Strictly Come Dancing 2022 – Part 2

We’ve had a chance now to see what the contestants are made of, and a great standard has been set, with No. 10 Scores already handed out.  Craig Revel Horwood has often been awarding scores that are either abysmally low or very high, developing a Jekyll and Hyde persona.  Last night was an enthralling sojourn through the last hundred years of the BBC, as the contestants performed theme tunes for everything from Blue Peter to Casualty.  Here are my next four analyses:

Jayde Adams

Larger than life personality Jayde Adams has left me wondering where astrologically all her gusto comes from.  It turns out that she is a Sagittarian, so it is Jupiterian gusto, as befitting a comedian.  She is a female warrior, with the Sun sextile Mars.  With the Sun exactly conjunct her I.C. she has strong roots in her life.  And the Sun’s opposition to Chiron makes her very aware of her own wounds.  She has the Moon exactly conjunct Venus, so a deep understanding of the female side of life, and it is in a triple conjunction with her ruler Jupiter, so that is what she is able to transmit in her comedy.  Mercury conjunct Neptune gives the ability to channel, and the ability to engage her brain while dancing, too.  Venus conjunct Jupiter indicates a love of humanity.  Mars square Pluto gives a fierce energy, with a deal of suffering in the past.  She is a healer (Midheaven conjunct Chiron and Chiron trine Mars) and will be able to merge her conventional career (presumably as a comedian) with her karmic mission, having the Midheaven loosely conjunct her North Node.  Her stated aim around dancing with a female professional on Strictly is that she would not be able to find a male professional built like a rugby player.

Of her partner Karen Hauer she has said: “It does give me an advantage because I can lift her.”  I have previously written of Karen: “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”.  They both therefore have the conjunction of the Moon and Venus, increasing the sympathy and empathy between them.  And remarkably their conjunctions are sextile with one another, so there is a profound mutual understanding.  Their synastry also shows  Jayde’s Neptune (her dancing ability) exactly trine Karen’s Sun, and Karen’s Uranus (ingenuity) exactly conjunct Jayde’s Sun.  A remarkable match altogether.

Of their prospects in the competition, currently Jayde has Mars opposite her natal Mercury, so she could be quite nervy, and Jupiter square her Neptune (a heightened spiritual feeling, though some dance moves which are overblown), and Pluto trines her North Node (it’s an important time for her evolution).  And Karen has Mars trine her natal Pluto, so she will be bringing strong energy; Saturn trine her Saturn, she will be a strong disciplinarian right now; and Uranus is sextile her North Node (so she will be bringing her ingenuity to the table, and possibly feeling that her link with Jayde is karmic).  Last night they performed a Charleston to the Ballad of  Barry and Freda by Victoria Wood.

For the end of the competition, Jayde will have Mars opposite her natal Uranus (the possibility of an injury knocking her out of the competition), and Saturn square her natal Saturn (something is likely to be blocking her); Jupiter square her Neptune and Pluto trine her North Node will still be operational.  Let’s hope we have many more lovely performances from her. And Karen will have Saturn square her Chiron (also the possibility of frustration, blocking and health issues) but Uranus sextile her natal Venus, a friend for life.

Will Mellor

I know him best as the villain Harvey in Coronation Street, but he is known for countless other roles, for example in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, and he has starred in Broadchurch.  He has scored highly in the contest so far, except for when he went down with a cold a week ago.

Will has half his planets (5) in the Cardinal signs, which would make him a good leader.  He has intelligence, with the Sun closely conjunct Mercury, and with the placing of this conjunction in Aries I would expect him to have a talent for accounting.  One of the judges described him as “pushy” yesterday.  His Sun is exactly trine Neptune, so he is imaginative and can channel when portraying a role.  With the Sun/Mercury opposite Pluto, he can do drama too (hence the villain Harvey in Corrie, a convincing murderer).  Venus trines Saturn in his chart, so he is loyal in friendship.  Mars is closely trine Uranus, so he may have a talent for engineering too.  Like Jayde, he has Mars square Pluto, so I will reiterate “a fierce energy, with a deal of suffering in the past.”  He also has the Warrior Archetype, with Mars trine the North Node.

His dance partner is Nancy Xu, who has the Sun in performing Leo, but a fair deal of Earth signs, so is at the same time very grounded.  She is a hard taskmaster, with the Sun opposite Saturn, and has a dynamic and hardworking triple conjunction of Venus/Mars/Mercury in Virgo.  She also has a powerful square between Jupiter and Pluto.  Their synastry shows his Uranus square her Sun (there could be the occasional estrangement between them), and his Pluto square her Uranus (capable of instilling transformations in each other), plus his Mars sextiles her Venus (they will be able to portray the romance, and indeed at least one of their dances was pretty raunchy).

As to their transits, his at the moment are Chiron on his Sun (hence the cold!), Neptune on his Venus (social confusion; connecting with dance and music forms), Pluto opposite his Saturn (some inner conflict), and Chiron trine his Neptune (his dance muse operating beautifully). Hers are the North Node trine her natal Neptune (formative experiences in dance, perhaps euphoric), Chiron square her natal Neptune (she may not feel 100%), and Uranus opposite her natal Pluto (a time of transformation).  Last night they performed a strident version of a Viennese Waltz to the theme tune of Line of Duty.

At the end of the contest, his transits are looking very low key, so that could mean, despite his obvious talent, he may not make it to the final.  Hers will be Saturn opposite her Jupiter (she may be stopped in her tracks), but the North Node trine her natal Uranus (there may be an exciting opportunity opening up for her around that time), and Uranus trine her natal Neptune (again, further opportunity).

Ellie Taylor

Another female comedian, another Sagittarian, is tall and lanky Ellie Taylor.  She was born in the same segment (the first decanate) of Sagittarius as Jayde, and in fact their Suns are only one degree apart.  But Ellie is even more Sagittarian (anything for a laugh) than Jayde, with the Sun/Uranus, Jupiter (the ruling planet of Sagittarius)/Mercury and Neptune all in that sign.  She really has a radiant air of joviality, and I admit, does make me smile.  In another coincidence, she also has the Sun sextile Mars (though exact), which I pointed out for Jayde was the “female warrior”.  Her Sun conjunct Uranus gives her a brilliant quick-fire quality, worthy of appearances on Mock the Week (now sadly gone this week).  She has a facility with words, from Mercury exactly sextile Venus, and a wide ranging mind (from Mercury conjunct Jupiter).  Mars sextile Uranus gives an electrical quality to her energy.

She is partnered with Johannes Radebe, of who I wrote when he joined Strictly:

“He has 6 Fire planets, and was born close to a New Moon in Taurus.  His dance credentials include the Sun closely trine Neptune.  He could do well in the dramatic dances such as the Paso Doble, with the Sun opposite closely Pluto.”  Ellie too is high in Fire (5 planets), so there may be fiery exchanges between the two of them.  Their synastry shows: her Sun trine his Venus (a high mutual regard), but her Mars opposes his Venus, which could bring some tension.  His Saturn sextile her Venus will be loyal and protective, though.

As for their prospects in the competition:  Her transits now show up Saturn sextile her Jupiter (she will be trying really hard to be disciplined).  His transits now show Mars sextile his Mercury (extra vigour of body and mind), Pluto square his Mercury (some mental tension, almost explosive), Chiron sextile his Mars (some learning about healing), and Chiron on his Jupiter (learning about comedy).  Last night they performed a beautiful tango to the theme tune of Casualty.  Hearing it will never be the same again – it will always conjure up for me their splendid performance.

Her transits at the end show Saturn sextile her Mercury (a healthy acceptance of her limits and boundaries), Saturn trine her natal Venus (a quiet sense of satisfaction in what she did accomplish), and the South Node on her natal Saturn (some karmic lesson and learning).  His transits at the end  have Chiron still on his Jupiter, and Saturn sextile his Saturn (a steady phase in his career).  Therefore, nothing from either of them to show an appearance at the final.

Hamza Yassin

Sudanese born Hamza Yassin is such an arresting and engaging performer: I could watch his long locks swinging around the dance floor lilke a whirling dervish all night long!  He is a wild life expert, but also appears on CBeebies, as I found out recently when my little granddaughter visited.  He exudes the Piscean gentleness and shyness of his Sun sign, yet holds a spellbinding power from something else in his chart (we do not have a birth time).  He’s a cameraman (Pisces and Neptune rule the filmic arts).  He is definitely his own man, with 7 planets in Cardinal signs, and is appropriately earthy for a wildlife expert (6 planets in Earth).  However, he has 0 Fire planets, which is maybe why he comes over as being so calm.  His Sun trines Jupiter, giving him a love of freedom and wide open spaces.  With Mercury exactly conjunct his North Node, his karmic mission is to be a Teacher. He has a complex energy (Mars aspects) with Mars conjunct Saturn (some restraint), Mars conjunct Neptune (great physical sensitivity) and Mars sextile Pluto (deep but constructive energies; that is possibly the spellbinding power I referred to earlier).

He is partnered with new professional Polishwoman Jowita Przystal, who won the competition “The Greatest Dancer”, part of the prize being to appear on Strictly.  She is a performing Leo, with Mercury sextile Jupiter (signifying prowess in linguistics and wide-ranging travel).  Her dominant element is Water (5 planets), so she will portray emotion well.  Their synastry shows a good mental rapport (Her Mercury trine his Uranus) with possible telepathy, a karmic link (her Venus trines his North Node, great dynamism between them (her Jupiter sextiles his Uranus), and her Pluto sextile his Venus (deep relating).

His transits now: Uranus trine his Mars, electrifying moves, Jupiter square his Jupiter, expansive moves, Chiron square his Neptune (out of his comfort zone), North Node trine his Neptune (coming into his Inner Dancer), Saturn square his natal Pluto (some tough psychological aspects to this challenge) and Uranus opposite his Pluto (a time of transformation and change).  That’s a lot for one person to be dealing with at one time!  Last night they performed a quickstep in Polar Exploration suits.

Her transits now: Neptune sextile her natal Uranus (a time of dealing with complexity), and Pluto sextile her natal Pluto (self-empowerment). His transits at the end of the contest: Uranus square his natal Mercury (he could be mentally exhausted).  Her transits at the end of the contest: She will still have Neptune sextile her natal Uranus.  I think somehow their chances will peter out before the final.

None of these four seem to have outstanding winning transits.  So I will be looking at four more in the not too distant future, in the quest to find outstanding final transits!

Aspects

Last week’s aspects were certainly true to form: I highlighted drama on Wednesday, from Pluto squaring the Sun.  This manifested in the resignation/sacking of Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, then later bullying in Parliament in the fracking vote.  Then I wrote “more drama” for Thursday, based on Pluto squaring Venus.  That of course, was the resignation of the Prime Minister herself, the “not a quitter” Liz Truss.  I may be writing about a new Prime Minister next Sunday!

