pisces, which should stand him in good stead on the dance floor, and comes from a musical family.  There is a gentlemanliness from Moon conjunct Venus, which should be enchanting in the slow dances, and he knows how to work it with Mercury also in that mix.  In the Arts, he has a love of the dramatic, shown by Venus exactly opposite Pluto.  And he can get overwhelmed in some situations, with Neptune square exactly Uranus, when he is out of the kitchen or comfort zone.  Mercury is exactly square his Nodal Axis, so he is more accustomed to the teaching role in life, and despite his prominent sense of humour, he does have a serious side (Saturn exactly sextile Chiron).

The beginning of Strictly Come Dancing sees Ainsley’s confidence in ambivalent form:  Saturn sextiles his Jupiter exactly, but squares his natal Pluto.  He will sense he is starting a challenging journey psychologically.  At the end of the series, Saturn will be square his Sun, so his confidence will be a little dented.

Ainsley has been paired with Natalie Lowe, who has Sun, North Node and Mercury in Leo which makes her a natural performer.  She has Moon, Mars and Pluto in Libra, which makes her very intense in relationship.  Uranus trines her natal Neptune at the beginning of the competition, so she will engage with the process on a deep level.  At the end, Neptune trines her Venus and Pluto trines her natal Jupiter, so if the couple survive to the end their dancing could have a real wow factor.  Their chemistry is fairly low key.

Aspects

Today, Venus goes direct after a period of retrograde motion.  Perhaps you have had to iron out some relationship issues during that time, and there is a turning point now where you feel you are not treading on so many egg shells.  Relax into a more harmonious and loving phase…

On Tuesday (8^th) Mars trines Uranus, which may see you taking more action, organizing and preparing for September’s heavy schedule.  Synchronicities may abound, and the Universe may be seen to co-operate with your plans.  An exciting day.

On Wednesday (9^th) Mercury squares Pluto, and we may be forced to re-think a course of action, or turn our consciousness round at least 90 degrees.  What we thought reasonable yesterday may come up against a glitch, or be opposed by authorities.  Perhaps you had an idea about improving community relations, and it proves unworkable due to government cuts.  Some deep thinking about causes and effects may bring about a breakthrough in how to proceed.  In the meantime, if the stand-off brings about a headache, lying in a darkened room may allow more inspiration to arise.

Chiron opposes the Sun on Saturday (12^th), and healing is trying to happen.  It is the day that the new Labour leader will be announced (at 11.45 a.m.) and it is also the Last Night of the Proms.  There is an air of finalizing or completion around this, solving a problem, or trying to bring a group of people to an experience of connectivity.  This is made more poignant by the eclipse which occurs the next day.  Saturday is about fully embracing the experience of life, the pleasure and the poignancy.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – Relationships full steam ahead
• Tuesday – Action stations!
• Wednesday – Houston, there is a problem…
• Saturday – we are all in it together

Charlotte Church

“We want to make them question what they’re doing. This is predominantly to do with the American government but it is a worldwide issue.”

~ Charlotte Church

Charlotte Church has been through many incarnations, on a transformational journey from Voice of an Angel to Social and Climate Activist, via Ladette.  I have been looking at her birthchart to track these themes and Archetypes.

Voice of an Angel

Venus in Pisces epitomizes the epithet “Voice of an Angel”, and additionally with Jupiter, the Sun, Mercury and the Part of Fortune all in Pisces in her 5^th House of Creativity and Children, she is thoroughly Piscean and very much a performer.

She found success at the tender age of 11 in 1997, and was undoubtedly outstandingly talented, though I am no vocal judge of how exceptional she was in classical singing, and how much was talent (Sun in Pisces), luck (Sun conjunct Jupiter) or karmic reward (Sun exactly sextile North Node).  She enjoyed worldwide success, selling in excess of 11 million records.

The breakthrough came when Pluto (from her 2^nd House of earning capacity) was exactly squaring her natal Sun in 5^th House, but at the same time Pluto was changing her life in an exact trine to her natal Midheaven.

She was dubbed Voice (Venus) of an Angel (in Pisces).  Caroline Myss describes the Angel Archetype as providing “a channel through which angels’ presence is palpably manifested”.

Her career trajectory in life is solidly mapped out, depicted by her Midheaven (Career)/I.C. Axis exactly square to her natal Nodal Axis.  The exaltations and challenges of her life would have been carefully scripted pre-birth.  Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac, is a sign which symbolically contains everything, like the ocean.  It is an adaptable sign, and represents the evolution of the Soul.

From Angel to Ladette

On the way to the Activist Archetype and towards the end of her classical career, she had her adolescent rebellion.  Thus she unleashed her Inner Rebel (Mercury square exactly Uranus is not afraid to be controversial in speech) which later transformed into the Activist, a more constructive manifestation of her Rebel, previously without a cause.  She left school at 16 and gained a bit of a reputation as a Ladette.

A quote from Frank Clifford in British Entertainers says it all:

“In October 2002 she was thought to be going ‘off the rails’ when caught visiting her DJ boyfriend, defying her mother and…smoking a cigarette!”

I think Frank is implying an ironic shock value, but she was involved in a spoof of TV programme  Ladette to Lady, which was called Lady to Ladette.

When she turned 18, she liberated her financial assets, and declared that she would spend as she pleased.

Failed Pop Star

Eventually she put her energies in a new direction, the pop world.  In 2005, she launched the new branch of her career, but it did not really take off.  Somehow her voice was not as stunning in the new genre, as it had been employed as a child classical singer.

The Chat Show Hostess

Her chat show “The Charlotte Church Show” aired from 2006-8, where she showed her Piscean versatility.  It was a competent undertaking, and more successful than her pop ventures.

The Altruist

Charlotte has her Ascendant in Libra, which equals love of justice and fairness, and Pisces is the sign of charity, empathy and compassion. In 2007 she supported as Patron the charity The Topsy Foundation, which worked with poverty and AIDS in South Africa.

The Mother

She became involved with the Rugby player Gavin Henson, and had two children, a daughter then a son.  Motherhood is an important role of fulfilment in her life, with such a full 5^th House, and the Moon on the Midheaven, although her relationship with Gavin did not last.  His Venus in her 4^th House of Home and Family enabled this role.  Her daughter Ruby has a healer’s chart (Part of Fortune exactly conjunct Chiron and exactly sextile Jupiter), with talents in both sport (Sun square Mars) and song (Venus at the Midheaven).  There was a great deal of press intrusion in her relationship with Gavin, and she eventually accepted £600,000 damages and testified to the Leveson inquiry.

Enter the Activist

This year we have really seen the emergence of her Inner Activist.  This is an Archetype I associate with Mars and Aries (the Action Hero), and Uranus and Aquarius (The Rebel).  It is possible she took time to get her Mars and Uranus functions under control, because both have difficulty by way of squares in her natal chart, Mars square Venus giving her a passionate nature, and Uranus square Jupiter giving her an addiction to risk.

She has been seen opposing welfare cuts, supporting the left wing Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn, and opposing the drilling for oil by Shell in the Arctic Circle.

On 21^st June she took a prominent role in an Anti-Austerity march in London, in which she stated that austerity was “unethical, unfair and unnecessary”.  She warned “the Government will “sell off our schools and our hospitals, and once it is done, it will be very difficult to reverse”.  She found a different, but no less potent voice, that of Piscean compassion.

In July she endorsed Jeremy Corbin, explaining that he is “unconflicted in his political views, and abstemious in his daily life. He is one of the only politicians of note that seems to truly recognise the dire inequality that exists in this country today and actually have a problem with it.”  She now has a new name in the media: “Prosecco Socialist”.

This week she turned out a performance below a London bridge, protesting against the Obama’s new endorsement of Shell for drilling oil in the Arctic.  In an astrological endorsement of her Inner Warrior, Mars was exactly trine her natal Mars.  Jupiter was exactly trine her natal North Node in Taurus, giving a nod of approval to her karmic mission.

In Esoteric Astrology, the Earth rules Sagittarius, the sign which contains both her natal Mars (Activist) and Uranus (Rebel).  The Earth is said to be positioned in the natal chart opposite the Sun.  At this week’s event, when she sang Dinah Washington’s blues song “The Bitter Earth” the Sun and Jupiter were on her natal Earth position.

In the last year or two, her Progressed Sun moved from Pisces to Aries (the Activist), which explains some of the timing of her recent transformation.  She stands on the brink of her Saturn Return in Sagittarius (14^th December this year), which is a serious moment of contemplation about the structure of one’s life.  Who knows where the next year will take her…

There are several examples of celebrity females who have gone through a conventional phase, then a wild child phase, then turned to altruism.  Charlotte does at the moment seem to be expressing her Soul values.  Sometimes the personal challenges intervene, and throw a person off track for a while, but for now she seems on track.

Aspects

There are only three aspects this week, so listen carefully and make the most of them!

On Tuesday (1^st), the Sun opposes Neptune, which may bring up a mystery to be solved.  You may be working hard to achieve clarity on an issue in your life, and be torn by compassion.  On the world front, it may be a key day in relation to the fate of the boat migrants across the Mediterranean, as Neptune represent the sea and European leaders are trying to achieve some consensus about what to do about them.  It seems the poorest countries such as Greece seem to be on the coal face of the incoming refugees fleeing barbaric regimes in Africa and the Middle East, and some European countries are more humane than others in their approach to the subject.

The same day, Venus conjuncts Mars, which is a pleasure-orientated combination.  In art or social interaction, the sensuality could hold sway.  If you are being creative, you will enjoy the process.  If on the other hand, you are nursing patients or looking after migrants, you will want to make them as comfortable as possible.  It is a day dedicated to trying to make this earth side experience a heightened one.

On Saturday (5^th) the Sun trines Pluto, and all could achieve a meaningful and satisfying interpretation of life’s experiences.  The impetus at the beginning of the week to co-ordinate compassion and practicality, and enjoyment, may have resulted in ideas and moves which enhance the quality and depth of your daily life and interests.  Saturday’s activities and contemplations could see the fulfilment of the puzzles and promises of the early experiences of the week.  It may also see some problem-solving by the powers that be.

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – confusion and delights
• Saturday – profound conclusions

Virgo Animal Totems and Archetypes

The Sun went into Virgo at 10.37 this morning.  Did you feel the shift?  This is the fourth in the series where I look at some of the animal totems and Archetypes for the various signs. Maybe you are Virgo Sunsign, Ascendant or Moonsign, or know someone who is.

Mouse

Virgo generally rules small, and often humble creatures, and none more aptly than mouse.  Mouse conveys many Virgoan characteristics.

Jamie Sams and David Carson’s description of mouse in his medicine cards reads like a textbook for Virgo.  Here is a sample:

“It is good medicine to pay attention to detail, but it is bad medicine to chew every little thing to pieces”  [Virgo rules the intestines].

“Mouse people anger many other medicine types because they appear to be nit-pickers…They sort and categorize and file away for later use”

Nicky Scully says about Mouse: “It is important for humans to realize the sacredness of simplicity.  We tend to be demanding, always wanting the most and highest for ourselves, even on a spiritual level, and forcing our will on our environment.  Field mice have a richness in their lives that comes from living in harmony with the elements.”

The harvest mouse is especially associated with the Autumn season.

Rat

Small rats can come under Virgo, but larger ones more with Scorpio;  see Kim Sheridan’s book “Animals and the Afterlife” to understand the complexity of communication that can occur with rats.

The Squirrel or Tree Rat, squirreling nuts in the Autumn, is also a creature associated with Virgo.

Insects

Insects are a large category of creatures who come under Virgo, especially colonies of worker ants and bees (excluding the Queen Bee).

Here is an interesting piece from Diana Cooper (newsletter, 2012) about ants:

“Ants are fifth dimensional and originate from Sirius.  They build according to sacred geometry and so attract the sonics of the angels.  They teach oneness. They bite in order to protect themselves but there is no emotion as they do so.  They did not bite when they were in golden Atlantis for there was no need to.”

And another intriguing piece from Laeh Maggie Garfield on Crickets:

“Crickets and other chirrupers make a very different kind of sound (in unison they produce a sleighbell effect, a jingling pulsation), but from this background some people are able to discern phrases in plain English: mainly advice and answers to questions.  Though cricket messages may not bring inner peace, they tend to be prosperity-orientated.”

Beaver

Beaver is associated with Virgo through its industriousness and eagerness to help.

Nicky Scully writes “…the journey with Beaver is for assistance in bearing the responsibilities of daily life creatively.  He can help us to be more productive and industrious in our activities.  Beaver does what needs to be done without wasting energy through procrastination.”

Big Cat

If you are Virgoan and identify with some larger animals, this could be a characteristic from another element of your birthhcart, such as Leo planetary placements which are often found in Virgo charts as they are neighbouring.

But the good news is that Virgo has its very own Big Cat!  Virgo rules small patterns such as spots, and the Leopard is a favourite with Virgos according to a recent survey I conducted.  It is the perfect totem for a Virgoan thinking on a larger scale, or wanting to achieve greater ambitions.

Bird Totems

Birds of Virgo are the ordinary, humble birds, not the showy variety of some other signs.

Sparrow

The everyday bird next door, the Sparrow, epitomizes Virgo.

Famous Example: Chanteuse Edith Piaf, known as “the little sparrow”, who had Virgo at the Midheaven (which represents the persona in the world).