Today’s aspects are numerous enough to put down a timetable for you:

1 a.m.: Mercury trine Saturn – This combines mental work with practicality, and brings focus and realism to the mental activities.  So it is a good day for making plans.  Serious conversations can also safely take place under this aspect.

4.07 a.m.: Saturn Stationary, prior to turning Direct – This may be experienced as a relief to some, especially for Capricornians, and may release some of their chains or burdens.  Certain matters which have been stuck since June, may slowly start to make progress again.

7.52 a.m.: Venus enters Scorpio, so emotions and passions could be heightened.  This is a time when deep feelings can be experienced and expressed.  Her previous sojourn through Libra focussed on relationships, and on entering Scorpio the quality of relationship deepens.  You can take a relationship to the next level.  Venus will change sign again on 16th November, so make the most of the opportunity.

10.36 a.m: Sun enters Scorpio – Under the Sun in Libra, we were going for negotiation, but now we need to confront the deeper issues and find more lasting solutions which treat the causes and not just the symptoms of a situation.  For this we need more insight, resolve and conviction, qualities of this sign.  The Scorpio gig is a grittier requirement.  You may see two sides becoming more entrenched in a stand off.  With two ingresses in one day, into the same day, you may register the sea-change.

Tuesday (25th) is the chance of a new beginning, with the New Moon and Eclipse at 2 degrees Scorpio.  By then we may be starting to get to grips with the Scorpio season, and sense where we need to place our intentions, be it on financial matters (a Scorpio province) or sending healing for the turbulent world economy.  This is one of the most potent New Moons of the year, and a heightened turning point by virtue of being an Eclipse.  It is a good time to re-set your intentions about life, and to create a new beginning.  Re-setting our government is obviously on the cards for Tuesday, as Monday will be crucial for knowing better how we stand in relation to a new Prime Minister. There may be a certain amount of letting go required, before the fresh start can be established.  You might find yourself being ruthless with your de-cluttering, in accordance with your recent re-evaluation of the past.

The early hours of Thursday (27th) brings us a welcome trine, that of Mercury with Mars.  This will bring a better sense of flow, with Mercury trine Mars.  Your dream life may be vivid.  You may emerge early in the morning starting the day bright and breezy.  Communications may zip along, and the day could be very productive.  You can put your ideas into practice.  Much can be accomplished, in the morning.

But at lunchtime (in the U.K.), Pluto will square Mercury, and there may be a setback or a reversal, so make sure your actions in the morning are solid.  Perhaps there is a twist in the political plot, in the manner of last week.  You may encounter awkward communications or travel.  You may need extra ‘me time’ in order to separate yourself from worried pronouncements about the state of the world.  If you do engage in chatter, choose a worthwhile subject.

Friday (28th) sees Jupiter re-enter Pisces, from its retrograde motion, just briefly until 20th December.  Jupiter entered Aries in May, bringing a much more go-ahead vibe, so we will be back in a more compassionate and introverted mode until just before Christmas.  This may be in connection with the much more thoughtful and stripped back run up to a more economical Christmas that many of us face.  The brashness of Trussonomics will be rowed back on, in this period, before we can recover a little of the gung ho way of being which characterizes Jupiter in Aries.  Then we might be able to do Jupiter in Aries more wisely, or have a more grown up government.  A general election could do that…

Our final astrological feature of the week is Mercury entering Scorpio on Saturday (29th).  By then we’ll be fully immersed in the Scorpio energies.  Collectively, we will look into matters more deeply and forensically.  In your own personal life, you will have more courage to look at what really matters, and to worry less about how things appear to others.  In politics, there will need to be greater accountability, and the holding up of hands, as befits this sign.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – complex energies, deep and steady
• Tuesday – new beginning
• Thursday – the early bird catches the worm; then the worm turns
• Friday – back to caring and sharing
• Saturday – courage and depth

Libra Careers

As we are in Libra season, it’s time to write about Libran careers. This is the eighth in a series in which I look at careers for the various zodiac signs.  Maybe you have children or grandchildren born under this sign, and are looking at their potentials, or you are a Libran looking at re-training for a change of career.  If you are a Libran (in Sun or Ascendant sign) and have found an ideal or fulfilling career, please do share that under comments.

Artist

Art is one of the great talents of Libra.

Famous Examples: Mark Rothko, Theodore Gericault, Caravaggio, Johannes Vermeer, Alberto Giacometti

Whereas Taurus is artistic in a more earthy sense, e.g. pottery and sculpture, Libra is a designer, so Fashion Designers (e.g. Ralph Lauren), and Interior Designers (e.g. Terence Conran) have this skillset.

Librans also make good Painters and Decorators.

Musician

In the world of the Arts, music is of equal importance, and just as fellow Venus-ruled sign Taurus can be skilled say in playing a musical instrument, the Libran skill is heightened especially in musical composition.  Both signs often excel in singing.

Famous Singers: Olivia Newton-John and Cliff Richard; Sting; John Lennon; Bob Geldof, Bruce Springsteen

Famous Musicians: John Entwistle, Julian Cope

Beautician

Librans are often dubbed “the beautiful people of the zodiac”.  The beauty industry encompasses many forms of profession, e.g. make-up artists and models.

Hairdresser/Barber is a major line of work.

A cosmetic surgeon may also be included in this category.

Diplomat/ Mediator

This quality can be used at any level, from internationally (e.g. Charles Aznavour, who was primarily a singer, but did work as a diplomat), to a relationship or marriage guidance counsellor.  The sociability and social skills of this sign, especially in a one-to-one context, works well in the Human Resources departments of a larger organization.

In sport, tennis players, Famous Examples: Maria Bueno, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Martina Hingis, Martina Navratilova, Roscoe Tanner, Juan Martin del Potro

Other Occupations: Lawyer, Aeronautical Engineer;

I wrote about Libran Archetypes on 20/9/2015, and will reproduce that here:

“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).”

Above all, a Libran will contribute beauty, harmony and elegance to their chosen profession, and often be able to mediate in relations between employees.  They may also play a useful role in representing their fellows in Unions.

Aspects

This week truly is a roller-coaster, so you will need to fasten your safety belts, put on your hard hat (make like a prime minister), and then be open to the highs.

We start tomorrow evening (Monday 17th) on a high, for the Sun trines Mars, reviving our energies for whatever task we have in hand.  It favours the yang side of the male/female equation or balance.  Sporting interests can flourish, or any vigorous pursuits.  It’s a good evening for striking out on a new venture.

There’s another high in the early hours of Wednesday (19th), with another trine: that of Venus with Mars.  This betokens harmony between the sexes, or within the structure and relationship of your own anima and animus.  It would be a good opportunity for sharing and balancing roles, such as career and parenting.  Body awareness, whether it be through yoga, or massage, will bring a sense of wellbeing. Within the night hours, it may bring sensuous dreams.

At lunchtime on Wednesday, there is more of a low…in the shape of Pluto squaring the Sun.  This is a deep soul searching aspect.  There is no whitewashing or kicking the can down the road, as if you try to gloss over something you could meet it in another guise.  Divine the message which the Universe is trying to download to you, for your greater knowledge.

More trickiness later in the day, with an opposition between Mercury and Chiron.  and that is related to health challenges and check ups.  This may bring up some ingenuity in problem-solving, too.  Communications may urge and stimulate you to find solutions.

Thursday (20th) brings another square, that of Venus with Pluto.  Deep feeling issues may be preying on your mind and give rise to vivid dreams, or even nightmares in the later stages of sleep.  These will require some psychological soul-searching for a true interpretation, and may spur on honest-as-you-can-be interpersonal communication.

Lastly, there is a sweet conjunction on Saturday evening (22nd), between the Sun and Venus.  If you are an artist or a musician, it is the day you can produce your best creative output or performance.  If neither, then love or money may be beneficiaries of this combination.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – energy, vim and vigour
• Wednesday – sensuality; drama; health issues
• Thursday – more drama
• Saturday – sweetness

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Loretta Lynn (1932 – 2022)

“Well, I was borned a coal miner’s daughter
In a cabin, on a hill in Butcher Holler
We were poor but we had love
That’s the one thing that daddy made sure of”

~ Loretta Lynn

Country singer Loretta Lynn died peacefully in her sleep in Tennessee at the age of 90 this week.  Together with her friend and mentor Patsy Cline who was born in the same year, she was a pioneer of the genre.  The drama of her life was set out in her autobiography, which was then made into a film starring Sissy Spacek.

Birth Chart

Loretta had over half her planets (6) in Fire signs.  You would expect a high rating of Water signs for the passion of a Country singer, but she only had one planet in Water (Pluto in Cancer, the placing of her generation).  So the passion in her songwriting and delivery lay in the spiritedness of Fire.  She had the chart of a leader: half her planets (5) in Cardinal signs, and the Sun in Aries (the Pioneer, she certainly led a movement).  In a tribute, Carrie Underwood said that Loretta was “never afraid to be herself and speak her mind”.  Drama was her middle name, with the Sun/Uranus square to Pluto, the Uranus/Pluto square being exact.  Her trademark title was that of being a “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (the title of a song, a book and a film), which reflects her Sun/Pluto square, where the Sun (father) squares Pluto (coal-mining).  With the Moon trine Mars, she was able to project emotion (in her case through singing).  However, the difficulty of her early years is depicted by the Moon exactly opposite Saturn.  Astrologer Alex Trenoweth describes this aspect in “Mirror Mirror, The Astrology of Famous People and the Actors who Portrayed them”: “Saturn brings heaviness, responsibility and hard work and with its connection to the Moon, the emotions and memories of the past can be very serious”.  Mercury/Uranus trine Jupiter brought a great deal of travel in her life, and a brilliant mind firing on all cylinders, as well as an entrepreneurial spirit.  The square between Mercury and Pluto brought various health difficulties, including pneumonia (Mercury rules the lungs).  Her Venus (love and music) had several aspects: its close sextile to Mars was good for writing passionate tunes about philandering husbands.  Venus also sextile Jupiter indicated a very sociable individual with a love for humanity.  Venus trine Saturn gave the quality of loyalty (she stuck by her man).  Venus square Neptune left her susceptible to deception in relationships (the philandering husband); and last but not least, Venus conjunct the Midheaven marked her out for singing as a career.  Energy allied to enthusiasm was shown in Mars trine Jupiter, while the Midheaven (Careerpoint) sextile Jupiter bestowed lucky breaks in her career path.