Ted Andrews writes about the history of the Sparrow in his book “Animal Speak”.  He tells: “…during the Middle Ages, it was a symbol for the peasants and lower classes throughout Europe.  Peasants, at this time, were often helpless under the power of the overlords.  Because of this, they loved to hear tales of how the insignificant sparrow triumphed over such powerful enemies as wolves, bears and eagles – the traditional symbols of nobility and those who mistreated the peasants…its ability to multiply and assert itself in spite of predation reflects the idea that nobility of the common person is inherently strong.”

Wren

Little Jennie Wren is a much loved bird (by all signs) and carries some of the essence of Virgo.

According to  Andrea Wansbury in  “Birds Divine Messengers” she can help with self-worth.

“A wren is asking you how you value yourself….Where in your life are you holding yourself back by deliberately not starting projects because you think you are not good enough?” 

Archetypes

There are a number of Archetypes associated with Virgo, and I have picked out just a few.  If you feel strongly that I have omitted a favourite of yours, please add a comment!

The Bluestocking

I have known several Virgo bluestockings in my time!  The Bluestocking is a studious, intellectual woman, so named after a society founded in the 18^th Century by Elizabeth Montagu, who had her North Node (karmic mission) in Virgo exactly conjunct Pluto with Mars and Venus close by.  She gave birth to a sexual stereotype, depicted graphically by the planets clustered around her North Node in Virgo.

The Servant

The Virgoan is just as talented and accomplished as anyone else, but often chooses to work behind the scenes.  Thus the Servant is a common Archetype for this sign.  Caroline Myss describes this Archetype as engaging “aspects of the psyche that call us to make ourselves available to others for the benefit and enhancement of their lives.”

Virgoans are often found as health workers and therapists, and Chiron “The Wounded Healer” is often ascribed to this sign.

The Martyr

This Archetype is shared with Pisces, and Virgo forms a polarity with that sign.  It is a polarity which is much associated with the story of Jesus and the Crucifixion (through Pisces) and his mother Mary, particularly associated with Virgo.

A very ordinary way in which Virgoans can typify the Martyr Archetype is their insistence that they will do something themselves in order to make a better job of it, rather than entrust it to someone else.  This can start as an expression of their perfectionism, but in a relationship interaction can turn into a martyr complex, especially if anger and resentment are involved.

Religious Figure

Mother Mary, the Virgin Mary, is the archetypal religious figure for Virgo, representing purity and associated with the immaculate conception.  Some may regard her as a Deity, Goddess, or Master in the New Age sense (female Masters seem not to be called Mistresses).

Famous Example:  Queen Elizabeth 1,  The Virgin Queen, born 7 September 1533.

Caroline Myss says of the Virgin Archetype generally: “Needs to be explored symbolically as a pattern that represents not only purity, but also the beginning point of creation, as in bringing forth virgin ideas.”

Bibliography:

“Medicine Cards” by Jamie Sams and David Carson

 “Archetype Cards” by Caroline Myss

 “Companions in Spirit” by Laeh Maggie Garfield

“The Golden Cauldron” by Nicky Scully

“Animal Speak” by Ted Andrews

Aspects

The Sun entered Virgo at 10.37 a.m. this morning, and you may have felt the shift from holiday mode to preparing for the new term.  It was a glorious 30 degree sunny day yesterday here in Norfolk, a fine day to see Leo out!  My hubby and I spent it in a light and airy indoor meeting for new Labour members in Cambridge, but maybe you headed to the coast and had a dip in the ocean instead?  Today you may have deadlines related to documentation or Autumn schedules, working round the Sunday nut roast perhaps.

Wednesday (26^th) is the most promising day of the week, with two constructive aspects.  If you are planning ahead, a couple of dynamic appointments will do your diary proud.  In the afternoon, Mercury sextiles Saturn, which is very constructive for mental work.  Hopefully, you will have put in some preparatory graft from Sunday, inspired by the Sun’s entry into Virgo.  Take out and brush down your Inner Bluestocking, and get the first chapter of your new political thriller onto paper or screen (I intend to).  Wednesday will reward you by solidifying literary efforts, and learnings, and start to turn them into something more solid.  Practical plans of this nature can be founded.

In the evening, the Sun conjuncts Jupiter, one of the best aspects all the year round.  Success can be yours, dreams can come true, in the nature of the House it falls in, e.g. a creative venture if it falls in your 5^th House.  Encouraged by more sober progress in the afternoon, you are allowed to be more flighty and fanciful for the evening’s ventures.  It is a lottery evening in the U.K., so worth a flutter as an impulse buy, though of course we can’t all win…  A tip: The conjunction occurs at 22.02 Hrs so it is all the twos for numerology enthusiasts, and if you are picking your numbers it might be worth a try.

Mercury enters Libra on Thursday (27^th), and although the Sun is telling us to prepare for the Autumn academic and working schedules, Mercury’s mental vibrations are moving on to a more artistic and musical theme.  Musical and artistic composition is encouraged by this placement, and relationships benefit from dialogue, communication, sharing and analysis.  The emphasis in diplomacy and international relations is on communication, rather than gunboat diplomacy.

On Friday, the True North Node conjuncts Mercury.  You may feel a karmic compulsion to talk about serious issues, justice and fairness.  The international community may be forced to knuckle down and talk to each other about finance, and fleeing migrants from foreign regimes.  Climate change could also be on that agenda.  The True North Node has a spiritual emphasis.

The following day, Saturday (29^th) the Mean North Node makes the aspect with Mercury.  It is just a slight difference in calculation, but the emphasis is slightly more practical.  So Friday’s discussions may be prompted by idealism, and Saturday can bring more practical discussion, after a night mulling over the implications of the ideas which were brought to your attention the day before.  You may be aware of guidance overnight from the Lords of Karma, urging patterns of thought aligned with the interests of the planet.

By Saturday afternoon/evening, The Pisces Full Moon (at 6 degrees) will have you either worked up to a lather with anxiety about all that needs to be achieved, or a fullness of heart knowing that you are on the right path to making a difference.

The week in bullet points:

 

• Today – approaching new work patterns
• Wednesday – achievement and celebration
• Thursday – mental focus on the Arts
• Friday – karmic discussion on a spiritual level
• Saturday – karmic discussion on a practical level; emotional full flood

Deputy Labour Leader Contest

With the ballot papers about to land on the mat, it is probably time to look at the contenders for Deputy Labour Leader (sorry folks, another fun-filled political blog underway).  If you are undecided, the astrological picture may help guide you (more apologies, this time to the non-Labour population).

Ben Bradshaw

Ben Bradshaw is a Virgoan: As the Sun will be in Virgo when the result is announced, that is a plus for him, but I have to say I don’t think he has stood out in the race, his profile has not been as high as it could be.  He also has Mercury, Venus, Pluto and the North Node in Virgo, which is not particularly suited to his former post of Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, but Jupiter moving through his sign this coming year will advance his fortunes in some way, some of those personal.  He is adaptable and versatile, with 7 of his 10 planets in Mutable signs.  He has a keen intelligence (Sun exactly conjunct Mercury in Virgo) and a sensitive spirituality (Sun exactly sextile Neptune).  The latter aspect is reflective of the fact that his father was a former Anglican vicar of Norwich Cathedral.  He may be prone to social gaffes (Venus closely square Jupiter).  But he has an entrepreneurial spirit (Jupiter closely trine Uranus) so might do well in business affairs, he certainly would have an attention to detail.  His Sun is conjunct Pluto, so there may be some heavy issues in his personal life or psychology, but that can sometimes be a strength.  Mercury also exactly conjuncts Pluto, so he would be good at devising profound policies.  He will have trodden the warrior path in past lives (Mars closely square the Nodal Axis) which may equip him for political battles, though the Warrior Path may not be his focus in this lifetime.  We do not have his birth time/Ascendant, but you can see his Sunsign Virgo facially (e.g. the pixie chin).

His transits at the time of the contest results are mixed: Mars transits his natal Uranus, Jupiter transits his natal Sun/Mercury, Jupiter sextiles his natal Neptune, but Saturn squares his natal Chiron.  If Jupiter alone guaranteed success, he would do very well, but there seems to be some shock there too.

Stella Creasy

Stella Creasy is 17 years younger than Ben Bradshaw, born in 1977.  She has a pleasant Sun/Venus conjunction in Aries, but a non-aggressive Mars in Pisces.  Her Sun/Venus reflects her father’s professional training as an opera singer.  Mars trines Uranus, so she is dynamic, sparky and energetic and can get things done.  Saturn squares Uranus exactly in her chart, so her personal life may be subject to the occasional earthquake.  Her Sun trines Neptune exactly, so she has sensitivity and spirituality.  Her Venus additionally is exactly trine Neptune, so she may have artistic talents and interests, and though she was formerly a Shadow Business Minister, she might have done well under Arts and Culture.  I wonder if as an Aries she would be happy in a Deputy rather than a leadership role, but of course if she got the job she would be leading in her own area and department.  She has an unaspected Nodal Axis, so may have a fairly unfettered karma.  Chiron conjunct her Mercury may produce mental conundrums, but also a possible aptitude for problem-solving.  Though she has transiting Pluto sextile her natal Mars at the time of the contest result (putting up a good fight) Pluto also exactly squares her natal Pluto, which denotes tough circumstances.

Angela Eagle

Angela Eagle (one of twins with politician Maria Eagle) is an Aquarian: motivated by social causes.  She has Sun conjunct Chiron (a desire to heal), Jupiter exactly conjunct Saturn (can seen both sides of a story) and North Node conjunct Pluto (a meaningful karmic mission).  She is of a similar age to Ben Bradshaw.  Her Sun/Chiron/Mercury trines Mars, so she has plenty of mental and spiritual energy.  Mercury opposes Pluto exactly in her chart, so she may sometimes be subject to mental strain.  These two planets run along the Nodal Axis, so she has a Teacher Soul Lineage from past lifetimes, which informs her desire to make a difference this time round.  Jupiter conjuncts her natal Pluto at the time of the election result and so contacts her Nodal Axis: this could be a turning tide in her life, and although Jupiter opposes her natal Mercury that may just indicate extra work coming her way through being successfully elected.

Caroline Flint

Again, I don’t think Caroline Flint has been particularly high profile in this contest, but of all the contenders I am most familiar with her as she has been a regular on Question Time.  I have found her quite sharp and clear in her answers, quite impressive and fairly combative, though maybe lacking a little in gravitas.  Overall, I do like her.  Caroline is a contemporary of Ben Bradshaw and Angela Eagle, and another Virgo.  Therefore she could have a good year ahead, too.  She has a compelling North Node/Venus/Uranus triple conjunction in Leo, which may account for her generally higher media profile.  She also has an exact conjunction of Mercury and Mars in legally minded Libra, which makes her a good debater, able to pick holes in other’s arguments, and combative in speech;  hence the impression I have of her giving sharp and clear answers on question time.  Like Angela Eagle, she has Jupiter conjunct Saturn, though not exact.  The Moon is close by, but we do not have her birth time, so we don’t know how close it is.  Her Sun trines Jupiter exactly, which is a buoyant and successful aspect – she has a good parliamentary record for public office.  However, Saturn squares her Mercury/Mars conjunction, so she may sometimes fight with herself over paperwork – she was once accused of not having read a vital document.  She is doing well though in the contest, currently second to Tom Watson in popularity.  Her transits at the time of the contest result are not distinguished – they are lively but fairly minor, unless she was born at Noon in which case the North Node would be exactly trine her natal Moon, and that might provide a personal triumph or reward.

Tom Watson

Tom Watson, the front runner, has the politician’s Sun Sign, Capricorn.  He could be strident, with Sun exactly square Mars, and may need to polish up his people skills. Venus opposite Jupiter also points to possible social gaucheness. Saturn conjunct Chiron in Pisces could point to health weaknesses, which hopefully may not interfere with his career path.  His age group is between the older three and the younger one, so maybe he bridges a gap and is more in touch with the middle generation.  His natal Saturn opposes Uranus (the personal earthquake aspect) so he does not have an easy chart, and therefore not an easy path in life or easy relationships particularly.  If he has overcome all these obstacles in his personality, he may have acquired unique skills.  His strengths do lie in an exact sextile between Uranus and Neptune – the ability to grasp and work with complexity and subtlety, and Saturn exactly trine Neptune (the ability to harmoniously bring together practicality and spiritual values).  He too has the Teacher Archetype (Mercury closely trine his natal North Node), and some healing qualities (Chiron closely trine Neptune).  Again, his transits are not so strong at the time of the result, but the North Node is close enough to a trine with his natal Venus and a sextile with his natal Jupiter to indicate there may be some reward for hard work.

Conclusion

With Jupiter, the Sun and Moon all in Virgo, this may favour a result slanted in favour of the Unions.  I think the Unions are not a threat these days, and they do a good job on behalf of workers’ rights, so I do not see this as a negative.  Angela Eagle has the best transits for the result date of 12^th September.

Aspects

Continue basking in yesterday’s Sun/Venus conjunction and Mercury/Pluto trine for a few days: savour any happy outcomes from the weekend’s thoughts and activities.

The first aspect of the week arrives in the middle, on Wednesday (19^th) and that is Venus trine Uranus, which could be a real highlight.  Venus is retrograde however, so the social whirl that it brings may not be all plain sailing.  For example, there may be elements of an old relationship which may haunt in the midst of your current bliss.  Taking stock of your karma may help resolve the issue.  Artistic creativity will be original – or will it?  Are you sure you are not plagiarizing something you subconsciously saw once before.  Enjoy the benefits of the day: hopefully any drawbacks will be minor.