Life and Career

Loretta was born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky.  She was the oldest daughter and second child in a large family of eight children, with Cherokee heritage on her mother’s side.  The youngest daughter was Crystal Gayle, she of the record-breakingly long hair, whose music was more mainstream.  Loretta married Oliver Lynn when she was 15, and they began a large family of their own, comprising six children. At her death she counted more than 20 grandchildren. She used the ups and downs of marriage as material for her songwriting.  She taught herself to play the guitar, and formed a band, releasing her first single in 1960, “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl”.  At the end of the year, she was named No. 4 in the category of Most Promising Country Female Artist, in Billboard magazine.  That was also the year she began appearing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.  Another high in her career was in 1967, when she reached No. 1 in the charts with “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)”.  She released her successful song “Coal Miner’s Daughter” in 1970, and published her autobiography of the same name in 1976, detailing her impoverished childhood.  The Oscar-winning biopic of the same name followed in 1980.  Philandering husbands were not the only subjects of her songs, for she began to write more political songs, e.g. about female emancipation (“The Pill”), and on wider politics about Vietnam.  In the 1970s she formed a duetting partnership with singer Conway Twitty.  Her husband died in 1996, from diabetes, after a life marred by alcoholism.  She continued performing until late in life, but suffered a stroke in 2017, and broke her hip in 2018, which curtailed her activities.

A few years ago, hubby and I trotted off to the Corn Exchange in King’s Lynn (a rare thing) to attend a Crystal Gayle concert, and we were fortunate enough to see the legend that was Loretta Lynn, as she came on stage later to support her sister, together with Peggy Sue, another sister, so were treated to a flavour of that sisterhood.

“Yeah, I’m proud to be a coal miner’s daughter
I remember well, the well where I drew water
The work we done was hard
At night we’d sleep ’cause we were tired”

~ Loretta Lynn

Aspects

We are working our way up to a Full Moon this evening at 16 degrees Aries.  The Full Moon in Aries (emotional needs) opposes the Sun in Libra (balancing your own interests with that of the other) so it is a tussle, as it always is with a Full Moon.  This Full Moon is about Selfhood and Relationship, and bringing the two into balance.  So if you feel emotional tension increasing into the evening, it should subside after 8.55 p.m. (U.K. time).  That’s after the results show for Strictly Come Dancing, and hopefully you will breathe a sigh of relief that your favourite hasn’t been eliminated.

Tomorrow (Monday 10th) there is a different kind of tension, that stemming from an opposition between Venus and Chiron.  But again, it underlines the need for healing in relationships.  Minor health conditions may be caused by stress, and reducing stress may help to ease the conditions.  Music and meditation may be the way forward.  The issues may be connected with one’s inner female, or one’s relationships.  It may be an artistic conundrum.

The evening brings information which may be helpful to relationships, for Mercury enters the sign of Libra, re-entering after its retrograde period.  This brings a new mental focus on cultural themes, which could bring more pure enjoyment: art and music being fundamental areas for Libra, and decision-making. Mercury in Libra is slightly more relaxed than Mercury in Virgo, and it stays  only until 29th October, so it will be fast-moving.  Geminis and Virgoans may feel as though life is moving at a super-fast pace!

A comfortable trine occurs in the early hours of Wednesday (12th), between the Sun and Saturn.  This is a more down to earth aspect, but solid and productive.  If you are asleep at the time, you should sleep soundly!  If you are engaged in creativity, it can help ensure that it works on a practical level.  Simplifying your plans, or making economies, may make them more workable. This is especially useful to bear in mind if you own a business, and are considering staffing and resources.  One solid step at a time, and one day at a time.  By the end of the day, you may feel that you have honoured more than one area of your life.

Just before we reach dawn, Mars squares Neptune, which again may occur during sleep, and could produce a more bizarre dreaming phase than early in the night (check your fitbit for REM states!).  Confusion may reign, so take that time for thinking things through, if you have insomnia, to create a smoother ride for the day time. Meditation and activities which combine meditation and movement, can be helpful for centring, during the day itself, if you sense that this aspect is still operating on your consciousness.

By breakfast time, another influence altogether is operational, that of Mercury opposite Jupiter, again a different type of tension.  This may bring about communication and travel complexity.  You may feel you need to be in two places at once, and be summoned hither and thither.  Geminis and Virgos may need to factor in some extra relaxation time.  However, it is very mind-broadening, if not mind-stretching, if not information-overloading.  But you may feel heady with new ideas.  With so much going on first thing, you might want to provide a light schedule for the rest of the day, if possible, to digest your experiences.

An early breakfast aspect occurs on Friday (14th), comprising of Venus trine Saturn.  This brings hope, of people coming together with more commitment and loyalty.  Venus can provide a softening role to a hard line stance.  It is conciliatory, which may be just what is needed.  Relationships may need serious resolving, and this aspect can help, whether on a personal level, or between the North and South.  Liz Truss may U-turn on a previous hard line policy.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – emotional high tide
• Tomorrow – need for healing in relationships; harmonious information
• Wednesday – the early bird catches the worm: sound features; then a bizarre phase; information overload
• Friday – hope of commitment and loyalty.  Stand by your man.

Liz Truss and Kwazi Kwarteng

Dream Team or Nightmare Team?

This new duo running the country have been re-named “Kamikwasi Kwarteng and Librium Liz” by John Crace of the Guardian.  What do their birth charts tell us?  I was originally set to write about Liz when the Queen died, but now find myself writing about the pair in the aftermath of Kwarteng’s “mini-budget” and the dramatic fall of the pound.

Liz Truss

I wrote about Liz in 2019, during the Tory leadership contest when Boris Johnson was elected:

“26/5/19

Liz Truss (odds 50/1)

“Just for fun.  Liz Truss has not yet declared her candidacy, but is rumoured to be considering it.  I only include her because she is my local M.P.  Like Jeremy Hunt she unnerves me, but for different reasons.  Her deadpan voice and slightly soulless gaze worry me, and some of the stances in parliamentary voting she has taken have lacked compassion.  She sits in a Tory heartland, and most of the people I know who have met her have been underwhelmed by her intellect.  She has Mercury conjunct Saturn, so there is some slowness mentally, but otherwise she has done well climbing on the political ladder without accomplishing anything remarkable.  She has Jupiter exactly square Saturn natally, which can indicate a strong Inner Saboteur.”

Her birth chart

Her birth chart reveals that she was born to lead and enjoys the limelight: she has half her planets (5) in the Cardinal signs, the Sun in Leo, and the Sun trine the North Node (karmic mission).  Her Sun squares Uranus, giving her an unbending and contrary nature.  She has a difficult T-square composed of  the Sun/Mercury conjunction, with an exact opposition of Chiron and Uranus, making her a square peg in a round hole.  Mercury square Uranus means she is not afraid to be controversial, “I don’t mind being unpopular”.  Moon in Pisces opposite Venus indicates there may be some disharmony with women, although she has been generous with providing her cabinet with women.  Mars in Taurus is very stubborn.  She has Jupiter exactly square Saturn, another indication of being a square peg in a round hole.  Her opposition between Jupiter and Uranus shows she is a gambler by nature, possible a Chancer.  She has the difficult Saturn-Uranus square, an aspect coming close this week to reappearing, which may be significant for her.

Life and Career

Her father was a professor of pure mathematics, and her mother worked as a nurse and teacher.   Their politics was much further to the left than her current stance, which has caused problems in terms of their support of her policies, though her early politics is unrecognizable compared to her current extreme right wing stance.  She went to a comprehensive school in Leeds, and the teachers and pupils were offended by her description of her education there as being inadequate during her leadership contest.  She went on to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University.  She married in 2000, and in 2004 and 2005 she had an affair with Mark Field, a married Tory politician (possibly indicated by Venus square Neptune in her birth chart).  Her early employment was at Shell.  She became an MP for South West Norfolk in 2010, the year David Cameron became Prime Minister, and was taken under the wing of the then Chancellor George Osborne, the architect of the regime of austerity. As our local MP she did not seem very active, though she supported the prevention of a waste incinerator being built in King’s Lynn.  However, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn has been crumbling in recent years, and this week was reported to be the joint worst in the country, without any interest shown on her part.  She worked through several government departments after 2010, but her work was not distinguished enough to merit her slogan “delivery, delivery, delivery” in the Tory leadership contest.  [Please note I am not deliberately criticizing, merely stating facts].  In her recent role as Foreign Secretary, she has been very blunt in her condemnation of Vladimir Putin (visiting Russia earlier this year sporting a Russian hat), and she recently insulted both Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland and Emmanuel Macron, President of France.  But she achieved the release of Nazanin Zhagari-Ratcliffe from an Iranian prison, which was rumoured to have been an opportune moment for the troubled Tory party – an overdue and welcome achievement.

The leadership contest after Boris Johnson resigned as Prime Minister is so fresh in our memories, as not to necessitate a historical account!  Her transits on becoming Prime Minister were Mars opposite her Neptune (spiritual zeal), and Jupiter opposite her natal Pluto (taking power, but not necessarily in a balanced way).

Kwasi Kwarteng

Old friends Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarting both became MPs in 2010, the year Cameron became Prime Minister.  They were born in the same year, two months apart.

His Birth Chart

Kwasi has 0 Earth planets, suggesting he is not very grounded.  He has 6 of his 10 planets in Cardinal signs, so he likes to be a leader.  With 0 Fixed planets, he may lack staying power.  It is being suggested that he may be the fall guy if the unpopularity of their joint economic policy requires someone to take the blame.  He is an intellectual Gemini Sun exactly sextile Mars in Aries, a Verbal Warrior.  He has the Warrior linked with his karma, too, with Mars trine the North Node. His Sun conjunct the South Node may mean he is used to power, from past lives, possibly in Egypt.  He has Mercury trine Uranus, showing an innovative mind (he has been described as brilliant).  Mars opposite Pluto could show an inclination to railroad policies, disregarding obstacles or people.  Neither Liz nor Kwasi show diplomatic skills.  Jupiter exactly squares Saturn, just like Liz, a bit of the square peg in a round hole syndrome she has…that’s one way they flock together.  Their synastry shows a personal magnetism, with his Venus sextile her Mars, a mental affinity with her Jupiter sextile his Mercury, and their outer planets are conjunct by virtue of the closeness of their age.

His Life and Career

Kwasi is an only child, and his mother is a barrister, his father an economist. He was educated at an independent preparatory school, then Eton College. He then attended Cambridge University  where he read classics and history.  He worked initially as a colomnist at the Daily Telegraph.  In 2016 he voted in favour of Brexit, and he became Business Secretary in 2021 under Boris Johnson’s leadership.  Liz Truss appointed him as Chancellor on 6th September, and he produced his shock mini-budget on 23rd September, abolishing the 45% higher rate of income tax thus favouring the richest strata of society, and scrapped the limit on banker’s bonuses (in order to grow the economy).  The pound slumped to an all time low within days.

He has been described variously.  In an article in the Guardian, it is reported that one ally described him as having a “brilliant mind and is unbelievably intelligent, but sometimes too impatient and direct.”