If you anticipate a headache this week, it could come from Mercury opposite Chiron on Thursday (20^th).  It may be a mental conundrum which you have failed to solve, and comes to a crisis point now where it has to be dealt with.  The trick with Chiron is to look for the solution within the problem.  Do you remember those Magic Eye picture puzzles which were popular a decade or so ago?  The trick was to relax and soft focus the eye, to reveal the true picture.  That may be the technique for dealing with Thursday’s situation.

Sadly, Friday (21st) brings some sort of dampener from Sun square Saturn (I would always elect to end on a bright aspect, but the astrological facts do not always comply).    It is a day when you need to look reality in the face, or perhaps deal with a long standing issue related to low self-esteem or confidence.  Resisting won’t help, but admitting you need help may.  Or maybe you will need to lend a hand to another, who needs a sounding board.  Keep the rescue remedy to hand to avoid someone’s paranoia or depression getting out of hand, and dole it out liberally.  My old friend Sandy always used to say put it in the pet’s drinking water as well for good measure.  Hopefully, the day will be helpful in getting to the root of a problem, before an upturn of the graph or the spiral.

Next Week: Virgo Animal Totems and Archetypes

The week in bullet points:

• Wednesday – the high life
• Thursday – mental conundrum
• Friday – under a cloud

 

The Great British Bake Off

In my blog on Mary Berry two years ago there was a piece of the jigsaw missing…Paul Hollywood’s birth date!  Now that is available, and the two of them are back with the super successful Great British Bake Off, together with Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc who are enjoying a career renaissance.  In addition, Paul Hollywood is appearing in a new series of “Who Do You Think You Are?”.

Mary Berry – A Reprise

From my blog dated 1/12/13:

“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 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.”

Paul Hollywood

Paul is a Sun in Pisces; well he certainly has the eyes to go with it!  Part of him wishes to stay out of the limelight, which is possibly why he found success in mid-life.

He is his own man, and has 0 planets in Cardinal signs, so doesn’t have a desire to lead, but likes to do his own thing.  He has 8 of his 10 planets in Mutable signs (unusual!) so is extremely versatile and adaptable.  He is emotional, with 5 of his 10 planets in Water, and has 0 Fire planets.  Referring to his experience in “Who Do You Think You Are?” he says: There was a time when I was talking to a historian and I had to walk away, because I was crying like a baby for about half an hour.”  His fieriness comes up in his Moon aspects (which are vague as we do not have a birth time) and in Mars square Jupiter.    But he does not let himself go overboard, with Mars conjunct Saturn.  Another set of checks and balances is seen in his Saturn exactly opposing his Uranus – he is conflicted between the old and the new.  Certainly Bake Off represents the traditional side of the equation.  He is a teacher, as seen by his Mercury closely sextile his North Node, and Venus (baking) trines his North Node as well.  He has the Wounded Healer Archetype, in Mars conjunct Chiron.

At the outset of Bake Off, Jupiter was exactly sextile Paul’s baking planet Venus, and Uranus was exactly sextile his natal North Node.  Saturn was trine his natal Venus, creating a Grand Trine together with his natal North Node.

Culinary Chemistry

Mary and Paul have a very energetic and dynamic partnership, with her Jupiter exactly trine his Mars, and his Mars trine exactly with her natal Pluto.  His Mars therefore completes a Grand Trine with her natal Pluto/Jupiter trine.  That is the recipe for their success!

Sue Perkins

Mel and Sue are the Ant and Dec of Bake Off.  They met at Cambridge University, and found success with their show Light Lunch in 1993.  After a few years where their careers diversified and faded slightly, they were offered the presenting of Bake Off, and were surprised to find that the formula worked.

Sue Perkins cannot have had an easy ride in life, with Sun conjunct Pluto square Mars.  There is a sense she may have had to fight for survival at times.  Her comic genius is shown in a classic comedian’s witty exact conjunction of Mercury and Jupiter.  Her own male and female energies are balanced (Venus trine Mars) but relationships with others not always easy (Venus square Neptune and Mars square Uranus).  She also presented a show about the Mekong River, which develops the love of travel from her Mercury-Jupiter conjunction.

When she was asked to present the Great British Bake Off she did not think it would be a lasting phenomenon.  Her transits of the time look like an event which changes her life radically: Uranus was opposing her Sun and squaring her natal Mars, and Neptune was square her Neptune.  It looks like quite an explosion in her life, astrologically.

Mel Giedroyc

Mel is said to have taken the presenting role on Bake Off  “just for the money” as money was very tight at the time.  Certainly she had a lot going on in terms of transits at the point Bake Off came into her life.  Transiting Jupiter conjunct her natal Chiron may literally have saved her maple syrup coated bacon.  Like Sue, she has a tie-in between her intellect (Mercury) and humour (Jupiter), in this case a sextile.  She has a charming triple conjunction of Venus/Sun/Mars in Gemini, which may give rise to the melodious tone of her voice, used in commercials.  Her sparky comedy duo partnership with Sue may be symbolized by her Moon conjunct Uranus in Virgo (Sue’s sign), although there is an equal chance her Moon is in Libra as we do not have her birth time.  Like Sue, she has a high energy square between Mars and Pluto, in Mel’s case exact.  They were born over a year apart.  Mel also has the chaotic Uranus/Pluto conjunction common to her year group, though by the time Sue was born it was waning.  She could suffer from high anxiety, with Mercury exactly square Chiron, too.  But she has leadership qualities in her Sun exactly sextile her natal North Node, and though she is equal billing with Sue and equal third in billing on Bake Off, it is possible that a later role in her life may fulfil that potential.

She has warm compatibility with Sue: Her Venus trine Sue’s Jupiter, and Sue’s Venus conjunct exactly her Jupiter.  In addition, they have some dynamic and complex interactions involving their outer planets.  In particular, some dramatic past lives together judging by Mel’s Pluto conjunct Sue’s South Node, perhaps saving each other’s lives and getting to know each other on a very deep level.

Aspects

In the big event of the week, Jupiter enters Virgo at 11.11 Hrs on Tuesday 11^th August.  This is good news for the coming year for people with Virgoan Sunsigns and Ascendants, who will be able to expand their talent and success.  It will though seem to be an exacting and to some extent constricting year for Sagittarians, who are more used to expansive living.  For the general astrological population, Jupiter’s time in Virgo may be helpful for jobseekers, farmers, professions which require skills of precision, breakthroughs in health research and awareness, and there may be advances in ecological areas and the battle to arrest climate change.  It will be a good period for creating your own job opportunities.

On Thursday 13^th, interestingly at 1.11 a.m. (numerologists take note this week), Mercury opposes Neptune.  That’s a very confusing aspect, and the confusion can run to your thought processes, your travel plans, or weather conditions.  You will need to make an effort to see through the fog.  As it occurs in the very early hours of the morning, drive carefully if you are late out from the night before, and sip some chamomile tea if you are awake trying to solve mental mysteries.  Otherwise, your dreams may seem confused, and their meaning obscure.

Late morning the same day the Sun trines Uranus so you may have a sudden flash of insight as to what it was all about, or futuristic vision of the way forward.  Any creativity undertaken later in the day could hold originality and inventiveness.

Friday (14^th) brings us a New Moon at 21 degrees Leo at 14.53 Hrs, a happy prospect with the promise of a new beginning in the areas of leisure, sport, holidays, creativity and the dramatic arts.  If you are involved with children or grandchildren it would be a good day for play and amusements.

Saturday (15^th) is well-starred, with a conjunction in Leo between Venus and the Sun, which should warm the cockles of your heart in some way.  This conjunction takes place at 22 degrees Leo at 19.22 Hrs, and love rules the day.  Only 33 minutes later, at 19.55 Hrs, Mercury trines Pluto, so the love you have felt could give rise to some profound thinking and ideas.  Conversation will be deep and satisfying on a psychological level.  Though these influences may permeate the whole day, the evening activities will show their effect most intensely.

Read my analysis of the four Labour Leadership candidates, below

The week in bullet points:

• Tuesday – a big shift
• Thursday – confusion, then dynamic expression
• Friday – new beginning
• Saturday – love and connecting the dots on a psychological level

Labour Party Leadership

Fitting in an extra blog this week, as I promised to look at the overall candidacy for the Labour Leadership Election ahead of the start of the vote, on Friday 14^th August.

As I have already written about Yvette Cooper and Jeremy Corbyn there isn’t too much to say, but this is the first time I have researched Andy Burnham and Liz Kendall.

Andy Burnham

Andy must be very disconcerted the way things have turned out.  He was almost a dead cert for the Labour Leadership at the outset, and along came the unpredictable Jeremy Corbyn from the outside lane of the race who is now streets ahead.  He must be thinking – what happened there?

He comes across as a competent and sincere man, but has not captured the public imagination – perhaps he is a little safe and dull?  He was born on a New Moon (Sun conjunct Moon) in the prosaic sign of Capricorn, which is strongly politically motivated.  He is a decent chap, with Venus conjunct this combination, and his heart is no doubt in a good place.  He also has his Mercury in Capricorn: a methodical, practical, systematic type of thinker.  6 of his 10 planets are in Earth signs, so he is grounded and realistic.

He does have an imaginative side, with North Node conjunct Mars in Pisces, normally the Warrior Archetype conjunction but softened by its appearance in Pisces.  He is a Warrior, but does not like to confront directly.  If he was to challenge David Cameron at Question Time, he would do so, but fall short of the killer instinct (not that I approve of violence, just sayin’).  His Mars also sextiles his Sun exactly, and he has 5 of his 10 planets in Cardinal signs, so he has energy and would see himself as a leader.

The Piscean sensitivity also extends to his mental faculties, as his Capricorn mind (Mercury) sextiles closely Neptune, the planet of imagination.  So this is a balance in his make up, between the practical and the imaginative.  His Mercury also trines closely his natal Pluto, giving him depth of thought as well.  In addition, Neptune trines his natal Chiron, so he could also bring the party together in a healing way.

Yvette Cooper

I wrote before the General Election:

“Yvette is married to Ed Balls, and has been touted as a possible future leader of the Labour Party.  She has an outstanding chart, with great leadership and healing skills (Chiron conjunct the North Node – a healing karmic mission, and Neptune trine her North Node).  She can be mentally combative and possibly irritable, with Mercury square Mars.  Like her husband she has a diffident but loyal conjunction of Venus and Saturn.  But Jupiter is exactly conjunct Uranus (the Inner Entrepreneur) and works well with groups.  Her Pisces Sun trines its ruling planet Neptune, so somewhere she is tuned in with the Cosmos”.

She would be my second choice after (you’ve guessed it) Jeremy Corbyn.  Yes I am one of the idealistic youth voting for him, or a communist or Tory voter, as the media would have it!  She represents the hope of being the first female leader outside the Tory Party.  She has found her voice this week, distinguishing herself from Andy and Liz, and having overtaken Andy in the stakes.  In a brilliant piece of political analysis, and sharp observation, she has identified 9 ways in which David Cameron has broken his election pledges since his election.  They are (courtesy of the Guardian):

Cuts in child tax credits, cuts to child benefit, cancellation of rail electrification plans, downgrading in the number of affordable new homes to be built, delaying a decision on a new airport, delaying the introduction of tax free childcare from 2015 to 2017, shelving a pledge to give public officials three days off work to take part in volunteering, delaying the social care cap until 2020, and reversing the pledge for greater government transparency.  I like her style, and the fact that she would have the backing of her husband seasoned politician Ed Balls.

Liz Kendall

Liz Kendall is a Blairite, and as such is not doing very well in the race currently.  Immediately after the election, the New Labour faction were eager to blame Ed Miliband for deserting the “progressive” movement.  Ed was stuck between a rock and a hard place, wanting to go further left and express his real beliefs, but hamstrung by New Labour, and in the end this combination was not convincing.

Time has shown that New Labour is not what people really want.  It is too much like Toryism, and also tainted by the Iraq War.  Liz desperately wants to lead the Labour Party, and say the right things, so that Labour can win the next election, but in doing so she is not able to find her heart and speak from it.  There is no doubt she has been a good local M.P. and she states she is utterly committed to the Labour Party and always will be.  But, like the Labour Party, she is trying to find her identity at the moment.

She is a Gemini, like Jeremy Corbyn, but unlike Jeremy who has stayed true to his beliefs over decades, she is more like a reed blown in the wind and wondering where to go.  His intellect is at his core, whereas her Gemini intellect (she also has Mercury in Gemini) shows the vacillating tendency of her beliefs of this placing, its weaker manifestation for the time being, though she may change later in time.

She has Venus exactly conjunct Saturn, which maybe prevents her in life (so far, at least) from easily following her heart, so may be inwardly conflicted, yet to align her head and her heart in balance.  Venus conjunct Saturn can be disappointing in personal affairs, but can also produce tremendous loyalty (as in her loyalty to her Party).

Like Andy, she has the Warrior Archetype in the form of North Node conjunct Mars, in this case exact, and in her case in Aquarius.  This is a much more upfront Inner Warrior than Andy’s.  She is a strong female warrior, and this conjunction being placed in Aquarius means that she would fiercely support and fight on behalf of the underdog.  Her constituents receive good support from her, by all accounts.

She also has Jupiter conjunct Neptune, giving her enormous faith, whether in spiritual terms or in her own abilities.  So it might appear that sometimes she might argue that black is white, or be in denial about political events.  It is generally an asset, this conjunction, and although next to the other candidates she might appear inexperienced, on her own patch she can be inspiring.  Venus opposite Jupiter gives her enthusiasm, and enjoyment of society.  Jupiter opposing exactly her natal Saturn can find her chasing her own tail at times.