Another description, from a Tory MP stated he was “the worst combination of laziness and arrogance.”

He is married, has a daughter, and lives in Greenwich, near Liz Truss.

On Trickle-Down Economics

“The problem with zombie ideas is that they encourage other undead ideas to rise up too. It already seems that Kwarteng, instead of killing off the trickle-down zombie, will revive the austerity zombie; even though tax cuts never generate growth, and austerity never arrests the growth rate of public debt, the UK is destined to be haunted by these two zombies for two more years.”

~ Yanis Varoufakis, writing in the Guardian

Labour are now 33% ahead in the polls, and Liz Truss this week completed a bruising set of interviews on local radio.  She needs to show leadership this week at the Tory Party Conference.

The future seems uncertain, both for the two of them, and the country.  I did mention during the Tory leadership contest that for Liz  “In the New Year, Pluto will exactly sextile her natal North Node, so a new phase of karma is likely to come about.”

Aspects

We have had six planets retrograde, which necessitated a great deal of inner searching.  But Mercury turns Direct today, and Pluto will also do so later this week. So today’s event is a long-awaited (well, three weeks) boost, especially if you have been struggling with computers, I.T. and broadband connections, or delays in communications (which I have!).  There may be some accompanying sense of relief.  You can certainly pick up momentum on some projects which involve paperwork and documentation, and make some more essential journeys (as long as they are not by train!).

On Tuesday (4th) Saturn comes close to revisiting its square with Uranus, which may register in  your life.  You may revisit some of last year’s issues, hopefully to resolve and understand them finally.  It has been a conflict between the old and the new, or the new trying to make its way through.  That day may be particularly significant for Liz Truss, as she has the square exact in her chart.

Fast forward to Friday 7th (mid weeks have been fairly empty lately!) and we have a helpful trine between Mercury and Pluto.  Mercury trine Pluto is mentally harmonious if not challenging us to dig deeper.  This aspect is conducive to psychological reflection, and earnest conversations between friends or colleagues.  It is good for in-depth consultations and negotiations, and researching past lives.

Friday’s trine is well timed, because on Saturday (8th) Pluto will be Stationary, prior to turning Direct.  The previous day’s trine will enable a thorough going over of outstanding psychological issues, so that a movement forward can take place on the Saturday.  It will be a fresh start, psychologically.  We may feel we are making headway in our transitions, or at least gaining a foothold on a more salubrious path.  Although we are still living in stressful times, we may be able to size up our tunnel, even if the light at the end may not yet be showing itself.  If you have a breakthrough on Saturday, that may be the sign you need.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – communications go ahead
• Tuesday – a confronting of long standing issues, and possible resolution
• Friday – deep and satisfying conversation
• Saturday – psychological go ahead

Strictly Come Dancing 2022

Strictly Come Dancing season has started, and we’ve had a taste of the enormous talent on offer this year!  As usual, I will start with four of the celebrities, and hope to gradually cover them all over the course of the run up to the final in December.

Kym Marsh

Kym Marsh first came to our attention in 2001, winning a place in the band Hear’Say on the programme Popstars.  Although young, she already had two children by that time.  The band released the single “Pure and Simple” which went to No. 1 in the charts, but the following year Kym left to pursue a solo career.  By 2006, she had decided to become an actress, and landed a part as Michelle Connor in Coronation Street, a role she played until 2019 (leaving at her Uranus Opposition, representing a clean break).  She is now a presenter on the television show Morning Live.  She has been married three times, and has two grandsons.

Kym is a Gemini, versatile in talent.  Her Sun is closely conjunct Venus, so her talents lie in music and the arts.  Her Moon is in Capricorn, signifying ambition.  Mars in Leo gives her performing zeal, and being square to Jupiter, she had huge enthusiasm.  One quality which will benefit her on the dance floor is Mars trine Neptune, making her a sensitive mover.

Her current transits (she opened the first dance last night, with a very sound performance) show the Nodal Axis square her natal Mars (an energetic challenge), Chiron trine her natal Mars (healing through activity), Saturn square her natal Jupiter (more discipline needed) and Uranus on her natal Jupiter (huge excitement).  At the end of the contest Mars will oppose her Neptune (parting is such sweet sorrow), Jupiter will sextile her Mercury (she will feel mentally nourished), Saturn will be trine her natal Venus (commitment in relationships), Uranus will be square her Mars (there may be an upset or minor injury towards the end), and Neptune square her Sun (she will be re-thinking her future).

She is partnered with Sicilian Graziano di Prima (with the trademark long curly hair), whose talent for dance is shown by Neptune trine his Sun and sextile his North Node.  They have an excellent synastry, with his Sun on her Jupiter (they bring each other luck), their Mercuries exactly conjunct in Taurus (they can think with one mind), his Venus sextile her Mars (good chemistry), and his Saturn trine her North Node (he can give shape to her karmic mission).

His current transits show Saturn square his Sun (he has a new hill to climb), Uranus on his Sun (very excited), Neptune trine his North Node (new prospects of refinement in his dancing), Pluto on his Uranus (a time of change in his life), and Pluto sextile his natal Pluto (self-empowerment).  His transits at the end of the contest show Jupiter trine both their Mercuries, giving a touch of luck and blessing, Neptune sextile his Neptune (a spiritual serenity), Pluto still on his Uranus and sextile his natal Pluto.

All in all, a strong couple in the competition.

Matt Goss

“I have a thick skin about things written about me.  The most ridiculous story at the height of Brosmania?  That Luke and I were genetically engineered.” ~ Matt Goss

Ah, Matt Goss, who together with his twin Luke (there are ten minutes between them) and one other formed the band “Bros”, was a favourite with the youngsters when my kids were young.  Then French and Saunders mercilessly impersonated them, singing “When will I, will I be taken seriously?” which may have dented their reputation.  But I have a sneaking affection for the boys.  The twins later went their own ways, and Matt has held a Las Vegas residency.  Though they did not always see eye to eye, they made a documentary in recent years (“After The Screaming Stops”) about coming together again, after their mother’s death.

He has the Sun in Libra, the sign for singers, and a songwriting Mercury/Venus conjunction.  He also has Jupiter sextile Neptune, which is quite spiritual, although Luke is more vocal about his spirituality.  He may lack mental self-confidence, with Mercury opposite Saturn.   Pisces Ascendant may help dance prospects, with its ruling planet Neptune.  Jupiter conjunct with Pluto is quite powerful, and may have led to a power struggle between the twins.

His transits now (with a patchy but sometimes inspired performance last night) show Neptune trine his Neptune (spiritual serenity) and Neptune opposite Pluto (at a deeper level, great confusion!).  His transits at the end of the competition show Chiron square his natal Moon (the possibility of an emotional wound), Jupiter opposite his natal Uranus (a risk too far), and Neptune still opposite his natal Pluto.  It is possible that he is too sensitive to take the rigours of this competition.  I don’t doubt his ability to dance, but there may be other factors impeding his progress.  He has stated he is most looking forward to a full body wax!

He is partnered with the lovely Ukrainian Nadiya Bychkova, and said he found her warm and welcoming, as a shy guy.  He stated he had been looking for kindness, patience and strength from his dance partner.  Having Sun, Mercury and Mars in Virgo makes her very perfectionistic, with a trine from Uranus adding brilliance.  Mars sextiles Pluto exactly in her chart, conferring all the energy she would need.  She worked wonders with Dan Walker last year.

In their synastry, his Moon is sextile her Pluto, trine her Mars, and opposite her Chiron, which is quite stirring for him emotionally.  His Venus is trine her Jupiter, which is favourable for friendship.  His Mars sextiles her Jupiter, providing enthusiasm for him.  His Neptune squares her Nodal Axis, so they may have some past-life dancing karma!  Her transits at the beginning of the contest shows Jupiter square her Jupiter (high enough hopes).  The astrological picture at the end of the contest shows Mars square her natal Mars (some friction), and Pluto trine her natal Mercury (she will feel she has done a good job).

Sadly, these don’t look like winning transits.

Kaye Adams

Scotswoman Kaye Adams, best known for being a Loose Women on the programme of that name, started out as a reporter.  She graduated from Edinburgh University having studied Economics and Politics, then famously landed a one hour interview with Margaret Thatcher, a kickstart to her career.  Later, she reported on the Lockerbie disaster in Scotland, as one of the first reporters on the scene in 1988.  She is married to a tennis coach, and has two daughters.

Kaye, as a Sun in Capricorn, comes across as quite dour at times, but her Saturnian nature is balanced out with a close sextile from Jupiter to her natal Sun: overall her dry sense of humour shines through.  She is very grounded, having 5 planets in the Earth signs, and with the Sun, Mercury and the Moon in Capricorn.  But the brilliance of Uranus also lifts her, with a trine from Uranus to her Sun.  There is a brooding quality about her, with the Sun trine Pluto and exactly sextile Chiron.  Having the Moon conjunct Mercury can engage rational mind with imagination.  Because she was born in Scotland, we have a birth time for her, which enables us to see the angles in her chart, and her precise Moon position.  Obviously she likes talking and we find Mercury closely sextile Venus (as befits a Loose Woman).  Mercury squaring the Nodal Axis implies talking in a group situation.  Mars rising in Leo counteracts the Capricorn shyness, and puts her in the limelight.  In terms of dance prowess, she has Jupiter trine Neptune, which could help considerably.

Her transits at this time (landing fairly low on the leaderboard) show the South Node on her Neptune, reconnecting with dance in this lifetime.  For the final, she has Neptune trine her Venus (she will have raised the art to the best of her ability), Uranus will be opposite her Neptune (a scary ride to some extent), but Mars square her Pluto may put a dampener on the length of her participation in the contest, possibly through physical discomfort.

Her partner is the lovely Kai Widdrington (they’re all lovely, really!).  I wrote last year:

“He is intensely disciplined, with Mercury exactly opposite Saturn, and he also has a complex conjunction of Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn, common to those born in his year (1995).”

His Synastry with Kaye shows his Mercury sextile her Venus, which is good for communication, his Jupiter square her Chiron (slightly uncomfortable). and his Neptune sextile her Venus (good dance rapport and harmony).  His transits now include Neptune on his Saturn (he has some sensitive learning ahead), and Neptune sextile his Neptune (another one with spiritual serenity).  His transits at the final would be Neptune opposite his Mercury (mental confusion), Saturn trine his Mars (commitment and dedication), Pluto on his Uranus (difficult change) and Pluto sextile his Pluto (self-empowerment).  All in all, quite a dramatic set of transits for them both towards the end.

The glitterball doesn’t look like coming their way.

James Bye

James Bye plays Martin Fowler in the long running soap Eastenders.  The character was introduced in 1985, and James Bye is the third actor to play that role.  I thought it was always the same actor, but there was a long period of a few years when I did not watch Eastenders.  He joined Eastenders in 2014.  He is married, with three sons.

James Bye has his Sun in Pisces, one of the acting zodiac signs.  His enthusiasm and sensitivity are heightened by a conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune sextile with his Sun.  He has the Sun trine Pluto, like Kaye Adams, which I described as brooding for her, but is slightly lighter in his chart, which has the Piscean background.  His Mercury squares Mars, so he can be irritable and may have a strong Inner Critic.  In his role as Martin Fowler, he has got into a number of scrapes, befitting Mercury square Mars, an actor’s roles often reflecting their birth chart.  In an interesting tie in with Kym Marsh, James’ character Martin (prior to James’ takeover) once ran over the character played by Jack Ryder, who was one of Kym Marsh’s husbands!  He has Mars conjunct Saturn in Scorpio, and Mercury square Saturn, which could lack self-confidence at times.

James’ transits now (his first dance last night was competent) show Saturn square his natal Mars (some nervousness and lack of confidence), and the South Node on his Saturn (an engaged activity designed to tackle his long term insecurities and lack of confidence).  At the end of the tournament, Uranus will oppose his natal Saturn, which is a shaking up of his personality, but Chiron trines his natal Uranus, sharpening his intuition and healing ability and potential.

He is partnered with professional dancer Amy Dowden, who with 5 Earth planets can help ground his Piscean nature.  She is a Sun in Leo, born on a New Moon, and has the ability to start afresh easily.  With the Sun conjunct Jupiter, she is extremely positive.  But she has her own challenges in life, with the Sun exactly square Pluto, and battles long term with Crohn’s disease.  She has Mars closely trine Neptune,  sensitive movement, an asset in dance (a natal aspect which Kym Marsh should hope to capitalize on).  Mars also closely sextiles Pluto – huge energy.

Their Synastry shows her Mars sextile his Saturn, which helps them work on his lack of confidence;  her Jupiter opposite his Mercury, which will be mind-stretching for him; and her Saturn square his Pluto, a challenge to both of them to grow.  Her transits now show Mars sextile her natal Sun (an extra injection of energy – they started with a jive!), the North Node trine her Mars (another accent on her energy), the North Node trine her Neptune (a chance for karmic rewards in dance),  and Chiron square her Neptune – a healing challenge in her dance career.  The end of the contest brings the North Node to trine with her Uranus, which may bring a surprise for her.

Again, not a strong indication of the winning pair.

Of the four, I would give Kym Marsh and Graziano the best chances, but I will be back with four more analyses in two or three weeks’ time.  Keep watching!

Aspects

We start this evening with a New Moon at 2 degrees Libra.  Artistic, musical and relationship issues may receive a boost, so any seeds sown in those areas may bear fruit.  Balance and harmony can emerge from your efforts.

Tomorrow (Monday 26th) in the early morning Venus trines Pluto, helpful for money and love.  Pluto settles your deepest feelings into a more comfortable psychological context.  This aspect helps us through changes and transformations on a human level.  It is about deep love, deep awareness of your relationship with money, and profound artistry.

Next up, at tea-time, Mercury conjoins with Venus, a splendid literary and cultural aspect.  If you are publishing a book, it could be a very helpful influence.  It is also a good day for negotiation (take note politicians and diplomats).  Your communications will have an artistic flair, so it’s a good time to get creative.

Thirdly, a little later, Jupiter opposes the Sun, when the general feeling could be optimistic, humorous and buoyant (e.g. if you are going along with the economic hype), but there is a balance to be observed, beyond which you could overreach yourself or overstretch your energy or someone else’s patience (for example, overdoing a joke).  Freedom beckons, but again, know your boundaries.

On Tuesday (27th) Mercury trines Pluto at lunchtime, suggesting positive outcomes to deep issues.  Mercury trine Pluto brings deep thought and psychological reflection, and earnest conversations.  Conversations could be life changing: the right word at the right time, striking home in the right place.  However, bear in mind that Mercury is still retrograde, and communications still need some care.

Mars trines Saturn early on Wednesday (28th), so early resolve catches the worm.  This transit favours practical action, and works that are deliberately planned and executed.  Hard work can pay off.

Thursday (29th) breakfast time sees the entry of Venus into Libra, making her graceful entrance with a sigh of satisfaction, into one of her home signs.  You may be pondering relationships or money issues.  Venus is happy and harmonious in this sign, and that may assist you in finding the sweet words to overcome any tensions.

Lastly, at tea time on Saturday (1st October), Venus opposes Jupiter, one of the more innocuous of oppositions available.  There may be some extra socializing in the offing.  This may include an awkward gaffe, but hopefully on the right side of humour.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – new beginning
• Tomorrow – helpful for money and love, literary and cultural pursuits; over egging of the pudding
• Tuesday – positive outcomes to deep issues
• Wednesday – resolve and practical action
• Thursday – gracefulness and harmony
• Saturday – extra socializing; dubious humour

Hilary Mantel, prolific author, has died suddenly from a stroke at the age of 70.  She was a genius in her main chosen field of historical fiction, but  was denied a third Booker prize for the third novel in her trilogy “The Mirror and The Light”.  I am reposting parts of my 2013 blog, written before that was published:

From my blog in 2013:

“Mantel certainly has turned the Tudor tale on its axis, and turned the current literary scene too.  The Guardian printed an article last week imploring that she didn’t receive the award, and to let someone else have the opportunity!  She won the Man Booker prize for “Wolf Hall” in 2009.  Her second book “Bring up the Bodies” won the 2012 Man Booker prize, and the Costa Book of the Year award last week.

What has interested me about Hilary Mantel since I first set eyes on her is her astrology, and her past lives!  As soon as I saw her on television, I was hooked.  With her round face and big blue eyes, she looked like the textbook Cancerian which she is.  Moreover, she had Cancerian health issues, centring around the female reproductive system (endemetriosis).

These issues may also have stemmed from past life issues, according to an account she gave of a regression that she had, although she did feel ambivalent about it.  Her friend, the novelist Adam Thorpe (author of “Ulverton”, a work of English rural history) also seems to have an interest in past lives, and may well be a member of her Soul group.

The brilliance of her intuition and spellbinding storytelling is shown in her chart by Sun exactly conjunct Uranus in Cancer (a sign associated with literature and imagination), and her success assisted by an exact sextile of Jupiter to this conjunction.  Her dramatic perception and depiction of the past and historical power play is shown by Pluto on the South Node.  That she can sustain her writing almost in the manner of a Russian novelist, is enabled by an exact sextile between her Mercury and Saturn.

From the beginning, I had thought her level of interest and the detail plus the imagination of her original book “Wolf Hall” must have been written with some level of past-life recall, with an interplay between her conscious and unconscious mind. She may well have observed the material she writes about at close quarters, at the time it was played out.  And that is how I feel about several writers of the historical genre (fiction or non-fiction) who tend to write about and specialize in a particular era.

Hilary Mantel and Regression

Hilary wrote about her “brush” with regression in a Guardian article of January 2010.  She was not comfortable with her practitioner (you do need to choose a practitioner you are comfortable with), but did experience enough to grasp the issues involved and own her feelings about it.  She writes about being aware of her own current life at the same time as experiencing the past life (which is what I aim for when working).

In her own words:

‘…I was aware of everything around me…yet I was on board ship, I was in a railway car, I was in an alien land.  I was still inside Sara, or she inside me, when she reached her 70s and her heart failed’. “

Note the same age in the regression as her life span in this lifetime.  I think I speak for all when I say we are grateful she wrote as much as she did in the time available.

Virgo Careers

We are still in Virgo season (just about)!  This is the seventh in a series in which I look at careers for the various zodiac signs.  Maybe you have children or grandchildren born under this sign, and are looking at their potentials, or you are a Virgo looking at re-training for a change of career.  If you are a Virgoan (in Sun or Ascendant sign) and have found an ideal or fulfilling career, please do share that under comments.

Health and Safety specialist

You’ll find a high number of Virgos working in hospitals in some capacity, whether as doctors and nurses or in catering, dieticians, maintaining equipment or in alternative health such as Homeopathy or Naturopathy, as health and hygiene are often their top priority.  Virgoans are often found as health workers, e.g. Health Visitors and therapists, and Chiron “The Wounded Healer” is often ascribed to this sign.

Famous Example: Joe Wicks, the famous health and fitness guru, who kept people exercising during lockdown.

Ecologist/Environmentalist

Looking after the planet and the life upon it is another top priority for Virgos, hence this area too is of top interest for their lifetime’s work.

Famous Example: Linda McCartney – In the culinary field, vegetarianism is associated with Virgo, and she produced a range of vegetarian foods in her lifetime, which are still being produced today.  She became vegetarian after watching lambs gambolling outside their farm window.  Her reasons were ethical on behalf of animals rather than for health reasons, Paul McCartney told Nigel Slater.

Archetype: Servant

Leos and Virgos work well together, because Virgos like to give good service, and Leos like to be served.

I previously wrote about the Servant as a Virgo Archetype:

“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.’ ”

Librarian

They say that Librarianship is a reasonably contented profession.  For Virgos, a Library as a place of work offers a quiet space relatively free from stress.  An Aries would miss the adrenaline in this workplace, but a Virgoan Librarian could be happy here (unless they have an Aries Ascendant!).  Virgoan authors often tend to present prolific work, with much detail and intricacy.

Famous Authors: D.H. Lawrence, Leo Tolstoy, Agatha Christie and Stephen King.  Also prolific historians and biographers Elizabeth Longford and Lady Antonia Fraser (mother and daughter).

Eternal Student

Virgos like to study in detail, and thus can become academics and specialists in their fields.

I have previously written about the Bluestocking Virgo Archetype:

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.”

Craftsperson

Virgo is the sign of the Craftsperson, so if you as a Virgoan want to make a career of doing what  you love, making a business of  your favourite craft, be it carpentry, ceramics or making intricate greetings cards, would make an ideal career.

Watchmaker/Jeweller

Such an area of craft, often associated with the country Switzerland (a country associated through many qualities with the sign of Virgo) is watchmaking.  That intricate work with the interior of a watch or a clock, and the association of time (ruled by its planet Mercury) all leads to Virgo.

Other Occupations:

Critic,  Clerical work/Book keeping, Cleaner, Record Keeper

Above all, a Virgoan will put perfectionism, painstaking attention to detail and conscientiousness in all they do, which should guarantee them employment!  The House associated with Virgo, the 6th House, is the House of Health, Working Conditions, the Environment, and Community – the Virgoan upholds the very fabric of society.

Aspects

The pattern of aspects this coming week is similar to the last two weeks: aspects at the beginning of the week and the end of the week, with a gap in the middle!  Looking ahead to the following week though, there will be a more normal spread of aspects.