She has some leadership capacity (Sun trine North Node), and may do well in future years.

Jeremy Corbyn

I only wrote about Jeremy a couple of weeks ago.  Since then, he has gone from strength to strength, and worked very hard at sell-out performances.  There are alarm bells in several quarters, and some people feel he must be stopped!  But if he were to win the election contest, surely it would be the will of the people…?

Here is a reprise:

“Sun in Gemini Jeremy Corbyn has 6 of his 10 planets in Air signs, so is a Thinker.  He has 0 Water planets, which reinforces the tendency to reason, although he is not without passion with his Moon conjunct Mars in Taurus.  His speaking talent is shown by Mercury conjunct Venus by 1 degree in Gemini, with a sextile to Pluto giving that depth.  Mercury-Venus also trines Neptune, which gives him his idealism and the ability to put this across.  He is very grounded, with an exact sextile between Uranus (the Rebel) and Saturn (Authority), and can balance these forces well.  His Sun is trine Jupiter, which helps promote a buoyant outlook.  His Sun opposes Chiron, so he has to maintain a balance in his health.  Authenticity is part of his karmic mission, with North Node in Aries.  We do not have his birth time, but know his Part of Fortune is in the 12^th House, so he has a quiet sense of inner security.”

Overall Prospects

Looking at the transits for the result of the leadership contest, I find:

Andy Burnham has Jupiter opposite his natal Pluto, which sounds like a lot of emotion, and build up, but not such a satisfying result.

For Yvette Cooper, Uranus trines her Neptune, which is complex but could be very satisfying and successful.  It will require a lot of reorganization of her life at that point, if she does win it.

Like Andy, Liz Kendall has Jupiter opposing her natal Pluto, but less acutely.  She may possibly have a sense of anti-climax, or have mentally given up before the event.

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about Jeremy Corbyn’s prospects:

“At the time of the announcement of the leadership winner, he has some challenging aspects.  Saturn squares his natal Saturn again, which is a hurdle he overcame when he got on to the ballot.  Jupiter squares his natal Chiron, so his Inner Healer will be stretched: he might be overdoing things physically, and need extra pacing… Lastly, Pluto squares his natal Neptune at that time, a challenge psychologically to encompass a greater public service.  If he did win, and was allowed to win, it would indeed be a challenging time for him.”

I feel he could be a valuable Opposition leader, opposing some of the brutal cuts of the current regime, and bringing back decent values in our society.

N.B. I hope to look at the Deputy Leadership Contest before the September result

The Bloomsbury Group:  A Soul Group – Introduction

A new three part drama entitled “Life in Squares” began on BBC2 (Mondays at 9 pm) this week.  It owes its title to a quotation from Dorothy Parker, who described the Bloomsbury group lifestyle as “lived in squares, painted in circles and loved in triangles”.

I have long been interested in this group, undoubtedly a Soul Group, but will start modestly with just a few astro-vignettes.  Sometimes I start a theme, and if there is not much interest, don’t take it further.  But hopefully there is enough interest out there for this subject.

Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf, or Virginia Stephen as she began life, formed with her sister Vanessa the core of an intellectual group starting in the early 20^th Century in London.  Though the group were famed for their liberal sexual mores, there is no doubt that they were among the most talented contributors to the culture of their age.  Virginia herself was a profound author, though her writing style indigestible to some.  She struggled with her mental health and was possibly bi-polar, but perhaps that enhanced her work and creativity.

Her chart identifies her as a Soul Group leader with North Node exactly sextile her natal Sun (exactly at the Midheaven), with an entrepreneurial trine between Jupiter and Uranus.  Her delicate mental structure is identified in her chart by Chiron exactly square Mercury.  There is a depth of relating shown by Venus closely trine Pluto, and mental innovation from Chiron trine exactly Uranus.  She had no water planets, which may have been a source of struggle in emotional expression, coupled with an exact square of Saturn to her Sun.  Further indication that she didn’t do anything by halves is shown by 6 of her 10 planets being in the Fixed signs. She married political theorist Leonard Woolf who was karmically linked through his Sun being conjunct her North Node.

Vanessa Bell

Virginia’s sister Vanessa Bell was a painter, and became close to Clive Bell through a mutual love of painting.  She later married him, and he also formed a close relationship with Virginia.

Her Sun in Gemini is within 1 degree of Virginia’s, which indicates a close personal bond.  Her cultural interests and talent are shown by Mercury exactly sextile Venus in her chart.  There is an elevated spiritual quality about her exact sextile between Jupiter and Neptune.  North Node trine closely Pluto shows a profoundly driven karmic mission.  She has an exact conjunction of Chiron and Neptune in Taurus, a complex artistic talent possibly used as a route to her own self-healing.  This conjunction sextiles Jupiter, assisting success in that field.  In her marriage to Clive Bell, with her Pluto exactly conjunct Clive Bell’s Jupiter they built a focus of power.  Clive Bell’s Neptune was exactly conjunct Virginia Woolf’s Jupiter and he was able to sensitively critique her work.

Lytton Strachey

Lytton Strachey, author of “Eminent Victorians”, was a highly charismatic member of the core group, and predominantly homosexual (related with John Maynard Keynes and Duncan Grant), though he had a passionate relationship with painter Dora Carrington.  His Venus trine Mars is a sign of lack of sexual inhibition.  Mars also exactly squared his Uranus, bringing a continual need for excitement.  He too was a leader, with the Sun sextile his North Node. He had Mercury conjunct Jupiter, a sign of success in writing.  Virginia had these two planets closely square, showing the range of her intellectual interests.

His death through illness led to the grief stricken suicide of Dora Carrington, which was a contributory factor possibly to Virginia Woolf’s own suicide.  His Moon squared Venus, often a sign that the females in someone’s life do not get on, and certainly Virginia Woolf and Dora Carrington had a troubled relationship. Dora’s Pluto was exactly conjunct Lytton’s Mars, which may have been destructive, but it was also exactly trine his Venus and they had a deeply magnetic relationship.  They were also involved in a ménage a trois with Ralph Partridge.

John Maynard Keynes

Economist John Maynard Keynes, like Lytton Strachey, was a product of the Cambridge University culture of the time.  Arguably his legacy is one of the greatest of all the Bloomsbury Group, as his economic theory is now coming back into fashion after the failed experiment of Neo-Liberalism.  He was born on a New Moon in Gemini with the Part of Fortune on the Ascendant, bringing in new thought for the time.  He had a psychologically heavy triple conjunction of Saturn/Chiron/Pluto in Gemini, and the independent controversial thought of Mercury exactly square Uranus.  Venus conjunct the Midheaven in Taurus describes well his career as an economist.  He had no fire in his chart, so relied heavily on the 5 out of 10 planets he had in intellectual Air to make rational sense of the world.  His relationship with Lytton Strachey and painter Duncan Grant was very much a love triangle.