We start, today, with an opposition between Mercury and Jupiter, in late evening.  This is mentally stimulating but can lead to mental resources being overstretched.  Travel news may also be quite testing, e.g. people being in long queues.  Jupiter opposite Mercury is a learning curve, and can bring out some humour, but need some caution in the playing.  We have to remember that Mercury is still retrograde, so that doesn’t make things easier.  So  you may need patience in communication matters, e.g. in resolving technical issues.  There may be a lot on your mind, as you retire, tonight.

The early hours of tomorrow (Monday, 19th) brings a trine between the Sun and Pluto.  This is very fitting for the last mourners to join the queue at Westminster, as it is a dignified honouring (Sun) of a death (Pluto).  The last mourner will be allowed at 6.30 a.m., so the timing on the day is extra fitting.  Those queuing through the night will be sustained by the fortitude of the Sun trine Pluto, which is an aspect that deals with the important and deep stuff of life and psychology.  If you are not at the queue at Westminster, you may experience and contemplate (or dream) in great depth, and any creativity will have this profound quality imbued within it.  You may find that you have made more real progress than you thought, your patience rewarded.  There could be a revelation.

There’s another trine in the early hours of Tuesday (20th) morning, between Venus and Uranus.  This is a fresh and sparkling energy, suitable for a King to begin a reign and a new Prime Minister to get on with the job [what – no rest?].  If you’re dreaming in the middle of the night you may experience some vivid and upbeat images or guidance.  The aspect may set you up with insights for the coming week, or bring encounters of the illuminating kind.  In the field of the Arts, it can bring originality and surprise, e.g. to a performance of music.  Ideas for assisting the problems in our society may also crop up, such as community based solutions. This aspect is also favourable for spontaneous exciting meetings.

Fast forward to Friday (sorry, no Fixed Star this week) and it will be the Autumn Equinox, again occurring in the early hours of the morning.  At the Autumn Equinox the Sun enters Libra, and it is a good time for rebalancing and recalibrating.  There may be a lift in mood, accompanying a greater appreciation of the beauty of nature, and awareness of the quality of design, whether in or out of the home.  Libra may draw you to artistic or musical pursuits, new relationships, or an interest in the law and justice.  It may be time to switch to your Autumn wardrobe.

Around breakfast time, the Sun conjoins with Mercury at 0 degrees Libra, so it is a good day generally to apply your mind with clarity,  concentrate and focus,  and make important statements.  The focus may be on relationships and relating.  Mentally you may be able to see things clearly from the other person’s point of view.   In a negotiation, for instance, it is easier for each party to save face, and achieve a win-win outcome.

At mid-day another ingress occurs, and that is Mercury’s entry into Virgo (moving backwards from Libra).  There may be some piece of work  you have not finished, or need to put extra touches on.  Look at your project with the detailed eye of the Virgoan.  Work and study schedules for the Autumn may be beckoning (hubby and I are starting our third year in Philosophy at Cambridge – having taken a gap year!).  Make an effort, while Mercury retraces its steps in Virgo, to revise your ecological and recycling policies, especially if you are a government cabinet minister in the new regime.

One final aspect, which occurs on Saturday (24th) at breakfast time, and that is Neptune opposing Venus.  So we start and end the week with an opposition, but very different in nature.  This one may be uncomfortable in a way that you may not be able to put your finger on.  There may be some deception or illusion going on, especially in relationships or with money, so be cautious.  Don’t answer any cold calls or scam emails.  It is possible that you may be going to a social function in a context such that you don’t quite know where you stand.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – mentally overstretching
• Tomorrow – dignified mourning; deep strength
• Tuesday – sparkling social vibe
• Friday – Autumn mood; mental clarity; attending to unfinished business
• Saturday – seeking the truth in relationships

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1926 – 2022)

“I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service”

~  Elizabeth, 1947

As a nation, and also in the wider world, we are shocked and stunned at her passing this week on 8th September, even though we always knew Queen Elizabeth wasn’t immortal.  It seems not just the end of an era, but maybe the end of the end of all eras.  She was a remarkable woman in her fortitude and dedication. And it has been said that one in every two people in the U.K. have met her, so that is a lot of memory, spanning the 96 years of her life and the 70 years of her reign.  I never met her, but I did dream about her, which apparently is a common phenomenon, as she is deeply ingrained as an Archetype in our psyche.  Her revealed personality has changed over the years, from stiff formality through to the later years when she increasingly revealed so much wisdom and humour.  She reigned longer than any other British monarch, and longer than any female monarch in the world (the record is held by Louis XIV of France).

Birth Chart

Elizabeth was born at 2.40 a.m. on 21st April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair

I analysed the Queen’s chart in 2012.  I was going to present an abridged version, but instead am re-posting almost the whole piece:

“Taurus (her Sun Sign) and Capricorn (her Ascendant) have been very evident in the hard work the Queen has put in to making her own Jubilee year a success.  She has the South Node conjunct her Ascendant, and that is often seen in one who puts their own wishes aside for others, i.e. in this case for public service.  These qualities are reinforced in her chart by Saturn on the Midheaven (Careerpoint) defining her Career Path as one of duty and discipline.

The wealth that has accompanied this destiny is very simply portrayed by Jupiter at the beginning of her 2^nd House of Finance…

Her Jupiter is in conjunction with Mars which is at the end of her 1^st House, which gives her indefatigability, but also I think reflects her love of horses and corgis too.  Jupiter rules horses and Mars rules dogs…

She has the Moon in regal Leo, and so to dominate emotionally comes naturally to her.  This is a role she doesn’t have to feign.  Her other female planet Venus trines Pluto, which as her ruling planet, gives her considerable strength and fortitude.  Venus is in Pisces, and this gives her the Vision required to carry out such an all encompassing role.  Especially when the Commonwealth was inherited by her and the size it was then, the trine gave her empathy with the Third World (Pluto in Cancer, the sign associated with the African continent).

Uranus (the capacity to support change) trines her Saturn/Midheaven, and her grandchildren have been praising her this week for her ability to adapt the monarchy into the 21^st Century.

She also has Chiron at the end of Aries conjunct the Sun at the beginning of Taurus, and the life role designated to her will have been a tremendous challenge to her individuality, and a test of her strength and steadfastness. The Sun/Chiron conjunction is in the 4^th House of Home and Family, thus showing her to be the upholder of tradition and her genetic heritage.”

Her Life in Transits:

Her parents were King George VI and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, and she was brought up with her sister Margaret.

She met Philip in 1934 and 1937;  they were second cousins once removed.

22/7/1939 She met him for the third time at Royal Dartmouth naval college, reportedly falling in love.  Uranus was exactly sextile her natal North Node (an exciting karmic meeting).  In their synastry, his Neptune was on her Moon (fascination) and his Mercury trine her Venus (good communication).

During the second world war she joined the Auxilliary Territorial Service, and learned to drive and maintain vehicles.

20/11/1947 She married Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey, and he became the Duke of Edinburgh.  Neptune was exactly sextile her natal Moon on the day, in her 7th House of Marriage, a sensitive heightening of emotion.  Uranus was on Philip’s Mars in Gemini in his 7th House of Marriage (great excitement).

14/11/1958 Their first son, Charles, was born

15/8/1950 Their daughter, Anne, was born

6/2/1952 Her father King George VI died and Elizabeth succeeded him.  The sudden death of her father is depicted in the transits by Pluto opposing her natal Mars.

She became Queen of the Commonwealth, to which she was extremely dedicated, and notably at the time there were seven independent Commonwealth countries, the U.K, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and Ceylon (which became Sri Lanka).

As Queen she carried out engagements at home and abroad, too many to mention here, but the following tend to be more personal dates.

2/6/1953 The Coronation of Elizabeth II took place at Westminster Abbey.  Among her transits at the time were Jupiter sextile her natal Mercury (an expansion of the mind), Saturn square her Nodal Axis (the taking on of karmic responsibility) and Neptune trine her natal Mars (a spiritual pledge).

19/2/1960 Prince Andrew was born

10/3/1964 Prince Edward was born

27/8/1979 Lord Mountbatten, Prince Philip’s uncle was killed by the IRA by a bomb in Ireland. Pluto was trine his Pluto at the time, and Pluto represents bombs in astrology.

The event rocked the whole family, and  Mars was on Queen Elizabeth’s Pluto at the time (an explosive event), but Prince Philip and Prince Charles (as he was then) were particularly deeply affected.  For Prince Philip, Mars squared his Chiron (wounding) and Neptune squared his Saturn (unfathomable pain).  For Prince Charles, Uranus was square his natal Pluto (an explosion in his life) and Pluto was sextile his Pluto (confronting death).  Their deep bond was shown in their charts by sextiled Plutos.

1992 was a big year for the Queen, as most people will remember.

In March Prince Andrew, separated from wife Sarah Ferguson

In April Princess Anne divorced Captain Mark Phillips

7/6/1992 The Sunday Times began serializing Andrew Morton’s book, “Diana: Her True Story”, in which the affair between Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles was revealed, and in which Diana’s bulimia and suicidal feelings were also revealed.

20/11/1992 Windsor Castle was partly destroyed by fire.  The transits for the Queen were quite graphic, and showed her sense of devastation.  There were 5 transits from Mars (fire) including Mars trine Uranus, Mars square Chiron in Aries in the 4th House of Home; in addition to which there were 6 transits from Pluto (destruction) including Pluto square her natal Jupiter in Aquarius in her 2nd House of Belongings.

24/11/1992 The Queen gives a speech.  She describes the last year as an “annus horribilis”.

9/12/1992 The “annus horribilis” continued…Prince Charles and Diana announced their separation, with an eclipse on Diana’s Ascendant.

31/8/97 Diana died in Paris, her car pursued by the paparazzi in a tunnel.  The Queen decided to stay away, and issued no statement, which was interpreted in the media as coldness.  But on the eve of Diana’s funeral, she gave a warm televised address.  She had been shielding William and Harry.  This proved a turning point in how she was perceived by the public, as she realized she needed to show a more human side.

Her transits at the time show Chiron opposite the Queen’s Sun in Taurus in the 4th House of Family, a heavy wound leading to a lesson of healing.

9/2/2002 Elizabeth’s sister Margaret died suddenly of a stroke (Mars on Margaret’s Uranus).  Uranus (shock) was square to Elizabeth’s Saturn/Midheaven in Scorpio.

30/3/2002 The Queen Mother died, on her Pluto Opposition.  For the Queen, Uranus was sextile her Chiron, another healing lesson.

17-20/5/2011 The Queen visited Ireland, historically the first British monarch to do so since Ireland gained independence in 1921, and throughout the “troubles”.  She spoke of reconciliation: Neptune was sextile her natal Sun in Taurus in 4th House, signifying a spiritual act.

6/2/2012 The Diamond Jubilee of the Queen’s accession to the throne.

27/7/2012 In the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games she surprised everyone by playing herself with Daniel Craig in a spoof James Bond sketch, revealing a bold sense of humour!

9/9/2015 Elizabeth became Britain’s longest reigning monarch.

18/6/2017 from my blog after the Grenfell Tower fire:

“Queen Elizabeth II has been a sterling force these last few weeks, visiting patients in hospital who were victims of the London Bridge terrorist attack, and then visiting members of the community this week in Kensington.  In both cases she showed sincerity, compassion and genuine interest.

The Queen’s transits at the moment show Neptune on that Venus in Pisces (a greater opening of that compassion and love), and Jupiter squaring her Pluto (an awareness of the need to be positive in the face of tragedy).  Hence her very apt words: that the country has been “resolute in the face of adversity” and ‘This year, however, it is difficult to escape a very sombre national mood.’ ”

2/8/2017  Prince Philip retired from official duties as the Queen’s consort, at the age of 96.

20/11/2019 The Queen had to suspend Prince Andrew from representing the Royal family by giving him permission to “step back from public duties” after claims were made against him relating to the affairs of his friend, sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This must have caused her immense emotional pain, and is reflected in her transits of the time by Pluto on her Ascendant.

19/3/2020 Due to the pandemic, Elizabeth and Prince Philip moved to Windsor Castle. Saturn (isolation) was square her natal Sun in Taurus in the 4th House of Home, representing a confinement.

31/3/2020 Harry and Meghan’s office was closed and the Sussexes stopped “undertaking official engagements in support of the Queen”.  In June, they bought a house in California.

5/4/2020  The Queen thanked key workers in a televised address in lockdown, and urged people to draw strength from the thought “We’ll meet again”, showing the skill and compassion of her delivery.  At the time, Boris Johnson was being hospitalized with Coronavirus, and the country needed that cohesive force at the helm.

7/3/2021 Harry and Meghan are interviewed on television by Oprah Winfrey, making some hurtful comments about the royal family.  Buckingham Palace put out a statement of ‘recollections may vary’.

9/4/2021  Prince Philip died aged 99.  They had been married for 73 years. The Queen said his death left a huge void in her life. Saturn was opposite her natal Moon in Leo in 7th House of Marriage, the huge void.  Pluto square her Chiron, an extremely painful point in her life.

17/4/2021 Prince Philip’s funeral.  The laxity of the partygoing the night before at Westminster provided a contrast between her values, as she sat on her own in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, wearing a black mask in the Abbey, observing the rules religiously.  She set the example, but it was not followed.  We only found out later.

20/10/2021 Elizabeth cancelled a trip to Ireland, and that was the beginning of concern for her health.

4/6/2022 At the  Platinum Jubilee of her accession to the throne, the nation was again surprised by the boldness of her humour as she smilingly sat straight opposite Paddington Bear and proceeded to extract a marmalade sandwich from her iconic handbag!

6/9/2022 She fulfilled the duty of saying goodbye to outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and instituting the incoming Prime Minister Liz Truss, at Balmoral.  This was our last sighting of her, looking diminutive next to Liz Truss.

8/9/2022 The Royal Family were called to Balmoral at concern for the Queen’s health.  The time of death is disputed, but Saturn was on her natal Mars (a diminishing of life force) and Neptune was trine her natal Saturn in Scorpio (at peace).

King Charles III

This will take time to get use to, but he takes up his new position at a time when Chiron opposes his natal Venus (a personal wound) and the Nodal Axis squares his natal Pluto (a karmic death), but Jupiter trines his Ascendant from the cusp of his 9th House of Religion (he will be defender of faiths).

Liz Truss

This of course was to be a blog about one Liz (the new Prime Minister), and turned out to be about another (Queen Elizabeth).  Liz Truss’ relationship with Prince Charles will be very important.  Though he has promised not to intervene, he has such strong values, e.g. about the environment, that I hope that he will somehow influence her conscience on the matter (she currently proposes to cut back on green policies, where she should be forging ahead on climate change).  Her Mars squares Charles’ Pluto, which is a real clash, but where Prince Charles has the greater moral force, astrologically.

Queen Elizabeth II was treasured the world over.  And she couldn’t have done a better job!  Let us hope that her values stay in people’s hearts and influence the direction of society through all generations.

“Grief is the price we pay for love.”

~ Queen Elizabeth II, 11th September 2001

Aspects

The Sun trines Uranus today, which may give you the go ahead to forge ahead with innovative plans and original creativity.  This is a hopeful influence, at a time when we need it, and we have a new King.  The aspect can also bring surprise – think of the surprises that Queen Elizabeth sprang on us in her cameo acting appearances!

The pattern of aspects is similar to last week, in appearance at the beginning and end of the week, so I again offer you a Fixed Star for mid-week.  On Wednesday (14th) Denebola from the constellation of Leo is aligned with our Sun.  Tuning in to this star, “Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld offers us the following information, on the theme of Leadership:

“This star has a direct bearing upon will and leadership functioning, enhancing awareness of the deep meaning of leadership, and the ability to create more consciously the links usually unconscious between any leader and a group.  This is the basic form in which charisma comes, in the way in which one becomes the voice for many, in a way in which the many are unable to express that voice.

This star can also be beneficial anytime a group focuses on an individual, even when it is group healing or receiving energy of the group, as this group energy then becomes one-pointed and focused within the individual.

In many cases, this rise to leadership or awareness of charismatic principles in past lifetimes affects the consciousness of individuals now.”

This may have a message for the new King Charles.

There are two aspects on Friday (16th), the first being Venus square Mars.  You may find that you and/or others are letting your hair down with Venus square Mars loosening the inhibitions.  This square may also have a bearing on the battle of the sexes (within, or interpersonal).

On Friday evening Neptune opposes the Sun, so fogginess could be obscuring your aims.  Try to apply yourself to the basics and look at the detail (though that may seem impossible).  I am reminded of the phrase “there’s many a slip between cup and lip”, so that is worth bearing in mind.  Grounding may be needed, especially if Venus square Mars were responsible for inappropriate behaviours!  Maybe ask yourself, “What would the Queen do?”

The week in bullet points:

• Today – sparkling
• Wednesday – leadership
• Friday – loosening of inhibition; fogginess

Mikhail Gorbachev (1931 – 2022)

One of the great statesmen of the 20th Century Mikhail Gorbachev of Russia died this week at the age of 91. He envisaged peaceful global relations, but against his wishes his domestic policies resulted in the break-up of the Soviet Union.  Thus it is that he is more fondly remembered in the West than in his own country.

Birth Chart

With the Sun in Pisces, Mikhail Gorbachev was a visionary and an idealist.  His Ascendant in Libra was peace loving and diplomatic.  The combination of these traits in his personality contributed to him gaining the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990, for his work in ending the Cold War.  He had a very optimistic and upbeat outlook (unusual among Russian leaders), and that was shown in his chart by the Sun exactly trine Jupiter.  His Jupiter was at the top of his chart, square his Ascendant, and at the end of his 9th House of Foreign Relations, something he excelled in.  He did apparently have a need for attention and admiration, and that was a display of his Moon sign, Leo.  His Venus conjunct Saturn showed up a quality of loyalty in his character.  The Reformer Archetype was very much a part of his style of leadership, and that was shown by the North Node conjunct Uranus, and Chiron exactly sextile his Midheaven (careerpoint).

Life and Career

His family were poor (the I.C. in his chart conjunct Saturn in Capricorn in his 4th House of Home and Family).  This configuration is also an indication of motivation in politics, and he joined the Communist party at the age of 19, rising up the ranks (the Capricorn goat politically climbing).  He was born when Russia was under the declining years of Lenin’s  leadership, but the period of his childhood was dominated by the rule of Stalin.  As a youth, he worked on a farm operating combine harvesters, harvesting grain with his father.

He met his future wife Raisa at Moscow State University while studying his first degree in law, where he worked hard and was known as a mediator.  Raisa was studying Philosophy. He graduated in 1955, having written his final paper on the advantages of social democracy over bourgeois democracy. The couple had a daughter Irina in 1957.  Later he took a second degree in agricultural production.

Within the Communist Party, he took part in implementing de-Stalinization reforms after Khrushchev succeeded Stalin.  Gorbachev had identified as a Marxist-Leninist, but now became more of a reformist. In his political role within the region of Stavropol at this stage of his life, he began to travel out of Russia, to Bulgaria, East Germany and Czechoslovakia, which enabled him to gain wider political perspectives. He also travelled to Italy, being surprised by the poverty and inequality he saw.  But travel in Europe began to open his eyes and change his political focus – he was particularly struck by the way in which Europeans were able to openly criticize their governments, and began to see the merits of bourgeois democracy.

In 1978 he was appointed a Secretary of the Central Committee, then in 1980 he joined the Politburo, and was elected its leader and General Secretary in 1985, despite his relative youth.  Saturn was trine his natal Mars in Cancer in 10th House (career advancement),  Neptune trine his Neptune in Virgo in 11th House (spiritually, he was on track) and Pluto was sextile his natal Neptune (a profound change in his life, allowing him to fulfill his purpose).  He became the eighth leader of the Soviet Union.

Even at that age, he could see that substantial reform was necessary, and this conviction grew after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.  He made it a priority to withdraw from Russia’s war with Afghanistan, and began to reach out to the wider world, including President Reagan in the U.S., Mitterand in France, and Margaret Thatcher in the U.K. (who famously declared she could do business with him).  Gorbachev wanted to end the proliferation of nuclear weapons and end the Cold War.  Reagan was at first mistrustful of Gorbachev’s overtures, but eventually came to an amicable relationship with him. We in the western world learned about Glasnost and Perestroika, terms he used in his process of transformation.

Glossary:

Uskoreniye – An early policy of a path of controlled reform, aimed at accelerating domestic development by Gorbachev in Russia.

Perestroika – It soon became clear that restructuring was necessary, and so Perestroika replaced the policy of Uskoreniye. This involved decentralizing economic decision-making. Restructuring indirectly led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Glasnost – A policy of greater openness, transparency and honesty instigated by Gorbachev, allowing for more freedom of speech.

Gospriyomka – In domestic policy, this required quality assurance to improve output and production, marking a standard of state acceptance.