E.M. Forster

Also associated with Cambridge, E.M. Forster’s novels earned him many nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature.  Notably, his novels are much easier to read than Virginia Woolf’s.  I was required to read them all at ‘A’ Level, and our set text “A Passage to India”, though not difficult, was perhaps the most complex and enigmatic.  He shares many natal aspects in common with other members of the Bloomsbury Group, some of those aspects being personal and some collective in nature.  The Chiron-Neptune conjunction in Taurus which Vanessa Bell channeled into painting, can be seen in the complex enigma that is “A Passage to India” giving that work a haunting quality.   There is an engaging portrait of E.M. Forster by Dora Carrington and they share the aspect of North Node conjunct Jupiter.  Like Lytton Strachey, he had Mars square Uranus.  He also had a very exacting square between his Mercury and Saturn.

Vita Sackville-West

Trio

So well she knew them both! yet as she came
Into the room, and heard their speech
Of tragic meshes knotted with her name,
And saw them, foes, but meeting each with each
Closer than friends, souls bared through enmity,
Beneath their startled gaze she thought that she
Broke as the stranger on their conference,
And stole abashed from thence

Poet and Horticulturalist Vita Sackville-West had Sun, Mercury and Jupiter in Pisces.  She had a brief affair with Virginia Woolf, and was immortalized by Virginia in her book “Orlando”.  Vita herself came from an aristocratic background and was brought up in a 365-room mansion, Knole, in Kent (North Node in Taurus conjunct I.C.).  She had a very interesting 5^th House of Creativity, which included her North Node conjunct I.C. (many of her poems were about her ancestral home).  Another notable feature of her 5^th House is an exact conjunction of Neptune and Pluto in Gemini, which lends depth to her work.  She was also involved in a love triangle, between her husband Harold Nicholson and a school friend novelist Violet Trefusis.

There are so many more characters and intricacies involved in the subject of the Bloomsbury Group, which I hope to explore at some stage.

Aspects

There is a prolilfic line-up of aspects this week, something to occupy you each day, so without further ado, and with precise times (for the U.K.):–

Saturn turns direct today at 5.53 a.m., bucking the retrograde trend with Venus, Neptune and Pluto still retrograde, not to mention Asteroids Chiron, Pholus, and Ceres who are all retrograde at the moment.  You may find a chink in the brick wall now, and start to be able to move something which has been resistant for a while.  Saturn has been retrograde since 14^th March.

At 14.50 Hrs Mercury trines Uranus, so you may have a lightbulb moment just after lunch, whether inspired by a great meal or an earlier breakthrough.  Take time to be open to new ideas before you go about your afternoon planned activities.

Tomorrow, Monday (3^rd) holds the most important key of the week, the aspect of Jupiter square Saturn at 10.36 a.m.  You may find you are chasing your own tail, at least initially, until you realize that the task is to balance two ostensibly incompatible forces in your life.  Jupiter is freedom, and Saturn is restraint.  Jupiter is in the fun-loving sign of Leo, and Saturn is in the darker sign of Scorpio, so there are two contrasts already.  Depending on where they are placed in your birthchart, there will be more factors to balance.  Identifying the task is half the battle, then expanding your consciousness to look at the bigger picture may provide a way of dealing with it, or thinking about it.

You are in for a treat on Tuesday (4^th) with the happiest of aspects, Venus conjunct Jupiter at 21.47 Hrs in the early evening.  As Venus is now retrograde, you may remember the recent occurrence of this aspect on 1^st July, when you may have received a reminder of the unconditional love and abundance ever-present in the Universe!  There may be romance, and the promise of weddings or engagements in the air.  Friendships too are blessed.  If you receive a social invitation, take the opportunity!  Couch potatoes can always catch up on their favourite programme on i player or nearest equivalent.

Be prepared for a slump in mood the next day Wednesday (5^th) when Venus then squares Saturn (the antithesis of Venus conjunct Jupiter) at 15.08 Hrs.  Could be that you may have underestimated the enduring nature of the previous day’s euphoric events (if indeed you did benefit).  A more realistic tone in relationships now ensues.  For example, a suitor may have proposed marriage on Tuesday, and on Wednesday you realize there may be some impediment and the road may not be clear in practical terms.  You may be able to clear this on a level of consciousness, e.g. determining a negative thought in relation to past relationships which is still lurking and may yet be cleared.

Another step forward occurs the next morning, Thursday (6^th) with Mars trine Saturn at 8.29 am.  There literally may be an action you can take to move things forward in the direction of your goals.  Seize the day; the early bird will catch the worm.

Still seizing, next, at 14.25 Hrs Mercury is conjunct Venus, favouring literary and artistic pursuits, and forging on with documentation, diplomacy and discussion.

In the afternoon, after a fruitful and creative early afternoon, stop seizing the day, and turn to reflection and meditation.  For in the evening, at 20.19 Hrs Mercury will square Saturn, and you will be required to slow right down, and calm and focus the mind.  There may be a specific task concerning documentation or calculation which needs to be dealt with, or some difficult news to process or digest. The week may by now feel like a mini-roller coaster.

So it will not be difficult to imagine that another beneficial aspect is coming your way on Friday  (7^th) – Mercury conjuncts Jupiter at 7.08 a.m.  If you have entrepreneurial designs for Friday, especially involved with the dissemination of information, you will be able to sail through them.  Teaching and travel are especially favoured.  The up side or silver lining of yesterday evening’s news will reveal itself.

Early evening at 19.15 Hrs Mercury moves from hedonistic Leo into conscientious Virgo, so you may switch from holiday mode right into work mode.  A deadline may present itself to get stuck into a project or assignment lasting approximately the length of Mercury’s stay in Virgo which is until 27^th of this month – it’s time to tackle my Tax Return!.  Perhaps the task is something preparing for the Autumn term, if you are a teacher or student.  It would involves the mental faculties.

Summer is not over though, fear not!  On Saturday (8^th) your physical energies will be back surfing the waves of the holiday season with Mars leaving Cancer (the sign of home and family preoccupations) and entering Leo.  Perhaps you are basking in the sunshine home or away, are enjoying a staycation, or have been invited to a summer wedding.  Celebration, display and show are once more highlighted.  Whether you are a main player, supporting act, or behind-the-scenes worker, don’t hide your light under a bushel, behind the curtains, or under false humility.  Everyone’s a winner!

The week in bullet points:

• Today – moving forward with good ideas
• Tomorrow – important balancing
• Tuesday – happy clappy
• Wednesday – grumpy slumpy
• Thursday – two steps forward, one step back
• Friday – mind-broadening and successful, then application
• Saturday – show your wares