Yeltsin

As a political rival, the role of Boris Yeltsin proved to be influential in the demise of Mikhail Gorbachev. Yeltsin felt that Gorbachev did not go far enough in his reforms, and was a long-term critic of his policies. The two were destined to work alongside each other as contemporaries, being born within a month and a day of each other in the same year.  Yeltsin came to head the opposition to his government, and after he ousted Gorbachev in some ways finished off what Gorbachev had left undone, but with a destructiveness which Gorbachev was not happy with.  Gorbachev had allowed the Eastern European states to develop their own nationality and socialist policies, expecting them to want to stay in the Union.  The Berlin Wall came down in 1989, an event hailed in the west, and credited to Gorbachev, together with the reunification of Germany.  At the time Saturn (wall) was exactly conjunct Neptune (dissolution) at 10 degrees Capricorn (on Gorbachev’s 4th House cusp). Under Gorbachev’s successor Yeltsin, the Soviet Union came to an end, the states each went their own way, and we are seeing a backlash now, in Putin’s desire to grab back Crimea and Ukraine, in his bitterness about the break up of the Soviet Union.  He declined to attend Gorbachev’s funeral yesterday, but there was support in evidence among the population.

Final Years

In his final years, Gorbachev devoted himself to research (into Russian and international problems, according to the Guardian obituary).  Raisa died of a stroke, after having suffered with leukaemia in 1999, having worked for children’s charities.  She had proved an elegant first lady.  At her death, Saturn was square to his Moon (his female counterpart).  Their daughter Irina had two children.  Gorbachev was reportedly traumatized by the invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, feeling that Putin had undone his life’s work.  To my mind, Gorbachev was a man who put the welfare of the world above nationalism and patriotism.

Words from mourners at his funeral, reported by the BBC:

“Gorbachev gave us hope, helped us dream of liberty. I hope our society is not saying goodbye to liberty.”

~ Stanislav

“This is a farewell to the person who has done his utmost to save the country from authoritarianism, from backwardness,”

~ Olga

Aspects

We have slim pickings this week, aspect-wise!

We begin tomorrow (Monday 5th), with Venus entering Virgo (which is not even an aspect, it’s an ingress).  This makes us tend to be more selective and discriminating in our tastes.  We become more aware of the issues around the environment.  Venus stays in Virgo until 23td September, so less than a three week window of time to refine our tastes and perfect our contribution to the ecosystem, e.g. recycling procedures.  We may also be specializing in our work and studies.  Be prepared for the announcement of our new Prime Minister.

The pickings are so slim, mid-week, that I have selected a Fixed Star to work with for Wednesday (7th).  On that day, our Sun is aligned with Mizar from Ursa Major, and the enlightenment from “Starlight Elixirs” by Michael Smulkis and Fred Rubenfeld offers:

“Use of this star system can enhance states of multiple awareness, ability to channel, and the ability to organize various components of one’s personality.  There is an ability to better understand the physical, emotional, and spiritual phases of one’s life…

and

Mental transference of ideas and concepts in whole form is enhanced by use of this star.  As a result, the deeper understanding of complex issues – economic, political, and social can be found with this elixir.  Diplomacy, ability to interrelate in times of national crisis, ability to transfer between countries diverse aspects of culture will be enhanced.  Some artists struggling with large concepts and visions will also be assisted.”

Moving to the end of the week, on Saturday (10th) we have Mercury Stationary, prior to turning Retrograde, in Libra (also not actually a bona fide aspect).  Sorry to disappoint those who are not fans.  It will not go direct until 2nd October.  Be clear in your communications between these two dates, in order to avoid misunderstandings and loopholes.  Although technology can go awry, it can be a good period to upgrade such devices.  You may have developed your own strategies, according to past experiences.

But there’s a cheery note from Yasmin Boland and Kim Farnell in their book “The Mercury Retrograde Book”:

“The plus side of Mercury retrograde is definitely that old loves can come back into your life, if that’s what you’re pining for.  This can be for reconciliation…or for closure.  By the same token, if you really want to revive an old love affair, don’t wait for a chance meeting.  If Mercury is retrograde in Libra, the skies totally support you in getting back in touch.  That said, there are no guarantees!”

The Full Moon also occurring on that day, at 17 degrees Pisces, can be called an aspect as it represents an opposition between the Sun and the Moon.  This is an especially tender, sensitive and emotional Full Moon, so tears may flow.  Issues which may come up may be the plastic in the sea, or the fishing industry.  We hope here in the U.K. for some rain, which the Full Moon might grant us…The Pisces Full Moon reminds us that we are all One.

The week in bullet points:

• Tomorrow – selectivity and refinement
• Wednesday – channelling, and negotiating complexity
• Saturday – emotional high tide

Martin Lewis

Lowest point of the week for many in the U.K. was the much-dreaded energy price cap, which was announced on Friday.  At  £3,549 a year, it was just as feared, but had now become a reality, and this at a time when we are effectively without a government, and the two incumbent choices of prime minister were not really delivering the level of support needed.  A figure who has consistently tried to help those struggling financially over the last few years, and who had warned that people would not be able to pay their bills, was the financial pundit Martin Lewis.  Goodness knows how hard he had tried to keep the nation going, but when wheeled into the television studio on Friday, he threw up his hands and declared he did not know what to do, and made an impassioned plea to Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and  Rishi Sunak to do something.  He was on his knees (Mars opposing his Neptune at the time).  There has still been no meaningful response from the powers-that-be.

Birth Chart

Martin Lewis has 6 of his 10 planets in the Mutable signs, the adaptability of which may have helped him to navigate the stormy waters of the economy (up to now).  His Sun is in Taurus, the Money sign.  The Sun is unaspected, depicting an independent soul, a free spirit.  Mercury sextile Mars in his chart describes a mental acuity, a quickness of mental reactions.  He has personal warmth and popularity, from Venus closely conjunct Mars.  But what really pushes him is an exact square between Venus and Pluto, the two financial planets, rubbing each other up (the wrong way?) in his chart, so that he cannot rest when he sees a problem, either for himself or others in this area – an evolved response to this square.  Mars closely squaring Pluto gives him a powerhouse of energy.  Jupiter square Uranus is entrepreneurial (his estimated fortune is £123 million) and he does like to take a risk, himself, though advises others more cautiously and prudently (e.g. advising that refusing to pay anything in the present climate in the Don’t Pay group will not help the individual).  Apparently If someone doesn’t agree a payment plan with their supplier, the supplier might try to force them to have a pre-payment meter installed.  An aspect of great strength in his chart is Saturn trine Pluto, an ability to face difficult circumstances head-on, and with a sense of reality.  And one of his greatest assets for his line of work is Pluto (one of the money planets) exactly trine his North Node (karmic mission), bestowing that depth of understanding about finance and its implications for wider society, which is clearly his metier.

Life and Career

Martin was born in Manchester, and brought up in Cheshire.  His father was the headmaster of a Jewish school for those with special educational needs.  Martin still identifies with Judaism and is a practising Jew, but was bullied at school for being a Jew (there was only one other at his school).  With the South Node in Cancer, he has a strong sense of his tribe.  He lost his mother when he was aged 11, due to a horse riding accident (when Pluto was trine his natal Venus and square his Nodal Axis).

He studied Government and Law at L.S.E., then studied journalism, before entering the world of broadcasting.  He established his “Money Saving Expert” persona on a satellite channel radio show Simply Money presented by Angela Rippon, a slot which ended in 2001.  From there, he found other outlets for his special gift, in a Sunday Express newspaper column, and on a Channel 5 show with Gloria Hunniford, before “graduating” to the mainstream channels of  BBC and ITV.  In 2003, he created the website MoneySavingExpert.com, which he sold in 2012 to the Moneysupermarket.com group for £87 million, but is still involved with the enterprise.  He is now a household name, and is regularly consulted on news programmes, as well as regularly writing for newspapers on the subject of saving money.  In particular, he played an important role in advising the public at the time of the 2008 credit crunch, and has been vociferous this year in trying to prepare the public for the current “catastrophe” (his word).  He has provided charitable donations, notably for the Citizens Advice Bureau, and is involved in work investigating the deleterious effect of debt on mental health.  He has received various honours and awards for his work, such as the CBE.  He is married to another Taurean, weather and technology presenter Lara Lewington, whose Sun is exactly conjunct his own, obviously a good match!  They have one daughter.

Current Situation

That Martin Lewis is so caught up in this present crisis is graphically shown in the astrology of the day.  Remember back to the great triple conjunction of Uranus/North Node/Mars of 31st July?  I wrote at the time:

‘Aquarians and Taureans may be most affected, as well as anyone who has a planet or angle at 18 degrees in their chart.  World finance could also be affected, as the conjunction takes place in Taurus.  Financial Astrologer Raymond Merriman observes: “… with the rare conjunction of Mars, Uranus, and the Moon’s North Node in the money sign of Taurus… This is a consistent signature for a sharp (but possibly short) drop in equity markets.” ‘

Well Uranus is still at 18 degrees Taurus, exactly conjunct with Martin’s Sun, so he feels personally responsible to try and address the crisis.  He has appealed to the heart of government, but has not been able to locate it thus far.  The irony is that he has always tried to be fair and apolitical – he says he is agnostic about how the problem should be solved.  Broadcaster James O’Brien has said he is the least political man he knows, and is always trying to be fair and neutral.

United Kingdom

He is, I am in no doubt, a servant of the people, and has incredibly positive links with the U.K. chart, i.e. is able to make a positive contribution.  His Uranus sextiles the U.K. Mercury/Sun, waking people up.  His Chiron (Inner Healer) trines the U.K. Sun/Mercury (bringing healing).  His Mars trines the U.K. Mars (energizing and motivating), and his Jupiter sextiles the U.K. Jupiter (can help the U.K. rise above problems – he has done much, but of course he needs help from the government to do so now).  It is possible that he sacrifices something of his own life and energy in the task, for the U.K. Neptune squares his Sun.  But, he is not just living a personal life, he is operating on a collective effort.

Campaign: Martin Lewis for next Chancellor of the Exchequer

Aspects

There are only three aspects this week, two oppositions and a sextile, so make the most of them!

We have the most difficult first: at tea-time today,  Saturn opposes Venus.  This means having to let go in relationships or having to make economies in finance.  The message of the power of love may be more difficult to sustain in the face of testing under this aspect.  But the cure for the situation is even more love.  The message in finance is having to examine your values, needs and necessities.

Thursday (1st September) brings the easiest aspect to work with: Mars sextile Jupiter.  This brings expansive activities, such as running in the park, or strenuous gardening, or the pursuit of any sport or leisure activity with gusto.  You’ll be able to find that extra drive, for what you are wanting to achieve.  Pursue your enthusiasms!

The final aspect of the week, on Saturday (3rd Sept) is Mercury opposite Jupiter.  As it occurs in the early hours of the morning, you may find it operational the night before.  This may bring about communication and travel complexity.  You may feel you need to be in two places at once, and be summoned hither and thither.  Geminis and Virgos may need to factor in some extra relaxation time.  However, it is very mind-broadening, if not mind-stretching, if not information-overloading.  But in a good way, like when you come away from a workshop feeling you’ve learnt a lot, brimming with the empowering confidence that you have, but not quite sure what will be useful and what might not be.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – letting go
• Thursday – finding that oomph!
• Saturday – mind-stretching